HISTORIC OCONEE COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA Subject: TAMASSEE PAST & PRESENT Version 1.0, 29-Dec-2002, H-06.txt **************************************************************** REPRODUCING NOTICE: ------------------- These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format for profit, or presentation by any other organization, or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Paul M Kankula - nn8nn Seneca, SC, USA Oconee County SC GenWeb Coordinator Oconee County SC GenWeb Homestead http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/oconee.html Oconee County SC GenWeb Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~scoconee/cemeteries.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/southcarolina/oconee.html **************************************************************** DATAFILE INPUT . : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 DATAFILE LAYOUT : Paul M. Kankula at kankula1@innova.net in Dec-2002 HISTORY WRITE-UP : Mary Cherry Doyle, Clemson, SC in Jan-1935 Dedicated To: Dr Edgar Clay Doyle FOREWORD In presenting these fragmentary facts that have come to my knowledge, it is my hope that they may prove helpful in preserv- ing the history of Oconee county for the youth of the land and all who are interested in the history of Oconee county for South Carolina. With knowledge there will follow a fuller appreciation of the great heritage that is ours. I wish to acknowledge a great debt of gratitude to Dr. J. Walter Daniel, an author- ity on Indians of the South. We are indebted to members of the Wizard of Tamassee Chapter S. C. D. A. R. and many other friends. MARY CHERRY DOYLE. January, 1935. TAMASSEE PAST & PRESENT THE LEGEND OF TAMASSEE "Many years ago in a mountain village of the Cherokee Indians there lived a famous fire prophet. His great wisdom and his power of healing were attributed to the possession of an unusually large ruby. With their gift for picturesque nomenclature, the Indians called this glowing ball of fire 'The Sunlight of God'. They came from far and near to consult with the prophet and to be made strong. His in- fluence was mighty and far-reaching. At his death the Indians obeyed his parting injunction and buried him with the stone clasped to his breast. The knoll where the grave lay was called "Tamassee, the Place of the Sunlight of God'." THE RING FIGHT Gen. Pickens himself tells us that the last and most desperate battle he fought with the Cherokees was on Tamassee Creek. Here he and his men suddenly found themselves surrounded by yelling, painted savages. Pickens thought they would all be scalped, for they were greatly outnumbered. In desperation he set fire to the cane brake in which they found themselves. Noise like the popping of many rifles ensued. The Indians thought that reinforce- ments had arrived and fled. (This account was given by Gen. Pickens himself and was preserved in writing by Mrs. W. R. Davis' grandfather, Overton Lewis.) So charmed was Gen. Pickens with Tamassee, happy hunting ground, and so completely subdued were the Chero- kees that Gen. Pickens built his home here, and he died within sight of the spot upon which the memorable battle was fought. On account of his wonderful tact in dealing with the Indians he was called "The Wizard of Tamassee." He was greatly beloved by the Indians, who brought him the first fruits. The bronze tablet which was placed on this native boulder bears this inscription: Commemorating "The Ring Fight", the last and most desperate battle between Gen. Andrew Pickens and the Cherokee Indians. Fought in this immediate vicinity 1779. ( Note: Should read 1776 - typo error ) The Wizard of Tamassee Chapter, D. A. R. Seneca, S. C. 1926. D. A. R. SCHOOL Eleven miles north of Walhalla is situated the D. A. R. School, an institution which Oconee County and the State of South Carolina is proud to claim within their borders. The school was established in 1919 by the South Caro- lina Daughters of the American Revolution and dedicated to the underpriviliged girls of the Southern mountains. The land on which the school stands was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Hayne Jones, the Harrisons and Mr. Whitmire, and from time to time other lands have been purchased as was needed by the school. Almost every State in the Union has contributed to the school, and it is one of two schools in the United States owned and run by the D.A.R. The school is an accredited (private) high school and has boarding department of more than 125. Recently boys have been taken as scholarships are provided. The school is industrial.