BEESON: An Indian Advocate is a staged play written by Joe Charter. Forced from his home in Talent by neighbors irate that he championed the rights of Indigenous People, Beeson risked all to advocate for Native Americans during the Civil War. This play explores timely issues of genocide, racial discrimination, and the personal costs of speaking out against injustice.

Beeson was an Abolitionist in Illinois before he and his family settled in Talent Oregon during the height of the Rogue Indian Wars. As a first-hand witness to forced removals, atrocities, and deprivations inflicted on Natives, Beeson advocated nationally for Native Americans and wrote A Plea for the Indians. Beeson was a Spiritualist and social reformer. The reading is accompanied by historical photos of the persons making history in our region.