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 6
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As the girls rode away, they presented a striking appearance. Two such horses carrying two such riders had never been seen in a wilderness before, perhaps nowhere else. Any woman looks better on horseback than she does in a palace, and when both horse and rider have an elegant appearance the effect is very
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pleasing. And thus, as Banna and Ruth rode homeward, talking and making signs as if in all their glory, it was proven that-
"When two kindred strings are tuned alike, To move them both but one we strike."
When Adabor was reached it was plain that neither the horses nor their mistresses were willing to separate; but after a long, fondly lingering look at each other they separated with tears in their eyes. When Ruth reached the shoals she found Leon Shore and Abe Trent both waiting there for her. Poor, anxious, con- siderate fellows! Notwithstanding the girl had passed through enough during the day to try the nerves of the strongest man, they thought she needed help to ford a small stream! A bullet is blind, and so is love!
At a meeting called for the purpose of hearing Ruth's report, a "vote of thanks was tendered the heroine of the day for faithful performance of duty," and on motion of Josiah Strong, three hearty cheers were given in her honor. Had a modern talking machine been used, how curious it would be to hear those cheers as they were given more than a century ago. Are they forever lost? Or will the great expected achievements of the twentieth century unroll them to mortal ears?
Ruth's adventures that day furnished themes for many discus- sions. What was the significance of the carefully concealed mus- sel shell? Where did the white horse and the Spanish saddle come from? And what did the curious inscription on the saddle mean? How did the girl get possession of them? And why was her hair changeable? These were some of the questions that Mrs. Moore, because of her deep insight into curious things, was asked to answer. "I can not," replied that lady, "answer all your questions; but the changes in the dear girl's hair prove, as I have before told you, that she is not an Indian, though I can not account for the change. Moreover the Spanish saddle and the emblems on it, and now I think of it, the type of her features convince me that she is of Spanish descent with a distinct mix- ture of aristocratic English blood."
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"Sister," replied Josiah, "you are getting along first rate with your advanced theories; but after all I should not be surprised to find that changeable hair is characteristic of Indian beauties. Whether Indian, Spanish or English, I love Banna the Beautiful with all my heart, and no race distinction can change me."
"We do not," said Ruth after a pause, "blame you, and are anxious to do anything we can in your favor."
"That greatly encourages me, and I thank you in advance for your services. It only remains for you and Letty to arrange some plan that will enable me to meet her as if by chance. I will do the rest." "We can easily do that," said Ruth, and the inter- view closed sans ceremonie.
On the day following the interview the merino dress was com- pleted. The finishing touches were made by the deft fingers of Ruth Lahgoon who was a "needle work designer," as those who did artistic work with the needle were called at that time. Around the bottom of the skirt was wrought a lovely wreath of green, white and blue beads. On the bosom was a similar design in oval form, and in the center of that was a monogram composed of the initial letters R. B., an emblem of mutual love. The sleeves were also ornamented with modest flowers wrought, not with beads, but with silk thread of various colors. Such was the dress made for a savage girl,-the native of a wilderness where the name of God had never been heard until a short time before and of whose attributes she knew nothing. For some reason her superior form and features were so cast by the God whom she did not know, that the light that irradiated them from within was the handiwork of the same GREAT FIRST CAUSE;
"Who rules and regulates And guides this vast machine, And governs wills, and times and fates- Retires and works unseen."
The dress being completed Mrs. Moore and Ruth made a formal visit to Adabor. They found Banna alone, and she received them with gladness. However, they soon noticed that she became a little disconcerted because her hair was again without a wave,
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and for the first time she discovered that her white friends were astonished at the change. When the glittering merino garment was spread before the wondering girl, she was so nervous by emotions perhaps unknown to the tutored mind, that she sat down and wept like a child. There in the deep umbrageous soli- tudes of nature, far away from the strife and turmoil of stren- uous human life, followed a touching scene. Both visitors kneel- ed at the weeping girl, and placing their arms upon her shoulders and their heads against her heaving breast, the trio wept together -one in grateful remembrance of her friends, the others in deep sympathy with her sweet, sensitive nature.
