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May, 1847.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

201

nees, Kickapoos, and Pawnees. Entered into a treaty of peace and amity. This is the first time in my life that I heard the Pawnee language spoken.1
     Friday, 14.--Rained. Edgington and hands making shingles for the kitchen and smoke house. Hauling the hewed timber. To-day our Wyandott volunteers set out on board the "Amelia" for the seat of war.2
     Saturday, 15.--Rained nearly all day. Hauled timber. At noon Edgington and hands left for home. Mrs W. went to Kansas. Got no mail. Evening, went out gunning for squirrels,--killed none. Wounded some and scared some terribly!
     Sunday, 16.--Raining, cloudy, and tempestuous. Wrote to Col. Goodin under date [of] the 15th, inclosing him our deed to Mr. Saylor. Wrote to Dr. Boggs enclosing his note given to the proprietors of Kansas for a lot. Cloudy and a drizzling rain. Unsettled weather.
     Monday, 17.--Cloudy and cold morning. F. Wilson went to Independence. Sent to the Clerk's office a deed for the certificate and County seal.
     Castrated and marked eight pigs. A swallow fork in the right ear.
     Tuesday, 18.--Warm and pleasant. Hauling our building timber. Broke our small wagon by Dick's carelessness. Stopped hauling. Waiting for Esau to return my big wagon. Bad luck. Brimstone, Sour Krout and Assafaetida.
     Wednesday, 19.--Prepared the new field for the plough. Esau came with an apology for keeping my wagon, and promised to send it home to-morrow.
     Thursday, 20.--Rained last night furiously. Set out fifty cabbage plants. Esau called and informed me that he had


     1 It was determined at this meeting to convoke the tribes of the Northwestern Confederacy and rekindle the Council Fire in the West, so John W. Gray-Eyes told me. The Council was held in October of the following year.
     2 The Mexican War.


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[May, 1847.

broken my big wagon. Well, if this is not enough to provoke the soul of a saint, I do not know what will. Worked in the woods pasture. Rained all day. The rainy season coming on, and the annual freshet. The Missouri rising.
     Friday, 21.--Mr Thompson commenced walling the cellar. Unlucky day for a commencement. Cloudy and lowry; "looks mighty like rain." Hauled logs for my building.
     Saturday, 22.--Cold and clear morning, but [we] escaped Jack Frost's clutches.
     Hauled a load of stone, and resumed hauling our building timber. Sent by Mr Parrott to the P. O. at Westport to have letters mailed for Hanson, B., J. Wheeler, and A. P. Curry. Received a letter from Deacon Wheeler full of abolitionism.
     Sunday, 23.--Staid at home. Read newspapers, and commenced a reply to the Deacon's abolition letter. In the evening went to Church and had a sermon from Mr Parrott.
     Monday, 24.--Rainy morning. Started with the team to the stone quarry, but it rained so desperately and [with] no probability of its holding up, [that] we gave up the idea of quarrying rock, and came home. To- day F. A. Hicks and Matilda Driver1 were married. Joy be with them. Cold night.


     1 The Driver Family was an important one in the Wyandot Nation. From what I have been able to learn I conclude that Francis Driver was a Wyandot Indian of not more than one-fourth blood, if even that much. He was the son of a Wyandot Chief named Driver, who is often spoken of by Finley in his Book "Among the Indians." This Chief was one of Finley's principal supporters when he established Methodism in the Wyandot Nation. He signed the Treaty of January 19, 1832. His Wyandot name was Sah- yooh'-tooh'-zhah, the meaning of which is lost. One of Driver's speeches is given in Finley's book at page 436.
     In 1823 Jacob Hooper was appointed to the Wyandot Mission by the Ohio Conference of the M. E. Church, held in Urbana. His wife was also appointed to a position (that of teacher) in the Mission. Hooper was from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and he brought with him to the work among the Indians his niece, Miss Matilda Stephenson, who had been brought up at Lancaster. She was scarcely grown up when she arrived at Upper Sandusky. She attended the Mission school awhile after she arrived. Her aunt, Mrs. Hooper, was a teacher in her department and Matilda often assisted her.
     Francis Driver was a student at the Mission school; he often saw Miss Stephenson. He was very desirous of marrying her and became an ardent suitor. And in due time


May, 1847.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

201

     Tuesday, 25.--Clear, cold and chilly morning. Set out with our team and bands for Clark's stone quarry and found excellent building stone. At 10 o'clock Mr Dennis, our carpenter, arrived with his tools. Clear and beautiful day.
     Wednesday, 26.--Clear and cool morning. Prospect of a fine day. Hauling stone. Received a letter from Major Harvey announcing the removal of Charles Graham from the public smithshop.
     Thursday, 27.--My hands, R. Richardson and F. Wilson left me this morning to go to the Mexican wars. Now my


