USA > Georgia > Jackson County > The early history of Jackson county, Georgia. "The writings of the late G.J.N. Wilson, embracing some of the early history of Jackson county". The first settlers, 1784; formation and boundaries to the present time; records of the Talasee colony > Part 10
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However, Abe did not relax in his attentions to Miss Helen. She continued to be kind, gentle and sometimes affectionate even to loveliness. Her individuality was very marked, and frequently hard to understand.
One of the peculiarities of the visit was that the dogs of the two colonies refused to be friendly, and on several occasions open hostilities arose between them. This continued until the re- turning party reached some point not far from where Jefferson now is. There the Talasee dogs, led by Pyth and Damon, brought a huge black bear with two half-grown cubs to bay. A battle royal followed which seemed to be going in favor of the dogs un- til another still larger bear came to the rescue of, perhaps, his
*The reader will find a full description of the "Circle" in Yamacutah in this work .- Ed.
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family. Then for once Pyth and Damon had to stand back. Upon this the Yamacutah dogs evidently thought that foul play had been used, and dashing forward, with bristles erect, the battle was renewed and soon ended in favor of the dogs. Though several rifles were ready for instant use if necessary for the safety of the furious assailants, not a shot was fired. The curious feature of the case was that on all future occasions these dogs, when thrown together, were not only friendly, but fought for each oth- er and played together like so many puppies. Will those who pro- fess to believe the dog destitute of reasoning power explain this wayside incident?
Early in the afternoon the Talasee party reached the crest of the hill that overlooked Fort Strong a little beyond the branch which still goes rippling by. Their arrival had been anticipated. That moving Tata, like a disembodied spirit floating through the silent air, reported them homeward bound more than two hours before they were seen on the hill. Consequently their friends were prepared to give them a gracious reception.
Look! Yonder on the outskirts of the still increasing com- pany as the people emerge from the adjacent houses, stands Richard Easley, Abednego Moore, Edward Belknap and Phelan Lahgoon. They are dressed in the same old blood-stained gar- ments they wore on the battle fields of Brandywine and Sara- toga. See! The bullet and sabre scars cross upon their hands and faces. They stand at dress parade. In front of Ed Belknap there is an old drum, beaten and bruised by hard service. His fingers clutch the drum sticks, and the spirit of war glitters in his eyes. At his side stands Phelan Lahgoon with a fife in his hand. All eager to peal forth its shrill notes once more, his lips pucker and his fingers move from note to note silently. On the left is Richard Easley, a tall, angular man of iron nerve and im- mense physical power. He carries a heavy rifle, and at his side hangs a tattered and torn haversack and a dingy wooden can- teen. · In front stands the tall and elegant form of Abednego Moore. He holds the same battle-scarred flag that his brother- in-law, Josiah Strong, carried at the siege of Augusta. All eager to move, Mr. Moore waves the flag back and forth and begins to
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mark time. The soldiers, all of whom had seen hard service, make one step forward, the drum roars, the fife screams, and the old flag flutters in the brisk evening breeze. Tramp! tramp! tramp! go the men to the thrilling tune of Yankee Doodle .* They turn to meet the approaching party from Yamacutah. The concourse of all the people present fall into line. Men pull off their hats, and women flutter their handkerchiefs around their heads. The marching throng begins to shout. Old Tom, the bell in the fort, sends forth its sonorous peals. The keen, quick, discordant blasts of five or six tin trumpets, about seven feet long, unite with the bell, drum and fife, to swell the loud acclaim. The men shout and the women sing the grand old song,
"We all come forth to meet you with the glad refrain- You are coming back to mother-coming home again."
Look ! The columns meet between the branch and the fort. The returning party has thrown itself into single file. The heroic Dr. Henry Therrauld is in front. In copious torrents tears are streaming from his eyes. The scene is too much for him, strong as he is. It carried him back to the trying times when he too, like Easley, Moore, Strong, Belknap, Shore, Trent and Lahgoon, so valiantly fought for God and their native land.
The columns unite and march to the front of the fort. The general uproar ceases, congratulations go around and all engage in a general conversation.
