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Kate and Sue McBeth, Missionary Teachers to the Nez Perce

Sue McBeth's Medical Letters

Sue McBeth's physician, Dr. Samuel E. Bibby was born May 24, 1847. Bibby graduated from the University of New York. He completed post graduate work at Columbia University and Edinbugh, University of Scotland. While working at Fort Lapwai he signed the petition circulated by Charlie Monteith seeking Sue and Kate’s removal from the reservation. In 1887 he moved to Grangeville, Idaho. According to The Illustrated History of The State of Idaho, (Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1899. p 328-329):

"He possesses marked judgement and discernment in the diagnosing of disease, and is peculiarly successful in anticipating the issue of complications, seldom making mistakes and never exaggerating or minifying the disease in rendering his decisions in regard thereto. He is a physician of great fraternal delicacy, and no man ever observed more closely the ethics of the unwritten professional code or showed more careful courtesy to his fellow practitioners than does Dr. Bibby. During his residence in Grangeville the Doctor has become fully identified with the town and its interests and has invested a considerable sum in business property in the heart of the town. He is …also largely interested in mining and has a large stock range at White Bird on Salmon river where he breed Hereford and Durham cattle and Hambletonian horses; these business interests, however, are not allowed to interfere in the slightest degree with his administrations to the sick and suffering."

An image of Sue McBeth's last known letter to Dr. Bibby is reproduced at the end of the April 20th transcription.