The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1895-07-12
Marcus Whitman's Ride.

OF Dr. Marcus Whitman, is in the
city, and to a reporter gave testimony
which positively confirms the histori-
cal statement that DIR. Whitman
made his famous ride to save Oregon
to the Union.
III have heard my father tell the
story fifty times" said Mr.. Spalding,
"and | know it as we'll as I know nv
own name. 1t used to arouse fathers
fercest indignation to read the writ
ings of Mrs. Victor and Elwood Evans.
disputing the claims of Whitman's
admirers. He always gave to DR..
Whitman credit for saving this coun-
ty to the Union.
''He was at Wailaitpu when Whit
man announced his daring determine
tlon to make the long ride in mid
winter. DIR. Whitman had been
called down to Wallula to set broken
leg, and while there the Hudson
Bays annual express came in via the
Saskatchewan and down the Columbia.
1t brought the startling news that
Oregon was about to be traded to
England by Secretary of State Web
ster in exchange for some cod fisher
les in Nova Scotia. The news was
received with enthusiasm by the Hud-
son Bay people at Wallula, and the
coming of the express was celebrated
with a great feast. There was con-
siderable drinking and one enthusias-
tic Britisher sprang to his feet and
declared that Oregon is ours.
"The news made deep impression
on DIR. Whitman. He excused HIM
self, and his feelings were so intense
that he rode the twenty-five miles
from Wallula to Wailaitpu in gal
lop. The people at the mission saw
him coming in the distance. and were
excited by his rapid riding and his
head bare. Father ran out to meet
him. Without dismounting from his
horse, he said, Il am going back to
Washington this winter He then
told father about the arrival of the
express and the news that the country
was in great danger. An Indian run
ner was Immediately dispatched to
Walkers prairie in Spokane county,
where Revs. Eells and Walker had a
mission, to summon them to the
council, as it was considered necessary
TO obtain their consent to his depart
ure. They went to Whitman's mis-
sion, and opposed his going east that
winter. They pointed out that his
mission would be of political nature,
and as they were missionaries, it was
not best to enter into the controversy
between England and the United
States. They also warned him of
the great dangers of an overland trip
at that time of the year.
"Father agreed with DR.. Whitman,
and as the doctor was man of great
determination, he refused to be dis
uaded from his project. Il am going
whether you approve or not he said.
Il would rather have your approval,
butt am going anyway They realiz
ed that he was bound to go, and gave
their consent.
ga. L. Lovejoy, a young man re-
Gently from New England, was at the
mission, and volunteered to go with
Whitman, and did 60 He seldom re-
ceives the credit due for the daring"
"Why was it that DIR. Whitman and
Lovejoy swerved SO far to the south in
their journey across the continentT
"When they reached the Hudson
Bay post at Fort Hall, Captain Grant,
who was in charge, tried to frighten
them out of their purpose. He said
the Pawnees and Cheyennes were hos
tile, and that they would surely be
murdered if they tried to go down the
Platte. 1t seems that this was not
true, but DR.. Whitman had no other
means of information, and it was this
that influenced him to swing south to
the Santa Fe trail. 1t was probably d
fortunate change of route, because
there was great danger that they
might have been caught in the biz
yards of the northern plains"
Mr.. Spalding thinks that if 1T had
not been for his father and mother
DR. Whitman would not have come
into the Oregon country. In 1850,
with Rev. Parker, he came out as Tar
as Green river and there met num-
her of NeZ Perez Indians who were
aaoer TO have missionaries come
among them in the far northwest.
They were so persistent that they sent
two of their young men back east
with DR.. Whitman. To the Amerl-
can board of missions he announces
his willingness to go into the Oregon
country, provided he could IND an
associate for his bride. He said that
ba Lnew a woman who would marry
him and go out there II anotnei
.x.o,,ld crn along.