Full text of "History of the Cherokee Indians and their legends and folk lore"

History of the Cherokee Indians
and their legends and folklore.


CHAPTER XI

Public School System Established. National Officials. Male and Female. Seminary Graduates. Eleemosynary Institutions.

Prior to 1842 the educatioiuil interests of the Cherokees was in the hands of the missionaries of the Moravian, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregational and Baptist churches. The United Brethren or Moravians commenced their missionary work among the Cherokees at Spring Place in Georgia in l8or. The American Board of Foreign Mission, maintained by the Presbyterian and Congregational churches entered the field at Brainard in 1817. The Baptists commenced their labors in the western part of North Carolina, during the same year but soon allowed their work to lapse until 1820 in which year Valley Town Mission was founded. In 1824 the Methodists established their first mission in the Cherokee country. Some of the Cherokees most probably attended schools in neighboring provinces and states prior to 1800. Notably, Charles Hicks, a half breed, who as early as 1808 was known to have had a splendid education.
The idea of public and higher schools for the Cherokees was advocated and provided for by the treaty of 1835. The Cherokee negotiators in this treaty were: John Ridge, Ellas Boudinot, John West, Archilla Smith, Samuel W. Bell, William A. Davis and Ezekial West.
Section six, article nine of the Cherokee constitution of 1859 is as follows: "Religion, morality and knowledge, being necessary to good government, the preservation of liberty and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education, shall forever be encouraged in this Nation." Pursuant to that idea the council enunciated, "Be it enacted by the National Council, That all facilities and means for the promotion of education, by the establishment of schools, and the diffusion of general intelligence among the people shall be afforded by legislation, commensurate with the importance of such objects, and the extent and condition of the public finances; and all schools which may be, and are now in operation in this Nation, shall be subject to such supervision and control of the National Cuncil as may be provided.
Section 2. Be it further enacted. That in future no missionary school or establishment shall be located or erected without permission first being obtained from the National Council for such purpose, and the place designated by law for the same, with such other general regulations as may be deemed necessary and proper, either as conducive to its particular usefulnes or conformity to national rights and interest.
Section 3. Be it further enacted, That in furtherance of the design of this act, a committee of three persons shall be appointed by nomination of the Principal Chief to the National Committee, whose duty it shall be to mature and prepare a system of general education by schools, with such laws for its establishment and promotion as may be necessary; and to report the same to the Principal Chief before the next annual meeting of the National Council. who shall submit such report with his views in relation thereto; said committee shall also visit all the schools in the Nation, examine the plan upon which they are taught, the improvement of pupils, and utility of each, and report such information to the Principal Chief, to be submitted before the National Council.
Tahlequah, 26th, Sept., 1839.
Approved—John Ross.
The time was later extended for another year. On October 2, 1839, the establishment of several missionary schools was authorized.
The interest on the invested school funds of the Cherokees as shown by various Annual Reports of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, were: 1839, $2,606.90; 1860, $11,848.00; 1870, $29,460.04.
A Superintendent of Education and eleven public schools were provided for by an act of council on November 16, 1841. Two thousand two hundred fifty seven dllars and thirty cents was appropriated to meet the past expenditures for the year of 1842. At the same time five thousand eight hundred dollars was appropriated to support the schools for the year of 1843 and twenty two hundred dollars was set aside to defray the expenses of the orphans attending the public schools. The salary of public school teachers in 1843 was thirty dollars per month.
On December 23, 1843, council authorized the establishment of seven additional public schools, which brought the number up to: Delaware District, three; Saline, two; Going Snake, three; Tahlequah, two; Illinois, two, Canadian, one; Skin Bayou, two and Flint, three. The two school sessions were fixed at five months each, with a winter and summer vacation of one month each. The maximum teachers wage was forty dollars per month.
In the year 1845 there were eighteen public schools in the Cherokee Nation:
Delaware District Pupils
Tahquoee, 42.
Honey Creek, 47.
Lebanon, 34.
Saline District
Spring Creek, 35.
Saline, 32.
Going Snake District
Locust Grove, 27.
Oak Grove, 61.
Evan Jones, 31.
Tahlequah District
Caney, 43.
Fourteen Mile Creek, 21.
Illinois District
Greenleaf, 23.
Vian, 23.
Canadian District
Webbers Falls, 36.
Skin Bayou District
Sweetwater, 22.
John Benge's, 29.
Flint District
Honey Hill, 57.
James Bigby's, 37.
Clear Springs, 55. Orphans
655 121
Male 402 71
Female 253 50
An additional public school was located at Muddy Springs in Flint District, one at Peavine on Barren Fork in Going Snake District and one in the Daniel neighborhod in Delaware District by act of council on November 18, 1845. By an act of November 26, 1845 the school on Fourteen Mile Creek was moved to Tahlequah, where this first public school of Tahlequah was opened on March 2, 1846 with Mr. Caleb Covel as teacher. A subscription school had been opened in the town in June 1845 with Miss Nancy Hoyt, as teacher. The Superintendent of Education was given authority in November 1846 to move schools that were insufficiently attended.
Seven thousand five hundred dollars were appropriated to defray the expenses of the public schools for the years 1848 and six hundred dollars were appropriated to pay the expenses of orphans attending the public schools. Thirty dollars each was allowed for the board and clothing of orphans during the schol term. The public school appropriation for 1849 was seven thousand and three hundred six hundred for the orphan fund. An examining board of three members to pass on the qualifications of teachers was created on November 2, 1849.
The public school appropriations for 1850, 1851 and 1852 were seven thousand dollars for each year, the orphan appropriation for 1850 was thirty six hundred dolars and thirty-five hundred for each of the two succeeding years.
The teachers of the several public schools of the Cherokee Nation on September 11, 1858 and August 30, 1859, were:
School Enrollment 1858 1859
Caney Creek, 70 Mary Buffington Adair, Sarah E. Walker
Boots Chapel, 67 Sarah Hicks, Minnie E. Boynton
Pleasant Valley, 50 S. S. Stephens. S. J. Wolf.
Post Oak Grove, 60 Eliza M. Bushyhead, James D. Alberty
Requa, 47 Ben W. Trott, Ben Wisner Carter.
