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Catherine Sager
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Across the Plains in 1884 Paperback – December 16, 2016

by Catherine Sager (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars 1,250 ratings
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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.
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  1. Print length
    80 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    December 16, 2016
  4. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1541151003
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1541151000
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 16, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541151003
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541151000
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.9 out of 5 stars 1,250 ratings

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Catherine Sager

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Customer reviews

3.9 out of 5 stars
1,250 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book interesting and easy to read, with one noting it's a must-read for understanding the West. The writing style receives mixed feedback, with some finding it well-written while others say it's not by a professional writer. The story quality and authenticity also get mixed reactions, with some appreciating it as a true account while others find it not much of a story.

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30 customers mention "Readability"30 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, with one customer noting it is particularly suitable for adults and older children.

"...Worth the read even though it is a diary and ends somewhat abruptly." Read more

"Very enlightening read from a young woman that went west with her family. Two parents dying enroute. She becoming injured ...." Read more

"...I feel it is a good book to read especially if you're trying to teach your children about the pioneer days." Read more

"...It's a quick read and will leave the audience wanting more. A valuable piece of Americana. Definitely recommended." Read more

7 customers mention "Shortness of story"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the shortness of the book.

"This was a good, short read. Love the historical accuracy! My only problem is the title. The events take place in the 1840s not 1880s...." Read more

"A good read. Relatively short. Written in the conversational style of a 19th century pioneer woman...." Read more

"An interesting, short story, telling the trials of traveling across the Oregon Trail. Told from the perspective of a young woman." Read more

"Very short book. Interesting account though...." Read more

5 customers mention "Authenticity"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book.

"I’m sure this story is real and true but very depressing story." Read more

"It gives us a true account of how hard and brutal it was for families and single people to head west away from families and the known living..." Read more

"Clear first hand account of the struggles of the Sager children and the Whitman Massacre. The title is wrong and should be corrected...." Read more

"...First hand account, more about the massacre than the trip west." Read more

40 customers mention "Story quality"26 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the narrative of the book, with some finding it an interesting account and true story of events, while others say it's not much of a story.

"...So much detail about the day to day life (she actually writes every single day she is on the trail)...." Read more

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

"...Worth the read even though it is a diary and ends somewhat abruptly." Read more

"...The story told here is completely enthralling, and I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down...." Read more

19 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it easy to read and well written, while others report it being hard to follow and not by a professional writer.

"Easy read, more like a middle school level book...." Read more

"...Can be slightly confusing at times so I spent a bit of time on Google getting more information...." Read more

"...It's a quick read and will leave the audience wanting more. A valuable piece of Americana. Definitely recommended." Read more

"...Very basic story, no details, confusing and hard to follow." Read more

Fascinating story.
5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating story.
I'm not sure why the title references 1884, given the entire story takes place between 1843-1847, and was written in 1860. I purchased this book because I have ancestors who were among the Sagers wagon train in 1844, and one of my ancestors breast-fed the Sager infant along the Oregon trail after the Sager parents died. (My ancestor had given birth along the trail, and was able to nurse.) My ancestors wintered at the Whitman camp in late '44 to assist Whitman with repairs to the grist mill, then went on to the Willamette in '45. I've also been told after the massacre, those same ancestors of mine came back and took in 2 of the Whitman's orphans (and the crushing stones from the grist mill). I was curious if my family members were mentioned. (They were not, but that's not too surprising considering the wagon train consisted of 1500 people, and there was a large volume of guests that flowed through the Whitman's home.) The story told here is completely enthralling, and I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down. This first hand account seems very fair in explaining why the Cayuse were so upset. More so than a lot of the online sources I've found-which seem to favor heavily one side or the other. This account seems to be very straightforward about the facts of their ill fated situation and what led to the tragedy. At no point in this retelling did I notice any apparent animosity toward the natives. Just the facts, in not too gruesome of detail. While I don't understand the native way of life back then, (how can I?) I did feel myself understanding their reasoning and felt sorrow for their situation. I might seek revenge if I thought a bunch of my family had been intentionally killed too. And there were CLEARLY Cayuse natives who tried to protect some of the Whitman camp members, and mourned their deaths. (According to this narrative. ) I finished feeling like this event was a great tragedy for both sides. Truly a historic piece of literature.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Sandy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good recounting of history
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very enlightening read from a young woman that went west with her family. Two parents dying enroute. She becoming injured . Then it looks like a period of peace and rest of arrival to the west and a Christian settlement. But lo: then the Indians act up . I've heard this story years ago but never the ending. Thanks for telling all. 👍🏼 Too bad American schools no longer tell any truths about any things anymore.
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  • Lori
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting even if the title is wrong
    Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased because my ancestors crossed the country in late 1800s this was not that they crossed in 1844. I did enjoy learning about the history of that area, although I believe I had heard it before probably in the PNW history class in school it came back to me at the point of the attack. Worth the read even though it is a diary and ends somewhat abruptly.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • mimi of 6
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very short book. Interesting account though.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I expected a longer book. I read this in one sitting. The account was fairly interesting. I should’ve read the reviews.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Mel W
    5.0 out of 5 stars Based on a true life story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Easy read, more like a middle school level book. I bought the book because as a kid, my parents took me to see a movie called 7 alone, which was about a family of children who lose their parents as they travel West. I did not realize until recently it was based on true life events, so I found this book that was written by one of the children on the voyage. I feel it is a good book to read especially if you're trying to teach your children about the pioneer days.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Susan G Kelley
    2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
    Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I thought this book would be about the actual Oregon Trail. It was mostly about arriving at the Whitman Stat in and the massacre. Still a good read just not what I expected.
    One person found this helpful
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  • C. Roland
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent historical content. Worth the read.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful journey Sarah (she's often called Sallie) takes us on as she and her family make there way into the unknown. So much detail about the day to day life (she actually writes every single day she is on the trail). Can be slightly confusing at times so I spent a bit of time on Google getting more information. I discovered information about her father (who she never mentions) as well as other siblings she has. Brothers are referred to as Brother (insert name here). Took me a little while to figure this out - as I thought she was referring to a man of the cloth - lol). I highly recommend this book and that you go to FIND A GRAVE if you want more information about her and some of the people she mentions. I just wish she had continue writing after they reached their destination.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Joyelaine1950
    4.0 out of 5 stars Such sadness and grief.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • Peggy E. Cherny
    1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This book was like a first grader wrote it. Very basic story, no details, confusing and hard to follow.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • MJ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recount of the Whitman Massacre not The Oregon Trail
    Reviewed in Canada on February 2, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a first hand account of the Whitman Massacre, absolutely devastating. Although it does very briefly mention some of the travel on the Oregon trail, this book is more about the massacre.
    Report
  • Harrysback
    5.0 out of 5 stars First person narrative of unique times...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Ignoring the publishing error ( 1844 please, not 1884.... railroads had already joined the two coasts so there'd be no need for pioneer wagon trains,!)..... this and it's partner account (Virginia Reed Murphy) provide us with a remarkable view into the hazardous lives of these often courageous and always hopeful people. No map, no mobile, no shops, dangerous rivers, hostile indigenous people and typhus and pain and hunger and....
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    Harrysback
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    First person narrative of unique times...

