National Historic Trail

Trail News

20th Trail of Tears Association Conference to be Held in Missouri

The 20th Annual Trail of Tears Association Conference registration includes a field Celebrated orator Dennis Jay Conference and Symposium is set to take trip on Wednesday, lunch on Tuesday and Hannah will deliver the keynote address on place October 6 – 8, 2015, at the Drury Thursday, and a box lunch and a traditional Tuesday, October 6. Lodge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Hotel Cherokee/Choctaw hog fry as part of the reservations include breakfast and a light field trip on Wednesday. The price for a Other presentations include: readings from supper for each day of stay. To make a 2015 TOTA member is $125. The price Moravian missionaries’ correspondence reservation, call 1-800-325-0720 and ask for for a non-member is $175 and includes by Moravian archivist Richard Starbucks; the Trail of Tears group rate of $89.99 (plus a TOTA membership through 2016. tax). Registration onsite goes up by $100. (Find a See TOTA CONFERENCE, page 3 registration form on page 9.)

TOTA Staff and Members Take Part in PNTS Conference in by Deloris Wood Trails Conference, hosted each year by the Deloris Gray Wood, TOTA Missouri Partnership for the National Trail System chapter president and national board Trail of Tears Association members and (PNTS), held June 27 to July 1, at the member, represented TOTA in the PNTS Native Americans were very much a part Embassy Suites Hotel in Franklin, Tennessee. strategic planning and was a member of the of the 15th National Scenic and Historic PNTS conference planning committee.

Because the Franklin area is in the Chickasaws’ ancestral homelands, Kirk Perry of the Chickasaw Nation’s Division of Historic Reservation, Culture, and Humanities Department gave the opening welcome. TOTA board member and

See PNTS, page 3

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Cherokee Garden...... Page 2 • Chapter Building Workshop...... Page 2 • Mahr Award...... Page 3 photo courtesy of Deloris Wood • TOTA Chapter News...... Page 4-7 (L-R) Joy Montgomery, Deloris Wood, Alice Murphree, Anita Finger-Smith, Melba Checote-Eads, Ryan Spring, Steve Burns (kneeling), Cleata Townsend, Troy Wayne Poteete, and Aaron Mahr attend the PNTS • TOTA Conference Registration.Page 9-10 conference this summer.

Newsletter of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Partnership • September 2015 – Number 25 Cherokee Garden Dedicated at Green Meadows Preserve UPCOMING EVENTS Article and photos by Tony Harris

The Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows SEPTEMBER 19, 2015 Preserve in Cobb County, Georgia, was Grave Marking of Trail of Tears Survivor by the Oklahoma Chapter dedicated on August 29. The garden was Time: 2:00 pm recently designated an interpretive site on Location: Russell Cemetery, Oaks, OK the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 Green Meadows Preserve is owned and Oklahoma Chapter Meeting operated by the Cobb County parks system. Time: 10:00 am The garden features plants that the Location: Helmerich Research Center at Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, OK Cherokee used for medicine, food, shelter, Signs from the National Park Service make the Speaker: Brett Riggs, Ph.D. tools, weapons, art, and ceremonial Cherokee Garden easily identifiable as a certified site along the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. Open to the public purposes. Fourteen Cobb County master gardeners spend one day a week expanding OCTOBER 5, 2015 and maintaining the garden. In addition, Cherokee used. A future orchard is planned Sign Dedication of the Bettis Ford members of the Georgia Native Plant with fruit trees that were found in Cherokee and Old Greenville Sites Society help locate and bring these plants orchards prior to the Trail of Tears. Time: 10:30 am Location: Greenville Recreation Area, in from the wild. The garden also features a US Route 67, Wappapello Lake, MO Tony Harris, a citizen of the Cherokee vegetable garden with heirloom plants the Reception and auto tour through Nation and the originator of the idea for the Mark Twain National Forest to follow garden, said it is an interpretive site that tells the story of what the Cherokee had to give OCTOBER 6 - 8, 2015 up after relying on these plants for survival 20th Annual TOTA Conference for hundreds of years. Location: Drury Lodge, Cape Girardeau, MO Registration fee applies (See p. 9) County and park officials were on hand DECEMBER 5, 2015 for the dedication along with a large public North Carolina Chapter Meeting attendance. Troy Wayne Poteete, executive Time and Place TBA director of the Trail of Tears Association, was the guest speaker during the ceremony. OCTOBER 4 - 6, 2016 Traditional vegetables the Cherokee used is part Everyone in attendance enjoyed touring the 21st Annual TOTA Conference of the newly dedicated Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows Preserve in Georgia. garden after the ceremony. Location: Northwest GA Trade and Convention Center, Dalton, GA

