Kennedy-Darling Indian trading post at Hatse Lotka

Many people who think of Florida tend to think of palm trees, sandy beaches and tourists. Florida is one of the most visited states in the country; however, many people do not know its true origin as a Southern State. Florida was granted statehood on March 3rd, 1845 becoming the 27th state of the United States of America. Almost half of its population were slaves from the coastal areas of Georgia and the Carolinas. In the 1850's, white settlers had been encroaching on lands occupied by the Seminoles. Increased Army presence and the building of forts strategically located to protect white settlers caused many hostilities. This article will concentrate on one of these hostile situations.

Fort Chokonikla is a Seminole word for "burnt house." In 1849, Captain George Payne had built a large two-story log store, a wharf and a wooden bridge in what would later be named Paynes Creek. The store was called the Kennedy-Darling Indian trading post and was well patronized by the Seminoles.
"Every Indian received a present of one quart of whiskey," was written in the diary of Indian Agent J.C. Casey, as noted in Canter Brown's Florida Peace River Frontier. George Payne had a strong dislike for whiskey and after taking control of the store, he would no longer give whiskey to the Indians.

While expecting to be offered a quart of whiskey (which Florida law prohibited), and the interdiction of their right to frequent the store, the Indians shot dead Captain Payne and Dempsey Whidden (an employee). William McCullough (a clerk) was shot in the shoulder and leg, but he managed to flee the building with his wife Nancy. Two fugitive Indians and Echo Emathla Chopco a Tallahassee chief continued firing at them, though they made it over a bridge escaping into darkness.

Days later the store was burnt to the ground leaving behind the incinerated remains of Captain Payne and Dempsey Whidden. After the massacre, the Indians left a blatant statement for future settlers: an untouched barrel of whiskey. Hatse Lotka creek would later be named Paynes Creek in honor of Captain Paynes’ sacrifice and would become the future site of Fort Chokonikla. The Fort began on October 26, 1849, which was part of General Twiggs' impressive line of fortifications but was abandoned on July 18th 1850, after he had ordered the closing of most of the surrounding forts.

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