Stories, quotes and anecdotes from Appalachia. 1880s-1950s era.

Category: Cherokee Nation

Indian Trail Trees

In marking a trail, after bending and fastening the young trees, the Indian would usually carve upon them his individual or clan insignia.

In Missouri they call it a Gallywampus; in Arkansas it’s the Whistling Wampus; in Appalachia it’s just a plain old Wampus (or Wampas) cat.

No man knew Blue Ridge people, lore, habits, & tastes better than Shepherd Dugger; in his day he was the foremost historian of the region.

The people on Valley river and Hiwassee heard voices of invisible spirits in the air calling and warning them of wars and misfortunes.

Highly stylized gourd masks are an essential part of the Cherokee Booger Dance, a charged ritual of reaction against outsider intrusion.

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