Umausauga is sitting on a stump, arms folded across his breast, and as immovable as a marble statue. In an open space near by him Tata Nyxter, the scout, is dancing the ramoja, or green corn dance. It strains the eyes to follow his movements. Sometimes he seems to be a shadow flitting through the air, or becoming rigid, forms himself into a hoop and bowls over the ground like a running wheel. See! he now assumes the form of a bow, and, in perfect time, dances with both hands and feet until he reaches
*This old air, "Yankee Doodle," was known in England in the time of Cromwell, and was sung in our New England colonies before the Revolution .- Ed.
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a tall tree, up which he scampers much like a scared cat. Reach- ing the branches he looks down with a comical expression playing over his face, as much as to say, "You can't do that."
A hearty laugh greets the comical looks and grotesque actions of the boy, and again the drum, fife, bell and bugles create a wild concourse of sounds which cease only when dinner is called.
Though no special preparations had been made, it was sub- stantially like that served at Yamacutah, and like that was greatly enjoyed by all present. Yet not one drop of intoxicating liquor was seen at either place. Once more, such was life in old times when selfishness had small share in shaping the affairs of men.
It was Friday evening. That same afternoon it was arranged by common consent, "That next Sabbath at 4 o'clock P. M. May the 4th, 1794, Johnson Josiah Strong and Miss Banna Mar de Vedo are to be married inside the altar in front of the preaching stand; that Umausauga give his adopted daughter away, and that Rev. Henry Therrauld of Yamacutah, perform the marriage cere- mony. And furthermore, that Leon Shore and Miss Ruth Lah- goon be also married at the same time and place; that Phelan Lahgoon give his daughter away and that Rev. James Tinsley of Talasee perform the marriage ceremony. And further, that the contracting parties shall kneel while their vows are being made; that the brides shall wear plain home-spun and home- woven dresses, and be of the same style and finish precisely ; that Abel Trent and Miss Helen Draper shall be the special at- tendants upon both parties, and that the day shall be devoted to religious services entirely."
The foregoing account of the remarkable events which were to be celebrated at a future time is given in the exact words of the original record. It was written by a secretary with whom we have not met before, Mrs. Clara Linton, probably wife of Robert Linton. Evidently she did not use the common goose quill pen, but one made of a reed that grew on the river bank. Anyway, the writing was in an elegant, bold round hand, "plain as print."
If even a small proportion of the important events that took place during the settlement of this country had been as carefully recorded as those of Talasee an interesting history of the people
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might be written. As it is few of their names are known, and their deeds have passed away with the smoke of their camp fires.
It was Sunday. Two days had come and gone since the jubilee. Things holy and divine were to take the place of worldly gladness. A large arbor had been erected with improvised seats for the accommodation of the people; and it had been announced that at 10:30 A. M. Dr. Therrauld, the great and good man from Yama- cutah would preach. Every citizen of the country both white and red, had a special invitation to attend the meeting.
It is a typical May morning. No where is a cloud to be seen between the green earth below and the clear blue sky above. Save the plaintive undertone that murmurs through the tree tops, silence reigns at Talasee. The woodman's axe, the crack of the rifle, the barking of dogs, the hunter's horn, and the rattle of the little mill at the shoals are all hushed now. Surely God is pouring down a shower of blessings from the wide-open windows of heaven.
Aye, verily! And there is not room enough in Talasee to con- tain it silently. Listen ! some one is singing, and O such a sweet song! It is the full rich voice of Mrs. Letty Moore. She is sit- ting outside, near her cabin door, singing Watt's Sabbath Hymn -"Welcome sweet day of rest." Soon other voices unite with hers, and on and on to other hymns and other cabins the music spreads until the hills and valleys around become vocal with songs of praise and adoration.
Hark! the singing ceases! Old Tom announces from the fort that preaching hour is near. Soon the people begin to gather at the arbor. Most of the white people of the country, some from as far as Snodon and vicinity, were present. Umausauga, Eto- hautee, Tata, Notha Neva and a few other Creeks are there also. The preacher, being a man of imposing personality, was looked upon with something like awe, and his presence was not only an inspiration to the good, but commanded the respect and at- tention of even rude strangers. His text was from John 3:16, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlast-
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ing life." It was a powerful discourse for any time or any place, and though its chief purpose was to show Banna the plan of sal- vation, it produced much other good fruit.
