USA > Oklahoma > A history of Oklahoma > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
Gc 976.6 T35h 1727376
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02302 5304
A HISTORY
OF
OKLAHOMA
BY
JOSEPH B. THOBURN Instructor in Local and Western History in the University of Oklahoma AND ISAAC M. HOLCOMB Former Superintendent of the Oklahoma City Schools.
OKLAHOMA CITY WARDEN COMPANY 1914 All rights reserved.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historyofoklahom00thob_0
1727376
A HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
C
CONSOLIDATED RURAL SCHOOL, CADDO COUNTY
DEDICATION
TO THE YOUTH OF OKLAHOMA, WHOSE BETTERMENT IS
- THE INSPIRATION OF THIS STORY, AND UPON WHOM MUST SOON DEVOLVE THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ITS CITI- ZENSHIP, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED.
1
PREFATORY
FIRST EDITION
The purpose of this volume is to place before the stu- dent an accurate story of Oklahoma's development, told in simple language. "Ilistory is a record of the past." The history of Oklahoma is a record that should bring a feeling of pride to the bosom of every citizen. It is a story we should know. We love best when we know what we love and why. It is our hope that when the story of Oklahoma is told to her citizens, the blood may mount to the cheek, the heart throb more quickly, the eye flash with patriotic fire and love. There is no surer way to bring this about than to teach the youth the magnificent history of our new state. If this little book accomplishes no more, its mission will have been fulfilled and the authors satisfied.
Oklahoma City, 1908.
SECOND EDITION
In submitting a revised edition of the History of Okla- homa, the general plan of the work has been retained, while many changes have been made in detail. Subsequent re- search has made possible many improvements in the way of accuracy and completeness. Although some new matter has been included, the total amount of text has been materi- ally condensed.
The helpful criticisms of many teachers and other inter- ested persons have resulted in numerous minor changes and additions which will aid both teacher and pupil in getting the most out of the subject. The pronunciation of difficult proper names as indicated diacritically in the text.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors desire to thank many friends, not only in Oklahoma but also in other states, for most helpful assist- ance and co-operation. Without such help some of the data and material for the book would have been difficult, if not impossible, to secure. Especially helpful has been the ready co-operation offered by the officials in charge of the Kan- sas State Historical Society, of Topeka, the Missouri His- torical Society, of St. Louis, the Oklahoma Historical So- ciety, of Oklahoma City, and the Bureau of American Eth- nology, of Washington, D. C. The publications of the Texas Historical Society have been of material assistance as have the writings of the late W. J. Weaver, of Ft. Smith. Dr. Emmet Starr, of the Northeastern State Normal School, has not only placed his splendid collections at the disposal of the writers, but has also kindly read the proofs. It would be a pleasure to mention by name all who have contributed to the interest and completeness of the work were it not that the enumeration of so many names would scarcely convey the distinction which is deserved. Their kindness is appreciated, and it is hoped that their helpfulness has been justified by the work of the authors.
TO TEACHERS
On account of the demand for condensation, but little supplemental matter has been included in this edition. An unabridged teachers' edition, with copious supplemental notes and numerous illustrations will not only enable the teacher to gain a much more comprehensive grasp of the subject but will also make possible considerable variation in class-room work.
The suggestive questions presented at the end of the text for each period are not all that should be asked. Oth- ers equally as pertinent will suggest themselves to the mind of the teacher.
In many communities teachers will find it possible to quicken the interest of their pupils in the study of history by inducing them to undertake to do some first-hand research work in the way of gathering data concerning the local his- tory of the town or neighborhood, its earliest settlers, devel- opment of its institutions, and other matters of like interest.
CONTENTS
Page
Aboriginal Oklahoma 3 Spanish and French Explorations 13
American Occupation 21
Indian Migration from the East 23
An Era of Peaceful Development 39
The Civil War in Oklahoma 49
Peace Restored-Plains Tribes at War
67
Struggle for Settlement
Development of the Two Territories 91
Oklahoma Under State Government
111
Appendix
115
LAND OF MY DREAMING
Land of the mistletoe, smiling in splendor, Out from the borderland, mystic and old, Sweet are the memories, precious and tender, Linked with thy summers of azure and gold.
O, Oklahoma, dear land of my dreaming, Land of the lover, the loved and the lost; Cherish thy legends with tragedy teeming, Legends where love reckoned not of the cost.
