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came to be called and spoken of as the "Indian Territory." The criminal laws of the United States were declared to be in force in any part of it within the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States.¹ The crimes committed by one Indian against the person or property of another Indian were excepted. The South division, including all that part of the "Indian Country" west of the Mississippi River that is bounded north by the line of lands assigned to the Osages produced east to the State of Missouri, west by the Mexican possessions, South by the Red River, and east by the west line of the State of Arkansas, was annexed to the State of Arkansas. The jurisdiction of the United States District Court of Missouri was extended over the remainder of the "Territory of Missouri."² The "Annual Register of Indian Affairs" for the year 1835 defined the boundaries of the "Indian Territory" as follows: "Beginning on Red River, east of the Mexican boundary and as far west of Arkansas Territory as the country is habitable, thence down Red River eastwardly to Arkansas Territory; thence northwardly along the line of the Arkansas Territory to the State of Missouri, thence up Missouri River to Pimcah River; thence westwardly as far as the country is habitable, and thence southwardly to the beginning."³
     In 1834 a considerable portion of the Territory of Missouri, on the North, was set off to the Territory of Michigan. What remained was still the Territory of Missouri, and so remained until the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act of May 30, 1854. Then the Territory of Missouri was extinguished - wiped out - but not till then. Whether in its

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     ¹ The term "Exclusive jurisdiction of the United States" was probably used on account of the contention over the line or boundary between Louisiana and Texas, then a part of Mexico. A neutral ground between the two countries had been agreed upon - a beautiful arrangement for the pirates and free-booters then in the Gulf of Mexico in great numbers.
     ² Annals of the West (1850), 542.
     ³ History of American Missions (Worcester, 1840), 540.

" pristine glory," or shorn of much of its extent, it had, through all this time (1820-1854), a government - one in fact and one in law; but it was an exceedingly limited one in its powers. It came very near being no government at all. Its functions were all condensed into the dicta of the United States District Court of Missouri. There was no ordinary Territorial Government for what was then the "Indian Country" during all these years, except what was decreed by that Court; for what was left of Missouri Territory was "attached" by the act of Congress of 1834 to that tribunal "to be looked after."
     As much as ten years before the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska bill the want of a more effective government for the "Indian Territory" was recognized. In 1844, the Secretary of War recommended the organization of a Territorial Government; and, acting on this recommendation, Mr. Douglas, of the House Committee on Territories, introduced a bill to establish the Territory of Nebraska, on the 17th of December, 1844. This bill was referred to the Committee on Territories; an amendatory bill was reported on January 7, 1845, which was referred to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union, and no further action was had thereon.
     The next effort for the organization of Nebraska Territory was made in 1848. Mr. Douglas had, in the meantime, been elected to the Senate. Here he introduced a bill, which, on the 24th of April, 1848, was made the order of the day for Monday, the 24th of the same month, but nothing further was done with the bill.
     On December 4th, 1848, Mr. Douglas gave notice that he would introduce another Nebraska bill. This bill was introduced and was referred to the Committee on Territories, December 20, 1848, and no further action was had thereon.¹

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     ¹ See the Statement of Abelard Guthrie, in this work, for an account of these bills.

This was the last effort of Congress to organize the Territory of Nebraska prior to the movement of the people of the Territory themselves for the establishment of a Territorial Government.
     In the years 1849 and 1850 thousands of people passed through "Nebraska Territory," as the country was beginning to be called, on their way to California. The emigrant tribes of Indians residing in the Territory had been removed from the country further east where they had lived near and had much intercourse with white people, and they possessed and enjoyed many of the institutions of civilization. These tribes were located on the borders of Missouri, with the inhabitants of which State they traded and bartered many commodities. The leading tribes were the Wyandots, the Delawares, the Shawnees, the Miamis and Kickapoos. In all these tribes were men of education and influence. They comprehended their condition and could plainly discern the tendencies of the times. It was obvious to them that they were occupying the country through which the great highway to the Pacific Ocean must be built in the near future. Along this line of road must be settlers, and these settlers must live on land then belonging to the Indians. The Indian had had enough experience to know that the word "forever" written in his title to the soil was intended to mean "until the white man wants it." The pressure along the western line of Missouri was increasing, and white men looked across an arbitrary line and saw the Indian country "and behold it was very good," and they wanted it; and the Indian knew they wanted it. It was plain to the intelligent Indians that the tribes would soon be compelled to move. If they must sell their lands, they wanted as good a price as could be obtained. To enhance the value of their lands it was necessary that white men should have liberty to settle in their vicinity, in numbers, and for the purpose of allowing them to do so

