M ar c u s Wh it ma n

1 8 0 2 - 1 8 4 7

is Gowa itis D ds ge, ee ,

” and his College

C H E S T E R C OL L I N S M A XE Y e o e o au ht else ou r Were American N wc m n t o d n g , work is well d one ifwe su cceed in sharing with America a str engthened inspirati on t o continue the struggle t owards a nohler Civilizati on thr ough wider knowledge and u nderstanding ofthe

ho es ambitions and d e eds o leaders in the ast p , , f p ’ l i f li a o r al o r ss who have u phe d C vi z ti n s mate i pr g e . ” o d le o o o ward As we l o/e hachwar t us l /e r . , f — CHARLES P ENROSE Sen i or Vi ce-Pr esident fo r North Ameri ca The Newcomen So ci ety of En glan d

This statement cr stallizin a hroad ur ose o the Societ was rst read , y g p p f y, fi ’ at theNewcoinen Meetin at NewYork World s Fa ir on Au ust 1 g g 5 , 93 when America n Newcomen were guests of The British Gooernrnent

‘ Actorurn Memores simul aflectarnus Agenda — MAR C US W I 8 0 2 1 8 his Cou ra e HITMAN ( 7 47) g ,

his De e ds and his Whi tman C o lle e , g A Saga ofthe Nor thwest

AM E I AN NEW C O M E N thr ou h the ears has honored R C , g y , numerous univ ersities and colleges in the United States o America and Canada and has honored the memories f , o coura e ou s ioneers whos e visi on ener d e termin f g p , gy, ati on u nceasin e ort and ahidin Faith laid the ou n , g ff , g f da ti ons u p on which were r eared e ducati o nal institu ti ons that have contrihu ted t o the intellectual and spiritual

e e va e uch a Newco e anu scr t d v lopment of st ar as . S m n m ip is this dealing with the life and work and times ofan — amazing pi one er a man whose memory foreve r will

he cherished as a Builder o the Paci c No r thwest where f fi ,

Whitman C ollege stands t oday as a monu ment t o him

and t o his v e r wonder u l wi e ho th o who m sacri ced y f f , f fi

their liv es that America might go forward in a

glo ri ou s C onqu est of the Great West !

“23 So men e a e a e long as admir unf lt ring cour g , so long as men ze e e - e e pri individual initiativ and s lf r lianc , so long as men wonder about the eternal paradoxes of human

e men are e the in b havior, so long as mov d by pathos of e e r e men e e xorabl t ag dy, and so long as xalt cons cration

the er e God e to s vic of and man, so long, my fri nds, will the story of M arcus and Narcissa Whitman be cherished

” and rep eated .

CH E STE R C O LLINS MAXEY M a r c u s Wh i t ma n 8 0 2 1 8 4 7

_his Coura his D ds ge, ee , and his College

C H E S TE R C O L L LNS ZWAX E Y’

MEM B ER O F T H E NE W COMEN SOC I ET Y P RESIDENT W H IT M AN COLLEG E WALLA WALLA

T H E N E W C O M E N S O C I E T Y I N N O RT H AM E R ICA N E W Y O R ! S AN F RANCI SC O M O NTR E A L 1 9 5 0 Co 1 o pyright, 95

C H E ST ER COLLINS M AXEY

Permissio n t o abstract is granted pro v ided proper credit is allowed

The Newco men So c as b o d iety , a y, is not responsible fo r opinions expressed in the following pages

First Printing ! Novemb er 1 95 0 Second Printing ! November 1 95 o

T is N co Add ss d i i h ew men re , eal ng w th the life and times and amazing deeds ofMarcu s Whit man ( 1 8 0 2 - 1 8 4 7 ) and with the beginnings of “ Whitman College,was deliv ered at the 1 95 0 . ” Inland Empi r e Dinner of The Newcomen So ci et o En a d d Dav o H o y f gl n , hel at enp rt tel, in o k W i o US A S . . Dr M x p ane, ash ngt n, when . a ey

a u s o o n o w s the g e t f h r,

o ! u 1 0 n ne 9, 95

SET UP PRIIQTED AN D BOUND I N TH E UNIT D STAT S , E E OF AM ER ICA FOR TH E NEW COM EN PUBLICATION S IN N ORTH AM ER ICA BY PRIN CETON UNIVER S ITY PRE S S The M arcus and Narcissa Whitman who particu larly interest me were not alabaster saints or sanctimonious

T e as e to be sa and e e do s . e bigot ru , th y did pir ints w r g

a e el s el e but all e et m tic in th ir r igiou b i fs, not th ir pi ism could erase the ingrained traits of p ersonality which ma h e t e l a a l a t d h m intense y and f scin ting y hum n . It is e

e t all e e e sl e as t simony of who kn w th m, thos who di ik d

ell as e a e e a a and Na ssa w thos who dor d th m, th t M rcus rci

W a e a l T e had al t e hitm n w re not ordin ry peop e . h y qu i i s — that set them apart not alone qualitie s of religious fer

al t e a e a lt hu vor, but qu i i s of hum n str ngth and fr i y, of man and ll of a eat es and e t e wisdom fo y, hum n gr n s p t in ss,

a a and e ls ma e and of hum n ch rm r pu ion, of hu n g nius

e t in p itude .

“ CH ESTE R CO LLINS MAXEY

I 5 ]! ‘33

A arde n s o t amid stern lor o the Paci c Northwest the re g p g y f fi , n o wned and ertile Walla Walla Valle stretchin awa on the f y, g y e ast to the Blu e M ou ntains snowca s o the State o Washin ton , p f f g , forms a dramatic natu ral setting ofe qually dramati c liv es oftwo r o ntier i one ers o hi hest ou ra e a o e This f p f g c g nd highest pu rp s . re at Walla Walla Valle rich t oda in i ts cr o s and i ts ru its i ts g y , y p f , livest ocle and ou ltr i ts a ricu ltu re and i ts husbandr thi s valle p y , g y ; y

- — made su perb by Walla Walla R iver swift ru nning between tree lined ban/es on an app ointed journey t o the mighty Co lumbia and — — the nce t o the Pacific Ocean is in itself a living and e ver pr oduc tiv e monume nt t o the liv es and d eeds of these two pi oneers of courage ofju st a century ago ! MARCUS WHITMAN ( 1 8 0 2 - 1 847) and hi s d ev o ted wi e N SS W 1 80 8 Veril f , ARCI A HITMAN ( y were they like tree—s planted by the waterside that will bring forth fru it in du e season becau se they were ofthe hou seho ld ofFaith! The strength oftheir v ery hills showed i n their lives and manifold or Toda Wh t an o lle e a Walla Wa e or al ze w hs . i m C t lla m m i i s y , g

he None be tte the rea la E e o ea t er Wa h t m. r i n g t In nd mpir f s n s in t on cou ld tell this amazin recital than S O S g g CHE TER —C LLIN X Y D L D e e t e e h t a olle e M Ph . L v h si nt o W i m nC . . s n Pr d A E , , . , f g an the rst W t a l that o t Nat v e o the d fi hi m n a u mnu s t o o ccupy p s . i f State Washin to D M axe radu ated at Whitman in the n r . of g , y g , ’ Class o 1 1 2 To o/e his master s de re e at niversit o Wisconsin f 9 g U y f , H o lds in 1 1 and his d octorate at C olumbia niv ersit in 1 1 . 9 4 ; U y , 9 9 h s h B e a e Be a teachin in Po litical Science at i P i t ! a a h . n pp y g g, ,

Ore on A r lt a le e 1 1 Ta ht a Wester R eserve icu ur l Co l in . u t n g g g , 9 4 g

niv ersi t and since 1 2 has been Pr o essor o Po litical Sci ence U y ; , 9 5 , f f t W H as wr tten a h tman o lle e Became i ts President i n 1 . i i C g . 9 48 “ ” H The e a o ble o overnment the th 1 bo ohs . is Am ric n Pr m G 3 f , 5 e diti on which a eared i n 1 8 i s widel u sed in colle es and of pp 9 4 , y g e e H a e v e x ve o c o A e can Po litical u niv rsiti s . s s r d on E ecu ti C u n il f m ri

Scie ce A c at H as r e ce ntl be en honore d b creati on o a n sso i i on . y y f

u n ! he he e M axe Prize Fu nd at Whi tman Colle e . f d T C st r C . y g Edu cat or co lle e reside nt au thor lecturer edit or student , g p , , , , of America s o o t e Dr M axe s a be lov ed member o the ni m d ci iz n . i , g , y f Inland Em ire C ommitte e i n The Newcomen p ,

So ci e ty ofEngland . M y fello wmembers ofNe wcomen

a el the la E e le e UERE ppropriat y in In nd mpir , I am privi g d at Spokane this evening to bring you another version of a h a i has e e h l l e he A e story that b com a part of t e fo k or of t m ric n P a ha ee l and t l eople . It is a story th t s b n to d many times o d from el So as men a e e wid y differing points of View . long dmir unfalt ring a e men ze al at e el —el a e cour g , so long as pri individu initi iv and s f r i nc , so long as men wonder about the eternal paradoxe s of human b e a men are e the e a le h vior, so long as mov d by pathos of in xor b a e as men e al e a the e e Go d tr g dy, and so long x t cons cr tion to s rvic of and e l the t a Narcissa man, so long, my fri nds, wi l s ory of M rcus and

Whitman be cherish e d and repeated .

[I 7 ll AS e a e l it the W a r a l an e h som h v to d , hitm n sto y is m in y pic in t e history of Christian missions among the American Indians ; as some a e l the r a l a a a the e e a h v to d it, sto y is prim ri y s g of cov r d w gon and the e ee the e T a l as e e l the h roic pion ring of Or gon r i , som hav to d it , story could have been hatche d in Hollywood with a sp ecial eye to the a a e and as e a e l the W a p triotic tr d ; som h v to d it , hitm n story is a fabrication cleverly designed to mislead the unwary and glorify the

N e e e . e e . e e und s rving on of th s v rsions is in my mind tonight Rath r, I wish to vary the persp ective and give you what I deem to b e a f W t true r and ar more human hi man story .