Land of Sequoyah, my heart's in thy keeping, O, Tulladega, how can I forget! Calm are thy vales where the silences sleeping, Wake into melodies tinged with regret.
Let the deep chorus of life's music throbbing, Swell to full harmony born of the years; Or for the loved and lost, tenderly sobbing; Drop to that cadence that whispers of tears.
Land of the mistletoe, here's to thy glory! Here's to thy daughters as fair as the dawn! Here's to thy pioneer sons, in whose story Valor and love shall live endlessly on!
-GEORGE RILEY HALL
. 1%
History of Oklahoma
INTRODUCTORY.
Unlike many of the older states of the American Union, the history of Oklahoma does not begin with the planting of a single colony. No invading conqueror ever swept across its borders, yet Oklahoma is a land of many peoples. Al- though the greater part of its history has been made within the last fifty years, it has much history in common with that of other states. Within its limits live the remnants or do- scendants of not less than fifty different tribes and nations of Indians, the former homes of whose people were scattered over not less than thirty different states. Likewise, prac- tically every state in the Union is represented by the white people who settled in Oklahoma.
The people of Oklahoma trace descent from the Puri- tans of New England, from the Cavaliers of Virginia, from the Dutch Patroons of the Hudson Valley, from the French Huguenots of the Carolinas, from the Scotch-Irish of the Appalachian Highlands and from numerous tribes of Amer- ican Indians.
The history of Oklahoma is remarkable in many ways. In the short space of a third of a century the savage hunts- man gave place to the herdsman. He in turn retired be- fore the husbandman, and a mighty state has been founded and builded in what had been a wilderness.
The Indian has played a pathetic part in the earlier history of nearly every state of the American Union, but in Oklahoma alone has his race played an important part
2
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
in the building of a state. In Oklahoma, the Indian appears not only in the earlier history of the state, but remains to bear his part in its present and future history.
The history of Oklahoma is unlike that of any other state. The real building of the state covered a period of less than twenty years, yet those years were full of achieve- ment. As her past has been filled with achievement and as her present is laden with opportunity, so must the future of Oklahoma be a challenge to all to rise to the possibilities that await honest effort. Those who carefully study the story of Oklahoma will gain, not only a knowledge of its crigin and history and of the development of its institu- tions, but a measure of that intelligence and true devotion which are at once the inspiration and power of an ideal citizenship.
3
-
Aboriginal Oklahoma
First Known Inhabitants .- The first known inhabitants of Oklahoma were American Indians. Several different tribes claimed dominion over parts of the state when the white man first came to explore it. Of these, the Osages were found in the northern and northeastern parts of the State. The Caddoes ranged over the southeastern part of the state, in the valley of the Red River. The Wichitas lived west of the Caddoes, in the region of the Wichita Mountains. The Utes occupied the upper Cimarron country, in the northwestern part of the state. Several other tribes ranged over the present borders of Oklahoma at times, and still others that were given to roving from place to place became residents in Oklahoma a part of the time long before the white man came to make settlement within its bounds.
Food .- The Indians of the Caddo and Wichita tribes generally lived in settled villages and cultivated the soil. The crops grown by them included corn, beans, pumpkins, melons, and tobacco. The Osages also cultivated small patches of corn and vegetables, but were more given to rov- ing than the others. All of these tribes depended upon the chase for part of their food. Their country abounded in game of all kinds, including the buffalo, elk, deer, antelope, opossum, raccoon, rabbit, hare, wild turkey, grouse and other animals and birds. To the Indians of all these tribes as well as to those of the roving tribes of the Plains who afterward came to live in Oklahoma, the buffalo was a most important animal. Its flesh was used for food; from the skins, clothes,
4
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
moccasins, robes, ropes and tent or lodge covers were made; awls and needles were made of bone; the stomach and en- trails were used as vessels for carrying water, especially on the march, in the dry, treeless region. The Indians were skilled hunters, a stone-pointed arrow sometimes being shot from a bow entirely through the body of the buffalo. When a buffalo was killed the hide was cut open at the breast and pulled off at the joints, the Indians using a small flint knife, about as big as the finger, apparently with as much case as if working with a modern steel-bladed knife. The
LONE WOLF'S VILLAGE (KIOWA), BUFFALO SKIN LODGES, (From Photograph Made in 1872)
flesh of the buffalo was cooked over the fire. The liver and the lining of the stomach were frequently eaten raw at the time the animal was killed. The meat of the buffalo, elk, deer, and antelope was preserved for future use by cutting or jerking into thin strips and drying in the sun.
