Mostly COWARD families lived in this area and in particular one, Elihu Coward (1858-1937). He was born to Benjamin Coward and Nellie Fisher; he married Ella Wike.
Elihu became angry when his Coward relatives would not support him for public office. He became a Republican and changed his last name to COWART. Later he became Postmaster, and the area was named Cowarts (for Elihu). The town is now known as Caney Forks, and is located just south of Cullowhee, NC. 1
Elihu operated the post office and a store at Caney Forks for years. However, his daughter kept both the post office and store until it was discontinued in favor of the Tuskaseegee Post Office.2
It should be noted that Cowarts was in Haywood County before becoming a part of Jackson County.
Footnote
1- Trudy Adams letter dated 28 FEB 1994.
2-from "The Chestnut Tree" by Troy Chastain.