The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-06-16


about the life OF Sequoyah, and much
OF mystery surrounding his last days
and burial place. But little is given
as yet that has proven authentic.
We present you few facts CLEANED
from what, we hope, may prove TO be
reliable sources, and as time, the great
reyealer and prover Of all things, the
leveler OF ambitions and nations, passes
IN It's onward march, we can but cher
ish the hope that sometime, some
how. somewhere, the slumbering dust
OF our lllustrious genius may yet be
discovered and a greatful people stlll
continue to honor his memory.
In the fifth annual report Of the
Bureau Of Ethnology to the secretary
fthe Smithsonian Institution for 1881
we find lengthy statement, from
which we take the following
"Sequoyah, or George Guess, the in
ventor of the Cherokee alphabet, re-
moved to the country west OF the
Mississippi long anterior to the treaty
OF 1885, and was for several years one
Of the National council Of the Western
Cherokees. In the year tsiS he left
his home for Mexico In quest of several
scattered bands of Cherokees who had
wandered of TO that distant region,
and whom il was his intention 10 coli
lect together with view TO inducing
them TO return and become again
united with their friends and kindred.
He did not meet with the success an
ticipated. Being quite aged and hay-
ing become worn out and destitute, he
was unable without assistance to make
the return trip home. Agent Butler
learning OF his condition reported the
facts 10 the Indian department and
asked that sufficient funds be placed
at his disposal for the purpose OF
bringing him back. Two hundred
dollars was authorized to be used for
the purpose, and Oo-no-leh, a Chero-
kee, was sent on the errand OF mercy;
but upon reaching Red river he en-
countered a party Of Cherokees from
Mexico who advises him that Guess
had died during the preceding July,
and that his remains were inferred at
san Fernando, Mex. This infouma-
tion was sent by Oo-no-leh, May Is,
lsi5, TO Agent Butler.
We note that about this time local
political matters were entering largely
into the affairs Of the Cherokees, and
that the once c0ntented and united
people were scattering and greatly
differing on important political issues
Returning to the words OF the re-
port, we lind that: In the fall Of
ISIS the majority Of the old settler
and treaty parties having become con
vinced that IL would be impossible for
them to have peaceful and happy
residence in the country while the In
iiuenee Of Chief John Ross continued
potent In their national government,
resolved to seek for themselves new
home on the borders OF Mexico A
council was held, at which a delega-
ton Of forty-three members Of the
.reaty and eleven Of the old settler
party was chosen 10 explore the
country 20 the south and west for a
'uture home, with a rendezvous at tie
'orks Of the Canadian and Arkansas
rivers; and, after eleeting captain,
hey proceeded via IT. Wichita, cross
ny the Red river at C0fee's trading
mousse and following the ridge dividing
he Trinity and Brazos river, crossing
.he latter at Boskey creek. Here they
'ounda small settlement Of sixty.three
Jher0kees who had, IN the preceding
June, moved from place they called
Mount Clover, 10 Mexico Among
their number was Tee-see Guess, the |
,on Of sequoyah
FROM another source Sc learn that /
Iee-see went before this with his |
iather westward starting from Sc
luoyah district. Cherokee Nation. |
lbout 1873. thai 10 returned as ar as
his point and there married the
laughter Of Chief B.wls For more /
'pmplete account VI this settlement /
md incidents bearing upon sequoyah's
probable destination. we cite yoa 10 1
ne annual report quoted from
Here we see one reason why Sc. |
luoyah moved westward, aud to where
le probably died. and that his great
lbieet was 10 gather, not only his
leople but material for making his
history Of them more complete. lie
$ said % have expressed desire to
Ie .ffee from the eucroaehments Of
he white man" 10 b uninterrupted
u his study aud plans, ocousalt alone
With his deity.
From tlaf time until he naSsed ~