When restored to a normal condition Ruth dressed Banna's hair, and a delicate piece of net-work consisting of braids and curious plaits was the result. But the artist's fingers trembled as she deftly manipulated the long black tresses-she could see and even feel the waves returning.
"Eureka! I have found it!" exclaimed Mrs. Moore who was watching the waves as they came into view slowly. "Found what?" the artist asked anxiously. "That her hair changes when it comes in close contact with people of her own race. Such has been the case every time that either of us has been near her; another proof that she is not an aboriginee of this country." "I am," said Ruth, "more than half convinced that you are right; but why does our touch produce such a curious result?" "Tell me why the saw-brier and many other plants close their leaves when we touch them? A touch often means more than we can understand. At least one astronomer has said that if we could touch a star it would fly out of its orbit. But to be plain, I can not answer your question. While a truth is revealed, the mystery deepens. The why must go unanswered."
The bright girl knew that her hair was the subject of conversa- tion, and she was embarrassed; but the smiles and kisses of Ruth caused her great luminous eyes to look upon her friends as charm- ingly as before.
The fit of the new dress was perfect. As Mrs. Moore finished adjusting the skirt she stepped back and said, "Oh, that brother
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could see you now! You are so radiantly beautiful. I never be- fore felt the full force of Gray's musical lines-
"' 'Full many a gem of purest ray serene, The dark unfathomed caves of ocean bear- Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air!' "
A deep silence followed this quotation from Gray's Elegy, be- cause the scene was really impressive. At last Ruth said, "Though she bloomed in a desert we intend to transfer her to a garden, where tender hands and loving hearts will cultivate the rare flower until she blooms afresh in Heaven."
As Banna did not understand half what was said in reference to her, she looked bewildered; and to change the current of her thoughts, Ruth presented her with a toilet set, consisting of a small mirror, comb, brush and a few other articles. She was shown how to use them, and for the first time, saw herself in a looking-glass. Hitherto she had seen her own image only as re- flected by the smooth water of the Tishmaugu just before it went tumbling over the shoals.
Perhaps that was the only way mother Eve ever saw her fair face, and as to that matter, father Adam, too. Yet they lived a long time. Having studied the toilet articles one by one, the girl began to realize the worth of her pale-face sister, and said thoughtfully, "I do what for things so good, so pretty?" Ruth knew what she meant, and hastened to inform her that all was the gift of love and that nothing would be received in payment. She looked astonished and clasped both visitors in her arms say- ing, "Will have little gift, you?"
When told that a small present would be received, not in pay- ment, but as a token of love, she produced a roll of coarse grass cloth which contained several pairs of moccasins made of beaver skin with the fur on. They were lined with the same soft and pliant material. Around the tops were single rows of small sea shells evidently from a distant shore. The workmanship was neat and substantial, and the shape much the same as shoes of that day, that is to say, they were not "rights and lefts." Having
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selected pairs of proper size, the ladies received the gifts with sincere thankfulness. They represented them as warm and pleas- ant to the feet, and wearing them on rare occasions only they kept them as long as they lived. It may be interesting to know that these moccasins were exhibited in a Lapsidalian basket at a county fair held at Jefferson in 1835, when Gen. David M. Burns was chairman, and William Gathright, secretary.
While selecting the moccasins Umausauga made his appearance with bow and arrows in one hand and a turkey in the other. As he surveyed his daughter in her new attire his huge frame began to tremble, but there was no frown on his tawny brow. Riveting his keen and restless black eyes upon her, he continued to gaze until, sinking lower and lower, he sat sprawling on the floor. When tired of his comical position he gave one of his native grunts and began to walk from side to side of the wigwam. His demeanor satisfied the anxious guests that he was proud of the wonderful transformation of his daughter, but strange to say, was actually afraid of the looking-glass.
Having fully accomplished their mission the ladies left with the understanding that Banna should visit them at Fort Strong two days hence.
On the morning of the day appointed for the Indian girl's visit, several ladies were assembled at the humble but well-supplied home of Abednego Moore.
