Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-08-09
VERY PROSPEROUSPEOPLE
THE CHEROKEE.S OF YELLOW
Hill. RESERVATION.
They Are just Now In a Tangle
Over the Indian school Superin-
tendeucy.-Spray Refuses to Give
UP The Keys and Held The Fort
at Last Accounts.

YELLOW HILL, Cherokee Reservation,
N. c., Aug. S.-This place, the hcadQuar-
ters of the Cherokee Indians in the Coun-
ties of Swain, Jackson and Cherokee,
was the scene of quite commotion this
morning. The school for the rlainten-
ancc and education of eighty Indian
youths is located here. For the past
nine years it has been in charge of Mr..
Spray, who has given eminent satisfac-
| ton to a large portion of the Indians.
The government has for number of
years appropriated $4,000 for the
maintenance of the school. Becoming
dissatisfied with the conduct of affairs
on the part of the present superintendent.
Mr.. Spencer was appointed by the civil
service commission to take charge. He
arrived at Yellow Hill week ago, but
Mr.. Spray refused to give up the keys.
Mr.. Spencer took lodging at the mess
hall and awaited development.
Mean time meeting of the council was
called on last Saturday. This council
consists of a dozen deleg tes representing
the Yellow Hill section and other com
munities. The meeting of the council at
tracted quite a large number of inter-
ested spectators. After thorough dis
| cussion of the matter, the council con-
cluded to uphold Mr.. Spray, even though
the government should withdraw the ap-
preparation, amounting this year to
$4,000. Considerable feeling was mani
tested and some language more torcible
than elegant, was used on the occasion.
On Sunday afternoon Mr.. Spencer
served notice on Mr.. Spray that he would
take possession on Monday or be found
trying. Mr.. Spray did not care to dis
,uss he matter on Sunday; but when the
attempt was made this morning by the
new appointec to take charge, he firmly
refused to yield the keys.
Somewhat disconnected, Mr.. Spencer
left for Bryson City, the county seat, to
secure the services of the sheriff in re-
ccting him. How the sheriff can aid him
it is difficult to see, but whatever the
outcome the effect of this affair at the
reservation will be dcplorable. II the
Cherokccs persist in retaining Mr.. Spray,
it is not likely the appropriation will be
continued and thus the school will be
crippled if not killed. If Mr.. Spencer
takes possession he will not have the
moral support and perhaps not the pat
ronage of the Cherokee; At any rate a
breach has been made which will re
quire years to heal
The Cherokecs take much interest i'll
politics, being pretty evenly divided be-
tween democrats and republicans. l.X-
Chiet Ninrod Smith sides against Mr..
Spray and his Sor-in-law Bly,, formerly
agent, sides with Spray. Mr.. Smith is a
man of fine physique and pleasing man
ners and address, withal "onc of ma
ture's noblemcn." The present chief,
Stillwcll Sewannook, is also a man OF
commanding presence and superior intel
ligcnce.
The reservation consists Of 10000
acres of land iu the counties above
named and is pcoplcd by 1,100 Chcro-
KEGS who seem to be in a fairly wcll-to-
do condition. Their houses are neat
log cabins surrounded by well cultivated
fields of corn. and having a general ap-
pearance of thrift in striking contrast
with some of their white neighbors.
They raise nearly everything consumed
on the reservation, and formerly some
tobacco for export, but this industry
has been abandoned because OF early
troSts. and the barns built at great labor
and expense are useless. Apart from the
school troubles and the political dissen'
sions, which, by the way, do not kcel
pace with those of the whites, the Cher
okees seem very happy and prosperous
DeODle.