Typed as spelled and written - Lena Stone Criswell

THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirtieth Year - Number 303
Marlin, Texas, Tuesday, April 21, 1931

HEEP BIG INJUNS COME
TO PALEFACE POWWOW

Alabama Tribe of Polk County Sends (missing)
Chiefs on Fraternal
Mission.

"Injuns!"
That was a cry that startled many a covered wagon crew.

And they were with us again Monday.

Right here in Marlin--attending sessions of the East Texas Chamber of Commerce in annual convention, if you please.  The Alabamas--the
most noteworthy of Indians in Texas today.

The small tribe of Alabamas and Cousbattis, represented by a delegation at the meeting in Marlin, is described s a remnant of the Alabama tribe which originally lived east of the Mississippi river, but emigrated westward before the pressure of (missing)kening white population.

(Livi)ng in Polk county near Livings(ton) (missing)ey have always been a peace(ful) peo(ple) and friendly to the whites.  (Missing), on account says, Sam Hou(ston) (al)ways friendly to the Indians, (missing)tention called to the rem(missing) this tribe scattered along (missing) river.  Tow square miles of land were given them.  Houston advised them never to sell it and they always regarded this advice.

The tribe, numbering about 250, lives on a 4200-acre tract of land today in the "Big Thicket" (missing..............................) in which they (missing)cated is called.  They still speak t(missing) language and few white men have mastered it.  They held to their own religious beliefs until about 50 years ago, when a mission was established by the Presbyterian church, and since that time they have adoped the christian religion.

Isolated and limited to their small holdings, this remnant of original
Americans have not prospered during recent years.  The residents of Polk county, through their Chamber of Commerce, began a campaign on these Indians behalf several years ago and attracted much attention by sending an Indian exhibit to the State Fair of Texas at Dallas.

Recently, 3000 acres of land have been purchased from federal funds, giving them a total of 4280 acres, and the Texas state board of control, under legislative authorization, has made material improvements in housing conditions.

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Copyright permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing by
The Democrat, Marlin, Falls County, Texas.