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     Saturday, 15.--Presley Muir came and cut and hauled some wood. I went to attend a night session of the Council, where the arrangements were made for the public execution of John Coon, Jr., on Tuesday, the 18th instant. Came home at 11 o'clock at night.
     Sunday, 16.--All feeling unwell, none went to Church but Harriet.
     Monday, 17.--Went in company with M. R. W. to select the ground for the public execution of the criminal.
     P. Muir butchered our hogs--Aggregate weight 698 lbs, Attended an extra night session of the Council.
     Tuesday, 18.--Clear and cold morning. Attended at the Council House.
     At 1 o'clock the procession was formed at the Jail, the prisoner bro't and placed in a Wagon and proceeded to the place of execution. At 1/2 past 3 o'clock P. M., the executioners, James Barnet, Tho. Pipe, Isaac Zane, H. C. Long, Louis Lumpey and Joseph White, under the command of M. R. Walker and Philip Brown, took their position ......... the signal was given and [the executioners] fired--the prisoner fell and was buried. Such was the fate and end of John Coon, Jr., a badly raised boy. He may be justly said to be the victim of a wicked and ungodly mother.
     Wednesday, 19.--Wrote to Major Moseley at Sarcoxie, upon matters appertaining to the Agency, especially about the movements of the Northern Missionary.
     Thursday, 20.--John Lynch came and made some alterations in our chimney to prevent its smoking. He succeeded to admiration in Curing the evil.
     Friday, 21.--Wrote to A. Guthrie.
     Monday, 24.--Commenced yesterday a communication for Cist's Advertiser. Finished it to-day. Attended the night session of the Legislative Committee. Adjourned at 12 o'clock. Clear and moonlight.

     Tuesday, 25.--At 1 P. M. went to attend the session of the Committee.
     Wednesday, 26.--Sent by Sonny O'Bludgeon for our mail. But he had not returned last evening at dark. We greatly fear he has got into a sprey.
     Thursday, 27.--Clear arid cold morning. No Jonny O'Bludgeon yet. The rascal has got into a drunken frolic, and has probably lost our mail.
     M^rs Z. Armstrong, Miss Hunter, and the Misses Garret [came] on a visit to spend the afternoon with us.
     Friday, 28.--Paid M. R. W. a visit. Heard of the death of Fighter. P. Muir called. No news of "Mister O'Bludgeon."
     Monday, 31.--Wrote to A. Guthrie. Attended the night session of the Legislative Committee. W. Mulkey supposed to be married to-day to Miss D. FEBRUARY, 1853.

     Tuesday, 1.--M^rs W. gone to K. and Harriet and Mary Garrett to M^r Mulkey's infair at Esquire W. Al. McGee's Mansion.
     Wednesday, 2.--Harriet returned from the party at McGee's.
     Thursday, 3.--At 2 P. M. went to attend the session of the Committee, but found no quorum. Came home.
     Sunday, 6.--Paid a visit to M. R. W. Found his maimed foot getting well. The Kansas River frozen over above the Ferry. M^r Dofflemeyer called this evening in company with John D. Brown, for the purpose of having written what was seen by the latter while in "a trance" last fall during his illness. I accordingly wrote what was seen.
     It smacks very much of transcendentalism and wild insanity. But enthusiasts will and must have their whims.
     Tuesday, 8.--Rec'd a letter from Nimrod McKnight, an

nouncing the death of M^rs Hannah Barrett, aged 79. Heard that Edmund F. Chouteau died on Monday at 2 A. M.
     Thursday, 10.--Went to attend the session of the Legislative Committee. Came home with a severe nervous headache. Wrote to N. McKnight and Thomas Moseley, Indian Agents.
     Sunday, 13.--In the evening went with [the] family to witness the nuptials between Isaiah P. Walker and Miss Mary Williams, at 4 o'clock, at the house of Silas Armstrong. A very respectable company was assembled and everything passed off very agreeably.
     Monday, 14.--At 12 o'clock Meridian the venerable John Hicks¹ departed this life [aged] upwards of 80 years. He