Delaware Town, 41 Thomas W. McGhee, Heman L. Foreman.
Spavinaw Vale, 46 Joseph Vann,
Beatties Prairie, 40 William H. Davis, Moses C. Frye.
Honey Creek, 50 James I. Thompson, Sarah Ruth Mosley.
Mount Claremore, 30 Nannie Jane Rider, Nannie Jane Rider.
Baptist Mission, 76 W. P. Upham,. W.P. Upham.
Peavine, 66 Esther Smith, Esther Smith.
Oak Grove, 57 Lucinda M. Ross,. Lucinda M. Ross.
Muddy Springs, 50 Caroline E. Bushyhead, Caroline E. Bushyhead
Sugar Valley, 52 Martha J. Dameron, Martha J. Dameron.
Forest Hill, 40 E. Jane Ross, E. Jane Ross.
Gunter's Prairie, 45 Victoria Susan Hicks, Jane Bertholf.
Sweet Springs, 41 Sarah E. Walker, Cynthia T. Frye.
Sallisaw, 48 Moses C. Frye, Corrinne E. Barnes.
Green Leaf, 46 Emma Lowrey Williams, John G. Scrimsher.
Canadian River, 45 Eliza Holt
Briartown, Victoria Susan Hicks.
Clear Creek, Elizabeth Letitia Bertholf.
Vann's Valley, Eliza M. Bushyhead.
Falls Creek, Martha J. Keyes.
Long Prairie, Susan Ross.
Echo Bend, Nancy Thompson.
Locust Vale, George Harlan Starr.
Lee's Creek, Nannie Holmes.
Arkansas Bottom, Hugh Montgomery Adair.
Wild Horse, Eliza Holt.
Webbers Falls, Delia Mosley.
Upon the reorganization of the Cherokee Nation after the civil war, thirty-two public schools were provided for. They were to commence on March 1, 1867. The locations were to be:
Delaware District: Delaware Town, Sequoyah's New Place and Snell's.
Saline District: Requa, Cul-car-law-skees and Little Spring Creek.
Going Snake District: Tyners, Rabbit Trap, Barren Fork and Baptist Mission.
Tahlequah District: Tahlequah, Caney and Killermore's.
Illinois District: Fort Gibson, Seabolt's and White Oak Spring.
Canadian District: Webber's Falls, Brier Town and Jimmy Vann's.
Sequoyah District: Joseph Goody's, Lee's Creek and the Court House.
Flint District: Clear Spring, John Glass' and Alexander Scott's.
Cooweescoowee District: Lacey Hawkens on Grand River, John Hatchett's and on Dog Creek.
Two Negro schools to be located by the Superintendent of Education.
Five orphans may be maintained and educated at each of these thirty-two schools at a cost of thirty dollars each per term for board and clothing. The terms shall be from the first Monday in March to until July 15th and from the first Monday in September until the last Friday in January. The Cherokee Nation always maintained free text books and accessories. The school houses were built at the expense of the community and each school had a local board of three directors.
The school previously located at White Springs near Lacey Hawkins' was removed by council in the spring of 1869 to West Point "near the mouth of Dog Creek." By act of November 29, 1869 fourteen thousand eight hundred dollars were appropriated to pay the public school teachers and four thousand twenty dollars as the orphan allowance. The school was removed from the Moravian Mission to Oak Grove in Going Snake District. A school was established at Vian Camp Ground near Joseph Duval's in Illinois District, at Captain Nathaniel Fish's in Tahlequah District, at Contention Spring in Delaware, near Ellis Sanders' in Sequoyah, near Delaware Miller's in Coowees-coowee and a Nesro school in Fort Gibson. Ten more schools were provided for on December 10, 1869: Muddy Springs in Flint, Richard Benge's in Illinois on Illinois-Sequoyah line. Falling Pot's in Saline, Black Jack Grove in Canadian, John Rattlinggourd's in Illinois, Peggy Woodall's in Tahlequah, Dick Old Field's in Delaware, Wilson Sittingdown's in Sequoyah and near George Whitmire's in Going Snake. The two Negro schools located by the Superintendent of Education in March 1869 were at Tahlequah and on Fourteen Mile Creek in Tahlequah District.
There were fifty-nine schools in 1871, sixty in 1873 and seventy-five in 1877. The number and efficiency of the public schools gradually grew until there were over one hundred and twenty at the dissolution of the Cherokee Nation. The progress of the Cherokees was due to their excessive pride in their schools, which were never allowed to be under the supervision in any way of the educational authorities of the United States and none of their schools were ever visited by officers or agents of the department of education at Washington, until after June 30, 1898.
Superintendents of Education of the Cherokee Nation.
1841. Rev. Stephen Foreman.
1843. David Carter.
1845. James Madison Payne.
1847. Walter Scott Adair.
1849. Walter Scott Adair.
1851. Rev. Walter Adair Duncan.
1853. Henry Dobson Reese.
1855. Henry Dobson Reese.
1857. Henry Dobson Reese.
1859. Charles Holt Campbell.
1867. Spencer S. Stephens.
1869. Spencer S. Stephens.
1871. Oliver Hazard Perry Brewer.
Boards of Education of the Cherokee Nation.
1873. Spencer S. Stephens.
Rev. Leonidas Dobson.
George S. Mason.
1875. John Ross Vann.
Allison Woodville Timberlake.
William Henry Davis.
Superintendents of Education.
1876. December 9, Oliver Hazard Perry Brewer.
Boards of Education.
1877. November 26, William Poller Ross.
John Lynch Adair, suspended September 10, 1879.
William Henry Davis.
1878. November 25, Lucien Burr Bell.
1879. September 15, Henry Dobson Reese, appointed, vice John L. Adair.
1879. November 3, John Albion Spears, elected, vice John L. Adair.
1879. November 14, John Lynch Adair, reinstated by Council.
1879. November 21, George Wesley Choate, vice William Henry Davis.
1880. November 23, John Lynch Adair, resigned.
1880. November 23, John Albion Spears, elected vice John L. Adair.
1880. November 23, Allison Woodville Timberlake, vice L. B. Bell.
Robert Latham Owen, appointed vice G. W. Choate.
