OBriens new book thrills

A sign of a good book is said to be the author’s ability to “transport” the reader into the story, to identify with the characters and to “feel” what they are experiencing.

 Mary O’Brien, of Polson, does just that with her new book, “Across Death Valley.” While it’s a novel, the story is based on the harrowing westward trek of Juliet Wells Brier, her Methodist circuit-riding minister husband James, and their children, Columbus, 8, Johnny, 6, and Kirk, 4, and the family’s four oxen and seven head of cattle.

 They had joined a large wagon train group bound from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles. Many of the men had their hopes set on the gold fields of California in 1849. They had been told their route would be a relatively easy wagon trip over the Old Spanish Trail – once it was reached.

 The Briers had provisions enough for a nine–week journey. With seven weeks already gone, it became obvious that the wagonmaster, a Captain Hunt, who had charged the travelers $10 a wagon, was not qualified to lead. The original train of some 700 persons dwindled to about 100 as many broke off, some backtracking to Salt Lake.

 Already November, the group was overlooking a steep gorge with no crossing visible.

Among the wagon train travelers were two groups known as Jayhawkers and Mississippians, who along with the Briers decided to continue toward the promised land of California. They eventually discovered a way to ford the river. However, the gold-seeking Jayhawkers found the wagon group was slowing them too much and decided to strike out ahead at a brisker pace.

 Finally, after their wagon broke down and was abandoned, the Brier family traveled alone and their route led directly across Death Valley. Even without the summer heat, the experience was hazardous and life-threatening as water and food ran out. And this is where the author really shines as she lures the reader’s imagination into the Briers’ nightmarish ordeal.

 “Across Death Valley” – it’s available in area book stores. I think you’ll enjoy reading it.

 Mary’s other books are “Toward the Setting Sun,” “Heart of the Trail,” “Into the Western Winds,” and “Outlasting the Trail.”