Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 3.djvu/340

330 the Nez Perce Indian language was printed. The translation was made by Mr. and Mrs. Spalding and Cornelius Rogers, a teacher in the mission, and used in manuscript form prior to the arrival of the press. On July 10th the style of alphabet was agreed upon, it having been decided to adopt the one used in the Sandwich Islands. This was done at Kamiah by Doctor and Mrs. Whitman, Mr. Spalding and wife, Rev. A. B. Smith and wife, and Mr. Hall. On August 1st the printing of another book was commenced in the new alphabet, and by the 15th five hundred copies were completed. On December 30th the press was packed, with the intention of sending it to Doctor Whitman's station, Wai-il-et-pu, to print a book there. The next day it started on its journey, and that evening the pack horse fell down a precipice and it was supposed that the press was dashed to pieces. On January 1, 1840, Mr. Rogers rode to the scene of the accident, gathered all the material together and returned. By the 17th the press was again set up, and it was discovered that nothing was lost save a few type. By this experience it was found that it would be easier to send the manuscript to the press than the press to the manuscript. Printing was resumed on the 20th, and on the 28th, Mr. Hall having started for the Sandwich Islands, Mr. Rogers, who had been taught to set type and operate the press by Mr. Hall, was empolyed to take charge of the press and do the printing for the mission for 30, English money, per year and his board. Thereafter, so long as the mission was sustained, the usual routine of work was pursued.

It is impossible to state accurately the number of publications that were issued from this press in the Flathead, Spokane, Cayuse, and Nez Perce languages, but it is believed to have been at least a dozen. It has been my good fortune to secure four copies of these publications for the