The Indifferent Stars Above

1. The Allure and Peril of the American West Beckoned

We look out upon them and are astonished to see such careless ease and joyousness manifested in the countenances of almost all—the old, the young, the strong and feeble—the sprightly boy and the romping girl. . . .

Dreams of a better life. The American West, particularly California, was portrayed as a land of boundless opportunity, fertile soil, and a disease-free climate, drawing families from the Midwest seeking escape from economic hardship and illness. Lansford Hastings's Emigrants' Guide fueled this desire, promising a paradise for those willing to brave the journey.

Reality vs. Perception:

• Fertile land and mild climate contrasted with the harsh realities of the journey.
• The promise of wealth clashed with the potential for starvation and death.
• The dream of a new beginning was juxtaposed with the loss of home and community.

Sarah's Hopeful Start: Young Sarah Graves Fosdick, newly married, embodied this optimism, envisioning a home and a future with her family in this promised land, unaware of the trials that lay ahead. This initial hope, however, would soon be tested by the brutal realities of the trail.

2. Manifest Destiny Fueled Expansion, Disregarding Consequences

Unless you pass over the mountains early in the fall, you are very liable to be detained by impassable mountains of snow until the next spring, or perhaps forever.

Expansionist Ideology: The concept of Manifest Destiny, the belief that Americans were destined to expand across the continent, drove westward migration, often at the expense of Native American populations and Mexican territories. This ideology justified the displacement and subjugation of others in the pursuit of land and resources.

Hastings's Role:

• Hastings promoted California as a land ripe for American settlement.
• He downplayed the rights of Mexican Californians and Native Americans.
• His shortcut promised a faster route but led to unforeseen dangers.

Polk's War: President James K. Polk's declaration of war against Mexico further fueled the desire for expansion, with California as the ultimate prize, setting the stage for conflict and upheaval in the region. The pursuit of this "destiny" blinded many to the potential for tragedy.

3. The Illusion of Shortcuts Can Lead to Disaster

The most direct route, for the California emigrants, would be to leave the Oregon route, about two hundred miles east from Fort Hall; thence bearing southwest, to the Salt Lake; and thence continuing down to the bay of St. Francisco, by the route just described.

The Lure of Expediency: Lansford Hastings's shortcut, promoted in his Emigrants' Guide, promised to save hundreds of miles, tempting emigrants with the prospect of a quicker journey. This shortcut, however, was based on Hastings's limited knowledge and disregard for the true challenges of the terrain.

Consequences of the Hastings Cutoff:

• Unfamiliar and treacherous terrain
• Increased travel time due to difficult conditions
• Depletion of resources and exhaustion of livestock

The Donner Party's Fatal Decision: The Donner Party's decision to take the Hastings Cutoff, despite warnings, proved to be a critical turning point, leading them into a deadly trap and highlighting the dangers of prioritizing speed over safety. The allure of a shortcut ultimately led to their demise.

4. Survival Demands Brutal Choices and Erodes Humanity

And nothing can we call our own but death / And that small model of the barren earth / Which serves as paste and cover for our bones.

Descent into Desperation: As the Donner Party became trapped in the Sierra Nevada, dwindling supplies and the threat of starvation forced them to make increasingly difficult choices. The initial focus on cooperation and community gradually eroded as the struggle for survival intensified.

Moral Boundaries Tested:

• Theft and hoarding of resources became more common.
• Arguments and divisions arose within the group.
• The decision to resort to cannibalism marked a profound moral turning point.

The Erosion of Humanity: The extreme conditions stripped away the veneer of civilization, revealing the raw instincts and primal drives that govern human behavior in the face of death. The descent into cannibalism, while born of necessity, left an indelible stain on the survivors' souls.

5. Women Displayed Resilience Amidst Unimaginable Hardship

They were not delicate hothouse plants.

