GREAT changes had taken place at Tah-le-quah since my visit to the General Council held there in June of the preceding year. A town had sprung up; a good brick courthouse was erected; a printing-press was there, sending forth its weekly issues of the "Cherokee Advocate," with various other improvements. John Ross, the principal Chief, was absent, but daily expected with a fair bride, just wedded, in the person of a Quaker lady, of Philadelphia. It was understood that a party of men would meet him at the line to escort him into the Nation, it being considered unsafe for him to travel without a body-guard. The Commissioners appointed at Washington to settle the disputes between the two parties had not yet arrived, and the Nation was now quietly awaiting their coming.

     The seat of the Conference had been fixed at the Council-Ground at Tah-le-quah. In consequence, however, of the National Council and Supreme Court both being in session, and the public buildings being occupied, it was determined to convene at Riley's Chapel, a Methodist meeting-house about two miles distant. On the morning of Wednesday, October 23d, the missionaries of all the tribes, from the Missouri on the north to Red River on the south, assembled for the purpose of organizing the Indian Mission Conference. Bishop Morris appeared and took the chair. Fort Coffee furnished the secretaries, in the persons of the author and Rev. H. C. Benson. Something over twenty voting members were present. Among them, and on trial, were several native Indian preachers. Our Indian brethren, whom we had left on the way, arrived early in the session.

     The Conference being duly organized, business was entered upon, and dispatched with all the order and regularity that usually characterize the proceedings of an Annual Conference. Entire harmony and good feeling prevailed. Reports from the various mission-fields were encouraging. All seemed pleased with being released from their dependence upon the Conferences in the States, and having an independent organization; and a strong determination was manifested, by the blessing of God, to push the mission work into all the tribes upon the border. The devotions of the daily services were deeply interesting, being opened in English, and generally closed in some one of the Indian languages. Bishop Morris appeared in character, with a Spanish blanket upon his shoulders, and all the tout ensemble of a genuine frontier's-man. He had a pleasant home with a branch of the Ross family, where his council met and the appropriations were made. He was in fine health and spirits, and seemed quite as much at home as if surrounded by a body of D. D.'s in one of our Eastern cities.

     At this session the proposal of the members of the Southern Conference to hold a Convention in the city of Louisville came up for consideration. No debate was had. The main question at issue was wholly ignored; but it was determined, being within the limits of the South, to send delegates. On counting the votes, it was found that Rev. E. T. Peery from the northern section of the Conference, and W. H. Goode from the southern, had received an almost unanimous vote. No pledges were asked, no instructions given, no opinions expressed by the body; the delegates were left entirely free and untrammeled.

     On Saturday, the business being closed, the Conference adjourned with the understanding that all should remain and unite in the public services of the Sabbath. On Monday morning we set our faces homeward, the Bishop remaining, with the promise of a carriage to convey him down into the State on his way to Fort Smith.

     A most singular instance of Indian thoughtlessness and utter disregard of propriety met my notice during my stay. In passing down a road near the Council-Ground, I saw a gallows by the wayside, and a company of men in the act of interring a corpse in a grave under the gallows. My surprise was excited, having heard of no recent execution there. On inquiry, I learned that, some time previous, the gallows had been erected, and a convict hung upon it, his grave having been first prepared with the design of burying him there. The friends of the criminal, however, claiming the body, it was delivered to them, taken away and interred elsewhere, the first grave being left open. It happened that, during the session of the National Council, then in progress, one of the members had sickened and died; and the heedless savages, to save the labor of digging another grave, were honoring the legislator with the rites of sepulture (sic) under the gallows in a felon's grave.

     Desirous of visiting another station of the American Board, brothers Benson, Page, and myself took a different route home, passing our first night at Dwight mission. This is a mission of long standing, having been founded in 1820. It was first established on Illinois Bayou, in the territory now embraced in the State of Arkansas, but, on the removal of the Cherokees--old-settler party or Western Cherokees--further west, transferred to its present site upon the bank of the Salasaw. It was still doing much good. Here forty native girls are boarded and educated gratuitously. The institution was under the superintendence of Mr. Hitchcock, a layman of good qualifications, who, without pecuniary compensation, had devoted his life, now pretty far spent, to this labor of love, taking to himself only a meager support. A similar case of self-consecration for life, on part of a layman, I have never personally known. Mr. Day and lady were teachers. Rev. Mr. Buttrick was there, also, but unable to labor. He had been twenty-seven years preaching and laboring among the people. His health was gone, and he was declining rapidly.

