Letters and Journals of Narcissa Whitman - Part 5



TSHIMAKAIN
April 22, 1846.
Miss Prentiss:
An apology is due in my attempting to write to you, being an entire 
stranger, although I feel almost as though I had been well acquainted with 
you for years, having become so much attached to Mrs. Whitman. 

Some days before I left Dr. Whitman's for this place, Mrs. Whitman was 
speaking of having a great number of letters to write to the States, and 
in her pleasant way wished to know if I would not write some for her. To 
which I replied, I would rather engage her to write for me, as she could 
do it so much better; but said, finally, that I would write one to any of 
her friends, if she would do the same for me.

To this she agreed and gave me her name. I desired her to write to my 
mother, who is living near Monmouth, Warren county, Illinois, where I have 
been living for the last ten years before the spring of '45, at which time 
I left home with the desire of seeing the far West.

As I learned from Mrs. Whitman that you and your brother had some thought 
of coming to this country, you will doubtless feel more or less interested 
in some of the difficulties and trials that one has to encounter on the 
way. One of the greatest trials that a religious mind has to encounter on 
the way is the company one is often compelled to travel with. There is no 
place where one can better see all the varieties of civilized life than 
here. You can see from the highest to the lowest grade. You may see all 
these at home, it is true, but you can't see them all brought so closely 
together, and under so many vicissitudes of life as have to be passed 
through on the way-hunger and thirst and fatigue, cold and wet weather. 
Now you have bad roads and no grass for your cattle; now, perhaps, some 
one will tell you there is much danger from Indians. After traveling all 
day through dust that is almost insupportable, you will come into camp at 
9 or 10 o'clock at night and feel almost as though you did not care 
whether scalped before morning or not. And to make the trouble greater the 
cattle have almost nothing to eat, and may be you have no water within a 
mile, and perhaps no wood. Under such circumstances who is there among the 
sons of men that would not be likely to feel somewhat peevish, so much so 
that almost anything would throw him off his balance, and be likely go to 
beyond the bounds of propriety. Sure I am that nothing but "much of the 
mind of Christ," will support one under such trials. You must not think 
that the whole journey is just such as I have described. By no means. I 
have given you about as dark a picture as is likely to be met with on the 
road. But I must confess that I endured more fatigue during the six months 
we were on the way than I had ever before undergone in the same length of 
time. No one need think that it is like traveling in the stage or on the 
steamboat; yet one is not often vexed with high prices, nor are they in 
danger of being robbed as they are on steamboat.

One is not likely to spend a great deal by the way, without he does it in 
gambling, which he may do here as well as any where if he wished, as it is 
almost always the case that some one was thoughtful enough to bring a deck 
of cards with him; and if they have none of them, they bet on the distance 
to some hill, or on the distance traveled during the day, or that my oxen 
can draw more than yours. 

Another trial that one has often to meet on the way is disregard for the 
Sabbath. I suppose there was about as much contention arose on that 
subject in the company in which I came as any another. A good part of the 
company cared nothing about that, or any other religious question, and if 
it suited them they wished to travel on that day as well as any other. And 
even when they did stop on that day it was only to mend their wagons, or 
wash their clothes. I do not say that all did so, for there were some of 
the company that were devotedly pious. There were three ministers in the 
company, one a Seceder minister from about Burlington. The other two were 
Baptist ministers, one from Iowa, the other from Rock Island county, Ill., 
whose name was Fisher, and who was formerly of Quincy, and is doubtless 
well known there. He manifested more of the true spirit of Christ while on 
the road than any other man with whom I was acquainted. Sometimes one is 
compelled to travel on the Sabbath, even if the company were willing to 
stop, as it happens that pasture cannot be found in sufficient quantities, 
though this does not often occur, but it often made a plea for traveling 
on that day when there would be plenty if they wished to stop to hunt 
buffalo. The company in which I came, traveled, may be, half the Sabbaths 
on the way. We had preaching most of the days on which we stopped. But I 
am dwelling too long on this subject, perhaps.

I desire to say to you, if you have any influence with respect to this 
country, I hope you will use it in endeavoring to have it settled with 
pious Yankees. Although not one myself, yet, as western people say, "I 
have a mighty liking for them." I do hope that it may be another New 
England, and I would to God that the mothers of this country could only be 
from Yankee land. Perhaps I have said more than I ought, but such are the 
sentiments of my heart, and I have ventured to express them. Let me but 
have the choice of the mothers of any country, and I will feel well 
satisfied as to the destiny of that country, either as to its moral, 
literary or civil aspect. But the moral prospect of this country is not 
very encouraging at this time. The "man of sin" appears to be making 
considerable progress in the lower settlements. One thing that makes much 
in his favor is, he has the influence of the H.B. Company, though it is to 
be hoped that God will thwart his plans, and that He will "overturn, 
overturn till He come whose right it is to reign." "Till the stone cut out 
of the mountain shall fill up the whole earth." May God hasten it in His 
day, is my earnest desire and prayer.

It may be interesting to you to know any one with whom I have been 
formerly acquainted. Mr. Bacon used to be my preceptor in music, whom I 
suppose you have often seen. I would like much to be remembered to him, if 
he is living there.

I have, perhaps, said more now than you will think worth sending more than 
two thousand miles, but I must say in conclusion, that Dr. and Mrs. 
Whitman seem very near to me. It appeared almost like parting with my 
mother when I left there to come to this place (which you will find marked 
on the map of Oregon in the November number of the Missionary Herald.) I 
have spent many very pleasant hours in her company and hope to spend more 
ere life closes.

