Muskogee County, Oklahoma - Chapter 22: Early History of Muskogee, 1922

Chapter 22: Early History of Muskogee

DR. A. E. BONNELL - EDWARD W. M 'CLURE - THOMAS PATRICK SMITH - DR. M. F. WILLIAMS - F. H. GRUBBS - CHARLES N. HASKELL - FIRST W. C. T. U. - A. GRANT EVANS - TRADING POSTS AND ORIGIN OF NAMES - GUS LLTBBES.

During the year 1871 the M., K. & T. Railroad, then called the Missouri Pacific, was built from Parsons, Kansas, to the Arkansas River, three miles north of the present site of Muskogee. Three months' time was consumed by the construction company in building the bridges over the river, and in the meantime quite a colony was formed on the north side of the river - and such a colonv!

The bridge builders, and other employes of the railroad company, excursionists, homeseekers, freighters with their teams of oxen, hucksters, boarding-house keepers, gamblers, liquor peddlers, and an array of loafers and outlaws - all living in tents and improvised shacks, waiting to get across the river and anxious to know where the railway company would locate the next town. Finally, on the first day of J anuary, 1872, the bridge was completed and the railroad employes announced that they would locate their next station iy2 miles south of the river. As rapidly as the cars could be loaded, the tents, shacks, stocks of groceries and household effects were moved to the new location and a still larger colony soon assembled at the new location. A frame depot was erected, streets were opened -on the railroad's right-of-way and fully 500 people stopped there, but stores, shops, boarding-houses, gamblers and bootleggers, were still housed in tents. The new station was christened " Muskogee," in honor of the Muskogee or Creek Tribe of Indians. Mr. E. L. Bracken, the present city weighmaster of Muskogee, is the only resident of the present Muskogee, who came across the river with that outfit. Mr. Bracken, at that time, was in the service of the Overland Transportation Company, whose business was that of hauling provisions, clothing and hardware from St. Louis to the forts and outposts of the Southwest in covered wagons drawn by oxen. These provision trains usually consisted of from 30 to 40 covered wagons, heavily loaded, with three yokes of oxen to each wagon. Upon opening up the restaurants and boarding-houses of the new town, it was noticed that the quality of the bread, meat, coffee and canned goods was much better than had been served on the north side of the river, and upon investigation it was disclosed that great quantities of Government provisions intended for the army forts, had been stolen during the rush and excitement of crossing the river. Deputy marshals from Fort Smith were sent for, to investigate the theft, and with the assistance of Mr. Bracken, it was found that two soldiers from Fort Gibson, who were guarding the provisions, disposed of a large quantity of them to some gamblers for a trifling sum of money. While exploring the new town, the deputies discovered that none of the merchants or restaurant-keepers had, as yet, secured any internal revenue license, and they proceeded to confiscate all the cigars and tobacco in the town, except those of one merchant, who, upon learning of the raid upon the other stores, piled all of his boxes upon the floor and covered them with sides of bacon. For several days after the deputies left, he had a monopoly of the tobacco business. The deputy marshals arrested a few men for various offenses and on their return trip to Fort Smith, confiscated a wagon, mule team and a barrel of whisky.

Mr. Bracken, who accompanied them as an officer, reports that deputies and prisoners partook freely of the tobacco and liquor, and that the prisoners had such an enjoyable time, that none of them tried to escape.

being identified with the Patterson Mercantile Company and known as one of the best and most progressive citizens of the young city of Muskogee. Joshua Ross, one of the pioneers of this country, and Bent Cobb, another old-timer, both of whom are still residents of Muskogee, sold goods there. After retaining its station at that point for about four months, the railroad officials decided that it was not a suitable location for a permanent station, as the road grade was rather steep and the land sloped in but one direction, rendering it difficult for trains to stop and start easily. They wanted a spot where the ground was practically level, gently sloping in both directions, and they found it at the present site of the M., K. & T. Station, and on the 12th day of April, 1872, all hands got busy and moved their provisions, tents and household goods l1,^ miles southward and the real Muskogee sprang into existence. The first tenements were tents and cheap shacks adjoining the right-of-way of the railroad on the east and west, all stores and shops facing the railroad. Doctor Cummings, Muskogee's first physician, erected the first store building on the present site of the city. It was located on the west side of the railroad, midway between Broadway and Okmulgee Avenue, and was filled with a stock of drugs. Otto Zufall hauled the lumber for this building from a mill on the Arkansas River, nearly all of it being of good walnut stock. Walnut timber was plentiful in those days along the streams, but the farmers did not appreciate its value. Much of it was converted into fence posts and rails and it was known to be excellent fire-wood.

Atkinson & Robb moved their stock of general merchandise down from the temporary station and located on the southeast corner of Broadway and Main Street. George Elliott was the first postmaster and the first post office was in the rear end of the Atkinson-Robb store. The mail was not heavy and the accommodating postmaster would stand in the doorway and call to each passer-by who happened to be so fortunate as to receive a letter. Joshua Ross moved his general store down and located on the east side of the railroad. For many years it was known as the "Red Front.''' among the city's leading merchants. Otto Zufall and his brother, George, located the first blacksmith shop on South Main Street and for many months they were probably the busiest men in Muskogee. The first eating-house was owned by John Porter, who established himself on the west side of the railroad, almost in the center of Broadway. The railroad moved its frame depot down to the new town and occupied it until it became necessary to construct a larger building. That original depot is now a part of the property of the Minnetonka Lumber Company, on East Okmulgee Avenue.

One among the very first important institutions located in the new city was Major J. A. Foreman's mill which was erected on the east side, just north of the Katy viaduct. It ground wheat and corn and ginned cotton. Its motor-power was an immense windmill of thirty-two horsepower, resembling the famous windmills of Holland. For many years, the farmers, from every direction, hauled their products to the old windmill. James Mitchell started a restaurant east of the railroad on the south side of Broadway, and in 1873 built a two-story hotel on the site of the present M., K. & T. (Katy) Depot. For several years, until it was destroyed by fire, the Mitchell House was the largest hotel in Indian Territory.

