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Dear Mama,
We celebrate the fourth of July with great festivity. I cannot write for the noise and the fun we are having. We ended the day with more excitement by sending off a part of our group. The Bryants and Russells left us on the way of Hastings’ Shortcut.
It is now the 13th and we are met by a horseman with a letter from Hastings. It said to meet him at Fort Bridger where he would accompany us the rest of the way. William and I have officially decided to go Hastings’ route, after much consultation with our friends, and we have elected George Donner as our leader through popular vote.
July 21st, The Donners took in a man named Luke Halloran. He was traveling alone to California in hopes that he could cure his consumption with the legendary weather there. It is really lovely of them to take him in. Many people are already becoming anxious as they realize we are only halfway as well as the rest of the journey being a daring undertaking, safe or no. I myself am wondering if we should have made this choice.
Heather is in complete awe of the mountains. I constantly remind the poor child what a normal life is like. But this fact remains: the wagon train is all she has ever known. I wonder if it is not a terrible environment for her to grow up in. But she is young yet, and we will be in California soon and she will see towns and live a normal existence. She is not the only one living this way as if it were the only method. Several marriages have taken place already, bringing us so much joy. IT gives us a small glimpse of reality and I cannot wait to reach the safety of a house with walls.
July 28th, Hastings has gone ahead without us, leaving only encouragement to continue. I wish to turn back but William says we must press on now and we will be in California before the others that took the well worn course. We added to our company, as well as decreased since many chose to turn back. I hope that we don’t regret our own choice to continue on. But I must add that it is our choice, William and I make every decision together. We are strained though, from the stress of our decision.
By the time this letter reaches you, I hope to be in California, or nearly there. I am anticipating the west and hope you are not too worried about me. I will do anything in my power to make sure my family survives.
Your earnest but hopefully daughter,
Amanda McCutchen
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