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Gc 976.6 P83 v.l 1742324
M.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02302 5197
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/portraitbiograph01chap_1
PORTRAIT AND
BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
OF
OKLAHOMA
V. I
1
COMMEMORATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CITIZENS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROGRESS OF OKLAHOMA AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS RESOURCES
563
CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO. CHICAGO 1901
1742324
PREFACE.
T HE almost phenomenal rise of Oklahoma, whose territorial history covers but little more than a decade, arouses the admiration and wonder of the entire civilized world. A careful study of the progress made leads to the inevitable conclusion that everything is due to the exceptional enterprise of the citizens. The north and south and east and west have contributed hosts of their representative sons to this future state, and the widely differing characteristics of the citizens of these several sections of the Union, here combined and mingled, have resulted in bringing Okla- homa into prominence and prosperity. Not only liave they developed the commercial possibilities and the agricultural resources of the territory, but they have also maintained a commendable inter- est in public affairs, and have given able statesmen to this commonwealth. In the lives of the citizens, indeed, is the history of a locality best narrated; and those who read the following pages will become acquainted with men and movements inseparably associated with the history of Okla- homa. 1
In the compilation of this work, and in the securing of necessary data, a number of writers liave been engaged for many months. They have visited leading citizens and have used every endeavor to produce a work accurate and trustworthy in even the smallest details. Owing to the great care exercised in the preparation of biographies, the publishers believe that they are giving to their readers a volume containing few errors of consequence. The biographies of some represen- tative citizens will be missed from this work; this in sonte instances was caused by their absence from home when our writers called, and in other instances was caused by a failure on the part of the men themselves to understand the scope of the work. The publishers, however, have done everything within their power to make the volume a representative work.
The value of the data lierein presented will grow with the passing years. Posterity will pre- serve the work with care, from the fact that it perpetuates biographical history which otherwise would be wholly lost. In those now far-distant days will be realized, to a greater degree than at the present time, the truth of Macaulay's statement that "The history of a country is best told in a rec- ord of the lives of its people."
March, 1901.
CHAPMAN PUBLISHING CO., Chicago.
MAJOR GORDON W. LILLIE
"PAWNEE BILL' THE LAST LIVING LEADER OF THE ORIGINAL OKLAHOMA BOOMERS
1
THE OPENING OF OKLAHOMA.
I N ITS history Oklahoma is unique. No other territory, springing into existence at high noon, has boasted by twilight a population of fifty thousand. No other territory has brought to its citizens greater returns for their outlay of time and labor. Nor has any other territory, after twelve years of existence, faced the future with prouder prospects than Oklahoma, the "Beautiful Land."
Two causes have contributed to this result, viz .: the fertile soil, which responds readily to care and cultivation; and the high character of the people who have established homes in the territory.
By the proclamation of President Harrison, Oklahoma, which had previously been given up to the Indians, and formned part of the Indian Territory, was opened to settlement April 22, 1889. The real history of Oklahoma may be said to have begun on that day.
When congress, by act of March 2, 1889, opened Oklahoma, home-seekers at once began to congregate along the south line of Kansas, awaiting the decisive day. On April 21, at Ar- kansas City, about ten thousand were preparing for the next day's run. Until the last of the fifteen trains left for the south at eleven a. m., April 22, all was turmoil, confusion and excite- ment in that town. The trains stopped at the line until the signal was given to enter. Men with fleet horses, men in wagons and in buggies awaited the same signal. When twelve o'clock came the signal officer, riding to a high point, where he could be seen for miles each way, with one hand raised a bugle to his lips and gave the signal, while with the other hand he waved a flag. This was the signal for the most memora- ble race for homes ever undertaken in the world.
At the same moment thousands entered the territory from the south, crossing the South Canadian at Purcell, and selecting claims in the lower portion of Oklahoma. The scenes at this point were little less exciting than those on the Kansas border.
The manner of opening Oklahoma has formed a subject of much unfavorable comment. There are many who believe that a different plan should be adopted when the few remaining territorial lands are thrown open to settlement. Undoubt- edly, were all men honest, this would have been an ideal method. But many, after weeks of weary waiting, and after a strict compliance
with the very letter of the law, found, on secur- ing claims, that their rights to possession were disputed by a "sooner." Numberless disputes arose. Many contests dragged for months and even years in the courts. At one time over two thousand cases were pending in the eastern land districts alone. Agricultural improvements were thus delayed and civic progress retarded. How- ever, in a majority of instances the right finally triumphed.
IOWA RESERVATION.
September 22, 1891, saw the opening of this reservation, which, exclusive of allotments, com- prised 207, 164 acres; value, $843,501.
SAC AND FOX RESERVATION.
On the same September day that the Iowa Reservation was thrown open, the Sac and Fox lands, comprising 366,020 acres, exclusive of allotments, were given over to settlement; price, $581,000. Like the Iowa country adjoining it on the west, it is supplied with good water, hav- ing the Deep Fork of the North Canadian and its various tributaries within its borders.
KICKAPOO RESERVATION.
Opened to settlement in 1891, this reserva- tion contained 183,457 acres, besides allotments; price, $64,000.
POTTAWATOMIE AND SHAWNEE RES- ERVATION.
In 1892 white settlers were admitted to the Pottawatomie and Absentee-Shawnee reserva- tion, which contained 266,241 acres, besides al- lotments; price, $225,000.
CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHOE LANDS.
During the same year, 1892, on April 19. 3.500,562 acres, constituting the Cheyenne and Arapahoe lands, exclusive of allotments, were opened for settlement; price, $1,500,000.
THE CHEROKEE OUTLET.
The region known as the Cherokee strip or outlet, sixty miles wide and two hundred and twenty miles long, with 9.400 square miles, was opened to settlers at noon, September 16, 1893.
8
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ..
It contains seven counties, Pawnee, Noble, Kay, Grant, Garfield, Woods and Woodward. The population is largely American, and Kansas was possibly more numerously represented than any other state among the original claimants, al- though Texans, Missourians. Buckeyes, Hawk- eyes, Suckers and Corncrackers were also to be found in abundance. In the strip may be grown as fine cotton as any region produces; barley, which is a sure crop and yields heavily; Kaffir corn, which furnishes as much grain per acre as Indian corn, and is especially valued for its fodder; castor beans, sorghum, alfalfa, etc. Peach trees are very productive, and the fruit is not only fine in flavor, but large in size. Other varieties of fruits also flourish. When the comparatively recent settlement of this por- tion of Oklahoma is considered, its present state of development is remarkable, and presents an object lesson of what can be accomplished by men of energy amid favorable surroundings.
A DECADE OF PROGRESS.
According to the latest statistics of the gen- eral land office, Oklahoma has an area in square miles of 38,958. being thus somewhat larger than the Indian Territory, with its 31,154 square miles. A comparison with eastern states shows that its area equals the combined size of Ver- mont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware.
The census. of 1900 shows a population of 398,245, and in addition there are 5.927 Indians not taxed. However, this remarkable increase of population from practically nothing to about four hundred thousand. in one decade, does not represent the limit of growth. The progress has been more than merely a growth in num- bers. The taxable value of the land is now nearly $100,000,000. Within a period of two years four great grain and cotton crops have rewarded the efforts of farmers, and it is said that during this time the deposits in the territorial banks have increased more than one hundred per cent.
An indication of the religious spirit of the people is shown by the erection of eight hun- dred church buildings. An indication of their desire to keep pace with the world of thought and action is shown by the establishment of nearly two hundred newspapers. In other ways they have proved themselves to be a people of progress, possessing a desire for a broader cul- ture and the constant acquirement of knowl- edge.
ADMISSION AS A STATE.
For some time it has been everywhere recog- nized that the admission of Oklahoma into our galaxy of states is a question of the very near
future. The territory is ripe for statehood. The people are worthy of citizenship in the greatest republic of the world.
Two propositions have been presented regard- ing its admission, viz .: first, to admit the terri- tory in its present form; second, to unite Okla- loma and Indian Territory into one state, which would then be one of the greatest states in our Union.
