Identifier: reportsofexplora121unit (find matches)
Title: Reports of explorations and surveys, to ascertain the most practicable and economical route for a railroad from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
Year: 1855 (1850s)
Authors: United States. War Dept Henry, Joseph, 1797-1878 Baird, Spencer Fullerton, 1823-1887 United States. Army. Corps of Engineers
Subjects: Pacific railroads Discoveries in geography Natural history Indians of North America
Publisher: Washington : A.O.P. Nicholson, printer (etc.)
Contributing Library: San Francisco Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: California State Library Califa/LSTA Grant

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view of the southern portion of the valley, which is watered by many tributaries from the
Blue mountains. The land here is very nutritious. McBane was in charge of Fort Walla-Walla
during the occurrence of the Cayuse difficulties. Thirty miles from Walla-Walla, and near
McBanes, lives Father Chirouse, a missionary of the Catholic order, who, with two laymen,
exercises his influence among the surrounding tribes. A party of emigrants, who had lost
nearly all their animals are sheltered here at this time. From Chirouse and McBane I learned
that the emigrants frequently cast wishful eyes upon the valley, but having made no arrange-
ment with the Indians they are unable to settle here.
A sketch is here given of old Fort Walla-Walla.
November 5.—We remained with Mr. McBane over night and returned to the fort to-day
by the way of the Whitmans mission, now occupied by Bumford and Brooke. They were
harvesting, and I saw as fine potatoes as ever I beheld—many weighing 2 pounds, and one
weighing 5^1/2. Their carrots and beets, too, were of extraordinary size. Mr. Whitman must
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OLD FORT WALLA WALLA


NARRATIVE OF 1853. 153

have done a great deal of good for the Indians. His mission is situated upon a fine tract
of land, and he had erected a saw and grist mill. It is said that his death was brought about
by the false reports of a troublesome half-breed, who reported having heard Mrs. Whitman
say to her husband, when speaking of the Indians," We will get rid of them some day."
From Bumford's to the mouth of the Touchet are many farms mostly occupied by the retired
employes of the Hudson Bay Company. On our return we met Pu-pu-mux-mux, the Walla-
Walla chief, known and respected far and wide. He possesses not so much intelligence and
energy as Garry, but he has some gifts of which the latter is deprived. He is of dignified
manner, and well qualified to manage men. He owns over 2,000 horses, besides many cattle,
and has a farm near that of the Hudson Bay Company. On the occurrence of the Cayuse war
he was invited to join them, but steadily refused. After their destruction of the mission he was
asked to share the spoils, and again refused.

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