Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1, Part 5

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago)
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co
Number of Pages: 1110

USA > Oklahoma > Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1 > Part 5

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

President Harrison's administration. After the death of Homer C. Jones, Mr. Scothorn and Ernest W. Jones continued the partnership until 1895, when our subject returned to Guthrie, and afterward formed a partnership with Judge L. L. Bridges, who is now assistant attorney of the department of the interior at Washington, D. C., and who held a similar position during President Harrison's administration. When Mr. Bridges was appointed to his present position in 1898, the partnership was dissolved, and in the month of February, 1898, Mr. Scothorn was appointed second assistant United States at- torney of the territory of Oklahoma by At- torney-General Griggs. In the March following, he was appointed first assistant United . States attorney, and November 18, 1899, he was made United States attorney by the supreme court of the territory, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. S. L. Overstreet, and upon the appointment of Hon. Horace Speed as United States attorney Mr. Scothorn was again ap- pointed first assistant.

Mr. Scothorn was united in marriage with Miss Ivy Dye, May 8, 1878. Miss Dye is a native of Hamden, Ohio, and a daughter of John M. and Rebecca Dye, both of whom are descendants of old Virginia families. Two chil- dren have blessed the hoine of this union; Nellie B. and William Frederick.

Mr. Scothorn was a member of the board of education of the city of Guthrie, being at first appointed and afterward elected, but resigned that position upon his appointment as assistant United States attorney. He is a member of Junia Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Columbus, Ohio, and a member of the Masonic lodge of Guthrie. He is a member of the Territorial Bar Associa- tion, and also of the Logan County Bar Asso- ciation. In politics he is an uncompromising Republican.

M ELANCTHON COLLINS HART. Since the first day of Oklahoma's general settle- ment M. C. Hart has been intimately asso- ciated with her upbuilding, and has been 'nin- swerving in his belief that a great and influential state will be developed here within a remarkably short period. Appointed to his present respon- sible position, that of clerk of the district court of the first judicial district of Oklahoma, en- bracing the counties of Logan, Lincoln, Payne and Woodward, Mr. Hart is in the third year of his service in this capacity, and is making a splendid record. Popular as he is in legal and political circles, he is equally well esteemed by the agricultural class, with whom his lot has been cast for a number of years.

As is generally known, the Harts were one of the old New England families from a remote period, and for several generations dwelt in Connecticut. Capt. Joseph Chauncey Hart, father of our subject, was born in that state, and in his early manhood was the captain of fine steamboats plying Long Island Sound. In 1840 he went to Ohio, where he was occupied in the quiet, peaceful pursuits of the farmer until his labors were ended by his summons to his reward. Loyal to the Democratic party until shortly before the Civil war, he then became as firm an adherent of the new Republican party. Frater- nally he was a Mason and religiously was iden- tified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife, the mother of M. C. Hart, was Rosanna Goff in her maidenhood, and her father, Capt. Silas Goff, was a captain on ships that sailed the high seas. He was a Massachusetts man, and at an early day removed to Ohio, where he died. Mrs. Hart also was a native of the Bay state, and in 1880, when she was called to the silent land, she was in her seventy-fifth year.

M. C. Hart, whose birth occurred in Trum- bull county, Ohio, December 15, 1846, was next to the youngest of thirteen children. The eldest, Sarah, died when young; Mrs. Ann J. Pierce died in Ohio in 1898, and Joseph C., of South- ington, same state, also departed this life during that year. Adelbert, a young hero of the Civil war (and the next elder brother of our subject) died from the effects of his eighteen months captivity at Andersonville prison. He had en- listed in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio In- fantry, and was captured at the battle of Chicka- mauga. Clinton, another brother, served in the Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, and Velorous was a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and served throughout the war. Hiram, John, Ambrose and Velorous are business men of Warren, Ohio. Arlington M., the youngest of the family, and a lawyer by profession, died in Cleveland, Ohio, May 5, 1876.

The boyhood of our subject was passed upon the parental farm, where he thoroughly learned the lessons which have been the basis of his success as an agriculturist. He left his studies while attending Western Reserve Academy (since risen to the dignity of "college") in order to join the army, thus following the patriotic example of his three next older brothers. Be- coming a private of the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio Infantry, he was mustered in at Warren, Oliio, and was sent to Kentucky. In an engagement at Cynthiana, that state, where eight hundred Federals were opposed by six thousand soldiers under the leadership of General Morgan, he was captured. Being re- leased upon parole. he completed his army life at Johnson's Island, and was mustered out at

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Sandusky, Ohio, in 1864, six months from the date of his enlistment.

