Indian Point

The Mount Tabor Indian Community is a state-recognized tribe made up of primarily Cherokees as well as Choctaw, Chickasaw and Muscogee-Creek Indians located in Rusk County, Texas. They are descended from Cherokee who migrated to Texas prior to the Cherokee War of 1839 under Duwa'li or The Bowl. They sought refuge in Monclova, Mexico after 1840, when the Republic of Texas was trying to expel Indians from East Texas. Led by Chicken Trotter, also known as Devereaux Jarrett Bell, the group fought a guerilla campaign against the Republic of Texas from Mexico throughout 1840 to 1842. They saw action in Corpus Christi, San Patricio and later followed General Adrián Woll in his occupation of San Antonio De Bexar. It was there that Cherokee and allied Yowani, along with Mexican regulars, defeated the Dawson Expedition, but were defeated in turn by Texas Army forces at the Battle of Salado Creek. With the signing of the Treaty of Birds Fort, hostilities were brought to a close between the Republic of Texas and the Texas Cherokee, as well as granting formal recognition to the Cherokee in Texas. These Cherokee were soon joined by other Cherokee from Indian Territory, from the Old Settler and Ridge Party groups. Due to internal conflicts, the Old Settler and Ridge Party sought a separation from the dominant Ross Faction. In 1844 United States President James K. Polk issued an Executive Order for these two bands to seek lands suitable to settle on in Texas. Following the establishment of the community some six miles south of present-day Kilgore, Texas, the Cherokee were soon joined by Yowani Choctaw and McIntosh Party Creek Indians. Today the band is made up of those descendants that continue to reside there. The band's current headquarters is in Kilgore, Texas with significant populations near New London, Overton, Arp and Troup, Texas.
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