Why Marcus Whitman Was Famous. "After living in Oregon a number of years. Doctor Marcus Whitman discovered that the English were discouraging American emigrants from settling there, and were colonizing it with their countrymen. Late in 1842, he set out for Washington, D. C, and on arriving there in March, 1843, gave the government valuable information which led to extensive colonization on the part of the Americans, and in all probability kept Oregon from falling into the hands of the British."—(Harper's Encyclopedia of History). Other authorities, however, relate that his visit was solely to the mission board at Boston, in the interest of the Oregon Mission, over which the board had supervision.
What History Verifies Concerning Doctor Whitman. Concerning the purpose of Doctor Whitman's midwinter journey across the continent and his mission at Washington City historians differ. But all agree that there were various causes which contributed to his fame. 1. In 1835, he accompanied Doctor Samuel Parker to ascertain the prospect for missionary work among the Indians in the far West. When they had journeyed as far west as Green River, they were convinced that missionaries would receive a welcome among various Columbia River tribes. Having obtained the information sought, Doctor Whitman returned to the East for aid in the establishment of one or more missions west of the Rocky Mountains. 2. He took the first missionary families to what is now Eastern Washington (1836) but which was then in the Oregon Country. 3. He established Whitman Mission (1836). 4. He rendered valuable assistance to the great emigrant train of 1843, which opened the way for wagon migration from Fort Boise to the Walla Walla Valley and the Columbia River. 5. His death (1847) though a sad one, was a factor in bringing about a war with the Indians, which happily resulted in uniting the whites and in committing them to the American cause regardless of their nationality.
----
