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Trail News

Commemorative Bicycle Tours Catch On with Two Other Tribes

Article by Jeff Bishop the way is Mantle Rock, she said, near where really appreciated what they endured to thousands of camped while they leave a lasting legacy of the best of the Three years ago, Nation Chief waited for ice in the river to melt so they human spirit, and to not only survive in their and a group of young bicyclists could continue their journey to the West. new lands but to thrive against all odds,” said decided to reignite the “Remember the participant Stuart Winlock. Removal” bicycle ride, retracing the Such rides commemorating the Indian Northern Route of the Trail of Tears. The removals of the early have The fi rst Nation bicycle team to fi rst Remember the Removal ride was in been catching on with the other federally traverse the Choctaw Trail of Tears included 1984. recognized tribes as well. On May 21 a Johnnie Anderson; Greg and Mary Barrs; number of citizens of the Choctaw Nation, Billy Eagle Road II and III; Nikki, Jordan and The ride was revived in 2009 and has along with one Cherokee citizen and one Teresa Eagle Road; Roy and Tammy Griffi th; become an annual event aimed at educating citizen, completed a 4-state, 6-day, Cheyenne Murray; Dean and Melanie younger generations about the Trail of Tears. 434-mile trip from Philadelphia, , Lanning; Tracie Lake; Nancy Jeff erson; Sarah Holcomb has been along for every ride to Talihina, . Brian and Brianna Johnston; Tony Stoltzfus; since then. Donna and Phillip Tawkoyty; MaryAyn and “The ride was an experience of a lifetime, Eli Tullier; and Stuart Winlock. “I just really enjoy it,” she said as she and as I rode the same paths that my prepared to leave from the ancestors had trod many years before, I State Historic Site. Her favorite site along See BIKE RIDES, page 11

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Missouri Sign Dedication...... 2 • Coopertown Signs...... 2 • Traveling Trunks for Teachers...... 3 • History Center Lecture Series...... 3 • National Historic Trails Workshop..... 4 • Guntersville TOT Exhibit...... 5 • New Echota Anniversary...... 5 • TOTA Chapter News...... 6-9 • Off cial Map & Guide...... 8 • Tour of TOT...... 11 • Tornado...... 14 • Tommy Cox Award...... 14 • Musical...... 15 photo by Jeff Bishop • National Register Listing...... 15 Local bicyclists in Macon, , show their support by joining (Creek) citizen John Beaver as he begins his journey home to Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Newsletter of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Partnership • June 2012 – Number 19 Missouri Dedicates 30 Signs in Greene County Grant to TOTA’s GA Chapter To Provide “Traveling Trunks” for State Schools

By Jackie Warfel Bodenhamer. Recognized for their work Article and photo by Jeff Bishop standards. The Trail of Tears Association March by Mary Louis Fitzpatrick, and … on this Cherokee Trail of Tears project were is also increasingly sought out to provide If You Lived With the Cherokee by Peter and The unveiling and dedication of 30 Trail The Georgia chapter of the Trail of Tears Steven Bodenhamer, Neal Lopinot, Jackie presentations at various national, state, Connie Roop. of Tears signs across rural Greene County, Association received word from the Georgia Warfel, and Ryan Zweerink. county, and local parks and historic sites, Missouri, was held at the Sports Complex Humanities Council recently that it has especially during Native American Heritage Mountable images and maps, a copy of the east of Straff ord on Saturday, April 7, 2012. been approved for a $4,000 Trail of Tears Also present were representatives from the Month each November, and also on offi cial Trail of Tears This location at Historic Route 66 and Farm “traveling trunks” development project. offi ces of U. S. Senators Roy Blunt (who important days of commemoration, such as DVD, a mining pan, a turtle rattle, craft Road 249 marked the location where the This grant is in addition to a $5,000 grant would read an extension of remarks to the upcoming 175th anniversary of the Trail supplies, copies of reproductions of the Cherokee Trail of Tears entered Greene secured earlier this year from the Tillotson Congress the following Monday to make the of Tears in 2013. newspaper and Cherokee County. Greene County is the fi rst county Foundation by Trail of Tears Association event a part of the Congressional Record) Constitution, and a copy of the Cherokee in Missouri to locate and mark the actual volunteer Bill Barker to place signage for the and Claire McCaskill, Superintendent photo by Glenn Jones Despite the continued requests, the Georgia Syllabary are examples of other items that historic route. Trail of Tears “original route” in Chattooga Ted Hilmer of Wilson’s Creek National Intermountain Region chapter has thus far had neither the funding may be included. Lesson plans will be County, Georgia. Battlefi eld, Northern Stone County Superintendent Aaron Mahr (left) and Greene nor the resources to develop a range of age- National Park Service Superintendent County Historic Sites Board Chair David Eslick speak Commissioner Jim Huy, Greene County at the Greene County dedication of a wayside panel appropriate lesson plans and presentations See TRAVELING TRUNKS, page 12 Aaron Mahr from Santa Fe, New Mexico, “We’re thrilled to be able to stretch our Presiding Commissioner David Coonrod, about the . to meet these educational standards. This was the featured speaker. Other featured limited funding resources in this way, and and TOTA’s Arkansas Chapter Vice new grant funding should help correct that. speakers included Greene County we’re very thankful to both the Tillotson President Glenn Jones. The Missouri House Following the unveiling of the historic signs Traveling trunks for teachers will be Commissioners Jim Viebrock, Harold Foundation and to the Georgia Humanities of Representatives also sent a framed there was an auto caravan across Greene developed by Dr. Donna Myers, president of Bengsch, and Roseann Bentley; and Greene Council for this assistance,” said President proclamation obtained by Speaker Pro Tem County, led by Jackie Warfel. The group the Friends of New Echota, in consultation History Center To Preview County Historic Sites Board Chairman Jeff Bishop. Shane Schouler. stopped at portion of the orignal route that New Exhibit through David Eslick and Vice Chairman Steven is on the Ozark Greenway Trail. “The Trail of Tears is an important story Lecture Series and this funding will go a long way toward A reception, hosted by Battlefi eld City helping us to tell it, in consultation with the The Chattanooga History Center Administrator Rick Hess, was held at the National Park Service and the Cherokee (CHC) will present the firs t lecture in newly renamed Cherokee Trail of Tears Nation and other tribal groups,” he said. a special preview series, Gallery Talks, park near Battlefi eld City Hall, which held The Tillotson Foundation grant funds have at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 26th. an exhibit by Cherokee Master Heritage already been received, and the Georgia The series will examine each gallery Artist Talmadge Davis. Following the Humanities Council will award 90 percent visitors’ encounter with the center’s reception, Superintendent Mahr unveiled of the grant funds right away, but there are new exhibit, scheduled to open next the interpretive signs installed at Cherokee a few requirements that go along with the year. Each preview will stand as an Trail of Tears park. fund request, Bishop said. independent program. The fi rst is The : Struggle for All attending were given a handout with Georgia curriculum performance standard Donna Myers, Ph.D., speaks to the Georgia chapter . The History Center’s maps showing the route of the Trail of Tears about the traveling trunks for teachers she is SS8H5 requires that Georgia students Executive Director and Historian Dr. across Greene, Christian, Stone, and Barry developing in consultation with the chapter and demonstrate an ability to “analyze events native tribes. Daryl Black will present the program. Counties and into Arkansas and Oklahoma that led to Cherokee removal in Georgia,” Space is limited and pre-registration that included written driving instructions photo courtesy of David Eslick including the roles played by Andrew is required by Monday, June 25th. To The Missouri chapter unveils 1 of 30 Trail of Tears signs erected in Greene County, Missouri, in early April. and GPS coordinates of the route. with TOTA and the native tribes. The Jackson, William McIntosh, , register, call 423-265-3247. traveling trunks will be used to support John Ross, the Dahlonega , John Georgia performance standards concerning Marshall and the Supreme Court decision This program will discuss the core American Indian histories and cultures and Original Route Signs Erected in Coopertown, TN of Worcester v. Georgia, and the Trail of story that backs up the content of the also to meet a perceived growing demand Tears. Georgia performance standard SS8H1 fi rst gallery in the new CHC exhibit for information from the public related On June 9th, the town of Coopertown, The unveiling coincided with the annual requires students to “evaluate the impact and the research that developed it. to these topics. , hosted an unveiling of its new Cherokee Remember the Removal of European exploration and settlement of Most people have a rudimentary Trail of Tears original route signs. The bicycle ride. North America.” Second grade standards knowledge of the forced removal Contents will include objects such as signs recognize the historic route that require understanding the culture and of Cherokee people and their tragic clothing, tools, baskets, musical instruments, many Cherokees traveled during removal Coopertown Mayor Sam Childs stated, lifestyle of the Cherokees and the Creeks, journey on the Trail of Tears. The story, maps, and charts that illustrate and explain in the bitter winter of 1838-1839. Of the “Coopertown remembers a tragic time in while fourth grade focuses on how the however, began many years before the Creek and and culture. approximately 16,000 Cherokee who our history by proudly displaying Trail of Cherokees used their environment. eviction, and is a complicated study of Examples of books that may be included traveled the Trail of Tears, more than two- Tears signs and providing a comfort stop for photo courtesy of Wally Leary The Trail of Tears Association’s Georgia not only collision of cultures, but also would be Seven Clans of the thirds followed the Northern Route across the Remember the Removal Cherokee youth Tennessee chapter members (L-R) Wally Leary, chapter is often sought out by Georgia of human motivation, and it is the story Shirley Lawrence, Cleata Townsend, and Bob by Marcelina Reed, The Journal of Jesse Tennessee and would have passed through annual bicycle riders.” schools to provide presentations to of a legal battle that pits two strong Richards pose proudly with a newly erected Smoke, The Story of the Milky Way by Joseph or near the area. Coopertown sign. help meet these Georgia performance leaders of nations against one another. Bruchac and Gayle Ross, and The Long

2 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 3 TOTA Participates in Workshop on El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT Guntersville Historical Society Features Trail of Tears Exhibit by Jeff Bishop Article and photo by Larry Smith Washington Gunter was a grandson of John A Youth Apprentice’s Perspective Gunter. Several members of the Gunter Three representatives from the Trail of Tears by Bethany Henry The Guntersville Historical Society in family were held at nearby Camp Morrow Association attended the Partnership for Alabama has opened an exhibit featuring the in the summer of 1838 before leaving to the National Trails System historic trails As a trails apprentice, I had the Trail of Tears. Located at the southernmost join the main detachment in neighboring workshop in Socorro, New Mexico, in May. opportunity to participate and work bend of the , the town dates DeKalb County. Samuel Gunter, born in TOTA board members Jeff Bishop and collaboratively with trail leaders, back to 1785 when Scotsman John Gunter, 1796, was the oldest son of John Gunter Deloris Wood attended, with Bethany Henry associations, and federal agency a trader, arrived there and married into the and died while being held at Camp Morton. representing the new “youth chapter.” staff along El Camino Real de Tierra local Cherokee tribe. Adentro at the National Historic Trails Dr. Pete Sparks, president of the historical Workshop in Socorro, NM May 14- The area became known as Gunter’s photo courtesy of Bethany Henry society, said he thought it was important to TOTA youth apprentice Bethany Henry participates 18, 2012. Beginning with a guided Landing around 1817 when one of John tell the story of the tragic event. He added in a group session with other youth apprentices tour of the trail from Albuquerque to Gunter’s sons, Edward, established a ferry from other national historic trail organizations. that he would like to make it a permanent Socorro, we followed the rich history across the river. Gunter’s Landing became a exhibit and add to it as more information of the Pueblo, Apache, and Navajo major stopover for Cherokees taking the Guntersville Historical Society houses a new exhibit and artifacts become available. Participants were provided an overview Indians, Spanish Inquisition, Missions, water route during the removal and was also on the Trail of Tears, which includes Gunter family history and description of the historic and trade along the “international the crossing point for several detachments items of a pair of mocasins and a vest. The exhibit is housed in the Gilbreath trail, an overview of the National Trails highway.” A number of speakers of Creeks and the Cherokee’s Benge Act requirements, and guidance for House (ca 1858), home of the Guntersville including historians, archaeologists, Detachment. including a vest, moccasins, and original the preservation and development of Historical Society. It is located at 353 and professors, presented on various photographs of two members of the Benge photo courtesy of Jeff Bishop historic trails. Based on this information, Blount Avenue, which is also U.S. 431 TOTA board members Jeff Bishop and Deloris Wood topics surrounding Nuevo México and Included in the exhibit are rare family Detachment, Gunter participants were asked to develop a vision North. It is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. (middle) and TOTA youth apprentice Bethany Henry current development of historic trails items that belonged to the Gunter family, and his wife Elizabeth Nave Gunter. George tour the El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National for the preservation and development of the to 1 p.m., and there is no admission fee. Historic Trail. to preserve and interpret our shared national historic trails. cultural heritage. New Echota Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary with Special Program The workshop attendees toured sections of The trails workshop was a great El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National opportunity for networking, learning Historic Trail and participated in sessions in Article and photo by Jeff Bishop to remember the people involved and Representing the Cherokee Nation, Council about the National Trails System, and the fie ld, including Trail in an Urban Setting, events that have occurred during the past Member and National President of the exchanging ideas. After discussing Fifty years ago on Saturday, May 12, 1962, Trail in a Rural Setting, and Trail Protection fi ve decades as New Echota held its 50th Trail of Tears Association Jack Baker also various strengths and challenges with New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun, in America’s Large Landscapes. One of the Anniversary Program! participated and presented New Echota each trail association, I learned that Georgia, was dedicated by Governor Ernest sites visited was the Bosque del Apache with a resolution commending the 50 years the primary concern for the National Vandiver and opened to the public. On (“woods of the Apache”) National Wildlife “Although dedicated as a State Historic of preservation accomplished at New Trails System is connecting with youth. Saturday, May 12, 2012, Georgia State Park Refuge in San Antonio, New Mexico. Site, New Echota would not have come Echota. We were encouraged to select a key offi cials, several hundred visitors, and local about were it not for the local community word for the week that described municipal representatives came together The fie ld exercises were used to provide that began the initial eff orts to purchase Historic 19th-century lifestyle our experience as a trails apprentice: a “national historic trail case study” the land for preservation, saving it from demonstrations and tours of the historic my word was EMPOWERED. After structured to allow participants to examine development”, said Site Manager David buildings were provided by FONEHS, meeting with other students and trail existing conditions of the historic route of Gomez. “Along with support of the local Georgia Chapter TOTA members, and staff who support similar passions the trail. community, 50 years of progress and individual volunteers, many having photo courtesy of Bethany Henry for preservation, interpretation, and development have come about as a result spent decades supporting New Echota’s Bethany Henry (far right) poses with fellow trail education of our national trails, I felt of many individuals and groups. Present programming and preservation eff orts. apprentices who received scholarships to attend the empowered to return to the Trail of National Historic Trails Workshop in Socorro, NM. for the 50th Anniversary Program were “It was a great day of remembering those Henry represented the Trail of Tears Association. Tears Association with fresh ideas for representatives from many of those groups,” who came before us and their eff orts to future development of the trail. I look Gomez continued. preserve New Echota. It was also a day of forward to building a stronger youth great fellowship on the historic grounds, The goals of the Partnership for the support for the Trail of Tears through Through effo rts of the Friends of New much like the early 19th-century Cherokee National Trails System are to preserve and recruitment and outreach at universities, Echota Historic Site (FONEHS) and the council meetings would have been, with protect lands, resources, and stories of the historical societies, and volunteer support from the Smithsonian Institute’s visits by many people who had not been national historic trails, to ensure that the organizations across the country. Let’s New Harmonies Exhibit, Cherokee Nation to New Echota in years. It felt like a opportunity for a quality trail experience all be empowered to build upon our member and renowned singer Barbara homecoming for many of these people is available for posterity, and to strengthen strong foundation—those that came photo by Jeff Bishop McAlister began the program with a as they and their parents were some of Landscape architect Steve Burns from the National the management and protection of the before us and paved the way—because performance of America the Beautiful” the families involved in the early 1950s Trails Intermountain Region in Santa Fe acts as tour national historic trails through cooperation, together we can do wonderful things for guide during a feld trip at the National Historic Trails Renowned Cherokee singer Barbara McAlister opens and concluded the program with “Amazing preservation work that started New Echota,” Workshop in Socorro, NM. communication, and partnerships. the Trail of Tears Association! the special anniversary program with “America the Beautiful” in the . Grace” in the Cherokee language. commented Gomez.

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 5 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ARKANSAS ALABAMA (continued) ALABAMA (continued) KENTUCKY (continued) OKLAHOMA (continued) MISSOURI

The Arkansas chapter is in the fi nal stages location of Fort Likens. Oral historians purchased during removal. Receipts found placed on their headstones. Memorial and In April, Aaron Mahr, superintendent of of its “Ten on the Trail” interpretive have hypothesized that the location of the during research done by Alice Murphree biographical tributes were also read for these the NPS National Trails Intermountain panel project. One of the fi nal panels is “stockade” is in a fi eld near the hill. An and the late Beverly Baker, former chapter survivors. The Oklahoma chapter would Region (NTIR) in Santa Fe , attended the for the Benge Route and will be placed extensive archaeological survey has been president, confi rmed Mr. Paris’ fi ndings. like to express their appreciation to TOTA dedication of 30 signs marking the original in Carrolton, Arkansas, sometime this completed in this area during the past While the B. B. Cannon detachment member Billie Napolitano and to Carole Northern Route through Greene County, summer. As a result of a panel dedication few months. Many 1838 primary source traveled the trail in 1837, the following year Savage of Grove for all the organization and the fi rst Missouri county to do so. The signs in Evansville, Arkansas, the community documents, specifi cally relating to Fort 11 of the overland detachments took this work that they did to make this a successful start near Marshfi eld and extend through has a revitalized interest in their history, Likens, have been collected, as well as early same stagecoach route through Kentucky and memorable occasion. Also, the the towns of Springfie ld and Battlefi eld. and Glenn Jones, Arkansas chapter vice Bureau of Land Management plat maps. and used some of these same campsites. chapter would like to acknowledge David Dr. Neal Lopinot and Jackie Warfel led this president, and Susan Young, Arkansas photo courtesy of Larry Smith Hampton who compiled and provided the signing eff ort of the original route. More chapter secretary, have been involved in Lynn Comer (left) of the Marshall County Engineering Thank you to all who have joined the A chapter meeting was held on June 16, booklets with biographical and genealogical information can be found on page 2. videotaping the stories of many longtime Department and Larry Smith of TOTA’s Alabama Alabama chapter in 2012. A part of your 2012, at the George Coon Library in information; these booklets were provided chapter mark roads for prepration of Trail of Tears residents. Dr. Neil Morton of Stillwell, sign installation. membership fee helps fund the many Princeton, Kentucky. Mr. Paris was the to everyone in attendance. Also in April, chapter member Kerri Hicks Oklahoma, was also recorded as a part of projects relating to the Cherokee removal. guest speaker. headed up the second Trail of Tears Passport this project. The Oklahoma chapter research team—Jack in Time Project at the Mark Twain National In addition to the unveiling events that day, The chapter is focusing some of its research Baker, Curtis Rohr, Ed and Gwen Henshaw, Forest near Popular Bluff . Hicks, Denise there will be an Alabama chapter board The chapter’s research of the disbandment KENTUCKY effo rts on the Water Route, as well. and Marybelle Chase —is planning another Dowling, and Rusty Weiseman participated meeting at 9:00 a.m., and a membership routes in western Arkansas continues. The Members are currently conducting research in this on-the-ground project, which meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the Richard C. The Kentucky chapter has been busy chapter has recently initiated an eff ort to in the Paducah area. included identifying and marking Benge Hunt Reception Hall, 505 Gault Avenue working with the National Park Service on scan the general land offi ce maps, Route segments of the Trail of Tears. North, next door to the Opera House in signing the Trail of Tears sites in Kentucky. georeference them, and digitize the road downtown Fort Payne. The focus of the In November and December, the chapter system as well as noted improvements. Chapter President Deloris Wood attended meeting will be the National Park Service worked on a sign plan of the entire Benge There appears to be some good information OKLAHOMA the National Historic Trails Workshop in (NPS) and its role in the Trail of Tears. Route in Kentucky with NPS landscape in the area of Cane Hill, Evansville, and Old Socorro, New Mexico, in May, along with Aaron Mahr, superintendent of the National architects Steve Burns and Coreen Kolisko. On May 5th, the Oklahoma chapter held its Cincinnati. Bethany Henry, a TOTA youth apprentice, Trails Intermountain Region will be the key The chapter is awaiting word from the spring meeting in the town of Grove and and Jeff Bishop, the Georgia chapter speaker. Kentucky Great River Region Organization included grave markings of four survivors The Arkansas chapter’s annual meeting will president. The Partnership for the National about an application for a grant that, if of the Trail of Tears. The guest speaker for be September 8, 2012, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 Trails System held the workshop. The Fort Likens excavation is progressing. awarded, would provide funding for the the meeting was John McLarty, president p.m. at the Prairie Grove Battlefi eld Park A controlled burn is planned for the last entire sign plan. The chapter hopes to go of TOTA’s Arkansas chapter. McLarty gave in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Please check Steve Burns, landscape architect for the NPS week of May, which will fast forward shovel ahead with a site identifi cation sign for a PowerPoint presentation titled From the chapter web page at www.artota.org for NTIR in Santa Fe, created a Trails Toolbox tests and necessary excavation units on Kentucky’s latest certifi ed site, Columbus- Lines on a Map to Stories That Must Be more information. The meeting is open to for attendees to use on a fi eld trip along the the hill noted by the 1840 surveyors as the Belmont State Park. The chapter is also Told. In attendance were Jack Baker, TOTA the public. El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National working with the Princeton Trail of Tears president; Jerra Quinton, TOTA executive Historic Trail. The toolbox, which will be Commission and others on the sign plan for director; Cara Cowan-Watts and Lee Keener, available to chapters later this summer, helps the Big Springs site. The Kentucky chapter Cherokee Nation tribal councilors; and ALABAMA with determining what to do to protect would like to give a big THANK YOU to Marty Follis, mayor of Grove. On Saturday, June 23, 2012, at 1:00 p.m., you Steve and Coreen for their hard work on the the trail. are cordially invited to attend the offi cial sign plan for Kentucky! After the meeting, many adjourned to the Learn more about the workshop on page 4. Trail of Tears sign unveiling in recognition Crittenden Family Cemetery across the photo by Marybelle Chase Research is being done on the 23 miles of the of the longest marked original historic street from the community center, where Courtney Cornell sang in Cherokee at the gravesites trail segment on the Trail of Tears. The original route between Princeton and Salem. Electa Hopkins Crittenden, a survivor of the of Elijah Butler, Dorcas Landrum Butler, and Daniel unveiling will begin at the Fort Payne Cabin There are three sites along this section Trail of Tears, was honored with a memorial Muskrat at the Butler Cemetery near Grove, OK. Site, which is located at Gault Avenue and of the Original Route that the chapter is and biographical tribute. An Oklahoma Fourth Street South in Fort Payne. Signs are researching for exact location. Chapter chapter bronze plaque was placed on her research trip to the National Archives currently being placed along the original President Alice Murphree recently met headstone. Participants then went to lunch in Washington, DC, in late July. TOTA route from the cabin to where the 1838 road Donnie Boone, one of the landowners along at Charlie’s Chicken located in Grove. Executive Director Jerra Quinton plans to go goes under Guntersville Lake. Maps of the this part of the trail, who introduced her as well. The research team will photograph newly signed Benge Route will be given to photo courtesy of Larry Smith to Ralph Paris, a land boundary consultant After lunch, everyone traveled to the Butler the ration lists for the various food those attending in order to follow the route (L_R) President Gail King, TOTA Alabama chapter; and surveyor. Mr. Paris has determined the Cemetery, located a few miles outside of subsistence depots located in the West. The Lynn Comer, Marshall County Engineering to Guntersville Lake and all are invited to locations that were provided in the B. B. Grove, where Elijah Butler, Dorcas Landrum lists will then be published as the chapter’s photo by Jeff Bishop Department, Distric 4 Commissioner Tamey R. Bethany Henry (left) and Deloris Wood attend a attend a reception at the Lake Guntersville Hale, Marshall County; and Treasurer Larry Smith, Cannon Journal of the campsites and sites in Butler, and Daniel Muskrat, also survivors of third monograph and made available to the session at the National Historic Trails Workshop in State Park Lodge at 3:30 p.m. Alabama chapter, open the shipment of signs for Kentucky where fodder and supplies were the Trail of Tears, were honored and plaques general public. Socorro, NM. the Benge Route in Dekalb and Marshall Counties.

