Profile of the Day: James F. Reed

James F. Reed

On this day in 1847, the first rescuers reached the surviving members of the Donner Party, a group of American pioneers stranded in the snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Leading the ill-fated wagon train to California were George Donner and James F. Reed.

In the spring of 1846, parties led by Reed and Donner joined together to head west to California. Along the way, several other families joined the wagon train. After arriving at Fort Bridger, Wyoming, Reed, Donner and a few other families decided to try a new trail that was promoted to be a better, shorter road to travel to California called the Hastings Cutoff. Needing a leader, they elected Donner as their captain. However, the new trail proved to be longer and more difficult than the usual route, causing the travelers to fall behind. As the parties continued to travel, Reed became embroiled in a fight between two others and stabbed one to death. As punishment, Reed was banished from the group. He rode ahead to Sutter’s Fort with the intention of bringing back supplies to the wagon train, but found the snow brought on by the early onset of winter had blocked his way back. The wagon train was trapped in the Sierra Nevada with very low supplies.

Reed made two rescue attempts to save his family and friends. On February 19, 1847, the first rescuers finally reached what was left of the wagon train. Of the over 80 original members, only 45 would reach California. The Reed family would be one of only two families to survive without loss.

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Image: Wikimedia Commons