Today in History: Western Missionaries & Native Americans


Today in History–February 16–the Library of Congress features western missionaries and Native Americans. The Reverend Cushing Eells, born on this date in 1810. This Congregationalist missionary founded Whitman College, named in honor of fellow missionaries and Oregon pioneers Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, who were killed by Native Americans in 1847. Learn more about the relations between missionaries and Native Americans in the west by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related resources from the Library.

Cushing Eells Was Born from America’s Library

Father Eells; or, The results of fifty-five years of missionary labors in Washington and Oregon (book published, 1894)

Father Eells historical newspaper coverage

Books & articles about Marcus Whitman and the Whitman massacre

Marcus Whitman historical newspaper coverage

A Bill To pay the expenses of the Cayuse war

Featured Image: Cayuse Warrior

Cayuse image set

Historical newspaper coverage: Cayuse indian

Related resources