the Indian tribes themselves moved for the organization of Nebraska Territory. Foremost in the movement was the Wyandot Nation, which occupied the land between the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, at the mouth of the Kansas. The emigrant tribes, adhering to their ancient customs, looked to the Wyandots to take the initiative. The Wyandots were the keepers of the Council fire of the Northwestern Confederacy of Indian tribes which opposed so long and so successfully the settlement of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio River. The great Council fire had been re-kindled in the West, at a Congress of the tribes held near Fort Leavenworth in October, 1848, and the position of the Wyandot Nation, as the head of the Confederacy, confirmed and renewed. It was necessary that any movement among the Indians that would affect the interests of the tribes of the ancient Confederacy should originate with the Wyandot Nation, if it expected to receive consideration.
     During the first session of the Thirty-second Congress in the winter of 1851-2 and the spring of 1852 these people petitioned Congress to establish a Territorial Government in the Territory of Nebraska. Little or no attention being given their petitions, they concluded to adopt a more effective course - one which Congress could not so easily ignore. They decided to elect a delegate to the Thirty-second Congress and send him to attend the last session of that body, to be held in the winter of 1852-3. Those most active in this course were, William Walker, Matthew R. Walker,¹

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     ¹ Matthew R. Walker was a brother of Governor Walker. He was born June 17, 1810. He belonged to the Big Turtle Clan. His Indian name was Rah'-hahn-tah'-seh. It means "twisting the forest," i. e., as the wind twists the forest, and it refers to the willows and reeds along the stream as they are swayed by the breeze. He was one of the leading business men of the Wyandot Nation. Before the Wyandots removed from their home at Upper Sandusky he made a trip from Ohio to the Senecas, and to the Delawares and Shawnees, for the purpose of selecting a home in the West for his tribe. This was in 1841. Governor Walker had visited the country about the mouth of the Kansas River in 1833. On the reports of these and some others of the tribe. the Wyandots came to what is now Wyandotte County, Kansas, when they removed West. Matthew R. Walker lived on the banks of the Missouri where the mansion of George

Joel Walker,¹ Isaiah Walker, Abelard Guthrie, Francis A. Hicks, George I. Clark, Charles B. Garrett, Russell Garrett, Joel W. Garrett, Matthew Mudeater, Silas Armstrong and John W. Gray-Eyes.

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Fowler now stands, in Kansas City, Kansas. He married Lydia B. Ladd. one of their daughters is Mrs. Lillian Walker Hale, the well known writer.
     The first communication of a Masonic Lodge in what is now Kansas, was held in Matthew R. Walker's home, and Mrs. Walker acted as Tyler, there not being enough Masons present to fill all the official places. The Masons met informally at his house up to July, 1854, when a warrant was obtained from the Grand Lodge of Missouri authorizing J. M. Chivington, W. M., M. R. Walker, S. W., and Cyrus Garrett, J. W. to meet and work U. D. V. J. Lane says the first meeting under this dispensation was held August 11th, A. L. 5854, and a Lodge of Masons U. D. was duly organized. The officers of the Lodge were installed by Bro. Piper, D. G. M. of Missouri.
     In May, A. L. 5855, a charter was granted from the G. L. of Missouri to M. R. Walker, W. M., Russell Garrett, S. W., and Cyrus Garrett, J. W., authorizing them to meet and work, under the name of Kansas Lodge No. 153, A. F. & A. M. The first meeting under this charter was held July 27, A. L. 5855. On the 27th of December, A. L. 5855, a meeting of the Lodges of the Territory of Kansas was held in Leavenworth City, at which Wyandotte, Smithton, and Leavenworth Lodges were represented. At this meeting the G. L. of Kansas was organized. Matthew R. Walker was an officer of the Grand Lodge. In the by-laws of Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M., of Kansas City, Kan as (the oldest Lodge in the State), is the following:

Wyandotte Lodge, No. 3.
In Memoriam.
Matthew R. Walker, P. M. & P. S. G. W.,
Oct. I5th, 1860.

     Matthew R. Walker was Probate Judge of Leavenworth County, Kansas, when it included what is now Wyandotte County. He is buried in the old Huron Place Cemetery in Kansas City, Kansas. On the monument over his grave is the following inscription:

M. R. Walker
Born
Jan 17 1810
Died
Oct 14 1860

     ¹ Joel Walker was also a brother of Governor Walker. He was born in Canada West. The three dates of his birth that I have found are all different. In the family Bible of his father the date is July 17, 1813. In Governor Walker's Journal the date is February 18, 1813. On his monument it is February 17, 1813. His Indian name was Wâh'-wahs (Way-wahs) and means "lost turtle, or "turtle in a lost place" and was given to commemorate his birth which was on this wise: His mother, Catherine Walker, like all her maternal ancestors, was familiar with the languages of many of the tribes of the Northwest, and she had great influence with them. Her presence was required at many of the Councils of consequence. At one time she was sent for to act as interpreter in an important meeting that would determine some question for some tribe, relating to the war of 1812. Her period of maternity was fulfilled, or nearly so, and she desired not to go. But as the Council could not proceed without her the warriors procured a wagon and team and having bundled her into this rough conveyance started away in the darkness, over rough roads. In the black darkness of the cloudy night the horses left the

     On the 12th day of October, 1852, the election for a Delegate to Congress was held in the Council House of the Wyandot Nation. The entry in Governor Walker's Journal on that date says: "Attended the election for Delegate for Congress from Nebraska Territory. A. Guthrie received the entire vote polled."
     The officers of this election were: Judges, George I. Clark, Samuel Priestley and Matthew R. Walker; Clerks, William Walker and Benjamin N. C. Anderson. The names of the persons who voted at the election are as follows: Charles B. Garrett, Isaac Baker, Jose Antonio Pieto, Henry C. Norton, Abelard Guthrie, Henry C. Long, Cyrus Garrett, Francis Cotter, Edward B. Hand, Francis A. Hicks, Russell Garrett, Samuel Rankin, Nicholas Cotter, Joel W. Garrett, Isaac Long, Thomas Coon-Hawk, Jacob Charloe, Wm. Walker, George 1. Clark, Benjamin N. C. Anderson, Matthew R. Walker, Samuel Priestley, Henry Garrett, Wm. Gibson, Presley Muir, Joel Walker, Isaac Brown, Jas. Long, Jno.

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way. and they were soon driving aimlessly about through the dark woods. The result was as she had feared. She was seized with parturient pains and a son was born to her while she was lost in the forest. His name was to keep this event in memory.
     When Wyandott City (now Kansas City, Kansas) was laid out a street was named Wawas, for Joel Walker. Strangers called it "Wäh'-wahs" street, but the proper pronunciation is "Wa'-wahs" (Way'-wähs). Some years ago a City Council, wholly ignorant of the City's history and the history of its founders, changed the name of the street to "Freeman Avenue," because one Freeman built a fine residence on it. The old name should be restored.
     Joel Walker was married to Mary Ann Ladd (born July 1, 1819, died January 8, 1886) in Franklin County, Ohio, May 19, 1844. Their children were: 1. Florence, born March 20, 1845, died Oct. 6, 1845; 2. Maria W., born June 17, 1647, died Feb'y 26, 1891; S. Justin, born April 6, 1849; 4. Ida E., born Feb'y 22, 1851, died Feb'y 16, 1866; 5. Everett, born August 27, 1853, died March 30, 1888. Only Maria W. was married; she was married to Nicholas McAlpine (born in County Down, Ireland, April 5, 1835) June 21, 1866. Their children are: 1. Robert L., born May 8, 1867; 2. Jessie S., born July 19, 1874; 3. Mary A., born January 24, 1882; 4. John W., born June 30, 1887.
     On the monument over his grave in the old Huron Place Cemetery is the following:

In
Memoriam
Joel Walker
Born in Canada West
Feb 17 1813
Died In Wyandott Kansas
Sept 8 1857.

Lynch,¹ William Trowbridge, John W. Ladd,² Daniel McNeal,³ Edward Fifer, Peter D. Clark and Henry W. Porter. The purpose to hold an election to elect a Delegate to Congress from Nebraska Territory met with much opposition from the representatives of the Government of the United States then in the "Indian Territory." Governor Walker says that even the discussion of the settlement of the country "attracted the attention of the Interior Department and drew forth official intimation that the government could not allow any portion of that Territory to be occupied by white people; and that the President was authorized to employ, if necessary, the military force of the United States in removing from the Indian Country all persons found there contrary to law." Mr. Guthrie says that "one Colonel Fauntleroy, Commanding Officer at Fort Leavenworth (and now I believe of the rebel army), threatened to arrest me if I should attempt to hold the election." And in another communication (to the New York Tribune August 9, 1856), "I met with many difficulties, and on one occasion was threatened with imprisonment by the commanding officer of one of the military posts in the Territory, for my attempt at 'revolution,' as he called it." Notwithstanding the fact that the military authorities forbade the holding of the election, the people went forward with their purpose. Seeing both their threats and their commands disobeyed, the election held, and Mr. Guthrie chosen, the opposition changed tactics, and called an election for Delegate, at Fort Leavenworth. At this election a Mr. Banow was selected to oppose Mr. Guthrie. The intention was to choose Banow and defeat Guthrie at the sub-

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    ¹ Often spoken of in Governor Walker's Journals, and sometimes called "Jonny 0'Bludgeon."
     ² John Wanton Ladd, born in Warrick, R. L, August 10, 1793, died in Wyandotte, Kansas, Sept. 25, 1865. Buried in Huron Place Cemetery. He was the father-in-law Of Matthew R., and Joel Walker.
     ³ Was a "hired man" in the "Nation." Worked for Governor Walker.
     ⁴ He is the " Old Connecticut " mentioned in Governor Walker's Journal.

sequent election, and send Banow forward for the purpose of preventing Mr. Guthrie from obtaining his seat, or to contest the seat if the Territory was organized and Mr. Guthrie admitted as Delegate. This action of the military was inspired by Senator Atchison of Missouri.
     The people however, wanted the Territory organized, and refused to become a party to this movement for delay, political advantage, and confusion. Mr. Guthrie defeated Banow at this subsequent election by a vote of 54 to 16.
     The opposition to Territorial organization was next felt in Washington. At that time there were two opposing and bitterly hostile factions in the Democratic party in the State of Missouri. One faction stood for moderation and the rights of slavery under existing laws without effort to extend it by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, and was in favor of the organization of Nebraska Territory. This faction was led by Colonel Thomas H. Benton, Willard P. Hall, Frank P. Blair, Jr., and to some extent by the St. Louis Republican, the principal Democratic newspaper of the State. The other faction was radical, aggressive and extreme in favor of all matters and measures put forward by the slave power of the South. The real leader and the inspiring genius of this faction was William Cecil Price,¹ of Springfield. Senator

