The outbreak of black measles affected the Cayuse's thoughts on the Whitmans.
Black Measles
- The measles hit the Cayuse tribe hard killing nearly half of it most of which were children
- Marcus attempted to treat this disease but failed
- Measles killed approximatly 350 people
- Measles were brought over from the east by white settlers
- Tikoukaikt lost three children to the disease
- Cayuse tribe was angry at Marcus for his inability to treat this disease