Mt Idaho June 7^th 1890

Kate – dear Sister
I must try to write a note at least tonight – tho scarcely able to sit up. I did not know it was the Grippe when I had it, and could not have taken time to care for myself, even if I had recognized it. And it seems to have gone all though my system. And the trouble and strain of Robert trial at L nearly killed me. I enclose in this a copy of Roberts verdict, which I copied from that given Robert. Mark rode clear from Lapwai to Mt Idaho in one day the day after the trial to bring it to me, to relieve me in part, and besides Robert & they did not clearly understand it. It has nearly broken Roberts heart & his teachers too. The footnotes to the verdict are mine as I gathered them from James Hayes, Silas, Mark & Joel who among them heard every word of the evidence in which that most unjust & unmerciful verdict is based. The one hour about it at his tent and what I have written in the footnotes & which Robert himself admitting is every single thing which they found proven at the close of the four days. The ‘imprudently associated’ (in the verdict) Edward translated impure is in Nez Perce ‘iyiyanaiki wiatwa (eyeyanaike weatwa’ pronounced) Edward translated it ‘nun himaitsih ‘we suspect of guilt.’ So that verdict as he interpreted it to the people was "But we do find that we suspect the accused of guilt with Lizzie Hines, when according to his own admission he was alone with her" &c &c. I don’t know what you mean by ‘two nights’ alone with her. Harry went down to testify to his being at Roberts that one night she was there or anywhere without his wife with him but Mr D told them he only wanted witnesses for the hours in which she charge Robert with acts and Harry brought Fannie & children to her sick father. Mr D knew Harry was there that night. Did he let Dr Gunn & Warren get that hurtful impression of Robert by concealing that fact? Kate – there is no use making excuses for Mr D. We owe that trial at Lapwai to him & Watson the only ones of the ministers who were not kind to Robert, and held to Archie. It was Mr D-s professed belief in Roberts guilt which caused the trial. "Mr Deffenbaugh believes it - come and vote for Archie" was the catchword of Archie & Jim Moses at Kamiah (with the Agent) which drew that crowd with Jimmy and kept Roberts friends at home. "The malice is not among the Indians’ is Mr Ds talk too and if the Agent himself did not tell you that "he got his impressions from Miss S.L. M^cBs letters" what letters?) That is from Mr D too. (When I have more time & strength I will explain (His feeling comes from letters of Heth & Dr Ellinwood which ignore him in the Christianization of the India Nez Perce.) It was Mr D not McArthur who had Archie preach - he & Watson. His orders not by will of Presbytery as our boys saw & heard. Only this, now Robert has had to pay for our sins. Miss M^cBs especially the only way she can be reached

The verdict does not hurt was Robert in the least – with Rev Nelson and the friends here tho it makes them very indignant –‘appeal’ say Rev N & they. But Robert cannot appeal from his lack of English and I would not live until Synod if I had to work up the case. It has nearly killed me now.

Kate, I want you to copy off the verdict and footnotes, just as I have written it and send it to Miss Fletcher. Or copy for yourself what I am sending you and send this copy to Miss Fletcher. I do not know where she is now and I have not strength. You see, the petition for a new church will not go up to Presbyter until next spring. Some ministers will have to come to Kamiah to restore Robert to his place as pastor when the ‘period of his suspension ends’ or in 6 months. That is the way of Church Government. The new church (Benjamin’s Church they call it) will have to be granted by Presbytery, next Spring before it can be organized. Be careful with the people. And Kate, be very careful what you write to Mr D. & James H. Not any of our boys have the very least trust in him If he is working to become the ‘white minister who will hold the Lapwai church or Kamiah, together’ he knows and God. Tell him nothing of church matters and do not once speak of ‘Sue’ in any way or of Robert.  Not once, remember. Poor Robert how my heart aches when I look into the saddest face I ever saw. Thank God his trust in God is still unshaken.

Peter has been working what he could at Kamiah. Of course he will have to get out of Archies way at Lapwai if he (it) takes his land there. Is Archie still at Lapwai? If so, when is he going to Spokan? or is he? Do you know what the Agent thinks since the trial? The Clique petitioned him (Joel told me) to move the Kamiah Church and mill and school house over to the other side of the river and he refused ‘the government would get after him if he did’ and this enraged them still more. Robert & our boys & others are finished the shingles for the K church this week & Billy & Solomon were to haul the lumber from Craigs M Shisslers mill. Billy brought me the order from Miss F and her letter addressed to the "Pastors & Elders of the Kamiah church" as usual. Kate, write to me immediately please. Tell me everything. I need to know all. For the sake of Kamiah. Write to me often, every week if you can without waiting for an answer. Keep Peter away from Kamiah. Be on your guard with Moses. Say nothing to him about me. Repeating was not all he did more. Write at once. Tell me everything. Give my love to the Eaves & Miss F & Miss G. God bless & guide you

Sister Sue

Kate this week we stated a Ladies Aid Society to raise funds for building a Presbyterian church in Mt Idaho and today the ladies are going around with the paper for subscriptions I put down $50.00 & will do what more I can for the sake of having a church & minister near our Kamians. How much will you contribute for the sake of the Nez Peces? Its influence & help to them when we are gone. Please tell me every [illegible] we may be able to get if for the sake of [illegible]