Indian Pioneer Papers - Index
Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: June 26,
1937
Name: David
Bond
Post Office: Atoka, Oklahoma
Residence
Address:
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Father:
Information on
Father:
Mother:
Information on Mother:
Field
Worker: Pete W. Cole
When the Choctaw left the state of Mississippi, after the
agreements were made with the United States Government that the Indians could
settle in any portion of the country west of the Mississippi river, they came
to the Indian Territory. They did not know where they could locate or the
distance they had to travel, yet they came. Some rode horses, some came in
wagons and others on foot. After wandering for some time they finally came to
the country where they were to make their new home.
One of the locations where they first settled was a strip of land
east of Stringtown. A few years later some of the other Choctaws from
Mississippi, who had been living elsewhere drifting here and there, finally
settled with the rest of the immigrants near the banks of McGee Creek in the
Indian Territory. As a rule they preferred living in a locality where there
were several other families, thus making a settlement. In a short time this
country was settled and there was a regular village of community
Indians.
After settling down and making improvements by clearing off a piece
of land they began to farm. They built houses and barns, dug wells, and made
other improvements, then decided that they needed a church or some place where
they could have a place to worship.
There were such men as George PETER, a minister at that time, Jesse
BOND, David NOAH, Martin CHARLESTON, George PITTS, James HUDSON, Logan JAMES,
Charles LOMAN and Moses BOND with their families, who played prominent parts
in bringing about the erection of the Goodland Church. They held their
meetings under some arbor, as was generally the case; until one day there was
brought up a conversation about building a church, when some of the members
were gathered, and finally decided on building the church house.
It was first made of logs, and some years later, the members raised
sufficient funds to build a larger house and when ready they tore down the log
house and built another church house out of lumber, which served the public
for a number of years. This church was organized bout the 1874, but it was
several years afterward when the church was built and today it is nothing new
to the people of Atoka County that during the meeting the Indians as well as
the whites would gather here and enjoy the services. Sermons used to be
preached in the Choctaw and the English language. Singing from English hymn
books was common as the youngsters at this place were all good singers and at
any time when service was over one could see the singers gather around the
organ and all take part in the singing and good times were enjoyed by
all.
There have been some very prominent people that once took part in
the upbuilding of this old church.
The old grave is still visible where once there was a well kept
place, now lies in ruins caved in, and the young trees that once stood over
the graves are now huge trees. This church did not reserve any right for
church purposes, and since the members either have died or moved away there is
nothing to show where the church once stood as it is in a pasture, and where
the camps stood when the campers fed many and many people at these camps
during the big meetings, is a garden that is being worked by the renter who
lives near the famous old place. Since the abandonment of this old place the
old site has gone back to what it was before human civilization ever located
at this place.
[Interview #6533 contains three photographs:
1. David
Bond
2. Mrs. Emily Billy Norris
3. Remains of Kulli Lawa (Many Springs)
Courthouse located at Daisy, Oklahoma.]
Submitted to OKGenWeb by Rusty Lange and
transcribed by Geraldine King, December 2000.