Before Muskogee had completed its first year's existence the water problem became a serious one. Charley Willy had a monopoly in the business of hauling water for the stores and homes, but his supply was too limited to meet the demands of the railroad. George W. Ingalls, the first United States agent for the Five Tribes, had his headquarters out at Agency Hill, two miles west of the depot. He felt that the merchants were not extending to him that degree of courtesy to which the dignity of his office entitled him, and decided that he would try to find a suitable source of water supply farther south and would ask the railroad to move its station down to his proposed new location. The consummation of his scheme would, of course, have meant the deathknell of Muskogee and the merchants were fully aware of it. Ingalls made arrangements with some men to dig a deep well fifteen miles south, at the present site of Checotah. The excavation of this great well was vigilantly watched by the merchants, and when it reached the depth where water was beginning to seep in at the bottom, some enterprising Muskogeeans, whose identity the old pioneers have ever since refused to divulge, purchased a barrel of salt at Patterson's store, hauled it down in the nighttime, quietly poured it in the new well and returned to their homes to await further developments. When the Indian agent learned that his big well had struck salt water, his scheme of moving the agency headquarters from Muskogee was abandoned, and the citizens were thoroughly convinced of the efficacy of salt as a remedy, when properly applied, for it saved Muskogee's life. But the excitement which this little affair caused put the merchants to thinking. It was plain to be seen that if they expected to build a town of any size, they must have an adequate supply of water for the railroad, and for the factories and shops which they hoped to secure. At that time, however, Muskogee had no municipal government, no officials, no authority to raise any funds by taxation. When they needed any improvements of a public nature, they had to raise the money by voluntary contributions. After carefully canvassing the situation, it was finally decided to build an immense pond just north of the business section of the town. About two thousand dollars was contributed for this purpose and a pond was dug, covering about twenty acres, the center of which was three blocks north, about where the depot of the Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad Co. is now located. For twenty-five years the "Katy Pond," as it was named, was the sole source of water supply for public purposes, which the town had. As late as the year 1900 it was a customary sight to see scores of men, women and children sitting on the bank of the pond, during Summer evenings, catching small cat-fish and perch.

Prior to 1874 each of the Five Civilized Tribes had its separate agency with a Federal official in charge. The Creek Agency was located at the base of Fern Mountain, three miles northwest of Muskogee. Long before Muskogee was started quite a settlement was built up around the old agency and several stores were located there. The first tavern in this section of the country was located there and was kept by Aunt Sarah Davis, an old colored woman weighing 250 pounds. Aunt Sarah's tavern became quite a noted resort for she had the reputation of being an excellent cook and her tables were always overloaded with well-cooked victuals. Soon after Muskogee was located, Mr. J. A. Patterson persuaded Aunt Sarah to move to town, and built a tavern for her on North Main Street near the railroad which she continued to maintain until the building was destroyed by fire some years later.

Perhaps the flrsl permanent residence built in Muskogee was the small cottage erected l>y Mr. l>. N. Kobb on the present site of the First National Bank, near the corner of Broadway and

Hobart, was the first white child bom in Muskogee. Mr. Atkinson, M r, Robb's pa vi ner, erected I be first, two story residence, on t be lot now occupied by Hie Travelers' Eotel. This building was afterward purchased by some well to do colored men and was converted ini<» ;i colored school.

John Barnwell, an [rishman; l>. \i. Whitlow, an intermarried ('reek citizen; .1. Mel). Goody, a Cherokee, and George W. Slid ham .'ind Ool, i>. N. Mcintosh, ('reek [ndians. They Hecurcd a dispensation tor organizing Hie lodge from the Grand Lodge of Arkansas, al Little Rock, and when the Pern Mountain settlement was transferred to Muskogee, they moved their Lodge to ECufaula, tiot beui" able t<» And ;> suitable Lodge nail in Muskogee. VVbile .it EDufaula, however, it retained its original name of "Muskogee Lodge No. I."

Church on the corner of Oour! and Blourl li streets. 'I'll is building was soon destroyed by Are and 8 new one erected on the northwest corner of Second St reel and ( )kmulgee A venue. Their first pastor w;is Rev. John Elliott, who was the father in Law <d' Mr. Doming <d* i be l teming I nvesl meni ( Jo.

The first sermon, however, was delivered by Rev. Timothy 1 1 ill, b Presbyterian missionary, who spent, a Pew days in Muskogee and started the organization of ;i church. The Methodists soon followed with the organization >>\ ;i church, Locating their building near the corner of Okmulgee Avenue ;i nd Cherokee Street.

A Her having bad .1 separate l ndian agcnl Por each of t be Five Tribes for nearly a half cenl ury, the Federal Government, in 1^7 1, combined those offices into one Union Agency, with headquarters al Muskogee. This w.-is the flrsl important step taken toward insuring the lulu re growth <d' Muskogee, Por it practically made tin:; city I be capital <d' t be [ndian Territory. The citizens and officials of the Five Tribes, together with their attorneys and wit nesses, all bad t<» journey to Muskogee t<> transact their govern- mental business. George W. Ingalls, the first Union agent, was succeeded by Col. J. Q. Tuffts, an army officer. Then came Robt. L. Owen, now United States Senator, Dr. Leo E. Bennett, Major Dew M. Wisdom, J. Blair Schoenfelt and lastly Dana H. Kelsey. One of Mr. Robb's daughters taught the first school in Muskogee, in a small house located near the southeast corner of Broadway and Fourth Street. A man by the name of Payne came down from Kansas shortly afterward and started a little subscription school at the northeast corner of Okmulgee Avenue and Third Street. Both of these schools were short-lived and were followed by the Mission schools of the Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist and Catholic denominations. Miss Alice Robertson organized a school for girls called the Minerva Home, which was succeeded by the Presbyterian School for Girls. A few years later Miss Robertson, assisted by a few benevolent Presbyterians, founded Henry Kendall College, which, for several years, was the leading educational institution of the city.

About 1878 Dr. Theo. F. Brewer, started a Methodist school, which became known as Harrell Institute. Dr. Brewer remained in charge of this school for eighteen years and resigned its presidency on May 26, 1896, and was succeeded by Rev. W. A. Thornton. Dr. Brewer was too deeply interested, however, in Christian educational work to remain out of the harness many months and he soon took charge of Willie Halsell College at Vinita, where he continued to make his influence felt as a leader and teacher of the highest standard. His ability as an educator was recognized after statehood by his appointment as a member of the first State Text- Book Commission and as a member of the State Board of Education.

