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previous: Chapter 29 This webpage reproduces a chapter of The Five Civilized Tribes by Grant Foreman University of Oklahoma Press Norman, Oklahoma, 1934 The text is in the public domain. This page has been carefully proofread and I believe it to be free of errors. If you find a mistake though, please let me know! next: Chapter 31

[ Cherokee ]

 p392  Chapter thirty
Gossip From the Cherokee Advocate

Following the execution of the treaty in Washington in the summer of 1846 the delegates returned home — all but three — Ezekiel Starr, Capt. John Looney, and Capt. John Rogers, who succumbed to Washington life and died in May and June. When the Cherokee council met in October Chief Ross and Assistant Chief Lowrey not having returned, William Shorey Coodey acted as chief. The Cherokee people felt that a great burden had been lifted from their shoulders by execution of the new treaty, which put at rest many disturbing contentions that for years had kept the nation in a turmoil. They could now look forward to peace and renewed industry and progress. The superintendent of schools, James M. Payne, gave notice that "eight teachers of unexceptionalº moral character, and competent qualifications, are wanted to take charge of the Public Schools of the Nation."​1

The Western Cherokee faction met at Tahlontuskee November 16 to confer about the claims they were entitled to make under the recent treaty. Capt. William Dutch presided, and a committee of five was appointed to draft the necessary resolutions.​2 A new feature in the lives of the Cherokee people was the success­ful introduction into the Nation of flour from the mills of James A. Scott on Cowskin River in Southwest Missouri. The year before he had sent at one time four flatboats laden with flour down the Cowskin, Grand, and Arkansas rivers all the way to Fort Smith. A few months later Jordan Wheeler also was shipping flour down the rivers from Missouri to Lewis Ross at the Grand Saline, to Fort Gibson and other points on the rivers.​3

 p393  Chief John Ross, always the leader in movements for the advancement of his people and alert to discover opportunities to render them service, had observed the effect of five years of common schools on the youth of the Nation. He believed the time was ripe for the inauguration of schools offering more advanced courses of study. Accordingly in October 1846 he submitted to the National Council a message recommending legislation providing for the establishment of a male and a female seminary. The Council thereupon on November 26 passed a bill reciting that "Whereas, the improvement of the moral and intellectual condition of our people is contemplated by the Constitution, and whereas, we are now in possession of means sufficient to carry out, to a further degree of maturity, the National system of education already commenced"; and directed that "two Seminaries or High Schools be established, one for male, and the other for females."

The next spring the chief and executive council selected sites, adopted plans, made contracts and later superintended the construction of the buildings for the schools, the female seminary near Park Hill, and the male near Tahlequah. Cornerstones containing books, documents, and papers — records of Cherokee history — were prepared; that of the first on June 21, 1847 and of the male seminary October 28 were laid by Chief Ross with appropriate ceremonies in the presence of large gatherings of Cherokee people who were justly proud of this new evidence of their progress.

The people of the Nation grieved over the death of their friend Gov. Pierce M. Butler, who, at the head of his South Carolina command, the Palmetto Regiment, was killed at the battle of Churubusco, Mexico, August 20. At the residence of her mother in Illinois District, occurred the death from consumption October 18, of Mrs. Eliza Martin, wife of Gabriel Martin, and daughter of Walter Webber. The people are outraged by the "notorious villain Mat Guerring and Gang" who broke into a home of some free mulatto and mixed-Cherokee-blood people at Fort Gibson and kidnaped two girls. "In the presence of the mother they tied the girls while in bed and carried them off to the States."​4 This was the same Mat Guerring who had committed many  p394 crimes on the eastern line of the Cherokee Nation and had so far escaped the punishment he so richly deserved. But Tom Starr was arrested at Evansville, Arkansas, by Deputy United States Marshal Latta and taken to Van Buren, charged with the murder of an old Negro man in Crawford County.​5 Lieut. Cave J. Couts of the First Dragoons, "who has long been at Fort Gibson departs to join his regiment under Gen. John E. Wool in Mexico. Lieutenant Couts has made many friends at Fort Gibson and among the Cherokee people at Tahlequah and Park Hill who see him leave with much regret," of which notice is taken by the Advocate.​6 Charles Landrum, sheriff of Delaware District, ad pursued Guerring and at Warsaw, Missouri, captured the two kidnaped mulatto girls who had been left there for sale, and had them home in time for the Advocate to relate the account on November 11.