Shelter .- The Comanches, Kiowas and other Indians of the Plains lived in lodges or tepees, which were made by using a framework of poles drawn together at the top like a tripod and covered with buffalo skins. The Caddoes and Wichitas used similar lodges when on their hunting or visiting excursions, but in their settled villages they
1-0. 11.
5
ABORIGINAL OKLAHOMA
had large dome-shaped huts, the framework of which con- sisted of posts and poles, covered and bound firmly to- gether with withes and brush and the whole neatly thatched with coarse grass. These grass houses, as they are called, are still in use by the Wichitas and Caddoes, who live in Caddo County, Oklahoma. In addition to the ordinary tepee, the Osages and kindred tribes built lodges by set- ting poles in the ground and bending and binding them together in such a way as to form a frame with a rounded top, which was then covered with skins or bark. In moving
GRASS-THATCHED HOUSE OF THE WICHITA INDIANS
a village or encampment of buffalo skin lodges from one place to another, the skins were first taken from the pole . framework and rolled and tied in bundles. The ends of two lodge poles were then fastened to the collar of a dog (one on either side) with the ends trailing on the ground. A small package of robes, skins, dried meat or other belongings would then be fastened to the two poles behind the dog. Thus, in reality, that poor brute became a beast of burden and a most useful one, too. These dogs were the only do-
1
--
6
HISTORY OF OKI,AHIOMA
mestic animals which the Indians owned until the coming of the white settlers made it possible for them to obtain horses. Their dogs were half-wild and, like the Eskimo dog, bore a strong resemblance to the wolf.
Products .- In the preparation of the soil, planting seed and attending to the crops, rude hoes and spades were used. These were made of the shoulder blades of buffalo or other large animals and mounted on wooden handles. Men as well as women worked in the fields and gardens, among the Caddoes and Wichitas. Among the Osages, who paid much less attention to agriculture, the work of planting and tend- ing corn and vegetables was left to the women. The Caddoes are said to have been the only native tribe that made pot- tery and baskets.
Weapons of War and the Chase .- In the chase the In- dian hunters used the bow and arrow or the lance. In war they used these weapons and war clubs and stone hatchets as well, with shields or bucklers (made of the thickest part of the skin of an old buffalo), which were used for protec- tion. The various tribes were often at war with each other. Indeed, if one is to judge from the fact that practically all of the men of each tribe were known as warriors, it would seem that war must have been their chief business of life.
The Coming of the Horse and its Effects .-- Between the time the Spaniards began to explore the region of which Oklahoma is a part, and the first appearance of French in the valleys of the Arkansas and Red rivers, the Indians of this region had secured horses, probably from the Spanish settlements in the valley of the Rio Grande. This resulted in a great change in the habits and disposition of the Indians. It greatly widened their field of operations and made pos- sible maranding forays into regions and at distances hith- erto out of reach. The buffalo herds were easier to find. The animals were killed with less exertion and the moving of
1
7
ABORIGINAL OKLAHOMA
surplus meat and skins and of larger lodges or tepees be- came a matter of much less moment. In time the Indians grew accustomed to estimating their wealth by the number of ponies owned. As the Indians of a given tribe thus roamed over a greater range of ter- ritory their opportuni- ties and temptations to become embroiled in wars increased. In- deed, horse stealing as well as scalp hunting became one of their ruling passions. The . constant warring of these tribes probably is accountable for the sparseness of the popu- lation of such a great CHEYENNE GIRLS-1872 area, though disease, especially smallpox, may have had much to do with preventing its increase.
Physical Development and Disposition .- The warriors of some of the tribes of the Great Plains exhibited a less perfect muscular development than those of the tribes of the mountains and timbered regions. Their limbs were small and not well shaped, apparently having more sinew than musele. This probably was caused by their almost constant use of the saddle. They wore their hair long, the scalp lock (i. e., a small portion of the hair growing on the crown of the head) being neatly plaited. The women were usually of short stature, but much nearer perfection in their miseu- lar development. The popular conception is that Indian women were almost uniformly treated as a lower order of beings, fit only to be the drudges and servants of the war-
?
