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Newsletter of the National Historic Trail Partnership • Spring 2020 – Number 31 PNTS EX. DIR. GARY WERNER RETIRES Gary Werner, the only executive director the Partnership for the (PNTS) has ever had, retired after 29 years. Gary was the lead person in establishing the PNTS, an organization that has grown to include 19 historic trails, 11 scenic trails and 34 trail associations, of which the Trail of Tears Association is a part. It is a non- profit organization that connects the trail associations and federal agencies to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the national scenic and historic trails in the National Trails System, and it advocates for land preservation and stewardship resources.

On February 8, 2020, a retirement party was thrown in Gary’s honor as part of the Hike the Hill advocacy event hosted by the PNTS and the American Hiking Society annually. THE YOUNGEST For his retirement gift from the PNTS, Gary received a quilt hand- AMONG US crafted to include all 30 national historic and scenic trails. TOTA board Little Miss Annie Leary entertaining Sir Glen Jones, past AR National Board representative in members Deloris Gray Wood and the lobby of the hotel on the Paducah Riverfront during the Annual Conference last October. Denise Dowling attended the event in Washington, DC, while attending Annie Leary attended her first TOTA Annie much enjoys seeing her many the Hike the Hill advocacy week Conf. in Dalton GA in 2016. She was 10 friends at the annual gathering. Often and doing research at the National months old and the youngest member she is the fourth generation of her family Archives. of the Association ever. She has attended in attendance at the Conferences and so conference every year of her life. Her she has come to see the annual gathering grandparents Wally and Sheila Leary as some sort of extended family reunion. joined her to the group soon after her She is already looking forward to the birth for several reasons, one being to 2020 Conference in , NC. encourage others to add their children and grandchildren as members of their SEE OUR 25TH ANNUAL chapters. Wally is a past President of the CONFERENCE INFORMATION ON TN Chapter. PAGE 9

Barney Scout Mann (far right), president citizen meeting of the PNTS, and RG Absher of the Overmountain Victory Trail present Gary The Cherokee Nation plans to host a meeting for Werner with a custom-made quilt for his Cherokee Nation citizens from 2-6 p.m. on the Sunday retirement afternoon Sept. 20th before the conference begins on Monday. The meeting will be held at Harrah’s where The PNTS will be moving its office the Conference will be held and will allow Cherokee from Madison, WI, to Washington, citizens a chance to visit with tribal leaders, mingle DC, and choosing a new executive together, have a Cherokee Nation citizenship photo director in the fall of 2020. Karen ID made, and visit with other as well as Crossley is serving as the Interim conference attendees. Refreshments will be provided. Executive Director in the meantime. Deloris represents TOTA on the PNTS COVER PHOTO: A scenic view of the Great Smokey Mountains just outside of Cherokee, NC Board.

2 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020 A Trail of Tears Founding member Looks from UPCOMING EVENTS the Beginning tohe Future May 29, 2020 founding members still active include NCTOTA Chapter Meeting J.B. Tate of , and TOTA Ex. 2:00pm - Museum of the Cherokee, Director Troy Wayne Poteete. Bobbie Education Wing Heffington of , Max Ramsey Cherokee, NC of , and the late Beverly Baker of KY and the late Dr. Duane May 29, 2020 King, were also founding members, RTR Bike Ride Send-off Event among several others. 5:00pm - Kituwah Mound Cherokee, NC Over the years Mildred has enjoyed learning from scholars knowledgeable June 27-28 in Cherokee and Removal history and visiting sites of the original trail & July 11-12, 2020 beds. She is thankful for developing Source lasting friendships with persons with Dr. Julia Coates | Cherokee Nation Counselor the same interest in Removal. She Reinhardt University has seen the work of the Council, the Waleska, GA Association, and the make very visible progress September 12, 2020 Mildred Choate Taylor in identifying and marking historic Georgia General Meeting sites and providing information to the Historical Society of Cummings/ Chapter member Mildred general public on Removal. Because Forsyth County of this work, Mildred has been able to Taylor was appointed to the original Cummings, GA Trail of Tears National Historic Trail visit sites in Tennessee, , and Advisory Council in October 1992. Georgia where every branch of her The Advisory Council was created Cherokee family lived before Removal. September 20, 2020 by federal legislation to consult Cherokee Citizens Meeting with the Sec. of the Interior on the Mildred continues to be active Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort development of a plan and other in many organizations. She is a Cherokee, NC | 2pm - 6pm matters related to the Trail of Tears. member of the Marble City Historical According to its Charter from the Sec. Society near her home, which has September 21-23, 2020 of Interior the Council’s purpose was restored a 1911 bank building. She 25th Annual National Trail of Tears strictly advisory. The members of the is involved in fundraising to pay for Conference & Symposium Advisory Council felt the need for a the maintenance of the building, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort vehicle for advocacy and other more which serves as a social center and Cherokee, NC vigorous pursuits than the Advisory small museum. She is also a member Council Charter allowed. The group of the Fourteen Flags Heritage Club, September 24-25, 2020 determined to form a non-profit for which maintains a museum complex 11th Annual Rooted in the supporting the NPS effort to carry out of original lob cabins formerly owned Mountains Symposium its Congressional mandate to mark by Cherokee families then moved to Western Carolina Univ., Blue Ridge Conf. Room the routes. Sallisaw, OK. Cullowhee, NC Mildred remembers having an She serves on the Dwight Mission September 26, 2020 Advisory Council meeting in Nashville Cemetery Committee which helps Mountain Heritage Day in the spring of 1993. During the maintain the oldest organized burial Western Carolina University Intramural Field meeting the Advisory Council ground in Oklahoma. The cemetery Cullowhee, NC called for a recess. While the Council has the first recorded burial of members remained seated, another a missionary in 1828. The burial happened a few weeks after the November 5, 2020 meeting was called to order, during Trail of Tears Presentation which the Trail of Tears Association Arkansas Cherokees were moved into Indian Territory. Mildred is finishing up John McLarty / Bethany Rosenbaum was formed. From that point forward Museum of the Native American Mildred attended every Advisory a 2-year term as a Northeast District representative for the Oklahoma (A Certified Site) Council meeting and TOTA conference Bentonville, AR except for one. Home and Community Education Group, an affiliate of Oklahoma State Only a few of those founders present University Extension Service. She November 14, 2020 at that meeting remain active. The was instrumental in creating the quilt Georgia General Meeting organizing group included the exhibit for the 2019 Fall Conference in Dalton-Whitfield County Associations first President, Riley Paducah, KY, and plans on attending Dalton, GA Bock of Missouri who presented the the 25th Annual Conference in organizational documents. Other September 2020.