J. M. Bryan of Beattie's Prairie is advertising for "Rackoon, Fox, Wildcat, Otter, and Opossum skins" which must be "stretched perfectly square and every particle of grease taken off. . . . Deerskins should be stretched in the same way." Bryan offers in exchange fall and winter goods.​7 Early in December a boat is seen ascending the Arkansas River with twelve barrels of whisky belonging to whisky dealers near Fort Gibson. Tatnall H. Post, sheriff for Illinois District, intercepted the boat, smashed in the barrels and poured the whisky in the river.​8

The Cherokee agent had ridden all morning and he was hungry. He rode his horse into one of the streams of clear water that are so numerous in the Cherokee Nation. While the horse drank his fill the agent looked about him in search of a habitation that he felt must be near this beauti­ful stream. Only the sweet note of a titmouse, the strident call of a flicker and the noisy gurgle of his horse as he refreshed himself from the stream broke the silence. Then he heard in the distance a familiar sound that told him he was near food and refreshment. He guided his horse up the bank and through the woods where he saw a comfortable log house whence issued the sound he had heard — the hum of a spinning wheel and the smack of a loom. Mother and daughter were at home spinning and weaving. This audible evidence  p395 of industry was common throughout the Cherokee country. The Indians were "generally industrious," said the agent, "and very neat in their household affairs. You generally find them neatly and fashionably dressed in home-made clothes of their own manufacturing; in passing through the country, the wheel and loom are frequently the first sounds that greet the ear. On your arrival at their houses, the neatness and taste they display in the selection of colors, and the manufacturing of the cloth, is not to be surpassed in any part of the government." He said that the tribe was prospering in spite of the fact that the people had not yet forgotten the contention that had made so much trouble for them; and that they were as capable of managing their affairs as most people are in a new state or territorial government.​9

Contracts for the construction of the seminaries have been let; carpenters' and joiners' work went to Brown and McCoy.​10 "Died at the residence of his son, Mr. David Hilderbrand, near this place, on the 20th inst., at 11 P.M., Mr. John Hilderbrand, one of the oldest men in the nation. Mr. Hilderbrand was a native of Pennsylvania, of German extraction, and was born on the 12th of February, 1755, and was consequently, aged at the time of his death, 92 years, 10 months, and 8 days. He came among the Cherokees east of the Mississippi, more than fifty years ago, among whom he intermarried. He retained a remarkable degree of activity up to within a short time of his death. He left more than 100 lineal descendants, a majority of whom are residing among the Cherokees."​11

Capt. Enoch Steen of the First Dragoons, has arrived at Fort Gibson. He is one of the heroes of Buena Vista and bears a serious wound from that engagement, from which he has not recovered.​12 The Old Settlers held a council in Skin Bayou District and selected Capt. William Dutch and John L. McCoy as delegates to Washington to secure the money due them under the recent treaty.​13 On December 14, at Beattie's Prairie, the Rev. Cephas Washburn married John A. Bell to Mrs.  p396 Sabra Buffington.​14 A Cherokee man who had been to Maysville, Arkansas, returning home, drunk, of course, froze to death on Beattie's Prairie.​15 The remains of the Cherokee agent, James McKissick, are to be taken to Fayetteville and laid beside those of Colonel Yell.​16

