Yet these first days are spoken of by all of the survivors as being crowned with peaceful enjoyment and pleasant anticipations.

There were beautiful flowers by the roadside, an abundance of game in the meadows and mountains, and at night there were singing, dancing, and innocent plays.
Several musical instruments, and many excellent voices, were in the party, and the kindliest feeling and goodfellowship prevailed among the members.
"The formation of the company known as the Donner Party was purely accidental.

The union of so many emigrants into one train was not occasioned by any preconcerted arrangement.

Many composing the Donner Party were not aware, at the outset, that such a tide of emigration was sweeping to California.

In many instances small parties would hear of the mammoth train just ahead of them or just behind them, and by hastening their pace, or halting for a few days, joined themselves to the party.