The Whitman Years
In 1837 Narcissa Whitman, aged 29, gave birth to a baby girl, Alice Clarissa. Two years later, she was distracted for a moment and little Alice drowned in the nearby Walla Walla River. She suffered deeply from this loss. In an attempt to regain some sense of family she began taking care of other children. Soon four children were in their custody, including the daughters of mountain men Joseph Meek and Jim Bridger.
In early October 1844, the Independent Colony reached the Whitman Mission, and the Sagers found a new home with Narcissa. In July 1845 Marcus obtained a court order giving him legal custody of the children. The Sager orphans had new parents.
Read more about this topic: Sager Orphans
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