8
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
BUFFALO SKIN LODGE OR TEPEE (CHEYENNE) (Frem Photo Made in 1872)
9
ABORIGINAL OKLAHOMA
riors; that they performed all of the labor such as cooking, sewing, dressing and tanning the skins of animals, carrying wood and water, taking down, packing and setting up the tepees when the village was moved, herding the ponies and
KIOWA WARRIORS, 1872
even saddling them at the behest of the head of the family. and that the men seldom exerted themselves except to hunt or to make war on their enemies. As a matter of fact. the Indian woman ruled her own household, had much leisure for amusement and was thoroughly contented with her lot.
10
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
As a rule, the warriors were insolent, vain and boastful, often lacking in both moral and physical courage, crafty, cruel and blood-thirsty, though instances of bravery and generosity were frequent. The women were very indus- trious, devoted and ingenuous. Generally they were of a timid disposition. Beauty was not common among them but winsome faces were by no means infrequent. Their hands and feet were well formed and the latter appeared most shapely indeed when encased in neat-fitting moccasins.
-
WICHITA INDIAN VILLAGE AT RUSH SPRINGS IN 1852 (After Marcy)
Dress .- The summer attire of the warriors of the Plains tribes included only a breech-clout, moccasins and leggins. In winter they wore a buffalo robe (with the fur inside), which was wrapped around the body and covered the head. The summer costume of the women included a buck-skin skirt, moccasins and leggins, to which a buffalo robe was added in winter. Infants were carried inside the robe on the mother's back.
Adornment .- The Indians were fond of adornment. Their ornaments, though erudely fashioned, were generally picturesque and sometimes artistic. In their aboriginal state they used feathers, porenpine quills and shells; the teeth and
11
ABORIGINAL, OKLAHOMA
claws of animals were also largely employed. After the be- ginning of their intercourse with the white traders they used ornaments of glass, copper, bronze and silver. They were fond of bright colors and understood the art of extracting pigments from minerals and herbs. On state occasions, such as councils, dances, funerals, and when making war, they painted their faces and bodies with fantastic designs. The Wichitas also practiced the art of tattooing their faces.
BARK COVERED LODGES
Language .- Each tribe had its own dialect, though different tribes of the same linguistic stock had many words in common. Some of the Indian languages were rich in words, but many of the Indians were accustomed to express much thought in few words. Each language had its own peculiarities of grammatical construction. The Indians were much given to the arts of oratory and story telling. Mem- bers of separate tribes having not a single word in common could readily carry on a conversation by means of the grace- ful and expressive sign language which was in vogue throughout the Great Plains region from the Rio Grande to and even beyond, the Canadian boundary.
12
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
Tribes and Bands .- The subdivision of tribes into bands was largely a matter of personal choice with the individuals. There were only occasional marriages between members of different tribes. Prisoners who were not tortured or killed were adopted and absorbed into the tribe. The nominal ruler of a band was the chief, though the real power was vested in the council of elders and headmen, which sat as the sole arbiter in most matters of policy. The authority of the chiefs was usually that of persuasive influence rather than absolute power. The position of chief was generally, though not always, elective. Some of the tribes had both civil chiefs and war chiefs.
Crimes and Punishments .- Most crimes had penalties that could be met or satisfied by the payment of a price, which, within the historic period, was usually payable in ponies. Murder was usually punished by death, a relative or friend of the victim acting as executioner.
Traditions .- Tribal history in the form of myths and traditions was carefully preserved and recited from time to time. Many of the tribes had crude systems of picture writ- ing by means of which great events in tribal history were . recorded upon tanned buffalo or deer skins.
Religion .- The Indians of all the tribes of the South- west believed in the Good Spirit or "Master of Life" and in an Evil Spirit. They believed also in a future state of life and professed to be able to see God in many forms of nature. They called the sun their "father" whence came all light, and the earth their "mother" from whom came all the provisions to supply the wants and necessities of their bodies. Their "medicine men," so-called, were in reality priests and sorcerers, and what they termed "medi- cine" meant mystery, soreery, or supernatural manifesta- tions, as well as prepared herbs. Naturally superstitious, they were easily led and influenced by the audacious claims and mysterious ineantations of the "medieine man."
13
FIRST PERIOD 1
(1541-1803)
SPANISHI AND FRENCH EXPLORATIONS.
