Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-07-26
The 0f6gen Massacre.


The Missionary Herald, for July, con-
tains particular account Of the late Lor-
rible massacre Of missionaries and others
in Oregon, brief summary Of which we
published some time since. The following
details are communicated by Rev. Mr.. Spal-
ding, one Of the surviving missionaries OF
the American Board in that Territory
We extract few additional i,cmsssof inter-
est:
The massacre took place November &c.
Mr.. Smith and family were at tho saw MILL
30 miles distant; also, Mr.. Young, his vile
and three sons. Next day Mr.. Young
came down to the station for provisions, and
was killed. The others were sent for niae
day arTffsF ths horrible deed, aEdiAaiK4ises
were preserved tha. they mightTake charge
of the flour mill. But the women aud chill
dren, to the number of forty eight, linclu-
ding the Oldest daughter Of MIR. Spalding,
who was at the station at the tine, were
made slaves by the murderers, and treated
in the mos, 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 man-
ner, in the presence Of women and chill.
dren, and their dead bodios lay near the
door for forty eight hours in mud and blood;
and the captives, and among them was
sister Of Bulee, were compelled to pass O.
YER them for their wood and water. No
one was allowed to wash and bury them
TIL two Nez Perces arrived.
DR. Whitman had just returned from bu-
rying an Indian child, and was engaged in
reading. An Indian, TO divert his attention
was in the act ofsoliciting medicine, while
another came behind him, and with TOM
ahawk struck him on the back of his head,
A second blow on the top OF his head laid
him lifeless on the floor. Then Iilaukait, :,
principal chief, who had received unnusn.
bered favors from the Doctor, and who
was about to be received into the church,
fell upon the dead body and mangled it hor-
ribly, cutting the face and head, taking out
the heart, &c. &c. and scattering them
in the mud. Other bodies were treated in
the same brutal manner; and the little cap
tive girls were compelled to pass over them
frequently to torment them. They lay
forty -eigh, hours (from Monday till Wed.
nesday, scattered about the premises
None were allowed to gather them up and
bury them. Even the distracted widows
were not allowed to 60 out and soo:he the
last moments Of their dying husbands, some
OF whom fingered long in the agonies o.
death.
Mrs. Whitman fled up stairs, whore she
received a wound in the breast, through the
window. Mr. Rogers joined her; but they
were persuaded to como down, the Indians
promising not to kill them. They were
Immediately taken to the door and shot,
Mrs Whitman died Immediately. Mr.
Rogers fingered long time.
DR.. Whitman was born in Rushville, in
the State of New York September 4, 1902.
was at the Utilla, twenty miles west OF
Walilatpu,s at the time Of the massacre;and
remained there, visiting the sick and preach.
ing to the Indians,till W ednesday morning;
at which time left for the residence OF
DR.. Whitman. When was within abou,
three. miles Of the station, 1 met Roman
Catholic priest, his Interpreter, and Kay.
use.
After some conversation, the Indian
wheeled about, and with great speed, pro.
ceeded to wards the house of Dr.. Whitman
when the priest informed me Of what had
taken place. Ho informed me that he
had arrived there the night before, that he
had that morning baptized the children oi
the murdered; after which he had essisted
two friendly Indians in burying the slain.
He said that ten men and Mrs. Whitman
had been killed; tha, Frenchman, in the
employ of the Doctor had been spared, a.
also the women and children; that no
Frenchman Of Hudson Bay Company s
man would be harmed, but only Americans
This he received from the chief Having
requested him to take charge of my pack.
horse, / took some provisions which he
had prepared for the night, and gave my
self into the hands Of God, and turned my
horse to the plains.
In The mean time the Indian had return
ed toward Dr.. Whitman's to reload his
pistol, and wait for me to come along
He had started with the intention Of killing
me, but stopping to smoke, he had acciden
tally discharged his pistol in Lighting nj
pipe, and had neglected to reload, Afte
waiting awhile, he wheeled again on hi
, track and followed the priest, who had prov
iden,ially made great speed, and had gon'
some ten miles before the Indian overlook
him. Not finding me there, nor learning
, from the Interpreter what direction | ha
taken, he returned again to tho point
meeting and took my track; but darkness
soon coming on, he was stopped for tn
r night.
q Suffice it to say, the Lord delivered IN
from my pursuer. travelled nights an
lay concealed in the day time. The sec
ond night my horse left me. had nov
i. ninety miles to walk without food: mus
leave everything even my boots, as the
were too small. And praised be tho nam
of God! the fourth night reached home
r without great suffering.