"When Reed's relief party left the cabins, Mr. Reed left me a half
teacupful of flour, and about half a pound of jerked beef. It was all he
could give. Mrs. Murphy, who was left with me, because too weak and
emaciated to walk, had no larger portion. Reed had no animosity toward
me. He found me too weak to move. He washed me, combed my hair, and
treated me kindly. Indeed, he had no cause to do otherwise. Some of my
portion of the flour brought by Stanton from Sutter's Fort I gave to
Reed's children, and thus saved their lives. When he left me, he
promised to return in two weeks and carry me over the mountains. When
this party left, I was not able to stand, much less to walk."
"A heavy storm came on in a few days after the last relief party left.
Mrs. George Donner had remained with her sick husband in their camp, six
or seven miles away. Mrs. Murphy lived about a week after we were left
alone. When my provisions gave out, I remained four days before I could
taste human flesh. There was no other resort - it was that or death. My
wife and child had gone on with the first relief party. I knew not
whether they were living or dead. They were penniless and friendless in
a strange land. For their sakes I must live, if not for my own. Mrs.
Murphy was too weak to revive. The flesh of starved beings contains
little nutriment.
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