TOTA Hosts Two-Day Chapter Capacity Building Workshop in June

Twenty members from North Carolina, Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, Georgia, Kentucky, and Georgia gathered in in historic downtown Mrufreesboro. Brentwood, Tennessee, for an intensive two- Workshop participants were given a very day workshop on June 19 and 20. well narrated walking tour of the town square by Leigh Ann Gardner. The tour Meredith Benton of the Center for called attention to witness buildings and also Nonprofit Management in Nashville led includeed Civil War sites. an all-day session focused on leadership, board development, meeting skills, and On day two Carol Clark, park ranger communications within the Association and interpretive specialist from the National with outside stakeholders. Trails Intermountain Regional Office, Santa Fe, facilitated a workshop on external Carol Clark of the National Park Service’s Intermountain Region facilitates Amy Kostine, coordinator and historian for communications and how the Trail of Tears TOTA’s June workshop on chapter capacity building. the Trail of Tears Project at the Center for Association presents itself to the public. The Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee session included a detailed discussion of the State University in Murfreesboro, hosted creation of a media kit. a reception at the Heritage Center of

2 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2015 PNTS (continued from page 1) Mahr Receives Award from PNTS at Conference Cherokee citizen Bethany Rosenblum was chosen as one of 24 PNTS trail apprentices. by Deloris Wood In addition to the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, Aaron also The ”Extraordinary Trail Partner Jon Jarvis, director of the National Park oversees eight other National Historic Award” that Aaron Mahr Yáñez, Service, gave the keynote address. His Trails: California, El Caminon Real de superintendent of the National Park visual presentation showed over 50 Tierra Adentro, El Camino Real de los Service National Historic Trails, National Park Service sites across the Tejas, Mormon Pioneer, Old Spanish received at the recent Partnership nation. (co-administered with Rob Sweeten for the National Trails System trail of the Bureau of Land Management), conference details what Aaron’s A workshop titled, “Working With Tribes Oregon, Pony Express, and Santa Fe. colleagues and friends already know. and Engaging Native People to Help Make Reba Grandrud, Old Spanish National and Sustain Our Trails,” was presented Aaron was named historian at the Historic Trail, said it best: “he is by Trail of Tears Association Executive National Trail System-Santa Fe office remarkable in his successful oversight Director and Cherokee Nation Supreme in 2000. He was named to the position of not one but nine National Historic Court Justice Troy Wayne Poteete, TOTA he currently holds in 2007, which is the Trails, Route 66 Corridor Preservation North Carolina chapter board member superintendent for the Intermountain Program, and the 1930s iconic adobe Anita Finger-Smith, who also represented Region of the National Trails System Old Santa Fe Trail Building.” the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, program, with offices in Salt Lake City Muscogee (Creek) Nation citizen Melba and Santa Fe. The award reads: Checote-Eads, and Ryan Spring, a cartographer from the Choctaw Nation In recognition of his years... Aaron began his career with the NPS of Oklahoma. Alice Murphree, president as Superintendent of the in Texas in 1990, working first at the of TOTA’s Kentucky chapter, and Cleata NPS Intermountain Region Spanish Colonial Research Center in Townsend, a TOTA board member, National Trails System office, San Antonio, and in 1993 became the also attended. Joy Montgomery, a Sam in personal availability, first historian and chief of resource Houston scholar and a new TOTA member, promoting public-private management at Palo Alto Battlefield declared, “This was a great opportunity to partnering, high standards National Historic Site in Brownsville. learn about trails.” for research and trail corridor Mahr holds degrees in Spanish and planning, completing on the Latin American studies from the Aaron Mahr, superintendent of the Trail of ground trail projects, strategic University of New Mexico. Aaron and Tears National Historic Trail, was honored planning, and strong support his wife Eva live in Albuquerque. with the PNTS Extraordinary Trail Partner for the Partnership. Award. (See related article to left)

TOTA CONFERENCE (continued from page 1) information on the prominent Cherokee Dr. Brett Riggs and D. Jay Hannah are prepared by Choctaw volunteers and Ridge Family excavated from the John slated to pick their banjos at a “Pick and Cherokee Nation employees led by William Howard Payne papers at the Newman Grin” on Monday evening before the Deerinwater and Shirley Ross. Cherokee Library by Dr. Rowena McClinton of the conference begins on Tuesday. opera singer Barbra McAlister will provide University of Southern Illinois; the Genesis entertainment at the hog fry, performing of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians A filed trip on Wednesday includes sign recently discovered Cherokee lullabies and by Anita Finger-Smith; early Choctaw dedications at Bolingers Mill and on the other songs in Cherokee. removal by Rice University doctoral Courthouse Square in Jackson; a tour of candidate Lauren Brand; the Chickamauga the Trail of Tears Park; and a ceremony at Chief Baker is scheduled to deliver the by Dr. Julie Reed of the the grave of Nancy Busheyhead. Cherokee closing address at the final luncheon on University of Tennessee; and a presentation Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker, a Thursday. by Rusty Wiseman from the Missouri Busheyhead descendant, is scheduled to Department of Transportation. Cherokee lead the ceremony. Watch our Facebook page and website for a storyteller Choogie Kingfisher will play his schedule as plans become finalized. flute and perform “Conversations with an On Wednesday evening a Cherokee hog Ancestor.” fry with Choctaw side dishes will be

