Mt. Idaho July 12^th 1887
Rev F.F. Ellinwood D.D.

Dear Sir
I was so disappointed last night on glancing over Dr Ellinwoods letter of July 5^th, to find not one word in it about the allowance for my ‘helper’ which was the principal cause of my last long letter and I am still at a ‘halt’ not knowing what to do. Harry Hayes the one I want for a ‘helper’ was here yesterday. He needs to know to make his arrangements, and I could tell him nothing. It may have been an oversight of Dr Ellinwood in writing; he having so many more important matters to think of. But the ‘allowance’ is very vital to the school at Mt I. Will Dr Ellinwood, please Sir, do me the very great kindness and courtesy to tell me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ (if he can write no more.) in regard to it at the very earliest moment he conveniently can? It would be a very great favor. Mr D wrote that the Presbytery at Moscow had voted for it (the ‘allowance of $200.00) unanimously but Dr Ellinwood does not refer to Mr D at all, only to the "Presbyterial Committee". To glance briefly, at Dr Ellinwoods questions:

1^st The ‘Trained Elders’ of Miss McBeths pupils and plan; for illustration those at Kamiah.
Two of the Kamiah Elders studied with the ministers. While they were studying she helped them what she could from Missionary boxes tho not as much perhaps, as those who had the ministry in view. But they never have received or had thought of receiving a salary. They are on the same footing as ‘white’ Elders in the Presn church, wholly self supported. Those two studied 5, 6 or more years (through one class & part of another), understand Church Government better than the ‘pioneer’ Evangelists or Archie or James Hines & could be liscenced if needed. The two old K. Elders were too old to study books; but they were with us, as listeners in the school room when they could, and studied their ‘teaching talks’ with Miss McB out of school tho they never were counted as pupils.

The rule at Kamiah was (is): In the absence of the pastor, a licentiate supplies the pulpit. If pastor and licentiates are absent a pupil ‘helper’ takes the stand. If pastor, licentiates & helpers are absent, (as at Pres &c) an Elder conducts the services, as they also help the pastor with religious services (there are eleven weekly services at Kamiah and outstations) when our boys are absent. James Wilber, the old elder at the outstation of "Witih" was here the other morning before seven o’clock to lay in a store of ‘himtakash’ (‘Sermon Material’ as they call it) for his teaching talks at Witih prayer meetings. He still studies at Mt I. (as at Kamiah) when he can.

There is great nescessity for trained or instructed Elders among such peoples. Ignorent Indian men given rule in the church have caused much trouble & hindrance. At K the Session is a harmonious unit (a ‘model’ for many white Sessions). Pastor and Elders working together for the spiritual interest of their people and their advance in a Christian civilizations; the Elders supporting themselves wholly by their own labor as the other Ks, the pastor only receiving a salary.

2^nd Salaries of native preachers & cost & style of living: James Hayes salary &c
In most Foreign Mission fields I think (save Africa & the Islands perhaps where the cost of food & clothing is small) the people have a civilization of their own. The Indian has none. The cost of living in many of those fields is small, the native preacher does not need to change his mode of living, can live like the native. The Indian preacher can not, without hurt to his usefulness. To compel him to do so would be a ‘wasteful economy’ (while at the same time a too large salary sometimes awakes or stimulates cupidity)

(Miss McBs teaching to our boys is "I want you to live (as to your wives) like white men." Her plan (D.V.) was (is) to plant such Christian and civilized ‘homes’, among the wild tribes, as models and ‘spurs’ to help in supplanting the tents and usages of barbarism with a Christian civilization. Hence the ‘homes’ and family’ training at Mt. Idaho. There can be no permanent success of Missions among the Indians without changing habits of living.

(There is no original work for ‘home’ in the Nez Perce language – only ‘init’ or tayon –ekash (tent or lodging place) common to the ‘band’ no word for ‘family’ only for the ‘band’ which had all things in common as most wild Indian tribes do, I think. The Nez Perces learned the meaning ‘home’ and ‘family’ first through our boys as she hopes to have them teach other tribes, D.V. Dr E knows the relation of ‘home & family" to the Church.

