INDIAN TERRITORY by Menta G. Powell

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jul 18, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 29.

INDIAN TERRITORY.

By Menta G. Powell

ACCORDING to estimates, the Indian Territory contains 70,000 Indians and 400,000 whites. Before the war the Indians in the Creek Nation held Negro slaves, and when the United States set the Negroes free the slaves of the Creek Indians were given the same privileges as their masters. From that time on the government has treated the former Creek Negro slave as though he were an Indian.

Now the population of this Territory are white people, Indians, Negroes, and the various mixtures. Sometimes the mixture is so various that I am unable to give a name that would properly represent it. But notwithstanding it all, the image of God is not entirely effaced; the Holy Spirit melts and tenders their hearts, and souls are won to Christ.

The government and various religious denominations have established, and for many years maintained, schools in various places in this Territory, till almost, if not quite, all who were born since about 1860 are able to read and write. Indeed, many are highly educated, and occupy important positions, such as teachers, preachers, business men, etc.

The laws have imposed such small taxes on the Indians that good wagon roads and bridges are almost unknown. But in other respects the Indians and mixed bloods are civilized, live as people do in the States, and enjoy all the privileges of modern civilization that their money will buy, or that their thinly-settled country will admit.

The tribal government of the Indians means much less now than formerly, and the Indians themselves think it only a matter of time till it will all pass away. The United States extends a protectorate; Federal Courts are established in several places, and try all criminal and civil cases. Muskogee is a modern-built city of some 4,500 inhabitants, and is the principal city for many miles around. Here is located a government prison, and to this place is brought all the prisoners for the northern half of Indian Territory.

There are about 260 prisoners in the jail in Muskogee, and, judging from the past and present and all the information I can gather here, on the ground, I would think that in the future the jail will contain even more prisoners. In many cases justice is tardy. Sometimes a prisoner is kept in jail two or more years before trial.

The jail officials and guards are gentlemanly and obliging to outsiders, and I suppose treat the prisoners fairly well. But their rations are prison rations, and not the luxuries of modern life. The jail is crowded to overflowing, and the prisoners are of all shades of color. Of course some innocent souls are there, suffering the pains of a prison life for months, awaiting the time of their trial.

Many of these prisoners can read, and our good papers are eagerly sought after. The Spirit of God is working on the hearts of a few. MENTA G. POWELL.