The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-03-31
AN ALMOST EXTINCT TRIBE
THE REMNANT OF THE ALABAMA
INDIANS IN TEXAS.
Always the Stanch Friends of the
Whites-Their Wild, Irregular
Code of Dueling.

n dOly nODOuy OutslQe oil the state,
are aware Of the fact that there
still exists within its borders the
remnant OF once powerful tribe of Iu-
dians, even in tho darkest days OF the
infant Republic the stanch friends Of the
white race. While the Comanches,
Kiowas, Lipans and other wild tribes,
who in years past left a trail Of blood on
the unprotected frontiers, have long
since been gathered on Government res.
ervations and compelled to pretermit
their deprcdations, the remnant of Ala
bama and Cosbatta tribes, numbering
now about 250 souls, still pursue peace
full existence on the banks of tho Trinity
River in Polk, San Jacinto and Liberty
Counties.
These Indians are branch of the
Creek Nation, who early In tho present
century withdrew from the contest with
the white race as hopeless, aud sought a
home on the Trinity River, in Texas,
then under Spanish rue. When immi-
grafton again brought Americans around
them they persisted in their peaceful
policy, receiving their former foes with
kindness aud hospitality, sharing provi-
power to alleviate the sulrerings of set
tiers in new country. In the war with
Mex CO they adhered to the cause OF
Texas, remaining quietly in their villages,
ready to take up arms with the rest of
the population in case the Mexican Army
should succeed in reach the Trinity.
several years ago the State bought a
tract Of land ior the Alaoamas and set.
tied them upon 1t. They have made
c.carinGs in the forests, and construc led
comfortable log cabins, having good
stocks Of horses, hogs and cattle, aud
raising sufficient crops for their support.
The crops arc cultivated rather for their
own use than for sale. Indian corn is
the principal one, though many OF them
part sweet potatoes, and all of them
vegetables, aud they usually fill their
villages with fruit trees. During the
season of cultivation they remain closely
at home, working industriously and
hunting only at such leisure times as
their crops allow them. The interval
between the working and the gathering
of the crops is usually spent in rest and
social intercourse aud occasional hunting
parties.
But when everything is gathered and
housed, AMI the last crcy.c, in their
granarcs closed to exclude light aud air,
asa guard agairst the dcpredations OF
that South-Ttxan corn pest known ~ the
weevil, then comes the return to Indian
life and Indian employment. They
break up into hunting parties, after tho
Arab fashion, taking with them their
wives and children, their horses and
tents and household utensils. They seek
the forests which settlements have not
yet reached, and work their way to the
dense cane brakes on the rivers which
the white man has not yet penetrated.
They soon fill their camps with game,
and alone with themselves and nature,
and safe from the intrusion of a superior
and conQucring race, enjoy the rsaliz,-
tion of Indian life rs it was before the
white man discovered their country.
Devoted to the wild aud exciting sports
of the chase, and revcling in that ali.
solute freedom which is their ruling
passion, they find in these hunting ex-
cursions their times of greatest enjoy
ment. When weary of the chase or
satisfied with its result, they return to
their villages, their horses loaleI with
dried meat and deer skins, to be dressed
for market, and bears oil aud hides for
their own use aud for sale.
Like all othcr Indians, they have that
fatal passion for drink which seems des-
tined to result in their determination.
But it is generally kept within reason.
n hnt.plS 10 - l.
habitually. A constitutional depression
of spirits to which they are peculiarly
subject, or an overflow of social feeling
on the reunion of friends returning from
their hunting expeditions, usually leads
to beginning. One after another is
drawn in, and the revcl sometimes ex
tends over three days aud nights. When
it is over they carefully c(facc all traces
OF dcbauchcry, dress themselves hand &.
somely, return to their usual occupations,
and for long time drink nothing in
toxicating. They listen with patience
and good humor to remonstrances on
the subject, and friend can often dis
suade them from drinking, or induce
them to close revel sooner than they
otherwise would have done.
They are fond Of dress aud show con,
siderable taste in the selection and adap
tation Of the colors which best become
them. They are fond of ornaments
especially those made Of pure silver, but
will not wear jewelry of the baser metals.
They have wild, irregular code of duel
ing of their cwn, and are always ready
to throw life away on point Of honor
They do it with GOODNESS and indiffer-
ence which would excite the envy OF q
white follower of the code. In fact they
do not seem to feel that instructive dread
Of death which characterzes the white
man. They speak of it with as much
indifference as any other future event,
and meet it apparently without fear o.
reluctance.
The Indians all speak English, and in
addition converse in three different
languages, all evidently dialects of the
Creek, and most of them understand the
servile Choctaw, which was once th'
general language among the different
tribes and their usual means of com
munication with the whites. They arr
fond of festivals, ball play, dances ant