BAKER — A new book about Creek Indians' history sheds insight on indigenous people in North Okaloosa County.
North Okaloosa Historic Association board member Nathan Chessher, a member of the Muskogee Nation, wrote “Creek By Blood: A Last Gathering of the Creek Peoples at Oak Grove in Okaloosa County” with Julia Cadenhead.
“It’s amazing,” said Chessher, who dressed in full Creek regalia to pick up the book’s first run Thursday afternoon at the Crestview Staples. “Some people just don’t know what went on in our area.”
For example, he said, the Alabama Indian tribe's last king was killed in 1813 on the Yellow River's east bank near today’s State Road 2 crossing.
The Alabama people, he said, fled south to Northwest Florida, settling in the area and founding churches to avoid being labeled “wild” or “hostile” Indians.
The Creek-founded Yellow River Baptist Church was the county's earliest Protestant church, Chessher said.
The 100-page book includes historic photos, illustrations and documents. It is available for $25 at the Baker Block Museum and will be for sale at the Oct. 11 Munson and Nov. 1 Baker heritage festivals. Proceeds benefit the museum.
Chessher praised Staples for working with the historic association to make the printing cost affordable. Staples operations manager Barbara Williams and her husband, Pete, also contributed a $100 personal donation toward printing costs.
“We’re grateful for Staples for making this book possible,” Chessher said.
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: This new book highlights North Okaloosa's Creek Indian history