Alabama Indians in Texas

On October 15, 1910, William Loker was appointed commissioner to the Alabama Indians of Texas and instructed October 26 by the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to proceed to Livingston, the county seat of Polk County in that State, and to such other places as might be necessary to investigate fully the condition and needs of the Indians mentioned.

Mr. Loker was advised that these Indians were reported in the Federal census of 1890 as being located on Big Sandy Creek, Polk County, upon a tract of 1,280 acres given them by the State of Texas; that they were said also to be civilized and self-supporting; to have a chief and subordinate chiefs; to maintain to a great degree their Indian habits in dress and manners; and to cultivate lands like their white neighbors, for whom they worked on occasion. For his guidance the essential points to be reported upon were given as :

The population, including the number of children of school age.
The present condition of the Indians as regards subsistence and self-support.
Their condition as to clothing and their absolute needs for the winter.
What schools, if any, are available, and what is the disposition of the Indians toward sending their children to such schools.
The actual condition of the lands occupied by them, and whether they are exercising reasonable diligence in their farming operations; how they compare with their white neighbors in this respect; and what their needs are as regards additional lands for homes and farms.
The views of the leading Indians as to their needs, etc.

Mr. Loker’s report of December 6, 1910, shows that these Indians, numbering 192 individuals, including men, women, and children, are located 17 miles east of Livingston upon a tract of 1,280 acres of land which the State of Texas, about 1850, deeded to them conditionally free of taxes, but with restriction on alienation.

The report of this official shows also that in two decades these Indians have made marked progress in civilization, and are now on about the same plane in this respect as are their white neighbors; that their old tribal customs have been abandoned; that they speak the English language almost entirely, and that they have adopted the manners and dress of the whites.

With respect to their present economic condition, the investigation shows that these thrifty and steady workers are now self-sustaining more by outside labor on farms, in lumber camps, railroad construction, etc., than by farming the small amount of their available agricultural land. Also they are well clothed and are not in need of any assistance for the winter. They send their children of school age to the public school within their village, and the majority of them are members of the Presbyterian Church located in their midst.

These Indians are subject entirely to the laws of the State and county wherein they reside; they use very little intoxicating liquor, and are reported as being peaceable and law abiding.

About a third of their land, which is held in common, is said to be timbered; 35 per cent is of fair agricultural character, and the remainder of the land is sandy and not fitted for farming.

Their one-story houses, of their own construction, contain two or three rooms, and are fairly comfortable; they raise a small amount of stock, poultry, etc., and cut such timber from their lands as is absolutely needed for building and fuel purposes.

As shown, these Indians derive their greatest revenue from outside lumber industries, and as the supply of timber in that region is rapidly decreasing they must in the near future seek other means of support.

Commissioner Loker reports that while they say they have no claim against the Government, their needs are: (1) More land to cultivate, and (2) a school with manual-training instruction. He adds that if these Indians had about 5,000 acres of land they would be able to compete successfully with their white neighbors in farming and stock raising, and would be able to take cars of themselves in the future.

Report of William Loker, Commissioner, etc., December 6, 1910.

Roll of Alabama Indians rending in the State of Texas. [Post office, Klam, Polk County, Tex. Trading point, Livingston, Tex.]

