Redmanship in Kentucky for Fifty Great Suns

by Frank L. Smith

Brother Diederich was a charter member of the Great Council of Kentucky, and having been previously admitted to the Great Council of Ohio, was appointed by the Great Incohonee as Great Guard of the Wigwam. He served as a member of the first Committee on Law and Usage, was appointed Great Michinewa by Great Sachem McConnell, at Augusta in 1896, and at the third session of the Great Council, held in the wigwam of his own Tribe at Ashland, in 1897, he was elected Great Junior Sagamore, succeeding as Great Senior Sagamore in 1898, and at Louisville, in 1899, he was elected Great Sachem. During his administration the first great increase in the number of Tribes was brought about, he having appointed as Organizer J. B. VanZandt, who was successful in getting Tribes, though for some reason but few Tribes instituted by him are alive and working at this day. Brother Diederich was at one time claimed to be accountable for the misdeeds of his deputy, but upon investigation it was clearly shown he was in no manner responsible, and he was completely exonerated. Brother Diederich was and is of sterling integrity, sound and honest to the core, and this matter is here mentioned simply as a matter of history, and in no way should reflect upon his honor.

Brother Diederich is now engaged in the grocery business in Ashland, and attends the sessions of the Great Council with regularity, enjoying the marked prosperity of the Order, though he has relinquished the active work to younger heads.

WILLIE WALKER

PAST GREAT SACHEM WILLIE WALKER
1900-1

Willie Walker was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, on Rough Creek, near a small postoffice at that time called Pattysville, but now called Shreve. He worked on a farm until past twenty-one, receiving only the country common school education. Later he attended Hartford College for a term, and afterward taught school in Ohio County in 1883. In 1884-86 he attended the State A. & M. College (now State University), at Lexington, and between sessions sold books to obtain money to pursue his studies, and a part of the time worked on the State College farm to pay board.

In 1891 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the firm of DeLong & Co., Lexington, with whom, and succeeding firms, he remained for five years, when in 1895 he engaged in the implement business, where he continued until 1900, when he became Manager of the Huber Manufacturing Co. for Central and Eastern Kentucky, which position he now holds.

Brother Walker was adopted into Miantonomo Tribe, No. 1, on the sleep of December 6th, 1894, was elected Junior Sagamore a few suns later, receiving his Past Sachem's Certificate in April, 1895, and was admitted to the Great Council of Kentucky the following month at Ashland, when he was appointed a member of the Committee on Returns and Reports. The following great sun, at Winchester, he was elected Great Junior Sagamore, succeeding as Great Senior Sagamore in 1899, and was elected Great Sachem at Lexington in 1900. During his administration there was a great revival in Redmanship, thirty-two new Tribes having been instituted, and it was many great suns later before the feat was equaled. At the close of his administration he was elected Great Prophet and Great Representative to the Great Council of the United States for two great suns, and was the first retiring Great Sachem to be thus honored.

Brother Walker was always an enthusiast regarding a Widows' and Orphans' Home, and the first mention of such a project was made by him in his Long Talk as Great Sachem, he at that time recommending that a committee be appointed to devise ways and means for the establishment of such an institution.