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The Provisional Government of Nebraska Territory and the Journals of William Walker Provisional Governor of Nebraska Territory 396 getting "small by degrees" and unhandsomely "less. I am in the beginning of '54, one tooth less than in '53. Thursday, 12.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Came home in the evening. Received two letters from A. Guthrie. In trouble again. Wants certificates to prove his charges against Commissioner Manypenny. I can't help him much. Friday, 13.--Wrote a long letter to A. Guthrie. Cold all day. Saturday, 14.--Harriet returned from her visit to the "Campbells." Monday, 16.--Commenced reading "Guy Mannering" by W. Scott. Wrote a memorial to the Department of the Interior on the subject of some grants of land by the Treaty of Upper Sandusky, O. Wednesday, 18.--Got our mail. Rec'd thro' M. R. W. some letters. One from A. Guthrie, and [one] from J. T. Jones, of Circleville, O. Finished reading Guy Mannering. Thursday, 19.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Come home in the evening. Friday, 20.--The ground is white with snow and sleet. This day (it is now 2 P. M.) may well be compared to one of Iceland's brag days. Done nothing but carry wood and keep a burning log heap in my fire-place. Everything out doors bears a dreary and chilling aspect, at once depressing.and cheerless. Whew! but this will be a stinging night! Monday, 23.--Attended the session of the Treaty Committee. Came home in the evening. Thursday, 26.--Attended the session of the Committee. In the evening, wind from the North. Saturday, 28.--Sent Baptiste to Kansas. Rec'd an "Ohio State Journal." This is the amount of my mail. Guthrie 397 out on Col. Manypenny again. The former, I fear, will come off second best. He is imprudent and rash. Miss Armstrong and Miss Hunter called to-day. Sunday, 29.--Attended the session of the Committee. Warm afternoon. Tuesday, 31.--Went to town, expecting Maj. Robinson over. Staid till 12 o'clock. Came home. The Sheriff called upon me and informed me that he had arrived and desired my attendance. He paid over to the Chiefs the amount of the appropriation, $2,285.00. Then gave notice that he [would] pay over to the heads of families the $5,000.00 of which he was minus at the Payment of the Annuity last fall. FEBRUARY, 1854. Wednesday, 1.--To-day the Chiefs are to pay out the public liabilities. Attended to the disbursement of the public liabilities. Friday, 3.--Sick. Saturday, 4.--Engaged, sick as I am, in making out the Pay Rolls. Heck repaired the Clock. Sunday, 5.--Confined to bed part of the time, and a part [of the time] employed on the Pay Rolls. J. W. Garrett and Lady spent the evening with us. Tuesday, 7.--Finished the Pay Rolls. I was visited to-day by a creature made after the manner of men, but whose actions, talk, and every movement went to prove what --I had ever before doubted, that it is possible for all the evils--all that is depraved--all that is devilish--all that is abominable--all that is brutal, and, in short, all that disgraces human nature, can be concentrated in one individual. I have known this creature about 30 years. I place on record that, from and after Tuesday, Feb. 7, '54, I know him no more as a MAN. Wednesday, 8.--Bed-fast. Doctor Wright attending on 398 me. My complaint, inflammation of the lungs. Symtoms alarming. MARCH, 1854. Saturday, 4.--I am now able to set up a few minutes at a time, being, wearied with the recumbent position I have so long been compelled to submit to. Rev. E. T. Peery and Lady called over and spent the day. Sunday, 5.--Our folks went to Church, and I kept my bed. M. R. W. and J. Walker called upon me. Monday, 6.--Mending slowly. The Treaty Committee meet to-day. Tuesday, 7.--Regaining my strength slowly. Thursday, 9.--Cold and blustering day. Ennui--Vaporish--Low spirits--. Friday, 10.--Clear and pleasant. Harriet, and Baptiste went to Kansas. Got three newspapers--read everything in them. Saturday, 11.--Clear, frosty morning. Sent Baptiste to the Post Office, and got one paper. Sunday, 12.--In the evening Mr. Searcy and a Doctor Bacon from Liberty called upon us. Monday, 13.--Heard that J. S. Coon was killed in a drunken brawl, by [a] Negro, near Memphis. Thursday, 16.