Doubtless, long ere this, he has "rested from his labors." He invited us to his room, where, with the mission band, we spent part of the evening in the exercises of a prayer meeting, and, even in these wilds, found it "good" to be there. These Presbyterian missionaries in the Cherokee Nation are devoted, self-denying men of God. Lord, fill the world with such

     On the 29th we reached Fort Coffee, and found all things right, the school going on prosperously under the care of Mr. Brigham. Col. Pitchlyn was there awaiting my return. Not having had occasion to speak of the Colonel before, I can not pass him without a brief introduction to the reader.

     PETER P. PITCHLYN is a half-breed Choctaw, educated at Col. Johnson's school in Kentucky. He is above medium stature, with athletic frame, and strongly-marked features. He is of a "fighting stock," and the family are regarded as possessing more than an ordinary share of Indian ferocity. But in his case it is all placed under the restraints of education and religion. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is esteemed pious; an ardent promoter of learning, morals, and religion; President of the National Council, a leading advocate and supporter of their school system, and frequently a delegate of the tribe to Washington, where he is well known and has extensive influence, as well as with his people at home. Altogether, he was decidedly the most popular and influential man in the Choctaw Nation, and, from occasional notices, I infer that he still maintains his position. One of his nephews, the son of a Choctaw father and Chickasaw mother, was an active, sprightly boy in our school. Subsequently he attended the Asbury University at Greencastle, entered the medical profession, married, and settled in Indiana, where he still resides.

     Tidings of an event mournfully triumphant soon reached us. A few days after our return a messenger arrived bearing a note from Fort Smith. Our brother, Ok-chi-ah, was

no more. lie had fallen, to live forever. We had left him at the seat of the Conference, to follow on with his company as he was able to bear it, while we traveled with greater speed. His strength barely held out to reach Fort Smith, where he stopped at the house of a friend. In the course of the night, being restless, he arose and walked out on a porch, fell from the porch to the ground; was heard, taken up, carried in, and laid upon a bed. He only uttered a few words in Choctaw, unintelligible to those around him, raised his hand and pointed upward, and his spirit fled to a mansion in the heavenly home. So passed away from earth this pious, pathetic, eloquent child of the forest. Though unable to understand his language, yet his solemnity, his emotion, his tears melted his audiences beyond the power of words. I replied to the note, directing them to inter him decently and send me their account. His remains rest under the thunder of the artillery of the fort, but it arouses him not. The return of dawn is daily ushered in by the roar of cannon and the stirring reveillé, but they awake him not. The grand reveillé of the resurrection morn alone will arouse him from the stillness of the tomb. I visited the spot, kneeled by his grave, and fervently prayed, Indian as he was, that the mantle of Ok-chi-ah might fall upon me.

     ON the 19th day of November I set out upon a trip to the Red River country. The journey lying over a tedious, lonely road, I was careful to start upon "mail-day," so as to secure the benefit of the company and experience of the mail-boy upon an unknown route; he bearing his load of "news" upon his jaded mule, whose sides bled from the constant application of the long-pointed, murderous, Mexican spur, in common use upon the frontier, and I mounted upon a steed of good capacity and fine mettle.

     The first night out we lodged in an Indian cabin. The second day brought us to Ki-e-mi-chi, where we had similar entertainment; the third to Spencer Academy, and on the 4th we reached Doaksville. On the way we crossed the range known as the Ki-e-mi-chi Mountains; one of the principal ranges of the Ozarks; rocky, precipitous, and often difficult of passage. The mountain sides are heavily covered with forests of pitch-pine, whose somber shades give to the scenery a majestic appearance, while the intervening valleys of prairie, sterile and unproductive as they are, nevertheless contribute to highten (sic) the beauty of the scenery by the contrast.

     Part of our way lay upon the great thoroughfare to the Trinity River country, in Texas, then so rapidly filling up with adventurers attracted by offers of "head rights" of land. Well-trodden camping-grounds, skeletons of work animals, little cavities in the rocks, where tar for immediate use had been manufactured from the rich pine-knots, and various other traces, familiar to Western emigrants, marked the way. Another extract from my published sketches will

best describe this trip. It bears date "Doaksville, Choctaw Nation, November 22d;"

     ''I now address you from the most populous and interesting part of the Choctaw Nation, The tour was undertaken partly in pursuance of a long-entertained, but oft-defeated, purpose of my own, and partly at the instance of the authorities of the Church and of the Government to attend to some interests in connection with the work of Indian education.

