Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-01-27
The Story of Oklahoma


readers who can do so.
The story of Chief Ross I know
more about, and I will write con-
corning the Ross faction later on.
The history Of the Cherokees
should be elaborated. They were
friendly to the whites while the
Creeks were hostile1and bloodthirsty.
Dear Mrs. FELTON,: Possibly you
are used to receiving all sorts of
letters that take up your time. Now
may humbly beg a portion of your
valuable time? For this I thank you
so much.
God has blessed you with such long
life and such wonderful memory, L
thought possibly you might know of
my Vann people of Spring Place,
Murray county, Ga. They were Chief
James Vanp who built Vann house
at Spring Place, Ga, in 1860. His
son, "Rich' Joe Vann was last to
live at "Vann" house. AS you re-
member, in 1885 the Cherokee" In
dams were cruelty driven from their
homes in Georgia tt this, our pres
ent day oklahoma" the baby state.
1t is truly wonder country. But in
that day few knew of it's immense
wealth that in late years has been
unearthed and brought forth and
made our state a wonder country
and famous the world over for it's
unlimited resources of grandeur and
wealth.
My great great grandfather,
Erich Joe Vann never came to the
then Indian" Territory, now "Okla-
homa." But after the dismissal in
!, hi 20 mi h
as he could of Ibis belongings, includ-
ing his immense lot of gold over in
Tennessee, possibly near Memphis,
buried it there somewhere and as he
was very rich he still had his slaves
and steamboats, on the Ohio river.
So nine years after he went into
Tennessee he was racing his favor
tie steamboat at Louisville, KY,
1874. 1t blew up and killed him with
out warning. so no one knew where
he buried his golden treasure.
+ His son, Johnson Vann, married
Diana Fields, niece of Chief Richard
Fields. They went to Texas with
Chief Richard Fields in 1896, of pos
sibly earlier. They and Chief Fields
bought over four millions acres Of
land near San Atomic, Texas. This
is our family estate. 1t is to be de-
cided on this month. We already
have gained it,. The settlement is to
be finished this month. Johnson and
Diana F'ields) Vann and only one
son, Johnson Vann, Jr. He married
Margret or Peggy Winters. They
are my grand-parent, who died many
wears ago, about the close of the
war, from exposure in this new coun-
try. They had just come up from
Texas to establish themselves in In
dian Territory before the war OF the
SOS came on.
The Mexicans were so desperate
they could not safely or peaceably
live in Texas an Fan Antonio, so they
Isought refuge in this, their land the
IN. S. government gave in exchange
for their eastern country.
NV people loved Georgia best. But
were heartlessly driven from their
homes like brutes. They were driv-
en- on foot over land from their
loved Georgia by Old Scott. I hate
that very name, would blot 1t out
of existence if I could. Also there
were the Bishops, I detest the
+, thought of them. They and another
party fought a pitched battle for
possession of the noted Warn house.
Even before "Rich" Joe Warn"
could get away the Bishops moved
in. am out Of harmony with all
who abused the noble Cherokee"
Indians, the true Americans" and
who under all those distressing trials
have triumphed and made good and
today many are in the highest Off
cial seats of business. And the world
sits up straight to take notice OF
the wonderful progress Of this noble
race, who in the face of all oppo-
sition, are now the equal of their
white brothers. There are now few
Cherokee full-bloods. They cannot
be- told from the white race. They
were always the equal Of the white
man only in privilege. thank God
we have by his guidance won out
am glad to tell you l am proudly
1-16 Cherokee Indian.
Mrs. FELTON,, our country is beau
tiful beyond your amaginations.
There are hills very stately and COW
cred only with native grass, grows
about 1 IL to 2 foot high and thick
with fine long blades. 1t covers
acres of land called prairie" land
It's cut and bailed like clover and
timothy hay, and has a high food
value for stock. Often sells for $40
per ton.
Streams of water like small rivers
covered on either bank with timber
Of medium size, run through these
prairies. Many kinds of large fish
up to two feet in length are plenti-
full in these streams. Bass, perch
and cat fish are most plentiful.
This land is fertile. All kinds of
crops are grown. Indian corn, KAT
| fir corn, milo maze, cotton, wheat,
oats, barley, potatoes, sugar beets,
kane sorghum, peanuts, all kinds
of fruits. This is a description
Of our prairie lands, some are level
some rolling. About here and there
are those giant towering hills that
have no trees but covered with the
beautiful grass.
Then we have the woodlands and
larger rivers run through these; wa
ters are so clear that fish may be
seen at a great debt beneath.
| You would think it no more
than ankle deep; to step into
it you would find it waist deep. You
cannot easily guess it's depth. The
beautiful Grand river is two miles
east of our home. It's called the
| SCS1lSIJ VI EoW4tASl 1duu. It's DoIlhS
and cliffs are beautifully overhung
with many varieties of trees and
shrubs of many fashions. It's wa
tiers are placid and clear; much fish
ing is done here with trout lines
and harpoons, as many very large
fish are in this large stream. There
is a most home-like hotel two miles
east of us on this river. It's truly
Ia beauty spot. The three houses
are all modern. Their baths are the
equal of anything found in larger
cities; the reception room and regu-
lar ballroom is elegant indeed.
1t is located beneath a large cliff,
and people from every city and state
have been there. There are other