USA > Georgia > Floyd County > Rome > A history of Rome and Floyd County, State of Georgia, United States of America; including numerous incidents of more than local interest, 1540-1922, Volume I > Part 6
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51
THE GREAT INDIAN MEETING AT ROME
ever, have meant he had no official notice of the meeting in writing. He sent a letter also to Major Ridge and John Ridge, inviting them and their friends to a conference with him and his friends to settle all the difficul- ties between them, and unite in pro- moting the common good of their peo- ple. This is an omen for good and I have been laboring while here to ef- fect this object. No doubt Ross has been hard pushed on this subject by his friends, and he is convinced that unless a reconciliation takes place, and a treaty is soon made, he will be for- saken by them, and a third party arise, who will unite with Ridge and carry the proposed treaty. I can not now go into detail, but will simply state overtures have been made by several of Ross's friends to unite with Ridge's party if Ross refuses to come to terms on the award made by the Senate of the United States.
The best informed here entertain no doubt but that a treaty will be per- fected in the fall, if not sooner.
It has been thought best by the com- missioners not to call a meeting by the nation until November, unless both parties should be brought to agree to articles of the treaty to be sub- mitted to the nation for their adop- tion. Ross's council meets in Octo- ber, and many of his principal men have agreed, if he does not come to terms by that time, they will leave him and treat without him.
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of several communications from the Secretary of War, forward- ed to me at New Echota in May and July, and especially the last, contain- ing the letter of Mr. William Rogers, with the answer to it. I respectfully suggest to the Department, should any similar letters be received, whether it would not be best to send them to the commissioners, with such instructions in reference to them as may be deemed necessary, and refer the writers to the commissioners for an answer. I make this suggestion merely to prevent be- ing embarrassed by the crafty policy of the men we have to deal with. It
*Written June 28, 1835, from Chattahoochee, and suggested that "Mr. Ridge" was not the only man of his party who could arrange a treaty.
** With duplications omitted; 114 was the total. Report of Secretary of War on Cherokee Treaty (1835), ps. 390-447.
*** Near Calhoun, Gordon County. **** Site of Rome.
*** Coosa.
is believed Rogers' letter was written at the suggestion and the knowledge of Ross .*
With respect, your obedient servant, JOHN F. SCHERMERHORN, Commissioner.
The following 92 ** Indians lined up with the Ridge party in support of Archilla Smith's resolution, which if passed would have dis- tributed the $6,666.67 annuity among the common Indians in- stead of placing it in the national treasury :
Challoogee Distriet-James Field, R. Raincrow, Beans Pouch, Na-too, Stay- all-night, Robin, Daniel Mills, Stand- ing, Tac-ses-ka, Archy, Trailing, Hog Shooter, Tais-ta-eska, Milk, Dick Scott, Hair Tied, Uma-tois-ka, Dick, George, Se-nah-ne, Owl, Chicken, Buffalo, Parch Corn, Jim Bear Skin, Coo-los- kee, Bread Butter, Stephen Harris and Elijah Moore. Total, 29.
Coosewattie-Charley Moore, Ham- mer, Nathaniel Wolf, Baesling, Tara- pin Striker, Te-ke-wa-tis-ka, John Ridge, Carnton Hicks, In Debt, Day- light, Matthew Moore, Standing Lightning, Wake Them, Morter, All- day, Bear Meat, Waitie, Mole Sign, Wat Liver, Huckleberry, Coon, Isaac, Ave Vann, Walter Ridge, Jac Nichol- son, Six Killer, John, Collin McDan- iel, Stand Watie, and Major Ridge. Total, 31.
Hightower (Etowah)-Ground Hog, Ezekiel West, Spirit, Hammer, Jac West, Catcher, Rib, Scou-tike, Road, Chwa-looka, Standing Wolf, Dave Scoute, John Wayne, Tookah, Frozen Foot, Fase, Nelson West, Red Bird, Wat Huskhe, and John Eliot. Total, 20.