The M arcus and Narcissa Whitman who particularly interest me

e e e a a . T e e w r not alabast r s ints or s nctimonious bigots ru , th y did e be e e a e el s el e aspir to saints and w r dogm tic in th ir r igiou b i fs , but not all their pietism could erase the ingrained traits of p erso nality e e e e a the which mad th m int ns ly and fascin tingly human . It is e all k e e t e e as ell as e t stimony of who n w th m, hos who dislik d w thos e e a a a e e who ador d th m , that M rcus and N rcissa Whitm n w r not l e e a — a e ordinary pe op e . They had qualiti s that set th m part not lon l e e e e a e qua iti s of r ligious f rvor, but qualiti s of hum n str ngth and a and a ea e fr ilty, of human wisdom folly, of hum n gr tn ss and e e a c e e and p ttin ss , of hum n harm and r pulsion, of human g nius e in ptitude .

There has been no other couple like the Whitmans in Ame rican — e e e e e r history no wooing mor strang , no w dding mor xtraordina y, a a e e a a e and no m rri g mor proof g inst str ss storm , no union of pur e eff rt e e e e e e e pos and o mor p rf ct , no failur mor path tic, no nding

e e e e e a e . e mor t rribl , and no immortality mor sublim th n th irs Forc s th ey did not control or understand brought their lives togeth er in a noble e nterprise th at failed ; forces they did not control or under stand brought their lives to a dire and agoniz ing close ; y et so ea e e a e e e e gr tly did th y liv , so m gnific ntly did th y labor and s rv that forces they set in motion will forever enrich the civilization they helped to plant on the weste rn slopes of the Continental Divide . ”3 ?

a a was e New Se M rcus Whitm n born at Rushvill , York, on p e e I 8 0 2 met e the a e e a t mb r 4, , and d ath at h nds of a madd n d b nd of Ca u e the W aiilat u e s e y s Indians at p Mission, about six mil s outhw st [ 8 1] ese t Walla W lla W as N e e 2 of the pr nt ci y of a , hington, on ov mb r 9, The first thirty- three years of his life were sp ent in small rural communities of western New York and the Berkshire region e ll all a et . T e e h ta a of Mass chus ts h r e ob in d of his schooling, of his

el s a all his e al t all his rac r igiou tr ining, of m dic ins ruction, and of p e N rcissa Prentiss was at P a t e e . a tical xperi nce in lif born r t sburg,

New st a few les the la e her e hu s York, j u mi from birthp c of futur a o n a 1 I 8 0 8 and s a e a t at Waiilat u b nd, M rch 4, , h r d his m r yrdom p I he e I th sa e al e e had in 847 . S gr w up n e m soci nvironm nt and much the same background of education and exp erience as M arcus Whit m an . E ?

T he first half of the Nine teenth C entury was a p eriod of pro t a e A a Eas the found transition for the Uni ed St t s of meric . t of s l ll G eat t es e e Missis i ppi the country was rapid y fi ing up . r ci i w r l z s e al st e ee e . st a a pringing into b ing, mo ov rnight it s m d Indu ri i tion ee a at a ea l a e the N t and the was sp ding forw rd h d ong p c in or h , plantation system founded on slave labor was grimly fastening it el the s f upon South .

e was a e t new e el e t new Urban Am rica quiv r wi h d v opm n s,

e ol e new la new I e new a . t chn ogi s, popu tions, d as, and mbitions

S i e a t s uch bounding growth , such prod gious xp nsion of hing

te e e e e had ee the an e e . ma rial, n v r b for b n portion of y p opl The e e a a le W a l s a th e e s prospect s e m d imme sur b . h t cou d t y e xt n ion A e a e e the a a Ame a str of m ric n comm rc , onw rd m rch of ric n indu y, the e le s a A e a la the n e al ad nd s so ring of m ric n popu tion, co tin nt e th A e a a ? one a the l vanc of e m ric n n tion Just thing, s id pub ic di — e and one l the a l e the A e a e le vin rs , thing on y f i ur of m ric n p op to

e e e as t e Go d- e t t t o e a So t p rc iv and gr p h ir giv n oppor uni y xp nd . , wi h a e e e and sta e un e the s a e singl voic , tim circum nc it d in tirring nth m

of expansionism .

Rural America had not as yet been s o heavily touched by the a e a e V lla e and l e s ll sa e provoc tiv hand of ch ng . i g country if ti vor d he E e t e T he ea a a a e l was st ll of t ighte n h C ntury . gr t gr ri n r vo ution i l h a lat l b e e eat to come . Emotional y t e rur l popu ion cou d mov d to gr — l Ye al A e a depths by only one force imp assioned re igion . t rur m ric T e w l e was no less expansionistic th an urban Ame rica . h re as no ong r

I 9 ]! h N l was ll le l all . t e and for In orth , popu ation outrunning ti ab e the the la e e was e a acr age ; and, in South , s v conomy xpropri ting e And t o ese a s e e was e the small propri tor . th c u s of rural unr st add d the catalyzing fervor of a missionary evangelism which fifty years a e e of backwoods revivalism h d rais d to sweeping dim nsions .

e the al e e the W st of Mississippi lay h f a contin nt, mpty of all s e a es l z e s e A e c wa accu tomed appurt n nc of civi i ation . To a t rn m ri a it s

o ffable a and a e e e the G ea a land f ncy wh r , b yond r t Stony Moun ’ l a lle was be the the ea t e e . tains, cou d found h ppy va ys of h r s d sir It l e l Pe a e l a k . e land of wond rs and ta tal s , but and un nown opl d it

- l a e and men e a e e . So was , though sp rs ly by of a ston g cu tur Its il scarcely cloven by the plow , its gre at spaces traverse d only by the R ed the ex o e the a e and the a e e Man, p l r r, tr pp r, Voy g ur 5 its rich s ungathered ; its boundaries undetermined and its ownership nu e le e e — the e a u ea the e s tt d, th r it lay to f rf l, a thr t ; to adv nturous ,

' h le e t o the e the visionar a c al ng ; cov tous , an invitation , and to y, a al c l .

As the Ninete enth Century move d into its third decade a mighty e L e a v i e e al e set . e a conv rg nc of soci forc s in and hung r, comm rci l e e e es al e e e e e ze l dity, h rd r stl ssn s , politic xp di ncy, and vang lical a , ’ e a ae e c t the e the as though r sponding to m stro s b at, augh t mpo of e e e a e tim and began a trend westward . Am rica was pois d for noth r e e e Bu t Na vast surg of mpir . of this , Marcus Whitman and rcissa P e e e e the a e e r ntiss , going th ir s parat ways in pros ic routin of n igh e Va el e a in we e New k e . boring vill g s st rn York, n w nothing gu y th y e e se the e e as l must hav s n d primordial rhythms of th ir tim , mu ti tudes of others did 5 but of t he cosmic forces which were to unite . t e e as a a e e e a a i e e e h ir liv s p rticip nts in v nts of imp ri l m gn tud , th s two e e all a e the da e e a who w r but str ng rs to y of th ir b troth l , could not

a e ea e . e e e e e e h v known or dr m d Th y only kn w, ach ind p nd ntly of the e e ea had el a e e the a e oth r, that th ir h rts f t summons to s rv c us of C s a a es hri t in f raw y plac .

Ea 1 8 a W t a rly in 34, M rcus hi m n , a young country doctor of W ee e New ee e e e the e h l r, York , volunt r d his s rvic s to Am rican a e e e he Bo rd of Commissioners for For ign Missions . For ight y ars had been pounding the primitive roads of rural New York as a e a a e and the e a had ee a m dic l pr ctition r, r w rds not b n gr tifying, a e l all a W a a e tles man m t rial y or spiritu y, for M rcus hitm n was r s s , l a n e e e h e A ma ta e a d e ns t e . n a w ys in v ry s of t rm of ti nic physiqu , a e e e he b e e e of dyn mic n rgy, and of driving purpos , must for v r up and e e at l e e a a t o doing, for v r b t ing opposition , for v r cr shing forw rd Now — ea a e he was le a i al . h s a go thirty two y rs of g , troub d bout e lt e l le e a as men h a h , troubl d about his sou , troub d in div rs w ys of a t l a ar e ha e l o a ll e c ion a w ys e wh n life s s tt ed t du routin .

e el el e e e e ea l Owing to a ov rwh ming r igious xp ri nc in r y youth, a s W n e be a C a e M rcu hitma had aspir d to hristi n minist r, but cir cumstances had conspired to defeat t his ambition and deflect him to n e But he l a el the study a d practice of me dicin . sti l h d a fe ing of l nd ea L s a ea e ea a . t e fru tr tion, sti l y rn d to t ch pr ch iving in what h n el i s the l e s z e a ea the e S a e was r ig ou ly most high y s n iti d r in Unit d t t s , and e e e el el W a l n ot b ing int ns ly r igious hims f, Marcus hitm n cou d a e he a he e e a The e sh k t conviction th t had miss d his tru voc tion . n xt best thing was to find a place in the missionary field where he could l l combine the ministry of hea ing with that of Christian evange ism . e e ffe the A e a B a a e e e the H nc his o r to m ric n o rd, , j oint nt rpris of C e a al P e te a D R e e G e R e ongr g tion , r sby ri n, utch form d, and rman e e W e e he was e a e he form d church s . h r s nt did not m tt r much ; what

— - wanted was action immediate and all absorbing action in the se rvice of Christ .

a W a as l a s was in -a the e a M rcus hitm n, a w y , hurry, but Am ric n B was was ll s e his l at and e e oard not . It not who y ur of qua ific ions th r e was no mission station to which he could b e Imm diately dispatch ed . Bu t l a I 8 W a e e e t e a he had final y, in J nuary 35 , hitm n r c iv d no ic th t been appointe d and authorized by the American Board to organiz e a mission to the Nez Perce and Flathead Indians beyond the Rocky a Mountains and t o go himself as a missionary physici n . For this appointment he was indebted to The R everend Samuel Parker .

n ov m er 1 T he R e e e Sa e Pa e e I N e b 8 34, v r nd mu l rk r, a Congr

! ational e e a e I ai i e the g minist r, ng g d n r s ng mon y for support of e Ne e i i e te w e . m ss ons , w nt through w s rn York holding m tings In Dr N a . a W a a e e eele ew w s t . his udi nc at Wh r, York , M rcus hi m n At the l se the eet the e e I e and W a c o of m ing two w r ntroduc d, hitm n t old Parker of his as yet unsuccessful application to the American ! no a Pa e was a man e a a a e and Board . wing th t rk r of wid cqu int nc W a es ass a e e e les . P influ nce in church circ , hitm n b ought his ist nc ark r l 1] at the moment was promoting the cause of missions to the Indians e the R a and W t e e se readi b yond ocky Mount ins , hi man xpr s d his P e a ee ness and eagerness t o undertake such a mission . ark r gr d to ’ lea W t s e t the B a and the let e p d hi man caus wi h o rd, strong t rs of recommendation that he wrote reveal t hat Marcus Whitman had l impressed him most favorab y .

