DeHart Family History - by Andrew Jackson DeHart

A Preliminary Study of the Origin and History of the DeHart Family

By: Andrew Jackson DeHart


INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF JOHN DeHART

At the second reunion there was a great deal said by James DeHart and others about the life of John DeHart that should have been reduced to writing. It is not possible at this late day to reproduce it in full from memory. Much also was said about his dealing justly with the Indians and in that way becoming the friend of Chief Uchella. Chief Sananlka and leading membersof their tribe, including Jake, Charlie Arkitague �Sal� Watowie, Cuullasowie and others. He learned their language and traded them food and other supplies for things they had; many of them helping with his farm work.

Charlie was an Indian friend of John DeHart. After the treaty with the with people he understood (*it) meant that he was about to lose his home. He came to talk it over with his friend DeHart who advised him that he had better go and maybe he would find better country. Later he returned and told Mr. DeHart he heard soldiers were coming to move them and that he had made up his mind to kill the soldiers. No amount of persuasion would change the Indian�s announced intentions. The soldiers captured Charlie and had him at the old road gap below Fontana when he got a chance and killed a soldier. Charlie was court-marshalled and shot with his back to a hickory tree about a mile below the depot at Bryson City N. C. John DeHart often spoke of his Indian friends who had to go to the Indian Territory and regretted he was unable to convince Charlie it was best to go peaceably.

The speakers brought data up to 1854 showing he was the largest land owner in what is now Swain County and had room to entertain travelers between Asheville an Murphy. In that friendly way and business way he met almost all the lawyers, judges and other notables in this section of he State. He entertained Col. W. H. Thomas, who was in the State Senate many years, also General Thomas Cingman a United States Senator.

During the Civil War for a guest he had General John H. Morgan just after his escape from the Ohio penitentiary; also Judge John Thompson Mississippi; also several prominent men and their families from other States. All of these and others who came in contact with him were always ready to state to any of his relatives they chanced to meet that they liked �Johnnie� DeHart and would often quote what they thought was his quaint philosophy.

Contributed by John R. DeHart
Document Prepared by Gloria Lambert


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Last updated: Thursday, 28-Mar-2024 14:48:22 MDT