W. P. Ross, editor of the Advocate, is away from his post in February and his place is taken by D. H. Ross. J. D. Willison is advertising for sale his improvements in the Cherokee Nation: 125 acres of land cleared and under good fence, with dwelling and other buildings on the "road leading from Fort Gibson to the Verdigris landing about three miles from the former and one mile from the latter place."​17 J. and W. T. Mackay and Company are advertising that they have purchased the saline operated by Daniel R. Coodey in Illinois District, and that they have on hand a large amount of salt that they will exchange at the rate of fifty cents a bushel for warrants or national tickets.​18 James M. Payne, agent of salines, advertises that he will lease four public salines; one operated by Lewis Rogers in Delaware District, one operated by David Vann near James McNair's, one operated by William Rogers, the two latter in Saline District, and one occupied by Akey Smith, generally known as Webber's Salt Works in Illinois District.​19 Bois d'arc seed is quoted at $20.00 a bushel in Fort Smith. Tom Starr has secured a change of venue from Van Buren to Johnson County, Arkansas.

Directly after his appointment as Cherokee agent, Richard C. S. Brown contracts with James A. Hart, of the Cherokee Nation, to make seventy-five spinning wheels for the Cherokee people for the sum of $300.00. Similar contracts were made with John Drew and Robert Rungon.​20The editor of the Advocate saw a huge panther twelve miles from Tahlequah on the road to Fort Gibson.​21 Because of high waters in March and April the mail carrier was unable to reach Tahlequah for some weeks. John Meigs is erecting a neat hewed log store building in Tahlequah adjoining the Advocate printing office.​22 There  p397 is much complaint of the introduction of whisky by boats coming from Cowskin River in Missouri down the Grand River.​23 Tom Starr and Michael Doolin broke jail in Clarksville and made their escape.​24 At last comes the welcome news that "Mat Guerrin, the notorious land pirate, was killed in Flint District, last Friday night.​25 He, Ellis Starr, and Washington Starr were killed by two United States deputy marshals, Smith and Latta, and a number of Cherokee while the latter were attempting to arrest them for "a number of atrocious murders, robberies and other crimes committed by them and others of their band."​26 "The Arkansas is now in fine boating order. Several boats have come up to Fort Gibson during the last few days."​27

In July D. H. Ross retires as editor of the Advocate as W. P. Ross assumed charge.​28 The governor of Arkansas offers a reward of $400 for the arrest of Tom Starr and Michael Doolin.​29 Moses Daniel, a prominent Cherokee, is dead.​30 An enthusiastic meeting of the Cold Water Army at Tahlequah, and a Methodist camp meeting on Fourteen Mile Creek are noted in July. Foreman and Reese have just opened a new stock of goods in Tallahassee. A meeting has been called in Tahlequah to discuss the construction of a road from Fort Gibson and Tahlequah to the Arkansas line to intersect the Van Buren and Fayetteville stage line.​31

At a horse race in Skin Bayou District, George W. Fields, former sheriff of Illinois District, was killed by Martin Benge on August 31.​32 It was thought the killing of Ellis and Washington Starr since the amnesty of 1846 was involved in the murder of Fields. Benge was tried in November and acquitted. Excitement caused by the Gold Rush enters much into public affairs and discussion at this time. Controversy over the subject of slavery and emancipation among the Indians  p398 engaged the attention of some of the missionaries and occupied considerable space in the news­papers. The Cherokee council and the supreme court began their session October 2. The council was opened by the message of Maj. George Lowrey, acting chief. Captain Dutch was reported too ill to attend. George W. Gunter of the Cherokee Nation has raised some excellent upland rice on his farm a few miles above Fort Smith.

