Felix LeFlore Interview #7533

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FELIX LeFLORE

INTERVIEW # 7533

Field Worker’s name: Gomer GOWER

This report made on: September 16, 1937

P. O. Address: Spiro, Oklahoma, Route 2

Residence Address: Three-fourths miles southeast

Date of Birth: January 19, 1865

Place of Birth: Armstrong Academy, Choctaw Nation, Near present town of Caddo, Oklahoma

Name of Father: Campbell LEFLORE

Place of Birth: Mississippi

Other information about father: Noted Indian Attorney

Name of Mother: Eliza MONCRIEF

Place of Birth: Mississippi

Felix LEFLORE, the subject of this sketch, was born at Armstrong Academy, near the present town of Caddo, Bryant County, on January 19, 1865, at a time when his mother and other members of the family were on their homeward journey to Scullyville, from Texas, where they had sought refuge during the war of 1864 - 1865.

His mother died while he was still quite young. His father, Campbell LEFLORE was closely related to Greenwood LEFLORE who was instrumental in framing the Mississippi Treaty. Campbell LEFLORE devoted his life to the prosecution of the Net Proceed Claims which had accrued to the Choctaws through the terms of the Treaty of 1830. By the terms of the Treaty of 1830, the lands in Mississippi which had belonged to the Choctaw Tribe were sold and the proceeds from the sale of this land were given to the Choctaws after their migration to Indian Territory.

In the words of his son, Felix, Campbell went into the prosecution of these claims when very young and came out an old and broken man. He is buried in the city cemetery at Fort Smith, Arkansas.

Felix LEFLORE opposed the division of Tribal lands but his opposition was futile.

Campbell LEFLORE, father of Felix LEFLORE, was elected Choctaw Commissioner in 1866, when the Fort Smith Treaty was made but his right to serve was challenged. On that occasion the degree of Indian blood which he possessed was questioned. It was charged that irregularities were in his racial record and that in consequence of these irregularities he was ineligible to serve as Commissioner. It is quite probable that this excuse was seized upon by the Federal Commissioners because of the well known opposition of Campbell LEFLORE to all the issued brought before that Joint Commission and also his ability to forcefully present to the Federal Commissioners arguments favorable to the Indian cause.

In 1897, Felix LEFLORE was united in marriage with Zoe, daughter of David and Rebecka MCCURTAIN. Mr. and Mrs. Felix LEFLORE now have a handsome home within a mile of the old Indian Agency at Skullyville.

Submitted by Sandi CARTER
MONCRIEF relative
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