William Henry Davis, appointed vice J. A. Spears.
1881. November. Oliver Hazard Perry Brewer, President, elected.
Robert Latham Owen, Secretary.
Lorenzo Delano Spears.
1882. December 5, Rev. Walter Adair Duncan, President.
1883. Thomas James Adair, Secretary.
1884. William Potter Ross.
1885. November 30, Martin Ross Brown.
William Henry Davis.
Lorenzo Delano Spears.
1886. Robert Taylor Hanks.
188. November, Timothy Brown Hitchcock.
1889. Eli H. Whitmire.
Superintendents of Education.
1890. November 3, Office created.
1890. November 8, William Wirt Hastings.
1891. November, Walter Hampton Jackson.
Boards of Education.
William Vann Carey, President.
Augustus Edward Ivey, Secretary.
Charles Oliver Fry.
William J. McKee.
John Elijah Butler, vice Carey.
1897. November 13, George Washington Mitchell.
1898. November 2, Mark Lee Paden.
1898. Rev. Walter Adair Duncan, President.
Connell Rogers, Secretary.
Rev. Joseph Franklin Thompson.
1808. November 18, Harvey Wirt Courtland Shelton.
Jefferson Thompson Parks.
James Franklin McCullough.
Thomas Carlile.
Theodore Perry.
Stand Watie Woodall, vice McCullough.
Darius Edwin Ward, vice Perry.
Oliver Hazard Perry Brewer, President. Albert Sidney Wyly, Secretary.
Samuel Frazier Parks, vice Carlile Miss Carlotta Archer, vice S. F. Parks.
The proposition for high schools for the Cherokees was proposed by the Cherokee negotiators of the treaty of December 25, 1835 but it was not until eleven years later that the tribe felt that they were in financial condition to commence the construction of the necessary buildings.
A year later full regulations were embraced in an act of Council for the establishment and conduct of the two schools. The Female Seminary was located three miles southeast and the Male Seminary one and one half miles southwest of Tahlequah. They were built of brick that was made near the site of each school. Built in a land of fine springs, neither building was located contiguous to a spring. The erection of the replicated buildings began in 1847, the cornerstone of the Female Seminary was laid by Chief Ross on June 21, 1847 and they were finished in l850. The Male Seminary was opened on May 6, 1851 and the Female Seminary on the following day.
"The seminaries, and in fact, all the schools of the Cherokee Nation, are supported by money, invested in United States registered stocks, from the sale of lands to the United States government. The interest alone of this investment is drawn and used for educational purposes. The boarders are charged a mere nominal sum as an addition to the school fund. The United States government renders no assistance to the Seminaries, Asylum or common schools of the Cherokee Nation, outside of paying interest on money borrowed from the Nation.
The buildings were one hundred eighty-five feet long, one hundred nine feet wide, part two stories and part three stories in height.
Boarders paid at the rate of five dollars per month in advance, or forty-five dollars per school year. That sum paid for board, laundry, lodging, lights, fuel, text books and all necessary supplies, and the pupils had to furnish only their comforts, blankets, linen and toilet articles. Provision was made by the National Council for the acceptance, without any expense to them, of fifty pupils whose parents were not able to pay their tuition and board.
"The Steward purchases all supplies, has the direction and management of the appropriations, collects all board bills and employs all assistance in the domestic department. The Domestic Superintendent has charge of the domestic affairs, secures clothing and supplies for the primaries and other duties. The Medical Superintendent is appointed by the National Council, gives medical and sanitary attention. The Matrons attend the sick, receive the clothing from the laundry, attend its mending and distribution.
Preparatory Department.
First year: Penmanship, Phonetics, Reading, Object Lessons, Grammar, Penmanship, Geography, Geography, Arithmetic.
Second Year: Penmanship, Reading, Object Lessons, Composition. Phonetics, Reading, Arithmetic, Geography.
Third Year: Reading, Object Lessons, Composition Phonetics, Reading, Arithmetic, Geography.
Academic Department.
Freshmen—Ancient languages: Latin, Greek; English: Grammar. Geography; History; Mathmatics: Arithmetic, Algebra, Physical Geography, Physiology.
Sophomore—Ancient Languages: Cicero, Ovid, Anabasis; nglsh: Rhetoric; History: English History; Mathmatics: Geometry; Chemistry, Natural Philosophy.
Junior—Ancient languages: Cicero, Ovid, Trucydides Modern languages: French, German; English: English literature, American literature; Mental Science: Political Economy, Moral Philosophy; Mathematics: Triginometry, Analytical Geometry; Botany, Geology.
Senior—Ancient languages: Virgil, Livy, Homer; Modern languages: Moliere, Goethe; English: Criticism; Mental Science: Mental Philosophy, Logic; Mathematics: Surveying and Calculus; Astronomy, Zoology.
Daily Programme.
A. M.   P. M.
Students rise 5:30 Recitations 2:00-4:00
In Study Hall 6:00- 7:00 Military drill 4:15-4:45
Breakfast and detail 7:00- 8:30 Supper 5:00
Chapel 8:30- 9:00 Study hall 6:45-8:45
Recitations 9:00-12:00 First retiring bell 9:00
Noon 12:00- 2:00 Second retiring bell 9:l5
Preparatory Department.
The course of study in this department embraces three years, and prepares students for the Seminary proper. The school is thoroughly graded. Object lessons, compositions, oral, written and other exercises calculated to develop the power of written and oral expresion are given. Ideas of number, form, size and actual measurement precede the more complex arithmetical operations. Map drawing, the use of the excellent maps in the Seminaries and topical exercises render geography practical. The Principal of this department spends an hour each Saturday with the students, assisting them in selecting books from the library.
Seminary Proper.
The course of study embraces four years. The work in this institution is equal to that of the best institutions of the country. This school possesses many advantages over similar institutions, from the fact that teacher and students are together. Teachers instruct and direct, not only in the text book studies but in general reading, in the use of reference books and library work—a thing impossible when students have not libraries and books of reference in their homes or boarding houses. The usual degrees are conferred, upon the completion of courses of study.
Graduates of the Cherokee National Seminary.
February 1855.
