Newsletter of the National Historic Trail Partnership • September 2018 – Number 30 Trail of Tears Association Holds First Weekend Conference Becky Hobbs to Perform at Outdoor Concert Near Host Hotel & Much More Saturday also includes a tour for participating youth about a graduate degree in public history at the University of North Alabama campus hosted by Dr. Jeff Bibbee Chair of the History Dept.

Cherokee citizens in the North AL area, and those attending the Conference, are invited The 23rd Annual Trail of Tears Association Conference & Symposium, scheduled to meet with Nation Secretary for October 26 – 28, 2018, at the Doubletree Hotel in Decatur, Alabama will be of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr., and his staff at the first TOTA conference held over a weekend. the hotel following the lunch in Spring Park, Tuscumbia. Conference registrants enjoy a special group rate at the Doubletree Hotel for reservation made before September 27th (or until the room block is full). A short stop at Historic Courtland, AL Ask for the Trail of Tears Conference room block by dialing (256) 355-3150. where an amazing number of ante-bellum Online registration for the conference, or a downloadable form are available at structures are preserved is planned during nationalTOTA.org. A Tentative Conf. schedule is also available at the website. the return trip. And, there is also a conference registration form included in this newsletter which can be mailed. ALABAMA BICENTENIAL EVENT & NATIONAL TRAIL The Alabama Bicentennial Commission has made this year’s conference SYSTEM 50TH ANNIVERSARY an Official Bicentennial Event. The Conference also coincides with the 50th COMMEMORATION anniversary of the National Trails System and is an official part of that celebration as well. Because it is part of these commemorations this year some conference activities will be open to the public. More information on the 50th Anniversary can be found at trails50.org, which includes the TOTA conference on its event map. The TOTA board will convene at the Doubletree Hotel on Friday morning. The Conference officially begins when the registration tables open at 4:00 pm and hotel check-in begins. A barbeque at 5 p.m. in Rhodes Ferry Park, a short walk from the hotel, is the first official event. Following dinner conference registrants can enjoy a Decatur Walking Tour hosted by Muscles Shoals National Heritage Saturday evening events commemorate Area. Experts in local history will staff the several historic sites and witness Alabama’s Bicentennial and the 50th structures. anniversary of the National Trails System. Food trucks offering a wide and rather LAST CHANCE TO BECOME A CHARTER MEMBER OF exotic variety will be available near Daikin THE PHOENIX GIVING SOCIETY Amphitheater in Founders Park in downtown Decatur. The first evening ends with a reception for donors at the hotel hosted by the Phoenix Society of TOTA. Local dignitaries including Decatur Mayor The Phoenix Giving Society is a group within the Trail of Tears Tab Bowling and will be on hand to say Association formed to collect donations for Association projects. The a few words. Aaron Mahr of the National current emphasis is to raise funds for trail signage. The first year of Park Service, and charter membership is due to expire at the conference. If you’d like to become a charter member of the Phoenix Society, be sure to do Secretary of State so before the end of the conference. Learn more about the Phoenix Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Society on page 18. will make remarks.

Following good TOUR OF HISTORIC TUSCUMBIA LANDING IN words from the SHEFFIELD, AL officials, Cherokee citizen Becky Saturday will include a field trip to Spring Park in Tuscumbia, AL and a trip by Entertainer Becky Hobbs from the Hobbs and her trolley to Tuscumbia Landing, in nearby Sheffield, AL. Archaeologists will be on Cherokee Musical Nanyehi-Beloved band will perform. hand to discuss the site. Special arrangements have been made for those with Woman of the Cherokee Becky will share mobility challenges to hear a special presentation by John McWilliams entitled selections from her musical Nanyehi – “The Story of Tuscumbia Landing,” which will include images from the site as an Beloved Woman of the Cherokee, perform alternative to the challenge of walking about the yet undeveloped site. Lunch will hymns in the , and hits be sponsored by Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and hosted by the Oka Kapassa Festival Board and will include a welcome by Tuscumbia Mayor Kerry she has written for herself and others. Underwood and remarks from Cherokee Nation Sec. of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. (continued on page 3)

2 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 The evening will conclude with a screening of the Missouri Humanities Council film of the Snelson Brinker Cabin and (see page 4 for more information UPCOMING TOTA EVENTS on this film).

Trails50 or Alabama200 Table Decoration Competition. September 23rd, 2018 Tennessee Chapter Membership Meeting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded for the exhibitor tables with the best 1:30pm - Red Clay State Park, TN theme. Competitors can pick either or both theme(s) and decorate to celebrate. Table decoration winners will be presented with a prize at Sunday’s lunch. African American Experience During the Removal Dr. Daniel Littlefield 3pm - Red Clay State Park, TN SCHOLARLY LECTURES ON SUNDAY BEGIN WITH TALKS ABOUT MISSSIONARIES September 29th, 2018 Sunday morning presentations include Laurie Brockman and Larry Smith (Mission NC Chapter TOTA Membership Meeting Schools in North Alabama) and Mike Wren (The Methodists and the Cherokee in 11am - Mission Farms Alabama). At lunch time Claudio Saunt will lecture on (Financing Indian Removal); Murphy, NC Session speakers include Chris Haveman (Creek Removal); James Pate (Cherokee Newspapers; Chickamauga ). Also presenting are); Ben Hoksbergen October 20th, 2018 (Archaeology on Redstone Arsenal);; Sharon Freeman (Alabama Removal Forts); Oklahoma Chapter Grave Marking Ceremony Chris Dunn (Using GIS Technology and Mapping for Trail of Tears Routes); Monty Dobson (Missouri Humanities Council Film – Snelson Brinker Cabin and Cherokee 2pm - Hungry Mountain Cemetery Removal – Q & A); and Yvette Collins (The Role of the Horse During Removal). Hwy 100 West of Stilwell, OK reports from TOTA chapters and the National Park Service October 24th, 2018 - - - POST CONFERENCE EVENTS - - - MO Humanities Council Annual Awards 6pm - MO History Museum GENEALOGY WORKSHOP HOSTED BY AL CHAPTER St. Louis, MO On Monday, October 29th, following the conference, a genealogy workshop will be October 26th-28th, 2018* hosted by the Alabama Chapter from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Registration at the door will 23rd Annual Trail of Tears Conf. & Symposium be $10. One-on-one sessions with Cherokee genealogists will be made available by Doubletree Hotel & Convention Center appointment from 11:30 – 4:00 p.m., for a $25 fee. These individual sessions require Decatur, AL gathering information and completing questionnaire beforehand. Info will be available at the TOTA website. See related schedule with descriptions on page 15. October 26th, 2018 SIGN DEDICATION HOSTED BY NC CHAPTER Missouri Chapter Meeting 4pm - Doubletree Hotel The NC Chapter will host a sign dedication on Tuesday afternoon Oct. 30 at 3 p.m ET. Decatur, AL The event will be at Wesser, on Hwy 19 at the Nantahala Outdoor Center campus, near Bryson City, NC. October 29th, 2018 Post-Conference Special Events TOTA Secretary Patsy Edgar at large community Genealogy Workshop recognized as Cherokee Elder organization across (Sponsored by the AL TOTA Chapter) the US. Doubletree Hotel The recognition as a Decatur, AL Cherokee Elder was (For more information turn to page 10) also in recognition of Patsy’s long time October 29th, 2018 service as a member Sign Dedication of the Cherokee North Carolina TOTA Chapter National Historical 3pm - Nantahala Outdoor Center Campus Society Board of (Near Bryson City, NC) Directors. Cherokee Nation Sec. of November 10th, 2018 State Chuck Hoskin L-R-Cherokee Nation Sec. of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr, Patsy “Removal, Those Who Did Not Go” Jr. presented the Presented by Anita Finger-Smith Edgar, Tommy Wildcat award in Atlanta on Founding President of the Georgia Time - Venue June 9th at at the Waleska, GA Chapter and longtime TOTA National initial meeting of the Board member Patsy Edgar was Georgia At-Large surprised with recognition of her service Community group. as a member of the start up board for the Cherokee Nation Community Patsy Edgar and her husband John live in on the banks of the Chestatee River near Dahlonegah in the old Cherokee *Special Conference Pull-Out Pages 9-12 Associations which governs the Cherokee homelands of north GA. Event Dates are Subject to change.

