The fifteenth Great Sun Council fire of the Great Council of Kentucky was kindled in the wigwam of Osceola Tribe, No. 8, hunting grounds of Lexington, at the first run, setting of the 27th sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 377, Great Sachem Andrew Schneider presiding. All the elective Great Chiefs were present.
Past Sachems were admitted from Tribes Nos. 2, 4, 7, 8 and 9.
The Great Sachem in his long talk said: "On the 12th sun, Plant Moon, I received an application from several palefaces for a charter for a new Tribe at Newport, to be known as Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10. The Tribe was instituted on the 19th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 377, and I would recommend that a charter be granted. On the 16th sun of Hunting Moon I received notice of the death of our beloved Past Great Sachem R. B. McCracken. He died on the 29th of Beaver Moon. The Great Spirit has taken him to his better forest and the Great Council has lost a good member. I would recommend that a certain fund be placed at the disposal of the Great Sachem so that he may be enabled to travel, visit Tribes and attend properly to the business of the Order."
The Great Chief of Records reported as follows: Number of Tribes, 8; members, 402; adopted, 64; rejected, 4; suspended, 13; expelled, 6; reinstated, 3; admitted by card, 2; withdrawn by card, 11; deceased, 5; Past Great Sachems, 12; Past Sachems, 114; Tribes instituted past great sun, 1.
A charter was granted Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10.
Suitable resolutions were adopted on the death of Past Great Sachem R. B. McCracken.
An appropriation of 50 fathoms was made for the use of the Great Sachem.
A new constitution and code of by-laws was adopted for the Great Council.
The election resulted as follows:
Great Representative to G. C. U. S.—Chas. Hebel, two great suns.
The committee appointed to settle with former Great Chief of Records Brigmann reported having settled by accepting a secured note.
The council fire was then quenched.
The sixteenth Great Sun Council fire was kindled in the wigwam of Delaware and Seneca Tribes, in the hunting grounds of Louisville, on the 25th Buck Moon, G. S. D. 378, Great Sachem Thomas W. Giedeon and Great Chief of Records Chas. Hebel being the only Great Chiefs present.
Representatives were admitted from Tribes Nos. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The Great Sachem said: "During the past great sun I have granted dispensations to open two new Tribes. One in Bowling Green, hailing as Oswego Tribe, No. 11, on the 12th sun, Traveling Moon, G. S. D. 377. Past Great Sachems G. B. Kiteley and W. D. Turner, of Louisville, instituted the Tribe, to whom I am under many obligations for their kind services; also to Past Sachem Lezinski, Bro. Thos. Carnet, of Bowling Green, and Deputy Great Incohonee of Tennessee, in opening Matamora Tribe, No. 12, at Hopkinsville, on the 19th sun of Cold Moon, G. S. D. 378, and I now ask that charters be granted to them." The Great Sachem also made many valuable recommendations to the Great Council.
The Great Chief of Records reported: "Number of Tribes, 10; members, 548; adoptions, 139; rejections, 4; suspensions, 34; admitted by card, 3; withdrawn, 7; deceased, 4; Past Great Sachems, 9; Tribes instituted, 2.
For the first time bonds were required of the Great Chief of Records and the Great Keeper of Wampum.
The finance committee reported $356.74 in the hands of G. K.of W. A. J. Francis, and $165.86 in the hands of G. C. of R. Charles Hebel."
The election resulted as follows:
Trustees—Thos. Giedeon, G. W. Reese and J. B. Davis, who were instructed to take steps to recover the wampum in the hands of former G. K. of W. A. J. Francis.
The council fire was then quenched in due form.
The Great Council fire was kindled in the wigwam of Pocahontas and Minnehaha Tribes, hunting grounds of Newport, on the 25th sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 379, Great Sachem Edmund Merkley presiding.
Representatives were present from the following Tribes, which was probably the largest representation in the history of this Great Council: Blackhawk, No. 2, Covington; Pocahontas, No. 3, Newport; Kentucky, No. 4, Louisville; Tecumseh, No. 6, Louisville; Delaware, No. 7, Louisville; Osceola, No. 8, Lexington; Seneca, No. 9, Louisville; Minnehaha, No. 10, Newport; Oswego, No. 11, Bowling Green; Matamora, No. 12, Hopkinsville; and Hiawatha, No. 13, Covington.
