Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-12-28
Letter from Capt John.
Tao swispytls-


Dr.. Old Llnettum, whore practical rene
dies for crime we're formerly The topic Of
much discussion, md WHO combined 40
much knowledge ard common sense In
some directions with 90 lille In others.
that he was always oDc.s'dtd eycentric,
Fly odd years ago, the Doctor went 10
reside among the Chats, sometimes called
Chcciaw. fndinns, and while there be-
came VERY familiar with their traditional
history, taking II down from the narrn-
lives Of ancient men who had thus re-
ceived II from old men when they were
young. DR.. Lincecum Is now resident
Of Tuxpan, whittier, seventy odd years Of
age, be went after the war. During tho
war no wrote ont these traditions from
notes taken fifty years before, and the
manuscript has lately fallen into my
hands. II is curiosity to me, and might
be TO few others, but whether TO enough
to poy the expense Of printing 10 o matter
Of doubt.
These traditions trace the origin of the
Chs.tas to the Sun worshippers Of Mexico,
and so recently as the landing of Cortez
in that country. If genuine history they
possess great value. Besides the trhdi-
tions, the manuscript embraces nm I'M
doubted biography, 20 far rs snch was
possible, of the great Apushimataha, who,
from all accounts, was the first aboriginal
orator ever listened to by white men, and
who, for many years of the earlier quar-
Ter Of the present century, filled large
space in the history of the Mississippi and
Alabama territory. The origin Of this
great chief was unknown 10 his tribe. He
prided himself on the mystery that sur
rounded his earlier years Many were the
efforts TO extract from him an account Of
whence he came. On one occasion, after
he had delivered one of his famous speech
es before vnst assembly, plan was laid
by certain missionaries to draw his secret
out. oopyfrom the narrative:
Gas soon as Apushimataha had taken
his seat, the chief that had been prepared
by the missionaries for the purpose arose,
and after a few fattering remarks, on the
mastery speech he had just heard, fur
thermo ore said, that the history Of so great
q man should no longer be withheld from
our nation, ut least. lie pressed it upon
the chief, as q right which his people
could in justice claim OF him and he
asked it of him in all kindness, and In the
name of the nation, that he avail himself
of the present occasion to rise up and ut
once relieve the minds Of his people on
that interesting topic.
"Apushimataha Immediately responded
to his polite request, by rising from his
seat and taking the speakers stand. AT
ter some few preliminary remarks, on the
subject of the vanity Of aspirants to fame,
and political egotism, he very gravely
delivered himself Of the following wonder.
full account of his origin:
SIT was long time ago; at the season
when the glorious sun was pouring down
his brightest, balmiest and greatest life
giving influence; when the gay flowers
bedecked in their most gorgeous habili-
ments, were sweetest, brightest and most
numerous when the joyous birds, in full
chorus, were chanting their gleeful songs
full Of life and love,-full Of inspiration
when all nature seemed to culver in rap
tuous emotion. Twas noon. The day
was calm and fair, and very pleasant
There was a beautiful wide-spreading
plain, with but few trees upon it. One
there was, of giant size and remarkable
age. 1t was q Red Oak, and its dark
waving branches overshadowing an i'm
mense area, of the beautiful green plain
had bid defiance and braved the storms OF
mary winters. There it stood, vast in III
proportions; calm in its strength ma
jestic in its altitude. It had witnessed thu
rise and fall Of many generations Of ami
NAL life. But everything must have III
time-fulfll its destiny. That magnih
cent Red Oak, the prominent feature II
that far-reaching landscape-and hac
been for centuries--had not accomplished
the object for which the Great Spirit hat
planted il. There It was in full foliage
casting its dark, widcly-spread shadow
upon the sun-lit plain. All nature wal
clad in smiles Of joy on that brigh
day. 1850.
"'Anon, a oloud::was rising in the west
Ia black, angry, threatening cloud loom
ing upwards and rapidly widening it
scow ling front. Hoarsely grumblins as i
whirled its black folds onward, nearer ant
nearer, very soon it overspreads the who'll
heavens, yelling the landscape in uttel
darkness and appalling uproar. It was a
sweeping tornado, fringed with forky
lightnings-thunders rolling and below
ing. The winds fercely bowled and thu
solid earth trembled. In the height Of THU
confusion, and war of elements, o burning
flash Of eclectric fluid CLEANED through tn
black obscurity. A shattering crash
followed by burst of terrific thunder
that heavily rumbled through the surg
ing storm, seemed to shake down the hu
mid contents Of the fast rolling cloud il
irresistible torrents. Awful sounds as
l InI 4 .utI nl ion
as the frightful tornado swiftly swept BY
in its devastating course. =
"Soon 1t passed and all was calm again
The sun poured down his belmy rays IL
their wonted brilliancy. But that vast
time-honored sylvan king--the Red Oak
had been shivered into fragments. 1t
odd-shapen splinters lay wide scattered OF
the rain. beaten plain. Not vesiage re
manned TO mark the spot where once stoo(
that towering tree. Not even q snag o
the stump remained. The object of III
creation was accomplished, and in III
place there was new thing under the sun
Shall name it? EQUIPPED and read.
for battle, holding in his right hand I
ponderous war club, standing erect in thu
place Of the demolished Red Oak, was your
dauntless chief, Apushimatahn.' .
she took his seat without making any
further remarks" ....
The Doctor adds: 81 did not atteD'
many of their councils, consequently di'
not 0 fen hear Apushimataha speak. 0
those did hear, except tie above and hi
speech at the table Of the five magistrates
in the Atoba case, my notes are all mea
gre, only pursuing the substance OF hi
subject, clothed in my language, whicl
but poorly represents the original"
gi l copy it, Bro. 6windells, because
think II o tolerably good example of word
painting for an Indian-or any .othe
man. Don't your
A long week OF drizzling rain befor
1 Christmas gives promise of early farming
operations for next year, especially wher
Christmas comes in the middle Of the week
No time will be lost now, when plowinl
days come, as come they will right speedi
ly, in getting the ground ready for tn
next crop. What with the improving ex
periences Of the last year, and the grea
additions to our population, II seems
certain as such things can be before hand
that 1873 will see the largest production
ever known on the farms of Texas.
Some weeks ago "a newspaper made thu