Kamiah, July 21^st 1884
Rev. J.C. Lowrie

Dear Sir
I am afraid the long letter sent Dr. Lowrie last Spring, with the ‘Sunny Statement’ (for which he has sent a blank) and the note enclosed with them to Mr Rankin miscarried on the way. I have had no word of either. Did they reach Dr Lowrie? I hope they did. I am afraid Miss McBs ‘long letters’ annoy Dr Lowrie. (He is the only one to whom such are written.) And yet while our boys are busy with the beginning of their harvest giving her a little time she has taken up her pen for perhaps another ‘long letter.’ Forgive her.

I enclose in this a photo of Peter Lindsley the oldest of my two licentiates (James Hayes is much younger. I tried to have his taken too but an accident prevented.) I wish I had a photo of Peter as he first began his studies though he was a Christian then, that Dr. Lowrie might see the change the grace of God is able to work even in the outer man. He was a ‘blanketed Indian.’ A rover, with tent and herds in the Salmon River Country long after I came to Nez Perce land, came to me shortly after he moved on the Reserve dressed in an old, army overcoat (which did duty day and night) & pants, old felt hat and moccasins. If he had on a shirt it was only a fragment of one. I wish I had time to tell the story of his transformation into one of the neater, most gentlemanly appearing men on the Reserve.

I have written from time to time something of his natural gifts and my hopes for him in the Master’s Work. In his roving, heathen days he spent two years with the Crows on their reserve and understands much of their language. Such men as Peter, Robert, Silas &c who were full grown heathen when the Gospel reached them, understand how the heathen feel as the younger Nez Ps do not. And with the heathen Indians respect for years (and lack of it for ‘boys’) can reach them better than younger men. They are ‘foot loose’ as Evangelists too their children being old enough to be in boarding school. They understand too the sign language. That way the Gospel can be made known, as I wrote, as these younger men do not. That was one reason why I wanted such for the ‘present distress’ to break the way, our younger boys to follow, in the changed conditions which, we hope, the years will bring the race. But Dr Lowrie is weary of Miss McBs ‘dream’. To come back to her story.

Peter, Silas, William and others of her second class were with her two years in Lapwai before there was a school for the women, and she did what little was in her power to teach their wives, too on matters pertaining to civilization. You have (have you not?) a picture of Peter’s wife Nancy – sent by sister Kate – in the first (or second) year after N. entered her school (where she has been a pupil for five years). In the group of five women and five children Nancy is the one with the infant (since dead) in her lap, as she sits at the left of the picture. She has changed little outwardly since then, has learned to read in but not interpret understandingly a language foreign to her, & to write. But cannot yet frame a sentence of a letter to her husband in his absence, or to her children (two at Forest Grove). Has learned little more of domestic matters than she knew at Lapwai. As soon as she returns from school takes off the ‘white womans’ dress she has worn there, and resumes her ‘squaw’ dress and habits (save that Peter now takes his proper place on the farm & at the wood pile. In this she is no worse than nearly all of my pupils wives, (better than some, because she mends her husbands clothing). I need not say how the continuing in the old ways troubles me because of the hinderance to the Cause. As an illustration.

Peters little farm is too distant for him to attend school regularly in the winter. (The river too, often hindering.) Some others of our boys are similarly situated. I wrote of the Agents kindness in giving room in an Agency building for four of our boys & families last (this) year. Peter and his wife occupied William Wheelers little house near me which I rent for my pupils. I let Peter go home last Spring to put in his crops. When he was ready to return his wife would not come with him (as would not the wives of two other of my later pupils causing irregularities in their husbands attendance). The Nez Perce woman are the ‘Bosses’ as I wrote.

The ‘Kaus’ on the uplands, 20 miles distant, was getting ripe (A wild root which with the Camas was the principal food of the Nez Perce in their wild state. Dr Lowrie knows doubtless of the old gatherings of the Kamas ground near Kamiah). The Kamiah women, numbers of the pupils of the Women’s School among them, were taking their tents and such little as could not be left and camping for weeks on the ‘Kaus’ grounds digging and preparing the root. Those who had husbands, leaving husbands (and gardens) to take care of themselves as best they might. The men long ago stopped attending them. The K women persisted in going this summer, in greater numbers perhaps than since the war.)

Nancy packed up, and followed the rest. Presbytery had given Peter the hope of ordination soon, and he was very anxious to study as was I to have him. So, he came over and took up his abode with Robert (whose house is like many a white ministers in this respect). But Robert’s wife – not a strong woman – was already worn out with cooking for husbands whose wives had gone to the ‘Kaus’ grounds and she demurred until Robert had to tell Peter he could not stay, causing trouble between two men who had been warm friends for many years. (I felt sorry for both, and was glad when Mr D came and took Peter to the Spokanes.) That trouble (which troubled Miss McB greatly because for a short time it threatened to extend to the Cause – nearer to her even than her boys) has passed now by Gods grace. Peter has resumed his place in Sabbath School, and in Church work at Kamiah. I would not refer to it now (it would hurt the men if they knew that ‘Dr Lowrie’ knew it) only that I refer to it in the ‘Confessions’ I sent to Dr Lowrie, and because their trouble has so long caused Miss McB such trouble – silently borne because of its bearing upon the Cause of the Master. Nancy was only ‘the last straw.’

Dr. Lowrie – dear Sir, of all the ‘experiences’ in a life full of ‘experiences’ I think there have been none from which Miss McB so shrank as she does from the writing of this letter. It seems impossible and one of the ‘mysteries’ not yet given her to do. Even yet after waiting for so many months (with many a headache from the questions ‘to write’ or ‘not to write’) she is writing it in doubt if it be sent when finished or ‘laid aside’ in company with those in years past – begun to Dr. Lowrie in times of perplexities and troubles such as it seemed to her no woman ever had to pass through before. If this should reach Dr. Lowrie will he please remember that it was written for his eye alone (of the N.Y. friends) for the sake of a name in it. That was one selfish reason why Miss McB was so glad there was no ‘transfer.’ She could not so ‘shew her heart’ to any other.

