An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 14

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172

USA > Washington > Skagit County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 14
USA > Washington > Snohomish County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 14

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But though the lives of all the women of the mission except Mrs. Whitman were spared, some of these unfortunates were overtaken by a fate worse than death. The excitement of the massacre kept the minds of the Indians distracted from thoughts of other crimes until Saturday following the out- break, when Tamsucky seized upon one of the girls and compelled her to be subject unto him. The fifteen-year-old daughter of Joseph Smith, from the saw-mill, was appropriated by the two sons of Tiloukaikt, her father, it is said, being so terrified by the danger he was in as to yield consent ; and Susan Kimball was taken to the lodge of Tintin- mitsi, or Frank Escaloom, the Indian who had killed her father. It is said that by claiming Mrs. Hays as his wife, Joseph Stanfield saved her from viola- tion. The names of other possible victims of this reign of terror have never come to light, though it has been stated that even little girls were subjected to outrage. In order to involve Five Crows in their guilt and so secure his assistance in case of war, he was offered his choice of the American girls for a wife. He picked on Miss Bewley : sent a horse and an escort for her and had her brought to his home on the Umatilla. The bishop and his priests there have been severely criticized for refusing her pro- tection from the embraces of Five Crows, and their

THE CAYUSE WAR

failure to shield her has been made to argue their complicity in the massacre. It is likely, however, that fear for their lives overcame their better natures. The same charity which condoned in a measure at least the cowardice of Smith in con- senting to the violation of his own daughter, and of other captives in assenting to the slanderous reports about Dr. Whitman's poisoning the Indians, should be extended to these priests also.

At the time of the massacre, Rev. Il. 11. Spald- ing was in the country of the Cayuses. He took supper with Brouillet on the evening of the fatal 29th. The next day was spent by him in concluding his visits to the sick of the neighborhood, and on Wednesday, December 1st, he set out on horseback for Whitman's station. When near Waiilatpu, he met Brouillet returning after having assisted Stan- field in burying the dead ; also his interpreter and Edward Tiloukaikt. Speaking of their interview, Brouillet says :

Fortunately, a few minutes after crossing the river ( Walla Walla), the interpreter asked Tiloukaikt's son for a smoke. They proposed the calumet, but when the moment came for lighting it, there was nothing to make a fire. "You have a pistol." said the interpreter: "fire it and we will light." Accordingly, without stopping, he fired his pistol, reloaded it and fired again. He then commenced smoking with the interpreter without thinking of reload- ing his pistol. A few minutes after, while they were thus engaged in smoking, I saw Mr. Spalding come galloping towards me. In a moment he was at my side, taking me by the hand, and asking for news. "Have you been to the doctor's?" he inquired. "Yes," I replied. "What news?" "Sad news." "Is any person dead?" "Yes, sir." "Who is dead? Is it one of the doctor's children?" (He had left two of them very sick.) "No," I replied. "Who then is dead?" 1 hesitated to tell him. "Wait a moment," said I, "1 cannot tell you now." While Mr. Spalding was asking me these different questions, I had spoken to my interpreter, telling him to entreat the Indians in my name not to kill Mr. Spalding, which I begged of him as a special favor, and hoped that he would not refuse me. 1 was waiting for his answer, and did not wish to relate the dis- aster to Mr. Spalding before getting it, for fear that he might, by his manner, discover to the Indian what I had told him, for the least motion like flight would have cost him his life, and probably exposed mine also. The son of Tiloukaikt, after hesitating some moments. replied that he could not take it upon himself to save Mr. Spalding, but that he would go back and consult with the other Indians; and so he started back immediately to his camp. I then availed myself of his ahsence to satisfy the anxiety of Mr. Spalding.

The news completely paralyzed Mr. Spalding for a moment. "Is it possible? Is it possible ?" he exclaimed. "They will certainly kill me." "I felt the world all go out at once," he told Mrs. Victor in referring to the incident eighteen years later, "and sat on my horse as rigid as a stone, not knowing or feeling anything." Brouillet urged him to arouse himself and decide quickly what to do. Hle determined to seek safety in flight, and re- ceiving a little food from the priest, started post- haste for Lapwai. Traveling most of the way on foot, his horse having been lost, he reached the

home of Colonel William Craig about a week later. There he found Mrs. Spalding, who, receiving from Mr. Canfield word of the massacre, of her daugh- ter's captivity and of the probable death of her hus- band, had removed from the mission to Craig's home.

