October 5, 1846

James Frazier Reed, 45, had met life-changing challenges head-on his whole life. So far he'd never let them get the best of him. Soon he would face a challenge like no other.

Reed had come to Virginia from Ireland when he was a boy. At 20 he moved to Illinois and worked in a mine. Later he became wealthy in the cabinet furniture business.

He was headed west to see what further fortune he could create for himself and his family. The journey was his idea along with George Donner's. Both lived around Springfield. A number of other Illinois families joined.

This party of 31 pioneers left their farms around Springfield on April 14 and reached Independence, Missouri by early May. That part of the trip kept the travelers in good spirits. They saw some Indians and crossed some rivers through that picturesque country.

Reed's 12-year-old daughter Virginia had fun. At first she feared Indians would attack. Her grandmother told her such bedtime stories. But Virginia enjoyed riding her pony. "Exercise in the open air under bright skies and freedom from peril combined to make this part of our journey an ideal pleasure trip," she said.

The trip continued pleasant and uneventful through most of Wyoming. Along the way the group chose George Donner as captain.

This had more to do with personality than ability. Donner, in his 60's, seemed kind-hearted and gentle, willing to listen to any who had an idea or complaint. On the other hand, James Reed seemed stuck up. His expensive wagon, the horse he rode, and even the horse his stepdaughter Virginia rode, all displayed his wealth.

When they reached Fort Bridger shortly before coming to Utah, the Donner party stopped for a rest and didn't leave till July 31. While there, James Reed became convinced that it would save them 300 miles to take what was called the "Hastings' Cutoff." Lansford W. Hastings, a young trailblazer who was at that time leading a group of pioneers west, told of a route south of Utah's Great Salt Lake that he said would save time and distance. Reed convinced the group to try it.

The party, which now included nearly 90, headed for the "Hastings Cutoff." Hastings did mention some 40 miles of desert and perhaps some rough travel. But what Reed and nearly 90 others with him found out was another story.

They had to cut through miles of uncharted wooded areas that took them a month rather than the week they anticipated. They had trouble with Indians who stole from their supplies while they slept.

The desert was closer to 75 or 80 miles, nearly twice what Hastings claimed. That's when the journey turned from vacation to hell on earth.

In the desert most became desperate for water. When it looked like they might not make it, Reed volunteered to scout ahead. He went between 20 to 30 miles before finding water. When he got back, he found most of his cattle and oxen had wandered off desperate for water. Jacob Donner loaned him two oxen to help pull his wagon.

The party had split into two groups by then. The lead group with George Donner was about a day's journey ahead. About three day's journey or about 35 miles past Gravelly Ford on the Humboldt River Reed's group came to a steep hill. Each wagon had to "double team" to climb it. That meant oxen from another wagon would double up with the team pulling a wagon up the hill.

James Reed was out hunting while this was going on. As he rode back he noticed two men arguing. John Snyder, a teamster for Franklin Graves, was arguing with Milt Elliott, who was Reed's teamster.

Snyder, in his mid 20's, was well liked. At times when others became discouraged he would lay the gate from his wagon on the ground and clog a jig to entertain them. Most times he was friendly and shy. But this day he was struggling to get his team up the hill when Milt Elliot accidentally hit his wagon in trying to bypass it.

Snyder yelled at Elliott as he beat his cattle with a whip stock trying to get them up the hill. That's when Reed rode in.

Reed told Snyder to quit beating the cattle and offered to help him get the wagon over the hill. Snyder became angrier. Reed told Snyder they could settle the matter once they were over the hill. Snyder countered, "We'll settle it now."

Snyder struck Reed on the head with his whip stock. Blood appeared. He struck him a second, then a third time. Reed's wife ran up between them. Snyder lifted the whip stock again. "John, John," Reed yelled. A blow landed on Mrs. Reed.

Reed quickly drew a knife and stabbed Snyder in the chest. Snyder staggered back. He lay on the ground. Reed quickly regretted what he'd done. He tried to help Snyder but it was too late. A few minutes later Snyder died.

Some in the group wanted to hang Reed. The group finally decided to banish him and not allow him a gun or ammunition. This was close to a death sentence since there were Indians in the area.

James Reed rode away the next evening, defenseless. His daughter Virginia later said what she did. "I followed him through the darkness, taking Elliott with me, and carried him his rifle, pistols, ammunition, and some food. I had determined to stay with him, and begged him to let me stay, but he would listen to no argument, saying that it was impossible."

The Donner party would later be thankful someone helped James Reed. It gave Reed the chance he needed. He made it to California and eventually returned with a rescue party to those who became stranded in snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Though half of the Donner party died in the experience, James Reed's entire family lived through the ordeal.

Sources:

History of the Donner Party: A Tragedy of the Sierra by C.F. McGlashan, Stanford, California, Stanford University Press, 1947 (first published in 1880).

Ordeal by Hunger: The Story of the Donner Party by George R. Stewart, Boston, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1936, 1988.

True Tales of the West by Arthur Chapman and others, Secaucus, New Jersey, Castle Inc., 1985.