Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1895-03-09
KING CIRCLES PEOPLE.
AN INTERESTING COMMUNITY
OF GREEN INDIANS.
Protected BY Stoekads and . stand.
Ing Army e. Ten Men. De.
sesndsd from Astses.

ocendod From Aatses.
Sixty miles southwest Of Muscogec, |
/. T., rs the crow flies. is a commu.
nifty Of Creek Indians. known rs
Muscogee Circle. 1t occupies several
thousand acres Of the best farming
and grazing lands lying between the
junction OF the North Fork Canadian
river and the We.woka river and ex.
tending west to the Seminole reser-
walton The king OF the town and
membe: of the house Of kings OF the
Greek nation is Muscogee Circle,
after whom the community is named.
His followers number about 200, all
OF whom are faithful subjects. Ills
word IN all things is law, and no one
has the temerity to question his au.
thority. King Circle is rich and his
broad acres give one the impression
that their owners are u prosperous
and thrifty people. Circles people
are very exclusive, and do not en-
courage the visits OF travellers In
fact, while the hungry aud thirsty
are not denied the necessities Of life,
no stranger is ever invited within
the Enclosure that is reserved for the
king aud members Of his court.
This Enclosure, which is known Us
Fort Circle. stands upon the summit
Of high hill. The buildings, OF
which perhaps there are a score, are
built on the pattern OF the frontier
stockade, and the whole Is surrounded
by a thick oak fence twelve feet high,
built with IN idea single to purposes
Of defense. No stranger Is ever per.
mitted TO pass the massive gates that
form the entrance to tho fort. In.
side the Enclosure is q large spring
that provides sufficient water for the
many horses, cattle and hogs that
feed upon the big Circle ranch. In
side the fence is walk on which
King Circles standing army, consist.
ing OF ten men, walk to and fro,
armed with the latest pattern OF
rifle. doing sentry duty. Below this
walk the fence Is provided with loop,
holes ut regular intervals. King
Circles army. though small Is well
disciplined. for only two recruits
have been enlisted during the past
eight years.
Outlaw bands and marshals' posses
are accorded the same treatment,
and both usually give the Circles
ranch wide berth. The determine.
ton Of the king to protect his prop.
erty and that Of his subjects Is so
we'll known that for years his stock
has grazed peacefully upon the ranch,
undisturbed by marauding bands
chat frequent the country.
Fort Circle Is Inhabited by re.
ligious people. but their religion Is
peculiar to themselves. and no man
outside Of the king and his subjects
has become acquainted with the
doctrine that Is expounded by the
sovereign's preacher. Like NOLAN.
med. King Circle and his house keep
every Friday rs the Lords day, and
the religious services are conducted
with profound solemnity within the
tort and under Winchester protec.
tion. The chaplain goes through
the formality OF baptizing tho entire
garrison-king. warriors, squaws and
papooses-cvery Friday In the goose
pond Just outside Of the fort. The
ceremony OF baptism IL most
thorough. for 1t performs the double
purpose Of cleansing the soul and the
body.
This part Of the religious oeremo.
MES Is all that any person not In.
itiated into the mysteries OF the
faith has ever been permitted to see.
for 1t Is as difficult to enter tic inner
court OF Fort Circle rs to dance under
the leaden coffin OF the renowned
prophet OF Mecca. King Circle &
subjects are oil good citizens Of the
Greek nation, and they IRE all full
FLOODED Indians, intermarriage with
whites or the mixed races being
strictly prohibited. This Is tho only
ono OF the forty eight Kingdoms Ia
the Creek nation that Is made up on
tirely OF iullblooded Indians. KinS
Circle 10 on honored and Influential
member OF the house OF kings OF the
Greek nation, and he journeys every
year to Okmulgee to attend thu
annual session Of the Creek law
making body. which 10 composed o
che house OF kings. corresponding t.
the United States Senate, and th'
house OF warriors, which takes thu
place OF the House Of Representa-
tives.
In 1890. when the government wa
taking the census OF the five civil
ixed tribes In the Indian Territory
there was great opposition among TIN
Creeks. At Q meeting held at Flu
faula Court House In August OF tina
year speakers advised the people t.
refuse to answer interrogations or t
Furnish Information to enumorators
assuring their hearers 1t was u schem
fraught with evil to the Indian ant
meant opening the country to white
settlement, loss OF domain and taxa
tion. The spirit was In turn re
echoed by town and clan chiefs an
other local officials to such IN esten
AS not only seriously to impedt tn
work, but to cause several enumel
.ators to resign their positions. 5
general was this sentiment anon
the people that in October the prir
cipal chief, l.. &. Perryman, sent
sne ssage to the Creek council, calm
their attention to existing condition
and recommending such legslativ
action us would enable the enumej
ators to discharge their duties Kin
Circle was in the house OF kings whe
the chiefs message was received
and although he had always vigo