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fied of this intention, and asked to send delegates; and all white men then resident in the Territory among the emigrant tribes were requested to be present and participate in the work. Russell Garrett says these notices were written. Only such white persons as were then in the service of the Government in the capacity of Agents, Missionaries, Agency-farmers, Agency-blacksmiths, and Agency-carpenters, and the licensed Indian traders were permitted to live in the "Indian Territory." Colonel Benton was advised of this conclusion of the Wyandots, and he approved it, if, indeed, he had not urged it.
     Another factor was entering into the movement for Territorial Government for Nebraska. This was the fixing of the location of the line of the railroad soon to be built between the Pacific Ocean and the Missouri River. Iowa wanted the initial point of this road on her western border, and Missouri contended that the valley of the Kansas River was the logical, most central, and most practicable route. Ever since the enormous and phenomenal emigration to California, the initial point of this "great national highway," as it had been called by Colonel Benton, had been a matter of contention between the people of Iowa and Missouri, and, to a certain extent, of the country at large. The North, generally, favored Council Bluffs as the starting point, and insisted that the valley of the Platte was the route of greatest utility, from a national standpoint. The South contended that the mouth of the Kansas River was the better location from which to start.¹ The controversy followed the old line drawn between the North and the South by the question of the extension of slavery, and was the one matter upon which the factions of the Missouri Democracy could unite.
     In 1850, Colonel Benton had introduced in the Senate

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     ¹ A fair statement of the contention in this matter is given in the paper of Hadley D. Johnson, a portion of which is printed in this work, page 83.

his bill for the location and construction of this "great national highway," and explained its leading features.¹ From that time the matter was one of general discussion, and opposing forces were seeking to fix the line of the road where it would best subserve their interests. A meeting in the interest of the Missouri or central route was appointed for July 26, 1853, in that part of the "Indian Country " or "Nebraska Territory" immediately west of Missouri. The Benton Democracy, for some reason unknown as yet, determined upon the organization of the Provisional Government of Nebraska Territory at this meeting.² It is known that Colonel Benton believed that the point at the mouth of the Kansas River would at some time in the near future become a great commercial center. He had been defeated for Senator in 1850-1 in the Missouri Legislature. Senator Atchison denounced his attempt to organize Nebraska Territory and charged him with the intention of removing his residence to the mouth of the Kansas River for the purpose of being elected United States Senator for Nebraska when it should be admitted as a State.³ William Cecil Price has often asserted to me that this ambition was the cause of Col. Benton's efforts to organize Nebraska Territory at this time.
     The determination to organize the Provisional Government of Nebraska at the Convention in the interest of the "Central Route" made it necessary that this meeting should be held in the Council House⁴ of the Wyandot Nation.

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     ¹ See his remarks on the bill, made when he introduced it, published in this work, page 88.
     ² I have been unable to determine the cause of this. Judge Price does not think it could have been because the opposing faction of the Democratic party was intending to attempt to organize a Provisional Government in Nebraska Territory. To the best of his recollection, no such intention was ever entertained. But he admitted that Colonel Benton may have believed this, and that his belief may have hastened his actions.
     ³ Many of the old time Democrats of Missouri have told me this, among them Judge Price, General Shelby, and Judge Oliver.
     ⁴ The Council House stood in the center of what is now Fourth Street in Kansas City, Kansas, at the point where it is crossed by Nebraska Avenue. It is thus described by Mrs. Sarah Dagnett: "I can't tell the size. It had three windows on each

JUDGE WILLIAM C. PRICE.

