Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1896-05-09
SANG AT AN INDIANS GRAVE.
seHome, Sweet Home" Was Chanted On
der Peculiar Circumstances.

sHome, Sweet Home" Was Chanted Un-
der Peculiar Circumstances.
When the boundary line between Ten
nessee and Georgia was established, it
passed half mile south Of the spring
Tuck -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 strong rivalry
between the Tennessee tribes, headed by
Chief Ross, and the Georgia tribes,
headed by Major Ridge, both half breeds
and men of extraordinary ability as
leaders. The establishment of the new
boundary line fixed the limits of their
respective territories, and to try and har-
monize as far as possible the contendlng
factions the government established u
trading post there. John Howard Payne
appeared upon the scene and was accused
of melting the Indians to insubordlna-
ton. He was placed under arrest as an
incendiary and carried to the council
house. The name Of the place was
changed from the euphonious appellation
of Observation-Disclosures 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 Rat
Ting Gourd, broken hearted man. He
was moody and distracted 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 on cmorn-
ing he was missed from his accustomed
place by the campfire, and an alarm was
Immediately raised that Rafting 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 i'll his
own blood, his body lay between the lit
tie mounds that covered his sQuaw and
papoose. In some way he had secreted
a bayonct when the Indians were being
disar1nod, and breeding over his removal
he became desperate, and seeking that
lone spot he chanted his death song, fell
upon the point CT the bayonet, which
pierced his heart, and died on the spot
where he had cften expressed desire to
be laid for his last long sleep.
rom I
and Indignation. The malcontents took
advantage Of the distressing occurrence
TO stir up strife and fears were enter
tanned of 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 We're over John Howard
Payne, who had been 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 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?"
Il wrote that song myself, replied
Payne.
"And where did you get the tuner
81 composed that also. "
would you let me have a copy of
it?'
Certainly will. "
"Well, man who can sing and write
like that is no incendiary Appearances
may be against you, but am going to
set you free. shall write out your dis
charge Immediately and pass for you
anywhere you choose through the na-
ton.
Payne had been housed at the home
of 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.