Across the Plains in 1884

by Catherine Sager

In April 1844 the Sager family took part in the great westward migration and started their journey along the Oregon Trail. During it, both Henry and Naomi lost their lives and left their seven children orphaned. Later adopted by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, missionaries in what is now Washington, they were orphaned a second time, when both their new parents were killed during the Whitman massacre in November 1847. About 1860 Catherine, the oldest girl, wrote a first-hand account of their journey across the plains and their life with the Whitmans. Today it is regarded as one of the most authentic accounts of the American westward migration.

Genres: History

82 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2016

Reviews

[Merwyn Haskett]

Unpolished yet harrowing

The title year should be 1848 (actually 1847) - this is a first person account of the Whitman Massacre which every Washington State middle schooler studies in State History. Told in the straightforward matter-of-fact style expected from someone who buried both parents, then witnessed her adopted parents and brothers slaughtered in front of her.

[Lynda Newman]

A young girls terror.

As the author was so young at the time her recollection and detail is astounding. Such a frightening time. Worth the read.

[Saundra Kunasek-andrade]

short and informative

This book was a quick read with to the point remembrances of Catherine's experiences traveling across the Plains. It was written simply yet with a clear account.

[Lisa Seibert]

Life story

This girls family thought that going West would be great. then they got sick after the parents died they lived a few years with a Christian family. Then the Indians after the house

[Lois Nuber]

A bit difficult to follow.

So many different towns, people, Indian tribes (good and bad). A lot happening in the matter of only a couple days. For me it was difficult to follow. Hopefully the next book will bring it all together and Perhaps I'll change my rating then.

[Kathy]

The Sager family--mother, father, seven children--traveled in a wagon train to Oregon but the parents died along the way leaving the children orphaned. Eventually they arrived at the Marcus Whitman missionary station in Washington where the Whitman's adopted them. In November of 1847, Catherine and her siblings watched the Whitmans and others being massacred by local Indians who thought the whites had brought the plague of scarlet fever to the tribes.

In 1860, Catherine Sager, the oldest daughter, wrote a detailed account of their journey, their life with the Whitmans, the terrible massacre and their kidnapping by these Indians for a short while later. This short book encompasses the clear and present dangers faced by all pioneers heading west. Catherine's writing seemed so matter of fact to me. Hardship would come and hardship would be dealt with. It's hard to reconcile the suffering she endured with her almost "this is what happened" account.

[Sarah Hawes]

I hate reading something like a memoir. Because it’s like writing what you thought about someone’s life experiences. However, I think that this book where it was written in the 1800s it was just harder to read because they obviously wrote different in that time. Rather than they do today. So that was a little hard to keep up with. This was a short book so it didn’t take me long to read. I did enjoy the story. It’s very sad. Katherine and her family went through so much. It’s very straight to the point. I wish there were more details. I was just kind of like this happened and then this happened and then this happened and then this happened.

[Tricia Camp]

Well depicted story of a family of children orphaned by their natural parents and eventually by their adoptive parents. And as several of the children are killed or die, one who lived to tell their story is often deeply in fear of losing her own life. Throughout the story you can feel her thoughts and the devastating turns she lives through & with.

[Haley Kilgour]

Aside from this book being dry as hell, it was also often quite discombobulating.

Information seems wishy washy at best. Like when the book opens, I though the girl was like 12. Come to find out by the end she’s only 13. And the recounting of the attack was like trying to listen to a story from someone with adhd.

[Barb Fay]

Claimed to be a firsthand account of pioneer life the American West written @ 1860 by one of the survivors of her journey, it reveals real and tragic experiences along the Oregon Trail. To have this memoir today in 2023 is a treasure, even if it is not written as a literary masterpiece. It's a fine example of historical literature, and a good reason not to throw away one's diaries.

[Catherine Flynn]

This is a hard read. It's a tragic biography of pioneers surviving life in the 19th century. I can not fathom how hard they must all go through just to find the freedom of living for a better life. As fascinated as I am with the proper gestures during those times, I was also dismayed how brutal people can also be. We can learn history from the biographies of real people back in the day.

[Joy Gauger]

Such sadness and grief.

I have been to the Whitman mission multiple times. I lived near Walla Walla for 11 years. These dear people died of no cause of their own. This book does tell what happened after the massacre. I suspect part of the story was taken from MS Sagers diary.

[Marlyn G.]

Across the Plains in 1884.

I've read many accounts of Plains Travelers,
but this is amazing to read and know it is real. The horror that the pioneers had to go through is incredible.

[sharon douglas]

Told it like it was

The story was told as a series of facts and not embellished with many emotions. There is a lack of daily tasks but the events are summarized. Thus we a short read but memorable.

[Nancy White]

Walla Walla

Across the Plains in1884 is the true account of a young girl who survived the Walla Walla massacre of 1847. 19th century dialogue enhances this amazing story that recounts the mission and lives of the Whitmans for whom Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA is named.

[GLORIA JACQUES]

Do not purchase too short a story

This story is very short and should not be advertised as a full book. I wouldn't have purchased it if I knew that it was just a few pages.

[Amy]

Short. Not detailed

Short. Not detailed. Expected more of travel. Doesn't describe exactly where they see going. Large section on a horrific day and days following.

[Jann Grimes]

Although this is a true account, I had hoped for more detail than was given. It's quite short, overall.

[Joy Pierce]

Was very depressing

[Tammie Tyndall]

Sad story

It was very sad to read about all the misfortunes the children suffered during the wagon ride and when they reached their destination.

[Damien A.]

Mistitled. This group crossed in 1844. Nonetheless, it led me to Murder at the Mission, which was outstanding

[Beth]

Good, but

It was too short. Read it in half an hour. But it was refreshing not to hear of the poor Indians, but the truth of their treachery.

[Alison Youngberg]

Interesting history

I had known the Whitmans were missionaries but this story told more of their story. I'm glad I read this story so I know more of what happened to them.

[Beth Van]

Short, slightly informative--good if you are going to travel along the Oregon trail

[Glenn Branch]

Reality

Refreshing first person account of hard times among our brave ancestors. A quick read that left me musing about my comfortable life.

[ritchie]

Informative

History buffs might like storyline,
It was not what I expected. It seemed like an excerpt from much larger story.

[Rebecca L.]

Very short book. Interesting account though.

I expected a longer book. I read this in one sitting. The account was fairly interesting. I should’ve read the reviews.

[Cheryl]

Definitely one of the saddest and most depressing stories I've ever read. There's a lot of misery packed in this small book.

[Bonnie Kalina]

Enjoyed it more after a search on internet about the Waiilatpu Massacre 1847. It helped give a background to this book.

[Amanda Frey]

Easy read with good information about the hardships of traveling to the West after the Civil War.