The cost of groceries, clothing &c in these ‘ends of the Earth’ is much greater than on many Home Mission fields, because of cost of transportation &c. Or boys at Umatilla suffered, the first year, on $250.00. James Hayes has the same salary there that Archie had – I did (don’t) know why Archie was $600 but if he needed it, James needs it more, having a larger family to support. James’ aim at Kamiah was to ‘live like a white man’ and he succeeded and I hope will not retrograde. (No one can reach an Indian, like an Indian.) (He will not willingly I know. If he is faithful he can do better work among that people than could a white man. I think he is safe now to receive $200 from the Umatillas. Winapsnoot (Chief) the rich old friend of our boys having died a few weeks ago.

The ‘Presbyterial Committee" or Mr D I think could best estimate the cost of living plainly but respectably of a white man in his place. There is one ‘estimate’, however, which they can only ‘approximate’ for the native preachers (though many ‘white ‘ preachers can understand, a little by experience) i.e. the cost of hospitality.

"There are Spokans in my house (at Willpinit) from morning till night said the Rev. Enoch Pond some years ago when I spoke to him about overtaxing his wife by cooking for the people. She having ‘school there besides her home duties besides the drain on his own supplies. "We have only one room and cannot cook or eat save in their presence. Even if we had more rooms we could not eat without their knowledge and we cannot live without eating. If we should take our food without sharing with them (the visitors) they would go away angry, and never come back, again or listen to my teaching or preaching. It would hinder or stop my work. All wild creatures are tamed by food. You can only win them to approach you by it. After they are tamed they will come without it."

I give Dr E the view from the Indian standpoint. Whether Enoch was correct or not the ‘situation’ is one the Indian preacher has to face as I know, by what I saw of the experience of Robert & others, and I know how Roberts ‘hospitality’ is still taxed even without the ‘wild, and the lazy.’

Robert (Williams) salary, and that of James Hayes are the only ones (of the ministers) of which I have certain knowledge of their amount – that being in Mr Ds province. Mr D would be the best judge of salaries of Nez P preachers I think he understanding the situation better than the Pres. ever can possibly can from outside of the field. That is one reason I was glad he remained besides my hopes for the wild tribes. Some of the others had theirs raised a year or two ago. I heard Archie came home from the Ind. Ter. boasting of his "thousands of dollars" in the Bank as if those thousands came from the Board, and incited the ministers he could influence to seek increases of salary from the Board which had "millions of money." Robert refused advance I was told, because he knew that the Board was in debt them: he said he could get along by the help of his little farm. He (R). has $250.00 from the Board I believe. I do not see how he could get along with less without a cost of time and strength which he needs for his church work, with his large and scattered congregation.

His people were to pay him $200 and would do it willingly if they could. But so much of their crops were destroyed by last summers drought, so many of their cattle hurt by last winters storms (even though they took the seed they needed for planting to try to keep them alive which will make small crops for many this year too. They are far behind with his salary. His salary from the Board long overdue – has not reached him yet. I had a note from him yesterday in which he said that he was in the field every day mowing – having no one to help him (he has no money to pay for help) and was ‘weak’ from overwork. (Miss McB is not sure that some of the weakness is not from lack of nourishing food he needs to sustain the double work, as she has known to be in his past experience. I hope his salary will come very soon.

Miss McB sent down word this morning to our boys (who are all in their harvest fields) to drop their own work and all go for a day or part of a day and help one who has been (is) so helpful to us. I hope his salary will come very soon. (Would the Board of Relief’ care for a faithful Nez Perce minister if he were ‘disabled’ and not able to provide for self and family? That would have some bearing on the questions of salaries. Our boys have never had a dollar of help from the ‘Board of Education’ which has such liberal thoughts for a while and African students. Miss McB never asked it, yet even thought they were poor and the struggle was (is) so much harder for them with their families too to support while studying than it can be for a single (i.e. unmarried men and her heart has ached for them in their privation so often. The struggle has helped in developing them into energetic, self reliant men (as not all helped students she has know were). But the ‘discipline’ carried into their ministry would hinder work for the Church [illegible]

3^rd As to the Crows, Shoshones &c Miss McB wanted to see Dr Ellinwood on his visit here about those tribes much more than she did about Agency matters (which only concerned her as they concerned Charlie). If those tribes &c could only have had the precious four days spent at Lapwai, or even the precious time & eyesight so needlessly caused Miss McB to spend in other useless writing.