Spring 2020 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 3 JERRY CLARK, WORLD’S LEADING EXPERT ON CHEROKEE RECORDS IN THE NATIONAL A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE ARCHIVES HAS PASSED OF THE MEMBERSHIP of six summers. He worked closely with David Hampton, The National office has organized past newsletter and past Michael Wren, Jack Baker, the conference programs into spiral late Dr. Duane King, and the note books for easy access. These genealogist Jim Hicks whose documents are very useful in Cherokee genealogy pages are chronicling our organization’s available on the internet. Jerry history. We discovered that the National office was missing several freely shared his knowledge past conference programs. I pulled with anyone who inquired, and several from the documents I donated his great collection hoarded over my years as a board of records, books, and other member but we still need at least Cherokee related materials to one copy for the years hi-lighted the OK Chapter, the Cherokee below. National Museum, and the The National office will gladly Ballenger Collection at NSU. accept donations of a copy of the program for these years, or, Returning to the Cherokee we’ll be happy to make a copy for Jerry at work at the Nat’l Archives in Nation after retirement he the records if anyone will loan us Washington D.C. volunteered for several years at an original. Please contact us at Cherokee Nation citizen Jerry Lee the [email protected] or ring us Clark, a Claremore native and U.S. at 918-464-2258 if you can help. genealogical lab. Navy veteran, worked 30 plus years at the National Archives. Jerry passed March 15th. His TOTA CONFERENCE ashes were deposited among his LOCATIONS He was a descendant of Collins forebearers, together with a buckeye 1996 Little Rock, AR McDonald, assistant conductor of the from , near his ancestor’s 1997 Cherokee, NC George Hicks removal detachment. allotment in the Ghormley Cemetery 1998 Tahlequah, OK Jerry’s mother, a DAR leader, just outside Pensacola, OK. 1999 Sweetwater, TN requested assistance with Cherokee 2000 Cartersville, GA records. In the process of helping his 2001 Cape Girardeau, MO mother he developed a fascination 2002 Fort Smith, AR with Cherokee history and 2003 Cherokee, NC genealogy. He became the leading 2004 Catoosa, OK expert on Cherokee documents in the 2005 Chattanooga, TN Archives and copied and transcribed 2006 Springfield, MO many documents which he utilized 2007 Rome, GA to create articles, spreadsheets, 2008 Little Rock, AR and otherwise disseminated to 2009 Guntersville, AL researchers and historians. 2010 Metropolis, IL 2011 Cherokee, NC Jerry guided the OK Chapter research 2012 Norman, OK team which worked to digitize Recent photo of Jerry affecting the 2013 Hopkinsville, KY genius Look. 2014 Memphis, TN removal records over the course 2015 Cape Girardeau, MO 2016 Dalton, GA Jerry Clark discovered accounting records at the National Archives never before 2017 Pocola, OK used by historians. The Trail of Tears Association has since done extensive 2018 Decatur, AL research in these records where receipts for expenses have verified many of the 2019 Paducah, KY trail routes. The following is the first fruit of Jerry’s remarkable find.