Mes. A. E. W. Robertson

A history of this section of the country would not be complete without reference to the life and labors of Mrs. Ann Eliza Worcester Robertson, one of the most devoted missionaries to the Creek Indians. She was born on an Indian reservation near the Chickamauga River November 7, 1826, and was the daughter of Rev. Samuel A. Worcester, the missionary to the Cherokees whose incarceration in the penitentiary of Georgia for his refusal to subscribe to the oath of allegiance to that state called forth the bitter denunciation of thousands of people in all parts of the country. At the age of sixteen she was sent to an academy at St. Johnsbury, Vt., where she remained for four years, giving special attention to those branches of study that would best fit her for efficient service in her father's chosen field of labor. Soon after completing her course of study in the Vermont Academy, she followed the Cherokees to their new home in Indian Territory and taught school at Park Hill, a few miles below Tahlequah, where her father continued his missionary work. Three years later (1850) she married Rev. W. S. Robertson, another "missionary who had just taken charge of the new Creek Boarding School at Tullahasse, ten miles northwest of Muskogee.

She devoted her remaining years to missionary work among the Creeks. Her devotion to her chosen work induced her to master the Creek language and during her later years she translated the Bible into Creek. She was the mother of Mrs. Augusta R. Moore of Haskell, Okla., and Miss Alice Robertson of Muskogee.

First Fair Association

An Indian Fair was held in Muskogee in October, 1874, at which the Indians assisted by a few white people, made an exhibit of their agricultural products, livestock and handiwork. They also had the customary games and horse-racing, and the affair proved so successful that the second annual exhibit was held during the following year.

By 1876 the white population had increased quite materially, and the International Fair Association was organized, with Majoi John A. Foreman, an enterprising white citizen of Muskogee as president, and Joshua Ross, a Cherokee, still residing in Muskogee, as secretary. This association located its ground southeast of Muskogee, a portion of which now includes the picturesque Spaulding Park. A number of exhibit buildings were constructed, a good half-mile race track, and Indians and whites alike, were interested in it. For fifteen successive vears its exhibition was looked forward to with great interest and was regarded as one of the leading events of the Territory, notwithstanding the fact that the stockholders had to submit to special assessments, at different times, in order to pay all the premiums which they had promised.

Muskogee And Northeastern Oklahoma 351 First Water Works

During the first few years of Muskogee's existence, water, and especially good drinking water, was very scarce. A big, burly, bewhiskered Englishman by the name of Charley Willy, purchased a lot of barrels and established quite an extensive business in delivering water to the inhabitants of the town at the rate of 15 cents a barrel. Upon one occasion when Charley was driving down Main Street (then the only business street), his team became frightened and ran away, spilling barrels of water along the street as they ran and causing great excitement and amusement among those who were permitted to witness the scene. Charley was quite a noted character in his day on account of his many eccentricities. He lived in a shack on Cherokee Street, and besides peddling water, he raised pigs and poultry. He was the first importer of thoroughbred hogs in this vicinity, his favorite breed being the Berkshires of his native country. He was christened "Our First Water Works." It is said that during his residence in Muskogee, he never received a letter through the mail.

First Brass Band

On January 1, 1890, Muskogee's first brass band was organized, with C. H. Menafee as director. Benjamin Bellis, Dr. A. E. Bonnell, J. W. Sanders, Joe Trent, Gus Lubbes, W. A. Maddin, and E. R. Rulison were among the number who proceeded to charm the natives with their music.

Hotel Adams

One of the big events of the Muskogee of thirty years ago was the opening of the Hotel Adams, which occurred on January 14, 1890. The M., K. & T. Railroad brought visitors from Kansas and Texas and a gala time followed. A banquet was served to the several hundred guests and the dance continued until 3 o'clock the following morning.

First National Bank

The First National Bank of Muskogee commenced business on the 20th day of August, 1890, with Robt. L. Owen as president and C. H. Warth as cashier. It was the first National bank organized in the Indian Territory.

Joshua Eoss

Joshua Ross was one of the early pioneers who took an active part in public affairs in the days when Muskogee was but a frontier village. He was born in Alabama in 1832, among the Cherokees, and is a nephew of John Ross, the famous first chief of the Cherokees. His parents brought him to the Indian Territory in 1836, and after graduating at the Cherokee Male Seminary and taking a college course in Virginia, he taught school at Tahlequah for a few terms, then located in Fort Gibson. In 1872 he was present at the birth of Muskogee and his Red Front Store on Cherokee Street was for several years, one of the successful business institutions of the village. He took an active part in promoting the town's interests and for several years he served as secretary of the International Fair of Muskogee, which he and Major Foreman organized. He still considers Muskogee as his home, although he spends a portion of his time with friends in the country.

Patrick J. Byrne

Patrick J. Byrne was a typical Irishman from Tipperary who cast his fortune with the people of Indian Territory in an early day, locating first at Fort Gibson, but soon afterward coming to Muskogee. He was a contractor by trade and he built the Mitchell Hotel, the first real hotel building in Muskogee. For several years he was interested with Clarence Turner in the Turner Hardware Co. In 1898 he was elected as Muskogee's first mayor. A few years afterward he went to California with the hope of regaining his health, which had become impaired. His failing health continued, however, and about two years ago death overtook him and he was buried, with honors, at Muskogee.

James A. Patterson

James A. Patterson was one of the early pioneers whose memory is still cherished by the old settlers of Muskogee and vicinitv. He was a white man, born in Tennessee in 1819. In 1854 he came to Indian Territory and for awhile was employed at the Creek Agency. He taught school a few years and in 1860 engaged in the mercantile business, with G. W. Stidham, a Creek citizen. In 1873 he opened a general store in Muskogee, which he continued to manage until his death, August 4, 1897. In 1876 Mr. Andrew W. Robb became associated with him in business and the Patterson Mercantile Co. continued for thirty years, to be one of the leading mercantile institutions of the Territory.

Mr. Patterson was never married, nor was he a member of any church. He was a liberal supporter, however, of all worthy enterprises and it is said that he was specially fond of helping worthy young men to get started in business.

Andrew W. Eobb

Among the pioneers of Muskogee, no man stood higher in the estimation of the citizens than Andrew W. Robb. He came to the Territory in 1871, as an employe of the M., K. & T. Railroad, which was then in process of construction, and in 1872 located in Muskogee, as a member of the firm of Atkinson & Robb, one of the first firms to open a general store here. Later he became associated with Mr. J. A. Patterson in the Patterson Mercantile Co. For many years this firm handled the largest stock of general merchandise in the Territory, and upon the death of Mr. Patterson in 1887, Mr. Robb took charge of the business of the company and conducted it until a short time prior to his death. He was a publicspirited citizen and a Christian gentleman who carried his religion into his week-day business. His daughter, Jessie, now Mrs. Hobart, who resides in Checotah, was the first white child born in Muskogee.

