Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-05-29

Young candidate for Methodist and
public patronage. DR.. Akers met
with some success in his agency. !
remember l made 4 small contribu-
ton myself. the first ! ever gave to
n Methodist institution of learning.
DR. Akers preached a great sermon
at the Conference at 3 O'Clock p.
m, Bishop SOule having occupied
the pulpit in the morning, deliver
ing enc Of his mastery Giseourses.
DR.. Akers still lives, in his 94th
year, and preached a sermon in
Jacksonville, H., his place of resi-
dence, In the month of September
last, TO a large congregation of IN
terested hearers. lie was born IN
Virginia
At this Conference I was appoint
ed missionary to the Cherokee
Nation, Creek Path being my sta
tion. l had charge of school for
Indian children, and preached at
several different places Il that part
OF the Nation.
Creek Path was situated not far
from what is now known as Gun
tersville, n few miles above old
Fort Deposit, and near TO the Ten
nesse river. 1t was al Fort Depos-
It where Gen. Andrew Jackson
crossed his troops when he went
out from Tennessee 10 chastise the
Creek Indians. Creek Path. /
think, was so named because It was
the trail followed by the Creek In
dians in early times going to and
from their hunting grounds, when
they and the Cherokees were on
friendly terms. This trail led
through beautiful section of fertile
land. known as Browns Valley. In
the heart of this valley was located
Creek Path Mission, established
and sustained by the Presbyterians.
At this time the mission was In
charge Of the Rev. Mr.. Potter.
Among the early fruits Of mission
arv toll was Catherine Brown. a
half-blOod. belonging to one Of the
distinguished tribes Of the Chero-
KEGS. She spoke English well and
had been literally educated for the
times. Her conversation was
bright. and the witness she bore
for Christ was fall, firm, and main-
tained for years in deep personal /
afiiictiOn, and IN diving triumph. |
She is said to have been beautiful /
in person, refined IN manners, and /
deeply devoted TO the cause OF mis-
sions among her people. Her life /
and death made a profound impress
sion on the Nation In the same /
valley was located Methodist mis-
sion-school of which / had charge.
4 few years prior 10 the time of
which / write, Andrew J.Crawford
and Richard Neely had crossed the
river, from Jackson
county. and at the solicitation Of
Richard Riley, an educated half
breed, established 4 Methodist
in his village. The mis-
SION In 1873 had extended. and
now included al parts Of the val
ley. We had several preaching
places. and a school house situated
near 70 where the thriving town of
iunteTsvilie is now located. Gun
iersville was so-callcd from Gun
ier's Landing, q noted ferry and
,rOssing-point on the Tennessee
liver. John Gunter, a white man,
iad married a full Cherokee some |
iftv years or more before this time, !
md had brought up large family.
he had grown TO be a man OF large
He had an extensive
arm, a considerable number Of
slaves, with stock and money. He I
vas now an aged man. but had no
toward religion never
vent TO preaching, and took but
title interest IN the Church. And
'et, strange TO say his wife, full
'lOOd. was a deeply piOus Chris
ian, having been brought into the
,hurch by the missionaries, and
rs two sous, Samuel and Edward,
low both men past the middle age.
nd all her daughters Christians.
samuel and Edward were both ex-
iorters and active workers In the
nissiOn-field, besides being promi-
ient men in the councils Of the
Safion. They both died in the
lith. John Brown, too. a relative I
1 Catherine, was an intelligent I
'her0kee, and was IN active work ;
r IN the cause of Christ, IN his
wn Nation. II
It-was IN the bounds Of this mis- :
jon that John r. Boot was found !
y the missionaries, and brought
ito Christ. He was = fuil-bl0od ]
nd could not speak a word of En-
lish- He was young, and had
ever attained 10 any prominence
\ his Nation, nor in his own par
icular clan-simply wild, unedu-
ated, stout Indian man. He went
D hear the missionary, the Rev.A.
: Driskiil, called By the Indians
Bushy-head." The Word found
IS way TO his heart he was con-
erted he became 4 jealous. .devot-
i follower OF Christ. Soon he be- !
an 70 exercise his gifts IN exhor-
ition and prayer made rapid i'm
and became IN 4 few
ears one Of the eloquent and pow
rful preachers among his people.
b, H. I-,.ss-... l. 49,