Spalding encouraged the Nez Perces to remain neutral, for Caynse emissaries were already seeking their friendship and support. He wrote a letter to the priests informing them of his safe arrival, ex- pressing a wish for peace and promising to endeavor to secure it. This was conveyed by two Nez Perces-Inimilpip and Tipialanahkeit-to the Catholic mission. The Indian couriers encouraged the Cayuses to sue for peace, and the bishop ad- vised a meeting of the chiefs to decide upon some course of action. Accordingly, on the 20th of December, Tilotikaikt, Five Crows, Camaspelo and a number of others met in council at the mission. Bishop Blanchet and Revs. Brouillet, Rossean and Le Claire being also present.

The result of their deliberations was the follow- ing manifesto, dictated to the bishop :

The principal chiefs of the Caynses in council assem- bled state : That a young Indian who understands English and who slept in Dr. Whitman's room, heard the doctor, his wife and Mr. Spalding express their desire of possess- ing the lands and animals of the Indians; that he stated also that Mr. Spalding said to the doctor: "Hurry giving medicines to the Indians that they may soon die;" that the same Indian told the Cayuses: "If you do not kill the doctor soon, you will all be dead before spring;" that they buried six Cayuses on Sunday, November 28th, and three the next day; that the schoolmaster, Mr. Rogers, stated to them before he died that the doctor, his wife and Mr. Spalding poisoned the Indians; that for several years past they had to deplore the death of their children; and that according to these reports, they were led to believe that the whites had undertaken to kill them all; and that these were the motives which led them to kill the Americans.

The same chiefs ask at present :

First. that the Americans may not go to war with the Caynses.

Second. that they may forget the lately committed murders as the Caynses will forget the murder of the son of the great chief of the Walla Wallas, committed in Cali- fornia.

Third. that two or three great men may come up to concluide peace.

Fourth, that as soon as these great men have arrived and concluded peace, they may take with them all the women and children.

Fifth, they give assurance that they will not harm the Americans before the arrival of these two or three great men.

Sixth, they ask that Americans may not travel any more through their country, as their young men might do them harm.

Place of Tanitowe, Youmatilla, 20th December, INIT.

Signed, TILOU KAIKT, CAMASPELO, TACITOWE, ACHEK.M.A.

Meanwhile, forces were at work for the relief of the captive men, women and children. Peter Skeen Ogden, of the Hudson's Bay Company, had heard of the massacre and had set out from Fort

INTRODUCTORY

Vancouver for the purpose of ransoming the help- less Americans. He arrived at Fort Walla Walla on the evening of the 19th of December, and by the 23d had arranged a council, which was attended by Chiefs Tattitowe and Tiloukaikt, with a ntimber of the young Cayuses, also by Blanchet and Brouillet. Ogden's speech on this occasion is a marvel of mingled boldness and diplomacy. He said :

I regret to observe that all the chiefs whom I asked for are not present-two being absent. I expect the words 1 am about to address to you to be repeated to thein and your young men on your return to your camps. It is now thirty years since we have been among you. During this long period we have never had any instance of blood being spilt, until the inhuman massacre, which has so recently taken place. We are traders and a different nation from the Americans. But recollect, we supply you with ammu- nition not to kill the Americans. They are of the same color as ourselves, speak the same language, are children of the same God, and humanity makes our hearts bleed when we behold you using them so cruelly. Besides this revolting butchery, have not the Indians pillaged, ill- treated the Americans, and insulted their women, when peacefully making their way to the Willamette? As chiefs, ought you to have connived at such conduct on the part of your young men? You tell me your young men committed the deeds without your knowledge. Why do we make you chiefs, if you have no control over your young men? You are a set of hermaphrodites, and unworthy of the appellation of men as chiefs. You young lot-headed men, I know that you pride yourselves upon your bravery, and think no one can match you. Do not deceive yourselves. If you get the Americans to com- mence once. you will repent it, and war will not end until every one of you is cut off from the face of the earth. I am aware that a good many of your friends and relatives have died through sickness. The Indians of other places have shared the same fate. It is not Dr. Whitman that poisoned them, but God has commanded that they should die. We are weak mortals and must submit, and } trust you will avail yourself of the opportunity to make some reparation. By so doing it may be advantageous to you, but at the same time remember that you alone will be re- sponsible for the consequences. It is merely advice that I give you. We have nothing to do with it. I have not come here to make promises or hold out assistance. We have nothing to do with your quarrels; we remain neutral. On my return, if you wish it, I shall do all I can for you, but I do not promise you to prevent war.

