From the Darkroom: Sarcoxie citizens at spring where chief once met

Springfield-Greene County Library District
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Standing next to the spring where the chief of the Cherokee, Sarcoxie, used to make his headquarters are two Sarcoxie citizens. At left is former Mayor H.B. Boyd, one of the town's oldest residents, and Earl Wright, editor and publisher of the Sarcoxie Record. Published in the News & Leader on May 28, 1950.
Standing next to the spring where the chief of the Cherokee, Sarcoxie, used to make his headquarters are two Sarcoxie citizens. At left is former Mayor H.B. Boyd, one of the town's oldest residents, and Earl Wright, editor and publisher of the Sarcoxie Record. Published in the News & Leader on May 28, 1950.

This spring was originally the headquarters of Chief Sarcoxie of the Delaware tribe and a meeting place for Native Americans across the Ozarks. In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, forcing thousands of Native Americans to leave their homes and relocate. The act eventually led to the Trail of Tears.

Thackery Vivion, from Kentucky, colonized the area near the spring in 1831. It is possible that the Indigenous peoples occupying this territory had already been displaced. The town, initially named Centerville and then changed to Sarcoxie in 1839, was the first in Jasper County. This photo was taken in 1950 and featured longtime resident Mayor H.B. Boyd (left), and Earl Wright (right), editor and publisher of the Sarcoxie Record.

This image is presented in partnership between the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the Springfield News-Leader. For more historical images of Ozarks visit: thelibrary.org/fromthedarkroom.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Spring in modern day Sarcoxie meeting place for Delaware tribe