"What," asked Mrs. Moore, "shall we give our guest for dinner to-day?" "I do not know," answered Ruth, after some reflec- tion, "what Banna likes best, but she had two broiled fishes for luncheon at Calamit the other day. She beats corn in a mortar and makes hominy in an earthen pot. When last with her I noticed a sort of mug full of honey comb, and a ham of dried venison near by it. With these hints I suggest that you and mother spread such a dinner as you think best."
Everything at Talasee was done methodically. Nothing of gen- eral importance was attempted without a two-thirds majority of both men and women. This concert of action made the little colony strong in purpose and ready in execution. Ruth's sug- gestion was accepted by all, and everything went on smoothly.
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Alborak soon carried his mistress to Adabor where she found Banna a little excited but ready to return with her. When called, Iro trotted near, and the girls rode to the shoals where they met a delegation of ladies to bid their coming guest a hearty wel- come. Umausauga had been selected to accompany the party ; but for some reason declined the invitation.
As soon as the opposite bank was gained Banna leaped from her saddle and embraced in turn each of the three ladies present as if she had been a long-absent daughter. A formal introduction followed, and when Iro's saddle had been regained as easily as it had been left, Mrs. Easley, who was a lady of culture and refine- ment, said :
"O Letty ! did you see the deep red blood playing hide and seek in her cheeks as she threw her arms around us? Why has such a gem been so long concealed in these dark and gloomy forests?"
"For the present echo only answers why. By and by we may know the reason," replied Mrs. Moore thoughtfully.
Having arrived in front of the Moore residence, Leon Shore, as previously arranged, approached, and taking Ruth by the hand she lightly leaped to the ground. Josiah Strong and Banna at once followed the example, and together the pairs walked into the house. The Indian girl, as her escort still more than half be- lieved her to be, had shown herself an apt scholar and a ready imitator as well.
Now a great relief was at hand. Mr. Strong could speak the Creek language almost as well as Banna herself. He had indulged in many a blissful thought which he hoped to enjoy while teach- ing her English, and was almost sorry that she could already speak some words as fluently as he could, though she did not know just how to arrange them. To remedy this defect, he finally decided, would be more pleasant than teaching the words, and so his future prospects grew brighter and brighter as they hastily passed before his mental vision.
If he loved her under as unfavorable conditions as when he first saw her at Snodon, what were his emotions now that she was at his side as a guest, arrayed in the most elegant style of the times? He became lost in wondering thoughts and audibly mut-
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tered: "More than a butterfly has come from a golden chrysa- lis."
Finally glancing at the braided, plaited network of hair that served so well to show the outlines of her symmetrical shoulders, he discovered that it was as full of graceful waves as his own was of turning, twisting curls. Hitherto he had thought that his sister and Ruth were mistaken. He knew that his own hair was change- able-that the curls were more profuse in damp than in dry weather-but he had never heard of hers changing that way. This together with the fact that a crimson blush played over her face when he first gave her his hand, was enough to convince him that his sister was right. But before making a final decision he con- cluded to learn if he could whether Indian girls in common blush- ed or not. The truth was that for some reason he did not want to believe that Banna the Beautiful was not "a native to the manor born."
Of course the stranger girl did not know just how to meet the new conditions by which she was surrounded; but the constant attention of all present and the readiness with which she learned and understood anything presented to her mind helped her won- derfully. When she found that Mr. Strong could speak her lan- guage fluently, her eyes sparkled with delight, and to all appear- ance she greatly enjoyed her visit. When he asked her if she rememberd seeing him at Snodon sometime before, she quickly looked at his head, as if to prove his identity by the missing lock of hair pulled out by the rude Indian boy, and with some con- fusion answered, "YES."
A general conversation followed in which Mr. Strong found that his visitor was anxious to learn all she could of the English language and that she was willing for him to become her teacher. Thus the day passed away pleasantly, and a little before sundown Mr. Strong escorted the Guest of the Colony to her secluded home amid the great spreading trees just over the river. The promises of his sister and friend had been redeemed.
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CHAPTER IV.
THE IDENTITY OF BANNA MAR DE VEDO IS FOUND OUT.
