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Cherokee Youth Feel Some of Ancestors’ Pain during Bike Ride by Will Chavez, Senior Reporter forcibly removed, but going through “a Organizers said the ride was meant Phoenix fraction of the suff ering” they endured made to provide participants the chance to him appreciate his heritage more. experience personally The bicyclists who rode nearly 1,000 miles and help understand the strength of their through six states learned leadership, The bonds the group formed helped make ancestors. teamwork and Cherokee history, but they the trip successful, Nelson said. also shared some of their ancestors’ pain. This is the third tribally sponsored group “You get to be family pretty quickly,” he said. to make the trip. The fi rst “Remember Although the pain was physical, the challenges “There were defi nitely hard parts, through the Removal” ride was in 1984. The ride were mental, said most of the bicyclists who the mountains of Tennessee…but we was revived in 2009 to mark the 25th endured the third “Remember the Removal” worked pretty well together.” anniversary of the 1984 event. Riders age ride. The ride retraced the northern route of 16 to 36, representing eight communities, the Trail of Tears. The ride was the “hardest thing” 18-year-old participated in this year’s trip. Ashley Johnson, of Claremore, said she has ever experienced, but she had “a lot of fun” Sierra Carson, 18, of Welling, said she doing it. learned more about the Trail of Tears and wants more people to know about it. “It was totally worth it, but there were days I just wanted to get off my bike and just go “It was really hard, but I got a real sense of home,” she said. “I learned so much about pride in my ancestry and being Cherokee,” myself and my heritage. I’m proud to be Carson said. “It was hot, and no hill is just Cherokee.” a hill when you’re on a bike, but it was awesome.” Johnson also said the people she traveled with for three weeks are like family now. The oldest rider, 36-year-old Nathan Smith, photo courtesy of of Westville, refl ected on a particularly hard “Remember the Removal” cyclists make their way up a hill east of Stilwell, , on June 23 on marshal Danny Tanner, day in his blog. their way to Tahlequah. who accompanied the riders, said he admired See BIKE RIDE, page 6 how the riders and their personalities came together to complete the trip. Ten Cherokee students and four chaperones INSIDE THIS ISSUE set out June 5 from Calhoun, Ga., and rode “We were wondering at fi rst if they were through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, even going to make it. About a week in, they • Cox, Baker Remembered...... 2 Missouri, Arkansas and back to Tahlequah. seemed to all fall into together and knew • Unaka Exhibit Dedication...... 3 They returned June 23 to a homecoming what their job was and their mission and • TOTA Chapter News...... 4-5 celebration at the Cherokee Nation they accomplished that,” he said. Courthouse. • National Historic Trails Workshop.. 6 Tanner provided fi rst aid after bicycle • Surface Transportation Project..... 8-9 Jordan Nelson, 21, of Stillwater, said the accidents, insect stings and when riders got ride was an “amazing journey” that made too hot. He also drove a security vehicle, • TOTA Conference Info...... 10-11 him appreciate Cherokee history more. He changed fl ats and repaired bicycles. said he knew of some ancestors who were

Newsletter of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Partnership • July 2010 - Number 16 TOTA Remembers Cox, Baker for Long-time Championing of Trail Partners Gather to Unveil New Trail of Tears Exhibit Panel in North Carolina

In March of this year, the Trail of Tears board member and former Georgia chapter In Beverly’s own words from an article in by Alan Keith, Unaka Community Development Club possible include Cherokee County, the Association suff ered its first loss with the president the February 2005 edition of this newsletter: director of the Cherokee County Chamber Unaka is a community of 1,200, located 15 passing of Tommy Cox, former president of “These past 19 years have been a great of Commerce, Cherokee Scout (the local miles north of Murphy in Cherokee County, the Georgia chapter and former member of “Tommy Cox was a mighty warrior with experience and learning opportunity. newspaper), Cherokee One Feather (the North Carolina, at the intersection of Joe the national TOTA board. Along with wife a good heart. We were once having a What began as a local historic preservation EBCI newsletter), WKRK radio station Brown Highway and Beaverdam Road. Kathy, Tommy supported the Association for conversation about the TOTA and the work eff ort soon opened my eyes to the greater (along with a personal endorsement of For centuries, the Unicoi Turnpike was the over a decade. that we do. He stressed to me that we must potential…. The removal of the Cherokee radio personality Bill Younce), the Cherokee principle trade route that connected the never forget those who were a part of the people, as well as the other civilized tribes, County Sheriff ’s Department, Wells and eastern seaboard of the southern states to To share Trail of Tears and preserve their memory. His means a great deal to the history of this West, the Tennessee Overhill Heritage land west of the Appalachian Mountains. with readers dedication and commitment to the TOTA’s nation. It must be preserved! I will be able to Association, the Benton MacKaye Trail The events of 1838 resulted in a new name the impact work was and is an inspiration to me.” – work on this for many years to come.” And Association, and many others. for the turnpike – the Trail of Tears. Much that Tommy Myra