The Choctaw Freedmen and the Story of Oak Hill Industrial Academy

Produced by Marilynda Fraser-Cunliffe, Marcia Brooks, Don
Tvenge, African American Biographical Database and the
Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net









The Choctaw Freedmen

[Illustration: OAK HILL]


AN OAK TREE


     On the southeastern slope, near the Academy,
       A pretty Oak,
         That strong and stalwart grows.
         With every changing wind that blows,
     is a beautiful emblem of the strength, beauty and eminent usefulness
     of an intelligent and noble man.

     "He shall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon; like a tree planted
     by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season."

[Illustration: ALICE LEE ELLIOTT 1846-1906]




THE
Choctaw Freedmen

AND

The Story of
OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY
Valliant, McCurtain County
OKLAHOMA

Now Called the
ALICE LEE ELLIOTT MEMORIAL


Including the early History of the Five Civilized Tribes of Indian
Territory the Presbytery of Kiamichi, Synod of Canadian, and the Bible
in the Free Schools of the American Colonies, but suppressed in France,
previous to the American and French Revolutions


BY
ROBERT ELLIOTT FLICKINGER
A Recent Superintendent of the Academy and
Pastor of the Oak Hill Church


ILLUSTRATED BY 100 ENGRAVINGS


Under the Auspices of the
PRESBYTERIAN BOARD OF MISSIONS FOR FREEDMEN
Pittsburgh, Pa.




ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS
IN THE YEAR 1914 BY THE AUTHOR
IN THE OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS
AT WASHINGTON, D. C.


Journal and Times Press, Fonda, Iowa




TABLE OF CONTENTS


I. GENERAL FACTS
Introduction--List of Portraits

        I Indian Territory                                     7

       II Indian Schools and Churches                         15

      III The Bible, An Important Factor in Civilization      31

       IV The American Negro                                  39

        V Problem of the Freedman                             46

       VI Voices From the Black Belt                          59

      VII Uplifting Influences                                65

     VIII The Presbyterian Church                             84

       IX The Freedmen's Board                                90

        X Special Benefactors                                 96


II. OAK HILL INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY

       XI Native Oak Hill School and Church                  101

      XII Era of Eliza Hartford                              107

     XIII Early Reminiscences                                114

      XIV Early Times at Forest                              124

       XV Era of Supt. James F. McBride                      131

      XVI Era of Rev. Edward G. Haymaker                     134

     XVII Buds of Promise                                    146

    XVIII Closed in 1904                                     154

      XIX Reopening and Organization                         155

       XX Prospectus in 1912                                 162

      XXI Obligation and Pledges                             169

     XXII Bible Study and Memory Work                        173

    XXIII Decision Days                                      183

     XXIV The Self-Help Department                           185

      XXV Industrial Education                               196

     XXVI Permanent Improvements                             202

    XXVII Elliott Hall                                       210

   XXVIII Unfavorable Circumstances                          216

     XXIX Building the Temple                                227

      XXX Success Maxims and Good Suggestions                241

     XXXI Rules and Wall Mottoes                             259

    XXXII Savings and Investments                            272

   XXXIII Normals and Chautauquas                            275

    XXXIV Graces and Prayers                                 279

     XXXV Presbyterial Meetings and Picnics                  282

    XXXVI Farmer's Institutes                                287

   XXXVII The Apiary, Health Hints                           294

  XXXVIII Oak Hill Aid Society                               300

    XXXIX Tributes to Workers                                308

       XL Closing Day, 1912                                  325


III. THE PRESBYTERY AND SYNOD

      XLI Presbytery of Kiamichi                             335

     XLII Histories of Churches                              345

    XLIII Parson Stewart                                     351

     XLIV Wiley Homer                                        360

      XLV Other Ministers and Elders                         370

     XLVI Synod of Canadian                                  382


IV. THE BIBLE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL

    XLVII The Public School                                  391

   XLVIII A Half Ce