On November 29 , 1847 , Marcus and Narcissa Whitman and twelve male emigrants ( ten adult men and two boys of 15 and 18 ) of their mission at Waiilatpu , Washington were murdered at the hands of several Cayuse . The natives blamed them for introducing deadly diseases , including the measles , as the tribe had experienced a recent epidemic and a number of children had died . The Spaldings ' daughter Eliza , who was staying at the Whitman 's mission school , escaped injury along with 45 other women and children . Little Eliza served as a translator , as she was the only survivor knowing Nez Perce . Two days later en route to the Whitmans ' , Spalding learned of the murders from Father John Baptist Brouillet , who had heard what had happened and had gone to the mission to assist with the burials . He warned Spalding that he too might be in danger . Spalding secured some provisions from the priest and headed for Fort Walla Walla . Spalding was able to rejoin his family at Lapwai where they had found shelter with William Craig and the Nez Perce , who held the Spaulding party as " hostages for peace " . From there , he wrote Bishop Francis Norbert Blanchet , requesting he use his influence to forestall any military reprisals
murdered
Whitman massacre
Henry H. Spalding