University of Virginia Library

19. Jones, Joanna nee McGhee

July 15, 1937

Interview with Mrs. Joanna Jones nee McGhee

128 K, N. E.

Mrs. Thos. Walker

Miami, Oklahoma

Mannie Lee Burns, Interviewer

Indian-Pioneer History S-149

Grant Foreman, Director

My mother was Susie Beck, a Cherokee and the daughter of Charlotte Downing and Ellis Beck and she was born in Georgia. My father was Albert McGhee. I do not remember the dates of their births.

My mother was about twelve years old when they were forced to leave Georgia and I have heard her say that before they left their homes there that the white people would come into their houses and look things over and when they found something that they liked, they would say, "This is mine, I am going to have it", etc. When they were gathering their things to start they were driven from their homes and collected together like so many cattle. Some would try to take along something which they loved, but were forced to leave it, if it was of any size. The trip was made in covered wagons and this made many of the women sick, but they were forced along just the same. When they reached streams and rivers, they did not want to cross and they were dragged on the boats.

Grandmother always remembered it and I have often heard her say, "Some day you will be taxed out of your homes here just as we were."