The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-22
AT AN INDIANS GRAVE.
Where Home, Sweet Home" Was
First Sung by It's Author.
1t Secured for Him the Favor ana
Friendship of his CaPtors - An In
cident of the Tennessee and
Georgia Boundary War.

When the boundary line between
Tennessee and Georgia was established
| Il passed half a mile south of the spring
Observation-Disclosures, among the foot
| hills of the Unakas, and as it crossed
one of the principal Indian trails 1t
became a place of much Importance.
There had already grown up strong
rivalry between the Tennessee tribes,
beaded by Chief Ross, and the Georgia
tribes, headed by Maj. 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 hormonize as far as possible the
contending factions the government es-
tablished trading post there.
John Howard Payne appeared upon
the scene and was accused of melting
the Indians to characterization. He
was placed under arrest as an incen-
diary and carried to the council house.
The name of the place was changed
from the euphonious Indian 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 Rat
Ting 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 whatsoever, but spent 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 Rattling Gourd had es.
capped.
The patrol scattered in every direc-
ton in search of him, and some one
thought of his fondness for the spot
where his loved ones slept and went
in search of him there.
And there they found him. Welter-
ing in his own blood, his body lay be-
tween the little mounds that covered
his squaw and papoose.
In some way he had secreted bayo-
net 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 of the distressing oc-
currence 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 mission
aries officiating. After the services
were over John Howard Payne, who
had been silent witness to the pa
thetic scene, began singing softly to
himself the song which has since been
echoed through every land on earth.
Gen. Bishop, who had kept close
scrutiny Oh 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 tune?"
81 composed that also"
"Would you let me have a copy
of it?"
Certainly will
''Well, a man who can sing and write |
like that is no incendiary. Appear
ances may be against you, but 1 am 60
ing to set you free. / shall write oct |
your discharge Immediately and pass
10 anywhere you choose 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 circumstances. That was
the first time that Home Sweet Tome |
had ever been sung in public.-Atlanta
Constitution.