While Brown was the editor, he had local men write the articles. We have taken some liberties in making editorial additions to the text. Where spellings varied from those in common use, we have shown the modern spelling in brackets so the researcher could locate the entry. Where we have discussed the item further in our Pioneer History of the Churches of Christ and Christian Churches, we have added a link, either to the correct chapter in the case of churches or to the search engine or a profile of the person. Since new names are frequently appearing on the site, it is wise to use the side-mounted menu to reach the search engine and check the name.
Editorial comments are generally in red .
These benighted tribes were crying in the darkness for the white man's Book, and it was in answer to this that Lee, Whitman and others attempted to supply the demand. In 1832, while Oregon was yet disputed territory, the first settlers arrived from the United States. Dr. Marcus Whitman and Bro. M. Spaulding in 1834 led to the country a missionary colony. Their wives were the first white women who had crossed the plains, and their children the first American children born in Oregon.