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June, 1848.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

251

lighted to see him, not having seen him for upwards of twenty years.
     Tuesday, 13.--Council day. No business of importance. Mr Peery and Mr Young called in, and the latter introduced to the Council. Adjourned. Mr Peery gave a party for Mr Y. Spent an agreeable evening.
     Wednesday, 14.--Presented Mr Y. "Gregg's Commerce ,of the Prairies." Set out this morning in company with Mr Peery for the "Shawnee Institution." From thence home. Called upon J. Walker. Found him considerably improved.
     Thursday, 15.--Wrote another communication for the Telegraph. Went to Kansas. Called at the P. 0., but as usual "Nothing for you."
     The Whig national convention have nominated Gen. Taylor for President and Millard Filmore for Vice President. So the Whigs are doomed to another defeat.
     Friday, 16.--Planted my fall potatoes, being the old of the moon. Warm day. Mr George Dickson called. Went to the church to help Lynch put up steps in the basement. Martha taught Sophia's school, she being sick to-day.
     Saturday, 17.--Went to Kansas to sign with my brothers and others interested a power of attorney for Jesse Stern to dispose of our Seneca county lands; "signed sealed and delivered" in the presence of Lot Coffman, J. P.
     Paid the proprietors of Kansas for two lots in the new addition, $59.00 and got my deed. Received two letters from Esau, written from the "Halls of the Montezumas." Came home late in the evening.
     Sunday, 18.--Quarterly meeting. Present L. B. Stateler, presiding elder, Thomas Johnson, E. T. Peery. I must go to Church, as a good orderly Christian man should do. In the "arternoon" a heavy shower of rain came up, which lasted two hours. Mr and Mrs Northrup, Mr Stateler, and

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THE JOURNALS OF

[June, 1848.

E. T. P. dined with us to-day. The clergy put out for Church.
     Monday, 19.--Clear morning. Our dejeuner a la fourchette was the last of Barnabas Barebones. Mrs W. went to Kansas. Received a letter from John Goodin inclosing one from Greer. The latter must be an infamous scoundrel.
     Tuesday, 20.--Council in session. Had a variety of business. Some matters were postponed. Read a letter to the Council from Dr. Frost upon the subject of intemperance among the Wyandotts. Appointed a committee to investigate the causes of the drowning of a Muncie woman at Kansas. Fined that prince of all loafers, Thos. Standinwater, $500.
     Wednesday, 21.--Went to town. J. Walker making preparations to leave for the east. Waiting for a boat. Wrote to M. H. Kirby on business and also to John Goodin and L. Smalley.
     Thursday, 22.--Went to Kansas. on my way and passing by Joel's house I found they had not gone East yet. The steamboat "Cora" not having comedown yet. Got no news. Dined with Mr Smart. Mr Moses arraigned for an assault and battery on his brother Shoemaker, James Wilson.
     This afternoon an awful storm came up and lasted about two hours.
     Friday, 23.--Cool and pleasant, but alas! My corn is flattened by yesterday's storm. My oats considerably damaged by the storm.
     Saturday, 24.--Went to Kansas to settle a matter pending between Henry Sager, John Sarrahess and William S. Chick, Adm. of estate of W. M. Chick postponed. Got no mail, no news.
     Sunday, 25.--Charles G.----- and I at an early hour crossed the Kansas river and called at the residence of Rev. James Porter; pressed him into service, and we galloped over the

July, 1848.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

253

prairies about five hours, and arrived at the house of Mrs Mary Bartleson, a widow, where we found a large company of people assembled. Whereupon we in our wisdom, caused the aforesaid C. G. and Mrs M. B. to be united "in the holy state of matrimony." Thence returned in company with a Mr Abston and family and staid all night with them.
     Monday, 26.--After breakfast we set [out] for home. I reached home about 2 o'clock P. M. and found our folks, with the invited guests, waiting for the bride and groom, and dinner waiting. But we sat down and did ample justice to what was before us without them. Rain rain.
     Tuesday, 27.--Dark and dreary morning. More rain.
     Cleared off at ten o'clock. Wrote to Harriet to be sent by Thursday's mail. Put in a Q-----t. Now I must husband my stock of patience.
     Wednesday, 28.--Broke my ax handle. Joel Walker and family set out from Kansas for [the] East. J. S. Co. met at the school house and adjourned to meet again some time hence.
     Thursday, 29.--Went to K. Got my news. Came home in the evening.
     Friday, 30.--Nothing worthy of note. Mrs W. went to K. Sent by a Mr. McLean a dress and a letter to Harriet.
     At 2 o'clock P. M. the thermometer stood at 96o in the shade.
JULY, 1848.