The Great Sachem said: "The Improved Order of Red Men has become one of the most important among the benevolent institutions of the age. I believe without exception the utmost harmony and brotherly feeling prevails throughout the entire jurisdiction. I have granted dispensations for two new Tribes—Hiawatha, No. 13, of Covington, instituted on the 12th sun of Sturgeon Moon, G. S. D. 378, and Cherokee Tribe, No. 14, at Paris, on the 8th sun of Hot Moon, G. S. D. 379, and I would ask that charters be granted to both Tribes."
Great Chief of Records C. S. Betts, of Ohio, was a visitor and was welcomed to a seat by the Great Sachem.
A constitution governing Tribes under the jurisdiction of the G. C. was adopted, also uniform by-laws.
The election resulted as follows:
The Great Chief of Records reported as follows: Number of Tribes, 12; members, 611; adopted, 171; rejected, 8; suspended, 24; expelled, 16; admitted by card, 6; withdrawn, 14; deceased, 3; new Tribes, 2; Past Great Sachems, 10; Past Sachems, 118.
It was decided that the first Prophet of a Tribe is entitled to the honors of a Past Sachem.
It was agreed that former Great Keeper of Wampum A. J. Francis be given until the 15th of Corn Moon to pay his indebtedness to this Great Council.
The Great Prophet, at the request of the Great Sachem, said a prayer and the council fire was quenched.
The Great Council of Kentucky assembled in the wigwam of Oswego Tribe, No. 11, at Bowling Green, on the 25th sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 380, and the council fire was kindled in ample form at the 9th run, Great Sachem John Steinhauer presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
From the Great Sachem's long talk: "The Order of Improved Red Men, as far as I can judge, is progressing, notwithstanding the desertion of two Tribes in Louisville, namely, Tecumseh, No. 6, and Delaware, No. 7. On the 16th sun of Cold Moon I visited Tecumseh, and on the 17th of the same moon I visited Delaware, which Tribes afterwards deserted, and as I understand joined the Independent Order. I received a communication from Deputy Great Sachem Alex Knapp stating their reasons for doing so, but it does not prove that they acted like honest men. I sent a communication to the Great Incohonee of the United States asking howto proceed, but I did not receive an answer. I now leave the matter in the hands of the Great Council of Kentucky. On the 8th sun of Flower Moon I granted a dispensation for a Tribe to be instituted at King's Lodge, Calloway County, under the title of Minneola Tribe, No. 15. I deputized John T. Irion, of West Tennessee, to institute, which he did on the 6th sun, Hot Moon, G. S. D. 380, and raised up the following chiefs: W. M. P. Pool, Sachem; H. B. Landon, Sr. Sagamore; W. H. Clarke, Jr. Sagamore; J. C. Shelton, Prophet; S. F. Kirkeley, C. of R.; T. A. Hughes, Asst. C. of R.; D. G. Reed, K. of W. I would recommend that a charter be granted them."
The Great Chief of Records reported as follows: Tribes, 11; members, 550; adopted, 145; rejected, 7; suspended, 28; expelled, 17; admitted by card, 18; withdrawn by card, 4; deceased, 9; new Tribes, 1; Past Great Sachems, 6; Past Sachems, 85.
Various amendments to the constitution were offered and laid over one great sun for action.
Election resulted as follows:
The committee on state of the Order recommended that legal action be taken to recover the effects of Tecumseh Tribe, No. 6, and Delaware Tribe, No. 7, of Louisville.
The Great Chief of Records read an application for a charter for a Tribe in Maysville, and a charter was granted.
The Great Council went into committee of the whole and decided to prosecute the two deserting Tribes to the full extent of the law.
The Francis case was brought up and Brothers Glore and Kannard were appointed to assist the trustees in effecting a settlement.
The Great Prophet, at the request of the Great Sachem, repeated a prayer and the Great Council fire was quenched.
The Great Council assembled in the wigwam of Kentucky and Seneca Tribes, hunting grounds of Louisville, and the council fire was kindled in ample form at the 9th run, rising of the 23d sun ofBuck Moon, G. S. D. 381, Great Sachem Jacob Lezinski presiding, all the elective Great Chiefs being present.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and 16.
