The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-21
FIRST SUNG AT AN INDIAN GRAVE.
"Home, Sweet Home Won the Re
lease of Payne

Atlanta Constitution.
When the boundary line between Tennessee
and Georgia was established II passed naif a
mile south Of the spring Tuck-a-lee-chee-
chez. among the foothills or the Cnakas, and
as 1t crossed one OF the principal Indian
trails Is became a place of mucn 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
Of extraordinary ability as leaders. The es-
Enlistment of the new boundary line fixed
the line OF their respective territories, and 10
try and harmonic as far as possible the
contending factions, the government estab-
lished a trading post there. John Howard
Payne appeared upon the scene and was ac-
cussd Of melting the Indians to insubordina-
cendiary 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
or Red Clay, because OF the color OF the soil
in that vicinity.
first bands arrived, and among the Indians
was the chief. Oochee, or Rattling Gourd.
a 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 further up the valley. At
accustomed place by the campfire, and an
alarm was Immediately raised that Rafting
Gourd had escaped. The patrol scattered in
every QlfcCllOn II StdICu VI nuh dI0 cOiiiC
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
covered his squaw and papooSe. In some
way he had secreted a bayonet when the
indian were being disarmed, and, brooding
over his removal. he became desperate, and
seeking hat lone spot he chanted his death
song, fell upon the point OF the bayonet,
which pierced his heart. and died on the
crn DvhaFa hn ho1 Affan roc q 0Gira
TO be laid for his last long sleep.
The affair caused great excitement and in-
dignation. The malcontents took advantage
OF the distressing occurrence 10 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 service was over John Howard
Payne, who had been a silent witness of the
self 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 Indian
fighter. where did you learn that song?"
II wrote that song myself" replied Payne.
And where did you get the tuner
II composed that, also"
Would you let me have a copy of itg"
well, a man who can sing and write like
that Is no incendiary. Appearances may be
against you, but ! am going to set you free.
1 shall write out your discharge Immediately
through the Nation"
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
Home, Sweet Home" had ever been sung
in public. sf1Iplt