The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-12

contains Slngularly interesting dTIlcle on
North Carolina Cherokee Indians" by
Maj. w. w. Struggled, of Waynesville.
Too little has been written about the early
Indian who peopled North Carolina. Maj.
Struggled is well qualified to write OF the
Cherokees, for he had $50 Indians In his
command during the War Between the
States. From his excellent sketch we
take the following:
when the War of 1872 was declared,
Junaluska, at the head OF eight hundred
Cherokee warriors, did valiant service Tor
the United States, and, at the battles OF
Emukfaw Creek and Horseshoe Bend,
their services were indispensable.
I'm the former the father of the writer.
a pioneer Methodist minister, then but
lad was shot down in the immediate pres
ence of General Jackson, and would have
been killed and scalped but for the timely
succor of the General, who personally aid
ed in carrying him to the rear. He bore,
hence. ON his forehead, an honorable scar
to his grave.
North Carolina remembered Junaluska,
and as a slight reward he was given
farm in what is now Graham county,
where he afterwards lived, died and lies
buried. His grave may still be seen on
the outskirts of Robbinsville.
Another great chief, by many consid-
cred the greatest, was Yonaguska Drown
ing Bear). Tall of stature and of COM
manding presence, standing SIX five inch
es. and of strikingly handsome presence,
he possessed qualities which made him
both loved and feared by his people. He
was considered by Colonel Thomas to be
as great a man as John c. Calhoun Ger
tainly man who welded as great an IN
fluence for good over rude warriors as he
deserves place in history. He knew how
to appeal to their superstitions as we'll as
guard their weaknesses, as the following
facts will show Having been addicted to
the use of whiskey himself, he realized It's
demoralizing influence. and determined
upon the reformation of the tribe And
now he proved himself to be a master!
With the cunning of the Indian and Wis
dom of a statesman, he appealed to their
superstition. He fell into trance, which
lasted for fifteen days. During that time
the warriors, twelve hundred of them,
marched and counter marched around his
supposedly dead body At last came the
time for burial, but just as they We're
ready to perform the last rites-accordlng
to their custom-the dead chief was seen
to move, and the well-known voice was
heard again.
I'm an awe-stricken silence they listened
to the voice of their new prophet. He
told them of his long service. How he
had always tried to serve their interests.
and how the Great Spirit" in His great
love and pity for them. and grief over
their excuses, had called him to the hap
by hunting ground" that he might return
and warn them. Tears streamed down the
faces of all who listened, and they were
eager to do the will of their prophet.
Colonel Thomas was asked to write a
pledge. which the old chief signed, then
his followers. From that time the use OF
spirituous liquors was abandoned, any vio-
lation of their pledge being punished at
the whipping-pos A good remedy at
the present time!
"A lack of humor is characteristic of the
Indian-but Yonaguska was not wanting
in this trait. Some one having brought
a Cherokee translation of Matthew from
New Echota, he would not allow it to be
read until he had passed judgment upon
it. He always held to his Indian faith,
and was very suspicious of missionaries.
However after hearing several chapters
read. with grunt of satisfaction he dryly
remarked: ut seems to be a very good
book Strange the white people are not
better, after having had it SO long"
During the life of Yonaguska pressure
was frequently brought to bear upon him
to induce him to move west with his peo-
pie This he always Indignantly refused
to do, and he counseled them to the last
TO remain in their old homes, as they
might go to a State where their liberties
would be more curtailed than in North
Carolina. He died at a very old age, a
year after the Removal
"Of this removal, Georgia soldier then
afterwards a colonel in the Confederate
service, had this to say: Il fought
through the Civil War. and have seer
thousands of men shot to pieces, but that
Cherokee Removal was the most crue
work / ever knew" The manner of re
moval is indeed stain upon our flag!
..This treaty (1S35), it seems, was de-
manded by the people of Georgia, and
enforced against the wish of the Chero
KEGS. almost to man. The Federal au
thorities Jackson was Presidency hesitat
ed and delayed in the matter, jackson, NJ
doubt, remembering the valiant service o.
these same Cherokees at the Horse
Shoe" His conscience pricked him sore
ly. A burning. singing. acrimonious de
bate rang through both halls of Con
gress. Democrats for the bogus treaty
wings against 1.-THE latter led by Clay
Webster, Everett, Wise and Davy Crock
EFT. President Van Buren, coming In, wa
disposed to give more time, but Governo
Gilmer of Georgia, was relentless. Tn
Cherokees must go; and the majority di'
go. But how? Seventeen thousand wer
forced to move. two thousand left volun
tarily.
estate and Federal troops made tn
move. The Indians were hunted dow
like wild beasts. Many Of the officers an
soldiers protested against such cruelties
hut the Cherokees had to go. Soldier
guarded every one everywhere. One oil
man. when thus surrounded, calmly gait
cred his children around him, and ALL
Ak..N~w