The Great Sachem said: "The Order in this jurisdiction is not making as rapid strides as it would if the beauties of it were more fully known. Some hunting grounds are extending their influence, while others are languishing for the want of some fraternal care. I most respectfully recommend to your earnest consideration the appointment of a suitable chief, one who has time and ability to visit all the Tribes in this reservation. It is impossible for any Great Chief without great pecuniary loss on his part to give that attention to the visiting of Tribes, which is almost absolutely necessary in what might be called the infancy of our Order in this jurisdiction. I am satisfied if this system of visiting was faithfully carried out it would increase our membership threefold and the Tribes in general gain by it. I appointed Bro. Kiteley a special deputy to institute Wyandotte Tribe, No. 16, at Maysville, which he did on the 10th of Sturgeon Moon, 380, and raised up the following chiefs: M. C. Russell, Sachem; E. A. Robinson, Sr. Sagamore; J. H. Hall, Jr. Sagamore; A. Brillstein, Prophet; Thomas A. Davis, C. of R.; A. B. Cochran, K. of W."
The Great Chief of Records reported that some mode should be adopted to compel Tribes to be more prompt in making their reports.
The death of Past Great Sachem Charles Amann was reported and suitable resolutions were passed.
The election resulted as follows:
After an exemplification of the secret work and a prayer by the Great Prophet the council fire was quenched.
The Great Council assembled in regular session in the wigwam of Hiawatha Tribe, No. 13, hunting grounds of Covington, on the 22nd sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 382, and the council fire was kindled in ample form at the 9th run, rising of the sun, GreatSachem W. H. Glore presiding. All the elective Great Chiefs were present.
Representatives were admitted from the following Tribes: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 13 and 16.
The Great Sachem said: "Our Order has not been as progressive for the past great sun as it might or ought to have been. We have not instituted a new Tribe, and the brothers have to a certain degree been very negligent, as well as myself, in the working and interest of the Order. I would suggest that some active brother be appointed by this Great Council, and make it his duty to visit every Tribe in the State at least once in every four moons, to build them up and give the secret work as laid down by the Great Council of the United States. At present Matamora Tribe, No. 12, at Hopkinsville, is suspended, and has been for some time back. I am sorry to say that Seneca Tribe, No. 9, at Louisville, has suspended."
The committee appointed at the lest session to wait upon A. J. Francis, late Great Keeper of Wampum, reported unable to make a settlement with him, and asked that another committee be appointed, which was done.
Resolved: That the Great Chief of Records be instructed to summons Brother A. J. Francis to appear before the Great Council at its next session, 1874, and show cause why he should not make proper settlement to this Great Council, or be expelled from all rights and privileges of the Great Council of Kentucky.
The election resulted as follows:
The Great Chief of Records reported as follows: Number of Tribes, 8; members, 540; adoptions, 109; reinstated, 3; admitted by card, 1; withdrawn by card, 10; expelled, 7; rejected, 8; deceased, 5; Past Sachems, 94.
The council fire was then quenched.
The Great Council of Kentucky assembled in regular session in the wigwam of Wyandotte Tribe, No. 16, on the 28th sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 383, and the council fire was kindled in due form, Great Sachem Thos. A. Hornsey presiding.
Representatives were admitted from the following Tribes: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 13 and 16.
The Great Sachem said: "Though we have been visited by pestilence since we last met together in council, we should return heartfelt thanks to the Great Spirit that so many of us are permitted to meet this sun around our council fire. I visited every Tribe in our reservation and I found them in good working condition, and my visitations have fully persuaded me that the frequent visits of the Great Sachem of the State to the various Tribes is of the very greatest importance. I deputized Great Prophet E. H. Mottley to visit Hopkinsville in endeavor to resuscitate Matamora Tribe, No. 12, but without success, and he took into his keeping the charge books and jewels of the Tribe."
The committee on the A. J. Francis matter reported that they had accepted his note for the amount, which would be due on the 20th of Corn Moon, 383, and the Great Sachem was instructed to sue in case the note was not paid.
A petition was received from various palefaces, colored citizens of Newport, praying for a charter to establish a Tribe. The petition was laid on the table.
The Great Chief of Records reported as follows: Number of Tribes, 8; members, 480; adoptions, 57; reinstated, 2; admitted by card, 4; withdrawn by card, 10; expelled, 28; suspended, 72; rejected, 4; deceased, 8; Past Sachems, 8.
The number of expulsions reported, not only at this, but at other councils, indicates that but little care was taken in the selection of the material of which the Tribes were composed.
The finance committee reported that there was $132 in the hands of the Great Chief of Records not accounted for, and the Great Keeper of Wampum not being present, nor his books, an adjustment could not be reached.