Number	Surnames	Given Name	Sex	Relation	Age
1	Bullock,	Willie	Male	Single	24
2	Bullock,	Gala vay	Male	Head	23
3	Bullock,	Lazzie	Female	Wife	18
4	Bullock,	Eva	Female	Daughter	118
5	Anton,	Thomas	Male	Widower	50
6	Anton,	Birdie	Female	Daughter	16
7	Anton,	Mary	Female	Daughter	13
8	Battist,	George	Male	Head	56
9	Battist,	Sissie	Female	Wife	57
10	Battist,	Tenney	Male	Son	24
11	Battist,	Laura	Female	Daughter	21
12	Battist,	John	Male	Son	14
13	Battist,	Gustin	Male	Head	44
14	Battist,	Liza	Female	Wife	39
15	Battist,	Durant	Male	Son	18
16	Battist,	Jesse	Male	Son	16
17	Battist,	Asom	Male	Son	14
18	Battist,	Miller	Male	Son	9
19	Battist,	Nellie	Female	Daughter	6
20	Battist,	Nela	Female	Daughter	6
21	Battist,	Baker	Male	Son	3
22	Battist,	McConico	Male	Head	35
23	Battist,	Mabel	Female	Wife	27
24	Battist,	Inie	Female	Daughter	5
25	Battist,	Fulton	Male	Son	3
26	Battist,	Billie K.	Male	Head	38
27	Battist,	Bettie	Female	Wife	30
28	Battist,	Sarah	Female	Daughter	13
29	Battist,	Andrew	Male	Son	11
30	Battist,	Lizzie	Female	Daughter	8
31	Battist,	Fred	Male	Son	6
32	Battist,	Alfred	Male	Son	2
33	Battist,	Jefferson	Male	Head	29
34	Battist,	Lizzie	Female	Wife	19
35	Battist,	Ashley	Male	Son	2
36	Battist,	Hollis	Male	Son	8
37	Battist,	Isaac	Male	Head	48
38	Battist,	Fannie	Female	Wife	50
39	Battist,	Henry	Male	Son	18
40	Battist,	James	Male	Son	16
41	Battist,	Tom	Male	Son	14
42	Battist,	Ed	Male	Son	22
43	Battist,	Josephine	Female	Widow	54
44	Henderson	Bula	Female	Grand daughter	13
45	Carson	Pedigo	Male	Head	58
46	Carson	Sadie	Female	Wife	38
47	Carson	Alice	Female	Daughter	16
48	Carson	Nicie	Female	Daughter	12
49	Carson	Caleb	Male	Son	8
50	Carson	Joshua	Male	Son	4
51	Fitze	Charles	Male	Single	40
52	Henderson	Dennis	Male	Head	52
53	Henderson	Minnie	Female	Wife	53
54	Henderson	Hattie	Female	Daughter	16
55	Henry	Silesia	Female	Wife	70
56	Henry	Mary	Female	Daughter	39
57	Henry	James	Male	Son	31
58	Henry	Harry	Male	Son	27
59	Lockhard	Sam	Male	Widower	64
60	Lockhard	Hubbert	Male	Son	25
61	Cassie	Joe	Male	Widower	72
62	Thomas	Venie	Female	Granddaughter	16
63	Williams	David	Male	Grandson	13
64	Williams	Liza	Female	Granddaughter	9
65	Williams	Minnie	Female	Granddaughter	7
66	Williams	Claud	Male	Grandson	5
67	Poncho	Lindsey	Male	Head	44
68	Poncho	Sallie	Female	Wife	37
69	Poncho	David	Male	Son	8
70	Poncho	Sarah	Female	Daughter	4
71	Poncho	Mason	Male	Son	6
72	Sylestine	Josie	Female	Widow	60
73	Sylestine	Dollie	Female	Daughter	27
74	Sylestine	Hastings	Male	Son	21
75	Sylestine	Hardin	Male	Head	27
76	Sylestine	Noney	Female	Wife	26
77	Sylestine	Emma	Female	Daughter	5
78	Sylestine	Elizabeth	Female	Daughter	1
79	Thompson	Charlie	Male	Head	48
80	Thompson	Josie	Female	Wife	43
81	Thompson	Philip	Male	Son	5
82	Battist	Oscar	Male	Son	13
83	Thompson	Bob	Male	Widower	75
84	Thompson	Fannie	Female	Daughter	26
85	Thompson	Nona	Female	Daughter	11
86	Alexander	Joe	Male	Head	27
87	Alexander	Lula	Female	Wife	26
88	Alexander	Kinnie	Male	Son	2
89	Thompson	Sam	Male	Head	29
90	Thompson	Annie	Female	Wife	26
91	Thompson	Ola	Female	Daughter	4
92	Thompson	John H.	Male	Head	32
93	Thompson	Margaret	Female	Wife	21
94	Thompson	Ettie	Female	Daughter	4
95	Thompson	Hill	Male	Son	2
96	Alexander	Sissie	Female	Single	60
97	Alexander	Ed	Male	Nephew	19