Mary Buffington Adair,Dr. Walter Thompson Adair.
Caroline Elizabeth Bushyhead, William Robert Quarks.
Charlotte Candy, William Fields.
Martha Candy, Joel Bryan Mayes.
Eliza Forester, Benjamin W. Trott.
Catherine Hastings, Jenkins Whitesides Maxfield.
Lucy Lowrey Hoyt, Monroe Calvin Keys.
Amanda McCoy, Daniel Bushyhead.
Nannie Patrick, James R. Gourd.
Nannie Rider, Daniel Ross Hicks.
Sallie Rider, Samuel King Riley.
Martha Wilson, Reverend Walter Adair Duncan.
February 1856.
Mary Ellen Adair, Rev. Joseph Franklin Thompson.
Eliza Missouri Bushyhead, David R. Vann and Bluford West Alberty.
Elizabeth Annie Duncan, Isaac Brown Hitchcock.
Victoria Susan Hicks, DeWitt Clinton Lipe.
Nannie Holmes, George Washington Benge.
Martha McNair, Joel Bryan Mayes.
Margaret Lavinia Rogers, Allison Woodville Timberlake.
Lucinda M. Ross, Charles Renatus Hicks.
Alabama Elizabeth Scrimsher, John Lafayette Adair and Dennis Wolf Bushyhead.
Martha Nannie Thompson, John Ticanooly Adair and Augustus Van Edmondson.
Mary Delilah Vann, George Drew and Joel Bryan Mayes.
Sallie Josephine Vaught, George Washington Nave.
Martha Whiting, Fox.
Emma Lowrey Williams, George Washington Gunter.
  "Cousin Vic."
The time is approaching near
When we shall bid adieu;
To teacher and companions dear,
And breathe the lonely word, adieu.

Many friends we've here found.
Within these favored walls
And sad will be the sound.
When we say farewell, to all.

But may we in friendship, dwell united.
And our lives be love
And meet when hopes are not blighted,
In that happy land above.
 
Your affectionate cousin.
Female Seminary Lucinda M. Ross
January 17, 1856."
"For Victoria Hicks. The Future.
The past with all its joys and sorrows is gone, with it alone fond memory can converse. The present is busy working its many changes. Yet 'tis to the future that these thoughts will most naturally fly, we involuntarily look, there for our greatest pleasure, profit and happiness. Hope comes with her train of fair images and leads us through rich scenes of rapture and delight. And indeed life would be dull, void and bereft of every pleasure, unless there was a plan marked out in the future to fill our bosoms with zeal, and stimulate us to action. But since our human life hangs over accident and misfortune, and since the future must know us ever, the great question is, how shall we meet it, all doubtfully mixed with its pleasures, its delights, its cares and its dangers.
Then, I would say to meet it calmly, and boldly and with a pleasure. Venture not upon it with your own understanding as a guide; peril not such great interests to the dictation of your own reason, but take as a buckler and shield, the wise counsel of Him who marks all changes. In order that the future shall ever find you glorifying in triumph.
Your friend,
Joel B. Mayes.
Male Seminary, C. N.
January 29, 1856."
  "Life
We can not tell what happiness
What might on earth possess
If in singleness of heart
We would strive to act a proper part.
'Tis true we see the effects of sin
All without and all within.
We long may live a life in vain,
Much good possess, but still complain.
We may appear to other eyes.
To be extremely rich and wise;
But if our hearts are not right.
Life will not be beautiful and bright.
Oh! may our life, day by day,
In love and duty pass away;
And at last when our bodies die,
We may live in that world above the sky;
Where free from sin, death and pain,
The good will meet and love again.
 
Emma (Lowrey Williams.)
Cherokee Seminary
November 4th, 1855."
Nola Alice Monroe. Ward C. Crawford and Frederick Oyler
January 27, 1879.
Isabel Cobb 
Tennessee Vann Steele, Robert Colburn Fuller.
June 27, 1879.
Anna Cora Archer, William Ross Shackelford.
Fannie Blythe, Lemuel Walker Marks.
Elizabeth Dougherty, Ellis Buffington Wright.
July 2, 1880.
Caroline V. Armstrong, Frank M. Overlees.
Nannie Catherine Daniel, Richard Lafayette Fite,
Lillie Maxfield, Claude Hanks McDaniel.
Sallie Clementine Rogers, John. Thomas McSpadden.
Sarah Stapler Ross, Samuel Houston Adair.
Margaret Hicks Stapler,
Jeanette Starr, Frances Alexander Billingslea.
June 30, 1881.
Ella Adair, DeWitt Clinton Wilson.
Eleanor Margaret Boudinot, John Henry Nave.
Martha Cobb, Clement George Clarke.
Joanna Coody Rogers, John Calhoun Duncan.
June 28, 1883.
Carlotta Archer and Emma Breedlove.
Mae Washburn, John Carlton Anderson.
June 28, 1884.
Mary Ann Elizabeth, Duncan, Harvey Wirt Courtland Shelton.
June 25, 1885.
Oregonia Bell,Spratt Scott,
Florence Anna Caleb,Henry Benton Smith.
Martha Fields, Dr. Philip Donahoo.
May 13, 1886.
Mary Jett Norman, Dr. George Albert McBride.
The Female Seminary was totally destroyed by fire on Sunday, April 10, 1887. The erection of the new seminary building in the north part of Tahlequah began on November 3, 1887. It was finished on April 18, 1889 and dedicated on Tuesday, May 5, 1889.
June 28, 1888.
Rachel Caroline Eaton,James Alexander Burns.
Elizabeth Bushyhead McNair,
Addie Roche Ross. William Henry Norrid.
June 28, 1890.
Charlotte Delilah Hastings Samuel Grant Victor.
Elizabeth Clyde Morris,William Presley Thompson.
Gulielma Ross, James Sanford Davenport.
June 23, 1892.
Sarah Jane Adair, James Augustus Lawrence,
Martha Anna Maves, Edwin Mooring Pointer,
Florence Wilson McSpadden, Philip Wharton Samuel.
June 29, 1893.
Martha Eulalia Miller, Jackson H. Merchant.
Lulu Mayfield Starr, William Wirt Hastings
Janana Thompson, William Penn Phillips.