After preaching, an opportunity was given to join the church, and the first to give her hand was Banna Mar de Vedo, and the last was Umausauga. All of her close companions were already members of the church and they had allowed no favorable oppor- tunity to pass without giving her religious instruction. Rev. Mr. Tinsley had read the New Testament through in her im- mediate presence, always stopping to explain such parts as he thought necessary and to answer such questions as she asked him. He was an able expositor, and his labors were amply re- warded. Then, too, the sermon to which she had just listened, though the first she ever heard, threw a flood of light upon the Christian's pathway that enabled her to understand some of her duties as a traveler therein better than she ever understood them before.
It was 2:40 in the afternoon. Again Old Tom in half dolorous tones announced evening services. Several more natives were present than in the forenoon. They had doubtless come to wit- ness what they called "the passing away" of one whom they had long thought a member of their own race, but somehow superior to them. The candidates were among the last to arrive. The girls were dressed as already indicated; and if one was a "Glittering Star," the other was certainly a close twin sister. They were radiantly beautiful. The most unique figure present was Umausauga. For the first time he had been induced to wear tight pantaloons and a swallow-tailed coat. Though not a bad looking man nor wanting in hard sense, circumstances had placed him in an awkard position that day. He did not know just what nor just how to do. He doubtless felt queer in his new suit. Much to the amazement of those inclined to smile, he was con- stantly fumbling with his long coat tail as if something serious was the matter with it. Seemingly however, he neither saw nor heard anything.
Rev. Mr. Tinsley preached the evening sermon from Isa 27; 2, 3. "Sing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do
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keep it; I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day." This, like the morning address, was well re- ceived, and being chiefly directed to the new members did much to establish them in the "new life" firmly.
When preaching was concluded Old Tom announced that 4 o'clock was fast approaching. The ministers were seated inside the improvised altar, the candidates were conducted to the front, Umausauga and Mr. Lahgoon gave the brides away, and the mar- riage ceremonies proceeded with deep solemnity. The kneeling of the candidates was very impressive. "
And yet the scene was not over. Umausauga, who sat in his usual statuesque form during the ceremony, suddenly stood up, and tugging at his coat tail, asked permission to make a little talk. When told to proceed, he once more gave his coat a sudden pull as if he wanted it to cover more of his body, and taking one step forward, made in substance the following talk :
"Brothers; the white man asked me for the child I found in the woods. I gave her to him. He is a good man. She is good, too, very good. It wounds my heart deeply to part with her; deeper than any of you know. I still love her dearly. She is now the pet of many strong friends. Still she has not changed. She is the same as before she met these strong friends; the same to me. O Banna, do not go far away! Come to see me some- times. Come to see me at Adabor-anywhere !"
Here the speaker broke down and Banna hastened to wipe the blinding tears from his eyes. It was a pathetic scene. After awhile he became calm and motioning her to be seated near him, he gave his coat another pull and continued :
"Brothers, some of you want to know why Banna's hair changes. The waves are taken out of it by an ointment. Only a few of us know how to make it. I wanted the waves out of it so that others would not think her a pale-face. The Indian always has straight hair. Some of you were sharp. You found that the waves come back when she was in your presence for awhile. I have been asked to explain why this is so. I can not do it any more than I can explain why the leaves of some plants close when we touch them."
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Again the speaker paused for a short time and stood in anxious thought. Then suddenly thrusting his hand into his coat pocket he slowly drew out a long necklace of glittering pearls and sparkling diamonds. It then dawned upon the audience that it was not for want of better manners that he pulled at his coat; but that he had been feeling to see if his treasure were still there, for it was very costly and very beautiful. He held it extended in his hands until all had looked at it with wondering eyes, and then turning to Banna he continued :
"My lost daughter-I must still call you by that endearing name-this was your mother's necklace. Your father gave it to her when he was made King of the Cherokees. As you know, he was killed at the battle of Numerado. Your mother quickly took his place. After mounting her white horse, Adar, she pulled off her necklace. She left it in the care of your nurse. It was stolen from her. Huanaco afterwards learned where the jewels were hidden. Soon after he left here he told Daxator your history. He was the chief who succeeded your mother. He ordered Huanaco to take some men with him and bring both necklace and thief to headquarters. The order was soon executed. Daxa- tor took possession of the treasure and punished the thief severe- ly. Only a few days ago he sent the necklace to me. He in- structs me to give it to you. So now, my darling daughter," he said, as he raised the precious gift above her head, "I place this representative of royalty around your neck in the name of the Cherokee people. I have performed my mission. Umausauga is done."