Francis Driver and Matilda Stephenson were married. Before their marriage Miss Stephenson was adopted by an old Wyandot woman who belonged to the Snake Clan. She thus became a Wyandot of that Clan. Children were born to them that grew up, as follows: 1. Sarah; 2. William; 3. Caroline. Francis Driver and wife came to Wyandotte County from Ohio with the Wyandot Nation. He died here January 24, 1847, and lies buried in the old Indian burying ground in Huron Place. He was 45 years old at his death. His Wyandot name was Teh'-hah-rohn'-yooh-reh', and means "splitting the sky." He belonged to the Big Turtle Clan. After his death Mrs. Driver married Francis A. Hicks. They had no children. Hicks died in September, 1855. He was Head Chief of the Wyandots in 1850. Mrs. Matilda (Driver) Hicks died June 29, 1866, aged 61 years. She lies buried in the Indian burying ground in Huron Place, also. I find the following in my notes on Huron Place Burying Ground:

Francis Driver
Died
Jan. 24, 1847
Aged 45 Yrs.

Matilda Hicks
Died
June 29 1866
Aged 61 Yrs.

Mary A. Driver
Died
Aug 31 1844
Aged 14 Yrs.

Martha Driver
Died
Sept. 13 1844
Aged 11 Yrs 8 Mos, 4 Days.

Sarah Driver married, 1st, Dr. W. A. Payne, of Louisville, Ky., and 2d, Lucian Dagnett, a quarter-blood Peoria Indian. No children by either marriage. William Driver was in the Union Army and died unmarried. Caroline married, 1st, Edward Kirkbride. They had two children, Eugene and Frank. Frank had hip-joint disease and is now a cripple. He is the adopted son of Mrs. Dagnett. She married, 2d, Lewis Lofland. Children: 1. Mary Josephine, now the adopted daughter of Mrs. Dagnett; 2. Charles; 3. Ruth-Died; 4. Annie-called Kittie.
     Lewis Lofland lives on his allotment, in the Wyandot Reservation, near Seneca, Mo.
     Mrs. Sarah Dagnett lives in Seneca, Mo. Her allotment is near the town of Wandotte, Indian Territory.


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[May, 1847.

work must stop until I can employ some more. Trouble and disappointment.
     Friday, 28.--Went to Kansas and employed C. Jondron and Peter Ballanger to work by the day to haul stone.
     Saturday, 29.--Bought of Dr. Hand 300 feet of sheeting plank.
     Sunday, 30.--Hiatus.
     Monday, 31.--Got my mail. Little or no news. Hands returned to work with Peter Balanger and C. Jondron, and a Mr Smiley, carpenter.
JUNE, 1847.

     Tuesday, 1 .--Rained. "Monsieur Tonson" the mason not "come again" to resume his work. Council day; did not attend owing to illness. J. Walker took my place.1
     Wednesday, 2.--Pleasant and cool. A perfect clatter among the hands, carpenters, teamsters, stonemasons, and other hands employed upon my premises--a perfect Babel.
     Thursday, 3.--Rainy day. Work suspended. Cleared up, and operations resumed. Went to Washington's on business, in company with H. Jacquis.
     Friday, 4.--Showery all day, but continued our operations all day.
     Saturday, 5.--Rained all day till evening. C. Jondron, Ballanger, Mr Dennis and Mr Smiley went home. During the day we were called upon by a Mr Smith, President of the Masonic College at Lexington, who brought a letter of introduction from the girls. Had an interesting colloquy with him upon Indian affairs, customs, and polity, with various other matters.
     Sunday, 6.--Went to Church like a good and true Christian. Heard Mr Parrott. Sound and wholesome doctrine.


     1 The Wyandot Constitution required the Council to be full when business was transacted. If a Councilor could not attend he might send a substitute who would represent his views in the deliberations. If he did not send a substitute the Council might designate some one to take his place for that session.


Jun, 1847.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

205

     Monday, 7.--Splendid morning. Resumed operations in walling the cellar. Mr Smiley returned. My Francois hands did not return. Sorry for it. Edgington and hands returned. Sorry for that, for I am not ready for them. So it is sorrow upon sorrow. Ahem! 12 o'clock. Heard that Dr. Hewitt had just landed, on his return from the East. I care not a bauble about seeing him. His conduct in removing C. G. meets with my most utter detestation. The motive which prompted him to the step was pure and unadulterated malice. Who is there to rejoice at his removal? None but himself and two A's, that is, Asses, besides himself.
     Tuesday, 8.--Went to town, chatted with various persons. People much excited against Dr. H. for his conduct. The A's sycophantically paying their apotheosis to him in the most obsequious manner,--they can truly
Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee
That thrift may follow fawning."