Amoah-Jos. Foreman, Jac Bushy- head, Wm. Reed and Jay Hicks. To- tal, 4.
Aquohee, Chickamauga and Tahquo. hec-None.
Hickory Log-Charles and Buffalo Pouch. Total, 2.
Miscellaneous-D. J. Hook, Turkey Town; J. L. Mckay, Will's Valley; Tesataesky, Springtown; Black Fox, Oothcalouga ***: Henderson Harris, Forks of Coosa ** * . Jno. Fields, Sr., Turnip Mountain Total, 6.
52
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
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3
THE CENTRAL CHURCHES OF ROME
The "Hill City" has long been noted for the influence of its religious institutions, and practically all denominations are represented. 1-The new First Christian edifice. 2-The First Methodist. 3-The First Baptist, in snow of January 27, 1921, minus steeple demolished by lightning stroke in 1920. 4-St. Peter's Episcopal. 5-First Presbyterian.
CHAPTER III. John Howard Payne's Arrest by the Georgia Guard
OHN HOWARD PAYNE, author of the famous song, "Home, Sweet Home," and a number of plays, got into a peck of trouble when he came to Georgia in 1835. He was plainly unaccustomed to frontier life and the cruel ways of the world. In August, 1833, he had sent out from New York, N. Y., to the newspa- pers of the country (including Georgia) a prospectus of a new weekly magazine to be published at London and to be known by the old Persian title "Jam Jehan Ni- ma," or "The World From the In- side of the Bowl." He had an- nounced that he would visit every state in the Union to collect ma- terial on the wonders of nature, and also to collect such subscrip- tions as he could for this depart- ure in journalism. His funds were ample and the newspapers in many instances carried his announcement on their front pages, and com- mented editorially upon it. He traveled in style, and his own story shows that he was not a partner to rough treatment.
His song having been written a decade before in Paris and sung in his play, "Clari, or the Maid of Milan," at the Covent Garden The- atre, London, he was given quite a reception on his return from the old country to New York; and in certain of the larger cities on his "experience jaunt" he was received with a rousing acclaim-notably at New Orleans. Into seven states he went before he reached Geor- gia ; he came to Macon from the Creek Nation in Alabama, and on Aug. 9, 1835, wrote from that city to his sister a long letter, elegantly
*Mr. Payne was then a bachelor of 43, far from the age of insensibility to feminine charms. ** Also author of the Dickens-like book of side-splitting comedy called "Georgia Scenes."
expressed and describing a green corn dance held by the Creeks, at which a strong fascination was flung upon him by the beautiful daughter of an Indian chief .*
At Macon he purchased a horse and traveled toward Augusta, there to confer with Judge Augustus B. Longstreet, ** editor of the States' Rights Sentinel, with regard to furnishing stories of his travels. On the way he stopped at Sanders- ville, Washington County, and Dr. Tennille, a brother of Wm. A. Ten- nille, then secretary of state, ad- vised him to study the Indian re- moval problem. First he went by horseback to see the wonders of North Georgia-the Toccoa Falls, in Stephens County, and the Ami- calola Falls, in Dawson County ; visited Tallulah Falls and gazed on Yonah Mountain (White Coun- ty), from Clarkesville, in Haber- sham ; inspected the gold fields of Dahlonega, Lumpkin County, and finally went to Cass (Bartow) County and explored the Salt Peter cave near Kingston.
It may be that Payne touched Floyd County on this trip. An old tradition has it that he and John Ross spent a night or so at Rome, and departing for New Echota, camped in a beech grove at Pope's Ferry, Oostanaula river; and that here Payne carved his name on a beech tree. Also that they were entertained in the home of Col. Wm. C. Hardin, across the river. It is known that Payne stayed with the Hardins and played on the piano for the little girls of the family while they were stationed at New Echota, but nothing yet establishes that he visited Rome and Pope's Ferry.