Reidy, Georgia chapter member that she did until her death. of modern Joe Brown Highway follows had on his Guest speakers drove hours to be part of The Wachessee Town exhibit panel, located in front sections of the Trail of Tears. That part colleagues “When Tommy became GA TOTA president Here are some expressions from Beverly’s the program. T. J. Holland, director of the of the Unaka Community Center, provides informa- tion on the importance of the town’s role in in the Trail following a diff cult period in the chapter’s colleagues. Museum in Robbinsville and a . of Tears history, he unif ed the board and infused it citizen of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Association, and the membership with his optimistic and “It is with sadness that we learn of Ms. Indians, spoke to attendees about early many of those good-hearted personality. Everyone loved Baker’s death. She was one of the old- Cherokee life and Wacheessee in particular. complained. About 120 came to the open colleagues Tommy. Tommy and Kathy were volunteers time original researchers. As the rest of Dr. Anne Rogers, president of the North house, health fair (compliments of Unaka posted notes at the Funk Heritage Center many years us old timers begin to fade away, we are Carolina chapter of TOTA, and Diane Wells, Volunteer Fire Department), and smoked photo courtesy of Jeff Bishop online or ago which is where I met them. They have comforted knowing that so many good young a prominent Murphy resident and member pork meal. The turnout was beyond Tommy Cox, former president, sent emails of always been generous with their time - researchers will continue the task.” – Bill of TOTA, explained TOTA’s mission and expectations, especially for a rainy day 15 Georgia chapter condolences. volunteering at the Funk and then at the Jones, Tennessee chapter president and TOTA why the Trail of Tears is so very signifi cant. miles out of Murphy, North Carolina. To include Booth Museum in Cartersville while also board member these in this article really is the best way being active members of GA TOTA. Tommy Typically, considerable eff ort goes into such of describing the love and respect felt for is the one who asked me to join GA TOTA “It is an event and relatively few take advantage Tommy by so many in the Trail of Tears and I was very proud and honored to become with Anne Rogers, president of the North Carolina chap- of the opportunity. Seventy folks stood ter of the Trail of Tears Association, spoke to the Association and community. secretary under his watch. We sometimes great crowd of 70 before the unveiling of the Wacheessee in the rain for the unveiling, and not one had our differences but there was always an sadness Town exhibit panel. “To say ‘we have lost a valuable member of underlying respect and genuine concern for to hear our team’ just doesn’t seem good enough each other. I will miss his great smile and his this in the case of Tommy Cox. In many ways, bear hugs but am thankful that, for too short news. once known as Wacheessee Town, for he was the heart and soul of the Georgia a time, he was part of our lives.” – Linda She was the very prominent Wacheessee and his TOTA chapter, and his absence will be deeply Baker, Georgia chapter secretary one of large family, is now known as Unaka. The felt for many years to come. I learned many the great Unaka Community Development Club lessons from Tommy Cox while he served as Last month, the Trail of Tears Association foun- recognizes the historical signifi cance of president of the Georgia chapter of the Trail lost a second long-time advocate with the dations Wacheessee Town and the Trail of Tears of Tears Association. Not everyone agreed passing of board member Beverly Baker. for the and has dedicated considerable time and with Tommy all the time, but it was diff cult Beverly and her late husband Walter were docu- eff ort to bring appropriate respect and photo courtesy of Alice Murphree increased awareness of it. Working with the not to respect him, and it was even more the leaders of the eff ort to recognize the Beverly Baker, late president, Kentucky menting diff cult not to love him. Tommy, you will Trail of Tears as a national historic trail. chapter and North Carolina chapter of the Trail of Tears be missed. Probably more than you ever Their lobbying began in 1986 after hearing public Association and members of the Eastern suspected.” – Jeff Bishop, Georgia chapter about a feasibility study being done to awareness of the Trail of Tears and what the Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the president determine if the Trail of Tears was an Trail of Tears Association in partnership with Unaka group assisted in the installation of appropriate addition to the National Trails the National Historic Trail System represents.” the Wacheessee Town Trail of Tears exhibit “Tommy stepped up to f ll a void in the System Act. Once Beverly realized what her – Gail King, Alabama chapter president and and, on May 1, 2010, hosted the exhibit chapter at a critical time. Under his leadership state of Kentucky’s role was in the removal, TOTA board member unveiling in front of the Unaka Community as chapter president, the chapter grew and she got busy drumming up support from all Center. Agencies throughout western North increased awareness of the legacy of the over the state. Her senator, Wendell Ford, “Very sorry to hear about Beverly’s Carolina, especially Cherokee County, have Trail of Tears in Georgia signif cantly. His was the one to introduce the bill in 1987 that passing. She was a wonderful person, a recognized the event’s signifi cance and have contribution continued on the board of would eventually be passed and that would huge asset to your organization; her legacy been very cooperative and supportive. the Association once his terms as president create the Trail of Tears National Historic North Carolina chapter members proudly display the new Wacheessee Town exhibit panel. (L-R) Alan Keith, expired. His tireless work yielded great results Trail. In addition to the North Carolina chapter, Anita Finger-Smith, Mary Ann Thompson, Dennis Gray, Lamar Marshall, T. J. Holland, Ginger Abernathy, Grace Hawkins, Diane Wells, and Chapter President Anne Rogers. and he will be missed.” – Patsy Edgar, TOTA See TOTA REMEMBERS, page 6 other key supporters that made the event

