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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: 
Name: Sealy James Murphy
Post Office: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma
Residence Address:  
Date of Birth: September 5, 1870
Place of Birth:  Calhoun, Oklahoma
Father:  Jerry Mackey
Place of Birth:  
Information on father:
Mother:   Adeline Mackey
Place of birth:   
Information on mother:
Field Worker: Maurice R. Anderson
Interview #:

Her grandfather, Ellis Mackey, was the Medicine man of her tribe, Choctaw Indians.  He was total blind, her uncle then a small boy led him around and helped gather the roots and herbs to make medicine.  He died in 1880 and was buried beside her father in the front yard of their home. 

She remembers their ball game.  They wore only a cloth for a girdle and they would play ball all day and dance all night. 

They would paint a cross on their chest and forehead, when death occurred in their tribe.  They would be buried and later a day set, known as cry day.

She came to Garvin County in 1908.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Brenda Choate.