Eobeet L. Owen

No citizen of any Indian tribe is more widely known or is possessed of more ability as a statesman and financier than Robert L. Owen. Virginia is his native state and his ancestry was a mixture of Irish, Scotch and Cherokee blood. As a boy he attended the common schools of Virginia and, later, entered Washington and Lee University where he graduated with high honors. Upon the completion of his education, he came to Indian Territory, taught school for awhile in the Cherokee Male Seminary and served as Superintendent of Cherokee Schools. During the Cleveland administration he served for one term as United States Indian Agent for the Five Civilized Tribes. During his spare hours he studied law and became thoroughly familiar with the various treaties and agreements of the several Indian tribes with the Federal Government. At one time he was employed as attorney for the Delaware Indians and was instrumental in adjusting the disputes between the Delawares and Cherokees over their land titles. He assisted in adjusting the affairs of the Eastern Cherokees. acted as attorney for the Choctaws and took an active part in settling numerous disputes between the various tribes and the Federal Government. At the first session of the Legislature following statehood, he was chosen as one of the United States Senators, in which position he still continues to represent the state. As a debater and financier, he holds high rank in the United States Senate.

Charles W. Moore

All of the twenty-year residents of Muskogee will remember the genial countenance of Charley Moore, the bachelor, who was evervbodv's friend. He was a native of New York, but emigrated as a young man, to the wilds of Indian Territory, in 1883. For several years he traveled over the Territory, taking contracts for painting houses, at the same time making Muskogee his headquarters. About 1898 he located in Muskogee permanently and engaged in the undertaking business. He was a big-hearted man and probably spent more time in visiting his sick friends and acquaintances than any other citizen of the town, during his many years' residence in Muskogee. He was always ready, to the extent of his ability, to help his neighbors who were sick or in distress.

As stated elsewhere, Messrs. Andrew W. Robb, James A. Patterson, J. S. Atkinson, Joshua Ross, Major Foreman and J. E. Turner were the men who were present at the birth of Muskogee and patiently nursed the toddling infant during the first few years of its life, but as it began to exhibit signs of growth and prosperity, they were soon joined by other enterprising men who had faith in the future of the town and country and were ready to contribute of their time, brains and money toward making the community more habitable. Of this class of men none is more deserving of commendation, none devoted more time and monev toward building up Muskogee, than Clarence W. Turner, who still resides in Muskogee. He located in Muskogee in the Fall of 1882 after having worked for twelve years with his father, John E. Turner, in a store at Okmulgee. Upon arriving here he purchased the J. S. Atkinson Hardware store and began business for himself. A few months later, Patrick J. Byrne purchased an interest in the store and the firm of Turner & Byrne soon became known as the most extensive hardware dealers in Indian Territory. Five years ' later Mr, Turner bought out his partner's interest in the business and continued it on a constantly increasing scale, until he retired from business a few years ago. Clarence Turner had unwavering faith in the future of Muskogee, and whenever any worthy enterprise of a public nature was planned, his advice and support were eagerly sought and readily secured. He built the first electric and ice plant in the city, and for many months he furnished Main Street with lights at his own expense. He was also among the first to begin the construction of substantial, brick business blocks. He suffered heavy losses from both of Muskogee's destructive fires, but his unquestionable integrity and energy enabled him to rebuild and refurnish his store each time, with bigger and better stocks of goods. He possessed the confidence of the Indians to an enviable degree and many of the older Indians still seek his advice* in matters of business. He is no longer interested in mercantile business, but retains his residence in Muskogee and looks after his Arkansas River Valley farms.

Dr. James 0. Callahan was one of Muskogee's earliest physicians. He was a native of Texas and a graduate of a St. Louis medical college. He settled in Muskogee about 1886 and soon took rank with the best practitioners in the Territory. In 1890 he rendered valuable aid to the Creek Council in drafting a law regulating the practice of medicine in the Creek Nation. He continued in the active practice of his profession until his death in 1913. His widow and Mrs. H. P. Spaulding, his daughter, still reside in Muskogee.

Dr. Francis B. Fite, who years ago, acquired the reputation of being the leading physician and surgeon in Indian Territory, is another of the city's pioneers. He is a Georgian by birth and belongs to a family of physicians. At the age of twenty- two he came West and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. R. F. Fite, an older brother, who had located in Tahlequah. In

1884 he returned to his native state and completed a course of study in a medical college, returning to Tahlequah for a short time in 1886. A year later he accepted a position as surgeon in. a New York City college and hospital, where, for two years he had an excellent opportunity for pursuing his favorite study of medical surgery.

In 1889 he located in Muskogee, where he has rapidly built up a lucrative practice and an enviable reputation as a citizen and town-builder. He served one term as mayor of Muskogee, but declined a re-election, finding that his chosen profession was much more interesting to him than politics. He now ranks as a specialist in surgery and as a consulting physician. In conjunction with Dr. J. L. Blakemore, he established the first sanitarium in Muskogee, in 1890, known as St. Mary's Sanitarium.

Clifford L. Jackson was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1857, and at the age of twelve years settled on a Missouri farm with his father. After acquiring a common school education, he went to Sedalia to study law and was admitted to practice in 1880. Two years later he went to New Mexico to practice law, and in 1887 was appointed as attorney for the Second judicial district of the Territory of New Mexico, and during his two years' term in that office he encountered some thrilling experiences as New Mexico, at that period, was about the wildest and woolliest part of the West. After serving in that position for two years he came to Muskogee, stopping for a short time in Guthrie. In September, 1889, he was appointed as attorney for the M., K. & T. Railroad. In 1893 he was appointed United States District Attorney, with headquarters in Muskogee, which position he held for about four years. From the date of his resignation as United States District Attorney to the day of his death, April 14, 1921, he served as general attorney for the Katy Railroad. He was an active, energetic man who put earnestness and enthusiasm into everv task which he undertook. He held many honorary positions, among which were those of president of the Indian Territory Bar Association, president of the Oklahoma Bar Association after statehood, vice president of the American Bar Association and president of the Muskogee Commercial Club. He held the latter position during the years 1907 and 1908, at a time when public improvements were being rapidly made in the city, and lie showed his devotion to the city's interests by advocating every possible improvement, apparently regardless of its effect upon the railroad which he represented. The eulogy pronounced upon his life by the local bar association truthfully declared that "He was a citizen of whom the state was proud. His counsel and advice aided materially in the erection of this commonwealth and his influence was frequently sought and never exercised, except on the side of right."

