The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-05-14
A SOONER LANDMARK
Moved to Oklahoma When
Western Cherokees Estab-
lshed Their Nation
WAS REQUESTED BY INDIANS
Chief Of Western Cherokeee
Induced Missionaries to
Invade New Country
Special to The world.

Special TO The World.
TAHLEQUAH-OfficiaI and defi-
nite announcement hns been made
that old and historical Dwight mis-
sion station will not be abandoned.
but that improvements costing $780,
900 will he made. Construction OF
new and flrcproof buildings will be-
gin at an early date. School will bo
resumed this coming autumn, though
the buildings will not all be COM
pletcd until n later date. Several
disastrous fires have been expe-
rienced at tho mission and I'm jan
uary, 1917, IL OF the boy pupils were
burned TO death In their dormitory.
Thereafter efforts were made to
have the school located at some other
place In oklahoma. Tho decision to
rebuild on the old site is final, how
ever. and the oldest mission estab-
llshcd In the present state of Okla
homa. will continue In operation,
The Dwight Mission Story.
The story OF Dwight mission is OF
great interest. IL was the first
school OF It's kind established west
OF the Mississippi river among tho
western Cherokees. The western ma
ton at tho time of the establishment
of Dwight was In what IL now Pope
| county, Arkansas. The members OF
this nation had left the original ma
| tion east OF the Mississippi. during
"a number OF years. the first settlers
having established their homes west
OF tho great river during the latter
decades of the eighteenth century.
Tahlonteesky, principal chief and IA
nous leader, having Indicated that
his people were in need of and de-
sired instruction by the white mis-
sionaries. attracted tho attention of
persons having influence with the
American board of commissioners
| for foreign missions OF Boston, Mass.
The result was that tho board de-
cided to establish n mission among
the western Indians. The Rev. Ce-
| phas Washburn In 1919, was in,
structed TO depart on his long and |
arduOus journey to the Arkansas'
and soon after was on his way. This
pioneer missionary was a native OF
| Connecticut. n graduate OF the Uni
versIty OF Vermont, and was born
| in 1892. Many years OF his active
! life were spent at tho mission.
A minister from the east who vis-
! tied the station some time after its
establishment In mentioning it's
| founder. stated: II was soon con-
yinced that he was no ordinary man.
In his personal appearance he was
| prepOssesslng: OF scarcely medium
! height, he was erect and graceful in
| his movements. His countenancG
| bespoke benignity and goodness OF
heart. His manners were soft and
! cOncillatory. and yet, on all ocoas-
/ ions he evlnced great firmness and
decision. lie never appeared In
haste. while he permitted nothing TO
suffer by delay"
Another Pays His Tribute.
The testimony OF yet another MIN
later, recalled In after years. was to
tho effect that, II have seen him
under almost every variety of cir
cumstances--in trials and afflictlons,
Idlsappointments and yexations, but
never ruffled or out OF temper. His
was n uniformly happy. cheerful
and hopeful dispositlon. Many a
wearlsome mile have we travelled to-
gether on missionary tours, but his
cheerful, instructive and edifying
| conversation beguiled the time and
refreshed my spirits. when my body
was sorely iaded, and never that
can remember was there the slight
cst disagreement or dlsputation."
After n trying journey, attended
by many discomforts and severe Ill
ness through the old Cherokee ma
ton and from thence into tho vast
and prlmeval forests OF the far dis
liant western nation, the destination
| was finally reached and many OF
the leaders of tho Indian nation
cordially welcomed the missionary
and his assistant. After mentioning
I'm detail the incidents OF his Journey.
the Rev Mr.. Washburn In his Let
ters," written many years later,
states that at the timo OF his ar
rival at Little Rock in July 1920,
There were only two houses on the
site of what. is row the capital or
the state Of Arkansas. II was on
the third day OF July when the ar
rival was made ana on the follow
ing day. the fourth. Mr.. Washburn
addressed an audience Of 10 men and
one woman in one ot the log houses
OF the future capital. Thereafter
rhe missionary ana assistant pro-
cecded on their way 10 the country
OF the western Cherokees. Tahlon-
teesky, the chief. was now dead and
; his brother. Chief John Jolly, had
been chosen to IN, the position.
, Chief Jolly received the white mis-
sionaries cordially and the site for
1.-The mission was selected. Says Mr..
, Washburn: Eve selected as the site
! OF the mission the place now known
/ as Dwight. In Pope county. This.
, YOU are aware, Is the name given
! by us to the mission. The name
2 was given in honor OF Rev. Timothy
; Dwight, president OF Yalo college,
: who was the first corporate member
I OF the American board. IL 10 n spot
8 dear to my recollections. not only ~
CONTINUED ON PAGE NISEs -