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June, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

381

     Tuesday, 31.--Sent a copy of the Ohio State Journal containing my vindication of the Wyandotts, for republication in the "Missouri Democrat." Mrs Priestley & Mrs Dofflemeyer [came] on a visit [to us] and dined. Wrote to David Preston & Co., of Detroit, on the subject of Bounty lands.
JUNE, 1853.

     Monday, 6.--Mrs W. and I went to Kansas to attend to some indispensable business. While in Kansas we found that "the Campbells" were not only "coming," but had actually come. We had a regular family interview.
     Saturday, 11.--Dressed out my Hominy Corn.
     Harriet, Miss Armstrong, Miss Hunter & Miss Ninnie went up to Muncie town and staid all night.
     Sunday, 12.--Our Clergyman being absent, there were no religious services at the Church. And as a consequence we all staid at home.
     A strange sort of Genius called upon me to-day, an eccentric, wild and impulsive German. He was making researches into the various Aboriginal dialects. I exhibited to him such works as I had on hand, from which he made extracts, His English was bad and, if possible, his French was worse, He was in the outward man, rough and filthy.
     Friday, 17.--In the evening Harriet found two swarms of bees hanging [to] a walnut tree. We turned to and prepared a couple of Gums and secured them. In the night we removed them to the Garden where they may accumulate as much honey as they please.
     Sunday, 19.--Mr Dofflemeyer and Lady returned last evening from Platte County. The Northern Quarterly Meeting going on.
     Wednesday, 22.--Mrs Nancy Pipe is very sick. Having had a paralytic stroke on her left side, rendering her insensible.


382

THE JOURNALS OF

[June, 1853.

     Thursday, 23.--Mrs Nancy Pipe continues insensible.
     Friday, 24.--Harriet just returned from sitting up with the sick. Nancy no better.
     Riddlesbarger Charivari'd last night.
     Saturday, 25.--At dark news came that Nancy Pipe was dying. Harriet and I went over. She died at 20 minutes past 10 o'clock P. M. We sat up all night.
     Sunday, 26.--After breakfast we returned to the afflicted family. A large concourse of our people assembled, and Rev. Mr Dofflemeyer delivered an address. Funeral to take place at 10 o'clock tomorrow.
     Monday, 27.--Attended the funeral. The burial took place at 12 M.
     Thursday, 30.--Mr & Mrs Clement arrived. A happy meeting among the folks.
JULY, 1853.

     Tuesday, 12.--Attended the nominating Convention. The following is the result:

John D. Brown

vs

Tauromee.

Matthew Mudeater

vs

John Arms.

John Sarrahess

vs

Geo. I. Clark.

John S. Bearskin

vs

John Hicks.

John Gibson

vs

Thos. Pipe.

     Wednesday, 13.--Capt. Black-Sheep called upon us today.
     Friday, 22.--Martha gone to Kansas and Harriet to Muncie town.1
     Monday, 25.--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


     1 Now Muncie P. 0.. Wyandotte County, Kansas.


July, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

383

W. W. resided here. Upon being answered in the affirmative they stated they wished to stay all night. I sent them to Mr 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, 26.--Very cool and clear.
     Went over to C. B. G.'s and got my scythe ground.
     Warm and sultry.
     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. Birney, of Delaware, President, and Wm. Walker, Sec'y.
     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 follow- [sic] 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 Route.
     A. Guthrie, late delegate, was nominated as the Candidate for re-election. Adjourned.
     Thursday, 28.--Clear and cool morning.
     M. R. Walker very kindly come to my aid with his hand

384

THE JOURNALS OF

[July, 1853.

and team and hauled and stacked my hay in excellent order.
     A. Guthrie called upon and dined with us to-day. Rec'd the printed proceedings of the Nebraska territorial Convention.
     Great credit is due to the Proprietors of the "Industrial Luminary" in Parkville for their promptitude in publishing the proceedings in hand bills in so short a time.
     Friday, 29.--Staid at home all day and rested by reading and writing.
     Saturday, 30.--Clear and warm. Prospect of a warm day. 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, [for] one delegate to the 33rd Congress.
     At 10 o'clock A. M., a smart shower. This will in some degree, cool the ardor of the spectators of the exhibition of the Managerie of living animals in Kansas to-day.
AUGUST, 1853.

