Kate Mulhall A romance of the Oregon Trail
that I entertained any affection for you, or given any grounds for
you to hope that I might have anything more than just a friendly
feeling towards you? If I have so acted, I'm not aware of {259} it.
Now bear this in mind--never under any circumstances would you be
considered in the light of a lover or husband for me!"
A cloud passed over the brow of the young man as he felt the sting of
her reply, and it is generally believed that a vow of eternal
animosity against what he deemed a haughty and insolent young woman
who had repelled his well-intentioned proposal was made by him.
"Some time you may regret this," he remarked, or words to that
effect, and took his departure.
Narcissa, kind hearted and reluctant to hurt the feelings of anyone,
regretted having wounded his vanity and pride so deeply; but thought
that was the only way his persistent suit could be stopped for all
time. This happened some four years before the return of Dr. Whitman
from the Oregon Country to his home in New York State. About a year
after his rejection by Narcissa Prentiss, Rev. Mr. Spalding was
married to Miss Eliza Hart, a very estimable young woman, and sent
west to engage in missionary work.
Marcus Whitman, although making frequent visits to the Prentiss home,
and received on every occasion by the Judge and his family as a
welcome guest and intimate friend, did not attempt as yet to play the
role of suitor for the hand of Narcissa. He must first know that all
arrangements for the projected missionary expedition were
satisfactorily completed before committing himself in any personal
way that might later prove embarrassing.
It was a matter of considerable importance for the Missionary Board
to assemble and outfit a sufficient number of persons for such an
undertaking; and many investigations and calculations had to be made
before a complete organization was effected. It was considered
necessary to have an ordained minister, and difficult to find one
willing to go. But in the early spring the personnel of the party
was decided upon, and the animals, wagons and supplies purchased so
that the westward movement could begin as soon as the season was far
enough advanced.
{260}
Whitman now decided that the auspicious moment had arrived to take
the important step that had been uppermost in his mind since his
return from the Rocky Mountains. He was of a sanguine temperament
and optimistic by nature, with supreme confidence in his ability to
overcome obstacles; in the vital matter now in hand he felt confident
of success, but was anxious to know what the result would be.
With this purpose in view he mounted his horse and rode hurriedly to
the Prentiss home, finding the Judge out but Narcissa there.
Entering the sitting room, he took a seat and without any
preliminaries remarked, "Well, Narcissa, everything is arranged and
the party will start for the great undertaking in just one month from
now. I said the party was complete, which is not quite correct;
there is yet one vacancy and I have come, Narcissa, to ask you to
fill it by becoming the wife of Marcus Whitman, leader of the party.
"I need not tell you that you hold a higher place in my estimation
than any other living mortal; your womanly intuition has long ago
made you aware of that. I also believe that you entertain for me a
feeling of uncommon friendship, at least--if not more. Am I right or
wrong? Answer me, Narcissa."
"Marcus, this is so abrupt you almost take my breath away, but I will
be just as frank," she replied. "I will go with you."
Taking her hands in his and gazing into the depths of her beaming
blue eyes he exclaimed, "I felt in my soul that you would." Drawing
her nearer and enfolding her in his arms, he imprinted a seal of
affection on her lips.
* * *
Both were naturally well fitted for the task of bringing the light of
the gospel and the advantages of civilization to the Indians. Marcus
Whitman was strong and rugged, with an unlimited capacity for work;
and although a physician, the missionary life appealed to him much
more than the practice of his profession, due {261} probably to
natural inclination and his early training. A knowledge of medicine
was a valuable aid in a region without professional men.
Narcissa Prentiss was in full health and vigor, capable of enduring
the privations and hardships incident to such a life, and of an
intensely religious temperament. She left home, friends and every
association dear to the majority of womankind, and set forth on a
tremendous journey across deserts and over mountain ranges--the way
beset by difficulties and dangers--in order to lend a helping hand in
carrying the "tidings of great joy" to the natives of the far
Northwest.
A great deal of spoken and written eulogy has been bestowed upon the
devotion to duty, courage and fortitude of Marcus
Whitman--unquestionably in great part well merited. So far, little
has been said in praise of the noble qualities of head and heart
possessed by his wife and coworker in the Lord's vineyard. But as
time goes on I have no doubt that historians and poets will exalt her
virtues and sing her praises.
The marriage ceremony in the Presbyterian Church at Angelica, N.Y.,
in February, 1836, was very quiet and simple, as both were opposed to
any undue publicity. But when the members of the congregation became
aware that the missionary party was about to start, it was arranged
to have a farewell party and services on the eve of its departure.
The little church was crowded to capacity; not only was nearly every
member present, but many who were not affiliated came to bid farewell
and Godspeed to this universally beloved member of the community,
which had been the home of the Prentiss family since 1834.