But that is with the past (save the wrong impression in Dr Es mind which caused and must cause hindrance, while they remain, I fear – especially the lack of trust in Miss McB her word – the hurt of which though so new and strange an experience to her she could bear (he will know all some day) if it did not come into the Work. For instance: In her last letter and in others before I think Miss McB wrote that ‘the unceasing and untiring efforts of Archie Lawyer (and his brother Jimmy who is one in work with him. A being the leader) was to hinder or break up her school, to draw pupils out of it (as he has at last, succeeded in drawing away Abram, one of her present class) or lead astray (as he is leading Silas, or the Peter who he fears as a rival) That it was now well known that he was the root of the trouble which caused the school to remove from Kamiah; as it was also well part of his late plans as ‘pastor’ of the Kamiah Church to ‘watsu (‘stop or break up) the school at Mt I. Every power and influence placed in Archies will be as it has been used against the school which stands in the way of his ambition. Dr E writes of an appropriation of $150 to send to young Indians to [illegible] the Crows, Shohones &c.

As Dr Ellinwood perhaps knows now Archie did not receive a ‘call’ from any church in spite of his desperate efforts (after the old heathen methods both at Lapwai & Kamiah had fewer votes at Lapwai (outside of influence of Miss McB or school) than he had a Kamiah even. "Do I want pahwat (a thief) for my pastor?" asked some of the Nez Ps whom some of Archies band were trying to persuade for him. Tho only a few cases were clear – because of deaths, removals and As efforts to cover up for months at Lapwai last winter – his wifes illness being given as a reason to the whites for leaving his charge at Umatilla Yet the people were convinced of his guilt. The Lapawaians too I was told, suspected him of ‘intrigue’ with one of their women, even before his late wifes death. What an ‘Object Lesson’ to a people who 14 years ago had scarcely a perceptible consciousness of right and wrong and so many of whom are still the ‘twilight’ is Archie in the pulpit endorsed by the church. A late letter from Mr D says "to keep Archie busy I will try to have him preach here, at Lapwai until next Spring – though there seems to be very little affinity either way just now." Some who were present at one long meeting at Lapwai said that there was strong remonstrance from the L church members against Mr Ds keeping Archie there.

The Lapwai church had called Peter Lindsley but through the efforts of As band there & principal outsiders he returned the call. Peter’s home, at present, as at Alder Creek an outstation of Kamiah. So large a proportion of the tribe are connected with the Church that supreme or controlling power cannot be gained outside of it (the Church). Hence the necessity of work inside, and with its help. After the failure of the Lawyers in the churches at K & L, Jimmy (L) promptly removed to Alder Creek to try to start a church there, taking with him my pupil Abram whom he reached through his wife and as many others as he could to try to swell the little community at Alder Creek enough to organize a church with himself an Elder. Peter L as pastor for the present to make a road for Archie whose power in the church is at present broken. He is only held in his place now, by the white friends. Peter to be disposed of when the Ls are ready. They always work through others if possible. They are working at Alder Creek through Bartholemew the head of the little band there, urging & leading him to ‘coshshimnut’ (persevere in importuning) Mr Boyd & Mr D who, cannot possibly see under the surface as do the Nez Perces & Miss McB.

Dr Ellinwood may, perhaps hear further of this project. The Master should defeat it – as I pray He may – if it please Him. There is not the least need of a fourth church in the little Nez Perce tribe. The project means only trouble for the Nez Perce church; in the efforts to draw out of other churches to swell the numbers in the one at Alder Creek. The preliminary efforts for this are already on foot. Once organized the Lawyers can when they (other things) are ready carry out their old plan of making a ‘nahshap’ church i.e. of a different denomination’ whichever promises the most power to them – a church ‘board’ enough to embrace both Christian and heathen (baptized) members – spiritual & temporal power united in the pastor, their ideal church. As plan & efforts years ago of which Dr Lowrie heard I think was to plan a Methodist Church with the aid of their Yakimah native preacher friends who were summoned to their help.