     Monday, 1.--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.
     Attended at a Council of Wyandotts, Delawares, Shawnees, and Pottowotomies, in Delaware. Came home at midnight. Then [we] had a heavy rain.
     Wednesday, 3.--At the request of a friend, I wrote my own brief Biography. While doing so, I was visited again by the crazy German mentioned under the date "Sunday, June 12." While engaged in making extracts from my books, he was taken with a chill. He is evidently partially insane. During the paroxysm of the chill, we discovered that the poor fellow was sans schme. He left in the evening.


August, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

385

     Saturday, 6.--To-day Senator Atchison holds forth in Parkville, but I cannot go.
     Monday, 8.--Geo. I. Clark, Sec'y of the Territory, called this morning and delivered the printed Proclamation (200 copies) for circulation.
     Tuesday, 9.--Yoked up my oxen to see how "Old Brin" would work with his new partner, Darby. Well, they work charmingly. I am pleased with my team.
     This is the day appointed for the Wyandott National election and Green Corn feast.
     Wednesday 10.--" The Dog Star rages." Therm. 95o.
     Hauled a part of our effects to the Camp Ground. I am almost sorry I consented to Camp, the weather being so oppressively hot.
     Thursday, 11.--I have lost a day. My reckoning is wrong, but let it pass. Hauled a part of our effects to the Camp Ground to-day, not yesterday.
     Friday, 12.--Located among "the tents of Israel," but in order to accomplish this, I suffered in the flesh.
     Saturday, 13.--Public preaching by Rev. F. Ashby. In the evening we had a shower with a heavy wind creating a considerable clatter among the clap boards of our Shantee.
     Sunday, 14.--At 11 o'clock a very large congregation assembled in the Brick Church, filling it to its utmost capacity.
     Rev. F. Ashby preached an able sermon from the 1st Psalm.
     In the evening a very warm and interesting meeting. The Church members seemed to enjoy the exercises with great gusto.
     Monday, 15.--Religious services at short intervals, continued.
     The ordinance of Baptism administered to Mr and Mrs Priestly, and a large number of children.
26

386

THE JOURNALS OF

[August, 1853.

     At night a warm and devotional prayer meeting.
     Tuesday, 16.--Broke up and all moved home.
     Thursday, 18.--Commenced a long letter to Presley Muir [who is] in California. Got my Kansas mail. Two Whigs elected from Missouri, Lindsey and Caruthers.
     Sunday, 21.--I am vexed and tormented by my neighbor's hogs. A more devilish and unruly set of swine I never saw. Preacher's children and live stock, from such, "Libera nos, 0 Domine Deo"!
     Thursday, 25.--Rec'd a letter from Major Robinson on official business.
     Saturday, 27.--I must to-day collect some school statistics for Major Robinson.
     Sunday, 28.--There being no services at the Church, all having gone to the Delaware Camp Meeting, we staid at home.
     Monday, 29.--Mrs W., Mr Clement and myself went to Kansas.
     Getting sickly in this place. Many pale faces.
     Wednesday, 31.--Mr Guthrie called upon us to-day. All sick.
SEPTEMBER, 1853.

     Friday, 2.--Mrs W. very sick. Our physician is very attentive to us in our afflictions, but our uncouth and clownish preacher attaches but little value to our spiritual interests, as he has never called to see us.
     Tuesday, 6.--Mr Commissioner Manypenny came over in company with Rev. Thos. Johnston to pay the Wyandotts a visit. The Council being in session, I introduced him to the Council, to which body he made a short address.
     Thursday, 8.--Harriet gone to Lexington and our eminent divine to the Conference in St. Louis. Dr. Wright called to see us.


October, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

387

     Saturday, 10.--The Territorial Council met and adopted rules and regulations for the election of delegate to Congress from this Territory.
     Sunday, 11.--A shower in the morning.
     It turned out a pleasant day, but a dull and lonesome day. Not a soul called upon us thro' the day. Wrote the Indian's experience in Spiritual Rappings.
     Tuesday, 13.--Attended the session of the Council. There met with Major Robinson, Indian Agent. Came home in the evening.
     Friday, 16.--Tauroomee, N. Cotter and Philip Brown called to get some writing done. The two latter [are] going to California.
     Tuesday, 27.--D. Dofflemeyer returned from St. Louis. Conference, that's all about him.
OCTOBER, 1853.

     Tuesday, 4.--Attended the session of the Council. Harriet returned home from Lexington, Mo.
     A. L. Gilstrap, Bloomington, Mo.
     The above is the address of a Gentleman who called upon me and spent the evening. He has been exploring Nebraska Territory with a view of settling.
     Thursday, 6.--Rec'd a letter from Maj. Robinson, informing me that Com. Manypenny wished to have an interview with the Council to-morrow.
     Friday, 7.--Attended a Council called by the Com. of Indian Affairs. Speeches were passed between the parties on the subject of the Territorial organization, selling out to the Gov't.
     Saturday, 8.--Completed my second Epistle to the Ohio State Journal on Territorial Affairs. Then hunted up my villainous horses. Harriet. gone to Kansas for our mail. Attended a called National Council.