"The little log cabins situated on the north and south sides of the Public square in which the council and Committee formerly held their sessions have been sold by order of the Committee and are about to be removed. The large shed in the center of the Square, which is not without its interesting associations as marking the spot where the Constitution of the Nation was adopted, and where the general council of the Indian tribes was held, has met with a similar fate and will soon be converted into fire wood, horse stables or some ignoble use."​33 The national council has granted a license, the first in its history, to Landrum and Blackstone of Beattie's Prairie to operate a lead mine for five years on Spavinaw Creek in Delaware District.​34

Clement V. McNair and William P. Ross are appointed delegates to Washington. Ross resigns as editor of the Advocate and is succeeded by James S. Vann.​35 Capt. William Dutch died November 14 at his home on the Canadian River. He was a famous warrior against the Osage Indians.

The Old Settlers or Western Cherokee met in council at the mouth of Illinois River December 4. It was extremely cold, but so important was their business that 200 were upon the ground. They met to promote some plan to secure from the Government the money promised by the treaty more than two years before, and of which the Indians are in great need. A committee of twenty-four was chosen by the people in attendance, and William Shorey Coodey and John Drew were selected as delegates to go to Washington in an effort to secure the money promised them. The delay was characteristic of the dealings of the Government with the Indians.

The intense cold made it possible to slaughter game birds in the country with little trouble. Flocks of thousands of grouse were seen near Tahlequah scarce able to fly for the cold. Schrimsher and Gunter netted 250 of these birds in two days time, and on another day caught 133. The continued cold delayed the departure of the delegates to Washington. The Arkansas and Grand rivers above Fort Gibson were still frozen in January so that horses could be taken across on the ice. Three Cherokee people were frozen to death. A Creek woman near Fort Gibson was delivered of twin girls with no one near but a blind sister.  p400 The mother and one child perished with the cold, but the other child survived. Work on the seminaries was practically suspended by the weather.​37

In spite of the cold, however, a meeting of the citizens was "held at the court house Tuesday evening, December 26th, at early candle light, to discuss building a Methodist church in Tahlequah."​38 "Our village is making rapid strides in improvement. Another store-house has just been completed and well filled with a handsome stock of goods by our enterprising townsman, Johnson Thompson. We have in the town of Tahlequah, five hotels, five stores, two smith shops, a tailor shop, and a fair prospect of an increase of the assortment."​39

The gold fever was taking hold of a number of people in the Cherokee nation. Meetings were being held in Tahlequah where plans were discussed for organizing an emigrant party to California. J. S. Vann, editor of the Advocate, was one of the leaders of the movement. He and Daniel M. Gunter advertised the enterprise and invited others to join. R. J. Meigs advertised for sale his "valuable farm and residence at Park Hill."​40 Lewis Ross advertised for sale several hundred bushels of salt at the Grand Saline at fifty cents a bushel. Joseph Vann, agent for the Cherokee Nation, gave notice that on March 15 he would sell to the highest bidder the saline lately occupied by Lewis Ross.​41 Word was received of the death of Henrietta J. Coodey, daughter of William Shorey Coodey, at Ellicott's Mills, Maryland, January 28. She had just been to Washington to see her father who was ill.​42 Temperance society meetings were being held all over the Cherokee Nation.

Chief John Ross was going into the mercantile business. He had been so occupied with the public affairs of his nation that he had  p401 neglected his personal fortunes. He purchased the store building of R. J. Meigs at Park Hill, and opened a well assorted stock of dry goods and groceries. Here, he said, he was prepared to furnish all the necessaries of life and California emigrants could secure many articles for their outfits.​43 The brick work on the Cherokee seminaries was completed the first of April. The contractor, Mr. Mahoney, had been paid, but he had neglected to pay the laborers who worked for him and there was much complaint.​44 The unwelcome news was received that Congress had appropriated $20,000 for the completion of Fort Gibson. The Cherokee people would much rather have seen the post abandoned.​45

Mrs. Martin, widow of the late Judge John Martin, went to Fayetteville, Arkansas, to visit her youngest daughter and several grand daughters who were students at Miss Sophia Sawyer's seminary, so popular with the Cherokee people. News had just been received that while there she contracted pneumonia and after an illness of a week, died on March 14 at the age of 56.​46 The California fever was growing in interest. Word was received that more than 400 wagons bound for California had passed the Choctaw agency in a week.​47 James Vann, editor of the Advocate could not longer resist. He abandoned the paper and joined an emigrant party to California. David Carter took his place as editor.​48 An impromptu California emigrant was on the way. John Rollin Ridge was reported to have killed Judge D. Kell of Beattie's Prairie and escaped. He was said to have started to California.​49 Martin Benge and Cucumber Jack, who killed George Fields, surrendered.

