Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-15
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE.
Somethinx New About tho Author Z
ssH0ne, sweet Homo.0


From Little Rock correspondence Of the Chicago Timss
From gentleman who Just reached this city
from Indian territory, the Times correspondent
learned Of q new and interesting chapter in the
history of,the life Of John Howard Payne,
author Of stHome, Sweet Home" Payne was
warm personal friend Of John Ross who win be
remembered as celebrated chief OF the Chero-
KEGS. At the time the Cherokees were re-
moved from their homes In Georgia to their
present possessions, west Of the Mississippi
river, Payne was spending q few weeks IN
Georgia with Ross, who was occupying mis-
cradle cabin, having been forcibly elected from
his former home. A number of prominent
CherOkees were in prison. and that portion Of
Georgia in which the tribe was loceted was
secured by armed squads Of the Georgia militia;
who had orders to arrest all who refused to
leave the country.
While Ross and Payne were seated before the
fire In the hut, the door was suddenly burst
open and six or eight militiamen sprang into the
room. Ross wife was seated on a trunk con-
tanning many valuable papers and small
amount of money, and at the unexpected intru-
sion she sprang up and screamed wildly. Ross
spoke to her in the Cherokee language, telling
her to be seated, as she would thus save the
contents of the trunk, and, as she sat down
again. the intruders told Ross that both he and
Payne were under arrest and must prepare to
accompany the squad to Milledgeviile, where
u.
no time in taking their prisoners away. Ross
was permitted to ride his own horse. while
Payne was mounted on one led bya soldier As
the little party left the howell rain began falling
and continued until every man was drenched
thoroughly. The journey lasted all night. To-
ward midnight Payne's escort, in order to keep
himself awake, began humming: Home
me-sweet-sweet-h when PAYNE re-
marked: Little did l expect to hear that song
under such circumstances and at such time.
Do you know the author9"
mo" said the soldier, 'do your"
eyes" Payne answered; 81 composed IT.
''The devil YOU did! You can tell that to some
fellows, but not to me. Look here, you made
that song you say; if you did-and know you
didn't-yOu can say it all without stopping. 1t
has something i'm it about pleasure and palaces.
Now pitch in and reel it off; and if you can't I'll
bounce you from your horse and lead you in
stead of it.
The threat was answered by Payne. who re-
peated the song i'm a low, subdued tone, and
then sang it. making the old woods ring with
the tender melody and pathOs of the words 1t
touched the heart of the rough soldier. who
was not only captivated but convinced, and who
said that the composer Of such song should
never go to prison if he could help it. And
when the party reached Miiedgevilie they were,
after a preliminary examination. discharged,
much to their surprise. Payne insisted it was
because the leader of the squad had been under
the magnetic influence Of Ross conversation.
and Ross insisted that they had been saved
from insult and Imprisonment by the power Of
Home, Sweet Home, sung as only those who
feel can sing it. fhe friendship existing be-
tween Ross and Payne endured until the grave
closed over the mortal remains of the latter.
San Francisco man has been arrested for de-
ceiving widow. While his crime is to be all
hored, it must be admitted that his genius COM
mands admiratiOn.-BOSt0n Post.