Church Affiliations – Friendships – Business Sagacity – Speech at Dedication of Rural High School

Pioneer missionaries among the Nez Perces were supported by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions until 1847 when, because of the wide unrest among the Northern tribes, caused by the Whitman massacre, all workers were withdrawn. When peace was restored, (1871) H.H. Spalding then an old man returned to his first mission field, Lapwai.

At that time, the Mission was financed by the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church, which relation was continued until 1893 when the support and management of the school work was assumed by the Women’s Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church and the Indian preachers were aided by the Board of Home Missions. Kate’s missionary experience, therefore, was under two church boards, both of which occasionally wrote her letters of commendation and of appreciation for the happy and harmonious relations she maintained with government schools, the Agency and employees in her territory.

With a canny, Scotch smile, Kate would read these welcome words of praise. Years of experience with government employees in far off, inaccessible localities had brought some unwise ones, with who there could be no Christian fellowship. Then she simply transacted necessary business with them but at all other times left them strictly alone. She never entered complaints about employees at Washington, but quietly waited for the inevitable transfer which would bring relief. This, however, did not mean that she could not conscientiously pray for a very speedy transfer and knowing her as I do, I doubt not that such was her habit. Generally, most cordial relations existed between her and the government people, while in some cases, rare friendships were formed, the sweetest earthly foretaste of Heaven.

Colonel Edward McConville’s friendship began in the early days government school and now that it is a sanatorium, the same ministry is continued. Miss McBeth delegated this word to Miss Crawford who has been a most welcome visitor. Every consideration and courtesy is extended her by the government people; she never goes empty handed but carries current literature, gay cards and fruit for the invalids.

Kate McBeth displayed great business sagacity in helping the Indian people secure titles to parcels of land – sometimes very small pieces, but they were of great strategic value in that they commanded approaches to church properties, or straightened boundaries to the advantage of church lands. The Nez Perces also had many tiny burying grounds; some had been in use for time immemorial, the titles of which were jeopardized, largely because white people desire these lands. Deeds to all were permanently secured to the Indians by Kate through her friendly relations with government representatives. In this way one frequent cause of friction between whites and Indians has been avoided.

The Indian ministers, elders and Sunday school superintendents are recognized by the government at the influential men among the Nez Perces and are always invited to confer with special agents and officials from Washington. Miss Kate herself never would attend these meetings, but as both sides sought her advice and as she never betrayed confidence she always helped in the solution of difficulties.

Since the opening of the reservation a prosperous little American town has grown up at Lapwai. Recently an attractive and commodious rural high school building costing $30,000 has been erected. Perhaps nothing shows more clearly Miss McBeth’s influence in her own local community than the fact that she was invited to deliver the address at the dedication of this beautiful building. It is unique to find a missionary to the Indians who is respected and beloved by the people to whom she ministers, and at the same time is esteemed and honored by the alien race, recently come in and struggling to establish homes and found a new western town; that Kate McBeth has the confidence of both Indians and white reveals the judgement and Christian charity of all concerned. A syllabus of this address

[The rest of this chapter of the manuscript is missing.]