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 7
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"Whereas, a discovery has been made which fully satisfies this colony that Banna, hitherto known as the daughter of our friend, Umausauga, the Indian, does not belong to his race :
"Resolved, That Miss Ruth Lahgoon, a member of this body, is hereby appointed to inform the said Banna of the discovery made, and direct that she do so at such time and in such manner as she may deem proper.
"J. Josiah Strong, Presiding.
"Orpah Lahgoon, Secretary."
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On the morning following the above-mentioned meeting the scouts crossed the river and rode to the west. As Ruth had for- merly traveled in that direction, she knew that the country was rough and infested with dangerous animals. Therefore they rode near together, generally in single file, without meeting with any- thing unusual until they reached the lower water of Taurulaboole (Beech) creek. There as they entered the dense forest that skirt- ed its banks, they discovered a little path which led to a cluster of tall reeds that grew on a knoll a short distance from the stream. Following the path they soon reached a curious structure almost hidden by the reeds which grew close to its walls. As they went near an opening which seemed to serve the purpose of a door, a wizen-faced old man made his appearance at the opening with a small bundle of split reeds in his hand. He had never seen two such beings before, and as they approached nearer he disappeared in the hut. However, when Banna told him in his own language that no harm was intended, an old squaw came to the door cautiously. She brought a half finished basket in one hand and an old, rusty tomahawk in the other. She was hideous in appearance and evi- dently much older than the man. Her skin appeared to be dry on her bones, her great butter-teeth showed outside her thin, tightly drawn lips, and a tuft of hair, much like the foretop of a horse, fell straggling over her tawny brow. Banna at once recog- nized her as Lapsidali, a basket maker whom she had sometimes seen at Adabor.
Having long gazed with critical eyes at the girls and their horses, she laid down her basket and tomahawk on the ground and went nearer. When apparently satisfied that there was no danger, she went still nearer and patted Iro on the forehead. Ceasing to caress the horse, she looked up and carefully scanned his rider's features. Then she went backwards several steps, and placing both hands on her angular hips, she stood with a far-away look as if lost in some over-powering thought. Being unable to close her lips, they twitched over her great scurvy-eaten teeth as if talking to herself. Finally she suddenly turned and called to the little old man who was still in the hut, and said in substance :
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"Onomaco, this girl on white horse is certainly Banna. Lives at Adabor, I have seen her there. But she has been changed to butterfly. That's to keep Cherokees from knowing her. Two white horses. Two queens, too. This white horse like Adar. The other on black horse is pale face. Lives at Shoals. Flies through the air. Spirit floats up and down river every night. No harm in her. Come out here."
The old hag advanced to pat the black horse also. Somehow Alborak refused to be petted by her, and throwing back his ears, he gave a short, vicious snip at her arm. The old woman snatched up her tomahawk, and her movements indicated that she intended to throw it at the horse's head. Quick as thought the muzzle of a rifle was thrust in her face. Perhaps she did not know just what that meant, but at the click of the lock she fled into the hut and crouched beyond a pile of baskets.
When confidence was restored, the scouts examined the hut as a matter of curiosity. It was about ten feet square and some six feet high. Poles were set in the ground from ten to twelve inches apart, and the spaces between them were filled with slender wil- low branches, basket fashion. The outside was roughly daubed with whitish clay mortar which seemed to be hard and endurable. The roof was composed of several layers of wahoo bark which was held in place by large balls of the white clay mortar. As the two solitary inhabitants were found to be wickiups, that is, cane basket makers, the place was doubtlessly selected because of the dense canebrake that grew in the vicinity, and was called Boca, the Creek word for cane.
The hut contained quite a number of finished baskets, and it was amazing to see with what wonderful skill they were made. Onomaco split and dressed the cane, and Lapsidali, his sister, colored and wove the material, but never in the presence of another. The brilliant colors produced by her methods did not fade, and though many efforts were made to learn her secret, the old jade died without revealing it.
In the early part of the last century these baskets were fre- quently seen in the possession of the settlers, and were called Lap- sidalian baskets. Before leaving Boca the scouts made an ear-
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nest effort to induce Lapsidali to explain what she meant in her talk to Omonaco about Banna. She however shook her head and replied, "Lapsidali talk to Onomaco, not to young squaws."