September 2015 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 3 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ARKANSAS ARKANSAS (continued) ARKANSAS (continued)

The Arkansas chapter (ARTOTA) held presented a program on the Benge Route used during this time frame is established. its annual business meeting and public from Batesville to Liberty. A review of the early road petitions for program at the historic 1872 Randolph the Spavinaw Road reveals the names of County Courthouse in Pocahontas on A research effort is under way by ARTOTA the men who petitioned the County for Saturday, August 1. The local sponsor board member Nancy Feroe to locate assistance in improving the existing road for the meeting was Five Rivers Historic the Spavinaw Road from Bentonville to and gives specified points for the beginning Preservation, Inc. Maysville (Beatties Prairie). The process and ending of each road segment named used to establish the location of the old in the petition. The ARTOTA research Folks who arrived early were treated to a Spavinaw Road west of Bentonville involves team is planning on using a similar process pre-meeting tour of the Randolph County using several resources: original land patents to determine the route location from Museum by ARTOTA board member Bill for Benton County; the original General Fitzgerald’s farmstead to Woodhalls (near Carroll. The business meeting included Land Office Survey Notes and Plats for the present-day Westville). These two routes reports from ARTOTA Secretary Nancy State of Arkansas, 1815-Present; Benton are the missing pieces of the disbandment Feroe and Treasurer Susan Young. ARTOTA County Road Petitions from the 1850s; routes in northwest Arkansas. President John McLarty’s report to the the 1903 Benton County Atlas; the 1840 membership included brief discussions United States Federal Census enumeration; The Arkansas chapter is also beginning on the Trail of Tears through Arkansas, and Benton County Tax records from 1837 a statewide signage initiative, starting in the River Route initiative, the Original through 1839. By platting the earliest land Benton and Randolph Counties. A strategy Route sign initiative, witness structures in patents for the target area on the 1903 Atlas session is planned for the fall to determine Arkansas, and the Remember the Removal map, which shows the locations of old the best method to place signage statewide. bike ride through Arkansas. Bill Carroll, roads between the early homesteads, then Pat Carroll, and Joan Gould then gave an verifying the actual existence of families Chapter member Carolyn Kent is working update on Trail of Tears research and public living on their land at the time of the Trail of with Aaron Boswell of the Army Corps of education efforts in Randolph County. Tears by cross-referencing their names on Engineers to place interpretive panels on the 1837-1839 Benton County tax records Corps properties along the Arkansas River Following the business meeting, ARTOTA and the 1840 census enumeration, a factual to the east of Little Rock. Research Coordinator Carolyn Kent list of all people living along the roads In addition to these initiatives, the Arkansas chapter is making plans to host the Annual Trail of Tears Conference in the fall of 2017 in Fort Smith in conjunction with the opening of the U.S. Marshall’s Museum.

The Arkansas chapter had the great privilege to host the Remember the Removal Bike Riders as they passed through Arkansas. They were welcomed at the Pea Ridge National Military Park and treated to a cook out at Park Superintendent Kevin Ead’s house. They were able to ride on a section of the newly completed Razorback Greenway through Springdale and Fayetteville, and they also enjoyed special events at the Prairie Grove Battlefield Park and the Fort Smith National Historic Site.

ILLINOIS photo courtesy of John McLarty John McLarty (far right), president of the Arkansas chapter, poses with the Remember the Removal bike It was standing room only at the Illinois riders during their stop in northwest Arkansas. chapter’s summer general membership meeting held on June 17 in Golconda,

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2015 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

