Chapter VII (1)

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GREAT COUNCIL OF KENTUCKY AND ITS RECORDS FROM 1895 to 1907.

In compliance with request of petitioners from various Tribes in Kentucky, Great Chief of Records of the Great Council of the United States, Charles C. Conley, acting Great Incohonee, and Past Great Sachem William C. Conley, of Pennsylvania, acting Great Chief of Records, appeared in the wigwam of Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, hunting grounds of Lexington, on the 27th sun of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 404, for the purpose of kindling the Great Council fire of Kentucky.

After appropriate remarks of instruction had been given by the two Great Chiefs, the following named Past Sachems, who responded to the call, were marked as present:

Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1--J. B. Mendenhall, John Armstrong, Oscar R. King, J. R. McConnell, Past Great Sachem T. A. Hornsey, Willie Walker, Henry Vogt, R. Eason, Frank L. Smith.

Onequa Tribe, No. 2--R. W. Jones, J. W. Holler.

Wyandotte Tribe, No. 3--T. M. Russell.

Winona Tribe, No. 4--W. B. Wilkerson, Wm. Metcalfe, J. Hull Davidson.

Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6--John I. Winter, W. E. Fite, J. W. Crumbaugh.

Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7--E. G. Van Zandt, J. H. Young, A. F. German.

Osceola Tribe, No. 19--W. C. Diederich.

As Past Sachems McConnell, Diederich and Mendenhall had been admitted to other State Great Councils, the acting Great Incohonee appointed Past Sachem McConnell as Great Guard of the Forest, pro tem.; Past Sachem Diederich as Great Guard of the Wigwam, pro tem.; and Great Sannap, pro tem., was filled by Past Sachem Mendenhall.

The acting Great Incohonee, assisted by the acting Great Chief of Records and Past Sachem Mendenhall proceeded to constitute the Great Council of Kentucky, which was consummated at 12 o'clock high sun.

The following named Great Chiefs were then elected or appointed and raised up:

J. B. Mendenhall, of No. 1 Great Sachem
J. R. McConnell, of No. 1 Great Senior Sagamore
W. E. Fite, of No. 6 Great Junior Sagamore
J. Hull Davidson, of No. 4 Great Prophet
Frank L. Smith, of No. 1 Great Chief of Records
A. F. German, of No. 7 Great Keeper of Wampum
J. B. Mendenhall, of No. 1 Gt. Rep. to G. C. U. for two great suns

The Great Sachem-elect appointed:

John I. Winter, of No. 6 Great Sannap
Thos. M. Russell, of No. 3 Great Mishinewa
W. C. Dienerich, of No. 19 Great Guard of Wigwam
R. W. Jones, of No. 2 Great Guard of Forest

The Great Sachem announced the following committees:

On Laws--P. G. S. Thos. A. Hornsey, Great Senior Sagamore J. R. McConnell and Great Junior Sagamore W. E. Fite.

On Credentials--Great Prophet J. Hull Davidson and Past Sachems E. G. Van Zandt and R. Eason.

The committee on Laws recommended that the laws of the Great Council of Pennsylvania be adopted by the Great Council of Kentucky, and after some slight amendments they were adopted.

The Committee on Credentials reported Past Sachems P. T. Farnsworth, of No. 1, John D. Walker, of No. 2 and Charles Scott, of No. 4 as being in the forest with proper credentials, and recommended they be admitted, and they were admitted and received the Great Council degree. It was voted that an appropriation of two hundred fathoms be made for the expense of the Great Chiefs for the ensuing term.

The Great Chief of Records was authorized to prepare an original design for a seal and to procure the seal as soon as possible.

The following resolution was unanimously adopted:

Resolved: That in expression of its appreciation of the invaluable services performed by the Great Chief of Records of the Great Council of the United States, Charles C. Conley, acting Great Incohonee, and Past Great Sachem William C. Conley, of Pennsylvania, acting Great Chief of Records, who have so ably and courteously assisted and instructed the Great Council of Kentucky during its course of organization, the records of the Great Council shall contain this resolution expressive of its gratitude for their distinguished services.

The various bills and expenses incident to institution were ordered paid, leaving a balance in the wampum belt of seven fathoms, six feet and two inches.

It was voted to kindle the next council fire in the wigwam of Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, at Augusta.

Following are the statistics of the Order at the time of institution--Whole number of Tribes, 10; Tribes not reporting, 2; adopted, 265; admitted by card, 12; withdrawn by card, 4; suspensions, 10; rejections, 9; total membership, 638; Past Sachems, 71.

Council of the Degree of Pocahontas--Minneola, No. 1, at Ashland; Minnehaha, No. 2, at Lexington.

The Great Sachem announced the appointment of standing committees for the ensuing great sun, as follows--

Finance--J. Hull Davidson, No. 4; Thomas M. Russell, No. 3; John I. Winter, No. 6.

Law and Usage--W. E. Fite, No. 6; W. C. Diederich, No. 19; Willie Walker, No. 1.

Returns and Reports--R. Eason, No. 1; T. A. Hornsey, No. 1; John D. Walker, No. 4.

Board of Appeals--E. G. Van Zandt No. 7; W. C. Diederich, No. 19; J. W. Crumbaugh, No. 6.

The council fire was then quenched in ample form.

=1896.=

SECOND GREAT SUN COUNCIL.

The second Great Sun Council fire of the Great Council of Kentucky, Improved Order of Red Men was kindled in the wigwam of Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, at the 10th run rising of the 12th sun of Flower moon, G. S. D. 405, with Great Sachem J. B. Mendenhall presiding. All of the elective Great Chiefs were present except A. F. German, Great Keeper of Wampum.

The Great Sachem appointed the following named brothers as a committee on Credentials--John I. Winter, of No. 6, John Armstrong of No. 1 and J. W. Crumbaugh, of No. 6.

The committee on credentials reported representatives present with proper credentials from Tribes, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 17, and 19, and recommended that they be recognized and seated as the representatives from their respective Tribes, which was concurred in.