Abelard Guthrie was, perhaps, the only Wyandot notified in advance, of this change in the programme. Governor Walker in his "Notes" says: "In the summer of 1853, a territorial Convention was held pursuant to previous notice to be held in Wyandot. The Convention met on the 26th of July - ." This statement does not say that the notice was that the Convention should meet on the 26th of July. In Governor Walker's entry in his Journal, describing the Convention and it's proceedings, he states that he did not attend this meeting until noon and then only after he had, Cincinnatus-like, been sent for. It is more than probable that he did not know of the change in the order of events until he arrived at the Council House. The series of Resolutions adopted by the Convention and which served the Provisional Government as a Constitution bears only one resolution in his hand-writing. And it was not his intention to accept the position of Provisional Governor. Public office had no attractions for him. He intended that one of his brothers, Matthew R. Walker or Joel Walker, splendid business men of great energy, and both possessing fine executive ability, and several years younger than himself, should be selected as the Provisional Governor of Nebraska Territory.
     Among the delegates to the Convention were the following persons: William Walker, Russell Garrett,¹ Silas

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side and two in the east end and two in the west end - with the door between those in the west end. I remember it stood that way - east and west. It was a frame building and plastered. Always had a large box stove, as we had only wood to burn those days. The furnishings were of the most common kind - benches and common chairs, with one large square table. I can remember the table well, because they used to keep the money - gold and silver - stacked up on it during a payment time. The bulk of the money was kept at the Agency building across the street. Once during a payment a box containing $1,000.00 was stolen, they supposed - never was found - so we were short that much."
     ¹ Russell Garrett lives at the present time in Ventura, California. He is the only Delegate to the Convention known to be now living. He wrote his recollections of this Convention for me. The following is taken from his letters: The building in which the Convention was held was a little, one-story, frame build

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Armstrong, W. F. Dyer,¹ Isaac Munday,² James Findley,³ ---- Grover,⁴ William Gilpin⁵ (afterwards Governor of Colorado), Thomas Johnson, George I. Clark, Joel Walker, Joel W. Garrett, Charles B. Garrett, Matthias Splitlog,⁶

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ing, built and used for a school house and Council House. It stood on what is now the center of Nebraska Avenue and Fourth Street. It was a clear and pleasant day. You ask how delegates were chosen. By sending invitations to those who were interested in the formation of a Territorial Government to come and meet with us. There were about forty met with us. I think they all voted in the Convention."
     The forty were exclusive of the Wyandots.
     ¹ W. F. Dyer "lived and kept a store on Grasshopper River at the Military Crossing on the road leading from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley," Russell Garrett writes me. He was afterwards County Treasurer of Jefferson County, Kansas. See Kansas Historical Collections, Vol. 3, 305.
     ² Isaac Munday was a blacksmith for the Delawares and lived at the "Delaware Crossing." This was the point where the Military Road from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Scott crossed the Kansas River. This was only a very short distance above the point where the S. W. Corner of the "Wyandot Purchase" was fixed on the Kansas River. His house is marked on one of the old maps of the "Wyandot Purchase," although it was on Delaware land. Russell Garrett says: "I remember Isaac Munday very well. He was a blacksmith for the Delawares. He had a shop and lived at what was called at that time the Military Ferry. It crossed the Kansas River on the Military Road leading from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Scott. He lived at Westport, Mo., before he was appointed blacksmith for the Delaware Indians. I now remember that he was a Delegate to the Convention. I do not remember where he went to when the Delawares got through with him, if I ever heard."
     ³ James Findley was an Indian Trader at that time and lived at the "Delaware Crossing." He traded with the Delawares and Shawnees. I have this information from many persons yet living in the Indian Territory, and from Major John G. Pratt. Russell Garrett says: "James Findley lived at the Military Ferry. He was an Indian Trader. He kept a variety store and traded with the Delawares. He lived there with his family, as did Monday the blacksmith."
     ⁴ ---- Grover was the son of a Missionary to the Delawares. I have not been able to learn his given name. He was either D. A. N. Grover or Charles H. Grover. These were brothers, sons of a Missionary from some Church in Kentucky, to the Delawares. They were both in the Council of the Legislature of 1855, D. A. N. as a member and Charles H. as Assistant Clerk. From the quotations from their speeches given by Wilder, I should think that Charles H. was with the Delawares at the time, and if he was, he is the one that attended this Convention. They were lawyers. I find this in Russell Garrett's letters to me: "I knew a Mr. Grover and he was there, but I do not know where he lived or what he did. But his father was a Missionary among the Indians and was shifted around from pillar to post, so I cannot tell where he lived at that time. It may be that his son lived with him. I do not remember where they went to."
     ⁵ William Gilpin was at that time editor of some newspaper published at Independence, Mo.; or if not editor, in some way connected with it. He addressed the Convention. So says Mr. Garrett.
     ⁶ Matthias Splitlog was a Cayuga-Seneca by descent, his ancestors having been from each of those tribes. His immediate ancestors married into the Wyandots and furnished them some of their bravest warriors and chiefs. He was born in Canada in 1816, he has often told me. He married Eliza Charloe, a Wyandot, and came West with the

Tauromee, Abelard Guthrie, Matthew R. Walker, Francis A. Hicks, John W. Gray-Eyes, Irvin P. Long, H. C. Long, Captain Bull-Head, Baptiste Peoria, the Blue-Jackets and other Shawnees.
     The only written account of the Convention and the proceedings that I have been able to find is that in Governor Walker's Journal, and which is as follows:

     "Monday, July 25, 1853. - Cool and cloudy morning. Resumed cutting my grass. Warm thro' the day. Sent Harriet to Kansas for some medicines for Mr. C. who has every other day a chill. In the evening three gentlemen rode up and enquired if W. W. resided here. Upon being assured in the affirmative they stated they wished to stay all night. I sent them to C. B. G's. They said they were delegates to the Rail Road meeting in Nebraska on the 26th inst. I would gladly have entertained them, but owing to family sickness I was compelled to send them where I did.
     "Tuesday, July 26, 1853. - Very cool and clear. Went over to C. B. G's and got my scythe ground. Warm day.
     "On yesterday morning 'One-Hundred-Snakes' Standingstone died of Mania a potu.
     "At noon a messenger was sent for me to attend the Rail Road Convention. I saddled my horse and rode up to the Wyandott Council House, where I found a large collection of the habitans of Nebraska.
     "The meeting was called to order and organized by the appointment of Wm. P. Birney¹ of Delaware, President, and Wm. Walker,

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Wyandot Nation. His home was in what is now Connelley's Addition to Kansas City, Kansas. Here, at an early day, he built a horse-mill for grinding corn, but was of so eccentric a disposition that he often refused to "grind." He had a large family of children and much land was allotted to him for them when the Wyandots accepted their lands in severalty. These lands increased enormously in value and made him the famous "Millionaire Indian." Unprincipled white men swindled him out of much of his money. He built and equipped a railroad from Neosho, Mo., to the Arkansas State line. This road is now a part of the Pittsburg & Gulf main line. He was an ingenious man and could copy and construct almost any piece of machinery that he had opportunity to examine thoroughly. It was by taking advantage of his love for machinery that scoundrels interested him in schemes for the purpose of robbing him. He made his home in the Seneca country when the Wyandots moved to the Indian Territory. Here he erected a fine house and a fine church-building. He died there late in 1896.
     ¹ William P. Birney was an Indian Trader at Delaware in the Delaware Reserve, near the present village of White Church, Wyandotte County, Kansas. I have been able to learn but little of him. He remained in Wyandotte County, Kansas, at least

Secy. A Committee was then appointed to prepare resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. James Findley, Dyer and Silas Armstrong were appointed.
     "In. accordance with the resolutions adopted, the following officers were elected as a provisional government for the Territory: For provisional Governor, Wm. Walker; Sec'y of the Territory, G. I. Clark; Councilmen, R. C. Miller, Isaac Mundy, and M. R. Walker.
     "Resolutions were adopted expressive of the Convention's preference of the Great Central Rail Road Rout.
     A. Guthrie, late delegate was nominated as the Candidate for reelection. Adjourned."

     While no boundaries were fixed for the Territory for which the Provisional Government was organized it was taken as a matter granted that the Territory included the same area as defined in the Hall and Richardson bills.
     The organization of the Provisional Government of Nebraska Territory gave general satisfaction to the people of Missouri. Each faction of the Missouri Democracy became now intent on securing the Delegate to Congress to be elected in the following October. In this contest the Price-Atchison faction had a tremendous advantage as they controlled the patronage of the Indian Bureau of the Department of the Interior, while Mr. Guthrie, Benton's representative, could only depend upon his own personal efforts and the personal efforts of his friends.
     Hand-bills were printed containing the record of the proceedings of the Convention. These were distributed, and were copied into the newspapers of Missouri. In Governor Walker's Journal mention is made of this fact:

     "Thursday, July 28, 1853.-
     "A. Guthrie called upon and dined with us to-day.
     "Rec'd the printed proceedings of the Nebraska Territorial Con-

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until the commencement of the war. He is frequently mentioned in Abelard Guthrie's Journals, and on the 13th of January, 1860, Guthrie's Journal speaks of him living at that time in Quindaro City, or of his owning houses there.

vention. Great credit is due the Proprietors of the "Industrial Luminary "in Parkville for their promptitude in publishing the proceedings in hand-bills in so short a time." III.

     The first duty of the new Government was to call the election for Delegate, as directed by the resolutions of the Convention. Governor Walker's mention of this event is as follows:

     "Saturday, July 30, 1853.--
     "Well, by action of the Convention of Tuesday last I was elected Provisional Governor of this Territory. The first executive act devolving on me is, to issue a Proclamation ordering an election to be held in the different precincts of one delegate to the 33rd Congress.
     "Monday, August 1, 1853.--Issued my proclamation for holding an election in the different precincts in the territory on the second Tuesday in October, for one delegate to the 33rd Congress"
     This proclamation was printed and distributed throughout the Territory; and in all probability it was printed in most of the newspapers of Missouri.¹ Their preparation for distribution is mentioned by Governor Walker:

     "Monday, August 8, 1853.--Geo. I. Clark, Sec'y of the Territory, called this morning and delivered the printed Proclamation (200 copies) for circulation."

     It had been the hope of Colonel Benton and Mr. Guthrie that no candidate would be put forward to stand for election against the regular nominee of the Territorial Convention. While the leaders of the Price-Atchison Democracy of Missouri had opposed the organization of a Provisional Government and believed that the slave power could prevent the admission of Nebraska Territory and the recognition of its Provisional Government, it still believed it best to participate in the election for Delegate to Congress. A strong man

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     ¹ See Hadley D. Johnson's statement, page 83.

in thorough sympathy with the extremists of the slave power of the South was sought for and found in the person of Rev. Thomas Johnson, Missionary of the, M. E. Church, South, to the Shawnees. Mr. Johnson resided near Westport, Missouri, in the Shawnee country. The Shawnee and Kickapoo tribes are closely related by blood, and Mr. Johnson's nomination was made in the country of the latter tribe. Governor Walker says: "A few days after the adjournment of this Convention another rather informally was called at Kickapoo, at which Mr. Johnson was nominated as Candidate for Delegate. The latter then yielded to the wishes of his friends And became a candidate in opposition to the regular nominee."
     Having secured a strong candidate the Price-Atchison Democracy brought to bear every influence at their command to secure his election. The Commissioner of Indian affairs came to the Territory where he remained more than a month to influence personally the emigrant tribes (and perhaps the other tribes) to vote for Mr. Johnson. Governor Walker leaves us enough evidence to confirm this.

     "Tuesday, September 6, 1853.--Mr. Commissioner Manypenny came over in company with Rev. Thos. Johnson to pay the Wyandotte a visit. The Council being in session I introduced him to the Council. To which body he made a short address."
     "Thursday, October 6, 1853.--
     "Received a letter from Maj. Robinson informing me that Com. Manypenny wished to have an interview with the Council to-morrow."
     "Friday, October 7, 1853.--
     "Attended a Council called by the Com. of Indian Affairs. Speeches were passed between the parties on the subject of the Territorial organization, [and] selling out to the gov't."
     "Tuesday, October 11, 1853.--Attended the election for delegate to Congress, for Wyandott precinct. Fifty-one votes only were polled.

A. Guthrie           33.
Tom Johnson      18.

     "The priesthood of the M. E. Church made unusual exertions to obtain a majority for their holy brother. Amidst the exertions of their obsequious tools it was apparent it was an up-hill piece of business in Wyandott.
     "Executed a commission to J. B. Nones as Commissioner and Notary Public for Nebraska Territory."
     "Monday, October 31, 1853.--
     "I suppose we may safely set down Thomas Johnston's election for delegate as certain. It is not at all surprising, when we look at the fearful odds between the opposing Candidates. Mr. Guthrie had only his personal friends to support him with their votes and influence, while the former had the whole power of the Federal government, the presence and active support of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the military, the Indian Agents, Missionaries, Indian Traders, &c. A combined power that is irresistible."

     The Territorial Council canvassed the returns of the election at the Wyandot Council House Nov. 7, 1853, and issued a Certificate of election to Mr. Johnson on Nov. 8th. Governor Walker notes these transactions in his Journal:

     "Monday, November 7, 1853.--Attended at the Council House at an early hour, tho' in poor health.
     "The Territorial Council, Sec'y and Governor, then proceeded to open the returns of the Territorial Election. After canvassing the Returns it appeared that Thomas Johnson¹ had received the highest number of votes and was declared elected delegate to the 33rd Congress.

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     ¹ Rev. Thomas Johnson was born in Virginia, July 11, 1802. He was assassinated in his own home in Kansas, near Westport, Mo., January 2, 1865.
     He was sent by the M. E. Church to preach to the Shawnees in the "Indian Territory," in 1829. After laboring here for some time, he was compelled to abandon his work on account of poor health, and he then moved to Fayette, Mo. In 1847 he was prevailed upon to resume his work in the Shawnee Mission Schools. From this time until his death he was prominent in the councils of the Price-Atchison Democracy of Missouri in their efforts to introduce slavery into Nebraska and Kansas. He was elected President of the first Territorial Council of Kansas Territory, in 1855. This was the "Upper House" of the Legislature that enacted the "Bogus Laws." The laws fill a large volume. Many of them are infamous.
     Mr. Johnson was a good man. The cause which he believed a holy one was in fact a bad one and was hastened to destruction by the madness of its advocates. His firm belief in its righteousness is not surprising, for it had been instilled into his mind from

     "Tuesday, November 8, 1853.--J. W. Garrett¹ deputy Secretary, attended at my House and we issued the certificate of election to Thomas Johnston delegate elect to the 33rd Congress."

     The Wyandots felt outraged by the action of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs but as their interests were so largely in his hands they could do nothing else than submit without protest, and this they all did, except Mr. Guthrie. He filed a contest for the seat of Delegate and vigorously attacked the Commissioner of Indian affairs in the public prints. He spent a portion of the winter in Washington and labored for the Territorial Government of Nebraska until he was convinced that the slave power would organize two Territories, and endeavor to make one slave, and permit the other to come into the Union, free. In relation to Mr. Guthrie's attacks on the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Governor Walker says:

     "Saturday, November 12, 1853.-
     "Mr. Guthrie called and examined the election returns for delegate, and intends taking copies of them.
     "Thursday November 24, 1853.-
     "Wrote a communication to Col. Manypenny, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, correcting an error in a communication published in the Missouri Democrat by Mr. A. Guthrie in relation to a speech delivered by the former to the Wyandott Council.
     "Thursday, January 12, 1854.-
     "Rec. two letters from A. Guthrie. In trouble again. Wants cer-

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infancy. He did what he believed to be right. He was a true and humble Christian and an eloquent and earnest minister of the Gospel. There is an excellent biography of Mr. Johnson in Andreas's History of Kansas, page 300. It was prepared by his friend, Rev. Nathan Scarritt, of Kansas City, Mo.
     ¹ Joel Walker Garrett was the son of George Garrett, who died February 17, 1846, aged 46 years. George Garrett was the brother of Charles B. Garrett. He married Nancy Walker, sister of Governor Walker. Joel Walker Garrett was their oldest child. He was born June 18,1826. He married Jennie Ayers. Their daughter Nina lives yet in Kansas City, Kansas.
     Joel Walker Garrett was appointed Deputy Secretary of State for Nebraska Territory, and he seems to have performed most of the labor attached to the Secretary's Office. He died August 25, 1862.

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