The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-08-12
Saved By a Song.

When the boundary line between Ten
nessee and Georgia was established it
passed half mile south of the spring
Tuck-a-lee-chee-chee, among the foot
hills of the Unakas, and, as il crossed
one of the principal Indian trails, il
became 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 "a new boundary line fixed the limits
of their respective territories, and to
try and harmonic a far as possible
the contending factions the govern
ment established trading post there.
John Howard Payne appeared upon
the scene and was accused Of melting
the Indians to insubordinatiOn. He
was placed under arrest as an incendia-
~ and carried to the council house.
The name of the place was changed
from the euphOnious appellatiOn of
Tuck-a-lee-chee-chee to the 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, and among the
tling Gourd, broken-hearted man.
He was moody and distracted, and re-
fused all invitations To the council
house, and would partake of no festive
enjoyments whatever, but spent most
of his time at the grave of his wife and
child further up the valley. At last one
morning he was missing from his ac-
customed 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 Ofthem be-
thought them of his fondness 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 he had secreted a bay
onet when the Indians Were being dis
armed, 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
"A desire to be laid for his last long
sleep.
The affair caused great excitement
and indignation. The malcontents
took advantage ofthe distressing occur
renee TO stir up strife, and fears were
entertained 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.
After 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 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.
III wrote that song myself" replied
Payne.
"And where did you get the tune?''
81 composed that also"
would you let me have copy of
it,"
Certainly | will.
"Well, a man who can sing and
write like that is no incendiary. APP
pearances may be against you, but am
going to set you free. | shall write
out your discharge immediately, and a
pass to you anywhere you choose
through the nation"
Payne had been housed at the home
of a family living nearby, 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.
Atlanta Constitution.