The Dickinson press., 1893-12-16
NORTH CAROLINA cHERoKEEs.
4 deunt.i. Band of Indian. Who Still, q.

NORTH CAROLINA cHERoKEEs.
Z Mountain Band OF Indians Who Still Use
Bows and Arrows.
One of the most interesting places
IN North Carolina and yet one of the
least known, even by the people of
the old North State, is the reserva-
ton of what is termed the eastern
band" of the Cherokee Nation. The
history of the reservation is strange
one. When the Indians in North
Carolina were removed by the gov
ernment to the Indian Territory, by
far the greater part of the Cherokees
left their old home forever. But a
strong band retained land in three of
the western counties in what was
then almost wilderness. A great
tract Of land was set apart as reser-
walton by the state. and voluminous
laws governing these Cherokee lands
were enacted.
Originally the tract of land held
by the Cherokees was far larger than
at present. 1t now comprises "a, 900
acres, and come of it is the very best
land in western North Carolina. It
is mainly in Swain and jackson coun-
ties, right among the mountains, and
the enhre country east of the Missis-
sippi does not contain a more pictur-
esquely beautiful region or one bet
ter suited to Indian taste and re-
quirements, with its cold, clear
streams full of fish, its mountains
well wooded and abounding in game
and its comparative remoteness from
the beaten track of white people.
The wolf is yet a rover in this Sec
ton, and there is county bounty
for his scalp, not only in the counties
above named, but in several others.
The bear is more abundant than any
where else save in the great swamps
near the coast of the state. Deer are
also abundant, and the pheasant, or
partridge, is found, though long
since gone from other parts of the
state.
The eastern band of Cherokees are
an interesting race of people The
Western North Carolina railway
passes within 10 miles of their reser-
walton, Bryson City being the near
est railway station. The chief Cher
okee town is known in English as
Yellow Hill. It is a rambling place
through which rushes a bold noun
tain stream, the Ocona Lufty. The
Indian houses are all alike in design.
They are built of logs, well fitted,
with a porch on one side. They are
built to stand the cold, which is
great there sometimes. So high is
the altitude and so encircled by
mountains is the reservation that
there is no hot weather.
The Indians are mainly engaged in
farming, but do not do an extensive
business in this direction, though
they raise plenty of food. The pres
ent number of the eastern band is
about 1000, and it is certain that
they are increasing. The healthful-
ness of that region is remarkable,
and many of the Cherokees reach a
great age. The Oldest inhabitant is
"Big Witch" who asserts that his
age is 115 years.
The Cherokees vote and are on the
same footing as other citizens of the
state. During the late war their
chief was a strong believer in the
Confederate states and a fine battal-
ion or legion was raised. This was
commanded by Colonel Thomas, who
years later died in an insane asylum,
and it did effective service, being
known as the Thomas legion"
Earnest efforts are being made to
educate these Indians. Those edu-
Gated are very intelligent, speak Eng
ish well and are fond of white peo-
pie and do them favors. Many of
the Cherokees, however, do not speak
English at all and are as wild in ap-
pearance as any Indians in the far
west.
Hunting is, as of old, the favorite
pursuit. The smaller kinds of game
are not ignored. The rifle is the
usual weapon, but the bow and ar
row and the blowgun are used.
Some are very expert with these
primitive weapons. The blowguns
are nine or ten feet long and are
made of a kind of reed, with a bore
or diameter of about half an inch
Exchange.