Eleven hundred Catholic Indians are to be found in Idaho, four churches
and three boarding schools have been erected for them. “Our Indian
Missions continue to be prosperous” writes Bishop Glorieux. “Last June
I visited the Coeur d’Alénes, at De Smet, the Nez Percés, at Lapnai and
the Kootenais, near Bonner’s Ferry, in the northern part. The magnificent
reception they gave me as well as their piety, showed that their faith
is still lively. All the Coeur d’Alénes and the Kootenais are practical
Catholics. About one-fifth of the Nez Percés, viz., 300 are Catholics,
nearly all of whom are practical ones. Many of the Shoshones and Bannocks
in the south-eastern part of Idaho were baptized about twenty-five years
ago, but owing to the Government policy, the missionaries could not
visit them for a long time, and consequently, they have given up their
religion. The Lemhis in the eastern part have never been visited, to
my knowledge. They number nearly 500. Lack of priests and funds is the
principal cause of this neglect. I hope that in a short time I will be
able to do something for them.”