Archie had heard it seems perhaps from Mr Boyd) of Miss McBs thought for the Crows and Shoshones, and when he found his plans here defeated, asked Presbytery to send him to those tribes not to stay and work he said (I heard) but to search out places to which to send the licentiates’ He having tried, in vain, to prevent those licentiates from going before Presbytery this spring. If the $150.00 appropiation of which Dr E writes was to send Archie to the Crows and Shoshones Miss McBs hopes for those tribe may be laid aside for the present at least (though Dr E will probably have a glowing Report. The true story of the visit & its results) he will only know when the ‘books are opened’)

Silas who was trained from his boyhood as one of Jimmy Lawyers was to go with Archie I heard. Silas has the root of the matter in him. I think, and was doing a good work, before placed again under Archies influence & teachings. The change in him since then grieves me sorely. Archie leads him by promises to share with him his successes with the white friends. If only Mr D could have taken my boys Silas and Peter to the Crows this summer – if it were only to save my two boys for the Church. I pray much for them – that their feet may be taken out of the same net, by which the Lawayers entrapped their ruin. Some of my brightest pupils in years past and all along the way is strewed with them. Pray much

Dear Sir – Miss McB understands perfectly the impression received (by Dr. Ellinwood, Dr Kendall, & others) from letters and personal presence of & interviews with Archie; knows by personal experiences that subtle (magnetic) infleuence he possesses was herself for instance so influenced against Robert who was put into her hands by Rev Aisnley at the same time with Archie that she could scarcely bear to teach him (but she could only trace those influences by looking back) has learned Archie through an experience of years (for over 13 years) as no other person can know him. (knows too the impression received of prejudice, favoritism &c came back to Dr Es mind as he reads this. But that does not make the true. She is so weary of writing her experiences as are the friends of reading it and had hoped and purposed never to speak of him (A) again having‘done what she could’ of protest & prayers and appeal for the sake of the Cause among the Nez Ps. Forgive this one more last appeal to try to save hurt thro Archie to The Cause among the other tribes ‘so near to her heart.’

The Church friends even the Pres Comm. and his co Presbyters can see only the side of Archies turned in the direction of the Whites from whom he has had, and hopes so much. (i.e. the prepossessing, plausable, Pres’n minister). Only the eye of Miss McB of all white persons now living can see, clearly the side of Archie turned in the direction of his people & his race and see, clearly his people.

As one illustration:
To his people Archie bases his claim for supremacy upon his being the "Itsayaya Kakan" i.e. the descendant or hereditary heir of the half god ‘Itsayaya’ (the Coyote") the Creator of men. The Speelyai of the Oregon tribes who gained his supremacy over the other (animal) half gods by ‘kiya kiya’ (craft, treachery and lying) by which he destroyed those of the half gods who were, or aspired to be his rivals, and subjugated the others. This ‘kiya kiya wisdom’ he imparted to his children the chiefs, alone, for their own rule of life; to train their children his heirs in it, and for their guidance & rule in their government (civil and religious is one) of the ‘common people’ they themselves being ‘above law’.

"You all know that I am the true issayaya- kakan" preached Archie at North Fork after his first return from Ind Ter as preacher to Josephs band there. "This Robert is a usurper who has taken advantage of my absence to steal my place" and the poor ignorant people so many of whom are still under the influence of their old superstitions they said then "Yes it is true, Archie is the true Itsayaya Kakan."

The exercise of this Kiya- kiya wisdom’ as falsehood craft &c is no sin to Archie (apparently who was trained in it from his birth almost). It is in his blood too (which he cannot help) his mother too, being a big ‘tiwat’ or ‘conjurer’ or medicine person. His successes through it only confirms the heathen Indian more in its faith and trust. Even the Christian Nez Ps when they see Archie upheld, and trusted by the Church in spite of all are led to consider, some to doubt. They cannot realize that the white friends cannot and see and hear as do they (and Miss McB)