2 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • July 2010 July 2010 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 3 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

Georgia Georgia (continued) Alabama North Carolina (continued) Arkansas Arkansas (continued)

The Georgia chapter kicked off the summer assess where it has been and where it is going. The Alabama chapter board of directors visitors there. The chapter feels that this The Arkansas chapter hosted the spring The Arkansas chapter will be hosting its with the second in a series of genealogical The planning session helped the chapter to will meet at the Birmingham Museum of will encourage those traveling through this 2010 meeting on May 8th at Village Creek annual membership meeting on September workshops at State Historic catalog its successes and determine what Art (downtown Birmingham) on July 24, section of North Carolina to appreciate the State Park near Wynne, Arkansas. The 11, 2010, in Fayetteville. The program theme Site. One of the questions chapter members it wants to accomplish this year and in the 2010, at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Chapter history of the area and to realize that this program theme was “The Trail of Tears will be “We Remember.” A membership get asked repeatedly is, “How do I fi nd years to come. Chapter President Jeff Bishop member Mike Wren will present a draft of was a major part of the Cherokee homeland. through Arkansas: New Opportunities to meeting will take place from 11 a.m., to my Cherokee ancestors?” This workshop, facilitated the session. the updated Alabama Chapter Bylaws, a Tell the Story.” After a warm greeting and 1 p.m. At that time the public program headed by certified genealogist Linda fi nal decision will be made on the placement The fi rst chapter meeting of the current overview of the park by Park Interpreter Tara will begin. The Cherokee National Youth Woodward Geiger and Georgia chapter The chapter continues to move forward of Trail of Tears Route Signs along the year was held in February at the Museum of Gillanders, the participants viewed the new Choir will be presenting a program, and the Vice President Leslie Thomas, attempted to on the Challenge Cost-Share project with Benge Detachment Route from Fort Payne the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee. We met NPS Trail of Tears fi lm. Additional program audience will also hear from TOTA Vice answer that question. the to investigate to Guntersville State Park, and the board in the new research facility at the Museum, speakers included Jay Miller, administrator President Troy Poteete, who also sits on the archaeological remnants of Georgia will be updated on the Fort Payne Cabin and Dr. Barbara Duncan provided a tour of of program services for Arkansas State Parks, the TOTA board as the Cherokee Nation fort sites used during the removal. Ground Site well excavation and the proposed the new building. It contains a number of and Richard Davies, executive director of the representative, and Todd Enlow, group Penetrating Radar has been done at the archaeological survey at the Fort Likens site. documents related to the Removal, as well Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. leader of the Cherokee Nation. Check the likely sites of Fort Hoskins, Fort Means, as other important information about the After the indoor program, Tara Gillanders website for more details at www.artota.org. Fort Buffin gton, and Fort Cumming. On September 11th at 9:00 a.m. there will Cherokee people at that time. and her father led a group on a hike on the Ground truthing has also been done at Fort be a walk, “The Return,” from Tuscumbia Trail of Tears road segment within the park. Cumming. Landing in Sheffi eld, Alabama, to the The chapter’s second meeting was held Missouri Oka Kapassa Festival in Spring Park in in April in Hayesville, site of one of the The Arkansas chapter is continuing its work The spring meeting of the Missouri chapter The publishing program of the Georgia Tuscumbia, Alabama. The Return will holding camps along the Trail. The program of placing ten wayside panels throughout the of the Trail of Tears Association met at the chapter is moving forward with the publi- be a reverse walk to commemorate the was presented by T.J. Holland, director of state recognizing all fi ve southeast tribes. A Salem Pizza Inn meeting room Saturday, photo courtesy of Jeff Bishop cation of a new edition of Reverend Charles thousands of and Creeks who the Junaluska Memorial Museum, who told March 6, 2010, at 11 a.m. The new National (L-R) Gail and Ralph Kinman; Jeff Bishop, Georgia O. Walker’s “Cherokee Images.” The book rode the Tuscumbia, Courtland, & Decatur us of the numerous Cherokee sites in the Park Service Trail of Tears movie was the chapter president; Peggy Stanfeld; and Jean Cox has been out of print for nearly two decades. Railroad or traveled by the wagon road to area. stand near a possible Native American site. program feature. A visit to the proposed A new edition should be ready