New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-22
HONORING A WOMAN.
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION
OF TACOMA ERECT BRONZE
FOUNTAIN IN MEMORY OF
MRS WHITMAN.
SOME INTERESTING DETAILS NOT GENERALLY
KNOWN ABOUT HER EvENTFUL LIFE
AND TRAGIC DEATH

KNOWN ABOUT HER cSft>NAr DS A%-N-
AND TRAGIC DEATH
The Daughters OF the Revolution OF Tacoma,
Wash recently erected A magnificent memorial 10
Narcssa Prentiss Whitman. a missionary teacher
and pioneer Of Western civilization The memorial
took the form Of bronze drinking fountain whlch
was unveiled In Wright Park in the presence OF
great multitude including men from all the sur
rounding States.
Among those still living who remember her
eventful life and tragic death is Edwin Eeles, OF
Tacoma. a son Of Father Eees one Of the first
preachers OF the State. Though only child at
the time he distinctly recalls Mrs. Whitman and
the terrible circumstances Of her death In con-
versation with a Tribune reporter he gave the FOL
lowing account Of her career, recting many details
not known 10 the general public
Narcissa Prentiss Whitman the first white
woman who settled In our State. OF her early lie
history records but meagre details When a chHG
Was Judge Stephen Prentiss. She was strong
scnool in the academy and early IN ne became came
deeply Impressed with the importance OF missions
subject tHen JJ SS1 az mai region When Dr.
Marcus whitman asked her 10 share his fortunes
Indians. Who we're then reported to be hungering
fo~ The Word Of Life" she gladly consented an9
o ;be Indians S and Of his country shortly after
West courageous and ready 10 face trouble ana
Ne Of to-day. riding in our luxurious Pullmaans
~ mai memorable journey. Through snow and
va. from New-York through Pennsylvania. across
the Aileghany Mountains to Pttsburg From mere
by 7 ,be se Rev Nj and Mrs H H. spsuding. who
became their travelling companions across the
Two weeks after leaving PtsSqrs d they np tse
q S. Louis and two GAYS l an mn he Missouri
=, ~ -ppn Of Liberty Here they bade farewell TO
and ,e9 smes w 20 and dangerous
horseback ride Of Two thoEsaib1 a,r troubles came
thict and fast They had arranged TO have Ior
an escort across the plains me eaIays I ~ his
.e~s[-an he additional burden Of having women
fons wf Tnsians was most distasteful Attempt
i-g ~ get away from the party the managers
started four days sooner than they should nave nave
Go s,d the missionaries Unaccustomed as they
were 20 this mode Of travel, found II difheuN 10
s65s Of their horses were stolen and others , had
% be secured. thus causing oeidhy am dSnended
grer union with the caravan, and ms was o ~
length accomplished men dn tnsd and when they
20. IN he butalo country they had 70 live on green
5io iae carTies With them TO when they left
~ b1falo country Later they had Elk oeer'
Iossin ou the rivers was often difficult and some
times dangerous. Al snake KNsg , on which the
TWO women placed themselves with Iheir n6
while TWO Indians on csnpng places were often
in some open plain and frequently a sanu Ple' rd
, But The six - m RoTt wsa Waa Here hey had
room ali to themselves plenty 20 %, Immense Size
and Vsroiis Kinds Of vegetables, too during uIs ~
fan the doctor prepared cabin On tne Becembor
they sal beside their fresde happy ahg q nUpv
ful. The weather was not sever ,he,r ioreIy home
she was The FIRST white child born In ms goldon
haired child cheered their home ana 10 Wy 80
gentle mother was source OF iheNP aaT1ibie how
was visited on the devoted father ana nO,he n;
which FOR time almost shattereso ~ Sroyyned
The latter beautiful clltQ NhH.
while playing along the banks OF the sWit IU,,,ereS
river II was years before me In led tbe long
lonely days sometimes her husband g onS, n rad
from home very few and far between ~, ~ -
been two years after she left home IN te Gents
fore she received the first letters rom he 20 roy
Her health began 20 suffer seriously. She W. 80
beginning 20 realize what she had given UP 10Y -