She has so longed and prayed that Dr L or some of the friends would come and see for themselves even what they could see on the surface – and spare her the telling. She thought surely someone would visit us this year – but has now almost ceased looking for them. They have so many more important matters needing their care. And the Nez Perce though almost bounding Miss McBs horizons are but a ‘speck’ in that which includes all lands and races, (though I know how deeply that N.Y. friends are interested in the Nez Perces and all that concerns this Mission).

Dr. Lowrie knows all about the Home (or lack of home) and family relations of a people like the Nez Perces when the Gospel reached them. ("We were just like the cattle" said one of our boys. There is no word for ‘family’ in the language only ‘nahsaatsa’ a ‘band’ and no word for ‘home’ only ‘init’ an abode – tent or house and ‘tauyankiash’ a place of dwelling’ both formerly common to members of the ‘Band’)

What the relation of the ‘family’ and ‘home’ and church and community he knows, I think mean to permanent success of missionaries among them – that Christian and civilized homes should be raised up among a people so lately out of heathen barbarism, and that in the building of that home after Gods plan the wives and mothers, as well as husbands and fathers need to be taught the duties of their several places and relations as God has revealed them.

The mother is even more important than the father perhaps because she has so much to do with training the children in the new way or leading them on in the old. As the years passed, the Nez P "Band’ relation weakened and the Christian ‘family’ was organized. The movable tent was supplanted at Kamiah by little frame or log houses in which the beginning of civilized home life could be taught.

My thought was to train thoroughly – if only a few at first of the wives and mothers. And it were to be those whose husbands were also in training that the proper family relations must be cultivated and maintained. To train those women too to teach other women what they learned of civilization as our boys from the beginning taught the men. They can reach their people better than we. The example and influence of even six or less such homes would perhaps be the best ‘leaven’ among the Nez Perces – and when the time for transplanting came – other tribes too.

To train such wives and mothers in matters pertaining to civilization & Christian home life is a work of patience (needing that we teach the unaccustomed fingers to do the work themselves instead of simply looking on while we do it). It needs adaptations, tact, and many a Christian grace. But is surely not beneath the dignity of any lady to do. And there is where Miss McBs trouble comes in particularly for they are nearest to her in regards to those in training for the Masters work. And now comes in the part from which she so shrinks.

Before my sister came I wrote my sister very plainly the work needed here – particularly in trying to raise ‘homes’ with Gods help. Not until after she reached Kamiah did she refuse to teach domestic matters in connection with her school. ‘She did not come out to be a tailoress’ she said. ‘I should not write that she needed a kitchen’ (in the building it was proposed to erect for the Womens school). She was not going to be "different from all other missionaries." Every plan looking to the interest of the family or outside of the School room was rejected. (A family in the Gov. boarding school made much trouble by injudicious counsels.) In the schoolroom she wanted numbers (which to her must represent success). She ‘wanted to teach the heathen’ and there were no heathen women at Kamiah who had not heard the Gospel (which our boys were preaching in their own tongue). The wives of Peter, Silas, & others of their class are about the same ages as their husbands ‘lots of old women’ she called them and would spend little care on them. (The young wives of other and later pupils fared little better.) She wanted ‘all kinds’ and she had them and presently a ‘tinum’ had to be expelled. Teaching the women to understand & talk in English, would have been such a help to our boys though their wives but ‘she wanted to learn the Nez Perce’ from them. She wanted the women entirely to herself even out of school hours – and they were so left. After months of tireless trouble she was left entirely free to work out her own plans. Being so nearly my own age and with more experience in schools though none like this – it was the only way. She put the school under Mr Ds care. But Mr D was almost as much a stranger to the people as she. Young, unmarried and could not well know the needs of such a school and who besides was only a few days of the year in Kamiah.

Presently another ‘tinun’ needed to be expelled causing much trouble. The wife of a man who had never been in school, grew so much ‘wiser’ than her husband that she left him (for a time) and tried to mate with a ‘wise’ man who had a wife and my sister had to expel her. (The spur of trying to ‘grow wiser than the men’ (in books) failed at length.) This womans fancy (I have the story from my sister) began in the ‘Teachers Meetings’ (She was on of the S.S teachers) held, on Friday mornings two winters ago in my Sisters School room. And which – to humor her sister – Miss McB let the male teachers attend – even against her better judgement. Last year for fear of further trouble our boys studied their S.S. lessons in their own school room. Miss McB learned in the short time she taught a ‘mixed school’ after she first came to Kamiah (before our boys were put into her hands to study) that it was not ‘wise’ to mix those who had been so mixed in their relations in their heathen past.

She [Kate] was beginning to realize that she was among a people she did not know and finally she (only in the last year) put her school under the care of the ‘Tilakash’ (Church Officers) at Kamiah. Robert then pastor of it. After a time she began shewing the women something of domestic matters what and how much she has doubtless reported to Dr Lowrie. She says she has taught them but they will not learn. They say they "don’t know how." Not long since when she told me she was writing to some of the Eastern friends I asked her if she did not think that wherever the fault might lie she ought in honestly to tell the friends that the women had not yet learned in such a way as to do.

Only Our Father knows the troubled days and nights of those first months (and since) and trouble kept to herself (too much as it is) always affects Miss McB physically. That is why the separate building for Men’s School had to come when it did even at the expense of bringing material from Mt. Idaho (there is still no material here) or the Men’s School stop. I think it quite certain she could not have lived there another such year. More, too, than the ‘weak lungs’ &c (which only were written of) that was the principal reason why the ‘down the river and up the Sound’ and other trips outside of the Reservation (at which, perhaps, the friends wondered) were imperative nescessities.