for purchase Tuscumbia Landing to catch steamboats. Hildebrand Route was planned. by the time of the TOTA conference in It is a truly a return for many people due to The third meeting was held in Robbinsville The Georgia chapter also greeted the September. the fact that Native artists from Oklahoma on June 19th. The Robbinsville meeting Deloris Gray Wood, president of the youth Cherokee bicyclists on this year’s will be an integral part of the Oka Kapassa followed the annual Trail Walk, where Missouri chapter, and Jerra Quniton, Trail “Remember the Removal” ride when they Finishing touches are being put on sign plans Festival. participants can walk along a seven mile of Tears Association executive director stopped for the night at New Echota. The for original trail remnants near Cedartown section of the actual Trail. The meeting took both attended the Historic Trails Workshop Georgia chapter partnered with Friends of and along the Old Federal Road. Once the During that same afternoon at 2:00 p.m. place at the Graham County Library in the hosted by the Partnership for the National photo courtesy of John McLarty New Echota and Friends of the Chief Vann sign plans are approved by the NPS, signs an Alabama chapter membership meeting afternoon following the walk. The program Trails Sysem in San Antonio, , in May. will be placed along these corridors, with the will be hosted by the Florence-Lauderdale at that meeting was focused on the many Park Interpreter Tara Gillanders leads a group at the House to provide the bicyclists with a meal Arkansas chapter meeting on a tour of the Trail of It was a very intensive workshop on cultural before they headed out on their 950 mile aid of local governments. Public Library in Florence, Alabama. Dr. uses of chestnuts by the Cherokees in that Tears segment at Village Creek State Park. and heritage tourism, focusing on historic journey, tracing the Trail of Tears. Chris Haveman, who recently completed area. trails as a destination for tourists to visit. The chapter continues to keep members his dissertation on the Creek Removal, On the research front, the chapter has been updated on the latest news with weekly will present his research on the role of The fourth meeting will be held on dedication of the marker at Lavaca was held The Missouri chapter now has Missouri going to the Georgia Archives in Morrow email reports collated by Leslie Thomas and the Shoals area during the removal. For September 25th, at the Hiwassee Valley March 20, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. The event was Geology and Land Survey maps from the to obtain digital copies of every single land with regular updates to the chapter blog at those who have not visited the Florence- Wellness Center in Murphy. Murphy was hosted by the Arkansas chapter, the Military early Missouri surveys for use in researching lot showing an improvement (fi elds, houses, www.trailofthetrail.blogspot.com. Lauderdale Public Library, it is not only a also an important point on the Trail, and Road Museum, and the City of Lavaca. trail segments and places along the roads, etc.) in the Cherokee Land Lottery beautiful facility, but has a well-organized those who attend the meeting are encour- Representatives from all fi ve tribes attended, Northern, Hildebrand, and Benge Routes in plats. Mike Wren and Linda Geiger are genealogical and historical research area. aged to visit the signs that have been placed and the public turnout was tremendous. 22 counties. Counties surveyed in the early heading up this endeavor. The plats will be in that area. For more information on these 1820s lack the detail as surveys done just made available on the Georgia chapter’s signs, contact Chapter President Anne On June 21, 2010, the “Remember the before the Cherokee Removal. The project research online database, the TOTAbase, North Carolina Rogers at [email protected], or at Removal” bike riders came through north- was funded by the National Park Service and will be incorporated into a Google (828) 227-2443. west Arkansas on their way to Tahlequah, The North Carolina chapter now has almost National Trails System Offi ce in Santa Fe, Earth fi le. The goal is to eventually cross- Oklahoma. They started their journey in all the signs designating sites along the Trail . reference the plats with the valuations and Plans are already underway for the 2011 Georgia on June 5th. Glenn Jones of the in place. Only two have not yet been set claims to create an extensive database of national meeting, which will be held in Arkansas chapter, Pea Ridge National up. The chapter has several of the locations Updates from the Trail of Tears Association every Cherokee household in the 1830s in North Carolina. A committee has been Military Park Superintendent John Scott, state chapters and their partners will routinely landscaped and members have placed Trail News Georgia. established to identify important sites in and Chief of Operations Kevin Eads gave appear in future issues of . Contact photo courtesy of Jeff Bishop benches at these locations. Two of the signs Jerra Quinton at [email protected], or at the area, and the chapter hopes to provide them a warm Arkansas welcome and even (501) 666-9032, to submit information and Sara Gail, an archaeologist with the Georgia are located at the rest area in Andrews, and The Georgia chapter board recently held a directions to various places of interest that provided a cool swim and outdoor cookout photographs. Department of Transportation, is doing telemetry these are getting a lot of attention from one-day retreat at Linda Geiger’s home to work on the Fort Hoskins site near Spring Place, GA. participants may want to visit. at the Eads home.