The Spaniards in America .- After the discovery of America by Columbus, in 1492, nearly fifty years passed before any explorers pushed their way inland from the coast of the United States. In the meantime, the people of Spain had been exploring the West India Islands, Mexico, Central and South America, where they made settlements. The first of these settlements, or colonies, were planted in the . West India Islands-in Cuba, Porto Rico and Santo Do- mingo. Many of the Spaniards of that day were eager for the adventures with which they were sure to meet in ex- ploring a strange, new country. All of them longed for wealth which they believed to abound in the unknown re- gions of the great continent to the west of them.
Early Spanish Explorers .- Ponce de Leon (pon'-sa-da- la'-on) headed an expedition to Florida, in 1513, where he hoped to find a mythical fountain whose waters were said to possess the magic power of restoring youth to the aged. In 1519, Fernando Cortez (fer-nan-do kor'-tas) landed on the eastern coast of Mexico at the head of a small army of Spaniards with which he conquered that country and se- eured a great deal of gold. Narvaez (när-vä-ath) with a force of 400 men visited the Gulf coast of the United States. This venture ended in disaster, only four members of the exploring party surviving to reach the Spanish settlements
14
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
in Mexico. The tales told by these survivors led to the undertaking of new exploring expeditions northward from Mexico. The most important of these was that which, under the command of Francisco de Coronado (fran-ces-co da ko- rö-nä-tho) passed across Oklahoma in 1541.
Coronado's Expedition .- With a force of 300 Spanish officers and soldiers, accompanied by 1,000 Indians, Coron- ado marched northward into New Mexico in 1540. Instead of the rich cities which had been vainly pictured by the
CORONADO'S MARCH
golden dreams of the Spaniards, Coronado found only hum- ble, mud-walled Pueblo Indian villages, in which there was no gold. After spending the winter in the valley of the Rio Grande, Coronado marched with his little army in search of the mythical land of Quivira, where gold was said to abound. His course led eastward across the Texas Pan- handle into what is now Oklahoma; thence northward and
15
SPANISH AND FRENCH EXPLORATIONS
RIVER
REPU
MISSOURI NIVER
RIVER
RA
SMONY MILL RIVER
AS
RIAN
ROUT
RIVER
CANADIAN
RED.
RIVER
PECOS
COLORADO
RIVERA
1
ROUTE TRAVERSED BY CORONADO
RIO
PLATTE
-
16
HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA
northeastward into Kansas, whence he returned by a more direct route to the Rio Grande. Thus it was that, in 1541, the region now known as Oklahoma was first visited by white men.
Other Spanish Explorers .- After Coronado's time there were other Spanish expeditions which extended their ex- plorations into or across the country which is now called Oklahoma. Most of these were merely in search of gold or adventure and no attempt was made to plant any settlements or colonies.
The French in America .- The first French settlements in America were made in the valley of the St. Lawrence River, in Canada, about the same time the English were planting their first colonies on the Atlantic coast. From their settlements on the St. Lawrence the French extended their explorations furthier inland, first to the region of the Great Lakes and then to the valleys of the Mississippi and its principal tributaries. New Orleans was settled in 1717 and the country now known as Oklahoma was claimed as a part of Louisiana from that time on.
French Explorers in Oklahoma .- The first French ex- plorers entered Oklahoma on the valleys of the Arkansas and Red rivers. Bernard de La Harpe (bar'-nar da la-arp) ascended the Red River from Louisiana, in 1719, in command of an exploring party which visited Southern Oklahoma. Two years later, in 1721, La Harpe led another party of French from Louisiana with which he explored the Arkansas River as far up as the mouth of the Canadian River, making the journey in canoes.
The French Trappers and Traders .- Within a short time after the exploration of the rivers of Eastern Oklahoma, trappers and traders in search of furs began to visit that region. They generally kept close to the navigable streams, as they always traveled and carried their belongings in canoes. They were engaged in trapping beaver, otter, mink and other fur-bearing animals and also in trading trinkets to the Indians for furs and peltries.
17
SPANISH AND FRENCH EXPLORATIONS
The French Indian Policy .- It was the constant aim of those in authority in the French colonies in America to treat the Indians kindly and hold their confidence and good will. The English and Spanish colonists, on the other hand, . very generally treated the Indians as inferiors, often show-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.