The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-01-05
THE INDIAN REBELLION.
Statements as to the Condition of
Affairs in Indian Territory.
The Sands Party, Defeated at Two Elec-
tiOns, Attempt to Install Their
Candidates by Force.

CHICAGO, Jan. 4.-There being much UNI
certainty and several conflicting stories about
the condition of affairs in the Indian Terri
tory, the following letters from men promi-
nent in Indian Territorial politics will prove
of interest, particularly as they give an in
sight into the past as well as the present his
tory and status of matters. Judge Stidham is
a Creek, and for many years has been one OF
the important factors in ali Indian matters.
He is well known in Washington, having
been a delegate in Congress from the Terri
tory. HIS patriotic efforts for his people and
his thorough understanding of the questions
which concern them make his contribution
really valuable as history. McKellop is also
a thoroughly welI-informed young Creek in
legislative and martial matters, is the clerk
of the House of Warriors Corresponding to
the United States House of Representatives.
and deeply interested in the welfare of the
Nation. Judge G. w. Stidham, living at
Eufaula, writes:
The Creek Nation has been divided into
two bands from time i~mmemorial, known as
the Upper and Lower Creeks, each with q
principal and assistant chief, but living
IN OlIC SONCI HiliCill1 III lWO hiSi oia
assistants acting together as one executive.
This form of government existed until after
the close of the late war, during which they
were divided North and South. When they
reunited and returned home, Sands, acting
chief of the portion of the Creeks who sup
ported the United States government, pro-
posed that we do away with the two chiefs
and unite under one head. This was agreed
to, and a committee of equal numbers from
the two parties was appointed to draft
a constitution and code of laws.
This done, the people, in convention,
adopted them. Chief Sands, who expected to
be elected, was defeated, and he rebelled. AT
the second election the rebellion party ran
another candidate, who was also defeated,
and they undertook by force of arms to in
stall! their candidate. A fight began, but the
United States Indian agent, Major Lion,
caused a settlement without loodshed. Since
then they have raised armed forces twice.
Sands died soon after the first trouble, but
the other leaders kept up the fracas until
last summer, when one of their young men
was arrested for violating q law; they then
raised g mob and followed and killed the
sheriff and his deputy, and rescued the pris-
nner Knowing that such an act would not
be tolerated, the whole faction took
arms to protect them. The constitutional or
government party called out the militia, fol-
lowed them, arrested some of the murderers,
killed two or three, and pardoned the others.
The present trouble grows out of this affair.
Many of the Sands party have never come
home, but they pretend now to have discov-
cred that the authorities g%ravely wronged
them in selling to the United States govern
ment, for the use of the Semlnoles, that por-
ton of the country occupied by them. The
party in rebellion received their share of the
proceeds of the sale. The Creek authorities
opposed selling, but were forced to, because
the United States government had located
the Seminoles on our land through mistake,
and would not remove them, but proposed
to buy the land. The Creeks thought they
had better take pay for thc land than lose IT
without pay. This is the whole history OF
the trouble"
A. F. McKellop writes from Muskogee as
follows:
This trouble is an effort of some 800
Greeks to undermine and destroy the written
and recognized constitution Of the Greek Ma
ton. The parties are known as the 'Chicote
party, and the 'Spiechee party, Chicote being
the recognized chief of the Creek Nation, and
Spiechee of the rebels. The latter organized
into two parties under Spiechee and Jacob
Knight, in the two extremes Of the Creek
Nation, intending to raid the capital. Hear
ing this, Chief Chicote issued a proclamation
for the loyal party to arm themselves and
repair to the capital. Scouts were
sent out. Forty of Chicote's men,
while scouting, encountered the western di-
vision OF SPEECHES. men, numbering about
$50. An engagement ensued, in which seven
of Chicote's men were killed; it is not known
whether any of the other party were killed,
as they held the field. After this Chicote sent
out $40 men, but SPEECHES. force had dis
banded and returned to the Sac and Fox res
ervation, where they still are. The eastern
division of the Spiechee party. under Spie-
chee's head, also returned into the Cherokee
Nation. The Indian agent has gone to see
Spiechee and see what can be done. Chi
cote's party will probably disband in a few
the National Council meets in next October"