6 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 7 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ILLINOIS ILLINOIS (continued) ILLINOIS (continued) GEORGIA GEORGIA (continued) GEORGIA (continued)

The Illinois chapter hosted a tour of the Heather Carey, and Jon Musgrave. The tours The Illinois chapter has been busy working Half a century ago, a small group of people early proponent for the preservation of New At the May chapter meeting in Whitesburg, Trail of Tears in in March, were about 8 hours and priced at $30 per with the National Park Service on Trail in Georgia community of Gordon County Echota. the chapter publicly recognized its and because of the response the advertising person, which included lunch of chicken of Tears projects. The NPS is currently thought it would be a good idea to scrape “Volunteer of the Year,” the winner of the in local papers produced, a second tour and dumplings and all the “fixins. ” If you are working on a new wayside panel that will together what little money they could to Big things sometimes have small beginnings. annual Tommy Cox memorial award, the took place in April. In fact there is already interested in participating in the fall tour, be placed on the Golconda riverfront. preserve the site of the former Cherokee Less than a decade later, Georgia would be Georiga chapter’s Vice President Leslie a waiting list for yet another tour expected please contact Chapter Vice President Joe The panel will depict the arrival of the Nation capital, New Echota. An article dedicating New Echota as its newest historic Thomas. Read more about the award on later this fall. The chapter is greatly Crabb at [email protected], or (618) Cherokees in Illinois. Additionally the NPS in the January 20, 1955, edition of the site. page 14. encouraged with the interest it has found in 949-3355. worked with the owners of the Wayside Calhoun Times said that the “idea of raising southern Illinois. The tours have received Store and Bridges Tavern Site in Pleasant $18,000 to buy the New Echota property On May 12th, the chapter gathered at New The speaker for the meeting was doctoral many compliments from participants and In May, Crabb and his daughter Cindy Grove, Illinois, to certify the site as a Trail of on a dollar-per-head basis” began with Echota to celebrate the 50th anniversary of candidate Joshua Haynes, who talked about have even produced some new members. Abbott accompanied University of Georgia Tears partner, which became offi cial in late just a $5 contribution from Edna F. Tate that dedication, and it seems the community theft and violence on the Creek-Georgia and North Park University (Chicago) stu- April. of Fairmount. Ultimately that method of is just as enthusiastic today about its frontier between 1773 and 1790. The tours included visits to Pope, Johnson, dents along a tour of the Pope County trail fundraising did not work out, but the early Cherokee history as it was a half century and Union Counties, starting and returning segment. University of Georgia professor For updates and details for future activities enthusiasm for the preservation project was ago. The next Georgia chapter meeting will be to Golconda, Illinois, in Pope County. The Alfi e Vick and his mother, North Park of the Illinois chapter, please visit the evident. on Saturday, July 14, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at chapter thanks Pope County guides Joe University professor Dr. Linda Vick, brought chapter’s blog at www.illinoistrailoftears. The Georgia chapter is proud of what the Second Baptist Church of New Hope in Crabb and Vann Burgess, Johnson County the students to Pope County to teach them blogspot.com, or its website at www. “Judge W. J. Thornbrough, of Calhoun, the Friends of New Echota have done to Dallas, Georgia. The speaker will be Mark guides Gary Hacker and Ed Annabell, about the removal events that took place in nationaltota.org/chapters/?id=4. quickly followed Mrs. Tate’s example, maintain and promote that legacy, and Millican. A journalist for most of his adult and Union County guides Sandra Boaz, the area during the winter of 1838-39. bringing $10 to the offi ce of Calhoun chapter members hope to continue their career, his topic will be “’s Raids newspapers,” said Editor Roy McGinty, an fruitful partnership with them. into Georgia in the late 1700s.”

Offcial Map and Guide To Be Available by September OFFICIAL GUIDE (continued from left)

By Lynne Mager lived here no longer work the land or hunt This paragraph starts the story of the has been planned by the Cherokee Side one takes an interpretive, historical images help trail travelers decide where they the forests. Their spirits remain and their Cherokee Nation in the new Trail of Tears Nation, Harpers Ferry Center (the base of approach to the Trail of Tears story, with might visit. “A traveler through the southern language is on the landscape, but most of National Historic Trail Offi cial Map & publications for the National Park Service), graphic images, artwork and maps. Side two Appalachians realizes that something is them are gone. Where did they go? Do they Guide. For over a year, the glossy brochure and NPS National Trails Intermountain allows a modern journey along a new map The 23 1/2 by 16 1/2-inch brochure will be missing from the forested mountains and survive? The answers are on the Trail of Region staff . with all current updates to the Trail. Inset available by September 2012. cascading streams. The people who once Tears.” See OFFICIAL GUIDE, page 9