The committee also reported the following named Past Sachems as being in the forest for the first time with proper credentials and recommended that they be admitted and receive the Great Council Degree, which was agreed to:

Miantonomo, No. 1--H. H. Wilson.

Onequa, No. 2--J. W. Scobee.

Wyandotte, No. 3--W. C. Pelham and D. P. Ort.

Winona, No. 4--L. E. Pearce.

Paughcaughnaughsinque, No. 6--J. W. McKibben, W. E. Hamilton, Thos. M. Gray and N. Feagan.

Cherokee, No. 8--Chas. A. Lang.

Osceola, No. 19--Conrad Gensler.

Past Sachem Michael Grau, of No. 17, having previously been admitted to the Great Council of Ohio, was also admitted to a seat in the Great Council of Kentucky.

The records of the last Great Council were approved as printed.

The Great Sachem then began reading his long talk, and we make the following extracts therefrom:

"I herewith submit the report of my official actions between 27th Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 404, at which time this G. C. was instituted, and 11th Flower Moon, 405.

The Order in this reservation has enjoyed a season of prosperity, and the membership has, through hard work, been greatly increased. The following new Tribes have been instituted:

Shawnee, No. 9, Louisville, on the 10th of Worm Moon; Mohican, No. 11, Bowling Green, on the 24th of Plant Moon, and three Tribes will be instituted before the close of this moon.

All of our Tribes, with the exception of Miami, No. 17, and Tecumseh, No. 5, have greatly increased their membership, as will be seen from the report of the G. C. of R.

I regret to say that some opposition on the part of some of the members of Cherokee Tribe, No. 8, has been manifested in regard to fee paid to organizers, and this matter will, in all probability, be presented by their representatives for your consideration at this session.

Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7, labored under the impression that no other Tribe could legally be instituted in the hunting ground of Louisville without first obtaining their consent, and it was necessary for me to summon the Great Chiefs to meet with that Tribe on the sleep of the 28th of Snow Moon, and after considerable discussion the matter was amicably adjusted, and they have since prospered."

The Great Sachem then recounted appointment of Deputies for each Tribe, dispensations granted, decisions rendered and visitations made.

Among his recommendations were the following:

"That the salary of the Great Chief of Records be increased to three hundred fathoms." This was approved by the finance committee and concurred in by the Great Council.

That the Great Sachem be allowed to draw on the Great Keeper of Wampum for the expenses of that stump, from time to time, as they may become necessary." This was agreed to after fixing the limit at one hundred fathoms.

Great Chiefs Seated--N. Feagan, G. of W. Frank L. Smith, G. C. of R. W. E. Fite, G. Sr. Sag. J. R. McConnell, Gt. Sachem. J. B. Mendenhall, Gt. Prophet. J. I. Winter, G. Jr. Sag. John Armstrong, G. K. of W.]

The Great Chief of Records in his report said:

"The work of a full great sun has been crowded into the short space of four and one-half moons, owing to the peculiar time of kindling our first Great Council fire.

The placing of the Great Council upon a footing to transact business has required me to cause to be printed not only the records of the first Great Council, but also the laws, blanks for dispensations, reports, credentials, stationery, etc., that will not have to be done again for many great suns.

Having been authorized by the Great Council to prepare an original design for a seal, I set about the same, and caused a skillful draftsman to carry out my ideas in an India ink drawing, from which seals were engraved on wood in two sizes, and a die sunk and the seal properly prepared. The design proved a difficult one to execute and was quite expensive, yet when I considered that it was to last for all time as the Great Seal of the Great Council of Kentucky, I felt warranted in making the expenditure, as the design has been highly commended by the Great Chiefs to whom it was submitted.

I beg to submit for the consideration of the Great Council the system I have adopted for listing, by means of a card catalogue, the entire membership of the Order in this reservation. I have caused to be printed two thousand cards like sample filed herewith. These cards are filled out, one for each member, with all the information obtainable as to the history and rank in the Order, and are filed alphabetically. This system, started from the institution of the Great Council and kept up to date from the semi-great sun's reports from Tribes, will enable the G. C. of R. at a moment's notice, by referring to the catalogue, to tell the Tribe to which any brother named may belong, when and where he was adopted, advanced, raised and exalted; also whether or no he is a Past Sachem, and if he has been admitted to the Great Council of Kentucky. It will also show if he has ever been suspended, reinstated, withdrawn, readmitted, etc., with dates in every case. In the future, I am of the opinion this will prove to be of inestimable value. I now have the catalogue of the Order in a complete state up to the first of Plant Moon.

In order that this system may be carried out in every particular, I have prepared a special report blank, which, if the Chiefs of Records of Tribes will be particular to comply with, will enable the list to be kept complete and accurate.

I have been unable to obtain any report for the last term from Tecumseh Tribe, No. 5, or even an answer to any of my letters, though the last one was registered to insure its receipt by the C. of R."

The Great Chief of Records made the following recommendations:

1st. That the Card Catalogue system, as inaugurated by the G. C. of R., be approved and adopted.

2nd. That the report blank in connection therewith be approved and adopted, and Tribes be required to report in accordance therewith.

3rd. That each Tribe be required to place on file with the G. C. of R. a copy of their by-laws in printed form.

4th. That the price schedule of supplies as printed in the first records be approved and adopted.

5th. That the G. C. of R. be forbidden to furnish or supply any individual members of the Order with any supplies whatever, except it be a question book and necessary literature for the purpose of instituting new Tribes and charter supplies to new Tribes, and to Tribes only when ordered under the seal of the Tribe, and in no case unless paid for when ordered, in current funds.

These five recommendations were reviewed by the committee on the state of the Order, approved by them and were then adopted by the Great Council.

