A Survivor's Recollections of the Whitman Massacre

The Project Gutenberg eBook, A Survivor's Recollections of the Whitman Massacre, by Matilda Sager
by Matilda J. Sager Delaney
Sponsored by Esther Reed Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution Spokane, Washington
Copyright 1920
The following modest recital of a life which has covered much of the most interesting period of pioneering in this part of the country is of the greatest interest and value to all who know and love the Northwest. Few lives have been so full of such varied experiences and the clear and poignant recital of the massacre at Waillatpu is of the greatest historical importance. It is so vividly told that it should carry its own convincing truth down the years, as the basis of all writing in connection with the labors of that splendid type of missionaries, Dr. and Mrs. Whitman.
NETTA W. PHELPS, (Mrs. M. A. Phelps) Ex-State Regent, Daughters of the American Revolution.
FANNIE SMITH GOBLE, (Mrs. Geo. H. Goble) State Regent.
LURLINE WILLIAMS, (Mrs. L. F. Williams) Regent Esther Reed Chapter.
Matilda J. Sager Delaney
The thought of fostering care seems to have remained with this survivor since her days with the Whitmans.
Forgiving innocent ones for the atrocious acts of their kindred upon her own brothers, Mrs. Delaney became a benefactor of the Indians. Before the apportionment of their lands the Coeur d'Alene squaws and children suffered great hardships. To them the Farmington hotel kitchen was a haven of warmth and plenty. They started home cheered and fed with bundles of food to tie on their ponies. The Delaney living room is the only place I have seen Indian women and girls light hearted and chatty. They loved to linger to sing for their hostess. Mrs. Delaney's hospitality extended to clergymen of all creeds. Her's has been a life of hard but generous service. Not to be ministered unto but to minister seems to have been the life motto of this woman reared in the wilds.
In 1881 General and Mrs. T. R. Tannatt came to the Northwest when the latter began a search for historical data; she sought pioneers and recorded their statements for comparison, in an effort to obtain truth. Opportunity gave her acquaintance with Mr. Gray, author of History of Oregon, Rev. Cushing Eels, the Spalding family, several survivors of the Whitman massacre, and pioneer army and railway officers from whom she gleaned information which later assisted her in writing the booklet, Indian Battles of the Inland Empire in 1858, published by the D. A. R.