The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1900-12-07
AT AN INDIANS GRAVE,
"fiome, Sweet Home" Was Chanted In
der Peculiar Circumstances.

der Peculiar Circumstances.
When the boundary line between
Ter nessee and Georgia was estab-
lished it passed half mile south OF
the spring, Tuck-a-lee chee-chee,
among the foothills Of the Unakas,
and as it crossed one OF the prin-
cipal Indian trails it became place
Of much importance. There had al
ready grown up strong rivalry be
tween the Tennessee tribes, headed
by Chief Ross, and the Georgia
tribes, headed by Maj. Ridge, both
half breeds, and men Of extraordi-
nary ability as leaders. The estab-
lishment of the new boundary lines
fixed the limits OF their respe ctive
territories, and to try and harmonic
as far as possible the contending fac
tipns the government established a
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 inceniiary and
carried to the council house. The
name Of the place was changed from
the euphonious appellation OF Tuck
alec chee-chee to the one more eas
lily pronounced OF Red Clay, be-
cause of color of soil in that vicin-
ity.
While Payne was held there one
of the first bands arrived, and among
the Indians was the chief Oochee,
or Rafting Gourd, brcken-hearted
man. He was moody and abstract
ed, and refused all invitations to the
council house, and would partake Of
no festive enjoyments whatsoever
but spent the most of his time al
the graves OF his wife and child far
ther up the valley. At last one
morning he was missed from his ac'
cIstomed place by the campfire and
an alarm was Immediately raised
that Rattling Gourd had escaped.
The patrol scattered in every direc-
ton in search of him, and some Of
them bethought them OF his fond
ness for the spot where his loved
ones slept and went in search o.
him there. And there they found
him. His body lay between the
little mounds that covered his squaw
and papoose. In some way he had
secreted a bsycnet when the In.
dians were being disarmed, and
brooding over his removal, he be-
came desperate, and seeking that
lone spot he chsnted his death
song, fell upon the point Of the bay.
onet, which pierced his heat, and
he died on the spot where he had
often expressed desire to be laid
for his last long sleep.
Tie affair caused great excite
ment and indignation. The NAL
|contents took advantage of the dis
Itressing occurrence to stir up strife
and fears were entertained Of I
mutiny. A grave was dug on th'
spot where the chief lay, and th'
|chief was buried by the soldiers
lone of tbs Moravian missionaries
officiating. After the services wer'
over John Howard Payne, who hst
been a silent witness Of the pathetic
scene, began singing softly to him
self the song which has since beer
ECHOED through every land on earth
IGen. Bishop, who had kept a Close
Iscrutiny on his action, heard thu
song and called Payne 10 him.
j "Young man." said the stern ole
lIIndian fighter, "where did yol
,Ilearn that song?"
II wrote that song myself" re
piled Payne.
"And where did you get th'
toner"
IL composed that also."
"Would you let me have cop,
of it?"
Certainly ! will"
"Well, man who can sing ant
write like that is no incendiary. Ap
pearances may be against you, bu
II am going to set you free. shal
write out your discharge immedi
ately and pass to you anywher'
YOU choose through the nation." /"
Payne had been housed at th'
home Of a family living near by
and on his return there he exhibited
Ibis pass and related the circum
stances. This was the first tim,
"Home, Sweet Home," had eve
been sung in public.-St. Loui
dispatch.