September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 3 Missouri Chapter to receive Missouri Humanities Council’s The Steelville City Park & Partnership Award for 2018 Recreation Area Become A Dr. William ‘Bill’ Ambrose & Deloris Gray Wood Certified Site

The Missouri Chapter of the The Steelville City Park and Recreation Trail of Tears Association Area officially became a certified site (MoTOTA) has been selected to along the Trail of Tears National Historic receive the Missouri Humanities Trail by the National Park Service on Council’s 2018 Partnership in the June 2, 2018. A certification ceremony, Humanities Award. The MoTOTA planned and led by Missouri Chapter has worked closely with the Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) and Executive President Deloris Gray Wood, took Director Steve Belko over this past year doing grant-supported research focused place that day in Steelville, MO, and was on TOT research in three distinct counties of the state by MoTOTA researchers. part of a larger National Trails System Admittedly, Missouri has lagged other TOT states in the knowledge base and 50th anniversary event. stewardship of TOT sights. No More! MoTOTA goals of tripling both the number of NPS certified sites and the number of miles of signed trail segments will be easily achieved This site was the location of the Henry as a result of this research. Additionally, cutting-edge technology and GIS mapping E. Davis homestead. In 1837, Davis are being applied to a cache of TOT-era “Early Road Surveys” recently discovered at sold supplies to Lt. B. B. Cannon the Missouri Archives in the Office of Missouri Secretary of State. And don’t forget to for the 365 Cherokees in Cannon’s watch for the professionally produced feature length film funded by MHC about the detachment. More than 10,000 TOT in Missouri set to be released this fall; or better yet, see its premier at the National Cherokee passed by this site. At the TOTA Conference. Many other exciting projects are being supported by MHC with time of Removal the site was located archeologists, writers, historians, and grants all in pursuit of the Congressional goals of where the Ste. Genevieve-to-Massey the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Missouri. The Missouri Chapter will receive Iron Works crossed Mill Creek, now the award at MHC’s annual Humanities Awards Gala on Wednesday, October 24, Whittenburg Creek, and within a mile of 2018, at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis. MoTOTA is proud to be this year’s Steelville. Land is now all that remains of award recipient and expresses gratitude for the ongoing support of Dr. Belko and the the old homestead. Missouri Humanities Council.

Certified Site: The Snelson- Brinker Cabin Loss – An Opportunity?

Dr. William ‘Bill’ Ambrose & Deloris Gray Wood The mandate of the National Trails System Act is the “protection of the historic route and its historic remnants and artifacts for public use and enjoyment.” The Trail of Tears Association with a new funding and project partner, the Missouri Humanities Council, was in the process of pursuing that mandate for a landmark “historic remnant” on the Northern Route of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail in Central Missouri when it was torched by vandals and burned on the morning of the Fourth of July, 2017. The Snelson- Workers restoring the chimney at the Snelson-Brinker Cabin on a recent project funded by the Humanities Council. Brinker Cabin was located in Crawford County between Steelville and St. James on Highway 8 and was a certified site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The Missouri Humanities Council is Questions of ownership, maintenance, and funding the rescue of the Snelson-Brinker protection were being considered at the property and arranged for all the activity time the fire occurred. revolved around saving the chimney to be filmed on three separate cameras For the volunteer team planning a by professional videographers. The preservation agenda for the cabin, Trail of Tears Association expresses its the loss was devastating. The historic appreciation to the Missouri Humanities building had burned to the ground save Council for the strong support provided the crumbling chimney. It was a witness for this important project – not just funding structure for 10 detachments that trudged but also boots on the ground. Thank you! past the structure in the forced removal of the Cherokee. Diary and receipt records The film will be shown at the upcoming Dr. William “Bill” Ambrose and his son Elliot standing near confirm the detachments bought supplies Trail of Tears Association Conference in the Snelson-Brinker Cabin sign where they operated the there. Decatur, Alabama. mini excavator during the recent chimney project.

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 Norris also said that Steelville will be added to maps and that it will qualify for potential interpretation and signage.