The following year Mr. Hart was employed as an express messenger on the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, his run being between Akron, Ohio, and Salamanca, N. Y. Returning to liis college work, lie devoted several years to prepar- ation for life's serious duties. Leaving school in his sophomore year at Alleglieny College, at Meadville, Pa., he entered the law office of Hutchins, Glidden & Stull, of Warren, Ohio. l'resident McKinley had previous to this made a study of the law with Charles E. Glidden, at Poland, Ohio, and was later admitted to the bar at Warren, Ohio, at which place C. E. Glidden was elected judge of the court of common pleas of the ninth judicial district at the age of twenty- five years.

In 1871 Mr. Hart was admitted to the bar at Warren, Ohio; he opened an office at Hubbard, Ohio, and was actively engaged in general prac- tice there until elected to the position of clerk of the courts of Trumbull county, ninth judicial district of Ohio. That he was popular with the public was shown by his re-election at the ex- piration of his term, and thus his experience as clerk covered a period of six years. In 1880 he settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and was there suc- cessfully occupied in the practice of the law for ten years.

On the 22nd of April, 1889, Mr. Hart came into Oklahoma territory, and, locating a farni in Logan county, about a mile and a half from the town of Seward, was engaged there in the cultivation of land, and dealt in live stock to some extent, until appointed by Judge Burford, March 5, 1898, to the office of clerk of the courts of the first judicial district of Oklahoma. Mr. Hart entered upon his duties March 12, 1898. Associated with Governor Barnes and Secretary Jenkins, he has the additional duty of looking over and recommending the appointments of postmasters throughout this territory, as post- office referee. He is a regularly admitted member of the Logan county bar, and at some future time may again turn his attention to the practice of the law.

In political matters Mr. Hart is an uncompro- mising Republican. He is a personal friend of President McKinley, and formerly was a resident of the president's own county. Fraternally, he was identified with the Forest City Post, G. A. R., in Cleveland, Ohio, and was initiated into the Masonic order in Warren, Ohio, there taking the Roval Arch degree.

The marriage of Mr. Hart and Miss Mary E. Camp was solemnized in Akron, Ohio, Novem- ber 20, 1873. She was born in Mercer county, P'a., and is a daugliter of George W. and Primili (Stokely) Camp. The father, who is living in

Guthrie, is of German descent, and in former years was a merchant of Akron. The mother departed this life January 9, 1892.

C OL. D. F. STILES, who attained distinctive preferment in military circles, and was one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of Oklahoma City, was born in Nova Sco- tia June 5, 1841, belonging to an old colonial family of English origin. Early in the seven- teenth century three brothers of this name founded Stamford, Conn. His grandfather, Israel Stiles, was born in Massachusetts, but. during the persecution of the Baptists in New England, went to Nova Scotia. He was an offi- cer in the war of 1812 and was a farmer and lum- berman by occupation.

John Stiles, the Colonel's father, was a native of Nova Scotia. In early life he was engaged in the newspaper business in Boston, Mass., and in 1860 removed from there to Washington, D. C., where he started the Washington Daily Chron- icle, with Jolin W. Forney. Later he was con- nected with different papers in that city, and dur- ing the Civil war was identified with the sanitary commission. While at the front he was cap- tured and spent several months in Libby prison before being released. He married Sarah Fraser, also a native of Nova Scotia, and a daughter of Donald Fraser, who was of Scotch descent and a Presbyterian in religious belief. Both parents of our subject died in Washington. Of their five children only Mrs. E. L. Wall, of Washington, D. C., is now living. The others were Col. D. F. Stiles; Valentine, who was in the quartermas- ter's department during the Civil war, and later was an attorney of Washington; Charles Cal- ender, of the same city; and Joseph, who died in infancy.

During his infancy Colonel Stiles was taken by his parents to Boston, Mass., and there miade his home until twenty years of age, at which time he entered upon his military career as a soldier of the Civil war. He enlisted in the Dis- trict of Columbia troops, and was commissioned lieutenant, but commanded his regiment most of the time. By authority of the war department he raised the first United States colored troops, and was appointed lieutenant colonel of the First United States Colored Volunteers, but resigned and entered the Second District of Columbia Volunteers. With the Army of the Potomac he participated in all of the engagements in the Shenandoah Valley.

