Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1910-02-09

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The district of Washington was
the first political division Of the ter
r!tory comprising the present coun-
ties Of Oconee. Pickens, Anderson,
and Greenville The areas Of these
counties embraces more than one
hundred miles square, and Is bound
ed by the States of Georgia. North
Carolina and the counties OF Able
vile and Laurens. The court house
and jail Of this large territory were
erected at Pickensvillc, near the
present hourishing town of Easley, on
the Southern Railway, in Pickens
county. Pickensville was named in
honor Of Gen. Andrew Pickens. of
Revolutionary fame. In a few years
the public buildings were burned by
an accidental fire. An effort was
made to rebuild at the same place,
hut in the discussion in reference
thereto the people interested very
naturally came to the conclusion that
the territory Of Washington was not
only unwieldy, but very inconvenient
for them. Therefore the Legislature
divided this large territory and made
therefrom the districts Of Pendleton
and Greenville. At a subsequent pc
riod PendletOn was divided by the
same authority, creating therefrOm
the districts Of Pickens and Ander-
son. These districts were named in
homer Of Gems. Pickens and Ander-
son. Subsequently the district Of
Pickens was divided and the counties
Of OcOnee and Pickens were likewise
created thcrefrom.
Anterior to the Revolutionary War
the territory Of Oconec was Inhabited
mostly by Indians. The dominant
tribe was that Of the Cherokees
Their authority originally reached to
the Congaree. the site Of the capital
Of the state Of South Carolina. They
also occupied all or portions Of the
States of Georgia, North Carolina.
Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and
perhaps other regions.
The capitol Of the Cherokees was
found in the territory OF the present
county Of Oconee. and was known by
the beautiful name OF Keowee. This
capitol of this Indian Empire was
situated on the west bank Of Keowee
river, a most beautiful stream, and
the dividing line between the coun-
ties OF Oconee and Pickens. Even
now, in clear weather. the water is
clear and pure. Fish and other OBJ
jects can be seen in any part Of the
stream, shallow or deep. This
stream Is, upon an average, about
fourteen miles from Walhalla.
The Indian Wars.
In 1913 Governor Glenn built a
fort on the east bank Of the river and
Just opposite the Indian capitol He
named 1t Fort Prince George, in
honor Of the King Of England. Ano-
ther fort was erected below. on Sen
eca river, named Salvador. in honor
OF Capt. Salvador, who lost his life
in battle fought at that place Sal
vador is now known as Fort Hill. and
was the residence Of the Hon. John
G. Calhoun. Clemson College now
occupies the farm, formerly the prop
erty Of the Calhoun family. Ano-
iher fort was built at Fort Madison,
on Thgaloo river, where the South
ern Railway crosses that stream.
Col. Ben Cleveland, one Of the heroes
OF the Revolutionary War, resided
there after the war until his death.
monument has been erected by his
descendants to his memory in the
town Of Fort Madison.
There were hostilities almost con-
StantlN between the Indians and the
soldiers Of our government, as we'll
as the citizens generally. A number
or battles were fought i'm our terri
iorY--one on Seneca river. the pres
ont site OF Clemson College; also at
Elghtcen-Mile creek, near Pendle-
ton; Battle Creek; Tamassee, where
Gen. Ptckens resided at the time Of
his death; Oconee creek. Fort Prince
George and perhaps at other places.
The well-infOrmcd reader Of our
history will remember the very inter
eSting story divulged by the young
lady, who left Fort Prince George to
inform her lover, at Ninety-SiX, that
the Indians were on the eve of
marching to attack that fort. and
how the lovely young maiden. in her
long and faithful run. named the
streams she crossed on the way as
follows: One-N1ile, SiX-Milc, Twelve
Mile. Eighteen Mile, Three-and-
Twenty. and SiX-and-Twcnty creeks.
or course there was much happiness
after this heroic event.
The Indians in the course of time.
with the exception Of the "Fricndly
lndians,' went West. These friendly
indians were domiciled in the State
OF North Carolina. Their descend
ants organized fine regiment OF In
diAns for service in the Confederate
war. and they served their country
ialthfully. These friendly Indians
had large claim against the gov
crnmcnt Of the United States. There
was much litigation over this claim.
Finally the Indians were successful.
Notable Sons OF Oconcc.
The Revolutionary soldiers, Off
GERS and priyates, came to this sec
tion Of the country early We men
tion, with much pleasure, the names
OF those who settled in the territory
of Oconcc, to wit: Cen Andrew
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