SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 384
WHEREAS, The people of the Mount Tabor Indian Community of
East Texas, whose history in this state spans 170 years, take
enormous pride in the rich heritage that they share; and
WHEREAS, Composed of individuals of Cherokee, Yowani
Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee-Creek ancestry, the Mount Tabor
community traces its origins to about the year 1845, when a party
of families led by John Adair Bell immigrated to Texas and
settled approximately six miles south of present-day Kilgore;
the community came to be known as Mount Tabor after the name of
the plantation that Mr. Bell established in Rusk County; during
the Civil War, the Mount Tabor community swelled with an influx
of Cherokee who were supportive of the Confederacy and who were
fleeing the fighting in Indian Territory; among their number were
the wife and children of Confederate general Stand Watie;
following the end of the war, residents of Mount Tabor began to
disperse; a number returned to the Cherokee Nation in Indian
Territory, but many descendants of the early settlers continue to
live in Rusk and Smith Counties; and
WHEREAS, Those associated with Mount Tabor have maintained
ties to a tribal organization since the community's inception;
today, the Texas Band of Cherokee Indians of the Mount Tabor
Indian Community is a continuation of the Texas Cherokees and
Associated Bands, which was organized in 1871 by Colonel William
Penn Adair; in addition to John Adair Bell and William Penn
Adair, notable leaders of the community have included Chief
Chicken Trotter, also known as Devereaux Jarrett Bell, who signed
the 1843 Treaty of Birds Fort on behalf of the Cherokee, and, in
the 20th century, chairs of the Texas Cherokees and Associated
Bands W. W. Keeler, who served as principal chief of the Cherokee
Nation and as chief executive officer of Phillips Petroleum
Company, and Foster T. Bean, who served as mayor of Kilgore for
more than 20 years; and
WHEREAS, The original settlers of Mount Tabor and their
descendants have contributed in myriad ways to their communities,
their state, and their nation; they have worn the uniform of every
branch of this country's armed forces and taken part in every
conflict from the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan; in civilian
life, they have served in roles ranging from police officers and
judges to ministers and school teachers; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its history, Texas has drawn strength
from the great diversity of its people and cultures, and it is a
privilege to recognize the Mount Tabor Indian Community for the
indelible imprint it has made on the Lone Star State; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th
Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the Mount Tabor Indian
Community for its many contributions to the development of this
state and extend to its members sincere best wishes for the
future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
the Mount Tabor Indian Community as an expression of high regard
from the Texas Senate.
Eltife
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 17, 2015.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate