Indian Pioneer Papers - Index
Indian Pioneer
History Project for Oklahoma
Date: August 3, 1937
Name:
Mary Grayson (Mrs.)
Post Office: , Oklahoma
Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Father:
Place of Birth:
Information on father:
Mother:
Place of birth:
Information on mother:
Field Worker: Jefferson
Berryhill
The Creek Attitude Toward
Land Allotment
There was much excitement
when the Dawes Commission came into effect. There was much excitement among
the Creek Indians. Most all the Creeks held a meeting at the Creek Council
House in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and their chief Motey TIGER addressed his
people, making a long speech to them. He explained to them the meaning
of the Commission and that the purpose was for their own good. After making
the speech, he told them that all who favored the Commission’s proposal
of land allotment were to go on the east side of the mark on the ground.
Those who were against the Commission were to step to the west side of
the mark. When the word was given to decide by east or west, the Chief
Motey TIGER, and his two sons, Johnson and George TIGER stepped to the
east in favor of the Commission. All the other Creeks with a mighty shouting
and whooping stepped to the west side of the mark. They were against
the act. The Chief and his sons had to leave as there was talk of shooting
or mobbing them. The Creeks were very much against the Dawes Commission,
but couldn’t help themselves.
Abstracted and submitted
by Gay & Tim Wall <t31892@nidlink.com> 02-1999.