When the speaker took his seat Banna fell fainting towards the floor; but she did not fall far. Mr. Strong reached her so quickly that she fell in his arms. The next moment Ruth, Mrs. Ruth Shore, was bathing Mrs. Banna Mar de Vedo Strong's face with cold water that Tata had just brought from the spring.
When some minutes of anxious solicitude had passed away, the sufferer opened her eyes, and finding herself in the arms of her husband, she threw hers around his neck saying :
"Such a sudden and unexpected memento of my unknown par- ents, unnerved me completely. I have long been anxious for
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something closely connected with their memory, that I could con- stantly carry with me. This precious jewel-precious not be- cause it is costly and beautiful ; but because it was the gift of my father to my mother, so gratifies my long-cherished wish, that I was overcome by the sad memories of the past and the welcome joys of the present and fainted away. Please excuse my weak- ness."
"There is nothing to excuse, darling; but many things for which I and all our friends are profoundly thankful," replied Mr. Strong, while he was yet chasing the natural bloom back into her lovely cheeks with a hand so faithful, gentle and true, that it never afterwards touched her otherwise.
As if to pour a flood of thrilling gladness into every heart and make the place seem to be a foretaste of Heaven itself. Messrs. Therrauld, Cunningham and Montgomery began to sing in power- ful, yet sweet and musical bass and tenor, the choice hymn of the ages-
"All hail the power of Jesus' name, Let angels prostrate fall- Bring forth the royal diadem, And crown him Lord of all."
Before the last stanza was reached a shout was heard in the camps of Israel. Another and another song followed with similar effects until the surrounding forest seemed vocal with praises to God. Taken altogether one of the most interesting and pleasing features of the day was the song-service of that eventful even- ing. Indeed the singing closed only at the instance of Old Tom in the fort when he gave notice that the baptismal hour was near.
The congregation adjourned to the Shoals, and there, just a few feet above the rock on which she and her heart-friend, Ruth Lah- goon, sat and speculated upon the drifting fish that passed by them, Banna the Beautiful was baptized by Rev. Henry Ther- rauld, than whom a better man never lived. To her a pleasing feature of the occasion was that Umausauga whom she had called father nearly all her life, was at the same time baptized at her side by Rev. James Tinsley, himself a great and good man. It was by the Indian's request that they went under the water at
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the same instant, arose from it together, and, arm in arm, were led to dry land. Perhaps this is the only instance of the kind on record.
In this pleasing way the first two marriages at Talasee were consummated. If ever a cloud lingered over their homes even for one moment it was never known.
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CHAPTER VIII.
THE DRAPER AND MODIN FAMILIES AT SNODON-THE JUG-THE CIRCLE-ABE TRENT-ANIMALS-TROUBLE BREWING IN 1794- THE WOG-THE WATCHERS-HAITAUHUGA-A DISCOVERY-A CONSPIRACY-THE SIGNAL-THE KIDNAPPER-TO TALASEE- OCEAN-THE DANCE-NODOROC.
When in 1793 Alzono Draper, Herman Scupeen and Homer Jackson moved from Talasee to Snodon, the lovely extended plain was densely covered with a luxuriant growth of black and sweet- gums over which reached many tall pines and huge poplars. Lon Draper, as he was usually called, was a small man, but muscular, active and brave. His wife, Mary Draper, though not unusually handsome, was pleasing and attractive in her manners and of most excellent character. Like most other pioneer women she was "a dead shot," and brave even to a fault. Their daughter, Helen Draper, is already known. It may be added here, how- ever, that because of her quick action she was sometimes called "POWDER." Her best thoughts came like a flash, and her ef- forts to execute them as suddenly. These features added to her other qualities, made this young child of the forest a girl of wonderful force.