8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9 BIKE RIDES (continued from page 1) Trail of Tears Trail of Tears National Park Service National Historic Trail Association National Trails For the fi rst time the Muscogee (Creek) of Cherokee Indians were given tours of the The Trail of Tears Association would like to thank the staff of The Biskinik, the Choctaw Nation tribal Intermountain Region, Nation sponsored a Trail of Tears bicycle Vann House and New Echota State Historic Santa Fe newspaper, for their contributions to this article. ride as well. Called “Ocmulgee to Sites as they prepared for their ride west. Trail News is produced by the The Trail of Tears Association has The National Trails Intermountain Okmulgee,” the ride began at the Ocmulgee partnership of the Trail of Tears entered into a cooperative agreement Region administers the Trail of Tears National Monument in Macon, Georgia, The 2012 riders are Eric Budder, Echo King, Association and the National Park with the National Park Service to NHT, the Santa Fe NHT, El Camino Clay Rudolph, Danielle Culp, Luke Phillips, Service, National Trails Intermountain promote and engage in the protection Real de los Tejas NHT, and the Route Region, Santa Fe. and preservation of the Trail of Tears 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Seth Alsenay, Megan Alsenay, Nathalie NHT resources; to promote awareness El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Tomasik, Keaton Sheets, and Elizabeth Managing Editor/Designer of the trail’s legacy, including the NHT and Old Spanish NHT are Cook. Four Remember the Removal alumni Jerra Quinton effects of the U.S. Government’s administered jointly by the National Policy on the Cherokee Trails Intermountain Region and the will also be riding this year serving as Editor and other tribes; and to perpetuate New Mexico State Off ce of the Bureau chaperones and mentors: Sarah Holcomb, Lynne Mager the management and development of Land Management. These trail and Kurt Rogers, Jerrad Dry, and C.J. Alsenay. techniques that are consistent with the corridor programs are administered photo courtesy of The Biskinik Other staff members are ride organizer Contributors NPS’s trail plan. in partnership with American Indian The Choctaw Nation Bicycle Team takes a break Jeff Bishop, Marybelle Chase, Mark tribes; federal, state, and local agencies; Baron O’Field, Justin Leatherwood, Taylor on their ride home from their tribe’s homelands in Christ, David Eslick, Bethany Henry, Mississippi to the tribe’s capital today in Oklahoma. Trail of Tears Association nongovernment organizations; and Alsenay, and Cherokee Nation marshals Glenn Jones, Marty King, Lynne Mager, private landowners. Rowena McClinton, Larry Smith, Jackie 1100 North University, Suite 143 Faron Pritchett and Ralph Travis. Eastern Warfel, Amy Wilkinson, and TOTA state Little Rock, Arkansas 72207 photo by Jeff Bishop Band of Cherokee Indian riders consist National Trails Intermountain Region chapters. TOTA President Jack Baker (second from left) and of Principal Chief Michell Hicks, Jusy Phone PO Box 728 New Echota State Historic Park Superintendent Castorena, Chi Sawyer, Jeremy Wilson, Comments/Address Changes? 800-441-4513 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 David Gomez (second from right) lead the Cherokee 501-666-9032 Remember the Removal bicycle riders on a tour of Carmen Johnson, Sky Littledave, Logan Students, Teachers Tour Contact: Jerra Quinton Phone New Echota. Tatsi Nelson and Jeremy Hyatt. Trail of Tears Association EMail Trail of Tears in Illinois 1100 N. University, Suite 143 505-988-6098 [email protected] by Amy Wilkinson and Rowena McClinton Little Rock, AR 72207-6344 “The Remember the Removal project is a [email protected] Website EMail on Saturday, June 2, with a send-off from great experience for all who participate,” www.NationalTOTA.org [email protected] Chief George Tiger and other tribal Amy Wilkinson, the program director Website O’Field told the Cherokee Phoenix representatives. for Southern Illinois University at www.nps.gov/trte newspaper. “It’s an awesome way to learn Edwardsville’s (SIUE) Library of about the history of the Cherokee people “It is said that our forefathers and our Congress Teaching with Primary Trail of Tears Association MEMBERSHIP FORM All levels of membership and see beautiful country along the way. include one (1) state chapter affi liation. foremothers, as they were preparing to make Sources Program, organized a fi eld trip 1100 N. University, Suite 143 January - December 2012 It’s also a very physically and mentally Please send $10 for each additional a trip to an unknown land and an unknown to the Illinois portion of the Cherokee Little Rock, AR 72207-6344 state chapter you would like to join. challenging project.” place, had a vision, and that vision was that Trail of Tears through Pope, Johnson, someday the following generations would and Union counties. To prepare The group’s Facebook page can be found Name Mr. Mrs. Ms. Address come back to their motherland and be a part students and teachers, Wilkinson and by searching Remember the Removal Bike of something, such as this event,” said Tiger. her staff held an orientation program City State Zip Email Ride. To view the map and itinerary, visit whereby she introduced multiple www.remembertheremoval.org. The Creek Phone I want to join the following state chapter(s): AL AR GA IL KY MO NC OK TN About 80 tribal members traveled to primary documents and Library of ride can be followed on a blog at http:// Georgia ff or the event. “This is probably the Congress links about the Cherokee Membership Levels okmulgee2okmulgee.com. greatest number of Muscogee citizens we’ve Trail of Tears through the area. Basic Individual: $25 to $99 Patron: $500 to $999 Student: $10 (enclose ID) had here since the removal almost 200 years Sponsor: $100 to $499 Benefactor: $1000+ The Cherokee riders expect to return home ago,” said Ocmulgee National Monument Led by Wilkinson and Dr. Rowena on , with the Creek riders returning Note: Sponsors, patrons, & benefactors are listed prominently in two issues of the newsletter Trail News and on the TOTA website. Superintendent Jim David. McClinton, a Cherokee historian home the following day. and board member of the Trail of John Beaver, director of the Muscogee Tears Association, the April 27th tour PLEASE FILL OUT (Creek) Nation Museum and Cultural began at the SIUE campus. Joe Crabb, MEMBERSHIP: $25 + $ = $ (this amount determines your membership level) Center, is the lone rider bicycling from TOTA’s Illinois chapter vice president, * (optional donation) Macon to Okmulgee, Oklahoma, this year met the group and led them on a tour on the tribe’s fi rst Trail of Tears bicycle tour. of the Golconda riverfront, where # of additional chapters x $10 = $ Beaver said he hopes this will become an approximately 14,000 Cherokees TOTAL ENCLOSED = $ annual event and will grow in the future. As ferried across the , and he left Macon he was joined by a number of on nine miles of the extant Trail of local bicyclists, who were all given a police Tears Road. The group then headed to *Of this optional donation, please give $ to TOTA, and escort through the county. Johnson and Union counties to tour $ to the state chapter. photo by Jeff Bishop sites there, including Campground Muscogee (Creek) rider John Beaver addresses the The following day, the young riders from crowd at in Georgia and shows off the design for his Cemetery. the Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band “Ocmulgee to Okmulgee” bicycle ride.

10 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11 Vision Becoming Reality — Using Partnerships to Develop the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. Membership – TOTA Members Discount

