 AutoLite and its 98,000 dealers bring you Mr. Edmund O'Brien in tonight's presentation of... Suspense. Tonight, AutoLite presents a true story, as we dramatize the diary of a man whose unfortunate task it was to set down a report on the death of his friends, ordeal in Donner Pass. Our star, Mr. Edmund O'Brien. Tomorrow's the day. Yes, Senator. The day when a lot of people will step on the starter and find that their batteries are as dry as a campaign speech because they forgot to keep them properly filled with water. I mean election day, Harlow. Right, right. The day when thousands of wise drivers will elect to get to AutoLite Stay Full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. I'll vote for that. And that AutoLite Stay Full is a long time in office. Fiberglass retaining mats protect every positive plate to reduce shedding and flaking, and give that conscientious candidate longer life, as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life cycle standards. So friends, after you vote, visit your AutoLite battery dealer, the expert on all makes of batteries, to quickly locate him, phone Western Union by number, and ask for Operator 25. I'll tell you where to get an AutoLite Stay Full, the battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. And remember, from bumper to tail light, you're always right with AutoLite. And now, AutoLite presents Ordeal in Donner Pass, starring Mr. Edmund O'Brien, hoping once again to keep you in suspense. My name is Patrick Breen. I am a God-fearing man who loves his family and tries to do right by his fellow man. If in the months that followed after we started to take the hasting shortcut to California, if in those months from November of 1846 to March of 1847, I was selfish, there were men guilty of worse. I'd done what I was able. I'd done what was the most any man could. If we had have read the signs right, it wouldn't have happened maybe. When Keysburg left the old man, Mr. Hardcoup behind to die. When Snyder attacked Mr. Reed and Reed killed him and got banished from the caravan, sent out alone without wife and child. If we saw the signs of losing all those cattle and trucky meadows, and the Indians sneaking up and killing half the rest, we would have seen the hand of nature working against us. And the crazy task of clearing a road through the Sierra Mountain wilderness by hand. 30 miles of road. We should have seen the signs. But the Donut Party only saw Missouri where they came from and California where they was going. We didn't see in between. Well, what's the code? What's the matter? Something go wrong again? Mr. Eddy is for trying to get over the pass again. I say it's crazy. Temperature must be near to freezing. And it gets worse near the summit up near the pass. Well, I've got my wife and children to think about, Mr. Donner. And so do I, Mr. Grave. And think about them. Don't stop here. You'll save their lives if you don't stop. It's colder and colder, Mr. Eddy. I tell you, get out of these mountains now. We'd have to leave most of our goods behind. And leave your goods. Leave our goods, as well as leave our money. And your money. You talk madness, Mr. Eddy. What would we start our lives with in California? Don't be fooled. Mr. Eddy, you'll make trouble for yourself. Look at the health of our party. The exhaustion, Mr. Eddy. Look at it. Now look at dead bodies if you don't move on. I know. I know that. But it's always been what could happen. Only some of my children, they complain. They need rest in a regular camp. Mine, too. And my wife. The last bluff we lowered our wagons over, we didn't have the energy to keep them right. Someone crashing down supplies an oil. The men just don't have the heart for it. You'll die. There's no going back to the Salt Lake. Some died there already. Try. At least try going over the pass again. Hastings route was apacalized. We'll take another route. Look up, Mr. Eddy. Look up to the face of the summit. Snow. Solid snow. No marks or signs. It's snowing again. And if we stay, it'll swallow us up. And look at the faces. Human bodies can only work so much, Mr. Graves. And no more. Only so much. It calls for a vote. No, not yet. Why a vote? No more argument. It wastes time. No, you gotta listen. We gotta talk some more. You gotta understand. Take your hands off me. Stop it. Stop it. I call you a vote. Call the vote, Mr. Breen. Listen. The question is, do we go on for another try over the pass or stay? There's no going back. Mr. Donner? To stay. Mr. Graves? To stay. Mrs. Reed, with your husband gone, you have a man's vote. To stay, I suppose. I don't know. I cast no vote, Mr. Breen. Mr. Murphy? Mr. Kiesberg? We built three houses. One was already standing. The Graves family next to the Reeds. Our family in Kiesberg's next door. The Eddy and Murphy families in the joining cabins. And five miles down, the Donners. No windows and one door to each cabin. And like sentinels from October 31st, half our slaughtered oxen dressed in ready, split in half, stood frozen next to our cabins. On Friday, November 20th, 1846, I began my journal. We now had killed most part of our cattle, having to stay here until next spring and live on poor beef without bread or salt. It snowed during the space of eight days with little interruption. The remainder of time up to this day was clear and pleasant. Freezing at night, the snow had nearly gone from the valleys. My wife and my children asleep. They could not have attempted