June 28, 1894.
Lulu Dale Duckworth, Walter I. Jones.
Mary Llewellyn Morgan, William Lucullus Mayes,
Julia Anna Phillips, James Turner Edmondson,
Georgia Ella Prather, Lee S. Robinson.
June 27, 1895.
Caroline Blair, Richard Henry Smith.
Josephine Crittenden, William Robert Sartain.
Sarah Lulu Foreman, John Gunter Lipe.
Flora Sabrina Lindsey, Charles Colston Watts,
Cora Archer McNair, William Buffington Wyly.
Susie Phillips, Ernest Vivian Scrimsher.
June 26, 1896.
Janana Ballard.
June 25, 1897.
Anna Ballard, Crawford Conner.
Martha Pauline Eaton, James Mooring York,
Cherokee Vashti Edmondson, Robert Bruce Garrett.
Beuna Vista Harris, Bascom Porum Rasmus.
Cora Archer Musgrove, James Herbert Moore.
Gertrude Whitman Rogers, Dr. George Shimoon.
Dora Olive Ward, William Pugh Cunningham.
June 1, 1898.
Lena Carlile, Dr. C. W. Vowell.
Jennie McClellan Foreman. David Jesse Faulkner.
Pixie Alberty Mayes, Abraham Vandyke Robinson
Juliette Melvina Scrimsher, Gilbert Thompson Loux.
Lura Ward,
June 29, 1899.
Cherokee Cornelia Adair, Junius Brutus Moore.
Lucinda Ballard, William Lee Harlan.
Ella Mae Covel and Alice French.
Nellie May Duncan, Eugene Nixon Williamson.
Lulu Belle James, Robert Lee Huggins.
Grace Phillips, Preston Majors.
Fannie Vann Ross, Walter Ellis Duncan.
Eldee Starr and Mamie Star
Mineola Ward, Everett Virgil Allen.
May 25, 1900.
Josephine Barker, Dr. Robert Lee Mitchell.
Mollie Lipe Blackstone, Edward Knippenberger.
Belle Cunningham, Thomas Oscar Graham.
Eugenia Catherine Eubanks Walter Maecenas Charlesworth.
Mary Elizabeth Gulager,
Bettina Lucile Mcintosh, George Houston.
Jennie Fields Ross, Jesse Clifton Cobb.
Aneliza Eulalia Sevier. Edward Foreman Blackstone.
May 30, 1901.
Minnie Benge,
Mary Garrett, Sid Campbell.
Rosanna Harnage, Frederick McDaniel.
Josephine Landrum Howard, Andrew Jackson Rogers.
Mary Jane McSpadden, Thomas R. Crookshank.
Juliette Taylor Smith.
Lelia Alice Maitland Thornton,G. S. Mac Key.
May 29, 1902.
Sarah Eleanor Ballard, Roy Woods.
Golda Barker. Charles V. Knight.
Beulah Benton Edniondson, Richard Croker.
Bertha Lillian Faulkner, Charles Clarence Starr.
Mary Angeline Rider, Alfred A. Campbell.
Elizabeth Vann Ross, Carl Mills.
Susie Ray Sevier, Lawrence McAllister.
Dora Anna Starr, Ewing Markham.
Clara Estella Tyler, Frank Selman.
Genobia Anna Ward, Allen Douthilf,
Lola Llewellyn Ward, John Black Tinnin.
June 9, 1903.
Laura Effie Duckworth, Guy Boatright.
Victoria Lipe Foreman, James Stephenson Kennedy.
Caroline Bertha Freeman, Garland Baird.
Allie Rhea Garrett, Dr. John Chisholm Breedlove.
Janie Stapler Hicks, John Griffith Harnage.
Rosa Gazelle Lane.
Virginia Lee Lindsey.
Caroline Quarles McNair, James Walker McSpadden.
Elizabeth Peach McSpadden, Jesse Bartley Milam.
Maude Hoyt McSpadden, Woodley Gail Phillips.
Elizabeth Adair Morgan,
Llewellyn Hopewell Morgan, Samuel P. Mathews.
Sallie Pauline Parris, William Everett Foreman.
Susie Vivian Scott,
Grace Raper Wallace, Rhoderick Dhu Richards.
Leola Fay Ward, William Newton.
June 3, 1904.
Lulu Elizabeth Alberty, John Woodson Conner.
Frances Bushyhead. James Knox Gibson.
Eunice Marie Chamberlin, Frank Edward Nix.
Clara M. Couch,
Joseph Alice Crutchfield, Joseph Oscar Dale.
Roxie Cunningham, Dr. Edward B. Reed.
Stella Marie Ghormley, Charles Kay.
Mary Hampton, Eugene Willard Tiger.
Elizabeth Covel Keys,
Nellie Blackwell Meek, Emerson Elliott.
Amanda Payne Morgan, Frank Rolla Bell.
Phoeba Montana Rider, Jesse Albert Barbre.
June 1, 1905.
Lola Garrett, Ephriam Monroe Bowers.
Caroline Elizabeth Ghormley, Johnson Harris.
Mary Holand, Ernest Trenary.
Sallie Jennings, Marion Gibson.
Mamie Butler Johnson, Dr. Francis M. Adams.
Mary Anna Martin, Timothy Meigs Walker.
Ethel Martin, Henry Pierson.
Maude Rosamond Meigs, Eustace Adolphus Hill.
Sallie Mayo Morgan, Vail Kimsey.
Anna Belle Price, John Casper Lipe.
Janie Stapler Ross. William Penn Adair.
Ethel Corinne Scales, Charles Inglish.
Anna Elizabeth Skidmore, Andrew Johnson McDaniel.
Martha Wallace, Miles C. Chastain.
May 31, 1906.
Annie May Balentine, William Potter Ross.
Ruth Ballard, Hardy Frank Fleming.
Ella Jay Chandler, William Edmonds.
Mary Ada Condray Emmett Barker.
Mary Louise Crafton, Daniel Baker.
Bird Adair Dameron. George Pierce Cantrell.
Fannie Adair Danenburg, Bancroft C. Kress.
Dora Early, Newell Tucker.
