Lapwai Mission

The delegation was four men, and none came home alive. Black Eagle, Tipyeléhne Cimuuxcimux, and Speaking Eagle, Tipyeléhne 'Iléesenin, fell ill in St. Louis and died in October 1831, and lie in a common grave at Calvary Cemetery; No Horns on His Head died on the river journey home, and Rabbit Skin Leggings soon afterward. No one in St. Louis spoke their language, and what they came for is uncertain: newspapers said the Bible, some Nimiipuu oral histories say American technology. The missionary story spread anyway, and it brought the Spaldings west.

What the plaque says

Lapwai Mission Henry Harmon Spalding established Idaho's earliest mission near here, Nov. 29, 1836, at a site chosen by the Nez Perce Indians. Ever since they met Lewis and Clark in 1805-6, the Nez Perce had wanted to find out more about the white mans ways. In 1831 a Nez Perce delegation went all the way to St. Louis, where they saw Clark again and asked for teachers. Spalding came west to answer their call: with Indian help, a house and assembly hall were built in 24 days, and in two months Mrs. Spalding started a mission school. In 1838 the mission was moved north to the Clearwater. 112 Text prepared by the Idaho Historical Society Marker made & installed by Idaho Transportation Department

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Spalding — 2.3 mi
  The Nimiipuu went to St. Louis asking about a book. What came back was a mission, a printing press and a museum.

More markers nearby

• Spalding's Mission — 2.5 mi
• Ant & Yellowjacket — 2.8 mi
• William Craig — 4.4 mi
• Coyote's Fishnet — 4.6 mi