For a time it was believed he attended the July Indian meeting
54
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
at "Running Waters," near Rome, but since he did not enter the state until early August, this was impossible. He had a letter of in- troduction from an Athens mer- chant to a Floyd County lawyer,* but evidently never presented it.
Presently, in September, he shook the dust from his boots and clothes in Athens, Clarke County, having been taken there by a let- ter to Gen. Edward Harden, who as a resident of Savannah some time before had entertained Gen. LaFayette. Payne was received into the Harden home, and quickly fell in love with the General's beautiful brunette daughter, Mary Harden, to whom he gave some handsome Indian relics from his portmanteau, and later wrote a number of impassioned letters tell- ing of his love. Strange to say, neither married, but that is an- other story. The University of Georgia was in session and Payne and Miss Harden mingled among the students on the campus.
In company with Gov. Lump- kin, Gen. Harden and Col. Sam- uel Rockwell, Payne set off for the Indian country in the general's two-horse carriage, and was ready for the opening of the Red Clay Council of Oct. 12 a day or two be- fore it convened. John Ross pressed them to stay with him, and they did so. On Sept. 28 Payne rode into Tennessee, and spent some days at the cabin of Ross. Then he proceeded back to Red Clay, arriving Sunday, a day prior to the council opening.
Here it was that the well-inten- tioned "Tray" got into company of none too good standing, as the Georgia authorities viewed it, and with Ross was subjected to the humiliation of arrest .** He was taken in custody Saturday at 11 p. m., Nov. 7, 1835, and released Friday morning, Nov. 20, 121/2 days later. Ross was freed Monday
at 4 p. m., Nov. 16, hence had been detained 9 days. The Red Clay Council had adjourned Oct. 30, after a session lasting 19 days.
Immediately after he reached "civilization" (Calhoun, McMinn County, Tenn.), Mr. Payne issued the following statement to the press, under date of Nov. 23, 1835 :
John Howard Payne to His Coun- trymen-The public is respectfully re- quested to withhold their opinion for the few days upon the subject of a recent arrest within the chartered limits of Tennessee, by the Georgia Guard, of Mr. Payne, in company with Mr. John Ross, principal chief of the Cherokee nation.
Mr. Payne can not of course iden- tify the state of Georgia with this gross violation of the Constitution of the United States, of the rights of an American citizen, and of the known hospitality of the South to strangers. But as he is conscious that every act which can be devised will be resorted to for the purpose of endeavoring to cover such an act from public indig- nation, he thinks it due to justice to promise that a full and honest state- ment shall be submitted the moment it can be prepared.
Payne's own story of his trials and tribulations is best told by himself. So far as is known, this account has never been reproduced in any publication except the news- papers and journals that carried it at the time. It was found at the University of Georgia Library, Athens, in the Georgia Constitu- tionalist (Augusta) of Thursday, Dec. 24, 1835, having been reprint- ed from the Knoxville (Tenn.) Register of Dec. 2, same year. It sets at rest certain discussions bearing on historic fact, and here it is :
At the instance of Mr. Jno. Howard Payne, I hand for publication his ad- dress to his countrymen in the United
*Believed to have been Judge Jno. H. Lump- kin, nephew of Gov. Wilson Lumpkin, of Ath- ens.
** At the one-room log cabin of Sleeping Rab- bit, an Indian underling of Ross. The spot is located at Blue Spring (Station), Bradley Co., Tenn., five miles southwest of Cleveland and eight miles north of Red Clay.
55
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE'S ARREST BY THE GEORGIA GUARD
States, giving an account of his ab- duction from the State of Tennessee and of his imprisonment and brutal treatment in this state by the Geor- gia Guard. To none of his country- men is it so important as to those of Georgia to be acquainted with the facts of this outrage. Every man of patriotic feeling within its feel will regret that any power with the sem- blance of state authority should have acted in such a banditti-like manner toward the amiable and talented au- thor of "Home, Sweet Home" and for the credit of the state will desire that the principal actors may be made to suffer the punishment of crimes so flagrant and disgraceful to the coun- try.
