Bounty Application of Betsy Still

Tah-Le-Quah, Cherokee Nation:

Betsy Still, of lawful age, and to me known to be a creditable person, being first by me duly sworn, upon her oath says:

I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation by birth, I am the widow of Cook Still: my husband enlisted in the Third Indian Regiment Home Guards, in the month of July 1862, and served until the – of 1863, about the 1st of January, when he was killed near Ray’s Mill, Arkansas. I got Spencer Stevens to make out the necessary papers, and put them into Wright’s hands for collection of bounty and back pay, if there was any due him. I came here, traveling about fifty miles, and called on Wright in July 1867. He inquired of me my name; I told him I was the widow of Cook Still, and wanted his bounty. He said it was not there; and I sat down and waited an hour, as it was raining very hard, and he turned to me and asked me what he could do for me. I told him I wanted my bounty. He talked a while, and said he would bet $50 he had my name. He got up and took up a bundle of papers and said, “Here it is.” He said what do you call your name? I told him it was Betsey; but I could answer to either Betsey or Elizabeth. He remarked it was all right, and got the money to count it out. He then remarked to his son Brown, who had the money, to hold on, and asked me if I could tell the day my husband enlisted. I told him I could not. He then told me to go and get two good loyal men to prove the day my husband enlisted, and it would all be right. I asked Mr. Reese, but he said he did not know, but suggested to me to go and get Allen Ross and Hendrix. I asked Mr. Reese to go and get them, as it was raining, but he declined. I asked them to wait until the rain held up. He replied the sooner I went the sooner I would get my money. I went and got Ross and Hendrix and brought them down. He did not ask them any questions; but said, your husband was a bad man, and deserted, and he could not pay me anything. On the next morning I called on him again, taking a witness that was present when he got his furlough. But he still declined to pay me, or give me any satisfaction. This is five times I have come here, and twice to Gibson; the last time I was at Gibson I saw Brown Wright, and he told me it was no use to come, for there would be a commission appointed and sent out here to pay all such claims. I went to Brown Wright yesterday, and he told me he was on his way to Saint Louis after the money, and if he did not find the commission in Saint Louis he was going to Washington, and would be back in sixteen days, and if I would come in with my proof I would get my money. I had one witness here all the time, and he never asked them any questions.
Her XX mark.
BETSEY STILL

Witness:
GEO. W. ROSS.
A. N. BLACKLIDGE.
Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 11th day October 1867.
[NO SEAL.]
GEO. W. ROSS,
Clerk Circuit Court.


Collection:
42nd Congress. Alleged Frauds Against Certain Indian Soldiers. House of Representatives Report, 2nd Session, No. 96.

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