KENTUCKY UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE GREAT COUNCIL OF OHIO, 1884-1894.
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.