She gave up her comfortable house to her sister too, and, by the time the summer heats come to the valley she is so ‘worn out’ (as now) and the new house of single – one inch board walls is so intensely hot that she has to leave it.

In our younger days I wanted so much my sister to be with me in missionary work among the Chotaws, in hospitals, Civil War &c &c but we have been separated, save at rare intervals (she doing good work doubtless in school &c. But I would never have thought of her as a missionary particularly to the Indians in whom she had never shewn interest - something of a race antipathy still coming to the surface sometimes - and did not answer the Phila friends when they wrote until I was ashamed that she seemed so much in sorrow to ‘spend a few years’ in the Masters Work.

She wanted to build (she has one of the most comfortable houses on the Reserve) much more so than that for the mens school, moving her school across the river where the wives of my pupils needing to be with their husbands on this side could not attend. She wanted to go to Lapwai. The restlessness had its effect on the School. Five women (Enochs wife at Lapwai and four at Kamiah) have been raised up, advanced enough in books, to be able to teach small children in Sabbath school, by spending the school hours of Friday in preparing the lesson. And we are rejoiced to see them do this. But the present ‘distress’ was not for the SS teachers (our boys could work there) nearly all of the larger children are at Forest Grove or the Gov. school at Lapwai. The need was (is) in the homes to which the children return from Gov. School now to fall back into the old ways. As I wrote the Kamiah men though still lacking much now do the heavy work of the farm. The women having little to occupy them in the house ‘learn to be idle – wandering from place to place. I was so shamed at Mt. Idaho last summer, because of the bands of women who rode through there in their not clean ‘squaw’ dress with the little ones on the horse behind them, or strapped on their shoulders in the ‘ticash’ (baby board) at the saddle as they ranged the country digging roots, fishing, gathering berries &c. If it were not for the sake of the men who must be taught mens place and duties – the women I almost said were better in the field.

Even in point of numbers the Womans School was not a success. All the time before July 1^st that I was in Mt Idaho last year there was only one pupil in the Womans School and that one irregularly. On our way home (in the fall), my Sister sprained her foot, which hindered us both for a time. The men now doing the trading to distant markets there was nothing to hinder the women, but long after the foot was better they shewed no disposition to enter school.

And now comes in a name of which Dr. Lowrie is so weary and S.L. McB too. She had hoped and purposed never again to write it to Dr Lowrie but it has forced itself into and become so woven into the story that if he sees the he must see it too.

Jimmy Lawyer had worn himself out ‘on the other side’ of the river – had scarcely a follower there. Archie, too, was expected home in the Spring and no ‘road’ yet opened for him into the Kamiah Church. While the Womans School was still without pupils he made application for his wife who had never before shewn the least desire to study. If she entered that would give him an excuse to be near the Schools for moving to ‘this side.’ My Sister gave her consent. The Elders who knew that his wifes study was only a pretext and from past experience the trouble he would cause them in the Church respectfully objected to my Sister to her bringing him into such close proximity to the Church. She persisted and in her displeasure with the ‘Tetakash’ (Church Officials) took her school out from under their care. When she told me of Js purpose to winter with his wife on this side I asked her to withdraw her consent. She refused "for the sake of the Church." I pleaded when she gave me the answer I have written. As a last resource I sent the ‘appeal’ I enclose which had no answer – and no effect.

Robert simply said when she told him her purpose "It is your School Miss Kate." But he answered nothing when she wished him to announce the opening of her school, and invite pupils. She tried the Elders in his absence but they too answered nothing. Finally Robert

[a section of the letter is missing]

I send all the correspondence though only written for my sisters eye lest Dr Lowrie should mistake. Long ago Miss McB told Dr Lowrie that she would always ‘confess herself’ I think. And she has so confessed. I wrote the below after one of the ‘long talks’ with Peter when the trouble, now happily past by Gods grace, was at its darkest and Miss McB was in such trouble. Not only because of it but of all which had gone before to help where she could find no help here.

July 8

Kate, I wrote the enclosed letter to you sometime ago, but waited, hoping. But now the trouble between Peter & Robert stirred up, and taken advantage of by Jimmy has only grown worse and cannot now be kept from Dr. Lowrie. And Moses – hindered from school by his wife has fallen into the same hands, and into the same net from which Gods grace has partly drawn Abram for the time. If to be drawn back into it God knows.

Kate, my sister, if you could only know the days and nights of almost unceasing trouble I have had to pass through since last fall. You would not wonder that I have so little strength to talk. And talking would do no good and only cause unladylike ‘arguing’ which I will not do.

In order to justify yourself to yourself you would have to try to justify those who are the root of the trouble in my school, and the Church here and among the Umatillas, which would only lead you to decieving yourself still more. I tell you this, that you might understand what you do not seem to understand. (our lives have been so different for so many years) that God has given me a great deal of grace (for which I thank Him) in that He enabled me to keep silent, when I was so burdened – and talking would do not good, and feverish night like last saturdays weaken me and I need strength. I send some things to last until you come over, my pupils will perhaps all be busy now

Sue

Kate

You know not all, but something of the trouble cause between two such friends as Robert Williams and Peter Lindsley (a minister and a licentiate – my pupils.) Trouble in Church and S.S., trouble caused directly by Nancy not having been taught in such a way as to do her duty as a wife, as it is so plainly shewn in God word and by her (after five years in school) still continuing her uncivilized customs. You know and God knows, how often and vainly I have pleaded that my pupils wives might be taught civilization and their Christian wifely and home duties and how their husbands too have petitioned and that Nancy in only one among all the rest. I do not need to remind you of this one or the other, for you know. There can be no more pleading at this end of the line. It avails nothing, as you know. And I am not strong enough to bear so much useless trouble. Besides I have now reached a point where silence is sin, because of the hindrance to the Master’s Cause in other tribes, as well as this. This morning I have begun a letter to the Phila friends telling them that they must send a teacher for the wives of my pupils who are so closely related to the missionary work in this and other tribes.