In 1987, Congress acknowledged the The Hermitage, TN TOTA State Chapter Contacts ALL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ARE ANNUAL signifi cance of this tragic event in our Historic Road from Ross to Ridge’s, GA REGULAR PRICE TRAIL OF TEARS ASSOCIATION DISCOUNT Nation’s history by establishing the Trail James Brown Cherokee Plantation, TN Alabama House, TN Gail King of Tears National Historic Trail. The Elder $30 $20 Benefi ts for a full year for individuals 55 and over. National Park Service administers the John Ross House, GA Phone: 205-672-2074 Trail in cooperation with federal, state, and Memorial and Museum, NC Email: [email protected] Adult $40 $30 Benefi ts for a full year. local agencies; the Cherokee Nation and Lake Dardanelle State Park, AR Arkansas Family $75 $60 Benefi ts + museum admittance for 4 immediate family members through the year. the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Laughlin Park, MO Mantle Rock, KY John McLarty interested groups; and Mentor $250 $200 Basic benefi ts of Family membership plus invitation to special (teacher only) Maramec Spring Park/Massey Iron Works, MO Phone: 479-751-7125 private landowners. events, as well as one copy of a Cherokee Heritage Press book. McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment, IL Email: [email protected] Mount Nebo State Park, AR The Trail of Tears Association and the New Renew Donation , OK Georgia CHEROKEE NATIONAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY National Park Service National Trails Jeff Bishop Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES Intermountain Regin, Santa Fe have been New Echota State Historic Site, GA Phone: 706-766-1309 Name working with trail partners to increase Petit Jean State Park, AR Email: [email protected] The is the premier cultural center for visibility for the trail and to develop it for Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR Address Illinois visitor use. Old traces, historic buildings, Port Royal State Park, TN Cherokee tribal history, culture and the arts, located in the heart of Sandy Boaz City & State and other resources are being preserved. Radford Farm, KY the Cherokee Nation in Tahlequah, OK. It was established in 1963 Phone: 618-833-8216 Many sites have been certifi ed and Red Clay State Historic Area, TN Zip Email: [email protected] by the Board of Trustees of the Cherokee National Historical Society numerous on-the-ground projects have been Rockdale Plantation/George Adair Home, GA Email to preserve, promote and teach Cherokee history and culture. The completed, such as route signing, visitor-use Running Waters, Home, GA Kentucky society sponsors dynamic educational programs, reconstructed historic development, interpretive wayside exhibits, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, TN Alice Murphree TOTA Member #: villages, engaging exhibits and scholarly research that stimulate interest and interior museum exhibits at existing Snelson-Brinker Cabin, MO Phone: 270-886-5375 in the enduring legacy of the Cherokee people. facilities. Star City Ranch Trail Segment, MO Email: [email protected] Tennessee River Museum, TN I would like to purchase a membership for: Toler Farm Trail Segment, IL Missouri The Cherokee National Museum is designated by the National Park Certif ed Sites Name Andrew Ross House, AL Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, KY Deloris Gray Wood Service as the interpretive center for the western end of the Trail of Arcadia Valley Campground, MO Trail of Tears State Park, MO Phone: 573-729-2545 Address Tears National Historic Trail. The museum also operates the Cherokee Trail of Tears State Forest, IL Email: [email protected] Audubon Acres, TN National Archives. The archives house the Cherokee Nation’s Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite, KY Tuscumbia Landing, AL City & State foremost collection of historic tribal-related documents and artifacts, Big Spring, KY Vann House Historic Site, GA Zip cataloguing the rich history of the Cherokee people from the 1700s Cemetery, TN Village Creek State Park, AR Anne Rogers Browns Ferry Tavern, TN Wagner Farm Trail Segment, IL Phone: 828-227-2443 Email through present day. Campground Cemetery, IL Wayside Store and Bridges Tavern Site, IL Email: [email protected] Cedartown Cherokee Removal Camp, GA Waterloo Landing, AL The Cherokee Heritage Center is located on the grounds of the Oklahoma Chattanooga Regional History Museum,TN Willstown Mission Cemetery, AL Method of Payment Curtis Rohr . The seminary was opened in 1851 and is Cherokee County Historical Museum, NC Phone: 918-341-4689 one of the fi rst institutions of higher learning for women west of the Cherokee Heritage Center, OK Federal Protection Components and Check Credit Card Email: [email protected] Mississippi. This site is on the National Register of Historical Places. / Home, GA Interpretive Sites Please charge my credit card (Visa, Master Card, American The center is also home to the Cherokee Family Research Center, City of North Little Rock Riverfront Park, AR Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR Tennessee assisting Cherokee descendants to reconnect with their lineage. Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY Cadron Settlement Park, AR Shirley Lawrence Express) with a one-time charge of $ or a monthly Crabb-Abbot Farm, IL Cherokee Memorial Park, , TN Phone: 423-334-3923 charge of $ for the next months. Delta Cultural Center, AR Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR Email: [email protected] By becoming a member of the Cherokee National Historical Society, Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead, AR National Park, TN Credit Card Number: you will provide direct support to the Cherokee Heritage Center as it Fort Gibson, OK Mark Twain National Forest, MO fulfi lls its mission to preserve, promote and teach Cherokee history and Fort Payne Cabin Site, AL Mocassin Bend, TN Expiration Date: Green County Trail Segments, MO Pea Ridge , AR culture. You can do your part to help with this vital work and ensure Golconda Riverfront, IL , MO CID#: the Cherokee Heritage Center is secure for generations to come. Stones River National Battlef eld, TN Gray’s Inn, KY Amount: , TN ALL MEMBERS RECEIVE THESE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: Signature: TRAVELING TRUNKS (continued from page 3) • Free admission to the Cherokee Heritage Center Mail to: • Membership card and certifi cate developed by the scholar, in accordance provide a list of the items in the trunk so that Jeff Bishop, president of the Trail of Tears Cherokee National Historical Society, Inc. • Complimentary quarterly newspaper, The Columns with Georgia curriculum standards, to schools, teachers, and museums can choose Association’s Georgia chapter and graduate • 10% discount at the museum store accompany these materials. to replicate the trunks on their own, if they student in public history under the direction P.O. Box 515 • 20% discount for any cultural classes off ered choose to so. One or more of the trunks of Dr. Ann McCleary at the University Tahlequah, Oklahoma 74465-0515 • Invitations to all exhibit previews and special events The Georgia chapter will provide access to will be housed at Georgia RESA centers of West Georgia, will serve as director of Or call (888) 999-6007 with credit card information • Genealogy services at a reduced rate the lesson plans that are developed by the (regional educational centers) to enable easy the grant project, which is scheduled for a or to set up a monthly payment pledge. • Use of the Cherokee National archives scholar on its website. The chapter will also access for Georgia teachers. December completion date.

12 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 June 2012 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 13 Tornado Destroys Original Route in Alabama at Site of 2009 TOTA Conference Descendant Honors Nancy Ward with Musical, Receives High Praise