ILLINOIS (continued) ILLINOIS (continued) KENTUCKY (continued)

the Trail of Tears. The knowledge that her appropriate signage for parts of the trail family had been directly involved in this that run through Kentucky. historic event led her to a desire to retrace the Trail herself, both for personal reasons, Last but not least, the chapter has plans to as well as to bring attention to the Trail. begin work on a Kentucky-specific Trail of Tears brochure. With the assistance of the University of North Carolina, Delanna is making her Tentative plans are to host a Kentucky dream a reality and is traveling the Trail, chapter meeting next spring in Paducah collecting stories, and learning about on the Water Route. More details are different parts of the Trail from a personal forthcoming as plans are finalized. perspective. She will eventually use all of photo courtesy of Heather Carey the material she is gathering to create a one- Cherokee actress Delanna Studi (left) poses with person theatrical performance, focusing on Illinois chapter members Phil Stucker and Rosemary Mathis. the forced removal of the Cherokees. TENNESSEE

While in southern Illinois, chapter board The Tennessee chapter of the Trail of Tears Association (TNTOTA) held two Illinois. With a record attendance of over 60 members were able to share with Delanna membership meetings thus far in 2015. people, guest speaker and Cherokee actress and her group numerous portions of Election of officers took place on March 14 Delanna Studi engaged the audience with a the original trail, local research, and oral and was followed by a pot-luck luncheon at discussion of her personal journey on Trail histories collected by the chapter. Lou’s Chapel in Martin Springs, Tennessee. of Tears segments and her work on a project The slate of nominated officers were elected entitled, “And So We Walked: An Artist’s as follows: Lee Trevino, president; Shirley Journey Along the Trail of Tears.” She was Lawrence, vice president; Floyd Ayers, accompanied by her father Thomas Studi KENTUCKY treasurer; Carolyn Jones, secretary; Cleata and videographer Jesse Abdenour, who are The Kentucky chapter has just completed Townsend, national director. Following assisting her in documenting her experience the signing project marking the entirety a report from Cleata Townsend on the while on the trip. of the Benge Route through the state of possible purchase of Brown’s Tavern, a Trail Kentucky. The final signs of the project have of Tears National Historic Trail Landmark, Delanna shared that in the past she had recently been installed. One can now enter and due to the significance of this site to become interested in researching her family Kentucky at Dukedom and follow the signs the Trail of Tears, the membership voted to history and trying to flesh out some of the of the Benge Route to the Mississippi River pledge $1,000 to support the purchase. family stories that she had been told as a where the Cherokee camped during their child. This led her to her ancestral home removal west and crossed the river in mid- The Tennessee State Museum curator in North Carolina where she was able to November 1838. Rex Weeks has requested the counsel of uncover a wealth of information about her the Tennessee chapter on a project within family, the Christies, who had traveled on In addition to the Benge Route signing “The Age of Jackson” gallery. Vicki Rozema project and with the help of Norma Pruitt, and Melba Eads volunteered to represent the Kentucky chapter is working on getting TNTOTA. They subsequently consulted two wayside interpretive panels for the with and submitted their recommendations Columbus-Belmont certified site. Also, for the exhibit to Mr. Weeks. a wayside panel is planned for the ninth certified site in Kentucky, the Riverfront The board of the Tennessee chapter met at Paducah, which was certified in August on June 6 and again on July 11, 2015, at 2014. Monteagle, Tennessee. Vicki Rozema and Patrick Cummins were appointed by The chapter has also been in the process the board to fill two open state director of exchanging some of the Auto-Tour positions resulting from resignations. photo courtesy of Heather Carey Route signs for Original Route signs. The TENNESSEE continued on next page (L-R) Thomas Studi, Joe Crabb, and Delanna Studi Auto-Tour Route signs were installed more visit after Delanna’s presentation at the Illinois than a decade ago, and since then Original chapter meeting in June. Route signs have been created and are more

September 2015 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 5 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

TENNEESSEE (continued) OKLAHOMA (continued) OKLAHOMA (continued)