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • July 2010 July 2010 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 5 TOTA Sends Three to National Historic Trails Workshop Calendar of Events The Partnership for the National Trails the world. Some were: A How-To in Developing Calendar of Events System (PNTS) hosted the National Historic Heritage Corridors by Daniel Mattson of July 24 Alabama Chapter Board Meeting Trails Workshop May 12 - 14, 2010, in San Heritage Design; Defining & Protecting Trails July 24 10 am, Birmingham, AL Antonio, Texas. The theme was “Cultural and as Heritage Corridors by Rebecca Schwendler Alabama Chapter Board Meeting See10 achapterm, Birmingham, report for ALmore information. Heritage Tourism: Trails as Destinations.” of National Trust for Historic Preservation; See chapter report for more information. TOTA was able to send three people: Jerra Trails as Cultural Resources by Eugene Marino July 25

Quinton, TOTA executive director; J. B. of U. S. Fish & Wildlife; and Federal IllinoisJuly 25 Chapter Meeting Tate, a Georgia chapter board member; and Transportation Funding Opportunities by 2:30Illino pm,is Chapter Cobden, Meeting IL St. Joseph Catholic Church Deloris Wood, Missouri chapter president. Christopher Douwes of the Federal Highway 2:30 pm, Cobden, IL St. Joseph Catholic Church Arkansas member Marilyn Heifner also at- Administration. August 14 tended. TAuennesseegust 14 Chapter Meeting PNTS hosts a national scenic and historic 12:30Tenne sseepm EDTChapte, Birr chwood,Meeting TN The workshop started with a tour of two of trails conference every other year, as well Cher12:30okee pm EDT, Removal Birchwood, Memorial TN ParkCherokee the San Antonio Missions as an opportunity as workshops like the one in San Antonio. Removal Memorial Park September 11 PLEASE FILL OUT to discuss and explore an approach to heri- If you are a member of the Trail of Tears The Return,”Memorial Walk tage tourism. The next two days were devot- Association and would like to attend one of September 11 MEMBERSHIP: $25 + $ $ (this amount determines your membership level) 9The am, Return, Sheff ”Meeld,mo ALrial Walk ed to presentations by speakers from around the PNTS meetings, contact Jerra Quinton at See9 am chapter, Sheffi report eld, A Lfor more information. the TOTA offi ce. There could be funds avail- See chapter report for more information. # of additional chapters x $10 $ able to help you with travel expenses. Alabama Chapter Meeting TOTA REMEMBERS 2Al pm,abam Flora Chence,apte rAL Meeting TOTAL ENCLOSED $ See chapter report for more information. Continued from page 2 The next PNTS national scenic and historic 2 pm, Florence, AL See chapter report for more information. is irreplaceable and she will be sorely missed, trails conference will be held in Abingdon, Arkansas Chapter Meeting & Program personally and professionally. – Frank Norris, Virginia, in mid-May 2011. 11:00 am, Fayetteville, AR Arkansas Chapter Meeting & Program National Trails System Off ce – Santa Fe T11own:00 am,Center Fayetteville, AR Visit www.artota.org for more information. historian, National Park Service Town Center Visit www.artota.org for more information. September 22 Beverly was such a mentor to me. I worked IllinoisSeptem Chapterber 22 Meeting so close with her for the past 8 years. 7:00Illino pm,is Chapter Metropolis, Meeting IL She taught me well. On days that we had Harrah’7:00 pms, CasinoMetropo Restaurantlis, IL Trail of Tears Trail of Tears National Park Service research planned, and I knew she wasn’t Harrah’s Casino Restaurant September 25 National Historic Trail Association National Trails System feeling well, I would try to put things off. NorthSeptem Carberolina 25 Chapter Meeting Offce - Santa Fe She would tell me, “We have got to get this MurphyNorth C,a NCrolina Chapter Meeting done.” Her legacy will live on for all to enjoy HiwasseeMurphy, NC Valley Wellness Center Trail News is produced by the part- The Trail of Tears Association has The National Trails System Off ce - See chapter report for more information. that visit the sites along the Trail of Tears in all Hiwassee Valley Wellness Center nership of the Trail of Tears Association entered into a cooperative agreement Santa Fe administers the Trail of Tears Photo courtesy of Deloris Wood nine states as Beverly’s work started it all. We See chapter report for more information. and the National Park Service National with the National Park Service to pro- NHT, the Santa Fe NHT, and the Route Attendees of the National Historic Trail Conference September 20 - 23 must carry on. – Alice Murphree, Kentucky Trails System Off ce - Santa Fe. mote and engage in the protection and 66 Corridor Preservation Program. El visit during lunch. From the bottom left around: Mar- 2010Septem TOTbeAr 20 Confer - 23 ence & Symposium preservation of the Trail of Tears NHT Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT chapter representative, TOTA board ilyn Heifner, Fayetteville A & P Commission and the Harrah’s - Metropolis, IL Trail of Tears Association; Bill Martin and Travis Boley, 2010 TOTA Conference & Symposium Managing Editor/Designer resources; to promote awareness of the is administered jointly by the National Oregon Trails Association; Jerra Quinton and RegistrationHarrah’s - Metropolis, at www.NationalTOTA.org IL Jerra Quinton Trail’s legacy, including the effects of Trails System Off ce-Santa Fe and the Beverly Baker was truly one of a handful of Deloris Wood, Trail of Tears Association; Aaron Mahr Registration at www.NationalTOTA.org the U.S. Government’s Indian Removal New Mexico State Off ce of the Bureau and Steve Elkinton, National Park Service; and Cheryl Contributors people responsible