I will not send for anyone, but it is vital to the interests of the Nez Perce Mission and success in other tribes that there should be a teacher for my mens wives who will teach them to be helpmates to their husbands instead of hindering, and dragging them back into their old customs, as some are beginning to do. That will then leave you free to attend to the rest.

God knows how I have shrunk from the writing and prayed and endured almost sleepless nights of trouble rather than write it. But it must be done, or my own work avail little and missions to other tribes fail. (You know the past history of the Spokane Mission.)

Nancy is only the ‘last straw’; and she is only one among all the rest as you know. If she would not cross the river with her husband neither will she go to the Spokanes with him. Neither will the wives of my most promising later pupils (Moses &c) for whom I have so pleaded in vain. I know you ‘don’t care for the Church’, or trouble caused me, or in my school, or the Umatillas. I am not pleading, or asking for anything now. I only write this because I think it right to tell you of the letter to the Phila ladies. It must be written now to give them time.

Sue

(In the 1^st or 2^nd year of the Womans School, my St. Louis pastor Dr Brookes wrote that his church was educating a young lady – Miss Gersinger for missionary work and would send her to help me if I wished. They supporting her here. But I never answered the proposal. I had so much trouble from the ‘help’ that had come and Miss Gersinger went across the ocean – my sister knows nothing of this.)

But she saw the letter last Aug from Miss A, a Chicago lady whom I have never met but who has shewn much interest in the Nez Perces (She gave the first $100 for the printing press). Miss A wrote asking directions as to the route to Kamiah – saying that she was coming to visit the Nez Perces Mission, and perhaps would stay to help if needed. She is a lady of ‘independent means’ and would pay her own expense. I did not answer her letter until it was too late to come and then discouragingly because of my sisters presence. (I did not know then the winter in store for me or I might have thought the letter an indication of Providence. I have said nothing further on the subject to Miss A)

Miss McB began the letter to Mrs Perkins then stopped. She has never carried her troubles to the Phila friends only to Dr Lowrie. They know nothing of her sister, perhaps, save from her own ‘sunny side’ affectionately written letters. (She is a very pleasant letter writer, and her letters have perhaps done good, by exciting greater interest in the mission.) To ask for a teacher I think would involve explanations which Miss McB would not make to such comparative strangers unless all other means failed. The request would send her sisters name before a ‘Board meeting’ and (Miss McB has been in such) she did not want it to be discussed there if it could possibly be avoided.

The thought of two Womens Schools at Kamiah, and probably self reproach to Miss McB if she should be the means of causing to come out a stranger who would not be happy. I think never woman was in such a strait. At Lapwai there are many women, and no lady worker among them, and a school there would not be so ‘mixed’ with any other. But since, this new breaking of the monotony in her life here, my sister does not talk of L.

So, Miss McB ‘laid aside’ the letter to Mrs Perkins, wrote a short letter in answer to Mrs Flanigan’s the first which had reached her from the Phila friends for nearly a year, so many letters miscarried last winter) enclosing Peter’s photo and something of his story with a glimpse at the groups passing as I wrote ‘Kamas’ gatherings &c and then turned to the one who has borne so patiently with her for so long. He will know what is best and even if he has to rebuke her will do it kindly. And will deal kindly with her sister too.

Instead of answering Dr. Lowries enquires some years ago as regard to the relation of salaries to needs (as I thought she would, or I would have written something of hers when I wrote of mine) my sister started Rachael Pond in a school among the Spokanes – proposing to take the $100 (more than she expected when she came, or needed) to defray the expenses of that school. But she did not understand that people, or their environment. Adults as well as children swarmed out of their cold tents into Enochs warm little cabin where the school was, crowding it almost to suffocation from morning to night (many expecting to be fed as well). This in addition to other things, caused Enoch who is not a very strong man a severe illness, and he was brought home. When he recovered, and would have returned to the Spokanes, his wife who is ‘the one who rules’ opposed, refused to go with him. To go alone would have been virtual separation from her and the mission was stopped for the time.

Jimmy’s son-in-law – Stephen – is a half Cayuse raised on the Umatilla Reserve: a grand son of ‘Hiumhowlish’ the Cayuse Chief who in his efforts to rival ‘Winunmsnoot’ (John Lowrie ) has troubled the Church. Stephen and six others of Jimmy’s band were for weeks this spring busy among the Umatillas and it was told me on his return from the Umatillas (in June) that it was the purpose of those who opposed, or wished to divide the Church there – to hold a rival gathering on the same grounds at the July Camp Meeting (as was so often tried at Kamiah in the past) causing me much anxiety about our boys who did not then know of it. The Cayuse are so treacherous. (I have heard from our boys & they are well).

Part of the trouble comes from temperament and disposition (some peculiarities of which cause much care for her personally in addition to what I have written.

Then coming at her age into a position and work for which no experience of her life had helped to prepare he (Even the twenty years of teaching children and youth in the States made adaptation to the needs of a school of Indian women like these more difficult.)

She should never have come and since she is shewing all ‘her heart’ to Dr Lowrie it would be a lifting of much care from Miss McB is she were among the home friends again (where she might perhaps do a good work among her own). But ‘Miss McB is not the ‘question.’ Neither is there any question of personal trouble between her and her sister beyond what is here written. That could never be if only for the sake of the Cause in the eyes of the Nez Perces who know nothing of this (I have not forgotten the disgraceful times when I first came to the Nez Perces Mission.)

I think Miss McB did wrong in leaving the Womens school so almost entirely out of her Reports (making those Reports very difficult writing, sometimes) for five years hoping for better days until this long letter has accumulated. But the Womans Schools was in the charge of the Boards, not her.

If she could see any reason still to hope or if it was simply a question of no good being done rather than write this letter I think she would still wait until the friends could see for themselves. But I think that she cannot longer carry the burden of responsibility for silence. Forgive her for trying to delay sending it to Dr Lowrie when he has so many burdens to carry. Is it wrong? But where else can she go unless God?