Should you ever receive this, a letter as long as you wish to write would 
be most acceptable. News from the States is always scarce at Tshimakain 
and Waiilatpu.

Your true friend,

ANDREW ROGERS, JR.


Miss Jane A. Prentiss,
Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, U.S.A.
WAIILATPU
May 15th, 1846.
Edward and Jane Prentiss, My Dear Brother and Sister:
It gave us much pleasure to receive your letter by the last emigration, 
but it would have given us more to have seen you both here. If I could 
have known more when I was home I would have tried to have had you both 
come out with me. It is now, however, still favourable for you to come. 
Narcissa wants Jane to come and I want Edward, but it is not for us that 
you should come but for yourselves and the Lord. Edward would do well to 
have a wife and then come, and Jane will be agreeable with or without a 
husband, as suits her best; but if she comes without one, I shall try to 
convince her of her duty to marry. This country needs those who are able 
and willing to found and support society, religion, and schools. There are 
the best inducements to young men to come and locate a mile square of 
first-rate land in a better climate than in any of the States, with the 
broad Pacific Ocean to open in prospect before them. A good title will be 
secured to all who located and reside on or occupy land or mile squares, 
according to the Oregon laws.

You must see how fine it is for a settler not only not to have to fed his 
stock as a general thing, but when he first comes, his poor stock can 
winter the first winter without the need of providing for them. We want a 
school teacher every winter, and shall like to employ you the first 
winter, at least, until you can look around. We had a good, pious teacher 
last winter and may have him the next. He adds instruction to music. I 
believe he wrote Jane on the spur of Mrs. Whitman's promising to write his 
mother in case he would write one of her friends. He is studying for the 
ministry with one of the ministers of our mission, Rev. Elkanah Walker.

It cannot be much for you to come the rest of the way now you are so near, 
and more since you have become weaned from favorite spots of your youth. 
If Father and Mother Prentiss should consent to come with you, I think 
they would be rejoiced in their old age. A light wagon with an ox team is 
the best for families, as all must keep company on the road. Let 
provisions so far as can be, be the only loading. Necessities for the 
journey are all you want, unless you have special reasons for bringing 
something particular. The intimations in your letter that you might come 
if we would write you, give us hope to look for you in the next year. In 
the meantime, get Brother Jackson and Kenny, etc., to come with you, as 
also Galusha and Father and Mother Prentiss.

It is a hurried letter I have to give you, but I hope it will be taken as 
a token of our love to you both, with desire to see you. 

With our united love to you both,

I am your affectionate brother,

MARCUS WHITMAN.


WAIILATPU, OREGON TERRITORY.
July 4th, 1847.
My Dear Mother:
It was not convenient for me to write to any of my friends in the States, 
the past spring by the returning of immigrants except sister Jane. To her 
I wrote briefly, in answer to the one received in March by the hand of Mr. 
and Mrs. Thornton, who came from Quincy, Illinois. It was nearly a year in 
reaching me in consequence of Mr. and Mrs. Thornton taking the southern 
route with the majority of the immigrants. What would dear mother and 
father think if they knew how anxiously and eagerly I am expecting Jane 
and Edward to come with the immigrants this season. It is, indeed so. We 
are looking for them with deep solicitude, and hope and pray that we may 
not be disappointed. From what she wrote me last spring, I think she would 
have come with Mrs. Thornton, except for her mother; she desired very much 
to see her first. It was the same with her when Marcus was there. She 
could not come with him without seeing mother first. Although I think she 
might have been prevailed upon at that time to have come with him, if he 
could have seen a way to have brought her, when he was in Quincy. He 
learned afterwards that she might have come very safely and comfortably 
with one of the families that were coming at that time. I was greatly 
disappointed and felt almost inclined to reproach my husband for not 
making more effort to bring her. But it was all right; he did the best he 
could under existing circumstances. Since that time I have rather been 
waiting in hopes Edward would complete his course of study and be 
appointed by the Board to come and bring her with him.

From their letters it appears he has not been making that progress 
desirable, and in his last he intimated that he desired to come to this 
country and wished to know of us if we would encourage it. Accordingly, 
last spring a year, we wrote to them both and set before them every 
possible inducement to have them come immediately. Consequently we are 
looking for them and shall be not a little disappointed if they should not 
come. Perhaps my beloved parents would wish to know some of the reasons 
why, or the object for which we wish to have them here. I need not speak 
of the comfort and enjoyment their society would afford us here in this 
far-distant land. That is self-evident. In a temporal view, we feel that 
they would be better situated here than where they now are. As it regards 
their usefulness, perhaps no place could be found where they could do more 
for the advancement of the precious cause of our dear Redeemer, and with 
better success, than here, whether it be as missionaries to the Indians or 
as Christian teachers among the white population of this country. Good 
help of every kind is needed here in our missionary work, and if they were 
now here we could fill their hands (or the Lord could) and their hearts, 
too, with just as much missionary work as they could well do. If E. still 
desires to finish his preparation for the Gospel ministry, we would 
certainly do all in our power to facilitate him, and at the same time he 
could render himself useful in teaching a part of the time and be of great 
service to us. We have now in our family a young man of real worth (and he 
has been with us almost two years), who came to this country principally 
for the benefit of his health, thinking to return again after a season, 
but finding it improving he has for more than a year past been pursuing a 
course of reading and study with a view to the ministry. He had commenced 
studying before leaving home, but had been obliged to desist on account of 
his health. Since living with us, he has had his mind much drawn towards 
the subject of devoting his life for the benefit of the heathen, and last 
spring came to the determination of doing so; consequently, he is now 
pursuing the study of Nez Perces language in connection with his other 
studies. Thus the Lord has had compassion on us and inclined the heart of 
one dear youth to enter this field of missionary labour.

