SPOT RAILROAD CROSSES EUPHAUPEE IS ONE OF MACON'S MOST HISTORIC

SOURCE: The Tuskegee News, Tuskegee, Alabama, November 11, 1965 - 100th Anniversary Edition, Volume 100, Number 32

The few hundred feet of railroad track between Euphaupee Creek and Red Creek, less than a mile east of Chehaw station, is one of the most historic spots in Macon County. It was here that Macon's only Civil War battle was fought, and it was here that an Indian Chief was born and a remarkable white man-turned-Indian was buried.

Billy Powell, or Black Drink or Ussa Yoholo, or Oceola as he was alternately known, was born on the Euphaupee probably at the exact spot the railroad crosses. Oceola was a half-breed, but he grew into one of the fiercest of the Creek warriors. His activities ranged through Alabama and Florida. He was tricked into captivity with promises of amnesty and died in prison.

James McQueen, great grandfather of Oceola, is buried on the Euphaupee less than a mile from the railroad. McQueen is said to have lived for 128 years. He was born in Scotland in 1663 and deserted from an English ship in Florida in 1716, coming to Creek territory.

For the next 95 years he lived among Indians in and around Macon County and virtually controlled the Tallassee branch of the Creek for much of that time. It is said that it was difficult in later years to find a Tallassee without McQueen blood.

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