Extra Census Bulletin: Indians, Eastern Band of Cherokees, of North Carolina (Classic Reprint) - Softcover

Excerpt from Extra Census Bulletin: Indians, Eastern Band of Cherokees, of North Carolina

The statistics and condition of the Indians given in the present bulletin, as provided in the census law of March 1, 1889, show the status of the Eastern Band of Cherokees of North Carolina, with incidental mention of the Eastern Cherokees. These Indians are taxed, have developed into good citizens of the United States,a1nd vote in North Carolina. They are almost entirely self-supporting, receiving only a small allowance from the United States for educational purposes. A few mechanics are found among them, but their chief occupations are farming, lumbering, and day labor. They are a moral, law-abiding, and industrious people, and the censuses from 1850 to 1890 show them to be increasing. The band, which has been incorporated by the'general assembly of North Carolina, as The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, occupies the tract known as the Qualla boundary. The other Eastern Cherokees mentioned reside in the states of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee, and are citizens of the United States and of the states named.

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Excerpt from Extra Census Bulletin: Indians, Eastern Band of Cherokees, of North Carolina

The report on the condition of the Eastern Band of Cherokees of southwestern North Carolina in 1890, with incidental mention of the Eastern Cherokees, shows that this band of Indians, with very little if any care or attention on the part of the national government, has become self-sustaining and self-reliant, and that the members thereof have developed into good citizens of the United States and the state of North Carolina. While nominally a tribe or band, so incorporated for certain purposes, with a chief and a council, these Indians are in fact as truly citizens of North Carolina as are any people within the borders of the state. They have never been considered reservation Indians, and therefore the Indian policy of the United States has not been applied to them. There is a United States Indian agent among them, who is a member of the band, as many of his predecessors have been. His duties are nominal, and his salary is $800 per year.

The different censuses show the Eastern Cherokees in North Carolina to be increasing in number. In 1850, when they were in Haywood county, they numbered 710; in 1890. still residing in the same locality, they are returned as numbering 1,520. In 1860, 1870, and 1880 they were enumerated as part of the population of the state.

The Eastern Band of Cherokees is now a body politic and corporate under the name, style, and title of The Eastern Baud of Cherokee Indians, with all the rights, privileges, franchises, and powers incident and belonging to corporations under the laws of the state of North Carolina. The band was incorporated by the general assembly of North Carolina March 11, 1889.(Laws of North Carolina, 1889, chapter 211, page 889.)

The Eastern Band of Cherokees of North Carolina, 1,520 in number, reside on lands in portions of Cherokee, Graham, Jackson, and Swain counties, in southwestern North Carolina. There is no reservation, but the tract occupied by these Indians, known as the Qualla boundary, contains about 65,000 acres, and is held in fee by the Eastern Band of Cherokees and the Eastern Cherokees once resident of this region, but who removed west, and are now one of the Five Civilized Tribes, occupying lands in Indian territory.

These Indians, although many are full-blood Cherokees, are citizens of the United States and are voters and taxpayers in North Carolina. They are Indians taxed, and are classed as enterprising, moral, and law-abiding. They are almost entirely self-supporting, receiving only a small allowance from the United States for educational purposes.

Farming, lumbering, and day labor are the chief occupations of these Indians, but some few mechanics are found among them. Many of them hire out as farmers and laborers. They have a written language, and while in many respects are progressive, seeking the knowledge best suited to their present condition, still they preserve some traditions and customs of their old Indian life.

The Indian farming tracts are small, as will be seen by the map.

The Eastern Cherokees.

The total number of Eastern Cherokees in 1890 is given as 2,885. Of this number 1,520 live in North Carolina, and are known as the Eastern Band of Cherokees of North Carolina; 936 are said to live in Georgia, 318 in Tennessee, and 111 in Alabama. In 1884 the number in North Carolina was given as 1,881. Since 1884 some of this band have moved into adjoining states and others have joined the Cherokees in Indian territory. The few living in Kentucky, Virginia, and other states have become incorporated into the white population.

The economic and social condition of the Eastern Cherokees residing in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee is about the same as of those residing in North Carolina. They are entirely self-supporting and are citizens of the several states wherein they reside.

The Eastern Cherokees do.