--Isaac P. Driver engaged in repairing the yard and Garden fences. J. D. Brown called and spent the evening with us. Friday, 17.--Cold and blustering all day It is said there are cases of Canine madness among the dogs in the neighborhood. Exterminate them! Saturday, 18.--My boy Baptiste, having completed his three months service, the length of time for which I engaged him, went home to-day. 399 Sunday, 19.--Cold morning. Having but little else to write I will record the vote in the Senate on the passage of the Nebraska and Kansas Territorial Bill. Yeas. Adams, Atchison, Badger, Bayard, Benjamin, Broadhead, Brown, Butler, Cass, Clay, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Evans, Fitzpatrick, Geyer, Given, Hunter, Johnston, Jones, Masterson, Morris, Petit, Pratt, Rusk, Sebastian, Shields, Slidell, Stewart, Thompson of Ky., Thompson of N. J., Toucey, Weller, & Williams 35. Nays. Belle, Chase, Dodge of W., Fessenden, Fish, Foot., Hamlin, Jones, Smith, Sumner, Wade, Bright. Monday, 20.--Raining. James Bearskin came to work. J. W. Garrett called and staid a while. In the evening J. D. Brown called and staid till night. It has been a damp misty day. Tuesday, 21.--The heavens hung with a black drapery. About 1 o'clock P. M. the sky cleared up and the afternoon was warm and pleasant. Thursday, 23.--Clear, frosty morning. I have my old difficulties in hiring bands. I hired James Bearskin for half a month. He went off last evening to get his Boot repaired, but I suspect [he] has gone to Kansas and is on a sprey. This is the last of the vagabond. Went to Kansas, waited four or five hours for Major Robinson, who had requested me to meet him there, but [he] did not make his appearance. Sunday, 26.--Cold and cloudy morning. Furnished a Passport to Susannah Williams. Tuesday, 28.--Whew! snow on the ground. Therm. below Freezing point. Storm, Rain, Snow, Sleet, "in an horrible tempest." March came in like a Lamb and is going out like the Devil. Wednesday, 29.--Everything out of doors covered with 400 ice. Raining, sleet and snow. 12 o'clock A. M., raining. Horrible weather truly. Heard that Hon. Thomas Johnston, Delegate elect from this Territory returned from Washington yesterday. "Turn a new leaf" for April. APRIL, 1854. Saturday, 1.--"All fools day." Clear and frosty, Therm. 25o. The fruit, I apprehend, is as dead as a mackerel. Sent a letter for Mr Green and one for Dr Carter to the P. 0. Some "warmint" has taken up his Quarters in either the corn-crib, Stable, or Hen-house and commits continual nocturnal depreditions upon the poultry and Eggs. It is either a mink, Weasel, or Polecat. Sunday, 2.--Well this will do very well for the 2nd day of April. As soon as I got up I peeped out and lo! a white glittering frost. I next peeped at the Thermometer and guess what? 15o!! yes, within 15o of zero. This temperature we ought to have had in January. Farewell Fruit! "Sic transit gloria mundi. Wind shifted "right about face," after having done all the harm by its cold Northern blasts and frost on the fruit. Monday, 3.--Mr Brainson ploughing our Garden. Ground too wet, but go ahead. Went to attend a meeting of the Committee when the project of the Treaty was read and received, amended and adopted. Tuesday, 4.--To-day the Council meets and I really do not see how I am to attend, unless it calls a halt. I attended after the rain held up. 401 Thursday, 6.--Went up to Westport to meet Major Robinson. Got my Quarter's pay. Came home. Saturday, 8.--This day 30 years ago I was made double by being spliced with a rib. Sunday, 9.--In the evening tho' kept a profound secret, a wedding came off at the Parsonage. But it was not as much of a secret as the getters-up supposed, for at night a real original Charivari wound up the evenings entertainment. The Bride was Miss Catharine Ann Dofflemeyer and the Groom, G. W. King, alias G. W. Thompson. "The sweet concordant sounds" produced by a union of Drums, Tin Pans, Tin Horns, Sleigh Bells and everything capable of producing a racket, were faithfully used till 11 o'clock to the no small annoyance of the Parson. Monday, 10.--My execrations upon mail contractors! Twice have I sent to the P. 0. and the cry is "Nothing for you": when I ought to have a half Bushel of papers. Tuesday, 11.