Ans Sept. 3/97
Rosebud Agency, S.D.,
July 18, 1897
Dear Lawrence:
I have been wanting to write to you for a long time but have not had the time, it is almost dinner time and we will have spring chicken, the first of the season of us. You see we are a little out of the world here.

Our folks have just

come home from church, I did not go this morning.

Doctor has been troubled with the rheumatism lately, and last Thursday started out to see whether he could get it cured. Went to Hot Springs, S. Dak., if it cannot be cured there will try some other place.

We had a great 4th of July celebration this year, it lasted five days. The Pine Ridge Indians, Lower Brule, some from

Omaha Agency and our Rosebud Indians, about ten thousand in all. They feasted and danced the entire time. Quite a number have died since, it was too hard on them. There were ever so many white people here as visitors.

Georgia and Florence came home the 13th of June. We will go down to W.P. soon to have sewing done for the girls before they return to school.

We have had our yard enlarged this last week, it looks real nice now. Have so many, many pretty hollyhocks and geraniums in bloom. 

Johnny Neligh and Amy came up to spend the 4th and wrote up the celebration for the Bee. Amy went away last Nov. Johnny is still here, has been building us a grotto which I think will be very pretty when completed.

Are there any pretty opals down there. If there are would like to have you get me one for my ring, you know the one that I had broke and lost out. If they have any please let me know the price and I will tell you the size.

We have a bath house down at the river and a nice bathing place, we go almost every day. I have learned to [?],

but am a little timid yet about it.

We have a new Government Boarding School about fifteen miles east of here, it is to be opened next Sept. The buildings are made of brick and have all the modern conveniences, electric lights, steam heat, water and shower baths. The Pine Ridge and Rosebud Indians teachers had an Association the 7,, 8 and 9th of July

and met at the school.

It was a fine place for it. There were about 100 teachers present besides their children and visitors. Dr was out two nights, Mr. Parmelee one night and the rest of us the entire time. We were all royally entertained and had a delightful time. The day programs and the evening were very interesting and altogether it was a great success.

Mr. Warner, Mrs. Parmelee's brother, and his teacher, Miss Heartman, came here about the

20th of June and staid until after the teacher's association. Mother and aunt Kitty made us a nice visit the first part of June. Wish you, Marcia, and the children would come some time.

How do you like it in S.A. Is it much different from here?

It is dinner time so must close, good bye. With love.
Your sister,
Ella