Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-11-06
INDIAN EnoouENCE.
A Specimen of The Talk of a Great
Chief


Nehemathla was an Onchee chief, a
remnant of tribe absorbed in the nation
of Greeks and Muscogees. He was de-
coyed by treachery into the power of Gen.
Jessup when in Florida. His band then
surrendered. Nehemathla could speak
Engnsn plainly, and was more than 80
years OF age at the time of his capture.
When brought into the presence OF Gen.
Jessup he expected nothing short of death.
Gen. Jessup told him Of his crimes and
bad faith to his great father, Gen. Jack
son, and drawing his sword told him he
deserved to die.
Nehemathla seeing the sword lifted,
snatched the turban from his head,
and fercely and detantly said: "Strike,
and let me sleep here with my father and
my children! strike, | am the last of my
racel The Great Spirit gave me seven
s0ns-three OF them died at Emuefaw,
two at Talladega, and two at AletOsee.
Gen. jackson killed them all, and you call
HIM my great father. When did father
wash his hands in his childrens blood ]?
When did a father rob his children OF
their homes? Strike, and let me
die. No time, no place like this
The mother OF my sons, their sisters,
persisted from hunger, when | with my
sons was fighting for our homes. | am
alone, and not afraid to diel Strike
Eighty winters are ON my head. They
are heavier than your sword. They weigh
me to earth. Strike, and let me 60 to my
squaw, my sons, and my daughters, and
let me forget my wrongs. "Strike, and
let my grave be here, where all l have
are in the ground! Strikel l would sleep
were ! was born; all around me are the
graves of my people, let NINE be among
them; and when the Great Spirit shall
come, let Him bind us all together. He
taught us to be more cautious than the
Furthermore watchful than the turkey
Strike"
II win not strike you," said Gen.
Jessup. "No, Will not strike my foe,
prisoner; but here is my hand in friend
ship"
ono" said Nehemathla, ''you put your
sword in its pocket, you put your hand in
its pocket; do not let it reach out to blind
me or take my home. | am the white
mans enemy; his friendship | fear more
than his anger. 1t is more fatal TO the
red man. l have lived and | will die the
white mans enemy. l have done you all
the harm in my power. If could would
do you more. My tongue is not torked
like yours. My heart has no lies to MAKE
it speak to deceive. Srlkel and let me
20 to the happy hUnting-grOunds where
all my people are"
Nehemathla then threw himself prone
upon the earth, kissed 1t. pressed it to his
bosom, rose up, and seemed prepared for
the fate which he expected.
REJECTS KINDNESS.
Nehemathla, with his tribe, was sent to
the Indian Territory. At New Orleans
the steamer chartered 10 take them to
Fort Smith, did not arrive at the levee at
the time appointed, and they, with their
women and children, were exposed upon
the leyee to the inclemencies OF rain and
cold.
Many propositions were made to shell
ter them, but Nehemathla said: "NO, 1
am the enemy Of the white man. | ask
and will accept nothing at his hands. l
and my people are the children of the
woods. The Great Spirit gave them to
us, and He gave us the power to endure
the cold and the rain. The clouds are
Ills, and they are shelter and warmth
enough for us. He will not deceive or
rob us. The white man is faithless; with
1 two tongues be speaks; like the snake, he
/ shows these before he bitess Never again
! shall the white mans house open for me,
or the white mans roof shelter me. |
| have lived his enemy, and his enemy
Will die" The grunt of approval came
from all his tribe.