The Valentine Democrat. [volume] (Valentine, Cherry Co., Neb.) 1896-1898, 1898-01-06

graves on the same spot IL was
through the efforts Of DR.. Whitman
that that portion of our country now
comprising Oregon, Washington and
Idaho, with portions of Wyoming and
Montana, was saved to the Union.
Previous to the final establishment
of the boundary line between Canada
and the United States by the treaty or
1916, the Hudson Bay Company was in
virtual possession Of that whole coun-
try. 1t opposed all efforts to civilize
the Indians, for the reason that civili-
zation would interfere seriously with
their trade.
In 1882 four Indians came from Ore
gon to st. Louis, a journey OF more
than 5000 miles, for the sole purpose
of obtaining for their people the Book
from heaven the white mans Bible.
The Methodist Episcopal church sent
out the Rev. Jason Lee and his asso-
ciates in 1884, and in 1885 the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions sent the Rev. Samuel Parker
and DR.. Marcus Whitman to explore
the country.
On the strength of their report the
Board Commissioned them to establish
a mission among the Nez Perces, and
sent two other laborers, the Rev. r. FL.
Spalding and his young wife to accom-
pany them. Mrs. Spalding and Mrs.
Whitman were the first white women
to cross the Rocky Mountains. They
reached Vancouver in September, 1886,
having journeyed by wagon all the
way and having proved it possible to
take emigrant trains from the Missis-
sippi to the Pacific coast.
In 1912 there were 322 Indian fami-
lies which, under their tuition, had be
gun to cultivate the soil. In September
Of that year Dr.. Whitman met at q
dinner table at Walla Walla several Of
the chief officers of the Hudson Bay
Company, and heard what convinced
him that effort was being made to slim
ulate immigration from the British pos
sessions and to raise over the whole
Territory the British flag. Excusing
his hasty departure, he rode twenty
five miles to his home, and before he
had leaped from his saddle announced
his purpose: II am going to ride to
Washington, God carrying me through,
and bring out an immigration next sea-
sou which will say this Territory to
the United States"
Within twenty-four hours he had
started, with one companion, who,
worn out with toll and exposure, was
obliged to remain at Bent's fort ON
the Arkansas River until spring. After
suffering untold hardship, with his
ears, face and hand frozen, DR.. Whit
man reached st. Louis in February,
1S43, and on March 3 he arrived In
Washington, five months from the time
Of starting.
His first question on reaching civili-
zation was as to the Ashburn treaty.
He was told it had been concluded.
"How about Oregon? LEFT out Of
the treaty." was the reply. The whole
question of the boundary west Of the
Rocky Mountains had been reserved
for future settlement. DR.. Whitman
was able to give such information as
to the value and the accessibility Of
the country as determined American
statesmen not lightly to surrender it.
Daniel Webster said to him that noun
tains and deserts made communication
with Oregon impossible.
II took a wagon over the mountains"
replied DR.. Whitman, land have the
wagon now" The same summer DR..
Whitman conducted a party of nearly