Cayuse Five

The Cayuse Five were five members of the Cayuse of Oregon who were hanged for murder in 1850 following their attack on a mission settlement. Their names were Clokomas, Isiaasheluckas, Kiamasumkin, Telakite, and Tomahas—note how these names are spelled varies.[1]

They were charged with murdering the Protestant missionary Marcus Whitman. The trial began on May 21, 1850.[1] The Cayuse people had suffered many deaths in a measles epidemic, and survivors began to think the missionaries were poisoning them.

  1. ^ a b Tate, Cassandra (April 16, 2010). "Trial of five Cayuse accused of Whitman murder begins on May 21, 1850". HistoryLink.org.