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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: April 22. 1937
Name: Charley Watt
Post Office: , Oklahoma
Residence Address:  
Date of Birth: 1875
Place of Birth:  Goingsnake District, Indian Territory
Father: Mush Watt
Place of Birth:  
Information on father: "Nighthawk" Cherokee
Mother:  Go-da-ga-wee
Place of birth:   
Information on mother: full blood Cherokee
Field Worker:   
Interview #:

Charley Watt is a full blood Cherokee Indian, born in Goingsnake District in 1875. His father was a ‘Nighthawk’ Cherokee, named Mush Watt. His mother was Go-da-ga-wee, a full blood Cherokee.

Mr. Watt, through an interpreter, relates this story to me. He is uneducated. His father’s belief in his boyhood days hindered him from securing an education.

Charley, like other little Night Hawks children, was raised in the woods, chasing wild game to help furnish food for the table. Being the oldest boy in the family, it fell to his lot to help. He had several brothers and sisters.

Charley did not change his belief until he married Lizzie Terrell, an education Cherokee girl. She taught him to write his name, all the knowledge he possesses in writing.

He did not take an active part in politics; did not vote in any election.

The Night Hawk faction was an organization of Cherokees, as he defines it, that did not participate in any election; did not believe in education or religion. They disliked white people, strictly against intermarrying with them.

This organization was started after the Civil War near Gore, Oklahoma, as he was told by his father. They did not vote in allotment election as their leader Mr. Gritts, gave orders not to do so.

Mr. Watt at one time witnessed a shooting scrap at Peacheater Court House. Zeke Walkingstick, sheriff of Flint District, and Johnson Corntassel, a merchant, both died from wounds received at this fight.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Catherine Widener, August 2002.