The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-07-03

4 40 bOA116 AAdh1lSStCO ONGI Lu6
neglected grave of Col. Ben
Jamln Hawkins, who died and was
buried many years ago at what is
known as the "Old Indian Agency"
near Roberta, in this county. Many
of our people have been reading in
The Atlanta Constitution the contri-
buttons that have made to that
paper, in an effort to arouse the peo-
pie to their duty of erecting mon
ument to the memory of Col. Haw-
kins.
In recent interesting history of
Georgia by Mr.. Lucian Lamar
knight, that gentleman gives me
credit Of discovering Col. Hawkins
grave.
1t would be an honor that any
man in the United States should feel
proud to claim, but l am forced to
disclaim this credit from the mere
fact that the resting place of this
great and good man has always been
known by the older settlers and
their descendants of the mediate vi
entity. I will admit, howeve., that
visited Col. Hawkins grave for the
sole purpose of making known to
the outside world the true conditions
of affairs and to endeavor to arouse
sufficient enthusiasm in order that
the Federal government would full
fill an obligation that has long been
its duty. Some several yers ago I
furnished photograph of the grave,
together with a sufficient history, to
Hon. Dudley M. Hughes, to be-
placed before Congress at Washing
ton. He wrote me later that as there
were so many requests which were
made for appropriations for other
men that were turned down, he
would wait until later. Since then
/ have heard nothing from him in
regard to the matter.
/ have been informed by Mrs E.
T. Nottingham, who is treasurer of
the John Houston Chapter, Daugh-
ters Of the American Revolution, at
ThOmaston, Ca, that they have be-
come very much interested, and are
doing all they Can to bring about the
desired results. They have recently
taken the matter up with Congress-
man. Bartlett, Of Georgia, at Wash
ington, and he has promised to do
what he could. Mrs. Nottingham,
Mrs. w. c.. Hightower and other
members of this chapter are work.
ing hard, and with such a strong
organization at the back of the
movement success is bound to crown
all efforts that are being mani
tested.
Now [ am going to make another
effort that | trust will bear fruit.
am going to ask you to publish this
article, and | am going to send it to
the Governor of each State in the
Union with the request that they in
turn send it to one of the Congress-
men from their State who are now
in Washington, with the request
that they do what they can, at their
earliest opportunity, of having the
United States government erect a
shaft in honor Of the great service
Col Hawkins did for his country.
Here is the history copied from
Mr.. Lucian Lamar Knights be TX.
Mr.. Knight is Compiler of the State
Records of Georgia:
con a wooded bluff, to the east of
Flint river, not far from the boat
landing, where the stream at this
point is crossed by the old Federal
wire road, there sleeps in an I'M
marked grave what is mortal of Col.
Benjamin Hawkins, one of the most
unselfish characters known to Amer
lean public annals. The grave of the
old patriot is on land which formerly
constituted part of the old Indian
Agency, in what Was then the terri
tory of the Greek Nation. Col. Haw-
LinC n0Echod Uontlopoon opd