The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1900-05-03
EARLY DAYS m TANEY COUNTY.
sr sc. runxDo. rlorln


A sketch concerning the Indians
who inhabited the upper White
River on the arrival of the whites
has been gathered from time to time,
though my collection of matter in
this line is somewhat limited to only
. few stories. But the Information
in my possession relating to the red
man who once occupied this. country
may be of some interest. With this
end in view I send the REPUBLICAN
this sketch, hoping it will stimulate
others aud induce them 20 write a
few stories bearing Oh the same SUBJ
ject.
Patton Keesee, one among the most
daring explorers and hunters that
visited this region, came to White
river in 1916. Shortly after arriving
here he married Nancy Graham,
daughter of Peter Graham who came
from Kentucky to White river year
or more earlier than Keesee. Their
first child was . girl and was born
among the Indians January 81, 1878.
The locality of its birth was at the
mouth of Howard's creek below
Little North Fork. A few years fol-
lowing their marriage Keesee and
wife being Of roaming nature lived
st different places, but finally in tho
latter part of 1928 he settled on Lit
tie North Fork where he lived until
his death in June, 1856. His remains
were laid to rest in the cemetery at
the mouth Of Bratton's Spring creek.
His wife survived him until 1862
when she too passed beyond this life.
Her death occurred at the residence
of her son-in-law, VIM. Y Yochum, who
lived on the river in tho north part
Of Marion county, Ark. She was
buried in the graveyard OH tho Asa
Yochum place, opposite Bull bottom.
In the fall of 1918 Keesee and Lige
McAdoo went up the river to George
Graham's to hunt. George was a
brother-in-law to Keesee and was
living on what is now the Sampson
Barker place two miles below For
syth. Graham had settled here in
tho early part Of 1918, and moro than
likely he was tho first white resident
in the neighborhood of Forsyth. A
lot of Indians lived then at the mouth
Of Swan creek; the red mon were
friendly and the white hunters visit
cd their camp occasionally to learn
their customs and manner of living.
During one of these visits tho braves
made preparations to 90 on . hunt
for buffalo aud other big game. It
was hustle and noise in the camp and
q few odd things were done before
they finally left. One Of the peculiar
ceremonies was performed just be-
fore starting which was done in the
following way: They dug several
shallow holes in the ground and
kindled fire in each one. When the
wood was reduced to charcoal and
ashes they filled tho holes with water
and stirred with q stick until cool
enough for use. Then the Indians
dipped their hands into the nasty
mixture and smeared it over their
faces aud necks. They then fell on
their faces and after remaining q few
moments in that position they rose
to their feet and with q loud noise
mounted their ponies and galloped
away. The women and children and
old men remained behind to take
care of the village. The scene pre-
sented while preparing to start, cere-
monies performed, and actions as
they departed were peculiar and
strange.
This account was given me by
Elias Keesee, son of Patton Keesee
Elias heard his father relate this story
repeatedly before his death. Elias
Kissee has also entered the gloomy
shadow of death. He died o. his
farm at Keesee Ferry, August Esd,
1899, aged IS years. Peter, brother
Of Elias, who is near 70 years old, re.
! sides near Protein, says that his father