While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
On the porch are Redbird Smith, his
Councilmen and his 5th son, George.
On the ground are his wife, 2 daughters, 8
sons, their wives and grandchildren.
Budd Gritts, who was a Baptist
Minister, was prevailed upon to draft a
Constitution and Laws of government for the
use of the people in their group, which was
compatible with the changing conditions
religiously and Politically. The
constitution and Laws of Government was
formally adopted and the Keetoowah prospered
and lived in peace under it for many years.
Duringthe period from 1859to 1889, the Keetoowah flourished and
were strongly united. Almost without
exception the Keetoowah went with the North
in the Civil War. In all this period the
Keetoowah were either Baptists, Methodists,
Presbyterians, a few Quakers, and a part of
them worshipped according to the rituals of
the ancient Keetoowah, but all got along
harmoniously. Dissentions came only after
the white Missionaries objected to and
condemned what they termed “the Pagan Form
of worship” of the ancient Keetoowah, and
designated as “The work of the Devil.”
Influenced by these white teachers, who
were conscientious and sincere in their
efforts of Christian work, the members of
the different denominations became strictly
sectarian in their practice, but there was
still no enmity existing.
The Keetoowah Constitution and Laws of
Government was amended in 1889, making it
rather a political organization in
character. From this period the differences
between the Christian Keetoowah and the
Ancient Keetoowah became more marked, and
there was lack of harmony even in their
policies of political effort.
