Untitled - the Digital Library of Georgia

606 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
1,600 on the journey. The proportionate mortality among those who
previously removed under military supervision was probably greater.
Hundreds died in the stockades and in the waiting camps, chiefly by
reason of the rations furnished, which were of flour and other provi
sions to which they were not accustomed. Hundreds of others died on
arrival from sickness and exposure. Altogether, it,is asserted, possibly
with reason, that over 4,000 Cherokees died as the direct result of the
removal. On reaching Indian Territory, the emigrants at once set
about building houses and planting crops, the government having agreed
under the treaty to furnish them with rations for one year after arrival.
They were welcomed by the Arkansas Cherokees, kinsmen who held
the'country under previous treaties. These, however, being regularly
organized, were not disposed to 1 be swallowed up by the governmental
authority of the new comers. Jealousies developed in which the minor
ity or treaty part of the emigrants, headed by Ridge, took sides with
the old settlers, against the Ross or national party, which outnumbered
the others nearly three to one; and then followed the tragic sequel."
On June 22, 1839, Major Ridge, bis son, John Ridge, and Elias
Boudinot suffered the penalty of having advocated the removal of the
Indians to the West. It was in the midst of great political excitement
that the three-fold act of murder was perpetrated, but the evidence
shows that the whole affair was deliberately planned. The report made
by the Indian agent to the secretary of war, two days after the occur
rence, gives the following particulars: '' The murder of Boudinot was
treacherous and cruel. He was assisting some workmen in building a
new house. Three men called upon him and asked for medicine. He
went off with them in the direction of "Worcester's, the missionary who
keeps medicine, about three hundred yards from Boudinot's. When
they were about half way, two of the men seized Boudinot and the other
stabbed him, after which the three cut him to pieces with knives and
tomahawks. This murder, having occurred within two miles of the
residence of John Ross, his friends were apprehensive that it might
be charged to his connivance, and at this moment there are 600 armed
Cherokees around the dwelling of Ross assembled for his protection.
The murderers of the two Ridges and Boudinot are certainly of the
late Cherokee emigrants and of course adherents of Ross but I cannot
yet believe that Ross has encouraged the outrage. He is a man of too
much good sense to embroil his nation at this critical time; and besides,
his character, since I have known him, which is now twenty-five years,
has been pacific. Boudinot's wife is a white woman, a native of New
Jersey, as I understand. He has six children. The wife of John Ridge
is a white woman, but from whence or what family I am not informed.
Boudinot was in moderate circumstances. The Ridges, both father and
son, were rich."
John Ross, the principal chief of the nation, does not seem to have
been a party to the transaction, though it was doubtless in accordance
with a law of the tribe, similar to the one~under which the brave chief
of the Creeks, Gen. William Mclntosh, suffered death. Moreover, the
national council afterwards declared the murdered men to have been