The Louisiana populist. [volume] (Natchitoches, Natchitoches Parish, La.) 1894-1898, 1896-07-03
SANG AT AN INDIANS CRAVE,
.Home Sweet Home" Was First Chanted
Under Peculiar Circumstances.

Under Peculiar Circumstances.
When the boundary line between
Tennessee and Georgia was established
it passed half mile south of the
spring Tuck-a-lee-chee-che among
the foothills of the Unakas, and as 1t
crossed one of the principal Indian
trails it became a place Of much i'm
portance, says the Atlanta Constitu-
ton. There had already grown up
strong rivalry between the Tennessee
tribes, headed by Chief Ross, and the
Georgia tribes, headed by Major Ridge,
both half breeds, and men of extraordi-
nary ability as leaders. The establish
ment of the new boundary line fixed the
limits of their respective territories,
and to try and harmonic as far as
possible the contending factions the
government established a trading post
there. John Howard Payne appeared
upon the scene and was accused OF In
citing the Indians to INSTRUMENTATION.
He was placed under arrest as an In
cendiary and carried to the council
house. The name of the place was
changed from the euphonious appella-
ton of Tuck-a-lee- chee-chee to the
one more easily pronounced OF Red
Clay because of the color of the soil in
that vicinity. While Payne was held
there one of the first bands arrived,
and among the Indians Was the CHIEF,
Oo-chee, or Rafting Gourd, broken
hearted man. He was moody and abb
stracted and refused all invitations to
the council house and would partake
Of no festive enjoyments whatsoever,
but spent the most of his time at the
graves of his wife and child farther
up the valley. At last one morning
he was missed from his accustomed
place by the camp fire and an alarm
was Immediately raised that Rafting
Gourd had escaped. The patrol scat
tered in every 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 little mounds that COW
cred his squaw and papoose. In some
way be 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 where
he had often expressed desire to be
laid for his last long sleep. The affair
caused great excitement and indigna-
ton. The malcontents took advantage
of the distressing occurrence to stir up
strife and fears were entertained 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. After the SER
vices 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 earth.
Gen. Bishop, who had kept a close
scrutiny on his actions, heard the song
and called Payne to him.
Young man." said the stern old
Indian fighter, where did you learn
that song?"
II wrote that song myself" replied
Payne.
sAnd where did you get the tuner"
II composed that Also"
would you let me have a copy OF
it?"
Certainly I will"
well, man who can sing and write
like that is no incendiary. Appear
ances may be against you, but I am
going to set you free. shall write out
your discharge Immediately and pass
to anywhere you choose )ough the
nation"
Payne had been housed the home
of family living near by. And on his
return there he exhibited - pass and
related the circumstances. That was
the first time that Home, S.. Get Home"
l. a g.,