Being bothered about the ambiguous expressions of the old woman, they resolved to return home immediately and make their report. Both were silent for a time; but Ruth, deeming the opportunity favorable for telling her companion of the dis- coveries made in regard to her race, decided to use it. She began by calling the astonished girl's attention to what she had just heard at the hut concerning herself, the Cherokees, the two white horses and the two queens. She then went over all the circumstances which had convinced Mrs. Moore, Mr. Strong and finally the whole colony, that she did not have one drop of Indian blood in her veins, and concluded by saying : "I have seen enough myself to prove that you have the same white blood beating in your heart that is beating in mine. You may be of foreign descent partly ; but if you are, it comes from white ancestors whose blood shows in all their descendants the world over, and O Banna, I am unable to tell you how glad I am!"
Ruth threw her arms around her trembling friend, and to- gether they wept a long time. At last when the still trembling girl was a little composed she said in substance: "I have some- times wondered why all around me was so different from myself. I have always thought Umausauga my father. He is good to me and has never failed to treat me kindly. I have noticed that other fathers make slaves of their daughters, while he treats me as a queen. I have never before been able to understand why this is so. I have never known but one other exception, and that is the case of a girl who lives at Snodon. Her name is Mera, and I want you to visit her, for both she and her mother are very lovely. Mother! Mother! How sweet and endearing the word ! O, that I could know something of mine! The name must be of some akin to the Heaven of which you and your people so often tell me. Somehow your strange revelations make me feel like one world had gone and another had come. Must I give up all to gain more? I know not what to say or do!" "No! no!" re- plied Ruth vehemently, "you need not give up all you have. You
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need not give up the man to whom you owe so much! We will take you both under our protection for life. You have nothing to fear, but much for which you will some day thank God and be glad."
In the midst of their conversation the scouts reached home, and all the colonists, finding that Banna had been informed of her true position in society, came to encourage her upon entering a new life. This was of vast benefit to the bewildered girl, and perhaps saved her from miserable depths of despondency and gloom. To change the training of a lifetime is doubtless a hard thing to do.
That night the council met, and with unusual interest listened to Ruth Lahgoon's report. The following extract from the pro- ceedings of the meeting was copied from the original document more than sixty years ago :
"Whereas, the various allusions made in the presence of our scouts by Lapsidali, the squaw, to the Cherokees, the white horses and the queens, may mean something of much importance to this colony :
"Resolved, That Josiah Strong is hereby directed to inter- view the said Lapsidali, and obtain such information as he can about these matters; that Joseph Starr shall visit our sister colonies at Yamacutah and Groaning Rock; and that Abel Trent visit Fort Yargo, to secure an alliance with said colonies, assure them of our assistance at any time needed, and obtain such other information as may pertain to our interest.
"And be it further Resolved, That the Indian, Umausauga, and his hitherto supposed daughter, Banna, be solicited to become citizens of this colony and members of this council; and that the discovery made in regard to the unknown parentage of the latter be revealed to the former when the present unsettled state of the country passes away.
"Signed,
"Richard Easley, President.
"Martha Easley, Secretary."
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Early on the following morning Starr and Trent started on their respective missions. In the afternoon Strong visited the curious hut among the reeds. To his great disappointment not a vestige of either its inhabitants or of their work was to be seen. He continued his visits for several days in succession, and always with the same result.
As the deserted abode seemed to have been in use several years, the solution of another mystery awaited the anxious colo- nists. The faithful scouts roamed on foot about the shoals nearly all the day carrying rifles in their hands. Poor Banna, having passed a sleepless night, was tossed upon a sea of conflicting emotions ; dreams of the wilderness fleeting like a shadow to the realities of a new life of which she knew almost nothing. Whith- er should she go? Which way should she turn? Many brave young warriors of the upper Creek Nation, including him of the jaw-breaking name, had fallen at her feet and sued for her heart and hand. Though she knew not the reason why the pulsations of her heart did not beat in unison with them, she felt a reason, and loved them not. Her sensitive soul, ethereal as the passing zephyr and as invisible as the germ of the delicate violet, longed for something more refined that any of them could offer. A drop of oil in mid-ocean will not mix with any of its multitudinous waves. Being utterly unable to catch even a passing glimpse of what her future life should probably be, she instinctively drew the polished shell from her bosom, kissed it, and then slowly returned the dear souvenir to its long resting place. A smile as if a flood of sunshine had poured from an over-hanging cloud played over her features for a moment, and then as thoughts of the strange past and the uncertain future came to her mind, she sadly joined her companion who was gathering wild flowers some distance away.