If you deliver me up all the prisoners, I shall pay you for them on their being delivered, but let it not be said among you afterward that I deceived you. I and Mr. Douglas represent the company, but I tell you once more we promise you nothing. We sympathize with these poor people, and wish to return them to their friends and rela- tions by paying you for them. My request in behalf of the families concerns you ; so decide for the best.

By this happily worded speech, the Indians were placed in a trap. They must yield to Ogden's wishes or forfeit the regard of the Hudson's Bay Company, while at the same time Ogden made no promises which would embarrass the Americans in their future dealings with the tribe or the murderers.

To this speech the Indians made reply as follows :

Tauitowe: "I rise to thank you for your words. You white chiefs command obedience with those

that have to do with you. It is not so with tis. Our young men are strong headed and foolish. Formerly we had experienced, good chiefs. These are laid in the dust. The descendants of my father were the only good chiefs. Though we made war with the other tribes, yet we always looked and ever will look tipon the whites as our brothers. Our blood is mixed with yours. My heart bleeds for so many good chiefs I had known. For the demand made by you, the old chief, Tilonkaikt, is here. Speak to him. As regards myself, I am willing to give up the families."

Tilotikaikt: "I have listened to your words. Young men, do not forget them. As for war, we have seen little of it. We know the whites to be otir best friends, who have all along prevented tis from killing each other. That is the reason why we avoid getting into war with them, and why we do not wish to be separated from them. Besides the tie of blood. the whites have shown us a con- vincing proof of their attachment to us by burying their dead 'longside with ours. Chief, your words are weighty. Your hairs are gray. We have known you a long time. You have had an unpleas- ant trip to this place. I cannot, therefore, keep these families back. I make them over to you, which I would not do to another younger than yourself."

Peo-peo-mox-mox: "I have nothing to say. I know the Americans to be changeable; still I am of the opinion as the Young Chief. The whites are our friends and we follow your advice. I con- sent to your taking the families."

Mr. Ogden then addressed two Nez Perce chiefs at length, in behalf of the Rev. H. H. Spalding and party, promising he would pay for their safe de- livery to him. The result was that both chiefs, James and Itimimipelp, promised to bring them, provided they were willing to come, and immedi- ately started to Clearwater for that purpose, bearing a letter from Chief Factor Ogden to Mr. Spalding. The result of that conference was the delivery, on the 29th of December, to Mr. Ogden ( for which he paid the Cayuse Indians five blankets, fifty shirts, ten fathoms of tobacco, ten handkerchiefs, ten guns and one hundred rounds of ammunition) of the fol- lowing captives :

Mission children adopted by Dr. Whitman- Miss Mary A. Bridger; Catherine Sager, aged thirteen years; Elizabeth Sager, ten; Martha J. Sager, eight : Henrietta N. Sager, four ; Hannah L. Sager : Helen M. Meek.

From DuPage County, Illinois-Mr. Joseph Smith; Mrs. Hannah Smith; Mary Smith, aged fifteen years ; Edwin Smith, thirteen ; Charles Smith, eleven ; Nelson Smith, six ; Mortimer Smith, four. From Fulton County, Illinois-Mrs. Eliza Hall; Jane Hall, aged ten years; Mary C. Hall, eight : Ann E. Hall, six; Rebecca Hall, three ; Rachel M. Hall, one.

THE CAYUSE WAR

From Osage County, Mississippi-Mr. Elan Young: Mrs. Irene Young: Daniel Young. aged twenty-one years : John Young, nineteen.

From La Porte County, Indiana-Mrs. Harriet Kimball: Susan M. Kimball, aged sixteen years : Nathan M. Kimball, thirteen ; Byron M. Kimball, eight : Sarah S. Kimball, six : Mince A. Kimball, one.

From Iowa-Mrs. Mary Sanders ; Helen M. Sanders, aged fourteen years; Phebe 1. Sanders, ten : Alfred W. Sanders, six; Nancy L. Sanders, four; Mary A. Sanders, two; Mrs. Sally A. Can- field : Ellen Canfield, sixteen ; Oscar Canfield, nine ; Clarissa Canfield, seven ; Sylvia A. Canfield, five ; Albert Canfield, three.