She took her usual place as leader of the choir, while the eyes of
all were riveted upon the pleasing countenance and attractive form of
the one who was about to leave them--perhaps forever. After the
services and singing of appropriate hymns, a time for greetings was
announced; and the whole congregation surged forward, each anxious to
grasp the hand and say a personal word {262} to her whom they loved
so well and were reluctant to let go. Before being dismissed, all
were asked to join in a parting hymn selected for the occasion.
Narcissa led the singing, and when the last verse--beginning with the
words, "Yes, my native land, I love thee"--was begun, audible sobs
were heard through the audience. Before it was finished the pent-up
feelings of the assemblage were unloosed, and the genuine feeling of
sorrow became contagious; handkerchiefs were pulled out, and there
was scarcely a dry eye in the audience. Only the voice of Narcissa
carried the words all the way through; but she never faltered until
it was finished, when she also gave way to the prevailing emotion.
Rev. Henry H. Spalding and his wife were selected by the American
Board of Home Missions to accompany Dr. and Mrs. Whitman. For some
time past the Spaldings had been engaged in missionary work in the
State of Ohio from where, upon the arrival of the Whitmans from New
York State, the four proceeded to Liberty, Missouri, the point at
which final arrangements for the western journey were to be completed.
The Board of Commissioners probably did not take the precaution of
consulting Dr. Whitman as to his choice of companions for the great
task they were entering upon; could Narcissa have had any voice in
the matter, the Spaldings would certainly not have gone with them.
It is to be regretted, for the good of the cause, that such an
appointment was made, as subsequent events will explain. W. H. Gray,
a mechanic, was also designated by the Board to accompany the
missionaries.
Rev. Mr. Spalding was a stockily built man of medium height, with a
large head and rather high forehead; and was a voracious reader,
especially of books on religious and controversial topics. Although
rated, even by his admirers, as a "peculiar" man, he accomplished
commendable results in the mission field for nearly 40 years. Mr.
Spalding died August 3, 1874, in his 71st year, and is buried in the
Nez Perces country a few miles from Lewiston, Idaho.
{263}
His wife, Eliza Hart Spalding, was rather tall and angular, and
though not possessing regular features, had a kindly and intelligent
expression that won many friends. She had the gift of knowing how to
gain the respect and confidence of the Indians, and was conspicuously
successful as a teacher among them. Gray was a self-important
person, with quite a smattering of learning, but inclined to be
self-willed and even insubordinate.
These men and women established the first Indian Missions in the vast
region between the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range, nearest the
tribes who had sent the delegation to St. Louis in 1831, seeking a
knowledge of the Christian faith. About the time the missionaries
arrived at Liberty, a number of hunters and trappers in the employ of
the American Fur Company, under the leadership of two experienced
frontiersmen, Milton G. Sublette and Thomas Fitzpatrick, were
assembled there preparing to leave for the Rocky Mountain region on a
trading and fur-hunting expedition.
By this good fortune, the missionaries were able to travel in the
company of a well-equipped outfit, without fear of molestation by
roving bands of Indians on the way. But not everything required for
the long journey had been secured in time to start with the larger
party, which set out two days in advance. Whitman determined to
catch up with the fur hunters before reaching the most dangerous part
of the route, which he did.
Many days were consumed in traversing the bad roads of western
Missouri, which in the spring in those pioneer days were full of ruts
and mud-holes; and the Doctor was the only one of the party with any
previous experiences in that kind of travel. Early in May they were
on the west side of the Missouri River with their wagons, horses and
cattle all in fairly good shape, but on the south side of the Platte
near its mouth. The latter was nearly a mile wide, and the crossing
of it a very formidable undertaking; but it had to be done, for the
Trail continued westward on the north side.
That might be termed the real starting point on the {264} expedition,
as there every vestige of civilization was left behind, and immense
plains and great mountain ranges inhabited only by Indians and wild
animals, extended far out before them. It was a perilous trip in
those days, even for men fond of adventure and thoroughly accustomed
to hardships.
But in the company were two refined and educated women leaving
friends, kindred and the comforts of civilized life to undergo the
discomforts and face the hazards of the long journey. It was a noble
courage, and heroism of the rarest type. Their names should be held
in high veneration by the Christian people of this land for all time
to come; and I believe they will be.
The crossing of the Platte was difficult and wearing; and the burden
of it fell upon Dr. Whitman, as Rev. Mr. Spalding was ill and unable
to help. Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding were taken over in a "bull
boat," a contrivance made by stretching a buffalo hide over small
willow growths. In the process of making, the larger ends were stuck
in the ground, and the smaller ones interlapped, after which a fresh
hide was fastened over them and allowed to dry. Then the ends of the
willows were pulled out of the ground, it was turned upside down--and
called a "boat."
Though a very risky affair in which to cross a wide river, there was
no other available conveyance; so they entered it, at least with a
show of confidence, and were carried safely over. An entire day was