The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-23
Auaerson gntelligeafer.
THE OUALLA RESERVE,
An Interesting Story OF tho North Carolina
Cherokee Indians.

Cherokee Indians.
1t may not be generally known that
there lives in these mountains the last
remnant of the eastern band Of Chero
kee Indians. They own a fee simple
title to 10000 acres Of land on the Ocona
Lufta and Soco creek, known ~ the
Qualla boundary. They number at this
time about 1000 souls. They have
decreased in the last ten years about ten
per cent. They have no towns, nor
does their manner Of life differ in many
particulars from that of the white
people among whom they reside. Their
princiI products are corn, peaches and
apples. Small herds of .ponies and
cattle are the main sources Of revenue
upon which these people rely for what
money they need. This is mainly used
as expenses incident to their government
and schools. Their chief is name Smith
and his wife is white woman his
children are we'll educated his term Of
Office is four years his salary $jijO and
81 per day extra when on official business
for the band There is also an assistant
chief with salary of $3.50. No one is
eligible to the chieftainship unless he be
35 years Of age. Every male Indian who
is JIG years old is entitled to vote They
are taught both the Cherokee and
English language in their schools.
They have many dances, but none, like
the negro dance, is the riicrcscence of
joy. The Indian dance is preparation
for some coming event; the funeral
dance and the wedding dance with the
same stern immobility OF features.
will here relate an incident as repor.
ted to me of one Of their former chiefs,
Tounagusta was his name. lie was an
extraordinary Indian. lie had qualities
which made him both feared and respect.
ed by his people. lie knew how to
control their weakness and superstition.
The Cherokees like all Iudiens who
came in contact with the white man
became intemperate. Younagusta de.
termined en- reformation of his people.
He sank into Il trance 80 heavy that the
whole town thought him dehd, though
some signs of life remained. They
watched and waited fifteen days and
determined to perform their funeral
rights according to their custom, 1000
of them marched and counter marched
around the PROSTATE body Of their chief.
Then came sudden pause and fright,
for the dead had returned to life. He
spoke with deep feeling telling his pco.
pie that he had been in trance, that he
had communed with the great spirit ;
that his long service for his people was
not ended, he was 10 remain with them
rs many years rs he had been days in
the happy hunting grounds; he told
them that be had served them for more
than forty years without any pecuniary
consideration his sole aim was to pro.
mote their good he was convinced that
intemperance was the cause of the ex.
termination Of the tribes who lived in
contact with the white man. He direct.
ed ell to sign the following pledge:
The undersigned Cherokees belonging
to the town of Qualla agree to abandon
the use of spirituous liquors. The old
chief signed first and was followed by
the whole town. This pledge wac snforc
ed with the rigor of a written law, it's
violation in every instance being punish
ed at the whipping post. The example
set by the red mau is worthy OF imita-
tion by the white man. These Indians
furnished four companies and were led
by Colonel Thomas in the confederate
war.
There are at this time "a Indian girls
at Judson college, Hendersonvlle, North
Carolina. They are there for four years,
under the act of congress appr0priating
$4,000 per annUnl for tbs education OF
Indian girls. They are to be clothed,
fed and educated by the faculty for that
sum.-Fron the Columbia Sentcnei.