A few a e Pa e s e A el New and days l t r rk r pok at ng ica, York, had among his hearers a twenty- six- year- old school teache r named r i s P r cis a e e h r Six a s e e n . S e Na c s a rentiss . N too was a r stl ss p rso inc teenth ea e she e e e e el a e y r, wh n xp ri nc d rapturous r igious aw k ning, e e e a Bu t e e had her mind had b en s t on b coming missionary . th r ee no e a and Na ee b n opportunity for a singl wom n , rcissa had not b n ’ A e e Pa e e interested in marriage . ft r h aring rk r s app al for mission e the e ez Pe e arcissa e t el ari s to Flath ads and N rc s, N imm dia y e P e el r e le a e off red her services . ark r had to t l he th re was litt ch nc e The e a e e men e for h r to go . Am rican Bo rd want d singl or marri d e le e e e e re e e e coupl s ; unmarried fema s w r c rtain to b fus d . Th r upon the e e e e P e e e re e e e R v r nd Samu l ark r l arn d, as sco s of oth rs w r to

le ss Narcissa P e not an e erson to e e . arn, that Mi r ntiss was asy p — r fus She had a mind of her own and a tongue to match it not t he tongue of a shrew but the tongue of an extraordinarily intelligent T e e e S e P ke e e —and beautiful woman . he R v r nd amu l ar r was impr ss d e . Be e e and charm d for him stood a tall, Voluptuously form d,

e - e e e — e fine—e t e e had blu y d, gold n hair d, f a ur d woman whos words l the cadence of song and the e oquence of a superior mind . Narcissa ’ “ ” P P e h s e e t e . r ntiss was not taking Mr . ark r s No as final an w r At e e l ast he must present her name to the American Board . Would h ? H e and . do that would, did

M arcus Whitman and Narcissa Prentiss at this time were a e e e e a cquaintanc s but no more . Th y dw lt in n ighboring vill ges but ha e e d se n little of one anoth er . In conn ction with his church work and e a a e e e p rh ps also as m dical practition r, Whitman had com to the P e ee ee know r ntiss family, but his m tings with Narcissa had b n few e she e s the e a t , sinc liv d mo t of tim aw y from home on accoun of her ea e Se a a e the e the t o a e t ching duti s . p r t ly two had h ard call s v ea e l e a a e e e e e e e the Nez h th n sou s , s p r t ly th y had b com int r st d in

Pe e and e a a e e e e e had rc mission, s p r t ly th ir liv s might hav continu d ee the ffi e T e e e e Pa it not b n for good o c s of he R v r nd Samu l rker . ’ The Reverend Samuel Parker was not engage d in Cupid s

H was e t se ea the A e a B a business . e a r crui ing rg nt for m ric n o rd of e s e s s bu t he was a e se a Commission r for For ign Mis ion , not v r to l h L a s W t a little matchmaking for the g ory of t e ord . M rcu hi m n s e a e s e t the el and had impre s d him as sup rb pro p c for mission fi d , Whitman had told Parker th at though he was now unmarri ed and had no plans in that regard he might wish to take a wife if he were Narcissa P e s was an e all ou t appointed to a mission station . r nti s qu y a s e i i a a e e ales st nding pro p ct for m ss on ry work, but unm rri d f m l e e e e B e W t a and be a e . S cou d not cc pt d uppos , how v r, roth r hi m n a e B e a l Sister Prentiss should m rry . Th n roth r Whitm n wou d have the wife and helpmate he nee ded in the mission field ; Sister Prentiss would be able to realiz e her most cherished ambition ; the American Board would have enlisted the services of two excep tionally able p e ople , and thus the work of the Lord would b e pros e T R e e e a e n o a e and e . So he S el Pa t e p r d promot d v r nd mu rk r, b ing man let as e ea ee sat and e a s to gr s grow b n th his f t, down wrot M rcu W t e te Di a e a e h l e e e an hi man a l t r . d he want wif in c s e shou d r c iv appointment from the American Board ? Why not consider the lovely and pious Miss Prentiss who was eating her heart out be cause she could not b e a missionary ?Be tter make haste and call on ’ her at her father s house where she was temporarily residing during the a at school v c ion . ! — Marcus Whitman did not make haste perhaps the only time in h e h his life when he did not . If e w re not to b e a missionary e might a e So h a te n he ea the not w nt a wif . e calmly w i d u til h rd from A e a a a 1 8 a l a had ee m ric n Bo rd in J nuary 35 , th t his app ic tion b n a s h e e arcissa e . S e e a e pprov d ur th n of his st tu , w nt at onc to N , pro L e a a e was e e the e e t St . pos d m rri g , acc pt d, and n xt day l f for ouis to j oin Parker in an exp edition to reconnoiter the Indian country we the e l a h Not st of Rocki s and se ect a suit ble Site for t e mission .

‘ l e a e was u ermost in and the ov , but mission ry busin ss pp his mind ; ’ s e a e ee e a ssa he W a am must h v b n tru of N rci , for on t day of hitm n s

e e she e her e e a l a the A e a B d partur wrot l tt r of pp ic tion to m ric n oard , knowing that the Board would b e informed in supplementary le e t h r la D e e a r W a . T tt rs from o h rs of p ns to m rry . hitm n his time

the B a was e ee Na r o rd prompt . In thr e w ks rcissa had he appoint e t m n .

Il l s ]! Had romance ever had a place in the live s of M arcus Whitman

arcissa P e s ?As W a we T e e is an and N r nti s to hitm n do not know . h r s a t ate e a he ee a e e ea e e un ubst n i d tal th t had b n m rri d som y rs b for , a e e e as e ee N but no corrobor ting vid nc h ver b n produced . Of arcissa h e l a a t e record Sp aks more fu ly . M rcus Whitm n was not the first

- T e ha e an suitor for her hand . h re d b en others d they had bee n re ected e her e e a j , among th m childhood schoolmat H nry H rmon S l e Nar is e e . e e e e t s S pa ding Th r is—no vid nc hat c a r j cted palding in favor of Whitman no evidence that she even knew Whitman at — the time She turned Sp alding down but Henry Harmon Spalding was a man e l e the e was not who could asi y forg t, and tim soon to come when he would play a t ragic role in the affairs of M arcus N Whitman and arcissa Prentiss .

“83 ?

The Reverend Samuel Parker may have preene d himself on the e a a W Narcis P e was ee b troth l of M rcus hitman and sa r ntiss . It ind d e e e bu smess I e ul a e The e e e a cl v r strok of n a wond rf c us . But R v r nd e al he Samu l Parker did not deserve l the cr edit . Though probably k e he was a e of e e e e and n w it not, an g nt forc s gr at r than hims lf a a B a a I I h Christian e te the e . 8 t e gr r than Am ric n o rd On M rch , 33, Adv ocate and ! ou rnal of NewYork contained an article which pro P A W t e fou ndly stirred the conscience of rotestant merica. i h mor e e a a a a a the a e e e the s ntim nt lity th n historic l ccur cy, rticl d scrib d long and path etic j ourney of four members of the Flathead and ’ z Pe L sea the e B of Ne rce tribes to St . ouis in rch of Whit Man s ook

a he the e e e the e e . a a t H v n Al s , s id author of articl , this nobl qu st for he e a e had e and G o d had ee a . t truth of b n in v in Two of miss ri s di d , the remaining two had turned their steps homeward with h eavy d e e he ea e e h earts . They ha not be n giv n t Book of H v n , inst ad they had been shown a form of worship with candles and images in which e ls T he P e e a an the th re was no h ealing for th e ir sou . r sbyt ri ns d Congregationalists along with other leading Protestant sects were e 8 e e e e e a . I fir d to inst nt action In 33 th y w r awar , as th y would not h a e ee ten ea e e s ! 1 the e v b n y rs b for , of two thing ( ) growing int nsity of the Anglo - Ame rican dispute over the ownership of the Oregon country ; (2 ) the rising strength of Roman Catholicism in the e a e A e a Unit d St t s of m ric .

a a and affe B e T om z ungrudging dmir tion ction of Jim ridg r, Fit c L a elle oe ee e t patri k, ucian Font n , ! M k, and scor s of o h er fur e and ta men a e e trad rs moun in who c me to know him . His pi ty th y ul e e all e e e e e as co d not compr h nd, but in oth r r sp cts th y kn w him one e —a man a ee man of th ir own kind unafr id, a man of d ds, a who l e a e el e a e the a cou d tak c r of hims f and oth rs no m tt r what odds, e e e e e a e man of iron nduranc , a man who n v r shirk d or compl in d, and man t e e la e e a wi h a boist rous laugh wh n ught r was in ord r .

Contact with a large band of Nez Pe rces was made when the

a ea e the e ez at th G ee e Pa e c ravan r ch d r nd vous e r n Riv r . rk r and Whitman learne d that t he Indians would welcome the missionaries e e e e to th ir country and giv th m full prot ction and cooperation . This a e e l e he r is d a qu stion . Shou d th ey go on w st with t Indians or return home and organize a fully s taffe d mission party for the following e P e e e ee et y ar . ark r, who for mor than a y ar had b n spoiling to g e the a was e e e o he e w st of mount ins , d t rmin d to g on 5 but insist d that Whitman turn back with the caravan and spe nd the Winter of

- I 835 36 in spadework for the mission of I 8 36 . _H a a e ne e not e . e Whitm n h st d hom , but did hast n to marry a e e a e the too busy for rom nc , too busy for mor than bri f call at P e h e e e e e Six r ntiss om . Th r w r a thousand things to do and only L e ee et e e the was to be . w ks to g th m don , if party in St ouis in tim e he - e I 8 6 l to d part with t fur trad caravan of 3 . A ong with a host of e a k e e l oth r t s s , Whitman had to find an ordain d minist r wi ling to accompany the mission who was also acceptable to the American

e be e k . a ear Board . This prov d to a r al stumbling bloc Whitm n estl e h e e e e e e men one n y solicit d t e s rvic s of s v ral d sirabl , but for e reason or another all were unable or unready to accept . At last h ’ o e H e o ne e was reduced to Hobson s ch ic . e kn w of minist r who l — e a e r S could and wou d go none oth r th n H n y Harmon palding, the former schoolmate and rej ected suitor of Narcissa Prentiss . Whitman offered the appointment to Spalding and Spalding l e prompt y accept d .

