Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-08-01
Ncvlon rountv No limo ~


Pressn. hcrtilItss among the ChcrokreS who are
settled IN their new homes, veSuof the Ml,SiSsip-
pi;
Newton County. Mo. June 30, 1899
MEssRs. EDIroRs.-A bloody tragedy
has jus: been acted near the State line,
IN the Cherokee nsiion. which for brutal.
i,y. almost begesrs description. and which
] give you an account Of As have teen
able Ia learn.
On the 22d inst. about forty half and
full blood Cherokee Indians came 10 the
house Of John Ridge. Esq. Distinguish
ed Cherokee, and just shout day light
entered the chamber OF Mr. HIdge upper
eeived by any Of the family. and bvr-ted
zap al his head. hjeh awoke hinl, W no
then saw and fel, his impending fate no
doubt, and called On his assSIlsnts for
mercy. Finding tho instrument, OF death
which they bad presented. faded in IT'S
fatal purpose. they took him out OF his bed
from be eide hls WIFE, carried him into the
yard. and there buichered him in a mos,
savage. brutal manner, by stabbing him
IN the body some tventy.seven times.
They then threw him up IN the AR a. tar
D they could, and when his dying body
reached the ground, each one stamped
upon the body as they marched over il.
by single file. until the last man Of them
had performed his fiendi,l purpose. This
tragedy Has executed in the presence Of
his wife. children and servants. The
shock 10 Mrs. Ridge was more than she
could bear. and vas seized with spasms.
which Ihreaisn her life.
The party aiterkilling Nr. John Ridge.
took IN the line Of march in pursui, of
Major Ridge. the father Of J. Ridge. who
had The day before started with hl4 ser.
want, TO visit some friends in Van Duren.
Arkansas. Report reaches Us that the
party overlook Major Ridge in the even.
ing o: the 22d, and killed him on his horse
by shooting him. Tins 70 port IL doubt
less true. IL u also reported that the we'll
known Elias Boudenot and Col. Bell and
SIX other principal men OF the Ridge par.
ty. have shared the same fate Of the IN
fortunate John Ridge an6 his father. I
entertain some doubts as 10 the de a.hs Of
these last mentioned persons-but it i.
altogether probable.
The cause which led to this melancholy
event. has grown out Of the DISQUALIFICATION
OF perhaps majority OF Tho old Cherokee
nation. IA opposition 60 the treaty famili
a'l y called the Ridge Treaty, and those
Other persons snid 10 bo killed are rome
OF the most prominent men. who v ith the
Ridges. and Others, concluded the treaty
win Mr.. SchermeThorE and Governor
Carol few years since. the history Of
which "a well known 10 our readers.
The recent eongreg eating Of tho whole
nation, has enkindled alresh these old
fsuds. and they have now con,umm a,ed
Tho threats OF killing Ridge, for time past
made.
The friends Of Major Ridge, and his son
John Ridge, have. as ! am Informed
sworn eieTnSl vengeance against some Of
the head men Of the nation Of the other
party. Where these tragedies vii, end
time alone can unfold and determine
John Ridge was gentleman Of highly
cultivated mind. having received liberal
education AT one Of the colleges in Con.
ncctIcui. where he married \ most respect.
able lady. a Miss Norihrop Of that State
Major Ridge and his son were both con
s'drred wealthy. and we're extensively
engaged IN mercantile business.
Major Ridge was formerly ona Of the
principal chiefs Of his nation. and com
handed q Battalion Of his couoirymeD
under Gen. Jackson against the Creeks
during the last war: and although inlet
tered was altogether man Of stfon9 and
discriminating mind. His intercourse
with the intelligent and wealthy gave him
The Appearance of a wealthy southerneP.
lie IVES kind and hospilable-Wa about
sixty five years Of age.
John Ridge was about 70 years 81 age
BE lcf' wife and six children. The death
OF the two Ridges will cong be regretted
by their friends and acquaintance.
IL u reported that the q. s. Dragons
have been called to the scene Of murder.
The intercourse with The whites and
ChsTokees passing 10 and fTo. has not. as
yet been interrupted. Persons having
business 10 the nation and at the Forts. 90
~ usual. though there Is some temefily
at present manilcded.
i. y. ] saw a gentleman 10 day. who
confirms The report oi The death OF Malof
Ridge. lie ~s' killed near the residsDce
of Mr. Evans al the loot Of Boston Noun
ia'n, about % miles from Van Buren,. Ar.
kansas- lie was way LAID snd sbo. from
his horse. No further account a. 10 Boo.
d,not and Col Bell.
pcsiscupi 10 ihc Ozark Standard II he 0th.
ayzt
We have just learned hy a gentleman
diTee' from Fayetteville AK. that The
Ridge and Ross parties are increasing. and
That already esch psny Numbers from w. %
10 three ihoussnd " sfuots.
The Ridge psriy is represented a. The
most numerous. and o. determined ~ &C..
venge the death u their Cbiefs
We learn also that Gen ATbuckle bad
sent two bundled dragons 10 demand The
mufdefsTs 81 Ridge. who Was murdered
within The liuits of Ibis State Also hat
he had ordered home the Creeks and
Ssnecas Who hsd ioinsd ne .wo hostile
parties. wbo ere said 10 have obsJ ed b.,
order
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4 HANiEepME GuAfptIHFNT Aman,
iNo rrnulHF fnnafa tranE "A a.. srl...r.f...f 80