Joe Lewis spread false rumors about the Whitmans, as a result the Cayuse killed them and twelve others.
- When Joe Lewis arrived in Waiilaptu he was known for being a "troublemaker"
- Joe Lewis had pointed out to the Cayuse that many of there tribe members were dying when not a lot of white settlers were
- Joe Lewis suggested that Marcus was poisoning the Cayuse tribe
- The Cayuse believed Joe Lewis and plotted to kill Marcus