On May 11th, a party of nine, including four ancestors, of the original Cherokee Indian Tribe, stopped in Marion on a tour retracing the "Trail of Tears" made by 17,000 of their ancestors 113 years ago at which time 4,000 of their tribe lost their lives.
Chief McKinley Ross, descendant of Captain John Ross, an Indian leader, presented Mayor L. D. Chipps with a peace pipe in a ceremony from the Courthouse lawn with this message. "As Chief of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation, I bring you greetings from my people. 113 years ago 17,000 of my ancestors passed through Marion on a march to Exile. Today three other tribal leaders and myself are retracing that Trail of Tears.
We left our Carolina Mountain homes two days ago on the Trail of Tears journey that carry us through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and to its end in Oklahoma. We are retracing this historic trail in the hope the people of America may learn of a forgotten page in history.
Other Cherokee descendants besides Chief Ross in the party and wearing authentic native costumes, were Leroy Wahnetah, Joe Washington and Rev. Arsesn Thompson, the first Cherokee Educationalist.
The tour is sponsored by the Cherokee Historical Association.
Attending the Welcome luncheon at the Marion Cafe besides the Cherokee party were: Mayor and Mrs. L. D. Chipps, John Quertermous, Ben Clement, Daisy Franklin, Pauline Guess, Grace Paris, Mrs. T. C. Gilland, R. Pl Davidson, N. S. Hollingsworth and Neil Guess.
The traveling guests were presented with souvenirs of Fluorspar by Ben Clement and other favors from the down stores.
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