Letter From Rev. H. Spalding Regarding the Whitman Massacre

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From Marcus Whitman and the Early Days of Oregon by William Augustus Mowry, 1901.

Letter from Rev. H. H. Spalding.

Fort Vancouver, January 8, 1848.

To Rev. David Greene,

Sec. A. B. C. F. M.

My Dear Sir:

It has become my painful duty to inform you of a most melancholy providence. I have however but a short time to write as the express leaves this place to-morrow morning for the States. I can now only state the awful fact leaving the details for a further communication. Our dear brother and sister Whitman have been massacred by their Indians. With them were murdered 12 other persons, viz., Mr. Rogers who has been two years preparing for the ministry with a view to join our mission, John and Francis Sager the two eldest boys of the orphan children, Messrs. Kimball of Indiana, Saunders, Hall, Marsh, Hoffman of Elmyra, N. Y., Gillam, Young, Sails, and Bulee; of the late immigration who had stopped at the station to winter. The three first have left large families.

The massacre took place on the 29th of Nov. Mr. Smith and family were at the sawmill 20 miles distant at the time, also Mr. Young, wife and 3 sons. Next day one of the latter came down to the station for provisions and was killed. The others were sent for 9 days after the horrible deed and their lives preserved to regulate and tend the flour mill. But the women and children to the number of 48, including my eldest daughter, who was at the station at the time, were made slaves by the murderers, and treated in the most cruel and brutal manner. Eight days after the first massacre, Messrs. Sails and Bulee, young men who were sick, were dragged from their beds, butchered and cut to pieces in the most horrible manner in the presence of the women and children and their dead bodies lay near the door for 48 hours rolled in mud and blood, and the captives, and among them was a sister of Bulee, were compelled to pass over them to get their wood and water. No one was allowed to wash and bury them till two Nez Perces arrived.

Doct. Whitman had just returned from burying an Indian child, was engaged in reading. An Indian, to divert his attention was in the act of soliciting medicine while another came behind him and with a tomahawk struck him on the back of his head, a second blow on the top of the head laid him lifeless on the floor. Then Tilankait, a principal chief and who has ever received unnumbered favors of the Doct. and who was about to be received into the church, fell upon the dead body and mangled it horribly, cutting the face and head, ripping it open and taking out the heart, etc., etc., and scattering them in the mud. Other bodies were treated in the same brutal, savage manner. The little captive girls were compelled to pass over these mangled bodies frequently to torment them.

They lay 48 hours (i.e., from Monday till Wednesday), scattered about the premises, and none were allowed to gather them up and bury them, even the distracted widows were not allowed to go out and soothe the last moments of their dying husbands, some of whom lingered till late in the agonies of death. Mrs. Whitman fled up stairs where she received a wound in the breast, through the window. Mr. Rogers joined her but they were seduced down by the Indians promising not to kill them, but they were immediately taken to the door and shot. Mrs. Whitman died immediately, but Mr. Rogers lingered a long time. Mr. Osborn who was sick and who with his sick family hid themselves under the floor, heard him as he lay wallowing in the mud and blood frequently say, "Lord Jesus, come quickly," till his voice failed.

Mr. Hall fled from the Indians, reached Walla Walla, crossed the Columbia river, proceeded to this place, but he has not yet arrived, and Indian reports say he was killed on his route. Mr. Canfield fled wounded, secreted himself in an upper room till dark, then fled some 8 miles and hid himself in the bushes through Tuesday. During the day he heard several guns and as I was expected to return that day from the Utilla he took it for granted that I had fallen. At night he took the direction of my station and although a stranger, reached it through the interposing hand of God on Saturday and communicated the terrible news, stating that I was probably killed and that my daughter was of course among the captives.

Mrs. Spalding immediately sent an Indian to rescue Eliza if possible. Mr. Osborn and sick family fled that night about 3 miles and hid themselves in the bushes; next night they travelled about 5 miles when Mrs. Osborn gave out. Mr. O. took one child, leaving his wife and 2 children, reached Walla Walla where he obtained horses and a friendly Indian and after wandering and searching long, they reached the fort Friday night, Mrs. O. and the children having had nothing to eat though the whole time. Mr. Stanley, a painter, returning from Tshimakam to Waiilatpu when in about two miles of the bloody scene on Wednesday, was informed by a little girl that all were dead at that place. He escaped to Walla Walla.