     Saturday, 1.--Went to K. Paid my postage bill. Received a joint letter from Harriet and Miss Jane R. Long. M. R. W., his family, and Mrs Maria Garrett went to Sibley. Returned in the evening. At night it commenced raining, and rained all night most furiously.
     Sunday, 2.--Clear and beautiful morning. The Deacon being absent, consequently no sermon. I staid at home, reading Stone's Life of Thayendenagea or Joseph Brant.


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THE JOURNALS OF

[July, 1848.

Isaiah called and dined with us. Heard of the death of a man named Irvin in Kansas by a night's debauch which took place last night during the storm.
     Monday, 3.--Staid at home and pottered about, doing all sorts of things such as cutting down weeds, repairing fences. Mr Noble called; chatted awhile. Uncle Joseph R. called and did the same. Heard of the death of J. W. Gray Eyes's wife in the evening. C. G. called and staid till night.
     Tuesday, 4.--"Independence Day." Mexico free. "Glory enough for one day!" Council meets to-day.
     Wednesday, 5.--Made a hog-pen. C. G. and lady visited us to-day. Thermometer 95o.
     Thursday, 6.--Went to K. While there heard of the illness of W. M. Big-River. (hiatus) Found him dead.
     Friday, 7.--He was buried.
     Saturday, 15.--The nation met at the school house to make the national nominations as follows: Against James Washington, F. A. Hicks. Against Tauroomee, M. Mudeater; against Geo. Armstrong, J. D. Brown; against W. Walker, J. Rankin; against G. I. Clark, J. W. Grayeyes.1


     1 John W. Gray-Eyes was the son of Squire Gray-Eyes, who was the son of Doctor "Greyeyes," who was the son of a British Army officer that married a Wyandot girl at Detroit during the War of the Revolution. Doctor Greyeyes is buried in Huron Place Cemetery. In my search there for information concerning the Wyandots I dug into a sunken grave, and about three inches below the surface found the fragment of a broken headstone upon which is the following:

Doctor Greyeyes
Died
Aug 1845
Aged 50 Yrs.

     According to this he was born in 1795. Squire Gray-Eyes was a Methodist preacher and was one of Finley's best men in the Methodist Mission at Upper Sandusky. He had several children. He sent his son John W. to school at the Mission, and afterward to Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, where he graduated with high honors, Hon. John S. Stockton, of Kansas City, Kansas, was present on the occasion of his graduation and says that the address he delivered was of a high order and well spoken.
     John W. Gray-Eyes studied law and was for a time successful in its practice, but he ruined a promising future by the excessive use of strong drink. When Tauromee died he became Head Chief by inheritance pursuant to a rule adopted by the Wyandots when they resumed their tribal relations. During the last five years of his life he did not taste liquor. He died in the Indian Territory some six years ago. He belonged to, the Little Turtle clan and his name was Heh'n'-toh, the meaning of which is lost.


July, 1848.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

255

     Sunday, 16.--Staid at home. Had company, W. G.
     Monday, 17.--John Nofat and S. Rankin commenced harvesting my oats. Interrupted by being called away.
     Tuesday, 18.--Staid at home and pottered about.
     Wednesday, 19.--Finished harvesting the oats.
     Thursday, 20.--Excessively warm. Thermometer 96o. In the evening a very severe storm came on from the north. Rain and hail in an horrible tempest, which lasted till night. After 9 o'clock it commenced raining again and continued till midnight.
     Friday, 21.--Went to town. C. G. gone to his farm, Came home. A Mr Smith and Mr Givens of Lexington called and spent the afternoon.
     Saturday, 22.--Mrs W. went to K. and got our papers, also a letter from Mrs McE. of Upper Sandusky.
     Sunday, 23.--Both staid at home, it looking too much like rain. Neither of us enjoying the best [of] health, deemed it most prudent not to expose ourselves. Cloudy evening; prospect of rain. Sunset, no rain.
     Monday, 24.--Fine morning; went to town. Got a sack of corn, but no news. Sultry but still no rain. One half past two P. M., thermometer 100o! Warm truly. At 4 o'clock P. M. Harriet reached home from Lexington.
     Tuesday, 25.--Wrote a friendly epistle to H. Barrett. Finished hoeing my potatoes. My spring run dry, the water having undermined the trough. Must give it an overhauling to-morrow. To be without water, "sweet, cold water" this warm weather! The thought is insufferable. No, no. 'Twon't do. Sowed my turnip seed.
     Wednesday, 26.--Cloudy morning. Showers of rain. Went to town and employed John Lynch to assist in repairing the spring. Assisted by Mr Peery, after three or four hours' work we succeeded in confining the water in the spout, and set it to running. Now we have water.