At the close of the war Colonel Stiles was commissioned lieutenant in the regular army. and assigned to the Twenty-sixth United States Infantry, but was later transferred to the Tenth Infantry. He and General Lawton were lieu-

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tenants together and were bosom friends in those days. Colonel Stiles was stationed at a dozen different forts in Texas, and was in various In- dian campaigns for twelve years, being stationed at Fort Clarke a part of the time. The following five years were spent at Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y., and from there he was sent to Fort Craw- ford, Colo., where he was promoted to be captain and was stationed there for five years. At the end of that time he was ordered to Oklahoma, and went to Fort Lyon to make all needed prep- arations for the opening of the territory.

Colonel Stiles arrived at the present site of Oklahoma City April 19, 1889, coming by train. The place at that time contained only a railroad depot, a stage stand, and a government store- house, where stores were kept before hauling them to the forts. The Springer bill provided for the opening of town sites by the government, and an appropriation bill for the opening up of the country to homesteaders was finally added. The Fifth United States Cavalry had been here for five years, in order to keep out boomers, and the colonel, with his command, was sent here just as it was being opened up for settlement, in or- der to keep peace. He camped on the present site of the high school building. It was with mucn difficulty that he preserved peace and kept out all intoxicating liquors, but those from Kansas said that they had never seen absolute prohibition until they came here. Six parties contested for the town site, but only two were successful. Colonel Stiles had much trouble with these, and also with the whiskey peddlers and gamblers. At times it seemed almost im- possible to prevent bloodshed. He was ap- pointed provost marshal of the district, and hield that position until the civil government was es- tablished. During the excitement, Major-Gen- eral Merritt arrived in a private car and spent ten days here. The 21st of September, 1889, proved a very trying day to the troops. Colonel Stiles remained in charge of the troops here until 1892, when he was relieved and sent to Fort Reno. He then applied for a leave of ab- sence, And for retirement in 1893, after over thirty years of active and faithful service.

In Austin, Tex., Colonel Stiles was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Webb, of Cincin- nati, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Bell and Mar- garet (Andrew) Webb, both natives of Belfast, Ireland. The father was related to the Webb family, who are shipbuilders of New York City. Soon after their marriage her parents came to America, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where her father was engaged in the stationery busi- ness. He was lost at sea while returning to Ire- land on a visit. His wife died in St. Louis, Mo. He was a Quaker by birthright, but both held membership in the Presbyterian Church. The

Colonel and his wife became the parents of two sons, Charles W. and George L., prominent and successful young business men of Oklahoma City, who have a large wholesale and retail trade as owners of the Oklahoma Floral Company.

In 1893 Colonel Stiles returned to Oklahoma, and, in company with James Geary, laid out the Maywood addition, of one hundred and sixty acres, to the city. Their right to the property was contested for four years, but was finally set- tled. They set off a few acres for Circle Park, which has become quite an ornament to the city. In 1899 about one hundred and fifty houses were built in Maywood, and it is now one of the most beautiful residence portions of the city. The Colonel organized the Oklahoma National Bank, of which he was president until going to Ponca in 1893. There he homesteaded a quarter sec- tion of land, which he later sold. After arranging his affairs in Ponca he returned to Oklahoma City, where he made his home until his death, September 11, 1900. While president of the bank he built the Masonic Temple, which is the finest business block in the city. He was chair- man of the company which secured the building of the Choctaw Railroad, and raised $20,000 for the right of way.

Colonel Stiles was the first colonel of the Okla- homa National Guard appointed under Governor Renfrow; and was also lieutenant-colonel of the New York National Guard under Governor Cleveland. He was also commandant at the Mount Barbara Military Academy of Salina, Kans., where he organized the military depart- ment and was a member of its faculty. This is a cavalry school, and is one of the finest military institutions in the west. In this academy the Colonel felt a just pride. Progressive and pub- lic-spirited, he took a very active and prominent part in trying to secure the admission of Okla- homa as a state in the near future, and he gave his support to every enterprise which he believed would prove of public benefit. He was a mem- ber of the City Chib, of which he was president and director, and was an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was made a Mason in B. B. French Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Washington, D. C., in which he held a mem- bership at his death, and also belonged to Oklahoma Chapter No. 7. R. A. M., and Okla- honia Commandery No. 2, K. T., of which he was captain-general. In politics he was an ar- dent Republican, and took a commendable inter- est in public affairs. With his wife he was an active and prominent member of the Presbyte- rian Church, in which he served as trustee. Mrs. Stiles is a lady of culture and refinement, who presides with gracious dignity over her home.