Jenni Kaul Riegal attended on behalf of U.S. Representative Jason Smith of the 8th Congressional District of Missouri. Dr. Yvette Running Horse Collin received her doctorate in Indigenous Studies from Deloris Gray Wood, president of Her children, Kaylee and Max, led the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in May 2017 TOTA’s Missouri chapter, researched attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. where she graduated with Honors (Phi Kappa the site and presented it for Steelville City Park President Dana Phi and Golden Key.) Her research focused on certification by the National Park Richter welcomed everyone to Steelville. the historical, cultural, and spiritual relationship Service. She found related pay stubs Crawford County Commissioner Rob between the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas to Davis and his neighbors from Cummings also spoke, and the local and the horse. purchases the Cherokees made from Chamber of Commerce furnished a cake them for fodder and corn for their and water for guests. Dr. Running horses and fresh beef, bacon, and corn Horse Collin meal for the Cherokees. With content provided by Wood, Coreen is one of the Donnley designed the event program, Founders of and Dr. William “Bill” Ambrose provided Sacred Way a map display. Sanctuary and the Native Missouri Chapter’s Gray- American Horse Trail. Wood Honored with Award She is currently the Executive Director of Sacred Healing Circle, a non-profit organization that focuses on healing Native communities. Dr. Collin also proudly serves as part of the Administrative Team for the Black Hills Sioux Nation Council of Deloris Gray Wood presented certificate Elders. Dr. Running Horse Collin is the daughter for 50 hours of volunteer service in Commemoration of 50th Anniversary of the of Loretta Afraid of Bear-Cook. of the Trail System by Frank Norris National She will bring a pair of Cherokee/Choctaw horses Parks Intermountain Region Historian. In August, Missouri Chapter President to Spring Park in Tuscumbia, AL for visitation with Frank Norris, historian for the National Deloris Gray Wood was honored by the Conference attendees during the lunch on Trails Intermountain Region of the ESPN’s Mid-Missouri 107.3 FM Wild Saturday during the field trip. She’ll lecture about National Park Service, stated, “This is at Heart radio show with an “Everyday the horses on The Role of the Horse in Removal an undeniably important historic place; Hero’s Award.” As part of the award, on Sunday afternoon. however, it has taken Deloris and her local NPR radio voice John Francis Prof. Claudio Saunt sleuthing to be able to specifically interviewed Wood on-air at the radio Financing Indian Removal show why and how it’s important…. station in Rolla, MO. Francis’ questions follows the money, so This road right here was by far the were mainly about the Trail of Tears audiences can see that most important. They came up and National Historic Trail in Missouri. removal, though associated along present day State Highway 8 closely with the southern and, because of Deloris’s research, we states, was in fact national now know a number of them camped and international in scope. on this ground, and we also know they We think of Indian Removal bought subsistence rations. So, this as a political and military is an important place. It was a key enterprise, but it was also a part of their movement west. It took financial venture, funded by bankers in New York three to six months for these various and London. Using financial instruments such detachments to walk the 800 to 1,000 as stocks and bonds, investors poured millions miles between south Appalachia to Deloris Gray Wood at a recent interview of dollars into the dispossession of southeastern with local NPR radio personality John Indians in the 1830s. Indian Territory. Steelville deserves to Francis of ESPN’s Mid-Missouri 107.3 FM be recognized for its important role in Professor Claudio Saunt teaches and writes history as part of the Northern Route of Wood shared a Trail of Tears lapel pin about Native American history at the University the Trail of Tears.” with the regional radio personality and of Georgia, where he is the Richard B. explained that the Trail is located just Russell Professor of American History and a west of the radio station, approximately Distinguished Research Professor. He is currently four miles, where the Cherokees at work on a book entitled Aboriginia: Mass camped during Removal at Beaver Deportation and the Road to Indian Territory, Creek. This part of the Trail is located in which is due out with W.W. Norton & Co. in 2019. front of the Rolla Chamber of Commerce He is also the author of three other books: West on Bridge School Road and is scheduled of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776; to receive National Historic Trail signage Black, White, and Indian: Race and the Unmaking Max and Kaylee Riegel are saying the Pledge in the fall after the City of Rolla makes of an American Family; and A New Order of of Allegiance at the Henry E. Davis Homestead road changes. Things: Property, Power, and the Transformation Certification, June 2, 2018, in Steelville MO of the Creek Indians, 1733-1816. September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 5 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ALABAMA ARKANSAS (continued) ARKANSAS (continued) NATIONAL BOARD OF Memory, Attachment, and Belonging in team is currently working on twenty- DIRECTORS RESEARCH Rural Native America.” six new signs on the Benge Route COMMITTEE PROJECT through Washington County following OFF TO A GOOD START Elkins to Cane Hill. During the annual Remember the Removal Bike Ride Recently a questionnaire was emailed in June, Cherokee riders met with to all TOTA members from the national ARTOTA Advisory Council member office asking for participation in an and Park Superintendent Kevin Eads. information-gathering project. The aim Also, in June, runners tracing the of the questionnaire was to identify Trail of Tears came through Randolph what hard to obtain materials such County receiving publicity. as copies of primary and secondary ARTOTA Spring Program by Dr. Justin Nolan on Food Traditions and Memory of the Trail of Tears. Photo by The UA National Research source materials, compiled lists, Bethany Rosenbaum Center received a $58,000 grant photos, and reports that individuals On June 10th, President Bethany from the Arkansas Natural and in the organization have in their Cultural Resources Council to fund possession that they might be willing to Rosenbaum and Project Coordinator John McClarty presented at the an interactive history of the Trail of share. Most of us don’t have the time Tears by utilizing touch-screen devices or the ability to travel to do extensive Washington County Historical Society Annual Statehood Day program on in Arkansas. According to Dr. Daniel research. But if we do and we acquire Littlefield, TOTA charter member and hard sought after material what do we national trails and heritage tourism particularly emphasizing the economic Director of the SNRC, the project will do with it after we are finished with include maps of removal routes of it? Do you keep it in a file cabinet, role of preserving historic trails and partnership opportunities. the Five Tribes, key sites along each pass it on to someone else, throw it tribe’s routes, historical information, out, or donate to an institution? The photographs, timelines, and research committee would like to documents. The grant also includes establish a method by which each of the development of an Honoring us could know what material our fellow Tribal Legacies curriculum guide and researchers have obtained, if they are a companion website so researchers willing to share it, where, and how it around the world can access the could be obtained. project and aid educators in telling the Trail of Tears history. The response to the questionnaire was good and interest in the project Replacement interpretive panels were is high. The project is facilitating installed at Lake Dardanelle State communication, interaction and Park in the August 2018 with support cooperation between TOTA members Bethany Rosenbaum and John McCLarty receive Arkansas from the AR State Parks Department. Statehood Day Awards from the Washington County who might not otherwise know each Historical Society. Photo by Bethany Rosenbaum Newly designed interpretive panels other and is providing a way to learn of will be placed at the University of the research interests of our members Chapter members met with the Wake Arkansas Trail of Tears pocket park to and what research has already been Forest University Trail of Tears student compliment and expand the existing done by individuals in our organization. course at Shiloh Museum where they markers that were placed by the Thanks to all of you who took the time learned about the removal through DAR. The NPS Trails Office was to return the questionnaire. Some Northwest Arkansas and the work of instrumental in designing the panel primary source materials have already preservation groups and partners. and working with our partners at the been exchanged by several TOTA City of Fayetteville. members. One participant is offering to look up information in libraries and archives in her area upon request. For more information about what materials TOTA members possess and are willing to share contact Laurie Brockman at [email protected].

ARKANSAS WFU summer Trail of Tears program meeting with ARTOTA hosted a spring board Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker and Deputy Principal Chief Joe Crittendon. Photo by Ulrike Wiethaus. meeting and public program on March 31, 2018 at the Shiloh Museum of The Research Team met on June 12th Ozark History in Springdale with Dr. in Springdale to confirm routes in five Justin Nolan, Chair of Anthropology counties, determine a plan for signage in Northwest Arkansas, and designate at the University of Arkansas, as NPS Intermountain Region Trails Office Jr. Ranger Trail the guest speaker on “Southwest a state-wide survey of existing signs of Tears program is offered at Arkansas Post National Woodland Plant Food Traditions: and panels. Led by John McLarty, the Memorial. Photo by Bethany Rosenbaum