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     ¹ The following biographical sketch was written by Governor Walker:
     "Died at his residence in Wyandott Territory, on the 14th inst., at 12 o'clock M., John Hicks, aged upwards of 80 years. The subject of this brief sketch was a half blood. His father was a German, captured during the old Indian wars in some part of Maryland, it is supposed, and was in due time regularly adopted into the Wyandott Nation, where he remained all his life. His son John Hicks, was in his youth, accidentally wounded very severely in the right thigh, which, owing to mismanagement, rendered him a cripple for life.
     "In the year 1810, he with Between-the-logs, Mononcue, Matthew Peacock and George Punch, was called to the Council -Fire by Tarhee, the then ruling Sachem of the nation. In this important post he soon distinguished himself for wisdom, firmness and decision. He often detected and exposed the intrigues and machinations of Tecumseh and the Prophet, previous to the late war, in their operations with the Northwestern tribes. He continued in this important post with increased usefulness till the death of Tarhee, when by hereditary right, Da on quot succeeded him as the ruling Chief. Hicks continued in the same relation to the new Chief until the death of the latter in the summer of 1825. It was during his administration that Methodism was first preached among the Wyandotts. Being strongly imbued with the superstitions incident to heathenism, it was sometime before he could be convinced of the truth and reality of this 'New doctrine,' for it was indeed 'New' to him; as all his preconceived notions of the Christian religion were derived from the Romish Church, and not a very promising believer at that. Possessing an inquiring mind and a thirst for knowledge and a disposition to 'Prove all things and hold fast that which is good,' he availed himself of all opportunities when he could get the aid of a good Interpreter, of conversing with well informed Protestants upon religious subjects. In the year 1819 he, with his colleagues above named (except Da on quot who opposed this new religion bitterly). was received into the Church under the ministry of Rev. James Montgomery. From this period until the close of his pilgrimage he has continued unwavering and steadfast in his religious integrity, showing by his daily walk that the salvation of his own, and the souls of all within his reach was the chief business of his life. His conversation upon religious subjects showed unmistakably that he was in earnest--that he meant and felt what he said. He was exact and punctual in his attendance upon all the means of grace and a

was the last of the hereditary Chiefs of the Wyandott nation. He has been for thirty-five years a member of the M.. E. Church.
     Tuesday, 15.--M^rs W. and Harriet rode over to pay a visit to our old friend and neighbor E. T. Peerey, who is laying very low with the Winter Fever. Attended the joint session of the Committee and Council. Both bodies adjourned to attend the Funeral of the late John Hicks.
     In the evening snowing, and continued till late in the night.
     Wednesday, 16.--Went to attend the session of the Committee. Presented to the Council the last Will and testament of John Hicks for probate.

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cardinal maxim with him was to "Have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather to reprove them;" and in reproof he was proverbially severe; yet none acquainted with him could take offence. The ungodly, the persecutor and scoffer have often been made to writhe under the lacerating reproof administered by him. As an Exhorter he was fluent, eloquent and impressive. His mind maintained its vigor till within two or three years ago. Last fall a year, he was selected by the Chiefs to deliver, at the Church, an address on the life and character of a deceased Chief with whom he had been intimate many years. It was in this effort, discovered that his mental faculties were indeed falling into 'the sere and yellow leaf,'--and the gigantic Oak was dying at the top. Mentally and physically, it was evident, he was sinking under the pressure of the hand of time.
     "Father Hicks was ill about seven weeks before he died. I visited him about ten days previous to our last Quarterly meeting, when he expressed a desire to have administered to him for the last time, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper at that time. His wife remarked that she did not think he would live that long. He seemed to be suddenly roused and said, 'I feel confident that the Lord will spare me till then--yes, I shall live that long.' Upon our arrival at the time appointed for that purpose, we found him drowsy and stupid; but upon hearing our voices, he woke up and recognized us both--Knew our business and was inclined to converse with us, but was too weak. Brother Peerey administered to him the sacred emblems.
     "Suffering much and long, he evinced great patience and resignation. In his conversation with all who visited him he invariably stated he was ready to obey the summons at any moment--exhorted his friends to faithfulness in the cause. Thus departed this veteran from his post on the watchtower. The last of the hereditary Chiefs under the old regime of the Wyandott Nation.

"His age and feebleness extreme,
 Who shall a helpless worm redeem!
 Jesus, my only hope thou art:---
 Strength of my failing flesh and heart,
 0, could I catch a smile from thee,
 And drop into eternity!"

     Friday, 18.--Went over to C. B. G.'s and spent some time in social chat with Major Kirby.
     Monday, 21.--Went up to appraise White-Wing's farm. Came home. Raining.
     Tuesday, 22.--Went and attended the last session of the Committee. Passed the Annual Appropriation Bill and adjourned sine die. Hired Monsieur Brouseau to work a while.
     Wednesday, 23.--Attended the sale of John Hicks Estate. Came home in the evening.
     Friday, 25.--Major Moseley set out for Delaware.
     Went at candle-light to attend a Temperance meeting at the Council House. Pretty fair turn out.
     Saturday, 26.--M^r Brouseau. and Dudley commenced haulng in our corn from the brickyard Field. Wrote an obituary of John Hicks, Sen.¹ MARCH, 1853.

