Mt. Idaho May 4^th 1887

Kate – dear Sister
Why don’t you write? I haven’t had a line from you for months. I think not since shortly after Mrs D-s death. Have you written? I thought perhaps you were having the ‘epizoot’ too but Silas says you have not; have been well all the time. I had five weeks or more of it. About two before our boys went down and worse after so that I sent for the Dr. but he could do me no good. Nothing helped me only temporarily. It just wore itself out. I am all over it now. I think (and I thank Our Father) was teaching last week again. None of our boys are up to study this week yet, but I am expecting some of them perhaps this evening. It has been such bad weather, lately rain and sleet and or snow but this P.M. is clear again.

I never had anything like the epizoot – as they call it – in my life before. It seemed to change my whole system. The food I usually like, I loathed. When it was at the worst, and craved apples – which did not use to agree with me – and cream. The friends here were so kind to me. Keeping me supplied with both and doing all they could for me. The past two weeks or more I have my usual appetite, and am now about as strong as ever. My lungs stronger perhaps than they were before. It may be our Father meant it to do me good, though it was pretty severe when passing through it. Scarcely a white person in Mt I or all this region escaped it. It seemed to be epidemic. Only my scholars did not take it, or any Chinese I know. It may have been something of this kind in the school at Lapwai.

I suppose you saw Robert & the boys who are probably at K. by this time if God prospered them. Harry says he did not see you when in L. one wastukt lately. He was only at the Fort.

I thought the Dr’s family lived near you, but they say he lives at the Fort. What whites live near you? The Miller? I suppose Mr D is back by this time to settle up mission matters before he leaves. I do not know if he knows of Silas’ ‘tour’ through the Reservation lately making ‘announcements’ from ‘Mr Deffenbaugh’ &c & raising a tukin. Silas & Jim & others told me about it.

But you doubtless know a great deal more than I of the Reservation & matters on it-Mt Idaho is as nice a little place as ever. The grass growing & fruit trees beginning to blossoms in spite of the storms. But oh the storms of last winter I never saw anything like them since I came to Idaho. My eyes are paining me so that I can scarcely see to write. Write to me soon

Tell me everything about home and all. I have not heard a word for so long. I kept trying to learn if there was any freshet at Lapwai when the snow went off but could not learn of any. Mary Scott is home perhaps you know and has adopted a little boy of 3 or 4 yrs old – Mr Scotts nephew. She is expecting her mother before long on a visit she says. Write soon please

Sue.