Lyman C. Draper to William Walker Jr.
October 30, 1861
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. in the hope of finding out more about a Shawnee Chief by the name of Captain Snake. He is hoping that Walker Jr. can contact some of the "aged Shawnee" to discover the Indian name of Captain Snake, where he died, etc. Draper also mentions a Shawnee Chief by the name of She-me-nee-too, or Big Snake, but he believes that is a different person than Captain Snake.
March 25, 1854
This is a certificate from Lyman C. Draper inviting William Walker Jr. to become an Honorary Member of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. Active membership is $1 per year or $20 for a lifetime membership, but Honorary members are exempt from fees and taxation.
March 31, 1868
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to thank him for his recent letter, and to ask him to "hang on to the notes & scraps you say you have for me." Draper would like to visit Walker Jr., but he is not sure if his health will permit it. He ends the letter by noting that he is not much of a politician, but he worries that the Radicals are pushing the country to the "verge of destruction."
October 4, 1870
Draper notes that is has been over two years since he visited Walker Jr. Draper is looking for confirmation on a story concerning Tecumseh, and he would also like some information about the Grey-Eyed Man and Isidore. Draper ends the letter by discussing some pamphlets that he has sent to Walker Jr.
November 2, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. and remarking on various problems with historical research, particularly in regard to the career of the Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant, and also on events that occurred before Wayne's Treaty of 1809.
November 11, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to thank him for sending the newspaper from Zanesville, Ohio, but he regrets that one of the newspapers was missing.
November 29, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to thank him for the information that he sent to him. He then asks for helps on five different items bearing on Native American history, including specific information on Tecumseh's death.
December 2, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to ask if he has any knowledge or information about the River Raisin Fight of January, 1813. Specifically, he wants to know if Tecumseh was involved in this fight, because "others who lived on the frontier say he was."
December 14, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. and requesting specific information about Round Head, Tecumseh, the Shawnee Prophet, Leather-Lips, and the Half King. At the end of the letter Draper mentions that he read Walker Jr.'s address with much interest, and he wonders if he could obtain additional copies of it.
December 19, 1870
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to thank him for his help with Clark's Wyandott History, and he wants to obtain a copy for himself, because it will help him with the "trouble of much transcribing."
December 22, 1870
Draper received Clarke's "Wyandott History & Traditions," and he is now returning it as he feels confident that he can secure a copy from Clarke or the publishers. Draper notes that the book has errors, but he still feels as though it is valuable and interesting. Draper is particularly interested in Brant's scheme against the Wyandotts and Tecumseh's speeches. Draper hopes to receive Walker's frank and free views on these subjects.
February 14, 1871
Draper received Walker Jr.'s most recent letter, but he regrets to say that he has lost it before he even finished reading it. Draper is hoping that Walker Jr. can recall the contents of the letter and send it again.
December 18, 1871
Draper is writing to Walker Jr. to let him know that he has returned from his Southern trip which lasted five months. Draper believes that he has sixteen hundred foolscap pages of historical material from the trip, and it is "mostly transcribed," and "pertinent to my subject." Draper plans on working through the material in 1872 for his publisher if his health allows him to do it.