The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-08-01

People mere were much gratif1ed tt
learn that Miss Grace Crooks had woi
the 500 watch offered by Congress
man Cushman for the best essay on the
Life of Marcus whitman" 1t /.
quite an honor to the new county oil
Benton to win such distinction in com.
petition with the entire state. Miss
Crooks is the daughter of Robert
Crooks, one of the prominent wheat
growers of the Rattlesnake country
living fifteen miles from Prosser
The contest was open to seventh and
eighth grade pupils, and the state
board of education awarded the prize
to Miss Crooks Following is the es-
say:
The life of Marcus Whitman intro
duces a distinct chapter in the history
OF the United States. with particular
reference to that portion known as the
Northwest territory and beginning in
the year 1886.
At this time the United States ex-
tended from the present northern
boundary to the Gulf of Mexico on the
south. from the Atlantic ocean on the
east to the Pacific ocean on the west.
The southern bondary being estab-
lshed from the mouth OF the Sabine
river, ascending that stream to the
thirtyfirst parallel, thence due north
to the Red river and up that stream to
the one hundredth meridian; thence
due north to the Arkansas river and
up that stream to its source thence
due north to the forty-second parallel,
which Is followed westward to the
Pacific ocean: thence north to the
northern boundary.
At this time three nations other
than the United States claimed terri
tory on the North American continent.
Mexico declared itself Independent
Of the parent country and comprised
of the southern portion of North
America adjoining the United States
on the described southern boundary.
Canada belonged to Great Britain
and was taken from France by con-
quest
Alaska, the extreme northwest, was
owned by Russia, being acquired by
discovery. exploration and settlement
By the purchase of Louisiana in
1903. the United States. Great Britain
and France contended that the terri
tory lying between the crest of the
Rocky mountains and the Pacific ocean
was part of the Louisiana territory
10 this Spain refused to agree until
1919 treaty was arranged whereby
that country acknowledged the trans
fer.
Meanwhile the northwest boundary
line between the United States and
s4n1,- A.,
termined The sudden extension of our
territory to the Pacific furnished pow
srful incentive for settlement OF our
limits. From 1907 down the United
States had claimed the parallels 81 de-
grees 40 minutes as the boundary, but
to this Great Britain refused to agree
claiming the parallel 40 degrees. In
1927 a conference was held by agents
of the two governments and agreed
that the west territory, west Of the
Rockies, lying between the parallels
40 degrees and 81 degree 40 minutes
should remain open indefinitely and
impartially for joint occupation by
British and American citizens, and
whichever occupied and organized the
territory should hold it.
The proximity of Canadian settle
ments manifested to the English a
possibility of populating Oregon. Ac-
cordingly English authorities urged
the occupation OF the disputed terri
tory. In due time the Canadians be-
came numerous and insolent to Ameri-
cans and their interests. A plot was
formed to drive out the Americans and
steps were taken to excite the Indians
to hostilities against them.
Marcus Whitman, a missionary, dis
covered the plot and in the dead Of
winter journeyed to Washington city,
where he related the plot to the au-
thorities and urged them to protect the
interests OF the United States, and
argued the policy of sending settlers
20 the far west
Marcus Whitman, the second son of
Beza and Alice Whitman, was born at
Rushville, N. 4, September IA, 1902.
When boy he stayed with his grand
father and secured his education,
which was very limited. At 10 years
of age he was converted to the Chris
tian faith and resolved to prepare for
the ministry, but by a long sickness
and the persuasion of friends was
EooC
Of medicine. He graduated at Fairfax
in 1924. The hardships and privations
of his early life educated him for the
work of his life. He practiced his
profession for eight years. when he be-
came interested in church work.
In 1896 he married Miss Narcissa
Prentice. woman with great force
OF character. In the same year. with
small company, including Rev. and
Mrs. Spaulding. H. H. Grey. two team
sters and two Indian boys, Mr.. and
Mrs. Whitman started for the far west
The journey down the Ohio and UP
the Mississippi and Missouri rivers was
tedious but uneventful.
Reaching Council Bluns they were
greatly disappointed. as they expected
TO join a company OF 200 men with
500 animals. The old mountaineers
did not care to be bothered with
women on such a journey. and moved
out without waiting for the Whitman
party.
Beyond Loup Fork they caught w
with the caravan after nearly a
months travel. The company journ.
eyed on. crossing the Rocky noun