The election resulted as follows:
The council fire was then quenched.
The Great Council met in the wigwam of Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, hunting grounds of Newport, on the 27th sun of BuckMoon, G. S. D. 384, the council fire being kindled in due form, Great Senior Sagamore J. F. Follett presiding, the Great Sachem being absent.
Representatives were admitted from Tribes Nos. 2, 3, 4, 10 and 13.
The Great Senior Sagamore in his long talk said: "By the surrender of the charter of Wyandotte Tribe, the Great Sachem, Thos. A. Davis, is an absentee from our council today, and I am illy prepared to entertain you with an account of the workings of our Order in the State during the past great sun. I can confidently, though with regret, say that the Order has retrograded to a considerable extent. Osceola Tribe, No. 8, of Lexington, surrendered shortly after our last Great Council, and Wyandotte Tribe, on the 8th sleep of Buck Moon, last past, and to the best of my knowledge none of those in existence can boast of doing deeds to add additional feathers in their crests. In the absence of facts whereupon to base an opinion, I am unable to offer any suggestion, except to recommend an effort individually to carry out the tenets of our Order, especially in the wigwam, and when the lessons of Freedom, Friendship and Charity shall have been thoroughly learned there, our associations with the outer world will certainly be more pleasant, and we can give our brothers in the forest as well as in the wigwam the warm grasp of friendship and another knot to the cord that binds us as brothers." The Great Senior Sagamore, continuing, called the attention of the Great Council to laxity of Tribes and individuals in obeying the laws, and recommended their revision. He cited several decisions made by him and dispensations granted. "On the sleep of the 27th sun of Plant Moon, G. S. D. 384, I granted a dispensation to Minnehaha Tribe to turn out in procession to assist in laving of the corner stone of a new market house in Newport. I did this at the earnest request of some of the members of the Tribe, believing at the time that whenever the fact of our existence was brought to the public notice it would be to the good of the Order. I have since been cured of the delusion. Finally, let it be borne in mind that the one thing needful in the Order and to maintain our organization is to elect chiefs who can and will do their duty, and see that the several Tribes of this jurisdiction maintain a proper discipline, and that ignorance, coupled with incompetency, shall not be the means of destroying our Order in the State of Kentucky. I thank you for listening to an ill excuse for what should be the journal of your Great Sachem."
The Great Chief of Records reported: "Cash in hands of Great Keeper of Wampum, $233.19; number of Tribes, 6; members, 415; adoptions, 14; suspensions, 57; expulsions, 26; reinstatements, 2;admitted by card, 5; deceased, 5; Past Great Sachems, 7; Past Sachems, 79."
The election resulted as follows:
The Great Council fire was quenched in due form.
An extra session was called in the wigwam of Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, on the 23d of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 385, when charges were preferred against Great Keeper of Wampum W. G. Stone for conduct unbecoming a Great Chief. There is no records of a trial, and probably the charges were not sustained, if there was one, for Bro. Stone was subsequently twice elected Great Chief of Records.
The Great Chief of Records was instructed to notify Brother A. J. Francis that he stood expelled from this Great Council, and that he also notify Brother Francis' Tribe of the fact.
Thus ingloriously comes to end the career of a brilliant Red Man. He had held every position of honor and trust that could have been conferred upon him. A. J. Francis successively held the positions of Great Chief of Records, Great Sachem, Great Incohonee of the G. C. U. S., Great Representative to G. C. U. S. for many Great Suns, and Great Keeper of Wampum of the Great Council of Kentucky for eleven Great Suns.
We find no records of the session of this Great Sun, but from the records of the ensuing Great Sun we learn that the following chiefs were elected:
The Great Council fire was kindled in the wigwam of Pocahontas Tribe, No. 3, hunting grounds of Newport, on the 24th sun of Buck moon, G. S. D. 386, Great Sachem C. H. Conn presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 3, 10 and 17.
The Great Sachem's Journal and the report of the Great Chief of Records are missing and no business is recorded except the election, which resulted as follows:
The Great Prophet said a prayer and the council fire was quenched.
The Great Council assembled in the hunting grounds of Newport on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 387, and the council fire was kindled in due form, Great Sachem Geo. Brunk presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 3, 10 and 17.
Past Great Sachem C. H. Conn was refused admission on the grounds that he was not a member of any Tribe at that time.
The long talk of the Great Sachem is not given, nor is the report of the Great Chief of Records.