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 28, 2024
    Ignoring the publishing error ( 1844 please, not 1884.... railroads had already joined the two coasts so there'd be no need for pioneer wagon trains,!)..... this and it's partner account (Virginia Reed Murphy) provide us with a remarkable view into the hazardous lives of these often courageous and always hopeful people. No map, no mobile, no shops, dangerous rivers, hostile indigenous people and typhus and pain and hunger and....
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer image
    Report
  • Randy
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nice (SHORT) book!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I watched the movie and was excited to read the book, however, what I received was like a 2hr read. 80 pages, with huge print! I presumed I was receiving a full length novel.
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    Randy
    3.0 out of 5 stars
    Nice (SHORT) book!

    Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2023
    I watched the movie and was excited to read the book, however, what I received was like a 2hr read. 80 pages, with huge print! I presumed I was receiving a full length novel.
    Images in this review
    Customer imageCustomer imageCustomer image
    Report
  • Fickleama
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I only heard about this historical event after reading another article online via Quora site and was intrigued. In the UK we do not cover this event in school history classes as I understand they do in the USA.

    It's a recollection written by one of the surviving daughters and gives her perspective and memories in the years before and leading up to the tragic murders. It is interesting albeit a short 'book'. I would have enjoyed it to be slightly longer, going into further depth, but I appreciate that this was recounted much later in life, when details were harder to recall.

    I expected the book to be more emotional where instead I found it to be presented in more of a factual and matter of fact style. Perhaps the times, perhaps the writer's character.

    Nevertheless enjoyed discovering more of an insight into life for such pioneers, making lives for themselves in new territories.
    Customer image
    Fickleama
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Interesting historical read

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2018
    I only heard about this historical event after reading another article online via Quora site and was intrigued. In the UK we do not cover this event in school history classes as I understand they do in the USA.

    It's a recollection written by one of the surviving daughters and gives her perspective and memories in the years before and leading up to the tragic murders. It is interesting albeit a short 'book'. I would have enjoyed it to be slightly longer, going into further depth, but I appreciate that this was recounted much later in life, when details were harder to recall.

    I expected the book to be more emotional where instead I found it to be presented in more of a factual and matter of fact style. Perhaps the times, perhaps the writer's character.

    Nevertheless enjoyed discovering more of an insight into life for such pioneers, making lives for themselves in new territories.
    Images in this review
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    Report
  • Ann Thomson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Truthful childhood memories of distressing events-
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This was hard to read - a very harrowing account, and the author was very brave to write about her experiences. She wrote in a very simple way, as it was a different age then - cannot really imagine the suffering she endured. She writes about some minor details as if they were important, but she was a child when she endured all of these events, and I felt she was being truthful to her own childhood memories. A harrowing read, but I'm glad I did read it.
    Report