     "I pass by the intervening time [since my last] spent in home-labors, and propose to present your readers with a few numbers containing such items as may be gleaned during the expedition just now undertaken, with which I design to wind up these sketches. I must not omit, however, a pleasant interview of some days had in the interim with our much-esteemed Bishop Morris. Circumstances prevented the Bishop from visiting Fort Coffee, as we had hoped. It was accordingly arranged at Conference that we should meet at Fort Smith, and hold a meeting of some days continuance. At Conference he appeared in character, with 'hard-times' coat and striped blanket, looking quite as much like a missionary as any of us. At Fort Smith, however, these had been doffed and he was himself again. We had a pleasant and, I doubt not, a profitable two days' meeting. The citizens were highly gratified with his visit. As some small evidence of their appreciation the Sabbath congregation, many of whom were gentlemen of the army, with their characteristic liberality, gave us, in the absence of the preacher in charge, a handsome collection to be carried by the Bishop to our needy brethren at the Arkansas Conference. The hat for the collection was carried around by a hand disabled by a gunshot in the gallant defense of Fort Sandusky, under Colonel Croghan, in the war of 1812, which, of course, helped to give access to the heart and purse of a soldier. A few mornings after, we saw the Bishop snugly seated in an Arkansas stage to enjoy the jolts and other interesting incidents of a passage to Little Rock.

     "The Government of the United States has placed before the Choctaws very little inducement to agricultural life so far as soil is concerned. Their country as a whole is vastly inferior to that of the Cherokees. Upon the Arkansas and its tributaries is some good soil, generally lowlands, well adapted to corn and cotton. A portion also of country upon Red River has a fair upland soil adapted chiefly to cotton. Near the center of the nation is the beautiful and fertile valley of the Ki-e-mi-chi, in which stands the National Council-House. Almost the entire extent besides is sterile and worthless, consisting of barren prairies and rugged mountains, with ten, fifteen, or twenty miles between Indian cabins, and scarcely a foot of productive soil in the distance. The growth is principally of scrubby oak, relieved by forests of pine upon the mountain sides; the scenery always striking, often grand and sublime, and sometimes hideous. The undesirable character of this country may prevent further encroachment of the white man.

     "On my way over I visited Spencer Academy, under the immediate care of the General Council. This institution is well endowed, with a competent superintendent and able instructors. We wish it long to remain a blessing to the Nation. I find, however; that the Choctaws are now learning the lesson long since gained experimentally by you in the States,' that literary institutions ordinarily accomplish far more real good under the management of some one religious denomination than when left to the entire control of the civil authorities, however ample their endowment, or able and talented their conductors."

     Thus much I then wrote; but the case was even stronger, and subsequent events abundantly confirmed the view taken. Spencer Academy was endowed above any institution in the Nation. It had the special patronage of the distinguished gentleman then at the head of the War Department whose name it bore; had the immediate support of the National Council, and was the pet of the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, through whom it obtained special Government favors.

It was his purpose and that of the Council to make this institution the pride of the Nation. The fund at their disposal enabled them to erect costly buildings, furnish them well, lay in a large supply of clothing, provisions, etc., and open with all the style and show of a first-class hotel.

     These circumstances constituted our neighboring institution a formidable rival to our own; for it must not be supposed that competitions and rivalships are unknown beyond the bounds of civilization. Our endowment was inferior; we had no building or improvement fund except as saved from our annuity, while keeping up at the same time the male department of our school. Both institutions were opened near the same time, and as a result, the apparent advantages of Spencer Academy led the prominent families of the Nation, principally half-breeds, to seek admission for their students, while ours was filled up mainly with full-bloods from families of smaller influence and wealth.