388

THE JOURNALS OF

[October, 1853.

     Sunday, 9.--Harriet went to Sabbath School. M. R. W., Mrs M. Garrett, and Sarah Garrett called upon us and spent an hour in social chat.
     Monday, 10.--Went to attend a special session of the Council.
     Tuesday, 11.--Attended the election for delegate to Congress, for Wyandott precinct. Fifty-one votes only were polled.

A. Guthrie,

33

Tom Johnston,

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 [that] 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.
     Thursday, 13.--Went down to Kansas to see Mr and Mrs Clement on board a Steamer on their return to Ohio. A pleasant trip to ye. Farewell.
     Thursday, 27.--Just getting over a most wanton and unprovoked attack of the Bilious Diarrhea which bro't me ,close to death's door.
     Friday, 28.--Hired Isaac Big-Tree and James Arm, strong to chop wood. In the evening they went home.
     In the evening the Mrs Garretts and Miss Garrett called and staid till bed-time.
     Monday, 31.--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 In-


November, 1853.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

389

dian Affairs, the Military, the Indian Agents, Missionaries,, Indian Traders, &c. A combined power that is irresistible.
NOVEMBER, 1853.

     Saturday, 5.--Rec'd a line from J. Walker informing me that Maj. Robinson, Indian Agent, had landed with the Annuity, and intended paying out on Monday.
     Sunday, 6.--Wrote all day in copying the Pay Roll, having to make triplicates.
     Monday, 7.--Attended at the Council House at an early hour, tho' in poor health. The Agent having been furnished with only $17,500.00, leaving out $5,000.00 due under the Treaty of 1850, the Council refused to receive it. So ended the payment. The whole [matter] was adjourned indefinitely.
     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 Johnston had received the highest number of votes, and was declared duly elected delegate to the 33d Congress.
     Came home having P. D. Clark as a guest.
     Tuesday, 8.--J. W. Garrett, Deputy Secretary, attended at my House, and we issued the Certificate of election to Thomas Johnston, delegate elect to the 33rd Congress.
     Friday, 11.--Beautiful, warm morning. This is "Indian summer."
     Yoked up my Oxen and hauled home the Cabbage we bought from Mrs Rankin; then all hands went to work and we made a 1/2 Barrel of Saur Kraut, as good as ever was stowed away in the stomach of Governor Von Twillerer, or Peter the Headstrong.
     Saturday, 12.--Mr Guthrie called and examined the election returns for delegate, and intends taking copies of them.
     Sunday, 13.--Finished two letters. One to Mr O. H.


390

THE JOURNALS OF

[November, 1853.

Browne, of Maryland, and the other to Mr Gilstrap, Editor of the "Bloomington Republican, both on TerritoriaI Affairs.
     Monday, 14.--Went out to hunt my villainous horses, but could find nothing of them and gave up the chase. Mrs W. then went out for the same purpose, but returned fatigued and equally unsuccessful. C. B. Garrett returned from Ohio.
     Thursday, 17.-- Rode out to hunt for my ox, but could not find him. Harriet gone to Kansas to see a sick friend, Miss Martha Smart.
     Friday, 18.--Went out again to hunt my runaway ox. Travelled over "hill and dale," through jungles and thickets, swamps and morasses, but could find nothing of the old Scamp.
     Sunday, 20.--Yesterday and to-day appointed for Quarterly Meeting; the weather being so unfavorable, there will not be much of a "turn out."
     The rainy appearance of the sky prevented us from going to Church.
     Monday, 21.--Went down to attend the Annuity payment. After much parleying and delay, the payment commenced. By omitting, for the present, ten deceased persons, the $17,500 netted $30 per capita to 585 persons. Not getting through, it was adjourned till to-morrow morning, 10 o'clock.
     Tuesday, 22.--Resumed the payment of the Annuity, and closed at candle-light. A tedious job we have had of it.
     Wednesday, 23.--Mrs W. and Martha set out this morning for Parkville, this [being] their first visit to that place.
     Went to meet the Council and Maj. Robinson. Bo't of P. D. Clark an Osage Pony for $28.00.
     Came home wearied of the bustle and turmoil of an Indian payment. Our folks returned from Parkville about sunset.

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