The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-07
AUTHOR VISITED
CHEROKEE NATION
John H. Payne, Writer of
Home, Sweet Home"
Was Ross Guest
ARRESTED AS AGITAT0R
Placed in Chains by Guard of
Georgia, Charged With
Inciting Revolution

Special 20 The World
TAHLEQUAH - An interesting
event In early Cherokee history was
the visit of the author OF Home.
Sweet Home. 1t was for the purpose
of studying conditions and people
that John Howard Payne entered the
old Cherokee nation in Georgia IN
S3J. Two years previously he had
, caused to oe published the prospeC-
tus of a magazine TO be issued from
london, England, and 1t was Payne's
.tention to gather "A vast and varied
md Of information from out OF
f.e way corners of the earth. Be-
ore entering the Cherokee nation he
Uid visited a number of the states
nd territories of the union and had
made extensive notes. Upon reach
Hg the state OF Georgia he visited
a number of the natural wonders.
studied Removal Question.
While at the picturesque AMIGA
lola falls, he was constrained to
visit the Cherokecs and study the
NoNod question concerning the pro-
posed removal of the people of this
nation to the far west. 1t was In
% troubled and distressful period
that the author reached the nation
BEFORE proceeding there he had been
the guest in Athens of General Har-
den. very prominent citizen. and
before leaving the mansion of the
general had fallen in love with the
beautiful Mary Harden, then less
than twenty years of age. Somewhat
later he. in company with General
Harden departed for the land of
the Cherokees. The principal chief
of the Cherokces. John Ross, was
90 be the host OF the general and
Payne and they were accompanied
by Governor Lumpkin and Col
Samuel Rockwell of the United
States army
soon after the arrival of the party
an the Cherokee nation they at
tended an important meeting being
held at place called Red clay. At
this place Payne met an old college
friend, the Rev. John +. SChermer-
horn, who long after the student
days at Union college. was engaged
as an agent from President Jackson
in endeavoring TO effect treaty with
the Cherokees by which they would
give up their lands and remove
westward. Payne attended the scs-
elons Of the meeting and a treaty
failed at the time. Payne proceeded
with Chief Ross to his home in Ten
nessee. While at this place. 1t was
the misfortune of the poet to be
placed under arrest, charged with
nclliug the Indians to sedition. The
arrest occurred Just two days beforn
Payne had planned to leave the
home OF the chief and extend his
visit to other sections of the nation.
Was Put ~ Chains.
The arrest was made by the Geor-
gla guard and Payne. in chains, was
taken along with the chief and was
held for nearly two weeks. though
the chief was released In a lew
days. After the charge of conspiracy
had been investigated Payne was
given his release hut was given 10
understand that his presence was
not desired and that he had better
remain away from Georgia and ting
Cherokee nation thereafter.
Payne states that he found in his
clothing letter from one prominent
citizen TO another in Georgia, ana
there was sufficient blank space
upon this letter for him TO write
note to- a friend. Watching his op-
portunity he hastily scribbled Few
lines 10 the governor of Tennessee,
stating his plight and asking aid.
Managing to hand the note to a
friend it was eventually delivered.
Concerning the day when he was
released, Payne wrote interestingly
long afterward. Said he, among
other things: II have seen Ma
: poleon Bonaparte, the Duke of Wei
lngtOn, Emperor Alexander, En-
peror Francis, the king of Prussia
the king of England. the great men
or Europe, as we'll as of America,
but have never seen quite so great
man as the tavern keeper clerk of
court, postmaster, county treasurer,
captain Bishop OF the Georgia
guard, who caused my arrest
Hold your tongue, / say resumed
my Jailer. The minute you hear the
zap OF the drum, tell you to cut out
o. this yard, and 1 order you never
while YOU exist to be seen in this
STATE OF ours any more, for If you
are III make you rue It! And
now sir clear out of the state for
ever, and so to John Ross, damn
you""
Payne never returned to Georgia
and three years after his visit the
Oherokees were expelled and re-
moved 10 Indian territory. lie,
aiier various ViCissitudes, was ap-
pointed United States consul TO Tunis
ana dicd there in 1852. After many
years his remains were disinterred
ana now lie in Oak Hill cemetery
= washington, ID. c. A monument at
i.' grave is similar to the one which
E.anas at his former grave in far
Instant luuis