Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1894-08-31
INDIAN FREEMAsONRY.
A seoret Society Existing Ia 'a'
Cherokee Nation
.,c,.n, Order That H.s fos IT. oS''e'
th. preservation of sris>
Legends and 1rs-
ditions.

Legends and tTs-
ditions.
Not manv persons are awalo 80
49,. a~ists among the Cherokees
secret society that is hundseus ,ts.if
old. as old, In fact. as the u'oo
and Is today stronger than IL ever ~ =
a, Ie.st in numbers. This society AZ,
allied the Ketcowah, which, htes a~y
,ranslated. means elder brother LIZ
u. Louis Post Dispatch says II Is so's
~ indian fteemasonry and has It's Jaw.
and rules of order as well as It's OBJECT.
and secret signs. So we'll are us se''~s s
and its doings guarded that tnere -, e
hundreds of people living In the CneIU .
10. nation. and who have LIVED inert
for wears. who are not even aware Oh
the existence of society every mem
her of which Is sworn to assist Ia the
defense Of their homes from the NV
sion of the pale-faced brother either Oy
souatter sovereignty or by squswmeia
privileges. Only full'bloods are ens
BILE to membership. but SO jealousy -
the Ketoowah watched that what else
is necessary for membership 10 not
known outside Of the order. Inc
society now has Q membership OF
about a thousand full-bloods, each the
head Of family, and thus the orgsni.
ration represents about five thousand
persons. Formerly the Ketoowan only
comprised the chiefs and some few OF
the older men of the tribe. Then II
was all-powerful and exercised full
control over all tribal affairs; Its
mandate once issued was never ques-
toned even by the most powerful
chief. It dictated treaties, proclaimed
war or peace, settled disputes and
guided the welfare of the tribe In all
matters, spiritual and temporal. Such
was the Ketoowah until within the
past Fifty years. When the white
mans government was formed and the
Affairs of the people were taken from
the hands Of the few and administered
by men elected by the people and tho
Indians saw their power and their
steadily passing away. their
customs and language receding before
the march Of civilization they realized
that unless something was done to
these influences the Chero-
kee would soon pass from the face Of
the earth. To prevent this became at
once the object of the Ketoowah, and
Il was 80 enlarged as to include the
heads Of all full-blood families, so that
from privy council it became power
hui oath-bound organization.
No Cherokee whose blood has been
,ainted can become q member, and It
s said that the penalty for disclosing
he simplest secret 10 death. The
'hief aim Of the Ketoowah at the pres
mt day is to perpetuate the legends,
ustoms and language Of the Chero-
tees. The existence of this society ac-
cunts for something that has often
'uzzled inquiring persons who have
ound that 1t is very rarely that full
Hood Cherokee does not both read and
vrite his own tongue fluently. They
II have q classical Cherokee educs.
ion, and as their language is not
aught in the public schools, and they |
ave no schools Of their own, when
nd where they learned to write It was
mystery. Every Ketoowah Is bound
teach 1t to his children, and there
xists q. pride among them so strong
lat the fun-blood who has not sc-
uired these accomplishments Is In
'ntinual disgrace and Is made to feel
70 ignorance most kecnly and continu-
ly. Among its members are some Of
10 ablest OF the Cherokees, Indians
no have acquired thorough English
iucations and who are LAWYERS. min |
ters and born leaders. II il natural
suppose that these are the Leaders.
1t this is not known. Certain Il IA.
q society exerts powerful influences
the government by casting its On.
e vote as man for or against cor.
In measures. 1t is never heard of In
litics, and yet 1t has often been NO.
Led that at an election the full-blooda
sure to support the same ticket.
lere is ne way for candidate to ap-
oach the society to secure its sup
r. Tor he does not know who ia
'moers are. They select their ticket
vote for it and there are no but.
IL The members have . sirn Ian.
age by which they can converse IN. t
ligentiy among themselves wholly ~
observed and employ this means Of !"
when others are near.
rough the medium Of their national
per; one-haif OF which is printed IN
7roKee and is sent free to all citizens
Q DO not read English. the full-blood
thoroughly posted upon all public
tiers and in fact much more con-
SAINT with affairs of state than his "
f-blood brother. "
WINGS BANKS FOR STAMPS. Il