all but forgotten...

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I was reading a book about a man who was appointed by Abraham Lincoln to be the US Agent for the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington Territory in 1860. His name was James H. Wilbur. Wilbur was also a Methodist minister, and had originally been sent from New York to Oregon to set up churches in Oregon in the mid 1840's.

He was friends with Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, and had spoken to them the week before they were massacred by the Cayuse Indians in 1847.

Wilbur also presided over the first congregation at The Dalles, Oregon in the late 1850's, and was great friends with the head elder Daniel Bolton (my great great grandfather).

Among the interesting stories in this book was the following:

"At the Columbia River Conference [Methodist] session in 1884, one of the younger ministers, the Rev. S.M. Driver, was accused in open meeting of indulgence in alcohol, an almost unforgivable offense for a minister of the Gospel. The reading of the charge caused a stir of excitement and whispered conferences on what stringent steps should be taken. Father Wilbur rose to move that the young man be given a chance to speak in his own defense. Although there was little sympathy for Driver among the indignant ministers, the motion was seconded and passed.

"The accused young man walked slowly forward to the platform, obviously greatly embarrassed and collecting his thoughts for his defense. He spoke haltingly at first, then gaining courage, made a complete confession of his indiscretion. He begged for forgiveness and a chance to make amends.

"There was silence for a few moments until Wilbur rose again to move that the young man's wish be granted. The force of his influence was enough to win approval of the resolution. He put his arm around Driver's shoulds as they walked out of the church, a pointed indication that he was taking him under his protection and guidance. The two become fast friends and Driver an effective and respected minister."

Very cool. And it made me wonder how many ministers out there would be willing to do the same today...

Here's a photo of James Wilbur. Handsome fellow! He was 6'4 and topped 250 lbs.

[M. T. Cross]

Cool story Pam

I gotta say, you really come up with some of the most interesting posts.

[phkrause]

I must agree,

[LifeHiscost]

Would those Yakama Indians be in any way an influence in the naming of Yakima, WA?

Just wondering?

God cares! Jesus saves!

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Would those Yakama Indians be in any way an influence in the naming of Yakima, WA?

Just wondering?

Yes. "Yakima" should really be spelled "Yakama"... :)

[LifeHiscost]

The fact that I lived 1/4 of my life in that part of the country and never heard of anything other than Yakima, of which many places are still named Yakima, county and otherwise, indicates the strong influence of white man's authority over early contact with the Yakama Indians.

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/vol2/treaties/yak0698.htm

Quote:

INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES

Vol. II, Treaties

Compiled and edited by Charles J. Kappler. Washington : Government Printing Office, 1904.

ARTICLE 1.

The aforesaid confederated tribes and bands of Indians hereby cede, relinquish, and convey to the United States all their right, title, and interest in and to the lands and country occupied and claimed by them, and bounded and described as follows, to wit:

Commencing at Mount Ranier, thence northerly along the main ridge of the Cascade Mountains to the point where the northern tributaries of Lake Che-lan and the southern tributaries of the Methow River have their rise; thence southeasterly on the divide between the waters of Lake Che-lan and the Methow River to the Columbia River; thence, crossing the Columbia on a true east course, to a point whose longitude is one hundred and nineteen degrees and ten minutes, (119° 10′) which two latter lines separate the above confederated tribes and bands from the Oakinakane tribe of Indians; thence in a true south course to the forty-seventh (47°) parallel of latitude: thence east on said parallel to the main Palouse River, which two latter lines of boundary separate the above confederated tribes and bands from the Spokanes; thence down the Palouse River to its junction with the Moh-hah-ne-she, or southern tributary of the same; thence in a southesterly direction, to the Snake River, at the mouth of the Tucannon River, separating the above confederated tribes from the Nez Percé tribe of Indians; thence down the Snake River to its junction with the Columbia River; thence up the Columbia River to the “White Banks” below the Priest's Rapids; thence westerly to a lake called “La Lac;” thence southerly to a point on the Yakama River called Toh-mah-luke; thence, in a southwesterly direction, to the Columbia River, at the western extremity of the “Big Island,” between the mouths of the Umatilla River and Butler Creek; all which latter boundaries separate the

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above confederated tribes and bands from the Walla-Walla, Cayuse, and Umatilla tribes and bands of Indians; thence down the Columbia River to midway between the mouths of White Salmon and Wind Rivers; thence along the divide between said rivers to the main ridge of the Cascade Mountains; and thence along said ridge to the place of beginning.

God cares! Jesus saves!