--Attended the session of the Council. Martha's application for a divorce from William Gilmore was taken up and considered. A decree made dissolving the marriage tie. The Delaware and Shawnee delegation left Kansas to-day for Washington, on board the "Polar Star." Saturday, 15.--Clear and cold morning, but thanks to a Kind Providence no frost. The fruit has thus far escaped. Sunday, 16-A few days ago I received a letter from Lyman C. Draper, Esq., notifying me of my election to an Honorary Membership of the Historical Society of Wisconsin. So, I must prepare a paper for a contribution. What can I do? Well, I will hatch up something. Monday, 17.--Therm. at daylight, 22o! A hard freeze. This may truly be called "a nipping frost." It has effectually nipp'd the fruit, the peaches and plums especially. Tuesday, 18.--And sure enough, another severe frost. So 402 we have it. Keep it up till August. "Storm after storm" and frost after frost. Went to attend the session of the Council. Mrs W. went to Kansas to purchase family supplies. Another Boat-load of Danish Mormans landed at the Pond. MAY, 1854. Sunday, 14.--Wrote a long letter to John H. Cotter, in California. Monday, 15.--Went in pursuit of my horses. Found them, secured one, but could not drive the other, nor would he follow. I came home, saddled up and went in pursuit. I soon found him; then we had a regular steeple chase. I ran him all over the country with a long Goad in my hand and whenever I got near enough, I plied him with it. Getting weary of the sport, he turned his head homeward. By way of punishment for his perverse conduct, I fastened a heavy toggle to his fore leg to regulate his powers of locomotion. Tuesday, 16.--In the evening we were favored with the company of some young Ladies who staid all night. Thursday, 18.--Beautiful and calm morning. At 10 o'clock the "Sons of Temperance" assembled at the Lodge and marched in procession to a grove near Silas Armstrong's to celebrate the Anniversary of the formation of the Division. The exercises commenced by the presentation to the Division of the Bible by Miss Tabitha Armstrong, accompanied with a suitable address which was received and responded to by Cyrus Garrett. An ode was then sung. Then the presentation of a Banner by the Ladies of Wyandott, thro' Miss Harriet Walker, accompanied with a thrilling speech prepared for the occasion. Then another Temperance Ode was sung. An eloquent speech was then delivered by a Mr Mil 403 ler of Parkville. Several [other] speeches were delivered when the Division marched back to their Lodge. Of the banner I would say the Upholster imposed upon the Ladies most scandalously. It is entirely too small, and the Artistic work bunglingly done; and [he] charged them $19.00 [for it]. Friday, 19.--In the afternoon [I] employed myself in writing letters, or rather answering a pile I have on my table. Saturday, 20.--Cloudy and an occasional sprinkling of rain. But it turned out [a] pleasant and cool day. Wrote nearly all day. Sunday, 21.--Clear morning and it turned out a pleasant day. Wrote to C. Carpenter and P. Muir. Took a stroll and called upon Matthew [R. Walker] spent some time in social chat with him and family. Monday, 22.--Cool morning. Worked in my Garden. Pleasant day. The Kansas River rising. Cool and pleasant evening. The Delaware and Shawnee Chiefs returned. Tuesday, 23.--Harriet gave a party to the young Ladies and Gentlemen of the neighborhood. They were a real set of romps, and enjoyed themselves to the life, and the party broke up about 11 o'clock at night, all in the best possible humor. Thursday, 25.--Rec'd two letters; one from Col. Browne of Maryland, and another from a G. W. Brown of Coneautville, Penna., an Abolition Editor. It is supposed the Nebraska-Kansas bill has passed the House. So mote it be. Friday, 26.--Raining. This is the day for the Solar Eclipse. Showery and cloudy. Looking out for the appearance of the Eclipse. Well, the Eclipse came off, but if we had not been previously informed by the Almanac, we never would have been 404 favored with the phenomena. By the use of a piece of smoked glass we could perceive the new moon which had just changed, passing over the Northern limb; but the obscuration was scarcely perceptible. This partial Eclipse lasted a little over two hours. The drifting clouds and occasional showers frequently bid the two luminaries from our view. Saturday, 27.