July 21^st 1885
Hon Jno D.C. Atkins
Com. Ind. Aff.
Washington

Sir
Although the task is an unpleasant one, still I feel it to be my duty to recommend that The Misses McBeth (representatives of the Board of Foreign Missions Presbyterian Church) be removed from this reservation without unnecessary delay; and in so recommending consider I am only acting in the very best interests of the tribe.

In stating my reasons for this action, I will commence at the foundation and work up. During late agent Jno. B. Montieth’s administration at this agency from the Spring of 1871 up to the time that Miss S.L. McBeth moved up to Kamiah (the eastern station on this reserve) the various bands which comprise the Nez Perce tribe were as one family so to speak. Peace, harmony and good will reigned supreme. Protestants, Roman Catholics and irreligious factions were on the most friendly terms with each other.

Shortly after S.L. McBeth had established herself at Kamiah and selected a few young men who would obey her dictations, such friendly feelings and intercourse commenced to disappear and in their stead fanaticism and factional trouble took over. This state of affairs gradually grew worse, until it embraced the whole reserve. Commencing with the people of Kamiah and the Catholics between whome Miss S.L. McBeth succeeded in breaking down all friendly intercourse. She turned her attention to Lapwai and brot about the same state of feeling between the people of Lapwai and Kamiah, so that friendly visits between the two sections were almost unknown. Not content with what she had accomplished she succeeded in dividing Kamiah itself into what is known as the Lawyer and Williams factions, so that the feeling which now exists is as bitter as can be found in any community made up of Protestants and Roman Catholics. It seems as tho her desire was to build up an aristocracy at Kamiah, and the only way to succeed was to bring about factional disturbances.

Miss S.L. McBeth has not been alone in this work. Her sister Miss Kate C. McBeth has proved a valuable assistant. Both have repeatedly interfered with reservation affairs thru the Indians. When Inspectors Gardner and Ward were inspecting this agency they advised me to remove them from the reserve without delay. Had they been men, I would have done so, but on account of sex have hesitated and to the detriment of the tribe and the service. I feel that further forbearance would be a crime, and am not willing to stultify my conscience longer.

Late agent Jno. B. Montieth, also my predecessor Mr Warner had the same trouble to contend with. Both were on the point at different times of asking said removal but did not feel equal to the task of entering upon a controversy of this kind. I know that the very best interests of this tribe demand their removal for this reserve. They have caused a feeling of enmity to spring up and grow which cannot be eradicated for years to come, in fact – in my opinion – not till those who are at the head of the factions have passed away.

That said sisters have interfered with the operations of the "Court of Indian Offenses" and the Police force can be clearly established. That they have exerted themselves to prevail upon Kamiah Indians to go before inspectors while visiting this agency and enter complaints against their agent, and ask the appointment of a new agent can be proven beyond a doubt. Patience has ceased to be a virtue hence I cannot longer allow their actions to pass unnoticed. Neither of the sisters can make any promise of good behavior in the future that would have weight with me. I have lost all confidence in them. Instead of instructing the people in Christian love and duty, they breed dissension in the strongest sense. They have outlived their usefulness so far as this tribe is concerned. If the Presbyterian Church wishes to continue the work in which they have been engaged on its behalf a minister should be sent here who has a wife, and who will attend to their legitimate duties.  An Indian reservation is no place for fanatics. I consider them such.

Their example as sisters has been anything but Christian, or becoming to sisters. Until within the past six months, they have tried to secure each others recall.  They have worked and talked against each other shamefully. All of which is known to both whites and Indians, and is a disgrace to the cause they represent. On conclusion, I have to refer to their school reports herewith, to which I cannot certify. While at Kamiah last month, I obtained information concerning the actual average attendance at their schools and I find that the average attendance is less than one half of that stated. The work and fruit of their labors as represented by them is highly colored. So long as they are allowed to remain, they will breed discord and now that a portion of Joseph’s Indians have returned, they should not be subjected to such influence. I am aware, that I am liable to array a certain church influence against me; nevertheless, I consider it my duty to do everything that will tend to advance this tribe in Industrial pursuits, Christian civilization, law and order. Believing the Misses McBeth to be barriers in said work, I respectfully ask their removal.
Very Respectfully

Chas E. Montieth
U.S. Ind. Agt.