Narcissa Whitman

Narcissa Whitman was an American missionary who, along with her husband Marcus Whitman, established a mission among the Cayuse Indians at Waiilatpu in the Oregon Territory in 1836. She was one of the first white women to cross the continental divide. The Whitmans' mission faced challenges, including slow progress with the Native American population and competition from Catholic missionaries.12

In 1847, an epidemic of measles broke out, affecting both white and Native American children. Due to a lack of immunity, many Cayuse children died, leading to suspicion that Marcus Whitman was practicing sorcery. This mistrust culminated in the Whitman Massacre on November 29, 1847, where 14 people, including Narcissa and Marcus Whitman, were killed by the Cayuse. This event drew national attention to the difficulties faced by settlers in the West and contributed to the organization of the Oregon Territory.12