4 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020 Explanation of Removal Expense Claim of the Cherokee Nation Submitted by Principal Chief John Ross As to the detention of the Boat, at the navigation of that part of the effect, but, however true the the mouth of the Ohio river, the river. So, I took passage scarcity and high prices for supplies circumstances which impelled me to on a Boat that was just on the eve immediately on the road might make the halt, were simply these – of ascending the river, and leaving my prove to be, that supplies should be sick family with the other emigrants, procured, Cost what they would, if On my arrival with the Water to await my return, which should be as they were to be had at all within Detachment at Paduca I received speedily as possible. reach of the route of their travel. letters from various persons Preparations were then directed connected with some of the first About 12 o’clock that night I was to be made for taking up the line houses in Nashville informing me, landed at Willard’s ferry, where I met of march the next morning – which that, it was understood, many of with Mr. Clark, my Brother Lewis and was done accordingly. the land detachments had been others in the employ of the Emigration stopped at the Mississippi river and from whom I ascertained that Geo. Hicks’ detachment began by the ice, and for various reasons Chuwalookee’s detachment had crossed to cross, also, on the morrow of it would be most advisable to the river and were then encamped my arrival. And on that day, I transport the Emigrants from a short distance off, and that Geo. finished all my arrangements that point by water; therefore Hicks’, Peter Hildebrand and Richard with the Conductors for resuming they sent me proposals for Taylor’s detachments had not yet their journey. And I was then furnishing Steam Boats for that crossed, but were in readiness for ready for returning to the Water purpose. the purpose. On the morrow, my Detachment. The health of the arrival was announced to Chewalookee people had become much improved, At the mouth of the Ohio, I also who with others, immediately came and those who were still sick received letters from Mr. Thos. N. to where I was. This conductor is continued with their respective Clark Jr., one of my principal agents an aged Chief, not conversant with Detachments. on the route, and other persons, the English language, consequently, all urging me in the most pressing had to rely much on his asst. for The descending boats being terms to visit the detachments the discharge of those duties, which generally laden, could not be that were still detained at or near were necessary to controul the prevailed upon to stop & take Willard’s ferry on the Mississippi conduct of the whites employed in the me on board. After thus being river. As my presence among the Detachment, also, in the disbursements detained two or three days, I people was indispensibly necessary of contingent expenses. Chewalookee determined not to wait any longer to remove many embarrassments frankly told me that owing to the for a passage by water, and I growing out of certain tales entire want of energy on the part of procured the loan of a horse & calculated to deter them from the asst. conductor one of the waggon rode down in two days to the Boat pursuing their journey through masters and some of the waggoners accompanyed by my Brother. And Missouri on roads represented to had become so unruly whilst the party the next morning after my return be very bad and where it would were detained by the ice in camps, we slipped cable. Within a week be impossible to procure supplies that the Detachment could not get from that time, my children became for the subsistence of themselves along satisfactorily on the journey motherless and the remains of Mrs. and horses. These reports were without their dismissal, thereby Ross were left in a strange land! suspected to have been put affording him better aid for the in circulation with the view of preservation of subordination in future. With the facts before you, Sir, creating alarm among the people, As to the Cherokees, he remarked, I cannot doubt you will see that that they might insist on taking that he could exercise sufficient this detention was unavoidable, water at that point. It was also influence and authority over them to and that it was forced upon me suggested that it might be deemed get along without trouble. Mr. Clark imperiously by necessity. Especially advisable to transfer some of the was consequently, forthwith assigned when you reflect upon the relation sick to the Water Detachment. to this detachment with instructions in which I stood to the Cherokee Above all, that the funds requisite to exercise a supervisory authority Nation in this emigration. Of the for meeting the expenses of the over it jointly with the Conductor, solemn duty I owed to the calls emigrants on the road had almost also, to discharge and pay off every of my expatriated Countrymen exhausted. I therefore deemed it faithless person under employment in it whose interests were entrusted my duty to repair to them without and to disburse the necessary expenses to my superintency during their hesitation. on the journey. This gave general sojourneyings to the place of their satisfaction. exile. In connexion with this the At first, I determined on the duty I owed to my own family propriety of running the Boat up At the same time, I directed it to and Water Detachment, which to Willard’s ferry with the view of be distinctly made known that no forbade my final separation from receiving such of the sick as might change could, or would be made from them at that point under existing wish to go by water, but the Capt. completing the journey by land. And circumstances, will I trust be of the Boat advised against it, that it was evident, those alarming deemed good reasons for that for reasons that neither himself tales about the roads thro Missouri detention. nor the Pilot knew any thing of were in great measure magnified for I am Sir, Very respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt. John Ross, Pr. Chief of the Cherokee Nation To Major Wm. B. Lewis 2nd Auditor Washington City, September 8th, 1841

