“On the 11th of December we had the affliction to hear that one of the captives had been carried off from the Doctor’s house by the order of Five Crows, and brought to him; and we learned that two others had been violated at the Doctor’s house.”
How seriously these holy fathers were afflicted, Miss Bewley has told us in language not to be misunderstood. Her statement continues:—
Last summer, when I was teaching school near Mr. Bass, the tall priest, whose name I have learned was Brouillet, called on me, and told me that Mr. Spalding was trying to ruin my character and his, and said that Mr. Spalding had said that I had told him (Mr. S.) that the priests had treated me as bad as the Indians ever had. I told him I had not said so. He said he wanted to ask me some questions, and would send the Doctor, who could speak better English; he wished me to write it; I told him I would rather not do it. When at the Umatilla, the Frenchmen told me that they were making arrangements to locate the priests,—two at Mr. Spalding’s as soon as Mr. S. got away, and two at the Dalles, and they were going to the Doctor’s next week to build a house. This conversation was before Mr. Ogden arrived at Wallawalla.
Q.—Did Dr. Whitman wish to have Joe Lewis stop at his place?
A.—He let him stop at first only because he said he had no shoes nor clothes and could not go on; but when a good many, on account of sickness, had no drivers, the Doctor furnished Joe with shoes and shirts, and got him to drive a team. He was gone three days, and came back, but the Doctor never liked it. I heard Mrs. Whitman and the Sager boys say that Joe Lewis was making disturbance among the Indians.
Q.—Did you ever hear the Doctor express any fears about the Catholics?
A.—Only once; the Doctor said at the table: “Now I shall have trouble; these priests are coming.” Mrs. Whitman asked: “Have the Indians let them have land?” He said: “I think they have.” Mrs. Whitman said: “It’s a wonder they do not come and kill us.” This land was out of sight of the Doctor’s as you come this way (west of the station). When the Frenchman was talking, at Umatilla, of going to build a house there, he said it was a prettier station than the Doctor’s.
(Signed,)
Lorinda Bewley.
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 12th day of December, 1848.