Wayman Crow Jackson was one of the pioneers of Muskogee who will long be remembered by his many friends. He was born in 1855 and reared on an Arkansas farm. He acquired a common school education and attended the State University at Fayetteville and studied law in that city, later taking a course of study in a law college at St. Louis. Upon returning to his home he was admitted to the bar and was elected Mayor of Fayetteville. For five years following 1885, he was associated with E. C. Boudinot, the famous Cherokee lawyer, in Fort Smith, Ark.

He located in Muskogee in 1890 to practice law and in 1893 was appointed United States Commissioner for this judicial district, which position he held for about seven years. He then resumed the practice of law and immediately after statehood was elected as the first county judge of Muskogee County. At the expiration of his term as county judge, he served one term in the State Legislature. He was appointed on the new State Industrial Commission, where he served three years as a member and three years as chairman of the commission. During his six years' service on this commission he adjusted several hundred disputes between employers and employes, very few of which were appealed to the courts. He possessed a jolly, good-natured disposition, had a host of friends and but few enemies. He died on April 25, 1920, leaving a widow, one of the leading musicians of the city, a son and a daughter, all of whom are still residents of Muskogee.

Dew M. Wisdom

During the days when Muskogee was young and trying to cast aside its wild west town characteristics, Dew M. Wisdom ranked among its most useful and most influential citizens.

He was born in Madison County, Tenn.. in 1836. attended the common schools and completed a thorough classical course in the university at Lebanon, in his native state. He also studied law for awhile in the same university and was just entering upon the work of his chosen profession, the practice of law. when the Civil war of 1861 began. Throwing aside his law books, he joined the Confederate army and was gradually promoted until he attained command of a regiment of cavalry as colonel. His regiment became a part of the brigade of General Forrest, the famous Confederate raider, and took an active part in several battles. He was wounded three times but refused to retire from active service until the close of the war.

During the war he married a Miss Terry, and at its close he settled in Mississippi, and for several years took an active part in the reconstruction of that section of the Southland. In 1882 he moved to Fort Smith. Ark., and for several years he was editor of a Democratic daily and weekly newspaper in that city. In 1893 he was appointed as chief clerk of the Union Indian Agency and moved to Muskogee. At the beginning of President Cleveland's second term, he was promoted to the position of superintendent of the Union Agency, which position he continued to hold until 1899, when he was succeeded by J. Blair Shoenfelt. In the spring of 1900 he was elected as Muskogee's second mayor for a term of two years. He was a versatile writer, a fluent speaker and a very entertaining conversationalist. His death occurred in Muskogee on the 1th day of Xovember, 1905.

Vogel & Rooney

Henry Yogel and James J. Rooney were the first contractors to locate in Muskogee, who had specialized in brick and stone structures. Yogel was born in the mountains of Switzerland in 1863, but emigrated to America during his early boyhood. He learned the brick mason's trade while working with his father, first in New Jersey, then in Illinois. In 1891 he landed in Muskogee and formed a partnership with Mr. Rooney. Iowa is Mr. RooneVs native state, but after learning his trade as a mason he located in Lincoln, Xebr., where, for several years, he was engaged in constructing brick buildings. He came to Indian Territory in 1890 and was associated for several years with Mr. Yogel in the con- tract ing and building business. They built the Turner block, the English block and the Mid-Continent building, the latter being the first five-story building erected in Indian Territory. These pioneer builders are still engaged in business in Muskogee, although they dissolved their partnership several years ago.

William A. Maddin

William A. Maddin was another one of the men who aided materially in making a real city of the village of Muskogee. He came from Kansas City in 1883, and for the following ten years he followed the business of contractor and builder. In 1894 he organized a hardware company which flourished for several years, but like nearly all the other stores of the town, it was converted into ashes by that 1899 fire. After the fire he built the three-story brick building which is now the home of the Y. M. C. A. and filled it with a new stock of hardware and farm implements. He established the first planing mill in Muskogee and was also financially interested in farming and stock raising.

First Millinery

The first millinery store of any consequence in Muskogee was established in the early '90s by Miss Helen Severs. After a few years she employed Miss Rhoda Hannan, an expert milliner from Missouri, and the stock of goods was enlarged and the styles brought down to date. About 1896 Miss Hannan purchased the store, and with Miss Cobb as a partner, a millinery store was established under the firm name of Hannan & Cobb, which for several years afterward was regarded by the ladies as the most attractive store of its kind in Indian Territory.

Patterson Round Bale Cotton Gin

Among the first permanent industrial institutions established in Muskogee was Patterson's Improved Round Bale Cotton Gin and Compress which was built by the Patterson Mercantile Co. in 1897. It was the first of its kind in this section of the country and it prospered from the day it began operations. During the busy season of the year it was operated both day and night and in 1898 it handled $65,000 worth of cotton, and the volume of its business increased from year to year.

Muskogee Cotton Oil Company

Next came the Muskogee Cotton Oil Co. which began business in the autumn of 1898, with Mr. G. H. Henson as manager. It employed sixty men during its first year and was able to handle sixty tons of crushed cotton seed daily. The cotton seed meal which it ground was used extensively in fattening cattle. This company built its own electric light plant, it being the third private light plant installed in the city.

The first real fire department in the city was organized about 1893, and while it received some support from the young city, its services for several years were largely voluntary. Charles Seekings was chief and Frank Swift and John G. Lieber were foremen of the two hose brigades. The members who volunteered their services were John Cobb, Charles Seekings, Frank Swift, R. Aldredge, E. E. Skelton, Clark Compton, John G. Lieber, O. M. Sholl, Andrew Moore, Tom Doyle, Charley Kimsey, Ben Berry, George Irvin, A. W. Banks, L. T. Parnell, George Dyer, Dan Bonnell, Porter Spaulding, Luther Ward and Preston Ellis. The old-time merchants purchased and presented to the department its first hook and ladder outfit.