Penelope Adair Faulkner, Eugene Gilbert.
Bertha Elizabeth Frellick, Colonel E. Mayes.
Fannie Etta Holland, Dr. Ulyssus Grant Hall.
Clyde Horn, Edmond Brigham Arnold.
Josephine Meigs, James K. Blake.
Ara Ellen Ross, Franklin Gritts Milligan.
Charlotte Elizabeth Spears, George Guinn.
Caroline Lucinda Starr, James Robert Wyly.
Edith Lyle Stover, Edwin Bentley Hunt.
Joy Lorraine Washburn, E. P. McCartney.
May 29, 1907.
Lelia Eaton.
Olive Estelle Edmondson, Cicero Johnson Howard.
Allie Johnson and Vera Jones.
May McSpadden, Charles Walton Poole.
Zoe McSpadden, Earl Preston Whitehill.
May 27, 1908.
Catherine Crafton, Kline Jordan.
Lucile Freeman, Roy Bearman.
Addie Gravitt and Alice Lynd Gravitt.
Frances Jane Lindsey, Joseph Daniel Hicks.
Ida Lois Lindsey, Jarrette Bell Harlan.
Ada Painter, E. B. Bell.
Bertha Reed, Perkins.
Ida Whetzell, Grover Tinnin.
May 27, 1909.
Gladys Mildred Anderson
Sallie Martha Bledsoe, L. C. Freeman.
Narcissa Brown, James Edward Wells.
Electa Crittenden.
Minnie Berkely Feland, Frederick McKinney.
Anna Victoria Hanes, E. Dickerson.
Clara Elizabeth Melton, Marcus Grover Cox.
Ella Quatie Richards, Frederick Albert Dedman.
Anna Laura Turner, Homer F. Gilliland.
Lena Norene Ward, Joseph Tryon Attenberry.
The Female Seminary building, which is two hundred and ninety two feet in length and three stories high, was sold to the state of Oklahoma.

Graduates from the Cherokee National Male Seminary.
February 1855.

Charles Holt Campbell, Lifty Lowrey.
Jonathan Riley, Mary Jack nee Gunter.
Joshua Ross, Muskogee Yargee.
Ready Taylor and David Lucullus Vann
February 1856.
William W. Campbell, Pauline Holt, Nannie Holt and Emeline Stegall nee McKnight
William Henry Davis, Eliza Lowrey.
Jeremiah Everett Foreman. Celeste Slidham.
Moses C. Frye.
Joel Bryan Mayes, Martha McNair, Martha Candy and Mary Delilah Drew nee Vann.
October 1856.
Benjamin Wisner Carter, Nannie Elliott and Serena Guy.
Spencer Seago Stephens, Sarah Hicks.
Allison Woodville Timberlake, Margaret Lavinia Rogers.
The Male Seminary was closed on October 20, 1856 on account of lack of funds. The Female Seminary was also closed at the end of the regular fall term. Neither of these schools were opened again until after the civil war.
1882
Harvey Wirt Courtland Shelton, Mary Anna Elizabeth Duncan.
George Andrew Williams, Cora Gregg nee Hogg.
June 26, 1884.
William Wirt Hastings, Lulu Mayfield Starr,
Jefferson Thompson Parks, Ruth Etta Duncan,
William Presley Thompson, Elizabeth Clyde Morris.
June 25, 1885.
William Henry Clark, Lilla Flournoy,
James William Duncan, Lucinda Buffington.
William Elliott,
Walter Adair Frye, Eliza Jane Blair.
Jesse Stephen Lamar, Emma Dale Simms.
Samuel W. Mills,
May 14, 1886.
Thomas Brewer French, Delilah Nave.
Walter Hampton Jackson, Cherokee Brewer.
Samuel Houston Mayes, Florence Nicodemus.
Paul Rogers,
Lewis Wolf Ross, Mary French.
Henry Benton Smith, Florence Anna Caleb.
Archibald Spears, Caroline Mary Boudinot.
John Shepherd Thornton, Cynthia Pettit.
Thomas William Triplett, Elizabeth Bushyhead.
Charles Edward Vann, Ada Raymond.
John Rogers Hastings, Elizabeth Victoria Shelton.
June 30, 1887.
Jesse Crary Bushyhead, Fay Ione Reynolds.
Stand Watie Mayfield, Amanda Caroline Thompson.
Mark Lee Paden, Mary Louvinia Starr and Sarah Nix
Robert Parris, Edith LaRue.
Lewis Right,
John Otto Rogers, Cora Archer Hicks.
Charles McClellan Ross, Tommie Scruggs and Susie Morris
Elizur Butler Sanders, Elizabeth Downing.
Simon Ross Walkingstick, Rebecca Osborn and
John R. Welch,
Walter Duncan West, Leona Scraper.
June 28, 1888.
James Austin Clark.
Walter Tolbert Duncan, Anna Stein.
John Thomas Johnson.
Andrew Jackson Martin, Anna Belle Morrow.
James Lee Mills and James Carroll Ward.
James Tandy Musgrove
Phillips Ross and Emmet Starr.
Charles Lawrence Saunders. Zena Pace.
June 27, 1889.
William Arnold, David M. Ingram and John Melvin Lisenbe.
Suake Lewis Miller, Minnie L. Ballard.
December 21, 1890.
William Wallace Ross, Mary Henrietta Moore.
John Caleb Starr, Libbie Belle Zimmerman.
Albert Sidney Wyley, Lillian Alexander.
June 23, 1892.
George McLaughlin Hughes Addie Boudinot nee Foreman.
Richard Napoleon Wallace, Mary Forbes.
Charles Worcester Willey, Janana Sanders.
June 26, 1894.
Daniel Edmond Danenburg, Ruth Meacham.
James Turner Edmondson, Julia Phillips.
Samuel Frazier Parks, Alberta Cora Markham,
Rufus Daniel Ross, Tooka Sixkiller and Samantha Parris.
June 23, 1895.
James Frank McCuIlough, Martha Hampton
Robert Lee Mitchell, Josephine Barker.
June 24, 1896.
George Alexander Cox, Pearl Hampton.
Joseph Rasmus Danenburg.
