AUGUST 7, 1875
Transcribed by Debra Tumlin. We owe her a big thanks for her efforts.
THE RECORD
CEDARTOWN, GA, AUGUST 7, 1875
Early History of Polk County
BY ONE OF THE FIRST SETTLERS
Continued
The people of the valley during the winter and spring of 1834 made considerable preparations for farming. They felt no interest in the county affairs, none of them had been elected to office, and county site being located at Cleantown, (Van Wert). The spring term of the Superior Court was coming on at the new court house, and his Honor, O. H. Kinyan, was to preside as Judge, and I think our common J. W. H. Underwood was solicitor-general. Warrants had been issued against several persons in the valley, and they had been shying round to evade arrest. Several citizens of the valley were on the jury, and nearly all in the valley were afraid to go to Van Wert, but all who had business went, and we had, to our surprise, quite a calm time. The name of Judge Kinyan on the bench made the pony club tremble. Our valley friends not prossed nearly all the cases against them, and friendship appeared to be gaining ground. Court passed off and no one was killed or maimed; but the first Sheriff’s sale day after court a good many from the valley went over, and by the time they got off their horses they were attacked by a host of the pony club, with pistols and knives. It was then that our old friend, Ballenger Gravley, threw off his coat and told the pony club to lay down their weapons and he would whip all of them, one at a time, a fair fist fight. A great many pistols were drawn and presented, but no one killed or hurt. Friend Gravley’s proposition was not accepted, but it had a great deal to do in quashing the difficulty.
Things now began to brighten up in the valley. Walthall had set up a little store where the Baptist church now stands, with a post office and justice court ground, muster ground, &c. Lacy Witcher and Hiram Wright were acting justices of the peace, and our old friend Gravley was elected Captain of the Cedartown District, and was a good drill officer. He was fresh from the South Carolina nullification drill, and boasted that he was a John C. Calhoun nullifier. On his first drill day he did not perform so well, on account of his taking more “groceries” than he was able to carry successfully--the ground appeared to rise up to his head more than usual. His Lieutenants rendered valuable service at that time and one of the posse struck Tom __gan with his gun, and they __ for a fist fight. Jack struck him three or four licks that nearly brought him to his knees. The balance of the crowd tripped him up, kicked him and punched him with their guns, and beat him terribly. The Sheriff finally got them off of him, when they __ mounted their horses and left, without arresting anyone.
I must not get ahead of May day the grandest time with the Cherokee Indians. The whites called it “Terrapin-shell Dance.” The Indians would congregate from every part of the nation. I have seen two or three thousand at this dance. It was managed, or supervised by the women while the green corn dance was managed by the men. I have forgotten why they celebrated this day, but was in relation to the first ripe fruit. Four or five of the oldest women would take four terrapin shells, fill them nearly full of small gravel and tie two to each leg. The other women would form a large ring. The four would walk around inside of the ring and sing a song at the top of their voices, until they went round about twice; they would then stop singing and commence jumping up and down to rattle their shells, the noise of which was equal to a half dozen railroad enjines; you couldn’t hear it thunder the noise was so deafening. Two rounds and then the whole crowd would sing to the top of their voice, and so continued for a day and night. The men would generally stand around outside of the ring, apparently greatly interested. Some of them would sing, and sometimes would give command for certain __ or songs. The women would __ in front, dressed in primp and __ giving animation to the occasion. It was truly a novel sight. After 183_ the Indians became demoralized and gave up these large celebrations.
{TO BE CONTINUED}
Faithfully transcribed as printed on July 4, 1999. Debra Tumlin