     I went not nigh the detestable moving mass of corruption.
     Wednesday, 9.--About 3 o'clock this morning we were visited by a perfect tornado, with vivid lightning. It seemed as though creation were ripening for its dissolution earth rocked to its center, and amidst its oscillations, the roar of falling trees and the descent of the cataract of the heavens, rendered the scene, amidst the gloom of night, grand and terrific. Morning disclosed the extent of the destruction, sundry trees blown down, two hats blown away, and a crock of milk submerged!!
     Mr C. Columbus McClelland [called] upon us this morning on his way to Fort Leavenworth. The whole country appears to be agog about selling oxen, wagons, provisions, etc., to the commissary and quartermaster, all for the army. Swimming times for speculators, but a "beggarly account of empty boxes" for our National treasury.
     My execrations upon the Captain of the steamboat "Ma-


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[June, 1847.

nona" for landing my lumber on the point opposite Wyandott City, instead of our usual landing place. I'll mark that chap---he may fall in my way some of these days, then I'll, I'll ----.
     Thursday, 10.--Commenced raising my kitchen and smoke house--hands scarce. Finished raising the latter at 1 o'clock P. M., then commenced the kitchen. Succeeded in getting the joist plates and porch plates up before adjourning for the night. Thompson, the stone mason, grumbling and complaining all the while. The churlish, selfish, and contrary being has given me much trouble, since the carpenters have commenced operations, owing to his being so over captious.
     Friday, 11.--Resumed our raising--pleasant day. No hands came. Well, we will do it ourselves and apply the more strength, and what we lack in numbers we will make up in "bone and sinew."
     At 11 o'clock completed the raising of our buildings and after dinner "the ghost of unforgiven crimes" (Mr T.) took his departure, and not sorry to be relieved of his company for a season--his incessant cry of "more rock" I had become weary of hearing. When there was an abundance of "rock" then something else was wanting, and when that was supplied, his inventive genius would conjure up something else --- So on ad infinitum.
     James Washington called upon me to inform [me] that a special session of the Council will be held to-morrow morning upon the subject of the public blacksmith.
     Commenced giving Nero sulphur in his food, poor fellow, being afflicted severely with the mange, and dis[tem]per--all caused by impurity of his blood.
     Saturday, 12.--Rained last night, but bright and clear this morning-Beautiful summer morn! How bland and balmy is the air! How green and vivifying is the surrounding forest!

Jun, 1847.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

207

Our fortress is the good green wood,
  Our tents the cypress tree;
We know the forest round us,
  As seamen know the sea."

     Went to the National Council. Made a desperate speech upon the public blacksmith question. The people, by unanimous vote, placed the stamp of disapprobation upon the subagent's conduct in removing the present blacksmith. The Council addressed a communication to Major Harvey upon the subject, remonstrating against the removal. At the same Council we decided not to take up the War Tomahawk tendered to us by the Winnebagoes and Pottawatamies against the Sioux. Hands all went home.
     Sunday, 13.--Sabbath morning. Sun rose most brilliantly; the large dew-drops falling from the green foliage like spangles from a rainbow, the crystal drops still clinging to the green leaves, reminding one of the garniture of a splendid candelabrum--the sweet and wild warbling of the feathered songsters rendered our forest home altogether lovely and enchanting. Finished my long epistle to Deacon Wheeler on politics, domestic news, abolitionism - a sort of Salmagundi omnium gatherum communication.
     Monday, 14.--Cloudy and cool. Fireside quite agreeable. Our hands returning to their work.
     Tuesday, 15.--Took our team to town for a load of lime and a keg of nails, but owing to the storm returned without either. We two went to Mr Graham's to a dinner party. Meantime Bombastes Furioso (Dr. H.) called upon Mr Graham to inform him of his dismissal from service. Whereupon Mr G. gave him a very plain statement of his opinion of his conduct--some severe home thrusts; "alas! poor Yorick!" Hauled our lime and nails in the afternoon. "Monsieur Tonson" out of humor!

"Always complainin,
 Fra mornin' till even."

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[June, 1847.

