Brief History of George Strother Gaines

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No matter how far Gaines got away from Demopolis or St. Stephens, he would always be called upon to serve in dealings with the Choctaw Indians. William Ward, the federal agent with the Choctaw Indian tribe contacted Gaines about another treaty conference that would be held in Macon, Mississippi. William Ward wanted Gaines and his partner Glover to set up camp near the treaty and supply the food and other supplies for the guest. The treaty conference lasted five days with the Choctaw tribe being divided over the surrender of their land and the removal process. The three head district chiefs and one hundred and sixty eight members of the tribe signed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek on September 27, 1830. After the signing of the treaty, Gaines received another title, which was the superintendent for the removal and subsistence of Indians. George Strother Gaines did not particularly want this job but felt it as his duty to the Choctaw tribe. Gaines started a Choctaw exploring party to travel the United States in search of new lands. Gaines and fellow leaders explored the Mexican territory along present day Texas and into the state of Arkansas. After traveling and searching through much of the southwest, Gaines and his party returned to Mobile and Demopolis. Honorable men of great stature respected Gaines and after the traveling parties returned home, he received yet another title which now was superintendent of the subsistence and removal of Indians. George Strother Gaines now completely had total dominance over the removal process. Toward the end of 1831, the Choctaw Indians met at Vicksburg, Mississippi for the final journey and by the end of March in 1832, all the Choctaw tribe was located on their new land. In 1832, Gaines lost his position as head of the removal of the Indians for future reference due to the government considering the removal of the Choctaw tribe a complete failure. The government stated the reasons for his removal as a failure to minimize cost and effectiveness. Gaines personally thought of his removal as political connections between powerful government commissioners but took his exit in stride. He put forth his final accounts to the government as his title states but only received pay of exploring agent. He was highly upset and continued lobbying the government for money owed for his services. Finally in 1843, John Tyler’s administ... ... middle of paper ... ...aines, occurs while living in Wayne County Mississippi at his home named Peachwood. Gaines started a nursery business that would be his last financial venture. Before Gaines could become entangled in his business, he decided to run for the Mississippi House of Representatives and won a term for two years. The major importance of this term was his vote for the secession from the union of the state of Mississippi. After his term in office, Gaines went home to Peachwood and settled into the nursery business. Although returning home from the war was an exciting time for Gaines’ business expansion, he went through another trial by losing his wife of fifty-six years. Gaines went through many trials and tribulations throughout his life and will always remembered as a true statesman for both the states of Alabama and Mississippi. III. After reading this journey of a man who was born in North Carolina, raised in Tennessee, and became a statesman for both Mississippi and Alabama, I honestly believe I have learned a lot about a great and knowledgeable man. Before reading this book, I had no wisdom of this man nor his accomplishments. I had no previously knowledge of George Strother Gaines

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