He will rebuke kindly if plainly what he see wrong in this, will help if he can. He knows what is best and she can trust her Sister too, with him as well as the Cause and what is best for all.

Confession "1^st" Appeal written by Miss McBeth last fall

Kate

You know, for you have seen and heard for yourself every year since you came to Kamiah until this last, the trouble Jimmy Lawyer has caused the Church when in Archie’s or his mothers house; on this side, even for the week or two of the holidays. You have seen and heard every year until the last (when he could not accomplish anything) the trouble he caused the Church and community at the July meetings, and at other times. You saw and heard the winter Archie was on this side, the trouble he and Archie caused the Church and community. (when we with all the whites) were to be put off the reservation as soon as the snow was off the ground.’ - you remember.) You have seen and heard the trouble he has caused the church, even from the ‘other side.’

And now to look forward to not simply the week or two of the holidays, but six or eight months of his presence within almost a ‘stones throw’ of the Church, when he will have nothing to do but plot, and work out his own plans against the Cause which hinders his ambitions. To think of the ‘Sabbath Councils’ after Church, and in the long dark winter nights in the little house hidden behind the trees.

Plottings for the Chieftainship. (He began that subject again to the people around the School house when Charlie (Montieth) was here, that day he had a long talk with you near the mill.) Plotting to break down an Elder, and get himself in his place, to break down Robert and get Archie in his place. To break down Mark again if he cannot use him. To get our mails to pass through his own hands, to work into your school those he can use and out of it those who oppose him, using you for his own purposes as he used me when I first came, and as he has used Mr D. Oh what a winters work, with nothing to do but work it. In all the trouble ever dreamed could possibly come to us, I never dreamed of this.

Everything you teach Jimmy’s wife he will use to work out his own purposes. It is only putting an additional power into his hands to harass the Nez Perce Church and people by what I taught him + putting the pen and Bible into his hands to use against the Masters Cause. May God forgive me for I did it ignorently. There was no one to warn me.

There are plenty of women as good as Jimmy’s wife, who would do as well for your school (for you said when we were speaking of Jeannette that you ‘can’t bear to have one of them about you’ and yet would not be used as instruments of unrighteousness.

But your school is your own. You will do as you please with it as you have always done. I only make this appeal for the Church.

You say you ‘don’t care for the Church.’ But I do. Its interests are dear to me as life. The Kamiah Church is so harmonious and peaceful now by Gods grace – after all it has passed through from the same cause. I only make this appeal for its sake. May God guide you in your decision

Sue."

[Resume letter to Dr. Lowrie]

Every one of the above ‘prophesies’ were fulfilled as far as to efforts made save that God took away my care for Mark Williams, by taking him Home to Himself. Mark was the brightest pupil I have ever had, and, for years after I came to Kamiah, one of the most upright men there. He and Archie were about the same age and the fear of the rivalry in those days was not of Robert but of Mark. In the third year when Mark had left Archie, Jimmy, James Hines far behind in their studies, he was subtly and cruelly ‘tripped’ (trapped) by the Lawyers, and fell.

Again, and again he tried to rise, and was pulled back, until he said "It is no use" and for years he wandered, a prodigal and in those wanderings contracted the disease which caused his death. Two years ago, he came back into the Fold in which he died. Few men had such a good upon the affections of the people even through all. Nearly as soon as he was on his feet again, they elected him their policeman, or ‘judge’ and last New Years day with ‘strong crying and tears of the whole community they laid him down to his rest.

William Parsons, another of Kamiahs most upright men when he came to me, entered school with James Hayes, Enoch &c just before the war. In the dreadful days and nights while the Salmon River massacre was in progress William stood guard at his teachers door, ready to defend her with his life and guarded her with others to Fort Lapwai, he and James riding the 60 miles, close to the wagon wheel ready to snatch their little teacher from the wagon and try to bear her to safety in case of an attack. ("Miss McBeth will not be killed, until after I am dead" he said to his sister before starting.)

While I was a ‘refugee’ in Portland, William fell into sin, in Jimmy Lawyers house. After months, repented, and was again received in School. But Jimmy attached himself to him like a shadow finally succeeded in drawing him out of school and separating him from our boys. Since which time his course has been backward and downward. He is still wandering - a ‘prodigal.’ All the people now know that the ‘breaking down’ of M. and W. was the work of the Lawyers.

Holding her boys in her heart as she does is it a wonder when she see William and remembers Mark and thinks what they might have been and done with Gods help that she feels like keeping at a distance from others those who worked their ruin?

[section missing]

…receiving from her the impression that she would not persist in [illegible] to this sister announced in school, and the next morning Jimmy crossed over with wife, horses &c. and his wife and sister entered school. Other pupils came in (11) children and all, I think she stated in the Summary Report) but it was now late in the fall. They had a weeks vacation at Christmas, and another in April after which last few of the women returned (hindered in part, at least I know by the Lawyer women). I do not know how much if any their teacher knew of their work). From that time, until the last of June when the school closed for days at a time there was only one pupil in the womens school. Lucy the ‘tinun’ sister of Jimmy.

(I have written of the tinun - a hard lass.) This one was absent four of those days ‘packing’ with a company of white ‘loggers’ and two Nez Perce men – no relatives – camping with them at night herself the only woman – going into school as usual the morning after her return. She was a large element in the trouble attempted among the Umatillas last year. On her, and on Jimmy’s wife was spent the principal work of those months. The most of my pupils wives & others being worked out.

Last fall my sister while displeased with Robert told him among other ‘strong’ words that it "was not good for one band (haksaatsa) to govern the Church." (I suppose he and the Elders who were one in church work). Afterwards when I her trying to push forward the women of the new band while I pleaded in vain for Martha Whitman who would only be here a short time and for others of our boys wives. I tried to reason with her. I told her that there was where I had so harassed the people in the past (caused them to be as they sometimes reminded me) in that I ignorently raised up two bands in the Church. There were two Elders at Kamiah when I came, one of them a Chief. Of these, Mr Ainslee put into my hands to teach the two sons on one, two sons and nephew of the other (6 pupils in all).