The following statistics are drawn from the report of the Great Chief of Records: Whole number of members at time of institution, 623; adopted since, 525; admitted by card, 3; reinstated, 2; suspended, 7; withdrawn, 4; number of members in Tribe failing to report, 17; whole number at present time, 1,125; rejected, 19; Past Sachems, 76; Past Great Sachems, 3; Tribes at institution, 10; Tribes instituted, 2; Tribes failing to report, 1; Tribes in good standing, 11; balance in hands of Great Keeper of Wampum, $117.02.

The Great Sachem appointed the following committees:

On State of the Order--H. H. Wilson, No. 1; J. W. McKibben, No. 6; W. C. Pelham, No. 3.

On Charters--Charles A. Lang, No. 8; R. Eason, No. 1; D. P. Ort, No. 3.

On Grievances--John I. Winter, No. 6; J. R. McConnell, No. 1; L. E. Pearce, No. 4.

The long talks of the various Great Chiefs were referred to the proper committees.

Telegrams of congratulation were ordered sent to the various Great Councils holding concurrent councils.

A special committee was appointed to make arrangements for having the Great Council photographed.

The Committee on Law and Usage recommended that the various dispensations granted by the Great Sachem be approved, and they also reported having approved of the by-laws of several Tribes, and the report of the committee was concurred in.

The Committee on Charters recommended that charters be issued to Shawnee Tribe, No. 9, at Louisville, and Mohican Tribe, No. 11, at Bowling Green, which was approved.

The Committee on Returns and Reports reported having examined the reports of the various Tribes, and finding them correct in the main, recommended that they be approved, and the report was concurred in.

The Finance Committee reported having examined the reports of the Great Chief of Records and the Great Keeper of Wampum and found them correct, and their report was concurred in.

The Mileage Committee reported the mileage account of the Great Chiefs and Representatives, and their report was approved and warrants for the payment of the same were ordered drawn.

The election of Great Chiefs resulted as follows:

J. R. McConnell, No. 1 Great Sachem
W. E. Fite, No. 6 Great Senior Sagamore
John I. Winter, No. 6 Great Junior Sagamore
J. B. Mendenhall, No. 6 Great Prophet
Frank L. Smith, No. 1 Great Chief of Records
John Armstrong, No. 1 Great Keeper of Wampum
Thos. M. Russell Gt. Rep. to G. C. U. S. for 1 great sun

The Great Sachem-elect made the following appointments:

R. Eason, No. 1 Great Sannap
W. C. Diederich, No. 19 Great Mishinewa
N. Feagan, No. 6 Great Guard of Wigwam
J. W. Scobee, No. 2 Great Guard of Forest

The foregoing were duly raised up at the proper time by Past Great Sachem J. Hull Davidson, of No. 4.

It was voted that the Great Council kindle its next council fire in the wigwam of Osceola Tribe, No. 19, at Ashland.

Great Sachem Mendenhall took occasion to officially thank Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, for its munificent gift of a Past Great Sachem's jewel in a few well chosen words.

The matter of the solution of the financial problem for the ensuing six moons was referred to a special committee as follows: John D. Walker, of No. 4; Chas. A. Lang, of No. 8; R. Eason, of No. 1.

It was voted that the Great Representatives be instructed to vote for and use their influence in favor of the anti-saloon law before the Great Council of the United States. Rep. Chas. A. Lang, of No. 8, wished to be recorded as voting nay.

The Special Committee on Finance recommended that the Great Chiefs be instructed to borrow five hundred fathoms to meet the necessary demands upon the Great Council, and their recommendation was adopted.

It was ordered that the Great Chiefs take immediate steps to incorporate the Great Council of Kentucky.

Rep. Chas. A. Lang, of No. 8, presented a complaint from Cherokee Tribe, No. 8, regarding the disposition of the fees collected from charter members of that Tribe, and it was ordered that the whole matter of the investigation of the differences between the Louisville Tribes and the Great Council of Kentucky be referred to the incoming Committee on Appeals and Grievances.

The bonds of the Great Chief of Records and the Great Keeper of Wampum were presented and approved.

The following resolution was adopted:

Resolved: That organizers of Tribes in this reservation shall be allowed as commission and fee for services rendered in institution, one-half the fees collected from charter members, the said fee to be for his own use, and all other wampum collected, after deducting the necessary expenses of institution, such as traveling expenses of instituting chiefs, charter fee, etc., shall be paid into the wampum belt of the Tribe by the organizer, and he shall make an itemized statement of said expenses.

The following resolution was also adopted by a unanimous rising vote:

Resolved: That the thanks of the Great Council be extended to Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, for the use of their wigwam for the meeting of this Great Council, for the very efficient manner in which its members have entertained the members of this body, and to the kind ladies and citizens of Augusta for the elegant banquet given, as well as for all the numerous courtesies which we have received at their hands. We beg leave to assure them, one and all, who have in any way contributed to our pleasure while in their midst, that we shall ever look back with pleasure to our meeting in their beautiful city.

Great Sachem McConnell announced the following appointments on standing committees for the ensuing great sun:

Finance--Conrad Gensler, No. 19; J. Hull Davidson, No. 4; John I. Winter, No. 6.

Law and Usage--W. C. Diederich, No. 19; W. E. Fite, No. 6; Willie Walker, No. 1.

Returns and Reports--Chas. A. Lang, No. 8; R. Eason, No. 1; Thos. Cassida, No. 19.

Appeals and Grievances--L. E. Pearce, No. 4; Thos. M. Russell, No. 3; R. W. Jones, No. 2.

The council fire was then quenched, to be rekindled in the wigwam of Osceola Tribe, No. 19, at Ashland, at the 10th run, rising of the 11th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 406.

=1897.=

THIRD GREAT SUN COUNCIL.

The third Great Sun Council fire of the Great Council of Kentucky was kindled in the wigwam of Osceola Tribe, No. 19, on the 11th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 406, at the 10th run, 30th breath, rising of the sun, Great Sachem J. R. McConnell presiding. All Great Chiefs were present except John Armstrong, Great Keeper of Wampum, and N. Feagan, Great Guard of Wigwam.

