Redmanship in Kentucky for Fifty Great Suns

by Frank L. Smith

GREAT COUNCIL OF KENTUCKY--SECOND SESSION, AUGUSTA, MAY 12-13, 1896.

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 It will also show if he has ever been suspended, reinstated, withdrawn, readmitted, etc., with dates in every case.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."