Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-22
CHIEF
BUILDS OLDEST
HOUSE IN ROME
Mansion Built by Kahnung-da-
hah-get Still Stands-Scene
of Festivities of Tribe.

outskirts OF the city stands the old
est house in North Georgia, and by
1t runs what is said to be the oldest
dirt road in the South The house
was built in 1894 by Kah-nung-dA-
hs-geh, better known as Major Ridge,
a famous Cherokee chief.
When Chief Ridge came to this part
of-Georgis, Rome was known as CHA
ha. He settled on the farm now
owned by Harry Jeffries. Here among
the beautiful trees on the Oostanaula
River, he built his home. a large two
story house of logs, facing the river.
Since that time the house has been
covered with Notwithstanding.
Still Signs of Road,
The old Georgia and Alabama Road
passed in front Of the house and
crossed the river by ferry. There are
still signs of this highway in Mr.. JEFF
fries front yard, where it led to the
river. It can also be traced down
the banks of the river. The road has
since been changed, and passes down
by the river through the city and
crosses the Oostanaula at Fifth Ave-
rue, over the bridge linking the old
town of DeSoto, the Fourth Ward Of
Rome.
This road to-day is one Of the pic
ture spots If Rome. In front of the
old Indian home the road turns sharp
ly to the right, joining the original
Indian road which passes through the
farm eastward by the old Indian
trading post, about 200 yards from
the Ridge home. A giant oak marked
the site, but it has recently been
blown down.
"Chieftains" was the home of Ma
jor Ridge from 1894 to 1895. Here he
raised his family giving his children
the best education obtainable in this
section and sending them to schools
in the North. The beautiful old oaks
under whose spreading branches the
little prince and princess pappooses
played and where the Indians held
their green corn dance on Major
Ridges lawn, still stand lending their
cool and stately protection to the
small sons of the present owner.
Indian House Remodsled.
The "Chieftains" is on a land lot
drawn by Mrs. Rachel Ferguson of
Augusta, the wife of a soldier. She
sold it in 1888 to A. N. Verdery. Yer
derry remodeled the old Indian house,
adding several rooms, converting it
into a colonial home, building a porch
with tall f1uted columns around three
sides of the house.
He built and maintained a pontoon
bridge across the river. In 1853 a
Frenchman, NJ. Ferdinand DeBray de
Longchamp, bought it, selling it in
1855 to Judge A. R. Wright, whose
home it was until 1868, when he sold
it to A. A. Jones, of Virginia. Judge
Wright was the father of Seaborn and
Moses Wright.
During the Civil War the Federal
soldiers destroyed the beautiful Co
rinthian porches and damaged the
place seriously.
Mr.. Jones moved to Rome in 1866
and the place now stands as he left
it. The property came into the pos
session of Miss Kate Jones, and on
her death 1t went to Harry and An
drew Jeffries. Mr. Jeffries has in his
possession a map Of the property
made nearly rs years ago The map
was presented to Verdery by LeHardy
Beauchamp because of his great nos
pitality Mr. Verdery's daughter
married DR.. George Battey, a brother
of the great surgeon, DR.. Robert Bat
tey.
Gave Green Corn Dance.
John Ridge, son of Chief Major
Ridge, married a Miss Northrop, of
Philadelphia, in 1924. Chief Major
Ridge gave a green corn dance under
his trees in honor of their home
coming Mrs. Ridge became so dis
gusted with their mode of dress that
she tried to commit suicide by jump
ing into the river One of the squaws
prevented her drowning, and after
ward she became reconciled.
On his return from college John
Ridge commenced his career as pub
lie man and conferred his energies in
an effort to keep the Cherokees from
serming an independent government.
He accompanied various delegations
to Washington and acted as interpre-
ter, secretary and agent Major
Ridges daughter went to college in
the North and married a wealthy, ed
ucated New Yorker
The Lyman place, three miles north
Of Rome, now occupies the site OF
the Cherokee council grounds