From the Saturday Evening Post, we quote an opinion expressed by Governor Barnes of Oklahoma, as follows:
"With the Indian Territory and Oklahoma combined in one state we would have resources equal to any of the great states surrounding us. With the vast coal fields, mountains of zinc and lead, great forests of pine, walnut and other val- uable timber, and the oil and gas of the Indian Territory added to the magnificent agricultural and grazing country of Oklahoma, a state could be created capable of the support and main- tenance of a state organization without becom- ing a burden upon the people. We recognize the fact that the lands of the Indian Territory will not be subject to taxation for years to come. In that respect, for a time, the expense would be more severe upon Oklahoma than the Indian Territory. Still, the latter territory has large properties, valuable town-site properties and great railroad properties."
For some time the people of Oklahoma concentrated their attention upon securing the passage of the free-homes bill. When it became a law, in 1900, thereby remitting cash payments of over $15,000,000 upon land, the citizens turned their thoughts toward statehood, and are now united in a desire to secure from con- gress the passage of an enabling act for the territory. The delegate to congress, Hon. Den- nis T. Flynn, to whom is due much of the credit for the passage of the free-homes bill, is now equally energetic in his efforts to secure the passage of the enabling act, a work in which he lias the co-operation of many of the foremost men of Oklahoma.
LOCATION.
In many respects Oklahoma affords an ideal location for a home. The country is slightly rolling and is irrigated by several rivers and creeks, flowing usually toward the southeast. The eastern part of the territory contains large tracts of valuable timber. Fifteen hundred feet represents the average elevation above the sea. By many it was at one time supposed that Okla- homa was too far north for cotton-growing, but the experiment was made successfully, and now cotton is raised not only in counties as far sonth as Pottawatomie, but in others as far north as
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Kingfisher; this being the most northerly terri- tory or state in which the cotton plantations flourish. Though the raising of cotton is still a comparatively new industry, it brings over $5,000,000 a year to the people of Oklahoma. The high grade of the product is shown by the fact that Oklahoma cotton took the first prize at the World's Fair in 1893.
At the time of the President's proclamation, in 1889, less than 3,000,000 acres were opened to settlement. When the territorial govern- ment was created, a year later, No Man's Land was added to. Oklahoma, the area of which was thereby doubled. An equal increase was made in 1890, when several Indian reservations were opened to white settlers. The Cherokce outlet was opened in 1893, thus giving the territory 6,000,000 additional fertile acres. Later the area was increased by the opening of other In- dian reservations, until there are now 19,000,000 acres open, besides 7,000,000 of Indian reserva- tions within the territory.
ORIGIN OF NAME.
It is a matter of common belief that the word Oklahoma means "beautiful land." On this point, however, there is a difference of opinion. Under date of February 13, 1901, Hon. A. C. Scott, of Stillwater, in a letter to the territorial secretary, Hon. William M. Jenkins, gives the following account of the derivation and meaning of the word:
"I have long ago adopted the interpretation of the word Oklahoma given.by Rev. J. S. Murrow, of Indian Territory, for many years a missionary among the Choctaws. I know Mr. Murrow very well, and know him not only for a very thorough scholar, but for a very reliable man. He says that the word means literally 'red people.' He gives this as the history of it:
"'At the close of the war of 1866 all the five civilized tribes were invited by the United States government to send delegates to Washington for the purpose of renewing the treaty which had been broken during the war. One of the dele- gates was the Rev. Allan Wright, a well-educated full-blood Choctaw, and governor of the Choc- taw Nation. The treaty provided for a territorial government some time in the future, and when a name was asked for, Mr. Wright suggested the name of Oklahoma, which means "red people," or frequently interpreted "red peoples' land" --- Okla (people) and homa (red). . The name was accepted and became historical. It is, as you will see, of the Choctaw origin.'"
CHARACTER OF THE POPULATION.
There is no portion of the Union which boasts a higher grade of citizens than does Oklahoma.
