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- 

 hahi, Cheowa, and Hiwassee rivers. This does not include mixed- 

 bloods in adjoining states and some hundreds of unrecognized claim- 

 ants. Those enumerated own approximately 100,000 acres of 

 land, of which 83,00(1 arc 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 18-t8, which has dwindled to 

 a1)out ^23,000, being applied to the payment of taxes upon their unoc- 

 cupied 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 tlie government sup- 

 ports an industrial training school at Cherokee, the agency head- 

 quarters, in which 170 pupils are now being boarded, clothed, and 

 educated in the practical duties of life. This school, which in its work- 

 ings is a model of its kind, owes much of its usefulness and high 

 standing to the etEcient management of Pi'of. H. W. Spray (Wilsini'), 

 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 posi- 

 tion 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 dis- 

 pute, the}' 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,' 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 (-±9). Under their 

 tril)al constitution they are governed by a principal and an assistant 

 chief, elected for a term of four 3'ears. with an executive council 

 appointed by the chief, and sixteen councilors elected b}' the vai'ious 

 settlements for a term of two j'ears. 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 Reid 

 (Tse'si-Ska'tsi, "Scotch Jesse'"), an intelligent mixed-blood, who fills 

 the otBce with dignity and ability. As a people they are peaceable and 

 law-altiding, 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 hunting, supply them with food, while by the sale of 



1 At 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. 



