Lapwai New Years night 1888 [sic1889]
Ten Christmas’s Ten New years among the Nez Perces. & is not this the best New
years of all - for under the most depressing & unfavorable surroundings the Blessed
spirit came into the packed church & led ten penitents Weeping to the front. most of
them young men & Women from the Training S. yes there stood Jack Allen Weeping - poor
Jack how far he had gone on the downward road. Charles McConville will not have
such strong temptations. Such Singing & going up to shake hands as there was. the
Miller I know thought of Virginia Methodists. Glory to God for his presence how often in
the deadness of the last two years the question has been has the Lord clean gone forever?
A whole house hold recd on S. - Red Cloud - they were married baptized
& recd Lords supper & children baptized same day.- What a nice
Christmas tree & evening. We had Miss Walker at organ - Jimmie Maxwell cornet. &
My Son Edie filled his place as S. S. Superintendent well. notwithstanding the maneuvers
of his friend. - what plotters they are. Poor Peter thorn in his side grew sharper &
Sharper. how glad when his trouble some Elder resighned. but that is not the last of it.
Oh I never dreampt the paster so ignorant as not to know how to put a vote to the
congregation. but when the new Elders were to be elected I had to speak up to the pulpit
& give to Edward to get some one to second his motion. Edie Conner & Stephen Ruben
unanimously elected but refused to serve there. John Allen was elected - a good Man I
think So thee has not left us in the hands of Schemers-thanks for His mercy. John A Jennie
Maxwell & Miss Walker took dinner with Me today - how happy I am in among them. My
house never empty only in the evenings- never had a busier winter in My life. do not know
how much My class of Men will Amt to. Peter gets wise so quickly. Edie is quik &
teachable on him will depend the translation of church Gov. Make this the best years
service of My life.
Lapwai May 6th 1889
Is it possible so little writing in My diary. could not write up all the happenings on
this reservation. Agent Noris dismissed by Special Agent Gen Heath. & Charley Montieth
Agent again & expected daily. & Miss Fletcher before the 15th of
this to begin to divide the land in severalty Oh! Oh! What a tukin? there Will be tomorrow
for in the Council this will be made known. six from K. two from Cottonwood two from Fort
Fork. three from Lapwai & the poor Nez Perce not ready for this. & Oh that
Langford claim taking the best of this beautiful Valley & the Temple they built
themselves & love so Well. Finished letters for Mr D. & Elder Felix Corbett to
take to Gen. Ass. in New York. An honor for the Nez Perce indeed Gen Heath relieved by
Judge Welton now Welton gone & Charley Montieth after much [illegible] is Agent
May 1889
the mission house has been empty nearly two years Sue in Mt I. & I was led on by the
Lord to stay alone with the Host encamped around Me 3 years have slept I a house by Myself
both in K & here in L so the blessed One leades Us. if life was to live over - think
would not [illegible] about anything
1st July.
the Eaves ordered off but were then hasty - do not go until they hear from W. that
Montieth is not Sustained. McConville s here in Girls S. Miss Walker
& Martha soon to go. the Miller Johnston to be replaced by Crea. Oh am I to have that
family sitting in front of Me here as years ago in Kamiah - that bad woman in K has
confessed her lie about R.
Lapwai 4th July 1889
I told Enoch to tell Eddie & Abrham if there were to be no heathen performances or
racing to send down for Me. I have two lonely Sad 4th & wanted to be
again among the people- Just when I had finished my preparations Benjaman in his fine new
Waggon came in view - when he got up to Fort? were Just forming the ring to be counted -
Soon the Eave’s came over. We listened attentively to Mechats address. Ed his
interpreter on horseback. His policy? was "Just the Same it had ever been"
the Whites are trying to make trouble do not listen to them. poor Charly the Spirits were
droopy all day - the feast looked so different from K feasts. So many in paint &
blankets - many down the river Indians. one old one talked by Signs & his interpreter
put it into Nez P. in the evening. While Miss Lucile E & I were crossing over to See
some sick boys We heard the swift feet of ponies comeing & lo! the two naked riders
came in sight, no saddle? no any thing! perhaps at it more than one day. I went to see a
woman Who had a hemorage. & think likely she died in the night for as Lucian was
bringing Me home in the cart met - Eddie C. & Titus Going in spring Waggon with the
plained boards, with them to be nailed together there. poor things how they melt away. Oh
how I dread James R return from Washington. Since Charlie threatens to arrest him for
polygamy. if he should attempt his arrest in that camp of wild ones. Oh! Oh! how many
seasons of anxiety missionaries do have on a reservation. Miss Fletcher is on road to
Kamiah. all Missions S. & these under their influence are ready for their land. May
the Lord bless her in this good work.
Last night of 1889
What are the dear home ones doing . I am surrounded by the Nez Perce as they Just now.
strung over the little foot bridge. I wonder where they find shelter for the night. Church
not so late as usual New years Eve. perhaps because Archie Arrived. Joseph Lourie under
the Locust trees. poor Joseph they seemed as happy today riding in the Sled flag a flying
as if he had not been burried but a week. Went up with Christmas gifts to Gov. S. at Fort
- 125 children there. of the Six Sick ones there one was buried yesterday. Gen Gordon
(Agent) sits up himself with them so does Mr Eaves & the Dr. Much Sickness hope
Abraham will Soon be better. Agent Robins not here yet & Charley Montieth had to go
but not until he Ordered Me to vacate My house. poor Charlie the Scales Seem to have
turned. My S. this year not large. busy enough - While the rafts were at the river. but I
have no White company here as always [illegible] the dear Eaves so busy. Mrs Crea I never
See her. No great breaking Up of hearts this year as last. Still tokens of His presence.
how can I start a Christian Endeavor Soc. for these young Men. no young unmarried Women
only five