     Time soon proved the defects of the organization at Spencer. A nominal superintendent was placed there in the person of Rev. Mr. M., a worthy Presbyterian minister of the Old School; and Mr. W., a fine literary gentleman of amiable character and experience in Indian affairs, was appointed principal teacher, with a salary higher than that of the Superintendent; it being the understanding that, in the management of the affairs of the institution, Mr. M. should consult Mr. W., and Mr. W. should consult Major A.; and all this so combined with the authority of the National Council that it was difficult to say where the actual seat of power and responsibility was. Rev. Mr. M., the nominal superintendent, informed me that his actual position was that of "principal servant." His hands were effectually tied. Supplies were soon exhausted, funds were used up, and credit was refused them at the leading houses of the Nation. The half-breed boys from the wealthy families proved insubordinate, commenced running away, and the "light horse" of the Nation was put into requisition to bring them back to their places. Matters at length arrived

at such a pass that an attempt was made to set fire to the buildings of the institution. All this occurred within a little over a year from the time of opening.

     Meanwhile our institution at Fort Coffee was progressing steadily and safely. All was under the control of a single hand, responsible only to the authorities of the Church and the Missionary Society. Partly from necessity and partly from choice we had opened in a plain though comfortable way. Advice of friends that would have urged us into extravagant expenditures was passed by. All our plans were laid in economy and forethought. Supplies of provisions and clothing were laid in at the proper seasons of the year and kept on hand in sufficient quantities. Want was never felt. No debts were contracted. Our unsophisticated full-blood boys proved to be excellent students. No serious case of insubordination occurred. No student ever ran away, with the single exception of an elderly boy, improperly selected, who went home to his wife. Our friends gradually increased, and our institution grew in favor.

     Under date of September 25, 1844, I received a letter, now before me, written at the dictation of a leading man of the Nation, requesting me without fail to attend the session of the National Council, then near at hand, with a view to a change in the management of Spencer Academy, and placing it under the control of our Missionary Board as that at Fort Coffee was. Out of deference to the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and to allow time for the defects of their organization more fully to develop themselves, I, for the time being, declined. Some months subsequently brother Benson was addressed with an offer of increased salary if he would leave us, go to Spencer and help them out with their difficulties. But the cloud of Church division was then gathering, and our own movements were becoming contingent, so that we deemed it prudent to remain in our position, declining all offers of the kind.

     If any seeming egotism attach to the foregoing statement, I have only to say that without it I could not exhibit
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properly the workings of the two rival systems, and the decided superiority of missionary plans and control in connection with all efforts for Indian amelioration. The sequel and present condition of Spencer Academy I am not advised of. I think it was ultimately placed, at discretion, in the hands of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Mr. M., however, had previously resigned his place and returned to the States.

     The letter goes on to say, "The Choctaws of all classes seem proud of their schools. But little discontent is manifested to the appropriations, although the effect is to cut off their annuities, and take the money directly out of their pockets. They appear to act understandingly and from a settled determination to spread the blessings of education among all the people. The late National Council appropriated for the support of fourteen Sabbath schools fifty dollars each. Provision also has been made for the establishment of a printing-press. Should the Nation persevere in its efforts and no providential hinderance intervene, the Choctaws must, within twenty years, be an educated people."

     THE "Red River Side" of the Choctaw country now came up for observation. Arrived at Doaksville I found a welcome and hospitable home at the house of Colonel David Folsom, an old ex-chief of the Nation, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence; had also kind attention from Mr. Berthelet, a Canadian gentleman, to whose care I had been commended by my friend J. H. Heald, partner in business to Mr. B.

     Doaksville I found to be a flourishing town, the largest in all the Indian country. It is mainly surrounded by large cotton plantations, owned by Choctaws and Chickasaws, mostly half-breeds, and worked by slaves. It is a brisk, neat-looking place, with a good church, an excellent public house, kept by my host, Colonel Folsom, on temperance principles, quite a number of stores, mechanics' shops, etc., and all the marks of thrift and prosperity. It commands a fine view of the garrison buildings at Fort Towson, a mile distant, and is within a few miles of Red River and the Texas line. I found our Church in that part of the Nation strong in numbers and influence, having had the labors of faithful and devoted missionaries and profited by them. I enjoyed a pleasant season of worship with them.

     Intending to make my principal stay in this place during the annuity payment, which was to take place the ensuing week, after making a few calls, I passed on in the direction of Texas. I again refer to one of my published series, dated "Clarksville, Texas, November 25th:"

     "Being desirous, while thus far south, of making a visit to the 'land of the lone star,' [this was previous to annex-

ation,] I left Doaksville on the morning of the 23d, in company with Rev. J. M. Steele. A ride of seven miles brought us to Red River. No marvel at the name. The first sight would suggest it, colored as its water is by the red clay soil through which it passes. This stream is perhaps more interrupted in its navigation by snags and drift than any other of equal size on the continent   .   .   .   .

