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June, 1850.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

311

questing a convention to consider whether the Wyandotts coming from Ohio are to be received as equal participants in the provisions of the late treaty.1 The Council agreed to the request and fixed upon next Tuesday as the day of meeting.
     Saturday, 15.--Attended a National Council called by the Chief upon the claim of several Ohio Wyandotts. After an exciting discussion the whole matter was adjourned till after the ratification of the treaty. Mr Z. McColloch, one of the claimants, being much chagrined at the result. He called in the evening at my house and asked the loan of the treaty in order to copy some portions of it, but I refer'd him to the Council. The principal Chief and J. Walker refused it, on the ground that it would be a violation of the injunction of secrecy, the President and Senate not having acted upon it yet. So Mr McColloch left--disappointed and mortified.
     Sunday, 23.--Called upon the Major's family. Read his newspapers. In the St. Louis Republican an article appeared over the signature of 'Soo-no-ree-zhue" attacking the Bishops of the M. E. Church, South, and the Church generally.--A scurrilous thing. I instantly responded, over the signature of 'CATHOLIC.'2
     Friday, 28.--Went to Kansas with the team for some provisions. Had much difficulty in crossing Turkey Creek.3 One death in Kansas from Cholera--Mr Walrond's black boy, Arch. Got home safe with my freight.
JULY, 1850.

     Friday, 5.--Mr Tacket came over after Mr Russel to at-


     1 A considerable number of Wyandots remained in Ohio, and never removed West.
     
2 Only another incident in the Church division and the strife and bitterness engendered by it.
     
3 See former notes stating that Turkey Creek emptied into the Missouri River at that time.


312

THE JOURNALS OF

[July, 1850.

tend the dying moments of Dr. Fulton, who was taken with that fell destroyer, Cholera [at] 3 o'clock this morning.
     Mr R. returned and reported the Dr. dying. Therm. 96o.
     [Dr. F.] Died at 12 M. and was buried at 5 P. M.
     Saturday, 6.--Prospect of another warm day. Clear. The sun looks angry and lurid. Called upon Major Moseley's family and found Mrs M. sick--prepared some medicines.
     The Cholera has caused some of the citizens of Kansas to flee. This is folly.
     Monday, 15.--Just beard of the death of President Taylor, [he] having died of Cholera on the 11th inst. Can this be true?
     To-day the Annual nominations for principal Chief and members of the Council took place:
James Washington [against] Tauroomee, was nominated.
G. I. Clark " J. T. Charloe, "
J. D. Brown " J. W. Gray Eyes, "
M. Mudeater " D. Young, "

G. I. Clark was then nominated for Principal Chief to run against F. A. Hicks. James Rankin was then nominated to oppose J. T. Charloe.
     The nominations having been completed, the Convention adjourned.
     Thursday, 18.--Rose at daylight, had an early breakfast, geared up the team, loaded up the wagon with all the necessary "outfit," such as provisions, bedding, marquee, etc., and at 7 o'clock our folks set out for the Eutau Springs, under the conduct of Samuel Rankin. I accompanied them as far as Kansas. A pleasant journey to them.
     Friday, 19.--Cut out a nearer road to town. 2 o'clock P. M. 92o.

     Much speculation as to the author of "Catholic" in the Missouri Republican.


August, 1850.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

313

     Bad news. Just heard that Geo. Armstrong, Tall Charles and several others had returned from the Eutau Springs and they report that the springs were dried up--that country, having suffered the parching influence of a rigorous drought. So our folks will have their journey for naught.
     Saturday, 20.--Clear and warm. Went to Kansas, and on my way found the ferry boat at Turkey Creek sunk. After hard labor (and I bearing the principal part) we succeeded in getting her afloat: then commenced the process of bailing with an old tin Kittle with as many holes as it had seen years and their name was "Legion."
     Tuesday, 23.--Therm. 98o. In the evening a part of our folks returned from the Eutau Springs, (as already stated, they were dried up,) leaving Mr Gilmore and Martha with Mr Dickson to ruralize in the cold water Grove.
AUGUST, 1850.

     Tuesday, 13.--To-day the Wyandott National election comes off.

