The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-13
ToMocH1cHrs MEMORY.
Shall it be Honorsd By q sesqui-Cer-
tennial?

EDITOR MORNING NEWS: l hope the
idea about the Tomochichi sesaui-centen-
NAL will be carried out. Your readers
will doubtless remember that some weeks
ago letter from me in regard to the
sesqul-cenrennial appeared in your columns,
and now ask that you give me space for
another letter.
wrote to Colonel Charles c.. Jones. the
| distinguished historian, On the subject. |
make the following extract from his reply
It would be a grateful and an appro-
pirate thing in Savannah to celebrate the
sesqui-centennial of the death Of the noted
Indian chief, Tomochichi. 1t would be
proper to erect monument IN commeno-
ration or his manly virtues and in acknowl-
edgement OF his many acts of kindness to
ten. Oglethorpe and the colony of Georgia.
After following his remains to the grave
IN Wrlghts square in Savannah 0gletnorpe
ordered monument Of Georgia stone to be
bulided above it, but this contemplated
shaft has never been erected
That Tomochichi was a most important
person in the early history OF Savannah, we
learn from the TO lowing extract taken
from Col. Jones historical sketch Of Savan-
nah:
In his q. e., Oglethorpe's) early confer
ences and treaties with the natives he was
assisted, and that most materially, by Tomo-
ehlchI. His friendship aud kindly inter
ventiou were invaluable Had This chief
turning deaf ear to the advances of Mr.
oglethorpe, and inclining his authority to
hostile account, instigated determined aud
combined opposition on the part, not olly
OF the Yamacraws, but also OF the Uchees
and the lower Creeks, the exis lence of TIE
English settlement would have been either
seriously imperiled or abruptly terminated
amid smoke and carnage"
We see that Tomochicii richly deserves a
sesqul-centennial. VIII it be celebrated?
II Savannah was a northern CITY it GER
tainly would be celebrated, for the northern
people take great bride in all such matters
put we OF the south care bat comparatively
little for such thi e.. l nope, however.
that Savannah viii prove an exception and
that the sesqui-c sutennial will be cele-
DRAFTED. The 9TH Of next month is
the date of Tomochichi's death.
In my former letter sug-
gested that if the sesqui-centennial Is
held, the chief of the Cherokee and Creek
nations be invited to attend. In addition
to that | venture to make the following
other suggestions: If the celeb alton takes
place let the first thing on the programme
be the review of Savannah's military COM
panies by Georgia's governor. After this IS
over let the next thing be an historical
address, and that evening let there be fire.
works. OF course the above is Just an out
line of programme which the Savannah
Board of Trade could arrange as they
thought best. l would suggest that the
chiefs of the Cherokees and Creeks, Gov.
Gordon, and the orator of the day be the
guests of the city
1t is true that the sesqui- centenniaI would
cost money, but would it not be- to Swan
nahs advantage A large number of
people would attend, and public attention
would be attracted to Savannah. And,
then, her citizens would enjoy the occasion
verv much. MCDONALD FURMAN.
Ramsey, Sumter County, s. c., Septem.
ber 1889