January 24th, 1881 Rev James H Wilbur  US Indian Agent   Washington DC My Dear Brother  Enclosed please find Month- ly Report for December; also several docu- ments that need your signature. Snow has now been on 55 days and no signs of a  thaw. Many Indians will lose all their stock, which I presume will not trouble them much as the Inspector told them he should come out in May or June, and divide all the cattle among them   so they say. I am very much embarrassed through his telling them that they need not pay for any thing charged to them on the books. Consequently the men who have done any work and who agreed to take all their pay in goods, demand money, and when I do not have it for them accuse me of stealing  
        and cheating. They do not deny the receipt of the goods, nor the agreement to take their pay in goods, but all the same declare they have been robbed. This does not apply to the sensible, Christian Indians, but to others like Simcoe Bob  amp;c. I think you must stay in Washington till this man comes. He seems to have tried to make all  the trouble he could, but perhaps he did  not so intend it. After repeatedly telling me to change nothing of your methods without he gave written orders, he told the Indians that the Department knew nothing of their working around the station for goods, and  that they need pay for no more. You can imagine the effect. Well, I thank God that, we can trust Him to see that the truth prevails   All well; and everything going on prosperously as usual. All send love  and regards  Very Truly Yours   JH Fairfield