From National Archives , Record Group 217 – General Accounting Office, Indian Accounts 1817-1922, Year 1841, Box 370 Spring 2020 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 5 ARKANSAS ARKANSAS (continued) ILLINOIS (continued) The Arkansas Chapter of the Trail of preserve this witness structure. She into public ownership and has Tears Association has been working is also researching slaves with the connections with the Trail. The Trail with local jurisdictions and the NPS Cherokee removal parties. runs adjacent to this parcel and to complete Trail of Tears Historic Cross Hollow, Benton County sign through research we know there was Route signage from the Missouri dedication, Executive Director TOTA a camping area nearby and that the border to the Fitzgerald Farmstead Troy Wayne Poteete Cherokee interacted with the local in Springdale following the Old Wire owner who had a house and mill on Road corridor. With twenty-two ARTOTA consulted with Petit Jean the property. So far, efforts to learn signs planned, seventeen have been State Park on revising Trail of Tears more about this area have included installed. The remaining five signs panels including new language. oral interviews, additional research, are some of the first to utilize the Bethany Rosenbaum fielded several and some preliminary archaeological newly adopted sign format recently public visits at the Department investigations. approved by the Federal Highway of History, University of Arkansas, Administration. with interest in local Trail of Tears information in Washington County. Emphasis in Kentucky has been on ARTOTA is also working to help the the Water Route of the Trail of Tears Chickasaw Nation develop research along the Tennessee, Ohio and on removal routes and existing Mississippi rivers. The U.S.D.A. Forest signage/interpretation. Service, Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, at Golden ILLINOIS Pond, KY, is installing 4 water route After a winter break, the Illinois signs, three located in Kentucky and Chapter recently gathered and began one in Tennessee, along the Kentucky Sign Dedication of Historic Route signs in Benton Lake/. County at Cross Hollow, October 22, 2019 planning for 2020. On February 28, 2020 ARTOTA As a result of elections held at the At the bank along the Ohio River, consulted with the U.S. Forest end of 2019, a slight change on the in Paducah, Kentucky, during the Service on research, signage, and Chapter Board has occurred. Heather National Trail of Tears Conference interpretation at Natural Dam in Carey, former Vice-President of the in October, 2019, we unveiled two Crawford County. Natural Dam is Chapter will now assume the role of interpretive signs marking the an important site along the removal President of the Board, and Sandy location of Owen Island, a certified of two Cherokee detachments Boaz, former President will now hold site. We appreciate the collaboration including an encampment site. There the office of Vice-President. between the City of Paducah, is currently no interpretation on the National Park Service and the Trail of Trail of Tears but it is a very popular The Chapter’s goals and projects this Tears Association on this project. The site for visitors. ARTOTA and the year will include initiating preliminary Kentucky Chapter is working with the USFS will meet again to discuss an work with the Kentucky Chapter and River Discovery Center located near MOU agreement and working with the National Park Service to create a the signs, as an interpretive site. Tribal Partners on an archaeological joint Illinois/Kentucky TOT brochure, training opportunity and interpretive continuing to update and grow our panels. website and social media presence, plan for opportunities to host and Historic Preservation Officer, support the Remember the Removal Carolyn Kent, conducted research Riders, and find ways to grow our on Plummer’s Station in an effort to membership. CONFERENCE INFORMATION We are also focusing on learning & ONLINE more about a particular parcel BOOKING of land that has recently come Wayside exhibit dedication on bank of Ohio River in downtown Paducah, KY.

6 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020 KENTUCKY (continued) MISSOURI MISSOURI (continued) On the Mississippi river, Fort Jefferson Crawford County Road District #1 of the Missouri State Archives. Park in Wickliffe, Kentucky is working Foreman Danny Brown and the with our chapter, and National Park Missouri Chapter President Deloris Records were discovered and copied Service for a water route sign to Gray Wood retraced the Trail in at the National Archives that may be be displayed at their visitor center. Crawford County on December 4, of interest to other state chapters. Columbus-Belmont State Park reports 2019, with the purpose of marking Deloris and Denise will get those many visitors to see the Trail of Tears the future locations of signs that records to the appropriate chapters interpretive signs located at their will identify the Trail. The signs soon. park, situated on a bluff overlooking were supplied by the National Park the river. Servicer Trails Office in Santa Fe. Heavy rains have caused a delay in In other news, the Kentucky Chapter the installation, but work has begun is working with the Hopkinsville to repair roads and bridges that will Trail of Tears Commission on two then allow for the sign installations. new interpretive signs for the Trail If you would like to traverse this part of Tears Commemorative Park. The of the Trail of Tears National Historic State Road-Hill Cemetery site in Trail after the roads and bridges Caldwell County, owned by Mr. are repaired and signs have been Samuel Williams, was designated installed, contact Deloris for more by the National Trail Intermountain information. Chapter Pres. Deloris Gray Wood with Bob Region (NTIR) as a certified site on Ratcliffe, NPS Div. Chief for Conservation and the Trail of Tears National Historic Outdoor Recreation, and Aaron Mahr, supt of the NPS National Trails Office Trail Route in June, 2019. Amy Kostine, National Trails Program Coordinator, at the Middle Tennessee NCTOTA’s Fall Chapter meeting took State University, Center for Historic place on October 5, 2019 at St. John’s Preservation, prepared a National Episcopal Church in Franklin, NC. Register nomination for the segment Dr. Andrew Denson, Professor of in partnership with NTIR. This History at Western Carolina University, nomination will be presented at the Deloris Gray Wood and County Foreman Danny Brown show off new signs for Crawford County. provided a brief lecture entitled, “Why April state review board meeting in Should We Remember Sand Town?” Frankfort, KY, for a vote to move the In early February, Deloris and and facilitated a discussion about the nomination forward to the NPS for Denise Dowling, a chapter board significance of the area. Guests had final review and approval for listing. member as well as one of the two the opportunity to mingle, participate The site became Kentucky’s 10th representatives from Missouri on in thoughtful conversation, and certified site on the Trail of Tears the national TOTA board, traveled explore the grounds of St. John’s. NHTR. to Washington, DC, to join the annual Hike the Hill event with the Kentucky Chapter is working with Partnership for the National Trails the Illinois Chapter and the National System (PNTS) and to do work at the Park Service on a map brochure of National Archives. Deloris serves as the Trail of Tears through Kentucky the TOTA representative on the PNTS and Illinois, highlighting important Trail Leaders Council. In between certified sites. PNTS meetings and official meetings on Capitol Hill with federal agencies A Kentucky Chapter organizational and Congressional staff, Deloris and meeting is in the planning stages for Denise researched records at the later this spring with date and place National Archives. They very much to be announced. appreciate the guidance from fellow chapter board member Bill Ambrose as well as that of Marybelle Chase of the Oklahoma Chapter, Daniel Littlefield of the Sequoyah Research Grave of Chief Chuttahsotee (Jim Woodpecker) Center in Arkansas, and John Dougan and his wife Cunstagih (Sally Woodpecker) on www.nationaltota.com church grounds. (Photo by Anita Finger-Smith)