Miss McB labored with Archie while the least hope remained to her. Of what change God has wrought in his heart He only is the Judge. Miss McB only knows that the trend of what proceeds from it is still in the direction of heathenism – or since the ordained minister element of power came into his life, a mixture of Christianity and heathenism which is worse. (He had stopped preaching and relapsed into an occasional blanket when the Commission from the Home Board reached him which caused Mr D to have him ordained to keep him from any Board he said. To give one or two illustrations of this ‘mixture’.
1^st A ‘tiwat’ (‘medicine’ or conjurer) prefacing his incantations with prayer to God; which sanctifies the sin, or washes it away. He is reaping its temporal reward.
2^nd A religious Camp Meeting on or near the race ground – Preaching and horse racing, or training, going on at the same time, in full view of each other accommodating both the heathen and the church members; and sanctifying unholy acts. The Lords Supper on Sabbath; a heathen ceremony on monday; church members and ‘outsiders’ together at tuesdays finish of horse racing &c. Dr Lowrie knows of some scenes which Robert and our boys have had to pass through at July Camp meeting at Kamiah years ago (now celebrated there, thank Your Father) in their struggle to prevent the Lawyers from forcing these abominations into the Kamiah church. Dr Ellinwood knows some thing of what they (Robert & our boys) have had to pass through in the same struggle in latter years.  This is the religion ‘endorsed to the eyes of the Nez Perces by those who endorse Archie. As a last illustration

There was to be horse racing at Lapwai last 4^th of July (in spite of Mr Deffenbaugh preaching & efforts against it). The Indians were to parade in their paint and feathers as in the old times, before going on the war path &c In Mr Ds absence at Presbytery, at Moscow lately, Archie & Co. sent out a call through out the tribe summoning all the Nez Perces to come to Lapwai for the ‘4^th July. Only Lapwai and Lewiston would be ‘open’ on the 4^th not Kamiah the Agent said. (falsehood) On the 4^th at Lapwai they had the old heathen ‘Tallikliki’ (heathen ceremony before going into battle) Indian men naked save a small cloth around their loins, feather head dress and paint & painted horses, with bows & tomahawk and spear – rode in a circle as in the old worship of the ‘sun god’ (the god of Chief Joseph and followers still making the valley ring with war hoops- dirge & war song – mingled with the ‘death wail’ of the women. Only 5 or 6 old men, & relatives of the Lawyers went from Kamiah, but nearly the whole community from Alder Creek (Jimmy Ls present home) were there, with Archie & Silas. The gathering at Lapwai disbanded on the Wednesday after the 4^th. Word ahs reached me (making my heart sink) that on the next day (thursday) Archie & Silas were to start to the Crows & Shoshones. Starting out from such heathen orgies, what Evangel can they carry to the heathen?

It is said they purposed if money did not come from the Board, they would go without it. ‘taking up collections’ on the way to pay their expense. I pray this may have been the case. Dr Ellinwood can scarcely realize or understand the effect upon the Cause among the Nez Perces if they went – Archie as the person endorsed by Commission from the church.
Dear Sir, forgive this last appeal as Miss McB now purposes it to be) and forgive everything which may be amiss in this letter. If she only could have talked with Dr Ellinwood viva voce. I hope he will yet write her D.V. It is so almost utterly impossible to have the friends understand the ‘situation’ in their utterly different environment and they not understanding the people. Every change of ‘directors’ (new men) adds to the difficulty, and prolongs the struggle against heathenism by giving new vantage ground to opposing forces. Sometimes, Miss McB is so weary & discouraged when she has to go thru the same old battles again – when she thought it almost over that she is almost ready to give up. But then God gives her so much to encourage her too.

The first Sabbath in July was the regular ‘Communion’ at Kamiah. Four children were baptized, and one woman received into the Church. On the 4^th 260 Kamians dressed in citizens clothes, marched, with banners &c in the grove near the Church where Robert read the Declaration of Independence and made an address – followed by other speeches, a big dinner, singing &c. The church there is so peaceful and united. Robert is to be installed pastor the 1^st sab in Aug. God willing. The last time he was here, I gave him the names of three others of my present class whom I want him to help me with by beginning to train them in church work at Kamiah and also asked him to help me search out a promising young (married) man to take Abrams place in the school here. (D.V.) If Miss McB was able she would pay Harry’s allowance, and all other expenses of the School, herself whe would. But she is not. She has reduced her personal expenses below what is needed for health and strength almost now. She had to ‘lock up’ what was left of her little reserve fund’. We have had no help from the Board of Aid even though all the pupils are preparing for church work. The most if not all of the four promised $50.00 ‘scholarships’ if received will be needed for the Spokans (if they are not hindered from coming which it is safe to say will be tried, a cousin & helper of Archie being now among the Spokans) (The whole of the notice of the school at Mt Idaho in the 17^th Annual Report of the WFML is a mistake as I have written the Phil friends. Miss McB has received no ‘money for a new house’ nor are our boys in ‘new quarters; save in the house build with the ‘printing press’ money when [illegible] they are still in houses [illegible].