6 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ARKANSAS (continued) ARKANSAS (continued) ARKANSAS (continued) The Museum of the Native American Regional Representative were also re- the Research Team is working on (MONAH) was formally certified as elected to serve for the Jan 2019-Dec material related to Arkansas Post a site, and the Holla Bend National 2020 term. and the Arkansas Post Cadron Road, Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. as well as pursuing Natural Dam Fish and Wildlife Service, was added (Ozark-St. Francis National Forest) as a Federal Component in August. A certification as a federal protected number of additional sites are eligible component of the trail. for certification thanks to a $21,000 NPS Connect Trails to Parks Grant During the annual Partnership for the received by the Arkansas US Army National Trails System conference Corp of Engineers and Arkansas in Vancouver, WA October 22-24, State Parks. The grant will install 9 National Board Member, Bethany interpretive panels and 11 water route ARTOTA Officers and Board 2019-2020 (L-R): Bethany Rosenbaum will present a program signs along existing public sites on Rosenbaum; Carolyn Kent; Jason Irby; Kaushik Sampath; entitled “From Historic Trails to John McLarty; Sasha Bowles; Aaron Boswell; Stuart Towns the Arkansas River where four of the Pathways Forward: Best Practices seventeen Cherokee detachments The Board continues to build chapter in Tribal Consultation and Resource followed the water route 1,226 miles capacity by developing an ARTOTA Management” on the evolution of west to Indian Territory. The sites to banner for conferences, public management of the Trail of Tears receive a wayside panel and water programs and events, updating the National Historic Trail and tribal route sign are Arkansas Post National membership list and contact methods, partnerships. Memorial, Pendleton Bend Park, updating the website with Board GEORGIA Regional Park in Pine Bluff, Tar Camp member bios and photos and more Park at Redfield, Willow Beach Park frequent social media posts, and GEORGIA CHAPTER’S at Scott, Riverfront Park at North Little a membership blitz through email 180TH OBSERVANCE OF Rock, Murray Park at Little Rock, Toad and mailed letters to past and new THE TRAIL OF TEARS Suck Park and Cadron Settlement at members. Bethany Rosenbaum Conway, Cherokee Park at Morrilton, is conducting an administrative The “buzz word” for the Georgia Dwight Mission at Lake Dardanelle, history of the Arkansas Chapter Chapter has always been education and Trail of Tears Overlook at Fort to add to institutional knowledge and that is why we chose to present Smith National Historic Site. of the history and progress of trail a five part series on the history of work. With the help of Amy Kostine, the Trail of Tears for our year-long The Annual Membership Meeting Trail of Tears Director MTU, the observance. Walter Knapp, chapter was held on August 25th at Lake chapter is developing a revised and Vice-President, designed the lectures Dardanelle State Park in Russellville updated list of witness structures to be presented at our five general with thirty-one in attendance. Guest and their current condition to plan for meetings. Our only regret is the fact speaker Ryan Smith, Choctaw continued preservation. The chapter that we did not have the forethought Nation Tribal Historic Preservation is developing a comprehensive to video tape our outstanding lecture Office presented on GIS tracing county-by-county list of detachments, series. These presentations were the Trail of Tears and the Choctaw tribes, sites, structures, and existing very well received by the public. All removal through Dardanelle. We conditions in order to develop a priority of our general meetings are open welcomed new faces to the Board list of preservation and interpretation. to the public and publicized with the including Jason Irby as Secretary; The Research Team continues to local media. In the presentations the Dr. Stuart Towns as a Regional work on preparing the nomination 50th Anniversary of the National Trail Representative; Kaushik Sampath as for the Mountain Top Road Site, System has been highlighted. Educational Representative; Glenn Washington County, for addition to the Jones as Chapter Recruitment and TOT route as a National Register site. - March 10, 2018 “Myths and Realities Liaison; and Aaron Boswell, US Research Coordinator, Carolyn Kent, of Removal” Walter J. Knapp Army Corp, as an Advisory Board researched and compiled a study on (Roswell, GA) member. As recommended by NPS Crawford County that was traveled Trails Office Superintendent, Aaron by Muscogee (Creeks) and Cherokee Mahr, the Research Coordinator parties to determine sites suitable position has transitioned to the for markers. She is assisting with Historic Preservation Officer. Bethany the National Register nomination of Rosenbaum as President and National Peevehouse Rd and Cemetery in Van Representative; Sasha Bowles Buren where numerous Muscogee as Vice President and National (Creek) detachments and the Drane Representative; Nancy Feroe as and Whitely groups passed. Carolyn Secretary; John McClarty as Past is also aiding the Choctaw Nation Walter Knapp at a recent presentation. President and Project Coordinator; with primary document materials in Carolyn Kent as Historic Preservation their proposal to add the Choctaw Walter Knapp is an educator, historian, Officer; Susan Young as Regional Trail of Tears as part of the federally author who has spent a life time Representative; Bill Carroll as recognized trail system. Additionally, researching Native American History and Culture. September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 7 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

GEORGIA (continued) ILLINOIS ILLINOIS (continued) - May 12, 2018 “Removal Roundups- NEWLY DISCOVERED their establishments, but several oral Life in the Stockades” Leslie Thomas PHOTO OF WITNESS histories from the 1930s recount that (Chatsworth, GA) SITE FOUND IN ILLINOIS the Cherokee did business at the store Leslie Thomas, past President of GA as they passed by on the Trail. TOTA, currently is the Chapter Historic As many researchers know, every Preservation Coordinator, and a much once in a while a needle in the The box in the library basement was sought after lecturer here in North haystack finds its way to you, most eventually linked to George Washington Georgia. often when you least expect it. Earlier Smith, a professor of History at SIU-C this year, Dr. Mark Wagner, a member from 1890-1935. In the 1930s, Mr. - July 14, 2018 “Journey to Indian of our Board, received an email from Smith had worked closely with John Country” Jeff Bishop (Calhoun, GA) the research staff at Morris Library Mulcaster, a local history enthusiast at Southern Illinois University in to research and document the Trail of Carbondale, Illinois. They had found Tears in order to commemorate the a poorly labeled box in the library event that had occurred a century ago. basement that was full of photographs. This picture was likely a product of that One of them had “Bridges Tavern” effort, which had been buried in a box written on the back. Fortunately, the of papers and was until now unknown staff there knew that the Bridges to modern researchers. Tavern in Johnson County, Illinois was associated with the Trail of Tears MISSOURI because of prior research done at the Former GA Trail of Tears Association Pres., Jeff facility and contacted Dr. Wagner. On March 16, 2018, several researchers Bishop at a recent presentation. working on the Partnership in the Jeff Bishop is also a former President Humanities Award from the Missouri of GA TOTA , historian, author and he Humanities Council (see more on page is currently the Executive Director of 4) to the Missouri chapter presented the Funk Heritage Center at Reinhardt about their work at the 60th Annual University. Missouri Conference on History in - September 8, 2018 “Rebirth of a Jefferson City. Mark Spangler of the Nation” Tony Harris and Patsy Edgar Lebanon-Laclede County Library and (Chatsworth, GA) Laclede County Historical Society, Eva Dunn of the Bollinger County Library, Tony Harris, is currently our Chapter and Missouri Chapter President Deloris President and Cherokee citizen, has “Bridges Tavern” Photo Gray Wood, also of the Dent County a passion for preserving his Cherokee Historical Society, each talked about sites heritage especially the plants that the John Bridges and his family migrated and stories from the Northern Route Cherokee used for survival. Patsy Edgar, to southern Illinois from North Carolina in their respective counties. Dr. William is a founding member of the Georgia Trail in the early 1800s. By the early 1830s Steve Belko nominated the three to give of Tears and also a Cherokee citizen, is they established a tavern and wayside presentations and served as chair of currently Secretary for the National TOTA store that supplied both locals and the concurrent session. TOTA Executive Board. travelers with lodging, meals, and Director Troy Wayne Poteete served as - November 10, 2018 10:30 am other sundry items. Not surprisingly, moderator. Christopher Dunn of GeoVelo “Removal, Those Who Did Not Go” Anita their businesses were located adjacent Mapping Company in Columbia, MO, Finger-Smith (Waleska, GA) to the main east-west travel corridor, served as presentation technician. Dr. Bill the Golconda-Cape Girardeau road, Ambrose provided the map display, and Anita Finger-Smith is a full-time that was later used by the Cherokee. Russell Weisman attended to assist Dunn professional genealogist, an accomplished Unfortunately the tavern burned with her research. researcher, and a national lecturer. She in 1940 and only exists now as an Several chapter members met with staff specializes in Native American tribal archaeological site. The store however and administrators of the Lebanon/ records, focusing on Southeastern is still present, enveloped inside the Laclede County Library on June 11th to research from the pre-Removal period footprint of a larger barn that was discuss recent discoveries and local Trail to the present. She is the North Carolina erected in the 1890s. The Bridges of Tears history. Mark Spangler, a MoTOTA state genealogist for the Commission of Wayside Store is one of Illinois’s few board member and curator of the Route Indian Affairs. Currently Anita serves on Witness Structures. Currently there is 66 Museum housed in the Library, led the Board of Directors of the National Trail no documentary evidence that links the the discussion concerning exciting of Tears Association, and as Treasurer Cherokee to the Bridges, or either of of the North Carolina Chapter of the discoveries across the several-county Trail of Tears Association and the Qualla GA TOTA HAS A NEW SITE area. The Library staff, including Director Cathy Dame, is fully engaged in bringing Boundary Historical Society. She is SCAN QR CODE OR GO TO the principal genealogist for Cherokee a Trail of Tears Museum into fruition as a Genealogy Services, licensed by the NATIONALTOTA.COM/GEORGIA companion to the 66 housed in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. FOR A LINK TO OUR NEW WEBSITE (continued on page 16)