Spring 2020 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 7 North Carolina (continued) TENNESSEE (continued) TENNESSEE (continued)

The 24th Annual National Trail of Tears Ironically, Mud Island was not there Melba Checote Eads. Melba refers Conference and Symposium took in the 1830’s but formed much later to the commemorative walks as place October 11-13, 2019 in Paducah, in the early 1900’s—but that is near part of the healing process. During KY. NCTOTA Treasurer and National where the detachment crossed the 2020 the old faded TOT signs along Board Member Anita Finger-Smith, river. The sign dedication came after the Northern Route going through and NCTOTA Board Member Robin years of research, planning and Woodbury will be replaced. Swayney, represented the NC Chapter. work by longtime TNTOTA member Graydon Swisher and others. Troy The 2nd annual Winchester Trail of NCTOTA hosted a Winter Chapter Wayne Poteete helped with the Tears Walk was held on October 26, meeting on Nov. 16, 2019, at Graham dedication of the sign. An excellent 2019. The walk commemorated the County Public Library in Robbinsville, educational symposium was held Bell detachment coming through NC. After the business meeting, TJ following the sign dedication Winchester, Franklin County, Holland, EBCI Cultural Resources ceremony. Speakers for the event Tennessee on their way to Indian Supervisor and NCTOTA Tribal Liaison, were members of the Cherokee, Territory in 1838. The event was presented on Post-Removal Cherokee Choctaw, Muscogee Creek and organized by long time TNTOTA communities in Graham County. Chickasaw Nations. member Floyd Ayers and David Moore of the Franklin County, TN Historical Society. The walk ended at the Franklin County Library where educational information about the Trail of Tears was on display. Dr. Vicki Rozema concluded the event with a presentation on the Trail of Tears. The NCTOTA Board met in Feb. to discuss the upcoming year. 2020 A Trail of Tears Remembrance Walk looks to be a very busy and exciting was held at Greg Vital’s farm located Graydon Swisher with new wayside in Greenbelt year for the NC Chapter, which will Park on Mud Island, Memphis, TN in Georgetown, Tennessee on host the 25th Annual National Trail of November 9, 2019. The walk was Tears Conference and Symposium at During 2019 the Tennessee Trail held on a short segment of original Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort on of Tears Association sanctioned trail that was used by the Hildebrand September 21-23, 2020. and participated in several detachment of Cherokee on their commemorative Trail of Tears way to . The event was NCTOTA is pleased to announce a very walks in Tennessee. Woodbury, organized by Greg Vital, Shirley generous grant from the Cherokee Tennessee was site of the 17th Lawrence and Patara Marlow. Preservation Foundation to support annual commemorative walk in The Tennessee Trail of Tears the Fall Conference. This funding will September. The walk was organized Association has numerous activities provide opportunities for members of by Muscogee Creek Nation citizen, planned for 2020. the local community and beyond to learn more about the Trail of Tears.

TENNESSEE On November 24, 2019 the Tennessee Trail of Tears Association was happy to participate in the dedication a new wayside sign on Mud Island in Memphis, Tennessee. The sign commemorated the Bell Detachment coming through Memphis and crossing the Mississippi River. Bell Detachment Commemoration Walk, Winchester, TN

8 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020 Special thanks to these conference sponsors.

