their arms concealed under their blankets, and being all assembled,
commenced firing on those slaughtering the animal, and in a mo
ment the doctor s house was surrounded.
The doctor and a young lad, brought up by himself, were shot in the house. His lady, Mr. Rogers, and the children had taken refuge in the garret, but were dragged down and dispatched (ex cepting the children ) outside, where their bodies were left exposed. It is reported that it was not their intention to kill Mr. Rogers, in consequence of an avowal to the following effect, which he is said to have made, and which nothing but a desire to save his life could have prompted him to do. He said: "I was one evening lying down, and I overheard the doctor telling Rev. Mr. Spalding that it was best you should be all poisoned at once ; but that the latter told him it was best to continue slowly and cautiously, and that between this and spring, not a soul would remain, when they would take possession of your lands, cattle, and horses."
These are only Indian reports, and no person can believe the doctor capable of such an action without being as ignorant and brutal as the Indians themselves. One of the murderers, not being made acquainted with the above understanding, shot Mr. Rogers.
It is well ascertained that eleven lives were lost, and three wounded. It is also rumored they are to make an attack upon the fort. Let them come ! if they will not listen to reason. Though I have only five men at the establishment, I am prepared to give them a warm reception. The gates are closed day and night, and the bastions in readiness.
In company with Mr. Manson s two sons, was sent a young half- breed lad, brought up by Dr. Whitman; they are all here, and have got over their fright. The ringleaders in this horrible butchery are Teloquait, his son, Big Belly, Tamsucky, Esticus, Taumaulish, etc. I understand from the interpreter that they were making one common grave for the deceased.
The houses \vere stripped of everything in the shape of property, but when they came to divide the spoil they fell out among them selves, and all agreed to put back the property. I am happy to state the Walla Wallas had no hand in the whole business; they were all the doctor s own people (the Cayuses). One American shot another, and took the Indians part to save his own life. 1
Allow me to draw a veil over this dreadful affair, which is too painful to dwell upon, and which I have explained conformably to information received, and with sympathizing feelings.
1 The person here referred to was Joe Lewis, a half-caste American. It is just possible that the Indians compelled him, as it was said they did Mr. Rogers, to make a false statement, or to side with them; but the testimony of the captives made him responsible for the massacre. Mr. McBean was reporting to his superiors what he had learned from the only authority at hand.
