Page:All Over Oregon and Washington.djvu/127

Rh place to eke out the supply. The old mission residenoe, now a ruin, stands near the bank of the Clearwater, close by the junction of the Lapwai Creek.

Here was the first printing-press ever used on this coast. It was a small hand-press, presented to the Oregon Mission, by the missionaries in the Sandwich Islands, and was used to print school-books and other works in the Nez Perce language. Great was the labor expended upon these efforts to enlighten dark minds; and poor the reward! Mrs. Spalding, who, with her husband, taught eleven years in this little valley, has long since passed to her rest, dying an early death in consequence of the shock to her heart and brain of the massacre at Waiilatpa, and the disappointment of her hopes. Mr. Spalding lives, but wrecked in health and spirits. And this is the average result of all missionary labor among the savages. The great error of the Government is in not making citizens, or subjects, of the Indians. Just so long as they are treated with as independent peoples, so long will Indian wars continue to exist.

The Agency is a quietly busy little place, with mills, offices, residences for the agent, interpreter, and others, a school-house, and last, not least, "Lyon's Folly"—a stone church, commenced by Governor Lyon during his gubernatorial term. The walls are standing uncovered, and will probably fall to ruin. Uncle Samuel must be a very good-natured relative to permit so many of his nephews to set up expensive monuments to themselves, and to pay themselves handsomely, at the same time, for doing it.

There never was a more stupendous piece of nonsense in the world than erecting handsome buildings, or providing any enlightened institutions for the use