FALL CONFERENCE PLANNING WELL UNDERWAY Planning for 25th Annual TOTA Conference which will make extra The TENTATIVE SCHEDULE herewith Conference and Symposium is well programing possible. will be fleshed out with a great underway under the diligent and deal more detail by June 1 or soon able leadership of NC Chapter Pres. Both Eastern Band Chief Ritchie Snead, thereafter. Registration forms will be Paige Tester, and NC Treasurer Anita and Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck available in that time frame also. An Finger Smith, with guidance from Hoskin, Jr. are expected to address e-mail blast from the National Office Robin Swaney, Dr. Brett Riggs and the Conference as well as Dr. Brett will provide those documents and the the NC Chapter Board. Through their Riggs of Western Carolina University. same information will also be made efforts the Cherokee Preservation Several other timely speakers and available on the TOTA website and Foundation has awarded a very topics are in the planning stages. Facebook page. Electronic as well as generous grant for the 2020 Standby. mail in registration will be available.

National Trail of Tears Association Annual Conference Tentative schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm TOTA Board Meeting 7:00am - 8:30am Breakfast Buffet 7:00am - 8:30am Breakfast Buffet 9:00am - 10:30am TOTA Board Break 8:30am - 10:00am Conference Registration 8:30am - 9:30am 1st Concurrent Sessions 10:30am - 11:00am TOTA Board Meeting 8:30am - 9:30am TOTA Annual Membership 9:45am - 10:30am Plenary Session 11:00am - 12:30pm Conference Registration Meeting & Chapter Reports 10:30am - 11:00am Break 12:30pm - 2:00pm Lunch (on your own) 9:45am - 10:30am Preamble to Field Trip 11:00am - 12:00pm 2nd Concurrent Sessions 2:00pm - 2:30pm Opening Introductions 11:00am Depart for Field Trip 12:00am - 1:00pm Lunch 2:30pm - 3:30pm Welcome Address 12:00am - 1:00pm Lunch 1:15pm - 2:15pm 3rd Concurrent Sessions 3:30pm - 4:15pm National Park Service Report 1:00pm - 5:00pm Field Trip 2:15pm - 2:45pm Break 6:30pm - 9:00pm 25th Annual Conference 5:00pm - 8:00pm Kituwah Cultural Event 2:45pm - 3:45pm 4th Concurrent Sessions Keynote Address | Dr. Brent Kituwah Mound Pavillion 4:00pm - 4:30pm Closing Remarks & Riggs near Cherokee, NC Departure

Optional After Conference Rooted in the Mountains Mountain Heritage Day Events at WCU Thursday & Friday | September 24th & 25th Saturday September 26th

Spring 2020 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 9 PRESIDENT CHICKASAW NATION ARKANSAS MISSOURI Jack Baker* Regina Berna Bethany Rosenbaum Denise Dowling , OK Ada, OK Lowell, AR Cape Girardeau, MO [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] VICE PRESIDENT EASTERN BAND OF Sasha Bowles Deloris Wood & CHOCTAW NATION CHEROKEE INDIANS Knoxville, AR Salem, MO Sue Folsom* Russell Townsend [email protected] [email protected] Durant, OK Cherokee, NC [email protected] [email protected] GEORGIA NORTH CAROLINA Leslie Thomas Anita Finger-Smith PAST PRESIDENT MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION Ellijay GA Cherokee, NC Riley Bock* Corain Lowe-Zepeda [email protected] [email protected] New Madrid, MO Okmulgee, OK 74447 [email protected] [email protected] Tony Harris Anne Rogers , GA Cullowhee, NC SECRETARY UNITED KEETOOWAH BAND [email protected] [email protected] Patsy Edgar* of CHEROKEE INDIANS Dahlonega, GA Chief Joe E. Bunch ILLINOIS OKLAHOMA [email protected] Tahlequah, OK Dr. Mark Wagner Curtis Rohr [email protected] Carbondale, IL Claremore, OK TREASURER [email protected] [email protected] John McLarty* CHOCTAW NATION Springdale, AR Sue Folsom* Sandy Boaz Marybelle Chase [email protected] see V.P. above Anna, IL Tulsa, OK [email protected] [email protected] AT-LARGE Dr. Brett Riggs* ALABAMA KENTUCKY TENNESSEE Western Carolina University Amber Fite-Morgan Alice Murphree Cleata Townsend Cullowhee, NC Florence, AL Hopkinsville, KY Chattanooga, TN [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Judy Sizemore Carla Hildebrand Vicki Rozema AT-LARGE Muscle Shoals, AL Wickliffe, KY Harrison, TN Will Chavez [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tahlequah, OK [email protected] * Denotes ex-committee member Executive Committee Members Tribal Representatives

Trail of Tears Trail of Tears National Park Service National Historic Trail Association National Trails Office, Santa Fe