By Larry Smith been paved or destroyed is located in Lake Article and photo by Jeff Bishop musical include the Battle of Taliwa (which “I was fi nally able to catch the play during Guntersville State Park. Most of it was takes place near Ball Ground, Georgia), a its fi nal performance,” said Jeff Bishop, A large segment of the John Benge D. Ray Smith of The Oak Ridger was one obliterated by the tornado, which downed Cherokee marriage ceremony, and the stick president of the TOTA’s Georgia chapter. Detachment Route was destroyed in last of hundreds of people who attended the hundreds of trees. Subsequent removal of “Even though Trail of Tears Association year’s tornado of April 27. One of the few new Nancy Ward musical Nanyehi: Beloved the trees by large logging trucks buried the members were given a preview of some remaining parts of the route that has not Woman of the Cherokee in April and give it a roadbed. Now only a small section of the of the music several years ago, I didn’t “thumbs up.” original trail remains. really know what to expect. What an extraordinary thing Ms. Hobbs and her “Michelle Honaker has set her sights high The Alabama chapter of the Trail of Tears excellent cast have managed to accomplish! and achieved a great accomplishment,” in Association had identifi ed the old roadbed her role as Cherokee “beloved woman” and had placed some small Carsonite signs “The show was moving and at times Nancy Ward, he said. “She epitomizes the on the original trail. This portion of the powerful, and the lead performance from spirit of peace for which Nancy Ward is trail was visited during TOTA’s national the talented Michelle Honaker was simply known.” conference at Lake Guntersville State Park sublime,” he said. “The play is, for the most in 2009. part, historically accurate, but what really Playwright and songwriter Becky Hobbs elevates the material is the power of Ms. “has honored her fi fth great-grandmother’s Gail King, president of the Alabama Hobbs’ incredible songs, including ‘Battle memory,” said Smith. “Nanyehi’s voice is photo by Marty King chapter, said she was saddened at the loss of Taliwa,’ ‘There Will Be Blood,’ ‘Nanyehi,’ This photo from September 2009 shows the site photo by Mary King being heard! And her cry is all for peace!” of the original trail but had hopes that an and ‘Donadagohvi.’” during the marker dedication at Guntersville State The tornado destroyed the same site pictured left in he said. “I enjoyed the musical greatly and Park during the Trail of Tears Assocaiton conference. interpretive sign could be placed there. the April 2011 tornado in Alabama. Michelle Honaker plays the role of Cherokee plan to return later this month for a repeat “beloved woman” Nancy Ward in the musical Nanyehi: Beloved Woman of the Cherokee. Nanyehi is an original two-act musical with performance.” 17 songs. Performances were presented at the Lonnie Burns Fine Arts Center at the The musical, presented by Savannah River ball games. The musical includes upbeat Annual William “Tommy” Cox Memorial Award Presented for Second Year Hart County High School in Productions, Inc., follows the life of Nancy Cherokee-style music as well as a number of Hartwell, Georgia. Ward (Nanyehi). A few highlights from the heartfelt ballads. Article by and photo courtesy of Jeff Bishop Bishop said the William “Tommy” Cox her to pursue her love of historical research Memorial Award was begun last year as a and writing. Leslie Barker Thomas was recognized this way to remember former president Tommy month as the Georgia chapter of the Trail of Rare Trail of Tears Road Remnant Approved for National Register Listing Cox, who died of cancer several years ago. She is the current president of the Gilmer Tears Association’s top volunteer of the year Cox himself was a tireless volunteer, and County Historical Society, a board with the William “Tommy” Cox Memorial Article and photo by Mark Christ Bishop said it was appropriate to name the member for Chieftains Museum in Rome, Award. award in his honor. Linda Baker, chapter a board member for the Gilmer County The State Review Board of the Arkansas secretary, was the fi rst recipient of the Genealogy Society, and the editor for several Historic Preservation Program nominated Thomas, a Gilmer County resident, is award in 2011. newsletters, including one for her church, the Memphis to Little Rock Road-Strong’s the current vice president of the Georgia as well as author, editor, and writer of Ferry Segment near Jeanette in Cross chapter of the Trail of Tears Association and “I’m glad we can remember Tommy’s several historical magazine and newspaper County to the National Register of Historic has been a historical researcher for the last contributions to this organization in this articles. She currently lives in Ellijay with her Places when it met April 4. This segment 15 years. small but important way,” he said. husband Roddy H. Thomas. of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail The award was given to Thomas at the May was approved for listing on the National “I just don’t know what we’d do without chapter meeting at the McIntosh Reserve in Register effec tive May 15, 2012. Leslie,” said Jeff Bishop, president of the Carroll County. The Memphis to Little Rock Road-Strong’s Georgia chapter. “I don’t think most people Ferry Segment was built in 1828 and used realize everything she does for us. She seeks Thomas said that she’s been happy to during the Indian removals of the 1830s. out and gets commitments from all of our contribute to the advancement of the speakers for the programs we have. She chapter. “The Memphis to Little Rock Road- picks out spots for our meetings and secures Strong’s Ferry Segment is a remnant of the the facilities. She keeps abreast of various “When I joined I saw some things I thought early 19th-century road built to connect activities going on every month and sends we could improve on, and I think I’ve Little Rock with the out reminder emails to the membership. helped to put us in the right direction,” through the undeveloped area of eastern A remnant of the Memphis to Little Rock Road-Strong’s Ferry Segment in Cross County, Arkansas, was She helps us write and apply for grants. recently approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. she said. Arkansas,” according to the National For years she edited our newsletter. She’s Georgia Chapter President Jeff Bishop presents the chapter’s William “Tommy” Cox Memorial Award to Register nomination. “The 557-foot long does all this in spite of a number of medical Thomas retired from the medical fi eld after Lelise Thomas, the chapter’s vice president. road remnant survives in a wooded area extensively and is still readily recognizable retains the characteristics of a 19th-century setbacks in recent years. I just don’t know 25 years working with people and another just west of the St. Francis River in the as one of few known segments surviving roadbed.” where she gets all that energy.” fi ve years with animals. Retirement allows midst of an area that has been farmed between Memphis and Little Rock and

14 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News  June 2012 June 2012  Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 15 Trail of Tears Association 1100 N. University, Suite 143 Little Rock, AR 72207-6344

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

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

Benefactors $1000 or more

Cherokee Nation - $10,000 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - $9,000

Sponsors $100 - $499

John Lasley – $100 Sarah Hill – $110 Elmer Hogue Jr – $100 Le Nora Carter – $240 George Pierson – $110 Glenn Jones – $100 Lori Vann – $220 Lawrence Simmons – $110 Ernest Klatt Jr – $100 Andrew Denson – $180 D. Robert Akerhielm – $100 John Lasley – $100 (2011) + $100 (2012) Rowena McClinton – $175 Jack Baker – $100 Mark Twain National Forest – $100 Jack Baker – $140 (2011) + $100 (2012) Richard Bass – $100 Gary Payne – $100 H. Riley Bock – $125 Ken Blankenship – $100 Paul Gary Phillips – $100 Robert Girty – $125 Marion Blackwell Jr – $100 Maxwell Ramsey – $100 Patsy Hanvey – $125 Donna Byas – $100 Kathy Robinson – $100 Barbara Heff ngton – $125 Gilles Carter – $100 Ansley Saville – $100 Billie Napolitano – $125 Amanda Cobb-Greetham – $100 Robbin Skinner – $100 Marvin Sowder – $125 Patricia Edgar – $100 Adam Stone – $100 Richard Starbuck – $125 Sue Folsom – $100 Allan Ward – $100 Jay Hannah – $110 Don Higgerson – $100