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saddle-horses were supplied for every twenty persons. In this way about 11,000, including negro slaves, were put in readiness for the long overland journey. The selected place of assembly was at Rattlesnake Springs, near the present Charleston, Tennessee. Here the final council was held, in which it was resolved that their constitution be preserved in the new home.

Chief Whitepath, who had charge of one detachment, died at or near Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and over his grave was built a wooden box in lieu of a more enduring and fitting monument to his long and loyal service to his people. At the head and foot they placed poles bearing black streamers, as a signal to those coming behind that they might not pass by without noting the last resting-place of their venerable chief. Chief Ross sent his family out in a steam-boat.

The wife of Chief Ross died at Little Rock, Arkansas, and was buried in old Mt. Holly Cemetery, which occupies a square in the heart of the city on Broadway, between 10th and 12th streets. The inscription on the monument is as follows:

In Memory of Elisabeth Ross, Wife of John Ross, of the Cherokee Nation, who departed this life on the 1st of Feb., 1835, Aged 48 yrs.

There is no evidence to establish the oft repeated charge that the Indians were wantonly mistreated by government officials or soldiers in the mobilizing and final removal. The address of General Scott sent to the Cherokees was characterized by humanity, kindness, and careful regard to the well-being and safety of the Indians. They suffered much at the hands of the Georgia Guards and land speculators, but were kindly treated by the United States soldiers. Dr. Channing, a noted humanitarian, said at the time:

“To this great man, General Scott, belongs the rare honor of uniting with military energy and daring the spirit of a philanthropist. In the whole history of the intercourse of civilized with barbarous or half-civilized communities we doubt whether a brighter page can be found than that which records his agency in the removal of the Cherokees.”

Route Traveled.

All going overland started from Charleston, Tennessee. They crossed the Tennessee River at the mouth of the Hiwassee, now known as Blythe’s Ferry; passed over Walden’s Ridge to Pikeville; thence to McMinnville, thence to Nashville; after crossing Cumberland River at Nashville, went to Hopkinsville, Ky.; crossed the Ohio River at Golconda; thence through Southern Illinois to Green’s Ferry on the Mississippi; thence on through Southern Missouri to Springfield; thence to Fayetteville, Arkansas; thence to the Nation, arriving at Park Hill, where Chief John Ross had previously arrived and located himself, and had made preparation to care for them.

Cost of Removal.

Chief John Ross took the contract to remove the Indians from Charleston, Tennessee, to their new home west of the Mississippi. The original contract was at a rate of $66.24 per capita. On this basis Capt. Page, as disbursing agent, or superintending agent of the Cherokee removal, paid on November 13, 1838, to Chief Ross $770,368.98. This price was based on an estimated time of eighty days to make the trip. Gen. Scott had agreed with Ross that if a longer time should be required by any of the detachments that Chief Ross should be paid proportionately for the difference. The contract of August 1, 1838, was merely an estimate, subject to the later agreement, and Ross accordingly filed a claim for an additional $486,969.50. This claim was rejected by Secretary of War Poinsett, but allowed paid by John Bell, Secretary of War under President Tyler, on Sept. 6, 1841, just a week before he retired from office. The additional amount received brought the total cost of removal up to $1,263,338.38 or at the rate of $103.25 per head.

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[Photo caption:] The Beautiful Country in East Tennessee Which the Cherokee Indians Were Obliged to Leave.

[Photograph shows a sweeping landscape of East Tennessee mountains and valleys]