Mt Idaho Nov 25^th 1885

Kate – dear Sister
I have been intending to answer your letter for so long but could not and now that Mr D.s letter about Silas, money &c came today I will write to you, and you can tell him so kill two birds

I recieved his first letter & would have attended to it then, only, that to get & send Post Office orders I would have had to walk to Scotts, and the last time I went there I fainted ‘dead away’ when I came home, something I have not done for many years (and the walking is worse now – I dared not try it).  I sat down to rest by my new open fire place when I came home from the store that day, and the next thing I knew I was lying full length on the hearth my stocking burning and my foot blistered. The pain of the blister ‘brought me too’ I must have fallen on my head for my comb was broken & my head hurt for a while. It soon wore off. But I am afraid to try such a trip again.

Solomon came through to Kamiah soon, after, and I had him go to Scotts and get the money for Silas to send to him. If he has not yet sent it  - then, the money for Silas is still in Solomons hands.

When Robert came up he sent Enochs by Post Office order to Lewiston I think, but am not sure that he sent it directed to Enoch. If not – then to Mr. Deffenbaugh. Mr Scott was to send Jim Hines? By P.O, order to him at Lewiston. Mr Scott is in Lewiston now, and Mary. Probably the money has reached the boys by this time. I too was troubled about it, after Mr D-s letter came, for I knew Silas at least, needed it. It is so long past the time they expected it. Robert & James drew their money from Mr Scott themselves. Robert told me last week that he had written twice to Mr D., but had had no answer. Perhaps the letter miscarried or, I suppose Mr D has been very busy since his return. And then, he has been ill. I hope he is better, or well, by this time. But it will take some time to regain his strength after the fever leaves him – if God please. Tell him what I have written about the money to relieve him from anxiety. I would write to him too but eyes are weak & hand is weary. So much our mail with his own. I think I will send the mail matter in his care about he money for the boys. I send this in Mr D’s care. He can get your mail with his own. I think I will send the mail matter in his care.

I am writing this by the best little open fireplace (not like that at K) It ought to be good, it cost me $68.00 mantel & all. But I had to have it. I could not endure the stove. I smothered & coughed. It is in my front room.

27^th

If you only could know the interruptions ‘white’ and ‘red’ (The last was Miss Smith, with a dish of the nicest pop parched corn I ever ate) I’m afraid you will have to do the most of the correspondence this winter Kate if we live. I can not help it - Write to me every week or two, or whenever you feel like it without waiting for an answer. You have more time, & strength than Sue.

Several small packages for the Christmas tree have come postmarked – Fayette Pa or Fayetteville; as nearly as I can make it out. They are not very nice. The pictures are principally advertisement cards, the other things are, small dolls, handkerchiefs, nearly all small, two wax candles, some red calico bags, & three skeins of black yarn. The yarn & bags I will (D.V.) try to send you soon.

When Mr Cook brought up my box of books, he told me tell you that he would forward your letters to Lapwai, as you requested, but that your papers & all second class matter would need to be remailed, only first class matter can be forwarded in that way. He would You had better send him money to pay for remailing, I think, until you can have the address of your papers &c changed. And Kate send him money to have your packages of womens things sent to Lapwai please. Sue has just paid $7.00 frieght on her Hagerstown boxes besides, has to buy another stove &c &c &c &c

Solomon was not in a good humor at first; when he came back from Wishni, and found you gone, but afterwards, sent (signed) his request for a ‘permit’ and sent it with the others of our boys requests for permits from Charlie. He & wife & Charlotte had intended to ‘wishpaik’ with you at once.

I think God meant that Sue should ‘wishpaik’ in Mt. Idaho, altho, I pray He may never again sends me over such a rough road ‘as the road to here. The ‘joltings’ of the last year added to what went before, have nearly killed me.

But ‘let the dead past bury its dead’. Every body (of the friends and all seem to be friends) in Mt. Idaho is so kind and helpful. Mary Scott is such a comfort to me, and Scott so kind – She & Mrs Brown attend to all Sue’s ‘business’ My mail is brought still with Mr B’s every day – Ah Ho (that big good natured Chinaman, you remember) comes every morning, to attend to my ‘chores’ (I pay him of course). He brings my water, milk & bread from the hotel every morning - & I am (D.V.) to get my vegitables &c from there as I need them (I have no celler to keep things in in the winter, you know.) You need never be the least anxious about Sue, my sister, even if she cannot find time & strength & eyes to write often – God is here and – as He has always done has raised up kind, helpful friends for her need.

I heard (or read) that Mrs Deffenburg was a pupil of the Washington Seminary of which my old class mate at Steubanville was Principal Nannie Sherrard was, I think still is Principal. I think, perhaps Nannie has not forgotten me – Tell Mrs D with my love – if she is writing to Miss Sherrard to remember ‘ Sue McBeth to her in love if she will.

I am writing this as fast as I can scribble – I must or not get it written,

I do not know when you can shew Mr D what I wrote about [illegible] &c – however or tell it [illegible] Tell our boys at L & their wives. Pika does not forget them. Tell them to write to me. And, do you write, often Kate. Tell me about home & everything – Good night God bless & guide you always dear sister prays

Sue