Indian Woman Dead; Held Spalding Site

Mrs. Nellie Grant, 81, Cherished Fruit Trees Left by Presbyterian Missionary Leader.

Lapwai, Feb. 21 - Mrs. Nellie Grant, 81, widow of "Judge" James Grant, who died at Lapwai four years ago, passed away at midnight Thursday at her home one mile north of Lapwai of old age. She was among the most prominent women of the Nez Perce tribe and much of the early history of central Idaho centered about her and her family.

Home Historic Setting.

The Grant farm, on Thunder hill, where Mrs. Grant passed away, was where Bishop Henry H. Spalding first domicile when he came to Idaho as a missionary to work among the Nez Perces. It was one of the choicest pieces of land pointed out to the Rev. Spalding almost a century ago and it was there that he carried on much of his work to Christianize the Indians. Some of the trees planted by the missionary are still on the land and produce fruit yearly. Mrs. Grant was vitally interested in preserving on her place that had to do with Bishop Spalding and his workers and it was one of her chief delights to relate to callers the historical importance of her place. Subsequently Bishop Spalding established a mission at the mouth of Lapwai creek, where Spalding is. The Grants were allotted the land when the reservation was opened in 1895.

Judge Grant Strong Character.

"Judge" Grant was among the most noted Nez Perces. Unable to read or write he possessed a remarkable memory. Up to the time of his death in 1926 he was retained by the United States Indian department as identification expert in practically all heirship cases. He had a complete knowledge of all relationships that existed between Indians and in his own way made notations in a series of hieroglyphics that proved valuable when he was called upon to refer to cases arising in the past.

Son and Daughter Survive.

Mrs. Grant is survived by a son and daughter, Abel Grant and Mrs. Nat White, both of Lapwai.