Catherine Sager Pringle

“ They employed a teacher in the family every winter. We lived there about three years and a half, that is till 47, when by a mysterious stroke of providence we were again thrown upon the wide world without home and deprived of two dearly beloved brothers and a much petted sister Hannah Loisa. The emigration of 47 brought the measles among the Indians and great numbers of them died. I have known five to be buried in one day. The Catholic priest had come among them; also Dr. Whitman had taken into his family a half breed that had come in with the emigration. ”

“ Every one supposed him to be thousands of miles away.
In February, 1836, Dr. Whitman and Miss Prentiss were married. She was a refined, educated woman, and one of deep piety, who could enter fully into the sentiments and sympathies of her husband. With a devotion and courage never excelled, she journeyed with him to his distant field of labor.
Dr. Whitman found a suitable location on the banks of the Walla Walla river, named by the Indians Wie-lat-pu, or Wail-lat-pu, where he erected his cabin. Early in November, 1836, Mrs. Whitman took possession of her new home. ”

“ God has raised us up a friend." He told us children to wait till he came back. They all went down leaving us and a wounded man but they hardly got outside the door into the yard when the treacherous mortal friend fired on them, killed Mr. R, Mrs. W and brother Francis. He had with the other children who had got well enough been in school when the massacre commenced. They all climbed into the loft. When the Indians took the other children down he stayed up there and had he only remained until night he might have escaped but his anxiety respecting his sister would not allow him to stay. ”

“ The war continued some time and was finally concluded by their giving five of the chief murderers who were hung in Oregon City. The poor fellows shed tears when they found they had to swing but it done no good. They wanted to be shot but hanging was the law.
We all found homes right off but had to be parted. I lived with Rev. W. Roberts and was the girl spoken of in the Advocate you spoke of. I lived with them till I was married and they done well by me. Matilda has lived in the same place all the time. ”

“ We heard by the emigration that came the year after us that the Indians had robbed father's grave, leaving his bones to bleach on the prairie.
Perhaps you would like to know something of this country. We have had up to this time very little rain, the nights being cold, the sun shining warm and pleasant during the day. Crops are generally good. Times are rather dull there being no cash in the country. Wheat is six bits a bushel in cash and a dollar in trade. Potatoes are 25 to 50 cents per bushel. Wages are from one to two dollars per day. ”

“ There are four of us, Catherine, Elizabeth Maria, Matilda Jane and Henrietta Naomi. In the second place you asked where we were. I am married and am living on a farm four miles from Salem. I was married to Clark Spencer Pringle on the 25th of October, 1851. We own a full section of land, that is 640 acres. Elizabeth and Henrietta have been living with us ever since we were married. Matilda lives with a gentleman about 30 miles from here by the name of Geiger. She has lived in his family seven years. She is like a daughter to them. ”

“ There is too much merchandise in the country and no public improvements. We would like very much to have grandpas dageurreotype if you would send it to us and as many more as you are able to send us. We want to know how our kin folks look. ”