H e How much Whitman knew about Spalding is uncertain . e e must have known that Narcissa had r j ect d Spalding as a suitor,

a a e e e E za but that was an old aff ir . Sp lding had now b n marri d to li Hart for nearly two years and might be presumed to have made a good recovery from whateve r h eartbreak he had suffered at Nar

l 1 6 l ’ l t a a cissa s e a . e e h d no t ee a a ar r fus Mor ov r, Whi m n b n riv l for N ’ cissa s e e e o e her n l e l hand, had not b com b tr th d to u ti aft r Spa ding had ee e ea e and e e et W a no b n marri d a y r or mor , v n y hitm n was t e r l S al an ee marri d to he . How cou d p ding harbor y f lings against Na a e e t e l W a him, or rciss ith r, for hat matt r?It is doubtfu if hitm n a e l e h e en e a e H e p us d ong noug v to w igh such qu stion in his mind . was in a desperate hurry , his own heart was untroubled by the tender passion 5 he knew that Spalding was an able and well- trained e and the a a te all he saw it—as minist r ; m in thing, f r , as Marcus W ma l a a it—wa o e W wa hit n a w ys s w s t g t o n with the j ob . hitman s ’ — right about Spalding s ability he was to prove in some res ects to — p be an abler man than Whitman himself but it was a great mis e the t a W a was a e te l st fortun for mission h t hitm n not b t r psycho ogi . he e e e e the e l l If could hav und rstood, v n dimly, motiona turmoi s e S al W a l a e e e e a of H nry Harmon p ding, hitm n wou d h v p rc iv d th t naught but anguish could come from any association that would r e bring him into contact again with Na cissa Pr ntiss .

Arrangements for the appointment of Spalding were conclude d e e An r 1 1 8 6 . t ee e e on F brua y 4, 3 Whitman h n proc d d at onc to elica New e e he ar cissa e e wed e I g , York, wh r and N w r on F bruary 8 Thus was seale d one of the strangest marriage s and thus began one h l A W of t e most beautiful love stories in the anna s of merica . riting “ a e r a e e t a e Narcissa a ! W e had bout th i m rriag som mon hs l t r, s id to e e e t l and now we mak lov som wha abrupt y, must do our courting ” r s l l e a e a e was the l e . s ze m rri d . It it ral truth Mi ionary a , not ov , e e the a the e a and the e the had b n b sis of b troth l w dding, and wedding had been postpone d until the last practicable moment l e Sir G la prior to their departure for the W est . Cou d you imagin a had and Joan of Arc uniting in we dlock in orde r j ointly to pursue the e the l G a l a e a a al the qu st of Ho y r i , you would h v f ir an ogy of e terms on which the Whitmans became man and wif .

“ a W t a was the Ga a a e a man se s e M rcus hi m n l h d typ , who tr ngth ” A man was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure . of e al e e e s e e and magnific nt physic pow rs, of tr m ndou n rgy, of quick e e a le e and e l el sur d cision in ction , of nob purpos , utt r y uns fish mo tives a man b e a ea a e e e e e a ; born to gr t comm nd r, a gr at x cutiv , e e e l se a b e a s a gr at and d vot d pub ic rv nt, but not born to mi sion ry to Th the Indians or the happy ass ociate of othe r missionaries . e In

[ 1 7 1] e e e e t a Dr e e . dians w r to complain, oft n and bitt rly in lat r y ars , h t e e 0 arl e P e a Whitman n v r would st p to p gy with th m . arl y?M rcus e ea h T al Whitman never u nderstood th m ning of t e word . k took e and W a e e had e e the tim , Marcus hitm n n v r tim to do a t nth of e the a e things that were pressing to be don . In Indian w y of lif e t a d e e S a nothing ev r was done wi hout long n elaborat parl y . p lding a le e l Eel and the e e a could p r y with th m , a so ls oth r th ologi ns among o N e the e W . te acti n . e missionari s, but not hitman His for was ith r the Indians nor his fellow missi onari e s e ver fully understood this ’ l W a . e e e er a e trait of hitm n s In instant r spons to v y c ll for h p , no e the e e the t the matt r what w ath r or condi ion of trails, Whitman was was r e e on his horse and away . It nothing for him to id a hundr d e e e set e e a e e the mil s to d liv r a baby, a brok n bon , or c rry m dicin to H e a a e red and e sick . did it again and g in , and his pati nts, both whit , were not unappreciative ; but they felt that he ought to do all tha t e e e and parl y too . Naturally an impati nt man and accustom d always e e the ex W e e to driv hims lf to point of haustion, hitman could n v r l Th e a B tolerate the di atory ways of oth ers . e Am ric n oard could not have sele cted a man less likely to understand the psychology either of Indians or the ologians .

Equally alien to the psychology of those with whom her mis ion r N s P e W a s a y lot was cast was arcis a r ntiss hitman . Nature h d e her the ea the e and the e l e e be e giv n b uty, voic , int l ig nc to a gr at e e t e h ad e her the e the conc rt or op ra ic star 5 ducation giv n cultur , the e a e e b e the s e e wit, and r din ss of tongu to mi tr ss of a distinguish d salon , but neither nature nor education had equipped her to under a the e o r e e the e st nd primitiv mind, v n commonplac minds of many e T a her ar . he e e e e of mission y associat s Indi ns w r to say in lat r y ars , e e her a e e she was and lik wis many of mission ry coll agu s , that And e e e e r e r is a . a c s haughty th y w r right , from th i point of Vi w . N e e e e the a She e had d dicat d h rs lf to s ving of human souls . lov d to

ea e e e e k e . t ch p opl , sing for th m , pray for th m , and wor for th m e she e her e she e Without h sitation would giv lif for them . But hat d e her k he a to hav them crowding into itchen and living room . S w s a re fine d and fastidious lady who could be at case only with er N e those of h own kind . ev r could she welcome an invasion r h r a he a . e e a New of priv cy Nobody had told b ck in Ang lic , — Sa e P e W a the York not mu l ark r, nor Marcus hitm n , nor any of — promoters of missions to the Indians th at when she go t to Oregon e e be a at all her e e a the a s th r would no priv cy for , v r 5 th t Indi n l e el ee l her se at an e wou d f fr to wa k into any room of hou y tim , and would resent being excluded ; and that a polyglot company of mis si onaries e tle s and elle l the le e , s t r , trav rs would daily c aim privi g of e Narcis a e Waiilat u the hospitality unde r h r roof . s was to nj oy at p same kind of privacy she could have had in a New York City tene e h a ee e . H ad he s e e e m nt s known this in advanc , might h v b n l ss Bu N P e she a a s er e . t e ttr cted to mis ionary s vic , b ing arcissa r ntiss, probably would have gone anyhow !

L e the a a e la G ee e the W ik ch r ct rs of a c ssic r k trag dy, hitmans were to become unwi ttingly the instruments of their own failure l s l s and e the e e e e e e . d struction . In first p ac , th y misund rstood th m v Be a e t e ee el s e e e e e c us of h ir d p r igious conviction , th y w r sur of th ir a l e es a the e a es bi ity to succ ed under any circumstanc . Th t v ry qu liti e e e e e and which mad th m gr at , which mad th m stand out in vivid e a le a a e l a the unforg tt b contr st with so m ny oth rs, wou d ccomplish defeat of th eir most che rished purpose was unthinkable and incom h l m e e e . t e e e e pr h nsibl In s cond p ac , in com on with multitud s of e l A e a e e e e a th . oth rs , th y w r total y mistak n bout e m ric n Indian They took it for granted that the desire of the Flatheads and Nez ’ Perces for the White Man s Book of Heaven reflecte d the deep a e e l ze spiritual ye rning of the untutored savage . How could th y r a i — that thestone age culture of the Indian made it impossible for him ’ to comprehend the white man s re ligion?How could they realize th at what the Indians actually sought was the s ecret of the white ’ e za ea a e and e man s mat rial civili tion, his m ns of g ining pow r w alth and se s ? s N a a e ze pos s ions How could Marcu and arciss Whitm n r ali , e at e e e e e e e eal b ing wh th y w r , that pr aching and t aching, v n h ing, could not win conversions among the Indians as they did among the people of western New York ? H ow could they realize that the ’ Indians coul d grasp the white man s religion only as a form of

' a i be al e as as a ea of t ? m g c, to v u d such and not m ns spiritual salva ion They could not even faintly re alize these things as they confidently e e w nt forth from Angelica in the Spring of 1 8 36 . Th y were never able to realize them as fully as Spalding and some of the other

ss e t at the end e a e ee the l mi ionari s , hough th y c m to f l that spiritua regeneration of the Indians would not be possible until they had become settled and civilized — As the Whitman Spalding party j oine d the caravan of the A e C a a e Ma I 8 6 the e e m rican Fur omp ny l t in y 3 , for long tr k w st a the W a e e e es te the l an w rd, hitm ns w r light of h art d pi toi d hard ship already endure d and the greater toil and hardship to be see n e T e a ah ad . h y were gay in spirit bec us e they had h ealth and hope and a all e a e s e e e e ee A el a f ith , but most of b c us om wh r b tw n ng ic , N w an L s N r i e d St . a c ssa P e had York, oui , Missouri , r ntiss fallen overwhelmingly and humanly in love with M arcus Whitman he her The a a a e a s . e a e a and with pl tonic m rri g , contr ct d a m ans to n end e e a e l L l n a e at . e e e a , had flow r d into rd nt ov m ch ov light n d l e e l e e all e e e e and the e burd ns , n iv n d xp ri nc s , brought to surfac in a e o W a a e an both husb nd and wif a j oy us humor . hitm n l ugh d d e the e a men Na s j ok d with trapp rs and mount in , and rci sa was e a e the a e z B e m rrily mus d by t ll tal s of Tom Fit patrick, Jim ridg r,

oe ee the e S e e Wil a D ! M k, and nobl cottish adv ntur r li m rummond e a e the the e ez St wart who ccompani d party to r nd vous . Marcus and Na a e e di d e e P rciss w r in love and not car who kn w it . layfully e her his ee e e the e e e and she Marcus h ld on kn b for v ning camp fir s , e r sponded in kind .