As the years passed, one band used the knowledge I imparted, only for selfish purposes, to hinder the advance of the people, and of the Gospel; to keep and then try to regain their own old heathen power. The other worked through opposition and hindrances and persecutions to advance their people in Christianity and civilization. I told her that if I had not learned from an experience of years that the "Billy band’ as she called Robert and his Elders was the best for the people and the interest of the Cause of Christ among them or that the Lawyer band would have done as well or better.

I would not have approved them [illegible] But she could see (had seen) herself, how unselfishly and wisely Robert had helped to teach and how harmoniously he had worked with the licentiates and pupils in Church work. Not every white minister perhaps could work with five licentiates, in the same church, five years with scarce a jar) thinking not of himself, but of the Cause. The efforts of the other band had always been to hinder or break down others, lest they should get in advance of themselves. And now, when in the Church ‘order’ had been brought out of confusion and harmony prevailed in Church and community she ought not to let her continue to harass the people by raising up another band which though they would flatter her and use her she would [ill]. Two bands entering the same Church, meant division, and in the end ruin.

In her displeasure with the Titakash, last winter my sister took an ‘attitude’ to them, the example of which was not for the best.

I have told the N.Y. friends of the inherited weak lungs in which when the door and window of the closely packed little church are closed in winter nearly sause suffication to S.L. McB. (and of the slight partial paralysis dating from many years ago, which, while it does not interfere with her work prevents her walking far so that she knows principally of that attitude in those weeks from her sisters own talk. Nothing of it of course came into our boys. Monday mornings reports of sermons preached the subject matter of which they have studied with her & if their teacher had been about at other times.

I have said no word to my sister on the subject. It would only vex her, and do no good. Perhaps I ought not to write it to Dr Lowrie and would not – only that we have had so much trouble in ‘weeding out’ what of ‘un-Presbyterianism’ had been plastered or sprung up in the Church in those first years. Perhaps I am ‘old fashiond in my ideas too in regard to Womans place in public. I would be so glad if my sister would have prayer meetings with her women or gather all the women into womens meeting in her school room or the Church, but I shrink (always did), from seeing one of my sex stand up before mixed audiences in Church, or elsewhere.

But I have wandered far from my story that part of the story which comes into ‘Reports’ of Miss McB.

By the time Jimmy crossed over last fall, Silas was here in a house a few rods distant and at once attached himself to him. (Silas was trained from his boyhood, as one of Jimmys ‘warriors’ and he told me once has the ‘instinct’ of obedience still even while distrusting him.) [Jimmy]separated himself (apparently he had returned to them again) from his two still heathen hearted Sub chiefs and attached himself to the leading men of the church told the Titakash that he had ‘stopped being ‘paaptam’ (in opposition to them) and to our boys, confessing his past wrong doing, and telling them with many flattering words to them that he was ‘amkakaits’ (humble and peaceable) now, submittting himself at last and conducted himself for a time so that they were thrown off their guard.

Silas now an ordained minister (Silas would be hurt if he knew Dr Lowrie knew this And there is no need – I would not write it now only that it must come into the story) Jimmy had not been instructed before he came as to his relation to the Church here began making and keeping his own appointments – setting up an independent line of action in the Church (making a road for Archie ‘to do the same as he afterwards incidentally, expressed) The Elders began to drift apart injudicious talk of my sister the entering wedge between two. Ss brothers, an Elder and one of my pupils began to be ‘puffed up’ and try to and will for the session. By the time the Christmas gathering came the session was not in harmony, and such a ‘ferment’ working to the surface here and there that even my sister was alarmed. (knowing that if hurt came to the Church the cause would need to be reported) Robert, too, was in deep sorrow by the dying bed of Mark, the brother he so dearly loved.

To spare the Church, Miss McB drew the ‘fire’ on her own head (I will explain if Dr L wishes it is not by her will that she is ‘left to stand in the trench’.) Then came a new experience – trouble in her school. In all troubles before, there was only comfort there. If was very new to dread entering it. For weeks, she had to get down in the very dust before God every morning and plead for grace and strength sufficient for the day. And it was give (Praise to His blessed name)

Again, and again I though I had lost Abram. His wife and Jimmy’s were very intimate and he, in this way, the most under the influence of J who ‘shadowed’ him as he had done William parsons. But God has helped me with him, so far, and with all the rest. Silas redeemed himself nobly before e left Kamiah. The episodes with him working for good in the end. But oh, the long exhausting talks after the days work in school the days and nights of needless trouble to Miss McB the long continued strain , which, relaxing now, is leaving her so weak.

One good effect of the trouble with A (who would need to be reported if I lost him) and in the church was her changing her attitude to the ‘Titakash’ seeking rather to conciliate and uphold them (not giving up her S.S. audiences, however)  Jimmy recrossed the river in March or April, having accomplished nothing. His wife in her eagerness to ‘kokasin’ (pass & get in advance of) the ‘mimilu’ (stupids) who have been in school for five years as she boasts she has now done, riding the nearly three miles to school & crossing the river. Looking back the Church is stronger & more firmly [ill] I think today . I think by Gods grace after what it has gone through, and Miss McBs pupils are all hers yet, and nearer to her if possible, than they were before the storm.

She would not have penned now the story of last winter only for fear of its repetition and she is so tired, so tired of needless trouble. And this comes into her work reaching her boys through their wives. A few days ago, she asker her sister if she purposed bring Jimmy to this side again this winter? [ill] probably Archie to help him. "I do not know if he will wish to cross over this winter or not" was the answer. "Is it your purpose to continue his wife in school?" "Certainly." And there the subject dropped. Words were useless. (The only reason my sister has ever given (gives) for entering upon or her strange persistance in her course is "I will not hinder any good woman from school." (And yet she cling as closely to the ‘tinum’ sister.) If his wife is in school he comes to this side too. But next winter as the past is in Gods Hands. Archie is in the hands of the Presbytery under God and not in mine. The present, greatest trouble to Miss McB is about the wives of our boys and the other women too.

