CREEKS, a nation of Indians originally living in Alabama and Georgia. During the revolutionary war they adhered to the English, and were hostile to the colonists even after peace. But in 1790, they made a treaty with the federal government, in which nearly a dozen other nations or tribes joined. They again supported the British in the war of 1812, and perpetrated a number of outrages, the most important of which was the massacre of 400 men, women, and children at fort Minims. Unsparing war was made upon them by gen. Jackson and other leaders, and in Mar., 1814. they were com pletely crushed. They had lost 2,000 warriors, and their country had been desolated. Still, there was trouble with them almost constantly until, in 1836 they were removed to the present Indian territory. The whole number removed was 24,594. They resisted all efforts of missionaries and teachers, and it was not until 1843 that the first school was established among them. In 1857, they numbered only 14,888. In the war of the
rebellion, they were about equally divided. They defeated the confederates in two small engagements; but in a third they were routed, and more than 6,000, men, women, and children fled to Kansas. In 1872, their number was estimated at 12,000. and they had 34 schools. The governmental system of these Indians is peculiar. Each town is inde pendent of all others, and is ruled by its own elective king, the next officer being the chief warrior. The number of chiefs became so oppressive that a change was made, and, in 1868, a plan was adopted to choose a first and second chief, a house of warriors and a house of kings. In 1869, the fugitives of the tribe were returned to their nation.