8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 2018CONFERENCE SPONSORS

2018 TOTA Conference - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE Friday, October 26th

9:00am-12:00pm - TOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING 2:30pm - TOTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING - With Local Partners for Tuscumbia Landing Update

4:00pm - HOTEL CHECK-IN - Registration Tables Located in the Atrium

---CONFERENCE OFFICIALLY OPENS---

5:00pm - CONFERENCE KICK-OFF AT RHODES FERRY PARK PAVILION - Dinner in the pavilion at the location where Trail of Tears detachments landed. - Wayside exhibit and witness structure, walking tour narrated by Muscle Shoals National Historic Area Employee Seth Armstrong

8:00pm - PHOENIX SOCIETY COCKTAIL HOUR - Donors & local partners celebrating the 50th Anniversary of National Historic Trails Legislation

September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9 2018 TOTA Conference - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Continued) Saturday, October 27th 7:00am-9:00am - BREAKFAST BUFFET

9:30am - BOARD BUSES FOR TUSCUMBIA LANDING VISIT - Archaeologists will be on hand to discuss site. - Buses will unload in Spring Park, Tuscumbia, AL - Restrooms will be available - Trolley’s will shuttle folks to Tuscumbia Landing in Sheffield, AL

FOR THOSE WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES: A special presentation by John McWilliams will tell “The Story of Tuscumbia Landing” complete with a power point images of the site as an alternative to the challenge of walking about the yet undeveloped site. Presentation will be in the Spring Park Pavilion.

12:30 - LUNCH AT SPRING PARK HOSTED BY OKA KAPASSA FESTIVAL BOARD - Welcome by Mayor Kerry Underwood of Tuscumbaia - Cherokee/Choctaw horses from Sacred Way Sanctuary will be on hand.

REMARKS: Ian Sanford, Mayor of Sheffield, AL Cherokee Nation Sec. of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. Dr. Jeff Bibbee, University of N. AL History Dept. Chairman Other local officials and dignitaries

1:30 - UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA CAMPUS TOUR - Dr. Jeff Bibbee will host tour and provide information about a Graduate Degree in Public History for participating youth. Afterwards they will return to Decatur for dinner and the Daikin Amphitheater Program.

2:30 - BOARD BUSES TO HOTEL - Stop at historic Courtland, AL (Where a multitude of ante-bellum homes are in good repair.)

3:30 - CHEROKEE CITIZENS MEETING - with Sec. of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. and his staff at Double Tree Hotel THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

10 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 2018 TOTA Conference - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Continued) Saturday, October 27th (Continued) 5:00pm-8:00pm - Food Truck Dinner in Founders Park and Concert in Daikin - Amphitheater in Historical Downtown Decatur, Alabama

- Comments on Significance of the Trail Systems Anniversary - Aaron Mahr - Supt. National Trails Intermountain Region, National Park Service

- Comments on the AL Bicentennial Celebration

- Welcome: Tab Bowling - Mayor of Decatur

REMARKS: Shannon Keith-Pres. AL Chapter Jack D. Baker-Pres. National Trail of Tears Association Cherokee Nation Sec. of State-Chuck Hoskin, Jr.

- BECKY HOBBS PERFORMANCE - Becky Hobbs will perform with her full band. - She’ll do selections from her musical Nanyehi – Beloved Woman of the Cherokee, Cherokee Hymns, hits she has written for other artists,as well as her own honky-tonk hits.

8:00pm - Screening of MO Humanities Council’s “Snelson Brinker Cabin and Cherokee Removal”

Sunday, October 28th

7:00am-9:00am - BREAKFAST BUFFET

8:30am-9:00am - TOTA ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & CHAPTER REPORTS

9:00am-9:50am - NPS REPORT - NPS Superintendent Aaron Mahr and Staff THANK YOU TO ALL OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS

September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11 2018 TOTA Pre/Post Conference Events - TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (Continued) Sunday, October 28th (Continued) MORNING CONCURRENT SESSIONS BEGIN 45 minute talks with 15 minutes between

10:00am A) Mission Schools in North Alabama-Laurie Brockman and Larry Smith B) Archaeology on Redstone Arsenal-Ben Hoksbergen

11:00am A) The Methodists and the Cherokee in AL-Mike Wren C) Creek Removal-Chris Haveman

11:50am-12:30pm - BOOK SIGNING WITH AUTHORS; Exhibitor and Vendor Tables Open

12:30pm - LUNCH (Buffet Style) - Financing Indian Removal-Claudio Saunt

AFTERNOON CONCURRENT SESSIONS BEGIN 45 minute talks with 15 minutes between

2:00pm A) Chickamauga Cherokees-James Pate B) Alabama Removal Forts-Sharon Freeman

3:00pm A) Using GIS technology and mapping for Trail of Tears Routes-Chris Dunn B) Creek Removal-Chris Haveman

4:00pm A) Cherokee Newspapers-James Pate - Followed by Cherokee Newspapers booksigning B) MO Humanities Council Film-Snelson Brinker Cabin and Cherokee Removal - Q & A with Film Director-Monty Dobson C) The Role of the Horse During Removal and various treatments by tribes.-Yvette Collins

5:30pm - WRAP UP BUFFET DINNER - Evening is free to Visit/roam/check out/break down in work groups

12 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 October 26-28, 2018 Double Tree Hotel, Decatur, AL REGISTRATION FORM (One form per Registrant Please) Contact Information

1. Name (as wanted on name badge): 2. Organization Representing (if applicable):

3. Mailing Address:

4. City: 5. State:

7. Telephone: () – 8. Fax: ( ) –

9. Email:

Registration

10. Regular Registration 11. On-Site Registration □TOTA 2018 Member: $125 □Non-member: 175♦ □TOTA 2018 Member: $225* □Non-member: $275♦ ♦ Non-member registration includes TOTA membership through 2019. ♦ Non-Member Registration includes TOTA membership through 2019. Registrations made after Oct 16th are subject to a $100 "Late Registration" Fee 14. : Field Trip Saturday, October 27th After Conference Event On Monday, Oct. 29th, do you plan on 12. □I will ride bus for Sat. Field Trip Tour attending the Cherokee Genealogy Seminar sponsored by the AL Chapter 13. □I will attend lecture for those with mobility issues rather than visit Tuscumbia Landing TOTA? □ Yes □ No □ Not Sure Breakfast will be provided on the morning of Oct.Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th $10 Registration Fee at Door 15. Guest Meals I need to register my guest, ______, for the following meals:

Fri. Dinner$25□ Sat. Breakfast - $20□ / Sat. Field Trip Lunch - $25 □ Sun. Breakfast - $20□ / Sun. Lunch- $25□ / Sun. Din. $25 □

Guest Meal Total: $______TOTAL FEES: 16. Registration Fee from Line 10 or 11 = $______Field Trip Waiver, Cancellation Policy, Mailing 17. Guest Meal Fees from Line 15 = $______Information and Hotel Information is all available on 18. Registration for Sunday only ($95) = $______page 2 of this Registration Form. If you do not have 19. Late Registration after 10/16 ($100) = $______page 2 or if you have any other questions, please call 20. TOTAL AMOUNT DUE (Add lines 16-19) = $______us at 918-464-2258 for assistance.

