The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-11-16

ont thick planks for wagon-beds, and the tim.
Der of the block houses is well shaped and well
fitted
Ingenuity and skill are exhibited in pottery,
but rs business it has ceased to be profitable
Plain ironwork is done by few, and Sololah
makes a good knife, with well-tempered blades.
Davis WEIGH, a wagon maker, runs his forge
bellows by convenient waterpower. Wooden
spoons, both beautiful and useful are made
from the laurel, and there are those who can
manufacture ancient relics as well as white
men. and can at short notice produce the
genuine old furniture of Colonial times y
Baskets are also made from oak splints and the
cane for household and farm uses. but this is
no longer followed as a general industry. The
material for an expansive industrial develop
ment OF this people is at hand.
Already, by their contact with the progress
i've civilization which is Teconstrncting society
and all external home surroundings, they are
limiting that frame houses with glass windows
are better fitted for home comforts than those
now in use; but the cost of lumber and haul
ing is an obstacle to the construction OF this
class of houses for little returns in money
come from the small farm surplus. The oak,
pine, holly, laurel, walnut. chestnut, sourwood,
service, mulberry, hemlock. spruce and sassa-
fras woods cost practically only the telling and
hauling and the supply, which is abundant,
will continue for years. single sawmll
established near the Government Agency would
soon revolutionize the building system and
bring cash returns. which could be used in the
cultivation of the freshly -cleared lands.
The report shows that this band of Indiars
with very little if any care or attention on the
part of the National Government, has become
selfsustainipg and self-reliant, and that tho
members thereof have developed into good
citizens of the United States and the State of
North Carolina. While nominally a tribe or
band. so incorporated for certain purposes with
Chief aud Council. these Indians are in fact
as truly citizens of North Carolina as are any
people within the borders of the State They
have never been considered reservation In
dians, and therefore the Indian policy of the
United States has not been applied to them.
There is United States Indian Agent among
them, who is a member Of the band, as many
OF his predecessors have been. His duties are
nominal. and bis salary is $500 per year.
The different censuses show the Eastern
Cherokees in North Carolina to be increasing
in number. In 1850, when they were in Hay
wood County, they numbered 10; IN 1890.
still residing in the same locality they are re-
turned rs numbering 1,520.
The Eastern Band of Cherokecs is now a body
polite aud corporate under the name style and
title of the Eastern Band Of Cherokee Indians,
with nil the rights. privileges. franchises and
powers incident and belonging to corporations
under the laws of the State of North Carolina
The band was incorporated by the General
Assembly OF North Carolina March IL, 1889.
The Eastern Band of Cherokees of North
Carolina, 1870 in number, reside on lands in
portions OF Cherokee, Graham, jackson and
Swain Counties, in southwestern North Caro-
lima. There is no reservation, but the tract
occupied by these Indians. known as the Qnalia
boundary, contains about g., 600 acres, and is
held In fee by the Eastern Band of Cherokee es
aud the Eastern Cherokees once resident Of this
region. but who removed West, and are now
with one of the Five Civilized Tribes, occupy.
ing lands in Indian Territory.
Farming numbering and day labor are the
chief occupations Of these Indians, but some
few mechanics are found among Them Many
of Them hire out as farmers and laborers. They
have written language, and while IN many
respects arc progressive, seeking the knowledge
best suited TO their pr esent condition still they
preserve some traditions aud customs Ct their
old Indian life
The Indian farming tracts are small. "a will
be seen 10y the map.
The total number of Eastern Clerokees in
1890 is given as 1855. OF this number l,52o
live IN NORTH Carolina, and are known as the
Eastern Band OF Chcrokces of North Carolina.
936 are said to live in Georgia, 3i8 in Tonnes
see, and Ill in Alabama. In 1884 the number
III North Carolina was given as 1881. Since
1854 some of this band have moved into adinin-
ing Stat. 8, and others have Joined the Cherok ees
in Indian Territory. The few living in Ken.
lucky, Virginia and other States have become
incorporated into the white population.
The economic and social condition OF the
Eastern Cherokees residing in Alabama
Georgia, and Tennessee is about the same AS of
those residing in North Carolina They are
entirely self-snpporting and are citizens of the
several States wherein they reside.
The
any portion of the annuties given rearly TO the
Cherokees of Indian Territory the Supreme
Court OF the United States having decided that
they were not entitled TO participate in them.
The Eastern Band of Che roke es of North Caro-
lima receive only a small sum annually from
the United States in aid Of their schools
The enumeration for the census of 1890 of the
Eastern Band of Cherokees of North Carolina
was made by the regular enumerators for the
State OF North Carolina. OF the total number
1,52O) there are TIA males. TAG females All
wear citizens clothing There are 1866 over the
age Of 20 and 300 under the age of 90 who can
read, and 100 under the age of 90 who ca write
English. This latter fact is attributable to the
efficient school system; 620 Indians can use
English cnongh for ordinary intercourse. The
number OF children Of school age is given as
403, and there are school accommodations for
275. There arc five school houses owned by the
Indians. valued at 5000. They also own and
occupy 256 one-story log or block houses.
The superstitions aud religious extra vaganzas
OF ancient times have almost disappeared
Lingering fancies as 10 witches and witchcraft
crop out from time to time among these Indians,
bot in no more unreasonable forms than among
their neighbors. The church organizations are
in q ianguishing condition. While the people
as whole are Christian in theory, and no
pagan element remains the early mission enter
prises among the Cherokees have not advanced
with the intelligence and physical prosperity
of ha Rot,