Only the three white families mentioned lived at Snodon in 1793; but ten or twelve others had previously settled in Bead- land, the nearest being some half mile distant. For some curious reason which required a long time to explain, only a few natives lived within the boundaries of the purchased territory. Only one small family lived in the immediate vicinity of the whites, and all the members proved to be welcome neighbors. It consisted of husband, wife and daughter. The man's name was Modin, one of the few Bible names mentioned in the history of the red race. He was of medium size, well formed, good-looking, of a friendly, sociable disposition, and distinguished as a fast runner. His wife, or squaw as he called her, was a native of the lower Creek tribe and well known by the pleasing name of Nyrulyn. All the
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white men who saw her said she was beautiful. Her complexion was fair even for a Creek; but this was no uncommon distinc- tion. Her hair was a curiosity. Fine as silk, jet black, and witlı- out a kink, it swept the ground when walking. To prevent this she rolled it into balls, being careful to make a large one on top, and gradually taper others to her ears. There were two rows, the lower one not being rolled to the scalp hung, pendant, over her shoulders. Whether pretty or not the style was certainly unique, and to imitate it would probably bother a modern hair dresser. Below the row of hanging balls was a good face with mild, persuasive features, large black eyes, well-rounded cheeks and a slightly dimpled chin, all making her look like a woman superior to her station in life.
Mera, the only daughter of Modin and Nyrulyn, and the girl that Banna had so favorably recommended to Ruth Lahgoon, was nearly grown, her exact age being unknown. She was sometimes called "Blue Bird," because, unlike most of her race, her eyes were of a clear, liquid blue, and her voice of a bird-like melody. Otherwise she was much like her mother; but her melting blue eyes and retiring modesty gave her such a superior appearance that if she had been placed among girls of any race few would have been called more beautiful than Mera, the Blue Bird.
But the personal appearance of this child of the wilderness was not the only feature that distinguished her from other girls of her race. Her intellectual endowments were of a high order, her powers of imitation without any known limit, her fleetness on foot equal to that of her father, and her skill with the bow as true and unerring as that of Tata Nyxter, except at long range. Modin and his interesting little family lived near the Dr. Saun- ders residence in Winder, and were neighbors of Lon Draper who built his first substantial log cabin on ground that is still called the Black Gum Hollow, which he selected as a strategic point. Around his house, and thirty yards from it, he left a circle of tim- ber fifty feet wide from which he cut nothing except a few un- sightly shrubs. Outside this wooded belt he cleared a circular field three hundred yards wide and on which he left nothing
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growing. Thus the largest field in Beadland was cleared and first cultivated in 1794.
Mr. Draper called the circular field "THE JUG," the timbered belt "ITS NECK," and his house "THE STOPPER." So the place went by the name of "The Jug" for many years, leaving it to a future generation to add the word "TAVERN."
It may be stated that there were no drunkards in Beadland or in the Talasee Colony at this time, and that jugs were used gen- erally as "jars" are now. It is further explained that Mr. Draper's reason for clearing a circular field was threefold : First, to enable a watchman in the circle of woods to readily see an ap- proaching enemy; second, it was several years before bears, pan- thers and wolves would enter any large open space; and third, a circle mystifies any animal, and if long traveled in a narrow circuit, any living thing. The jug is a circle, and both before and since Mr. Draper's day has mystified, not animals, but men-men by hundreds and by thousands.
For a few months the Draper family lived quietly at their new home. The Scupeens and Jacksons, besides the Modin family lived near. Helen and Mera had become close friends and were almost constant companions. Though in some respects unlike Banna and Ruth, they were as devoted to each other and as true to their friends as the lovely heroins of Talasee could be, and, as was often proven, the love and friendship of the two pairs were as strong as love of life itself. Then, too, Abe Trent, the always welcome Abe-welcome anywhere that true men were needed and respected-often visited there.
On moonlight nights he and Helen sometimes walked around the outer edge of the cleared field in search of a place to cross it without exposing themselves. They seldom went around more than twice before they seemingly became disgusted at a place that had no end and returned to their native woods where they often joined in a chorus of such dismal howls that the watch- ers instinctively grasped their rifles more tightly.
Hitherto the mass of the natives had been friendly with the white settlers generally; but in the spring of 1794 it was noticed that parties of red men passed up and down the Okoloco trail
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more frequently than at any previous time. The maxim that "When an Indian wants to fool you he goes both ways," gave the whites a hint that mischief was brewing. Talitchlechee himself passed several times, and on one occasion stopped and asked some questions. Abe Trent happened to be present, and being familiar with the old warrior's language, they engaged in the following conversation :
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