A membership meeting July 25, 2015, was David Hampton, treasurer of the Oklahoma held at the Warren County Administrative chapter, and Jimmie Johnson were reelected Building in McMinnville, Tennessee. to the Oklahoma chapter board of directors, Patrick Cummins, a state director, and Joseph Erb, Remember the Removal presented a program on the history of coordinator for the Cherokee bike riders, the 1823 Nashville Toll Bridge. Shirley was newly elected as a director. The speaker Lawrence gave a report on the Fort for the spring meeting was Jay Hannah, a Armistead charette. Cherokee citizen, executive vice president of BancFirst of Norman, chairman of the Three TNTOTA outstanding service Cherokee Constitutional Convention of awards were presented by President 1999, and well-known speaker and master Trevino. Former TNTOTA member Vicky of ceremonies. Mr. Hannah’s topic was Garland received an award for her research Teachings from Tragedy: The Post Removal and documentation of the Bell and Benge Era. Routes in Giles, Lawrence and Maury Counties and for her work in establishing On April 18 a marking and memorial tribute National Historic Trail signs along the Bell for three Cherokees who endured and photo courtesy of Marybelle Chase Route from Pulaski to the Wayne County survived the Trail of Tears was held at Round TOTA President Jack Baker (right) reads about a Trail line. TNTOTA charter member Carlos Springs Cemetery at Eucha, Oklahoma. The of Tears survivor at the April gravesite ceremony as Oklahoma Chapter President Curtis Rohr reads Wilson received an award for his many Cherokees honored were Principal Chief along. years of research and documentation of the Charles (Oochalata) Thompson, Anderson Taylor Route and for his role in establishing Springston, and Charlotte Chopper. Plaques president of the national Trail of Tears National Historic Trail signs along the that designated them as survivors were Association. David Hampton researched the Taylor Route in Hamilton and Rhea placed on their monuments. The event was biographies and genealogies of the honorees Counties. TNTOTA charter member Doris widely attended and included Jack Baker, and provided a booklet for everyone in Tate Trevino received an award for her attendance. Following prayer and hymns many years of contributions to TNTOTA sung by the Shotpouch sisters, a memorial as a researcher, educator, fund raiser and tribute at each gravesite was read by a board member throughout the history of descendant of the person who was honored. the Tennessee chapter. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the hymn Amazing Grace in Cherokee and TNTOTA invites all to drop by its booth at English. the 34th Annual NAIA Tennessee Powwow Oct 16-18 at Long Hunter State Park in The Oklahoma chapter board of directors Nashville, Tennessee. More information attended a retreat hosted by David about this event can be found at www. Hampton at his country home July 11. The naiatn.org/powwow. board discussed several issues regarding the memorial markings and also plans for several board members to attend the national conference at Cape Girardeau, OKLAHOMA Missouri. The board unanimously appointed Joe Allen to replace Gene Norris The Oklahoma chapter held its spring who resigned as a board member. meeting on April 11 at the Cherokee Casino in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma. A marking and memorial tribute for four After welcoming attendees and calling Cherokees who endured and survived the the meeting to order, President Curtis removal will be held at the Russell Cemetery Rohr acknowledged guests including the near Oaks, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Remember the Removal bike riders of the September 19, 2015, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Cherokee Nation. After the minutes of photo courtesy of Marybelle Chase The four Cherokees who will be honored the last meeting and the treasurer’s report Former Cherokee National tribal councilor Melvina are Watt Russell, Daga Foster Russell, David were read, President Rohr announced that Shotpouch reads her ancestor’s obituary at the gravesite ceremony in April. Miller, and Lucy Israel Miller.

6 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2015 Trail of Tears Association State Chapter News

OKLAHOMA (continued) NORTH CAROLINA (continued) NORTH CAROLINA (continued)

