Business Letters
Mt. Idaho
Idaho Ter. Aug 9th
Kamiah, July 25 1885
Mr. J. H. Evans
Cashier First National Bank of Lewiston, Idaho Ter.
Dear Sir
Enclosed please find a check for four hundred and fifty dollars ($450.00) on the New York
‘Merchants National Bank’, which I wish to deposit in the First National Bank of
Lewiston Idaho Ter. Drawing interest, the same as the three hundred dollars ($300.00) I
deposited in your hands last year (That was at eight percent interest) or at the best rate
of interest the Bank can allow me. Please add the four hundred and fifty dollars ($450.00)
enclosed to the $300.00 of my money already in your hands drawing interest. And, will you
be so kind as to send me a note acknowledging the reciept of the enclosed check the very
earliest moment possible after it reaches you that I may know it has reached you
safely. Please state also the best rate of interest you can give me on it –
And very much oblig’d.
Respectfully yours
Sue L. McBeth
From Mt. Idaho Aug 19th 1888
Kamiah July 25 1885
Mr Wallace Scott
Dear Sir
I enclose in this an envelope addressed to Mr J. C. Evans, Cashier of the First National
Bank of Lewiston, I. T. I send enclosed in it a check for four hundred and fifty dollars
($450.00 on the ‘New York Merchants National Bank,’ and a note to Mr Evans,
asking him to deposit it with my money already in the 1st National Bank of
Lewiston (the $300.00 which I deposited in that Bank last year perhaps you remember) I
have not heard from or [illegible] Mr Evans for a year, and am not certain that he is
stilll Cashier in the 1st Nat. Bk at Lewiston so leave the envelope unsealed,
and instead of sending it direct to Lewiston, enclose it first to Mr Scott, asking him if
he will be so kind as to read the note, and then, if it is all right, please seal and mail
the note and check to Mr. Evans. And, would you please send me a note by bearer.
That I may know that the check for the $450.00 has safely reached your hands, and that
you will be so very kind as to send it and note, on to Mr. Evans.?
Please forgive me for troubling you so much but it will be a great kindness if Mr Scott
will do this for me. The check should have been deposited long ago, but it is risky to
send sometimes. The Indians are careless and I was busy and put off sending from time to
time.
I am writing other notes and ‘orders’ today to send to Mr Scott as I find
good opportunities which are rare now these busy harvest times. With much love to Mrs
Scott and all the Mt Idaho friends.
Very troublesomely yours
Mt Idaho Dec 26 1888
Mr Gilbert K Harrison
53 5th Ave New York
Dear Sir
Your note of Dec 18th enclosing check for $350 (of which $300 is my salary for
the 6 months ending Jan 1 1889 - $50.00 my assistants salary to Jan 1 1889) has just
reached me, and I hasten to send you the reciept by return mail (D.V.) Your letter also
enclosed a letter to my sister Miss K C McBeth at Lapwai 77 miles from here which I will
hasten to send her D.V. My sisters address is
Miss Kate C McBeth
Lapwai
Nez Perce Co
Idaho Ter
My address is
Miss S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho
Idaho Co
Idaho Ter
The 68 miles between here and Lewiston are miles of mountain roads, sometimes impassable
for weeks in the winter snows often mail comes from Lewiston here by stage or pack horse
– Lapwai is about 12 miles farther from Lewiston from which letter place my sisters
gets her mail by private opp[illegible] From Mt Idaho to Lapwai is about via
Kamiah is about 90 miles and has no mail routes between . All mail matter must go via
Lewiston. Lapwai & Mt Idaho are 90 miles of Mts apart and [illegible] via of Kamiah
– no mail between
If it would not be too much trouble would Mr Harrison please send my sisters mail to
her direct so saving much delay & additional risk. It would be a great favor to my
sister her as well as to
Very Respectfully yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Feb 20th 1891
Messrs Erickson & Hanson
Dear Sirs
About a month ago Jan 18th I sent a Post Office Order for 50 cts asking you to
please send me one copy of the photo General View No of Mt Idaho. I wanted to see it and
if I liked it would want many more copies. I have not received the photo and Did
you receive my letter Perhaps I have not yet received the photo, or an answer to
my letter. Perhaps my letter miscarried, or the photo or an answer. Will you please
tell me if you cannot send the photo to me now I want it very much. If you cannot
send it will you please tell me. Now I want many photos of my house but want to see the
others first. If you wish please keep the 50 cts for the picture of my house you sent; and
I will send the money for the trees of Idaho. Please send the photos General I had hoped
to have sent my order for a dozen copies for more, and have them here by
this time. Please send me photo no 39 Nez P War series. General view of
Mt Idaho at the very earliest moment possible, & very much oblige
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Oct 12th 1891 [written to one side : below but 9 ½ in. ladies
shoes no. 6
Bloomingdale Bros
no chemise]
Messrs
I enclose in this a P.O. money order for $3.89. For this please send me one half dozen 6
pack ladies fast black derby ribbed hose (color warrented—Shoppers best goods as see
illustration 3rd special – page 71 of Catalogue for Fall & Winter of
1891 cost of said black hose .25 cts apiece – postage 20 cts - $1.70 size of hose 18
inc. Ladies shoes.
