Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1912-06-16

Such an eloquent tribute was pait
by Mr.. J. E. D. Shipp in his recen
Grafton at Chehaw to the friendlinesl
and sympathy of the Chehaw Indians
and the oration itself forms such {
notable contribution to the history o.
the period involved that The Times
Recorder today presents in full the ad-
dress delivered last Friday.
AS regent of the Council of Safety
chapter of the Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution Mrs. Charles A. Frick-
er introduced Mr.. Shipp in brief ad-
dress in which she gave to each one
concerned cordial thanks for their CO.
operation in the work. Mrs. Fricker's S
address was inclusive and embraced
kindly expression of thanks to every
one who had aided in the work. Her
address was as follows:
Before proceeding to execute the
task assigned me on this occasion, !
wish very much to say a word in
favor of my predecessor, Mrs. Lowery,
for it was under her regency and
through her will and energy we ac-
complished this work, scarcely yet
complete. 1t is regrettable that she
saw fit to retire ere this was fully ac-
oompiished, but all honor is due her,
for she is still ever ready with ener-
getic force to lend her cooperation
and support in any and everything
that we attempt.
II desire to thank all for their pres
ence here today, and the people of Lee
county for the valuable aid they have
given us in making this occasion pos
sihle, and more especially do / public
ly express our appreciation and reit-
crate our thanks to the generous wo-
man, Mrs. Heath, who decided us the
land upon which this monument
stands.
1T is not my province now to dis
cuss the Importance of preserving re-
cords and perpetuating historical facts
and localities. Suffice it to say thai
these people realize fully the meaning
of our efforts, and we are sincerely
grateful for the service they have rem
dered.
81 Furthermore realize that it is not
my opportunity to make a speech, for
could not do so if would, nor could
without trespassing upon the pre-
rogative of the distinguished gentle
man who has honored us with his pres
ence on this occasion.
He has been a thinker and a stu
dent, especially of the history of our
country, and those of us who are so
fortunate as to hear him today, will be
thrilled with the stories of war and
romance which cluster around this
long neglected spot.
1T is my privilege, and very great
pleasure to present to you the orator
of the occasion, the Hon. j. E. D.
Shipp, of Americus."
Mr.. Shipp then spoke as follows:
Ladies of the Council Safety Chapter
of d. A. r.
We stand to-day on historic ground.
If these old trees and jutting rocks
could talk, if these old Indian mounds,
where now sleeps a nation dead coull
speak they would relate a story from
which the genius of a Homer could
frame more than an Odyssey and the
warrior harp Of Tasso could kindle
into as glowing verses as celebrated
"The Delivery of Jerusalem" A clas-
sic Virgil could find here a greater in
piration for his Aeneid in the rehearsal
of history more charming than any
romance, yet so full of pathos, suffer-
ing and sublimity that your humble
speaker is overwhelmed with embarras
ment in attempting to comply with
your request to address you in plain
est prose on subject so far beyond
his power to SUCCESSFULLY expatiate.
In the Spring of the year 1540 De
Soto journeying up the Thronateeska
river finally came to the Indian viii
lage of Cofachiqui or Cutafichiqui, sit
uated in the forks of two large
streams. Williams history of Florida
locates this spot somewhere on the
Chattahoochee river, other historians
place it on the Savannah river. Tradi-
tion however which should outweigh
any doubtful records of history locates
this village on the left bank of the
Thronateeska between the forks oi