IF YOU ARE USING THIS FORM TO REGISTER, PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO SIGN THE WAIVER ON PAGE 14

September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 13 Field Trip Waiver Please sign this liability waiver if you plan to participate in the field trip.

The undersigned hereby agrees that neither the Trail of Tears Association (TOTA), its chapters, directors, officers, employees, and agents, nor to the extent legally permissible any private or public (state or federal or instrumentality of either), landowner or tenant or licensee in possession of any land or over which any tour, field trip, or outing takes place, or through which it travels, in connection with or as a part of any meeting or convention of TOTA shall have any responsibility or liability, in whole or in part for any loss, damage, injury to person or property, delays and delayed departure or arrival, missed carrier connections, cancellations, changes in schedules, program, or itinerary, or mechanical defect or failures, or for any negligent act or omissions of any nature whatsoever which results from, or arises out of, occurs at or during any activities, programs, tours, field trip, or outing thereat, or part of any of the foregoing. All persons registering at or attending any such meeting or convention shall be bound by the foregoing and deemed to have consented and agreed to the same by such registration or attendance.

Sign ______Date ______Cancellation Policy

A written and signed notice of cancellation must be submitted to the Trail of Tears Association, 412 N Hwy 100 Suite “B”, PO Box 329, Webbers Falls, OK 74470 , fax number (501) 666-5875, in order to receive a refund. A 50% refund will be granted if notice is received by October 5, 2017. NO refunds will be granted after October 5, 2018.

Mail Your Registration

Make Check or Money Order Payable to: Trail of Tears Association

Send to: Trail of Tears Association PO Box 329 Webbers Falls, Oklahoma 74470

Hotel Information Double Tree Hotel 1101 6th Ave. NE Decatur, AL 35601

Room Block Closes Oct 2nd, or when sold out.

14 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018

AFTER CONFERENCE EVENT sponsored by the ALABAMA CHAPTER TOTA

MONDAY 29 OCTOBER 2018 GENEALOGY SEMINAR SCHEDULE AND DESCRIPTION

Double Tree Hotel  1101 6th Ave NE  Decatur, Alabama

8:00 – 9:00 Registration - $10.00 for the morning session, $25.00 for the afternoon session - $35.00 for both sessions.

9:00 – 9:15 Welcome, introductory remarks, and announcements

9:15 – 10:30 “Rooted to the Earth: The Basics of Cherokee Genealogy” Discover how Cherokee genealogical research can separate fact from fiction; learn about getting started, tribal enrollment protocol, membership into the First Families of the Cherokee Nation organization, and the resources available for document a Cherokee ancestor.

10:30 – 11:00 Questions & Answers and Door Prizes (Q&A relevant to the preceding session only! Questions regarding specific individuals will be addressed during the afternoon consultative sessions.)

11:00 – 12:00 Lunch & Afternoon Registration - several restaurants can be found within easy walking distance of the conference center.

12:00 – 5:00 “Consultation with a Cherokee Genealogist” Come and participate in an exciting and fun program. Bring your “brick wall” research questions, relevant to Cherokee genealogy and you will have an opportunity to ask an expert. You will only have a limited time, therefore don’t squander it with far-fetched myths! Planning is the key, so be clear and specific with your questions. Your session will conclude when the timer dings!

Completion of prerequisite forms are required for the “Consultation with a Cherokee Genealogist,” one-on-one sessions scheduled in the afternoon.

September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 15 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

MISSOURI (continued from page 8) MISSOURI (continued) NORTH CAROLINA Library, led the discussion concerning Several Missouri chapter members and The NCTOTA continues to work with exciting discoveries across the several- friends met in Springfield, Missouri, on Mainspring, St. John’s Episcopal county area. The Library staff, including August 15th, for the purpose of finding Church, and the Cherokee Snowbird Director Cathy Dame, is fully engaged the location of Trail of Tears sites along and Cherokee County Communities to in bringing a Trail of Tears Museum the Old St. Louis Road to Springfield design signs (grant through Cherokee into fruition as a companion to the 66 in Green County, a road which has Preservation Foundation) to recognize Museum already on site. Library District already been marked as part of the Trail post-Removal communities. Board member and Library Foundation of Tears by the city and county. Once Some wayside exhibits erected ten President Bill Wheeler is in full support of in Springfield, the group traveled to years ago need attention. NCTOTA the project. When completed the Trail of Thomson Holstein Dairy to meet Mark plans to replace some of these. Member Tears Museum could become a National Thomson, a Green County Historic Site Dianne Wells, who watches over the Park Service certified site on the Trail of board member. Along with Thomson, Valleytown Baptist Mission and Aquohee Tears National Historic Trail across the participants in the research were Deloris District Courthouse signs, saw to the Missouri Ozarks. The new discoveries Gray Wood and Bill Ambrose of the replacement of landscape timbers, offer significant archeological potential Missouri chapter, Steve Belko and Kelly mulch, and the painting of benches and as they have not been known to the Ervin of the Missouri Humanities Council, posts. Thanks, Dianne! public. If significant, those items would Jackie Warfel of the Greene County be displayed and interpreted in the new Historic Sites Board, Steve Bodenhamer TOT Museum. A site visit was made with of the City of Strafford, Mayor Debra two archeologists from the Missouri Hickey of Battlefield, Lowell Fay and Eula Humanities Council. Gray.

