New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-19
THE WRONGS OF THE CREEKS.

| TALK WITH A MISSIONARY-HOW THEY ARE
CHEATED oCr OF THEIR MONEY.
Miss Alice Robertson, a missionary among
the Creek Indians OF Indian Territory spending
weeks in this city. ToaTRmUXE reporter Miss Robert
SAID in talking about the troubles among the
Creeks: "The present ieud in the Creek Nation had ia
origin at the time when the English, French and
| Spanish colonies struggling for supremacy
| on the Southern coast. The Creeks then mustered
thousands Of warriors and being intrepid hghcr were
coured alike by all Of the cooniss. Although the most
them faithful TO their treaty with OgetLorpe
few became the allies Of the French and Spanish, and
thus arose the civil among the Greeks. Ia 1872
British emissaries again stirred up the Crooks
to The atrocities which followed have
| rarely, If ever, been equaled In the history
Of this country Crushed, subducd, dsheartc ned,
their people massacred and their villages In ashes,
the Creeks accepted the terms offered them and gave up
large portion Of their domain TO pay the expenses OF
the which had been waged against them Then fol-
lowed their removal beyond the Mississippi They
tied upon lands which the Government had given
them, and began q hard struggle for existence The
United states that there might be Of justice
toward the Indians. bought the lands the South from
which they had been elected and invested the funds
thus Obtained for the benefit OF the tribes.
"For many years the Creeks rcsolucly refused TO allow
missionaries teachers to visit them. aad it WAS
un 1880 that two schools established under the
auspices OF the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches
Then came the Ciyl War. The Indians themselves
desired TO keep out OF the war; but the agents who
Southern men, last dragged them into Never wcro
the Creeks divided. Many OF the young who
nto the Southern army deserted the first opportunity
entered the Northern. The Of the fubloods.
however were loyal. When the war closed the Greeks
left scattered about through southern Kansas and
northern Texas without cattle They had
to begin all over again. A few Of the young who
had been educated in the missions succeeded IN getting
the nation TO adopt constitution aud code Of laws.
han fla of 1aIaO attn,, #
Creeks sent TO Washington to for the interests
Of TIE people This CUSTOM which has been kept up
since then, has been far from beneficial the Indians
They have already learned much Of the underhandcd
among the 1900 Creeks there is a remarkable SEN
tmen in favor OF education. All eager 10 have
children enjoy the benefits OF the schools, but at
the present time not moro than $50. out Of
gcrous element among the Indians Is the large number
OF whites who on one preteXt and another gain foot
hold among them As the Indian Territory Is rich and
ferule many spectators attracted It, These by
fair means and foul endeavOr aud IN many instances
have succ.eded in getting from the Indians large tracts
OF land for mere song The one grea! need OF the
boys 10 manage farms aud herds Ia wei as to Keep
ece9 %ds ~. Indiana o.o ..no,., from, .,,. 81,
benefit Of the orphans Of the tribe The United states
Government nyested this money for them, but after
awhile forgot all about the orphans and used IL Tor
purposes. TO several lawyers these orphans, who
they should collect They were successful, and
now Whenever an orphan payment Is made the law
before ;ne Indians are allowed 10 leave agents Office
"ThTee years ago man f:Om Georgia among the
indians TO look after the missionary interests OF his
church. He obtained their confidence, and then urged
upon them the necessity of appropriation. by
assistance OF the Kansas delegation he obtained IT, But
the Interior Department kept back 10 per cent for
per cent for presenting the case, The Indians did
not realize much Then tho traders came In for their
share and have known Indians TO leave the agency
after has been made without cent In their
pockets When the Seminole land, belonging to the |
Creeks sold just after the amue OF 1884, The Gov
eminent made appropriation to cover The sale Then
the Georgia man, whom mentioned mo-
ment ago, put IN claim OF per cent |
for his services attorney The Indians protested |
but were finally obliged TO pay the amount demanded |
The most of this money, afterwards told went 10
pay the expenses OF the Kansas campaign This story ID
borne out by statement OF the clerk or Congressional
committee, himself Kansas man. who defended the act
by saying t Gods that the Indians wOad
not have got cent OF the money except by ths pay
inent.
Here are some OF the fees the Indians have been |
Obliged TO pay lawyers who have assisted them In OBJ
tanning appropriations aud in settling Tor the sale OF
lands Five per $175, 900 derived from sale OF
seminole lands per cent $305 900 the Orphans |
claim and 10 per cent Ss7 600, the appropriation"