Indian Pioneer Papers - Index
Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: October 29, 1937
Name: Ida Newton
Post Office: Muskogee, Oklahoma
Residence Address: West Southside Boulevard
Date of Birth: November 14, 1877
Place of Birth:
Father: Philip Jackson
Place of Birth: North Carolina
Information on father:
Mother: Penelope Adair
Place of birth:
Information on mother:
Field Worker: R. B. Thomas
Interview #9040, Pages 352 - 354
I was born November 14, 1877, in Cherokee Nation near Tahlequah; I
am one-eighth Cherokee. My father's name was Philip Jackson, born in
North Carolina in 1836, he was a white man. My mother's name was
Penelope Adair, born at Stilwell. It was then called New Hope instead
of Stilwell. She was one-fourth Cherokee Indian. My mother grew up in
Cherokee Nation and her father was prominent in affairs of the Nation.
My cousin, John H. Adair,
was treasurer of the Cherokee Nation many years and took active
interest in the affairs of the Nation.
My father came to Indian
Territory as a boy and was married to my mother and returned to North
Carolina. His people made light of him marrying an Indian. This made
him mad and he came back to Indian Territory never returning to his
birthplace afterwards.
The country was a
rendezvous for outlaws and Henry STEPHENS' place was a hideout for
criminals and outlaws such as Buck Davis, Henry Starr, Frank James,
Bill Brady. Buck Davis had several relatives in my immediate
neighborhood and they were always protecting him and hiding him out
with the outlaw friends. But today his people are very respected people
and Christians and his relatives did not approve of his life of crime.
We are not proud we are related to the Starrs, I knew all the STARRS,
Belle, Tom, and Henry, who was killed while robbing a bank. I knew Buck
DAVIS and a lot of his outlaw friends because he visited in our
neighborhood often. The hideout was not far from our home, therefore, I
came in contact with them.
My mother wove carpets
and made our clothing, knit our socks and sweaters. My mother's
grandmother came over The Trail of Tears from Georgia and went through
lots of hardships. Lula Starr was my cousin and married Congressman
Bill HASTINGS. My father took active part in all affairs of Cherokee
Nation and was interested in good government and always voted. He
sympathized with the Confederate army and thought General Stand Watie
was a great general.
I now live in Muskogee,
own a grocery store and try to live a Christian life and treat my
fellow man with respect and love. I am proud of my Cherokee blood
because Robert L. Owen, Bill Hastings, and hundreds of other Cherokees
have helped to build Oklahoma what it is today and the Cherokee race
has done a great deal to advance the State of Oklahoma into the
greatest state in the Union.
[Submitters comments:
The "Buck Davis" in this Interview refers to a gang of outlaws known as
the BUCK-DAVIS GANG, led by Rufus BUCK, a full-blooded Euchee Indian,
with members Lewis DAVIS and Lucky DAVIS, who were Creek freedmen, and
Sam SAMPSON and Maoma JULY, Creek renegades. All members of this Gang
were sentenced to be hanged by JUDGE ISAAC CHARLES PARKER in Fort
Smith, Arkansas.
For more information-
The Buck Gang: A Time to Die - -
Executions at Fort Smith: 1873 1896
- -
There is NO connection between the BUCK-DAVIS GANG and William M.
"Buck" DAVIS of Poteau, LeFlore County, Choctaw Nation, Indian
Territory, who is mentioned in other Indian Pioneer Interviews and was
my great grandfather.]
[01-24-2001 Additional comments submitted by James S. Scott <hird@ecis.com>:
Ida lee Newton was the third child of Phillip Theodore Johnson and
Penelope Adair born at Park Hill. I presume "Jackson" is a typo.]
Submitted to OKGenWeb by
Peggy Joice Horton wphor@sbcglobal.net March 20, 2000.