How Presbyterian missionaries accidentally helped the US government steal 90% of Nez Perce land

How Christianity Divided the Nez Perce Nation

This peaceful spot along the Clearwater River in Idaho was ground zero for one of the most tragic betrayals in American history.

In 1836, Presbyterian missionaries Henry and Eliza Spalding arrived here and changed everything for the Nez Perce people. Their work converting tribal members to Christianity created deep divisions that would later be exploited by the U. S. government.

When gold was discovered on Nez Perce lands in 1863, those religious splits became the key to stealing 90% of their territory through what became known as the “Thief Treaty.”

Here’s how a mission to save souls ended up costing the Nez Perce their homeland.

Missionaries planted a flag at Lapwai Creek

Henry and Eliza Spalding arrived among the Nez Perce on November 29, 1836, and set up the first Christian mission at Lapwai Creek.

Henry brought strict ways to the tribe and often hit people when they didn’t meet his standards. His tough methods caused many fights with tribal members.

Eliza took a kinder approach and created the first written materials in the Nez Perce language. Their small mission became the first white settlement in what later became Idaho.

Eliza won hearts with her clever teaching tricks

Eliza Spalding quickly became the mission’s best asset.

She created a written form for the Nez Perce language and printed simple alphabet books on a small press. Her smart teaching system trained a few tribal members who then taught others.

While Henry struggled with his rough personality, Eliza’s warmth earned the tribe’s love. Her school attracted women, children, and important men who saw reading as a path to status.

By 1840, hundreds of Nez Perce learned to read through her network of student-teachers.

Two powerful chiefs took the baptism plunge

In 1839, Henry Spalding baptized two key leaders, marking the mission’s first big success. Timothy (Tamootsin) fully embraced Christianity and became a loyal friend to whites.

Old Joseph (Tuekakas), leader of the Wallowa band, showed real interest in the new religion and brought his family into the Christian fold.

A man called “Lawyer” became Henry’s translator and strongest Christian supporter. These early conversions split the tribe as some leaders joined the missionaries while others kept away.

The mission grew into a bustling settlement

Spalding grew Lapwai beyond religious teaching. He started irrigation farming, creating the first farm settlement in Idaho.

The mission added a church, school, printing house, blacksmith shop, and student housing. By 1843, over 200 people came to daily services, with half being adults who took part.

Nez Perce workers helped build these structures while learning new farming methods. The mission became a place where tribal members picked up some European ways while keeping their own customs.

Blood spilled at a nearby mission

On November 29, 1847, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman were killed by Cayuse Indians at their mission 150 miles away. A measles outbreak had killed half the Cayuse tribe, making them think the Whitmans had poisoned them.

When news reached Lapwai, the Spalding family ran away with help from Christian Nez Perce.

Some tribal members turned against the missionaries, while others risked their lives to get the Spaldings safely to Oregon. This violence showed how deeply religious splits now cut through the tribe.

The Bible created a tribal fault line

Christian Nez Perce protected the Spaldings during their dangerous escape, showing loyalty to their new faith. Henry and Eliza left for Oregon’s Willamette Valley, ending 11 years of missionary work.

The split between Christians and traditionalists turned into lasting groups.

Old Joseph started doubting his conversion after seeing the violence that came with white missionaries. When the Spaldings left, they took the unity of the Nez Perce nation with them.

Some bands stayed Christian, while others went back to old spiritual ways.

Gold fever brought thousands of trespassers

In 1860, people found gold on the Clearwater River, causing a huge invasion of Nez Perce lands. By 1862, more than 15,000 white miners flooded the reservation without permission.

Miners took about $7-10 million in gold from tribal land in just the first year. The U.S. government ignored these clear treaty violations and sided with miners over the Indians who legally owned the land.

Towns popped up overnight, with Lewiston growing from nothing to 1,200 people in months.

Government officials called a rigged meeting

In 1863, federal agents called Nez Perce leaders to a council at Lapwai with one goal: shrink the reservation by 90%.

Lawyer led the Christian group willing to talk with whites, while Old Joseph, White Bird, and other traditional chiefs refused to come.

The treaty would remove the sacred Wallowa Valley and take away 7 million acres from tribal control.

Commissioner Calvin Hale fixed the meetings by only listening to Christian leaders despite their limited power over other bands.

A Christian convert signed away millions of acres

On June 9, 1863, Lawyer signed what became known as the “Thief Treaty,” giving away 90% of Nez Perce land without permission from non-treaty bands. The U.S. government named him “head chief” even though he only led his own small band.

Treaty signers got bribes, including $2,500 for Lawyer as head chief. Only 51 of 200 subchiefs signed the paper, yet the government claimed it spoke for the whole tribe.

Non-treaty bands like the Wallowa group never agreed to this massive land grab.

An angry chief burned his Bible in protest

Old Joseph reacted to the treaty with anger, destroying his Bible and burning his American flag. He stated, “Lawyer acted without permission from our band. He had no right to sell the Wallowa country. ”

Joseph put poles around Wallowa boundaries, saying “Inside is the home of my people.” He told government officials his land “came from my father, and I will not part with it. ” The spiritual change that began with hope had turned to bitter betrayal for Old Joseph and his followers.

The tribe split into treaty and resistance camps

The Nez Perce nation broke permanently into “treaty” and “non-treaty” groups after 1863. The Christian converts moved to the smaller reservation while traditional bands stayed on their ancestral lands.

Old Joseph died in 1871 after making his son promise never to sell their homeland. Young Joseph (Hinmatóowyalahtq̓it) kept this promise, fighting against forced removal.

The religious splits that started with the Spaldings’ arrival led to the Nez Perce War of 1877, when non-treaty bands fought a 1,170-mile running battle rather than give up their freedom.

Visiting Nez Perce National Historical Park

Nez Perce National Historical Park in Lapwai, Idaho tells the story of how Christian conversion divided the Nez Perce and led to massive land loss.

Just 11 miles from Lewiston, this free park has four short trails through historic areas including Watson’s Store and the Northern Idaho Indian Agency cabin.

You can watch “Of One Heart” film about the Nez Perce story, visit the Lapwai Mission Cemetery where the Spaldings are buried, and see amazing museum exhibits with authentic Nez Perce clothing, tools, weapons and ceremonial objects.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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