The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-21
REMARKABLE LEADER
OF CREEKS IS DEAD
Special to Daily Leader

Special to Daily Leader
Elfaula, l. r., June 21.-The Joe
Cannon Of the Creek National Council
IS dead His name was John Francis.
and he was member Of bhe Council
from the time Of its reorganization
immedla " after The Civil War un-
til his ooath. which took place this
week.
He was full .blooded Indian and
his followers among the Creeks were
as loyal when they gathered around
his grave as they had ever been when
they gathered at the old Creek capi-
tai 70 assist in passing through the
Cornell any measure he dictated. He
could not read English, but could
speak that language with some hesi-
tation.
Francis was selected a member OF
the Creek Council when h ewas n
young man He developed uonsual
powers as an organizer ana held his
place until his death. Il Is said that
he eetld block any measure that came
before the Council. If he desired, and
that no measmre hat he advocated
failed TO pass.
He was a Union soldier and fought
during the four years of the Civil
War He drew a pension after the
wal, for wounds received, and when
he died he was. upon his own re-
quest, buried in the uniform that he
wore as a Union soldier.
Grafton in Greek.
The funeral was attended by the
greatest number Of Indians that ever
assembled at a funeral in this section.
The fueral oration was said by Will
liam McCombs, the official interpre-
ter for the nation. and was delivered
in Creek A remarkable incident oc-
CURED While he was in the midst of
his oration When he touched upon
the excellent traits of the deceased,
he was interrupted time and again by
applause from the audience. Snch a
thing was never before heard of
here The reason for this. as stated
by an Indian. was the fact that Fran
els had lived for seventy-twO years.
1t was time for his death. and the
dissolution was natural and not pre-
mature Nature was performing its
regular functions and there was no
reason for unusual regret. Hence the
the deceased was dwet upon
McCombs fought upon one side dur
ing the war and Francis upon the
other. and in his GRAFTON McCombs
said.
My friend was a brave man.
never feared his heart. but I did his
uniform. There Is not a hilltop in the
Creek Nation that John Francis did
not stand upon during the Civil War
There were twelve pallbearers Ac
cording to Indian custom. six Of these
carried the coffin half way to the
grave and rested. while the other SIX
carried Il the remainder of the way
Reaching the grave, they marched
around II ia circle. going east first
which they first approached and de
posted the coffin This Is an old
Indian custom and Is typical of the
fact that an Indian alwys iurn'
around before he lies down TO sleep
II is a. peculiar characteristic oi
fuilblooded Indians that when one oi
their family passes the three score
and ten mark there is little demon
stration of sorrow or regret when h,
dies This Is not because an old per
son Is a burden. but from the fac
that the Indians more than any otheI
people consider that when the scrip
tnral span of an allotted lifetime has
, passed, il is all that could be expec
ted and no person Is entitled 10 more