About sixteen years before the beginning of our narrative a war broke out between the Cherokee and Upper Creck Indians. The former claimed territory as far south as the Tishmaugu, and the latter as far north and east as the Lacoda Trail,* which was nearly identical with the present Athens and Clarkesville road. Their first engagement was at Numerado, near the confluence of Hur- ricane Creek and Etoho river above Hurricane Shoals. Amer- cides, apparently an Indian with a Greek name, was leader of the Cherokees, and as gallant a brave as ever drew the bow. He rode a white horse and dashed from place to place as if trained on the battlefields of Europe.
Talitchlechee, commander of the Creeks, saw the mistake, and placing himself at a favorable point awaited the expected oppor- tunity. It soon came and the Creek buried his tomahawk in the gallant leader's side. When the white horse was seen running riderless through the forest of Numerado, the Cherokees began to retreat. But soon the scene changed. Elancydyne, the wife or as she was generally called, the queen of Amercides, committing a small child that she was holding in her arms to the care of an attendant, mounted the riderless horse and at once took com- mand. She was greeted by a yell from the Cherokees that echoed and re-echoed up and down the river and forward and back across the valley. Soon the air was thick with flying arrows and whizzing tomahawks.
The conflict deepened and the battle raged on. The commander was more cautious than her fallen lord, but rode unflinchingly in the face of every danger. At last the Creeks, finding their ranks so fatally thinned, retreated hastily. Another yell-this time the
*It was our pleasure to follow this old trail, last summer, to Tallulah Falls. Just a few miles this side of Clarkesville it "forks." One branch extending northwest leads into the noted Nacoochee country. The other branch, leading on through Clarkesville, Turnerville and the Tallulah country .- Ed.
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yell of victory, reverberated over the hills, and the heroine of the day, forgetting all things else, hastened to see if her child was safe. She found it sleeping soundly in the arms of her attendant, who, to shield the babe from harm, had received an arrow deeply in her own shoulder. Her name was Yetha, and though the wound was thought to be fatal, she lived to be very old.
Soon a band of young warriors gathered around the queen, and carrying her over the battlefield, in grim mockery introduced her to the fallen Creeks as their conqueror-their beautiful Elancy- dyne.
Elated with their decisive victory the Cherokees considered the country conquered territory as far as they claimed and began a march across it to take formal possession. In the meantime, how- ever, the Creeks had received substantial recruits, and Talitch- lechee being a wily old chief of long experience, the enterprise was doubtful. His enemy, still led by what her followers con- sidered their invincible new queen, moved slowly and cautiously forward until they reached the verge of the plateau which dips to Cold Spring, then known as Radoata, near the John Harrison old place, where they met Talitchlechee in command of a larger force than at Numerado.
The Creeks gave the gage of battle and soon the engagement became general. Though queen Elancydyne showed that she was a skillful and fearless leader, she was finally overcome by num- bers, and by a master piece of strategy made a flank movement, and going still forward, camped that night at Arharra on the plain where Prospect Church now stands and within hearing of the waters of the Tishmaugu, the object of her expedition. This singular movement on the part of an enemy who had shown such consummate skill so puzzled Talitchlechee that he hesitated to offer battle as he had done at Radoata. The next morning, how- ever, an accident brought on a general engagement with varying success. This continued at intervals until noon when the Creek chief sent Umausauga, one of his trusted braves, to conceal a num- ber of expert bowmen in the branches of some spreading trees that grew in an adjacent forest. Late in the afternoon the conflict again became general.
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Elancydyne on her white horse led the van, and her example so inspired her followers that they gave another deafening yell and rushed forward to engage at close quarters; but the Creeks retreated in the direction of the concealed bowmen. Again the Cherokee queen was in the thickest of the fray and soon fell from her horse pierced by many bristling arrows. The wail of lament, "Onocowah, Onocowah!" rising from the field of carnage, dis- heartened the Cherokees, and they in turn sullenly retreated to the north, tenderly carrying their fallen queen with them. If she had survived the battle it is difficult to say what would have been the result.
About the time of the arrival of the second party of emigrants at Talasee, various rumors reached Umausauga, and through him the colony, that the Cherokees were preparing to return to the country and wreak vengeance upon their enemies for their disas- trous defeat at Arharra. Umausauga at once notified the leaders of this people of the threatened danger, and the colonists im- mediately began building a fort. When completed it was a large, substantial building, and in honor of the man who had worked al- most every day and night in the interest of the colony, it was named Fort Strong.
