The Greeley tribune., 1905-10-26
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RstLous 1pe(e
Asoss the N
ROCKIES. =
Pc AIDING HIS
SAosE BerosE
MlesreR AND
gre pStspn1.
he territory west Of the Rockies and
Forth of the A2nd parallel Of north lat
ifude."

Forth Of the A2nd parallel of north lat
ifude."
First White Women to Cross Rockies.
1t was in 1896 that DR.. Marcus Whit
man and the Rev. Mr.. Spaulding, with
their wives-the first white women
to cross the Rock Mountains went
among the tribes Of the Far North
west. The country was then in the
control of the Hudson's Bay Com
pany British monopoly with nearly
a thousand employees. Its power over
the Indian tribes was nearly absolute.
1t had q string of fortified Canadian
posts from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
The company owned by men in Lon
don desired to exclude American set
Elements and to foster British immi-
grafton. The Washington government
so far from having any conception of
the value of the northwestern country
stubbornly maintained that it was
worthless and inaccessible by land.
The great Webster said that it was
a land fit only for savage beasts and
still more savage men.
DIR. Whitman established his mission
among the Cayuse in the state of
Washington near what Is now Walla-
Walla, then Fort Walla Walla, trad
ing post. In 1912 while attending a
dinner given at the fort in honor
Of some British officers news came
that company of British immigrants
were on their way and had already
was great excitement at the table
and a young officer unconscious of
the presence of the American mission
ary jumped to his feet exclaiming
"Iiurrah for Columbia: (the Oregon
country. America Us too Atea We
have got the county"
DIR. Whitman perceived that 1t was
the purpose of the British to claim
the country by right Of settlement.
wilderness home and after brief
pause there set out for Washington.
His parting words to his wife were
II am going to cross the Rocky
Mountains. reach Washington this
winter, God carrying me through
and bring out an immigration
through the mountains next spring or
this country is lost"
An Awful Journey.
Winter had set in and the old chron-
icles tell it was severe one marked
by terrific storms and deep SHOWS.
DR.. Whitman reached Washington
crippled by frozen hands and feet
The news he brought caused excite
ment among the popuiace and concern
among many of the government Off
GERS He saw Daniel Webster Secre
tary of State represented to hin
the grandeur and value OF the Oregon
country, told him of the need of i'm
migrants and explained the reason
that had induced him to brave the
rigor of the season by making the
trip. Mr.. Webster was about to con
clude the Observation-Disclosures treaty
renouncing any claim we might have
to the great northwest for Newfound
land cod-fishery. Webster was moi
impressed with Whitman's patriotic
enthusiasm. He considered the coun
try Of no value. He thought it woult
be as well to let: Great Britain hav'
it. Not satisfied with his interview
with the Secretary Of State DR. whit
man sought President Tyler wh'
heard him with attention, and prom
ised that the diplomatic deal for thu
trading of Oregon should be held ~
ard that a military escort should b
given to the missionary's train.
In the spring OF 1S43 DIR. Whitma,
led a party Of one thousand Amer1