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Sam Checote
Creek Indian Chief In 1819 in Alabama, a boy was born to a
man and wife who were full blood Creek Indians. His name was Sam Checote and at
an early age he came under the influence of a pioneer of Methodism in Indian
Territory, "Uncle" John Harrell. Sam Checote preached, until forbidden
by the Creek Council under a law carrying a penalty of 50 lashes on the bare
back. Checote fled the territory and sent appeals to Chief McIntosh until the
law was revoked. In 1852 he joined the Indian Mission Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South and preached until the time of the Civil War.
After the war, he was a preacher, circuit rider and presiding elder in the
Indian Mission. In 1872 he was elected Chief of the Creek Nation, where he
served 12 years. He was elected as a delegate to the Ecumenical Conference of
Methodism, held in London in 1881, but he could not attend due to illness. He
died in 1884, and was buried near Okmulgee. His people called him their Great
Chief, describing him as "gentle as a child, as courageous as a lion."
* * * * *
Cow Tom was to have enemies among him however, since the Confederate
Creeks had returned. Under the direction of Sam Checote, Cow Tom,
Harry Island and others would have to be abreast of all goings on, as
these mixed blood Creeks were determined to remove all traces of black
people from their nation. Their belief was in a racial superiority, and
their influence was strong. Cow Tom, along with Ketch Barnett, and Harry
Island had to make a trip to Washington, unknown to their Creek brethren
to insure that their people would be treated fairly and included in
benefits extended to the citizens of the Nation.
* * * * *
In March of 1867, payments began to the Creek citizens
who remained Loyal to the Union in the Civil War. Dunn, and Indian
agent prepared a roll of the Negro Creeks, entitled to receive payments.
Sam Checote tried to exclude the blacks, and immediately Harry Island
went to Washington to protest. He was accompanied on this trip by
Cow Tom and Ketch Barnett. Harry Island is remembered for his
skills as a negotiator, and is remembered with reverence by the Freedmen
and descendants of Freedmen. During his lifetime, he was able to secure
the placement of the African Creeks in the nation. |