From Illinois-Mrs. Rebecca Hays; Henry C. Hays, aged four years. Eliza Spalding, Nancy E. Marsh and Lorrinda Bewley were also among the captives.

On New Year's day, 1848, Rev. H. HI. Spalding. with ten others, being all the Americans from his mission, arrived at Walla Walla fort under escort of fifty Nez Perce Indians, to whom Mr. Ogden paid for their safe delivery twelve blankets, twelve shirts, twelve handkerchiefs, five fathoms of to- bacco, two guns, two hundred pounds of ammuni- tion and some knives.

Three days later Mr. Ogden started to Fort Vancouver with the captives in boats. Shortly after he had left the fort at Walla Walla, fifty Cayuse warriors dashed up to the place and demanded the surrender of Mr. Spalding, to be killed, as word had reached them of the arrival of American sol- diers at The Dalles, to make war upon them, and they held him responsible for that fact.

The ransomed captives from Waiilatpu and the missionaries from Lapwai reached the Willamette valley in safety. Concerning the experiences of the people of the Tchimakain mission, Professor W. D. Lyman says :

"Few things more thrilling ever came under the observation of the writer than the narration by Fathers Fells and Walker of the council of the Spokanes at Tchimakain to decide whether or not to join the Cayuses. The lives of the missionaries hung on the decision. Imagine their emotions as they waited with bated breath in their mission house to know the result. After hours of excited dis- cussion with the Cayuse emissaries, the Spokanes announced their decision: 'Go tell the Cayuses that the missionaries are our friends and we will defend them with our lives."" This being the decision of the Indians, the Tehimakain missionaries, Revs. Eells and Walker, remained at their post of duty until the volunteers began active operations against the Cayuses, when they retired to Fort Colville. They were escorted thence, at the close of the war. by a detachment of Americans under command of Major Maxon.

The massacre put the people of Oregon and +

their provisional government to a severe trial. That they both nobly stood the test speaks volumes for the patriotism of the one and the inherent strength of the other. Truly, every son of Oregon and the Northwest has canse for pride in the ster- ling qualities of the men and women who planted the seed of American civilization and American institutions in the soil of the north Pacific states.

"While the hearts of the legislators were burst- ing." says Mrs. Victor, "with pain and indignation for the crime they were called upon to mourn, and perhaps to avenge, there was something almost far- cical in the situation. Funds! Funds to prosecute a possible war! There was in the treasury of Oregon the sum of forty-three dollars and seventy- two cents, with an outstanding indebtedness of four thousand and seventy-nine dollars and sey- enty-four cents. Money! Money, indeed! Where was money to come from in Oregon? The gov- ernor's first thought had been the Hudson's Bay Company. It was always the company the colo- nists thought of first when they were in trouble. But there might be some difficulty about a loan from that source. Had not the board of London managers warned the Oregon officers to 'stick to their beaver skins?' And had not Dr. MeLoughlin resigned from his position as head of the company in Oregon because the London board reproved him for assisting immigrants, and thereby encouraging the American occupation of the country? And now there was an Indian war impending, with only these gentlemen who had been ordered to 'stick to their beaver skins' to turn to. There were the mer- chants of Oregon City ; to be sure a few hundred might be raised among them. And there was the Methodist mission-the governor had not men- tioned that-but : well, they could try it !"

The colonial legislature does not seem to have wasted much time in bewailing its helpless condi- tion. It acted. No sooner were read the brief message of the governor relative to the massacre and its accompanying documents, than a resolu- tion was offered that the governor be instructed to raise, arm and equip a company of fifty riflemen to proceed forthwith to the mission station at The Dalles and hold the same. That day, December Sth, the company was enlisted. Next day it was officered, presented with a flag by the ladies of Ore- gon City and sent by boats to its destination.

December 10th, a biff was passed authorizing and requiring the governor to raise a regiment of ritlemen by volunteer enlistment, not to exceed five hundred men; this regiment to "rendezvous at Oregon City on the 25th of December, A. D. 1816. and proceed thence with all possible despatch to the Walla Walla valley for the purpose of punish- ing the Indians, to what tribe or tribes soever they may belong, who may have aided or abetted the massacre of Dr. Whitman and his wife, and others at Waiilatpu." The bill also provided that "Jesse

INTRODUCTORY

Applegate. A. L. Lovejoy and George L. Curry be and are hereby authorized and empowered to ne- gotiate a loan not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars for the purpose of carrying ont the pro- visions of this act : and that said commissioners be and are authorized to pledge the faith of the terri- tory for the payment of such sum as may be negotiated for by the said commissioners, on the most practicable terms, payable within three years from date of said loan, unless sooner discharged by the government of the United States."

