The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-08-27
TULSANS SEE EVENT
Oklahoma Congresswom-
an Is First to Congratu-
late New Chieftain
Is LIFELONG 0KLAH0MAN
Father of New Leader Was
Early Day Doctor to 2
Different Tribes

For the first time IN history a
woman holds power over tribe of
American aborigtncs. Last week
Alva J. Niles president OF the Secur-
ity National bank, went to Muskogee
10 see his old friend Mrs. Alice b.
Davis inaugurated as chief Of the
Seminoles, a ceremony that gave into
the keeping of a woman the destinies
OF a North American Indian tribe.
Mrs. Davis is from Wewoka. She
will be 20 years old next month and
is a mother and grandmother She
awas born in Park Hill near Table
squah, in 1852, and was sister Of
the late John 5. Brown, chief of the
Scminoles
While still a young girl she moved
with her parents to Muskogee and
then to the old army post at Fort
Gibson. whore she was a prime
favorite at military balls. Her father
Dr. ]. +. Brown, a Scotchman from
Florida, pract!ced his profession
among the Creeks and later went to
g Seminole nation where he mar
led Lucy Redbeard Seminole
woman. Mrs. Davis is q member
o. the Tiger clan OF the Seminoles.
from which the Seminole chieftains
have been drawn. with but two ex-
ceptions, that OF Col. John Jumper
and John Chupco.
Served as Postmaster,
Mrs. Davis married George Z.
Davis in the Seminole nation in 1874,
and for many years they lived at
Aroka, where Mrs. Davis was post
mistress. 1t was here that Al Jen-
u.ags committed his first robbery
Iu 1895 Mrs. Davis was pbstmistress
90 Abreka, in the Creek nation. In
1915 sne acted as government in
fvrpretcr in a famous murder trial
held a. Palm Beach. Fla, when John
Ashley was tried for the murder OF
prSnto Tiger, prominent seminole.
lu 1903 she spent three months at
ST. Rosalie, n. NJ. with a party of
Indians on an important tribal mis-
sion and in 1908 was an envoy of
her tribe TO Mexico City. TO attempt
% recover a Seminole land grant.
Iu 1899 she went. as a missionary
fD the Seminole Indians OF Florida
ald returned again in 1920 She is
the mother Of II children girls
aud I boys and one of her sons, John
Davis. served with distinction in the
world war.
Four Daughters See Ceremony.
Four married daughters we're
present the other day when Mrs.
Davis was made chieftain OF the
Seminoles. In the distinguished
Gathering Of officials for the epoch
making occasion were Miss Alice NJ.
Robertson, congressman who like
Mrs. Davis is the only woman who
holds office of her kind, Victor NJ.
Locke, superintendent OF the Five
civilized tribes. Chief W. ii. Harri-
son OF the Choctaw nation. and Chief
Washington Grayson OF the Creeks.
and the employees of the local Indian
offices were dismissed in order that
hey might attend tho ceremony.
IN. j. Farver, a Choctaw Indian, ad-
Fministered the oath OF office.
The audience rose to its feet as
Mrs. Davis entered the federal court
room, where the ceremony took
place. Walking with her was Vic
tor Locke. Gladlolas and roses were
massed before a great banner upon
which was emblazoned the great seal
ot the Seminole nation and standing
nrrc MRS. Davis signed the oatn or
ulticc, thus becoming the successor
10 her distinguished brother John s.
Brown who laid down tho reins of
office when the Seminole tribal rela-
lions ceased by act of congress in
l9OG but later we're continued.
Aftfr Mrs. Davis laid down her
pen, there was a little moment of
Impressive silence. History was IN
Tho making. 4 woman Of the race
hat Is native American had followed
iu the footsteps of their progressive
siters and had just taken the obli-
EIions Of one OF the most response
bile and most important positions In
The power ot her people to give.
Then, as bofitted the occasion Con-
rrossWoman Alice Robertson broke
lno Ice by walking up to Mrs. Davis,
presented her with a huge bouquet OF
american Beauty roses, saying in
a'r soft anf slow way:
u desire TO present the queen OF
roses TO the queen of the Seminoles.' -
U" Wind Up Tribal Affairs.
Victor Locke superintendent OF
,he Five Civilized tribes, explained
briefly IN the talk thnt he made fol-
owing the ceremony why II had be-
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