William Pike would be considered, by some accounts, one of the luckier members of the Donner Party. When the party was camped along the Truckee River near where Reno, Nevada is now located, he was accidently shot by his brother-in-law, William McFadden Foster. He never had to witness the terrible conditions and deprivation his family had to endure.
Pike, an engineer, and Foster both worked aboard a riverboat on the Mississippi and in 1842 they met their future wives, Harriet and her sister Sarah. The two couples were married on board the icebound ship on December 29, 1842. William and Harriet lived in St. Louis, then moved to Weakley County, Tennessee to be with her family.
Since his name is on the memorial at Murphy's cabin, I felt he belonged here with his daughter, Catherine and mother-in-law, Levinah Murphy.
William Pike would be considered, by some accounts, one of the luckier members of the Donner Party. When the party was camped along the Truckee River near where Reno, Nevada is now located, he was accidently shot by his brother-in-law, William McFadden Foster. He never had to witness the terrible conditions and deprivation his family had to endure.
Pike, an engineer, and Foster both worked aboard a riverboat on the Mississippi and in 1842 they met their future wives, Harriet and her sister Sarah. The two couples were married on board the icebound ship on December 29, 1842. William and Harriet lived in St. Louis, then moved to Weakley County, Tennessee to be with her family.
Since his name is on the memorial at Murphy's cabin, I felt he belonged here with his daughter, Catherine and mother-in-law, Levinah Murphy.
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