Chapter X: Muskogees

1. CREEKS.

The Creeks are known in their own language as the Muskokee or Muskogee and occupied originally the greater part of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Their traditions say that they emigrated from the Northwest until they reached Florida, when they fell back to the country between the headwaters of the Alabama and Savannah rivers. As this was full of small rivers and creeks it was called by the early settlers the creek country, hence the name of the Creek Indians, who, when first known to the whites, were living there. Those remaining in Florida were called the Seminoles or Isti-semole (wild men). The nation became a confederacy of tribes speaking other languages, modifying somewhat the original Muskogee, but who, nevertheless, numbered seven-eighths of their whole number. Before a dominant power was established in the South they were courted by the Spanish, French, and English, and were about equally divided in their allegiance to these nations, but the final success of the English brought them entirely under their influence. "They took an active part in the war of the Revolution against the Americans, and continued their hostilities till the treaty concluded at Philadelphia in 1795. They then remained at peace eighteen years; but at the beginning of the last war with Great Britain a considerable portion of the nation, excited, it is said, by Tecumseh, and probably receiving encouragement from other sources, took arms without the slightest provocation, and at first committed great ravages in the vicinity of their western frontier. They received a severe chastisement, and the decisive victories of General Jackson at that time, and some years later over the Seminoles, who had renewed the war, have not only secured a permanent peace with the southern Indians, but, together with the progress of the settlements, have placed them all under the absolute control of the United States. The Creeks and Seminoles, after some struggles among themselves, have ceded the whole of their territory and accepted in exchange other lands beyond the Mississippi."--_Gallatin._

Twenty-four thousand five hundred and ninety-four were removed west of the Mississippi, only 744 remaining on their old hunting-grounds. At the breaking out of the civil war the western Creeks numbered less that 15,000. The tribe divided and engaged in pitched battles against each other, the Unionists suffering badly, many fleeing to Kansas. They were brought together again after the war, and in 1872 numbered 13,000, on a reservation of over 3,000,000 acres in the Indian Territory.

By the report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for 1876, they were numbered at 14,000, including 3,000 mixed-bloods, and all wearing citizens' dress and living in good houses. They have 36 school buildings, with an attendance of about 750 pupils; over $24,000 was expended upon their education. There are 20 churches on the reserve, with a membership among the Creeks of over 3,000. They rank among the first of civilized tribes.

_List of illustrations._

97. LO-CHA-HA-JO. _The Drunken Terrapin._

Served as a first lieutenant in the Union Army during the rebellion,
and was at that time and is now the leading spirit of the loyal
Creeks. Is the treaty-making chief. Age, about 35.

98. TAL-WA-MI-KO. _Town King._

Commonly known as John McGilvry. Is a brother-in-law of
Oporthleyoholo, a famous chief of the last generation, and stood by
him during their struggles with and flight from the rebel Creeks. Is
at the present time the second leading spirit of the loyal Creeks.
Age, about 30.

99. TAM-SI-PEL-MAN. _Thompson Perryman._

First organizer of the loyal Creeks that came north during the
rebellion. Was a councillor of Oporthleyoholo, and a steadfast
adherent to the treaties made with the Government. Age, about 40.

100. HO-TUL-KO-MI-KO. _Chief of the Whirlwind._

English name, Silas Jefferson; is of mixed African and Creek
parentage; born in Alabama and raised among the Creeks in that
State, removing with them to their present home in the Indian
Territory. Is to all intents and purposes one of the tribe, taking a
wife from among them, and sharing all their troubles. Was
interpreter for the loyal Creeks during the war, and is now the
official interpreter of the nation. Age, 45.

102. GROUP OF THE PRECEDING CHIEFS.

103. KOT-CO-CU, or _Tiger_.

Served in the Union Army as a lieutenant. Was one of the council in
framing the treaty of 1866. In 1871 was a candidate for chief, but
was defeated, and died shortly after.

104. OK-TA-HA-SAS-HAJO, or _Sand_.

The predecessor of Lo-cha-ha-jo as the treaty-making chief of the
nation, and second chief under Oporthleyoholo. Was among the first
to join the Union forces during the rebellion. Was chief of the
council that framed the new constitution in 1866. Has not been
educated, but has great natural ability, and is of an extremely
sensitive and kindly disposition.

105-107. FAMILY OF GEORGE STEADMAN. (Half-bloods.)

108. A CREEK BRAVE.

2. SEMINOLES.

"The Isti-Semole (wild men) who inhabit the peninsula of Florida (1836) are pure Muskogees, who have gradually detached themselves from the confederacy, but were still considered members of it till the United States treated with them as with an independent nation. The name of Seminoles was given to them on account of their being principally hunters and attending but little to farming."

Were very hostile to the Americans up to the cession of Florida in 1819, but a treaty was finally made with them in 1823. Other treaties followed looking to their removal westward, in attempting to carry out which a war ensued, lasting from 1835 until 1842. Nearly 2,000 had then been removed, leaving about 300 in Florida, and 145 of these, under Billy Bowlegs, joined the western band in the Indian Territory in 1858. Had much trouble in getting settled upon a reservation, locating finally upon a tract of 200,000 acres bought of the Creeks, where they now number 2,553--a prosperous and civilized tribe.

_List of illustrations._

714. O-LAC-TO-MI-CO. _Billy Bowlegs._

The well-known and famous leader of the Seminoles in the Florida
war, 1835-'42, but was finally compelled to remove with the remnants
of his tribe to the Indian Territory.

3. CHICKASAWS.

When first known the Chickasaws were located north of Mississippi on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. Were mixed up in the early French and English wars, remaining loyal to the English up to 1783. Operated with the Americans against the Creeks in 1793. Commenced to migrate west of the Mississippi early in the present century. Sold their lands to good advantage and amassed considerable wealth, and were in every way a prosperous, progressive nation. They purchased a large tract of land from the Choctaws, a tribe speaking the same language, and affiliated with them in all tribal affairs. In 1855, on payment of $150,000 to the Choctaws, they effected a political separation. Like the Choctaws, they first went south with the confederates during the civil war, but returned to the northern army afterwards. They lost very much property, besides a large number of slaves.

Their numbers have not undergone any material change, the latest census placing their numbers at 5,800. Nearly 2,000 of these are mixed bloods. Two weekly papers are supported between the Choctaws and themselves. They are also well supplied with churches, schools, and other appliances of an industrious, civilized, and prosperous people. They have intermarried to a great extent with the whites, some of the following portraits being of subjects having a large proportion of white blood in their veins.

_List of illustrations._

73. J. D. JAMES.

74. ASH-KE-HE-NA-NIEW.

75. SHO-NI-ON.

76. ANNIE GUY.

77. A YOUNG BRAVE.

4. CHOCTAWS.

The Choctaws, or Chahtas, at the time of De Soto's visit in 1540, were living south of the Chickasaws, and west of the Creeks. Unlike the surrounding tribes, they were peaceably disposed, and a nation of farmers, and much farther advanced in civilization than any of their neighbors. Coming in contact with the French, Spanish, English, and Americans, they have never been at war with any of them. Commenced moving west of the Mississippi in 1801, and by 1830 had exchanged all their lands for other in the Indian Territory. By 1861 had advanced far in civilization, numbering with the Chickasaws 25,000, with 5,000 slaves. In the civil war they joined first the South and then the North, losing a great deal in property, and a reduction to 17,000 of their population. They now number 16,000, of whom two-thirds are of mixed blood. Are governed by a written constitution; elect their chief every four years; have a council, consisting of 40 members, and a judiciary, and trial by jury.

Of the following subjects, nearly all are of mixed blood.

_List of illustrations._

88. ISRAEL FOLSOM.

89. PETER FOLSOM.

90. SAMUEL FOLSOM.

91. ---- FOLSOM.

92. FAUNCEWAY BAPTISTE.

93. B. L. LE FLORE.

94. SAMUEL GARLAND.

95. COLONEL PYTCHLYNN.

96. ALLEN WRIGHT.

936-7. SQUAWS.

938-9. YOUNG BOYS.