The Great Sachem made the following appointments, pro tem:

Great Guard of the Wigwam, John D. Walker, No. 4.

Great Keeper of Wampum, Mat. M. Gay, No. 18.

The Great Junior Sagamore reported the credentials of the following named Past Sachems as being in proper form, and they being in waiting were introduced and instructed in the Great Council Degree.

Miantonomo, No. 1--W. B. Eason.

Onequa, No. 2--J. W. Shearer.

Wyandotte, No. 3--Frank H. Bromley.

Winona, No. 4--C. M. Chasteen.

Paughcaughnaughsinque, No. 6--Geo. H. Bandle.

Hiawatha, No. 7--H. C. Rhodes, J. G. Sewell.

Cherokee, No. 8--Chas. D. Meyer, James Schrepper, Albert Spies, Herman V. Cohn.

Shawnee, No. 9--Wm. A. Crader, Louis Vissman.

Mohican, No. 11--T. B. Wright.

Totewa, No. 14--John Hafendorfer.

Calumet, No. 18--Matt. M. Gay.

Osceola, No. 19--C. E. Horrocks, J. F. Horstman, Thos. F. Cassida, M. A. Rodgers.

The records of the previous Great Council were approved as printed.

The Great Sachem then read his long talk. Therein he reported the institution of the following Tribes.

Iroquois Tribe, No. 12--at Hopkinsville, on the 28th of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 405.

Totewa Tribe, No. 14, at Owensboro, on the 4th of Buck Moon, G. S. D. 405.

Otego Tribe, No. 15, at Paducah, on the 21st of Sturgeon Moon, G. S. D. 405.

Seminole Tribe, No. 16, at Henderson, on the 25th of Sturgeon Moon, G. S. D. 405.

Calumet Tribe, No. 18, at Mt. Sterling, on the 14th of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 405.

Choctaw Tribe, No. 20, at Corbin, on the 22nd of Plant Moon, G. S. D. 406.

A list of 128 questions had been propounded to the Great Sachem by Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, to which he made answers in his long talk, and they were reviewed by the Committee on Law and Usage, approving the Great Sachem's decisions in most cases and altering and reversing them in some instances. These decisions formed the digest of the Great Council of Kentucky at that time.

The Great Sachem said: "Having received due notice that Brother J. B. Mendenhall, of Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, had been expelled from all rights and privileges of said Tribe, I declared his office of Great Prophet and Great Representative to the G. C. U. S. vacant and appointed P. G. S. Thos. A. Hornsey, of No. 1, as Great Prophet, and Past Sachem Chas. A. Land, of No. 8, as Great Representative to the G. C. U. S.

On the 7th sun of Plant Moon I learned that Seminole Tribe, No. 16, had ceased to kindle its council fire, and was contemplating disposing of their rituals to pale faces. I therefore appointed Bro. G. B. Vargason, of Totewa Tribe, No. 14, as a special Deputy to visit Henderson and arrest their dispensation and secure all property of said Tribe, and to get possession of rituals at all hazards."

The Great Sachem also reported the expulsion of E. G. Van Zandt, of Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7.

He reported a list of dispensations granted, which were approved by the Great Council, after having been reviewed by the proper committee.

He also said: "On the second sun of Corn Moon, 405, I received appeal of E. G. Van Zandt from the action of Hiawatha Tribe, No. 7, in expelling him from the Order, which I have referred to the Board of Appeals. Also that of J. B. Mendenhall, from Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, which is in the hands of the Board of Appeals for their consideration.

During the past great sun one Tribe has ceased to kindle its council fire, that of Tecumseh Tribe, No. 5. Heroic efforts were made by Great Chief of Records F. L. Smith to keep their council fire burning, but to no purpose."

Among the recommendations made by the Great Sachem were the following:

"That this Great Council define explicitly what is the legitimate expenses of organizer in instituting Tribes." This matter was referred to a special committee, who reported a code of rules to govern organizers for the ensuing great sun, and to come up for consideration as an amendment to the by-laws of the Great Council at the next Great Sun Council.

"That Section 1, Article XVII, of the Constitution of Tribes be amended so as to read as follows: 'No person shall be adopted into a Tribe of the Order, except a free white male, of good moral character and standing, and of the full age of eighteen great suns.'" This matter was discussed at some length, and the Great Sachem finally ruled that it must lay over one great sun and would be in order at the next Great Sun Council.

"That the Chiefs of Records of this reservation be more prompt in forwarding their six moons' reports and per capita tax to the Great Chief of Records, immediately after the 31st sun, Worm Moon, and 30th of Corn moon of each six moons." This recommendation was concurred in by the Great Council.

"That Past Sachems be required to procure and wear regalia according to their rank as Past Sachems in this Great Council," and this recommendation was adopted.

"That the decisions of this Great Council be adopted as a code and digest for the government of Tribes in this reservation," which was agreed to.

"As new Tribes, after being instituted, are so often left with but a faint idea of the workings of the Order, that the Great Sachem, or some one properly qualified, visit them at least within six moons after institution, to instruct them in the work, or designate some Past Sachem for this work when he cannot do it himself." The recommendation was adopted.

"I recommend that the dispensation issued to Seminole Tribe, No. 16, be revoked, and that the incoming Great Sachem take proper steps to receive and recover all books and paraphernalia belonging to the Tribe, and the same measure in regard to Iroquois Tribe, No. 12." The subject matter was referred to the incoming Great Sachem with instructions to endeavor to revive the council brands before arresting the dispensations.

