Legends of Indian Territory
The vast expanse of the Indian Territory, now largely encompassed by the state of Oklahoma, was a land steeped in history, conflict, and the enduring spirit of the Native American tribes who were forcibly relocated there. Beyond the documented events of treaties, battles, and forced migrations, lay a rich tapestry of folklore and legends, whispered around campfires and passed down through generations. These stories, often tinged with sorrow, resilience, and a deep connection to the land, offer a glimpse into the beliefs, fears, and hopes of the people who called this territory home. This article delves into some of the captivating Legends of Indian Territory, offering a window into a world where the veil between the natural and supernatural was often thin, and where the echoes of the past resonated in the present.
The Legends of Indian Territory are more than just entertaining tales; they are cultural artifacts, providing insight into the worldview of the Native American tribes who were displaced and confined within its borders. They speak of battles fought, both physical and spiritual, of the enduring connection to ancestral lands, and of the profound impact of loss and displacement. The Legends of Indian Territory capture the essence of a people struggling to maintain their identity and traditions in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Here, we explore three such narratives, each offering a unique perspective on the Legends of Indian Territory: a haunting tale of spectral warfare, a chilling account of a resurrected warrior’s complaint, and a poignant legend of a flower born from tears of sorrow.
A Battle in the Air
In the region surrounding Tishomingo, Oklahoma, once a part of the Legends of Indian Territory, a chilling omen was said to presage impending doom. The air itself would become a battlefield, filled with the sounds of an unseen conflict. This spectral warfare was not merely a curiosity; it was a harbinger of tragedy, foretelling future battles, widespread starvation, or devastating pestilence that would sweep across the land.
The legend spoke of a mighty nation, long since vanished, annihilated by a rival tribe. The valley near Tishomingo became their final resting place, marked by numerous mounds where hundreds of warriors were interred. According to Native American belief, the spirits of these fallen warriors continued their eternal struggle within the valley, their spectral forms locked in an endless cycle of combat.
One particular incident, recounted by Charles M. Skinner in 1896, involved John Willis, a U.S. Deputy Marshal. In May 1892, Willis found himself belated and seeking shelter for the night. Unaware of the valley’s haunted reputation, he chose to camp among the burial mounds. As he slept, his horse suddenly became agitated, snorting and pawing the ground. Willis awoke, expecting to find outlaws or wild animals, but the moonlit plain revealed nothing.
However, the air was thick with the sounds of battle – the rush of unseen combatants, the thunder of hooves, the clash of weapons, and the sickening thud of bodies falling to the earth. The sounds were subdued, as if carried on the wind, yet undeniably present. For nearly an hour, the spectral battle raged around him, the sounds of conflict echoing across the valley. Finally, his horse, driven to a frenzy, forced Willis to saddle up and flee. As he reached the edge of the valley, the sounds faded into the distance. Only later, upon reaching a settlement, did he learn of the valley’s haunting and the legend of the ongoing battle in the air, a chilling testament to the violent past of the Legends of Indian Territory.
The Comanche Rider
The diverse customs surrounding death and burial among Native American tribes are a testament to their varied beliefs and spiritual practices. While some tribes favored ground burial, others practiced arboreal sepulture, placing the deceased in trees. Mummification was known in some South American cultures, and cremation was also practiced. Enemies, however, often showed no respect for the slain, desecrating their bodies and claiming scalps as trophies.
Skinner’s narrative transitions to a specific Comanche tradition, highlighting the significance of honoring the dead. When a Comanche warrior dies, he is traditionally buried on the western side of the camp. This orientation is deliberate, intended to allow the deceased’s soul to follow the setting sun on its journey to the spirit world. Accompanying the warrior in his grave are his bow, arrows, and other personal valuables, ensuring he is well-equipped for the afterlife. Furthermore, the warrior’s most prized pony is sacrificed at the gravesite, providing him with a worthy mount in the happy hunting grounds.
The tale takes a humorous turn with the story of an impoverished Comanche man who died near Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Lacking relatives and possessions, the tribe, perhaps showing a lapse in judgment, decided that any horse would suffice for his journey to paradise. They sacrificed a decrepit, spavined old nag and left it at his grave.
Two weeks later, the unthinkable happened. The deceased Comanche, riding the same wretched horse, appeared in a Wichita camp, demanding dinner. He was described as having glaring eyes and sunken cheeks, and his mount was a sorry sight, with lop ears, a bobtail, a sheep neck, ringbones, and ribs showing like a grate.
He proceeded to berate his people for their stinginess, claiming that the gatekeeper of heaven had refused him entry on such an ill-conditioned steed. The vision of the resurrected warrior and his pathetic horse caused widespread panic. The Wichita and Comanche tribes, terrified, fled en masse to Fort Sill seeking protection. From that day forward, the Comanche are said to have ensured that only the finest horses were sacrificed when an unbefriended member of the tribe journeyed to the spirit world, a humorous yet poignant illustration of the importance placed on honoring the dead and the potential consequences of failing to do so, further enriching the Legends of Indian Territory.
Legend of the Cherokee Rose
The Legend of the Cherokee Rose is a deeply moving story rooted in the tragic history of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States to the Legends of Indian Territory, west of the Mississippi River.
In the 1830s, the discovery of gold in North Carolina and Georgia led to an influx of settlers and escalating tensions with the Native American tribes residing in the region. President Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Policy, enacted in 1830, mandated the Cherokee Nation’s relocation to the Legends of Indian Territory.
The forced march, beginning in 1838, became known as the Trail of Tears, a name reflecting the immense suffering endured by the Cherokee people. Over 4,000 of the 15,000 individuals forced to march perished from hunger, disease, cold, and exhaustion. In the Cherokee language, the event is known as "Nunna daul Tsuny," meaning "the trail where they cried."
According to the legend, the Cherokee mothers, witnessing the suffering of their people, wept openly during the arduous journey. The elders, seeking solace and strength, prayed to the Great One for a sign of hope. In response to their prayers, the Great One promised to provide comfort and strength to the women.
The Great One instructed the elders to tell the women to look back at the places where their tears had fallen. In those spots, the Great One would cause a plant to grow, one that would climb upwards and then fall back down, touching the ground and sprouting new growth.
The following day, as the Cherokee continued their march, the elders instructed the mothers to look behind them. To their astonishment, in every place where their tears had fallen, a beautiful white rose began to bloom. The sight of these blossoms brought solace and strength to the women, momentarily easing their sorrow. As the day progressed, the trail was lined with white roses, a testament to the Great One’s promise and a symbol of hope amidst despair.
The Cherokee Rose itself carries symbolic meaning. Its white petals represent the tears shed by the Cherokee mothers, the gold center symbolizes the gold that was stolen from their lands, and the seven leaves on each stem represent the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose, a poignant reminder of the Trail of Tears, can still be found growing along the route from North Carolina to Oklahoma, a powerful symbol of resilience and remembrance, forever etched in the Legends of Indian Territory.
These three legends, each unique in its narrative and message, offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and historical experiences of the Native American tribes who inhabited the Indian Territory. They serve as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of these people in the face of adversity. The Legends of Indian Territory continue to resonate today, preserving the memories and traditions of a people whose stories deserve to be told and remembered.