Mt. Idaho March 23^rd 1892

Kate – dear sister
Your letter with Dr Es, Mr Wood &c received. I have written to Robert giving him plain directions about boat cars &c to Presbytery.

Elder James Wilburs wife and Mark Arthur have been here and I have heard about the "ugly rumor." The Kamians of Roberts people knew not a word until they heard it in Lapwai. You know of the investigation at Lapwai. I do not. Mrs W. said that they heard at Lapwai that the plan (plot) was to get Robert arrested and put in jail to keep him from going to Presbytery – while Archie and his helpers (she spoke the names of two of the ministers from who were in the plot & plotting at Lapwai) were to go on to Presbytery and report Roberts arrest &c for pahwit with ‘another woman’ and, of course Archie would get the salary &c at Kamiah.

To the same end Archies church (Jimmy Lawyer &c) summoned all the Kamians to a Council last Friday. Robert did not attend. The woman and her companions on the hunt were summoned & were there. Felix was there, of course, with the Elders (Rs) and my boys & Roberts people and, of course, Archies band in full force. They ‘investigated’ thoroughly you may be sure, and found not one thing against Robert . When they found they could accomplish nothing Roberts innocence was so proven then Jimmy Lawyer, Yellow Bear &c wanted the Council dismissed and the people to return home. Jeremiah (I think it was) told them "not be in a hurry." They had been very anxious to have a Council, and try Robert and had done so and found that the story was a lie. Now they had better wait’ and search out the one that started the lie, and have them punished for slander." Felix, too, said the same. But Jimmy & Co. were in too much of a hurry to wait’ Felix told them that for this one time only they would let the slander pass. The next time they would put the slanderer safe in Jail at Mt. Idaho (Kamiah being in Idaho Co.) Mark says he does not think they will try it again. They are so ‘kitsanin’ (ashamed).

This trouble is the logical consequence of "Benjamin is not rebuked" Have Mr Woods &c understand that he will probably have an ‘ugly rumor’ every year before Presbytery, from the Archie band when there are any schemes for which they want the help of Presbytery if Archie &c is "not rebuked"

Silas told them in the Council (they tell me) that he ‘is only a common church member now that he had been a minister of the Gospel but that he had stopped that altogether now. So, I suppose there is no hope of his going to the Spokans and of course he is out of the way of A at Lapwai. Keep Peter at Lapwai if possible for your own sake if nothing else. If he should resign and there is danger of Archie getting into the Lapwai church have Parsons ordained, and placed as Stated Supply in the Lapwai church. I give you authority to do this although I do not want Parsons at Lapwai, but there is no other way if Peter resigns.

My scholars go by turns to Meadow Creek to help Enoch on Sabbath and say that the Meadow Creek people seem to be all right now. But, it is getting dark. I only send this to tell you of the Kamiah Council and that I know the ‘ugly rumor’ &c. I sent you a letter yesterday asking you to tell me the story at once

Poor Mark is feeling very sad about Carrie tho it is a comfort to know that she is with the Sarah whom he does not forget. He did not get the letter in time to go to Lapwai before the funeral. I am so glad the Board refused A a salary. Write plainly to Dr E. May God guide you in every word and in all things prays

Sister Sue
Write to me at once. Tell me everything