Strength in Adversity: Despite the patriarchal society of the 1840s, women like Sarah Graves, Elizabeth Donner, and Margret Reed demonstrated remarkable resilience, resourcefulness, and courage in the face of unimaginable hardship. They took on traditionally male roles, such as driving wagons and hunting, while also maintaining their roles as caregivers and nurturers.

Women's Roles:

• Providing emotional support and maintaining morale
• Rationing food and managing dwindling supplies
• Caring for the sick and injured
• Making difficult decisions to ensure their families' survival

Sarah's Journey: Sarah's transformation from a young bride to a resilient survivor exemplifies the strength and adaptability of women in the face of extreme adversity. She faced the loss of her husband and father, yet continued to fight for the survival of her siblings.

6. Cannibalism: A Taboo Born of Desperation

The meager by the meager were devoured.

The Ultimate Taboo: The decision to resort to cannibalism represents the most extreme and horrifying aspect of the Donner Party tragedy, a testament to the desperation and unimaginable suffering they endured. This act, deeply ingrained in human consciousness as a taboo, was born of starvation and the will to survive.

Moral and Psychological Toll:

• The act of consuming human flesh left lasting psychological scars on the survivors.
• Guilt, shame, and trauma haunted them for the rest of their lives.
• The decision to cannibalize was often framed as a sacrifice, a means of ensuring the survival of loved ones.

The Breaking Point: The decision to cross this moral boundary marked a profound shift in the Donner Party's story, forever altering their perception of themselves and their place in the world. It was a choice made under duress, a testament to the limits of human endurance.

7. Trauma Leaves Indelible Scars on Body and Soul

To look upon these sad monuments harrows up every sympathy of the heart & soul, & you almost hold your breath to listen for some mournful sound from these blackened, dismal, funeral piles, telling you of their many sufferings & calling on you for bread, bread.

Lasting Psychological Effects: The survivors of the Donner Party, including Sarah Graves, carried the trauma of their experiences with them for the rest of their lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), though not yet defined, manifested in various ways, including nightmares, flashbacks, emotional numbness, and difficulty forming relationships.

Physical and Emotional Toll:

• Malnutrition and exposure left lasting physical damage.
• The psychological burden of cannibalism and loss weighed heavily on their minds.
• The struggle to reintegrate into society was often difficult and isolating.

Sarah's Later Life: Sarah's subsequent marriages and moves suggest a search for stability and peace, but the scars of the Sierra Nevada likely never fully healed. The trauma she endured shaped her worldview and influenced her decisions for the rest of her life.

8. The Fragility of Hope in the Face of Overwhelming Odds

HOPE, the bright, beaming star is ascendant in their sky, alluring them on. . . .

The Power of Hope: Despite the mounting hardships and tragedies, the Donner Party clung to hope as a means of survival. The belief that they would eventually reach California and build a better life sustained them through unimaginable suffering.

The Erosion of Hope:

• The Hastings Cutoff shattered the illusion of a quick and easy journey.
• The loss of livestock and dwindling supplies tested their resolve.
• The deaths of loved ones and the descent into cannibalism threatened to extinguish all hope.

Sarah's Tenacity: Sarah's continued efforts to care for her siblings and find a new life after the disaster demonstrate the enduring power of hope, even in the face of overwhelming odds. She embodies the human capacity to find meaning and purpose in the aftermath of tragedy.

9. The Indifference of Nature to Human Suffering

And left her to the indifferent stars above.

Nature's Impartiality: The Donner Party's story underscores the indifference of nature to human suffering. The Sierra Nevada, with its beauty and its brutality, offered no solace or reprieve to the trapped emigrants.

The Power of the Elements:

• Blizzards, starvation, and disease ravaged the Donner Party.
• The landscape, while stunning, offered no easy path to survival.
• The emigrants were forced to confront their own vulnerability in the face of nature's power.

A Stark Reminder: The Donner Party's tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the limits of human control and the humbling force of the natural world. It highlights the importance of respecting nature's power and preparing for the unexpected.

Last updated: March 14, 2025