Jonesy Zathras says Free Link McJonesface

Hiram Miller (remember him from back on the main trail?), Nicholas Clark (of age with the Charleses but much less shitty), Matthew Dofar and Joseph Gendreau.

Not with them is the still late Woodsworth. Johnson promises to send him with the rations when he finally arrives.

9/9

As we know, she has already died.

Mountain man John Turner also comes with. Seven other men come with, including two real pieces of shit: both named Charles. We will get to their shittiness eventually.

Also there are Patrick Dunn, Britton Greenwood...

8/9

"Well, mother, if you never see me again, do the best you can."

It will turn out that Glover will not have to keep his promise...

Leaving Johnson's Ranch is James Reed and another rescue party.

This party includes Will McCutchen, hoping to rescue his daughter.

7/9

That is until Aquilla Glover, who walked them back, offered the Breens more of their reserved food. It works.

Aquilla has promised Margret Reed on his honor that he would eventually return for her children.

Patty tells her mother shortly before they part...

6/9

Unfortunately it became apparent pretty quickly that most of the children were struggling with the depth of snow. The party does not get far, and soon Patty and Thomas are sent back to the Breens as noted by Patrick.

What Patrick didn't note is that he refused their entry...

5/9

As Lewis Keseberg lies on the ground apparently unable to do anything, and having already lost her infant son, Philippine does not want to leave her toddler to die. They will not wait for another relief.

Margret also refused to leave any of her children.

4/9

... Mary & William Murphy, Naomi Pike, Philippine & Ada Keseberg, Doris Wolfinger, John Denton, Noah James, and Eliza Williams.

The party includes those thought strong enough to make the trek, although Philippine refused to leave her toddler daughter behind...

3/9

The First Relief leaves camp leaves with the following refugees: Elitha & Leanna Donner , George Donner, Jr., William Hook, Margret, Virginia, James Jr., Patty, & Thomas Reed, Edward & Simon Breen, William, Eleanor, & Lovina Graves,...

2/9

February 22, 1847: "The Californians started this morning, 24 [23] in number, some in a very weak state. Fine morning. Wind S.W. for the 3 last days. Mrs Keysburg started & left Keysburg here[; he was] unable to go... Paddy Reid & Tho[mas]s. came back." - Patrick Breen.

1/9

February 21, 1847.

"Thawey, warm day."

She was left in the care of her grandmother, Mrs Murphy. But Murphy is ailing and stopped producing milk.

Murphy tried giving the girl ox hide gruel. It did nothing for her.

She is buried in the snow.

Preparations to for the First Relief continue.

2/2

February 20, 1847. Help comes too late for the infant Catherine Pike.

No amount of flour or dry meat could nourish the unweaned infant. Her father had been accidentally shot by her uncle. Her mother recovers at Johnson's Ranch with the other members of the Forlorn Hope.

1/2

This made the Breens happy, as they would now have the cabin to themselves (Patrick decided all but Edward and Simon would stay until the next relief).

Those going would leave on the 22nd. For now they try and regain some strength. The crossing is not easy for the healthiest.

6/6

A similar selection process would take place at the Lake Camp. It was considered wise for only the strongest to attempt the crossing, but everyone would need a few days of real food before doing so.

Margret Reed though was determined to bring her whole family: even the youngest.

5/6

The Wolfinger widow would also leavr Alder Creek. Solomon Hook, Tamzene and her daughters, the sick George, Betsy Donner and her younge children, and a reluctant Jean Baptiste Trudeau stay at Alder Creek.

Hook and Trudeau are given a small provision of food to keep until the next relief.

4/6

Decisions would have to be made. Tamzene would stay behind with her young daughters while stepdaughters Elitha and Leanna were considered strong enough to accompany the rescuers.

William Hook and George Donner Jr would also go along with the rescue. So would teamster Noah James.

3/6

Three men check on the Donners at Alder Creek. No deaths had occurred here since December, but they found most of the party in a "starving condition."

Tamzene was still doing relatively well. George was in terrible shape with his infected hand now a gangrene arm.

2/6

February 19, 1847: "Froze hard last night. 7 men arrived from California yesterday with som provisions, but left the greater part on the way. To day clear & warm for this region. Some of the men are gone to day to Donner's Camp. Will start back on Monday."

-Patrick Breen

1/6

Virginia Reed learns her stepfather is still alive and coming to their rescue as well.

But the fates of the Forlorn Hope (namely that only seven have survived) are kept quiet so as not to cause too much despair. The camp is told that everyone is frostbit but otherwise well.

9/9

They start to build bullboats to transport the elk, but soon a vessel approaches, which they commandeer.

For now, those at Truckee Lake have a little meat and flour and the first hope they have had in months.

Alder Creek camp will have to wait until morning.

8/9

Greenwood convinces Reed that Woodworth, who is now at Sutter's Fort awaiting "better headwinds," is not worth waiting for. He can catch up. Right now the elk they have hunted and whatever is at Johnson's Ranch will do for provisions. Rescue must commence soon.

7/9

But there was another reason the First Relief only offered a small amount of their provisions: even in the 1800s people knew that feeding starved too much too fast could be fatal, even if they didn't know what caused refeeding syndrome.

Meanwhile between Sutter's Fort and Johnson's Ranch...

6/9

Those were the words of Reason Tucker. The seven men took in the sights and the horrible smell. Half buried in snow where the bodies of the dead. The living were covered in filth and lice and half dead themselves.

The majority of food was cached or at Mule Springs.

5/9

"...very much agitated, and said, 'Are you men from California or do you come from heaven?' "

Those at Truckee Lake are not sure if they are angels or Native Americans. But soon they realize that a rescue has come.

“The sight of us appeared to put life into their emaciated frames.”

4/9

The woman was Mrs Murphy.

"As we approached her, several others made their appearance, in like manner coming out of the snow. They were gaunt with famine; and I never can forget the horrible, ghastly sight they presented. The first woman spoke in a hollow voice..."

3/9

"At sunset, we crossed Truckee Lake on the ice, and came to the spot where, we had been told, we should find the emigrants. We looked all around, but no living thing except ourselves was in sight. We raised a loud hello. And then we saw a woman emerge from a hole in the snow..." - Dan Rhoads

2/9

February 18, 1847. "Froze hard last night. To day clear & warm in the sun; cold in the shanty or in the shade. Wind S.E. All in good health. Thanks be to Almighty God. Amen." - Patrick Breen

Seven men of the First Relief make it over the pass. They look for trees that Eddy had described.

1/9

“Travelled 8 miles and camped at the head of Juba [Yuba] on the Pass we suppose the snow to be 30 feet deep.” - Reason Tucker

James Reed continues waiting for Woodsworth and gets more annoyed. Caleb Greenwood of the Second Relief shoots some elk. He has an idea...

2/2

February 17, 1847. "Froze hard last night with heavy clouds running from the N.W. & light showers of hail at times. To day same kind of Weather. Wind N.W. Very cold & Cloudy. No sign of much thaw." - Patrick Breen

The First Relief approaches the summit.

1/2

His story about "liquid gasoline" polyurethane foam.

Of which he had installed in his club over the more expensive flame resistant foam.

Anyway, in case it isn't obvious, this is what leads us to the Station Nightclub Fire only day later. With B-role footage!

Compare to the Fine Line...

7/7