Pastor’s Study
First Presbyterian Church,
Lewiston, Idaho
Aug 26^th 1887

Rev Dr Ellinwood
Yours of Aug 8^th with letter of Miss McBeth enclosed has been received and read with care. In my recent visit to Mt Idaho Miss McBeth talked with me in the same strain she has written to you.

I appreciate the apparent delicacy of your position and that of the Bd in not wishing to appear inconsistent. But your granting a sufficient amt to pay for an assistant will not, I think, be construed as such. The [missing] specifies $200 for her assistant. As you know, there are eight native ministers and six churches. And the report of the Committee on Indian Missions, which was adopted by Presbytery, a copy of which was sent to you, commended that the two unemployed ministers should assist her in teaching. But this did not meet with her approval. She wishes to make her own selection of an assistant. And she may not, I think to be put to inconvenience by the adoption of a report and estimate, in the preparation of which she had no part. I am decidedly of the opinion that the amt should not be withheld. And, judging from the recent conversations I have had with Mr Deffenbaugh I think he would not charge the [missing], especially if the money was secured in the manner you [illegible] in the excellent work she has accomplished and is accomplishing, the Bd had, I think been acting inconsistently with [missing] and the [illegible] of the Masters Cause, not to comply with [missing] in this matter.

With reference to Archie, I wish to preface what I may then say, with the remark that I am not his champion. What I have said concerning him has been simply in the interest of justice. The most I know of him is in meeting him in Presbytery and several visits at my house. So far as I know personally his conduct has been that of a gentleman. But of course, I recognize the fact that I have not the opportunity of knowing him as has Miss McBeth. She speaks the language and has constant communication with them. In the conversation I had with her she gave me an insight into Indian character that I did not before possess. I am not able to dispute the statement made (in reference to their duplicity in [missing] or that of Archie in particular. I am inclined to think that she takes a pessimistic view of the man. How he learned about the Crows I do not know. But I do know that I did not inform him. But when he spoke of it in Pres. and volunteered to go I commended the proposition as a manifestation of a genuine missionary spirit. Her interpretation of the action however, was a desire to find a wife.

She says it is the old custom among them for the women to select the man, that the man, dressed in his best goes from tribe to tribe and that the women whom he attracts makes known her affection for him and he becomes her husband. I do not dispute this as I do not know. He has returned here without a wife. But as I know and remarked I am not counsel for his defense. It may be that he is to smart for us. She claims that he and his brother work for Charlie Monteith and that they are for him. It may be that he ought not to have been ordained and that the For. Brd ought not to have commissioned him at a salary of $800.00 It may be that he is guilty of purloining money and of a breach of the 7^th Commandment. It may be that he ought to be arraigned before Presbytery and silenced. But justice demands that he should not be condemned without a hearing. And until he is heard I am not prepared to express an opinion with reference to his guilt or innocence.

Trusting that in this and in all our efforts to advance the Master’s Kingdom we may have the guidance of the King of Kings, I remain
Yours fraternally

T.M. Boyd

The microfilm includes the following with this letter. It does not logically fit in the previous letter, but was clearly written around the same time. There is no salutation or date on it.

 …upon his own character. He is fond of dress and display but simply that per se is not a great sin.

All of us to a greater or lesser amount are influenced by prejudice. Miss Sue McBeth is not an exception. For a long time there has been on the Reservation two parties or factions – the Lawyers and the Williams. Miss McB has identified herself with the latter and is hostile to the former. That prejudice cases her to impugn his motives. As you doubtless know he is a widower. She says his reason for making this trip is to find a wife. This may be true but I do not believe it. Other reports detrimental to his character have been circulated, but they have originated with the party opposed to him.

You will not understand me as speaking disparagingly of Miss McBeth. I honor her for the noble work she is accomplishing. Frequently I have [illegible] her name publicly and commended her and her work. But she is human and this is her weakness. He is a member of Presbytery in good standing. If she will present any formal charges against him they will be investigated. Presbytery however, at the present time has full confidence in him.

Yours fraternally
T.M. Boyd