     We crossed Red River at the mouth of Ki-e-mi-chi. Here is one of the great crossings of fugitives from justice making their escape through the Indian country from the States. This river passed they are safe, unless, perchance, some band of Texan 'regulators' take them up and suspend them from the limb of a tree, as is sometimes quite summarily done. We amused ourselves somewhat with the ferryman, a good-natured Hibernian, by questions in relation to the character of his customers and their apparent urgency in crossing. He replied that he 'set all over that came, asking no questions,' but he could not be induced to believe that we were in any danger from that quarter, nor at all to hasten his speed to relieve us.

     "On the banks of this stream grows in great abundance the 'Bois-de-arc' or Bow-wood, known in the States as the Osage Orange. It sometimes attains the size of two feet in diameter, is scrubby and rugged in appearance, and bearing large quantities of its great useless 'apples.' [The Towson soldiers charge the Texans with making whisky of them, and selling it to them, making them 'crazy;' an excuse for their drunkenness.] In the first day's travel from the river we pass several considerable cotton plantations with gins and other good improvements. The greater part of the way, however, lay through barren pine fiats, almost uninhabited. Near sunset we emerged into a beautiful and fertile prairie with large barns, comfortable dwellings, and every indication of prosperity and comfort. At the southern extremity of this prairie is Clarksville, the largest town, I believe, in Northern Texas.

      "This place was first settled in 1837, has a business-like

appearance, and a population of about four hundred. The citizens, of course, think it prospectively a place of great importance. It is, indeed, an interesting place, contains some very good society, and appears to be considerably under religious influence. There is, however, a great want of good water; the entire dependence in dry seasons being upon rain-water kept in 'jugs' or large cisterns, blown or cut out of the solid limestone that is found immediately below the surface. The same scarcity of water prevails, I learn, over a large extent of country.

     "We were kindly received and entertained. Our host was a clever, talkative Tennesseean, thoroughly Texan in every thing, and quite disposed to have us think that this is the 'fairest of all lands' in respect to soil, climate, morals, institutions, and almost every thing else. On yesterday I had the privilege of preaching to a congregation respectable in numbers, well-clad, genteel, and intelligent in appearance, and quite as orderly and attentive as I have seen in any country.

     "The emigration to Texas by this route is immense, particularly from Missouri. It is computed that not less than five thousand emigrants have crossed the Arkansas River at Van Buren alone during the present season. The emigrants now are principally settling upon the Trinity River, 'headrights' or grants of land to actual settlers being made by the agent of the 'colony,' and the Government having ceased to make such grants elsewhere. The laws of Texas, it is said, are better enforced than formerly. The criminal code is severe and the process summary. The penalties are principally cropping, whipping, hanging, etc. Near the place is a celebrated 'limb' on which, it is said, eleven persons have been hung.

     "There exists evidently a strong desire in the minds of the people to be annexed to the Government of the United States, notwithstanding the result of the late election which would seem to indicate otherwise. That election is said to afford no test on the question. There is, how-

ever, a show of independence. The impression exists among them that much that is said and done upon the subject in the United States is for mere political effect at home, and that the people in the States, in fact, care but little for them, further than may serve their own interested views; and they, in turn, assert that they are fully able to take care of themselves, and occasionally talk of 'firing into Uncle Sam' with great seeming confidence. They entertain us with many details of desperate adventures and hair-breadth escapes; of Mexican cruelty and treachery, and of Texan courage and gallantry connected with their late revolutionary struggle.

     "After the services of the Sabbath I rode home with Rev. Mr. M'Kenzie, formerly of Arkansas Conference, who resides a few miles distant from the village, and has under his charge an interesting seminary. Here are about thirty promising young men receiving an education. They lack suitable buildings, but are accommodating themselves to circumstances. Most of them are pious, and several are about entering the ministry. Brother M. is doubtless in his proper sphere and doing good."

     Here I formed an interesting acquaintance with an old soldier, Mr. Benton, nephew to the late Colonel Thomas H., and brother to Colonel T. H. B., jr., of Council Bluffs. He had participated in their war of independence, and taken part in the memorable battle of San Jacinto. He was an educated man, and then employed as a teacher in the institution.