We have often asked for more associates of the Board, and they have met 
our solicitations with encouragement and many promises, and at one time 
had an individual appointed for this station; but he failed to meet his 
engagements and went over to the Presbyterian Board and was sent by them 
to some other part of the world. At present we have no encouragement that 
any will be sent very soon. There seems to be a great destitution of 
laborers at the present time, or of those who are qualified and willing to 
go forth to the missionary work. This mission is needing another 
missionary very much to occupy a new station just offered us by the 
superintendent of the Methodist Mission. It is the Waskopum station, 
situated at the Dalles, where I spent the winter while my husband was 
absent to the States. It is an interesting and very important station, 
particularly so with reference to its locality to this mission, as well as 
to the cause of civilization and Christianity in the country at large. Our 
mission have appointed Mr. Walker, of the Tshimakain station, to occupy it 
for the present, until some other one can be obtained.

Tuesday, July 15th-While engaged in writing the above, I was interrupted 
by the arrival of Mr. Hinman from the Willamette. He is the young man that 
taught our school the winter of 1844, of whom I wrote as becoming a 
Christian and uniting with our church. He has come up to try to obtain the 
use of the mission press for the purpose of printing another paper in the 
Willamette. He had now gone on to see the other members of the mission, 
and will probably visit both stations before he returns. He has given us 
much intelligence concerning the lower country. Five ships are now in the 
river from different parts of the world.

Christians of all denominations are trying to do something for the 
upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in the land; but the enemies of the cross 
of Christ are doing must faster.

If I had time I might write much concerning the lower country that would 
be of interest, but for the present I desire to speak of our own prospects 
as a mission, which we feel were never brighter than at the present 
moment. Shortly after closing my letter to Sister Jane, I took a journey. 
Since that time I have been obliged to avoid journeying on horseback, on 
account of my health until the present season. I am happy to inform you 
that my health has so much improved that I endured the journey well, even 
much better than for three years previous to relinquishing the saddle 
altogether. For this I desire to be thankful. I was absent from home a 
little more than three weeks. Our meeting was an interesting one. Never 
probably since our existence at a mission has a meeting been characterized 
by so great a manifestation of the influence of the spirit of God upon 
each member, as at that time. All seemed to feel that we had come to an 
important crisis and that God alone could and must direct us. Our Board 
had written and advised to abandon the Tshimakain station in consequence 
of the discouragements under with our brethren of that station were 
laboring. Mr. Eells is advised to remove to this station, and Mr. Walker 
to go to Kamish, the station Mr. Smith formerly occupied. This advice, 
however, was accompanied with discretionary power. Soon after the arrival 
of Mr. Green's letters, came the offer of the station at the Dalles. This 
all acknowledged to be an important acquisition; but who of our limited 
number should occupy it? After much deliberation and consultation, it was 
finally determined not to abandon altogether the station at Tshimakain, 
but that during the winter Mr. Eells with his family remove to this 
station to act as a minister in the English language for the benefit of 
our own families and those who may winter with us, and that during the 
summer his time be spent at Tshimakain, and in internerating among the 
Indians in that language. This arrangement is very much in consequence of 
the severity of the winter with them, it occupying so much of their time 
and strength in caring for themselves and their animals. Mr. Walker is 
recommended to occupy the station at the Dalles for the present, at least, 
or until it is thought best to make some other arrangements.

August 23-My Dear Parents:-I see I cannot finish my letter without 
interruptions, and long ones, too. Another resolution of the meeting was 
that husband see to getting houses built for the mothers of the mission 
families, so that they could spend the winter here for the sake of having 
the children attend school. This would relieve me greatly of having to 
board them as I have done.

Since I commenced this letter many changes have taken place, which 
entirely prostrate the plans and resolutions of the meeting. Mr. W. is 
unwilling to remove with his family this year, on account of Mrs. W. being 
in a state of pregnancy, which was known at the time of the meeting, but 
not made an objection. Mr. Eells and family must remain with them 
throughout the winter, and consequently will not need a house here as was 
expected. Mrs. S. and children expect to come and winter here unless 
circumstances prevent. Marcus has now gone to Vancouver on business to 
bring up the property of the mission and see to the occupancy of the 
Dalles station. We are unwilling to let it pass out of our hands and fall 
into the hands of Catholics. He expects to hire Mr. Hinman, as he has a 
wife now, and both are pious, to take the charge of the secular affairs of 
the station, and in case we can do no better, let Perrin (the little boy 
that was with us in Cuba, but now grown to be quite a young man), his 
nephew, spend the winter with Mr. Hinman, as he is very successful in 
speaking the language, and can read and talk to them a little. Perrin, 
with one of our good Indians and Mr. Hinman, we think, will do very well 
in keeping up the station until a missionary can be sent. Perrin also 
indulges a hope.

Husband has been absent more than two weeks and it will be three more 
probably before he returns.

