Kamiah, May 5^th 1875
Mr. J. B. Montieth

Dear Sir
I send in this a letter I recieved from Dr. Lowrie, last Saturday and which Mr Montieth will perhaps understand better than I am afraid it has been ‘prefaced’ by trouble, or perplexity to Mr Montieth although it came so unexpectedly to me. Of course, I recognized the agency through which it has doubtless been brought about. I am so sorry for the trouble Miss McB causes him (Mr Montieth) when he is so heavily burdened with other troubles & cares. And yet, what have I done to cause such enmity from Mr Martin? I enclose also, my answer to Dr Lowrie, unsealed, asking a favor from Mr Montieth.

Will he please if he has time, read that answer to Dr. L? If there are any words or paragraphs which should not be in it, would Mr. Monteith please draw his pen through such, unsparingly. He knows the circumstances, and what is best so much better than I. If all, or such parts as he does not mark out should go to Dr L. would Mr. Montieth please forward the letter to Dr L. If it is best that none of it should go to Dr. L would Mr Monteith please return the letter to me or burn it. I leave it in his hands. I do not think that Dr Lowrie was so much ‘perplexed’ by my letter as he was seeking to elicit what he has gotten from S.L. McBeth for the first time – tattling.

And while she is in the mood (a very unusual one) perhaps she ought to give Mr Montieth another ‘last illustration"  Day before yesterday an old man living at Kamiah who comes to see me sometimes and who I believe to be one of my friends paid me a visit after school and for the first time began talking of the wrongs of Mr Cowley. He was a good deal excited and had evidently been very recently ‘spruced up.’ Among other things [illegible] Mr Cowley ought to be living in this house now: that Miss McBeth had been sent for, two years ago to take Mr Cowleys place, and Mr Cowley turned off" &c &c. "But" I said "Mr Cowley is among the Spokanes and likes his work there: "No" he said "Mr Cowley does not like the Spokane country. Always he loves the Nez Perce people, and always he wants to come back to them &c. I was glad the old man came to me instead of going out among the Indians while his excitement was up – although it cost me a good two hours talk &c I was already very tired.

Yesterday morning, I asked my pupils who among the Nez Perce people corresponded with Mr Cowly? "Not anyone that they know of" they said. "Who has had a letter from Mr Cowley lately" I asked. "Mr Martin" was the answer.  I feel as if it were very small in Miss McB to write even that much gossip, & yet perhaps she should speak out to Dr L & tell Mr Montieth of influence at work among those under his care. And yet what can he do to help it?

And, it seems to me S. L. McB is nothing but a trouble to him and yet, how can she help it? If there is any possible plan by which she can continue her work with these men and yet spare Mr Montieth so much perplexity & trouble she will very cheerfully add to her labors to the utmost extent of her strength (already taxed) rather than give up her work with these. Only please please do not let her come under Mr Martins power. She is in Mr Montieths charge while in Nez Perce land and can trust him and does to the extent of his ability as he experiences in the trouble she give him.

Please forgive her.

Thursday
Archie & James L. start in the morning for Lapwai & I want to send this & Dr Ls letter with them. Archie is waiting.
Respectfully Yours

S.L. McBeth
Archie & James will tell you about he school & what they know.