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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: October 16, 1937
Name: Moffett, Harry
Post Office: R. 1, Caney, Oklahoma
Residence Address: Caney, Oklahoma
Date of Birth: 1 May 1860
Place of Birth: Benton, Franklin Co., Illinois
Father: Richard MOFFATT
Place of Birth: Niagra Falls, Canada; or England to Canada then U.S.;
11 Feb 1834
Information on father: Shipbuilder in England and later Canada. Died
while building his 4th ship.
Mother: Jennie Viana B. WHITE
Place of birth: Vandalisia, MI; 28 Dec 1837
Information on mother:
Field Worker: Etta D. Mason
Interview 7841
Volume 36, pg 460 from OK Historical Society

Caddo is one of the most historic section of the Choctaw Nation. Many of the leading men of the Choctaw Nation received their education here.

The early activities of J. S. Murrow, the _e_____ missionaries of the Choctaw Nation, were in the vicinity of Caddo! Dr. J.J. Reed, the __(possibly "Ha")rrisons and Mr. Allen __right (possibly "Wright") were also early day missionaries.

After the migration from _sis_ippi (probably Mississippi) i_ _le_ _, _ _ _ _ny (possibly starts with a "c") of Choctaws settled in the vicinity of Caddo and here were established some of the first schools and missions in the Indian Territory.

For many years this section of the country was a rendezvous for border outlaws and desperadoes.

Being situated on the historic military highway that extended from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory, Caddo figured as an outpost of civilization. Over this road traveled many United States Marshals and United States soldiers.

Between Caddo and the western boundary of Oklahoma Territory there were few white men and the wild Indian tribes were _ _ rau_ ing (the first letter may be a "m" & the last blank probably is a "c") every section in which white man dared to settle.

In later years, Caddo became a market center. The prairies were covered with cattle and both white men and Indians _ ought (probably "bought") their farm produce and sold their wares at Caddo.

People traveled in _ _--_ _ _ _ rs_ _ _d _ _ horseback, in the early days.

Caddo became the county seat of Blue County.

In the Caddo hills near Caddo a noted Indian battle was fought and even now the arrow heads are found in the some of the fields.

END OF INTERVIEW WITH HARRY MOFFATT on October 16, 1937.

Submitter's notes: 

1. Should be spelled "Moffatt". Harry is listed as "Moffatt" in the OK 1910 Census, Atoka County, Caney Township.
2. This report was typed, but the microfiche was very difficult to read & did not copy well. The notes in parenthesis are added by the submitter in trying to read a very difficult copy. 
3. Present-day Bryan County was called Blue County in the Choctaw Nation when it was still part of the Indian Territory. 
4. The names, dates, places and information of Albert's parents were not part of the interview, but the Indian Paper Submission Form requested this information for submission. These names, dates, places and information of Albert's parents were provided by family members, Clarence & Lula Hilliard. 
5. Information I have of Albert's mother is contradictory -- Died on the dance floor, teaching her 16 year old daughter the "8-Hand Reel"; lived to be 91. (these 2 facts don't seem to go together, so if anyone knows how to sort it out let me know) 

Transcribed by R & N. Hilliard <hilliard2@mediaone.net> Clovis, CA, April 2001.