Miss McB has house rent and Doctor bills for pupils. (They have no Agency physician here, you know) and all other expenses of her school (even taxes on the property of the Board & repair here) to meet from her salary of $600. (She had $1000 in her last work with the Rev. Dr .H. Brookes D.D. in St. Louis) I think there is, perhaps, no other church school more ‘economical’ to the Church. The days are passing swiftly. Miss McB needs to be making efforts for needed help (from friends through ‘Missionary boxes’) in the way of winter clothing for her families &c (The Spokans if they come will need a ‘change of garments’ at once.) Freight cannot come over the mountain roads after the winters storms begin. She needs to know if further houses are to be needed &c &c. Everything is at a halt until she hears about the allowance for her ‘helper’ Please, please, will not Dr. Ellinwood tell her, if only "yes" or "no" in regard to it at once. He need not refer to the rest of her letter i.e. appeal &c unless he chooses. Miss McB having now, by the writing it ‘done what she could’ save to pray as she will that God will guide the N.Y. friends, by His Spirit in everything which touches His Cause among the tribes so near to her heart and all others of the race.

Of course, this letter is to Dr. Lowrie and Mr Rankin too (if Dr. Ellinwood will be so kind - with best regards of Miss McB to them) the last ‘long letter’ of its kind, she purposes no to send to the weary friends in New York, those long suffering friends in the hope they all will remain in the Board as long as Miss McB needs to write to it. Our boys (save Abram always ‘weak backed’ and the least promising) are such a comfort to me. Some of them are up every few days. Six of them were here together to study a little while near the last of last month, and they are to come up all through the summer when never they can. (We have no ‘vacation months’ this year) tho they will not move their families up until Oct (D.V.) i.e. if we have a helper then.

It is so difficult to have the friends understand the absolute necessity for a ‘helper’ - they haven’t had charge a school just like it before it I think. They can’t understand the work of training native pastors, in two languages without the help of Dic. in theirs &c. But they can scarcely realize the labor on the outside and separate & additional work. The tax on time and strength of ‘wife’ and ‘mother’ training even of six families besides that of sickness of little ones with incompetent nurses, births, deaths, &c the teacher having, besides to attend to all the ‘business’ matters pertaining to such a school. Isn’t it strange that one, weak little woman after her experiences of solitary burden bearing is recovering and establishing (with Gods help) in a better place, a church & school, that she should have to plead with the great strong Presbyterian Church for such an allowance to help to carry it on?

Harry Hayes is one of the most promising of her pupils, and he cannot even continue his studies without the expected ‘allowance.’ He was to help me with the Eng. Nez Perce Dic. (which is still needed for the pioneers & others) this summer when he was not needed in the school room, and did not know of the change in time to put in much crop.

Please give kind regards from me to the Rev. Dr. H.A. Nelson, too – if he has not forgotten the Miss Sue McBeth he met in St. Louis. The enclosed printed pages may, perhaps help recall her to his mind. I think, probably Dr Ellinwood has never read "Seeds Scattered" the book. It was published in this country under the title of "Practical Talks with Sinners, Enquirers & Christians)

The June number of "the Church at Home and Abroad’ reached me. Many thanks. I would like so much to see the July number (Indian month is in July) if it would not be too much trouble. Again forgive every thing which may be amiss in this wearisome letter and, and please send me ‘yes’ or ‘no’ soon will you not? Pray much for the Masters Cause and Work, and workers among the Indians.
In that work

Sue L Mcbeth
For Mr. Rankins eye alone

I have often been tempted to ask Mr Rankin to accept that $100.00 of my sisters salary, if only for my sisters sake, alone, (Some things grow on us with the years.) The surplus salary was only a temptation to save – even in matters which might have advanced her pupils: For instance: her pupils were not allowed to take home their school books to study even their Bibles to save the wear of books. The same set of books were taken to Lapwai leaving S.L.McB to provide books for wives as well as husbands here. I write this detached, because it is for Mr Rankins eye alone or if need by his and Dr Lowries to both of whom S.L. McB has often shewn her heart. She may not send this, but she feels better after writing it at least.