Across the Plains to California in 1852

Mrs. Frizzell wrote a fairly interesting journal of her experiences while crossing the wilderness to reach California in 1852. She paints a colorful landscape, but to some degree history is a victim of her art.
Of particular note is her account of the sinking of the steamer Luda by the steamer De Soto, when held up in light of the descriptions given this event in the proceedings of the Circuit Court for East Lousiana in 1847. The actual circumstances and loss sustained in the sinking pales in comparison to images of the carnage and loss of human life she paints for us. And, her presence to witness the eye witness account of the aftermath is, to say the least, puzzling, since the sinking on the Mississippi occurred Nov 2, 1843, about nine years before the Frizzell\'s were on the scene. The loss of life in the actual event was two deck workers on the boat. The only loss amongst the passengers was the substantial portion of their baggage, which apparently was left hanging on the boats rigging to dry for nine years or so.