For the last two weeks immigrants have been passing, probably 80 or 100 
wagons have already passed and 1,000 are said to be on the road, besides 
the Mormons. Sixty have gone the southern route that proved so disastrous 
last year to all that went that way. I have heard that an individual 
passed us who had letters for us and others, so that we are deprived of 
hearing from our friends as soon as we otherwise should. It was just so 
last year. Mother's letter was carried by the Dalles and brought up again 
after a week or two by Mr. Geiger and Mr. Littlejohn, who came up here on 
a visit. Mr. G. spent the winter and taught school. Mr. Littlejohn and 
family have gone home to the States; they started this spring and came 
here while I was absent at the meeting. I was very sorry not to see her. 
She was Adeline Saddler; I presume you knew her. She was very unwilling to 
leave the country, but her husband has become such an hypochondriac that 
there was no living with him in peace. He wanted to kill himself last 
winter. It is well for him that he has gone to the States, where he can be 
taken care of. Poor woman; she is disconsolate and sad, and greatly 
changed from what she used to be. It is difficult to define the cause of 
his malady. He seems to be very much like Mr. Munger, the individual we 
had here that became crazy, and at last caused his own death by driving 
two nails into one of his hands, and afterwards putting it into a hot fire 
until it was burnt to a crisp, as was supposed, to work a miracle.

I said in the commencement of my letter that I was expecting to see Jane 
and Edward this fall; but from those who have already passed we can hear 
nothing from them, notwithstanding they may be on the road, for among so 
many, it is not expected that all will be known to each other.

It is difficult to imagine what kind of a winter we shall have this 
winter, for it will not be possible for so many to all pass through the 
Cascade mountains into the Willamette this fall, even if they should 
succeed in getting through the Blue Mountains as far as here. From the 
Dalles on to the Willamette is considered the worst part of the route from 
the States to the end, that is, to the Willamette valley. We are not 
likely to be as well off for provisions this season as usual-our crops are 
not as abundant.

Poor people-those that are not able to get one, or pay for what they need-
are those that will most likely wish to stop here, judging from the past; 
and connected with this, is a disposition not to work, at any rate, not 
more than they can help. The poor Indians are amazed at the overwhelming 
numbers of Americans coming into the country. They seem not to know what 
to make of it. Very many of the principal ones are dying, and some have 
been killed by other Indians, in going south into the region of 
California. The remaining ones seem attached to us, and cling to us the 
closer; cultivate their farms quite extensively, and do not wish to see 
any Sniapus (Americans) settle among them here; they are willing to have 
them spend the winter here, but in the spring they must all go on. They 
would be willing to have more missionaries stop and those devoted to their 
good. They expect that eventually this country will be settled by them, 
but they wish to see the Willamette filled up first.

We wish to employ a teacher for the winter. If J. and E. do not come, we 
must look out for some one among the immigrants. We should prefer an 
accomplished young lady from the Eastern States, if such could be found to 
teach the children of our families. Young ladies are greatly needed in 
this country as teachers-also female help of all kinds. Many more men than 
women come into the country. Almost every body has been sick in the 
Western States which is said to be the cause of so large influx this way. 
When I heard that dear brother Harvey was going to Virginia, I could not 
help desiring him to come this way. O, if he was here now to take our 
farm, how much better it would be for him and us, too; we need just such a 
man. I would that he would come and two or three others just like him, for 
their help is greatly needed. I wrote him to come, but do not know that he 
got my letter. Husband is wearing out fast; his heart and hands are so 
full all the time, that his brethren feel solicitous about him, but cannot 
help him; his benevolence is unbounded, and he often goes to the extent of 
his ability, and often beyond, in doing good to the Indians and white men.

It is probably not right for me to desire to have father and mother here; 
but still I cannot help thinking all the time. O, if they were here. God 
grant that they may live long to pray for their unworthy children among 
the Indians.

We hear that a monthly mail route is to be, or already is, established on 
the coast south-a steamer to take packages from Panama, that come across 
the Isthmus of Darien. I hope it will not be so difficult to hear from 
home as formerly. I intend to send this that way for an experiment. I send 
this by our man and John, one of the orphan boys, who go with two ox teams 
to the Dalles to bring up the threshing machine, cornsheller, ploughs for 
Indians, and other goods for the mission, also books for Mr. Rogers, the 
pious young man of whom I have spoken, that husband brings up in a boat 
from Vancouver.

Now I have the care of two additional boys for a year, who are left here 
by their fathers for the benefit of school; they are native half breeds. 
May the richest of heaven's blessings ever rest upon my beloved father and 
mother.

From your ever affectionate daughter,

NARCISSA.


WAIILATPU
Oct. 12th, 1847.
Dear Jane:
Two men are at this place on their way to the States. One of them, Mr. 
Glenday, intends to return to this country next spring with his family. I 
have importuned him, and made an arrangement to have you accompany them to 
Waiilatpu. Now Jane, will you do it? I know you will not refuse to come. 
At least I feel that you must and will come. I wrote you last spring and 
told you that I was expecting you and E. this fall, and I have been 
looking for you in every company that have passed. But I have not seen you 
nor received any letter from either of you. But a week or two ago when I 
was on the Utilla river, I saw an individual that told me that he had seen 
a brother of mine that was near Independence with his family, that he was 
intending to come to Oregon this season, but could not get ready, but 
would come next year. He furthermore told him that he wished to send a 
package to us, and would go to his house and get it, which was five miles 
distant, if he would bring it. This individual said he promised to bring 
it and would have waited for it had it been possible, but the company with 
whom he traveled started before he expected and he was obliged to leave 
before he returned with the package. From his description, I was confident 
that it was Brother Harvey, and you can better imagine than I can 
describe, the joy I felt on receiving such intelligence. I have also 
received a letter from father and Brother J.G. They tell me that H. was in 
the West and that you were with him. Mr. Glenday tells me that there is a 
teacher in Monticello Seminary of the name of Prentiss, and he thinks it 
must be you. I am at a loss to know where you are. I write you every 
spring, but I am not informed if you ever receive my letters.