     Thursday, 3.--The worthless Congress will be disbanded to-night at 12 o'clock. I pray Heaven this Republic will never be again cursed with such another Congress. Received two letters from Sophia informing us that her health was poor, and [that she] wanted to come home. Rec'd one from. A. Guthrie upon the subject of our territorial organization.
     Friday, 4.--This day Gen. F. Pierce is inaugurated President, of the U. S. Friday is an ill day, a day of bad omen.
     Saturday, 5.--My birthday! Fifty-three years old! that cannot be. I daily see men who are fourteen and fifteen years my juniors, who look as though they were as many years my seigniours. I am not yet, I trust, "in the sere and yellow leaf;" but how natural for men, when somewhat advanced in life, to vainly imagine they are still in "the dew of their youth."

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     ¹ The biographical sketch given in note 1, p. 373.

     Monday, 7.--Attended, at night, a temperance Meeting at the Church. Came home at 11 o'clock.
     Tuesday, 8.--M^r Broseau went home after dinner; being too stormy to work. Sent by him my letters to the P. 0.; one to Judge C., Ph.........a; one to Rev. B. H. Russel, California.
     Wednesday, 9.--Sent Dudley to K., who shortly afterwards returned and reported that the ice above the ferry had broken loose and stove in the ferry boat and carried her of down the river, with a negro on board.
     Thursday, 10.--Sent Dudley again to K. He bro't our mail, with a Telegraphic dispatch announcing Gen. Pierce's Cabinet: Secretary of State, Marcy, of N. Y.; Treasury, Guthrie, Ky.; Interior, McClelland, Mich.; War, Davis, Miss.; Navy, Dobbin, N. C.; P. M. G., Campbell, Penn.; Att'y Gen'l, Cushing, Mass.
     Friday, 11.--Sent Dudley after my Frenchman to come to work. Found the rascally Bullfrogeater in Kansas chopping wood in the Street. Went over to sit up with Cyrus Garrett, who is very sick with the Erysipelas. Staid all night. Heard of the death of Henry Warpole and Ann White-Wing. The former died in the woods while hunting.
     Saturday, 12.--Sent Sophia's letter to J. Walker for him to enclose $40 to her. Dudley returned from K. bringing our mail. One letter from Sophia. Her health improving. Rec'd Senate bill organizing Nebraska Territory.¹
     Sunday, 13.--Went over to see Cyrus; found him improving. Staid till quite late.
     Monday, 14.--Cold and cloudy morning. Therm. 18^o. I am apprehensive [that] cold weather is likely to continue thro' this New Moon.

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     ¹ I have been unable to learn anything of this bill. This entry would indicate that it was not the Hall-Richardson bill. But I can come to no other conclusion than that it was.

     Answered M. Edwards' letter. Just heard that Tom Coke had inflicted a mortal wound upon Solomon Kayrohoo, with an Iron poker.
     Tuesday, 15.--Clear and cold. Therm. 10^o. Attended a special session of the Committee. Unpleasant day. Heard of the death of Dr. Gemundt.
     Wednesday, 16.--Commenced the copying [of] the Wyandott laws. Warm wind from the south. Cyrus Garrett is still very sick. Typhoid Fever. Therm. 22^o.
     Thursday, 17.--Went over to see Cyrus Garrett. Found him improving.
     Engaged in copying the laws. A perplexing job! Amendments upon amendments come up like "spirits from the -vasty deep"; incoherent, incongruous, and inconsistent with the original laws. Such are the fruits of having Nin-Kumpoops to make laws.
     Attended a Temperance Meeting at the Church. Delivered a speech at the request of the Society. Came home at 11 o'clock at night.
     Tuesday, 22.--Attended the session of the Council. Not much done.
     Wednesday, 23.--M^r Dofflemeyer commenced witewashing our House. C. B. Garrett returned home. Also, Hon. A. Guthrie from Washington. Our house upside down and topsey turvey.
     Thursday, 24.--Mr D. still whitewashing and painting. At 2 P. M. got through, and [I am] heartily glad of it.
     Friday, 25.--Cloudy morning; threatening rain. That filthy, greasy, loafing, poverty stricken, lying Frenchman, Broseau, has not returned to work. My execrations upon his pate!
     Saturday, 26.--Sick. I am unable to tell my complaint. Something like dyspepsia. Feel wretched. Took a dose of

Cook's Pills last night. Derived no advantage from them: Sick all day. Resumed recording the Laws--gave it up.
     Sunday, 27.--I feel some better this morning; but my complaint is not done with yet. "The snake is scotched but not killed." APRIL, 1853.

