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A TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE'S LIFE IN THE LATE 1800'S December, 25, 2004 Susan Bates

The following article appeared in the 1886 Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. There are a few full blood traditionals in Oklahoma who still live pretty much the same way. "The full-blood population for the most part reside east of Grand River in the wooded country, and there you must go to find them. They are living on the streams in the hilly country, only occasionally do they have a frame house, more usually the double log-cabin and log outhouses, stables, cribs, etc. Their fields are small, from 5 to 150 acres, in the valleys of the streams and protected by worm fences. The full-blood gets his water from a spring, and cooks usually on a cook-stove. I am informed that before the civil war, there were no stoves used by the Cherokees. He has around him a number of cattle who run on the range and supply his meat for the year. He raises potatoes, beans, and other vegetables, enough corn for his own meal and hominy, enough to feed his horses and fatten his hogs, which are for the most part fed on the mast of the woods adjacent, and to some extent supply his less provident neighbor in case he runs short, which he is very apt to do, if the season be not fair. The full-bloods are very liberal to each other and are quite willing to lend."

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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