| A Cherokee mission school in Charleston housed and educated Cherokee children, teaching them to read and write both in English and in the Cherokee syllabary. The Cherokee in this area were of Christian faith in the 1830's. They were buried alongside their Christian brothers and remembered with dignity. Many residents of Bradley, Polk and McMinn Counties are of Cherokee lineage. Our class visited the Calhoun Cemetery where an Indian Princess is buried. We also visited the gravesite of Governor Joseph McMinn, a politician who played an active role in Indian affairs, although not always acting in their favor. Stories are told that a large number of Cherokee camped in an open field in Calhoun while awaiting their departure on the Trail of Tears. This is possible, since no bridge would have been available to cross over to the over-crowded Fort Cass in Charleston. This field is believed to have been the Hiwassee Meadowlands, now a ballpark and recreational center. We stood at the Meadowlands and could almost hear the Cherokee strains of the "Amazing Grace" hymn as they lifted their voices in prayer when departing their beloved Tennessee valley.. |