     Thursday, 14.--While in Kansas strong suspicions were excited that a gang of desperadoes was lurking about intent upon robbery and plunder; a person was detailed by the citizens to keep a look out. He associated himself with every suspicious person--to chat with each quite familiarly, and [he] finally succeeded in discovering who they were, their plans of operation, and that they had already committed a burglarious robbery upon a store in Parkville. He also ascertained where the goods were concealed, and [that] it was their intention to fire the town of Kansas that night. Prompt measures were then adopted for their arrest. Arrest succeeded arrest till nine were secured. They were sent to Platte City Jail to await their trial. They were a hard looking set of scamps.
     Saturday, 23.--Commenced writing a review of an editorial which appeared in the "Sandusky Register." It is a most scandalous calumny on the Wyandotts. This is the first instance of any of [the] Corps Editorial in Ohio attacking the Wyandotts.
     Sunday, 24.--Finisbed my fulmination. Visited by E. Garret and Henry Garrett, who staid [a] couple of hours. In the evening the Rev. M^r Jones called upon us.
     Wednesday, 27.--M. R. Walker bro't us our mail, among which was a letter from Sophia, announcing to us the astonishing news of her marriage with M^r D. V. Clements, of Hardin County, Ohio, on the 5th instant. Well, perhaps its for the best.

     Thursday, 28.--Just heard that Tom Coke was killed by Tom Mononcue, while returning from Parkville. Learned, as yet, no particulars.
     Saturday, 30.--Sent by Adam Brown for our mail, but this was the last we have seen of him. I fear he got on a burst, and perhaps lost our mail and himself, too. MAY, 1853.

     Monday, 2.--Finished copying the Wyandott Laws¹. Felicitatus!
     A great temperance meeting at the Church to-night. These Temperance promises and pledges may, peradventure, last till "Dog days," but I very much doubt it. They are seldom productive of any permanent good.
     Tuesday, 10.--Attended the session of the Council. Friday, 13th, appointed for the trial of Thomas Monocue.
     Heard of the removal of Thomas Moseley from the Indian Agency and the appointment of a M^r Robinson from the South West part of the State.
     Wednesday, 11.--Wrote a long letter to the California Wyandotts. Wm. Priddee, Presley Muir & Company set out from Wyandott Territory for California, with nearly two hundred head of Cattle.
     Friday, 13.--This is the day set for the trial of the criminal.
     3 o'clock P. M.--Some of the jury and some of the witnesses failing to appear, the trial was postponed till Tuesday the 17th.
     M^r George Twyman called this evening.
     Monday, 16.--In the evening attended a Temperance meeting at the Church. The person chosen for speaker at a previous meeting not appearing, M^r D-----² who always

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     ¹ I have searched for this copy of the Wyandot Laws, but have not found them. They are not among the papers belonging to the Council in the Indian Territory.
     ² Dofflemeyer.

likes to bear himself talk, took the floor, and with his usual wild and uncouth ranting and horrid screams soon came near driving his audience out of the House, when S. Armstrong interposed and took the floor from him and delivered a short address in Wyandott, after which I followed in English.
     Tuesday, 17.--At 12 M. went down to attend the trial of Thomas Mononcue. The jury empanelled and sworn. J. W. Gray Eyes, Prosecutor. M. R. W. and myself for the defence. The case was submitted to the jury at 6 o'clock, and I came home.
     Wednesday, 18.--Just learned that the Jury bro't in a verdict of "Man Slaughter in the Second Degree." The Court unjustly and tyrannically sentenced him [to] four years solitary confinement.
     Sunday, 22.--Went to Church and heard a very good sermon preached by Rev. Thos. Ashby. Invited him and his lady to dine with us.
     Tuesday, 24.--Major Moseley and lady came and staid all night, by way of a farewell visit; he having been superseded in the Kansas Agency by a M^r Robinson, of Polk County, Mo
     Thursday, 26.--Diable! Those drunken vagabondish ferrymen have the lost Ferry Boat. They say some one or two broke the lock last night and took the Boat, no one knows where. This is too provoking. The rascals have been drunk and lost the Boat themselves. Now we have another Embargo.
     Sunday, 29.--To-day a Union Sunday School celebration comes off in Kansas.
     Our Ferry Boat was found and recovered near Randolph.
     Monday, 30.--Major Moseley came over in company with Major Robinson, his successor in office, and introduced him to us employees and such others as were present. Beautiful. evening, tho' cool.

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