the crossing with Mr. Eddy, who started out with 22. My wife thought it better to wait. What? What is it? It's Mr. Eddy taking a group for another try. Oh, I wonder. It's no time for doubt, but doubt can mean terrible things. Do you think they'll make it? I have no facts to go by. Mr. Eddy's a courageous and daring man. Will they make it? It's only a feeling and it's the only guide we have. Will they make it? I say no. On November 26th, I slaughtered my last team of oxen. After this beef was gone, maybe Mrs. Eddy would sell me some of hers. There were some mules. There were dogs. And we waited. Monday, December 1st, snowing fast. Wind west. Snow about four or five feet deep. No drifts. Looks as likely to continue as when it commenced. No living thing without wings can get about. Tuesday, December 2nd, still snowing. Wind west. Snow now about five and a half to six feet deep. Difficult to get wood. No going from the house. Completely closed in. Eight days of storm and not seeing or hearing a word of life or death. Snowbound so that even the people in the next cabin were like a thousand miles away. We couldn't get out to kill the pack animals. And after the sixth day, our ration was barely enough to keep a baby alive. And then the storm stopped. We got to have meat. I'll go out. Slaughter the mules. Aye, the mules. Help me with these boxes. Door is jammed. Step aside now. When I pull back the last hide, snow will fall through. What are you talking about? We didn't tie the stock. They ran off the stock. Oh no, no. They couldn't have gone far, not in the storm. They got to be here. Look for the cracks. The cracks have begun. Covered up. We should have tied them up. Yeah, we should have tied them up. I can't dig anymore. Mr. Green, Mr. Graves, Bayless Williams is dead. Will someone help take him from our cabin? Graves, will you help? I cannot. I've got to save my strength. I cannot. Come, Mrs. Green. We'll give Bayless Williams the final rest, poor man. Mr. Green, have you any ox meat for my children? There's almost none. A little. Just a little for my children. We have children too, Mrs. Reed. Sorry. It's starting to snow again. I'm sorry. And getting colder. Maybe we should call him fortunate, Mr. Williams. The night is bringing you Mr. Edmund O'Brien in Ordeal in Donner Pass. Tonight's presentation in Radio's Outstanding Theatre of Thrill's Suspense. Say, Harlow, who do you think will win tomorrow? Why, the man with the auto-light-stay-full battery, Senator. You just can't lose with that rare, rugged and reliable battery that states right on the case. Needs water only three times a year in normal car use. But both candidates have an auto-light-stay-full, Harlow. Then they have long-term power insurance, Senator. Fiberglass retaining mats protect every positive plate to reduce shedding and flaking. And give that auto-light-stay-full longer life, as proved by tests conducted according to accepted life-cycle standards. Yes, but who are you voting for, Harlow? Why, for my auto-light-battery dealer, he's the expert on all makes of batteries. And if a replacement is needed, he'll recommend an auto-light-stay-full. The battery that needs water only three times a year in normal car use. To quickly locate him, phone Western Union by number and ask for Operator 25. That's right. Call me Western Union Operator 25. And remember, from bumper to tail-light, you're always right with auto-light. And now, auto-light brings back to our Hollywood soundstage Mr. Edmund O'Brien in Elliot Lewis' production of Ordeal in Donner Pass, a true report well-calculated to keep you in suspense. Maybe you said it was cruel of me to turn aside Mrs. Reed, but I had eight mouths to feed. She only had five. Figuring life and death and numbers. What else could we do? December 31st, 1846, last of the year. With God's help, we spend the coming year better than the past which we propose to do. Burger died, Reinhard also. If only almighty God will deliver us from our terrible situation, which is our prayer. Amen. Morning, cloudy again, wind east by south for three days, past freezing hard every night. Looks like another snowstorm. Snowstorms are awful to us. Snow is so deep now, so very cold. Some of the children too weak to get from bed. Nothing but hides in the children's starving dog. Sunday, January 3rd, 1847, freezing at night, wind about east. Mrs. Reed talks of crossing the mountains with one of her older children, leaving others behind. Provision scarce. I have no right to ask you, but it's for their sake, I must go. No, not alone, Mrs. Reed. With milk. No. And Eliza in Virginia. Ten strong mountain men couldn't do it now. I must, I must. There isn't enough for all of us. Can I leave James with you? I'm going for bread, Tommy, to get bread for you and everybody. Child. What a time. To the gravestones. Will they take him in? I can only ask. Will you help take him over? Hurry, hurry, Mr. Breen, for God's sake, hurry. You can help Mrs. Reed. The fine and dandy Mrs. Reed. I only ask you with some charity. Take in my baby, Tom. We've got nothing to share with the son of your husband. Cut out your tongue, Mr. Graves. This isn't your concern, Mr. Breen, none of it. I've taken in James. And it's your bad luck. How can you talk so selfish? For all of us one problem, all to help each other. We're more alone than ever alone. From the man who fights the hardest, wins his life and life for his family. You ask a price? There's still