THE STATE
A Weekly Survey of North Carolina
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Jue* 1. 1933. at lb. Pmloffi'. al R.t..*V North
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Vol. VIII. No. 4 June 22, 1940
Cherokee
Кс»к1<1<»п1.ч
of the Indian village
are awaiting the coining of more
touri.st.4 this season than ever be¬
fore. Their every-day life is full
of color and Is interesting to
watch.
By HOSE F. CAR LYIN'
CH E R
О К
E K. droued and
scrubbed, is calmly awaiting the
many Carolinians from the low¬
lands, ns well ns tourists from other
states to come and pay it a visit. Sure
of it? charms; its majestic mountains,
its rushing stream* and fertile fields,
and its colorful inhabitants, it does not
shout with posters and advertisements
"C'ome and see me!" but relaxed and
smiling, it watches the passing ears
with good-natured aloofness.
An easy, almost slumberous peace
hangs over it as the friendly sun, the
frequent rains, and eool breezes keep
adding new adornments to its moun¬
tains and valleys. The trees are in full
bloom. The dogwood, -sweet-william
and mountain laurel are thick along
the roads. The corn, beans, and pota¬
toes are lifting their green heads iu
the fields; and the water, falling over
the rocks in the rivers, makes soothing
music that drives away thoughts of
strife and struggle so loudly heard and
felt outside.
Life Runs Smoothly
The Indians are content here. Their
simple lives run fairly smoothly,
watched over by their friend, the In¬
dian Agency. They have no inclina¬
tion to wander. They are a fun-loving
people, readily amused, nnd laugh at
themselves and their white neighbors
with almost childish glee.
It is a privilege to
мое
them as they
really are without fanfare and com¬
mercialism. but natural and unspoiled,
as they go about their duties of plow¬
ing or planting, of shopping, washing
elothee in the river, or of just sitting
around chatting.
Almost any afternoon a small group
or two of swarthy men nnd buxom
women can be found in front of the
postoffice or on the porch of Wilson's
store leisurely chatting, exchanging
witticisms, or speculating about the
war. the latest report* of which they
had heard on their radios.
For a long time the most important
subject of discussion and argument
was the scenic highway, hut now that
the matter has been settled ly the
council nnd the majority of the tribe,
it is no longer of interest and is rarely
mentioned. Roth the state and the In¬
dians are satisfied with the arrange¬
ments. The highway is to he built over
the mountains hack of Cherokee,
through Seen Gap, and into the Park.
Xo homes are to be torn down, no val¬
uable farm land destroyed. It is high
up. and will be truly a scenic highway
of unusual natural beauty. Xo trucks
or business vehicles will be permitted
on it, and the pleasure seeker will have
it all to himself.
The Great Smoky Mountains Xa-
tionnl Park lies just outside the Res¬
ervation, and since it has been opened,
Indian girl on the resc
playing some of her
woven baskets.
several years ago, it has brought many
benefits to Cherokee. However, inas¬
much as everything within easy reach
becomes commonplace, so the Park has
for sometime now been taken for
granted. But all at once the Indian*
are beginning to look upon it again a*
their benefactor, for this summer the
Park is to Ik* dedicated by President
Roosevelt himself, if national nnd in¬
ternational affairs will (KTiuit it. Of
course they are excited about it and
discuss it whenever they have a chain'»-
They know what it mean* -business,
much business, and they are glad.
But how, one may ask, will that
affect them? They do not own the
shops, the Inn, the Lodge, the tourist*'
cabins that stand si» ostentatiously
upon their land. All business i- in the
hands of whites. Why are the Indians
so pleased ?
Cooperative
Without selfishness, they want the
white man to make money. They feel
that somehow they, too. will profit by
it. The shops are bulging with ware*,
some of them their own handicraft*
pottery, baskets, beadwork. The*»* may¬
be sold. And up in the school, in the
craft shops, there are others— woolen
rugs, hand-woven linens, more bas¬
kets, dainty carving*, Lot the tourist
come and spend his money. The In¬
dians like it. And also, with money
the white business man will build more