--It is supposed the Nebraska-Kansas Bill has passed the House. The brethern of the "Mystic tie" are about forming a Lodge in Wyandott. Monday, 29.--To-day the great Rail Road meeting comes off at Parkville. It was my intention to have attended, but such is the inclemency of the weather that I am deter'd from venturing out. Went in search of Miss Topsey who was supposed to be the happy mother of a young one. I searched all day, glen and thicket, hill and dale, without success. In the evening she came up with the beautiful little one. Tuesday, 30.--Harriet and several of her cronies have gone up to the Prairies on a Strawberry frolic. Wrote to Col. O. H. Browne. Martha returned from Kansas, and all I got was an obscure Ohio Newspaper and Mr Senator Norris's speech on the Nebraska and Kansas Bill. Well, this was truly a sad disappointment! When in fact I expected to hear from the great Russo-Turco-Anglo-Gaulo War, and [to] bear of the Territorial Bill being passed, a few duels in Congress, the innexation of Cuba and the Polynesian Isles, the chaining of the Devil a thousand years. But I have heard nothing! Wednesday, 31.--Engaged in answering a letter I received from an Abolition Editor in Pennsylvania. 405 JUNE, 1854. Thursday, 1.--Resumed my letter to the Penna. Editor and finished [it], making eleven pages of manuscript. Wrote also to Mrs E. J. Barrett, now at Morristown, Ohio. Friday, 2.--Clear and beautiful morning. Settled with Dan'l Dofflemeyer for putting in my Oats crop and hauling cordwood. Sent the Domestic to Kansas for our mail. The Charter granted by King Charles the Second, to the Hudson Bay Company, is dated 1670. Saturday, 3.--Mrs W. [and I] and Mr and Mrs Priestley went over to Esquire McGee's to execute deeds, but unfortunately he was away from home. We came home without accomplishing our business. So we have another trip to make. Sunday, 4.--Rainy. Mr J. K. Goodin and family came over from Kansas to stay a few days. They are from Hardin County, Ohio. Monday, 5.--Clear morning. Mr G. set out for Fort Riley on an exploring tour. Lost our Ferry Boat again. Tuesday, 6.--Attended the session of the Council. Tuesday, 13.--Attended the session of the Council. Major Robinson present, and paid to the Council the half year's School fund. A certain infamous Doctor landed, from Franklin County, Ohio, having his equally infamous family with him. Wednesday, 14.--Mrs Goodin left, intending to go to Weston to rejoin her husband. Thursday, 15.--J. Walker, and the----X----called upon us to-day. Impudence brazen faced, on the part of the latter. Saturday, 17.--Clear and pleasant morning. Went to mill for the first time in Wyandott, and got my grist ground. 406 heard of the recovery of the Ferry Boat. Mr McQuiddy and a Mr Allen called and spent the afternoon. Sunday, 18.--Staid at home all day. Wrote a comniunication for the "Cadiz Sentinel." Monday, 19.--Clear and beautiful morning. Mrs W. and I took a ride on the banks of the Rio. Missouri. Tuesday, 20.--The Council held a session to-day, but I did not attend. Wednesday, 21.--Clear and bright morning. I do earnestly [hope] these everlasting drenching rains will cease for awhile, that those sluices in the Clouds will be for a season closed up and if need be, sent to some drouthy part of the globe We have had no mail for near two weeks for the want of a Boat to cross the river. Altho' the Boat was caught at Richfield, about forty miles from here, yet our worthless Council and still more worthless Ferryman take no steps towards getting it bro't up again. A pretty set of fellows to want to maintain a separate government. Splendid evening. The bright Luminary of day receded slowly behind the Western Hills with a most smiling and agreeable face. Thursday, 22.--Beautiful morning, promising a beautiful tho' warm day. Went to the city of Wyandott, and found the City deserted; all gone out into the country. Saturday, 24.--Bright and warm morning. Harriet and Sarah Driver set out for Kansas, riding to, the river and footing it the rest of the road. A warm time they've had of it. At night we were alarmed by Harriets illness. Nervous headache and vertigo. I have thus closed my scrap and fragmentary Diary. This the 25 day [of] June A. D. 1854. | ||||||
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