Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-08-10
OVER 500 CRIl.k NND CliOtTAN
INDIANS KILLED OII-
HIGHT ~ 1890.
The INDIAN BALL CAME
Both Tribe, Claimed a Large Lake
Played u Game 10 Decide the
Controversy,
BY T.. \. MAC MLLANJ

the fan of 1890, in which over 500
creek ana ChuutaW Indians were
Killed outright ana nearly 1000
were wounded, Tnat frightful toll
and the story thereof ls one of the
never to be forgotten traditions Of
both tribes, and even TODAY many
strange and weird tales ar, told ut
IuuIau heroism, astutenrss and BRAY
cry.
The story AZ told Boy Ilarjo, "a
Creek, and a relative If crazy
Snake, who figured prominently in
tho pseudo war OF 1910 in OklahomH
and corrOborated by several rhoctaWs
Who are residents of the state, fol
lows.
A large beaver lake was claimed
BY both tribes when they lived on
their ancient domain In the south
land AS both had found fur hunt
ing profitable, being in close proNim-
ity To market, they were 10th 10 give
up the section and a violent dispute
ensued. A council was held and
after two days Of argument, II was
agreed that the entire dispute should
be finally and forever settled by a
ball game and the winner should
have the exclusive hunting privileges
of the lake. Each tribe was to be
was 10 be played on neutral soil
Elaborate preparations We're made
by each tribe. The contestants were
chosen with extreme care. The repu-
tatiOn of the tribe In all matters
sacred to Indian honor, and their
proWess as warriors was stakeh on
the final outcome. over three
months We're consumed in prepara-
tion, and the athletic exercises were
carefully supervised by the chiefs
and medicine men. Great quantities
OF provisions were gathered ana
taken to the camps for the coming
feast which each believed would
follow the certain victory OF their
tribe.
Several days before the game, pack
trains could be seen moving to the
ground and great quantities of skins
and trinkets were brought to the
camp to be wagered on the result.
on the day before the game, fun.
10000 Creeks and ChOctaws had
gathered for the fray. Ceremonial
visits were made by the chiefs, tho
pipe Of peace smoked, indicating
friendship, and when the sun rose
ON the morrow, all were ready for
the game.
The two tribes, being evenly
matched, contested all daN Tor SUI
prcmacy' nrst one ana 'H'" 'nt o.n''
would seemlnSN nave an aNN'u'ahg
untl nlthtiaI" Whrh II was lou.'m .,i
necessary 10 p'S'P'H' llc b'in' ~
the next ua!' ''H ln' Ilol' w. a.
play hAu peeh III PIoFI' ESQ 80 ,'t.
an hour fortune at last declared in
favor Of the Creeks. Then followed
a scene Of ind,scribablc eNultatIon.
The Creeks began a series OF songs
and victorious lhcaht3liohS Nill'u
greatly humlhat'u thC uo""r"'
ChoctaWs. AS the uay auNaHV,u .nu
there seemed no teSSa non III ~
shouts ana songs OF victory Oh lh'
Green's tne n"'''NS ~
er able to endure the disgrace ahG
a ChoctaW warrior LOSING cp"li " ~
his pent-up hunnlllauoIl, H'aue aH ~
sulting remark TO Il Cre'R' VINO III
quick return thre" petucoat or ln'
Offending th"ctaW' No'H'"s a''"Nl
ed to indian honor carries so gre"
a disgrace as having Woman tai
iuehl throw II oh I'M" ~ 'I''' .''H -,
with feminine ways Ihe TWO ihslai
ly clutched IN ueanlS commit ~
news of the ilght spread ana 'ach
warrior took mp the contest LOT ms
trihcsman, until all became lhNoiNeu.
The hght continued lr"ui an Hu"l
trfore sundoWn tlII Nv" h"uiS a'lSl
sunrise the next morning, Al Hi7iIl
the mad ana reN.hReiuI war; ''.. IIo.S
tought win iuIY thal NHtN II" SUI
render nut ueath'
The two chletS arrived on me scen'
two hours after sunrise ana at one
stopped the irlshtiuI carnage ne
remainder OF the daS was spent 81.
caring for the wounded ana hurylH-
the dead, ana the thlrd ddS Iouh-
ell was convened in which talks Wer,
made by the chiefs or the creeks ahu
Hhoctaws regrettlng the lilshtL" III
carnage and counsellng peace. Ih'
advice was needed ana the peace pipe
again smoked
Hardly family oI the Two lrlnoS
but mourned the deatn oI hlHsi','h
slain ana the gfouhu, Iihn.
years was hcld s'creu hy rpth 'ilp,S
Friends journeyed ahhualiy 10 "
graves ana the memories oI 'n,
event sun I'VE III tne lrau't'onS W
both tribes-one OF ther Sa'reu l'S
ends.
one of the SURPRISING features %
the contest feature never iuIIE eN.
planned by either trloe-WaS th' laS"
consent gwen py .no In r,t,ac
tavs should be given undlspuleu pos
session of the lake ana ms 'hl''