98	Alexander	John	Male	Nephew	16
99	Sylestine	Sissie	Female	Widow	56
100	Sylestine	Delia	Female	Daughter	15
101	Bean	Lucy	Female	Widow	35
102	Bean	Aaron	Male	Son	19
103	Sylestine	Casper	Male	Head	32
104	Sylestine	Mosina	Female	Wife	26
105	Sylestine	Emily	Female	Daughter	4
106	Sylestine	Martha	Female	Daughter	2
107	Thompson	Alex	Male	Head	60
108	Thompson	Nancy	Female	Wife	61
109	Thompson	Fanny	Female	Daughter	33
110	Thompson	Van	Male	Son	29
111	Thompson	Mollie	Female	Daughter	26
112	Thompson	Sam Houston	Male	Son	13
113	Poncho	Pollie	Female	Widow	58
114	Poncho	Louisa	Female	Daughter	26
115	Poncho	Mike	Male	Son	23
116	Poncho	John B.	Male	Son	36
117	Poncho	Sarah	Female	Daughter	1
118	Sylestine	Barnett	Male	Widower	55
119	Sylestine	Gilbert	Male	Son	23
120	Sylestine	Hollis	Male	Son	16
121	Sylestine	Nannie	Female	Daughter	13
122	Sylestine	Jennie	Female	Daughter	11
123	Sylestine	Elvina	Female	Daughter	7
124	Sylestine	Susie	Female	Daughter	2
125	Sylestine	Callie	Female	Daughter	7
126	Poncho	Jesse	Male	Head	37
127	Poncho	Maggie	Female	Wife	22
128	Poncho	Dorothy	Female	Daughter	2
129	Poncho	Emma	Female	Widow	70
130	Sylestine	Gibson	Male	Widower	60
131	Sylestine	John	Male	Son	23
132	Sylestine	Virginia	Female	Daughter	19
133	Sylestine	Feagan	Male	Grandson	15
134	Sylestine	Carter	Male	Grandson	7
135	Sylestine	Frank	Male	Head	29
136	Sylestine	Frances	Female	Wife	23
137	Sylestine	Davis	Male	Head	38
138	Sylestine	Edna	Female	Daughter	16
139	Sylestine	Mattie	Female	Daughter	14
140	Sylestine	Clenson	Male	Son	12
141	Sylestine	Gotherine	Female	Daughter	10
142	Sylestine	Benton	Male	Son	8
143	Sylestine	Amos	Male	Son	6
144	Scott	Tom	Male	Head	51
145	Scott	Dollie	Female	Wife	50
146	Scott	Fanny	Female	Daughter	19
147	Scott	Falony	Female	Daughter	17
148	Scott	Folby	Female	Daughter	14
149	Scott	Bill T.	Male	Head	39
150	Scott	Lucy	Female	Wife	37
151	Scott	May	Female	Daughter	13
152	Scott	Eunice	Female	Daughter	19
153	Scott	Sarah	Female	Daughter	7
154	Scott	Enby	Female	Daughter	1
155	Williams	Dennis	Male	Head	23
156	Williams	Jennie	Female	Wife	26
157	Williams	Legget	Male	Son	3
158	Williams	Epperson	Male	Single	21
159	Poncho	John	Male	Single	26
160	Scott	John	Male	Widower	105
161	Scott	John	Male	Son	15
162	Sampson	Maggie Jane	Female	Widow	48
163	Sampson	John	Male	Son	15
164	Poncho	James	Male	Head	57
165	Poncho	Mollie	Female	Wife	46
166	Poncho	Mattie	Female	Daughter	16
167	Johnson	Tom	Male	Head	48
168	Johnson	Lizzie	Female	Wife	15
168	Johnson	Ida	Female	Daughter	13
170	Johnson	Emma	Female	Daughter	11
171	Johnson	Lillie	Female	Daughter	9
172	Johnson	James	Male	Son	6
172	Tnoids	Louise	Female	Widow	49
174	Tnoids	Everest	Male	Son	32
175	Carson	Palmer	Male	Head	30
176	Carson	Fanny	Female	Wife	29
177	Carson	Lucy	Female	Daughter	17
178	Walker	Carrie	Female	Widow	32
179	Walker	Ida	Female	Daughter	13
180	Walker	Lee	Male	Son	9
181	Walker	Josh	Male	Son	6
182	Walker	Elma	Female	Daughter	2
183	Thompson	Willis	Male	Head	47
184	Thompson	Josie	Female	Wife	32
185	Thompson	Mary	Female	Daughter	12
186	Thompson	Thomas	Male	Son	9
187	Thompson	McLane	Male	Son	2
188	Pere	Jennie	Female	Single	45
189	Davld	Sam	Male	Widower	48
190	Davld	Mary	Female	Daughter	45
191	Davld	Jack	Male	Son	8
192	Davld	Floyd	Male	Son	1

