Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1848-05-27
NEWS FROM OREGON /
Indian Massacrel-open Hostility bstvesn III

lne nepuDncan contains o long ana oct aileu
account OF an Indian massacre OF the Ameri>
cans in Oregon, which from its length we are
precluded from re.publishng They were ia
vored with an interview by Mr.. Joseph L. Meek,
en- route for Washington, as bearer Of despatch>
es from the local government Of Oregon From
him the following particulars were gathered:
II appears that at the Missionary Station Of
DR.. Whitman. among the Caynse Indians, mum
Der OF the Indians died Of measles and dysen
terry. The Doctor from the most humane mo.
tives was relieving them by bis professional skill
and attention to the utmost OF his ability. But
some thirty Of the Indians having died. the hor.
rible thought took possession Of their minds that
foT the purpose Of exterminating them the Docs
tor was poisoning them. The Indians say that,
with a view Of testing the grounds OF their sus.
pcion, they requested the Doctor to administer
to three Of their friends, two Of whom were in
reality indisposed, and the third was not. The
Doctor complied. and the next morning all three
were dead. This confirmed their suspicious,
and vengeance was determined upon. Commit
ting the bodies Of the three TO the ground, par
~ Of the Cayuse Indians repaired to the premi.
ses Of Dr.. Whitman, where they found him with
some Of his men employed in slaughtering an
OK. They surrounded the dwelling. and at once
commenced the massacre. Tears and entrea.
ties were unavailing, and the following named
persons fell victims to the ferocity Of the unre.
lentins savages:
DR.. Whitman. Mrs. Whitman, Mr.. Rogers,
Mr.. Hoffman, Mr.. Sanders, (Schoolmas,er,) Mr..
Marsh, John Sager, Francis Sager. (youths,)
Mr.. Kimball, Mr.. Gellen, Mr.. Bewley. Mr..
Young Mr.. Sales Mr.. Hall, Supposed to have
been killed at John Days river.) Hall made
his escape and reached Fort Vsncouvre, bu, was
unwise enough to attempt to get to the lower
country, after which time he was not heard OF,
except that the Indians reported tina. he had been
killed.
A large number Of others were taken prison.
ers, but were subsequently reasoned through
the prompt and ndelatigable exertions OF Peter
Skeen Ogden. Esq, Chief Factor Of the Hud
son Bay Company. 1. is generally conceded
but for his interference and the influence he ex.
ercised over The Indians, large number more oil
our American citizens in Oregon would have
been added to the list Of their murdered comrades
Those who were saved and restored to the Amer
leans, we're: Mary Saunders and five children;
Rebecca Hays and daughter; Joseph Stanfeld;
Sally Ann Garfield and five children Eliza
Hall and five children; Elan and Irene Young
and two children; Miss S. Bewley; Miss E.
Marsh; six mission children; Mr.. and Mrs.
Spaldng and three children; Mr.. Hart Mr.
Jackson, Mr.. Garfield, Mr.. Craig and Miss
Johnson.
The local government Of Oregon has appealed
10 the government Of tho United States for i'm
mediate assistance, believing general war be-
tween the inhabitants OF the Oregon settlements
and the various tribes Of Indians inevitable -
They had also adopted measures to procure 6
loan, and 10 raise company OF riflemer
10 proceed at once 10 the scene OF massacre foI
the purpose OF taking vengeance upon the In
dams. This company was Immediately formed
and H. A. G. Lee elected Captain; ]. Magone
LIST Lieutenant, and J. E. Ross. Cd Leutena ant
On the 9th, flag was presented to the company
BY the ladies Of Oregon City, and on the same
day the command started for the scene OF the
massacre.
The Catholic Mission Bishop among the Gu
yuse Indians had addressed letter to George
Alternately, Governor Of the Oregon settlement
upon the subjec OF the massacre, in which hi
advises him not to engage in war with the In
dams. From his communication we make TIT
following extract:-
Your E1cellency has to Judge OF the
value OF the document which have been re,
questad to forward 10 you. Nevertheless. with
out having the least intention to influence one
way Or the other feel myself obliged to tell
you that by going TO war with the Cayuses. you
will undoubtedly have all tue Indians OF thi.
country against you. Would il be 10 the inter
est OF young colony 10 expose herself? Blu
that you will have to decide with your council.
The Governor Of Oregon communicated to
Mr.. Ogden in feeling and appropriate letter
the debt OF gratitude the people Of Oregon fel
themselves under to him, for his timely asss
lance and rescue from captivity Of large mum
Der OF their citizens from the hands Of the In
dams.
Preparations were making all over the terrific
ry for summary vengeance upon the Indians
and on the 18th January, the volunteers, mum
bering two hundred and thirty men, under the
command Of Col. Gillian, left Oregon City
and on the 10Th, they crossed the Columbia, a
Fort Vancouvrs. Two other companies hae
been organized in the territory.
WHlTNEY'S RAIL ROAD TO OREGON
Congress has reported unanimously in favor o
this great work; work. which. when completes
will bring us near The Celestial Empire" thai
we were ten years ago, 10 New York, Demo
Gratis OF Missouri, help us TO elect Major Rollins
Governor, and send a Wing representation II
Jefferson City, sufficiently large to carry out hi
measures, and ST. Joseph may be the startin,
point OF Whitneys rsilroad TO Oregon. Should
such thing be ACCOMPLISHED the world canno