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[[preprint]] 444 [[/preprint]]

Nez Perce
July 17     1

Hon. Commis of Indian Affairs.
Sir:

I write for information: the men who work with my surveyor all but one are Indians living on the reservation and owing to the great distance we have to travel and the rugged nature of the country, they are obliged to use horses going to and from camp.  It is necessary that their horses be shod otherwise the animals' hoofs wear out in a very short time - clambering over those sharp basaltic rocks.  They have applied to the Agency blacksmith and have been informed by him and by the Agent that the shoeing of Indian horses is not allowed.  As this ruling is contrary to all my former experience upon reservations, I write to know if there is not some mistake or misunderstanding of Department orders.  It is rather hard on my men to pay shoeing bills and lose time going to Lewiston to get the work done.

Respectfully

[[signature]] Alice C. Fletcher [[/signature]]
Spl. I