One day last winter (the subject had come up in the morning lesson of some of our boys in 1^st Tim. & Titus) my class asked me to ask ‘Miss Kate’ about their ‘bossing’ (takeswit) for usurping authority outside work; and about their persisting in doing outside work which their husbands did not want them to do, making them ashamed. (The tinun who have no husbands to work their farms now the men say, can hire men to do the work) [They asked] that she would talk to the women about their squaw dresses which husbands object to strongly as being far from ‘modest apparel.’ (Besides, they are so anxious to have their women ‘like white women’ and so pleased with any effort in that direction.) That she would talk to them about their roving the country, and teach them how to guide the house, domestic matters &c and [illegible] in His Word about their womanly and wifely duties. "It is the woman who is the head of the man here, not the man the head of the woman" interrupted M. "When I go home, I may find my wife there and dinner ready or she may be miles away and nothing (prepared) to eat in the house. She does as she will herself, without any reference to her husband." (she was a pupil). "Why dont you teach them Gods words yourself?" I asked. "We have, time and again and it has been taught them from the pulpit." But they know that Miss Kate is the womens teacher; was sent expressly to teach the women; and it is no use for us to talk, as long as there is not one work from her on the subject. They cannot read it (understandingly) themselves, and they think the men are talking for their own sake as interested parties) "Ask Miss Kate, yourselves," I said. "She cannot understand us clearly. It is best if you will ask her." I repeated the request of the class to my sister with no visable results or I would not ‘send on’ the petitions of our boys to Dr. Lowrie.

A and his wife M though really attached to each other are both very high tempered, and in their quarrels used to use hands as well as tongues. A. knew before entering that striking M. would close the door of school to him and we have had many a long quiet talk on this and other subjects. "When I see Ms chin [illegible] taking that set I have learned to close my own mouth tight" he said last winter in telling of trying to dissuade her from a course urged by Jimmys wife which would involve him too. "I knew that the next thing would be a slap in my face. Before the Mother (Pika) taught me, I used to slap back, but now I know better." (He had to submit then, though against his better judgement and [illegible] it was better than trouble in the family. The past winter he was scarcely ever without a scratched face from whatever cause – which amused my sister when I told her. "While Miss Kate and M were talking" he said, not long ago, when they had been visiting her "I said in my heart with strong words, oh that Miss Kate would talk to M as the Mother talks to us." "Will you ask her to talk to my wife." "If I ask it will cause trouble."

M is the most advanced pupil (woman) - was in the Government school and in the Womans school for five years and so a teacher in the S.S. Her husband has only been in school about two years – was much hindered in his studies last year from the causes I have named. Jimmy wife keeps mine in constant taktakatnin [illegible] by her stories, trying to hinder from Church and school, and through my wife troubles me he said not long ago.

The latest petition was from F whose wife, one of the S.S. teachers, when she had no help used to go to her studies from the breakfast table leaving her husband to ‘do up’ the morning work, attend to the children &c making him late to his own studies. "My wife gives me no peace" he said lately "wanting to go to the Kamas grounds." (where the great majority of the Kamiah women were then camped – a careless camping with their little ones growing to love the same wild food & the ways of the long ago). I say to her "Why do you want Kamas. Even a Chinaman will not eat it. Stay here, and help take care of the garden, and then we can have plenty of vegitables we can trade for sugar and coffee &c, for the winter." She says "Miss Kate does not tsimksa." (be displeased with, or fault) us for going to the Kamas. It is only you." (her husband)

"I wish you would ask Miss Kate to talk to my wife." "No." I said. "Ask Miss Kate, yourself." He can talk English well enough to have her understand and Miss McB has ‘stopped asking’. She (his wife) succeeded at last in getting from (with the help of the Lawyer women with whom she is very intimate & she and A, Jimmy & his wife, and mother are not off on a hunting & fishing expedition to be gone for weeks leaving the house leaving home matters to take care of themselves. F. has the least ‘back bone’ of any of the Elders. He & Jimmy two years ago were the leaders in reviving the old custom of ‘wishni’ hunting in families of which I had intended to write but this is too long now.

August 27.

Mt. Idaho

After our boys are all too busy in their harvest fields to study even occasionally Miss McB came up to the cooler Mt Idaho to try to recruit a little among the kind friends here. She purposes returning to Kamiah again in a few days – if the Lord will.

I think she cannot carry this letter back to Kamiah again, and begin another year (D.V.) burdened with perplexities, and the responsibility for further silence. Is it wrong (as I know it is selfish) to lighten the burden by sending it to Dr Lowrie? Forgive her.

Miss McB hopes (and purposes now) never again to write such a ‘shady side’ letter to Dr Lowrie should God spare her, and permit her to go on with her own work, with her our boys. There is so much to thank God for in the ‘sunny side.’ He in His great love has given to the Nez Perce Mission. His Name Alone be all the praise.

If Dr Lowrie ould have understood the situation rightly without what he finds in this of the past - that past would not have been written. It is past as far as our boys are concerned at present. It would hurt them if they knew Dr Lowrie whom they revere knew of it.

Archie, and his wife have returned home, but the Int. Tery, Nez Perces, are still not here. Some say they are coming soon, others, that they are to be sent among the Columbia River Indians (because of the feeling of the white here) to gradually work their way home from there). But, Dr Lowrie doubtless knows better of this than does Miss McB

Archies coming made little stir much less than it would have done a year ago. ("It was well I came first." said Silas to one of our boys before he returned to the Umatillas.

