Artifacts on display at Cherokee Lodge #10
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
"Oldest Masonic Lodge in Oklahoma, Chartered 1848"

Moravian Mission Bell

The bronze church bell was presented to the lodge by Bro. Bruce L. Keenan and came from the Old Morvaian Church, a frame building which was located just south of Tahlequah. This old church was erected about 1835 and was in use for many years. It finally became dilapidated, and was abandoned by its members. Most of them affiliated with the Presbyterian churches in Tahlequah and Park Hill. Bro. Keenan was a long-time member of Cherokee Lodge #10, coming to Tahlequah from Kansas. He served as Indian Commissioner and later as State Representative from Cherokee County. The bell was featured on C-SPAN in 1993 as part of the Innaguration activities for President Bill Clinton. It was chosen as one of twelve bells from across the nation to be shown on television as the nation as everyone was encouraged to ring bells together. For this activitity it was moved to the Ancient Village at the Cherokee Heritage Center to be rung by then Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller.

Sam Houston/Chief Bowles Sword

General Sam Houston presented this sword to Chief Bowles. Chief Bowles was born in 1756, in the Cherokee Nation East. He led a band of sixty men to Texas in 1819. In the years that followed, he met General Sam Houston and they became friends. On February 23, 1836, a treaty was signed between Texas and the Cherokees. It was at this treaty signing that Gen. Houston presented Chief Bowles a military hat, a silk vest, a handsome red sash and sword.

Chief Bowles and his men fought with the Texans in their war of independence from Mexico. He is said to have been a magnificent specimen of manhood conspicuous in battle and if retreat became necessary was the last to leave the field. He rode a “paint horse,” and was finally slain in battle July 16, 1836.

His sword was presented to the Masonic Lodge #23 at Henderson, Texas, later loaned to Col. J. H. Jones who carried it through the Civil War then returned it to the Lodge at Henderson. In 1890, this sword was presented to Judge W. H. Barker of Oklahoma for the Cherokee Nation. Tahlequah, being the capital of the Cherokee Nation, it was sent here and placed in Cherokee Lodge #10 where it will remain.