Volume 047-1 - January 1993 (10 pages)

Houghton: The Expedition of the Donner Party and its Tragic Fate. She was only 3 years old when she was with her parents at Alder Creek, but was, of all survivors the most interested in the history of the Donner Party and kept in touch with many of the members. The third one is George R. Stewart: Ordeal of Hunger, of which a second, improved edition was published in 1960. I do not know what the 1950 book may be; it might be Walter M. Stookey: Fatal decision, The Tragic Story of the Donner Party. I have not seen this book. None of these books was published at the time of the tragedy. At the time the events were happening, quite a few notices appeared in theCalifornia Star (San Francisco) and also a few in The Californian (Monterey). The first, larger account is found in the second volume of J. Quinn Thornton: Oregon and California in 1848. Thornton was in San Francisco at the time and talked with some of the survivors. In the course of time, several survivors published their recollections in various journals, newspapers and small booklets. A goldmine of information is preserved in the correspondence of McGlashan who wrote to and even visited all survivors he could locate, in preparation of his book. Therefore, much information to base a history of the Donner Party upon must be obtained from these scattered sources. One would expect that, given the material with which to work, various authors have come to different conclusions, especially in portraying the various actors in the tragedy. The second half of King’s book is partly devoted to a criticism of earlier accounts. Chapter 12, the first of those of a critical nature, is devoted to Lewis Keseberg. More than several of the sufferers who committed canibalism, the onus of such acts has been laid at his door and he suffered from it for the rest of his life. This attitude is mainly due to the report of the fourth relief party by Wm. Fallon, which appeared in the California Star and which is reproduced in King’s book. McGlashan, feeling that Keseberg should have a chance to state his side of the story, visited Keseberg several times and obtained a statement which he published in his book and which is reproduced in the author’s book. This chapter ends with an account of the later life of Keseberg and of the opinion about him by several persons. There is no positive verdict on Keseberg; this is perhaps impossible. In chapter 13, the survivors and the casualties are listed and information is given on the later life of the survivors. A special chapter is devoted to John Baptiste Trudeau, who was a member of the Donner group. According to the author, Trudeau was maligned by Stewart and other writers in his wake, the author has collected quite a bit of information on Trudeau, whose name nobody seemed able to get right, and who emerges here as a true hero. In chapter ‘‘Whom to believe’’, the author briefly discusses some of the authors who have contributed to the history of the Donner Party. /™ This is a very interesting chapter which will particularly appeal to historians. Of these authors we will single out the following. Thornton is called ‘‘unreliable’’ because he does not name his informants with the exception of William Eddy. But this does not mean that there were no others. Obviously he did the best he could with whatever information he could collect. His merit is that, apart of the newspaper articles, he provided the first narrative of the events in which the public was very much interested. In his story, the often named informant Eddy comes out as a hero; what else would one expect? But to downgrade Eddy because of this seems unfair. Of McGlashan’s book it is said that ‘‘it leaves much to be desired as history”’, but it is generally praised. Here again, McGlashan did the best he could with the information he had and went through great efforts to collect. If I had to give a judgement on McGlashan, I would say that he was too nice a man who minimized certain aspects of the story not to offend the still living survivors. On Steward’s book, no less than 12 pages are devoted. This book is characterized as “fiction, heavily researched indeed, but a fictional acount nevertheless?’ Of the 12 pages, some six discuss Stewart’s attitude towards the Breen family, a family which obviously is very dear to the author of our book. Indeed, references to the Breen family run like a red thread through the entire book. The author feels that the Breen family was less respected because they were Irish and Catholic. It must be admitted that remarks by Stewart, as mentioned by the author, are sometimes unlucky, but it goes a little too far, calling his writing ‘‘racist?’ As an example, the author surmises that Stewart got his impression of Patrick and Margaret Breen from astory by John Ross Browne about a visit by him to the hotel, the Breens were running at San Juan Bautista. But the author undoubtedly knows that there was no greater spinner of tall yarns than Browne who would state almost anything to embellish his story. In addition, Stewart never mentions Browne. I personally think that Stewart’s book is not that bad and have made a hew year’s resolution to reread the book and decide whether . should change my mind. The last chapter discusses the life in California of the surviving Breens; the life of no members of the other surviving families is perhaps documented as fully as King has done for the Breens. There are five appendices. The first one discusses the genealogy of the Breen family. The second one concerns the “bathtub papers’, some letters, found in the bathtub of Philip Hudner of Kentfield, California, in 1960, after his death. There follows a complete reproduction of a manuscript, concerned with the tragedy and the life of the Breens after the rescue, written by John Breen in 1877 at the request of Bancroft. The Bancroft library contains many of such reminicenses. Another appendix reproduces an article by Harry J. Breen on the genealogy of the Breen family. And finally, there is a discussion on the Breen and Miller diaries