The Choctaw Freedmen and the Story of Oak Hill Industrial Academy

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." 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 Introduction List of Portraits I. GENERAL FACTS 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…