The following extracts are made from the report of the Great Chief of Records:

"I am pleased to report that there has been a marked improvement in the matter of reports from Tribes, yet several of the reports received are neither complete nor correct. As the Tribes and chiefs become more accustomed to their duties I believe this matter will adjust itself. The card catalogue is now nearly complete, containing the names of members of every Tribe in the reservation to date except Iroquois, No. 12, and Choctaw, No. 20. No report has ever been received from No. 12 at Hopkinsville, and communications from brothers in those hunting grounds lead me to believe the Tribe is defunct. I received a report from Seminole Tribe, No. 16, of Henderson, for the term ending 30th of Corn Moon last, but no tax, there being none due from them at that time. Since then I have been unable to get any communication from their Chief of Records. Otego Tribe, No. 15, of Paducah, has made no report for the last six moons' term, and repeated speaking leaves to its C. of R. during the past moon have elicited no response. I have no other intimation that the Tribe is not in good condition.

At the last Great Sun Council I was empowered to have the Great Council incorporated, and the same has been done, and the articles legally recorded. Herewith I append the incorporation papers:"

Articles of Incorporation.

These Articles of Incorporation, formed and entered into to incorporate The Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the State of Kentucky, an order instituted for the purpose of affording relief to such of its members as may be suffering from sickness, distress or other causes, for the furtherance of the general welfare of the members thereof, for the better government of the Order, and for the more effectual accomplishment of the charitable objects which are to be furthered by the Order and this corporation.

1.--The name of the corporation shall be the Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men.

2.--The object for which this corporation is formed is to perpetuate the legal existence of the Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men, to have a corporation with the legal capacity to sue and be sued, to contract with and be contracted with, to pass the necessary laws for the government of the Tribes belonging to and under the jurisdiction of this Great Council, to purchase, hold, mortgage and sell real personal property, to incur debt sufficient to carry out its purposes, and to afford relief to such of its members as may be in distress, and to accomplish charitable aims as are consistent with the constitution and continued existence of the Improved Order of Red Men.

3.--Its principal office shall be located in the city of Lexington, county of Fayette, State of Kentucky.

4.--The private property of the members of the corporation shall not be subject to the debts of the corporation.

5.--No stock or shares shall be issued, and no dividends or profits shall be divided.

6.--The existence of the corporation shall commence from the signing of these articles and the filing of same in the office of the Secretary of State of Kentucky; and the corporation shall continue in existence for a period of 25 years.

7.--The officers of this corporation for the present shall be J. R. McConnell, of Lexington, Great Sachem; W. E. Fite, of Augusta, Great Senior Sagamore; John I. Winter, of Augusta, Great Junior Sagamore; J. B. Mendenhall, Great Prophet; Frank L. Smith, of Lexington, Great Chief of Records; and John Armstrong, of Lexington, Great Keeper of Wampum; and they shall hold their offices for such terms as the corporation may by by-laws determine, and until their successors are elected in accordance with the said by-laws.

8.--That the said corporation shall from time to time establish, make and put into execution such constitution, by-laws, rules and regulations as may be passed from time to time by the Great Council, and may revoke, annul, alter and amend them at pleasure, provided that they be not repugnant to the constitution and laws of the United States, or of the State of Kentucky, or to the provisions of this act.

9.--That these articles be formed and this corporation made for the benefit of all persons who are now members in good standing of the Great Council of Kentucky of the Improved Order of Red Men, in the State of Kentucky, and they shall be members of said corporation without any further act on the part of those who sign these articles, and for their benefit from this corporation.

Signed and acknowledged this 16th day of June, 1896.

J. R. McConnell, Great Sachem.
W. E. Fite, Great Senior Sagamore.
John I. Winter, Great Junior Sagamore.
J. B. Mendenhall, Great Prophet.
Frank L. Smith, Great Chief of Records.
John Armstrong, Great Keeper of Wampum.

The Great Chief of Records, continuing his report, said: "On the 24th of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 405, I received the charter and effects of Tecumseh Tribe, No. 5, of Harrodsburg. At the last Great Council the Great Chiefs were authorized to borrow five hundred fathoms. No such loan was ever negotiated, and the G. C. of R. and the G. K. of W. were left to adjust matters as best they could. I issued Great Council notes to creditors to the total amount of $376.50, all of which are now paid, and the Great Council now has a small balance in its wampum belt, with all debts paid. Following are the statistics of the Order in this reservation to close of term ending 31st Worm Moon, G. S. D. 406:

Whole number of members as per last report, 1,142; adopted since last report, 468; reinstated, 2; admitted by card, 17; suspended, 204; expelled, 4; withdrawn, 24; deceased, 9; present membership, 1,388; gain, 246; rejected, 17; Past Sachems, 116; Past Great Sachems, 4; number of Tribes at last report, 11; Tribes instituted, 6; defunct, 1; whole number of Tribes, 16; Tribes making no report, 3; Tribes in good standing, 13; balance in Great Council Wampum belt, $73.04."

The Board of Appeals reported that they had carefully examined the appeal of E. G. Van Zandt from the action of Hiawatha Tribe in expelling him, and sustained the action of the Tribe. Also in the appeal of J. B. Mendenhall, from the action of Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, in expelling him, the committee made the same finding.

A new law was proposed providing for the consolidation of two or more Tribes in the same hunting grounds.

The Finance Committee recommended, "That this Great Council issue mileage vouchers to the Representatives and Great Chiefs entitle to same, said mileage vouchers to be turned in as per capita tax by the Tribe of which the brother is a member," which was agreed to.

The Committee on Charters recommended that charters be issued to the following Tribes:

Calumet Tribe, No. 18, of Mt. Sterling.

Choctaw Tribe, No. 20, Corbin.

Totewa Tribe, No. 14, Owensboro.

The Great Council then proceeded to the nomination and election of Great Chiefs, which resulted as follows, and they were raised with impressive ceremonies at the proper time by Past Great Sachem Thomas A. Hornsey.

W. E. Fite, of No. 6 Great Sachem
John I. Winter, of No. 6 Great Senior Sagamore
W. C. Diederich, of No. 19 Great Junior Sagamore
J. R. McConnell, of No. 1 Great Prophet
Frank L. Smith, of No. 1 Great Chief of Records
John D. Walker, of No. 4 Great Keeper of Wampum

Great Sachem Fite announced the following as Appointive Chiefs:

J. W. Scobee, of No. 2 Great Sannap
H. C. Rhodes, of No. 7 Great Mishinewa
Fred J. Kramer, of No. 19 Great Guard of Wigwam
John Hafendorfer, of No. 14 Great Guard of the Forest
Thomas M. Russell, of No. 3 Great Rep. to G. C. U. S.