which, according to the author, have not yet been adequately analyzed. The first half of King’s book contains a very readable account of the Donner story. The second half contains studies of special subjects, related to the Donner tragedy. The author reproduces several writings on the subject in toto; some of which were printed earlier in hard to find publications; others are new. This feature greatly enhances the value of the book. And the various critical remarks the author makes throughout the book are enticing food for contemplation. The book closes with a bibliography; certainly the most extensive one on the Donner story I have seen. It is obvious that the author has made a deep study of what is known and what is knowable on the subject. To sum up, a book worthy of perusal and strongly recommended. —vdP. Susan Wolbarst, Tasting Gold; A Goldmine of Recipes from Nevada County’s Best Restaurants. Published by the Author; Grass Valley; 1992. Susan Wolbarst is a former reporter for The Union who has put together a cookbook of recipes collected from Nevada County restaurants, and a mini-history of the buildings in which many delicious dishes are served. She has been a mamber of the NCHS for years, and she credits Ed Tyson and Michel Janicot for helping her research the history of the restaurant buildings, and Dave Comstock for helping with the book printing. The recipes come from a wide variety of local eating places, from the expensive tourist types, to everyday cafes which are favorites of local people. Her introduction starts with an explanation of why some local restaurants were not included, such as being inconsistent, or not willing to share recipes. Four restaurants in Grass Valley, six in Nevada City, and three in Truckee are included. Each restaurant section includes an interview with the owners about what is special about their cuisine or establishment, and a ‘‘Peek at the Past’’, consisting of interesting facts about the history of the building. The only typical Grass Valley dish she doesn’t include is a recipe for ‘‘pasties’’, because she says they are already so romanticized and wellknown. There is really a variety of recipes included however, ranging everywhere from basic breads from the Flour Garden, to exotic appetizers, savory salads, unusual poultry, meat, and seafood dishes, to spectacular, luscious desserts. The black and white photos, by local photographer Hank Meals, are rarely of foods, but of the owners, chefs, and charming restaurant interiors and historic building exteriors. I tried making the ‘‘Gold Star Cafe Muffins’’ which wre deliciously moist, and Michael’s Garden teriyaki sauce chicken, which was simple to make but tasty. The herbed polenta from “The Passage’’ (formerly Truckee Hotel) was a very unusual, interesting side dish. If you live here, this is a fun book to have because you can try something from a good local eating place. If you’re a visitor, it’s also a great book to have as a souvenir of a special meal in a special restaurant, or a memorable vacation. —by Priscilla van der Pas

Houghton: The Expedition of the Donner Party and its Tragic Fate. She was only 3 years old when she was with her parents at Alder Creek, but was, of all survivors the most interested in the history of the Donner Party and kept in touch with many of the members. The third one is George R. Stewart: Ordeal of Hunger, of which a second, improved edition was published in 1960. I do not know what the 1950 book may be; it might be Walter M. Stookey: Fatal decision, The Tragic Story of the Donner Party. I have not seen this book. None of these books was published at the time of the tragedy. At the time the events were happening, quite a few notices appeared in theCalifornia Star (San Francisco) and also a few in The Californian (Monterey). The first, larger account is found in the second volume of J. Quinn Thornton: Oregon and California in 1848. Thornton was in San Francisco at the time and talked with some of the survivors. In the course of time, several survivors published their recollections in various journals, newspapers and small booklets. A goldmine of information is preserved in the correspondence of McGlashan who wrote to and even visited all survivors he could locate, in preparation of his book. Therefore, much information to base a history of the Donner Party upon must be obtained from these scattered sources. One would expect that, given the material with which to work, various authors have come to different conclusions, especially in portraying the various actors in the tragedy. The second half of King’s book is partly devoted to a criticism of earlier accounts. Chapter 12, the first of those of a critical nature, is devoted to Lewis Keseberg. More than several of the sufferers who committed canibalism, the onus of such acts has been laid at his door and he suffered from it for the rest of his life. This attitude is mainly due to the report of the fourth relief party by Wm. Fallon, which appeared in the California Star and which is reproduced in King’s book. McGlashan, feeling that Keseberg should have a chance to state his side of the story, visited Keseberg several times and obtained a statement which he published in his book and which is reproduced in the author’s book. This chapter ends with an account of the later life of Keseberg and of the opinion about him by several persons. There is no positive verdict on Keseberg; this is perhaps impossible. In chapter 13, the survivors and the casualties are listed and information is given on the later life of the survivors. A special chapter is devoted to John Baptiste Trudeau, who was a member of the Donner group. According to the author, Trudeau was maligned by Stewart and other writers in his wake, the author has collected quite a bit of information on Trudeau, whose name nobody seemed able to get right, and who emerges here as a true hero. In chapter ‘‘Whom to believe’’, the author briefly discusses some of the authors who have contributed to the history of the Donner Party. /™ This is a very interesting chapter which will