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Show 180 MYTHS OF THE CHEROKEE [ ETH. ANN. 19 within the act of incorporation number 1,376, of whom about 1,100 are on the reservation, the rest living farther to the west, on Nanta-hala, Cheowa, and Hiwassee rivers. This does not include mixed-bloods in adjoining states and some hundreds of unrecognized claimants. Those enumerated own approximately 100,000 acres of land, of which 83,000 are included within the Qualla reservation and a contiguous tract in Jackson and Swain counties. They receive no rations or annuities and are entirely self- supporting, the annual interest on their trust fund established in 1848, which has dwindled to about $ 23,000, being applied to the payment of taxes upon their unoccupied common lands. From time to time they have made leases of timber, gold- washing, and grazing privileges, but without any great profit to themselves. By special appropriation the government supports an industrial training school at Cherokee, the agency headquarters, in which 170 pupils are now being boarded, clothed, and educated in the practical duties of life. This school, which in its workings is a model of its kind, owes much of its usefulness and high standing to the efficient management of Prof. H. W. Spray ( Wilsfni'), already mentioned, who combines the duties of superintendent and agent for the band. His chief clerk, Mr James Blythe ( Diskwa'ni, " Chestnut- bread"), a Cherokee by blood, at one time filled the position of agent, being perhaps the only Indian who has ever served in such capacity. The exact legal status of the East Cherokee is still a matter of dispute, they being at once wards of the government, citizens of the United States, and ( in North Carolina) a corporate body under state laws. They pay real estate taxes and road service, exercise the voting privilege, 1 and are amenable to the local courts, but do not pay poll tax or receive any pauper assistance from the counties; neither can they make free contracts or alienate their lands ( 49). Under their tribal constitution they are governed bj^ a principal and an assistant chief, elected for a term of four years, with an executive council appointed by the chief, and sixteen councilors elected by the various settlements for a term of two years. The annual council is held in October at Cherokee, on the reservation, the proceedings being in the Cherokee language and recorded by their clerk in the Cherokee alphabet, as well as in English. The present chief is Jesse Keid ( TsS'si- Ska'tsi, " Scotch Jesse"), an intelligent mixed- blood, who fills the office with dignity and ability. As a people they are peaceable and law- abiding, kind and hospitable, providing for their simple wants by their own industry without asking or expecting outside assistance. Their fields, orchards, and fish traps, with some few domestic animals and occasional bunting, supply them with food, while by the sale of JAt the recent election in November. 1900, they were debarred by the local polling officers from either registering or voting, and the matter is now being contested. |