An amendment to the general laws was proposed providing for a penalty for Tribes failing to make reports in accordance with the law.

An amendment to the general laws was proposed to reduce the per capita tax.

Much time was taken in the discussion of the many decisions of the Great Sachem, and they were finally adopted with some changes.

The Finance Committee then made the following report: "We have carefully examined that portion of Frank L. Smith's report which properly comes to our committee, and find the same true and correct--all vouchers being attached. We find the books and accounts of this Great Chief in excellent shape and we tender him our thanks for his help rendered this committee by the simplicity and fullness of his books and accounts and vouchers. We recommend the adoption of the Great Chief of Records' report. We have carefully examined the books and vouchers of the Great Keeper of Wampum, and find the same correct, and recommend the adoption of his report with this exception: We advise that the note dated Jan. 20, 1897, payable to the Elite Stationery Co., for $135.25, and on which there appears a credit of $85.00, be referred to the incoming Finance Committee." Action on the foregoing report was deferred until after the report of the Committee on State of the Order had been received.

The Committee on State of the Order recommended that the reports of the Great Chief of Records and the Great Keeper of Wampum be referred to the incoming Finance Committee for careful investigation, which was agreed to.

The following resolution was offered, which was made a special act for the ensuing great sun, to be considered at the next Great Council as an amendment to the general laws:

Resolved: That the Great Sachem, and he for his Deputy, give a bond to the amount of $500.00 with three good signatures, for the faithful performance and settlement of all expenses in organizing Tribes in this reservation.

An amendment to the constitution governing Tribes was proposed reducing the minimum age for eligibility to membership to 18 great suns.

The point was raised that at the last Great Council the salary of the Great Chief of Records was raised to three hundred fathoms, and that the act was not regular, it requiring an amendment to the by-laws to apply, and that the resolution would not hold for the next great sun. The Great Sachem ruled the point well taken, and on motion it was voted that the salary of the Great Chief of Records for the ensuing great sun be one hundred fathoms.

An amendment was offered to increase the salary of the Great Chief of Records to two hundred fathoms.

A special dispensation was ordered issued to Miami Tribe, No. 17, permitting said Tribe to kindle its council fires once each moon.

A special committee was appointed to formulate a code of laws to govern the organization of new Tribes.

It was unanimously voted to accept the invitation of Onequa Tribe, No. 2, of Winchester, to kindle the next Great Sun Council fire in its wigwam.

A vote of thinks was extended to Osceola Tribe, No. 19, for its hospitality in entertaining the Great Council.

The special committee on formulation of laws governing organizers presented a report embracing a code of laws, which was adopted for the ensuing great sun, to be considered at the next Great Council as an amendment to the general laws.

The Great Sachem announced the following appointments of standing committees:

Finance--Chas. D. Meyer, of No. 8; C. M. Chasteen, of No. 4; L. E. Pearce, of No. 4.

Law and Usage--W. C. Pelham, of No. 3; C. E. Lyddane, of No. 2; O. R. King, of No. 1.

Returns and Reports--H. C. Rhodes, of No. 7; Willie Walker, of No. 1; Charles A. Lang, of No. 8.

Board of Appeals--T. B. Wright, of No. 11; Watt. M. Gay, of No. 18; Charles A. Lang, of No. 8.

The council fire was then quenched, to be rekindled in the wigwam of Onequa Tribe, No. 2, hunting grounds of Winchester, at the 10th run, rising of the 10th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 407.

=1898.=

FOURTH GREAT SUN COUNCIL.

The fourth Great Sun Council fire of the Great Council of Kentucky was kindled in the wigwam of Onequa Tribe, No. 2, hunting grounds of Winchester, at the 10th run, rising sun of the 10th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 407, all the elective Great Chiefs being present. Great Sachem W. E. Fite presided.

The Great Junior Sagamore reported the credentials of the following named Past Sachems as being correct, and they being in the forest were introduced and received the Great Council Degree:

Miantonomo, No. 1--H. A. Daniel.

Onequa, No. 2--M. E. Pearce, H. Lundberg.

Wyandotte, No. 3--J. Harry Richardson.

Winona, No. 4--F. M. Taylor, J. J. Finigan.

Paughcaughnaughsinque, No. 6--W. G. Knoedler.

Hiawatha, No. 7--J. W. Jarboe.

Cherokee, No. 8--G. W. Hinesley.

Shawnee, No. 9--B. W. Bierbaum.

Mohican, No. 11--J. C. Willett

Totewa, No. 14--Charles Oderman, H. W. Miller.

Calumet, No. 18--R. A. Chiles.

Osceola, No. 19--Ed Ballard.

Indianola, No. 21--W. A. B. McNutt.

Representatives' credentials were recognized from Tribes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 18, 13, 21.

The Great Sachem appointed the following committees:

On Charters--Thos. A. Hornsey, of No. 1; H. V. Cohn, of No. 8; R. W. Jones, of No. 2.

State of the Order--Frank L. Smith, of No. 1; Ben C. Nunn, of No. 14; R. Eason, of No. 1.

The minutes of the previous Great Council were approved as printed.

The Great Sachem in his long talk said: "I have no flattering report to make; yet I thank the Great Spirit and many loyal brothers that the Order is in as good condition as it is, for Redmanship in Kentucky has had a fight for existence, instead of being buoyed up by the strong hand of co-operation and fraternal love."

He reported that on the 7th of Hunting Moon, 406, he received the resignation of Frank L. Smith as Great Chief of Records, which he accepted, and appointed Chas. D. Meyer, of No. 8, to fill out the unexpired term, and that Bro. Meyer qualified and was raised on the 11th sleep of Cold Moon in the wigwam of Cherokee Tribe, No. 8.