Trail News is produced by the The Trail of Tears Association has entered The National Trails Office administers the partnership of the Trail of Tears Association into a cooperative agreement with Trail of Tears NHT, the Santa Fe NHT, El and the National Park Service, National the National Park Service to promote Camino Real de los Tejas NHT, and the Trails Office, Santa Fe. and engage in the protection and Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. preservation of the Trail of Tears NHT El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro NHT Editor resources; to promote awareness of the and Old Spanish NHT are administered Troy Wayne Poteete trail’s legacy, including the effects of jointly by the National Trails and the New Contributors the U.S. Government’s Indian Removal Mexico State Office of the Bureau of Land Deloris Gray Wood, Debbie Moore, Paige Policy on the Cherokee and other tribes; Management. These trail and corridor Tester, Jerra Quinton, Heather Carey, Carla and to perpetuate the management programs are administered in partnership Hildebrand, Sasha Bowles, Jack Baker and development techniques that are with American Indian tribes; federal, state, Layout consistent with the NPS’s trail plan. and local agencies; nongovernment organizations; and private landowners. Megaphone Pro Solutions, Daryn Crawford, Chris Berton Trail of Tears Association 412 N. Hwy 100, Suite B National Trails Office Comments/Address Changes? P.O. Box 329 PO Box 728 Contact: Troy Wayne Poteete Webbers Falls, OK 74470 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 Trail of Tears Association 412 N. Hwy 100, Suite B 505-988-6098 P.O. Box 329 918-464-2258 Webbers Falls, OK 74470 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.nps.gov/trte www.NationalTOTA.org

10 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020 TOTA State Chapter VISION BECOMING REALITY Presidents Contact Info Using Partnerships to Develop the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail Alabama Amber Fite-Morgan Phone: 918-260-4797 In 1987, Congress acknowledged the The Hermitage, TN Email: [email protected] significance of this tragic event in our Historic Road from Ross to Ridge’s, GA Nation’s history by establishing the Hiwassee River Heritage Center, TN Arkansas Trail of Tears National Historic Trail. The James Brown Cherokee Plantation, TN Bethany Henry Rosenbaum National Park Service administers the Jentel Farm Trail Segment, IL Phone: 417-592-2623 House, TN Email: [email protected] Trail in cooperation with federal, state, John Ross House, GA and local agencies; the Cherokee Nation Memorial and Museum, NC Georgia and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Lake Dardanelle State Park, AR Tony Harris Indians; interested groups; and La Petite Roche, AR Phone: 770-425-2411 private landowners. Laughlin Park, MO Email: [email protected] Mantle Rock, KY Illinois The Trail of Tears Association and the Maramec Spring Park/Massey Iron Works, MO Heather Carey National Park Service National Trails McGinnis Cemetery Trail Segment, IL Phone: 618-658-1330 Mount Nebo State Park, AR Intermountain Regin, Santa Fe have been Email: [email protected] Murrell Home, OK working with trail partners to increase Museum of the Cherokee Indian, NC Kentucky visibility for the trail and to develop it for New Echota State Historic Site, GA Alice Murphree visitor use. Old traces, historic buildings, Paducah Waterfront, KY Phone: 270-886-5375 and other resources are being preserved. Petit Jean State Park, AR Email: amurphree1139@bellsouth. Many sites have been certified and Pinnacle Mountain State Park, AR net numerous on-the-ground projects have Port Royal State Park, TN Radford Farm, KY Missouri been completed, such as route signing, Deloris Gray Wood visitor-use development, interpretive Red Clay State Historic Area, TN Rockdale Plantation/George Adair Home, GA Phone: 573-729-2545 wayside exhibits, and interior museum Email: lostgeneration@embarqmail. Running Waters, Home, GA com exhibits at existing facilities. Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, TN Snelson-Brinker Cabin, MO North Carolina Star City Ranch Trail Segment, MO Paige Tester Yelen Certified Sites Tennessee River Museum, TN Phone: 828-269-8281 Andrew Ross House, AL Toler Farm Trail Segment, IL Email: [email protected] Arcadia Valley Campground, MO Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, KY Audubon Acres, TN Trail of Tears State Park, MO Oklahoma Berry’s Ferry and John Berry Homesite, KY Trail of Tears State Forest, IL Curtis Rohr Big Spring, KY Tuscumbia Landing, AL Phone: 918-341-4689 Cemetery, TN Vann Cherokee Cabin, GA Email: [email protected] Browns Ferry Tavern, TN Vann House Historic Site, GA Campground Cemetery, IL Village Creek State Park, AR Tennessee Debbie Moore Cedartown Cherokee Removal Camp, GA Wagner Farm Trail Segment, IL Chattanooga Regional History Museum,TN Phone: 423-715-2254 Wayside Store and Bridges Tavern Site, IL Email: [email protected] Cherokee County Historical Museum, NC Waterloo Landing, AL Cherokee Garden at Green Meadows, GA Webbers Falls Historical Society, OK Cherokee Heritage Center, OK Willstown Mission Cemetery, AL / Home, GA City of North Little Rock Riverfront Park, AR Federal Protection SCAN QR CODE Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY Components and DIGITAL CONTENT AVAILABLE: Crabb-Abbot Farm, IL Interpretive Sites Crider Tavern Complex, KY Arkansas Post National Memorial, AR CERTIFIED SITES David Crockett State Park Trail Segment, TN Arkansas River Visitors Center/Old Post Delta Cultural Center, AR Road Park, AR Fitzgerald Station and Farmstead, AR Cadron Settlement Park, AR Fort Gibson, OK Cherokee Memorial Park, Blythe Ferry, TN Fort Payne Cabin Site, AL Fort Smith National Historic Site, AR Funk Heritage Center, GA Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN Giles Co. Trail of Tears Interpretive Center, TN Mark Twain National Forest, MO Green County Trail Segments, MO Mocassin Bend, TN Golconda Riverfront, IL Pea Ridge National Military Park, AR Gray’s Inn, KY Shawnee National Forest, MO , TN Stones River National Battlefield, TN Hamburger Hill, IL

