#9: The Donner Party | Hastings is Not Hasty

Welcome back WikiManiacs! You have made it this far, and we can't believe it's Episode 9 already. This week, we talk about one of the most fascinating tales in modern history: The Donner Party. Sit back, relax, or hop on your car equipped with functional GPS, because this one is going to be a wild ride. According to Wikipedia: “The Donner Party (sometimes called the Donner–Reed Party) was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a multitude of mishaps, they spent the winter of 1846–1847 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Some of the migrants resorted to cannibalism to survive, eating the bodies of those who had succumbed to starvation, sickness and extreme cold. The Donner Party departed Missouri on the Oregon Trail in the spring of 1846, behind many other pioneer families who were attempting to make the same overland trip. The journey west usually took between four and six months, but the Donner Party was slowed after electing to follow a new route called the Hastings Cutoff, which bypassed established trails and instead crossed the Rocky Mountains' Wasatch Range and the Great Salt Lake Desert in present-day Utah. The desolate and rugged terrain, and the difficulties they later encountered while traveling along the Humboldt River in present-day Nevada, resulted in the loss of many cattle and wagons, and divisions soon formed within the group. By early November, the migrants had reached the Sierra Nevada but became trapped by an early, heavy snowfall near Truckee Lake (now Donner Lake) high in the mountains. Their food supplies ran dangerously low, and in mid-December some of the group set out on foot to obtain help. Rescuers from California attempted to reach the migrants, but the first relief party did not arrive until the middle of February 1847, almost four months after the wagon train became trapped. Of the 87 members of the party, 48 survived the ordeal. Historians have described the episode as one of the most fascinating tragedies in California history, and in the entire record of American westward migration.[1]” This week's promo is from our friend at Morbidology. You can find all their information at https://www.patreon.com/morbidology Consider being a Patron! The biggest benefit to you Wikimaniacs is that we have a combined Patreon! Signing up for only $5 will not only get you access to this show a week early and ad-free, but it will also get you a week early and ad-free episodes of Let's Start A Cult and The Dumb, Found Dead! A god damn it that's not all because you will also get access to John's new series Kaba, where he dives into cryptids, spooky stories, and creep folklore. So sign up today and help support yuh bois in starting something fun and exciting! RESOURCES Wikipedia contributors. (2021, November 21). Donner Party. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donner_Party History.com Editors. (2019, June 7). Donner Party. HISTORY. https://www.history.com/topics/westward-expansion/donner-party The Tragic Story of the Donner Party – Legends of America. (n.d.). Legends of America. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ca-donnerparty/ Endless Winter: A Fresh Look at the Donner Party Saga. (2020, October 29). KQED. https://www.kqed.org/news/11844011/donner-party-pt-1 Donner Party | ONE. (n.d.). Online Nevada. https://www.onlinenevada.org/articles/donner-party Today's episode is brought to you by HelloFresh! Link: https://hellofresh-ca.o5kg.net/c/2544961/791027/7893 Code: HFAFF80 Offer: $80 Discount ($50 - $20 - $10) Including Free Shipping on First Box! Mentioned in this episode: True Classic Get shirts that actually fit and get 25% off using our code 'Reddit'! True Classic Audible Sign up to get access to the largest collection of Audiobooks, Podcasts, and Audible Originals today! Click the link to get 1-month free or 3-months free for Prime Members! Audible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices