In the years 1831-1840 military forced movements are made with the so called five civiliced tribes, from their home country in the south east of United States to the Indian territory in Oklahoma. Up to the year of 1840 about 50.000 indians are deported. Choctaw 1831-34, Chickasaw 1832-34, Cherokee 1838-39,Creek and Seminole 1836-40. The families have to sell their houses, their land and cattle to very low prices, before they have to begin the long journey (950 miles) westwards.

Many people had to walk and the army hardly let the indians stop to bury their dead. 20-30 percent of the Native people never arrived to Oklahoma, they died on "the trail of tears" as the Cherokee calls it, and many also died as they arrived, sick and weakened after the hardship.

Not in the time of pleasure, hope doth set her bow, but in the sky of sorrow, over the vale of woe. Through gloom and shadow look we on beyond the years. The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.
John Vance Chenay