Being a little weary the girls went to the shoals, and seeing a nice clean rock a few feet from the bank, they leaped upon it, and in a reclining position watched the water as it went rippling by them. Presently a large fish, in water so shallow that its dor- sal fins were in plain view, came hurrying by without any ap- parent effort, and quickly disappeared in the deeper water be-
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low. "Like that fish I know not whither I am drifting," said Banna thoughtfully. "Dear, please don't say that," replied Ruth anxiously. "Any fish" she continued with much earnest- ness, "can float with the current; but it takes a splendid moun- tain trout to scale the rapids and strike for higher latitudes and purer waters. You, with ten thousand times the advantage of any fish, may do likewise. Should you meet with any difficul- ties on the way, as did the fish when it struck the shallow water, I know of a strong arm, a willing mind, and a devoted heart that will always be ready to help you overcome them."
The girl did not reply at once. She was trying to understand the meaning of her friend. Finally she asked, "Where, O where shall I find such help as that?" "Josiah Strong, a lock of whose hair you now carry in your bosom, is the man! I know that he loves you, and only you, devotedly, and is longing for an oppor- tunity to tell you so." The surprised girl covered her face with both hands, and after rocking back and forth for awhile, turned her beautiful, tearful eyes upon her companion, and in trembling tones said :
"Dear one, may we now go?" They lightly jumped to the bank, and arm in arm walked to the fort, where Banna the Beautiful, for the first time learned it was to be her future home.
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CHAPTER V. THE CHEROKEE SPY.
In due time Starr and Trent returned from their respective missions and made their reports. The latter found that the fort Yargo people, though few in number, were well armed and ready to come to the aid of Talasee at a moment's warning, and the former reported substantially the same of the colonies he visit- ed; adding that the citizens of Groaning Rock had some reason to believe that a Cherokee spy, going in the direction of Talasee, had recently passed through the country.
In view of the information gained of the probable spy, Richard Easley and Phelan Lahgoon, both of whom had seen much hard service in active warfare, offered to become additional scouts. Accordingly the next morning the men rode to the east and the girls to the north with the understanding that the parties were to meet at Rodoata (Cold Spring) at such time in the afternoon as they could make the junction.
About noon when the girls were riding across the gentle slope on which Crooked Creek church now stands, their horses stop- ped and stood listening. Knowing that their hearing was more sensitive than their own, the girls remained quiet and anxiously awaited the result. Directly they discovered an Indian going in the direction of the spring, still there, but not so bold and beau- tiful as then. Amazed, both whispered "The Spy!" "The Spy !" He was armed with a tomahawk only, and carrying that at his left side, they knew him to be a Cherokee.
Having apparently satisfied himself that no danger was lurk- ing near, he fell prostrate at the spring and began to drink. Just then, with rifles ready for instant use, the scouts rushed upon him with such impetuous dash that the fellow jumped the creek near by at one bound and ran to the southeast with incredible speed. Thinking they might obtain some valuable information from him they did not want to kill him or even wound him unless actually necessary. At full speed the girls began the chase at once,
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and the Cherokee, finding that he would soon be overtaken, stop- ped suddenly and looked back. Perhaps more through habit than design he unfortunately drew his tomahawk from his belt, and quick as thought two bullets went crashing through his arm. The weapon fell to the ground, and the fellow, finding that it was useless to run, suddenly fell with his face to the ground, and gave the Cherokee wail of despair "Owocoway!" Then the scouts knew that there was no one near who could come to his rescue.