The finance committee reported amount in the wampum belt at $61.31.
The election resulted as follows:
The Great Prophet said a prayer and the council fire was quenched.
A special session was held on the 26th of the Corn Moon following for the purpose of electing a Representative to the Great Council of the United States, vice Geo. Reese, resigned, and the Great Sachem, John N. Stauder, was elected.
The Great Council assembled in Newport and the Great Council fire was kindled in the wigwam of Minnehaha Tribe, on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 388, Great Sachem J. N. Stauder presiding.
Representatives were admitted from the three Newport Tribes, Nos. 3, 10 and 17.
The Great Chief of Records reported: Total number of Tribes, 3; membership, 88; amount in the Great Council wampum belt, $48.51.
No business was transacted except the election of chiefs, which resulted as follows:
The Great Prophet said a prayer and the Great Council adjourned.
The Great Council assembled in the hunting grounds of Newport and the council fire was kindled in the wigwam of Miami Tribe, No. 17, on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D., Great Sachem Chas. Maunder presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 3, 10 and 17.
No business is recorded except the election, which resulted as follows:
The Great Council fire was then quenched.
The Great Council assembled in the wigwam of Miami Tribe, No. 17, hunting grounds of Newport, and the council fire was kindled on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 390, Great Sachem Val. Wendroth presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 3, 10 and 17.
The Great Chief of Records reported: Number of Tribes, 3; Pocahontas, No. 3, having 24 members; Minnehaha, No. 10, having 24 members, and Miami, No. 17, having 37 members, a total membership of 85; amount in Great Council wampum belt, $10.21.
The election resulted as follows:
The Great Council fire was then quenched.
A special session was held on the 17th of Plant Moon, G. S. D. 391, when it was voted that a special committee be appointed to wait upon Blekly & Hugle and to inform them that the Great Council demanded a new note from A. J. Francis, with his wife as security.
The Great Council assembled in Newport on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 391, when Great Sachem John Reed announced that as there were representatives present from but twoTribes, no business could be transacted except to act upon credentials, and the Great Council adjourned to meet on the 30th sun of Sturgeon Moon, G. S. D. 391, on which date the Great Council met and the council fire was kindled in due form, Great Sachem John Reed presiding.
The committee on state of the Order reported: "We find but two Tribes in working order in this State and we hope the incoming Great Chiefs will have better encouragement and show a better prospect in our future Great Council than that in the past year."
The election resulted as follows:
The council fire was then quenched.
The Great Council assembled in the wigwam of Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 392, Great Sachem G. W. Reese presiding.
Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 10 and 17.
The per capita tax was ordered paid to the G. C. U. S., amounting to $16.80, and each Tribe was assessed $15.00.
The election resulted as follows:
The council fire was then quenched.
The Great Council assembled in the wigwam of Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, on the 22d sun of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 393, and the council fire was kindled in regular form, Great Sachem G. W. Reese presiding.
Representatives present—Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, Wm. Maunders; Miami Tribe, No. 17, Wm. Berger, A. Gross, J. Glick.
On motion Past Sachem S. F. Schell was made a Past Great Sachem of this Great Council.
The Great Chief of Records reported: Number of Tribes, 2; Minnehaha Tribe, No. 10, having 15 members, and Miami Tribe, No. 17, having 40, a total of 55 members; number of Past Sachems, 9.
An order was drawn to pay the per capita tax due the Great Council of the United States, amounting to $5.50.
Past Great Sachem Bets, of Ohio, being present, raised up the following named Great Chiefs:
No further business appearing before the Great Council, the council fire was quenched in F., F. & Co.
Thus ends the record of the old Great Council of Kentucky.
We quote from the official history of the Great Council of the United States:
"Kentucky—Chickasaw Tribe, No. 1, of Newport, and Black Hawk, No. 2, of Covington, were both instituted in G. S. 5612, 1852. Pocahontas Tribe, No. 3, of Newport, and Kentucky, No. 4, of Louisville, were instituted in the following grand sun. The Great Council fire was lighted on the 9th of Sturgeon Moon, G. S. 5614, 1854. The Order in Kentucky flourished for many great suns, but finally began to lose interest and membership, and was not represented in the G. C. U. S. after G. S. D. 398. In G. S. D. 395, but one Tribe was reported in the State—Miami, No. 17, of Newport. The Great Council fire had long ceased to burn. In G. S. D. 397 Kentucky was placed under the jurisdiction of the Great Council of Ohio, and the standing of its Tribes on the 30th of Hot Moon, G. S. D. 401, is included in the statement given for that reservation. During its existence as a Great Council, Kentucky furnished two Great Incohonees to the G. C. U. S."
