National Republican., 1885-11-14
JERusuA WILLIAMS, STORY.
The Long Hunt OF an Indian Princess
for Her Lost Father.

@rN''N
During the past three or four years adver-
tisements have at various times appeared IN
the REPUBLICAN,, In the want column, TO the
effect that Jerusha Williams wanted infor-
nation Of her mother and father, the fol-
lowing being the latest form;
LTANTED-INF0RMA AS TO THE
wv whereabouts of my father, mother, Susan
Williams; when last heard from were In the
Indian territory; Mr. William Albuttey, please
give me some Information regarding my father
Williams, You were the last person thnt was
seen with them. Address JERUSHA WILL.
IAMs, Fourth alley, between Congress and JEFF
ferson streets, Georgetown, ID. &.
Jerusha's name being such an ordinary
one-her fathers name Of POmpey not sug-
gesting anything romantic--her inquiry has
been allowed to proceed quietly, attracting
no attention. But IL now appears that
Jerusha's story is one Of great interest
that she is an Indian princess, so to speak,
being the daughter OF Chief Pompey Will
Jams, Of the Cherokee nation.
A reporter for the REPUBLICAN hunted
up Jerusha last evening and found her liv-
ing in tumbled-down shanty in an alley
In Georgetown below Bridge street, and be-
tween Congress and jefferson streets. She
is living with negro family, who, though
poor themselves, extended the helping hand
Of charity to Jerusha four years ago and
"You see," said her colored hostess TO
the reporter, "Jerusha came to our house
one wet and cold day four years ago, and
asked II she mightn't warm herself. She
came In, and while sitting before the fire
told us her story, and we took pity on her
and said she might stay with us. Since
then we have shared with her and furnished
her with money to advertise for her parents.
1t has cost us great deal TO pay for the ad-
vertisements, but we tried to do what we
could for herr
Jerusha herself came in while her hostess
was talking. She Is Of medium height and
though her Indian blood shows very plainly,
the negro element Of her makeup Is quite
easily seen. She is q mulatto and has
kinky hair. Her features show the high
check bone, which marks her kinship with
the red skin race, and very bright eye
gives her an animate appearance. She ap-
pears quite intelligent, and though having
the negro accent to q certain degree, srill
retains q gutteral intonation In her talk
that shows her descent from the aborlgines.
She is about 40 years of age, and tells the
story of her life in straightforward man
ncr.
"You want to know my storyS" said she.
"I'll tell II to you. Many, many summers
ago, before the great war In the south, my
| father, Pompey Williams, was the chief of
the Cherokee nation, in the Indian terri
tory. Then my people were much more
happy than now. They had been abused
much, but were still strong. My father
ruled the Cherokee nation for many years.
We lived happily on our reservation.
rode my pony ana played about all day
long. Then came terrible time, and re-
| bellion took place In the tribe. A white
man, Ross, came among lis and became the
chief. We were shamefully treated. At
this time one night q white man named
| William Albutty came to our tent and stole
| me with my brothers and sisters and car
ried us to Texas, and from that night to
| this / have never seen my father.
81 was separated from my brothers and
sisters, and was sold into slavery in Texas
| had changed masters several times when
freedom was declared. As soon as [ could
l made my way back to the reservation,
| going much Of the way ON foot. Sometimes
| would travel all night, walking through
away from any house. For many weeks
during that trip wandered with only the
food / might get on the way. Once l
chased rabbit to his hole, and following
his burrow In the ground, l with my hands
dug until i came to his nest, and the little
rabbits got there was the only food had
for six days. Then l met friendly tribes
when l reached the territory, and when
told them who | was they did oil they
could to help me back to my people. But
on reaching the place found that my father
had disappeared at the time the new chief
had come, and no one knew where he had
gone, though he had done everything he
could to find his children.
"Then left my people and lived at one
place and another through the west, in
quiring wherever 1 could of my father,
| whom / have never seen since q child"
Jerusha is now a thoroughly-trained cook,
| and 1t has been In that capacity that she has
earned her living previous to coming to
Washington. She thinks the Indian bureau
should help her in her search for the long
lost chief Of the Cherokee nation, though
sne ,h mas never made any iofda T Application
still living he is an old man, and though
his daughter, Jerusha, is fearful that he has
already passed on to the happy hunting
grounds, pbe is desirous, even In that
case, to know the destiny of the deposed
chief Of the Cherokees.
|