Please send me also 3 chemise size around the shoulders or band 32 in fine muslin bosom of solid tucking insertions & needlework edging good muslin as see illustration No 82 page 52 Catalogue for Fall & Winter size about the shoulders or band 32 inches. Price of Chemise 68 cts apiece – postage on all 30 cts - @2.19
Please send the above goods to me by mail at the very earliest moment possible. Please address the package to Miss S.L. McBeth, Mt Idaho, Idaho Co., Idaho Respectfully Yours
S.L. McBeth
The package of goods for which I sent lately reached me yesterday. Many thanks for prompt
attention.
Mt Idaho Oct 19th 1891
Dr J.B. Morris
Dear Sir
I write this in the hope that you will come up to Mt Idaho this week. I am so
sorry I did not see you when you was in Mt Idaho lately. I write this in the hope that you
will perhaps be here this week or soon. If you are here will you please come to see me,
and prescribe for me as soon as you receive this. If you do not come to Mt Idaho now
please come & see me when ever you do come to Mt Id or into the neighborhood. I want
to see you very much.
[no signature]
Mt Idaho Nov 7th 1891
Mr Anson D. Randolph
Dear Sir
The 6 copies of Reids English Grammer Primer have reaced me and also your bill for balance
due you 80 cts. I enclose in this a Postal Money Order for the 80 cts due you. Thanks for
prompt sending of the books.
Respectfully yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Nov 9th 1891
Mr John P. Vollmer
A friend in Marrion Ohio wrote lately that they had a box of goods to send me and
asking the most direct route I asked her to address it to me in Mt. Idaho care Mr
John P. Vollmer, Lewiston Idaho. Was this right? It might prevent delay as it is so late
in the season & I need the box now. I am not sure by what route the box come or has
will come perhaps by Northern Pacific. It may be at the Genessee or Lewiston depot now. If
it is then or when it comes will Mr Vollmer please get it from Genesee or Lewiston Depot
paying what charges may be on it and send it to me by the very first team possible. I want
it very much now and the roads will soon to too bad for freighting. And
please send your bill with the box once will remit the money at once. Forgive me for
troubling Mr Vollmer so much and believe me to be if ‘troublesomely yet gratefully
yours
S.L McB
Mt. Idaho Nov 16th 1891
Bloomingdale Brothers
New York, N..