Good feeling prevailed everywhere save in the h eart ofHenry a h - H rmon Spalding . For him t e love affair ofthe Whitmans was a he s e e t . e t e a the man painful r mind r of pa t B ing h ir p stor, only of e the a S saw a he had er holy ord rs in p rty, palding th t a duty to p A e B e an e . S a e he e d S form th ir spiritual dvis r, must t ll roth r ist r W a e e the e e e t e a e was u n hitm n , v n in pr s nc of o h rs , th t th ir conduct ee l e a e e e a S s m y . Wh n it c m to p rformanc of spiritu l duty palding Nor he e T a e e . he was no shirk r did minc words . Whitm ns und rstood him to say that so frivolous a woman as Narciss a was not fit to be the e e re e in wif of a missionary doctor, and th y instantly act d with e D a ela e ee t e and dignation and resentm nt . iplom tic r tions b tw n h m the Spaldings were ruptured and seeds of discord were planted in b a fertile soil months before the mission could e est blished .

Narcissa Whitman and Eliz a Spalding were the first white e ee wome n to make the j ourney overland to Oregon . Th re had b n much difference of opinion as to whether members of the weaker sex a e had ee e could make such a trip . Indi n wom n b n doing it from tim e e e ffe e Ce e out of mind, but th y w r di r nt . nturi s of outdoor living z an h e had hardened them t o the h a ards d toils of t e trail . Whit

I d o l l W a e was a e e a . t e wom n, it s id, cou d n v r st nd it hitm n thought o h r er a o u the e a e G ee e and wise . His obs v tions r conn issanc to r n Riv r return in I 8 35 had convinced him that if women could travel by horseback and wagon at all seasons of the year over what passed for roads in western New York they could easily cross the continent H e was an old a the ess e t during the summer . h nd at busin of g t ing i The a e ce . through , road or no ro d, in spit of snow or , mud or flood tra ils and roads he sawin the W est in I 8 35 did not awe him a bit .

W a el e e a he l a e a a t and hitman lso b i v d th t cou d t k w gon hrough , h a e o B e Bu t a e he e did t k ne through as far as Fort ois . for l ck of tim e W al a W al probably would have taken it cl ar through to Fort l la . W d a the at e . an S Mrs hitman Mrs . p lding found going rough tim s , but in 1 836 there would have been equally rough going on a two — h s ss thousand mile j ourney overland anywhere east of t e Mis i ippi . T here was small danger at that p articular time of being attacked by

and r e the - a e a e e a a e Indians, t av l with fur tr d carav n r duc d th t d ng r l ze o l al a N t . . l most to ro . only Mrs Whitman and Mrs Spa ding but other members of the missionary party got a cross the plains and e W a mountains not only in saf ty but in good health . hitm n had proved that travel to Oregon was feasible for anyone who wanted to go .

For this achievement alone Marcus Whitman deserves . to b e e e e e as an er a W e e e s e and r m mb r d important Am ic n . h r oth r doubt d e e W had the al e e the e h sitat d, hitman practic compr h nsion , courag , the a e the e e u a l a e the s and the initi tiv , and tir l ss d r bi ity to t k ri k do

wa h a a j ob . It s not so much that e m de Americ more conscious of e e he bu t he m e A e a a a e Or gon, though p rhaps did ; that ad m ric w r the e a e a le an man a for first tim th t Or gon was attain b for y , wom n, u l e e e e sit the bed or child who co d rid a hors , driv a t am , or in of a a l e e w gon . Mu titud s of Americans were impati ntly waiting for just ea the a e e off such tidings . In br king p th for th m , Whitman touch d

“ one the ea a t and o ne of gr t migr tions of his ory, that profoundly e e t he h e t alt r d future of t e Unit d S ates .

The crossing of the plains and the mountains proved to be the ’ e s a f l e Far e an th l a t of Whitm n s di ficu ti s . mor trying d in e long run e at e e the le oo the e de mor frustr ing w r prob ms of ch sing mission sit , VeIO in a a d h an t e e . p g mission st tion , conducting mission op rations The first of these had to b e faced the moment the missionary party

[ 2 1 es e e the C a R e Th a d c nd d into olumbi iv r basin . e logic l site for the

was the ela the Nez Pe e a T wa mission in hom nds of rc Indi ns . hat s

e e the A e a B e e b e e e the Nez P wh r m ric n oard int nd d it to , wh r erce s t e e a e e e W t a and S a a h mselv s w nt d it, and wh r hi m n p lding mutu lly e e e e e a l b Bu und rstood wh n th y l ft hom th t it wou d e located . t things had happ ened between the Whitmans and the Spaldings since they le e a a e e em e e h ft hom , things th t m d it impossibl for th to liv und r t e a e e e e e the a e was s m roof or v n work tog th r in s m Vicinity . So it agreed betwe en them that Spalding would establish a mission sta the Nez Pe e the C ea w e e ea the tion among rc s on l r at r Riv r, n r

ese Le a le W e le pr nt city of wiston , Id ho , whi hitman would s tt a the C e a at the la e alle Waiilat u the mong ayus Indi ns p c c d p , on al Wa e a six es the e e al a W la lla Riv r, bout mil from pr s nt city of W l ll e . a e e e e Wa a, Washington Thus by st tioning th ms lv s a hundr d mil s

a e e t o alle e the had e e ee ap rt, th y hop d viat friction which aris n b tw n them and at the same time broaden the scop e of the proj ect .

The friction was not alleviated , coop eration by remoteassociation proved to hold as many possibilities of conflict and misu nder

- he a as o e e e s a act . e e t st nding c op ration by dir ct p r on l cont Mor ov r, division of resources and labor laid h eavier burdens on both Whit man and Spalding than would have been necessary if th ey could n he a h ave worked together at the same place . I choosing t loc tion at Waiilatpu Whitman no doubt was influenced by its nearne ss to the ’ H a a e W a a W e udson s Bay Comp ny post c ll d Fort ll alla, th n situ ated at the junction of the Walla Walla and the Columbia rive rs l a a a e e about thirty miles from Waii atpu . Whitm n had a n tur l y for H see neces the strategic in matte rs of transport . e was quick to that sary supplies could be more readily and cheaply obtained at a loca H e tion near the h ead of rive r navigation than elsewhere . could also e a e t e e al p rceive that future migr tion to Or gon, of which h r was e the S a e aim the ea e s the r ady much talk in t t s , would for n r st po t on S e ea e be Columbia River . inc this app r d to Fort Walla Walla , and since W aiilatpu was situated on the t rail following the Walla Walla the C a Rive r from the summit of the Blue Mountains to olumbi , communication and transportation both eastward and westward e e be a would b e better th ere than elsewh ere . If th r was to chain of mission stations throughout the Columbia basin (and such plans.

e e a ea was e a Waiilat u was w r lr dy in mind) , Whitman confid nt th t p the logical place for the headquarters . value of the roperty as re orte d t o the Ame rican Board was —p p 2 1 8 the e e e e e $ ,5 quival nt, p rhaps, of at pr s nt price le el Al l s a Narcis W v s . thi M rcus and sa hitman had created out of t e ears had e l in n . e e the e e nothing y Th y cr at d it in wi d rn ss , so far from civilization that outside help and outside supplies and equip e e ea e le ment took months to reach th m . Th y had cr t d it whi learni ng the a e le le and Indian l nguag s , whi trying to compi a dictionary a the e e le gramm r of Indian tongu s, whil conducting a school , whi r S and ee el e e le e car ying on unday w kly r igious s rvic s , whi op rating le Dr W l e e a . a m dical disp ns ry, whi hitman was on call for surgica and me dical service s anywhere within a ra dius of two hundred e e he e e e e e e mil s, and whil k pt accounts, wrot l tt rs and att nd d to e e e myriad details of farming and business . How v r much th y may e e e r t le ea e e e n hav fail d in th i in angib cr tions , th ir tangibl cr atio was E e e a e ee magnificent . v ry migr nt who cam through could s it and S re the a e the e es he e e p ad word b ck hom that fatt st liv tock v r saw, the e e e e the e s a e the l e h avi st yi ld of potato s, fin st t nd of wh at , ta l st ’ l e a r the ee e e and er t D . corn, sw t st m ons , so on w Whitman s mission Dr e the e . . e station out on Or gon Trail Whitman had d monstrat d, not only that the common man and his family could make it through

e e e be . to Or gon , but could start with nothing and in a littl whil rich ’ e e the ! I ou d on t beli eve it come on to So th y pass d word along f y , re o e e l And O g n and s e for y ours f . thousands did !

’ e ke a e Dr n Things material multipli d li m gic und r . Whitma s

e the . e o hand, but not conv rsions among Indians With all th ir lab rs of exhortation the Whitmans made only about a doze n converts . The e e e a le e e e the W e e Cayus s w r not a m l abl p opl , and hitmans w r not adept in their approach to the primitive mind . Only with their

. h e e school did they get good results . Mrs W itman was a t ach r by

Dr . e e e profession and loved her work . Whitman had r c iv d a fairly e u good classical training prior to his m dical education . Both had n e the e e a 1 8 e e limit d faith in pow r of duc tion, and in 37 th y stab lished W aiilat u—the e e a school at p first Am rican school , p rhaps the k in the the first formal school of any ind, vast inland basin of C the e the olumbia . Mrs . Whitman did most of t aching, though D e he ha one e octor was pleas ed t o take a hand wh n d time . At tim e e h e the the e e th y had ov r a undr d Indians on school roll, and av rag — A the daily attendance was around twenty five . lthough school pro

f u ll duced few e ts C s a e a rudimen conv r to hri ti nity, it did provid good a f e a an al — ee l e T he tary educ tion o r scor s of Indi n d h f br d chi dr n . at e ee e to l e t he l e e e e e e at n iv s s m d ov schoo x rcis s , v n though th ir

a as e D the e da the a a e the tend nce w irr gular . own to v ry y of M ss cr , l t e was school was carried on with good y numbers in at endanc . It the one activity of the Whitman Mission with which no person ever

fou nd fault .

Riche r spiritual harvests might have been reape d at Wai i latpu had there bee n any way t o alleviate the fe eling between the Whit a s and the al T s e e el e e e t a m n Sp dings . hi inj ct d its f into v ry qu stion h t s s l e e the arose regarding the conduct of mis ion affair . Not on y w r W a s the S al n l e e e ee all hitm n and p di gs invo v d, but to som d gr of

e s - The e e t Na a th ir mi si onary co laborers . r j cted sui or of rciss P e l e and eel a e e r ntiss cou d forgiv , fr y did, m ny tim s in humbl a e be cal the W e e al pr y r ; but to uncriti of what hitmans did, sp ci ly Narcissa was e e e A te all he was e e , quit b yond his pow r . f r a pr ach r, The he was and r . and criticism, thought, his duty his ight mission a A e e ee se ran e l e e e e . t e b c m a hous divid d v ry m ting dis nsion rif , litt e a e and es e e e e things w re m gnifi d, qu tions of policy w r consid r d not l e all in 1 8 2 a e the e al . on princip but on p rson grounds Fin y, 4 , c m

showdown .

