Perhaps no greater tragedy, involving an entire people, has ever occurred in the annals of history than the removal of the Cherokees from the mountainous areas of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.  Set during the chaotic years of 1832-1839, In the Lion’s Paw tells the story of a half-breed Indian girl who attends two Christian mission schools where she is educated to the extent that she becomes a teacher and interpreter at Brainerd Mission in Tennessee. Her evolvement from savagery to civility is slow but encouraging.  Two men, one a missionary, the other a Cherokee Indian, love her and try to protect her.  Which one does she love?  The answer to this question involves much of the story.  Also, does she ever accept Christianity?  This, too, is an underlying theme of the story.  She and her family leave on the Trail of Tears in November of 1838, but only she survives life on the trail some five months later.  The book depicts the many events that occur when traveling in a wagon over a thousand miles through largely uncharted wilderness.  Wild animals, desperadoes, the unrelenting cold, and terrible illnesses take their toll on the emigrants.  Unfolding against the backdrop of actual history during this period of time, the story allows the reader to follow what likely happened to many of the Cherokees who were forced from their homes during this era.  Known as one of the five civilized tribes of Indians, the Cherokees tried the hardest to assimilate into white society.  Though they were slow to accept the white man’s religion, they tried to emulate his government, his dress, and his economy.  However, many Cherokee rituals such as the Green Corn Festival and their different dances and ball play, as well as their reliance on shamans to win at ball play or to heal when illness threatened,  are included in this novel.   

In the Lion’s Paw may be purchased from this website for $20 plus postage.  If you want to buy a copy, please contact Jane Walker at her email address, JaneWriter51@yahoo.com.  You may send a check or money order.

The poundage of the three books is as follows: Widow of Sighing Pines (1.8 lbs.);  In the Lion’s Paw (1.2 lbs.);  Telfair County pictorial history book (10.4 ounces).  Please call your post office and give them the size of the book and find out the postage for sending the book from McRae-Helena, Georgia 31055 to your home.  Please add the postage to the cost of the book and send your check or money order to Longleaf Pine Press, LLC, P. O. Box 357, McRae-Helena, Georgia 31055.  I checked with my local Post Office, and the rates for the book mailed within Georgia are as follows:  Widow of Sighing Pines (medium rate: $3.22; priority:  $6.50);  In the Lion’s Paw (medium rate and priority rates are same as Widow of Sighing Pines);  Telfair County history book (medium rate: $2.72; priority: $6.45).