MO Chapter Pres. Deloris Wood with RTR Refurbished NCTOTA sign stops near Bike Riders at Waynesville, MO Baptist Mission Farm Remember the Removal bike riders The NCTOTA’s symposium, arrived in Waynesville, Missouri, on a very Deloris Gray Wood, President, Missouri “Cherokee Challenges & Tribulations: hot afternoon on June 14th. Their first Chapter; Tommy Pike, President of the Exploring Scholarship, Memory, & Route 66 Association; and Michael Boggs, Commemoration,” on April 11, at stop was Roubidoux Creek, where most Supervisor, Missouri Welcome Center took a dip to cool off. Afterward, the Western Carolina University (WCU was group gathered around three Cherokee Deloris Gray Wood, president of the well received with approximately 200 interpretive panels located on the site Missouri chapter, gave a presentation to attendees! the Route 66 Association of Missouri in and introduced themselves. Waynesville The NCTOTA’s summer meeting at the Mayor Luge Harman and Missouri State Steelville, MO, about the Trail of Tears in Missouri, specifically highlighting sites Murphy Public Library was held on July Representative Steve Lynch welcomed 21. Following the business meeting, the bikers. This was Lynch’s fifth straight along the Northern Route that goes through the Steelville area. The Trail of Dr. Andrew Denson, a NCTOTA Board year to welcome the riders to Missouri. Member and professor at WCU, spoke on The Missouri chapter provided dinner Tears runs alongside, in the viewshed, or below Route 66 for 115 miles in Missouri. the creation of the National Trails System to the group at a local restaurant, with Act. chapter members Bill Ambrose and The Missouri Chapter of the Trail of Deloris Gray Wood serving as hosts. Tears Association will hold its annual Plans to celebrate the 50th Anniversary membership meeting October 26, of the National Trails System Act 2018, at the Conference hotel after the continue, partnering with hiking clubs reception in the reception room. and Appalachian Trail Conservancy, along with the Nantahala Outdoor Center, to mark the juncture of the scenic Appalachian Trail and the historic Trail of Tears in North Carolina. A sign dedication and activities are scheduled for Tuesday, Remember the Removal Bikers enjoy Roubidoux October 30 (TBA). Creek and a dinner provided by the MO Chapter The NCTOTA’s fall meeting at Mission Farms in Murphy is scheduled for 11 a.m., Sept. 29. Bring a covered dish for From left to right: Eula Gray, Deloris Gray a pitch-in lunch, followed by Secretary Wood, Jackie Warfel, Lowell Fay, Kelly Paige Tester’s presentation on “GIS-Based Ervin, Dr. William ‘Bill Ambrose, Mark Approaches to Documenting the Trail Bodenhamer, Dr. Steve Belko, and Debra of Tears: Mapping the Unicoy Turnpike.” Hickey at a meeting held in Springfield, MO on August 15th, 2018 with the purpose of Chapter election results will follow the finding sites along the Old St. Louis Road. business meeting. 16 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 OKLAHOMA TENNESSEE (continued) The OK Chapter will have a marking In June, the Remember the Removal ceremony Saturday, October 20, 2018 at TOT bike riders made their way through 2:00 p.m. at Hungry Mountain Cemetery Tennessee with stops that included Red on Hwy 100 west of Stilwell, Oklahoma. Clay State Park, Charleston Municipal Shannon Fuller Keith, AL Chapter James Bigby Sr., Catherine Foreman Park, , and Woodbury, where Pres., has generated enthusiasm for Bigby, and Jackson Christie will be TNTOTA members helped host the riders. this year’s conference among local civic honored as survivors of the Trail of Tears. and business leaders in N. AL which has The Tennessee Chapter will have a manifested in unprecedented sponsorship membership meeting at 1:30pm EST making it possible to offer a grand slice of TENNESSEE on September 23, 2018 at Red Clay , heritage, and culture in the form of contemporary Cherokee musician, The Tennessee Chapter has been busy State Park followed by a program by Dr. songwriter and playwright, Becky Hobbs and with educational projects during 2018. Daniel Littlefield at 3:00pm. Upcoming her band at an outdoor concert in the Park on events include the Blessing of the Buffalo the banks of the Tennessee River next to the Chapter President Debbie Moore made venue hotel. educational presentations to seven in Georgetown, attending the grand organizations including local historical opening of new exhibits at the Sequoyah Locals are excited because they view the Trail Birthplace Museum, and walking the of Tears Conference as the return of tribal societies, Wilderness Wildlife Week of people to their area for the first time since the the Smokies, the University of Tennessee trail in Woodbury. In October, many Cherokee detachments got off boats from the at Chattanooga, and Pellissippi members will attend the National TOTA south, and boarded the train for Tuscumbia State. In April, we joined forces with meeting in Decatur, Alabama. Landing, in 1838. Cleveland State Community College to hold an Educational Symposium to commemorate the 180th year anniversary of the forced removal. Decatur Mayor Tab Hunter and other local officials will be on hand to greet Cherokee Nation Sec. of State Chuck Hoskin, Jr. and other tribal officials and citizens in attendance. Becky will sing Amazing Grace in Cherokee, and her song, We Are One, We Are Many, the officials will say a few words, and then she’ll share more of Cherokee heritage with selections from her musical about and performing the Country Western music that established her as a performer and songwriter. Joe Guy and Troy Wayne Poteete, two of TNTOTA members at Wilderness Wildlife the guest speakers at TNTOTA’s Spring Week of the Smokies. Standing: Faye Symposium at Cleveland State Community Callaway and Debbie Moore, seated: College. (Photo credit: Debbie Moore) Shirley Lawrence and Johnnie Bandy. (Photo credit: Vicki Rayfield) Attended by over 200 people, the speakers were Troy Wayne Poteete, The chapter is excited to be hosting a National TOT Executive Director; Brett visit from Cherokee Nation Chief Bill Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor John Baker to Blythe’s Ferry Cherokee of Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina Memorial Removal Park in Birchwood in University, and Joe Guy, Historian November. While in the area, the Chief The Concert is made possible by donations and Sheriff of McMinn County, TN. and his family will visit many sites related from Decatur Morgan County Tourism Bureau The Chapter also set up educational to the Removal. and AL Mtn. Lakes Tourism Association, and booths at the symposium, Wilderness Sweet Home Alabama Travel. Wildlife Week of the Smokies, Cherokee Progress continues on the Franklin Other major sponsors are the AL Bi-Centennial Cultural Days at Red Clay State Park, the County TOTNHT sign project, a joint Commission Foundation; the Muscle Shoals International Cow Pea Festival, and the project of TNTOTA and the Franklin Heritage Area who will pick up the tab for lunch in Spring Park on Sat. afternoon; the Rivertown Festival. County Historical Society. TDOT has Oka Kapassa Festival Board; the Univ. of N. completed installation of 35 signs on US AL; and the Sacred Horse Sanctuary. Hwy’s 41A & 64 from Monteagle west These generous sponsors allow us to hold to the Lincoln County line. The National down registration costs which encourages Park Service furnished the signs and the greater attendance at what has become Franklin County Government provided one of the great gatherings of Southeastern Woodland Tribal History aficionados. The mix the posts. of lay researchers and scholars; professional historians and archaeologists; tribal citizens UPCOMING EVENT: and officials; local historians; and a host of The Tennessee Chapter will have a other lovable characters who come together annually for this event generate a synergy of membership meeting at 1:30pm EDST camaraderie and sharing found nowhere else. on September 23, 2018 at Red Clay This year’s event is poised to be a great time State Park followed by a program by Dr. as we head to the banks of the Tennessee to Melba Checote Eads and Shirley Lawrence Daniel Littlefield at 3:00pm. Littlefield in the TNTOTA tent at Red Clay State Park see old friends and make new acquaintance Cherokee Cultural Days in August. (Photo will be speaking on the African American among a community eagerly anticipating the credit: Debbie Moore) experience during the Removal. gathering. September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 17 The Society sponsored its first event for the Association in Decatur, Alabama, in April at the spring board meeting hosting a reception for local public officials from Morgan County, the City of Decatur, state and local tourism officials, and members of the Trail of Tears board. The purpose of the event was to boost the visibility of the Association in Northern Alabama and assist the Alabama chapter in establishing partnerships, commitments and sponsorships for the fall conference.

Several of those invited joined the Phoenix Society.

The Decatur meeting will mark the end of the period for becoming a charter member of the society. Giving levels and management of the society will also be finalized.

Current members are encouraged to renew their commitment of giving to the society at the fall meeting.