for the existance of the Policy on the Cherokee and other of Land Management. These trail and Blanchard, Bureau of Land Management. Will Chavez, Glenn Jones, Marty King, tribes; and to perpetuate the manage- corridor programs are administered in Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. It could be Jerra Quinton, and TOTA state chapters. ment and development techniques that partnership with American Indian tribes; argued that without Beverly’s efforts the TOT- are consistent with the NPS’s Trail plan. federal, state, and local agencies; non- NHT would not be a part of the National Park BIKE RIDE Comments/Address Changes? government organizations; and private landowners. Service and the story of Cherokee removal Continued from page 1 Contact: Jerra Quinton Trail of Tears Association Trail of Tears Association 1100 North University, Suite 143 would not be a part of our national debate. “At times today when I was complaining Hudson, 19, of Claremore; Kurt Rogers, 1100 N. University, Suite 143 Little Rock, Arkansas 72207 National Trails System Off ce - Santa Fe Beverly was also a founding member of the to myself about the heat, I thought back to 21, of Tahlequah; and Kaleb O’Brian, 16, of Little Rock, AR 72207-6344 PO Box 728 Trail of Tears Association, and her leaderhsip our forefathers and their suff ering along the Fort Gibson. Chaperones were Jerrad Dry, [email protected] Phone Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 800-441-4513 helped transform TOTA into the effective, trail,” Smith wrote. “I said to myself, ‘if they Sarah Holcomb, Kolton Holmes and Baron Website 501-666-9032 Phone meaningful, important organization it is suff ered and made it, you can too. Shut up O’Field. www.nps.gov/trte 505-988-6888 today. She will be missed by her friends and and pedal.’” E-Mail [email protected] honored by all those who enjoy the fruits of For photos and blogs entries from riders, E-Mail her lifelong committment to telling the story Other riders included Amber Fite, 30, visit the group’s website at Website [email protected] of the Trail of Tears. – Paul Austin, former of Tahlequah; Bluebird Linville, 17, of www.remembertheremoval.org. www.NationalTOTA.org TOTA executive director Stilwell; Kye Quickel, 23, of Roland; Brooke

6 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • July 2010 July 2010 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 7 Archaeological Research Project Links Surface Transportation to the Trail of Tears Archaeological Research Project (continued from left)

Courtesy of National Transportation Enhancements Association. At the time, King was also a to improve the application. ALDOT Dr. Kent Schneider of Bucks Geophysical Clearinghouse / www.enhancements.org (Photos by Marty King) professor at Northwest-Shoals Community staff suggested that King re-write the used this data to develop three-dimensional College (NWSCC). King initiated the application in the format typically used topographical maps of the site. Their The Tuscumbia Landing TE project is the TE application process in September for archaeological proposals, making the fi ndings, which are detailed in a report first archaeology project in 15 years to be 2008 with a meeting at the Northwest process of applying a second time around scheduled to be released in July, have already funded by the Alabama Department of Alabama Coalition of Local Governments much more involved. In addition, ALDOT contributed new evidence illustrating pre- Transportation. Located at the confl uence (NACOLG), which is located on the recommended that King make a case for Civil War transportation patterns in the of Spring Creek and the Tennessee River NWSCC campus. That same month and Tuscumbia Landing being a separate entity Southeast. These include maps of the road, with NWSCC acting as the project’s offi cial from Park West. To do this, King enlisted rails, and building foundations that formed applicant (and providing local matching the support of the Mayor of Sheffi eld and the infrastructure of Tuscumbia Landing. funds), King submitted the fi rst of two TE the Parks and Recreation Board. Letters The National Park Service hosts a dedication cere- One particularly interesting preliminary mony for certifcation of Tuscumbia Landing in grant applications to Alabama’s Department of support from these fi gures helped make 2007. (L-R) John McWilliams, Colbert County; Ellen fi nding involves the death of four Native of Transportation (ALDOT). Later that a case for the importance of additional Mussleman, Alabama chapter, TOTA; Robert Thrower, American children while waiting for the year, ALDOT informed King that the research in Tuscumbia Landing as well as Poarch Band of Creek Indians; President Gail King, arrival of a steamboat at Tuscumbia Landing Alabama chapter, TOTA; Joyce Bear, Muscogee (Creek) project was ineligible because Tuscumbia the critical distinction between the landing Nation; Otis Halfmoon, National Park Service; in 1838. During a ground survey, King found Landing was part of Park West, a 40-acre and the adjacent parkland. Chairman Buford Rolin, Poarch Band of Creek Indians; three depressions in the earth. Utilizing the Mayor Bill Shoemaker, City of Tuscumbia; Bob Perry, park surrounding the landing. By ALDOT Chickasaw Nation; Mayor Billy Don Anderson, City guidelines, parkland is not eligible for TE In 2007, King submitted a second and of Sheff eld funding. improved TE application. Though approved, it took nearly two years to Tuscumbia Landing is also a historic nexus gain ALDOT’s authorization to use an 75% complete. This past spring, the research in the region’s surface transportation Ground-penetrating radar used to image subsurface alternative procurement method