Doubtless the poor Indian thought there was no one to help him; but he was greatly mistaken. Hands far more tender and skillful than he had ever known were there and anxious to help him. For their own benefit the girls carried a roll of linen band- ages, various salves, pins, needles and thread to use in case of accidents to which they were almost constantly liable. They now found great need of them, and conducting the wounded man back to the spring, they dressed his arm, and otherwise made him as comfortable as possible. They found that one bullet had fractured the arm bone but did not break it, and that the other had made a severe flesh wound. Their greatest difficulty was to stanch the freely flowing blood; but by long continued ap- plication of cold spring water they finally succeeded. During the entire process, which of necessity must have been very pain- ful, the Indian did not utter a groan nor speak a word. The most distinguishing feature of his conduct was that he seemed unable to turn his eyes away from Banna. For some reason he was evidently overcome with wonder and amazement.
When the captive was a little composed the girls leisurely conducted him to Talasee and turned him over to Joe Starr and Ed Belknap from whom he was not likely to escape. They then hastened to Rodoata that the other scouts might find them there according to promise.
Easley and Lahgoon having reached the vicinity of Cherokee Corner, turned to the northwest, and crossing Trail and Sandy Creeks, reached the plateau upon which Center is now situated, without learning anything unusual. There, however, they met with a native, who informed them that on the day before, an
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Indian who was supposed to be a Cherokee, had been seen going in the direction of Talasee, and that a runner had been sent to inform Umausauga of the discovery. This caused the scouts to hasten homeward, and being well mounted, they soon reached the plain beyond Etoho river. There they discovered the well known tracks of Alborak and Iro. Following the still deeper and deeper gashes as if made by a furious charge, they came to a spring where blood was spattered all over the rocks around it. They groaned in despair and frantically called for Ruth and Banna. No answer was returned and again they groaned aloud and Mr. Lahgoon exclaimed, "O my God! have the Cherokees murdered my precious child and her darling friend?"
Just then Mr. Easley noticed that the red stains led across the adjacent creek. They were quickly followed until a pool of clotted blood was reached. Both scouts were unable to speak- their hearts seemed to be still. Almost blinded by fear and appre- hension, they looked around for further signs. Though confused by the great number of tracks made in the soft soil, they finally discovered a trail that led back towards the spring. They hur- riedly followed the tracks, and reaching the creek, Mr. Easley discovered a slip of paper hanging on a bush that grew near the spring. To the unspeakable joy of the men there was written upon it :
"Gone home with our prisoner, the spy. He is badly wounded, but not fatally. We are not hurt; will meet you in Rodoata in due time.
Ruth and Banna."
Both men threw their hats high in the air and gave four lusty cheers,-one each in honor of the girls and their horses. With supreme satisfaction they rode to Rodoata, and finding Ruth and Banna already there, the cheers were repeated, and then following a series of whoops so wierd and wild that turkey gobblers were heard answering them in the distance. The four scouts returned home together; and having so quickly passed from mortal fear to very gladness, happier men than Dick Easley than Phel. Lahgoon never rode over the hills of Georgia.
In the meantime Umausauga had been notified of the capture of the Cherokee, and at once visited him at Fort Strong. He
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was accompanied by Notha Neva, the runner who had been sent to inform him that a stranger had been seen in the country. In personal appearance this Indian was far superior to any others seen in the country, and while he had the step and the hair pe- culiar to the natives, he did not resemble them in any other respects.
Silent and moody, as if his thoughts were far away, the pris- oner refused to speak to any one. That somewhat exasperated those who had him in charge, but they patiently awaited the action of the council. That body met at an early hour, and for the first time Umausauga consented to be present. Notha Neva also remained, and the two Indians were offered front seats, but refused to accept them.
The captive occupied a seat near the president, and turning his keen black eyes upon vacant space before him, he seemed to be utterly oblivious of the presence of others. He did not have a bad face, and his brow showed a high order of intellect. He was of medium size, but evidently muscular and active. When told that he might speak for himself, he placed his wounded arm on the palm of his left hand and asked, "Lodu Huanaco se queech ?"-May Huanaco talk now ?