Without doubt Colonel Stiles was the most striking and commanding figure in Oklahoma

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

('ity. He was held in the highest esteem. His loyalty to his friends and the city of his adoption was one of the remarkable traits of this remarkable man. His loyalty to his political party was worthy of the high- est praise, and his devotion to the military service of our country was not surpassed by any other record. His sudden death was a shock to his fellow-citizens, and most of all to his in- timate friend, James Geary, whose relation to him was as that of Damon to Pythias. In grate- ful remembrance of his valuable services as a soldier and citizen, the people of Oklahoma City mourned liis death, and, by their affection for him, will keep his memory green for another generation to come.

This sketch of an active and useful life cannot be more appropriately closed than by quoting from Richard Harding Davis in his work, "The West from a Car Window:" "It is impossible, in considering the founding of Oklahoma, to overrate the services of Captain Stiles. Seldom has the case of the right man in the right place been so happily demonstrated. He was particu- larly fitted for the work, although I doubt if the government knew of it before he was sent there, so apt is it to get the square peg in the round hole, unless the square peg's uncle is a senator. But Captain Stiles, when he was a lieutenant. had ruled at Waco, Tex., during the reconstruc- tion period, and the questions and difficulties that arose after the war in that raw country fitted him to deal with similar ones in the construction of Oklahoma. He was intensely unpopular with the worst element of Oklahoma, and the better element call him blessed, and have presented him with a $300 gold cane.

"This is the way public sentiment should be adjusted. Personal bravery had as much to do with his success as the readiness with which he met the difficulties he had to solve at a moment's consideration. Several times he walked up to the muzzles of revolvers, with which desperadoes covered him, and wrenched them out of the own- ers' hands. He never interfered between the people and the civil law, and resisted the temp- tation of misusing his authority in a situation where a weaker man would have lost his head and abused his power. He was constantly ap- pealed to, to settle disputes, and his invariable answer was: 'I am not here to decide which of you owns that lot, but to keep peace between you until it is decided.'

"In September of 1889 a number of disaffected citizens announced an election which was to overthrow those in power, and Captain Stiles was instructed by his superior officers to prevent its taking place. This he did with a small force of men, in the face of threats from the most dan- gerous element in the community of dynamite

bombs, and a body of men armed with Winches- ters, who were to shoot him first and his men later. But in spite of this he broke all the voting booths, wrested a Winchester from the hands of the man who pointed it at his heart through one of the windows of the polling place, and finally charged the mob of five hundred men with twenty-five soldiers and his fighting surgeon, young Dr. Ives, and dispersed them utterly. I heard of these stories on every side, and I was rejoiced to think how well off our army must have been in majors, that the people in Wash- ington could allow one who had served through the war and on the border, and in this unsettled territory, and whose hair grew white in the ser- vice, to still wear two bars on his shoulder strap." "

M AJOR G. W. LILLIE. There is one name that is associated, in the minds of all, with the agitation concerning the opening of Oklahoma, and that is the name of Major Gor- don W. Lillie, or "Pawnee Bill," as he is known to the people throughout the length and breadth of the United States. His life has been one of thrilling adventure. From early boyhood he has spent considerable time upon the plains, the free and open life of which accords well with his own hearty and exuberant nature. Ever since he first saw Oklahoma, he has been impressed with its fine climate, its fertile soil and its splen- did possibilities. Hence, when the question arose of opening the territory to settlement, he was an enthusiastic champion of the measure. He used his influence with men in authority in order to awaken an interest in the project. When delay after delay arose to daunt the hopes of would-be settlers, he secured an organization of the boomers and, by his wise leadership of the thousands of men under his guidance, attracted the attention of the press of the entire country. It would, in fact, be difficult to write a complete history of Oklahoma without men- tion of his name and career.

When "Pawnee Bill" was a youth of sixteen years, he left his home in Bloomington, Ill., and went to Wichita. Kans., where he joined the outfit of Trapper Tom and went into the Indian Territory. A short time after he went into the territory, he secured, through the friendship of Senator David Davis, of Illinois, an appointment as secretary to the Indian agent at Bear creek, Pawnee Agency. Soon he learned the Pawnee language and was made interpreter. While he was occupying this position, he met with one of the most perilous experiences of his eventful life. A drunken Indian attempted to scalp him and came so near succeeding that the Major still carries a scar as a reminder of the attack.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

He won the friendship of the Indians to an un- usual degree, and was called by them the white chief of the Pawnees. They regarded him as a man of almost superhuman power and skill.

