1886 Board of Indian Commissioners
"Annual Report of the Board of Indian Commissioners," pp. 921-1060. In U.S. House. 49th Congress, 2d Session. Report of the Secretary of the Interior, 1886 (H.Ex.Doc.1, Pt. 5, Vol. 1). Washington: Government Printing Office, 1887. (Serial Set 2467)

From: Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, Missions Among the Indians, pp. 949-958.

. . . NEZ PERCÉ MISSION.

The Nez Percé mission has seen few changes during the year, though Miss Sue McBeth has removed from Kamiah to Mount Idaho, where she has continued her work of training a few Indian youths, some of whom are contemplating the ministry. Her reports speak very favorably of the results of this labor. Miss Kate McBeth has also removed from Kamiah to the Lapwai station, where her attention has been devoted to the instruction of women. Mr. And Mrs. Deffenbaugh have labored at Lapwai, where Mr. Deffenbaugh has had charge of the native church, assisted, however, by the native preacher, Rev. Silas Whitman.

The church at Kamiah has been under the care of the native preacher, Rev. Robert Williams. Rev. Archie Lawyer has the care of the Umatilla station, which for the past two years had been under the care of Revs. William Wheeler and Silas Whitman. Reference is made in Mr. Deffenbaugh’s report to the affection which the Umatilla people had cherished toward these their former pastors. The farewell meeting was said to be deeply touching.

During the first week in July an interesting camp-meeting was held near Fort Lapwai. These meetings, as well as those held generally on the 4th of July, are attended with religious observances, and have become something of an institution among the Nez Percés. Between 700 and 800 persons were thought to be present on this occasion. An interesting temperance meeting was held in the afternoon of the 3d, when tobacco, as well as whisky, was earnestly condemned. Many were present from the North Fork congregation, which has been placed under the care of the native preacher, Rev. James Hines.

A new house has been erected for the ministers at Deep Creek, the people having raised $16 for lumber, and having agreed to meet the remaining expense by contributions of hay and other products.

Late in July, Mr. Deffenbaugh made a visit to the Wellpinit station, near Spokan, but found the people absent at the fishing grounds. The taking of salmon during certain seasons of the year constitutes and important occupation of the Nez Percés, and the shepherds must follow their flocks. Revs. William Wheeler and Peter Lindsley were assigned to the work at Wellpinit and Deep Creek. The people were informed that, according to the action of the Presbytery, they would be expected to raise $25 from each church toward the support of their pastors. These amounts, though small, are important in the reflex moral influence which they exert upon the people.

The labors of these native Indian preachers, of whom there are a larger number in the Nez Percés than in most Indian missions, are interesting and encouraging. Although their education has been imperfect, yet it is believed that much good is accomplished by their ministrations.

The efforts which have been made to secure possession of the Government property at Fort Lapwai for an industrial school have not been successful, the Government having decided to enter upon that work itself. This purpose, however, has not as yet been fulfilled. The buildings at the old fort would be valuable for such a purpose, and are utterly worthless for any other, as the garrison has been removed. Neglect and decay bear rule throughout the premises, and every year diminishes the opportunities which might be furnished for useful work among the Indians of the vicinity.

The Nez Percés have from the first been characterized by an unusual degree of high aspirations as compared with most other tribes. They are a vigorous race, and are worthy of sound religious instruction, and all forms of civilizing influences.

The return of the mission report of these small Indian churches show an aggregate of $991 raised for congregational and other purposes. The churches of the reservation sent a Christmas offering of $76.86 to the board. Rev. Mr. Watson, of Spokan Falls, has taken a great interest in the Indians near his parish, and he obtained during the year sufficient money from the ladies of Helena, Mont., to buy doors, windows, &c., for the new Indian parsonage at Deep Creek. The whole number of church members among the Nez Percés is 771; added during the year, 100; on profession, 29.

Such items as these are gleaned from the mission report:

"Christmas meetings" were held in all the churches, with the exception of Deep Creek, both ministers being present at Wellpinit. The Lapwai people have a neat and commodious church now about completed. The once hostile Nez Percés of Joseph’s band arrived at Lapwai about the first of June. This was an event of great importance to the mission, in as much as the membership of the several churches was thereby considerably increased.

The native ministers have occupied their several stations with commendable zeal and fidelity. Rev. Enoch Pond, ordained at the spring meeting of Presbytery, made two extended missionary trips during the summer. In company with one elder and two deacons he visited the Palouse and other Indians scattered along Snake River. The reception which he met with was very cool; the Indians did not wish to be disturbed in their own worship, that of religious or ceremonial drumming. They invited the evangelist and his party to attend their meetings, but did not give them any opportunity to speak of the better faith. Mr. Pond also made a trip to the Yakima Reservation, some 300 miles away, where his reception was much more kindly and encouraging. He was able to encourage the native pastor, Rev. George Waters, and preach to a people hungry for the word of God.