The president nodded his head, and the prisoner arose to his feet ; but in spite of his stoicism, with manifest pain. It was seen by all that his arm was badly swollen and the bandages too tight. Ruth and Banna hastened to his relief.
Umausauga and Notha Neva came near and watched the movements of their delicate fingers with almost breathless inter- est. Such tenderness and skill were unknown to them. Though far above the ordinary savages around them, they knew nothing of the glorious mission of a true woman-nothing of the soothing, healing touch of her gentle hand-nothing of the angelic spirit which warms her breast and makes glad the beatings of a wounded heart.
With eyes wide open and with bated breath the natives watch the nimble fingers until the last bandage is reached. It is deep in the flesh and tightly held there by dry blood which has to be softened by an application of warm water before the cloth can
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be removed. Banna is applying the water. The silent, stoical sufferer casts a long, anxious look at her, similar to those given while his arm was being dressed at the spring. Suddenly his eyes close spasmodically, his whole body trembles, and he heavily falls to his knees, exclaiming, "Ouch Elancydyne ! menurik outic en ma ecindre at survi. Eltrovadyne." That is, O Elancydyne, has your spirit come back, or are you the once little Eltrovadyne ?
The council was amazed. Umausauga stood speechless, and acted as if some great secret of his life was about to be revealed. Banna realized that in some way the dramatic scene referred to herself. She nestled close to Ruth, and as usual their arms were around each other. The captive was lying upon the floor seem- ingly but not really unconscious. While in this condition the dressing of his arm was completed. The council sympathized with the poor fellow and awaited his own action. He had evi- dently made some overpowering discovery, and all wanted to know the result.
By and by, when the sufferer began to breathe easily, some of the men raised him to his feet, and he was told to go on with his talk. He essayed to do so, but did not know what to do with his wounded arm and paused to think. While doing so Mrs. Easley quickly untied her snow white apron, made a loop that fell from his neck upon his breast, and tenderly placed his wounded arm in it. Though still suffering his eyes followed the kind lady to her seat, a faint smile played over his features for a moment as if to thank her, and turning, he made a touching talk of which the following is a free translation :
"My friends. I find friends here. Great and good friends. Friends for whom I am ready to give my life." Here he paused and pointing his trembling forefinger towards Ruth, Banna and Mrs. Easley, he looked around and continued: "I believe there are others. To friend and foe alike I want to say I am a Chero- kee. My name is Huanaco. I am not a spy. I come to you on a mission of peace, though I made a great mistake. I drew my tomahawk on the horses, not on their riders. I thought I might be run over. Had I not made this mistake I should not
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have been hurt." Again pointing his finger towards the girls, he added, "They are too good to willingly hurt others.
"Friends, many moons ago the Creeks and Cherokees were at war. We were led by King Amercides. He was a Spanish noble- man. For some reason he became one of us. He died for us on the bloody field of Numerado. Then his queen took his place. She led us to victory. Her name was Elancydyne. Though of pure English blood she was always true to the Cherokees. When a very little girl she was washed on shore by the waves of the sea. We adopted her and she too became one of us. She grew to be so good and beautiful that King Amercides gladly made her his queen. She led us from Numerado to other battlefields. The last was at Arharra near this very place. There, when passing under some trees in whose branches bowmen were hid- den, she fell mortally wounded .. The spirit of the Cherokees was broken. We retreated beyond the Etoho. We carried our queen's dead body with us. She and Amercides sleep together. After the battle we tried to find her little girl. She was the very image of her mother. We did not find her. Her name was Eltro- vadyne. Until a short time ago we fully believed her to be dead. I have been sent to see if she still lives. I think I have found her. We want her for a queen. Friends," the Indian continued, after a thoughtful pause, "I was once wounded in battle. Queen Elancydyne poured cold water on a great gash in my shoulder. Her beautiful eyes looked on in pity. She, whom you call Banna gave me just such a look with just such eyes while pouring water on my arm to-night. The discovery overcame me. I fell upon the floor. I know that was not in keeping with the dignity of a warrior. But tell me, O tell me, if you can, is Banna, the once little queen Eltrovadyne? What shall Huanaco tell his people?"
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