The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-14

reliable and interesting information coh- corning the Creek Indians that VIII quote largely from his pages. lie was induced to prepare these articles by the late Mir. J. J. Hooper of Montgomery Ala, long known and much beloved edi- tor of the Montgomery Mail, In whose columns they first appeared in the form of letters written in his old age from his plantation home in Louisiana. He had a trace of Indian blood in his veins. ana hence much of his warm sympathies Tor them. Of him, MT. Hooper thus writes: Gen. Woodward was kind enough to contribute to the Mail. with which the undersigned is connected as senior editor, a number of letters containing much val uable matter relative to the history, cus- toms, etc., of the Creek confederacy of Indian tribes. About the same time, friends of his caused the publication in the Columbus Sun and the Union Springs Gazette, written by General Woodward to them. All these letters, replete as they were with incidents and descriptions of a most interesting character, found favor with the public.
 'It Is more than 20 years since the writer first saw and knew General Wood ward. His personal acquaintance with him was but slight; yet he knew well his reputation in east Alabama as a brave, rough, warm-hearted man of fine intel Il judge of character, extensive knowledge of Creek Indian history, manners and character, with an indomitable will and a sturdy self-rehance which spoke for itself In his tall, sinewy form, and strong ly marked, expressive face. A discrm- mating observer at that time would have selected him out of thousand as man most fertile in resources most indomita- ble in the execution of his plans, and n0SSaSGinp hiVbnSt a nh ical qualities most needed in the emer- gences and hardships of a semi-Indian life. His exterior was rough his manners military, and at times abrupt, but those who knew him best were well aware that he had a~heart large enough for any deed of real benevolence The presuming or pretentious he mercilessly f1ayed with a biting sarcasm, of which he was master; and many anecdotes are told Illustrative of his powers of repartee. But to the weak and unprotected he was invariably considerate and kind. Few men have had better opportunities for studying the Indian character and Investigating their customs than General Woodward Very early in life he was brought into contact with the Indians; and, stirred by the Indian blood in his own veins, he studied his character and tradition lovingly and earnestly. His early appointment to the command of a body of friendly Indians, in time of war, proves that he was consid- cred to know them and to have influence over them. As to the consideration in which General Woodward was held by his superiors, 1t is not improper to state that the writer of this has now in his possession an original letter from Gen. Andrew Jackson. speaking of General Woodward as a brave, intrepid and gall lant soldier It bears date Nashville, September 30, 1S19.' .-z
 
 rick, dated Wheeling, Vim parish, La., May 2, 1857, General Woodward says: My friend, how time and things have changed since first we met! I think 1t has been 40 years, the last winter, since first saw you, at Granville, Pitt county, N. O., rolling tar barrels. And your city, Montgomery, about that time was started by Andrew Dexter, and now, I suppose, Is one of the most desirable spots in the south. I knew the spot where Montgom- cry stands before any white man ever thought of locating there. I also see an- nounced in the Mail the death of several old friends, among them General Shackel- ford. whom I have known from my boyhood I was with him In Florida, in an expedition against the Seminoles. There are but few of that detachment of Georgians now living, unless 1t be Dr.. Fort of Macon, John H. Howard of Co., lumbus, Ga, and Col. R. B. Broadnax of Alabama. I also see that my old friend, Major Thomas M. Cowles, is no more. He was a good man, and he was fit to live in any country that our Heavenly Master may think proper to occupy with honest men. He belonged to my staff, and ac- companied me to Fort Mitchell, with an escort under command of Gen. William Taylor to conduct General Lafayette to Montgomery. shall never forget visit that Major Cowles and myself paid to the famous Billy Weatherford. We re- mained some days, and among our crowd were Tech McGirth, Davy Tait, the half brother to Weatherford, old Sam Moniac who many years before had accompanied Alexander MoGillivray to New York, in General Washington's time knew Colonel Hawkins we'll. He knew more about Indians and Indian history and early settlements and expeditions of the several European nations that undertook to settle colonies in the south and south west than all the men that ever have or will make a scrape of a pen upon the subject I loaned George Stiggins a man uscript given to me by the widow of Colonel Hawkins, and is in the hand writing of Christian Limbo, who lived with Colonel Hawkins many years, and was copied from Colonel Hawkins own manuscript. Stiggins had some learning and was a half-breed of the Netchis tribe 
 of writing history of the Creek Indians and other southern tribes. often wish myself back in Alabama, and have as often regretted leaving Tuskegee. I was the founder of Tuskegee, and selected the place for the place for the county site, or place for the court house, in the year 1S33 I built the first house on that ridge, though James Dent built the first house in the court house square after the lots were laid off. The day made the selection, there was a great ball-play with the Tuskegees, Chunnanuggees, Che- haws and Tallesees. Colonel Deas, South Carolinian, was with me. Those were good days but can never recall them, nor many other things that were very cheering to me then I wonder if my five cedar trees, that planted at the McGarr place when owned it, are living yet? I, in company with my family, old Aunt Betsey Kurnells Cor Connells) Tus- keneha, and old John Mcqueen, dug up those cedars when they were very small, from under a large cedar that shaded the birthplace of Ussa Yoholo, or Black Drink, who, after the murder of General Thompson in Florida was known to the world as the famous Indian chief Osceola This man was the great-grandson of James Mcqueen, his father the little Englishman Powell. His mother was Polly Coplnger. The railroad from Mont gomery to West Point runs within five feet, if not over the place where the cabin stood in which Billy Powell, or Ussa Yoholo (Osceola) was born. The old cedar was destroyed by General McIver's negroes. when grading the road It was in an old field between the Nufaupba (what is now called Ufaupee) and a little creelx that the Indians called Catsa Ro-