Mary Ruth Hughes

Tishomingo Mary Ruth Hughes

The late 1890s was a turbulent time in Indian Territory ? especially for star-crossed lovers Osi, a full-blooded Chickasaw, and Koi, a beautiful young maiden of mixed-blood. When Neville Cooper, a white attorney from Chicago, came to town, their romance was put to the test. His arrival was like a stone dropped into the quiet waters of Pennington Creek, rippling outward to change the course of history for the entire village. During this time, many unsavory characters came to the Territory to scheme and steal Indian lands, and Cooper was one of the worst. Contracted by the federal government to assign the Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes a roll number, he also illegally assigned many unqualified recipients role numbers for his own personal gain. His nefarious actions affected everyone in ways none could have anticipated. The joys and hardships endured by the Chickasaws come through this Native American story loud and clear in a story of love, heartache, separation, promises, family obligations and cultural identity.