While under the jurisdiction of the Great Council of Ohio the following Tribes were instituted in Kentucky:
Shawnee Tribe, No. 18, was instituted at Winchester in G. S. D. 396 (1887), by B. W. Kline, a German living in Cincinnati, and holding a minor chieftaincy in the Great Council of Ohio. He visited Winchester on business, and being an enthusiastic Red Man, immediately set about the organization of a Tribe. In less than two days he had secured a list of petitioners, and in a couple of seven suns he returned and instituted Shawnee Tribe, No. 18, under the jurisdiction of the Great Council of Ohio. C. E. Lyddane was the first Sachem, who ten years later was Great Chief of Records for five great suns, and now ranks as a Past Great Sachem. After the Tribe was organized it received no further attention from the Great Council of Ohio, was never visited by any of its Great Chiefs, and was never represented in its Great Council. Red Men were very scarce and a visitor was a rare occurrence. However,Shawnee grew and flourished and for several great suns held regular meetings. A loft of Haymakers was instituted and sometimes the fun was so fast and furious that the police threatened to interfere. The Tribe finally died of pure neglect and loneliness. It had considerable amount of wampum in its belt, which was parceled out to the members in good standing. The love of Redmanship did not die in the breast of its members, however, and when in G. S. D. 403 Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, was organized at Lexington, among its charter members were several of those who had belonged to old Shawnee, No. 18, and it was very little trouble a few seven suns later to kindle the council fire of Onequa, No. 2, amid the ashes of the old Tribe. Some of the members of old Shawnee have lapsed from the Order, some have passed to the Eternal Hunting Grounds, while others are still found around the council fire and are training a new generation in Freedom, Friendship and Charity.
Osceola, No. 19, at Ashland, on the 26th of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 399, with 15 charter members, Harry C. McKay being then Great Sachem. This Tribe is still in existence, and is one of the strongest in the reservation.
Mohawk, No. 20, at Louisville, on 1st Hot Moon, G. S. D. 400. At the institution of this Tribe it was hoped that Redmanship would be once more revived in Kentucky and would flourish, but the anticipation of its founders were not realized, as it lived but a short time and was never prosperous.
In the summer of G. S. D. 403, there came to the hunting grounds of Lexington J. B. Mendenhall, holding a commission as Deputy for Great Incohonee Andrew H. Paton. Mendenhall held a withdrawal card from Ninegret Tribe, No. 21, of New London, Conn. Where he received his honors as a Past Sachem is not known, as it is certain he was not known as a Past Sachem in Ninegret Tribe. During the autumn of this great sun Mendenhall began an active canvas for petitioners for a charter for a Tribe of Red Men in Lexington, and with the assistance of O. R. King, J. R. McConnell, and others he was abundantly successful, so that on the 15th of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 403, he had a list of 121 accepted applicants, including Past Great Sachem Thos. A. Hornsey, formerly a member of old Osceola, No. 8, of these hunting grounds, who deposited his withdrawal card from that Tribe. On the above date the Tribe was instituted in the Opera House by Great Incohonee A. H. Paton, of Massachusetts, assisted by Great Chief of Records of the G. C. U. S., Charles C. Conley, of Pennsylvania; Past Great Incohonee and National Exemplifier Thos. K. Donnalley, of Philadelphia; Great Sachem of Illinois, Wilson Brooks, of Chicago, and Past Great Sachem Judge Alfred Ellison, of Indianapolis, Ind. The work of the Adoption Degree was exemplified by the chiefs of the new Tribe, the National Exemplifier having been drilling them for several suns, and it is doubtful if the work done by the team at that time has ever been excelled in this reservation. Immediately the Tribe was instituted its members began active efforts to establish other Tribes in their vicinity, and under the leadership of Deputy Great Incohonee J. B. Mendenhall, Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, of Lexington, of which he was now a member, assisted in the institution of the following Tribes:
Onequa Tribe, No. 2, at Winchester, on the 29th of Cold Moon, G. S. D. 404, with 41 charter members, of whom 18 had previouslytaken membership in Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, and became members of Onequa, No. 2, by the deposit of withdrawal cards. Many of these members had been formerly members of Old Shawnee Tribe, No. 18.