The fall meeting of the Oklahoma chapter The preservation committee, under met at the historic site of the last council will be at the new Helmerich Research Chairman Alan Keith, continues to advise grounds of the Cherokee before Removal at Center located at the Gilcrease Museum in the Tatham family who is considering Red Clay State Historic Park in Cleveland, Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday, September preserving and restoring the family’s Tenneessee, on August 28. The NCTOTA 26, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. The guest speaker Removal-era cabin in Andrews. The chapter had an informational booth near the will be Dr. Brett Riggs. The meeting is open is hoping to connect the family with a interpretive center. to the public. restoration specialist while serving in an advisory capacity. NCTOTA’s first fall meeting was at Mission Farm in Murphy. This is the location Certification Committeee Chairman Andy of the Removal era Valleytown Baptist NORTH CAROLINA Denson and committee member Sue Abram Mission. Chapter member Diane Wells met with Rodney National Forest Service hosted the event. Brett Riggs presented The North Carolina chapter (NCTOTA) staff on June 11 to discuss National Historic on the Valleytown Baptist Mission and its has been busy this spring and summer and Register nominations of Trail of Tears sites archaeology. is looking for a rewarding and productive within the Nantahala Forest. With the aid of The NCTOTA’s last chapter meeting of the end to 2015. The chapter board met a summer intern, the nominations should year is scheduled for Saturday, December February 7 in Andrews to organize the year’s be ready this fall for examination by Brett 5. The time and place is to be announced committees. The first chapter meeting was Riggs. shortly. Guest speaker will be Darlene held at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian Goings from the Hiwassee River Heritage On June 20, chapter members Sue and on March 21 and included a presentation Center. The Center’s recent charrette with Doc Abram, Anita Finger-Smith, and Mary on the land issues faced by the Eastern the NPS focused on the site of Fort Cass Wachacha attended the national TOTA Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) by Mary and the Cherokee Agency. She will discuss workshop in Brentwood, Tennessee. Carol Wachacha, an EBCI member and NCTOTA the outcome of that workshop with the Clark and Meredith Benton provided secretary. chapter. great programs on chapter organization and leadership which complemented the Chapter board members attended an all-day chapter’s earlier workshop. leadership and organizational workshop on May 16 in Sylva. Topics of discussion were MISSOURI On July 13-17, Sue Abram, Anita-Finger identifying and engaging potential partners, Smith, and chapter national board member recent successful projects and partnerships, It was standing room only at Waynesville Anne Rogers attended the National historic preservation, and the national City Hall on June 19 when Missouri Park Service’s charrette in Tellico Plains, historic trail certification process. Chapter President Deloris Wood, TOTA Tennessee, regarding Fort Armistead’s President and Cherokee Councilman interpretive development. After a personal The chapter contributed to the Remember Jack Baker, and local elected officials, tour, the invited stakeholders used the week including Mayor Luge Hardman and State the Removal Riders’ send-off on Friday, to brainstorm. The final product will be Representative Steve Lynch, welcomed June 5. Sue Abram spoke on the history of forthcoming next year. the creation of the Trail of Tears National the Cherokee Remember the Removal Bike Riders. Missouri State Representative Historic Trail within the National Park The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Rocky Miller, the only Cherokee Nation System. Members David Smith, Mike granted the NCTOTA a $5,000 grant, with citizen in the Missouri legislature, Abram, and Mary Wachacha also attended, the chapter matching the amount, for the addressed the crowd and was later along with Anita Finger-Smith who development of a chapter website and assisted with the preparations. The chapter companion brochure. The committee is appointed to the Missouri chapter board of presented a $1,000 check in support of the working with National Park Service designer directors. ride. National TOTA President Jack Baker Lynne Mager to produce a chapter-specific also attended. brochure along the lines of those created Representative Miller replaced Keri for Tennessee and Georgia. They are also Hicks of Mark Twain National Forest; The chapter held its second meeting working closely with Brett Riggs on the Keri has recently transferred to Alaska. in Franklin on June 13. NCTOTA content, art, and graphics for the website Keri is fondly remembered for her great board member Lamar Marshall shared and printed material. contribution to the marking of the Benge information on the historical ecology of the Route of the Trial of Tears National Cherokee Territorial Claim. Afterward many The Cherokee Tri-Council Meeting, Historic Trail through the state of Missouri. joined Lamar to tour the Needmore Tract to between the Eastern Band, the Cherokee see an original segment of the Trail. Nation, and the United Keetoowah Band,

September 2015 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 7 Trail of Tears Trail of Tears National Park Service National Historic Trail Association National Trails Intermountain Region, Santa Fe

Trail News is produced by the The Trail of Tears Association has The National Trails Intermountain partnership of the Trail of Tears entered into a cooperative agreement Region administers the Trail of Tears Association and the National Park with the National Park Service to NHT, the Santa Fe NHT, El Camino 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. NHT resources; to promote awareness El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Editor of the trail’s legacy, including the NHT and Old Spanish NHT are Troy Wayne Poteete effects of the U.S. Government’s administered jointly by the National Indian Removal Policy on the Cherokee Trails Intermountain Region and the Contributors and other tribes; and to perpetuate New Mexico State Office of the Bureau Heather Carey, Marybelle Chase, Tony the management and development of Land Management. These trail and Harris, John McLarty, Deloris Gray techniques that are consistent with the corridor programs are administered Wood, and TOTA state chapters. NPS’s trail plan. in partnership with American Indian tribes; federal, state, and local agencies; Comments/Address Changes? Trail of Tears Association nongovernment organizations; and Contact: Troy Wayne Poteete 1100 North University, Suite 143 private landowners. Trail of Tears Association Little Rock, Arkansas 72207 1100 N. University, Suite 143 National Trails Intermountain Region Little Rock, AR 72207-6344 Phone PO Box 728 [email protected] 800-441-4513 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 Website 501-666-9032 www.nps.gov/trte Phone EMail 505-988-6098 [email protected] Website EMail www.NationalTOTA.org [email protected]

Trail of Tears Association MEMBERSHIP FORM All levels of membership include one (1) state chapter affiliation. 1100 N. University, Suite 143 January - December 20____ Please send $10 for each additional Little Rock, AR 72207-6344 state chapter you would like to join.

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Note: Sponsors, patrons, & benefactors are listed prominently in two issues of the newsletter Trail News and on the TOTA website.

PLEASE FILL OUT 8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • June 2012 MEMBERSHIP: $25 + $ = $ (this amount determines your membership level) (optional donation)*

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*Of this optional donation, please give $ to TOTA, and $ to the state chapter.

