The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-25
CHEROKEE INDIANs-No. 2.
VEpBsvILLE, NC. Oct. 6. 1864

Editors State Journal:-Time and opportunity
being again favorable the above subject is resumed:
What was known as the Cherokee nation was
formed by the union of seven clans resembling in
some respects, the tribes of Israel They were
known and are now by the following names:
1. Iu.e-wah he-yuh, or Wolf clan.
2 In-e-cow win, or Deer clan.
g. In-e-chees-quah, or Bird clan.
A. In-e-wah- teh, or Paint clan.
5. In-e-se-ho-nih, or Blue clan.
e. lu-e-co-te-ca-wih, or Blind Savannah clan.
/ Z. In-e-giuo-bee, or interpreted by some,
Pretty Woman clan.
These clans are very probably the descendants
of the same number of families Inter marriages
between the members Of the same clan were pro-
hibited. A violation of this custom or law, was
punishable with death.
Tradition says that different practice, that of
inter marriages between relatives, existed in
ancient times, which followed by physical de-
fects, such as blindness, deafness, idiocy, &c,
which under the advice of the medicine men, led
to the adoption of the prohibitory law referred to.
This cause, more than any other, is supposed to
have kept up the physical energies of that tribe and
measurably freed them FROM those defects of blind
ness, deafness, &c. which are said TO have been
numerous before its adoption
The Cherokee nation or tribe. when FIRST visited
by the whites, was one Of the most numerous war
nent Their hunting grounds extended over a
large portion of the highlands and mountainous
portions of the Territory now embraced within the
limits Of south western Virginia, western North
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama east
Tennessee and the Cumberland mountains in Ken
lucky Throughout this extensive territory larg-
er than either England or France, the Cherokees
are said to have been regarded as the eldest bro
theirs or governing tribe.
Near the centre of this vast country of High
lands, which now occupies central position, in the
Southern Confederacy, struggling for existence,
was, if tradition be true, the garden of Eden for
the first parents of the Red Man.-Here the Great
Spirit, in the creation, supposed to have per-
formed some Of his noblest works. After furnish
ing it with a salubrous climate, he encircled and
fenced it in with the high mountains of the Blue
Ridge and the Cumberland, watered il with the
beautiful streams of the Tan-ua.see (caled by the
whites Tennessee) which flowed through rich and
fertile valleys, inerspersed with unduating hills
rising upon hills and mountains upon mountains
covered with rich heritage, impenetrable forests,
ravines and prccipices dotted over with innumer.
able towering craggy peaks whose SUBMITS pierced
beyond the clouds. In the midst of this Swtzer-
land of the South, tradition says, the Great Spirit
created of red earth, the first parents of the Red
Men of the forest long before the white man or
pale faces had made his foot prints on this CONT
nent, placed them in this garden and commanded
them to multiply and occupy the country given to
them. He also gave them for food, the fruits of
the earth, including maize or Indian corn, the fish
es in the streams and the innumcrable herds of the
deer, elk and buffaloe and other animals that fed
on their rains aud enjoned it upon them and their
descendants while water runs and grass grows
never to be enslaved. JUNALUsKEE