Map of Cherokee Nation, circa 1903
The Cherokee Nation actually established an asylum for insane Indians before the U.S. government did. The Cherokee National Council selected a site for the Cherokee Home for the Insane, Deaf, Dumb, and Blind six miles south of Tahlequah in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in 1873. The asylum was governed by a board of trustees composed of the principal chief, assistant principal chief, the national treasurer, and three trustees appointed by the principal chief, with the consent of the Cherokee Senate.
Construction began in 1874 and on December 5, 1876, John A. Foreman was elected steward of the asylum at a salary of $400/year. The asylum opened March 1, 1877, and by October had accepted 14 males and 8 females. Foreman made a telling request in his first report: “I would hereby have to suggest that a change be made in the manner of receiving inmates into the asylum, and that such lines be drawn, as will prevent the Asylum from being made into a hospital.”
The Canton Asylum for Insane Indians never drew such a line, and quickly became a dumping ground for many inconvenient Indians who were not necessarily insane.
Cherokee National Female Seminary (1851-1887) Tahlequah
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Hi,
The only records I have found have been in the National Archives in Washington, DC and in Kansas City, MO. I’ve tried to write down the names of all the patients as I’ve done research, and haven’t see either a James or Mary Roach as patients at the Canton Asylum. Do you have any other information about them being there?
I would like to find info on my grandparents who were patients at the asylum..james and mary roach..where can I view records??
I’m glad that you were interested in this post. You can find information about the asylum by doing an internet search on the name; make sure to go to a reputable site for reliable information. Here is a link to an article I found in the Oklahoma university system:
http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v021/v021p402.pdf
my name is deidra. Im 21 an live in tahlequah, ok. I went to Sequoyah high school, which was built around the old asylm. Ive been very interested in this buildings history ever since I first heard of its beginings, and i would appreciate any additional information or sources for additional information concerning its history. thank you for your time.
Deidra