8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2015 20th Annual Trail of Tears Association Conference & Symposium October 5 – 8, 2015 Drury Lodge, Cape Girardeau, MO REGISTRATION FORM (One form per Registrant Please)

Contact Information

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

3. Mailing Address:

4. City: 5. State: 6. Zip Code:

7. Telephone: ( ) – 8. Fax: ( ) –

9. Email:

Registration

10. Regular Registration 11. On-Site Registration ♦ ♦ □TOTA 2015 Member: $125 □Non-member: 175 □TOTA 2015 Member: $225* □Non-member: $275 ♦ ♦ Non-member registration includes TOTA membership through 2016. Non-Member Registration includes TOTA membership through 2016.

Wednesday Field Trip: Sign Dedications, Grave Marking, Tour of Trail of 12. □ Please sign up to participate. Bus Seating Tears Park and Visitors Center, Cherokee Hog Fry with Choctaw side is limited. dishes followed by Cherokee Opera singer Barbra McAlister

13. Meals: Update Notifications - Hotel provides breakfast and supper Please check whether you wish to receive -Lunch will be provided Tues, Wed, and Thur. confirmation and updates via regular mail or by -A traditional Cherokee/Choctaw dinner will be served Email. Wednesday night as part of the field trip.  USPS mail  Email

14. Guest Meals I need to register my guest, ______, for the following meals: (Guest’s First & Last Name) □ Tues. Lunch - $25 □ Wed. Lunch - $25 □ Thurs. Lunch - $25 TOTAL: $______

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For TOTA office use only: CK AMT: $______CK No.: #______CASH: $______P.O. AMT: $______P.O. No.: #______CONF #:______

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September 2015 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9 Conference Registration - PAGE 2

Field Trip Waiver Please sign this liability waiver if you plan to participate in the field trip.

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

Sign ______Date ______Cancellation Policy

A written and signed notice of cancellation must be submitted to the Trail of Tears Association, 1100 N. University, Suite 143, Little Rock, AR 72207, fax number (501) 666-5875, in order to receive a refund. A 50% refund will be granted if notice is received by September 25, 2015. NO refunds will be granted after September 25, 2015.

Mail Your Registration

Send to: Trail of Tears Association Make Check or Money Order Payable to: 1100 N. University, Ste 143 Trail of Tears Association Little Rock, AR 72207

Hotel Information

D r u r y L odg e Call: 1-800-325-0720 for reservations 1 0 4 So u th Van ta g e Driv e, Ca p e Girar d e au , MO Ask for Trail of Tears group rate www .dru r y h o te ls.co m Guest rooms are $89.99 plus tax Questions? Contact Mike Killingsworth at [email protected] or (501) 666-9032 or Troy Poteete at [email protected]

