Page:Centennial History of Oregon 1811-1912, Volume 1.djvu/435

 A tale so improbable that it has been doubted by historians, and regarded as a myth by many critical readers, has been attested as truth by the veracious testimony of Miss McBeth, missionary among the Nez Perces for thirty years.

Let us begin with this link of evidence. In her "Story of the Nez Perces since Lewis and Clark," Miss McBeth says: "There are two events in Nez Perces history so well known that even children can tell about them. These are the coming of Lewis and Clark in 1805, and their return from the coast in 1806, and the going out of the four Flathead Indians seeking the 'Book of Heaven' twenty-five years later." She gives the names of these four messengers. One of these names corresponds with that given by Catlin, who met the two surviving members of this band of four Nez Perces in 1832, in St. Louis, and traveled two thousand miles with them on their journey to their country in northern Idaho. Another of the names given by Miss McBeth is evidently but a slight variation of the name applied by Catlin to the same man.

Two old men of the four had died before Catlin met the survivors. They had been sent out upon their quest of the white man's God in 1831, by mandate of a grand council of their tribes.

If any testimony were required to confirm Miss McBeth, that of George Catlin, the artist and traveler, the greatest authority who ever wrote upon the Indians, is sufficient. He says: "When I first heard the report of this extraordinary mission, I could scarcely believe it; but on conversing with General Clark (William Clark of the great exploring expedition) I was fully convinced of the fact." Catlin painted the portraits of over five hundred Indians, which are now in the National Museum at Washington, and among them are the portraits of the two Nez Perces spoken of. Catlin traveled with these Indians for weeks on the first steamboat that made the voyage from St. Louis to the upper Missouri. This was in the spring of 1832.

General Clark was probably the first American who took a deep interest in the quest of these Nez Perces. He received them into his own house and was most hospitable and helpful to them. When Keepeelele, the old man of the three remaining upon their arrival at St. Louis, was mortally sick. Mrs. Clark ministered to him. She was herself in feeble health, and died, it is stated, of mias- matic fever, December 25, 1831. Keepeelele was buried in St. Louis. His epitaph reads: "Keepeelele, enterree, October 31, 1831, Nez Perces de la tribu des Choponeck, apple Tete-plate."

Conquest, Mrs. Eva Emery Dye.

Some have stated that General Clark was a Roman Catholic. He was in fact a communicant of the Episcopal church. General Clark upon first receiving these messengers directed them to Rev. John York of the M. E. Church, then a resident of St. Louis. In 1876, Mr. York was pastor of the M. E. Church of Corvallis, Oregon.

An eloquent speech made at St. Louis by He-oh-kste-kin, one of these Nez Perces, is recorded by Dr. Hines. It too has been considered mythical ; not more so than the earliest claims that these "Flathead" messengers were Nez Perces, probably. This speech tells of the regret of the messengers that "they must return empty handed to their people. " They returned home disappointed, but their errand was not in vain. Three years after the meeting of the council that sent