Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1896-05-04
SANG AT AN INDIANS GRAVE.
''Home, Sweet Home" Was Chanted IN
der Peculiar Circumstances.

'Home, Sweet Home," Was Chanted IN
der Peculiar Circumstances.
When the boundary line between Ten
nessee and Georgia was established, 1T
passed half a mile south Of the spring
Tuck-a- lee-chee-chee among the foot
hills of the Unakas, and as it crossed
one Of the principal Indian trails it be-
came place Of much Importance. There
had already grown up a strong rivalry
between the Tennessee tribes, headed by
Chief Ross, and the Georgia tribes
headed by Major Ridge, both half breeds
and men CT extraordinary ability as
leaders. The establishment of the new
boundary Inc fixed the limits Of their
respective tt.rritories, and to try and har
monizc Is l:2r Is possible the contending
factions tie government established a
trading post here John Howard Payne
appeared 1Dan the scene and was accused
Of melting the Indians to insubordina-
tiCn. He was placed under arrest as an
incendiary ard carried to the council
house The name of the place was
changed from the euphonious appellation
of Tuck a. ee-c hee-chee to the enc more
easily pronounced Of Red Clay, because
While Payne was held there one of
the first bands arrived, and among the
Indians was the chief, Oo-chee, or Rat
thing Gourd, broken hearted man. He
was moody and distracted and refused
all invitations to the council house and
would partake of no festive enjoylnents
whatsoever, but spent the most of his
time at the graves of his wife and child
farther up the valley. At last on emorn-
ing he was missed from his accustomed
place by the campfire, and an alarm was
Immediately raised that Rattling Gourd
had escaped. The patrol scattered in ev-
cry direction in search Of him, and some
of them bethought them of his fondness
for the spot where his loved ones slept
and went in search of him there. And
there they found him. Weltering in his
own blood, his body lay between the lit
tie mounds that covered his squaw and
DapOCse. In some way he had secreted
bayOnet when the Indians were being
disarmed, and brooding over his removal
he became desperate, and seeking that
lone spot he chanted his death song, fell
upon the point Of the bayonet, which
pierced his heart, and died on the spot
be laid for his last long sleep.
The affair caused great excitement
and indignation. The malcontents took
advantage of the distressing occurrence
to stir up strife and fears were enter
tanned Of a mutiny A grave was dug
on the spot where he lay, and the chief
was buried by the soldiers, one of the
Moravian missionaries officiating Aft
er the services were over John Howard
Payne, who had been a silent witness
Of the pathetic scene, began singing
softly to himself the song which has
since been echoed through every land
on the earth. General Bishop, who had
kept a close scrutiny on his actions,
heard the song and called Payne to him.
''Young man, said the stern old In
dian fighter, "where did you learn that
song?''
''I wrote that song myself, - replied
Payne.
''And where did you get the tuner"
81 composed that also
''Would you let mo have a copy CT
it,"
Certainly Will.
'Well, man who can sing and write
like that is no incendiary. Appearances
may be against you, bat am going to
set you free. l shall write out your dis
charge Immediately and a pass for YOU
anywhere you choose through the na-
ton.
Payne had been housed at the hona
of a family living near by, and on his
return there he exhibited his pass and
related the circumstances. This was the
first time that ''Home, Sweet Home
had ever been sung in public. st.
Louis POst-Dispatch.