History of Smallpox in Oregon

As I research my next historical novel set in 19th Century Oregon, one issue I am looking into is when smallpox epidemics occurred. Some of my characters contracted smallpox in 1849 in Now I’m Found, and these same characters will be seen again in my next book, which will take place in 1864. How were these characters impacted by suffering that dreaded disease? Were there other epidemics in Oregon between 1849 and 1864 that might play into my plot?

Smallpox was introduced to the Americas by Europeans. The earliest known smallpox epidemic in North America occurred in 1519, when Cortez brought the disease to Mexico. History doesn’t tell us whether that epidemic traveled north as far as Oregon.

In about 1781, however, there was a smallpox epidemic that struck most of North America east of the Rockies. It is likely that this epidemic reached Oregon. Oral traditions among Native American tribes and white explorers describe pockmarked individuals. Lewis and Clark’s journals from 1806 mention pockmarked Clatsop and Chinook tribe members in what is now Oregon.

This epidemic, of course, took place long before the settlers in my novels arrived in the territory. But smallpox epidemics occurred periodically throughout the early 19th Century.

There was a serious smallpox epidemic in 1853 in Oregon. This epidemic ravaged the local Chinook tribe, killing around one-half of their members. Smallpox vaccine was available in Oregon by 1853, but it was not given to Native Americans.

Joel Palmer

Joel Palmer, the superintendent for Indian Affairs for Oregon Territory in 1853, made some attempt to get vaccinations for the tribes in the area. His report dated May 27, 1853, stated in part:

“A smallpox has made fearful ravages among the Indians south of Clatsop Plains and north of the Columbia River as far as Puget Sound- entire families have been cut off and whole villages destroyed. Late accounts are received that it has made its appearance at The Dalles and is making fearful progress in its fatal work among the Indians of that vicinity. The only hope of arresting the ravages of this terrible disease among the unfortunate natives appears to be vaccinations, and I would respectfully and earnestly press upon your consideration the propriety of authorizing the superintendent and agents to appoint physicians to meet the Indians at suitable points and vaccinate the remaining tribes.”

On June 23, 1853, Palmer advised removing Native Americans from American settlements:

“That these Indians cannot long remain on the reserves in the heart of the settlement, granted them by treaty (1851 treaties) even should Congress confirm those treaties, is too clear to admit of argument. Vice and disease, the baleful gifts of civilization, are hurrying them away, and ere long the bones of the last of many a band may whiten on the graves of his ancestors. If the benevolent designs of the government to preserve and elevate these remnants of the aborigines are to be carried forward to a successful issue, there appears to be one path open – a home remote from the settlement must be selected for them; there they must be guarded from the pestiferous influences of degraded whitemen, and restrained by proper laws from violence and wrong among themselves let comfortable houses be erected for them, seeds and proper implements furnished and instruction and encouragement given them in the cultivation of the soil; let school houses be erected and teachers employed to instruct their children, and let the missionaries of the gospel of peace be encouraged to dwell among them.”

And on July 8th 1853, Palmer reported the risks of not dealing with the epidemic ravaging the Native American populations:

“A general feeling of excitement exists among all the more powerful tribes of the interior arising in part from the fatality recently attending the smallpox among them, and a mere trifle may impel them to hostilities. It is well known that in the immigration of every year there are reckless and evil-minded persons ready and anxious to commit violence upon all Indians they meet and the Indians have already learned that they have nothing to expect from their justice or humanity.”

After the 1853 smallpox epidemic, another one struck British Columbia in 1862, two years before my next novel takes place. A ship from California apparently brought the disease to Victoria. The disease struck the Native Americans in the area hard, though most of the whites were spared. This epidemic appears to have remained confined to the Puget Sound region, and did not go as far south as Oregon. Nevertheless, because it occurred just a couple of years before my novel, I might mention it in the book.

Researching these smallpox epidemics during our own pandemic teaches me that disease has always been with us and probably always will be. We have more tools to fight disease now than they had in the mid-19th Century. And yet, we have been struck hard by COVID-19. We cannot remain complacent. There is much about our world we still do not know.

What has studying history taught you?

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