Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-09
CHEHAW
Continued from page three.)

bayoneted. His son was also killed.
After the smoke cleared away it was
found that seven men, one woman and
two children of the Chehaws had
been killed. here was no loss OF lie
among the whites, as no defense had
been attempted by the Indians, who
had trusted to the flag of truce. The
chief, Howard, was al uncle Of i4e
famous General Mcintosh, who led two
thousand Creeks in the cause of Geol-
gia. and who held the rank Of a briga-
der general in the federal army,
Several days later General Jackson
on his way westward from FIT. Gads-
den to Aralachicola, when only seven
miles from the fort, was overtaken by
an express bringing letters from the
Chehaws, advising him of their calam-
ity. There was also letter from
General Mcintosh, and one from Lit
tie Prince, a chief of high standing
and much wealth.
Jackson Immediately despatched 4
party to arrest Captain Wright AMI
convey him in irons to Fl. Hawkins
to be confined there until the will of
the president be known"
He also wrote a notable talk" to
the Chehaws, addressing them as his
| friends and brothers, acknowledging
his gratitude to them for their aid 50
| lately given, and expressing sympa-
| thy with them, stating that the news
filled his heart with regret and his
eyes with tears" He spoke contemp-
| tuously of the man who Wuold ignore
a fog of truce. He lamented that he
fould not bring their old men and wo-
men back to life, promised tina tWright
should be terribly punished and that
they should be paid for their houses
and property destl Dyed. He implored
them not to try to take any satisfac-
ton themselves, asked them to treat
his messengers kindly, assuring them
that the messengers were their friends.
He told them that jest tice should be
done them and they must 1emain at
leace. He also offered that they
might sent some of their people with
his messengers that they might have
the satisfaction of seeing Wright put
in irons.
hTe precedence of the respective
military, federal and state, in this
matter, brought about lasting feud
between Governor Rabun of Georgia,
and General Jackson.
The belligerent correspondence be-
tween the two, their letters to the
secretary of war; and the president
and other papers on file at Washing
ton, evidence the events which trans
pired at Chehaw.
Subsequently eight thousand dollars
! indemnity was paid to the Chehaws for
the burning of their village.
In the meantime, many miles south
of Chehaw the pocketbook of the muir
dered man, Leigh, filled with letters
hearing his name, was found upon the
body of a stranger
Captain Wright was tried, and in eff
feet acquitted
The following year Florida passed
from Spanish dominion and became a
part of the United States.
In 1873 the county of Lee was divid-
ed, and the new county thus made
called Sumter, about ten years after
the champion of Chehaw had been
duly elected president of the United
States.
The movement of the Indians west
ward had begun.
For nearly seventy years Chebaw
has been deserted, and now is marked
only by that perfect circle of trees
which described the centre of the
Chehaws' tribal life. A short distance
away is the old graveyard, overgrown
with trees and underbrush which
mas not been disturbed since they
went away. There they buried their
dead with their peculiar rites, and
when recently a ditch was dug too
near the border, the bones of an In
dian were discovered. The body had
oeen buried, according to custom. in
sitting attitude, and the shape OF
the skull showed to what race it be-
longed.