About the same time Fort Yargo* was built at a place of that name about three miles southwest of Winder, the old Jug Tavern. Strange to say, Fort Yargo is still standing in a good state of pres- ervation. Though first in Franklin and next in Jackson; it is now in Walton County; and having seen the coming and going of three generations, it is a heavy old land-mark which does not receive the attention it deserves.
Notwithstanding the number of brave, strong men belonging to the colony, Banna the Beautiful, and Ruth Lahgoon the Lovely, were appointed scouts to patrol the surrounding country. All
*On January 24th, 1914, the Editor visited this old fort and found it in good state of preservation. It is now used as a dwelling house for tenants by Mr. T. M. Wages, the owner. In cutting out the doors and windows preparatory for a dwelling most of the "port holes" were cut away but on the side next to the spring is one about 4 inches by 10 inches. This place is only a short distance from Carter Hill church, near the Winder and Loganville road.
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the men were needed for heavy work; besides none were better than these two brave and skillful riders. A few days of instruction by Mr. Strong had enabled them to converse with each other read- ily, and they had become equal experts with the rifle. They gen- erally went together and always in hearing of each other. As a protection to the women and children, the dogs, Pyth and Damon, were left at home. Both wore deerskin clothing, made to fit close- ly, and jaunty little caps of the same material from which gener- ally fluttered a short black ribbon. They carried comparatively light rifles, long knives in steel scabbards hung from their sad- dles, and on the left breast of each the hilt of a deadly stiletto was just visible.
Thus equipped, and mounted on Alborak and Iro, these scouts fearlessly roamed the forests infested with dangerous wild beasts and sometimes with wilder men. They met with many adven- tures, some of which it is necessary to give here.
One day when they had been riding a little apart about one mile to the north, they, by previous agreement, met at a spring then called Alotha, but since known as the Bell spring. It is still a copious fountain, and its crystal waters are always inviting.
Banna was last to arrive, and leaping to the ground as was her custom, a shell fell from a pocket in her dress. The string around it was broken by the fall, the parts separated, and a jet black lock of curly hair was revealed to Ruth's wondering gaze. Mrs. Moore's mystery was solved at last. The disconcerted girl blushed as her companion had never seen her blush before. She did not wonder that Josiah Strong was enchanted when he saw those dark-hued cheeks mantled with a deep rosy tint as if bor- rowed from a sunset cloud. When Ruth looked at her and smiled pleasantly the bewildered girl made a clean-breast of the matter by saying in substance :
"That lock of hair was taken from Josiah Strong's head by a mean Indian boy at Snodon. When he threw it away I took pos- session of it and intend to keep it as long as I live. When I am buried I want it left lying on my breast. For this reason only I now reveal the secret."
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That was indeed a pathetic confession, and Ruth knew it was an honest one. She was a very bright girl, and felt that the senti- ments expressed in it were not born in a savage breast. In- dependently of all she had hitherto seen and heard, she was now fully convinced that her dear friend, Banna the Beautiful, was not an Indian.
Ruth reported her wonderful discovery to Mr. Strong and his sister only. To the brother it seemed evident proof that the girl who so highly valued a lock of his hair had loved him from the first as he had her. In happy reverie he said :
"Surely God has not decreed that two such streams should flow in different directions; and though the race question has nothing to do with my feelings, I am now convinced, as Ruth was, that Banna the Beautiful is not an Indian." Mrs. Moore was glad of the conversion of her brother and Ruth to her belief, and to more fully confirm them in it she said :
"Allow me to remind you that our Savior knew all about the laws of nature. When speaking of good and bad trees and of their fruits he said, 'Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.' The teaching is as applicable to Banna as it is to a tree and its fruit. Jesus of Nazareth made no mistakes."
When the rumor of a Cherokee invasion reached the country Umausauga, to the great surprise of the colonists, placed his daughter under the protection of the whites. No proposition was ever more gladly accepted; and now that all were fully satisfied that she was really not his child, the council met and passed the following preamble and resolution unanimously :
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