T he American Board had been receiving many complaints about S al e the W a s and s e t e e e p ding, som from hitm n om from o h r m mb rs he s z A t l e e e la of t mis ion organi ation . f er du y w ighing th s comp ints the Board issue d an order dismissing Spalding and directing that the stations at Waiilatpu and Lapwai (the Whitman and Spalding stations) b e discontinued and all future missionary work b e carried T shimakain the a e Ri e e e C Eell on from on Spok n v r, wh r ushing s wa Waiila u 2 s e . s o e ea e t Se e e I I 8 . in charg Thi rd r r ch d p on pt mb r 4, 4 e e e the a e the e was ate Unawar , how v r, of issu nc of ord r (which d d e 2 I 8 2 the e e the ss had met at F bruary 5 , 4 ) m mb rs of mi ion Waiilatpu in June and made anothe r effort to compose their dif fer n e T h e e c s . e e e e e ee e T e his tim th y w r sure th y had succ d d . ord r of the Board upset e verything o n which agreement had been ea e e e e e the l the s flou rish r ch d ; mor ov r, it r quir d c osing of two mo t a the s n A r i e s lta was el and ing st tions of mis io . hu r d con u tion h d, , on Se e e 2 8 W e e the man a t e t he pt mb r , hitman , v r of c ion, propos d hat leave at once for the East to confe r with the members of the Ame ri

U[ s ]! an B T al was l a an c . e d W a oard his propos quick y pprov d, hitm n i sta te h s e e 1 8 2 . r d j ourn y on Octob r 3, 4

i ‘ 8? ‘ 8?

’ Such is the d ocumente d b ackground of Whitman s historic mid

e ri a l wint r de across the continent . His m j or purpose undoubted y was t o e e the B a es Did h a e e p rsuad o rd to r cind its order . e h v oth r e as ell ? M a 1 2 1 8 2 he had i e the A e a purpos s w On y , 4 , wr tt n m ric n Board re porting information he had re ceive d regarding a proposed e e T h e a 1 2 a migration to Or gon in 1 843 . e migr tion of 84 h d con s e 1 1 e and the a l e W aiilat u had ee ist d of 4 p rsons , f ci iti s of p b n ea xe t e e e l es e “ h vily ta d by h ir r qu sts for supp i and assistanc . If Waiilat u b e l se e e u b e wa a p should c o d, th r wo ld no y st tion for American emigra nts be tween Fort Boise and the Willamette Va e W as the B a e ?Did e an l re ll y . o rd awar of this it hav y po icy specting e migrants ?W ere he successful in persuading the Board to e the Waiilat u s at er l ee continu p t ion, Whitman c tainly wou d n d . e h e e a d finite instructions on t e matt r of servic to emigr nts . That

s e ee one the se a e e mu t hav b n of cond ry purpos s of his rid , for ' “ know that he did discuss with members o fthe Board the wave of e l ll e whit popu ation th at is ro ing w stward .

Another secondary purpose which must have had a place in ’ Whitman s thoughts as he gallop e d eastward was the need of fuller and more authentic information about the political future of e Dr a W he a e 2 . E e t e the e 1 8 Or gon . lij h hit , l d r of migration of 4 , had told him of the failure of the Webster- Ashburton Treaty to

e e the e e and a the L s ttl Or gon qu stion , had lso told him of inn Bill, et e a e law se a ec a e er not y n ct d into , which promi d s tion of l nd to v y l e a W a e American sett er in Oregon . Beyond th se bare f cts hitm n kn w nothing of what was going on in diplomatic and legislative circles . And wa a a e he el e it s vit l th t h should know . How could int lig ntly discuss the future of Waiilatpu with members of the Board without some ide a of wh ether the country was going t o b e British or Ameri can If l B e e be a e e o u ? it shou d go ritish , th r would no w v of whit p p a a aii a u Pe e e be no l tion p ssing through W l tp . rhaps th r would l Bu t j ustification for the continuance of t he mission at a l . if it should A e a W aiilat u was e e e e go m ric n, p a strat gic point from v ry consid r i at on .

f 2 6 ll ’ e It as a History has been lavish in prais of Whitman s ride . w — magnificent feat one that a ! it Carson or a Jim Bridger would not l e a a e have undertake n light y . It r quired much more th n br v ry ; it

‘ require d a know- how th at only the greatest of scouts and mountain W a l ual e s e Bu t a w s e t o the t a . m n po sess d . hitm n fu ly q sk His a whole life had bee n a prepar tion for j ust such duty . Midwinter new t ten ea s e a a e he riding was no hing to him . In y r of m dic l pr ctic had traversed the terrible roads of western New York in weather as e e e a he would e ncounter the a s v r as nything in Rocky Mount ins , and in six years at Waiilatp u he had mastered the worst that H e e he Indian trails and mountain blizzards could dish out . kn w l a e S ee ea had ee s es cou d m k it through . For ixt n y rs it b n his bu in s to e es i te all and a e s mak it through d p odds, this was busin s that M t l arcus Whi man knew as we l as any man alive .

W a a e L la a a and e St . s er 1 8 hitm n r ch d oui not t th n M rch 3, 43, e e ee e t he e a Bu t e a th nc proc d d up Ohio Riv r to Cincinn ti . inst d of going straight on to Boston where the head office of the American was a e s l e he t a e and e Wa D. C . Board oc t d, urn d sid w nt to hington , , ’ re the Na s a al e e a 2 T e e aching tion c pit on or b for M rch 3 . h r has been much sp eculation as t o why Whitman went to Washington and a he e e As he e t Wa can see wh t did th r . to why w n to shington , I s H e t a an n le e ea e . e s d a d no r on for wond r w n , you I count ss oth r e a s e e e a T e e Am ric n hav oft n had to do , in qu st of inform tion . h r e e he e e had t o W a e as w r things f lt h know, and shington, th n now, l the a e et the l . a e as was p c to g owdown In W shington , th n now, if see the e le et l e you could right p op , you could g a in on things to And e h le e . W H e e com hitman kn w some of t e right p eop . w nt a S e e he Se e the ea C . t str ight to John p nc r, cr tary of Tr sury, who ,

l two ee e e had e e the Se re a W ar . S e e unti w ks b for , b n c t ry of p nc r was an old New York friend and neighbor who lived only t en miles ; ’ mW a e t An old e ffi al le fro hitm n s hom own . fri nd in high o ci circ s is

“ always the pe rson o ne tries to see wh en he goes to Washington for a E e and W a e le e inform tion . v n as you I , hitm n kn w that simp rul of l t po i ics . — What Sp encer and Whitman talked about nobody knows of e and s and ea wax e and e a e sho s ship s ling , p rhaps ; p rh ps of oth r h . e al e and t e e e e things If th y did not t k of Or gon Or gon qu stion, th y e e t e e s ee ee a o ne had a e w r s rang fri nd ind d, s ing th t j ust rriv d from

I 2 7 I e st ll e and his a l- ea and Or gon i w aring his buckskins tr i grown b rd, the oth e r had lately h eade d o ne of the two executive de partments T e e i most immediately interested in the Oregon question . h r s docu mentary proof that Whitman also talked with the ne w Secretary l l wa a e r P . s W a a e . e of , J m s M ort r This ta k probab y rrang d through

the ffi e S e e one s sa . good o c s of p nc r, but no know why or what was id Hearsay evidence credits Whitman with additional official contacts

e s l D el W e ste e Se e a and conv r ations , inc uding ani b r, th n cr t ry of

S e and P e e T he ea sa e e e b e e . tat , r sid nt John Tyl r h r y vid nc could e l S e e P e l l all the tru , but probab y is not . p nc r and ort r cou d supp y information Whitman wanted ; there was no need for him to go

h s a a N he e e and al e wa e r . high r, as usu in gr t hur y o doubt —stat d his own views on the Oregon question to Sp encer and Porter it would — not h ave been like Whitman to be reticent on such a matter but he

e e H e was d p nde d on them to pass the word upward . obviously not in W ashington for pressure purposes or he would have staye d longer than two days .

W a e New e e he l e hitm n w nt from Washington to York, wh r ca l d

l e e a e le e G eele made him the on s v r l p op including Horac r y, who e e or r H subj ct of an editorial in the N w Y le T ibu ne . e sp ent two days New t At the ofli ces o fthe in York and then took he boat for Boston . American Board he got a cool reception and was rebuked for leaving

a s A e B e t e his st tion without pe rmi sion . t first th oard refus d to

e the e l the L a and Waiilat u a consid r ord r c osing apw i p st tions , but the e s e u Dr W e a o e . p rsi t nt arg ments of . hitm n finally won th m v r H e e e Waiilat u e e Al was instruct d to r turn to p and go on as b for . ea a a e the the e a I W a r dy w r of plans for gr at migr tion of 843, hitm n e e e the e mad pr parations to go w st with migrant train . It is not of record that he had a large part in the promotion of the emigration of I 8 the e e e e e 43 but surviving l tt rs , diari s , and oth r pap rs of many members of that emigration give proof that h e was a tower of e the e H e wa a l h str ngth on j ourn y westward . s f mi iar with t e trail

e e all e e e e e e and kn w how to cop with of its m rg nci s . Mor ov r, his

e al a e alle a e and a are e e m dic tt ntions vi t d many ills p ins , and cr dit d

a e e l e W e C a with s ving s v ral iv s . h n ptain Grant at Fort Hall ad

e the e a e e a W vis d migrants to ab ndon th ir cattl and w gons , hitman

e e a e be e t o e e cont nd d th t th y could tak n through Or gon . Wh n his

l z8 l le W t a t al a le e e e View prevai d, hi m n wi h his usu indomit b n rgy w nt to work at the j ob of h elping everyone get his cattle and wagons l over the trai .