Robert, and our boys received him (Archie) kindly, and go on their way undisturbed

Archie preached once at Kamiah by Roberts invitation, made a short visit there and then returned to Lapwai where he is now. I do not know why.

Mr D told me, last Spring that if Archie returned he would be under the BoF M - the same Board as the rest of our boys he thought. It is the only way I think. Archie under a different Board would inevitably I think soon cause trouble between the Boards as well as in the Nez Perce church. But that is outside of Miss McBs province. Save for the strange element of trouble which has come into her field (the future direction - the working, of which she cannot foresee – the past winter was so unexpected) Miss McB could leave her care because of Archie where it belongs to Board and Presbytery under God (the two protests have freed her from responsibility for him).

I do not rightly understand (I have not yet seen the last report of Gen. Ass). Are the Foreign and Home Boards one Board in their care of the Nez Perces? Or, are the Nez Perces in charge of two Boards working separately. I hope not the later – for the sake of the Cause.) The cause of the question is this.

Some time ago, I knew that efforts were being made by a former government teacher at Kamiah to have the boarding school at Kamiah reopened by Church or Gov. but I paid little heed, not believing that he would succeed, from the difficulty of getting supplies to Kamiah &c. And then, there is really little need for it.

Nearly all of the larger children are at Forest Grove where it is much better they should be. There is besides, a large boarding school at Lapwai for others. I do hope that will not bring the children home from Forest Grove to Kamiah. If only the homes were being prepared for their return. But Miss McB is almost in despair of those ‘homes.’ But my sister wrote from Lewiston on her way to Moscow where she is now on a visit that Rev Hill, of the Home Board had been in Lewiston in regard to the mater and expected (D.V.) to go to Kamiah, early in Sept preparitory to reopening the boarding school under the H. B. and Gov.

But that not coming into her work is ‘outside’ of Miss McB province’ too.

Robert has gone on a missionary tour among the Spokanes taking with him as helpers Peter Lindsley, and George Enos and leaving James Hayes, pastor pro tem at Kamiah. God is so good to Miss McB is He not? In that He lets her see the beginning of the realization of her ‘dreams’ for our boys in His work. To His Name alone, be all the praise.

This morning three of our boys and other Kamians passed through Mt Idaho with pack horses loaded with produce on their way to ‘Warrens’ a mining camp about 90 miles further on, among the mountains -120 miles from Kamiah expecting D.V - to return to Kamiah by the last of next week.

That was why I taught until the latest day in July, that any of them could study because; the whites all around us as well as we have such abundant harvest crops this year that our boys can scarcely find a market for their produce or can get so little for it near home that they must take it to distant mining camps or other distant markets after the grain is threshed. They have been working hard. (There’s is the first ‘pack’ from Kamiah)

[missing section]

…as possible. Our boys shew no signs of flagging in their studies but even shew an increased hunger to know. The brother of Moses took Ms prudence with the other three of our boys this A.M., his mother being sick in Ms house. Moses is '‘is McBs boy still as are all the others – thank God.

But she must not began talking about our boys now.

There is a little item I have often intended to write to Dr Lowerie but always forgot. If Miss McB (S.L.) should die among the Nez Perces would Dr Lowrie if living please as soon as he hears of her death write at once to Judge Strong of Portland, Oregon. He has in his keeping, papers of Miss McB in which she leaves whatever property &c she may die possessed of to the Board of Foreign Missions & the Nez Perce Mission. Can Dr. Lowrie make a note of this for the Board? [illegiblel] initials but he is an old, well known, resident of Portland and there is only on ‘Judge Strong’ there.

Since I came to Mt. Idaho, I have had a note from Mr. Rankin enclosing check in which he says that the letter to him which I enclosed in the long letter sent to Dt Lowie last spring with the Summary Statement had not reached him. I am afraid the ‘Sum Stat’ &c too did not reach Dr. Lowrie, did it? So many letters miscarried last year. More than I ever knew of since I came to K.) I am so sorry if Dr Ls did not receive it. I reported so fully of my own work and Robert too, of his (though there was scarcely a hint of the matters outside of my own work). I think he has rarely seen mentions of the womens school in Miss McBs letters. And, probably her silence was wrong.

Archies coming has made little stir in the Kamiah Church. Robert has a strong hold on the hearts of his people, and on their trust. No one else can fill his place in Kamiah.

Miss McB is tempted to sent two late very sunny side pictures, illustrating the growth in stability and grace too & trust of the Kamiah church ever since one year ago (which was perhaps Gods purpose in much of that year). But the pictures must wait. Dr Lowrie is too weary now from reading the long shady side letter. Forgive her for sending it, and all he sees amiss in it and her.

Should she not have, if even only a very few lines, very soon telling her that it and the photos has reached Dr Lowrie? It would be a kindness to her if not too much trouble to him. Pray for the Nez Perces and all the workers among the.

In a Saviors love and the Masters Work

Yours truly

S.L. McBeth

Later

Glancing over what I wrote I find I have omitted an item in the ‘explanations.’

As far as I can learn only those who are received into the Church by baptism or profession of faith are reported as added to the Church. The large increase in ‘numbers of communicants’ is due to two causes.

1^st When the church was reorganized some years ago, many of those baptized by Father Spaulding, were dropped from the rolls because their lives shewed that they were ‘only baptized.’ Even our Umatilla boys have learned to deprecate these hasty admissions into the Church. Many of these have been received back into communion profession of repentance and faith in Christ, and although counted as ‘backsliders restored’ the most perhaps, are in reality new converts.

Then, the many little boys & girls I saw receiving the Communion after I came were dropped. These many from time to time having grown up united by profession of faith, but were not counted new members. (There were two of these last (at least) at the last Communion.) Then when the Church was reorganized Christian marriage was made a requirement of Communion. Couples married only by their old heathen custom were dropped until they were united in Christian marriage when they were again recieved into communion. There are few couples in Kamiah now, I believe not united in Christian marriage, as there is not a family, I think not connect with the Church by some of its members.