Samuel Asahel Clarke

“ Over the region where Whitman wandered, searching for a fertile location, and half doubtful if any spot would answer, stretch the most fruitful grain fields of the continent. Every acre of upland and bottom is fertile, and railroads are pushing their way there to relieve the toiling river steamers of work they cannot do. ”

“ It may be interesting to cultured minds to look back through almost half a century, and see what changes time and man have wrought on the North Pacific—to glance down the vistas, from the era of savagery to the present time, and study the romance of history, as well as the grand results of civilization. ”

“ Everything indicated that it was an armed truce; every tribe and company maintained strict guard, and was prepared at any moment to arm in self-defense. The different tribes united to give the strangers a view of savage display by turning out in all their paint and feathers, armed with all sorts of weapons, and ornamented with every kind of barbarous finery, mounted on their horses, marching in procession five hundred strong, and indulging in the whoops and yells that suit ed the wilderness. ”

“ The years have been revealing the resources of this grand region slowly and reluctantly, but they have not fully done their work of revelation yet, for the ranges that look down on Walla Walla blossom with precious ores, the hills near by are lined with coal deposits, and, far and near, the valleys and the uplands invite coming population and offer untold wealth. The herder retires before the agriculturist; but flocks upon a thousand hills respond to the labor of the farmer, to yield millions. ”

“ Autumn is round us everywhere;
The climbing roses wear a look
That says they wither with a fear
That summer has the world forsook;
The ether floats the thistle-down;
The hills are gemmed with golden-rod ”

“ Mr. Parker made their way, on this errand, to the great American rendezvous, on Green River, this side of the Rocky Mountains. There they met with a party of Nez Perces, who offered to pilot them to the Columbia River. They then manifested the friendliness that has always characterized the majority of the tribe, and offered inducements for the establishment of a mission among them. This resulted in Mr. Parker going on to survey the land and look for a suitable location, while Dr. Whitman retraced his steps to make favor able report to the Home Board. ”

“ The missionaries and their wives went at first down the Columbia, and were handsomely received and entertained by Dr. McLoughlin, Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company, who, considering the circumstances and the jealously felt concerning American influence, was liberal in offering hospitality and supplies. W. H. Gray came with the company as financial agent, and has written a history of Oregon that is valuable, as it contains- many important details, and I rely much on it for facts and dates. ”

“ This happened after eleven years of devotion to his work and their interests, and to-day we hear occasionally that among early pioneers contribution is being made to raise to his memory a monument on the spot where he lived, labored, and died. It grows so slowly that we may doubt if it will ever suffice to record the acts that grace his memory. ”

“ The missionaries traveled with a caravan, and word had gone on ahead concerning them; and two days before they reached the rendez-vous they were met by a party of Indians and White Men, who rode out to give them greeting, and a wild, barbaric greeting it was, savage yells and a fusillade that sent rifle bullets scream ing above their heads, and a charge into camp that would have terrified them, only some of the party understood and explained the rude etiquette of the desert to the rest. ”