     The letter proceeds "Here Methodism is pioneering in her true character; exerting a most beneficial influence in forming the character of this people. It is said that one of the late Texan envoys to the Government of the United States remarked, while in Washington, that the efforts of the Methodist ministry had done more toward securing respect for law, submission to courts of justice, regard for the sanctity of oaths, and consequently the general peace and good order of society than any other influence that has

been brought to bear. So let it ever be truly said of the Methodist ministry every-where.

     "But, solemn reflection! these blessings have not been attained for Texas without cost; cost to the Church and to the country. In this land some of her most gifted and favorite sons have laid down their lives. Here fell our Ruter. Here fell our Poe and his devoted companion. But they have left a monument in the hearts of a grateful and affectionate people. And may I not claim, as a citizen of Indiana, the privilege of adding, here recently fell, while representing his Government, General Tilghman A. Howard, who, though not a minister of the everlasting Gospel, and not a member of our own religious denomination, was nevertheless a pious, benevolent, and philanthropic citizen [Howard, the protector of piety in the younger members of the bar, the man of whom it was said that no man dared to sneer at or ridicule their professions of piety in his presence;] one whose moral and intellectual worth, now that party competitions and rivalships are hushed in the stillness of the tomb, is felt and acknowledged by all. The reader will pardon this passing tribute to consistent piety in public life."

     Other reminiscences of that devoted servant of God, Rev. Martin Ruter, D. D., are vividly called up. In the Fall of 1837, being then, if I mistake not, a member of the Pittsburg (sic) Conference, he received an appointment to Texas then in an extremely-unsettled state, destitute of a regular Gospel ministry, and needing some one of mature years and judgment to mold and shape the early movements of the Church. For this position the learning, piety, and ministerial abilities of Dr. Ruter eminently fitted him; and though already past the meridian of life, he did not decline the arduous service. His appointed work was one of exploration and temporary labor, preparatory to a regular supply.

     In prospect of a long absence, his family were removed to New Albany, Indiana, where the late lamented Calvin W. Ruter, his brother, then lived, as well as several of the

Doctor's own children. My own field of labor was in that place then and the succeeding year. During his stay there he attended the session of the Indiana Conference in that place, and his labors in the pulpit and upon the platform are not yet forgotten. The time came for his departure. The steamer lay at the landing. Leave was taken of his family, and he went down to the boat. Some cause of detention occurring, he returned to his house, seated himself with his family for a time, and sang that beautiful and affecting hymn,

Leave was again taken, and soon the missionary of the Cross was on his way. The journey was made; the field was entered and explored; the "Gospel of the kingdom was preached," and initiatory steps were taken for future and vigorous Church efforts. His work being done, his thoughts were turned homeward, and he was on the eve of departure, when suddenly God said "It is enough," and called his faithful servant home.

     The time of his expected arrival had come. Wife, children, friends were in eager anticipation. In the midst of these expectations one came to my own room, and placed in my hands two letters addressed to the family. Their appearance excited mournful apprehensions of the contents. I went first to my friend, Rev. C. W. Ruter. The seals were broken, and the contents glanced at. He was gone! Husband, father, brother! They should no more see his face, nor hear his gentle words. Never shall I forget the sensations of that hour. But as yet the loss was unknown to those most deeply concerned. There was one who still thought herself a wife; and there were those who thought they had a father. Widowhood and orphanage they knew not. The sad tidings were to be conveyed to them. The first gush of nature over with the brother, we started down the street toward the residence of the bereaved family, he bearing the fatal letters. As we approached the door,

man of nerve as he was, his heart failed him--he paused--"You must take them," said he, and he fell back. Entering the dwelling, I attempted with gentleness and caution to prepare the mind of sister R. for the sad announcement. But, ah! as experience has since taught me, that very precaution and studied kindness of manner excite the most terrible apprehensions. "Let me know the worst," is the involuntary exclamation of the heart. The tale was told. I will not endeavor to describe the scene that followed. Memory has lodged it firmly, and kindred experience in my own life-journey has imprinted it yet more deeply.

     But God is good, and his ways are right. "Man is immortal till his work is done." He called his servant home just at the close of an important work; and his providence has taken care of the family. The affectionate, warmhearted brother has since passed to his reward. Others of the family have entered into rest. One son is in the itinerant ministry; a daughter is the wife of a prominent traveling preacher in the South, and the rest of the large household are, I believe, provided for. Two Annual Conferences now occupy the field then first explored. Thus "God buries his workmen, but carries on his work."

