INIDAN-PIONEER PAPERS PROJECT FOR OKLAHOMA CHARLEY WATT
       
                                                 APRIL 22, 1937
       
                                                    S-149
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Submitter:  Catherine Widener (catz@kcisp.net 
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      Charley Watt is a full blood Cherokee Indian, born in Goingsnake District 
      in 1875. His father was a ‘Nighthawk’ Cherokee, named
      Mush Watt. His mother was Go-da-ga-wee, a full blood Cherokee.
       
      Mr. Watt, through an interpreter, relates this story to me. He is 
      uneducated. His father’s belief in his boyhood days hindered him
      from securing an education.
       
      Charley, like other little Night Hawks children, was raised in the woods, 
      chasing wild game to help furnish food for the table. Being
      the oldest boy in the family, it fell to his lot to help. He had several 
      brothers and sisters.
       
      Charley did not change his belief until he married Lizzie Terrell, an 
      education Cherokee girl. She taught him to write his name, all
      the knowledge he possesses in writing.
       
      He did not take an active part in politics; did not vote in any election.
       
      The Night Hawk faction was an organization of Cherokees, as he defines it, 
      that did not participate in any election; did not believe
      in education or religion. They disliked white people, strictly against 
      intermarrying with them.
       
      This organization was started after the Civil War near Gore, Oklahoma, as 
      he was told by his father. They did not vote in allotment
      election as their leader Mr. Gritts, gave orders not to do so.
       
      Mr. Watt at one time witnessed a shooting scrap at Peacheater Court House. 
      Zeke Walkingstick, sheriff of Flint District, and
      Johnson Corntassel, a merchant, both died from wounds received at this 
      fight.
       
      Transcribed by Catherine Widener, 2002