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HAT boy has not been thrilled by accounts of the Indians of pre-historic and colonial times? Old and young are familiar with their characteristics and manner of life. But of the Indian of the present we think and know little. Many who think of them at all, today, still picture them as savages, cowed by strict government control, who would scalp every white man within reach, were they not restrained by fear: others think of them as lazy, pampered pets of the government; while a very few think of them as a race that has been deeply wronged. But in whatever way they are regarded, civilized or half-civilized Indians never awaken as much interest as do the old time Warriors.

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The day of the Indian Warrior, however, is past. The influences of civilization have produced great changes in the American Indians. Those most influenced have been the so called "Five Civilized Nations" -the Cherokees, the Creeks, the Seminoles, the Chickasaws, Choctaws. Or perhaps it is only that the changes in these Nations have been more noticeable, because they were the farthest advanced in racial development, when the white men came among them, and so took up his ways more readily than some of the other tribes.

Of these five Nations-the Creeks are by no means the most wealthy or the best civilized. Yet their manner of life, customs, character, and education are subjects of interest and importance to those who desire to know life as it is.

By a special act of Congress they have been made citizens of the United States. They became citizens of Oklahoma when the State Government was organized. They are subject to the same laws as other citizens with exception of the restrictions placed on them in regard to the sale of their lands. The land interests of Indian minors are now looked after by the probate courts of Oklahoma.

The wealth of the Creeks consists almost entirely in land-since they no longer receive quarterly government payments for the land formerly taken from them. Each member of the tribe has ben allotted a hundred and sixty acres of land. On his selection and disposition of that allotment depends his present support and future welfare. The land, naturally, is of different grades and values. Much of it is coal land, which may be sold or leased with profit; some is oil or gas land, which is still more valuable; the greater part is only farm land; and some is hilly, rock and altogether unprofitable. By law a Creek, after he becomes of

age, is allowed to sell all but forty acres of his allotment, and, if he is not a full-blood, may get even that restriction removed. Few have any idea of the real value of their land. They ask the highest price for their wild berries and green apples, but of the larger values they have slight and childlike conceptions. In consequence they part with their land readily, not knowing that its value is increasing, or that the buyer or ninety-nine year lease-usually, is securing it because in his judgment it has underlying deposits of coal, oil or gas. Thus but few of those who have chosen rich allotments evenexcept those who have white husbands or are predominantly white themselves-ever become wealthy, wealthy, because they do not know how to develop their lands themselves and part with them too cheaply. Many Creeks now bid fair soon to be upon the world without land, without money, without any means of support. This condition does not arise from a lack of native shrewdness, but from an ignorance of market values and the business methods of civilized men. Their ancestors taught them how to cope with nature in securing a living-not with

men.

MANNER OF Life

The manner of life of the majority of the Creeks is simple, being not very unlike that of our own "poor whites." Most, except the more educated, live on their land-or, if they have sold their own, on that of their children; for although they derive pleasure from going to town, yet the free life of the country is more native to them. Their homes are for the most part rudely constructed log huts, often without windows, frequently with only a blanket curtain for a door. Some, however, have neat frame dwellings. All have a desire for pretty things. True, their belongings seldom remain nice, for few know how to take

care of or to make the most ofwhat they have. But poverty is all that keeps them from possessing fine houses, furniture, clothing and other equipment. After the cotton is marketed, the Indians may be seen carrying such articles as chairs, dressers, and carriages homeward; while bright colored new cloths are everywhere in evidence.

The men buy new boots, which they decorate with spurs-bright colored ostrich tips for their cowboy hats, and gaudy silk handkerchiefs for their necks; the women secure a supply of new combs-the girls new ribbons for their hair, and if they can afford it-shoes, and hats with large red roses. The poorer women frequently go barehead and barefoot in summer-the men never. Both men and women buy many cheap grade, ready-made garments; though some of the women toggle together their own and the children's calico and outing frocks, in which case a child of four years is apt to appear in a slip resembling that of a woman in cut. But such a description by no means applies to all. There are a few elegant and refined Creeks who show elegance and taste in their dress, and who are well fitted to appear in good society-which they not infrequently do.

The occupation of the majority, as has been indicated, is farming. Most of the Creeks are slack farmers, but no more so than some of their white neighbors. If their allotment lies in the timbered country, they simply blaze the trees, then plough around the trunks and stumps-for grubbing is hard work. Corn and cotton are the chief crops raised. The corn suffices for the ponies; the cotton, when sold, supplies the needs of the family. The men take charge of the farming, but the women and children usually help. One white woman, who married a Creek, has been heard to say that her husband works better when she stavs in the field with him and helps a little: and he is no ex