     The result of the National election:

James Washington's majority                 21
James Rankin's " 4
J. W. Gray Eyes' " 5
M. Mudeater's " 21
For Principal Chief, G. I. Clark's majority 31

     The Legislative Committee for this year stands thus:
     J. M. Armstrong, John Arms, M. R. Walker, H. M. Northrup and William Walker. Therm. 108o.
     To-day Jacob Warpole was found near F. Tremble's having severe cuts and bruises on his bead, in an insensible state. So much for the sports of the Circus.
     Wednesday, 14.--Jacob Warpole1 died of his wounds this


     1 Son of Rontondee or Warpole, known as Henry Warpole. Rontondee in buried in Huron place Cemetery. He died November 17, 1843, aged 68 years. He was the son


314

THE JOURNALS OF

[August, 1850.

morning. Peter Vieu, being suspected as the murderer, a warrant was issued, on the affidavit of J. W. Gray Eyes and he was arrested and the examining trial set for Friday.
     Thursday, 15.--Went to Kansas to hunt up testimony in the murder case. Came home somewhat indisposed.
     Friday, 16.--Went to Kansas again in company with Major Moseley and the Council to attend the trial of Peter Vieu. He had employed Col. R. C. Smart to defend him and the Council employed Mr Hereford to prosecute. After the examination of a large number of witnesses, the defendant was discharged. Came home late in the evening.
     Sunday, 25.--Went to church. Mr Shaler having no interpreter, Deacon Hicks held forth in an impressive address.
     Tuesday, 27.--Cloudy and cool. Ground the scythe and set the old truant to work. Went to the Council and heard the inaugural address of Geo I. Clark, the Principal Chief.
     The address was appropriate and marked with sound political principles; but there was a barrenness and jejuneness in his language, unsuited to the occasion.
OCTOBER, 1850.

     Tuesday, 22.--Went to town. Mrs W. went to Kansas and got my mail.
     The Wyandott Treaty ratified with various amendments and alterations, but the main and vital part is there. All we wanted.1
     The Sheriff arrested Boyd Peacock for stealing goods


of the famous Chief Rontondee. When Wyandott City was first platted a street was named Warpole street in his honor, but the City Council, composed of men ignorant of the City's history, changed it into something else. The old name should be restored.
     
1 See Revision of Indian Treaties, 1021. It cost the Wyandots almost $40,000 for an attorney to make the treaty. The money was paid to one Reed. There was bad management somewhere, for the Government owed the money obtained by the treaty, and would have paid it without cost to the Wyandots. There was much dissatisfaction in the tribe about the amount of this fee, and some talk about it in Congress, but the scoundrel got safely away with his money.


November, 1850.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

315

from G. B. Dameron, and committed to Jail, to be surrendered to the officers of the State.
NOVEMBER, 1850.

     Saturday, 2.--Went to Kansas to attend a Law suit, but had no trial owing to informality in my papers. "I'll pick my flint and try again." 1
     Friday, 8.--Our Wyandotts are traveling off to New Madrid to hunt. "The ruling passion strong in death."
     Saturday, 23.--Clear frosty morning. Engaged in making out the Wyandott Pay Roll, preparatory to the annuity payment.
     Mr James H. Forsythe of Maumee, Ohio, accompanied by Joel Walker, called upon me. He is direct from Washington. He made explanation in regard to the ratification of only a part of our treaty with the Gov't. The officers of the Indian Department, and especially the Indian Agents and Sub-Agents in the West, made a general but covert and insidious attack upon it. It was "gall and wormwood" to them. "Cause why?" Their bread and butter was in imminent peril. For their own special benefit the Indians must be kept in statu quo.2
     Sunday, 8.--Had nothing from the Post office since last Monday--a dearth of news. This afternoon P. D. Clark3 came and dined with us--all the company we have had to-day.
     Tuesday, 10.--At night I received a note from J. M.


     1 An expression of the old-time hunters when the flints in their gun-locks failed to strike fire.
     
2 The same thing holds to this time. In treaty making the interests of the agents and other hangers-on are often better guarded than those of the Indians.
     
3 Author of the "The Traditional History of the Wyandots." He was a brother to George I. Clark, and a grandson of Chief Adam Brown. His name was Peter Dooyentate Clarke. The final e was always used in writing Clarke by most members of this family. His book was published at Toronto, Canada, in 1870. It is unreliable in its historical statements and conclusions, but on habits, customs, and usages of the Wyandots, and their traditions, it is generally authentic. "Toronto" is derived from the Wyandot word "Toh-roohn'-tooh," meaning , "plenty" or " abundance."


316

THE JOURNALS OF

[November, 1850.

