“My father, with tears in his eyes, tried to smile as friend after friend shook his hand in a final farewell. Mom was overwhelmed with grief. Eventually we were all on the wagons. The drivers cracked their whips. The oxen advanced slowly and the long journey began.” — Virginia Reed, daughter of James Reed. The tragic story of the Donner party is a truly heartbreaking adventure through the journey of the large group and how about half of the people survived to tell the tale. On April 16, 1846, nine wagons were reported leaving Springfield, Illinois, for a trip along what is now called the Oregon Trail. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original Essay Formerly known as the Northern Trail, there were many advantages and disadvantages to the Oregon Trail, there were more lands and wonderful glories for some people, but there was also disease and death along the way. Lost to starvation, the Oregon Trail was one of the most daring journeys made by our ancestors. Now, as we talk about the Oregon Trail and some of the famous people or groups that have hiked the trail, the Donner Fiesta is one of the most famous fiestas you've ever trekked through. Now here's the story. It was April 16, 1846, nine covered wagons left Springfield, Illinois, to embark on a harrowing journey to California in search of a better life for James Reed's wife and family. There were a couple of reasons why James Reed decided to move to California, one reason was that his wife was suffering from headaches and he hoped the coastal air would help her. The other reason was that he had read a book about this shortcut across the great basin that would save 350 - 400 miles on their travels. James Reed also found other families to accompany him on this adventure. Some of these groups included the Donner, Grave, Breen, Murphy, Eddy families and a few other families with some odd bachelors and maids. James had a mother-in-law who had consumption and could barely walk. He had two maids. Phthisis is basically pulmonary tuberculosis. With this in mind the entire group also had the best state of the art wagons, there were wood stoves, spring seats and beds for sleeping. It was so beautiful that James' 12-year-old daughter Virginia nicknamed it “Pioneer Palace.” They were truly exquisite carts that required eight oxen to pull one cart. With all the wagons and oxen ready, they all set out for Independence, Missouri. One of the Donners was 62 years old and had moved five times before settling in Springfield, Illinois. He and his brother Jacob decided to take another trip to California which sadly would be their last. Ironically, the same day the Donner party prepared to go east to California to see what their shortcut was. After three weeks of easy travel the Donner party ended up in Independence, Missouri. After a good night's sleep and a resupply, they set out (the date was May 12, 1846) westward where there was a storm. About a week later the party came across a large wagon train controlled by Colonel William H. Russell. They were camped at Indian Creek about 100 miles west of Independence, Missouri. Around the 25th the trail of the wagons had stopped and this is where the first death occurred. Sarah Keyes was dead and buried near the river. While on the trail the captain was reassigned to William M. Boggs. The party arrived at Fort Laramie a week later than expected on June 27, 1846. There was an old friend at the fort who advised Reed not to travel the Hastings trail because it was nearly impossible to travel to. )