Four years remained to the Whitmans after the return to T e e e ea s not a Waiilatpu in October 1 843 . h y w r busy y r but h ppy e T e e had ee l t le a es e s e the a e tal on s . h r b n i t h ppin s for th m inc ccid n

- B su f drowning of their two year old daughter in June I 839. oth er a l e e a ealt and t was a a e f ed consider b e d t rior tion of h h , his ccomp ni d e s The S al le see e t o b e by growing mental d pres ion . p ding prob m m d l e l e e t the et le e the e a so v d, and ik wis , wi h s t m nt of Or gon bound ry

e t the le a do the e . Bu t qu s ion , prob m of wh t to about migrants now arose the more baffling problem of what to do about the growing a on e e hostility of the Cay use Indians . More th n e caus account d for the ea e the a e e e se the incr sing nmity of Indi ns , and th y w r not cau s

The e e - s Whitmans could remove or counteract . v r ri ing flood of emi grants convinced the already su spiciou s / Cayuses that th ey were e be d e e e a e l s t t doom d to isposs ss d of th ir nc stral and , and hat righ e a t e Wai i lat u e e t e soon . Hundreds of migr n s stopp d at p wh r h y received supplie s and o ther assistance from the Whitmans . With t l e e e e e t e e e W a l sa his dai y vid nc b for h ir y s , nothing hitm n cou d y to the Indians and nothing he could do for them could allay their e e he l a e he fears . It se m d obvious to them that was in e gu with t e e e e to the e e la - a a the s ttl rs , v n xt nt of practicing b ck m gic ag inst e Ca e la whol yus popu tion .

' a e ea a e e t l e P This l tt r id spr ng from p rf c ly logica d ductions . rior the th te la e e r W t a ad e to coming of e whi s in rg numb rs D . hi m n h b e n l e l the a l e th a Bu t e high y succ ssfu in curing i m nts of e Indi ns . wh n hordes of whites of all ages and conditions arrived in Oregon they

e a e e e sease a t la l brought with th m numb r of nd mic di s, p r icu r y ea le and en er e e new the a lat m s s dys t y, which w r to Indi n popu ion . Generations of natural selection had built among the whites a high e ta e e e affl s the a had a r sis nc to th s iction , but Indi ns cquired no such a l a e a an al t . The es s a k d ea e e r ci immuni y whit u u ly m d quic sy r cov ry, e ea the a e ea e ee e l wh r s Indi ns di d in gr t numb rs . It s m d c ear and conclusive to the stone - age mind that the white doctor was making good medicine for his own pe ople and leth al medicine for the r ed

! 2 9 ] B b a and s a e e man e skins . y tri l law cu tom m dicin who practic d such la was the l wa a a and evil magic must be s in . It on y y to st y his h nd a h el a e the The C e e e safegu rd t e w f r of tribe. ayus chi fs took couns l t ogether on the matte r and decided that this tribal law of self l W . a e r and . e pre servation must b e pp i d to D . Mrs hitman Th y must be killed before they could complete the ir diabolical plan of decimating the Cayuse tribe .

The Whitmans were fully aware of the menace which hung over l h e e e t e ea . th m, but did not c arly und rstand r sons for it Nor did e l la l e a le e they corr ct y measure the imp cabi ity of th C yuse ad rs . To the last the Whitmans continued to hope and believe that somehow e e e a e e e e e viol nce could b e ave rted . S v r l times b fore th r had b n e and e a s e e e a e thr ats d monstr tion , but pati nc and firmn ss ppar ntly had le th ire the e e l er coo d e of Indians in tim to for sta l an attack . P a e h ps it would happ n again . This wishful thinking was no doubt h eightened by the realiz ation that the only other alternative was to e e the Waiilat u ee e e e e vacuat p station and s k saf ty ls wher . But

- Dr e e Se e e t . n wh r ? v nty two p rsons in addi ion to and Mrs . Whitma e Waiilat u W e e l e find th n living at p . h r cou d so larg a group

' sanctuary?No t at Lapwai or Tshimakain ; not anywhere nearer le e e e — e than the Willamette Val y . To mov s v nty four p ople bag and h lla e V le wa e t e e s e e . The baggag to Wi m tt al y no asy und rtaking . a e se a l a e e The Indi ns , if th y cho to ttack, cou d m k it impossibl . choice was to evacuate the mission and take the chance of being waylaid en r ou te or to sit tight at W aiilatpu and take the chance of e e e the e e being attack d th re . From all angl s latt r app ared to be the l e ta h i better risk . It was a so c r in that t e evacuation of Wa ilatpu would be followe d in the looting and destruction of the most a l e the A e B a W valu b e prop rty of m rican o rd in Oregon . hitman felt that is was his duty to protect and pres erve this indisp ensable

e So h e e a . ! a . e e e e he ss t d cid d to st y nowing that th r was dang r, took every reasonable precaution save that of barring the Indians e T a h from acc ss to the mission grounds . h t e feare d would create so e e e an e e a k be much r s ntm nt that imm diat att c would precipitated .

’ N e e 2 1 8 two k the a e On ov mb r 9, 47, about o cloc in ft rnoon, two Indians came through the kitch en of the mission to the door of the l and a e e e Dr e iving room sk d for m dicin . . Whitman r fused them admission to the living room but took his medicine s and went to make their way up the Columbia and to the mountains of the in teri or e e l e at al e e e a e . S v ra s ns ion strik s w r m d and this brought es e the e e the ettle e and pr sur for r op ning of country for s m nt, this T se was done early in the Year 1 8 59. housands t fort h at once for the new and the W ll W ll r a a e e diggings , a a a a count y g in r sound d h l z with t e hum of advancing civi i ation .

One of those who came for a look around in the Summer of ’ h a H e wa 1 8 was an l e e e a t e 8 . s 59 o dtim r, a v t r n of car van of 3 C s Eell the a had e 1 8 8 to be u hing s, mission ry who com out in 3 associated with Whitman and Spalding and had been pu t in charge h T he of the station of T shimakain on t e Spokane River . Indian out breaks following the Whitman Massacre had forced him to remove to the Willamette Valley where he had taken up the career of a No h e t o the e t eacher . w e was r turning upp r country for a visit and to look over the abandoned mission properties of the American a W e he e e Waiilat u he e a new era Bo rd . h n r ach d p saw at onc th t a W a ee was opening for the inte rior country . Fort alla W lla had b n removed from the j unction of the W alla Walla and the Columbia a Waiil t u the e the rive rs to a site six miles e st of a p . In nvirons of was was e a ei c l fort a thriving village rising . It appar nt th t th wou d be e a h e a larg and rapid growth of popul tion in t is ar a .

The s e e e e the a mission ground w r d solat and in ruins , Whitm n le e ee C Ee grave neg cted and ov rgrown with w ds . As ushing lls stood by the unkept grave many memories crowded upon him e e the e le e n e Dr m mori s of Vivid and unforg ttab p rso aliti s of . and W a e e e ffi e e o es Mrs . hitm n , m mori s of th ir toils and di culti s , m m ri the a e Dr W e the of m ny tim s . hitman had ridd n long, hard trail to T shimakain e e the Ee e e to giv m dical aid to lls family, m mori s of ’ the great days on the Oregon Trail and Whitman s parti ci pation e e e all e e the the in thos historic v nts, but most of m mori s of school e W aiilat u the had Whitmans had conduct d at p , work in which both a e e the e e e e the one e the chi v d gr at st happin ss and succ ss , op ration of aiilat u e A W p Mission with which no fault had ev r been found . tea e se the e e e Ee l e ch r him lf for past tw lv y ars , lls now cou d und r stand better than ever be fore the devotion o fthe Whitmans to their school and the significance of education in the future of the Pacific N e e e the e the e and a e orthw st . Musing th r at sid of gr at historic gr v , Cushing Eells was seized with an idea which he ever regarded as an

I sa ] T e e s l b e t e al inspiration from on high . h r hou d a fi ting m mori for th W t a and a l be e e l and e hi m ns , wh t cou d mor to th ir own iking more to the service of mankind than an institution of learning name d after the Whitmans and located on the Site of the Waiilatpu Mission?

e a el his e to the W lla ette Valle C Imm di t y upon r turn i m y , ushing H te Eells went to work on his Whitman M emorial proj e ct . e wro to the Home Missionary Society of the Congregational Church re questing assignment to the Walla Walla area as a missionary ea e H e als e the A e a B a C ss e s pr ch r . o wrot to m ric n o rd of ommi ion r for Foreign Missions proposing to purchase the Whitman Mission property on the unde rstanding th at he would give one - half of it to e h a e the found a school in memory of the Whitmans . T h n e ppli d to legislature of the Territory of Washingt on for a charter of in corporation for an institution of learning to b e named the Whitman Se a T he A e B a e e the Eel o fl er a min ry . m rican o rd acc pt d ls lmost by e a l the e t al le sla e e e the rt e r turn m i , and t rri ori gi tur nact d cha r for the W a Se De e e 0 1 8 the e hitm n minary on c mb r 3 , 5 9, but Hom Missionary Society could not help by giving Eells a j ob near Waiila E ll e e he e e tpu . e s thereupon d cid d to make t proj ct financ H t el . e l e the eal the A e B a e i s f conc ud d d with m rican o rd, mov d to the Waiilat u e e a s he a . e p prop rty, and b gan f rming it In two y r had succeeded in paying off the American Board and accumulating a l le e e a h ee he was itt mon y for starting the S min ry . During t e w k a e bu t ea l e e S a he e e ee e e farm r, n r y v ry und y s rv d as a volunt r pr ach r e e e the and e al e e som wh r in vicinity, in conn ction with most v ry s ermon he made an appeal for the support of the Whitman Se minary .

The first meeting of the Board of T rustees of the Whitman Se a el De e e 1 1 8 A wa 60 . e e s min ry was h d on c mb r 7, lthough th r not e u e a O e the st at e C no gh mon y on h nd to p n in itution onc , ushing Eells was named President of the Board and authoriz ed to proceed

a l e l e a l as r pid y as mon y cou d b e obtain d . In I 8 63 he w s ab e to add his lo ell at W aiilat u a x ee ee e a to g dw ing p room si t n f t squar , room a e e l l D h a e . e e e 1 8 6 t e s e l rg nough to ho d c ss s in On c mb r 3, 3 , fir t t rm the W t a Se a was e e s T tee l of hi m n min ry op n d in thi room . hir n pupi s

e e e e and the s was ffe e E Eells w r in att ndanc , in truction o r d by dwin , C Eell at T shimakain l 2 1 1 8 2 a son of ushing s , born on Ju y , 4 ,

I] 33 ] e a Dr e the att nding physici n . Marcus Whitman . This t rm of Seminary lasted three months and was the onl y session ever held on the mission grounds .

