Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-02-27
A SECRET SOCIETY.
A Combination of Colored Men to
Govern Oklahoma.
Branches of the Order Established All oves
Kansaa-The Power and Importance
Of the Organization Under
stood.

stood.
TOPEKA. Kan, Fob. 25 While not
| generally known and certainly never
advertised in the press there is a secret
political society in existence, member
ship in which can be obtained only by
those OF negro blood. Last year there
was organized by little band Of me-
groes in Graham County the First Grand
Independent Brotherhood, which Is
based upon the principles of negro ad-
vancement mentally and morally, and
the future control OF Oklahoma whom
ever II shall become a State
Owing to the number Of societies
formed among the negro race for this
and similar purposes, IL did not gain
much headway for some time, except in
the county where 1t originated AS soon
as a considerable homo membership was
obtained, the founders determined 10
reach out for membership beyond county,
or even State, lines. When this new
departure was taken the order grew
rapidly, and it was not long before the
little metal badges with the letters IF
G. J. b.. were numerous.
The leaders, delighted with the work.
ings OF their new order, soon established
branches Of the society in Kansas City,
Leavenworth, Wichita. Topeka, 81.
Joseph, Atchison and Oklahoma, there
being several in the new Territory. The
power Of the organization was soon un-
derstood and its Importance realized,
and the membership rapidly increased.
The headquarters were transferred from
Graham County TO Lincoln, /. r., where
the chief officer resides. There the
work Of concentration went on, until
the BLACK jack regions Of oklahoma
contain negro population which great
ly outnumbers the white.
An auxiliary society, called an immi
grafton society, was formed, which un-
dertook the work OF reaching the ne
groes Of the South, to hasten their
movement toward the promised land.
At first the officers worked only in
Arkansas and Mississippi, whore the re-
suits were most marked. Soon there
was a scarcity OF labor in those two
States and corresponding increase of
Southern negroes in the new Territory
u Oklahoma. Negro settlements began
to appear and grow as by magic. Near
Purcell large one was founded; on the
East Canadian two negro settlements
were founded; west Of kingfisher others
were commenced and grew so rapidly
that they we're towns before the neigh
boring whites realized what was being
done. Nor was this all Homesteads
were taken, and instead Of one family
on a quarter section, or four on a square
mile, there were often four or i've fam
lilies on each quarter section, whore they
await the abandonment of claim by
the whites, when IL is Immediately
pounced upon, or where thew patiently
wait for the day when the Cherokee strip
will be declared open for settlement
Parties IN Oklahoma City and Guthrie !
declare with confidence that there are
not over >, 500 negroes in that Territory. !
They are only mistaken. Shawnee |
County has alone furnished 1000 me-
groes, nearly all Of whom had money |
Chautauqua, Montgomery, Wyandotte |
and Leavenworth Counties have sent at
least 4, 900 more, while from other eoun-
ties in the State, headed by Graham,
the original home Of the new So
ciety, have gone fully 5000 more,
making 10, 600 from Kansas alone. The
result of the work of the auxiliary inn
migration society has been to add some
II, 600 negroes from Arkansas and Mis-
sissippi, making in all about %, 600 ne
groes in the Territory, which number
the brotherhood is bending every energy
to make 80, 600 before September |. In
order to accomplish this result the
society has, by means Of hundreds OF
letters and thousands o. circulars, urged
the negroes Of the Carolinas to 90 10
Arkansas Mississippi or Texas on labor
contracts in order to be closer 10 the
Territory when the Cherokee Strip is
opened for settlement
They propose to found a negro State,
in which the white man viii be tOler-
ated as necessary evil, but to whom no
political honors will be given, The
Brotherhood proposes to fll all State,
county and municipal Offices, and viii
have only negro teachers in their
schools, which viii be mixed If the
whites desire any advantages for their
As one of the Brotherhood
officers said: g. You must demand, and
see that your demands are enforced, full
social equality you must compel tho
white man TO accept you at his table, in
bis home and in his bed.' This lam
guage was used at a meeting in Graham
County during the last State campaign,
and was loudly oheered by the negroes
assembled.
The efforts now being made 10 secure
the appointment Of +. p. McCabe for
Governor were made in good faith, as
success is not anticipated. The desire
,f the Brotherhood officers is TO have tho
failure TO get him bind the negroes
more closely together, so that when a
state shall be formed out OF the terri
nrv thew will not in tho language Of
he Brotherhood, permit a white man
% be elected 10 any Office whatever.
We will rulel'
An Ared Man Frozen TO Death.