ROBERT CAMPBELL. Augusta, Ga., Dec. 18, 1835.
(From the Knoxville,* Tenn., Regis- ter, Dec. 2, 1835.)
John Howard Payne to His Country- men .- A conspiracy has been formed against my reputation and my life. From the latter I have just escaped, and very narrowly. I would protect the former, and therefore hasten to acquaint the public with the truth re- garding this extraordinary affair.
It has long been known that in Au- gust, 1833, I published proposals at New York for a literary periodical. The prospectus stated as a part of my plan that I would travel through the United States for the double pur- pose of gathering subscribers and ma- terial; and especially such informa- tion regarding my own republic as might vindicate our national charac- ter, manners and institutions, against the aspersions of unfriendly travel- ers from other countries. In the pur- suit of these objects I have for up- wards of a year been upon my jour- ney. I have visited Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Mississippi, Louis- ana and Alabama. In each of these states I have been honored with the most flattering hospitality and sup- port. Some time in August last I entered Georgia on my regular course northward through the Carolinas and Virginia. I was induced by the de-
scriptions I had heard of the beauty of its mountain region to turn some- what aside from my road in order to seek the upper parts of the State; for I was anxious in anything I might write hereafter to leave nothing which deserved admiration untouched. I went to Tellulah, Tuckoah, the cave in Cass County, the Gold Region and the Falls of Amacaloolah. A mere accident led me among the Cherokees. The acci- dent was this:
In the course of my rambles I met DI. Tennille, of Saundersville, a broth- er to the Georgia Secretary of State .** This gentleman spoke to me of the Cherokees. He suggested that their his- tory for the last 50 years, could it be obtained, would be one of extreme interest and curiosity, and especially appropriate to a work like mine. I knew next to nothing then of the Cher- okees. had been in Europe when their cause was brought so eloquently before the public by Mr. Wirt, Mr. Everett and others. The hint I speak of led me to ask about them. The more I heard, the more I became excited. I obtained letters to their leading men and went into the nation. Circum- stances, however, had induced me to relinquish my first purpose of pro- ceeding so far as the residence of Mr. Ross, their Principal Chief. But 1
was told Mr. Ross possessed a series of letters which had been sent to him by his predecessor in office, Chas. R. Hicks, detailing memoranda for the
JOHN HOWARD PAYNE, author of world- famous song, "Home, Sweet Home," who was arrested by the Georgia Guard in 1835.
*Judge Hugh Lawson White and David A. Deaderick led a committee for a Payne mass meeting at Knoxville, but Payne declined ap- pearing. He later attended a public dinner. He went to Knoxville via Calhoun and Athens, Tenn.
** Wm. A. Tennille, ancestor of the Savannah Tennilles.
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
earlier history of his country, and that he himself had taken up the narra- tive where it was discontinued by the extending of it to the year 1835. I was encouraged to believe that were I to call on Mr. Ross he would not only readily allow me the use of these manuscripts, but be gratified in an opportunity of seeing them made pub- lic. I therefore resumed my original intention and on the 28th of last Sep- tember rode into Tennessee to the res- idence of Mr. Ross.
By Mr. Ross I was received with unlooked-for cordiality and unreserve. I felt the deeper sympathy for him be- cause I found him driven by the hard policy against his nation from a splen- did abode to a log hut of but one sin- gle room, and scarcely proof against the wind and rain. He had a part of the letters by Mr. Hicks, but of a continuation by himself I had been misinformed. He told me, however, that any or all of the documents he had were at my service. I thought if he were disposed to let me take these with . me and transcribe them at my leisure, he would have proposed it; but as he did not, I began to make copies where I was-intending to con- fine myself to very few. My first calculation was to limit my visit to a day, but I thought I should now be warranted in prolonging it three or four; my task, however, detaining me longer than I expected, Mr. Ross urged me to remain until the meeting of the Council. He told me that he could then show me all their leading men. He thought besides that two gentle- men who have made valuable re- searches into the antiquities and the language of the Cherokees would be present. To the arrival of the Reve- rend Commissioner, Mr. Schermerhorn, I also looked with interest. I believed him to be the same Mr. Schermerhorn who was in an upper class when I entered college *; we had been intimate there; I had not met him in five and twenty years, and was solicitous to talk over things long past. In addition to these inducements, I felt a deep at- traction in the opportunity of witness- ing the last days on their native soil of the nations of the red men. I de- termined to see the opening of the Council.
