Page:The Early Indian Wars of Oregon.djvu/126

 the Catholic

Mr. Canfield, who was in the yard when the attack was made on the men engaged in dressing the heef, ran past the shop where his family lived, snatching up his youngest child, and calling to the others to follow, succeeded in reaching a chamber in the Mansion house, where they re mained undiscovered until night, and the Indians had retired to their lodges. He then found Stanfield, who directed him to a place four miles on the road to Lapwai, and who promised to bring him a horse the next morning, but was unable to do so ; and after lying concealed over Tuesday, set out on foot for the Nez Percés country. On Friday he reached Snake-river crossing, and was ferried over and piloted to Spalding s place by the Nez Percés In dians (who were yet ignorant of what had taken place at Waiilatpu), which he reached on Saturday, conveying to Mrs. Spalding the terrible news of the massacre of her friends, her daughter s captivity, and the probable death of her husband of whom nothing had been heard since Dr. Whitman s return from the Umatilla.

With remarkable courage, and with that insight into Indian character which distinguished her, Mrs. Spalding decided on her course of action. The only person at her house, besides her young children, was Miss Johnson, her

priests ; and their beds consisted of two blankets with a stick of wood for their pillow.. * * * Mr. McBean procured for him (Osborne) a trusty Walla Walla Indian to return with him for his family, but having no horses at the post, I prof fered the use of my own until he should reach the company s farm, about twenty miles distant, where he was supplied with fresh ones. Had it not been for the guide s perseverance, Mrs. Osborne and children must have perished. Mr. Osborne, despairing of finding the place where he had left them, proposed to the Indian to return. The Indian said he was told, by McBean not to return without finding them, and he continued his search until he discovered their concealment. They arrived at the fort early in the evening of the third of December, and Mr. McBean said he would protect them with his life. They were not allowed to go three days without provisions, but on the contrary were furnished daily with such provisions as were used by Mr. McBean and family. Mr. McBean proffered a blanket to Mr. Osborne on his credit, and I am quite positive the article was not asked for by Mr. Osborne. Signed. J. M. STANLF.Y."

Oregon City, March 10, 1848.

Osborne s own affidavit confirms Stanley s statement concerning the rescue of his family after he had given them up, and McBean s declaration that he would protect them with his life. The sufferings experienced by the survivors of the Waiilatpu massacre were such, with the prejudices imbibed beforehand, as to render them incapable of giving clear accounts of what had taken place.