University of Virginia Library

3. Early Creek History

The meaning of the name Is-te-cm-us-suk-c-kee, abbreviated to Mus-ko-kee, or Muskogee, means the "People of the Holly Leaf Confederacy," referring to a shrub found in the Southern States near the Gulf coast known as the "Gulf Holly." The old-time Creeks had considerable knowledge of the medicinal virtues of the various plants and herbs of the "Old Nation" in the East -- Georgia, Alabama , and Florida . This medicinal science covered the entire scope of their existence for healing the sick, for counteracting evil omens and for purifying their bodies during their council deliberations, on their hunting expeditions and war campaigns of invasion within an enemy's territory. The holly leaf was a medicine used by them to purify their bodies during religious ceremonies of the feasts, fasts, and festivals of the first fruits, sometimes called "The Green Corn Dance." "Usseh" is what they termed this medicine, hence it is said Osceola derived his name by being a great drinker of this "Usseh."

"Em-us-suk-c-kee" is of the same character of construction as the name Uh-chay-la-o-kee, which, abbreviated is rendered Cha-lo-kee, hence is derived the name of "Cherokee" -- the people of the five confederacies being of two distinct national names of one linguistic construction.

A great many names have been lost to the Mus-ko-gee language by their emigration to a colder climate than is that of their former homes east of the Mississippi . Many changes were made in their customs and old-time usages after their removal west. Very few Muskogess live who know that If-too-mic-coo was their name for the magnolia tree, which means "king of trees." Very few remember the legends of the Su-wa-nee fairires, who, with shouts of derisive laughter, mocked the lost and bewildered victims of their rude sports, whom they had led astray by the Su-wa-nee River to the trembling morasses of the great O-kee-fin-o-kee wilderness. Hence, the name of the Su-wa-nee ("Echo') River, and the Okefinokee ('shaking water") Swamp.

It is a long time since we old Creeks, as small children, watched the snow-white locks of the octogenarian as he placed his right hand behind his ear so as to enable him to listen to the Eolian harps away off to the Eastern twilight shades, as evening's dark mantle was gently thrown over Earth. We listened in childish awe while he told the story of the "Tul-lee-has-see" over again -- the story of the Deserted Village . And then the wild songs and moans told him of the suicide of the whole Ya-mo-see Nation in the Pasguella bay. They had exhausted every means in their power to save their nation from an unhappy extinction until at last all hopes vanished and they knew that they were powerless. 'Twas then that they determined to die bravely, and together. Arrayed in their brightest -- hued dance costumes, and singing their happiest songs, they danced out into the deep waters, surrendering the free liberty of their lives to the Great Spirit, and were every one drowned. It is said after darkness comes each evening, for all time, the messenger of the Great Spirit sing in response to the songs of the Ya-ma-sees- the sweetest, strangest music ever heard by mortal man. This is heard on Pasguella bay, any evening, for a short while just at dusk.

When the Mus-ko-gees, or Creek Indians were first found by the European explorers and historians they were the most powerful Nation of Indians in the Southeast of the main continent of America, and were among the most advanced tribes in civilization. This high state of civilization can be accounted for by their having had an excellent code of moral laws which protected their social conditions. They had laws of marriage and divorce. Any infringement upon these laws was punished by cutting off the ears of the first offense, cutting off the nose for the second and death for the third offense. A grown man who did not do his share of work in the corn field was denied the right to family relations.

The Creeks' art in engraving wood was remarkable. They understood the art of weaving cloth, for which they used a species of silk-weed bark fiber. They kept historic and religious records by strands of beads which by their variety were arranged so as to convey information. This art was not generally taught, but was entrusted to a class of professors who were bound by the laws of the Nation to reveal the truth, for if they should add to or take away any part of the subject of this bead history they would suffer the penalty of death.

Yet, alas, they failed to understand the true extent of their power and civilization. They were fleet of foot and as strong as the old Roman warriors. Their arrows pierced the armor of the Spanish invaders. Yet, with all this, their ancient glory is gone forever, and a new world has opened up for them. Kind reader, will you bear with us the faith that the Creek Indians will meet the present and the future with that glorious courage that is their inheritance from the Past which they have survived.

(Published in Sturm's Statehood Magazine, pages 86-87, 1905; Oklahoma Historical Society. Transcribed by Barbara Cox)