May 1880
Rev. John Lowrie

Dear Brother
Your kind favor of April 3rd has been read and reread by us all. In answer we sent the following.

  1. As to the house. At present the sawmill is out of repair, but the Agent hopes to have it in running order some time this summer, perhaps in the early fall. He is awaiting orders from Washington in regard to the matter. Of course there is no certainty as to just when we will be able to get any sawing done for the building. The room now occupied by Miss S.L. McBeth is very uncomfortable during the summer months on account of the heat. That she may be spared the torture of spending the heated season in it we have concluded to proceed at once to the building of a portion of the house intended for the Mission. A part can be built now and when lumber can be obtained at the Mill the house will be finished this fall unless something unforeseen prevents. This will necessitate the purchase of the needed lumber at Mt Idaho, a small town in the mountains 25 or 30 miles from Kamiah. Rough lumber can be had there for $15 to $25 per thousand. For the [illegible] intended for Miss S.L. McB it will require about 5000 feet of lumber which will cost from $110 to $125 at Mt Idaho and the expense of getting it to the ground will be from ten dollars per thousand additional. There are two ways of transporting the lumber by wagon or by water either of which will be necessarily costly and laborious and the latter with considerable risk of losing the lumber through at least cost.

    2. If the Agent does not get an appropriation for the mill, the lumber needed to finish the house will have to be purchased at Mt. Idaho. As we have calculated it we will need 7000 feet more, which can probably be placed on the ground for $200 perhaps for less. Under the circumstances this is probably the best course to pursue.

  2. As to Roberts expenses to Synod. We would all be glad to have the money refunded to Miss McBeth
  3. As to Roberts going to the Nez Perces in Indian Territory. Your suggestion was carefully and prayerfully considered. The question was submitted to Robert for his decision with reasons pro and con, and after thinking this matter over and consideration he decided that it would be best not to go. This is best perhaps for the reasons he could not well be spared from Kamiah and secondly his field of usefulness is greater here than it would be with Josephs band. Perhaps we are selfish, but he would be greatly missed in our missionary tours if he were to leave us.

We hope the above will meet with your approval and when carried out will further the interests of our Mission. With best wishes
Yours very truly

G.L. Deffenbaugh

S.L.McBeth

Kate C. McBeth