Spring 2020 • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News 11 Trail of Tears Association P.O. Box 329 Webbers Falls, OK 74470

EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA

The Trail of Tears Association Pheonix Giving Society would like to thank the following for their generous upgraded membership support: Benefactors $1000+ Land Routes ($1000 - $4999) Riley Bock $2,500 Cherokee Preservation Foundation - $51,000 Anita Finger-Smith $1125 Cherokee Nation Enterprises - $15,000 Cherokee Nation - $10,000 | Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians - $7,200 Water Routes ($500 - $999) John Wible, Jr $700 Sponsors Up to $499 Melissa Twaroski $610 (Listed in alpabetical order) Jack Baker &750 $75.00 William Ambrose $75.00 Jack Gardner $75.00 Wanda Patterson Removal ($100 - $499) $75.00 Teresa Atchison $75.00 Kelly Hallman $275.00 Gary Payne $400 - Wesley Harris $125 - Barbara Smith $75.00 Paul Austin $85.00 Jay Hannah $75.00 Brett Riggs, Ph.D. $325 - Lawrence Simmons $115 - Laura Spann $75.00 James Barnes $90.00 R. Wesley Harris $75.00 Ansley Saville $320 - Sir Glen Jones $105 - Cleta Labrie $75.00 Ronald Black $100.00 Bobbie Heffington $75.00 Vernon Schoonover $300 - Leslie Thomas $100 - Susan Abram, Tony $200.00 H. Riley Bock $75.00 Sarah Hill $85.00 Lawrence Simmons $250 - Mike Nelson, Becky Harris, Troy Wayne Poteete, Nelson Bethany Rosenbaum, Wanda $75.00 David Boyle $75.00 Sir Glenn Jones $75.00 Leslie Simmons $200 - John Mclarty, Steven Patterson, Lea Britt, David $75.00 Sherry Brown $75.00 Bob Jost $75.00 Marvin Sowder Stanley, Brick Autry, Jason Breland, Judy Sizemore, $75.00 Frank Brown $75.00 Don Kinney $75.00 Steven Stanley Irby Sandra Boaz, Sasha Bowles, $75.00 Janet Cantrell $75.00 Dozier Lee, Jr. $75.00 Richard Starbuck $195 - Rod Wheeler Melba Eads, Sheila Yehl, Joe $75.00 Kathy Carroll-Josenhans $75.00 David Malone $75.00 Steven Stone $150 - Vicki Rozema, Debbie Campbell, Jeffrey Bibbee, Moore Shannon Keith. $75.00 Tom Cole $75.00 Pam Mathews $75.00 Melissa Twaroski $75.00 Cheryl Cook $175.00 Rowena McClinton $75.00 John Wible, Jr. Treaties & Wars (Up to $99) $100.00 Missouri Humanities Council $75.00 Erin Medley $75.00 Mary Young Will Chavez Laurie Brockman Deborah Kirk $75.00 Deidra Dees $85.00 Mary Ellen Meredith $120.00 Chattanooga Area CVB Mildred Taylor Heather Carey Bill Wall Ulrike Wiethaus Deloris Wood Patsy Edgar $265.00 Andrew Denson $100.00 Billie Napolitano $150.00 KY-MS River Pkway Com Sandra Riley Cleata Townsend Billy Kirk Michael Abram Larry Smith Odene Kirk $75.00 JoAnn Eriksen $225.00 Carolyn Nohria $100.00 City of Waynesville Darlene Goins Steve Belko Denise Dowling $75.00 Debra Eskie $75.00 Gina Olaya Paul Austin Erin Whitson Rebekah Cessna Nancy Feroe Galen Gritts $85.00 Lowell Fay $75.00 Joseph Owle Joy Montgomery Jim Ogden $75.00 Amber Fite-Morgan $75.00 Diane Parrish Phoenix Giving Society amounts shown are cumulative.

12 Trail of Tears National Historic Trail News • Spring 2020