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The Unknown Portion of North Carolina.Yallkytown, Cherokee Co.. N- C., IAugust, 1877. jEditor DctnocnU:—With a companion I left Franklin, Macon county, on the 24lhof July, heading towards Charleston, Swain county, North Carolina, distance 30 miles. Acting on the principle that distance saved was time made, we left the public highway and betook ourselves to Indian trails and near cuts generally. Across the mountains 15 miles would have Bet us down at our destination. Wo ascended slowly, leading now around some yawning chasm and” then around some frightful precipice, the path being so small that one could hardly go forward, and impossible to turn backward. We scrambled on, tired and dejected hoping to reach the summit; but before that steep ascent was won, high in his pathway hung the sun. After a heat of 7 miles we reached the mountaiu top, and the scene that there greeted us, cheered our tired bodies. To the North, mountain upon mountain stretched their huge arms out toward the States of Tennessee and Virginia ; to the South, they extended to South Carolina and Georgia. Intervening valleys, with their rippling streams reflecting rainbow hues, lent enchantment to the view, and the whole presented a picture of glorious grandeur. Farms, with herds of cattle grazing lazily could be seen 20 miles distant. Franklin, 17 miles away, was distinctly visible, ami before ns, in the valley 10 miles, on the Tucka-egce River, sat the little town of Charleston, so plain in view tlmt men could be teen walking through the streets. While gazing in admination on this beautiful panorama, we saw a man go to the River hank, get in his canoe and dash across. We descended, and after taking a hearty supper, retired to fall from some dizzy height in our dreams.The county of Swain is 5 years old, and its population is 800. The village of Charleston is small and presents a uew, neat uppearance. The people arc clever and intelligent.On the 2Gih we had a repetition of the 24th, and after crossing several mountains, the Tennessee River and several tributaries, we found ourselves safely quartered at the Junaluska House, Rob-binsville, Graham county. The county is new, the town newer. The county was formed from the North-east corner of Cherokee in 1873, and called in honor of Ex-Gov. Graham, The town is named for W. M. Robbins, member of Congress. The county has a population of 200 voters, 00 of whom are Itepublicansand 240 Democrats. Two families of negroes despense odors from “Araby the blest.” The town has a population of 25 souls, all numbered, and they are high and dry, several hundred feet above the water level. A second deluge would probably reach them. Two merchants compose the board of trade; a Sheriff and a jailor furnish free board to the weary, and the Judge extends the time; religious truths arc expounded in the Court House, ami a Sabbath School, in the same building, delights the children, and an occasional Indian makes things hideous, but be deserves a passingtribute.In a few hundred yards of RobbinsviHe, Fort Montgomery was situated when the Indians were removed West by U. S. Regulars in 1835. The last vestige of it, like all things mutable, has passed away and tradition only preserves the spot. In a few hundred yards of where I now write, Jimalus-ka, the proud chief of the Cherokee nation, lived, danced and died. A few feet from the spot where he lived is the dancing ling where they celebrated their observed days and worshipped the Great Spirit and danced their war dunce. Though it is 125 years old it has successfully stood the storms of that many winters and is still entirely preserved. How many times have these Red men, dressed in the paraphnnalia of war, danced around this ring crying to their Deity to guide their winged arrows to the Pale Faces hearts, llow many scalps, of golden locks, attended their crying too, but for vengeance.Rut the Indians were not always our enemies. Junaluska, a musical name fora valiant warrior, was a friend to the whites. When Jackson's war with the Creeks begun, he with Chesquin and several others joined him in Alabama, and were with Jackson in many dreadful engagements, notably the battle of Horse Shoe.” Junaluska’sbravery on this occasion elicited such appreciation from our State that she gave him, as a token of her esteem, a valuable tract of land near Robbinsvillc. The troops were encamped on one side of the River, the Creeks on the other. Jackson called for volunteers to doss and cut the enemies canoes loose. It was night; Junaluska stepped forward and offered to go, knowing that it would probably be death to make the attempt. With a few faithful followers he crossed and returned safely, bringing 50 canoes strung together, thus destroying all hopes of theCreeks’ escape. lie died in 1853. Chesquin is living now four miles from Robbinsvillc, and though 125 years of age, still possesses a healthy mind and body. Locusts come at intervals of 17 years, and lie has heard their musical voices 7 times. No doubt he could give us some interesting history that would be valued by the State Historical Association and I shhll avail myself of an opportunity of seeing him. lie was with Washington at York-town, and speaks of the great commander always with emotion. There are at present about 2,000 Cherokces in North Carolina, and they are now being educated at the expense of the Government. They have a school near this place under the supervision of two young ladies and Dr. Donaldson of Tennessee. A. D. C.
Newspaper Details
Charlotte Democrat
Charlotte, North Carolina, US
Fri, Aug 17, 1877
Page 2
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USA 08 May 2023
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