The Donner-Reed party were joined joined by other families, but focused around James Reed and George and Jacob Donner
Leaving From Independance
Joining many others, the party starts travelling west on May of 1846
The Donner Party Splits Off
Thinking that it would take less time their way, the party split from the bigger group which cost them valuable resources
The Reed Incident
While George Donner was viewed as kind and soft-spoken...
James Reed was viewed as arrogant and unpleasent, he ended up killing John Snyder.
Other Problems on the Way
As the grass was starting to die, the animals became weaker and weaker, leaving some people to be forced to walk, and others have the animals stolen by Native Americans
Snow in the Sierra Nevadas
The party tried to cros the Sierra Nevadas, but the snow came too early and the blizzard killed many people and animals
James was banished from the group, and went on ahead instead of being hung