The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1896-07-04
SAVED BY A SONG.
"Homc, Sweet Homc'' Liberated John
Howard HaYuc E'rom IlantiYitI.

When the boundary line between Ten
nessee ard Georgia was established, it
passed half a mile south OF the spring
Observation-Disclosures, among the foot
hills of the Unakas. aud, rs 1t crossed
IL of the principal indian traits. it be-
came u place of much Importance, say
the Atlanta Constitution. There had al
ready grown up a strong rivalry be-
tween the Tennessee tribes, headed by
Chief Ross, and the Georgia tribes,
heaaed by Major Ridge, both half
breeds and men Of extraordinary ability
as leaders, The establishment of q new
boundary lire fixed the limits of their
respective territories, and to try and
harmonlze as far as possible the con-
tending factions, the government es-
tablished q trading post there. John
Howard Payne appeared upon the scene
and was accused of melting the Indians
to INSTRUMENTATION. He was placed I'M
der arrest as an incendiary and carried
to the council house, The name of the
place was changed from the e~uphonious
aDpellation of Observation-Disclosures to
h one more easily pronounced OF Red
City, because of the color of the soil in
that vicinity,
While Payne was held there one of the
first bands arrived, n among the In
dians was h chief Oo-chee. or Rattling
Gourd, a. broker hearted man. He was
moody and distracted n 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,
further up the valley. At last one morn
Ing he was missing from his accustomed
place by the campfire and an alarm was
Immediately raised that Rattling Gourd
had escaped. The patrol scattered in
every direction in search of him, and
some of them ~bethought them Of his
fondI'ess for the spot where his loved
ones slept and went In search of him
there, They found him. Weltering in
his own blood, his body lay between the
little mounds that covered his squaw
and papooSe.
In some way ne had secreted a. bayo-
net when the Indians were being dis
armed, and, breeding over his
he became desperate and, seeking that
lone spot, he charted his death song.
fell upon the point of his bayonet.
which pierced his heart, and died on the
spot where he haG often expressed a de-
sire to be laid for his last long sleep.
The affair caused. great excitement
and indignation. The malcontents took
advantage of the distressing occurrence
tostir up strife. and fears We're enter
tanned OF a mutiny. a grave was dug an
the spot where he lay and the chief was
! buried by the soldiers. one Of the Mo
ravian missionaries officiating. After
the erylces we're over John How, ~
--Ns - 4tSSii tt -NltllGSS OF
the pathet,l scene. began singing softly
to himself the song which has since bean
echoed through every land on the ea,,h
General Bishop. Wig had kept a close
scrutiny on his actions. heard the sonr
and called Payne to him.
Young man. said the stern old IL.
dian fighter, where did you learn that
song?"
~ wrote that song myself" replied
Payne. .
And where did you get the tuner.
II composed tina also.
Would youlet me have a copy of lt?n
Certainly I will"
We'll. a man who can sing and write
like that is nj incendiaYy. Appeara noes
may be against yon, hut 7 am going "a.
set you free. ! shall write out Your dis
charge Immediately. n a pass to you
anywhere you may choose through the
nation" e
Payne had been housed at the home
Of a family living near by, and on his
return there he exhibited his pass and
related the circumstances. This was he
first time that Home, Sweet Home
had ever been sung In public.