4 Age is in Months.
19 Twin to 20
20 Twin to 19
36 Age is in Months.
44 Orphan.
50 Age is in Months.
55 Husband is not Alabama Indian.
63 Orphan.
64 Orphan.
65 Orphan.
66 Orphan.
71 Age is in Months.
81 Son of No. 80 by first husband, a full-blood Alabama.
95 Age is in Months.
97 Orphan.
98 Orphan.
125 Age is in Months.
129 Mother of No. 126.
130 The leading man of this village and about the only one capable of giving early history of these Indians, but he was too ill to be interviewed. Was under care of Dr. Martin, of Knoxmill.
133 Orphans.
134 Orphans.
138 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
139 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
140 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
141 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
142 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
143 This child by first wife; present wife is Caddo Indian.
157 Age is in Months.
160 Chief of tribe; is very feeble and quite childish; lives with son 10 miles northeast of village.
167 This family lives about 10 miles north of village on account of head’s employment in lumber mill; have a home within the village.
188 Living with the David family; is a sister-in-law of No. 189 and came from Louisiana to care for children.
189 Seldom at home, being employed at Knox Lumber Co.’s mill about 10 miles from village.

Population. The population, including the number of children of school age, is 192 individuals, 51 of school age (7 to 17 years inclusive).
Self -support. As regards the present condition of the Indians, they are not prosperous. They are a farming people, but have not sufficient land to produce a living for all. They are thrifty and sturdy workers. They seek employment in the lumber industries and the railroad work, and assist the white farmers, which, with their own farming, makes they absolutely self-sustaining.
Clothing. They are well clothed and have no immediate needs for the winter.
Available schools. They have upon their own property about the center of their village “The Public Free School of District No. 17 of Polk County, Tex.” This public school is supported by the county. The instructor, Mrs. C. W. Chambers, is a very capable woman, and the course of instruction is the .same as all the county public schools, embracing agriculture, algebra, arithmetic, composition, drawing, geography, grammar, hitory (United States and Texas), language lessons, nature study, physiology, reading, spelling, writing, and sewing. The instructor’s report to the county superintendent shows an enrollment of 47 children and a more than average regular attendance. The Indian parents are strict in compelling attendance of children.
Use of land. The Indians have 1,280 acres, about 30 per cent of which is timber. They are cutting only what they require for construction and fuel. About 35 per cent is only sand and incapable of cultivation. The balance is cultivated. They raise cotton, sugar cane, potatoes, and garden truck, and a little corn, although this is not a corn country. They raise ponies, goats, chickens, hogs, and a few cattle. They are doing just as well,” all things considered, as the white men of this part of Texas. If they had about 5,000 acres of land these Indians would successfully farm and raise stock in competition with the white people.
Views of Indians as to their needs. All of these Indians state that their needs are first, more land to cultivate; second, a school with manual training instruction. They advise that they require nothing else, and they are in this borne out by statements of the white people.

Summary

The Alabama Indians residing within the State of Texas number 192 individuals. They are located 17 miles east of Livingston, in Polk County, Tex,, upon a tract of land 1,280 acres in extent, deeded to them by the State of Texas, free of taxes, but which they can not dispose of, about 60 years ago.

These Indians have abandoned all their old customs. In fact they have preserved no history of their people. They use only English names and almost universally speak English. Their manners and dress are as the white people and they live just as their white neighbors.

They farm all of their land that is capable of cultivation, but obtain their living more by working in the lumber industries, upon the railroad construction and section work, and hiring out to the white farmers. They are thrifty people and steady workers.

They have a public school within the village and take full advantage of same; also they have a Presbyterian Church supported by the “East Texas Presbytery,” and the rector’s roster shows the great majority faithful members. Their land is not divided, but they farm for the benefit of all. They are of course subject to the State and county laws, but any disputes within the village are settled by their church committee, and I am told that there is seldom a necessity for action. There is no instance of the civil authorities having been called upon. They are an absolutely civilized and peaceful people and appear to use every means to advance themselves. I am told some of the younger men that go out to the mills to work have used whisky to excess, but strong drink is not a habit among these Indians. They are living in a prohibition country, but am told that even before the county had prohibition these Indians spent very little for liquor.

They live in homes of their own construction and as good as their state of prosperity could command. These homes are one story, but of two and three rooms, and they are comparatively comfortable. They raise for their own purposes chickens, hogs, goats, cattle, and ponies only a small number, but all they can care for.

They dress as well, if not better, than the class of white people they have for neighbors. In particular, I noted the young girls at church. All wore hats and gowns of store make.

Were it possible to assist these Indians toward getting more land and manual training, it is very certain they would take full advantage of the benefits.