some animal hides on the roof of your hut. I thought to share them for all the children. And let the others care for your precious baby. Mr. Breen? He can have some of them you give me. And there's silverware you brought. A foul mind and a foul body. No father than the stink of your own cabin living like animals. But you've become one. Then there's a golden bracelet my wife saw you wear. You can have it. And fine linen cloth. Any of it. Enough! Shut up! You asked for another thing and I turned my hand against you. I'll kill you if you ask for another thing. Please, Mr. Breen. I got all I wanted. I got all I need. Monday, January 4th, Mrs. Reed, Milt, Virginia and Eliza started about a half hour ago with the prospect of crossing the mountain. Our God of mercy helped them. It was difficult for Mrs. Reed to get away from the other children. Friday, January 8th, Wind East froze hard last night. Very cold this morning. Mrs. Reed and company came back this morning. Could not find their way on the other side of the mountain. They have nothing but a few hides to live on. From January 10th to the 14th, it snowed without stop. Difficult to get wood even after the storm broke. There is little energy from much but sitting. Saturday, 23rd, blew hard and snowed all night. The worst storm we experienced this winter. The sun came out a while. No sign of any game. No birds. No Indians. Even they leave us to our fate. January 31st, Landrum Murphy died. The sun don't shine out brilliant this morning and it froze pretty hard last night. February 21st, 1847. We sat in our cabin. The hides was rotting from the heat inside and snow on top of them. But even those we boil and eat. We hear from the donors up the trail. All Jacob donors dying. Many were dying. Patrick, how long can we last? Not long, if all we talk of is death. What was that? Something's happening. Gone mad? Have some gone mad? No, I think it's more. Who sent you? How have you come to us? Reed told us he got us to come. Reed? The man we banished, God forgive us. The man we cast out. You brought some flowers and salt. We had to leave a lot behind. Enough to get us over the mountain? How many are there? Every night there's less. We hardly see each other. Keep that man away from the pack. You'll kill yourself if you eat too much. Put a guard on the food. We'll give out what we can. Not all of it. There's got to be enough left to go back. How many? Maybe 20 of us. Not all of us? Well, all of us go. None of us will make it. 24 went with the brave seven men. We left with no more food than we had when they came. And those who were left moved into only two cabins. We lived like animals then. We was little more. March 13th. Now I remember the day by counting it out. But I hardly knew then. The smell. We'll freeze if we go outside. Build a fire on this snow. If the others help, we can. At least not to live in a room with the dead. We come from built up country and cities. We didn't know that to build a fire on snow you got to cross tree trunks and put the fire on them. We built it on snow. And it cut a well into the snow. We all moved down to it like a cave. We was too weak to move from the wet ground, too sick to care. At least it protected us from the wind. 14 of us was all that was left alive. My wife Peggy, Mrs. Graves and her baby. What do you have there? Nothing. Nothing. You hid something under your shawl. I didn't hide anything. You put something to your mouth. No. You got some food. You've been holding on some food. Go back, Peggy. Leave her be. I won't. Under her shawl. Give it back. It's only a bleached out bone, Peggy. She ate all that was on it. She ate. Don't, Mrs. Graves. Don't. She held out. It was only an empty bone. It had been boiled over and over. Held out. An empty, empty bone. Empty. Mrs. Graves' baby died that night. And in the morning of five-year-old son, life went from her all together. She died by the time the sky was light. We did not have energy to take them out of the pit because we didn't have no energy to get out ourselves. Close to 90s started. Half died. And on the sixth day in that cave of snow in the ground, sitting like animals in the mud. Not caring or even hearing. I can't pray. Don't. I can't even remember my prayers. In that place five months. We'll never forget. Some of us were selfish. We will never forget that no matter what we done that was wrong, a lot of us tried to be decent. I'd done what I was able. I'd done what was the most any man could. April, 1847. You're always right with Autolight. Next week, a true story taken from Captain Walter Kerrig's battle report, Korea. The facts concerning the mind-clearing operations in Wonsan Harbor. Needle in the haystack. Our star, Mr. William Holden. That's next week on Suspense. Suspense is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis with music composed by Lucian Morrowick and conducted by Lud Bluskin. Ordeal and Honor Pass was adapted for suspense by Arthur Ross. Feature in the night's cast were Paula Winslow, Mary Lansing, Charlotte Lawrence, John Daener, Joseph Kearns, Harry Bartell, and Parley Baer. Edmund O'Brien may soon be seen in The Bigamist, co-starring Joan Fontaine and Ida Lupino. And remember next week, Mr. William Holden in Needle in the Haystack. You can buy Autolight Stay Full batteries, Autolight Standard or Resistor type spark plugs, and Autolight Original Service Park at your neighborhood Autolight dealers. Switch to Autolight. Good night.