The Choctaw Freedmen | Page 7

thirty different languages are spoken by the Indians now in the
territory. The population of the territory, though principally Indians,
includes a lot of white men and negroes, amongst whom intermarriages
are frequent. The society ranges from an untutored Indian, with a
blanket for his dress and paganism for his religion, to men of collegiate
education, who are manifesting their christian culture and training by
their earnest advocacy of the christian faith.
"The Cherokees were the first to be brought under direct christian
influence and they were probably in the lead of all the Indians on the
continent in civilization, or practice of the useful arts and enjoyment of
the common comforts of life."
"In 1890, the year following the opening of the first land in the territory
to white settlers, the mission work in the territory was described as
"very interesting and unique." The Indian population represented every
grade of civilization. One might see the several stages of progress from
the ignorant and superstitious blanketed Indian on the western
reservations to the representatives of our advanced American culture
among the five civilized nations. Our missionaries have labored long
and successfully and the education, degree of civilization and
prosperity enjoyed by the Indians are due principally, if not solely, to
the efforts of consecrated men and women, who devoted their lives to
this special work. Although their names may not be familiarly known
among the churches, none have deserved more honorable mention than
these faithful servants of the Master, who selected this particular field

of effort for their life work."
"Events are moving rapidly in Indian Territory. Many new lines of
railroad have been surveyed, and when they have been built, every part
of the Territory will be easily accessible."
"A new judicial system with a complete code of laws has recently been
provided, and with liberal provision for Indian citizenship and
settlement of the land question it is safe to predict a speedy end to tribal
government."
"This means the opening of a vast region to settlement, the
establishment of churches and the thorough organization of every form
of christian work. For this we must prepare and there is no time to lose.
Our churches and schools must be multiplied and our brethren of the
ministry must be fully reinforced by competent educated men trained
for christian work. What the future has in store for the whole Territory
was illustrated by the marvelous rush into and settlement of Oklahoma
Territory during the last year."
"A wonderful transformation has taken place. The unbroken prairie of
one year ago has been changed to cultivated fields. The tents of
boomers have given place to well built homes and substantial blocks of
brick and stone. Unorganized communities have now become members
of a legally constituted commonwealth. Here are found all the elements
of great progress and general prosperity and the future of Oklahoma
Territory is full of great promise."
"Here the Presbyterian church has shown itself capable of wrestling
with critical social problems and stands today as the leading
denomination in missionary enterprise. Every county has its minister
and many churches have been organized. Others are underway. With
more ministers and liberal aid for the erection of churches the
Presbyterian church will do for Oklahoma what it has done for Kansas
and the Dakotas."
In 1886 the mission school work among the Indians was transferred
from the care of the foreign to the home mission board. Those in charge

of the school work of Spencer Academy at Nelson resigned that work
and the school was closed.
In 1895 the Mission school work at Wheelock Academy was
undertaken and continued thereafter by the Indian Agency, as a school
for orphan children of the Indians.
WHEELOCK ACADEMY
Wheelock Academy for nearly four-score years was the most attractive
social, educational and religious center in the southeast part of the
Choctaw nation. It was located on the main trails running east and west
and north and south. But when the Frisco railway came in 1902, it
passed two miles south of it, and a half dozen flourishing towns were
founded along its line.
There remain to mark this place of early historic interest the two
mission school buildings, a strongly built stone church 30 by 50 feet, a
two story parsonage and cemetery. The church is of the Gothic style of
architecture, tastefully decorated inside and furnished with good pews
and pulpit furniture.
REV. ALFRED WRIGHT
Among the many old inscriptions on the grave stones in the Wheelock
cemetery, there may be seen the following beautiful record of the work
of one, whose long and eminently useful life was devoted to the welfare
of the Choctaw people:
SACRED to the memory of the REV. ALFRED WRIGHT who entered
into his heavenly rest March 31, 1853, age 65 years. Born