Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11


in the new capitol of Mississippi. There will
be portrait of another Indian-Pushmat-
taha, the predecessor of Laf1ore-whom ira
dition represents as the greatest of the
Choctaw chiefs, warrior of great cour-
age and endurance, a renowned hunter, an
eloquent orator and one Of the proudest
and most arrogant of the savage race
Pushmattaha was not a hereditary chief
tain, however. He came from of the
poorest and humblest families in the tribe
and achieved power and influence by his
ability and audacity. But he was always
sensitive of his obscure origin. Once, when
an agent Of the government questioned him
concerning his ancestry, he replied:
''Pushmattaha had no father and no
mother. The lightning struck an ok tree
and split the trunk and Pushm vi aha
leaped out of it-a warrior just as he now
Stands!'
During General Lafayette's last visit to
Washington, in 1924, the old chief was
there and participated in the ceremonies.
He took cold, died of pneumonia and was
buried with military honors in the Congress
sional cemetery, down on the banks of the
eastern branch Of the Potomac, where his
tomb is now pointed out to strangers
Proposed Hall Of Fame.
The Hall of Fame is under the care of
Mr.. Dunbar Rowland, director of the de-
partrnent of archives and history, which
has recently been established in Mississippi
under the direction of the legislature, and
a committee of censors has the power to
select or reject portraits. Just now there
Is discussion as to the admission Of
portrait of Adelbert Ames, son-in-law of
General Bullet, who was governor of the
state during the reconstruction period.
Without 1t the gallery of governors will be
incomplete, but there IS intense opposition
to admitting it. There is also considerable
opposition to hanging portraits of colored
men upon the walls of the apitol, although
there have been several distinguished Mis-
sSsippians Of that race. No man in the
history of the state bore higher charac-
ter or was more universally respected, for
example, than United States Senator
Blanche K. Bruce 1t was only a few days
ago that Mr.. Charles Scott of Rosedale,
who was neighbor OF Bruce, told me
that The was the best man l ever knew
Of his race. 1t was largely owing to his
counsels and teachings that we have never
had any trouble between the races in the
locality where he lived. He was univer-
sally respected. He was elected sheriff and
afterward sent to the legislature by white
the United States Senate
MRS. Bruce is still living She is not a
southern woman, but Is from Cleveland,
Ohio. She resides upon a plantation which
her husband owneu near Rosedale, and Is
managing an estate of between seven and
eight hundred acres. Her son, Roscoe
Conkling Bruce, who graduated with honors
at Harvard, is in charge of the academic
department of TuSkegee Institute.
Collecting Historical Material.
Director Rowland of the department of
archives and history has been remarkably
successful in collecting historical material,
both for the library and the museum. dur
ing the short time since they were estab-
lished. He is searching the state for old
newspaper files, official and private CORE
spondence and records. personal diaries,
portraits of men who have participated in
Mississippi history, and historical relics Of
value and interest. The most interesting.
and, to the citizens of Mississippi, the most
precious, historical relic Is the original copy
of the ordinance of secession adopted by
constitutional convention on the after
noon of January 8, 1861 and signed by 80 of
the 100 delegates to the convention. One
delegate was absent, and another. DR.. j.
j. Thornton of Rankin county. positively
refused to sign. although he was afterward
one of the first volunteers for the eonfed-
crate army. Only four OF the stgners sur
yive-Former Chief Justice Woods and AS
sociate Justice Terral Of the state supreme
court and M. D. L. Stevens, a practicing
physician in Kalobusha county. and Jehu
A. Orr of Oxford.
The ordinance, written on parchment, Is
in fairly good state of preservation. al
though the ink used by several of the
signers was of poor quality and Is rapidly
fading out.
The state of Alabama has recently Gre
ated a similar department of archives and
history, and DIR. Thomas N. Owen, the d.
rector. is showing great energy and zeal
in collecting interesting material for Ii
brary and historical museum. He has al
ready obtained many valuable articles. and
has appealed to the people for relics of
pioneers and pioneer life, personal belong
ings of eminent Alabamians. war relics. In
dian relics, newspaper files books and
pamphlets relating to Alabama, reports of
conventions, conferences and associations.
maps manuscripts and documents, old
private letters. letter books. diaries, scrap
books, church records. school registers and
catalogues. likenesses Of persOnages promi-
nent in affairs, drawings and photographs
of historic localities and typical scenery of
the state. and other material which may
encourage the study of history and its
preservation.