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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: May 12, 1937 
Name: Dave W Benge
Residence Address: Akins, Okla. (on route Near Nicut, Okla.)
Date of Birth: January 23, 1870 
Place of Birth: Near Akins, nine miles northeast of Sallisaw, Okla.
Father: Bill Benge 
Place of Birth: nine miles northeast of Sallisaw, Okla. , 1850
Information on father: 
Mother: Lizzie Roase (Ross) Benge 
Place of birth: 4 miles northeast of Sallisaw, Okla., 1849. 
Information on mother: 
Field Worker: George Littlejohn

I was born near Akins, Oklahoma, nine miles northeast of Sallisaw, January 23, 1870. I am 67 yers old now. I am of Cherokee descent. 

Father, Bill Benge, was born on the creek called Skin Bayou at what was known then as old Indian Court house, was located about nine miles northeast of Sallisaw, Oklahoma. He was born in 1850 and died January 14, 1880, at the same place he was born.

Mother, Lizzie Roase Benge, was born on little Sallisaw Creek known as old Roase Place, four miles northeast of Sallisaw, March 20, 1849 and died in 1931 on brie Creek Place known as the old Holt Place. The both were of Cherokee descent.

Huntin: They had what they called flint guns. The hammer of the gun was made of flint. In action the hammer would come in contact with the pluger, which was mad of flint too. This caused a spark, which set off the powder. 

Fishing: They would build platforms in the middle of the creek made with small trees and tied with tree barks. This form was built mostly on the shallows of the creek where the water moved the fastest. In case of overflow they would catch plenty of fish. Lots of times they would get above the form and wade and make lots of noise. This would run the fish right down into the trap.

Cooking was done by roasting in the fire place, also baking. Potatoes were baked by covering them in the ashes.

Folklore: Bringing the hoe or unbrella in the house, singing before breakfast, laughing too much at one time, all these were bad luck. Sleeping late every morning and letting the sun catch one in the bed was a sign one wouldn't live long. Indians would always get up before day light and go to the creek and wash their faces right in the swift part of the creek. This was healthful and they lived longer. Always beat the birds up every morning. A fox yelling or barking near a home was bad luck. Some one of that family would pass away. Also, crows cawing in the night was a bad sign. In the burial ground it is bad luck to dig a grave one day and not use it that day. If something happened that they didn't use the grave that had been dug, they would go and build a fire in it or kill a chicken and throw it down in t he grave. If this was not done, it was bad luck. 

Laws: The Indian cour house was located on Little Skin Bayou Creek, 9 Miles north east of Sallisaw. There is where the Indians held their courts. Man who committed a small crime such as stealing horses or cows, getting drunk and making disturbances, etc., would be whipped; the law for killing was hanging. They whipped by standing the criminal by a black gum tree that was standing there at the court house. Of course, they hanged them there on the same tree. The old tree is still standing there by the old court house place.

Doctors: The did their own doctoring. For anyone hurting in the side of stomach or back, they would get a piece of tacco and throw it in the fire. When the tobacco began to burn or smoke they would hold their hands down in the smoke, and also warm the hand while holding it there. Then they would turn to the sick person and hold his hand about an inch from the person, and also sometimes say somthing nearly like a prayer but unknown. 

Headache: they would take a glas of water, and take a little in the mouth and spurt in on the aching head, and also would say something like a prayer or somthing in the name of the Almight.

If a horse or cow got sick they would get a Bibble and get right down by the animal and read and every onece in a while hit the animal with the Bible. Then read some more.

Graves or Burial grounds: All the Indians had a family graveyard where they lived. If any one died he would be buried near the home. Nearly every old place has old grave yards near by. For instance, this Dave Benge's father and grand-father were buried there at old Indian court house. No marks, but the graves are there.

Submitted to OKGenWeb by Barbara Benge, June 2002.
Native American Genealogy
http://members.aol.com/bbbenge/front.html