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     ¹ William Cecil Price was born in Tazewell County, Virginia, and is a direct descendant of Lord Baltimore, who settled Maryland. He came with his parents to Green County, Missouri, in 1828. Was prominent in politics of the State until the war. Was an able lawyer, and was elected Probate Judge, Circuit Judge, District Attorney, Member of the Legislature, State Senator, Member of Congress, and held other positions of honor and trust. Organized and carried to a successful issue the fight on Colonel Thomas H. Benton, but in doing so divided the Democratic party of Missouri. Was Treasurer of the United States under President Buchanan. Was an advocate of secession, and selected Claiborn Jackson to be the candidate of the Democratic party of Missouri for Governor. Joined the Confederate army. Was captured at Wilson's Creek and for a long time confined in the military prison at Alton, Ills. & He is one of the old school Southern gentlemen. He had a keen sense of humor. A friend once introduced him to a stranger, and remarked "Judge Price was in the United States Treasury under President Buchanan." "Yes," said the Judge," and in the penitentiary under President Lincoln."
     Judge Price was the leader in Missouri of the extreme and radical element of the

Atchison, Sterling Price and others were his able Lieutenants. All the outrages of the Border Ruffians were committed at the dictation of this faction, which was bitterly opposed to the organization of Nebraska Territory unless slavery could be expressly made one of its fundamental institutions. Mr. Guthrie set out for Washington, November 20th. On December 1st he wrote to Governor Walker, from Cincinnati, that he had traveled from St. Louis to Cincinnati with the Missouri Senators, Atchison and Geyer, and that no assistance from them could be expected.¹
     When Mr. Guthrie arrived in Washington be set to work with great energy to accomplish the purpose for which he had been sent. On December 9th he wrote Governor Walker that Willard P. Hall, member of the House, had prepared a bill and would introduce it the following week.² The bill provided for the organization of the Territory of the Platte with the following boundaries: On the south, the thirty-sixth degree and thirty minutes; on the north, the forty-third degree; on the west, the summit of the Rocky Mountains; on the east, by Missouri. So effective were Mr. Guthrie's efforts that the Chairman of the Committee on Territories assured him that if Mr. Hall did not introduce his bill, the Committee would introduce one for the same purpose. Mr. Hall introduced his bill on the 13th of December, and it was referred to the Committee on Territories. Hall's bill was never reported by the Committee, but in lieu thereof William A. Richardson, of Illinois, from the Committee, reported a bill on February 2, 1853, providing for the organization of Nebraska Territory, with boundaries identical with those in Hall's bill. In the Committee of the Whole the bill met

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Democracy until the war, but since then has not been active in politics. He insists yet that slavery is right, and that it was a blessing to the negro. Sterling Price was his cousin.

   ¹ See letter published in this work, page 76.
   ² This letter is published herein, page 78.

with strong opposition from Southern members and was reported back to the House with a recommendation for its rejection, but on February 10, 1853, it passed the House by a vote of 98 to 43. On the following day it was sent to the Senate where it was referred to the Committee on Territories, of which Stephen A. Douglas was Chairman. On February 17th, Mr. Douglas reported the bill without amendment. Several unsuccessful efforts were made to have it taken up. The Congressional term would expire by limitation March 4, and Mr. Guthrie was anxious to have it taken up as long before that date as possible. In the expiring hours of the session (March 3) it was taken up and by a vote of 23 to 17, laid on the table. Mr. Guthrie believed he had a majority for it in the Senate, and could it have been brought to a vote at an earlier date it is probable that it would have passed the Senate. Mr. Guthrie says in his letter to the New York Tribune that the bill was not brought to vote, but in this he is in error.
     Although he failed in securing the passage of his bill, Mr. Guthrie virtually accomplished the object sought in his election. He forced a consideration of the question of the organization of Nebraska Territory. The passage of the bill for that purpose through the House and the close vote upon it in the Senate convinced the slave power that the question would have to be settled at the coming session of Congress. II.

     It was determined by the Wyandots that a Territorial Convention for the purpose of organizing a Provisional Government for Nebraska Territory should be held on the day appointed for their national festival, the Green Corn Feast. Their annual National election was often held on this ancient anniversary. In the year 1853 it was fixed to fall upon Tuesday, August 9th. The other emigrant tribes were noti-

 

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