The first sesssion prove d that good attendance could not be se cure d at Waiilatpu ; it was too far from the population center of the el l e e — e . t C Ee e the a e ar a R uc antly, ushing ls mad in vit bl d cision to he l e t Se a the e t W a a W a la . mov . min ry to n arby and booming ci y of ll e 1 8 6 two e e e This d cision was made in 4, but it took y ars to s cur a suitable site in Walla Walla and raise the money for the erection of l M a 1 Dr D e a e . 8 66 . . e a schoo building In y , ors y S B k r, a l ading ze W a e the e e citi n of Walla all , gav S minary a tract of four acr s in the e e r W l a Eel e ast rn po tion of al a W lla ; Cushing ls , tru to his e the e c e the the promis to Am ri an Board, gav toward cost of building and an additional sum of was secured by popular

h - r a subscription . In t e summer of 1 8 66 a two sto y fr me building e e e the the e en was r ct d, first on pr s t Whitman campus , and on

e I 1 8 66 the Se O e e . Octob r 5 , , minary was again p n d for instruction T he t r al a e Whi man M emo i w s a r ality at last .

The — n life span of the Whitman Seminary was not to be l o g . It lacked the financial resources to provide adequate facilities or l “ e e e e Yet e e e . mp oy nough t ach rs . it manag d som how to surviv Cushing Eells paid the de ficits from his own purse and raised what e The ver sums the institution re ceive d in addition to its tuition fees . T rustees finally decided that th ey must either clos e the Seminary e lle e or dev lop it into a strong institution of full co giate grad . For a long time it seemed that the latter alternative would be impossible eal za e e e e e e the of r i tion, but th r was a b tt r fat in stor for Whitman e a a h W a M mori l th n t e hitm n Mission .

the 1 Dr e e ee 1 8 8 . G . In Autumn of , org H Atkinson, a Trust of the Seminary and then Sup erinte ndent of Home Missions for the C e a a C e e W Wall e ongr g tion l hurch s of Or gon, was in alla a att nding the e e ea e L e e a t rritorial institut for t ch rs . ik wis in Walla W lla to h r e e e e at D e a e . e t e e was . t nd institut Al x nd r J And rson of S attl , th n in his fifth year as President of the Territorial University of e el e a the e Washington . The two m n f l into conv rs tion about futur of education in the West and about the predicament of the Whitman fe e a a a . Dr . e a e S min ry in p rticul r And rson said th t, owing to ill f cts ’ the l a e th C a e e ea he of moist c im te w st of e asc d s on his wif s h lth , e the e e e was e a a s would like to mov to int rior, but th r no duc tion l po i r A es e a he a e D . tion available for him there . tkinson sugg t d th t cc pt l the a Se a n e the principa ship of Whitm n min ry, but A d rson did not want to step down from a university presidency to an academy e e he a s e A s t a the Se ar principalship . How v r, s ur d tkin on h t, if min y z e the as a lle e he l T rustees would reorgani institution co g , wou d accept the presidency and devote himself unreservedly to the up t building of the new institu ion .

Atkinson at once put the matter be fore the Trustees of the ’ l The e Dr A e a . Se e a ee . minary, and th y gr d to nd rson s propos l gis latu re was asked to amend the charter of 1 8 5 9 to provide for a l e e the T ee e a e the s co l giat institution, and rust s und rtook to r is fund l l e e e to provide the necessary facu ty and faci ities . Both of th s und r ’ a e e Se e e M ar cus Whi tman s t kings w re succ ssful, and on pt mb r 4 ( bir thda 1 8 2 the lle e e O e e l y ) , 8 , first co giat s ssion p n d with a facu ty e T was the e of three and a coll giate registration of sixty . his b gin ning of Whitman College but not the end of the Whitman Semi ar th e Of the A e and la e as n y . Under e nam Whitman cad my t r Pe a a e the e a s was rsons Ac d my, s min ry program of in truction con in e t l t u d on the same campus wi h the Col ege until I 91 2 .

e W the e e ex e . e a Und r l ad rship of Al and r J And rson, hitm n C lle e e S le e a e e e e in o g mad p ndid progr ss . Its fin ncial r sourc s w r e se l e l e a l e e e curric cr a d, its p ant n arg d, its f cu ty str ngth n d, and its l ll al u um raised to the best acade mic standards of the time . I he th e the e a P e e A e 1 8 1 and a forc d r sign tion of r sid nt nd rson in 9 , for e e e te th lle e ff e e a A e tim th r af r e Co g su er d a s rious setb ck . grav financial panic swept over the United States in the Years 1 8 92 and 1 8 W l e e e th le e e e 93, and hitman Co l g , ber ft of e ab and exp ri nc d t P e e e e An e l the . dir c ion of r sid nt d rson, a most w nt down in storm Bu t in 1 8 94 the Trustee s found a helmsman equal to the need ! S e e L Pe e e e . . C e t ph n B nros , a young ongr gational minist r th n e the D W e a e e s rving church at ayton, ashington, was p rsu d d to acc pt the e e h e lle e The a P e e pr sid ncy of t e tott ring co g . work th t r sid nt Penrose did in his forty ye ars as the head of Whitman College is one the a a e e e A e a E a Not l of f bulous chi v m nts of m ric n duc tion . on y did he rescue a dying college from extinction ; he transformed a n l a lle e t al tiny, unknown , and provi cial schoo into co g of na ion and e a e C Eell int rn tional r pute . ushing s had dreamed of a living

l! 35 ] memorial for M arcus and Narcissa Whitman at Waiilatpu Stephen L Pe se ea e a W t a e l a s e e an . d B . nro cr t d hi m n M moria tr n c nding tim

la e a e al l es a and Na ssa W p c , m mori which iv , as M rcus rci hitman l e i t o tal dedicati on the e e a n . iv d, to s rvic of M nkind

T H E EN D

” Act oru m M emores simu l aflectamu s Agenda ! T EW C O M E N ADD E dealin with the li e and HIS N R SS, g f times and extrao rdinary de eds of MARCUS WHITMAN ( 1 80 2 - 1 847) and wi th the ear ly histo ry ofWhitman C o l le e n the Stat e o Washin t on was delivered at the g i f g , “ ” 1 95 0 Inland Empire Dinner of The Newcomen

So cie t o E n land he ld at S okane Washin ton y f g , p , g ,

P E D AXE Y he u e t S . A o n u ne 1 0 . t s . ! U 9, 95 R SI ENT M , g

t D L E . F o o h onor was in r o duced b R . OE S o f , y J ERRIS f p kane Chairman o Adv isor B oard S o kane and E aste rn , f y , p

Divisi on Seattle - First Nati onal Bank ! Vice - Chairman , ,

“ I la E re ommittee n A eri ca e o e n nd m i C i m n N wc m n . p ,

he e a e e v e D S Y A E O T i n r s r s d d o r b R . d n w p i y TANL . AST N ° o Idaho President Bu nker H ill and Su lliv an M inin 69 f , , g

Conce ntratin C om an ! e llo Idaho member o the g p y , gg, f

B oard o Overse ers Whitman Colle e Chairman o the f , g ; f

Inland Em ir e C ommi tte e in The Newcomen p ,

o c e t S i y ofE ngland .

! 37 ] There has been no other couple like the Whitmans

e — e e wed in Am rican history no wooing mor strang , no

mre e r r e e i ding o xtrao dina y, no marriag mor proof aga nst

’ t e e efl o rt e s r ss and storm, no union of purpos and mor

e e e e e e e e p rf ct, no failur mor path tic, no nding mor t rri

ble re i e e . e , and no immortality mo subl m than th irs Forc s they did not control or understand brought their lives together in a noble enterprise that failed ; forces they did not control or understand brought their lives to a

e z e et e e e dir and agoni ing clos ; y so gr atly did th y liv , so magnificently did they labor and serve that forces th ey set in motion will forever enrich the civilization they h elp ed to plant on the western slop es of the Con

in t D t en al ivide . CH E STER CO LLINS MAXEY

l! s8 l

A E C NEW C O M EN inter este d alwa s in the histor M RI AN , y y ofimp or tant e du cati onal institu ti o ns and in the d oings of pi o neers ofcourage whose i nflu ence has li ved long after them takes satis acti on in this brilliant dramatic and , f , ,

i i nfini tely co lorfu l Newcomen manu scrip t which pay s tribu te t o the memo ry ofa gr eat American pi one er ofthe

Pacific No r thwe st ! MARCUS WHITMAN ( 1 8 0 2

The seat o learnin at Walla Walla Washin t on f g , g ,

A. r e are hi s e or W O E E s . m . S d i n m G i U , y , HITMAN C LL , tru ly a mo nu ment t o him and to his manifo ld contri

! bu ti o ns to America Inde ed the st ory u nfo lde d wi thin the

pages that hav e pre ced e d may se r v e as an

! inspirati o n t o America of to day T H E N E W C O M E N S O C I E T Y O F E N G L AND

I N NOR TH AM E R I C A

R OADLY this British Soci et has as its ur oses ! a , y p p to incre se — an appr e ciati on ofAmeri can British traditi ons and ideals in the Arts and Sci ences es eciall i n that bond o s m , p y f y pathy for the cu ltu ral and spiritual forces which are common t o the t o cou tries a d seco dl o serve as ano her li i he w n ; n , n y, t t nk n t i ntimately friendly r elati ons existing between Gr eat Britain and t he nited States o America U f .

The Newcomen So cie ty centers its work i n the hist ory of M aterial Civilizati on the histor o ! Indu str I nventi on En , y f y, , ineerin Trans ortati on the tilities C ommu nicati on M in g g, p , U , , i n A ricu lture Finance Bankin Economics Edu cati on and g, g — , , g, , , the Law these and corr elated historical elds In short the fi . , b ackgr ound ofthose fact ors which have contributed or are con t ribu tin o the r o r ess o M ankind g t p g f .

The be st o British raditi ons British scholarshi a d British f t , p , n i deals stand back o this honorar s oci et whose head uarters f y y, q ar e at L nd o I ts name er etu ates the li e and work o Thomas o n . p p f f Ne wcomen 1 663 the British i oneer whose valu able ( p , contribu ti ons in impr ovements to the newly invented Steam Engine br ought him lasting fame in the field ofthe M echanic he e co e ines whose eri o o u se was r om Arts T N w m n En d , . g , p f f

1 71 2 t o 1 775 aved a wa or the Industrial R ev o lu ti on . , p y f ’ Newcomen s inventiv e genius preceded by more than 5 0 y e ars

e - a o a es I/Vat the brilliant work in St am by the world f m us ! m t . —EU E G E E G H AR B OR D LI T NANT NERAL ! AM S . ,

( 1 8 66- 1 947)

' Lat e cAmeri ca n e?”ember ofC o un cil at Lon d on The Newco men Soci ety ofEn glan d