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THE JOURNALS OF

[July, 1848.

     Thursday, 27.--Mrs W. went to K. and I mowed my yard and meadow. Got some newspapers. Another bloody insurrection in France which lasted from Friday, 23d of June, till Tuesday the 27th. The insurrection was put down with a loss of from twelve to fifteen thousand killed and wounded on both sides. Ill-fated France! When will you, enjoy peace and tranquility? Never will you be content till brought under the scepter of some powerful despot. Answered Hugh Barrett's letter.
     Friday, 28.--Cloudy and raining occasionally. Staid at home all day. Did little or nothing.
     Saturday, 29.--Mrs W. went to K. to sign a Power of Attorney. Hauled in my oats. Received some newspapers. The French insurrection completely subdued. Gen. Cavaignac, the hero of the National Guards will most probably be the President of the Nouvelle Republique.
     Sunday, 30.--Staid at home and read all day. Though somewhat cloudy, still a pleasant day.
     Monday, 31.--Went to town. Called at the Doctor's, who was not at home. Called at the blacksmith shop. Came home. Pottered about the house. Fine weather.
AUGUST, 1848.

     Tuesday, 1.--Mrs W., Mrs Peery, and Mrs Graham went to Independence. I went and attended Council. Decreed to sell the National Arms. I bought one, $8.00. Came home at 5 o'clock. Mrs W. and company returned after dark, accompanied by Mrs Gilmore.
     Wednesday, 2.--At dawn of day, raining furiously. At 4 o'clock P. M., pouring down in torrents, having rained all day. Cleared off in the evening. While some of S. Armstrong's hands were swimming in the Kansas River one of them was drowned.
     Thursday, 3.--Clear, cool, and pleasant day. Staid at


Picture/map or sketch

JOHN W. GRAY-EYES.


August, 1848.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

257

home. Mowed in my woods pasture. Having fatigued myself, rested myself the remaining part of the day by reading.
     Friday, 4.--The girls went to take their music lessons. Got no mail. Sent the Power of Attorney to Col. Goodin.
     Saturday, 5.--Went to town. Came home and resumed mowing my woods pasture. Folks going to the Delaware camp meeting. We spent the evening at C. B. G's.
     Sunday, 6.--Harriet and Sophia went to the camp meeting. Wrote a long letter to Major Harvey upon the subject of our difficulties of "N. and S." The girls returned at sunset.
     Monday, 7.--Staid at home and worked at my pasture. The Deacon returned from camp meeting.
     Tuesday, 8.--Attended the Council. Transacted a variety of business, making the necessary arrangements for the election and barbecue.
     Wednesday, 9.--Mowed in my pasture. Mrs W. and Harriet went to K. Joel Walker and our Mexican warriors landed off the Wyandott steamer. "Sweet Lucy Pinks" got a young 'un. 'Ah ha, a hae.
     Thursday, 10.--Warm, warm and sultry. Hauled some wood.
     Friday, 11.--Warm. and sultry.
     Miss Jane R. Long, Miss Blackwell, and Miss Lykins here on a visit. Returned this morning. A small sprinkle of rain.
     Saturday, 12.--Went to town to clear off the ground for the barbecue.
     Sunday, 13.--Clear and beautiful morning. Intended to go to Church, but having a headache gave it up. 2 o'clock P. M., Thermometer 100o.
     Monday, 14.--Worked all day in my pasture. In the evening Rev. Mr Johnston1 and family came over to attend the Green Corn Feast.


     1 Rev. Thomas Johnson, of the Shawnee Mission.

18

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THE JOURNALS OF

[August, 1848.

     Tuesday, 15.--The glorious feast--the election in the midst of a most furious rain, which continued all day; unfavorable as the day was a large number of white people attended, both ladies and gentlemen, and enjoyed the feast in real gusto. The following persons compose the present Council, as decided by the annual election:

Francis A. Hicks, Principal Chief.

John D. Brown.

Bracket

Councilors.

Matthew Mudeater.

James Rankin.

George I. Clark.

