The Misjudgment at Hasting's Cutoff

Paper Summary:

In the middle of the 19th Century, one of the major proponents of the emigration from the mid-west to the west was Lansford W. Hastings. The paper gives the background of this lawyer who traveled to California and led the Donner Party on their journey. The writer looks at how Hastings dramatically underestimated mileage and led his party into disaster.

From the Paper:

"Hastings seized on the information in Fremont's "Report of the Exploring Expedition" and touted it to support his own untested speculations. With his friends Jim Bridger and Vasquez, he encouraged and invited groups stopping at Fort Bridger for rest, repair and provisions, to concentrate their numbers and strength and to take his new route, the "Hastings Cutoff". He promised it would shorten the distance, would have plenty of grass and water and level land. (Schlindler)."

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