United States Indian Service,  Yakama Agency,  October 20th, 1883 Hon O Ferris  2d Auditor of the Treasury   Washington D.C. Sir  I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of communication from your Office dated October 6th 1883. marked C.G.C. 89, in which I am informed that the answers submitted to exceptions to my Property Accounts are deemed satisfactory except as to the affidavit of H L Powell and Abe Lincoln relative  to the expenditure of 23198 ft of lumber in 2d Quarter of 1878, and requiring certificate of the Carpenter  amp;c  amp;c.  In reply I have the honor to state that the Carpenter in 1878, E K Miller, died at this Agency October 26th 1882  I supposed I had stated that fact in my answers to exceptions referred to.  
        It is impracticable to procure the affidavits of the other employees at that time, for the reason that Some are dead,  others have removed to localities unknown, and the two whose affidavits are given are all that could be procured with the exception of the Agency Physician who lives in this Territory. If required his affidavit or certificate will be furnished.   Very Respectfully  Your Obedient Servant    Late US Indian Agent  
        Yakama Agency WT Fort Simcoe Oct 20 1883 James H Wilbur Late US Ind Agent  Explaining why certificate of Carpenter is not furnished to expenditure of lumber in 2d Apr 1878 viz-he is dead   Enclosing the Certificate of Agency  Physician to that effect