George Tolliver Hampton, Fannie Josephine Carr.
Landrum Crittenden Jennings, Janana Benge.
Joseph Johnson Lynch, Georgia Vann.
Edward Butler Smith, Ella Pratt.
Stand Watie Woodall, Madge Paden and
June 25, 1897.
Royal Roger Eubanks, Martha Lelia Morgan and Bessie McCurry
William Charles Ghormley, Elizabeth Foreman.
Clifford Rogers,
June 29, 1898.
John Edgar Buffington,
James Price Evans, Pearl Gillispie.
Robert Wyly Fields.
Joseph Foreman Gladney, Mary Jane Dodson.
Albert Blunt James, Lucinda Miller.
Richard Vance McSpadden, Ermina Essie Foreman.
Thomas Asbury Scott, Daisy Belle Miller.
Homer Lafayette Smith, Alice Velinda Flournoy.
Nathaniel DeWitt Smith, Lucy Martin.
June 30, 1899.
Edward Foreman Blackstone, Aneliza Eulalia Sevier
Henry Adair Dameron, Zona Lanyon.
John Meirit Eaton, Mary Bond.
John Casper Lipe, Anna Belle Price.
Gilbert Stephen Thompson.
May 24, 1900.
James Milner Crutchfield, Ida Lowrey Bell.
William Richard Harris.
DeWitt Clinton Lipe.
John J. Lovett, Margaret Loretta Cookson.
May 31, 1901.
John Walter Adair.
William Henry Balentine, Olive Antoine.
Walter Maecenas Charlesworth, Eugenia Catherine Eubanks.
Robert Bruce Garrett, Cherokee Vashti Edmondson.
Walter Duncan Smith,
May 28, 1902.
Francis William Caywood.
George Washington Fields, Jennie Lula Glass.
William Clyde Freeman, Clara Lowrey.
George Owen Grant,Lilian May Cunningham.
Dennis Bushyhead McNair.
Charles Scott Monroe Elizabeth Terrell.
William Taylor Scott.
June 10, 1903.
Claude Eugene Duncan, Allie Marian Shelton.
James Bascom Johnson,
Claude Stephen Mitchell, Fern Hogue.
Rhoderick Dhu Richards, Grace Raper Wallace.
James S. Sanders, Minnie Holland.
Eugene Willard Tiger. Mary Hampton.
June 2, 1904.
William Houston Ballard, Anna Buchanan and Saphronia Carr nee Butler.
Andreas Newton Leerskov, Eril Webb.
Houston Bartow Fite
William Daniel Freeman.
William Richard Holland, Minnie Buckner.
William Adair McClellan,
Clarence Bluford Markham, Catherine Oldham.
Felix Hurd Mayes and Charles P. Pettit
Wilson Nivens Smith.
Samuel Jesse Starr, Nellie Whitmire.
James Oliver Ward.
June 2. 1905.
Jarrette Bell Harlan, Ida Lois Lindsey.
John Delancy Gulager,
Joseph Alexander Patterson, Ione Cranston.
May 31, 1906.
Elmer E. Fields.
Allen Boudinot Foster, Aurolla Upchurch.
James B. Markham, Blanche Bruce.
Henry H. Wood, Winifred Scott.
May 29, 1907.
Andrew Jackson Brown, Nola LeFlore.
Gunter Duckworth, Pauline Kaho.
Austin Grant Reagan, Grace Wade.
Martin Benge Teehee,
George Marion Tyner, Ethel Marshall.
May 27, 1908.
John Alvis Alberty, Bessie M. Atkins.
Perry Ashbrook Foreman.
Joseph William Garrett.
Andrew Denney Lane, Odeyne Henry.
George Clyde Whitmire. Fannie Dudley.
May 28, 1909.
Leroy A. Byrd and Andrew G. Tiffany
Francis Edmond Chouteau.
John Grover Scales, Ctaherine (Catherine) Whitley.
The Cherokee National Male and Female Seminaries were combined in September 1909 and on March 20, 1910 the Male Seminary building was burned and the senior class for that year had their graduation exercises at the Northeastern State Normal on May 31, 1910. They were:
Elizabeth Dee Bailey, Augustus Chouteau,
Lorena Allen Bean, William Francis Graham.
Oliver Maurice Haynes, Rachel Crouch.
Thomas Herbert McSpadden,
Susie Lowrey Martin, Robert Walker.
Lee Roy Mitchell, Ruth Foreman.
Grace Reid, Troy Arrington.
The sum of twenty two hundred dollars was appropriated by the council on December 23, 1842 for the board and clothing of orphan children attending the several public schools of the Cherokee Nation. Most of these children were cared for by relatives or adopted into families where they were generally treated as the children of the household. The maximum amount fixed for board was one dollar per week, and on December 4, 1845 the amount of thirty dollars per annum was fixed as a just compensation for the board and clothing of an orphan, during which time they must attend the regular sessions of the public schools.
This approximation was accepted as equitable and fair until January 26, 1872. Soon after this date the orphan asylum was opened in the Male Seminary building. The establishment of an orphan home school was first considered by an act of Council on December 19, 1842 but on account of lack of necessarv funds the subject was dismised until November 3, 1848 when a committee consisting of the Superintendent of Schools, Richard Taylor and Rev. Stephen Foreman were empowered to negotiate with the authorities of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South for the establishment of an orphanage for the education of the orphans exclusively, Therefore,
Be it enacted hy the National Council, That in order to provide for the education and instruction for the destitute orphans of the Nation, upon the manual labor plan, the Superintendent of Public Schools, Messrs. Richard Taylor and Stephen Foreman, Executive Councilors, be and they are hereby appointed as a committee on the part of the Nation to meet a committee on the part of the Methodist Church South, for the purpose of determining upon the most practicable plan of establishing and conducting schools for the benefit of the destitute orphans of both sexes to be located and established separately and apart at two springs on the mountain between Fourteen Mile Creek and Samuel Downing's, at a place where William Sourjohn now lives, and the terms on which said Church will take charge of said schools and conduct the same.
