The Whitmans
The Whitmans played an integral role in the settling of the West and made a lasting impression in history. The story surrounding the Whitman couple is of tragedy. They set out to do good but because of cultural differences, they did not fulfill their mission. In the course of the Whitmans lives in the Oregon Country, they encouraged and helped the westward expansion of America. They are one of the major factors of the settlement of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Today, there are images across the country that remind us of what the Whitmans did out in the Oregon Country. Marcus Whitman was born in 1802 in Rushville, a small town located in upstate New York. He studied under a local doctor and became interested in the medical practice. Later on, Marcus left home and went to Fairfield, New York to attend a medical school there during the early 1830's. He received his degree and practiced medicine up north in Canada (Burns and Ives). Marcus came back to New York after four years of practice in Canada and settled in the town of Wheeler. He also practiced medicine there (Morris) and became an elder of a Presbyterian church (Burns and Ives). As an elder, Marcus organized temperance, or non-drinking meeti
In 1850, after more than two years since the Whitman Massacre incident (Oregon) and two years after the attack on innocent Cayuse Indians (Burns and Ives), Chief Tiloukaikt, Tomahas, Clokamus, Isiaasheluckas, and Kiamasumkin, the other tribal members who participated in the Whitman Massacre, turned themselves in (Oregon). They did so because of the fear that the entire Cayuse Indian tribe would be destroyed (Burns and Ives). The now surrendered Indians were put under the protection of Joseph Lane, the new Governor of the Oregon Territory. Tiloukaikt and the others were brought Westward, past the Cascade mountain range, into Oregon City. In Oregon City, there was a U.S. District Court where the Indians would be put on trial (Oregon). The Whitman Massacre and the Cayuse War had its bad results for the remaining Cayuse Indians and other Indian groups living within the Oregon Country. The Cayuse Indian lands were now open to white settlers from the east. Congress established a territorial government in Oregon and made more military posts and forts. The other tribes living in the Walla Walla Valley region now distrusted whites and feared for the white settlement of their lands (Enmayzine). The Whitman mission proved to be very unsuccessful. Few conversions were being made and the Cayuse became intolerant of the couple's message. The American Missionary Board saw that the mission was not working so they decided to shut the mission down in 1842 due to its failure (Burns and Ives). Narcissa Prentiss was also born in upstate New York in a town called Prattsburg. She was born into a devout Presbyterian family and was very committed to her religion. At the age of sixteen, Narcissa pledged her life to missionary work (Burns and Ives). She was very interested in saving the sinful and "heathen" souls, namely the Native Americans (Morris). After finishing her education, Narcissa taught at a primary school in Prattsburgh. She moved to Belmont, New York along with her family in 1834. At that time, Narcissa was still awaiting the opportunity to receive her pledge to become a full-time missionary (Burns and Ives).
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2422
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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