Trail of Tears Trail of Tears National Park Service National Historic Trail Association National Trails Intermountain Region, Santa Fe Trail News is produced by the partnership of the Trail of Tears Association and the National The Trail of Tears Association has entered The National Trails Intermountain Region Park Service, National Trails Intermountain into a cooperative agreement with administers the Trail of Tears NHT, the Region, Santa Fe. the National Park Service to promote Santa Fe NHT, El Camino Real de los and engage in the protection and Tejas NHT, and the Route 66 Corridor Editor preservation of the Trail of Tears NHT Preservation Program. El Camino Real de Troy Wayne Poteete resources; to promote awareness of Tierra Adentro NHT and Old Spanish NHT Feature Writer the trail’s legacy, including the effects of are administered jointly by the National Jerra Quinton Baker the U.S. Government’s Indian Removal Trails Intermountain Region and the New Policy on the Cherokee and other tribes; Mexico State Office of the Bureau of Land Layout and to perpetuate the management Management. These trail and corridor Chris Berton-Giant Door Media and development techniques that are programs are administered in partnership Contributors consistent with the NPS’s trail plan. with American Indian tribes; federal, Cara Harris, Anita Finger Smith, Sue Abram, Vicki state, and local agencies; nongovernment Rozema, Deloris Gray Wood, Dr. Bill Ambrose, Ma- Trail of Tears Association organizations; and private landowners. rybelle Chase, Bethany Rosenbaum, Heather Carey, Laurie Brockman, Shannon Fuller Keith, Riley Bock 412 N. Hwy 100, Suite B P.O. Box 329 National Trails Intermountain Region Comments/Address Changes? PO Box 728 Contact: Troy Wayne Poteete Webbers Falls, OK 74470 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 Trail of Tears Association 412 N. Hwy 100, Suite B 918-464-2258 P.O. Box 329 505-988-6098 Webbers Falls, OK 74470 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.nps.gov/trte www.NationalTOTA.org

18 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018 Vision Becoming Reality TOTA State Chapter Using Partnerships to Develop the SCAN QR Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Presidents Contact Info In 1987, Congress acknowledged the DIGITALCODE CONTENT AVAILABLE: significance of this tragic event in our Alabama Nation’s history by establishing the CERTIFIED SITES WITH LINKS Shannon Keith Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The James Brown Cherokee Plantation, TN Phone: 256-337-8024 Email: [email protected] National Park Service administers the Trail Jentel Farm Trail Segment, IL in cooperation with federal, state, and House, TN Arkansas local agencies; the Cherokee Nation and John Ross House, GA Bethany Henry Rosenbaum the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Memorial and Museum, NC Phone: 417-592-2623 interested groups; and Lake Dardanelle State Park, AR Email: [email protected] private landowners. La Petite Roche, AR Georgia The Trail of Tears Association and the Laughlin Park, MO Tony Harris National Park Service National Trails Mantle Rock, KY Phone: 770-425-2411 Intermountain Regin, Santa Fe have been Maramec Spring Park/Massey Iron Works, MO Email: [email protected] working with trail partners to increase McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment, IL Illinois visibility for the trail and to develop it for Mount Nebo State Park, AR Sandy Boaz visitor use. Old traces, historic buildings, and Murrell Home, OK Phone: 618-833-8216 other resources are being preserved. Many Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC Email: [email protected] sites have been certified and numerous Museum of the Native American, AR on-the-ground projects have been State Historic Site, GA Kentucky completed, such as route signing, visitor-use Alice Murphree Paducah Waterfront, KY Phone: 270-886-5375 development, interpretive wayside exhibits, Petit Jean State Park, AR Email: amurphree1139@bellsouth. and interior museum exhibits at existing Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR net facilities. Port Royal State Park, TN Radford Farm, KY Missouri Certified Sites Deloris Gray Wood Andrew Ross House, AL Red Clay State Historic Area, TN Phone: 573-729-2545 Arcadia Valley Campground, MO Rockdale Plantation/George Adair Home, GA Email: lostgeneration@embarqmail. com Audubon Acres, TN Running Waters, John Ridge Home, GA Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite, KY Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, TN Snelson-Brinker Cabin, MO North Carolina Big Spring, KY Susan M. Abram, Ph.D. Cemetery, TN Star City Ranch Trail Segment, MO Phone: 828-227-2735 Browns Ferry Tavern, TN Tennessee River Museum, TN Email: [email protected] Toler Farm Trail Segment, IL Campground Cemetery, IL Oklahoma Cedartown Cherokee Removal Camp, GA Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, KY Trail of Tears State Park, MO Curtis Rohr Chattanooga Regional History Museum,TN Phone: 918-341-4689 Cherokee County Historical Museum, NC Trail of Tears State Forest, IL Email: [email protected] Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows, GA Tuscumbia Landing, AL Vann Cherokee Cabin, GA Tennessee , OK Debbie Moore / Home, GA Vann House Historic Site, GA Village Creek State Park, AR Phone: 423-715-2254 City of North Little Rock Riverfront Park, AR Email: [email protected] Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY Wagner Farm Trail Segment, IL Crabb-Abbot Farm, IL Wayside Store and Bridges Tavern Site, IL Crider Tavern Complex, KY Waterloo Landing, AL David Crockett State Park Trail Segment, TN Willstown Mission Cemetery, AL SCAN QR Delta Cultural Center, AR Federal Protection Components and CODE Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead, AR Interpretive Sites DIGITAL CONTENT AVAILABLE: Fort Gibson, OK Arkansas River Visitors Center/Old Post Road Fort Payne Cabin Site, AL Park, Russellville, AR BOARD OF DIRECTORS Funk Heritage Center, GA Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR Giles Co. Trail of Tears Interpretive Center, TN Cadron Settlement Park, AR Cherokee Memorial Park, Blythe Ferry, TN Green County Trail Segments, MO Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR Golconda Riverfront, IL Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN Gray’s Inn, KY Holla Bend Nat. Wildlife Refuge, Dardanelle, AR , TN Mark Twain National Forest, MO Hamburger Hill, IL Mocassin Bend, TN The Hermitage, TN Pea Ridge National Military Park, AR Historic Road from Ross to Ridge’s, GA Shawnee National Forest, MO Hiwassee River Heritage Center, TN Stones River National Battlefield, TN September 2018 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 19 Trail of Tears Association P.O. Box 329 Webbers Falls, OK 74470

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The Trail of Tears Association would like to thank the following for their generous upgraded membership support:

Benefactors $1000+ (Listed in alpabetical order) Cherokee Nation Businesses Cherokee Nation $15,000 $10,000

Patrons $500 – $999 (Listed in alpabetical order) Carolyn Nohria Giant Door Media LLC $500 $500

Sponsors $100 - $499 (Listed in alpabetical order) Jack Baker $100.00 Kelly Hallman $110 John Perry $110 Dick Bass $100.00 Jay Hannah $110 Maxwell Ramsey $200 Ronald Black $100 R. Wesley Harris $130 Kathy Robinson $110 H. Riley Bock $200.00 Bobbie Heffington $100 Ansley Saville $100 David Boyle $100 Sir Glenn Jones $205 Leslie Simmons $110 Sharon Britt $110 Wayne Lee $100 Lawrence Simmons $205 Frank Brown $110 Tonnia Maddox $100 Elizabeth Slappey $120 Kathy Carroll-Josenhans $110 Rowena McClinton $280 Richard Starbuck $100 Cheryl Cook $100 Erin Medley $130 Melissa Twaroski $110 Cara Cowan-Watts $100 Mary Ellen Meredith $110 KY Mississippi River Parkway Comm. $150 Andrew Denson $200 Frederick Morris $100 Chattanooga Area CVB $120 Debra Eskie $100 Billie Napolitana $135 City of Waynesville $100 Anita Finger-Smith $195 Becky Nelson $110 Jack Gardner $100 Gary Payne $200

Phoenix Giving Society To find out about more about the Phoenix Giving Society go to page 18 20 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2018