I will not give you the arrangements we have made with Mr. Glenday to have 
you come immediately and directly to us. He says when you receive this 
letter, he wishes you to get into a boat or stage and go directly to St. 
Charles and see Mrs. Glenday and make her acquaintance. She is a pious 
woman and he is highly pleased with the idea of your accompanying them to 
be company for her on the way. He says he will bring you free of all 
expense. Of course we shall satisfy him when you arrive. We are confident 
that you could not have so good an opportunity to come to this country in 
any other way as with Mr. G. he is accustomed to travel in an Indian 
country, and knows how perfectly. I am satisfied that if Brother H. and 
his family and E. and yourself would make the arrangement to come with him 
and would submit to be controlled by him (as he is coming in a small party 
by himself), you would be the gainers by it in the end. Perhaps you would 
think that for so small a party it would be dangerous traveling through 
the Indian country. It would be for persons entirely unacquainted with the 
Indians and with traveling in the Indian country. But you may rely upon 
Mr. Glenday; that he knows how to travel and can escort you here quicker 
and safer and with less annoyance from dust and fatigue and worn out 
cattle and with half the expense that you would be at to come any other 
way. You will always hear it said by every one who knows anything about 
the way, "Bring as few things as possible." I would advise you and my 
brothers and Sister L. to be governed by Mr. G.'s advice about what you 
bring, as well as the amount. I will add however, that I would prefer you 
would not encumber yourself with anything except what you need on the way, 
and to bring your minds to need as little as possible. I consider Mr. G. 
capable of giving you directions upon this subject, and such, too, as will 
meet my mind more fully than I can express by writing. We have enough to 
supply you when you get here; and if we have not we can get it here.

You know not how much you are all needed here this present moment; yes, I 
may say, we are suffering and shall suffer for the want of your assistance 
and presence here this winter.

Dear Jane, I have written in great haste, as I have but a moment to write, 
and a hurried one at that; for it is all confusion as usual when 
immigrants are about us. I would write Brothers H. and E. and Sister L., 
but Mr. G. wishes to be burdened with as little as possible, for he may 
have to go on snow shoes a part of the way. He wishes to return next 
spring, and about the last of August encourages me to think that, if 
spared and prospered, he will set you down at our door. I cannot help 
feeling rejoiced that Providence has opened up a way, to appearance so 
favorable, for the safe, easy and speedy transport of my dear Jane to my 
arms. I long to see you all, and should much prefer to have you all come 
with him if you felt it best. But he seems to think that my brothers would 
not be willing to come with him on account of traveling in so small a 
party.

Wednesday morn-Dear Jane and Edward:-I have been talking this morning to 
Mr. Glenday about you coming with him. I am at a loss how to direct him to 
find you. I do not know where Brother Harvey is. Father says he is in 
Quincy and that you are with him and that Edward is in Hazel Green, 
Wisconsin. He is confident, however, that He will find you all and Brother 
H. as he goes in, especially if he is anywhere in the vicinity of 
Independence. I expect husband will write Harvey if he gets away from his 
cares long enough; but lest he should not, I will suppose you all together 
and talk to you en masse, for it is impossible to write separate letters. 
We, that is husband and self, think it best for you all to come with him; 
and he is willing, provided you all would be willing to submit to his 
laws. He is a rigid mountaineer, and the principal laws in an Indian 
country are to be particular in guarding your animals lest you be robbed 
of them and left on foot. You cannot imagine the distress such an event 
would occasion. Many events of that kind have happened to the immigrants 
of the present year. It is hard work to cross the Rocky Mountains in the 
easiest way it can be arranged. If I had the journey to make, and knew as 
much as I now do about traveling, I should by all means, prefer to travel 
in the camp of such a man as Mr. Glenday. If E. comes as a single man he 
will employ him and pay him wages to assist in driving sheep; consequently 
he could come without its costing him anything. If he has a wife in view, 
he had better marry (that is if he has found a good one)-let his motto be 
"a good one or none." Mr. G. says he will be to the expense of Jane's 
outfit, and I think you may rely upon it. When you get this letter you 
must write him and direct to St. Charles post office, then he will write 
you and invite you to come.

It may not be strange for you to be a little unbelieving and think it not 
true that we have sent for you, but when you see the big mule that we have 
sent for you, Jane, your heart may faint within you, and you will feel 
that it is, indeed, so. The name of the big mule is Uncle Sam. He was left 
here by Fremont when he was here on business for Uncle Sam. Mr. Rodgers is 
expecting a brother-in-law, sister and parents, some time next summer.

Jane, there will be no use in your going home to see ma and pa before you 
come here-it will only make the matter worse with your heart. I want to 
see her as much as you. If you will all come here it will not be long 
before they will be climbing over the Rocky Mountains to see us. The love 
of parents for their children is very great. I see already in their 
movements, indications that they will ere long come this way, for father 
is becoming quite a traveler. Believe me, dear Jane, and come without 
fail, when you have so good an opportunity.

Farewell,

N.W.