The governor and the loan commissioners set out, as soon as the bill became a law. for Van- conver, to negotiate, if possible, a loan from the Hudson's Bay Company. Formal application was made to Sir James Douglas, December 11th, the commissioners pledging the faith and means of the provisional goverment for the reimbursement of the company, and stating that they did not consider this pledge the only security their creditors would have. "Without claiming." said they. "any special authority from the government of the United States to contract a debt to be liquidated by that power, yet from all precedents of like character in the history of our country, the undersigned feel confident that the United States government will regard the murder of the late Dr. Whitman and his lady as a national wrong, and will fully justify the people of Oregon in taking active measures to obtain redress for that outrage and for their pro- tection from further aggression."

As was expected. the chief factor declined to grant the loan, for the reason already outlined. Governor Abernethy, Jesse Applegate and A. L. Lovejoy pledged their personal credit for the sup- plies needful to equip the company of riflemen already en route to The Dalles, and the immediate necessities of the government were thus relieved.

Returning to Oregon City, the committee ad- dressed a circular to the merchants and citizens of Oregon, asking loans from all such as were able to contribute, either money or supplies. Its closing paragraphs are here quoted as showing the necessity for prompt action then existing or supposed to exist :

Though the Indians of the Columbia have committed a great outrage upon our fellow citizens passing through their country, and residing among them, and their punish- ment for these murders may, and ought to be, a prime ob- ject with every citizen of Oregon, yet. as that duty more particularly devolves upon the government of the United · States, and admits of delay, we do not make this the strongest ground upon which to found our earnest appeal to you for pecuniary assistance. It is a fact well known to every person acquainted with Indian character that, by passing silently over their repeated thefts, robberies and murders of our fellow citizens, they have been emboldened to the commission of the appalling massacre at Waiilatpu. They call us women, destitute of the hearts and courage of men, and if we allow this wholesale murder to pass by, as former aggressions, who can tell how long either life or property will be secure in any part of this country, or at

what moment the Willamette will be the scene of blood and carnage?

The officers of our provisional government have nobly performed their duty. None can doubt the readiness of the patriotic sons of the West to offer their personal services in defense of a canse so righteous. So it rests with you. gentlemen, to say whether all our rights and our firesides shall be defended or not. Hoping that none will be found to falter in so high and so sacred a duty, we beg leave, gentlemen, to subscribe ourselves your servants and fel- low citizens.

A specific letter to the Oregon mission was likewise prepared and sent. The result of the labors of the committee was such that on December 1 Ith they were able to report, besides the loan of nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars negotiated on the personal credit of two of the commissioners, with the governor, a loan of one thousand dollars subscribed at a citizens' meeting in Oregon City : one thousand six hundred dollars from the mer- chants of Oregon City, and the probability that a loan of one thousand dollars would be secured from the mission.

The first committee then resigned, and on December 20th another was appointed, consisting of A. L. Lovejoy. Hugh Burns and W. H. Willson. These gentlemen continued in office until the close of the war, engaged in the expensive and vexations task of negotiating small loans of wheat, provisions. clothing, leather and all articles of use to the men in the field.

Of the regiment to be called into existence by the governor in accordance with legislative enact- ment, Cornelius Gilliam was elected colonel ; James Waters, lieutenant-colonel: H. A. G. Lee, major ; and Joel Palmer, commissary-general. The purpose of this military organization was to secure for punishment the Whitman murderers and all those who had taken an important part in the massacre. It was not intended that aggressive warfare should be waged against the Cayuse tribe as a whole, or a fortiore, against any other tribe, as a matter of retribution, but it was intended that the murderers should be procured at all cost and that war should be waged against all who harbored them, until the desired end was achieved. Accordingly, a peace commission was sent along with the army, the personnel of which was Joel Palmer, Robert Newell and H. A. G. Lee, that the olive branch might be offered before resort to the sword should be had. Joseph L. Meek, who had been appointed to carry a memorial to congress, also purposed to accom- pany the army.

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An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 14

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1906 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172