[From the Sunday Oregonian of February 8, 1885.]
DR. WHITMAN.
Reply to Honorable Elwood Evans.
BY REV. M. EELLS.
In the Weekly Oregonian of December 26 is an article from Hon. Elwood Evans about Dr. Whitman in reply to one by Mr. E. C. Ross. I would be glad of the privilege of correcting some mistakes and making a few remarks in regard to it.
Governor Evans has found one witness, Dr. C. Eells, who has made a clear statement of his knowledge in regard to Dr. Whitman's journey East, and his object in doing so. It by no means agrees with Governor Evans' theory; hence, he must destroy the evidence. Knowing that Dr. Eells has as fair a reputation for truthfulness as some other common mortals, he very kindly has simply charged the fault to Dr. Eells' memory thirty-six years after the memorable journey. I do not deny that the memory of aged people is sometimes treacherous as well as that of some of us who are younger; but whether it failed Dr. E. at this time must be decided after reading the following: In 1882 I published a pamphlet about Dr. Whitman, his journey East in 1842, and what he did to save Oregon and promote the immigration of 1843. I sent a copy of this to Gov. Evans. [Others can have copies of it they wish by writing to me.] I speak of this because I wish to refer to it in this reply to Gov. Evans. In two or three points Gov. Evans has at tempted to show that Dr. Eells' memory was at fault.
First—Gov. Evans says: "W. H. Gray, in the fall of 1841 had become dissatisfied at and with the mission, and early in 1842 had removed with his family to Wallamet Valley. It is certain that he was not at Waiilatpu after June, 1842; so if he was present at the meeting referred to [Sept., 1842], as stated by Eells, then such meeting could have been no other than the annual meeting, in June. But