Messrs
Enclosed please find a Post Office Money Order for one dollar & eighty four cts (1.84)
for this please send me one hot water bottle of fine white rubber. Large size 4 quarts as
see No 500 Page 137 of Catalogue of Fall & Winter of 1891. Price of hot water bottle
1.59 Postage on same as nearly as I can estimate 20 cts. Please insure the hot water
bottle – cost of insurance 5 cts. 1.69 + 20 cts + 5 cts = 1.84
The stopper of my last hot water bottle from you was not perfect
troublesome. Please send me as perfect a hot water bottle as you have. And please send it
to me at the very earliest moment possible. Address the package to:
Miss S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho
Idaho Co
Idaho
And very much oblige
Respectfully Yours
Sue L. McBeth
The ½ doz of black hose for which I send Oct 12 has not yet reached me reached me
Nov 4th. The first package of hose I ordered reached me promptly and in good
order
Rubber bag 1.59
Insurance .05
Postage .20
$1.84
Mt Idaho Nov 27th 1891
Mr John P Vollmer
Lewiston Idaho
Dear Sir
The enclosed card from the Freight Agent at Lewiston reached me a few hours ago. Will Mr
Vollmer please be so kind as to get the two boxes I described from the depot; paying the
charges on them, and sent them to me at the very earliest moment possible opportunity. I
wrote Mr Vollmer about the boxes last week. I think but for fear he did not recieve my
note. I send this enclosing a check for $11.90 to pay the charges on the boxes at the
Depot. Please send bill for Mr Vollmer charges with the boxes and I will remit the money
at once. I wrote Mr Vollmer some time ago about a box I expected from Marrion Ohio. Please
Sir try to send the boxes (3) to me very soon, if possible before the roads get to bad for
freight. We need them now and I am afraid the roads will soon be too bad for
freighting Forgive me for troubling you so much and believe me to be
Gratefully yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Dec 15th 1891
Mr D. I Dent ( Dent & Butler)
Lewiston Idaho
Dear Sir
A few minutes ago I received your card for Rev Robert Williams of Kamiah Idaho in my care
saying that there was a package for him in the office of the Pacific Express Co. at Lap.
with $2.75 charges on it. The package is books for the Xmas tree at Kamiah from Miss
Juliet L. Axtell of Lake Forest, Ill. Last A week or two ago
short time since I had a letter from Miss Axtell enclosing a reciept for the Expressage of
the package prepaid to Mt Idaho signed by L. N Hamlin as nearly as I can explain it.
Express Agt Chicago ½ rate to Lewiston $1.40 full rate from Lewiston to Mt I by stage
$1.15. There must be a mistake somewhere. Please learn if the mistake is in Lewiston. I
enclose a check for $2.75. I want very much that the box should. Please
send the package by the very next stage after this reaches you. It would need to
be here saturday Please try if at all possible to have it here next Saturday They
has barely will be after it from Kamiah, Monday D.V. And, will you please
learn if the mistake is in Lewiston – please return the check to me – If there
is no mistake in the Lewiston Office Please tell me so – sending me the reciept for
the $2.75
Please be to very kind as to send the package at once to me at Mt Idaho. Forgive me for
troubling you and believe me to be
Respectfully yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt I. Dec 16th 1891
Mr H. Erickson
I enclose Please send me at the very earliest moment possible, one dozen photos of the Rev. Robert Williams, the Nez Perce minister whose photo Mr Hanson or you took from a picture of a group of four last summer while Mr Hanson was at Grangeville. I do not know if Mr Hanson is at home in Moscow now. If he is he will remember the photo. Perhaps Mr Erickson also probably remembers this photo of the Rev Robert Williams as it was sent to Moscow too, I think
Please make the photos as light as you can make them and yet have them distinct and
plain. Make them to very nicest you can. Please keep the negative. I will doubtless need
want many more, D.V. Please send the photos the very soonest possible. I did not know I
was so nearly out until a few minutes ago. I enclose a check for $2.50 which Mr
Hanson said was to pay for the photos ‘Card vignette’ size. &
oblige
Res Yrs
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Jan 6th 1892
Publisher the Truth – Chicago Ill Arcade Board
Messrs
Enclosed please find a Post Office money order for one subsc my subscription for this
please send me one year a copy of The Truth (Magazine) beginning with the January Number.