Armstrong informing me that the Legislative Committee was required to meet on to-morrow, Wednesday, the 11th.
     Wednesday, 11.--The Committee met and was organized and rec'd a Message from the Principal Chief. Proceeded to business, and adjourned at 4 o'clock P. M.
     Thursday, 12.--Went to attend the session of the Legislative Committee. Passed an Act regulating the National ferry for the year '51. Several bills were introduced, read the first time and laid upon the table.
     Windy and tempestuous. This day the Wyandott Chiefs paid the Delawares their instalment due this year.
     Tuesday, 17.--To-day the Council and Legislative Committee meet in joint session to elect a Ferryman for the year 1851. Lame and decrepit as I am, I am compelled to do my own work--cut wood, make fires, and feed my stock. I cannot get one of our vagabonds to work for me, no difference how extravagant may be the wages I offer.
     Judge Ewing and son called upon us, and [we] had a long chat upon public business.
     Went to town. The Legislative Committee and Council met in joint meeting and proceeded to the election of a Ferryman, when Isaac Brown was declared duly elected. Came home much pained with my Rheumatism in my ankle.
     Thursday, 19.--Harriet went to Major Moseley's and bro't me some medicines. Expecting Mr Northrup to send me a sack of Flour to-day according to arrangements. M. R. W. informs me that he sent over a quantity to divers persons on this side but none for me. My curses and execrations upon the little Polliwog! There is no dependence to be placed in him. He well knows that I am crippled and helpless.
     Friday, 20.--Clear frosty morning. Prospect of a fair and pleasant [day]. Heard of a sack of Flour lying in the Ferry Boat. Sent for it by Jacob Charloe, whether it was mine or not. He and Isaac Muskrat cut and hauled in a quantity of wood.

February, 1851.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

317

     Saturday, 21.--Clear, but warm. Jacob Charloe and [Isaac] Muskrat came and butchered a bog.
FEBRUARY, 1851.

     From this day [Sat., Dec. 28th, 1850] till now I have been sorely afflicted with Rheumatism and Neuralgia. The Complaint in my head affecting my eyes to such a degree as to cause almost total blindness. This will account for the long hiatus in my Journal.
     During all this time, I was unable to read or write, in consequence of the Neuralgia affecting my sight. This was hard on me--depending upon others to read for my amusement. But I have now in some degree recovered my sight.
     Saturday, 8.--The Nation convened to-day upon the subject of sending a deputation to Washington City on business connected with our late treaty with the Gov't: Geo. I. Clark and Joel Walker are the delegates, John W. Gray Eyes having been dropped.
     Monday, 17.--An incident. Just learned that John Big-Sinew and his half brother, Smith Nichols, while riding at full speed, returning from the Northern meeting, both on one horse, were thrown against a tree and seriously injured.
     Tuesday, 18.--The Kansas river has about run dry; there not being water enough to float the ferry boat, and consequently no ferrying.--In the evening learned that the ferry was now passable.
     Saturday, 22.--Rev. B. H. Russell and Mr Dofflemeyer1 called and staid an half an hour.


     1 Daniel Dofflemeyer. Governor Walker wrote the name in different ways--often Dufflemeyer. His descendants live in Kansas City, Mo., "to this day." I find the following in the History of Jackson County, Missouri, page 762:
     "Rev. Daniel Dofflemeyer was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, August 21, 1813, and resided there until the age of nineteen years. Then removed to Morgan county, Illinois, arriving April 1st, and there lived until the autumn of 1836. From this place he went to Van Buren county, then a territory, locating on a point near Bentonsport, where he remained until 1846. During this time, in 1842, his wife died, leaving four children, two of whom axe living. In the spring of 1846 took up his residence


318

THE JOURNALS OF

[February, 1851.

     There is to be a celebration to-day in Kansas by the Masons, Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance.
     Tuesday, 25.--Cloudy and windy. Went to James Big-Tree's and appointed him a member of the Legislative Com. to supply the vacancy paused by the absence of J. M. Armstrong.
     Thursday, 27.--Wrote a Communication (dated 24th) -to Cist, for the Advertiser, upon Reminiscences of Olden times.
     Friday, 28.--The Legislative Committee, by appointment, is to meet to-day. Went to meet the Committee, but Alas! not one [other] member appeared. Saw, for the first time, W. Linville, since his return from California.
MARCH, 1851.