Gloom rests on the land from the news just received that William Shorey Coodey is dead in Washington. This distinguished public servant of his nation died on Sunday, April 16, 1489, at the age of 43. It was he who wrote the act of union under which the factions of the tribe reorganized the government of the Cherokee Nation after their emigration. He was given a distinguished funeral in Washington; a  p402 procession headed by the United States Marine Band conducted his body to the Congressional cemetery.

The local and eastern papers contain extended accounts of his life and work. A post office has just been established at Grand Saline, which will receive mail from Tahlequah once a week.​50 Another Cherokee veteran has passed away; George Fields died at his residence on April 14 at the age of more than eighty. During the Creek war he fought under Andrew Jackson and distinguished himself for bravery. He was wounded in one of the battles and received a pension from the United States.​51

Maj. George M. Murrell has just received a large consignment of new goods for his store at Tahlequah. He advertises "a new supply of spring, summer, and fall goods — new and fashionable prints, callicoes, check Stripes, Ginghams, Muslins, robes, silks, etc. Neatest and best summer wear for Gents, blue, brown, black and gray summer cloth, suitable for pants, &c. A superb lot of Gents and Ladies saddles and bridles, boots, shoes, &c. And a great many other articles too tedious to mention. All adapted for the town and country."​52

News has been received of a daring attempt to kill and rob the Cherokee agent, Richard S. C. Brown. Just before daylight on June 6 the robbers broke into his house and struck him with an axe, but neighbors came to his rescue and frightened the bandits away. The agent had in his possession $18,000 to be paid out to the Indians and that fact was doubtless known to the assailants. Two suspected Cherokee have been released as indications point to two discharged soldiers and a Negro now in custody.​53

A significant event is that of the organization of the first Masonic lodge among an Indian tribe. The ceremony took place in the courthouse in Tahlequah July 12. The introductory prayer was delivered by Rev.  p403 Thomas Bertholf and the installation of officers was conducted by officials from Arkansas. The officers elected were W. S. Adair, W. M.; N. B. Dannenberg, S. W.; Joseph Coodey, J. W.; T. W. Emerson, S. D.; W. L. H. Holt, J. D.; David Carter, treasurer, and William P. Ross, secretary.​54 On October 30, 1852, the Cherokee council donated to the Cherokee Lodge of Masons and the division of the Sons of Temperance two lots in the town of Tahlequah on which to erect a lodge building within two years from that date.​55 Many of the Cherokee were Masons.

A correspondent for the Fort Smith Herald thinks our little village of Tahlequah "is a quiet and orderly place, though rather dull in the way of business. Here are four stores, one saddler's shop, a tailor's shop, three blacksmiths' shops, a shoemaker's shop, and three taverns. I am well pleased with the people, as they are moral, industrious, and given to hospitality. The editor (David Carter) is a fine specimen of an enlightened Cherokee gentleman . . . about forty years old. He commenced life a poor orphan boy; he has a fine plantation two miles from here, black with darkies."​56 The people of Arkansas are trying to get our citizens interested in road building so as to facilitate our neighbor's emigration to California. A road meeting has just been held at the home of David Vann on Sallisaw Creek to plan the construction of a road from Van Buren by way of the North Fork of the Canadian River to Little River. It was resolved that citizens of Van Buren and of the Cherokee Nation unite in the construction of this road and that the Creeks be invited to coöperate.​57 Another road enthusiast visits Tahlequah on August 3 and endeavors to interest the citizens in building a road from that place to the "line" or stage road north of Fort Smith.​58

Cholera at Fort Gibson has caused some alarm. The captain of the steamboat Swallow reported that when his boat left the post there had been 100 cases and twelve deaths.​59 Fortunately, the cases have yielded to treatment and are subsiding.

 p404  Another indication of progress in the neighborhood is the establishment of a sawmill on Park Hill Creek near the entrance to Illinois River, by William P. and D. H. Ross. They are offering thirty-seven ½ cents each for 1,000 or more logs twenty inches in diameter delivered at the mill. They will also pay liberally for cherry and walnut logs.​60 The famous oil springs fifteen miles from Tahlequah are attracting attention. It is said they will cure liver complaint, gout, rheumatism, general debility and other ailments. Mrs. Susannah Ridge, widow of the slain Major Ridge, has died at the age of eighty years on Honey Creek September 1.​61 Fall sports are now in order. James Kell, proprietor of the Leon race course on Beattie's Prairie, is advertising a sweepstake race for three years olds past, on Tuesday, November 27; the entrance fee will be $100.

More serious matters are occupying the attention of the leading men of the Nation. The National council had adopted a resolution to call the whole Cherokee people together Monday, November 7, to decide upon a plan or adopt some measure to relieve the Cherokee Nation of its public debt.​62 In response to this resolution Chief Ross issued a proclamation calling the people together to consider and act on the subject.​63 The annual meeting of the Cherokee Temperance Society was well attended. Practically all the officers of the National government and most of the leading men of the Nation belong to it. Reports were made of many interesting meetings all over the Cherokee Nation, during the past year. Josiah Reese, sheriff of Canadian District, alone destroyed forty-eight barrels of whisky during the year.​64

The new year of 1850 was ushered in with scenes of rioting and murder induced by the introduction of whisky. A number of persons went to the home of Jack Thompson in the Cherokee Nation about a mile from Fort Smith on Christmas night and killed Bluford Rider and Sam Brewer, and stabbed Wiley Thompson, brother of Jack, and Mrs. Thompson. Nah‑che‑yah, of Flint District, was killed. Randolph Rogers killed a Negro, and Partridge, of Flint District, was killed. Some miscreant fired the residence of John Drew, three miles from Fort Gibson,  p405 and it was entirely consumed with everything in the house.​65 Eleven men were put on trial in Skin Bayou District January 15 for the killing of Rider and Brewer.

The fifth anniversary of the Flint District Auxiliary Temperance Society is fittingly observed at Fairfield Mission July 12; an interesting program is rendered.​66 Many people of the Cherokee Nation are grieving over the death of Miss Ellen Stetson at Dwight Mission; she served long years there and instructed many of the Cherokee people when they were children.​67 The examination of the pupils at the end of the term of school at Riley's Chapel on August 2 is largely attended by the parents and other friends of the students. The long and interesting program includes the reading of a news­paper in manuscript published by the pupils in imitation of the printed papers that had come into their hands.​68 William P. and D. H. Ross of Tahlequah have added to their sawmill equipment for making flour and they are now advertising for wheat. This promises to contribute to the comfort of the people of the nation and make a market for their wheat.

There has been another fight between some of the Cherokee across the river from Fort Smith, caused, as usual, by the use of Fort Smith whisky. Charles Tikaneesky killed Moses Vickory with a knife. On Sunday Richard Blackburn came in the neighborhood looking for some cattle. Columbus Vickory tried to kill him with a shotgun; Blackburn took it away from him; they closed with each other with their knives and Blackburn finally killed Vickory. The feud between the Thompsons and Vickorys has continued until there is not a male member of either family left.​69