particularly appeal to historians. Of these authors we will single out the following. Thornton is called ‘‘unreliable’’ because he does not name his informants with the exception of William Eddy. But this does not mean that there were no others. Obviously he did the best he could with whatever information he could collect. His merit is that, apart of the newspaper articles, he provided the first narrative of the events in which the public was very much interested. In his story, the often named informant Eddy comes out as a hero; what else would one expect? But to downgrade Eddy because of this seems unfair. Of McGlashan’s book it is said that ‘‘it leaves much to be desired as history”’, but it is generally praised. Here again, McGlashan did the best he could with the information he had and went through great efforts to collect. If I had to give a judgement on McGlashan, I would say that he was too nice a man who minimized certain aspects of the story not to offend the still living survivors. On Steward’s book, no less than 12 pages are devoted. This book is characterized as “fiction, heavily researched indeed, but a fictional acount nevertheless?’ Of the 12 pages, some six discuss Stewart’s attitude towards the Breen family, a family which obviously is very dear to the author of our book. Indeed, references to the Breen family run like a red thread through the entire book. The author feels that the Breen family was less respected because they were Irish and Catholic. It must be admitted that remarks by Stewart, as mentioned by the author, are sometimes unlucky, but it goes a little too far, calling his writing ‘‘racist?’ As an example, the author surmises that Stewart got his impression of Patrick and Margaret Breen from

astory by John Ross Browne about a visit by him to the hotel, the Breens were running at San Juan Bautista. But the author undoubtedly knows that there was no greater spinner of tall yarns than Browne who would state almost anything to embellish his story. In addition, Stewart never mentions Browne. I personally think that Stewart’s book is not that bad and have made a hew year’s resolution to reread the book and decide whether . should change my mind. The last chapter discusses the life in California of the surviving Breens; the life of no members of the other surviving families is perhaps documented as fully as King has done for the Breens. There are five appendices. The first one discusses the genealogy of the Breen family. The second one concerns the “bathtub papers’, some letters, found in the bathtub of Philip Hudner of Kentfield, California, in 1960, after his death. There follows a complete reproduction of a manuscript, concerned with the tragedy and the life of the Breens after the rescue, written by John Breen in 1877 at the request of Bancroft. The Bancroft library contains many of such reminicenses. Another appendix reproduces an article by Harry J. Breen on the genealogy of the Breen family. And finally, there is a discussion on the Breen and Miller diaries which, according to the author, have not yet been adequately analyzed. The first half of King’s book contains a very readable account of the Donner story. The second half contains studies of special subjects, related to the Donner tragedy. The author reproduces several writings on the subject in toto; some of which were printed earlier in hard to find publications; others are new. This feature greatly enhances the value of the book. And the various critical remarks the author makes throughout the book are enticing food for contemplation. The book closes with a bibliography; certainly the most extensive one on the Donner story I have seen. It is obvious that the author has made a deep study of what is known and what is knowable on the subject. To sum up, a book worthy of perusal and strongly recommended. —vdP. Susan Wolbarst, Tasting Gold; A Goldmine of Recipes from Nevada County’s Best Restaurants. Published by the Author; Grass Valley; 1992. Susan Wolbarst is a former reporter for The Union who has put together a cookbook of recipes collected from Nevada County restaurants, and a mini-history of the buildings in which many delicious dishes are served. She has been a mamber of the NCHS for years, and she credits Ed Tyson and Michel Janicot for helping her research the history of the restaurant buildings, and Dave Comstock for helping with the book printing. The recipes come from a wide variety of local eating places, from the expensive tourist types, to everyday cafes which are favorites of local people. Her introduction starts with an explanation of why some local restaurants were not included, such as being inconsistent, or not willing to share recipes. Four restaurants in Grass Valley, six in Nevada City, and three in Truckee are included. Each restaurant section includes an interview with the owners about what is special about their cuisine or establishment, and a ‘‘Peek at the Past’’, consisting of interesting facts about the history of the building. The only typical Grass Valley dish she doesn’t include is a recipe for ‘‘pasties’’, because she says they are already so romanticized and wellknown. There is really a variety of recipes included however, ranging everywhere from basic breads from the Flour Garden, to exotic appetizers, savory salads, unusual poultry, meat, and seafood dishes, to spectacular, luscious desserts. The black and white photos, by local photographer Hank Meals, are rarely of foods, but of the owners, chefs, and charming restaurant interiors and historic building exteriors. I tried making the ‘‘Gold Star Cafe Muffins’’ which wre deliciously moist, and Michael’s Garden teriyaki sauce chicken, which was simple to make but tasty. The herbed polenta from “The Passage’’ (formerly Truckee Hotel) was a very unusual, interesting side dish. If you live here, this is a fun book to have because you can try something from a good local eating place. If you’re a visitor, it’s also a great book to have as a souvenir of a special meal in a special restaurant, or a memorable vacation. —by Priscilla van der Pas