Frederick Samuel Barde: chronicling the Muskogee (Creek) Indians, 1890-1916

Abstract

Journalist and photographer Fredrick Samuel Barde chronicled territorial Oklahoma, fully covering topics such as local agriculture, railroads, statehood, and the actions of the Five Civilized Tribes. His interest in the Muskogee Creek Indians rose above the rest because of the Nation's internal schism and their overall conflicts between assimilation and preservation of their native ethos. From the time of their removal, both the Creek people and their leaders showed evidence of divergence between traditionalism and absorption into Christian culture. Barde recorded their struggles by writing biographical sketches and articles displaying their conflict. He recognized both the pressure to integrate as well as their struggle to keep traditional customs. Barde's documentation of the Muskogee people analyzes and reports on the nation through direct experiences and observations. The purpose of this thesis is to show Barde's work as a journalist in relation to his documentation of the Creek people during the time of allotment. His proximity to their land allowed him to experience on-the-scene reporting, and to witness the turmoil of allotment. His high levels of professionalism allowed him to write and research the people with credibility. The Creek's history showed their tendency for factionalism, and Barde chronicled the last tribal conflict before their government dissolved after the Curtis Act. Many of the era's correspondents showed the native people in a stereotypical fashion, while Barde refrained from this type of journalism since he was able to attend the Creek's rituals, functions, and to see the conflict between the Twin Territories. Again, his competence permitted him to gain the respect of the Creek people, which allowed him to attend their ceremonies. Two significant figures to the tribe, Chitto Harjo and Alexander Posey, symbolized the conflict of the Muskogee during the allotment era. Harjo represented the traditionalists, and Posey the progressive. Through Barde's relationship with Posey, and his time spent researching Harjo, he was able to report on both with an educated and thorough coverage. His chronicles of the Muskogee people during the allotment era showed a culture in transition, and his newspaper articles give a new and active voice to the history of the tribe by contributing a personal account of their complex society.--Abstract.