The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-05-09

the Whitman family, but returning to the
mission more slowly than the doctor from
the last ride they took together. was met
by the horrible news of the massacre
at Waiilatpu. so avoided the mission and
took a perilous journey on foot and horse
back to his own mission, where, instead
of the horrors he anticipated, he found
his family with the exception of the
daughter Eliza, left at the Whitman mis-
sion, safe and quiet, except for anxiety
with regard to himself
The rare qualities of Mrs. Spalding are
in splendid token in the narrative of that
time When the fugitive Garfield arrived
at Lapwai and confded to her the story
of the massacre, which was supposeu to
include her husband and lO-year-old
daughter, he strenuously advised keep
ing the secret from the Nez Perces for
fear of similar uprising among them.
With better judgment she took the chief
men of the tribe into her confidence, secur-
ed their protection for herself and de-
pendents and then forestalled the rising
that would have taken place had the news
been brought by excited Indians.
Had the people of the place remained
ignorant of the awful deed till the report
was brought by Indians, doubtless the
bloody scenes at Waiilatpu would have
been repeated at Clearwater"
But the Indians-Catholic and Protestant
rallied to her defense and when the
disturbers arrived they met only GOODNESS
and repulse. The faithful Chief Eagle
carried dispatches for her to the Spo-
kane mission of Walker and Eels. and
our old friend Timothy, with 40 or 10 9TH
er Nez Perces, tall, noble fellows" went
to the Whitman mission in the interest OF
the whites, prevented further murders
and escorted Messrs. Garfield and Spald-
ing to the rescue of Eliza and the Can
field family.
All of which speaks volumes for the
hold the Spalding family had upon the
esteem of their pupils. Indeed-as Mr.. NJ.
NJ. Cowley humorously avers-when Cath
Ollie and Protestant Indians differ. in
truly civilized style, to this day. the final
epithet of pope" hurled from the one
side. is answered by the dersive howl
of "Spalding" from the other.
Mr.. Spalding chronicles everywhere the
kindness of the Hudsons bay officials,
and makes these interesting memoranda
of his mission. mot dollar salary. not a
garrison or soldier to protect us.
AT first our flour and seeds had tc
be packed from Fort Colville, 200 miles
Mrs. Spalding to be left alone with the
Indians.
"Our nearest point of supplies of mer-
chandise or implements, Fort Vancouver
$50 miles. No cities, stores mechan
ics no neighbors, teams. stages, mails oil
steamers"
The photograph mentioned shows Mr.
Spaldng in middle life, of serious and in
telligent countenance. with only a fam
indication in his keen black eyes, of the
humor which is always cropping up Il
his writings.
The enlightened condition and genera
peaceful and friendly attitude of the Me-
Perez tribe is attributed by most of oul
pioneer citizens to the teachings of thes,
missionaries, and Major O'Niel, who was
agent at Lapwai after Mr.. Spalding's time
and is now a citizen of Spokane, speak:
warmly of the missionary's good worl
and the lasting devotion of the Indian
to his teachings.
Mr.. Spalding died at the Lapwai agenc,
in August. 1874. Mrs. Spalding we arr
told. died in 1851, her death having beei
FASTENED through troubles incident t.
the Whitman massacre. Their thre
children, Martha, Henry and Eliza, (be
fore mentioned as the first white chill,
born in the Pacific northwesD are livini
still.