. 98 COLBJ&T, JOS INTERVIliW 4984

Transcription

1 . 98 COLBJ&T, JOS INTERVIliW 4984

2 COLBERT, JOB INTERVIEW F orm iu(s-149) BIOGRAPHY BOiM, \ ( WOKKS FROGiffiSS ADMINISTRATION 1 Indian-Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma 4984 ' Field Worker's name R. H> Boatman This jreport made on (date) JujLy Name Joe Colbert 2. Post Office Address Puree 11. Oklahoma 3. Residence address (or location) 429.Vest Adams 4. DATS OF BIRTH: kohth October Day 7 Year Place of birth Tiahmingo, Oklahoma 6. Name of Father Henry Colbert Place of birth Mississippi Other irrformetion about father?. Na,ne of Mother Lulsah Humphery Place of birth Indian Territory Ot:.er information about m o t h e r ^ Notes or complete narrative by the field worker dealing with the life and story of the person interviewed. Refer to Manual for suggested Subjects and questions. Continue on blank sheets if riecessary and attach finnly to this form. Number of sheets attached

3 COLBERT, JOE INT3RVI&V *, Biography of Mr. Joe Colbert Purcel^, Oklahoma ******* **** ' I was born October?, 1857_, in Indian lerritory, the town of riahamijigo^in the Chickasaw Nation. I am three-eighths Chickasaw Indian and I say that the Chickasa«. Indians are and always have been a }.«aceful tribe. I attended school at Harley Institute, an Indian school located three miles south of-tiohoaingo, Uiis is the only school that I ever attended^although the building was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt, throe iailea north of Xishaaingo on Pennlngton Creek and that building is still there. Ifte Chiekasaw Indian agency was at ijuskog.e. it is located at the same :,lace at thia tiiie, I recall several raids, made by the Comonche Indians. The Gsmanches would come from the..est i;. bands or in sm&u ^angs and would steal the cattle and horses of the bhickaaaws and would run them back.test, on tlieir own

4 COLBERT, JOK INTERVIEW lot range. The only way tbet the Chickaaawe could get their cattle and horses back was just to trail the ComancheB up and whip them out and get their, stock* I recall once when my father and I lived south of the.irbuckle mountains near thofrontiqr» ti.at the Comanthea raided one night and the next night.following. Father a:id I tied our horses in the yard around the house and father and I stationed ctarselvas back of the house to guard* Well, jiabout eleven"t>'clock thiit night two of tjhose CoiCBanches era.led over the yaiid fence and trere trying to steal our horses and father.shot one of them. He fe^.1 in the yard and the other raa and just as he jump#& the fences father.let him have it and he fell just over the fence* ' I caae to?fofi*r is now McClain County, c& HovftaKfer. 2S, 1873^ and began work as a COB puncher for a fer. Csapbell andmr. Johnson, rienchfliefn. T They h;:d thjpee ranches, one near.laahington, one near New Castle and one at^ Minco. I rode th^range from Lexing-' ton to tvinoo but worked mostly on the ranch at.l

5 4984 Therewore o,,oo hend of cattle kept oii dhe ranch there, j worked six years for these flven umiin 1884, 7 ' e' began to.vorkfor Stowe and K'.yorB, Yanehjuonat rihiteheed and worked i O»B ye r for them as a cow puncher and in 1385 I was ^married to Miss jnous Ta ; Ingrain th daughter of a far at sihitehea'. and the seme yeiir, 1085^1 was, J - appointed as Reyenue Collector for the Cuiekasaw Katioi^ tha boundaries of the Chickaeaw Nation bjeing; on the north i : ; I > thp South Canadian fiiver; on the south the Bed Kiverf on the west the SBthMtridian. The revoaue was oolleeted on all <^at,tle, a fee of jc per head per year was chatxed- "Riis ^oney was turned to the Indian Agency which was located at Muskogee, fcr the Chickasaw Tribe. I was ^ery prominent as a leaded of the Chickasa^ tribe and I have been awarded mar.y,higfr honors for iny activity among the Chick&saw Indians. I also helped to form?md buiid the Chtckasaw Tribal

6 COLBERT, JOS INTiiHVI&i 4984 ^ "" an Government. I was appointed County GorwiiLaioner of r.cclaln County by Governor H illi^us, W fill m an unezpired term, and w*ar ro-yleeied hj iue vot.* -! people* I served continuously as Conanisoioner of r..cclain County for twelve yer.rs. I have been actively en^, g^d in faming ot.i sto-sk ruisir^ all of my liie; I h» vo..ark.ed hard and beeu very successful in ail my ardartakinga. I resigned from acti«e work of the ub.ve nature in the year I rivrw r at i^y ora home st 429.vest adansstreet, I\irceil.