By the beginning of the present century Muskogee was beginning to assume the appearance of a real city. It recovered speedilv from the effects of its most destructive fire, that of Februarv, 1899, and as the debris was cleared away, more imposing and more substantial business houses replaced those destroyed by fire. The pioneer merchants continued in business and controlled the bulk of the trade. The business methods which they had followed gave them a kind of monopoly of the trade with the Indians and Freedmen and it was difficult for a newcomer to get a foothold. For many years the custom had prevailed among merchants of furnishing provisions and other necessaries to the farmers during the spring and summer months to be paid for during the following autumn or winter, the merchants holding a lien on the growing crops. In some instances, scrip was issued by the merchants to the farmers to be returned in exchange for goods. Captain Severs issued little books of scrip which, on account of the variegated colors, was known as ' 'Severs' Streaks and Stripes." Spaulding's scrip resembled paper money and as his photograph was stamped on all of his shinplasters, his scrip was called "Spaulding Heads."

William F. Mills

Among the first of the new merchants to locate in Muskogee in competition with the old pioneers was William F. Mills. He dropped into -town in 1892 with scarcely more than a trunkful of goods and located in a little room adjoining the Patterson Mercantile Co., and it is said that for several months after he began business he would pack his limited stock of goods into trunks every night and cart them to his sleeping rooms, as his store room was not considered safe from burglars. His trade increased, however, and within three years, he built and occupied what he called the Racket Store, opposite the Turner Hardware Store. In 1897 he moved into one of the store rooms in the new Turner block and his trade continued to expand, but in February, 1899, he was caught in Muskogee's greatest fire, his stock of goods which was then valued at $20,000, being entirely destroyed. As soon as the English block, the walls of which withstood the ravages of the fire, was remodeled, he rented one of its rooms and filled it with a stock of boots, shoes and notions. He was said to be the first merchant in Indian Territory to purchase a full carload of fine shoes at one time. He was one of the town's first merchants to introduce novel methods of advertising.

Dr. Albert E. Bonnell was Muskogee's first permanent dentist. He was born in Michigan in 1865, and during his early boyhood, he settled with his father in Crawford County, Kansas. He studied dentistry upon reaching young manhood and in looking about for a good location, he learned that the Village of Muskogee had no dentist, but needed one. During the summer of 1888 he packed his satchel with forceps, wended his way southward to the land of promise and established the first dentist's office in Muskogee.

he has repeatedly closed his office for a season and attended special lecture courses in the leading colleges of dentistry, in order that he might keep abreast of the latest improvements in the rapidly developing science of dentistry. Doctor Bonnell is an ardent Methodist, and for the past thirty years he has been Muskogee's foremost Sunday School worker.

Edward W. Mc Clure

Mr. E. W. McClure established the first exclusive clothing store in Muskogee and is still doing business in the same room in which he first offered the latest styles for sale in 1899. He landed in Muskogee in 1891 and for eight years thereafter he was employed in the general store of J. E. Turner & Co. His experience as a salesman in that store gave him an intimate knowledge of the prevailing methods of dealing with the natives and also gave him an extended acquaintance among the people, so that when he began business for himself he immediately commanded a fair share of the community's trade. Mr. McClure is an efficient official of the Presbyterian Church and has been active in the civic work of the city.

Thomas P. Smith

Thomas P. Smith was born in Clinton County, New York, in 1861, and died in Muskogee, Okla., on October 4, 1917. He attended the village school of Clinton until he was twelve years of age, when his family moved to Plattsburg, N. Y., where he entered the public schools. Graduating from the high school, he became associated in the mercantile business with his two brothers, M. A. and M. J. Smith. In 1884 he was made deputy postmaster at Plattsburg, which place he held until 1887, when he was appointed chief clerk at the San Carlos Indian Agency in Arizona. In 1888 he came to Indian Territory as agent for the Osages and Kaws with headquarters at Pawhuska. Mr. Smith camped on the sod in Guthrie, with the other pioneers, at the great opening in 1889. Removing to Muskogee, he associated himself with the Turner Hardware Company.

In 1893 he was appointed United States Indian inspector and in 1894 he was made assistant commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington. While in Washington on November 27, 1895, he was married to Belle Granger of Zanesville, Ohio. Three children were born of this union, Lawrence Granger Smith, who graduated from West Point in 1920, now serving with the Fourteenth U. S. Cavalry ; two daughters, Emily E. Smith and Annabel G. Smith, both of Muskogee. Mr. Smith remained in Washington during the Cleveland administration and through six months of the Harrison administration. When he was relieved he was sent to San Francisco, Calif., on government business, but he soon resigned to be secretary of the Pacific Coast Hardware & Metal Association, a strong organization formed for the purpose of adjusting differences between the dealers and transportation companies, including in its membership all the leading, influential firms from Seattle to Los Angeles. Mr. Smith performed this difficult task with much skill.

But the call of Oklahoma was always uppermost in his heart and mind, so in 1892 he resigned to return to Muskogee where for many years he was prominently identified with leading business interests and contributed largely toward building up this Queen City of the West. He organized the Chamber of Commerce and was its president for many years. He served two terms as mayor of Muskogee and founded the traffic department of the city. He was a past Exalted Ruler of Muskogee Lodge, B. P. O. E., past District Deputy for Indian Territoiw and was the first president of the Oklahoma State Elks' Association. He was one of the charter members of the Town and Country Club. He was secretary of state under Governor C. N". Haskell. The most laudable things that can be said of Thomas P. Smith are that he was a devoted husband and father; his greatest pride and joy being in his home and family life. He was a true and loyal friend.

The glory of having well served his city, his state and his nation belonged to him. To him such service was a duty and a pleasure, for it was not in his temperament to shirk. Years spent in public service made him one of Muskogee 's most valued citizens, and he died with the knowledge that he had more than done his bit to make Muskogee a real city among cities.

He was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1851 and finished his course of study in Princeton University in 1871. Soon after his graduation he followed Horace Greeley's advice and emigrated to Indian Territory. His first work here was that of a teacher in the Presbyterian Mission School at Tullahassee, which, at that time, was the largest and best of the Creek schools. In the meantime he pursued the study of medicine and after teaching about two years, he resigned and entered the University of Louisville, Ky., as a medical student, receiving his diploma in 1875. His experience as teacher at Tullahassee had so deeply impressed him with the chances of success and the opportunities for doing good in this country that he could not resist the temptation to return to the Territory. Within a year after completing his medical course, he had returned to Muskogee and had established an enviable reputation as a physician. He also established a drug store in Muskogee, which he conducted until 1887, when the fire of that year destroyed his stock of drugs. Being the son of a Presbyterian minister, he had become well versed in theology and took a prominent part in building up the little Presbyterian Church in Muskogee. For quite a while he served as pastor of this church without compensation. He became identified with the noted missionary family of Robertson by marrying a sister of Mrs. A. E. W. Robertson, daughter of Samuel Worcester, the devoted Cherokee missionary and mother of Miss Alice Robertson, so well and favorably known in Muskogee.

Doctor Williams was widely known as a thorough Christian gentleman who devoted much of his time and talent, both as minister and physician, to the service of humanity, regardless of money remuneration.

Frank H. Grubbs established the first exclusive shoe store in Muskogee. He came to the city in January, 1902, and began business at the corner of Main Street and Okmulgee Avenue, in the old two story frame structure known as the Phoenix building. After remaining there for a year he moved his stock of goods one block west to the Fite-Rowsey building. When the new Severs building on Broadway was completed he moved into one of its store rooms. In 1 908 he moved again to the new Arkansas building, and at the close of that year he sold out his store and some time later established a bank at North Muskogee. For several years past he has served as secretary of the Muskogee Clearing House Association.

One afternoon in March, 1901, a dark-haired, sturdily-built man of middle age stepped off the Southbound Flyer train at Muskogee and before he had scarcely had time to brush the dust from his clothes the old residents began to sit up and take notice, for they soon realized that a genuine town builder had arrived, in the person of Charles K. Haskell.

Mr. Haskell was born in Putnam County, Ohio, on the 13th day of March, 1860, the son of a barrel maker. His father died while the lad was quite young, and not feeling inclined to follow his father's trade, he went to work on a farm. What influence the father's trade has had on the son's later life is a matter of conjecture. He was fond of reading and while plowing corn he became anxious to acquire an education. He was fortunate in having an aunt who took quite an interest in his welfare and aided him in securing a sufficient amount of education to qualify him as a school teacher. He taught school in Ohio for several terms and devoted his evenings to the study of law, and by close application to study he was soon able to pass the examination for admission to the bar. He practiced law for a while in Ohio but the dull routine of a law office did not long satisfy his restless, ambitious inclination. He soon became interested in building an Ohio railroad and later in establishing telephone lines. His telephone propositions expanded rapidly and reached as far away as Texas and during one of his trips to Texas he started the proposition of connecting San Antonio, and other cities in that state, with St. Louis by a long distance telephone system. Upon one occasion, while returning from Texas to his Ohio home, he accidentally met Judge John R. Thomas of Muskogee enroute to St. Louis. The two men were soon engaged in social conversation and after Mr. Haskell had outlined some of his undertakings, past and present, Judge Thomas began to expatiate upon the possibilities and needs of Muskogee. Upon arriving at St. Louis the two men separated, but not until the Judge had exacted a promise from Mr. Haskell to visit Muskogee at an early date.

Mr. Haskell kept that promise and when he arrived in Muskogee in 1903, his reputation as a promoter had preceded him and assured him a cordial reception. After he had looked the town over a meeting of the citizens was called to confer with him. At that conference Mr. Haskell said in substance :

" Gentlemen, I see that you have the nucleus of a good town here, but you have but one railroad, the Katy road, running north and south. You ought to have an east and west road. Take up a collection and I will build you a railroad, beginning at Okmulgee and extending through Muskogee and on eastward to Tahlequah."

Within three days the citizens of the city had raised a bonus of $30,000 and the building of the Frisco road was assured. About the same time, Mr. Kenefeck, another railroad promoter, was considering the proposition of building a branch of the Frisco line from Fayetteville, Ark., westward into the then Indian Territory, and the two promoters joined forces and built the road from Okmulgee to Fayetteville, naming it the "Ozark and Cherokee Central." After it was completed it was purchased by and became a part of the Frisco System. Mr. Haskell's next move was to build the Midland Valley Railroad into and through Muskogee, and later he was instrumental in building the Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf Railroad into Muskogee and on toward the southwest. Mr. Haskell was active in promoting other enterprises for Muskogee, and although he was not a wealthy man, he commanded the confidence of capitalists to such a degree that they were ready and willing to invest their money in any proposition which he endorsed.

In the spring of 1904, Mr. N. A. Gibson, at the request of the Muskogee democrats, addressed a letter to Mr. Haskell, soliciting him to become a candidate for mayor of the city, but he declined, saying that he had no political aspirations and that he believed he could be of more service to Muskogee, as a private citizen. The political bee began to buzz in his ear, however, in August, 1905, when the Sequoyah separate statehood convention met in Muskogee. Some of the brightest men in Indian Territory were delegates to that convention, and its proceedings were scarcely begun when Mr. Haskell became one of its leaders, demonstrating the fact that he could lead men in building constitutions and states as readily as he could lead them in town building. Although the Sequoyah convention failed to produce a state, it did discover the state 's first governor, for from that time forward Mr. Haskell was a prominent figure in the political affairs of the Territory and the new state. He was an easy winner in the race for the first governorship of Oklahoma, and although he had many difficult problems to solve, and although he was harassed and annoyed by the scheming of some of his own official family, his administration was one of the most successful which our new state has ever had. For several years past Governor Haskell has resided in New York and is reputed to have become quite wealthy.

Muskogee 'S Eiest W. C. T. U.

The first branch of the Woman's Christian Union in Muskogee was established on July 19, 1888, Mrs. Jane Stapler of Tahlequah being chosen as its first president. Quite a heated controversy arose over a proposition to indorse the prohibition party, but when it was seen that the proposition was about to prevail, Miss Alice Robertson and Mrs. Bryce withdrew from the organization, claiming that the society should carry on its work from a nonpartisan standpoint. This society finally secured a building of its own on the east side of the city and established a school for boys which was maintained until 1897, when the city was preparing to open its first public school.

A. Grant Evans

During the early part of the present century Rev. A. Grant Evans took an active part in the affairs of Muskogee along several lines. He was born in India, educated in England in a normal college and taught school there for a few years. In 1884 he arrived in Indian Territory and taught school for a while in the Cherokee Male Seminary at Tahlequah. He became specially interested in the education of the Indian boys, was ordained as a Presbyterian minister and placed himself at the service of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions. He held pastorates in Kansas, Oregon and Colorado, and in 1899 returned to Muskogee to take charge of Henry Kendall College, as the successor of Reverend King, the first president of the college. Soon after arriving at Muskogee he married Miss Katherine Robb, the daughter of Andrew Robb, one of Muskogee's most meritorious pioneers.

During President Evans' residence in Muskogee, he did not confine his work to the school alone but he was active in all the movements looking toward the civic betterment of the city. He organized a University Club, composed of about seventy Muskogee men who had been university students and the cosmopolitan character of the citizenship was shown by the fact that almost every university in the United States of any standing was represented. Professor Evans was an active member of the masonic order and he assisted very materially in getting Congress to appropriate money for the establishment of day schools in Indian Territory for White and Indian children. Soon after statehood he was appointed as president of the state university which position he held for several years. He now resides in California.

Trading Posts And Origin Of Names

Their early white neighbors in Georgia and Oklahoma generally referred to the Muskogees that lived in the creeky or swampy country as "Creeks," hence the name " Creek Indians."

The first white settlement in this section was the trading post of French and Rutherford, located on the south bank of the Verdigris River at the " lower falls" or opposite the present town of North Muskogee. This post was founded in 1817 by Robert Mosby French, a Kentuckian, who had traded several years among the western Oklahoma Indians. His junior partner was Samuel Morton Rutherford, a seventeen-year-old native of Virginia. French later married a Cherokee and has many descendants in Muskogee and Cherokee counties. Rutherford was the grandfather of his namesake : Samuel Morton Rutherford of this city.

This post was acquired before the early summer of 1819 by Bozier and Pryor. The latter of whom was an ex-captain of the United States army who had accompanied Lewis and Clark in their expedition to the northwest and later settled in the present Mayes County on the creek that still bears his name. Bozier was, as his name indicates, a French courier de bois. Col. August P. Chouteau of Grand Saline, near Salina, most probably purchased this property some time before 1825 and used it as an Osage Indian Agency as we find it referred to as the Osage agency by Washing- ton Irving who visited it on Wednesday, October 10, 1832, although at that time it was in the Creek Nation and over eighty miles from Chetopa or Three Lodges, the nearest Osage community.

Within two years after the founding of the post by French and Rutherford, Hugh Glenn established a trading post two miles south of the former station and on the north side of the Verdigris River, near the later residence of Gen. Samuel Houston whose Cherokee wife was Tiana, the sister of Chief J ohn Rogers. Houston's residence site was later the home of Lieut. Charles Hoskins, who had graduated from West Point in 1832. Hoskins had the reputation of being an intelligent, high spirited, daredevil, fox hunter and bon vivant. His wife, Tiana Otterlifter, was said to have been the most beautiful woman in the Cherokee Nation. Tradition has it that on leaving Ft. Gibson for the Mexican war, Hoskins buried a quantity of whiskey at that place remarking he would have some good whiskey when he returned. He was mortally wounded in the assault on Monterey on September 21, 1846, and there is no record that his whiskey has ever been found.

Fort Gibson was established in March, 1824, by Col. Matthew Arbuckle of the Seventh United States Infantrv. It was named in honor of Lieut-Col. George Gibson, commissary general of the United States army.

Even as late as October, 1832, it was one of the three post offices in the present state, the other two being Dwight Mission and Takatoka, on Fourteen Mile Creek. Webbers Falls, which is not a falls at all, but a ledge of limestone standing on edge and extending across the river bed, was named from the fact that it was settled by Walter Webber, an old settler Cherokee chief who died in the spring of 1824. Lieut. James Wilkerson who descended Arkansas River in December, 1806, stated that the falls was at that time fifteen feet high. Coody's Creek was named for William Shorey Coody, the author of the Cherokee Constitution of 1839. He had a palatial residence at Frozen Rock, near the mouth of the above named stream.

Durdy Creek was at first named by the French : Terre D ' Inde, pronounced Tardien, which was their name for the turkey or the land of the bird of the Indian, literally turkey creek.

Gus Lubbes

Gus was born on a sailing vessel on the Pacific Ocean on the 12th day of July, 1841. His parents were Dutch and he was the youngest of thirteen children. He was left an orphan at an early age, and fell in with a scout out on the Western Plains, who took quite a fancy to him. As he grew to manhood he assumed the role of a scout himself and encountered many thrilling experiences with the wild Indians of the Rocky Mountain country.

Upon one occasion, in company with four other scouts, he was escorting a caravan of wagons, loaded with provisions destined for a far West army post. While encamped one night his party was attacked by a band of Sioux Indians and three of his associates were killed. Gus was taken prisoner by the Indians and upon arriving at their camp about daybreak on the following morning, he was bound to a tree, and from morning until noon, the Indians and their squaws danced around him, taunting and torturing him in typical Indian fashion. As the sun approached noon-day his captors piled a lot of sticks around him and set fire to them. As the fire began to scorch his limbs and body he thought that his fate was sealed but he did not flinch, but for one time in his life, he prayed most earnestly for deliverance. Just as he was about ready to succumb to the pain which he was suffering, a bugle blast was heard in the distance and a shot from a rifle announced the arrival of a squad of United States Cavalry. The Indians hastily stampeded but one of them rushed past Gus and struck him with a knife, leaving a scar which he still carries as a reminder of the most exciting of his many thrilling experiences. A bullet from a soldier's rifle, however, overtook that Indian, and Gus was soon released from his torture by the soldiers, although the shock, combined with the suffering from his wounds, rendered him uncon-

Upon the establishment of the first IT. S. Court in Indian Territory Gus was appointed as U. S. jailer and for many years afterward he was responsible for the care and custody of the many prisoners who were herded in the old stockade in Muskogee, among whom were some of the most desperate criminal characters of that early day. After coming to Muskogee, Gus married and reared a large family. Upon retiring from his responsible position as U. S. jailer he bought a farm a few miles south of Muskogee, built a home and a very large barn, intending to engage extensively in the raising of fine horses and cattle, but a disastrous fire destroyed his barn and many thousand dollars' worth of his thoroughbred livestock.

At the age of eighty-one Gus still resides in Muskogee and is now a trusted collector for the Commercial National Bank. He is still spry and lively in spite of the many hard knocks which he has encountered.