Kamiah
March 31, 1884
Dr Lowrie
Very dear friend,
I would rather not think just now how long it has been since I wrote to you. Although
my work is to some extent distinct from Sisters & Mr D yet have often soothed a troubled
conscience by thinking they write often. I cannot write good little letters & never want to see
what I written afterwards.
For some time after your last letter was recd my head was full of what I would write
to you, smiling often at the idea of writing about such things to Dr Lowrie! The train of titles
was suggested by ‘The domestic should not be overlooked’ shining plainly. You have the
right view of the Indian question. Their false ideas of dignity & labor requires much patience
to change, with the male portion at least. But to my subject – the women.
When I think of the improved appearance of women & children in the last few years
as I see them in the great congregation I am much encouraged. The same remark with a
different prefix would express my feelings after visiting them in their homes. But saying we
white women would not do any better with as little to do on, perhaps find them washing a
dress in a tin pan or running stream their little farms provide food & enough to sell for the
groceries & very plain clothing. They are indeed industrious in providing for the winter.
Sister thinks that a great improvement. The most of them ambitious to be respectably clothed
on the Sab. but beyond this only the few seem to care. I cannot see how there can be much
change in their homes until they take up larger farms & are helped some to begin farming on
a larger scale & the men willing to work out in the field without the strong arm & cheering
presence of a woman ever near. The boys & girls away at S. now will come back with
different ideas doubtless.
But you want to hear about my S. For some reason there has been a greater appetite
for S & more interest in it than in any previous year. Had during the winter eighteen pupils,
fourteen married women, two maidens, two little girls & five babies (for good measure).
One new pupil last week, perhaps not a very hopeful one for her husband is still in his
blanket. She wore her first white woman dress in the S. room, as did two others who entered
in the fall. Mrs James Lawyer (not one of the two however) was one of my new pupils this
year. Sister thought she ought not to be in S. at all that my views are too liberal. But I could
not see how I could refuse a good woman a place there because of a plotting husband. Have
never had a pupil more anxious to learn domestic ways that she. Wish you could have seen
her look of intense interest as she stood in the circle around my kitchen stove while that
emblem of sin was made (yeast). She was the only one who accepted my offer ‘Anyone who
will bring me cornmeal I will show them how to make dried yeast.’ A few words on the
subject. Every woman who has ever been in my S. and some outside have been taught to
make yeast bread. But I’m certain only a few who have given up the time honored flat-cake.
No trouble with any of them, if I would provide the yeast. Oh, they have not the things to
make or nothing to keep it in, or forget to keep fresh. They do not like care – want to work
hard then rest. Now Dr in my S. room there are two wall packets full of patterns. Every
pupil of my S from the first has had of the same for pattern use. Not only the women of my
S. but any - every woman who came wanting to dress like a white woman has had the same.
Oh how often when tired have I seen a woman slipping around to the back door & knew she
had the material for a dress (no lining) under her shawl or blanket. The basting had to be
done at first, or as likely as not & much likelier that woman or that timid child would be to
the front the next Sab. with the gores turned the wrong way. This work of pattern making
ought never to have been such a tax upon my time but for the native who in my good
[illegible] carefully concealing their wisdom but their work shews [illegible].
The knitting not so intricate & not so easily kept (under the bushel) for I find some in
the ‘region beyond’ knitting, getting corners turned somehow. Each pupils of my S. has knit
at least one pair of stockings. Yarn for the same & needles a present to her. They soon
[illegible] some of tem very speedy. The men love to shew their wives handwork, have
heard of several making some excuse to take the boot or shoe off. One while at Lapwai
displayed his bright stripes hunting for something that hurt his foot. Very children in some
things.
The subject of personal cleanliness needs the “Here a little & there a little” all the
way along. We found the “Line upon line” one day this winter while searching the
Scriptures for what God says upon the subject with regard to the Worshipper. It is so easy to
slip a better dress on outside & off to church, or don the cover all blanket – two of the best
readers read the references each recd a slip with them on to read against & prove to others
that God is not silent on this point. How tender the conscience & devote these poor children
are when sure the word come from Him. In the closing prayer that day how touching the
petition “Oh Lord we did not know that before, please forgive us. Many of their expressions
hold up Jesus as a dear ever near friend. Said the Father is ‘kupkinekih’ (just on the other
side) of Jesus. Not bearing on this point however. An other one in prayer prayed for not
only ‘Dr L – Our World Guide’ but for his wife, his household. I could not help wonder
thinking how bewildered this poor people would be if call upon to ‘transfer’ their affections
to another leader of another board. It is hard for them to understand some things.
Last year wrote to you thru the Phil Ladies to take $100.00 from my sal. for Enochs
wife then in Spokane country. I see the needs are pressing every where - no trouble in
spending money here & not extravagantly either. I cannot see how Miss Dixon gets along on
$400. If the people there charge for what they do & sell as here. Take it any way. I think
some of my expenses may be less in another year. As for instance the S.S. I had borne all
the expenses of it from the first – the people are indeed poor in all but land & I think they do
well in contributing towards Roberts sal. I see in looking over statistics of Sisters now ready
to send to you. My class is not included – as indeed it could not well be for it includes all the
women of the congregation seats & floor.
Please say to Mr Rankin check has been recd and another due 1st April.
Perhaps you may not think this a very encouraging letter from K. I could have taken
a few of my dear women who are becoming so clean & nice in person & homes & tasty in
appearance & made a beautiful truthful picture of them. But the vision beyond would be
obscured. I have not forgotten to whom I am writing although some of it may need a lady
Interpreter and I try not to forget that whatever advances the people is for the Masters Glory.
And am happy in the doing of it only when some [missing] found my own heart comes
between His face and mine.
Sister is in her usual health. (Mrs D has been sick but better by last accounts.) Will
hear again in a short time as some of our people are down there now & will return with piles
perched on the ponies back. I hope the reading of this light letter by yourself & Mr Rankin
will enable you both to see clearer what is needed among all Indians truly the domestic
should not be overlooks
With much love to you from
Kate C. McBeth