for hiring team—comprised of an ethno-historian, a features of historical signif cance. system. It played many roles in the local and highly specialized archaeologists. (Typically, GIS specialist, archeological technicians, and regional transportation system throughout TE grantees must use a standardized a cartographer— employed sophisticated its history in addition to its role in the steamboats to avoid 45 miles of treacherous competitive bid process.) In October 2009, equipment for archaeological mapping Trail of Tears. Beginning in the 1820s, shoals along the Tennessee River. The site’s ALDOT granted the Tuscumbia Landing and discovery. They used a laser scanner the landing was a signifi cant link along value as a nexus led to its downfall when the research team permission to proceed with and ground-penetrating radar to identify steamboat trade routes traveling between Union Army destroyed the railroad depot the project. The total grant award was underground artifacts and a magnetometer New Orleans and Knoxville, Tennessee. during the Civil War. $104,450. to identify any underground tanks or Researchers from NWSCC lead tours of Tuscumbia The railroad connection, built in the early anomalous areas. They then mapped the Landing to raise awareness about the location’s historical signif cance. Annual walk commemorating the role of Tuscumbia 1830s between Tuscumbia Landing and the Instead of conceding to the rejection of At the time of this publication, the archaeological features discovered with the Landing in the Trail of Tears, here led by 90 year-old Chickasaw elder Flora Perry. landing at Decatur, proved to be a critical her initial application, King scheduled investigation of Tuscumbia Landing is about help of a Global Positioning System (GPS). improvement to this network, as it allowed a meeting with ALDOT to discuss ways ground-penetrating radar, Dr. Schneider found that this is indeed a burial place; in Sheffi eld, Alabama, the landing was however, because the landing became added to the National Historic Register in the resting place for many throughout its 1982 for its railroad and steamboat-related history, it is unclear if the two are connected. signifi cance prior to the Civil War. As of fis cal year 2009, archaeological Though Tuscumbia Landing has a planning and research projects comprised fascinating connection to surface only 0.5% of the funds distributed through transportation, the site’s role as a key the Transportation Enhancements (TE) waypoint on the Trail of Tears is the basis for grant program. Though small in number, its historical notoriety. n 2007, the National these archeological projects—such as Park Service designated Tuscumbia Landing this one at Tuscumbia Landing—uncover as a certified historic site on the Trail of unique historical aspects of the surface Tears. transportation system. To learn more about this project, visit http://southeasternai.net/ The archaeological project at Tuscumbia tusclanding.html. Landing is a result of the tenacity of its lead investigator, Gail King. King began The National Transportation Enhancements investigating Tuscumbia Landing in 2006, Clearinghouse (NTEC) is an information when she was elected president of the service sponsored by the Federal Highway Image produced from Ground Penetrating Radar and GPS data. Image produced by GPS and Ground Penetrating Radar. Administration and Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Alabama chapter of the Trail of Tears

8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • July 2010 July 2010 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9 15th Annual Trail of Tears Association Conference & Symposium Youth Scholarships Available for TOTA Conference September 20 - September 23, 2010 ~ Metropolis, Illinois ~ Harrah’s Casino & Hotel To get more youth involved with the efforts of the Trail of Tears Association, TOTA has set up a new scholarship program REGISTRATION KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS for this year’s conference. The scholarship is available to both high school students and college students, ages 16 - 25. Both FULL registration and SOCIAL Principal Chief , Cherokee Nation The scholarship program will be able to fund the students’ conference registration fees, their hotel rooms, and travel to EVENTS ONLY registration are being and from the conference and their homes. offered this year. Social events only registra- Councilwoman Julia Coates, Cherokee Nation tion has been made available for spouses Brett Riggs, Research Laboratories of Archaeology, University of North Carolina. To download the application, visit the TOTA website at www.nationalTOTA.org/general-info/conf-info. and other guests of conference attendees and Presentation: Volcanism, Climate, and of 1817, 1819, and 1835 presenters who are not registering or attend- ing the full conference but wish to partici- pate in the social events, including meals, CONCURRENT SESSION PRESENTATIONS receptions, and fi eld trips. Both forms can be Chris Haveman, University of West Alabama. Presentation: The Creek Experience of downloaded at www.NationalTOTA.org. Removal by Water Vision Becoming Reality - Using Partnerships to Develop the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Check or money order only. Credit card pay- Rowena McClinton, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Presentation: Cahokia ment is unavailable. Mounds In 1987, Congress acknowledged the signif- The Hermitage, TN TOTA State Chapter Contacts icance of this tragic event in our Nation’s Historic Road from Ross to Ridge’s, GA The registration cancellation policy can be Daniel Smith, author. Presentation: Cherokee Patriots and the Trail of Tears history by establishing the Trail of Tears James Brown Cherokee Plantation, TN Alabama found at the website address above. National Historic Trail. The National Park John Ross House, GA Gail King Alfi e Vick, School of Environmental Design, . Presentation: Junaluska Memorial and Museum, NC 205-672-2074 Overcoming the Loss of Culturally Signifi cant Plants After the Trail of Tears Service administers the Trail in cooperation with federal, state, and local agencies; the Lake Dardanelle State Park, AR E-mail: [email protected] Jace & Laura Weaver, Institute of Native American Studies, University of Georgia. Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Laughlin Park, MO Arkansas HOTEL RESERVATIONS Presentation: A Pedagogy on Cherokee Removal Cherokee Indians; interested groups; and Mantle Rock, KY John McLarty Reservations: 1-800-HARRAHS (427-7247) Maramec Spring Park/Massey Iron Works, MO private landowners. Phone: 479-751-7125 Specifi cally ask for Harrah’s METROPOLIS. Fay Yarbrough, University of Oklahoma. Presentation: The Cherokee Removal and McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment, IL Race Mount Nebo State Park, AR E-mail: [email protected] Special group rate: $69.99 (with group code) The Trail of Tears Association and the Murrell Home, OK Group Code: S09TEAR National Park Service National Trails Georgia Rate deadline: August 21, 2010. Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC System Offi ce -Santa Fe have been working New Echota State Historic Site, GA Jeff Bishop with Trail partners to increase visibility for Petit Jean State Park, AR Phone: 706-766-1309 E-mail: [email protected] the Trail and to develop it for visitor use. Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR Old traces, historic buildings, and other Port Royal State Park, TN resources are being preserved. Many sites Illinois Monday, Sept. 20 Tuesday, Sept. 21 Wednesday, Sept. 22 Thursday, Sept. 23 Radford Farm, KY have been certifi ed and numerous on-the- Sandy Boaz Red Clay State Historic Area, TN Phone: 618-833-8216 ground projects have been completed, such Birthplace Museum, TN E-mail: [email protected] 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM 9:00 - 10:00 AM as route signing, visitor-use development, Snelson-Brinker Cabin, MO Registration Registration Field Trip: Mantle Rock, KY, to Concurrent Session 7, 8, 9 interpretive wayside exhibits, and interior Star City Ranch Trail Segment, MO Kentucky Pope & Union Counties, IL museum exhibits at existing facilities. Tennessee River Museum, TN Alice Murphree 9:00 - 9:30 AM 10:30 - 11:30 AM Toler Farm Trail Segment, IL Phone: 270-886-5375 Welcome Concurrent Sessions 10, 11, 12 Certif ed Sites Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, KY E-mail: [email protected] Andrew Ross House, AL Trail of Tears State Park, MO 9:30 - 10:30 AM Arcadia Valley Campground, MO Trail of Tears State Forest, IL Missouri Keynote: Brett Riggs, Ph.D. Audubon Acres, TN Tuscumbia Landing, AL Deloris Gray Wood Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite, KY Vann House Historic Site, GA Phone: 573-729-2545 11:00 AM - Noon Big Spring, KY Village Creek State Park, AR E-mail: [email protected] Concurrent Sessions 1, 2, 3 Cemetery, TN Wagner Farm Trail Segment, IL Noon - 1:15 PM Noon - 1:15 PM Browns Ferry Tavern, TN Waterloo Landing, AL North Carolina Luncheon with Cherokee Na- Luncheon with Cherokee Na- Campground Cemetery, IL Willstown Mission Cemetery, AL Anne Rogers tion Principal Chief Chad Smith tion Tribal Councilwoman Julia Cedartown Cherokee Removal Camp, GA Phone: 828-227-2443 Coates Chattanooga Regional History Museum,TN Federal Protection Components and E-mail: [email protected] 1:00 - 4:00 PM 1:30 - 3:30 PM Dinner on your own Cherokee County Historical Museum, NC Interpretive Sites Oklahoma TOTA Board Meeting General Assembly , OK Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR Curtis Rohr General Membership / Home, GA Cadron Settlement Park, AR Phone: 918-341-4689 5:00 - 8:00 PM Meeting/Chapter Reports City of North Little Rock Riverfront Park, AR Cherokee Memorial Park -, TN E-mail: [email protected] Ft. Massac State Park Crabb-Abbot Farm, IL Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR Full Buffet 5:00 - 6:30 3:30 - 4:30 PM Delta Cultural Center, AR Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN Tennessee Special Performance 7:00 Concurrent Sessions 4, 5, 6 Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead, AR Mark Twain National Forest, MO Bill Jones Fort Gibson, OK Mocassin Bend, TN Phone: 931-946-7486 5:00 - 6:30 PM Fort Payne Cabin Site, AL Pea Ridge National Military Park, AR E-mail: [email protected] Wine-tasting: Cache River Basin Golconda Riverfront, IL Shawnee National Forest, MO Winery Gray’s Inn, KY Stones River National Battlef eld, TN , TN

10 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • July 2010 July 2010 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11 Traill of Tears Associationn 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 Cherokee Nation - $10,000 Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - $10,000

Patrons $500 - $999 Jay Hannah , OK - $500

Sponsors $100 - $499

Robert Akerhielm - $100 Gwen Grayson - $100 Maxwell Ramsey - $100 H. Riley Bock - $100 Patsy Hanvey - $125 Hank Saunders - $200 Terence Brennan - $100 Bobbie Heff ngton - $175 Ansley Saville - $100 Henry Bryan - $100 Ed Hill - $100 Robin Skinner - $100 Cherokee Co. Historical Society - $100 Glenn Jones - $100 Marvin Sowder - $100 Andrew Denson - $100 Rowena McClinton - $125 Adam Stone - $100 Patsy Edgar - $100 Billie Napolitano - $125 John Tissue - $125 Debra Eskie - $100 Gary Payne - $100 Lori Vann - $220 Robert Girty - $125 Herman Peterson - $100