The following incident gives the reason for the strong attachment formed for Major Lillie by the Pawnee Indians: While he was located on his ranch, fifty miles south of Fort Reno, I. T., he was surprised one day to see thirty Pawnees approaching in full war paint, each carrying a gun and knife. They stated that a party of Sioux had run off with their horses and they desired "Pawnee Bill" to assist in recovering the animals. They traveled all that night and the next day until three in the afternoon, when scouts were sent out in every direction. About dusk the enemy was discovered. They were fifty strong, and had nearly five hundred stolen horses. It was decided to begin the attack at break of dawn. This they did, killing four out of the five sentinels, but the fifth man warned his comrades, and the Sioux were awake in a moment. However, the Pawnees were ready for them, and at the first fire fifteen Sioux fell. After that the fight went against the Pawnees, who constantly lost ground. Just as they were about to despair, "Pawnee Bill" dashed forward on his horse, firing at every jump. The Sioux were so surprised that they fell back and fled in terror, the Pawnees after them. Hardly one escaped. The horses were secured, and the party returned in triumph, with "Pawnee Bill" as their idol and hero.

The connection of "Pawnee Bill" with the show business dates from 1884, when he and a dozen Pawnee Indians went with Buffalo Bill. After two years in the same show, he returned to his ranch in southern Kansas. However, his experience in the show business had been so gratifying that he determined to start out for himself, and from that time to this "Pawnee Bill's" show has been one of the national features in its line. During the summer season the show exhibits in various parts of the United States, in accordance with an itinerary that is carefully mapped out beforehand. No one connected with the show is more popular than Mrs. Lillie, whose work with the rifle and shotgun is remarkable. She is the only woman in the world able to break targets thrown in the air while riding at full speed on her mustang. When she gave an ex- hibition at Fort Sill, I. T., the chief of the Comanches was so pleased with her skill that he presented her with a pony. November 12, 1889, at the Pennsylvania state rifle range, shoot- ing two hundred yards, she scored twenty-four out of a possible twenty-five points, the best score ever made by a woman at this range. In recognition of this, she was presented with a handsome solid gold medal by Philadelphia

friends. October 31, 1889, she won the Pied- mont medal at Atlanta, Ga., against five com- petitors.

In 1884 "Pawnee Bill" led in the great achieve- ment of capturing the robbers that robbed the Medicine Lodge (Kansas) Bank and killed two bankers. He judged correctly as to the place they would make their stronghold, and led to it the party of pursuers, thus breaking up a band that had been the terror of western Kansas.

At an early date he declared for the settlement of Oklahoma, and became a supporter of Capt. D. L. Payne, with whom he was at the time of his sudden death. Afterward the boomers united and accepted his leadership. They camped in large numbers at Caldwell and Ar- kansas City, Kans., waiting in expectation that congress would pass the Springer bill; and though that bill did not become a law, some of its provisions were adopted into the Indian ap- propriation bill, and three million acres of land were opened to settlement. This only served to set the tide in motion. The boomers were too eager to wait for the law, the formalities of which delayed from month to month. Selecting "Paw- nee Bill" as their chief, four thousand boomers left Caldwell April 18, 1889, and began the march south. Many difficulties were encountered in the march. The Salt Fork of Cimarron river was at least fifteen feet deep, and some were lost in fording the stream. Oklahoma was entered at Muskogee. In all of this work "Pawnee Bill" was impelled by an enthusiastic interest in the settlement of Oklahoma, and not by desire for financial gains, as the leadership of the large force of men brought him no profits whatever. With his men, he arrived in Oklahoma proper, April 22, the day of the opening. Four years later, when other portions of Oklahoma were opened to white settlers, he again assisted in making the run. But this is not the only way in which he has helped in the settlement and opening of Oklahoma. He has been interested in its progress. Careful study of the soil has given him a good idea of its possibilities, and he has always been willing to give others the benefit of his study and experience. While obliged, through his management of his show business, to be absent from Oklahoma a portion of each year, he nevertheless keeps in close touch with its development, and maintains a warm interest in every plan for its benefit. Now. as years since. it is his opinion that Oklahoma has been rightly named "good lands," or "beau- tiful lands," for no part of the United States is more fertile than this; and, being in a region where winters are mild, thus rendering the item of fuel a small expense only, it offers an ideal home for a poor man who is ambitious and ener- getic. There is no part of the country that has

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Portrait and biographical record of Oklahoma; commemorating the achievements of citizens who have contributed to the progress of Oklahoma and the development of its resources, V. 1, Part 5

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago) Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co Number of Pages: 1110

Author: Chapman, firm, publishers, (1901, Chapman publishing co., Chicago)
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing co
Number of Pages: 1110