My stay with Mr. Ross having been so unexpectedly protracted, of course the range of my collections was ex- tended. In addition to the literature and the anecdotes of the nation I
involuntarily became well acquainted with its politics, because I had tran- scribed nearly all the documents rel- ative to the recent negotiations for a treaty. I thought these curious, not only as historic evidence, but as spec- imens of Indian diplomacy, more com- plete than any upon record in any age or country. I confess I was sur- prised at what these papers unfolded regarding the system used by the agents and pursued by our govern- ment, and I thought if the real posi- tion of the question were once under- stood by our own country and its rul- ers, their ends would be sought by different and unexceptional means. Though no politician, as a philanthro- pist I fancied good might be done by a series of papers upon the subject. I conceived as an American that it was one of the most precious and most undisputed of my rights to examine any subject entirely national, espe- cially if I could render service to the country by such explanations as pecu- liar circumstances might enable me to offer. For this purpose I commenced such a series as I have spoken of, but having written one number, I thought I would lay it by for reconsideration, and forbear to make up my mind finally until I saw how matters were carried on at the Council then ap- proaching. The number in question was subsequently put aside and no sec- ond number ever written. It was sign- ed "WASHINGTON." The mention was brief and incidental. It was such a paper as we see hourly upon our pub- lic affairs, only somewhat more gen- tle and conciliatory. Among other things, it mentioned of necessity the Georgia Guard. It spoke of their out- ward appearance as more resembling banditti than soldiers, and alluded to the well-known fact of an Indian pris- oner who had hanged himself while in their custody, through fear that they would murder him. I wish the reader to bear this paper in mind, for it will be specifically noticed more than once again; and at the same time let it be remembered that it was never print- ed ** nor made known in any way, but kept among my private manuscripts until the proper season for publica- tion had gone by. Indeed, the very plan of which it was meant for the beginning was ere long merged in an-
*Union, Schnectady, N. Y. Mr. Schermerhorn graduated in 1809. Payne entered in 1807, pre- sumably in the Class of 1811, and left after two terms and without completing his course. ** Mai. Currey claimed it was printed by the Knoxville Register prior to the arrest.
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JOHN HOWARD PAYNE'S ARREST BY THE GEORGIA GUARD
other. It had been suggested that great service might be done by an ad- dress to the people of the United States from the Cherokees, explaining fully and distinctly all their views and feel- ings. I was told that no one had ever possessed such opportunities as mine had been for undertaking these. I took the hint, and felt gratified in the opportunity of enabling the nation to plead its own cause. I promised to prepare such an address, and if ap- proved, it was to be sent around by runners, for the signature of every Cherokee in the country. I confess I felt proud of an advocacy in which some of the first talent of the land had heretofore exulted to engage. I only lamented that my powers were so unequal to my zeal.
The Council assembled. One of the first inquiries of the Reverend Com- missioner was for his former friend; and I felt happy to recognize in the wilderness one whom I had known so early in my life. I accompanied him by his invitation to his cabin. I found him strongly prejudiced against Mr. Ross. He introduced me to Ma- jor Currey, the United States' agent. Major Currey, as well as Mr. Scher- merhorn, proffered any documents or books or other facilities which might aid me in my search for information. They urged upon me to read some pa- pers they were preparing against Mr. Ross and the Council. I did read them. I entered into no discussion, but then, as at all other times, briefly as- sured Mr. Schermerhorn with the free- dom of an associate in boyhood that I conceived his course a mistaken one, and that I was convinced that it could not lead to a treaty. The same thing had been said to him by many. He replied in a tone of irritation that he "would have a treaty in a week."