Wyandotte Tribe, No. 3, at Maysville, on the 3d of Hot Moon, G. S. D. 404, with 35 charter members, including many members of old Wyandotte Tribe, No. 16, one of whom was Past Great Sachem Thos. A. Davis.
Winona Tribe, No. 4, at Lexington, on the 24th of Hot Moon, G. S. D. 404, with 25 charter members.
Tecumseh Tribe, No. 5, at Harrodsburg, on the 27th of Hot Moon, G. S. D. 404, with 25 members.
Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, at Augusta, on the 1st of Beaver Moon, G. S. D. 404, with 41 charter members.
Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7, at Louisville, on the 6th of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 404. with 63 charter members.
Cherokee Tribe, No. 8, at Louisville, on the 22d of Hunting Moon, 404.
Minnehaha Council, No. 2, Degree of Pocahontas, at Lexington, with a charter membership of 49, on the 28th of Worm Moon, 404.
Charters were issued to the foregoing by the Great Council of the United States.
In his long talk to the Great Council of the United States in Corn Moon, G. S. D. 404, Great Incohonee Andrew H. Paton said:
"More than forty great suns ago a Great Council fire was kindled in Kentucky, which was extinguished after burning somewhat feebly for about thirty great suns. In G. S. D. 397 the few members in the State were by this great Council placed under the jurisdiction of Ohio. The Order here, as it has in some of the other States we are trying to reorganize, had fallen into disrepute because of the carelessness, bad management, and vicious material which had been admitted into the Tribes. Although these characteristics had ceased to be, the Order was and is yet suffering in that State because of what had been, and the Great Council of Ohio found itself unable to overcome the prejudices which prevailed. Under these circumstances it seemed better to place the interests of the Order in Kentucky in charge of some one on the ground, who could give them personal oversight. By consent of our Board of Great Chiefs the Great Sachem of Ohio was visited, and at a meeting of the Great Chiefs of Ohio and several of its Representatives and ex-Representatives to this body, arrangements were made by which Ohio resigned its control of Kentucky except of the two Tribes, the fires of which were then burning. At the Great Sun Council of Ohio in Flower Moon, it was voted that its authority over these two Tribes should be withdrawn this Cold Moon. Bygood fortune, an enthusiastic Red Man from Connecticut, Brother J. B. Mendenhall, had taken up his residence in Lexington, Kentucky, and arrangements were made with him to rebuild the Order in the State. In spite of many obstacles, and at much cost of labor and wampum, Brother Mendenhall has added five Tribes to the two existing at the time of his appointment, and of material which is an ornament to the fraternity. A Great Council of Kentucky is therefore also within sight. No member of the Order has made more sacrifices the past great sun for the Improved Order of Red Men than has Brother Mendenhall. He has spent his time, his efforts, and his wampum without stint and under circumstances which often gave good excuse to do otherwise."
On the 7th sun of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 404, Deputy Great Incohonee J. B. Mendenhall addressed a circular letter to all Tribes and Past Sachems in the Reservation of Kentucky, from which the following extracts are made:
"Your attention is again directed to my talk of the 11th sun of Beaver Moon, relative to the institution of the Great Council of Kentucky.
Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, adopted 106 pale faces last sleep, and I will institute Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7, at Louisville, Ky., on the 9th sleep of this moon, with about 70 charter members. This will give us a total of about 700 members and 50 past Sachems in good standing.
Every Past Sachem will therefore take notice and make a special effort to be present in the hunting grounds of Lexington on the 27th and 28th suns of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 404.
The council fire will be kindled at the 10th run, rising of the sun, and the Great Council Degree conferred upon all Past Sachems then in waiting, and the transaction of business will begin immediately thereafter.
The institution will take place in Red Men's Hall, 38 East Short street.
Osceola Tribe, No. 18, Ashland, and Miami Tribe, No. 17, Newport, are now under my jurisdiction, and they will pay their per capita tax to the Great Council of Kentucky, as soon as instituted, instead of to the Great Council of Ohio."
The Great Chief of Records of the Great Council of the United States, in his report to the G. C. U. S. for G. S. D., gives the following statistics for the Tribes in Kentucky under the jurisdiction of the G. C. U. S., which does not include Miami, No. 17, and Osceola, No. 18:
Number of Tribes, 5; adopted, 267; admitted by card, 2; withdrawn by card, 20; Past Sachems, 26: total membership, 249.