One More River to Cross

In 1844, two years before the Donner Party, the Stevens—Murphy company left Missouri to be the first wagons into California through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Mostly Irish Catholics, the party sought religious freedom and education in the mission—dominated land and enjoyed a safe journey—until October, when a heavy snowstorm forced difficult decisions. The first of many for young Mary Sullivan, newlywed Sarah Montgomery, the widow Ellen Murphy, and her pregnant sister—in—law Maolisa.

When ...