10 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • September 2015 Vision Becoming Reality TOTA State Chapter Contacts Using Partnerships to Develop the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Alabama Shannon Fuller Keith Phone: 205-887-0791 Historic Road from Ross to Ridge’s, GA In 1987, Congress acknowledged the Email: [email protected] significance of this tragic event in our Hiwassee River Heritage Center, TN Nation’s history by establishing the Trail James Brown Cherokee Plantation, TN Arkansas of Tears National Historic Trail. The Jentel Farm Trail Segment, IL John McLarty National Park Service administers the John Martin House, TN Phone: 479-751-7125 Trail in cooperation with federal, state, and John Ross House, GA Email: [email protected] local agencies; the Cherokee Nation and Junaluska Memorial and Museum, NC Georgia the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; Lake Dardanelle State Park, AR interested groups; and Leslie Thomas La Petite Roche, AR Phone: 770-757-0931 private landowners. Laughlin Park, MO Email: [email protected] Mantle Rock, KY The Trail of Tears Association and the Maramec Spring Park/Massey Iron Works, MO Illinois National Park Service National Trails McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment, IL Sandy Boaz Intermountain Regin, Santa Fe have been Mount Nebo State Park, AR Phone: 618-833-8216 working with trail partners to increase Email: [email protected] Murrell Home, OK visibility for the trail and to develop it for visitor use. Old traces, historic buildings, Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC Kentucky and other resources are being preserved. New Echota State Historic Site, GA Alice Murphree Many sites have been certified and Paducah Waterfront, KY Phone: 270-886-5375 numerous on-the-ground projects have been Petit Jean State Park, AR Email: [email protected] completed, such as route signing, visitor-use Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR Missouri development, interpretive wayside exhibits, Port Royal State Park, TN Deloris Gray Wood Radford Farm, KY and interior museum exhibits at existing Phone: 573-729-2545 Red Clay State Historic Area, TN facilities. Email: [email protected] Rockdale Plantation/George Adair Home, GA Certified Sites Running Waters, John Ridge Home, GA North Carolina Andrew Ross House, AL Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, TN Susan M. Abram, Ph.D. Arcadia Valley Campground, MO Snelson-Brinker Cabin, MO Phone: 828-227-2735 Audubon Acres, TN Star City Ranch Trail Segment, MO Email: [email protected] Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite, KY Tennessee River Museum, TN Oklahoma Big Spring, KY Toler Farm Trail Segment, IL Curtis Rohr Brainerd Mission Cemetery, TN Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, KY Phone: 918-341-4689 Browns Ferry Tavern, TN Trail of Tears State Park, MO Email: [email protected] Campground Cemetery, IL Trail of Tears State Forest, IL Cedartown Camp, GA Tuscumbia Landing, AL Tennessee Chattanooga Regional History Museum,TN Vann Cherokee Cabin, GA Lee Trevino Cherokee County Historical Museum, NC Vann House Historic Site, GA Email: [email protected] Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows, GA Village Creek State Park, AR Cherokee Heritage Center, OK Wagner Farm Trail Segment, IL Chieftains Museum/Major Ridge Home, GA Wayside Store and Bridges Tavern Site, IL TOTA Gives Report Tri-Council City of North Little Rock Riverfront Park, AR Waterloo Landing, AL Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY Willstown Mission Cemetery, AL Dr. Brett Riggs, TOTA at-large board Crabb-Abbot Farm, IL member, Patsy Edgar, TOTA board Crider Tavern Complex, KY secretary, and Troy Wayne Poteete, David Crockett State Park Trail Segment, TN Federal Protection Components and TOTA executive director, reported to Delta Cultural Center, AR Interpretive Sites the Cherokee Tri-Council on August Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead, AR Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR 28, 2015, at Red Clay State Park in Fort Gibson, OK Cadron Settlement Park, AR Cleveland, Tennessee. The short Fort Payne Cabin Site, AL Cherokee Memorial Park, Blythe Ferry, TN Funk Heritage Center, GA Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR report focused on how the resources Giles Co. Trail of Tears Interpretive Center, TN Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN provided by the tribal governments Green County Trail Segments, MO Mark Twain National Forest, MO is leveraged with National Park Golconda Riverfront, IL Mocassin Bend, TN Service funds and volunteer hours Gray’s Inn, KY Pea Ridge National Military Park, AR to accomplish the marking and Hair Conrad Cabin, TN Shawnee National Forest, MO interpretation of the Trail of Tears. The Hermitage, TN National Battlefield, TN

September 2015 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11 Trail of  Tears Association 1100 N. University, Suite 143 Little Rock, AR 72207-6344

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

Cherokee Nation – $10,000 Choctaw Nation – $6,700 Eastern Band of Cherokee – $7,200 Hardin Co., KY – $1,500

Trail of Tears State Park Missouri – $650 Lucie Atkerson – $500 Diana Haney – $500 Dororthy Horner – $500

H. Riley Bock – $250 Jack Baker – $110 Dozier Wayne Lee – $100 Andrew Denson – $200 Jay Hannah – $110 George M. Murrell Home – $100 Rowena McClinton – $200 Bob Kimzey – $100 Elmer Hogue – $100 Diana Treadgill – $200 Carole Richmond – $103 John Knox – $100 John Wible – $190 Richard Bass – $100 Daniel Littlefield – $100 Paul G. Phillips – $160 Donna Byas – $100 Macon Co. Historical Society – $100 Vivian Cotrell – $150 Giles Carter – $100 Tammy Marlin – $100 (2014)/$100 (2015) Sarah Hill – $150 Chattanooga Area – CVB $100 Maria Matthews – $100 KY MS River Pkwy Commission – $150 City of Waynesville, MO – $100 Charlotte McCloskey – $100 Ernet Klatt – $150 Donald Coleman – $100 Jerry Muskrat – $100 Gary E. Payne – $150 Cheryl Cook – $100 Becky Nelson – $100 Native Cultural Circle – $135 Cindy Crane – $100 Diane Parrish – $100 Donna Lichtenegger – $130 Patricia Edgar – $100 Kathy Robinson – $100 Max Ramsey – $125 Debra Eskie – $100 Ansley Saville – $100 Meg Thompson (In memory of Lauren Franklin Friends of Moccasin Bend National Park – $100 Robbin Skinner – $100 Thompson) – $125 Jack Gardner – $100 Town of Coopertown, TN – $100 Glenn Jones – $120 Marylon Glass – $100 Mary Wachacha – $100 Richard Starbuck – $115 Don Kinney – $100 Robert Wyland – $100