     Wednesday, 16.--Cold morning. Thermometer 62o. Comfortable sitting by the fire, but no time to do that, motion, motion, locomotion. Edgington completed his contract and away they went "te hum." In the evening called to attend the Council. Attended. Adjourned in the night and had a dark walk of it home. Rained furiously last night.
     Thursday, 17.--Clear this morning, though the weather is unsettled. To-day the sale of lots in the addition to the town plat of Kansas. Speculators in "corner lots" will doubtless be in attendance. Went to Kansas and bought two lots; one at $30 and the other at $29.
     Friday, 18.--Rained most furiously. Came home in the midst of a pelting storm.
     Saturday, 19.--Commenced ploughing, and while thus engaged was summoned to attend a special Council, called by Dr. H., he wanting an opportunity of explaining his conduct in relation to his removing Mr Graham, and a poor excuse be made of it.
     Sunday, 20.--Clear and cool. Must attend the funeral of the Seneca Chief. Learned that the Chief died with the small-pox.
     Monday, 21.--Employed Mr Wood to assist Elijah in ploughing the new field. Judge MCC., Mr J. Walker, Mrs Leonard, called and paid us a visit--staid an hour or two, and proceeded to pay their respects to C. B. Garrett's family. Had a visit from Mrs Graham, and in the evening M. R. W. brought us our mail--welcome!
     Tuesday, 22.--Continued ploughing, making pretty good headway, the weather being cool and pleasant. In the evening Mr Graham made us a visit. Judge MCC. and party returned this morning to Fort Osage. Adam Brown called upon me to write for him--I put him off to a "more convenient season."
     Wednesday, 23.--Finished ploughing at 10 o'clock A. M.,

June, 1847.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

209

and at 12 commenced harrowing. Expecting a mail from Westport to-day, disappointed--too bad! Oh, Cave Johnston, thou art a pink of a P. M. G.1
     Thursday, 24.--Cool and pleasant. Roused from my slumbers by the arrival of the Deacon from his trip down the river. Hauled up his and my effects, such as household goods; harrowed our new field. Planted it in corn this 24th day of June. Whether it will get ripe, time will determine.
     Friday, 25.--Clear and cool. "Ding, dong bell" goes the steam boat bell. A boat coming up, puffing, blowing, snorting and roaring from the action of her wheels.
     Planted my fall potatoes; planted cucumbers and watermelons. 'Tis now 11 o'clock A. M. Having disposed of my agricultural operations, I can now devote my undivided attention to my "betterments" as the Yankee would say, and get them completed as soon as may be; arter this I will do myself the distinguished honor of resting from hard labor for a season at least.
     Saturday, 26.--Beautiful morning. Commenced plowing through my corn the second time. Discharged Mr Woods, his per diem being exorbitantly high.
     Just received a letter from Major Harvey announcing the restoration of C. Graham to his post. Now Doctor--" By St. Paul the work goes bravely on." What step will you next take to add to your list of already accumulated acts of disinterested patriotism.
     My hands are all gone; now we are alone. How lonely, everything still.
     Sunday, 27.--Cloudy morning. Prospect of rain. Mr Graham brought me a letter from Col. Goodin. Mr Saylor pronounces my deed good for nothing, informal, sundry, frivolous objections raised to it. Well, be it so. I will keep the land and he may keep his "filthy lucre."


     1 Postmaster General.

15

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[June, 1847.

     Monday, 28.--Cloudy morning. At 8 o'clock it commenced a moderate rain and rained steadily until half past 3 P. M.
     Spent the day with Pharoah and family. On the 19th the present month, N. E. Zane and family retreated from Missouri the second time for daddy's house. Ha, ha, ha, ha-a-a. Starved out. His wife no longer needed by certain libertines--run down to infamy--to the lowest depths--glad you are gone.
     Tuesday, 29.--Clear, beautiful morning. Special session of the Council to-day.
     Council assembled at 12 o'clock. Divorced Moses Peacock from his wife Mary. So Moses is now a single man. Blessed are the single, for they shall be double (if they desire it). If the countenance be any index to the state of the "inner man," Moses left the Council room a happy man.
     Addressed a communication to Major Harvey in reply to his, announcing the restoration of Mr Graham. Dr. H. very sullen. Would not come near the Council.
     Wednesday, 30.--Staid at home all day after my return from the ferry. Wrote a long letter for Adam Brown to Col. John Prince of Sandwich. To-night feel quite unwell. I fear it is a precursor of an attack of the billions fever.
JULY, 1847.

     Thursday, 1.--Fine morning. Clear and cool atmosphere. This has been a remarkably cool summer this far, the mercury in the thermometer seldom getting higher than 75o, and often below that. It is said that by some late observations made through Lord Ross's great telescope that there are large spots on the sun's disc by which the power of the sun is diminished, hence our cool summer. What has come over old Father Sol, that he should now, in his old days, become so silly and vain as to resort to daubing his face with paint!

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