These Indians advance no reasons why the Government should give them anything. They do not pretend to have a claim of any sort against the Government, but for some years have understood that Congressman Cooper and others had asked assistance for them and have hoped the Government would increase their land holdings. They are strongly inclined to agriculture, and they believe, as do the white people, that with sufficient land they would be successful farmers and a prosperous people. They are not in prosperous circumstances, but neither are they in want. They are sturdy workers, and as long as the present lumber industries continue they will continue to make a living. It is in the lumber industry that they obtain the greatest part of their revenue. The timber is very rapidly being cut, and when this industry ceases they must seek other means of subsistence. It is their hope and that of all the white people that know anything of them that the Government will assist them to the extent of giving them more land, which would care for their future. The health conditions are better than those of the white people. This may be due perhaps to the fact that most of the white people have located in this part of Texas of late years and the climate is trying. Still these Indians lead regular industrious lives and take the best care of themselves. In sickness they call in the white physicians.

From all information I am able to obtain, advise that there are no other Alabama Indians in Polk County, Tex. There are a few Caddo Indians, not more than a dozen, and most of them are intermarried with these Alabama Indians. Also there are some of the Kickapoo Indians in Polk County. I am told that they are of low degree, have intermarried with the Negroes and are placed in the same class with the Negro. The only other Alabama Indians can learn of are about 100 located in Louisiana. These have been asked to locate here in Texas, but always have declined to consider the proposition. Occasionally a party of Alabamas from Louisiana visit these Texas Alabamas, and while it is admitted they are all of the same tribe the Louisianans do not in the least compare with the Texas Alabamas in point of civilization and advancement. There is now practically no communication between the Texas and Louisiana Alabamas.

It can be said without fear of contradiction that the Alabama Indians residing in Texas are absolutely civilized, have availed themselves of every means of advancing themselves; that they would’ appreciate and profit by Government assistance, and are in every way deserving of any assistance the Government might give them.

References and Authorities

For assistance and information rendered, which was of much help in investigating conditions, I am indebted to these persons particularly.

Mr. M. V. Currie, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Mrs. Currie is the widow of a Presbyterian minister, and with her son is living among these Indians. Mr. and Mr. Currie spent 25 years in mission work among different Indians. Five years they spent with the Creeks, 4 years with the Alaska Indians, and 16 years with this tribe of Alabama Indians. During a period of 10 years Mr. Currie was rector of the Indian church, and Mrs. Currie was the instructor of the Indian school. It was through Mr. Currie’s influence that the East Texas Presbytery established their church for the Indians.

Mrs. Currie is considered their best friend and the greatest worker and authority by both the Indians and -white people. She expresses the opinion that these Alabama Indians are the best she has met with in all her work. Advises that when she first located among them they observed all Indian customs, held their various dances, used their own language, dressed in buckskin clothing of their own make, and did work only sufficiently to obtain a poor living, and spent the great part of time hunting. She considers their advancement very remarkable. She now considers them in every way the equal of the whites and in a degree their superior.

Mr. and Mrs. Caleb W. Chambers, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Chambers is present rector of the Indian church and Mrs. Chambers is the instructor of the Indian school. They are now in the eleventh year of service among these Indians, and like Mrs. Currie, are very enthusiastic in speaking of the remarkable advancement of these Indians. Mr. Chambers knows something of agriculture and has been of much assistance in this work with the Indians. He also assists in the school. Mrs. Chambers is a very energetic and capable woman, and besides being a very successful instructor has taught the Indians much in the way of domestic duties. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chambers are held in the highest esteem by these Indians.

Mr. Davis Sylestine, Kiam, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Sylestine is a full-blood Alabama Indian and was born and raised in this village. He speaks English fluently and is a capable man. He has attained of his own efforts the responsible position of “saw filer” in Knox Lumber Mill and is looked upon as among the most trustworthy of the employees. He is a trustee of the church, clerk of the village, and is looked upon as the leader of the younger element of the village.

Capt. Evans, “postmaster,” Livingston, Polk County, Tex. Capt. Evans is the oldest resident, having been in this part of Texas for 40 years, and has known these Indians all of that time. He advises that their advancement has been remarkable and gives them a very high reputation for industry, honesty, and says they have always been peaceable and excellent neighbors.

Mr. Nute Green, Livingston, Polk County, Tex. Mr. Green is connected with M. Stone Co., general merchants, of Livingston. He has been engaged in this line for 25 years in Livingston, and has always been in close touch with these Alabama Indians. He gives them the highest reputation for honesty, sobriety, and industry, and advises that they have always been peaceful and the best kind of neighbors.

William Loker

Topics:

Alabama,

Alabama Indians in Texas