The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-01-13
THE HOME OF THE CREEK
Notes from Indian Territory by Former
Wellington Boy.
The Habits and Progress Made by Our
Indian Wards.

On a promontory running north and
south and resembling from It's western
side huge cigar, stands the old agency.
Here at one time, the national government
distributed TO ITS red wards blankets, am
munition, provisions and other commodi.
ties. But that day has now passed, and
the Indians, weaving themselves In
measure from the paternal care Of Uncle
Sam, the old agency enjoyed few years
Of disuse and then for a short period did
service as private school for native child
ren.
But the Creek nation, Hssuming control
Of their oS Ichools (which had nntll the
present year, been governed by churches
Of different denominahons) bought the
building and converted II into what 1t now
is-a mission. Situated :on an eminence
overlooking the city Of Muscigee and the
farms scattered around It's base, and COM
manding view Of the open praries for
miles and miles around. ard OF the charms
that greetthe eye on every side, some far,
some near, II Is the most picturesque spot
haveyet visited. Built OF brown, un-
dressed stone, one Of which sears the date
1875 In grove Of black jacks and stunted
hickories that gives II lonesome aspect
from the plain below, and partially de-
serted as II was for the last few years Il is
not strange that rumors ofhaunts and other
ghostly beings should be connected with
It by the superstitious natives thereabouts.
There Is also 4 legend current among
these people that Jefferson Davis once
resided here but whether this Is purely
Legendary or not, as some assert, It is true
that the house where he married ex.Pres.
Taylor's daughter still remains at Fort
Gibson, an abandoned government post
eight miles away.
To the north the Arkansas course is
marked By the white limbs Of the syca.
more, clothed with light, dead leaves,
irinRing either bank and lying between
trees Of darker foliage. Winding TO II
like silver thread, stretched across the
plain and gathering breadth as 1t sp-
proaches Its goal Is Ujalla creek. Along
Its course Its banks are dotted with sheep,
horses and cattle and the tinkling Of
their leaders bell, perhaps hidden in some
copse, perhaps quietly grazing near the
stream, is borne to our ears almost con.
tinu.lly.
One could stand hour alter hour dis
covering momentarily some new beauty
some, until then, hidden light or shade iu
the panorama that nature has produced
the dim outline Of distant hill; farm
house, tree ensconced below lone horse.
man travelling lone Of the many serpentile
trails that mark the plain; "prairie
schooner" motionlsss like some becalmed
ship far out at sea.
That Is comparison one Involuntary
makes on first viewing the plains. II IL
like the sea with Its tall grass bowiLg
their miles Of level tassels TO the wind
until billow follows blllow to the horizon
line. And out Of this perfect levelness
abruptly rises islands, tree clad OF barren.
! Then island Joins island, and cham Joins
chain and spreading among and around
them all 10 sea Of grass.
At twilight, standing on Lookout rock
at the northern extremity Of the hill and
watching the scene below, 50 peaceful, 80
calm, with cattle coralleJ for the night
and farm lights cleaning like glow worms
among the trees, and only an occasional
tinkle Of some straggler's bell 10 disturb
the perfect tranquility, one could most
easily imagine himself among rural scenes
Of other lands familiar 10 him through
books. So beautiful, and yet populated
by those who for the most part have yet