Americans predominate, although there are a goodly number of foreigners, whose citizenship brings to the territory Scotch thrift or Ger- man perseverance, Irish adaptability or English determination. In a comparison of Oklahoma with other territories, we quote the following views expressed by Hon. Dennis T. Flynn con- cerning the population :
"Arizona has one convict to each 425 of pop- ulation; Oklahoma has one to each 2,150-and Arizona is regarded as law-abiding. The bonded debt in Arizona is ȘII per capita, in New Mexico $4 per capita, and in Oklahoma only seventy-five cents per capita. If theirs are not burdensome to them, consider what a bagatelle is our own load. We have more people than Utah, Arizona and New Mexico combined. We have 300,000 more people to-day than any territory ever had when admitted to the Union. We have 30,000 more school children than the entire population of Arizona. Do you wonder that we arc ripc for statehood? Is it not strange that we are not already admitted? If the people of the United States knew and appreciated all this, it would not be long before another star would appear on the flag. We get along pretty well as it is; good laws and well executed-but outsiders seem to think that as wards of the government we are not quite able to walk alone, and they don't wholly trust our financial ability. Should we get statehood with the Indian Territory, and come in together, the new state would be a mighty force in western affairs. Only eleven states would be as large. By herself Oklahoma has one-half more voters than Nevada has peo- ple. There are five states with not half our population, and six only two-thirds as much. There are more illiterates in Massachusetts than in Oklahoma, two to one, and that count takes in Boston. Seven of the original thirteen states were smaller than Oklahoma, and none had so much good soil."
EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGES.
The long-settled regions of the United States cannot boast of educational opportunities greater than those which Oklahoma offers her sons and daughters. Not only are the grammar and high schools of superior excellence, boast- ing the most thorough teachers, substantial buildings and adequate facilities, but the ad- vanced institutions of learning are numerous and well equipped. The territorial university at Norman, under the able supervision of Presi- dent Boyd; the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, with President Scott at its head; the Normal School at Edmond; King- fisher College; the recently established Baptist College at Blackwell; Langston University,
10
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and other institutions, eachi in its own particular realm of activity and usefulness, are doing much for the advancement of Oklahoma through the higher intellectual training of the young men and women of the territory.
Oklahoma is pardonably proud of her public schools, which are mainly supported by the rev- enues from 10,800 sections of school lands. Eventually this fund will provide a handsome income. The rentals now yield $200,000 annu- ally from the 8,500 leased sections.
Each town of any considerable size has excel- lent graded schools, and the cities have a com- plete system of graded and high schools. These supplement the valuable foundation work of the district institutions.
In 1898 there were 1,879 organized school dis- tricts, four-fifths of them having substantial buildings of frame and stone valued at $454,- 574. Many of the city structures (not included in the amount last named) cost $10,000 to $20,000.
The term of school in the country averages six months, and in the city eight. In 1897 there were 90,585 children of school age, which num- ber has since been greatly increased. To edu- cate them costs an even $1,000 a day, of which amount $1.34 per capita is annually contributed from leased school lands.
The government Indian schools at Chillocco, Pawhuska, Darlington, White Eagle, Sac and Fox, Shawneetown, Seger and Anadarko are an interesting feature.
THE CHURCH AND THE CLUB.
In coming to Oklahoma one finds the same culture and refinement that characterize the east. The Chautauqua circle and literary society flourish in Oklahoma the same as in New York. Lecture courses, reading circles, concerts and theatrical entertainments are sufficiently numer- ous and attractive to make the stranger feel at home. The New Englander may find an ortho- dox church in which to worship, and those fond of social pleasures or literary advantages will not be deprived of them on settling in Okla- homa. Magazines are subscribed for and read; many homes and towns have libraries.
Oklahoma is good and manly in a sincere fashion. All the leading denominations are rep- resented, and their services are well attended. Statistics gathered in 1899 show that the Cliris- tian Church had then a membership of 6,000, the Presbyterian 1,500, the Protestant Episcopal 500, the Methodist Episcopal 5.000, the Friends 1, 100, the Congregational 2,500, the Roman Catholic 11,000, the Methodist Episcopal Church South 3.300, and the Baptist 9,000. The Sunday
schools had 40,000 pupils, and the Y. P. S. C. E. a membership of 5,600.
The prominent secret orders number from 500 to 2,500 members each, and are all flourish- ing.
PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL.
Statistics are not obtainable of the Oklahoma Indian corn crop, because the bulk of it is fed to hogs and cattle instead of being shipped. The total, however, is very large.