"While I have the honor of reporting to you but one new Tribe, yet I feel that one good Tribe is worth half a dozen that after a short time become a burden and a worry to the Great Council to keep them alive. On the sleep of the 9th sun, Buck Moon, G. S. D. 406, aided by our Great Senior Sagamore, Bro. John I. Winter, and the degree team of Paughcaughnaughsinque Tribe, No. 6, I instituted Indianola Tribe, No. 21, at Minerva, with 24 charter members."

The Great Sachem recounted a list of dispensations granted and visitations made, showing that he had sat around the council fire of nearly every Tribe in the reservation.

He made the following recommendations:

That a charter be granted to Indianola Tribe, No. 21, at Minerva. Agreed to.

That immediate and definite action be taken in regard to Otego Tribe, No. 15, at Paducah; Iroquois Tribe, No. 12, at Hopkinsville, and Seminole Tribe, No. 16, at Henderson, as it is possible to save one or more of these Tribes if this Great Council sees fit to take the steps necessary to do so. It was ordered that the incoming Great Sachem visit these Tribes and endeavor to relight their council brands, and that an appropriation of 90 fathoms be made to cover his expenses.

"That this Great Council take such steps as will in the future prevent the organization of new Tribes and leaving them bankrupt. Too much attention cannot be given to this." With reference to this recommendation the Great Council at the proper time passed a code of laws governing the organization of new Tribes.

The Finance Committee reported as follows:

"We have examined the books and accounts of the Great Chief of Records, Chas. D. Meyers, and the Great Keeper of Wampum, John D. Walker, and find the same correct up to date. We recommend that the Great Chief of Records have a new set of books gotten up at the expense of the Great Council." They also recommended the payment of current accounts and mileage of Representatives and Great Chiefs, all of which was concurred in.

The amendment proposed at the previous Great Council providing for the giving of a bond by the Great Sachem in the sum of five hundred fathoms was brought up by the Committee on Law and Usage and decided to be inexpedient and unnecessary.

Laws governing the organization of new Tribes were adopted, which are in force at the present time and a part of the general laws.

The Committee on Law and Usage reported favorably on the following amendment to the general laws, and recommended its adoption, but the records do not show that any action was ever taken in the matter: "That the Great Chief of Records shall receive for his services the sum of two hundred fathoms per great sun, to be paid monthly."

The Committee on Law and Usage reported adversely on the proposed amendment to admit pale faces of eighteen great suns of age, and their recommendation was adopted and the proposed law defeated.

It was moved and seconded that Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas be allowed representation in this Great Council, but that the Representatives must be Past Sachems and pay their own expenses, but the motion was tabled.

The Great Council was invited to kindle its next Great Sun Council fire in the hunting grounds of Louisville, and the invitation was unanimously accepted.

It was moved and seconded that "Our Representatives to the Great Council of the United States be instructed to vote against any liquor legislation," but the question was laid on the table.

The following amendment to the general laws was proposed to lay over one Great Sun for action: "Resolved: That the by-laws be changed by striking out Section 4, Article XX." This would have the effect of relieving Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas from paying per capita tax.

An amendment was proposed, to lay over one great sun for action, providing for the election of Great Chiefs on the second sun of the great sun session instead of the first.

It was voted that the Great Keeper of Wampum be authorized to borrow the necessary amount to pay the running expenses for the ensuing year.

Great Representative Thomas M. Russell, of No. 3, presented a report, from which we extract the following:

"The question of importance to our Great Council at the late session of the Great Council of the United States was the action of the Committee on Appeals in the Van Zandt case, which decision will be found in the records of the G. C. U. S. of G. S. D. 406, page 493, in which they sustain Mr. Van Zandt's appeal, giving as a reason for so doing that he did not receive the notices of the charges. I personally talked to Brother Gregory, chairman of the committee, and while he believed that Van Zandt had committed things unbecoming a Red Man, he said that the law was very plain and they could not deviate from it."

The following is extracted from the report of the Great Chief of Records:

Number of members at last report, 1,174. adopted, 76; admitted by card, 9; reinstated, 23; suspended, 109: withdrawn, 16; expelled, 1; deceased, 3; present membership, 1,209; gain since last report, 38; pale faces rejected, 1; amount in Great Council wampum belt, $252.42.

Brother C. C. Conley, Great Chief of Records of the Great Council of the United States, was then introduced and received with the usual honors. After an appropriate address he proceeded to raise the elective and appointive Great Chiefs as follows:

John I. Winter, of No. 6 Great Sachem
W. C. Diederich, of No. 19 Great Senior Sagamore
Willie Walker, of No. 1 Great Junior Sagamore
W. E. Fite, of No. 6 Great Prophet
C. E. Lyddane, of No. 2 Great Chief of Records
John D. Walker, of No. 4 Great Keeper of Wampum
H. V. Cohn, of No. 8 Great Sannap
Louis Vissman, of No. 9 Great Mishinewa
E. E. Bennett, of No. 11 Great Guard of Forest
John Hafendorfer, of No. 14 Great Guard of Wigwam
Enos Spencer, of No. 8 Great Rep. to G. C. U. S.

The Great Sachem announced the standing committees as follows:

Finance--W. S. Roberts, of No. 7; C. M. Chasteen, of No. 4; Louis Vissman, of No. 9.

Law and Usage--W. C. Pelham, of No. 3; E. E. Bennett, of No. 11; Ben C. Nunn, of No. 14.

State of the Order--G. A. Ellerkamp, of No. 9; George Hinesley, of No. 8; Samuel G. Dorr, of No. 11.

Returns and Reports--H. C. Rhodes, of No. 7; T. B. Wright, of No. 11; H. W. Ray, of No. 3.

Board of Appeals--L. E. Pearce, of No. 4; J. G. Sewell, of No. 7; George Dehler, of No. 8.