The January Number has a photo of the Editor and my St Louis pastor Rev James K. Brooks
D.D. for which I specially want that [illegible] Please address the Magazine to
Miss S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho
Idaho Co
Idaho
I am very much obliged
Respectfully Yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho March 14th 1892
Mr John P. Vollmer
Lewiston, Idaho
Dear Sir
Friends in Hagerstown Md write me that they have sent me the box of clothing specified in
the enclosed reciept from the Hagerstown Freight Agent. The box is prepaid to Chicago. I
do not know by what route it will come from there. Will Mr Vollmer please learn if it is
at the Genessee or Lewiston Depot. If it is, or when it arrives will he please get it for
me, paying whatever charges may be one it, and please send it to me, by the very first
possible opportunity. Please send your bill with the box and I will remit the money at
once (D. V.). Forgive me for troubling you so much, and believe me to be
If troublesomely yet gratefully yours
S.L. McBeth
Dear Sir
Your letter of March 8thin regard to the photo general view of Mt Idaho has
just reached me, and I hasten to answer because I want some of the photos at the very much
earliest moment possible. I want one dozen copies of the General view of Mt Idaho Nez
Perce War series No 30 at Please make them on white cardboard 5 x 8, in which you say is
the smallest size you can make them picture. I want them to send the pictures to friends
in the far East, and at such a distance from the Nez Perce War Scenes Please make the pt
and I sometimes want to write on the back of photos. Please make them without any printing
on the bars save perhaps Names (address of Artists if wished. The trouble with such large
boards is such large cards are so difficult to mail. I have no envelopes large enough
& wonder could Mr Hanson or Erickson & Hanson sell me one dozen card envelopes,
large enough to send the pictures in and send the envelopes to me at the same time with
the pictures. It would be such a very great favor. And would you please tell me the price
of the envelopes and I will send money for them at the same time as the money for the
pictures. Will that do?
Will you please send me one dozen photos of General view of Mt Idaho mounted taken
on white cardboard 5 x 8 the very earliest moment you possibly can, and also, will you
please send me with the pictures one dozen Envelopes – large enough for them, and
please send the bill for envelopes with them, and I will D.V. send you
the money for pictures $5.00 & envelopes by return mail if possible. Will that do not
if no please tell me, at once
Please make the pictures the very nicest possible. I like these I will want a dozen of my house at once.
[no signature]
Mt. Idaho April 4th 1892
Mr John P. Vollmer
Dear Sir
I enclose a card received from the Freight Agent at Lewiston notifying me
that [illegible] Uniontown no package and also a check in the 1st
National Bk of Portland for $4.85 the amount of freight due notifying me that
there is a package of clothing at the Depot for me with freight charges of $4.85 I enclose
a check on the 1st Nat. Bk of Portland for $4.85. Will Mr Vollmer please be so
very kind as to get the box from the Uniontown Depot; paying the $4.85 and any other
charges which may be on it and send that to me by the very earliest moment
possible opportunity. And please send Mr Vollmers bill with the box and I will remit the
money at once. (D.V.) I sent some time ago to Mr Vollmer the reciept of the Hagerstown
Freight Agent from a said box of good shipped .from friends there to me
Please forgive me for troubling Mr Vollmer so much
[no signature]
Mt Idaho Apr 13th 1892
Mr John A. Hanson Erickson & Hanson
Dear Sir
Your letter & bill of April 8th came to hand today. The photos general view
of Mt Idaho (one dozen) copies reached me by todays mail together with the one dozen
envelopes and the view of my house. The Training school not Presbytery, for which many
thanks. I enclose in this a check on the 1st Nat. Bk of Portland for five
dollars the amount of your bill. The photos are very nicely published – but I am so
sorry I did not say anything to you about making light – not dark – photos. I
forgot it. And, I had so often spoken of not liking dark pictures when Mr. Erickson &
you copied other photos I sent. But it is to late now to speak of the only fault of the
views of Mt Idaho. But, please make me one dozen copies of the photos of my house as light
not dark as you can make them and yet have them distinct and clear. And I very much prefer
the brown or light shade to the dark shade if you can make the brown or light shade. And
that broken side walk of my neighbors looks badly. I wish so much you would leave that
out. Could not about an inch be left off or cut off that left side of the photo –
that would leave off the broken pavement without hurting the view of my house. I very much
wish that the picture of my house could be sent me without that broken sidewalk of Mrs.
Smiths even if the price of the smaller photos should be the same. Please leave
out that broken sidewalk if at all possible. I do not know if you can leave out that low
deep shadow at the windows on the left of my house. If possible please lighten the shadow
or leave it out. Please make me the very nicest pictures of my house you possible can and
send your bill with them and I will (D.V.) send you the money for them by return mail if
possible. Please forgive my giving you so much trouble & believe me to be
Res Yrs.
