It takes the average reader and 54 minutes to read Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California by Virginia Murphy
Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more
"The only narrative published by a survivor of the ill fated party." - Southwestern Journal of Education "An important contribution to Western history." - University of Chicago School Review "Well written, and pleasant reading." - The Literary World "Across the Plains in the Donner Party" is the story of the famous "Donner Expedition" across the plains to California in 1846 by the daughter of George Donner, captain of the party, and herself a member of it. In this narrative first published in 1891, Virginia Reed Murphy (1833 - 1921) depicts the ill-fated expedition as well as her life after reaching the settlements, the period covered being from 1846 to 1861. THE story of the Donner Lake party is well known. The chief facts are that in 1846, while California was still a foreign country - being then a province of Mexico - a party of home-seekers left Springfield, Illinois. The chief organizer of the expedition was James T. Reed, and two families of the name of Donner were among the first to join him. Owing to circumstances that afterwards occurred, the party became known by their name instead of by Reed's. When they reached Independence, Missouri, many others joined them, and a large band of men, women and children finally left that then frontier town with their faces earnestly set towards the Sea of the Setting Sun. When they reached Fort Bridger they were urged to take a cut-off, which, it was. said, would save them three hundred miles. A large majority decided to go by the old road, which they did, and ultimately reached California with comparative ease and safety. Eighty-four persons, led by the Reed and Donner families, took the cut-off and thereby entangled themselves in great difficulties, and occupied so much of their time that they were eventually caught in the snow on the eastern slope of the Sierras. But before they reached this point, several disasters of great moment occurred. Mr. Reed suffered a great loss in that, when crazed for want of water in crossing the Salt Lake Desert, his oxen rushed off beyond control, and were never seen again; and, a couple of weeks later, while at the sink of the Humbolt, more head of oxen were stolen from the party by the Indians. When finally caught in the snow, over forty of the party perished, and such were the dire straits to which the survivors were reduced for food. What now follows is the story of Mrs. Virginia Reed Murphy, Mr. Reed's daughter, who was then a child of twelve years of age.
Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California by Virginia Murphy is 54 pages long, and a total of 13,716 words.
This makes it 18% the length of the average book. It also has 17% more words than the average book.
The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 1 hour and 14 minutes to read Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California aloud.
Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California is suitable for students ages 8 and up.
Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.
When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.
Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California by Virginia Murphy is sold by several retailers and bookshops. However, Read Time works with Amazon to provide an easier way to purchase books.
To buy Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California by Virginia Murphy on Amazon click the button below.
Buy Across the Plains in the Donner Party: a Personal Narrative of the Overland Trip to California on Amazon