     Wednesday, 16.--John Nofat came to chop cord-wood. I mowed in my pasture. Cloudy day.
     Thursday, 17.--Killed a shoat for table use. David Young called. We had a long chat on politics.
     Friday, 18.--Cloudy morning. The sun has not been seen for a week. Dr. Hewitt captured a ventriloquist last night just as he was commencing his performance at J. W. Gray Eyes' house. He was, however, released and sent out of the Territory.
     Saturday, 19.--Mowed in my pasture. In the evening Martha returned in company with Mr Charles Pore, Mr G. being sick. Harriet brought our mail, but no interesting news.
     Sunday, 20.--Warm and sultry day. In the afternoon several gentlemen called upon us, two from N. Y. At night we had a heavy rain, accompanied with uproarish thunder, and lightning.
     Monday, 21.--Worked about the place all day, cutting down weeds in my fence corners. John Nofat chopping cord-wood.
     Tuesday, 22.--Mrs W. and Harriet went to K. Prospect of a warm day.
     The Presidential race is all the talk now. Taylor and


August, 1848.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

259

Cass. "Go it ye cripples!" Mr Van Buren of the barn-burning party seems to be gaining strength among the abolitionists. Free territory men; among the latter are some prominent Whigs.

ELECTORAL VOTES.

Maine 	       9   Alabama       9
New Hampshire    6   Mississippi   6
Vermont          6   Ohio         23
Massachusetts   12   Louisiana     6
Rhode Island     4   Kentucky     12
Connecticut      6   Tennessee    13
New York        36   Indiana      12
New Jersey 	   7   Illinois      9
Pennsylvania    26   Missouri      7
Delaware         3   Arkansas      3
Maryland         8   Michigan      5
Virginia        17   Florida       3
North Carolina  11   Texas         4
South Carolina   9   Iowa          4
Georgia         10   Wisconsin     4
290 votes.

     Wednesday, 23.--Feel unwell. Try and work it off. In the evening, getting worse. Bloody flux. At night worse. Sent for Dr. Hewitt, C. B. G. and Mr Peery. Became insensible. Took blood. Blistered. Took calomel, blue mass, and all sorts of things. Inflammation of the bowels.
     Thursday, 24.--Inflammation somewhat reduced. Weak and feeble.
     Friday, 25.--Improving a little. Less fever. Taking oil, Dover's powders, etc. Blisters sore.
     Saturday, 26.--Taking charcoal, morphine, etc. Improving. Got my newspapers. But not much news


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THE JOURNALS OF

[August, 1848.

     Sunday, 27.--Improving on charcoal and morphine. M. R. W. and lady, J. W., C. G. and Mr Hunter called to see me. Beautiful day. In the evening T. H. Noble called and spent an hour.
     Monday, 28.--Feel feeble; no appetite. Fever down. Weak pulse.
     Tuesday, 29.--Attended the sheriffs1 election. The result was Irvin P. Long vice John Hicks, Jr.; Michael Frost re-elected. A committee of thirteen constitution tinkers appointed.
     Wednesday, 30.--Quite unwell. Sent for S. Armstrong for consultation about the schism [and the] cantankerous capers of the abolitionists. Appointed Friday, September 1, for a National Convention at the camp grounds for the discussion of the question, North and South. A little rain in the evening. Took a blue pill on going to bed. Heard of the death of W. Bowers' wife.
     Thursday, 31.--Quite unwell. Rode up to F. A. Hicks's and spent the evening. Warm and sultry.
SEPTEMBER, 1848.

     Friday, 1.--Pursuant to notice the Nation assembled at the camp ground and at 12 o'clock proceeded to organize by the appointment of James Washington, President, and John Hicks, Sen'r, Vice President; and W. Walker, Secretary. The object [of the Convention] being to determine whether the Nation will declare for the Southern division of the M. E. Church, or the Northern. After an animated discussion by S. Armstrong, W. Walker, M. R. Walker, J. D. Brown, F. A. Hicks, David Young and others in favor of the South, and J. M. Armstrong,2 G. I. Clark, Esqr. Gray-Eyes, in favor


     1 There were two sheriffs.
     
2 John McIntyre Armstrong, son of Robert and Sarah (Zane) Armstrong, was born October, 7, 1813. He was the leader of those Wyandots that refused to go to the M. E. Church, South, in the division. He was by profession an Attorney-at-Law, and was associated for some time with Hon. John Sherman of Mansfield, Ohio. He practiced

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