Be it further enacted, That the said Committee, consisting of the Superintendent of Public Schools, Stephen Foreman and Richard Taylor, Executive Councilors, shall report the result of their conference with the Committee on the part of the Methodist Church to the National Council, for their approval or rejection and should the parties enter into an agreement and the same be approved by the National Council, the said committee shall proceed to assess the value of the improvements of the said William Sourjohn with his consent and the value of the same shall be paid out of the Orphan funds.
Be it further enacted, That such substantial buildings of logs as may be necessary for the accommodation of about two hundred pupils of both sex, together with the teachers and mechanics, who may be employed to conduct the said schools, shall be built.
Be it further enacted. That the said Committee be and they are hereby authorized to mature and determine upon the most convenient plan for the building of the aforesaid houses, and to receive proposals and make the necessary contracts for the erection of the same.
Be it further enacted. That the said Committee be and they are hereby authorized to mature and determine upon the most convenient plan for the building of the aforesaid houses, and to receive proposals and make the necessary contracts for the erection of the same.
Be it further enacted. That the aforesaid Committee be and they are hereby further instructed to agree with the Church that should there be any net profit arising from any of the departments of said schools that the same shall be applied to the support of additional scholars.
Be it further enacted. That the Principal Chief be and he is hereby authorized, upon the certificate of said Committee, to issue warrants on the National Treasurer for such sums as may be required to meet any of the contracts to be paid out of the Orphan fund, and not otherwise appropriated.
Tahlequah, November 3, 1848.
Approved—George Lowrey, Acting Principal Chief."
Laws of the Cherokee Nation, 1852, page 182.
"The Committees appointed on the part of the Cherokee Nation and of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South to take into consideration the practicability of establishing a Manual Labor School for the benefit of the Orphan Children of the Nation, under the care of the Indian Mission conference of said Church, report the following as the result of the deliberations and agreement.
Article 1. There shall be an Orphan Manual Labor School in the Cherokee Nation, under the patronage of the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Article 2. The School shall be limited in its commencement from fifty to one hundred children consisting of equal number of children of both sexes, as nearly as possible.
Article 3. The site of said school is be selected by the joint Committee acting on the part of the Nation and the Church.
Article 4. There shall be a board of six Trustees for the Management of the School; three to be appointed by the Nation and three by the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Article 5. The buildings for the schools with the necessary fixtures and apparatus, the farm, tools, stock animals with all and every expense, including boarding, clothing, medical attendance, etc. to be paid out of the Orphan School Fund of the Nation.
Article 6. The children to be well taken care of boarded, clothed, instructed in all the branches, so far as practicable, of a good English education. The boys shall be instructed in the use of tools and to work on the farm. The girls; spinning, weaving, knitting, sewing, dairying, with all that pertains to household and domestic economy.
Article 7. The children admitted into the school not under six nor over fourteen years of age, and to continue in the same so long as the Board of Trustees may think necessary and profitable.
Article 8. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to examine the accounts of the Institution quarterly, apportion the time for labor and teaching and fix he salaries of the teachers.
Article 9. The number of scholars and the extent of improvements may be enlarged or diminished when the Board of Trustees shall find the same necessary.
Article 10. The Superintendent of said school shall have power to call together the Board of Trustees whenever he shall find the same necessary.
Article 11. The Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church South shall furnish the Superintendent and teachers and pay annually to their support the sum of one thousand dollars.
Article 12. This agreement shall go into effect so soon as concurred by the authorities of the Cherokee Nation and the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South and the proper officers shall have been appointed to superintend and regulate the same.
Article 13. This agreement may be altered or annulled at any time upon the recommendation of the Board of Trustees; due notice being given of the same to the Cherokee National Council and to the Missionary Roard
Article 14. Should there be any net profits arising from the farm, shops etc., the same shall he applied to the benefit of the school.
Article 15. Al speculation, in any way, upon the funds, the property of the Institution, to be carefully guarded against.
The foregoing articles agreed to and concurred in this 10th day of November 1848; by Walter Scott Adair and Richard Taylor.
Committee on the part of the Cherokee Nation.
Thomas Ruble, Thomas Hurlburt and Thomas Bertholf.
Committee on the part of the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church, South.
Be it enacted by the National Council, That the foregoing agreement be, and the same is hereby confirmed and approved and so much of the act passed 3rd day of November 1848, as militates against any of the provisions of said foregoing agreement be and the same is hereby repealed.
And be it further enacted, That should the said Committees select the improvement of any citizen, for the locations of said school, be and they are hereby authorized to purchase the same, and so much of the act passed as above, as authorizes the said Committee to value any such improvement is hereby repealed.
But for some reason it failed of fruition. Another committee was appointed by the council, but no report of their deliberations is available.
On November 25, 1871 an act was passed by council providing for the establishment of the "Cherokee Orphan Asylum," which was to be located on an estate of not more than two miles square^. The Asylum was opened in the Male Seminary building in 1872. Twenty thousand dollars or so much as may be necessary was appropriated to purchase the location which had already been decided to be the Lewis Ross property at Grand Saline or Grand River, and after further negotiations twenty eight thousand dollars was paid to his heirs.* Necessary improvements were made so that the building on completion would accommodate one hundred twenty five pupils, besides the teachers, Superintendent and his family.
Tahlequah, November 10, 1848.
Approved: George Lowrey, Acting Principal Chief."
Laws of the Cherokee Nation, 1852, page 182.
The Superintendents were, consecutively: Rev. Walter Adair Duncan 1872 to 1882; Rev. Joseph Franklin Thompson 1882 to 1894; William Wallace Ross 1894 to 1897; Rev. Joseph Franklin Thompson 1897 to 1901 ; John Henry Danenburg 1901 to 1902. Danenburg was the last Superintendent under the authority of the Cherokee Nation and he was succeeded under the government supervision by Elias Cornelius Alberty, who was Superintendent at the time, when on Tuesday November 17, 1903 it was accidentally and entirely destroyed by fire. The building and equipment was valued at one hundred thousand dollars, exclusive of land. The faculty at the time of its destruction was: Principal, Robert Bruce Garrett; First Assistant, James Bascom Johnson; Second Asistant, Rhoderick Dhu Richards; hird Asistant, Miss Flora Sabrina Lindsey and Music Teacher, Mrs. Robert Bruce Garrett.
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