Everyday I hear a comment from items discussed in the "Talk From Under the Tipi." I am most certainly mentioned on the column as it appears in The Town Charter.

Back in the 1820's, President Jackson and the U.S. Congress issued an order for all Indians to pack up and move across the Mississippi River. The Cherokees had no choice but to begin traveling West without any plans for the trip. The Cherokees were considered a civilized tribe because they had quietly educated themselves to the ways and cultures of the European immigrants.

The U.S. Congress had encouraged the Indians to adapt ways and standards that had been their own practice. Many Indians including the Cherokees did accept the European customs. The architectural design of their homes was comparable and appeared similar to current styles of others. Most Cherokees lived in fine homes and quality homes and were taxed as every other home.

The ideal use of the tipi was on a temporary basis. Their tipis were constructed of several long straight poles and were covered with animal skins. This type of tipi could be dismantled and moved easily during traveling.

One present day tipi is on the north end of Main Street. It was constructed on a permanent basis by James A. Harmon. James built the tipi out of straight poles and concrete mesh. It was constructed on a permanent location and was built three or four years ago. It is a very attractively built tipi which can serve as a storage place or for other uses.

James and his wife Joyce (Wilson) Harmon’s ancestry goes bak to the mid 1800's in the area. Their daughter Pat Brockett is the office manager for the Aubrey Area Chamber of Commerce. She is also a professional musician. Her great-grandmother, Granny Rachel Harmon was a Cherokee.

When I was a youngster, Granny Rachel taught her family (of which I was one), many tricks and traits of being an Indian. At the time she was teaching us these traditions, we thought she was just teaching us the secrets of life.

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