Kamiah Nov 28^th 1881
Rev. J.C. Lowrie D.D.

Dear Sir
I have only a few minutes in which to write, and must write very hastily. I sent Dr L. a letter not long since, and have received his of Sept 30^th. What Dr L. wrote about the Agent complaints surprised me very much, as it did my sister. Mr Warner had came up with the new teacher, and spent one day at Kamiah, a few days before Dr Ls letter came, and shewed more interest in us than ever before, came over to see if he could do anything for us, and told us to write if he could. And Dr Lindsley told me he had ‘spoken highly’ of me to him last spring (as he had no reason personally to do anything else). I do not know or understand what is meant or was alluded to by Mr W in Dr L letter, so, can only answer that if Agent Warner said or intimated that Miss McBeth ‘opposed’ his known views or wishes in regard to the Indians, at any time, or ‘disparaged’ him to them or ‘weakened his hands’ among them, or in any way meddled, or interfered in his business, or work among them, I can simply and truly say ‘it is not true.

I am very little acquainted with the Agent personally. He came shortly before I left Lapwai, and until this last visit has not been in Kamiah since a year past last July and only once before that after we came here, if I remember rightly. From the first, we have been as ‘outsiders’. (He has never refused any favor we asked, but we have asked little, feeling his apparent secure of the male missionary apparently he has given little though to the women workers seeming to feel them outsiders – a cold place after dear old Father Montieths & his sons sympathy & care)

But, I have not time to write more on this subject now, but will again, if spared. If not spared Dr Lowrie will know that Miss McBeth has been falsely accused, when the ‘books are opened.’ That in this matter, as in all her course she has walked as in the sight of the Master to whom she must give account.  Three of my pupils go to Mt Idaho (D.V.) to morrow early to be vaccinated. I know not when I may have another opportunity to send this, and it is growing dark.

We have come into another ‘crisis’ time. The smallpox, which has been in this region for some time, has broken out among the Nez Perces. A wild band near Lapwai, brought it from the Pelosa. Two, that we know of in that band are dead, and other reported so, and sick, are elsewhere. The disease was there when our boys came home from Presbytery, and every prevention were being taken at Lapwai, but not one word of order or counsel or advice was sent to Kamiah then, or since to my knowledge – in regard to the Kamiah Indians or whites. The Gov teacher went himself to L for vaccine matter for the school but it does not seem to be good. There are no cases of small pox at Kamiah at present to my knowledge but we are in constant danger from ‘refugees’. There is a physician at Lapwai but we have never seen him. There is no medicine for the disease, or vaccine matter here and no one here authorized to take any measures for self protection. (The Agent is the only one with power to take ‘steps’ and so far to my knowledge, he has done nothing which looked like remembering that Kamiah was looking to him.) As far as my sister and myself are concerned, we have long ago realized that we are here alone with God. In any matter which might involve the safety or personal comfort even of the Lapwai friends if a peril should come to us we must look to God alone. It is only right that Dr Lowrie should know how we are situated. I think I would have hesitated long before writing this before Dr L letter came. Perhaps for the reason it came. The enclosed letter to Mr Rankin was sent by Mrs Campbell to be forwarded ‘if anything should happen to us’ only perhaps it will do no hurt to send it now. God was with us then, and is with us still. The letter was written in some excitement I know, but the facts were (are) unchanged, save that at the last moment, the old blacksmith who had not been ordered to Lapwai remained at Kamiah.

Nine pupils were in school today. I have only comfort from ‘our boys’ and Robert [illegible] man. Everything is harmonious here. But there is another source of danger in the crowded sanctuary. But I must stop. Pray earnestly for this people. My heart aches for them. Pray earnestly too for the workers among them. They need it. Write to us, shut up as we were from all the world, alone with God.

In His love & work
Yours truly

S.L. McBeth.