Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 8.djvu/412

 404 DIARY OF ASAHEL MUNGER AND WIFE. % she is able after riding almost constantly for 4 months, to get on to a Sept Shorse & ride 25 miles in less than half a day Thurs. We found Dr. Whitman in comfortable circumstances. He has raised about 100 bushels of corn, rising of a 1000 bushels of potatoes as he thinks, though they are not yet dug some wheat peas, beans beets, carrots turnips squashes melons onions broom corn hops summer and winter squashes pumkins &c. He has provisions enough for his family for the year and some to spare to the Indians to pay them for their labor. I commenced preparing a bench and tools to work with. Dr. W. had a house built of brick, or dobies as they are called, made of clay without burning. This they wanted to have finished, as soon as possible as Mr. Hall is to occupy it this winter. He had good pine timber seasoned and piled up in house ready to finish it off, and all the materials to do it with. All that was lacking was a joiner. I commenced working at one of the rooms (the one designed for the parlor) about two weeks ago, and finished it today. My arm has recovered nearly its usual strength. Eliza's health is good I [never?] knew it better. She is now assisting Mrs. Whitman in her household affairs. Mrs. W. is teaching the Indian children. The school com- menced since we came here. They have delayed the school for want of a Book. They have now acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language to teach and communicate religious instruction on the Sab- bath. They have now quite a large school children quite interested to learn. The collection for a school is yet a novelty with them How long they will continue to be as deeply interested, no one knows. Mr. Ermitinger called here on his return to Ft Hall. Just before he arrived a Lawyer by the name of Farnam arrived from the States to our great surprise. He had started with quite a company, but they had been falling off, one after another until there [were?] only about half a dozen when they arrived here. Mr. Griffin's horses were found. It is said they were stolen by the Indians and Mr. Walker at Ft Hall gave one of them for finding the other two. We have found friends as you will judge from what I have said are surrounded by those that appear like brothers and sisters. We expect in a few days to com- mence keeping house. What the Lord is going to do with us we dont know, but it is enough for us to know what he is now doing with us. I hope we may always trust in him and I am sure he will always direct our steps If any are expecting to come to this region as mis- sionaries it is well that they should be informed in relation to some facts of which we have been ignorant. There are no establishments for raising grain and other provisions in this region except at Coloil- ville [ Colville?] 300 miles above here Van Cover rising of 200 miles below, and at the Willamit about 300 miles below. At Colville they dont spare their provisions except it is to accommodate. If the mis-