The Cherokee council opened October 9 and Chief John Ross, relieved of the duties that kept him so much of the time in Washington, is on hand to deliver his message. The assemblage was graced by General Belknap and lady and others of Fort Gibson, who were introduced to the council. General Belknap is now acting Cherokee agent to supply the vacancy caused by the death of Dr. William Butler.​70  p406  It has been a dry summer and autumn and the streams have little water in them. A Cherokee came into town and said Grand River is so low that a duck could walk across it without getting its feet wet; that there is no water in the Arkansas. He has seen, so he said, the turtles dragging the catfish over the bars to the pools further down; the catfish lying on the bars with their mouths open gasping for water — the turtles thrust their tails into the mouths of the fish, which close on the tails, and they drag them into the water.​71

Rev. Lewis Downing preached a sermon in Cherokee at the courthouse in Tahlequah on January 12.​72 Dannenburg and Harnage are merchants at Flint. The firm of John Ross & Company is dissolved and the business will be continued by William P. and D. H. Ross.​73 Denkla and Woodward are advertising their clothing store at Flint; they will take beef hides, bees wax, tallow, corn, corn meal and produce generally. Murrell's cheap store at Tahlequah wishes to buy corn, dried beef, hides, deer, wolf, coon, fox, and wild cat hides, bees wax, tallow and pecans.​74 J. T. Mays is advertising that he will run his stallion, Bill Coodey, against any horse in the Cherokee Nation from one mile to four with equal riders on each, for $250 in cash.​75 John W. Stapler & Company are now established across the street from the Advocate office. S. Foreman & Company and Mr. Wells will open their stores soon. "We have eight stores in our little town and three others in embryo."​76 The dentists, Dr. W. J. Grant and Dr. R. S. C. Noel, are advertising in the Advocate, besides James S. Vann, attorney-at‑law.​77 An innovation in the country has caused considerable interest: "post-office stamps" have been received here, and our merchants have offered to take them "at cash rates" in payment for goods, as currency is scarce.​78

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The Author's Notes:

1 Cherokee Advocate, August 13, 1846, p3, col. 1.

2 OIA, Southern Superintendency, Cherokee file B 271.

3 Arkansas Intelligencer, March 28, and June 26, 1846. These same boats brought in whisky to make trouble for the Indians.

4 Cherokee Advocate, October 7, 1847. The Cherokee council on November 27, 1847, appropriated $23.00 to reimburse Charles Landrum and Pigeon Halfbreed for expenses incurred in recovering two girls, granddaughters of Shoeboot, kidnapped September 27 from the residence of their mother in Delaware District to be sold into slavery (Laws of the Cherokee Nation [Tahlequah, 1852] p156).

5 Cherokee Advocate, November 4, 1847.

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid., November 18, 1847.

8 Ibid., December 9.

9 Brown to Rutherford October 10, 1848: Report of commissioner of Indian affairs, 1848.

10 Cherokee Advocate, December 9, 1847.

11 Ibid., December 23, 1847, p2, col. 2.

12 Fort Smith Herald, December 29, 1847.

13 Ibid.

14 Ibid.

15 Cherokee Advocate, January 6, 1848, p2, col. 6.

16 Ibid., January 17, 1848.

17 Ibid., February 14, 1848.

18 Ibid., January 24, 1848.

19 Ibid., February 21, 1848.

20 OIA, Incoming letters.

21 Cherokee Advocate, April 3, 1848.

22 Ibid.

23 Ibid., 100 gallons of "cowskin whisky" was emptied from a boat by the sheriff of Saline District (ibid., May 22) May 1.

24 Ibid., May 29, 1848.

25 Ibid., June 5, 1848.

26 Ibid., June 12, 1848.

27 Ibid., June 5, 1848.

28 Ibid., July 10, 1848.

29 Ibid., July 3, 1848.

30 Ibid.

31 Ibid., July 31, 1848.

32 Ibid., September 11, 1848.

33 Ibid., November 6, 1848.

34 Ibid.

35 Ibid., November 13, 1848.

36 Ibid., November 27, 1848. For further accounts of Dutch see Grant Foreman, Indians and Pioneers. Ten years before while the Mexicans were trying to involve the immigrant Indians in their intrigues, Dutch was invited to enlist in the war against Texas but he refused to have anything to do with it (Arbuckle to adjutant general May 11, 1838, AGO, ORD, headquarters Second Department, Western Division, Fort Gibson, Book 111).

