The 87 members of the Donner Party were trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains from November 1846 to March 1847. After deciding to take a new shortcut, known as Hastings Cuttoff, the members of the Donner Party hit one obstacle after another that caused them to get to the mountains later than they expected, walking right into a snow storm. The Donner camp was approximately 5 miles from the camp of the other travelers near Truckee Lake. This was because an axel on the Donner wagon broken and George Donner was injured.
Throughout the 4 months there were as many rescue attempts. Various members of the Donner Party attempted to make it out of the mountains on foot on their own. A group created snowshoes and attempted the trek – of the 17 that left, only 7 made it to rescue. The first organized rescue was in February. 7 rescuers arrived and were able to take 23 people back with them. Several ended up turning back and several died from the cold and hunger. The second rescue arrived March 1st. These rescuers were led by two of the menfolk who had made it out of the mountains. This rescue took 17, almost all children. After this rescue there were 5 people left at the lake camps and 5 at the Donner camps. The third relief arrived on March 14th. The Donner children left during this rescue attempt but Tamsen Donner went back to stay with her dying husband, George. Out of the 87 who were stuck in the mountains, 48 made it out. The story of the Donner Party is one of being brave and trying to beat the odds in the face of adversity. It is true, some of them did resort to eating the dead, but it was a very small number and a last ditch effort.
There are some great references available on the web to learn more about the ill fated Donner Party. The PBS series, American Experience, has an episode on them. I have included a trailer below and you can watch the entire episode online if you are interested. They also provide an interactive map of the party’s trail with useful information. UC Berkley has provided the pages of Patrick Breen’s (a member of the party) diary online that you can view and read first hand what life was like.
Copyright © 2010 by The Maiden’s Court
Tussaud eventually got over her revulsion. A necessity, really, since gas lamps would eventually replace candles everywhere. Too bad she didn’t live to see the implementation of electric lighting. I’m sure she would have approved.
4. The “Chamber of Horrors” was not her idea.
By the way, Madame Tussaud purchased the guillotine blade used to execute Marie Antoinette and others. She knew the executioners, a family named Sanson (hey, back then, it was a profession, and the craft was handed from father to son), and they were happy to sell it to her.
And a little bonus fact: It is spelled Madame Tussauds, not Madame Tussaud’s. The family business began falling apart in the late 19th century. It passed through various corporations and businesses formed to run it, and was eventually operated by The Tussauds Group. No apostrophe. Merlin Entertainments Group bought the Madame Tussauds brand in 2007. 
As I just finished reading Child of the Northern Spring by Persia Woollsey, Guinevere is very much on my mind. Interestingly enough, I know fairly little about the famous Arthurian legend or his bride. I have never read the original legend, but this novel really has propelled me to learn more about the characters and their stories. I want to get to know Guinevere better. Movies and television shows about Arthur and his knights are numerous. I tried to choose some where Guinevere might be more prominent or show a different view. Let’s take a look – I am interested to hear if you have seen any of these and what you thought.
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