Appropriate resolutions of thanks were then adopted thanking Onequa Tribe, No. 2, for its hospitality and Brother C. C. Conley for his distinguished services and counsel during the burning of the council brand.

The council fire was then quenched, to be rekindled in the hunting grounds of Louisville, at the 10th run, rising of the 9th sun of Flower Moon, G. S. D. 408.

=1899.=

FIFTH GREAT SUN COUNCIL.

The fifth Great Sun Council fire of the Great Council of Kentucky, Improved Order of Red Men, was kindled in the wigwam of Cherokee Tribe, No. 8, in the hunting grounds of Louisville, on the 9th sun of the Flower Moon, G. S. D. 408.

Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 14, 18, 19, 21.

Alonzo Walker was appointed official stenographer to report the proceedings of this Great Council.

The following named Past Sachems were admitted for the first time:

Hiawatha, No. 7--S. O. Knoche, W. B. Leatherman, J. W. Jarbee, M. M. Harbeson.

Cherokee, No. 8--L. S. Leopold, W. S. Marshall, H. W. Stockhoff, L. P. Rammers.

Shawnee, No. 9--J. C. Boardman, H. W. Bohmer, B. W. Bierbaum, W. M. Evans, G. A. Ellerkamp, E. M. Miller.

Mohican, No. 11--J. L. Small.

Totewa, No. 14--B. Rosenthall, H. W. Miller.

Osceola, No. 19--C. A. Malone.

The minutes of the previous Great Council were approved as printed.

The Great Sachem then presented his long talk, in which he said: "The Great Book says that whom the Great Spirit loves he chasteneth; the Red Men of Kentucky certainly stand very close to the big heart of the Great Spirit, having been greatly tried in the fires of ignorance, stupidity and greed. But, brothers, methinks I see behind the dark cloud that has long enveloped Kentucky Redmanship a silver lining, denoting the rising of the sun of prosperity. I believe the dross has been separated from the gold; I believe the day is not far distant when I shall see Kentucky Redmanship where it belongs numerically. To see my beloved Order on its proper plane in Kentucky will amply repay me for many weary day's labor in our vineyard."

The Great Sachem then recounted the appointments made and dispensations granted by him, as well as the decisions he had made, all of which were referred to the proper committees, as were also the long talks of the Great Chief of Records and the Great Keeper of Wampum.

The Committee on Law and Usage reported recommending that the Great Council concur in and adopt the recommendations of the Great Sachem, and the report was agreed to.

The amendment to the by-laws proposed at the last session, relieving Councils of the Degree of Pocahontas from taxation, was adopted.

The following proposed amendment was the cause of much discussion, but was finally defeated by a small margin:

"No brother shall be eligible to the Chieftaincy of Great Sachem unless he has served one term as an elective Chief of a Great Council; nor to the Chieftaincy of Great Prophet unless he has served in the Chieftaincy of Great Sachem."

An attempt was made to change the date for kindling the Great Sun Council fire, but without success.

The incoming Great Sachem was directed to take immediate steps to close up the affairs of Iroquois, Otego and Seminole Tribes, they each being reported defunct.

The Finance Committee made its report approving the accounts of the Great Chief of Records and Great Keeper of Wampum, and ordered mileage that was to be paid those entitled thereto. The committee strongly recommended that the Great Sachem visit every Tribe in the reservation.

Lexington was selected as the next hunting grounds in which to kindle the Great Sun Council fire.

A rising vote of thanks was extended to Great Chief of Records Lyddane for having waited until there was sufficient wampum in the belt before drawing his salary, in order that the per capita tax might be paid promptly.

The Committee on the State of the Order made its report, in which it noted the fact that there had been a diminution in the membership for the past great sun, but that, notwithstanding, the Order was in a healthy and vigorous condition. It recommended that the incoming Great Chiefs be more zealous in making official visitations.

Amendments to the general laws were offered, to lay over one great sun, to "admit pale faces 18 great suns of age," and also to grade the representation of Tribes according to their membership.

Bro. T. A. Hornsey, as the Senior Past Great Sachem present, raised the following named Great Chiefs:

W. C. Diederich, of No. 19 Great Sachem
Willie Walker, of No. 1 Great Senior Sagamore
Gustav A. Ellerkamp, of No. 9 Great Junior Sagamore
John I. Winter, of No. 3 Great Prophet
C. E. Lyddane, of No. 2 Great Chief of Records
John D. Walker, of No. 4 Great Keeper of Wampum
John Hafendorfer, of No. 14 Great Sannap
E. E. Bennett, of No. 11 Great Mishinewa
James Schrepper, of No. 8 Great Guard of Forest
R. A. Chiles, of No. 18 Great Guard of Wigwam

Bro. H. C. Rhodes, of No. 7, Great Representative to the G. C. U. S. for two great suns.

Great Keeper of Wampum Walker announced that after all bills payable at this Great Council had been settled the wampum belt would be empty, but that there would be no debt.

After the Great Prophet had invoked the Great Spirit, the council fire was quenched.

SIXTH GREAT SUN COUNCIL.

=1900.=

A special session of the Great Council was called at Louisville on the 5th sun of Hunting Moon, G. S. D. 408, and the Council fire was kindled by special dispensation from the Great Incohonee in the absence of the Charter of the Great Council. Great Senior Sagamore Willie Walker presided.

The special session had been called for two purposes. First, to investigate charges that had been preferred against Great Sachem W. C. Diederich, accusing him of having conspired with certain organizers to do illegal acts, and to have otherwise acted in violation of the law respecting the organization and institution of Tribes. Second, to adjust a dissention among the chiefs and members of Hiawatha Tribe.

Representatives were present from Tribes Nos. 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, and 14.

After due investigation of the charges against Great Sachem Diederich, it was ordered that they be withdrawn, and the same being done, Great Sachem Diederich was conducted to his stump amidst applause.

The commissions of J. B. VanZandt and W. E. Fite as organizers were revoked.