OREGON CITY
April 6, 1848.
To Stephen Prentiss, Esq., and Mrs. Prentiss,
the Father and Mother of the late Mrs. Whitman of the Oregon Mission
My Dear Father and Mother in Christ:
Through the wonderful interposition of God in delivering me from the hand 
of the murderer, it has become my painful duty to apprise you of the death 
of your beloved daughter, Narcissa, and her worthy and appreciated 
husband, your honored son-in-law, Dr. Whitman, both my own entirely 
devoted, ever faithful and eminently useful associates in the work of 
Christ. They were inhumanly butchered by their own, up to the last moment, 
beloved Indians, for whom their warm Christian hearts had prayed for 
eleven years, and their unwearied hands had administered to their every 
want in sickness and in distress, and had bestowed unnumbered blessings; 
who claimed to be, and were considered, in a high state of civilization 
and Christianity. Some of them were members of our church; others 
candidates for admission; some of them adherents of the Catholic church-
all praying Indians. They were, doubtless, urged on to the dreadful deed 
by foreign influences, which we have felt coming in upon us like a 
devastating flood for the last three or four years; and we have begged the 
authors, with tears in our eyes, to desist, not so much on account of our 
own lives and property, but for the sake of those coming, and the safety 
of those already in the country. But the authors thought none would be 
injured by the hated missionaries-the devoted heretics, and the work of 
hell was urged on, and has ended, not only in the death of three 
missionaries, the ruin of our mission, but in a bloody war with the 
settlements, which may end in the massacre of every family. 

God alone can save us. I must refer you to the Herald for my views as to 
the direct and remote causes which have conspired to bring about the 
terrible calamity. I cannot write all to every one, having a large family 
to care for; Mrs. Spaulding is suffering from the dreadful exposure during 
the flight and since we have been this country-destitute of almost every 
thing, no dwelling place as yet, food and raiment to be found, many, many 
afflicted friends to be informed, my own soul bleeding from many wounds; 
my dear sister, Narcissa, with whom I have grown up as a child of the same 
family, with whom I have labored so long and so intimately in the work of 
teaching the Indians, and my beloved Dr. Whitman, with whom I have for so 
many years kneeled in praying, taking sweet counsel, have been murdered, 
and their bones scattered upon the plains-the labors and hopes of many 
years in an hour at an end, the house of the Lord to the amount of 
thousands of dollars, in the hands of the robbers, a once large and happy 
family reduced to a few helpless children, made orphans a second time, to 
be separated and compelled to find homes among strangers; our fears for 
our dear brothers Walker and Eells of the most alarming character; our 
infant settlements involved in a bloody war with hostile Indians and on 
the brink of ruin-all, all, chill my blood and fetter my hands.

The massacre took place on the fatal 29th of November last, commencing at 
half past one. Fourteen persons were murdered first and last. Nine men the 
first day. Five men escaped from the Station, three in a most wonderful 
manner, one of whom was the trembling writer, with whom I know you will 
unite in praising God for delivering even one. The names and places of the 
slain are as follows: The two precious names already given, my hand 
refuses to write them again. Mr. Rogers, young man, teacher of our Mission 
school in winter of '46; since then has been aiding us in our mission work 
and studying for the ministry, with a view to be ordained and join our 
Mission; John and Francis Sager, the two eldest of the orphan family, ages 
17 and 15; Mr. Kimball of Laporte, Indiana, killed second day, left a 
widow and five children; Mr. Saunders of Oskaloosa, Iowa, left a widow and 
five children; Mr. Hall of Missouri, escaped to Fort Walla Walla, was 
refused protection, put over the Columbia river, killed by the Wall 
Wallas, left a widow and five children; Mr. Marsh of Missouri, left a son 
grown and a young daughter; Mr. Hoffman of Elmira, New York; Mr. Gillan of 
Oskaloosa, Iowa; Mr. Sails of latter place; Mr. Bewley of Missouri. Two 
last dragged from sick beds eight days after the first massacre and 
butchered; Mr. Young, killed second day. Last five were unmarried men. 
Forty women and children fell captives into the hands of the murderers, 
among them my own beloved daughter, Eliza, ten years old. Three of the 
captive children soon died, left without parental care, two of them your 
dear Narcissa's, one a widow woman's. The young women were dragged from 
the house by night and beastly treated. Three of them became wives to the 
murderers. One, the daughter of Mrs. Kimball, became the wife of him who 
killed her father-often told her of it. One, Miss Bewley, was taken twenty 
miles to the Utilla and became the wife of Hezekiah, a principal chief and 
member of our church who, up till that time had exhibited a good 
character. Eight days after the first butchery, the two families at the 
saw-mill, twenty miles distant, were brought down and the men spared to do 
work for the Indians. This increased the number of captives to forty-
seven, after the three children died. In various ways they were cruelly 
treated and compelled to cook and work late and early for the Indians.

As soon as Mrs. Spaulding heard of my probable death and the captivity of 
Eliza, she sent two Indians (Nez Perces) to effect her deliverance, if 
possible. The murderers refused to give her up until they knew whether I 
was alive, as I had escaped their hands, and whether the Americans would 
come up to avenge the death of their countrymen. Should the Americans show 
themselves, every woman and child should be butchered. The two sick men 
had just been beaten and cut to pieces before the eyes of the helpless 
children and women, their blood spilled upon the floor, and their mangled 
bodies lay at the door for forty-eight hours, over which the captives were 
compelled to pass for wood and water.

Eliza says when she heard the heavy blows and heard dying groans, she 
stopped her ears. She was and such had been for several days the situation 
of Eliza, when the two Nez Perces, particular friends to our children, 
told Eliza they must return without her. The murderers would not give her 
up. She had given up her father as dead, but her mother was alive and up 
to this hour she hoped to reach her bosom, but now this hope went out and 
she began to pine. Besides, she was the only one left who understood the 
language, and was called up at all hours of the night and kept out for 
hours in the cold and wet, with almost no clothing left by the hand of the 
robbers, to interpret for whites and Indians, till she was not able to 
stand upon her feet, and they beset her lying upon the floor-bed she had 
none-till her voice failed from weakness.