"John Ross was unruly now, but he would soon be tame enough," and on one occasion he asked a gentleman con- nected with the then opposition party in the nation "if the wheels were well greased," and informed me that an address in Cherokee was coming be- fore the people, which I inferred from his words and manner was expected to produce a sudden influence fatal to the cause of Mr. Ross. He also in- troduced me to Mr. Bishop, captain of the Georgia Guard, whose manner then was perfect meekness. A few half-jocose words passed between Mr.
Bishop and myself. He asked me how long since I "arriv," named the Cher- okee question, and I replied that I differed with him in opinion.
"That is the case of most of you gentlemen from the north," he replied.
"It is not that I am from the north that I think as I do," said I, "but because I am jealous of our national honor and prize the faith of treaties."
"You would feel differently if you had the same interest we have."
"I should hope I would forget my interest where it went against my principles," I observed.
Mr. Bishop laughed and so did I, and thus we parted. After this I ab- stained from visiting the quarters of Mr. Schermerhorn, not wishing as the guest of Mr. Ross to expose myself to the necessity of being drawn into irritating discussions. The proceed- ings took the very course I apprehend- ed. Mr. Schermerhorn's plan defeat- ed himself, and when I next saw him it was upon the council ground; Lieut. Bateman, of the United States army, was standing with me when he came up. The conversation necessarily turn- ed upon the treaty. I repeated my doubts as to the policy of his course, and he again declared he would have a treaty-and forthwith. I asked him for some documents he had promised. He said he would gather them and send them to New York. I pressed him for them at once, because I had already everything from the other side and wished the entire evidence, for I meant to write a history of the Cher- okees; and added I, laughing, "Don't complain if I use you rather roughly."
I saw that he was chafed, although he forced a smile. "No," replied he, "and don't complain if I return the compliment."
"Certainly not," said I; "if you can show that I deserve it;" and he de- parted in apparent good humor, and I saw nothing more of the Reverend Commissioner.
The negotiation was broken off. The Council adjourned. Mr. Ross pressed me to return to his house, which I did for the purpose of awaiting the jour- ney of a messenger whom he had pront- ised to send some 80 miles across the country* for a complete file of the Cherokee Phoenix newspaper, which, after long search, I had made the dis- covery and had obtained the offer. During the absence of the messenger I renewed the transcriptions of docu-
*New Echota, Gordon County, where The Phoenix was printed, was about 45 miles.
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A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
ments. I also completed the address for the Cherokee nation. It was ap- proved, and measures were to be taken for obtaining the signatures of all the people. It was now Saturday evening, Nov. 7. I had determined on Monday morning to depart, taking in on my road back through Athens the Stone Mountain of Georgia, a view of which had been one of the leading objects of my journey. Some bustle had taken place that afternoon with a person from whom Mr. Ross had purchased his present place of refuge .* The man had returned to plant himself within the boundaries of the estate with which he had parted. Mr. Ross sent out all his negroes and other men to throw up a worm fence and mark his limits; and some dispute was ap- prehended. It was supposed that the measure was a preconcerted one, for the purpose of showing the Indians that the threat of harrassing the In- dians more and more was real. All, however, seemed quiet enough. Mr. Ross and myself were engaged the whole evening in writing. My papers were piled upon the table, ready to be packed for my approaching journey. About 11 I was in the midst of a copy from a talk held by George Washington in 1794 with a delega- tion of Cherokee chiefs. Suddenly there was a loud barking of dogs, then the quick tramp of galloping horses, then the rush of many feet, and a hoarse voice just at my side shouted "Ross, Ross!" Before there was time for a reply, the voice was heard at the door opposite, which was burst open. Armed men appeared.
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