Mt. Idaho April 14 1892
Mr John P. Vollmer
Dear Sir
I enclose a way bill and note sent me by the Freight Agent at Lewiston . I have
signed Would Mr Vollmer please get the $1.74 overcharge of which Mr Peabody
speaks and credit it to my account with Mr Vollmer (for the next freight bill &). I
have signed the reciept on way bill which Mr Vollmer would please give Freight Agent on
reciept of the money. Please forgive me. I enclosed a check in a letter
to Mr Vollmer last week to pay charges on a box for me at Uniontown Depot and please send
the box to me by very first team if possible. Forgive me for giving Mr Vollmer so much
trouble (and what else can I do? And believe me
Very gratefully Yours
S.L. McB.
Dear Sirs
Would you please be so kind as to send me fifty cents worth of your best chopped beef by
the very first stage after this reaches you if possible. I need it very much. Thank you so
much for the last you sent. It reached me soon & safely. I sent the fifty cents to pay
for it to Mr. Scott, asking him to please give the money to you or if that was too much
trouble then to leave it in his store for you. Did you recieve get it? I
will (D.V.) send the fifty cents for this in the to you in the same way by Mr Scott or
left in his store for you. Is that right? I hope you will soon begin to bring meat to Mt
Idaho.
Very troublesomely yours
[no signature]
Mr Idaho April 29th 1892
Messrs Erickson & Hanson
The photos of my house reached me today safely. I enclose a check on Portland bank for
$5.00 the amount of your bill with Many thanks for prompt attention to order. I am
Rs. Yrs
[no signature]
Mt. Idaho
Messrs Erichson & Hansen
Dear Sirs
The No 9 of 89 The General View of Mt Idaho has reached me. Many thanks
– no bill has reached me – Please tell me if I am in your debt. I hoped the
houses of my pupils would shew in the photo but they do not – Still is a pretty
picture – and nicely taken – and I want some to send to my friends. But it is
too large. I have no way of sending many pictures of hat size – Can you make me a
dozen copies of the view of Mt Idaho the same size as the picture of Kamiah which I
enclose – That is a convenient size to send to friends – And if you can make
them that size, and I like them I will want a dozen copies of my own house – of the
same size as the enclosed photo. I often want to write on the back of a photo – so
would prefer to have the photos without printing on them [illegible] perhaps the name of
Artist – And I much prefer white cardboard to the blue if it will be as convenient to
you –
Will you please be so kind as to send me one dozen copies of the photo General view of
Mt Idaho the very the same size as the enclosed card at the very earliest
moment possible – I want them now will tran send the money at once
D.V. If you cannot take them its size &c I wish will you please tell me so, a once
– The uncertainty keeps me from sending the money in this until I know – And,
will you please return the enclosed photo to me – I only send it to shew the size
&c I want the view general view of Idaho taken – I do not want
anything done with the enclosed card save to please return it.
[no signature ]
Mt. I. June 11 1892
Messrs Benty & Evans
Dear Sirs
Will you please be so kind as to send me fifty cents worth of your best chopped beef by
the very first stage after this reaches you. It will be a very great favor. I am entirely
out of meat & need it much. I will sent the fifty cents for the meat
to you by Mr Scott asking him to give it to you or if that is too much trouble then to
leave it in his store for you. Will that do? I hope you will very soon begin bringing meat
to Mt I weekly again
Very troublesomely
S.L. McBeth
Mt. Idaho Ida. Dec 28 1892
Bloomingdale Bros.
New York N.Y.
Messrs
Enclosed please find a check in the 1st Nat Bk of Portland
Post Office money order for $2.50. For this please send me by mail three Chemise like that
shew figures that shown No 81 – Page 64 of your Catalogue for Fall & Winter of
1892 – 93. Price of Chemise size of band 36 1/2 inches. Please insure the package the
check Money Order for $2.30 includes price of 3 Chemises at 63 cts each ($1.89) + 36 cts
for postage + 5 cts for insurance. Please send me the Chemises at by mail the very
earliest moment possible after you receive this – Please address the package to
Miss S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho
Idaho Co
Idaho
& very much obligd
Respectfully yours
S.L. McBeth
Mt Idaho Feb 1st 1893
Mr H.A. Stucke – Gen shop
Grangeville
Dear Sir
I send by bearer the $1 due you on the stove I bought from you yesterday by my pupil
Robert Parsons. Please send me a reciept for the $13 in full
Obliged
S.L. McBeth