In the county of Kay alone the 1897 corn crop reached 2,000,000 bushels, of which several thousand acres averaged twenty-five bushels per acre. On the bottom-lands many fields pro- duced sixty to seventy-five bushels per acre, and on the uplands forty bushels, while eighty and ninety bushels to the acre on specially rich ground were not uncommon yields.
In Noble county, for example, one farmer raised seventy-five bushels to the acre on his 100-acre tract, and the year before forty acres exceeded that average.
On the Black Bear bottom were produced, in 1895, the best twelve ears of corn grown in Oklahoma in competition for the prize offered by an Eastern machinery firm. That same ground has since produced seventy bushels per acre. Corn is not king in Oklahoma as in Kan- sas, but is one of the leading products. The corn acreage increases each season, and, strange to say, the greatest increase is in the western and southwestern counties, where, since their settle- ment, the rainfall has exceeded expectations.
In the western section Kaffir corn has been widely planted for fodder and other uses. It grows abundantly in driest of seasons, produces fifty and eighty-five bushels to the acre, and is the best of food for horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry. It belongs to the cane family, and is non-saccharine, the seed growing on top of the stalk. It makes a superior meal, and when ground into flour makes a sweet and palatable bread of fine color.
Kaffir corn is planted a little later than the Indian corn, and ais similarly cultivated. It may be cut and put into shocks when matured. or the heads cut off and threshed. Pound per pound it would equal the ordinary corn as stock feed, and the stalks, with their later heads as fodder, excel sorghum, hay or oats.
In 1896 Oklahoma marketed 150,000 bushels of castor beans; the 1897 crop was 500,000. and that for 1898 is estimated at 600,000. Perry is the leading castor-bean market. The yield is ten to fourteen bushels per acre. Castor beans are easily cultivated and bring Stoo per bushe !. being a profitable product at that price.
II
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Oats are successfully grown, the general av- erage for the territory being forty-five bushels per acre and the quality excellent. Many yields as high as seventy-five to eighty-five bushels per acre have been reported.
Broom corn is also grown in certain locali- ties. One year forty-two carloads of this prod- uct were shipped from one station on the Santa Fe. Broom corn thrives in Oklahoma and brings a good price.
Alfalfa, clover, millet and timothy abundantly repay careful cultivation. Thousands of tons of prairie hay are marketed abroad, the grass being so rich that raw prairie land when only cut for hay. nets a good revenue. Flax and barley are produced to a limited extent.
Early potatoes are shipped to northern points, and the sweet potato of Oklahoma is a favorite wherever introduced, coming into market carly and having an exquisite flavor.
Truck farming pays well in the territory. It has been especially lucrative in the western part, owing to seasonable rains.
The despised peanut promises to become one of the most lucrative products of Oklahoma. Peanuts here are said to excel those of Virginia, and Virginia leads the world. The yield in 1898 was from forty to one hundred bushels, with an average of fifty bushels. Peanuts bring from seventy-five cents to $1 wholesale, and the stalk equals clover hay for feeding purposes. The peanut stands dry weather as well as Kaffir corn and thrives the best on red, sandy, light upland soil. It is more easily cultivated than cotton.
Wheat is the leading crop of Oklahoma, in acreage. The raising of this cereal is no longer an experiment. It is mostly grown on small farms, though there are many large fields, rang- ing from 1,000 to 4,000 acres.
The 1898 wheat crop in Oklahoma was con- servatively estimated at 30,000,000 bushels. To transport such a crop would require more than 56,000 average size freight cars, equal to 2,250 trains of twenty-five cars each, which, if put in line, would extend front Chicago nearly to Kan- sas City.
In Oklahoma it has been proved that cotton is the poor man's crop, although it is not a poor crop. Ten years ago we did not know that . of melons at $5 per load, raised on hali an acre. cotton could be successfully grown in large quantities. To-day ranks first as the ready money-maker of the territory. We are shipping trainloads of cotton to Liverpool and large con- STOCK RAISING. signments to Japan. Oklahoma cotton received the silver medal at the Omaha exposition.
"Oklahoma is admirably adapted to fruit cul- ture. Horticulturists who have planted wisely have reaped abundantly," is the verdict of C. A. McNabb, who gained a thorough knowledge of the possibilities of Oklahoma in this respect
while he was serving as president of the Terri- torial Horticultural Society.
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