I had reached home before the Indians who went for her returned, and 
shared with my wife the anguish of seeing the Indians return without her 
child. Had she been dead, we could have given her up; but to have a living 
child a captive in the hands of Indians whose hands were stained with the 
blood of our slain friends, and not able to deliver her, was the sharpest 
dagger that ever entered my soul. Suffice to say, we found our daughter at 
Fort Walla Walla with the ransomed captives, too weak to stand, a mere 
skeleton, her mind as much injured as her health. Through the astonishing 
goodness of God she has regained her health and strength, and her mind has 
resumed its usual tone.

The captives were delivered by the prompt interposition and judicious 
management of Mr. Ogden, Chief Factor of the H.B. Co., to whom too much 
praise cannot be awarded. He arrived at Walla Walla Dec. 12th. In about 
two weeks he succeeded in ransoming all the captives for blankets, shirts, 
guns, ammunition, tobacco, to the amount of some five hundred dollars. 
They were brought into the fort on Dec. 30th. Myself and those with me 
arrived on the first of January. Oh, what a meeting-remnants of once large 
and happy families; but our tears of grief were mingled with tears of joy. 
We had not dared to hope that deliverance could come so soon and so 
complete.

For some time previous to the massacre the measles, followed by the 
dysentery, had been raging in the country. The families at Waiilatpu had 
been great sufferers. I arrived at Waiilatpu the 22nd of November; eight 
days before the dreadful deed. All the doctor's family had been sick, but 
were recovering; three of the children were yet dangerously sick; besides 
Mr. Osborn, with his sick family, were in the same house. Mrs. Osborn and 
three children were dangerous; one of their children died during the week. 
A young man, Mr. Bewley, was also very sick. The doctor's hands were more 
than full among the Indians; three and sometimes five died in a day. Dear 
sister Whitman seemed ready to sink under the immense weight of labor and 
care. But like an angel of mercy, she continued to administer with her 
ever-ready hand to the wants of all. Late and early, night and day, she 
was by the bed of the sick, the dying, and the afflicted. During the week, 
I enjoyed several precious seasons with her. She was the same devoted 
servant of the Lord she was when we enjoyed like precious seasons in our 
beloved Prattsburg many years ago, ready to live or die for the name of 
the the Lord Jesus Christ. Saturday the Indians from the Utilla, sent for 
the doctor to visit their sick. He wished me to accompany him. We started 
late, rode in a heavy rain through the night, arrived in the morning. The 
doctor attended upon the sick and returned on the Sabbath on account of 
the dangerous sickness in his family. I remained till Wednesday. Monday 
morning the doctor assisted in burying an Indian; returned to the house 
and was reading-several Indians, as usual were in the house; one sat down 
by him to attract his attention by asking for the medicine; another came 
behind him with tomahawk concealed under his blanket and with two blows in 
the back of the head, brought him to the floor senseless, probably, but 
not lifeless; soon after Telaukaikt, a candidate for admission in our 
church, and who was receiving unnumbered favors every day from brother and 
sister Whitman, came in and took particular pains to cut and beat his face 
and cut his throat; but he still lingered till near night. As soon as the 
firing commenced at the different places, Mrs. Hayes ran in and assisted 
sister Whitman in taking the doctor from the kitchen to the sitting-room 
and placed him upon the settee. This was before his face was cut. His dear 
wife bent over him mingled her flowing tears with his precious blood. It 
was all she could do. They were her last fears. To whatever she said, he 
would reply "no" in a whisper, probably not sensible. John Sager was 
sitting by the doctor when he received the first blow, drew his pistol, 
but his arm was seized, the room filling with Indians, and his head was 
cut to pieces. He lingered till near night. Mr. Rogers, attacked at the 
water, escaped with a broken arm and wound in the head, and rushing into 
the house, shut the door. The Indians seemed to have left the house now to 
assist in murdering others. Mr. Kimball, with a broken arm rushed in; both 
secreted themselves upstairs. Sister Whitman in anguish, now bending over 
her dying husband and now over the sick; now comforting the flying, 
screaming children, was passing by the window, when she received the first 
shot in her right breast, and fell to the floor. She immediately arose and 
kneeled by the settee on which lay her bleeding husband, and in humble 
prayer commended her soul to God and prayed for her dear children who were 
about to be made a second time orphans and fall into the hands of her 
direct murderers. I am certain she prayed for her murderers, too. She now 
went into the chamber with Mrs. Hayes, Miss Bewley, Catharine, and the 
sick children. They remained till near night. In the meantime the doors 
and windows were broken in and the Indians entered and commenced 
plundering, but they feared to go into the chamber. They called for sister 
Whitman and brother Rogers to come down and promised they should not be 
hurt. This promise was often repeated, and they came down. Your dear 
Narcissa, faint with the loss of blood, was carried on a settee to the 
door by brother Rogers and Miss Bewley. Every corner of the room was 
crowded with Indians having their guns ready to fire. The children had not 
been brought down and huddled together to be shot. Eliza was one. Here 
they had stood for a long time surrounded by guns pointing at their 
breasts. She often hear the cry "Shall we shoot?" and her blood became 
cold, she says, and she fell upon the floor. But now the order was given, 
"Do not shoot the children," as the settee passed through the children 
over the bleeding, dying body of John. Fatal moment! The settee advanced 
about its length from the door, when the guns were discharged from without 
and within, the powder actually burning the faces of the children. Brother 
Rogers raised his hand and cried, "my God," and fell upon his face, 
pierced with many balls. But he fell not alone. An equal number of deadly 
weapons were leveled at the settee and, oh! that this discharge had been 
deadly. But oh! Father of Mercy, so it seemed good in thy sight. She 
groaned, she lingered. The settee was rudely upset.-Oh, what have I done? 
Can the aged mother read and live? Think of Jesus in the hands of the 
cruel Jews. I thought to withhold the worse facts, but then they would go 
to you from other sources, and the uncertainty would be worse than the 
reality. Pardon me, if I have erred.

And now, shall I attempt to sooth your bleeding hearts? It would be like 
one drowning man stretching out his hand to hold up another. I, myself, am 
in the deepest waters of affliction. My dear brother and sister Whitman no 
more; their mission house demolished; myself and family driven from our 
first own home, and the little church which we had been gathered around; 
our brothers, Walker and Eells, perhaps, slain and their wives and 
children captives in the hands of the murderers. "But why art thou 
disquieted, oh my soul?" "Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in Thy 
sight." "This world is poor from shore to shore." There is no place like 
heaven, and it has seemed doubly precious since the day my dear associates 
ended their toils, and left this world of blood and sin to enter upon the 
unending song of Moses and the Lamb. I know where you will go, my honored 
father and mother in Christ, when you have read this letter, you will go 
to the Mercy Seat, and there you will find balm for your deeply wounded 
soul, for you know how to ask for it. And when there, you will not forget 
the scattered sheep and the trembling lambs of our broken mission.

At the same time of the massacre, Perrin Whitman nephew of Dr. Whitman, 
was at The Dalles in the family of Mr. Hinman, whom we had employed to 
occupy the station which had been lately transferred to our mission by the 
Methodist mission. On hearing of the bloody tragedy, they left the station 
and came to the Wallamette. He is here. The little half-breed Spanish boy 
by the name of David Malin was retained at Walla Walla. I fear he will 
fall into the hands of the priests who remain in the country. Catherine, 
Elizabeth, Matilda, Henrietta and Mary Ann, we brought with us to this 
place; Mary Ann has since died. For the other four we have obtained good 
places and they seem satisfied and happy. Catharine is in the family of 
the Rev. Mr. Roberts, Superintendent of the Methodist mission.

Three Papists, one an Indian formerly from Canada and late from the state 
of Maine, had been in the employ of the doctor a few weeks; one a half 
breed with Cayuse wife, and one a Canadian who had been in the employ of 
the doctor for more than a year, seemed to have aided in the massacre, and 
probably secured most of the money, watches and valuable property. The 
Canadian came down with the captives, was arrested, brought before a 
justice bound over for trial at next court charged with having aided in 
the murders. The night before he was arrested, he secreted in the ground 
and between the boards of a house considerable of Mr. Hoffman's money and 
a watch of one of the widows. The Canadian Indian, Jo Lewis, shot Francis 
with his own hand and was the first to commence breaking the windows and 
doors; is now with the hostile Indians. The half-breed named Finley was 
camped near the station, and in his lodge the murderers held their 
councils before and during the massacre. He was at the head of the Cayuses 
at the battle near the Utilla; managed by pretended friendship, to attract 
the attention of our officers, while his warriors, unobserved, surrounded 
our army. As soon as they had gained their desired position, he wheeled 
and fired his gun, as the signal for the Indians to commence. Although 
they had had the advantage of the ground, far superior in number, and the 
first fire, they were completely defeated, driven from the field and 
finally from their possession of the country, and expect to fortify at the 
mission station at Waiilatpu. The Cayuses have removed their families and 
their stock over Snake river into the Palouse country in the direction of 
brothers Walker and Eells. Our army came upon them at Snake river as they 
about were to cross. About 1,500 head of cattle and the whole Cayuse camp 
were completely in their hands. But here our officers were again for the 
third and fourth time outwitted by some Indians riding up to them and 
pretending friendship, saying that some of their own cattle were in the 
band, and begged time to separate them. Our commander having received 
orders not to involve the innocent with the guilty, gave them till 
morning. It is said his men actually wept at the terrible mistake. Next 
morning, as might be expected, most of the cattle and nearly all the 
Cayuse property had been crossed over and were safe. Our army started away 
with some 500 head. The Indians with the pretended friendly ones at the 
head, fought all day. At night, being double the number of the whites, the 
Indians retook their cattle. The whites were obliged to retreat to the 
station. The Indians continued to fight them through the night and the 
next day. The third day the officers reached the station, none killed, but 
seven wounded. The commander and half of the army immediately started for 
this country for provisions, ammunition and more men. If the few left are 
not soon reinforced, and supplied, they will be in danger of being cut 
off, and the Indians will be down on the settlements. The commander was 
accidentally killed on his way down.

The Lord has transferred us from one field of labor to another. Through 
the kindness of Rev. Mr. Clark, Mr. Smith and others, we have been brought 
to this place, "Tualatin Plains." Mrs. Spaulding has a large school, and I 
am to preach, God assisting, at three stations through the summer.

As I cannot write to all, I wish this letter printed and copies of the 
papers sent to Rev. David Greene, Mission House, Boston, Mass.; Dudley 
Allen, M.D., Kinsman, Trumbull Co., Ohio; Rev. C.F. Scoville, Holland 
Patent, Oneida Co., New York; Calvin C. Stowe, Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, 
Ohio; Mr. Seth Paine, Troy, Bradford Co., Penn.; Mr. G.W. Hoffman, Elmira, 
Chemung Co., New York; Hon. Stratton H. Wheeler, Wheeler Streuben Co., New 
York, and Christian Observer, Philadelphia, Penn.

Yours in deep water of affliction,

H.H. SPAULDING.