Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from “INDIAN TERRITORY: Surviving 160 Acres of Betrayal,” written by Tatiana Duncan. For Duncan, “I chose Chapter 17 because it summarizes much of what the Hickory’s experienced — and many other Creek families — endured during the Allotment Era.” Duncan’s book is available for purchase on Amazon.com
The court cases and ongoing legal battles over the land have been complex and deeply unsettling to unravel. They were bullied, coerced, and forced into poverty through illegal and exploitative means. In my heart of hearts, I will always believe that many of my ancestors were murdered, though I know I’ll never be able to prove it. That’s why I call these events “red flags.” At best, the speculators preyed on the family’s grief, the youth of the children, and the language barrier faced by the father. At worst, they enacted a systematic and ruthless campaign of theft, manipulation, and murder.
The stress of this relentless battle must have taken a heavy toll on the children’s education and well-being, forcing them to constantly worry about their father’s treatment and the fate of their home…