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Whitman Mission National Historic Site W. H. Jackson painting of the mission in the 1840s based on other's descriptions.
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Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Dr. Whitman Selected Letters - 1834

Notes to reader:

The following transcriptions have tried to maintain the original spelling,capitalization and punctuation of the original letters. In his letters Dr. Whitman often used "+" for "and" and "+c" for "etc." Comments by the transcriber are enclosed in square brackets, [].

"Islands" refers to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), where the American Board had established missions.

Any mention of Fort Walla Walla or the place "Walla Walla" refers to the Hudson's Bay Company post at the confluence of the Walla Walla and Columbia rivers. The US Army's Fort Walla Walla did not exist until after the deaths of the Whitmans.

 

List of 1834 Correspondence

June 3, 1834: Dr. Whitman to Dr. Wisner

Dr. Whitman provides information about his childhood, education, religious background and medical training; expresses his enthusiasm for the missionary cause and his willingness to become a missionary.


June 27, 1834: Dr. Whitman to Dr. Wisner

Dr. Whitman describes his health and medical problems; provides references for his application to become a missionary; and describes his preferences for potential mission fields.


December 2 , 1834: Dr. Whitman to Dr. Wisner

Dr. Whitman agrees to accompany Reverend Samuel Parker on an exploring trip beyond the Rocky Mountains.

 
 

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picture of tule lodge

Did You Know?
The tule lodge offers a comfortable place for the people inside. The structure is held up by wooden poles and covered with mats made of tule. Tules are a type of sedge; they grow in marshy areas; and are also called "bullrushes." Tules are stronger than they look. A tule lodge can withstand rain and wind.

Last Updated: March 13, 2007 at 12:37 MST