     Monday, 3.--To-night at 12 o'clock Congress has to adjourn sine die. I do not think wisdom and patriotism will die with this, 31st Congress. Tho' it numbers among its members some valuable men, still there is a great deal of offal, of fungi. Such men as Root and Giddings of Ohio, Wilmot of Penna. and such ilk. But they have had their 'day,' and having had the one which providence and the current of public affairs have allotted them, they must now sink down to the level their deeds, good, or bad, has assigned them. "Ainse valle monde."


in Fayette, Howard county, Mo., remaining until the fall of 1848, when he came to Kansas City. From here went to Shawnee Mission, at the same time receiving instruction from Rev. Nathan Scarritt, of the High School. This he continued until May 17th following, in the meantime, being employed as a carpenter, to oversee and do the general repairing about the institution. His next move was to California, engaged in mining, there remaining until June, 1850, when he returned to the mission. In 1851 was licensed to preach, and was sent to Wyandott Mission, where he served in connection with Rev. Scarritt, three nations, Wyandotts, Delawares and Shawnees, for a period of one year. After this, was given exclusive control of the Wyandott Mission but left Wyandott, and went to Scaine, Mississippi, being interested to have settlements begin in Kansas. In 1856 went to survey a claim, when he came in contact with Jim Lane, who set up the right to the claim. After this Mr. D. returned to Scaine, Mississippi, with his family, and in 1857 settled permanently in Kansas City. His second marriage occurred June 8, 1851, to Miss Virginia T., daughter of P. Ellington, a native of Virginia. He was among the first settlers of Platte county, Mo. By this union the family consists of six children: John T., Alice, Thomas J., Louis E., Virginia L., and Charlie."


March, 1851.]

GOVERNOR WALKER.

319

     Tuesday, 4.--Last evening a party from the Institution, Messrs. Dofflemeyer and Huffaker, and Miss Hester Russel, came and staid all night. The latter gentleman by some mishap got into the Kansas River and had the benefit of a cold bath.
     Went to town to attend the session of the Council, but to my astonishment no one [was] there except the Sheriff who informed me that they imitated the 31st Congress adjourning sine die.--So, I adjourned also.
     Wednesday, 5.--This day I complete my half century. Fifty years old to-day; and I now enter upon my fifty first year. Dull day at [any] rate--depressed in spirit. Wrote to Joel Walker at Washington. The Highland Mary went up the river to-day.
     Friday, 7.--Sent up a note to F. Cotter demanding the town Plat of Wyandott City,1 by Thos. Coon-Hawk. Mrs W. and Sophia gone on a visit to Mrs Moseley's. Warm and pleasant day. Therm. at Temperate, at 2 P. M.
     A Wyandott social Levee held at the Council house tonight.
     Saturday, 8.--Yesterday Johnny O'Bludgeon unfortunately received a severe bruise or contusion upon his foot. "Och!" said he, "but I am murther'd entirely." Screwing his face up most ruefully, [he] exclaimed, "Be me troth and I'm ruined,--sure and it's I that am hurted."
     Friday, 14.--Writing an Indian story for Cist's Advertiser.
     Sunday, 16.--I learn that our California men intend to swindle us out of our shares.
     Monday, 17.--St. Patrick's day.
     At daylight Mr Graham set out to invite my California substitute, W. Lynville, and his own, Ira Hunter, to come


     1 This is another paper that I have searched for unsuccessfully for many years. The lots were about an acre in extent.


320

THE JOURNALS OF

[March, 1851.

over to my house for a settlement. At 1 O'clock they arrived.
     After some Conversation with them, we discovered that it was their determination to play the villian. Though the understanding and bargain was, when they were outfitted, that on their return they were to divide with us equally, yet they would not so much as pay for their outfit; and though they came back with upwards of two thousand dollars each, yet they, in rendering an account of their gains, were guilty of moral perjury. They were not smitten down by the vengeance of Heaven as were Ananias and Sapphira before the Apostle Peter, but verily they will have their reward.
     Thursday, 20.--Finished my communication to Cist's Advertiser.
     Saturday, 22.--M. R. W. starts to-day for Cass County. Sent by him to the Post Office a Com. for CIST'S ADVERTISER.
     This afternoon Mr Dofflemeyer and Mr Griffin of the Institution came and put up with us intending to attend Quarterly Meeting. At night, clear and cold.
     Sunday, 23.--Clear and cold! A real hoar frost. Prospects of a beautiful day. My family and guests going to Church.
     Major Moseley called upon me on his way to Church and gave me the current news, and among these . . . . "Hung be the Heavens in black!" The bill granting to the Pacific Rail Road Company the right of way and each alternate section, which passed the Senate, was killed in the house. So goes Democracy. This may be retrograde progressive Democracy.
     Our folks returned from Church bringing with them Mr Knight, Sr., from Kansas, who dined with us.
     From him I learn that Kennedy of the Commonwealth has moved his Press from Independence to Kansas, intend-

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