37 Cherokee Advocate, December 18, 1848; Fort Smith Herald, January 3, 1849. Rev. S. A. Worcester's report is released, giving an account of the mission work in his charge. His printing press at Park Hill has printed 1,376,000 pages of books and tracts during the year. Six of these books in 24to editions of 4,000 each, were in Cherokee as was the thirty-six page 12mo Cherokee Almanac for 1848. A forty-eight page book of temperance songs in 24to numbering 3,500 and 300 copies of Cherokee laws 12mo and 107 pages were printed in English.

38 Cherokee Advocate, December 18, 1848.

39 Ibid., January 8, 1849.

40 Ibid., January 15, 1849.

41 Ibid., February 19, 1849.

42 Ibid., April 9, 1849.

43 Ibid., February 19, 1849, p2, col. 1.

44 Ibid., April 2, 1849.

45 Fort Smith Herald, March 21, 1849.

46 Ibid., March 28, p3, col. 2.

47 Ibid., April 25, p2, col. 1.

48 Ibid., May 23.

49 Cherokee Advocate, May 21, 1849.

50 Ibid., May 12, 1849.

51 Fort Smith Herald, May 23, 1849, p2, col. 1.

52 Cherokee Advocate, June 25, 1849, p2, col. 1.

53 Ibid. The next summer four Cherokee Indians boarded the steamboat General Shields, stranded on the Cherokee side of the Arkansas River about nine miles above Fort Smith, and, "after attempting to murder two men on board of the boat who fortunately escaped alive but severely wounded, they robbed the boat of almost every thing they could carry off conveniently, carrying off all the bedding, clothing, etc., and one rifle, brass mounted and new, and three carbines. They broke open a safe taking out some money and several trunks carrying off valuable clothing, good coats, etc." (AGO, ORD, Fort Smith letter book p9, August 27, 1850).!

54 Cherokee Advocate, July 16, 1849; Fort Smith Herald, August 22, 1849.

55 Laws of the Cherokee Nation (edition of 1868, St. Louis), p92.

56 Fort Smith Herald, July 18, 1849, p2, col. 3. He was grandfather of the late Charles Carter member of Congress from Oklahoma.

57 Ibid.

58 Ibid., August 2, 1849.

59 Ibid., August 6, 1849, p2, col. 1. Soon there were 172 cases in the Fifth Infantry at the post and seventeen deaths (ibid., August 20, 1849, p2, col. 1).

60 Cherokee Advocate, August 20, 1849, p3, col. 5.

61 Ibid., September 3, 1849, p3, col. 4.

62 Ibid., October 22, 1849, p2, col. 1.

63 Ibid., October 29, p2, col. 2.

64 Ibid., November 5, 1849.

65 Fort Smith Herald, January 5, 1850, p2, col. 2; Cherokee Advocate, January 7, 1850, p2, col. 1.

66 Cherokee Advocate, July 30, 1850, p2, col. 2.

67 Ibid.

68 Ibid., August 6, 1850, p2, col. 1.

69 Fort Smith Herald, July 20, 1850, p2, col. 3.

70 Cherokee Advocate, October 12, 1850, p2, col. 1.

71 Fort Smith Herald, October 11, 1850, p2, col. 4.

72 Cherokee Advocate, January 14, 1851, p2, col. 1.

73 Ibid., February 11, 1851, p3, col. 6.

74 Ibid.

75 Ibid.

76 Ibid., July 29, 1851, p2, col. 1.

77 Ibid.

78 Ibid., September 30, 1851, p2, col. 3.

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