A Nez Perces who was present and witnessed the horrible scene left on Friday and reached Clear Water on Sunday and gave the intelligence that I had escaped the Indians and had taken the direction of the Willamette. My safe arrival through the interposing hand of God, however, on Monday night removed the dreadful suspense from the mind of Mrs. S.

The account of my own escape is too long for this letter, and almost every word speaks of the interposing hand of God in a most wonderful manner. I was at the Utilla, 20 miles west of Waiilatpu, at the time of the massacre and remained there visiting the sick and preaching to the Indians till Wednesday morn, and then left for the station. When in about 3 miles I met a Catholic priest, his interpreter, and a Kayuse. After some conversation had together, the Indian wheeled and with great speed proceeded back toward the house, when the priest informed me what had taken place.

He informed me that he had arrived there the night before, that he had that morning baptized the children of the murderers while the hands of their parents were yet wet with the warm blood of their devoted Protestant teachers, after which he had assisted two friendly Indians in burying the slain. He said 10 men and Mrs. Whitman had been killed, that a Frenchman in the employ of the Doct. had been spared as also the women and children, that no Frenchman or H. B. Co. men should be harmed but only Americans. This he received from the Chief. I requested him to take charge of my pack horse, took some provision which he had prepared for the night, and gave myself into the hands of God and my horse to the plains.

In the meantime the Indian returned back to reload his pistol and wait for me to come along. He had started with the priest with a view to kill me, but stopping to smoke he had accidentally discharged his pistol in lighting his pipe and had neglected to reload. After waiting a while he wheeled again on his track and pursued the priest who had providentially made great speed and reached some 10 miles before the Indian overtook him. Not finding me here nor learning from the interpreter what direction I took he returned again to point of waiting and took my track, but darkness soon coming on he was stopped for the night. Suffice to say the Lord delivered me from my pursuer. I traveled nights, lay concealed days, second night horse left me. I had now 90 miles to walk without food, must leave everything even my boots as they were small. But praised be the name of God the 4th night I reached home without great suffering.

A dispatch was sent immediately from Walla Walla to this place. Mr. Ogden with two boats and a great amount of property proceeded with all haste to Walla Walla, sent an order for myself and family and the Americans at my place to join him without delay and a request to the Nez Perces to deliver me up with the promise of property. In 48 hours we were under way with considerable of our property, considerable has been left, considerable plundered by the Indians and some given to appease them.

We reached Walla Walla in 4 days escorted by about 40 Nez Perces to protect us from the Kayuse who required a large amount of property which was furnished at the fort. Here we found the captives from Waiilatpu rescued by the very prompt and judicious efforts of Mr, Ogden. He paid 50 blankets to the Kayuse for the captives with a large amount of other property. To the Nez Perces he paid 12 blankets with other property. My party swelled the number of the rescued to 60 and the next day we were in 3 boats and on our way to this place. God gave us the very best of weather for the season and we reached here to-day.

On the 10th we proceed to Oregon City where Mr. Ogden will deliver us to the Governor. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the H. B. Co. and especially to Mr. Ogden for his prompt, timely, judicious and Christian efforts in our behalf. We owe it under kind heaven to the efforts of Messrs. Ogden and Douglas that we are alive and at this place to-day. May the God of heaven abundantly reward them. The property at Waiilatpu has all been plundered and the buildings demolished. 400 troop have already collected and are on their way to take possession of the Kayuse country and to punish the guilty. Messrs. Eells and Walker have been advised to go to Colvile. God in mercy direct us. Yours in haste and affliction,

(Signed) H. H. Spalding.

Spalding, H. “Appendix: Letter from Rev. H Spalding.” Marcus Whitman and the Early Days of Oregon. William Augustus Mowry. Silver, Burdett. 1901.

H. H. Spalding

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