     Our Texas visit finished, we again set our faces northward, and the evening of the 25th found us again in Doaksville, surrounded by all the excitement and bustle of an approaching annuity payment. On the day following visited the annuity-grounds, a few miles distant. I again extract from the same series, over date of "Fort Towson, Choctaw Nation, November 27th:"

     "The tim[e] of payment of the regular annuities is a season of great interest to the Indian tribes generally. Old and young, male and female, come together, [some by entire tribes, others, as among the Choctaws, by separate districts,] at the appointed time and place. A supply of beef is furnished at public expense, and a kind of annual festival is kept. The interest, however, diminishes among the Choctaws as the amount of their annuity is lessened by appro-
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priations for schools and other public objects. It is generally conceded that it would be a blessing to the Nation if the entire amount were appropriated to purposes of public utility, these annual assemblages done away, and the people thrown wholly upon their own industry for a support. The Choctaw annuity, this year, amounts to only two dollars per caput; yet even this small sum in expectancy, to each man, woman, and child creates, with many, a dependence which prevents personal exertions for a sustenance.

     "To-day I visited the annuity-ground. This is the first day of the payment, which, in this district, requires three days. The funds are paid out by the United States Agent, with the assistance of clerks, and regular entries are kept upon the rolls, attested by the mark of the head of each family, who receives for himself and his household, [The top of the pen is simply touched by the hand of the person receiving, and the clerk himself makes the mark. The licensed trader of the tribe is at hand with his accounts, and much of the money passes immediately into his box in payment of debts.] The Choctaw annuity is paid with much system and regularity, and without any of those frauds and impositions which have disgraced the transactions of agents of the Government with other tribes,

     "These payments present a motley assemblage. Some thousands of Indians are scattered over a tract of nearly or quite a mile square around the pay-house, where the principal crowd are assembled. Here are cabins, tents, booths, stores, shanties, wagons, carts, camp-flies; ponies, mules, oxen, and dogs; men, women, and children; white, red, black, and mixed, to every imaginable shade and proportion, and dressed in every conceivable variety of style, from the tasty American fop to the wild costume of the savage; buying, selling, swapping, betting, shooting, strutting, sauntering, talking, laughing, fiddling, eating, drinking, smoking, sleeping, seeing, and being seen--all huddled together in one promiscuous and undistinguished mass.

     "The bringing of whisky [o-ka-ho-ma] on the ground is prohibited, and when found, the jugs or barrels are tomahawked sans ceremonie. Still, however, enough is smuggled in by old squaws, and other honorable dealers, to raise the steam; and chance if the morning does not present an array of bruises, cuts, and stabs, if nothing worse. Gentlemen gamblers, too, make this a resort; and occasionally our worthy agent detects them; in which case they are honored with a seat on a horse behind a soldier, to whose body they are lashed fast, and in this state of involuntary dragoonship hurried off to the guard-house amid the shouts of the crowd." A substitute for this mode of punishment was sometimes found in compelling the luckless gamester to bear upon his shoulders a bag of sand to the boundary of the national territory under the escort of a file of soldiers. We respectfully suggest to our legislators the award of similar honors to this class of gentry in our own land of civilization.

     A singular fact, illustrative of universal belief in the retributive providence of God met my notice while here. I have heretofore spoken of a scene transpiring in the north of the Nation, in which a Choctaw man was killed by Captain W. Riddle, a half-breed, and the United States Interpreter. Riddle came on to assist at the payment. Soon after arriving he was attacked with violent and distressing pain in one of his front teeth, of a character the technical name of which I have forgotten, but which the United States Surgeon at the Garrison informed me often proved fatal. For days he laid at the house of Colonel Folsom, my host, in most excruciating suffering, and eventually died. Riddle's act had been generally justified, and he had not been prosecuted. But the Indians at the Ground, not understanding the case, and struck with the singularity of a large, robust man prostrate and dying with mere toothache, connected it in their minds with the late homicide, and whispered around among themselves, "He killed that man!" How similar to the sentiment of the "bar-

barous people" of the Island of Melita, when they saw the viper fasten upon the hand of Paul, "No doubt this man is a murderer whom . . . vengeance suffereth not to live!" A sentiment written by the finger of God upon the universal conscience of mankind.

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© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller.