OKLAHOMA HISTORY AND CIVICS ROBERTS Class _Eiaii4_ Bonk .1?M Copyright N?_ COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. Early Oklahoma Citizens THE ESSENTIAL FACTS OF OKLAHOMA HISTORY AND CIVICS BY CHARLES H. ROBERTS w FORMERLY HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY CENTRAL STATE NORMAL SCHOOL EDMOND, OKLAHOMA ov 7roW' a\\a rroXv BENJ. H. SANBORN & CO. BOSTON NEW YORK CHICAGO 1914 Copyright, 1914, BY CHARLES H. ROBERTS. ji/^^O^ Nottooob Press J. 8. dishing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. [Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. JAN -2 1914 ©CI.A3G1407 INTRODUCTION The study of history should be one of the most interesting subjects that a child takes up in school work. Every one likes to hear about what other people have done, provided they have done something of importance. It has been the purpose of the author of this brief history to arrange the subject matter so as to hold the interest of the children, and cause them to want to know more about the story of their own state. The subject has been treated topically. The important facts con- cerning each subject have been brought together so that the child may have a clear and connected idea of what he has studied. The aim of the author has been to arrange the topics in a natural order and to connect the topics so as to make a complete whole. Disconnected facts arranged chronologically usually cause confusion in the mind of the child. It has been the earnest desire of the author to avoid such confusion, hoping that the child may be able to form a clear, complete picture of the entire story. The history of Oklahoma is unlike that of any other state. At first, it was set apart for Indians, and many Indians of a high type were brought within its borders. Then it was opened to the whites in a way to secure almost an equal proportion of the best blood of the North and South. Okla- homa should be a worthy state. Its coming citizens, the children, should be glad to know its wonderful story and should be inspired by it to be worthy citizens. It is hoped that this brief account of its past may help to develop such inspiration. iv Introduction Every citizen should be interested in the government of his own state- and should know how local affairs are managed. In the civics study included in this work, the aim has been to present a brief yet clear and complete outline of the govern- ment of Oklahoma, that the children may be prepared for a more complete understanding of the subject later on. CHARLES H. ROBERTS. Edmond, Oklahoma. TABLE OF CONTENTS PERIOD OF EXPLORATION LESSON 1. Spanish Explorations . 2. French Explorations 3. American Explorations 4. Ownership of Oklahoma PAGE 1 6 9 13 PERIOD OF REMOVAL OF FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES 5. Removal of the Cherokees 17 6. Removal of the Cherokees {Concluded) ..... 20 7. Removal of the Creeks .22 8. Removal of the Choctaws and Chickasaws .... 23 9. Removal of the Seminoles . 25 PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR IN INDIAN TERRITORV 10. Civilized Tribes join the Confederacy 28 11. Events of 1861 and 1862 30 12. Events of 1863 and 1864 33 13. End of the War 35 PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION 14. Terms of the Treaties 15. Railroads enter Indian Territory . 16. Attempt to form a Territorial Government 17. Locating Other Tribes 18. Locating Other Tribes {Concluded) 19. Trouble with the Plains Indians v 38 40 42 44 46 49 VI Table of Contents PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT BY WHITES LESSON 20. Conditions before Settlement .... 21. The First Opening 22. The First Addition 23. Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie Opening 24. Cheyenne and Arapahoe Country 25. Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 26. The Kickapoo Country and Greer County 27. The Kiowa and Comanche Opening . 28. Big Pasture and Other Additions 53 56 59 62 64 66 70 72 75 PERIOD OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT 29. Classes of Territories . 30. Tribal Government 31. Dawes Commission and Curtis Act 32. Oklahoma Organized . 33. Under Territorial Government 34. The Struggle for Statehood 78 80 84 86 89 92 PERIOD OF STATEHOOD 35. The Forty- sixth State 36. Inauguration of State Government 37. Under State Government . 38. Industries of the State 39. Development of the State . 40. Education 96 98 100 104 106 108 OKLAHOMA CIVICS 1. Introduction . . 115 2. The School District .... • 117 3. Municipal Township .... . 119 4. Incorporated Towns .... . 121 5. Cities . 123 Table of Contents vn LESSON 6. The County 7. Government of the State . 8. Bill of Rights .... 9. Legislative Department 10. Initiative and Referendum 11. Executive Department . 12. Executive Department {Concluded) 13. Judicial Department 14. Elections 15. Taxation PAGE 125 128 130 132 134 136 139 141 144 147 APPENDIX A Territorial Officers Population of Five Civilized Tribes Area of Openings 151 151 152 APPENDIX B State Officers 153 APPENDIX C State Institutions Population Ten Largest Cities Schools under Church Control Books of Reference 156 157 157 157 158 The Essential Facts of Oklahoma History PERIOD OF EXPLORATION LESSON 1 SPANISH EXPLORATIONS The discoveries of Columbus not only gave Spain a claim on the New World, but they aroused the spirit of adventure and the lust for gold, traits which were exceptionally strong in the Spanish people. In 1 5 13 Balboa, in search for gold, discovered the Pacific Ocean and laid claim to all the lands touched by it. He claimed these undiscovered lands in the name of the king of Spain. The same year (1513) Ponce de Leon, in search for youth and fame, discovered Florida. Magellan, from 1519 to 1521, sailed on the Pacific Ocean, thereby giving Spain a better right to the lands washed by its waters. While Magellan was mak- ^ t0 t h e ing his famous voyage, Cortez was conquering i^?°7 ery of Mexico and robbing the Aztecs. The success of Cortez caused De Narvaez to undertake the conquest of Florida. In 1528 he landed at Tampa Bay and pushed northward, then westward, but failing to find gold, and meeting with many difficulties, he turned toward the south and reached the Gulf of Mexico, not far from Mobile 2 Oklahoma History Bay. There he built some rude vessels and started for Mexico. The vessels were wrecked by a storm near the coast of Louisiana or Texas, and all the members of the expedition were drowned, except four men, De Vaca and three others. De Vaca was captured and held as a prisoner by the Indians, but after many hardships and narrow escapes, he succeeded in reaching the Spanish settlements in the western part of Mexico in 1536. During his wanderings De Vaca may have come within some two hundred miles of the Red River, but there is very little reason for thinking he reached the bound- aries of what is now Oklahoma. Like all other Spanish explorers in the New World, De Vaca never lost an opportunity to inquire for gold. The Indians Seven Cities told him there were several cities a long distance of Cibola j- |- ne northward where there was an abundance of gold. There had been an old legend among the people of Spain that far to the west was a land containing seven cities fabulously rich. It was easy for an imaginative people like the Spaniards to believe that the cities of which De Vaca heard must be the seven mentioned in the legend. In 1539 Mendoza, the viceroy of Mexico, sent a priest, Marcos de Nizza, on an expedition to learn whether the cities heard of by De Vaca really existed. The negro Stephen, one of the three companions of De Vaca, accompanied Marcos, and being anxious to gain the glory of rinding the cities, he hurried on ahead of Marcos. The negro reached the Zuni pueblos in the northwestern part of what is now New Mexico. The Indians, believing him to be a spy, put him to death. His companions hurried back and met Marcos, who, upon hearing of the death of Stephen, became so frightened that he returned to Mexico without going on to the cities which he supposed were the " Seven Cities of Cibola." However, when Spanish Explorations 3 he reached Mexico, he reported that he had found the seven cities. The next year (1540) Coronado, the governor of the northwest province of Mexico, started out in search of the "Seven Cities." Before starting he obtained coronado's the consent, not only of Mendoza, but also of the i° urne y Emperor Charles V, who was also king of Spain. Coronado started from Culiacan near the west coast of Mexico, with Zuni Pueblo about three hundred Spaniards and a much larger number of Indians. He proceeded northward until he reached the Zuni pueblos, which he found to be built of adobe or mud walls. The cities were not well constructed, like those Cortez had conquered, nor had the Indians any gold worth mentioning. Marcos, who started out to guide the expedition, was forced to turn back for fear the disappointed soldiers would kill him. A fleet of vessels with supplies for Coronado followed 4 Oklahoma History along the east coast of the Gulf of California until the mouth of the Colorado River was reached. The com- mander, Alarcon, finding that he was in a gulf and not on the Pacific Ocean, turned back. A detachment sent by Coronado to intercept the fleet and get supplies reached the upper part of the Gulf of California and learned that the fleet had been there and gone. Thinking the fleet had gone along the coast to the northward, Coronado sent another company westward when he reached the Zuni pueblos. This detachment discovered the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River and learned from the Indians near there that the Pacific is many hundred miles to the westward. Coronado was disappointed, but not disheartened. He obtained some supplies from the Indians by barter and by force and decided to continue his search. Following the guidance of an Indian whom the soldiers nicknamed the Turk, the expedition was led in a southeasterly direction until it reached a point in north-central Texas not far from the iooth meridian. Here the Turk was placed in chains, as it was evident that he had been misleading them. He afterward acknowledged that he had hoped to take them to a place where they would perish for lack of water and food. Later, for this treachery, the Turk was strangled. Another Indian with Coronado, whose home was in Quivira, was selected as guide. As their supplies were almost exhausted Coronado decided at this point to send the larger Quivira part of his army back to the valley of the Rio Grande, where they could obtain food. Then, taking thirty of his strongest, best-equipped men, Coronado proceeded northward across what is now Oklahoma, perhaps not far from where Lawton, El Reno, and Enid now are, until he reached the northern part of Kansas, near the present site of Spanish Explorations 5 Manhattan. Here the guide, at his own request, was left. It seems that his home was in Quivira, and his only reason for wishing to be their guide was that he would be furnished a means of getting home, and food while on the way. Coronado, finding villages of grass tepees instead of cities of gold, started homeward. He went in a southwesterly direction, crossing what is now the Panhandle of Oklahoma, and reached the remainder of his army in New Mexico. From there he returned to Culiacan by the same route he had gone on his outward march. About the time (1541) Coronado was crossing Oklahoma, De Soto was approaching the Mississippi River. Some writers think Moscosco, the successor of De Soto, after the latter's death, may have entered the eastern part of what is now Oklahoma, but this is doubtful. It is also thought by some that Spanish priests established missions in the Wichita Mountains and that Spaniards engaged in mining in the same region, but we are not certain of either. We do know, however, that the Spaniards founded Santa Fe in 1605, and that they established settlements in what is now southern Texas in the early part of the eighteenth century. We may sum up the expeditions upon which Spain based her claim to the region comprising the present state of Oklahoma as follows : The discoveries of Columbus led to the expedi- Summary tions of Balboa and Ponce de Leon. The gold obtained by Balboa led to the conquests of Cortez and the voyage of Magellan. The glory and riches obtained by Cortez led to the attempts made by De Narvaez and De Soto. The wrecking of De Narvaez's ships led to the wanderings of De Vaca. 6 Oklahoma History The story of De Vaca led to the expeditions of Marcos and Coronado. Coronado made a wonderful journey into an unknown land and actually passed through what is now Oklahoma, and was the first European to do so. Spain's claim, therefore, to this region was : ist, that Colum- bus discovered the New World ; 2d. that her explorers had been to the east, to the west, and to the south of Oklahoma ; 3d, that Coronado had actually passed through it ; 4th, that settlements had been established at Santa Fe and on the Rio Grande in Texas. Questions. Who was the first European to enter what is now Okla- homa ? What led to his journey ? Trace his journey. Who was Marcos ? Tell about the wanderings of De Vaca. What brought the Spaniards to the New World ? What right had Spain to claim what is now Oklahoma ? What was the Spanish legend of the "Seven Cities" ? Locate the Wichita Mountains. Written Work. Write a description of the New Mexican pueblos. Write a story of the adventures of De Narvaez. A story of the con- quests of Cortez. Readings. "Journey of Coronado," by G. P. Winship. "Colonial Fights and Fighters," Part I, by Cyrus T. Brady. LESSON 2 FRENCH EXPLORATIONS French fishermen, hearing of the abundance of fish in the waters near Newfoundland, through the reports of the Cabots, began to fish along the coast as early as 1503. Denys entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1504. Among the first explorers to make very extensive explora- French Explorations 7 tions was Verrazano, who in 1524 explored the Atlantic Coast from the Carolinas to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Cartier (1535) ascended the St. Lawrence River to the present site of Montreal. In 161 5 Champlain discovered Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. With this start Mississippi other French explorers soon made their way to basin the other Great Lakes. Marquette and Joliet were the first to cross from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. This they did in 1673, an d they followed the river down to the mouth of the Arkansas River. Later (1682) La Salle succeeded in reaching the mouth of the "Father of Waters." He formally took pos- session of the entire Mississippi basin in the name of Louis XIV of France. Hoping to establish a colony at the mouth of the river, he returned to France, organized an expedition, and set sail again for the New World. But he missed the mouth of the Mississippi River and landed at Matagorda Bay on the coast of Texas in 1685. Near that bay he built Fort St. Louis on the La Vaca River. Two years later La Salle, while trying to reach the Mississippi River, was killed by one of his own men. Soon after, his colony, which was the first one established in that region, was destroyed by the Indians. Iberville established Biloxi (1699) in the southern part of Mississippi. This colony was moved to the present site of Mobile in 1702. Bienville founded New Orleans in 1718. Saint-Denis led an expedition across Texas to the Rio Robert Cavelier de La Salle 8 Oklahoma History Grande in 17 14. Du Tissenet led an exploration through Missouri and, no doubt, entered eastern Kansas (17 19), but there is no good reason for thinking he was in Oklahoma. About the same time La Harpe ascended the Red River, and two years later he went up the Arkansas River. It is not certain that he entered Oklahoma, but it is more than likely that he did. From the founding of New Orleans (17 18) to the close of the French and Indian War (1763) many Frenchmen were engaged French in in hunting, trapping, and trading for furs along the Oklahoma streams running into the Mississippi River from the west. The fact that the French got along well with the Indians, and that they were unusually successful in penetrating unknown regions, is sufficient proof that they entered the present limits of our state. Then, many streams in the eastern part of the state have French names ; for example : Poteau, Grand, Illinois, and San Bois. To summarize the expeditions which led the French toward Oklahoma, and gave France some right to this region, we have the following : Denys entered the Gulf of St. Lawrence (1504), Cartier ascended the St. Lawrence River to Montreal (1535), Cham- plain reached Lake Huron (161 5), Marquette Summary entered the Mississippi basin (1673), La Salle found the mouth of that river (1682). The French estab- lished colonies at Fort St. Louis (1685), Mobile (1702), and at New Orleans (17 18). They explored to the south, to the east, and to the north of what is now Oklahoma, and undoubtedly entered its limits, and trapped along its streams. France, therefore, claimed this region : 1st, because a French- man discovered the mouth of the river which drains it; American Explorations 9 2d, because her explorers had been on three sides of it; 3d, because her countrymen had made use of it. Questions. What discoveries were made by Verrazano? Who was the first European to ascend the St. Lawrence River? Who found the way to Lake Huron? Trace his route. What Frenchman found the way to the Mississippi River ? Who discovered its mouth ? What settlements were made in the lower Mississippi vaUey? What right had France to claim the lands now included in Oklahoma? Written Work. Write an article setting forth the reasons the Indians were usually friendly to the French. Write on this subject, " The French along the Streams." Write on, " The Jesuits." Readings. " Evangeline," by Longfellow. " Historic Towns of the Southern States " (Mobile and New Orleans), by Lyman Powell. " His- tory of Louisiana," by Albert Phelps. LESSON 3 AMERICAN EXPLORATIONS Soon after the United States obtained possession of Louisi- ana, expeditions were sent out to explore the new addition to our territory. Lewis and Clark left St. Louis in 1804, ascended the Mis- souri River, and reached the Pacific Coast by way of the Columbia River. Zebulon M. Pike started from St. Louis (1806), crossed what is now Mis- souri and Kansas and eastern Colo- rado, and discovered the peak that bears his name. Then, while at- tempting to discover the source of the Red River, he pushed on to the Rio Grande, where he was taken prisoner by the Spanish and sent back to the United States by way of New Orleans. Lieut. Zebulon Montgomery Pike. i o Oklahoma History Lieutenant James Wilkinson, a member of Pike's expedition, was permitted to return on account of illness. When this expedition reached the Arkansas River near the present site of Great Bend, Kansas, Wilkinson descended that river, passing through what is now Oklahoma (1806). This was undoubtedly the first American exploring party to pass through lands now included in Oklahoma. Then George C. Sibley, a United States Indian agent, made a trip to the salt plains in the region of the Cimarron and the Salt Fork of the Arkansas (1810). Fort Smith, Arkansas, was established on the Arkansas River at the mouth of the Poteau, near the eastern boundary of Oklahoma, by Major Stephen H. Long (18 1 7). A trading post was set up at the mouth of the Verdigris River as early as 18 18. Whether it was established by Colonel Hugh Glenn, then abandoned and later occupied by A. P. Chouteau, or was operated by Glenn for Chouteau seems not to be known positively. Major William Bradford, in 1819, led an expedition to drive out intruders who had settled in the valley of the Kiamitia River. With him was Thomas Nuttall, a Harvard botanist, who has left an account of many interesting experiences in this new country. Nuttall afterward went up the Arkansas and some of its tributaries, looking for new specimens of plant life. Another explorer who tried to trace the Red River was Major Stephen H. Long. He followed the Platte River to the base of the Rocky Mountains. He then went southward until he reached the Canadian River, which he mistook for the Red River. He descended the Canadian River to the Arkansas River which he followed to Fort Smith. Fort Gibson was established (1824) near the mouth of the Grand River, some eight miles from the present site of Muskogee, and a American Explorations i i little later the same year Fort Towson was established not far from the mouth of the Kiamitia River. Expeditions into this region now became more frequent. Among the most interesting is the one described by Washing- ton Irving in his " Tour of the Prairies." A commissioner was sent out to look over the country west of Fort Gibson to determine whether that country was a fit place to settle Indians which the government wished to move from the eastern states. The commissioner invited Ir- ving to go along. Captain Boone com- manded the mounted men who were to accompany the commissioner. Another member of the company was an English writer, Charles J. Latrobe, who describes the journey in "The Rambler in North America in 1832 and 1833." The ex- pedition left Fort Gibson in October, 1832 and returned to that fort a month later, after going as far west perhaps as Kingfisher and Canadian counties. Irving tells, in his de- lightfully entertaining manner, of many interesting incidents and scenes. Another expedition, worthy of mention, was that of General Henry Leavenworth, who escorted Montfort Stokes, special commissioner to the Indians, to the vicinity of the . . . George Catlin Wicnita Mountains. This was in 1834, and the purpose of the commissioner was to bring about friendly relations between the Kiowas and the Osages which were hostile to each other, and to induce the Plains Indians to make treaties with the Eastern Indians who were then removing to the eastern part of the Indian Territory. The most impor ant thing in connection with this expedition is that George Washington Irving i 2 Oklahoma History Catlin, the celebrated painter of Indians and Indian scenes, was with the party and made a number of valuable paintings which preserve to us a correct idea of how the Indian on his native soil really appeared. As has been stated before, three attempts had been made to trace the source of the Red River. Captain Sparks (1806) Source of the had been turned back by the Spanish, Lieutenant Red River Pike (1806) was taken prisoner by the Spanish, and Major Long had mistaken the Canadian for the Red River. Captain Randolph Marcy (1852) was ordered to trace the Red River to its source. He started with his men from Fort Belknap on the Brazos River in Texas and proceeded to the Red River near the mouth of Cache Creek. From there he went up the Red River, following the North Fork to its source. He then searched for and found the source of the main river. While exploring the river, he passed through the Wichita Mountains. In his report to the War Department he gives much interesting information about the country through which he passed. Captain George B. McClellan of the Engineer Corps, afterwards Commander of the Army of the Potomac, was with Marcy on this expedition. Questions. Who was the first American explorer to pass through Oklahoma? Trace his journey. Name the attempts to find the source of the Red River. Who succeeded in locating the source of the Red River? Who was Irving? What did he write? Which of his works have you read? Written Work. Write a brief review of " Tour of the Prairies." Write about the work of George Catlin. Write a sketch of Zebulon M. Pike Readings. " Tour of the Prairies," by Washington Irving. " Thirty Years of Army Life," by Randolph B. Marcy. Ownership of Oklahoma i 3 LESSON 4 OWNERSHIP OF OKLAHOMA As has already been seen, the region now included in our state was claimed by different peoples. The Spanish claimed it because they had discovered America, — their explorers had been to the east, to the south, and to the west of it ; Coronado and his men had really planted their feet upon its soil. But from the time the Spanish failed to find gold in Quivira they paid little attention to this part of the country and really lost their right to it by abandoning it. The French claimed it because it was drained by the Missis- sippi River, the mouth of which they had discovered, and near which they had founded a settlement (New claims to Orleans). They actually began settlement, not 0klahoma in Oklahoma, but in the Mississippi basin, although they had trapped and traded within its borders. The English claimed it because, having taken possession of the Atlantic Coast, they claimed the land between parallel lines, west to the Pacific Ocean. Based upon this assumed right, the Crown (1609) granted lands to the London Company which included the greater part of our present state. The grant of the Carolinas in 1663 included all of our state. But the English claim was hardly based upon any real right, as they had not even seen the country. Of the three countries mentioned, France seems to have had the best claims. The Indians really had the first right to it, at least first in point of time. But when these claims were being asserted, European people had little respect for Indian rights. Then there is some question as to whether any Indians really occupied this region as a home. The Wichitas claimed that they had lived near the Wichita Mountains for 14 Oklahoma History three hundred years before the Americans began to explore that part of the Louisiana Purchase. According to early accounts a division of the Osages occupied the northeastern part of this state and the Quapaws claimed the country south of the Osages. These three tribes had some right to the lands mentioned, no doubt. Several other tribes, including the Kaws, Pawnees, and Kiowas, hunted and warred within its boundaries. After the Indians, the title to the lands in our state, as far west as the iooth meridian, was in France. At the close of Title to the French and Indian War (1763) France trans- Okiahoma ferred her lands west of the Mississippi River (Louisiana) to Spain. In 1800, by secret treaty, Spain ceded Louisiana to France, and in 1803 France sold the same tract to the United States. By the purchase of Louisiana the United States really bought the Panhandle of Oklahoma, but by the treaty made with Spain (18 19) the United States accepted the iooth meridian as the western boundary between the Red and the Arkansas rivers. So the Panhandle of Oklahoma remained Spanish territory until Mexico gained its ndependence (182 1). It was a part of Mexico until Texas became independent (1836) and was added to the United States by the annexation of Texas (1845). By the terms of the treaty of annexation, Texas was to have no slaves north of 36 30', or the part of the state north of that line was to be separated from Texas. Texas decided to dispose of this part north of 3 6° 30' as well as a large tract west of the 103d meridian. By one of the provisions of the Compromise Bill of 1850 the United States paid Texas $10,000,000 for the lands so given up. This strip of land between 36 30' and 37 north latitude, and between the iooth and 103d meridians was added to Oklahoma Territory (1890) Ownership of Oklahoma i 5 by the Organic Act, which was an act or bill passed by Con- gress, organizing Oklahoma as a territory. This strip or panhandle before its addition to Oklahoma was called officially the Public Land Strip by the United States, but it was commonly known as "No Man's Land ; " for it was a part of no state or territory and had no government recog- nized by the United States. When the Cherokees were moved to their western home, they were given the land known as the Cherokee Outlet as far west as the 100th meridian. This formed the eastern boundary of No Man's Land. When Texas was annexed, she gave up the land north of 3 6° 30'. This formed the southern boundary. When New Mexico Territory was organized by one of the provisions of the Com- promise Bill of 1850, its eastern boundary (103d meridian) became the western boundary of No Man's Land. When Kansas was organized as a territory by the Kansas-Nebraska Bill (1854), the southern line of Kansas (37°) became the north line of No Man's Land. Hence, this strip of land, 34 miles wide by 168 miles long, was left like a scrap of cloth when a garment has been cut out. To summarize, the transfers of title to the lands which form Oklahoma west to the 100th meridian were : Indians by living and hunting there ; France by occupation and assuming control (1718) ; France to Spain (1763) by treaty; Spain to France (1800) by secret treaty ; France to the United States (1803) by sale. Panhandle of Oklahoma : Spain by exploration (1541), then settlement at Santa Fe (1605) ; Spain to Mexico (182 1), independence ; Mexico to Texas, independence ; Texas to the United States, annexation. Questions. What Indians had their homes in Oklahoma? In what part of Oklahoma did they live ? What real right did they have to the 1 6 Oklahoma History lands they occupied? Trace the title of Oklahoma, east of the iooth meridian, from the Indians to the United States. Trace the title to the Panhandle from Spain to the Territory of Oklahoma. What right did England have to Oklahoma? How did the Missouri Compromise of 1850 affect its boundaries? The Kansas-Nebraska Bill? Written Work. Set forth in writing the reasons why Spain had a strong claim to the lands included in Oklahoma. State in writing why France had a better right to these lands. Give brief biographies of: Columbus, De Soto, Coronado, Champlain, Marquette, La Salle, Pike, Marcy, Irving, Catlin. PERIOD OF REMOVAL OF THE FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES LESSON 5 REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEES The idea of locating the Indians in a territory by themselves was set forth in a treaty made by the United States with the Delawares in 1778. Jefferson, in giving his reasons for pur- chasing Louisiana, mentions the desirability of placing the Indians by themselves at some distance from the whites. Many of the leading men of the country and some of the missionaries among the Indians favored removing the Indians to some territory west of the Mississippi River where they would not be so likely to acquire the vices of the whites. On May 28, 1830, the President approved an act of Con- gress providing for the establishment of the Indian Territory- This Indian country was rather indefinitely Planan bounded, but included all of the country west of Indian Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, as far west as the United States extended, or to the Rocky Mountains. Okla- homa without the Panhandle, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas have since been carved out of it. The Cherokees, an important tribe of the Iroquoian group of Indians, at the time of the first English settlements possessed a large country, extending from a short distance west of the Carolina and Virginia settlements almost to the Mississippi River. By 1830 they had disposed of the larger part of their 17 i8 Oklahoma History John Ross lands, and what they still owned was northern Georgia, northeastern Alabama, southeastern Tennessee, and western North Carolina. A good many whites had intermarried with them, and a large number of the tribe had settled down to peaceful pursuits. When the United States became in- dependent, the state of Georgia ex- tended to the Mississippi River. It was the desire of the United States that Georgia should give up all her lands west of her present limits. In 1802 Georgia ceded her western lands to the United States with the understanding that the Indians would be removed from the state as soon as it could be done peaceably. As many of the Cherokees were opening up and improving farms, it became evident to the people of Georgia that it would Georgia urges become more and more difficult to have them removal removed. And as the Cherokees had a tribal government, it was a case of a state within a state which is an unsatisfactory arrangement. Further the people of Georgia thought the Cherokees had more good land than they could use. And the whites wanted to dig for gold on these lands. For these reasons the Georgians became very impatient to have the Indians removed. While the Federal Government was under promise to move the Indians, it was reluctant to do so by force. The state passed laws against the Cherokees and the whites who dwelt among them. One law was that any white person living among the Indians should take an oath to support the laws of Removal of the Cherokees 19 the state and should obtain a license. Two missionaries were sent to the penitentiary for violating that law. They ap- pealed their case to the Supreme Court of the United States and that Court through its Chief Justice, John Marshall, decided that the men could not be legally held, but should be discharged. The state refused to release them, and President Jackson would not interfere. After serving sixteen months, they were liberated by the governor. Some of the Cherokees, under the leadership of Major Ridge, his son John, and Elias Boudinot, began to favor removal, thinking that they would be forced to NewEchota move sooner or later. United States commis- Treat y sioners called a council of the Cherokees to meet in December, 1835, at New Echota, the capital of the Cherokee Nation East. The Ridges, Boudinot, and a few others attended. A treaty for removal was agreed upon and signed by six Indians, with the understanding that it was not to become effective until signed by the Ross delegation then in Washington. John Ross and his party refused to sign the treaty, but it was ratified by the United States Senate the next year, and the Cherokees were ordered to move to the new lands assigned them in the Indian Territory. Questions. What land was held by the Cherokees when Jamestown was settled? What land did they own in 1830? What agreement did the United States make with Georgia in 1802 ? Why did not the United States keep its promise? Why was Georgia not willing for the Chero- kees to stay where they were ? What law did Georgia make to apply to white men among the Indians ? Why was that law made ? Who was John Marshall? Written Work. Write on Georgia's treatment of the Cherokees. The New Echota Treaty. Readings. Read about De Soto among the Cherokees in " Border Fights and Fighters," Part I, by Brady. 20 Oklahoma History LESSON 6 REMOVAL OF THE CHEROKEES (Concluded) The Cherokees refused to go, and remained in their homes until removed in 1838 by General Winfield Scott with an army of two thousand men. This is one of the saddest chapters in American History. Some sixteen thousand men, women, and children were forcibly ejected from their homes and escorted to the west. About four thousand perished on the way. It may be implied from a statement already made, that there was at this time a Cherokee Nation West. Before the American Revolution a good many Scotch and English had intermarried with the Cherokees. Being loyal to Great Britain, they had helped to influence the Cherokees to take sides with the English during the Revolution. After the close of the war the United States made a treaty with the Cherokees, at which time many presents were distributed among the Indians. A small party of the Indians departed for their home and on the way fell in with some white traders who were going down the Tennessee River. The traders sold whisky to the Indians, and while the latter were under the influence of the liquor, secured about everything the Government had given the Indians, giving in return nothing of much value. When the Indians had recovered from the effects of the liquor, they wanted to trade back. The whites refusing, a number of shots were exchanged, and as a result the white men were killed. Bowl, the leader of the party of Indians, and his fol- W infield Scott Removal of the Cherokees 21 lowers, fearing the government authorities, fled to Arkansas (1785), which was then outside of the United States. From time to time other Cherokees followed. Between 1809 and 181 7 large numbers went west. In 181 7 the United States having come into possession of that country, the Government granted the Cherokee Nation West a tract of land between the White and Arkansas rivers. At that time there were about six thousand of them. Then the people of Arkansas began to feel the same way toward the Western Cherokees that the people of Georgia did toward their eastern brethern. In 1828 the United States induced the Cherokees in Arkansas to move into the Indian Territory. As has already been stated the eastern division was brought west in 1838 or ten years later. In 1839 a Constitution was adopted for the united Cherokee Nation and 1 ..,.-, United Nation John Ross was chosen principal chief. But there were factions among them for many years. The Western Cherokees, having come into the Indian Territory ten years earlier, were known as the "Old Settlers." Then there was a Ridge faction made up of those who favored the treaty. The Ridges and Elias Boudinot were assassinated in 1839, because they favored removal and had signed the treaty. The Cherokees were given a large tract of land in the north- eastern part of what is now Oklahoma as their home. They were also given a strip of land fifty-eight miles wide, extending along the northern portion of the state from the 96th to the 100th meridian, as an outlet to the mountains. Questions. Who was Winfield Scott? Who ordered him to move the Cherokees? How many Cherokees died on the way? During what time of year was the removal? What was the Cherokee Nation West? Who were the " Old Settler " Cherokees? What other factions among the Cherokees ? W T hat is a faction ? Where were the Cherokees located 22 Oklahoma History in the Indian Territory ? Who was elected principal chief of the United Nation ? Written Work. Write a description of the removal of the Cherokees. How the Cherokee Nation West was formed. Reading. Life of General Winfield Scott. LESSON 7 ! REMOVAL OF THE CREEKS The Creeks, or, as they called themselves, Muscogees, originally occupied a large part of Georgia and Alabama, just south of the Cherokees. They aided the English during the Revolution, also during the War of 1812. At the close of the latter war they were forced to give up part of their lands. When the agitation for the removal of the southern Indians began in real earnest, part of the Creek lands were in Georgia, but the larger part in Alabama, directly south of the Cherokees. At the urgent request of the people of Georgia, a treaty was negotiated by the United States, with William Mcintosh Removal from and a few other Creeks (1825), by which a few Georgia Creeks, claiming to represent the tribe, ceded to the United States their lands in Georgia. The whites moved upon the Creek lands without waiting for the legality of the treaty to be determined. The Creeks, feeling outraged by the treachery of Mcintosh and his associates, assassinated them and withdrew to the Creek lands in Alabama. But the people in Alabama were just as anxious to get rid of the Indians as were the people of Georgia. Gradually the Creeks became convinced that they would some time be compelled to move. In 1832 they made a treaty Removal of the Choctaws and Chickasaws 23 ceding their lands in Alabama to the United States, and agreeing to move to the lands assigned to them in Indian Territory. By this agreement they were not to Removal move at once, but as the whites rushed upon their Indian lands without waiting for them to be surveyed, the Creeks were forced to go sooner than they expected. Most of them went within a few years after the treaty. The lands assigned the Creeks in the Indian Territory, and to which they moved after the treaty made in 1832, were south of the Cherokee Outlet, west of the Cherokee Nation proper, and north of the Canadian River. Chilly Mcintosh and the Coweta band of Creeks had moved to these lands soon after the assassination of William Mcintosh, the father of Chilly. Questions. What land did the Creeks own when America was first settled? What lands were theirs in 1825? Why were these Indians called Creeks? What did they call themselves? Who was William Mcintosh? What can you say of him? What lands were assigned to the Creeks in the Indian Territory? Written Work. Write a description of the country through which the Creeks passed in going to the Indian Territory. Write your opinion of William Mcintosh. LESSON 8 REMOVAL OF THE CHOCTAWS AND CHICKASAWS The Choctaws were Mobilian Indians whose home was in the central part of Mississippi, extending into Alabama. De Soto had trouble with them. They were mostly on the side of Great Britain during the Revolution, but aided the United States during the War of 181 2. 24 Oklahoma History Mississippi, like Georgia, desired to get rid of the Indian governments within her jurisdiction. In order to do so the Mississippi l aws of the state (1830) were made binding upon for removal the Choctaws. The Indians, feeling that this would eventually break up their nation, reluctantly agreed to give up their lands and move. They had already given up part of their lands (1820) and had received in return lands between the Red and the Canadian rivers in Indian Territory. Then by the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek (1830) they gave up the rest of their lands east of the Mississippi River and began to move to their new lands in the west. They were not forced to move at one time, but when a number were ready to go, the Government carried them by steamboat up the Arkansas River to their new home. A few Choctaws were permitted to remain in Mississippi. The Chickasaws, a kindred tribe to the Choctaws, lived in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. They were more warlike than the Choctaws, and during the Chickasaws . Revolution they helped the English. In 181 8 they sold their lands in Tennessee. In 1830 the state of Mississippi made the Chickasaws subject to the laws of the state as it did the Choctaws. The Indians claimed this to be very unjust as they could not understand English or the laws of the state. On account of this treatment they signed the treaty of Ponto- toc Creek (1832), giving up their lands in Mississippi and promising to move west. The whites as usual were so im- patient to go upon the lands that they could not wait for the Indians to move, but really crowded the Indians out. In 1837 the Chickasaws made an arrangement with the Choctaws by which they were to give the Choctaws $530,000 for a district in the lands of the latter, and each tribe was to have equal rights in the tribal government. Later a dis- Removal of the Seminoles 25 agreement arose between the tribes as to the meaning of equal rights. The Chickasaws claimed it to mean that their tribe was to have as much power in the _.. , ^ Chickasaws government as the Choctaw tribe had. The separate from Choctaws claimed the tribes were to have equal rights according to the population. The Chickasaw tribe was much smaller than the Choctaw tribe. In 1855 the matter was settled by the United States. The Chickasaws were to pay the Choctaws $150,000, were to govern their own district, and were to be separated politically from the Choctaws. Questions. What was the home of the Choctaws east of the Missis- sippi River? Why did Mississippi want to get rid of the Indians? Why did the Indians object to being under the laws of the state ? What was the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek? What lands were given to the Choctaws in Indian Territory ? How were the Choctaws moved ? What was the home of the Chickasaws east of the Mississippi River? What arrangement did the Chickasaws make with the Choctaws in 1837 ? What trouble arose between them later? How was it settled? Written Work. Write your opinion of Mississippi's attitude toward the Indians. Write a brief biography of Pushmataha. LESSON 9 REMOVAL OF THE SEMINOLES The Seminole tribe was formed of runaway Creeks and remnants of tribes with which the Spanish had come into contact. The Seminoles were against the Americans during the Revolution and during the War of 181 2. Trouble with these Indians caused General Andrew Jackson to invade Flor- ida in 1818. By a treaty made in 1832 the Seminoles agreed to give up their lands in Florida and move west, but many of them were 26 Oklahoma History unwilling to be bound by the treaty and refused to leave Florida. In 1835 the Government attempted to remove them Resented by force. A war followed, lasting almost seven removal years, which cost the United States nearly fif- teen hundred lives and about $10,000,000. Osceola, their leader, was one of the most powerful of Indian chiefs. Finally he was captured by treachery and kept in prison until he died. His followers were overcome and removed to the Indian Territory (1842), where they were settled on the lands of their kinsmen, the Creeks. Being fewer in number than the Creeks, they had but little power in the tribal government. They were dis- satisfied also because they felt that they would soon lose their identity as a nation. In 1856 the government suc- ceeded in having a part of the Creek lands set apart for the Seminoles as their own. Their lands were bounded Osceola. (After Cat/in) on the north by the North Canadian River and the Cherokee Outlet, on the south by the South Canadian River, and they extended from a point near the 97th meridian to the Texas line. In brief the Five Civilized Tribes formerly held most of the region east of the Mississippi River, and south of the Ohio River to the coast. During the early part of the nineteenth century the southern states, Georgia taking the lead, took steps to force these tribes to remove to the west. The states ob- jected to having independent Indian states within their borders. The whites also thought the Indians had more good land than they needed or could use. Summary Removal of the Seminoles 27 The Cherokees were moved from Georgia, Alabama, Tennes- see, and North Carolina to the northeastern part of the Indian Territory (1838) ; the Western Cherokees from Arkansas to the Indian Territory (1828). The Creeks were moved from Georgia to Alabama (1825) ; a few of them went to the central part of the Indian Territory at that time. The main body of the Creeks was moved from Alabama to the west in 1832. The Choctaws moved from Mississippi to the south- ern part of the Indian Territory (1830). The Chickasaws moved from northern Mississippi to the Choctaw lands in Indian Territory (1837). The Seminoles were moved from Florida to the Creek lands in the Indian Territory (1842). Four of the tribes moved reluctantly but peaceably to their new homes. The Seminoles fought desperately against removal, but were finally overcome after seven years of fight- ing. The Chickasaws were given separate tribal government in i855- The Seminoles were separated from the Creeks and given their own lands in 1856. Questions. Who were the Seminoles? Where was their eastern home ? Who was their great leader ? When were the Seminoles moved west? What did the Seminole war cost the United States? Why did the Seminoles want to be separated from the Creeks ? What lands were they given? Why did the Chickasaws want a separate government from the Choctaws ? Where was the eastern home of each of the tribes ? The western home of each ? When was each moved ? Why ? Written Work. Write a brief account of the Seminole war. Write a biography of Osceola. Write an account of the purchase of Florida. PERIOD OF CIVIL WAR IN INDIAN TERRITORY LESSON 10 CIVILIZED TRIBES JOIN THE CONFEDERACY The misunderstanding between the North and the South which led to the Civil War was a quarrel in which the Five Civilized Tribes were not directly interested, but they were soon drawn into it. For several reasons their sympathies were with the South. All of the tribes held slaves. By location they were a part of the South. They were bounded on the east Reason for joining the and on the south and on the west by slave Confederacy states> Many whites from the southern states had intermarried with the Indians. They had been as- sociated more with southern people, and the civilized ways which they had acquired were learned from southern people. When the war began, the Federal troops were withdrawn from the Indian Territory, which may have caused the Indians to feel as if they had been abandoned by the Federal Government. The Indian agents were mostly south- ern men, and the commissioners from the Confederacy, es- pecially Albert Pike, were very active and had great in- fluence with the Indians. The two southern tribes, the Choctaws and the Chickasaws, were almost unanimously in favor of the South. The Choctaw Council decided, February 7, 1861, but three days after the 28 Civilized Tribes join the Confederacy 29 Confederacy was formed, that they would go with the South, should the Union be permanently dissolved. The Chickasaw legislature, May 13, 1861, less than a month after the fall of Fort Sumter, withdrew their allegiance to the United States and declared their friendship for the South. The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were divided almost equally in their sympathies for the Union and for the Confed- eracy. The Cherokees, however, were not divided r oss an d solely on the question of secession. The Ross Ridge and the Ridge factions had much to do with the division. The Ridge faction which had favored removal to the west was not bitter in its feelings toward Georgia and the other southern states. The members of that faction, under the leadership of Stand Watie, favored an alliance with the Confederacy. Ross advised neutrality. However, he called a convention to de- cide the matter. The convention met August 21, 1861, and declared in favor of an alliance with the Confederacy. Ross reluctantly yielded. The Creeks were divided in much the same way. As stated before, William Mcintosh was assassinated because he favored removal from Georgia. His sons, D. N. Mcintosh and Chilly Mcintosh, now espoused the southern cause and became colonel and lieutenant colonel of a Creek regiment. Yo-ho-la, the leader of the Creeks, who had put to death the elder Mcintosh, took the side of the Union. General Albert Pike, the commissioner appointed by the Confederacy to secure treaties with the Indians, met delegates from the Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws, and Chickasaws, August 1, 1 86 1, and formed treaties of alliance and friendship with them. A little later Pike made treaties at the Wichita Agency (Anadarko) with representatives of the Wichita, Caddo, Comanche, Tonkawa, and other tribes. In October 30 Oklahoma History he concluded treaties with the members of the Osage, Qua- paw, Seneca, and Shawnee tribes. By these agreements the Indian Territory was made a part of the Confederacy. Questions. In the Civil War, which side did the Five Civilized Tribes take? Give their reasons for taking that side. How did the Choctaws and Chickasaws stand as to the side they should take? Tell how the Cherokees came to be divided into factions. What had divided the Creeks into factions? When and where was the Confederacy organ- ized? Where was the capital at the beginning of the war? Who was Albert Pike ? Locate the Wichita Agency. What is an Indian Agency ? Written Work. Write brief biographies of John Ross, Major Ridge, Yo-ho-la, and William Mcintosh. LESSON 11 EVENTS OF 1861 AND 1862 At the opening of the war there were but few Federal troops in the Indian Territory, They were distributed among a number of forts a long distance from each withdraw other. Lieutenant Colonel William H. Emory fromindian wag ^e commanding officer in this department. These forts were so far away from an important Federal center that it was difficult to reenforce the small garrisons or to send them supplies. Not able to withstand the forces of the Confederates, which were far superior to his in numbers, there was nothing left for Colonel Emory to do but to collect the garrisons from Forts Smith, Washita, Arbuckle, and Cobb and march to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, a distance of four hundred miles. The Indian Territory was then practically in the hands of the Confederacy. When the Federal troops withdrew from Fort Cobb, many of the Indians at the Wichita Agency followed the troops north- Events of i 86 1 and 1862 31 ward. Among them were the Caddo, Wichita, and Delaware tribes. The Confederates soon overran the Territory. Little effort was made on the part of the North to hold the Indian Territory, except that which was made by the loyal Indians, especially the Creeks under Yo-ho-la. During 1861 no important battles were fought in the Indian Territory. Yo-ho-la with his Creeks was defeated by Colonel Douglas H. Cooper at Bird Creek, a few •i .irT r m 1 a 1 861, Battles miles north 01 the present site 01 lulsa. A f Bird Creek week later Yo-ho-la was defeated at Shoal andShoal Creek Creek. In 1862 Generals Curtis and Siegel, with about ten thousand Union men, carried the war into Arkansas. At Pea Ridge they encountered a somewhat larger force of Battle of Confederates under Generals Van Dorn, Price, and Pea Rld s e McCulloch, March 6, 1862. This battle was in Arkansas, yet it had a very important bearing upon affairs in the Indian Territory. According to the agreements made between the Confederacy and the Indians, the latter were not compelled to go out of the Territory to fight. However, an Indian brigade under General Albert Pike was with the Confederate forces in this battle, which was the largest and most desperate battle in which the Indians took part during the war. The Confederates were defeated, and this had a demoralizing effect upon the Indians. In June, 1862, Colonel Weir, with a body of Union men, marched from southeastern Kansas into the Cherokee country. The principal chief, John Ross, was taken prisoner. Ross really preferred to remain neutral, but he and many other Cherokees were favorably inclined toward the North. They had not forgotten that Georgia and some of the other southern states had forced the Indians from their former homes. About this 32 Oklahoma History time the Confederates transferred many of their men from Arkansas to the east side of the Mississippi River to aid in checking Grant's advance toward Vicksburg. The Cherokee Nation was thus left exposed to the armies of the North and had apparently been abandoned by the Confederates. Without accomplishing much Colonel Weir withdrew from the Territory, and the Confederates again entered the Cherokee capital. They deposed Ross as principal chief and elected Stand Watie to that position. The Cherokees who were loyal to the Union still considered Ross their chief, while those who favored the Confederacy looked to Stand Watie. Ross went to Washington and did not return to the Territory until the close of the war. In October, 1862, General James G. Blunt, with a Union army, marched south into the Cherokee Nation and defeated the Confederates under Colonel D. H. Cooper at Old Fort Wayne, and Colonel Wm. A. Phillips retook Fort Gibson. At the close of the year (1862) the Federals held the country north of the Arkansas River. The Confederates controlled south of that river. The Tonkawas were about the only Plains Indians on the Washita River who remained faithful to the Con- federates. October 23, 1862, a band of Indians loyal to the North, consisting of Delawares, Creeks, Kickapoos, and Shawnees, attacked the Tonkawas at Wichita Agency. Most of the Tonkawas were killed, the remainder fled to Texas. Questions. What Federal officer commanded the department in- cluding the Indian Territory at the beginning of the war? Where were the garrisons stationed? To what fort did these garrisons withdraw? Locate Forts Smith, Washita, Arbuckle, Cobb, and Leavenworth. Name, locate, and give result of a battle fought in the Indian Territory in 1861. What was the result of the first year of the war in the Territory ? What Events of 1863 and 1864 33 effect did the battle of Pea Ridge have upon the Cherokees? Why? What was the Cherokee capital? Locate it. Why was Ross deposed? Who was chosen to take his place? By whom? Who retook Fort Gibson ? What was the result of the second year of the war ? Written Work. Write an account of the battle of Pea Ridge. Write brief biographies of Generals Franz Siegel, Earl Van Dorn, S. R. Curtis, and Sterling Price. LESSON 12 EVENTS OF 1863 AND 1864 As stated before, a large number of the Cherokees wished to cast their lot upon the side of the Union. Their country was now in the hands of the Federals. It seemed an opportune time to change. Captain Thomas Pegg, who was acting prin- cipal chief, called together the National Council, February 18, 1863. The Council renounced its allegiance to the Confeder- acy, declared its loyalty to the United States, and at the same time abolished slavery. Stand Watie summoned that part of the Cherokee Council which favored the Confederacy to meet at Weber Falls, April 25, 1863. Colonel Phillips pre- vented the meeting. In July General Blunt crossed the Arkansas River with three thousand men and attacked General Cooper with a large number of Confederates at Honey Springs, not far from where Muskogee now stands. The Confederates resisted bravely, but their equipment was inferior to that of the Federals, and they were forced to retreat with considerable loss. The next month General Blunt moved against the Con- federate General Steele. The forces of the latter were divided into three divisions, each retreating in a different Fort Smith direction. Blunt followed Cooper and Stand retaken Watie toward the south and defeated them at Perry ville, 34 Oklahoma History August 25. General Blunt took possession of Fort Smith, September 1, 1863. This gave the Union forces control of the river above that point and gave them much the advantage in the Indian country at the close of 1863. The year 1864 opened with Colonel Phillips making a winter campaign into the central and southern part of the Indian country. His aim was to induce Indians to break their alliance with the Confederacy and renew their allegiance to the Union. In April, 1864, the Indians had an opportunity to engage in another battle on Arkansas soil. As has already been said, Battle of ^ey were not compelled to go out of the Indian Poison Territory to fight. However, some of them were willing to go. General S. B. Maxey, who now commanded the Confederate forces in the Indian Territory, attacked and captured a Federal wagon train at Poison Springs, Arkansas. Stand Watie captured a Federal supply steamer, /. R. Williams, at Pleasant Bluff, near the mouth of the Canadian River, June 15, 1864. A Federal detachment coming up soon after the capture, Stand Watie was forced to burn the supplies and retreat. In September about two thousand Confederates under Generals Gano and Stand Watie marched around Fort Gibson, Battle of crossed the Arkansas River, and burned a Federal Cabin Creek na y cam p They then moved northward and attacked a Federal wagon train on its way from Fort Scott to Fort Gibson, at Cabin Creek. The Union escort was defeated, and the entire train of three hundred wagons was taken by the Confederates. Federal reinforcements under Colonel J. M. Williams came up after a forced march and re- newed the fight. During the night the Confederates with- End of the War 35 drew with one hundred and twenty-nine of the wagons, after burning the supplies they could not take with them. Questions. When did the Cherokees return to the Union ? Who was acting principal chief? Where was the principal chief? Why did the Cherokees decide to join their fortunes with the Union? Did all of them withdraw from the Confederacy ? Who was leader of the Con- federate Cherokees? Name, locate, and give result of a battle fought during 1863. Of two battles fought in 1864. Why was the retaking of Fort Smith important to the Federals ? Which side had the advantage in the Indian Territory at the close of 1863 ? At the close of 1864? Written Work. Write a brief account of Grant's first attempt to take Vicksburg. Write brief biographies of Generals James G. Blunt, Stand Watie, William A. Phillips, and R. M. Gano. LESSON 13 END OF THE WAR During the last year of the war (1865) no battles of conse- quence were fought in the Indian Territory. It was evident that the war was about over. After General R. E. Lee sur- rendered, April 9, 1865, the remaining Confederate armies soon yielded. May 26, General Kirby Smith surrendered the department west of the Mississippi to General Canby. The Confederate Indians, realizing that the war was vir- tually over, called a peace council of all the Indians of the Five Civilized Tribes and the Plains Indians to meet at Council Grove on the North Canadian council at River on May 1, 1864. This was to be a meeting Cam P Na - . poleon of all the Indians of the Territory, both Union and Confederate. The Council was not held until May 26, at which time it met at Camp Napoleon on the Washita River. Their purpose was to agree to be at peace among 36 Oklahoma History themselves and to stand together in asserting their rights. They were fearful lest the Federal Government, in treating with each tribe separately, might deprive them of many of their former rights. Representatives of the Civilized Tribes and of the Plains Tribes met and signed a peace compact by which they agreed to bury the tomahawk, break the scalping knife, Peace Com- and be at peace among themselves forever. They agreed to form an Indian Confederacy and have for its motto — "An Indian shall not shed an Indian's blood." The compact was made between the Confederate Indian tribes and a number of the tribes of the Plains. At the close of the war conditions were deplorable in the Indian Territory. The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were divided. Bitter hatred existed between the factions. The Choctaws and the Chickasaws, having been almost a unit for the South, were not divided. Most of the property in the Territory except that near the Red River had been de- stroyed. Houses had been burned, fields laid waste, and stock driven off. Both Union and Confederate Indians had suf- fered at the hands of the other. At the beginning of the war the few Federal soldiers who were in the Territory were withdrawn to Fort Leavenworth. The Five Civilized Tribes joined the Confederacy. The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles were divided. The Confederates controlled the Territory at the end of the first year. The Battle of Pea Ridge caused some of the Cherokees to waver in their support of the South. The Federals controlled the territory north of the Arkansas River at the close of the second year of the war. The Chero- kees returned to the Union, February 18, 1863. Stand Watie's supporters remained true to the Confederacy. The End of the War 37 Federals controlled most of the Territory at the close of the third year of the war. The Confederates made a number of successful attempts to capture Federal supplies during 1864. Confederate and Plains Indians held a peace council May 26, 1865. Questions. Give location of the Five Civilized Tribes. Which side in the war did they take? Why? Locate the forts in the Terri- tory. Name, locate, and give result of five battles. Why did the Cherokees change sides? Wliere was a peace council held? Its pur- pose? What Confederate general commanded the department west of the Mississippi at the close of the war? Name the Federal officers who took part in the war in the Territory. Tell something about each. Name the Confederate officers. Tell something about each. Written Work. Write an account of the conditions in the Territory at the close of the war. Write about the peace council. Give the sub- stance of the Indian Peace Compact. PERIOD OF RECONSTRUCTION LESSON 14 TERMS OF THE TREATIES The Indians who had joined the Confederacy were anxious to know how the United States would deal with them. Peter P. Pitchlynn, principal chief of the Choctaws, called a general peace council of all the tribes in the Indian Territory to meet at Armstrong Academy in the Choctaw Nation, September i, 1865. The plan was to meet commissioners of the United States for the purpose of renewing treaties with the Federal Government. The Council was held September 8, at Fort Smith, at which place commissioners of the United States met repre- Peace Council sentatives of the Indian tribes. There was also at Fort Smith present a delegation of prominent men from Kan- sas, who were there to insist that the Five Civilized Tribes permit other Indians to be placed on their lands. Kansas was anxious to get rid of the Indians that had been settled in that state. The Indians were informed that by taking up arms against the United States they had forfeited their treaty rights and Peace that their property was liable to confiscation ; but conditions j- na f- ^ e Government did not wish to take their homes from them. They were told, however, that the Govern- ment would insist on the following terms : 38 Terms of the Treaties 39 1. Their slaves must be freed and be given tribal rights if they chose to remain with the tribe. 2. They must agree to sell part of their lands upon which the Government might settle freedmen or loyal Indians. 3. All of the tribes in the Territory must organize under one territorial government. Many of the Indians were not willing to agree to some of these terms. Some objected to giving up lands to other Indians. Others did not want to give tribal rights to their ex-slaves. Nothing was accomplished, and the Council adjourned to meet in Washington the next year. Representatives of the Indians met in Washington early in 1866. Several months were required to arrange Terms of the the treaties. The treaties differed somewhat in treaties » l866 detail, but agreed in many of the most important features, which, in substance, were as follows : 1. Slavery must be abolished. 2. Freedmen must be given tribal rights. 3. Loyal Indians must be paid for losses incurred during the war. 4. Right-of-way must be granted to railroads. 5. A territorial government must be formed for all the tribes in the Indian Territory. 6. Amnesty must be granted, and there must be peace among the tribes. 7. The Five Civilized Tribes must give up lands to other Indians. The Choctaws and the Chickasaws gave their freedmen or freed slaves forty acres of land each, but they were not to share in the annuities or trust funds of the tribes. The Cherokees, Creeks, and Seminoles shared their lands equally with their freedmen. 4-0 Oklahoma History Questions. Who called a peace council? Where and when did it meet? For what purpose? Who were represented in the Council? What conditions were offered the Indians by the Government? Why was Kansas represented? How did the Indians receive the conditions? When and where were the treaties arranged with the Five Civilized Tribes? In what respects did the treaties agree? How did they differ? Written Work. Write brief sketches of P. P. Pitchlynn, Winchester Colbert, John F. Brown, and D. N. Cooley. LESSON 15 RAILROADS ENTER INDIAN TERRITORY During the Civil War the Federal Government was greatly hampered in sending supplies to the troops in the Territory. Right-of-way For this reason the United States insisted (1866) to railroads ^hat railroads be permitted to enter that region. According to the treaties made with the Cherokees and Creeks, only two railroads were to be given a right-of-way across the lands of these nations. One was to be from north to south and the other from east to west. There were no such limita- tions in the treaties made with the Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Seminoles. The first road to enter from the north was not only to have a right-of-way, but was to be given each alternate section of land for ten miles on each side of the track, provided this land should ever become public land of the United States. As a result of this offer a great race took place between two roads in Kansas, which were planning to build southward. These two roads were the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas, and the Leavenworth, Lawrence, and Galveston. The former reached the north line of the territory first, June 6, 1870, and was Railroads enter Indian Territory 41 granted the right-of-way. This road passes through Vinita, Muskogee, and McAlester and on into Texas. The first road to enter the Territory from the east was the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad (187 1) which crossed the M. K. &. T. at Vinita and continued southwest to Red Fork near the Arkansas River. This road is roads into now part of the St. Louis and San Francisco line x n dianTer - ^ > m ritory which has been built in a southwesterly direction through Oklahoma City and Lawton on into Texas. The first road to enter from the east was also to receive a land grant, provided the land along the track should become public domain. The roads never received the land as it never became the property of the United States. When allotted later to the members of the tribes, the land passed directly from each tribe to the members of the tribe. No more railroads were built into the Indian Territory until the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe extended Later rail- its line (188 5-1887) from Arkansas City, Kansas, roads through to Galveston, Texas. The next railroad was also a north and south road, the Rock Island, which built (1889-1890) south from Caldwell, Kansas, to Forth Worth, Texas. The first east and west railroad to be completed through Oklahoma was the Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Gulf, now the Rock Island, which passes through Shawnee and Oklahoma City to Amarillo, Texas. This road reached Shawnee in 1895, and crossed the west line of the state in 190 1. It will be noticed that all of the first railroads to cross the Territory were north and south roads. This had much to do with the character of the population of this state, a subject that will be discussed under another topic. 42 Oklahoma History Questions. Why was it difficult for the United States to get sup- plies into the Territory during the war? What offer was made to rail- roads? What is a right-of-way? What is meant by each alternate section of land? What was the first railroad to cross the Territory from north to south? The first to enter from the east? Trace these roads, naming the cities along each. Have these roads received the land promised ? Give the reason. Name the next two railroads to cross the Territory from north to south. Trace them, naming the present princi- pal cities along them. When was each built? What was the first east- and-west railroad through the Territory? When built? Trace it, naming the cities through which it passes. Written Work. Make a list of the railroads now in this state. What results Usually follow the building of railroads through a new country ? LESSON 16 ATTEMPT TO FORM A TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT One of the terms of the treaties made with the Indians in 1866 was that a territorial government should be formed for the Indian Territory. During the session of Congress (1866-1867) immediately following the making of the treaties a bill was offered in Congress providing for a territorial government for Oklahoma, as it was proposed to call the Indian Territory. This name is said to have been suggested by Colonel E. C. Boudinot of the Cherokee Nation. The name — Oklahoma — was first used to apply to this countrv when the Name Okla- „. <-.!•! • homa first Choctaw-Chickasaw treaty was made in i860, used. By that treaty the Superintendent of Indian Meaning J j sr Affairs was to be governor of the Territory of Oklahoma. The name was probably first mentioned by Allen Attempt to form a Territorial Government 43 Allen Wright — Choctaw Wright, a member of the Choctaw delegation. The word, which is Choctaw, means "red people," or red people's land. The bill to organize the Indian Territory failed to become a law. Similar bills were offered in succeeding Congresses, only to meet the same fate. The Five Civilized Tribes were opposed to the organization of the Indian Territory into the Territory of Oklahoma, as proposed by Congress. They were afraid it would result in bringing into their country grasping white men, who would eventually de- prive them of their country. To forestall these attempts of Con- gress, the Indians decided to call a Council of the Tribes to meet at Okmulgee, December 5, 1870, for the purpose of forming a Confederation of the tribes which Oklahoma would suit them better than the plans proposed Constitution by Congress. The Council appointed a committee of twelve to draw up a constitution for the union of the tribes. William P. Ross, a nephew of John Ross, was chairman of the com- mittee. The constitution drawn up by this committee was submitted to the tribes for their approval. The Chickasaw legislature rejected the plan because it provided for representation in proportion to the population. That tribe, being smaller than some of the other tribes, favored giving each tribe equal power in the legislative body. This action of the Chickasaws defeated the Okmulgee constitu- tion. On account of the continued opposition of one party or another, the Indian Territory was never organized. The Indian Territory, as it is generally called, was not really a 44 Oklahoma History territory. It was the Indian country or the region set apart for the Indians. It was not an organized political body. Questions. What was the agreement of the Indians in reference to government? When did Congress consider the matter? What name was proposed for the Territory? What kind of word is it? What does it mean? Who probably used the name first to apply to this country? In what document was it used? Why did the Indians hold a council at Okmulgee? What was the Okmulgee constitution? Which tribe acted upon it first? Why did that tribe reject it? What is a con- federation ? Written Work. W T rite sketches of William P. Ross, E. C. Boudinot, and Allen Wright. LESSON 17 LOCATING OTHER TRIBES Another provision of the treaties of 1866 was that the Five Civilized Tribes should give up part of their lands for other in the north- Indians to be settled upon. February .3, 1867, of th^Terri- the United States made a joint treaty with the tor y Seneca, Miami, Quapaw, Wyandotte, Ottawa, and Peoria tribes, and a band of the Shawnees, to remove them from their lands in Kansas to the Territory. They were settled in the northeastern part, east of the Grand, or Neosho River. The lands upon which they were placed did not belong to the Cherokees. In 1873, a hostile band of Modocs in southern Oregon treacherously slew General Canby and the other peace com- missioners who were holding a parley with them. The band was captured, and their leader. Captain Jack, and three other men were hanged, and about one hundred and fifty of them were located in the northeastern part of the Territory near the Peorias. Locating Other Tribes 45 By the treaty with the Cherokees, the United States could settle peaceful Indians in the Cherokee Nation proper, and could place wild tribes in the Cherokee Outlet or west of the 96th meridian. The Cherokees were not to give up any of this land until the Government was ready to place Indians upon it, and at that time the Cherokees were to be paid for it. In 1866 a band of Delawares and a band of Shawnees dis- posed of their lands in Kansas and bought of the Cherokees the right to become a part of that nation. They on Cherokee settled among the Cherokees east of the 96th lands meridian. The Osages (1870) ceded to the United States their lands in southern Kansas and purchased that part of the Cherokee Outlet east of the Arkansas River. The Kansas or Kaw Indians (1873) bought of the Osages the northwest part of their reservation in the Cherokee Outlet and moved from Kansas to their present home. The Nez Perces, whose home was in Idaho and Oregon, waged war against the Government troops in 1878. Chief Joseph and his followers were overcome after a long and difficult struggle andVere taken as prisoners to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. They were located in the Cherokee Outlet within what is known as Kay County. They were very much dissatisfied with their new home, and many of them died. Some of them returned to Idaho (1883), and the remainder were moved to a new reservation in Idaho in 1885. In 1884 the remnant of the Tonkawa tribe was moved from Texas and placed on the Nez Perces reservation. It will be Chief Joseph 46 Oklahoma History remembered that the Tonkawa was a Confederate Indian tribe which was attacked and driven from the Wichita Agency, in 1862, by Union Indians. The Poncas were moved from Nebraska to the Outlet and were placed on a reservation just west of the Arkansas River (1876). The Pawnees came from central Nebraska to a reservation across the Arkansas River south of the Osages. The greater part of their lands was in the Cherokee Outlet, but they also received some land that had belonged to the Creeks, as their south line was the Cimarron River. Questions. What tribes were located in the northeastern part of the Territory ? Tell whether that land had ever belonged to the Chero- kees. Name and locate the tribes settled upon Cherokee lands. Tell what states they were moved from. What was the Cherokee Outlet? What was the agreement between the United States and the Cherokees in reference to giving up lands to other Indians? What tribe received both Cherokee and Creek lands? Locate the lands. What tribe was permitted to leave its reservation in the Territory? Why? Where were they given other lands? What tribe was placed where the other tribe was moved from? Written Work. Write an account of the Modoc War. Of the War with the Nez Perces. Write sketches of Chief Joseph, Captain Jack, General Canby, and General Miles. LESSON 18 LOCATING OTHER TRIBES (Concluded) The Creeks by treaty of 1866 sold the west half of their reservation, 3,250,560 acres, at thirty cents an acre, and the Seminoles sold all of their lands, 216,908 acres, at fifteen cents per acre. These lands were ceded at once to the United States to be used as settlements for friendly Indians. Locating Other Tribes 47 In 1867 the Sac and Fox, the tribe of the famous Black Hawk, was moved from Kansas to the eastern part of the lands just given up by the Creeks. The Iowas were on Creek moved from northeastern Kansas to a reservation lands west of the northern part of the Sac and Fox country (1876). The Kickapoos were moved from Kansas (1873) to a reserva- tion south of the Iowas, also on lands ceded by the Creeks. The Seminoles were given lands (1866) between the North and South Canadian rivers, which had been ceded to the United States by the Creeks. A band of Indians, known as the Absentee Shawnees, were moved from Kansas to a reservation west of the Seminoles (1866) ; part of this land had been ceded by the Creeks and part by the Seminoles. A band of Pottawatomies were moved from Kansas (1868) and settled with the Absentee Shawnees. By the terms of the Medicine Lodge Treaty (1867) the Cheyennes and the Arapahoes were given a large tract of land between the 98th and 100th meridians ; part of their lands had been ceded to the United States by the Creeks, part by the Seminoles, and part by the Choctaws and Chickasaws. At the same Peace Council, held at Medicine Lodge in southern Kansas, a treaty was made with the Kiowas, Coman- ches, and Apaches, whereby these tribes agreed to go on a reservation between the Red and the Washita rivers, west of the 98th meridian. In 1867 the Wichitas, Wacos, and a band of Delawares, also a few Anadarkos, returned to the Wichita Agency from south- ern Kansas, where they had been during the Civil __ .. . J ° Medicine War. The Caddos and the Keechis came to the Lodge Treaty, T &fk*7 same agency from Colorado, where they had gone at the beginning of the war. The Wichitas and Caddos were 4 8 Oklahoma History assigned lands between the Canadian and the Washita rivers, west of the 98th meridian. The lands of all of the tribes attached to the Wichita Agency had formerly belonged to the Choctaws and Chickasaws and had been sold to the United States in 1866. The Choctaws received three-fourths of the money and the Chickasaws one- fourth. The agency came to be called Anadarko about this time. In brief, one term of the treaties of 1866 was that the Five Tribes should give up part of their lands as settlements for other Indians. The Choctaws and Chickasaws sold their lands between the Red and Canadian rivers west of the 98th meri- dian. On that land were located the Kiowas, Comanches, Apaches, Wichitas, Caddos, Keechis, Wacos, and a few Delawares and Anadarkos. The Chey- ennes and Arapahoes also occupied some of the Choctaw-Chickasaw lands as well as some that had belonged to the Seminoles and the Creeks. The Creeks had sold in 1866 the west half of their lands, on which had been placed the Iowa, Sac and Fox, the Kickapoo, and the Seminole tribes. The Seminoles had sold all of their lands. The Potta- watomies and a band of Shawnees had been placed on Creek and Seminole lands. The Pawnees had some Creek lands, and the Cheyennes and Arapahoes had some Creek and Seminole lands. The Cherokees by treaty of 1866 sold lands, as the United States was readv to locate other Indians. A few Shawnees Tecum seh Trouble with the Plains Indians 49 and a few Delawares bought into the Cherokee tribe and became a part of that tribe. On the Cherokee Outlet were settled the Osages, Kaws, Pawnees, Poncas, Otoes and Missouris, Nez Perces, and the Tonkawas. In the northeastern part of the Territory on unoccupied land were located the Quapaw, Peoria, Ottawa, Shawnee, Modoc, Wyandotte, and Seneca tribes. In the central part of the lands given up by the Creeks and Seminoles was a large tract that was never assigned to any other tribes. Questions. What difference was there in the terms made with the Five Tribes in reference to giving up lands? What tribes were located m the northeastern part of the Territory? Name and locate the tribes placed on Cherokee lands? Where was each moved from? Name the tribes located on Creek lands. On Choctaw. On Chickasaw. On Creek and Seminole lands. On Cherokee and Creek lands. On Choc- taw, Chickasaw, and Creek and Seminole lands. State where each tribe was moved from. Tell where each was placed. Bound the tract not assigned to other Indians. Written Work. Write a sketch of the Nez Perces. Of the Tonka- was. Of Black Beaver. LESSON 19 TROUBLE WITH THE PLAINS INDIANS During the Civil War the Federal Government could spare but few soldiers to guard the western frontier. As a conse- quence, bands of Indians often raided the settlements, killing the settlers, carrying off women and children, and driving off stock. Among the whites during the days of chivalry it was con- sidered necessary for a young man to win his spurs, so among the wild Indian tribes it was thought necessary for a young 5° Oklahoma History Causes of Indian out breaks man to have a string of scalps at his belt in order to have proper standing in his tribe. There were also lawless white men along the frontier who thought all Indians were bad. These men often committed outrages which started the Indians on the war path. When the Civil War was over, many white men went west and settled upon lands which the Indians claimed were theirs. Railroads were built across the plains, making it easier to ship supplies to the west and to ship hides from the plains. During the decade following the building of the first railroad across the plains nearly all of the buffaloes were killed. Thousands were killed simply for their hides. Many people of the present time would be astonished to know how many buffalo hides were handled by one wholesale hide-house in Leavenworth, Kansas, during the seventies. Settling the west and killing the buffaloes aroused the Indians. They gave the whites a great deal of trouble from 1867 to 1874. Treaties were made on the Little Arkansas River, in Kansas, in 1865, which were soon broken. Treaties were made at Medicine Lodge in 1867, the Indians agreeing to settle in the western part of Indian Territory. But the Kiowas and Comanches raided the settlements in Texas, and the Cheyennes and Arapahoes made forays into Kansas. The Indians would spend the winters at army posts and agencies where they could draw supplies from the Govern- ment ; then when the grass was good and the buffaloes fat, they would make their raids. Some of the Indians kept their Quanah Parker, Chief of the Comanches Trouble with the Plains Indians 5 1 treaties faithfully, but often the whole tribe was blamed for what the treacherous Indians did. One of the most noted Indian raids was that made by the Cheyennes into the valley of the Solomon River, in Kansas, in August, 1868. Black Kettle was held respon- Solomon sible for this outrage. General Sheridan with River raid General Custer moved south from Fort Dodge, Kansas, and established Camp Supply in the Indian Territory. A Kansas regiment under Colonel Crawford was to join the expedition. General Custer, without waiting for Crawford, moved south with the Seventh Cavalry to locate the Indian villages. They were found on the Washita River near the present location of Cheyenne. Without waiting for reinforcements, Custer at- tacked the Indian camp early on the morning of Battle of the November 27, 1868. The Indians were taken by Washita surprise, and Black Kettle and most of his warriors were killed and a number of women and children were captured. Custer withdrew when he learned that there were many other villages down the stream. Major Elliott and Captain Hamilton, a grandson of Alexander Hamilton, were killed, also nineteen other men. Later, three of the chiefs were captured and the Indians were brought to terms. Fort Sill was established in 1869 to guard against further uprisings. In 187 1 the Kiowas under Satanta made a raid into Texas, killing a number of men. He and two other chiefs were cap- tured and the Indians quieted. In 1874 the Cheyennes made a raid through western Kansas. General Miles overtook them and brought them back. Fort Gen. George A. Custer 52 Oklahoma History Reno was established near the Cheyenne and Arapahoe agency (Darlington) to keep these Indians from committing further depredations, Questions. What caused the Indian troubles after the Civil War? What Indians raided in Kansas? Name one outrage. What Indians committed depredations in Texas? Name a chief who led one of these raids. Describe the Battle of the Washita. Where was it? What was the Seventh Cavalry? Locate Forts Supply, Sill, and Reno. When and why was each established? What was Custer's last battle? Written Work. Write an account of the killing of the buffaloes. Make a list of the places where buffaloes may be found now. Write sketches of Custer, Miles, Satanta, and Quanah Parker. Readings. " Indian Fights and Fighters," by C. T. Brady. " My Life on" the Plains," by G. A. Custer. Biographies of General N. A. Miles and General G. A. Custer. PERIOD OF SETTLEMENT BY WHITES LESSON 20 CONDITIONS BEFORE SETTLEMENT Within the large area, now Oklahoma, before it was settled by the whites, there were comparatively few people. While many Indian tribes and remnants of tribes had IndianTer _ been moved into Indian Territory, in all the ritory largely population was less than one hundred thousand. Most of the civilized Indians were gathered in groups in the eastern part. Gathered about agencies in the western part were bands of Indians, most of them uncivilized, who depended largely upon Government support. Very little of the country was being used by the Indians, even little hunting was done by them. The more civilized did some farming and stock raising. As the Indians no longer had slaves, on whom they had depended for labor, they began to permit white men to come in and lease the land for farming and stock raising. Usually but little rent was paid, and most of that went to a few corrupt Indians. Many of the white men married Indian women and became members of the tribe in order to avoid paying rent and to obtain the advantages of membership in the tribe. After these white men gained entrance into the country, even as renters, it was very difficult to get rid of them, so their numbers gradually increased. 53 54 Oklahoma History Soon after the close of the Civil War, Texas had thousands of cattle to market. About this time a railroad reached central Driving cattle Kansas, and in 1866 cattlemen began to drive from Texas cattle from Texas to Abilene, Kansas, to be shipped to Chicago and other packing centers. Cattle driving became so profitable that as high as six hundred thousand were driven north from Texas in a single year. Railroads in Kansas built south to secure the cattle for shipment. Cattle were driven to Dodge City, then to Wichita, and later to a number of places along the Kansas border, among which were Arkansas City, Caldwell, Kiowa, and Hunnewell. That was an interesting and characteristic day in the history of the West. In these cattle drives might be found a great variety of cowboys, as the cattle drivers were called. Many highly educated young men from good families would go to Texas to aid in driving cattle to a railroad point as a summer outing and then return to school or professional work in the fall. Some, tired of the strain of a business or professional life, would spend several years in the cattle drives and round- ups of this region. Withal there was an atmosphere of freedom and hospitality not found, perhaps, under any other circum- stances. When the cattlemen found that the Indian country pro- duced an abundance of nutritious grass and was well supplied with good water, they began to establish ranches ranches es- in the unassigned lands and also in the Indian lands. At first they paid no rent, but as competi- tion increased, they began to secure leases in order to hold their ranges. Cattlemen soon had control of practically all of the grass lands. Certain definite rules of the range were agreed upon. Large cattle companies were formed. The most important organization of its kind was the Cherokee Conditions before Settlement 55 Strip Live Stock Association which was formed March 6, 1883, at Caldwell, Kansas. This association leased the Cherokee Outlet, or Cherokee Strip as it was commonly known, from the Cherokees for a term of five years at $100,000 per year. The land was then sublet to cattlemen at a much higher rate. During the second period of five years the Cherokees received $200,000 per year. The driving of cattle and the establishment of forts made it necessary to lay out trails. The Government supplies for the forts and for the Indian agencies had to be hauled from the nearest railroad points. The most noted trail was the Chisholm Trail, laid out in 1865 by Jesse Chisholm from Wichita, Kansas, to Anadarko (Wichita Agency). This trail passed through Fort Reno and was extended to Fort Sill and later to Fort Worth, Texas. Trails led to the various forts and agencies. One branch of the Santa Fe Trail passed through the western part of the Panhandle. This trail was laid out in 1825. When railroads were extended into Texas, cattle driving in this country ceased. Questions. How many people lived in the Indian Territory before it was opened to white settlement ? Where did the Indians live ? How did they use the country ? Why were whites admitted by the Indians ? Why were cattle driven across this country ? What can you say of the numbers driven ? What time of year were the drives ? To what points were they driven? What led to the establishing of ranches here? What important cattle association was formed ? What led to the leas- ing of the grasslands? Why were trails laid out? Name the most noted trail. Trace it. Written Work. Write an account of the cattle drives. Describe a scene on the Chisholm Trail. Show that railroads often follow trails. 56 Oklahoma History LESSON 21 THE FIRST OPENING A struggle was going on between two powerful forces, — the cattlemen and the railroads. The cattlemen were opposed to the formation of a territorial government for Railroads ^he Indian country. A well-organized govern- favor, J ° cattlemen ment would lead to development of the country, ment^ se ' Development would bring in railroads, followed by settlers, which would destroy the ranges. The railroads would have more business with the country well settled. The railroads favored a territorial government, favored allotting lands to the Indians, and opening the remain- ing lands to white settlement. T. C. Sears, an attorney for the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas railroad, is usually given credit for discovering that a large tract of land in the Indian Territory was subject to homestead entry. Colonel E. C. Boudinot, a Cherokee lawyer, was probably associated with him in looking up the status of the lands in question. The matter was made public in April, 1879. The tract of land was bounded on the north by the Cherokee Outlet, on the west by the Cheyenne and Arapahoe and the Unassigned Wichita reservations, on the south by the Cana- lands ^ian River, and on the east by the Pottawatomie, the Kickapoo, and the Iowa and the|Pawnee reservations. It was land that had been ceded to the United States by the Creeks and Seminoles, and had not been assigned to other Indians. It was claimed by these attorneys to be public land, and being public land, it was subject to homestead entry. Some of the friends of David L. Payne claim that he origi- The First Opening 57 nated the idea of opening this country to settlement. Though he probably did not, yet he deserves the credit of forcing the idea upon the attention of the public, which resulted in opening Oklahoma, as it was commonly known, to white settlement. From 1879 to 1884 he organized one colony after another and attempted to make settlement. Each time he and his fol- lowers were arrested and escorted out of the Territory by the United States troops, but they were not given trial. In 1884 Payne was indicted for conspiracy against the United States, but the indictment was quashed. Judge C. G. Foster of the United States District Court at Topeka, Kansas, decided that the title to Oklahoma lands was vested in the United States, and that settlement upon them by citizens was not a crime. Payne's followers felt exultant. He began at once to organize another colony. While en- gaged in this work, he died suddenly, No- vember 27, 1884, at Wellington, Kansas. However, the efforts of the Oklahoma boomers, as they were called, continued. William L. Couch, one of Payne's able assistants, took up his work. Before the close of the year (1884) he led a colony to a place near the present site of Stillwater. ^ r W. L. Couch He, too, was forced to withdraw by the troops. In 1885 he made another attempt with the same result. During the year 1885, the Santa Fe began the construction of its line from Arkansas City, Kansas, south through Okla- homa, and President Cleveland ordered the cattlemen to remove their fences from that country. The people, believing that Oklahoma would soon be thrown open to settlement, decided to wait until they could enter it legally. Capt. Day id L. Payne 58 Oklahoma History Efforts were made in Congress to pass a bill which would open the country to settlement, but the influence of the The Springer cattlemen and the Indians was against it. Early BlU in 1889 the Springer Bill passed the House of Representatives, but was defeated in the Senate. Just before the close of the session of Congress, the bill providing for the opening of Oklahoma was attached to the Indian Appro- priation Bill as a "rider," and was passed by Congress. Race for Land President Harrison issued a proclamation fixing the time of the opening at twelve o'clock, noon, April 22, 1889. No one was allowed to enter before that time. Any one who did so was not entitled to land and was known as a " sooner." On April 22, thousands of people were along the borders of the land ready to make a race for a quarter-section of land or for a town lot in one of the cities which were to be built. A sig- nal was given at twelve o'clock, at which time the race began. People raced on horseback, in carts, and in almost every con- ceivable way. The Santa Fe ran trains on a slow schedule The First Addition 59 from the north and from the south. Cities sprang up, and the whole country was settled almost within an hour. On the evening of the first day there were perhaps fifteen thousand people in Guthrie and an equal number in Oklahoma City, while Kingfisher and El Reno were fully half as large, and Norman, Stillwater, and Edmond were cities of considerable size. There must have been almost one hundred thousand people in the Territory the first day. Some failed to get lands or lots and returned to their homes. Others soon became tired of the hardships and left the country. In 1890 Oklahoma had a population of 61,834. Questions. Why were the cattlemen opposed to opening Oklahoma ? Why did the railroads favor opening? Give the boundaries of Old Oklahoma. Who was T. C. Sears ? Why did he claim that the land could be settled? Who was D. L. Payne? Tell about his efforts. Who took up his work? What was the Springer Bill? What is a "rider" to a bill? When was Old Oklahoma opened to settlement? Describe the opening. What cities were established? How many people were in the race? Why did they not all stay? What hardships had to be endured? What railroad was already through the country. Trace it. Written Work. Write a description of the race for land. Give a picture of Oklahoma City on the evening of April 22, 1889. A picture of Guthrie. Give a sketch of D. L. Payne and W. L. Couch. LESSON 22 THE FIRST ADDITION Now that the unassigned lands, Old Oklahoma, had been opened to settlement by the whites, there were two matters that demanded the attention of Congress. One was that a gov- ernment was needed for Oklahoma, the other, that something 60 Oklahoma History should be done with the Public Land Strip, commonly known as "No Man's Land." In forming the boundary lines of the states and territories adjacent to it, the Public Land Strip had been left unconnected No Man's with any of them. It formed a part of no state Land or territory. It had no government, and there was no provision for its settlement. About the time the buffaloes had almost disappeared (1875) cattlemen began to occupy that region. Ten years later when settlers flocked to western Kansas and eastern Colorado, some also entered No Man's Land. But there was no provision for government, and as it was attached to no land district, the settlers could get no title to the land. Lawless men from adjoining states fled to it as a place of refuge, and the honest settlers formed vigilance com- mittees, then a claim board. On March 4, 1887, a convention met at Beaver and or- ganized Cimarron Territory. Some of the settlers believed Cimarron it was necessary for Congress to take action before Territory a territory could be formed. They held a con- vention which petitioned Congress to form a government for the territory. They also elected a delegate to Congress. In this way the people became divided into two factions, and as a result failed to secure a territorial government. Cimarron Territory was never recognized by Congress, and No Man's Land continued without legal government until it was made a part of Oklahoma Territory. Although Oklahoma was settled April 22, 1889, it had no legal government for more than a year. The people, how- ever, were law abiding, and experienced no serious trouble on that account. In the cities governments were formed at once by mutual consent. As schools, roads, and other conven- The First Addition 61 iences were needed, the people were anxious for Congress to act. Conventions were held, and Congress was petitioned to form a territorial government. May 2, 1890, the Organic Act became a law, and Oklahoma Territory was authorized to form a territorial government. The act provided for three branches of govern- The Organic ment, legislative, executive, and judicial ; also a Act delegate to Congress. The legislative department, or Legislature, consisted of two houses, the upper or Council, composed of thirteen members, and the lower or House of Representatives, com- posed of twenty-six members. The members of both houses were to be elected by the people. The executive authority of the Territory was vested in a governor and a secretary, appointed by the President, with the approval of the Senate. The governor was given power to appoint other executive officers. The judicial power was vested in a Supreme Court con- sisting of a Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, appointed by the President and the Senate. The delegate to Congress was to be elected by the people. The Organic Act also provided for the organization of counties. Six were to be formed out of Old Oklahoma, while No Man's Land was to be the seventh. The counties were designated by numbers until the people of each county selected a name. Number 1 became Logan; number 2, Oklahoma; number 3, Cleveland; number 4, Canadian; number 5, Kingfisher; number 6, Payne, and number 7, Beaver. Questions. Locate and give dimensions of No Man's Land. Why was it so called? Tell how its boundaries were formed. When did people settle it? What right had they to go there? What kind of 62 Oklahoma History government had they? When did they first have a legal government? When was Oklahoma settled ? When were the people first given a legal government? What did the people do for a government before that? What was the Organic Act? What branches of government were pro- vided for? Of what did each consist? How many counties were formed? How were they designated at first? W T hat names were given them? By whom? Written Work. Write an account of the way you think the people in each city founded a city government. Tell how you would account for the names of the first seven counties. LESSON 23 IOWA, SAC AND FOX, AND POTTAWATOMIE OPENING When Congress in 1889 provided for the opening of Okla- homa to settlement, it also authorized the President to appoint a Commission to arrange for the return of surplus toptachase Indian lands to the United States. This Com- surpius mission was to induce the Indians of Indian Terri- lands tory to sell their surplus lands west of the 96th meridian. If the Indians lived east of that meridian, it was hoped that they would sell what land they had west of that line. If the Indians lived west of that line, they were to be urged to take allotments and to sell the remainder. President Harrison appointed three commissioners, and they first tried to induce the Cherokees to sell all of that part of the Outlet which had not already been sold to other Indians. They made slow progress with the Cherokees. They were more successful with the Iowas, Sacs and Foxes, Pottawato- mies, and Shawnees. These Indians accepted allotments of Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie Opening 63 one hundred and sixty acres each and sold their surplus lands to the United States. These reservations were thrown open to settlement Septem- ber 22, 1 89 1. People were allowed to run for claims as they had at the opening of Old Oklahoma, as people Two new now designated it. Each settler was allowed to counties file upon one quarter-section of land. Each Indian first selected his allotment, then sections 16 and 36 were set apart as school land. The settlers could take what still remained. Out of this addition to Oklahoma two new counties were formed, and additions were made to Payne, Logan, Oklahoma, and Cleveland counties. The new counties were designated by letters A and B. The people of A county afterwards selected the name Lincoln and the people of B county chose Pottawatomie. An addition was made to Payne County from the north part of Iowa and the Sac and Fox reservations. A strip six miles wide from the west side of the Iowa and the Potta- watomie reservations was added to Logan, Oklahoma, and Cleveland counties. This six- mile strip was the first row of townships east of the Indian Meridian. The Indian Meridian is a line running north and south from which all of the land in the present state of Oklahoma (except No Man's Land) is surveyed. It will be Indian seen from the above that it is six miles west of Mendian the east line of Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Logan counties. Questions. What provision was made in 1889 for allotting lands? What is an allotment? How many acres in a quarter-section? What is meant by school land? What land did the Commissioners want the Cherokees to sell? How did they succeed with that tribe? What tribes agreed first to sell their surplus lands ? What is meant by surplus lands ? When did the second opening take place ? How was it opened ? How many new counties were formed? What were they called at 64 Oklahoma History first? What name was given each? What counties received additions at this time ? What is the Indian Meridian ? Where is it. Written Work. Show how Pottawatomie County, its county seat, and its largest city were well named. Write a sketch of Tecumseh and Black Hawk. LESSON 24 CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHOE COUNTRY The Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes had been settled on lands ceded to the United States by the Creeks, the Seminoles, and the Choctaws and Chickasaws. Their lands Cheyenne and extended from the 98th meridian and the Wichita Arapahoe country on the east to the 1 ooth meridian, and from country J m 7 the Cherokee Outlet to the Kiowa, Comanche, and Eichira countries. These Indians belonged to the wild tribes of the plains. They had been used to roaming over a large part of the plains. They were not satisfied to remain on a reservation. Their depredations in Kansas led to their punishment at the Battle of the Washita (1868), and their outbreak and raid in 1874 brought on the campaign of General Miles, by which he brought them into subjection. They caused no more uneasiness until 1885, when an outbreak seemed imminent. General Sheridan, who was sent to quiet them, reported to President Cleveland that the Indians would not remain quiet as long as the cattlemen held the country. The President ordered the cattlemen removed within forty days. The commissioners chosen for that purpose arranged with the Cheyennes and Arapahoes to take allotments and to dis- Opening pose of their surplus lands. After the allotments April 19, 1892 were taken and sections 16 and 36 reserved for the common schools, the remainder was thrown open to set- Cheyenne and Arapahoe Country 65 tlement April 19, 1892. People ran for the land as in the first opening. In the eastern part the race was exciting, but many thought the western part of the country not worth running for. It was afterward settled gradually as people learned its value. Six new counties were formed, and additions were made to Kingfisher and Canadian counties. The counties were des- ignated by letters and named later by the people. C County was named Blaine; D, Dewey; E, Day; F, Roger Mills; G, Custer ; H, Washita. Day County was afterward done away with by the State Constitutional Convention, — part of it was attached to Ellis and part to Roger Mills County. The Convention also took the south part of the original Roger Mills County and the north part of Greer County, and formed Beckham County. The commissioners had so far completed arrangements with the Wichita Indians that they planned to have that reserva- tion ready for settlement at the time of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe opening. The Wichita country was even called I County. Some of the Indians objected, and the opening of the reservation was delayed until the Kiowa and Comanche opening. Questions. When were the Cheyennes and Arapahoes placed on their reservation ? Where had their homes previously been ? What kind of Indians were they? Locate their reservation in Oklahoma. When was it opened to settlement? By what plan? How many new counties were formed ? How were they designated ? Give name of each, adopted by the people. Locate each county. What county has since been eliminated? By whom? What other change was made at the same time? What counties received additions from this same opening? Name the county seat of each county. What was I county? Written Work. Write a description of the Darlington Agency. Of Fort Reno. Draw a map of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country. 66 Oklahoma History LESSON 25 OPENING OF THE CHEROKEE OUTLET The Cherokee Outlet, commonly known as the Cherokee Strip, was a large tract of land fifty-eight miles wide, and Location of extending from the 96th to the 100th meridian. Outlet jf- a dj i ne ol Kansas on the south, and was given to the Cherokees as an outlet for them to pass over to the Rocky Mountains to hunt. They made no use of it as an outlet. In compliance with the treaty of 1866, they had disposed of parts of it to the Osages, Kaws, Nez Perces, Poncas, Otoes and Missouris, and Pawnees. The commissioners in arranging for its opening also nego- tiated with the Pawnees, and with the Tonkawas, who had taken the reservation of the Nez Perces. The Cherokees took no allotments as they had plenty of land in the Cherokee Nation proper. The Pawnees and Tonkawas took allotments. Sections 16 and 36 were reserved for the common schools, Section 13 for territorial (now state) educational institutions, Lands re- an d section 33 for public buildings. Two rods served were reserved on each side of every section line for highways, thus fixing a road four rods wide on every sec- tion line. The Cherokees were paid $8,300,000 for the Outlet, and the Pawnees and Tonkawas were paid $ 110,000 for their surplus land. The land in the eastern part of the Outlet was considered more valuable, and it decreased in value toward the west. Three land For this reason the Outlet was divided into three districts divisions. The settlers in the eastern division were to pay two dollars and a half an acre for the land when Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 67 final proof was made, the settlers in the central division were to pay one dollar and a half per acre, and those in the western division were to pay one dollar per acre. Before the land was settled it was divided into counties which were designated by letter, a half-section was laid off for each county seat, and each county seat was named. Land offices were also established : one for the eastern dis- trict at Perry, one for the central district at Enid, and one for the western district at Woodward. At the former openings there had been so much trouble on account of " sooners " that a plan for registering was devised. All who desired claims were compelled to register and receive a certificate before the day of the opening, which was Sep- tember 16, 1893. Registration booths were established along the borders of the Outlet, and registering began in the latter part of August. The summer had been dry and hot, much of the grass had been burned. Thousands of people gathered about some of the booths. Many had to wait Registration for days before they could register. At first they had to stay in line all day, and even the first night. Many, unable to stand the heat or to hire some one to get them water, had to drop out of line and lose their turn to register. Then a scheme of numbering was devised, which was recognized by the registration officers at most of the booths. This was one of the most trying experiences that the homeseekers had to endure. The author of these lines is speaking from per- sonal experience. And yet all this work came to naught, as people were permitted to file without these certificates. On the day before the opening people gathered along the line. All were anxious to be fully prepared for the race. Most of those who wanted farms were to make the race on horseback. Swift horses had been secured by those who 68 Oklahoma History were able. Horses and ponies were trained and toughened for the run by days of practice. Some had planned to make the race in carts, others in buggies or wagons. Bicycles were brought into use, and vehicles made especially for the race. It would be a long story to tell all of the ways. One man, near the writer, had his team hitched to a breaking plow, ready, when the signal should be given, to begin his fall plow- ing. It might be said here that the man with the plow got the claim where he started to plow, and it was a good one. Registration Scene, Orlando, August, 1893 Just before the signal was given everybody along the line became intensely quiet. All eyes were turned toward a The greatest soldier with a gun, who was to lire a shot as a race for land signal. The smoke of the gun was seen, but the sound was never heard, for the race was on. Horses and men dashed forward as if their lives depended on the race. Only those who participated in such a race can fully appre- ciate or understand such an event. Thousands made the race by train. A regular schedule was adopted, and the train Opening of the Cherokee Outlet 69 stopped at regular intervals. Men and women packed the cars inside, and men covered the tops of the coaches and hung on wherever they could. This was the greatest of all the races. People ran not only for farms, but for lots in the cities. Perry and Enid were expected to become the largest cities. There were three railroads through the Outlet : the Santa Fe, south from Arkansas City ; the Rock Island, south from Caldwell ; and the Panhandle division of the Santa Fe which entered the Outlet at Kiowa and passed through Woodward to the Panhandle of Texas. Out of this domain were formed Pawnee, Kay, Noble, Grant, Garfield, Woods, and Woodward counties, and a small addition was made to Payne County. Woods and Woodward counties were afterward divided by the Constitu- tional Convention which formed the state constitution. Questions. Locate and give dimensions of the Cherokee Outlet. What do people usually call the Outlet? What Indian tribes were settled in it after 1866? What tribe was permitted to leave it? What tribe was put in its place ? What reservations were opened at the time of the Cherokee opening? What were the Cherokees paid for their interest? How much was given the other tribes? What Indians received allotments? W r hat lands were reserved? Why was the land divided into land districts ? Into how many ? Where were land offices established? What is a land office? Why were the settlers required to register? How well did it serve its purpose? What railroads were in the Outlet at that time? Trace them. What counties were formed? Which of them have been changed? By whom? Written Work. Write a description of a registration scene. Of a race scene. Of a scene at a land office. Draw a map of the Outlet, showing the counties formed and the Indian reservations which still remained. jo Oklahoma History LESSON 26 THE KICKAPOO COUNTRY AND GREER COUNTY The home of the Kickapoos was originally near the Great Lakes. They were forced from one state to another until they were located in Kansas, where some of them took allot- ments and became citizens. Some of the Kickapoos, disliking the treatment they received at the hands of the people of the United States, went to Mexico, where they became trouble- some by raiding along the borders. Some of them returned to the United States and were given land that had been ceded by the Creeks. Their reservation was south of the Iowas between the North Canadian and the Deep Fork rivers. Before their country was opened to settlement, the Kicka- poos took allotments, and about one-half of the reservation Kickapoo was se t apart as school lands to indemnify the opening Territory (now state) for the loss of sections 16 and 36 in the Osage and Kaw reservations. As those two tribes owned all their lands, the Territory never expected to get the usual school section in their reservation. The open- ing took place May 23, 1895, and was on the race plan. The race, as a whole, was not exciting, as so much of the land had been reserved. Their lands were attached to Oklahoma, Lincoln, and Pottawatomie counties. By the treaty made between the United States and Spain in 181 9 the boundary lines between our country and the Spanish possessions in North America commenced Boundary ^ r treaty with at the mouth of the Sabine River, continuing up that stream to the 32 north latitude, then north to the Red River, then up that stream to the 100th meridian, then north to the Arkansas River, then up that The Kickapoo Country and Greer County 71 stream to the 42 north latitude, then west to the Pacific Ocean. In 1 82 1 Mexico gained her independence from Spain, and the boundary lines mentioned became the boundary between the United States and Mexico. When Texas became inde- pendent from Mexico in 1836, the same lines separated our country from Texas. When Texas became a state, the same line was recognized as her eastern and northern boundary. It will be remembered that our explorers experienced con- siderable difficulty in tracing the Red River to its source. Marcy in 1852, in going up the stream, followed Greer County the North Fork to its source, then searched for decislon the source of the South Fork. The fact that Marcy mistook the North Fork for the main stream gave Texas some reason for claiming that stream to be the boundary to the 100th meridian rather than the South Fork. Later discoveries seemed to prove the South Fork to be the main stream. In 1890 Congress authorized the Attorney- General to institute suit against Texas in the Supreme Court of the United States, to gain possession of Greer County, claiming the south fork of the Red River to be the main stream. The Supreme Court decided in favor of the United States. In May, 1896, Congress attached Greer County to Oklahoma. It continued as Greer County, Oklahoma, until statehood, when it was divided by the Constitutional Convention into Jackson and Greer counties, and the north part was made a part of Beckham County. More recently Harmon County was formed from Greer County. Questions. What was the original home of the Kickapoos? Where did part of the tribe take allotments? Why did some of the tribes leave the United States ? Where did they go ? Where were they located later? When were their lands opened to settlement? Their reservation 72 Oklahoma History was added to what counties? Why was such a large part of the land reserved? What is indemnity school land? Trace the boundary line agreed to by the treaty with Spain in 1819. Why did Texas claim Greer County? Who found the source of the Red River? When? When was suit brought to test the ownership of Greer County? Upon what did the question depend? How was it decided? When attached to Oklahoma ? What counties does it now form ? LESSON 27 THE KIOWA AND COMANCHE OPENING The country belonging to the Kiowas, Comanches, the Apaches, and Wichitas, was the last great tract in Oklahoma Lands re- to be opened to settlement. It had formerly served belonged to the Choctaws and Chickasaws, and had been ceded by them to the United States in 1866. It extended from the 98th meridian west to Greer County, and from the Red River north to the Canadian and to the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country. Lands were allotted to the Indians and sections 16 and 36, and 13 and t,^ were reserved, also certain pasture lands, one known as the Big Pasture. The remainder was opened to settlement. Opening lands to settlement by the race plan had not been satisfactory. The desire for land had become so great that many persons would resort to unfair means to gain it. By the race plan many persons were hurt and horses were run until many dropped dead. Contests and other difficulties arose. It was decided in this opening to try another for drawing plan. The land was divided into two districts at El Reno, with a land office for each. The land office July, 1901 for the north district was at El Reno, and the land office for the south district was at Lawton. The Kiowa and Comanche Opening 73 Persons wanting land were required to go to the land office of the district in which they wished to settle and register, and at the same time make oath that they were Method of the entitled to take land under the Homestead Law. drawin g Each person's name was placed in a plain, unmarked envelope and sealed. The envelopes were put in a large box that could be turned around like a wheel so as to mix them thoroughly. Registering for the Drawing at El Reno They were then drawn out one at a time. The person whose name was drawn out first at El Reno was allowed to file first on any land in the north district. The person whose name was drawn out first at Lawton was allowed to file first on any land in the south district. The first name drawn at Lawton was James Wood. The second was Mattie Beal. The drawing was not a lottery. No one drew a claim and no one drew a blank. The drawing was simply to decide the order of filing. When Mr. Wood's name was drawn first at Lawton, it meant that he had the right to file first on land in 74 Oklahoma History that district. Had he chosen not to file at all, he would have received no land. Registration began at each of the land offices July 9, and the drawings began July 27, ten days before the opening, Opening which was August 6. When a person's name August 6,1901 was drawn ou t f the box, he was notified, and he could go into the country and pick out land that he wanted. The act of Congress providing for the opening, divided the country into three counties and named them Caddo, Comanche, and Kiowa. It also set apart one half-section of land in each county for a county seat, and named each. Lots in the county seat were staked off, and beginning with the day of the opening they were sold at public auction Lots sold at to the highest bidder. The money received from auction j-^g sa j e f j- ne j £ S was usec j f or building court- houses, school buildings, bridges, and other public works. One hundred and sixty thousand persons registered, about six for every claim. Questions. Locate the Kiowa, Comanche, and Wichita country' What lands were reserved? Why were the openings on the race plan objectionable? How many land districts were there? Where was the land office of each ? At how many places did the drawings take place ? How were the drawings conducted ? What was the purpose of the draw- ing? When did registration begin? When did the drawings begin? When did the filing begin? How many counties were formed? Name them. What were their county seats ? How were the lots disposed of ? What was done with the money? Written Work. Write an account of the drawing at El Reno. De- scribe the lot sale at Lawton. Write the story of Geronimo. Big Pasture and other Additions 75 LESSON 28 BIG PASTURE AND OTHER ADDITIONS The Kiowa and Comanche country was the last great tract of land in Oklahoma to be thrown open to white settlement. There was still one tract of considerable size to be settled that was known as the Big Pasture. Then there were a few Indian tribes whose tribal governments were to be brought to an end and their lands placed under county government. The lands of the Kaws, Poncas, and the Otoes and Mis- souris were divided among the membership of each tribe, and their reservations were attached to and made a part of Kay, Noble, and Pawnee counties. All Ka w,Ponca, . . . . and Otoe- of their lands were distributed among the Indians, Missouri none being opened to white settlement. The dis- "* s en e ' tribution was completed, and their tribal govern- ments ceased in 1904. The Big Pasture was a large tract of land in the southern part of Comanche County that had been reserved by the Kiowas and Comanches for pasture land. Later, Big Pasture they decided to sell it, and it was opened to settle- °P enin s» x 9<>6 ment in 1906. The Government sold it for the Indians. It was sold to the highest bidder by sealed bids. The settlers were required to have the qualifications of homesteaders. Each person was allowed to bid upon several tracts not to exceed one hundred sixty acres each, but he was allowed to take only one. Part of the purchase price had to be in- closed with each bid. The purchaser was to pay for the land in five equal payments. At the time of the opening the land was included in Comanche County, now part of it is included in Tillman County. y6 Oklahoma History The Osage Nation was included in Oklahoma Territory for court purposes in 1893, Du t it was not opened to white settle- ment. Thev were the last Indians in Oklahoma to Osage Nation . . ; receive their lands in severalty. All 01 their land was divided among the members of the tribe ; none of it was opened to settlement by the whites. The Osages are thought by some to be the richest people in the world. There are only a few more than two thousand of them. At the beginning of statehood the Osage Nation was formed into one county, Osage County. It will be seen that Oklahoma was settled unlike any other state. 1. The unassigned lands (Old Oklahoma) settled by race for claims, April 22, 1889. 2. The Public Land Strip (No Man's Land) added by the Organic Act, May 2, 1890. 3. Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie-Shawnee reserva- tions by the race plan, September 22, 1891. 4. Cheyenne and Arapahoe country by race plan, April 19, 1892. 5. Cherokee Outlet (Strip), by race, September 16, 1893. 6. Kickapoo country, by race, May 23, 1895. 7. Greer County, by act of Congress, May 4, 1896. 8. Kiowa-Comanche country by drawing, August 6, 1901. 9. Kaw, Ponca, and Otoe-Missouri reservations, by ending tribal governments and attaching land to counties, 1904. 10. Big Pasture, by sealed bids, in 1906. 11. Osage Nation made a part of Oklahoma for court purposes, 1893, made a county, 1907. 12. The Indian Territory, including the lands belonging to the Five Civilized Tribes and the smaller tribes east of the Big Pasture and other Additions 77 Grand River, was made a part of the state of Oklahoma, by statehood, 1907. Questions. Locate the first tract in Oklahoma that was opened to settlement. What was it called? How many counties were formed? Name them. What was the first addition to Old Oklahoma? How was it added? Give its previous history. What was the next open- ing? When? How? What new counties? Name the next addition, giving time and manner of opening. Name the counties and parts added to counties. What was the greatest opening? Give time and manner of opening. What new counties? Name, and give time and manner of next opening. Why was it not an exciting race? What is indemnity school land? What county was added, having already been an organ- ized county? Give its history. What opening in 1901 ? Describe the manner of opening. Name the counties and tell how they were formed and named. How were the county seats opened? Give time and man- ner of adding the Kaw, Ponca, and Otoe-Missouri lands. Tell how and when the Big Pasture was settled. How and when was the Osage Nation added? The Indian Territory? Written Work. Write an account of the growth of Oklahoma in area. Draw a map of Oklahoma, showing openings and additions. PERIOD OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT LESSON 29 CLASSES OF TERRITORIES As the word " territory " is used with different meanings, it is well to explain the different ways in which it is used in this history of Oklahoma, and to understand also the different classes of territories in the United States. The first territory organized under the government of the United States was the Northwest Territory, which was or- The first ganized by Congress under Articles of Confedera- temtory tion. Its Organic Act was called the Ordinance of 1787. Its form of government has served as a model for other territorial governments formed since then. The Constitution of the United States (Art. IV, Sec. 3) gives Congress the power to "make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory belonging to the United States. " Under this authority Congress has organized territories and made provisions for the government of the lands belonging to our country. The word " territory " in its broadest sense simply means lands without any reference to government. Territories Classes of with reference to government may be divided territories m £ fae following classes : unorganized, partially organized, fully organized, and subject possessions. Unorganized territory means lands, largely unsettled, that have no government. An example would be the lands ceded 78 Classes of Territories 79 by Mexico to the United States in 1848, which were organized into the territories of Utah and New Mexico by the Com- promise Bill of 1850. Between 1848 and 1850 this region was unorganized territory. A fully organized territory is one which has been given by Congress a complete government consisting of three branches, — legislative, executive, and judicial — and which is allowed a delegate in the lower house of Congress. Hawaii is an example. Oklahoma Territory was fully organized just before statehood. A partially organized territory may be organized in different degrees. Congress might provide for'its executive and judicial branches only, as was the case in Alaska for several years. In such a case Congress would make the laws. A territory might be given legislative, executive, and judicial branches, but allowed no delegate in Congress. In all cases where the territory is organized, yet has not all of the four ele- ments necessary for a fully organized territory, it is said to be partially organized. Congress has the power to change the government of territories, even to taking away the government given them, as was done in the case of the District of Columbia. Subject possessions are those territories or lands belonging to the United States and yet not a part of the country in the fullest sense, — Porto Rico and the Philippine Islands are examples. When Congress provided for the establishment of an Indian country or territory (1830), and set apart a large domain west of Arkansas and Missouri for the T ,. Indian Indians, that territory was unorganized. When Territory states and territories had been carved out of that ° g m tract, making the Indian Territory include all of what is now 80 Oklahoma History Oklahoma (except the Panhandle), the territory was still unorganized. After settlements had been made in the western half, and Oklahoma Territory formed, the Indian Territory, or eastern half, was still an unorganized territory. It is true that courts were provided to settle difficulties and a commission was provided to deal with the Indians, but there was no corporate or political organization known as the Indian Territory. Questions. What was the first territory formed by the United States? Who has the power to form territories? Quote authority. Name the classes of territories. Explain each class and give an example of each. To which class did the Indian Territory belong? Oklahoma Territory? What is a corporation? A public corporation? Tell whether the Indian Territory had a capital. Written Work. Write a sketch of the Indian Territory. LESSOX 30 TRIBAL GOVERNMENT Upon their removal to the Indian Territory, the Five Civi- lized Tribes were permitted to govern themselves. The Cherokee Eastern and Western Cherokees united and government adopted a constitution in 1839 and made Tahle- quah their capital. After the Civil War it was necessary for them to make some changes in their constitution, which they did in 1866. Their government was modeled after that of a state, and consisted of legislative, executive, and judicial departments. The legislative power was vested in the National Council, which consisted of two houses, the senate and the council. The nation was divided into nine districts, the number had Tribal Government 81 been eight. The senate consisted of two members from each district. Each district was allowed two members in the council, and additional members according to voting population. The members of both houses were elected by the people. Male citizens eighteen years of age were allowed to vote. The chief executive authority was vested in a Principal Chief elected by the voters for a term of four years. Other Chero' vernment provided for a Principal Chief at the head of the executive department and a council consisting of two houses. The capital of the Nation was Tuskahoma. The Chickasaws, after their withdrawal from the Choctaws, 84 Oklahoma History adopted a constitution quite like that of the government of a state. Their chief executive was a Principal Chief. The Chickasaw legislative power was vested in a council corn- government posed of two houses. In the upper house were twelve members, and in the lower house twenty members. The capital of the Nation was Tishomingo. The development of the government of the Five Civilized Tribes from a primitive form to the present advanced state government is an exceptionally interesting study. In a com- paratively short time they have passed from the days of un- written laws, when the powers of government were largely in the hands of chiefs, to a time when the government is largely in the hands of the people. The changes have been gradual. They have passed through a training school of experience. Questions. When and where did the Cherokee Nation unite? Why did the Five Civilized Tribes need to change their constitutions after the Civil War ? Why did the Seminoles separate from the Creeks ? The Chickasaws from the Choctaws? What is meant by executive depart- ment? By legislative department ? By judicial department? Compare the executive departments of the Five Civilized Tribes. The legislative departments. The judicial departments. Where did these Indians get their ideas of government? Name and locate the capital of each nation. Written Work. Write sketches of William C. Rogers, D. H. John- son, Green McCurtain, Pleasant Porter, and John F. Brown. LESSON 31 DAWES COMMISSION AND CURTIS ACT It will be remembered that the "rider" passed by Congress in 1889, providing for the opening of Old Oklahoma to settle- ment, also provided for the appointment of a commission to induce the Indians to receive allotments and sell their surplus Dawes Commission and Curtis Act 85 lands. That commission did its work well. It arranged for opening the lands in Oklahoma to settlement. The Dawes Commission was appointed in 1893 to negotiate with the Five Civilized Tribes to induce them to receive their lands in severalty and to close up their tribal Dawes affairs. The commission was composed of three C( > mmisslon men, later five, with Henry L. Dawes as chairman. For that reason it was called the Dawes Commission. This commission had an immense task to perform. It took several years to induce the Indians to divide up their lands and give up their tribal government. When they agreed to do so, it required much work to carry out the agreements. A complete roll of each tribe had to be made, the lands had to be surveyed and valued, then allotted to the mem- bers of the tribes, so that each one would receive lands of about the same value. After the Civil War, and especially after the first railroad had crossed the Indian Territory, many whites went into that region. Some provisions had to be made to to ^ Curtis Act meet the changed conditions. In 1899 Congress passed a law known as the Curtis Act which extended the laws of Arkansas over, the Indian Territory as far as applicable. It provided for the establishment of schools for the whites in the rural districts, and placed the tribal schools under Federal supervision. It abolished tribal courts and provided that tribal governments should cease January 1, 1906. It also authorized the cities to incorporate, with power to levy taxes to keep up city schools and government. The Dawes Commission was authorized to carry out many of the provisions of the Curtis Act. Town sites had to be laid out and the lots disposed of. This commission had its headquarters at Muskogee. 86 Oklahoma History The tribal courts had no jurisdiction over white men, unless they had been taken into the tribe, and white men had no Federal standing in the tribal courts. Things were in courts a ver y chaotic condition. The United States District Courts sitting at Fort Smith, Arkansas ; Paris, Texas ; and Wichita, Kansas were given jurisdiction over Federal cases in the Territory. Most of the trials were at Fort Smith, but, no doubt, many cases were untried. At the time Old Oklahoma was opened to settlement a Federal Court was established in the Indian Territory, but tribal courts continued also. At the time Indian Territory entered statehood it was divided into four Federal Court districts, and the judges of these districts sitting together formed a United States Court of Appeals. It will be seen that some provisions for Federal government in the Indian Territory were made by Congress although the Territory was not organized. The Dawes Commission may be compared with a probate court. A probate court settles up the affairs of deceased persons, or appoints persons to do so, and appoints guardians to look after the property of minors and others who are unable to look after their affairs. The Dawes Commission settled up the affairs of tribes which were soon to cease, and took charge of the affairs of the Indians, who were regarded as wards by the Government. Questions. When was a commission appointed to negotiate with the Indians in Oklahoma ? What did they accomplish ? What was the Dawes Commission? Give the provisions of the Curtis Act. Why was such a law needed? Over whom did tribal courts have jurisdiction? What is meant by jurisdiction? When were tribal courts abolished? Where were Federal Courts established? Written Work. Write a paper on the work of the Dawes Commis- sion. Oklahoma Organized 87 LESSON 32 OKLAHOMA ORGANIZED Oklahoma was hardly settled when its citizens began to plan for government. In some of the cities steps were taken to organize city government on the evening of the first day. Then people were anxious for territorial government, and there were many reasons why some government should be ■ ^?^%^ "\ n£?*^^^*^ mm^m First Territorial Convention at Guthrie, Ok/a., July 20, 1889 provided. Schools, roads, and bridges were needed, as well as some way to adjust difficulties and give protection. Some of the people wanted to organize a territorial govern- ment without waiting for Congress to do so. A conven- tion consisting of ninety-six delegates met in . Guthrie, July 19, 1889, to consider the matter, tonal con- The convention adjourned to meet a month later. The second convention was divided. Some of the delegates wanted to organize a territorial government, others wanted to petition Congress and wait for it to act. Some steps were taken towards forming a territorial government, but they were not carried out. A petition was prepared and sent to Congress. 88 Oklahoma History The petition was presented, and people went to Washington to urge Congress to act quickly, but Congress could not be hurried. That body met the first Monday in December, 1889, and the bill forming Oklahoma Territory became a law, May 2, 1890. The Organic Act provided for legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, and a delegate to Congress. It was to be a fully organized territory. In corn- Organic Act pliance with the Organic Act, President Harrison immediately appointed George W. Steele to be governor. He came to Guthrie and took up his work, May 22, 1890. There was much to do before the Territory would be fully organized. There were no county or township governments. The Organic Act provided for the organization of seven counties which were known at first by numbers. Governor Steele appointed all of the county officers for these counties. These officers were to hold office until their successors should oe regularly elected. By the Organic Act the laws of Nebraska were to be the laws of the Territory until the legislature should change them. Governor Steele called an election for members of First terri- toriaiiegis- the legislature to be held August 5. The Or- ganic Act provided for thirteen members of the Council, or upper house, and twenty-six members of the House of Representatives. The first legislature was organized August 29, 1890, after a delay caused by the death of two members who had been elected. There was demand for much legislation, but the location of the capital was the all-absorbing topic. The capital was to remain at Guthrie until some other place should be selected. Oklahoma City was Guthrie's strongest rival. A bill was passed by the legislature locating Under Territorial Government 89 the capital at Oklahoma City, but Governor Steele vetoed it. The legislature modified the Nebraska laws to meet the conditions of the new Territory. On November 4, 1890, an election was held for a delegate to Congress. David A. Harvey was elected for the term be- ginning March 4, 1891, and also to fill out the term which was to expire at that time. The Organic Act provided for a Supreme Court consisting of three judges to be appointed by the President and the Senate. These judges were also to serve as district judges. The governor was also to appoint other executive officers of the Territory. Questions. When was Oklahoma settled? When and where was the first territorial convention held ? Purpose ? When did the second convention meet ? What did it do ? When did the Organic Act become a law ? What was to be done before the Territory should be fully organ- ized. When did the first territorial legislature meet? What was the chief question before it? How was it settled? Who was elected as the first delegate to Congress? When? For how long? How are terri- torial judges chosen ? How were the first county officers chosen ? LESSON 33 UNDER TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT Oklahoma was under territorial government from May 22 1890, until November 16, 1907, a period of seventeen and one half years. During that time it increased in population from about sixty thousand to more than seven hundred thousand, and increased many times in area. It changed from a wild, undeveloped waste to a well-settled, prosperous common- wealth. As the governors were appointed by the President, the 90 Oklahoma History administrations in the Territory were politically the same as in the nation. Governor Steele served from May 22, 1890, to October, 1891. By vetoing the Oklahoma City Capital Bill, he incurred the Governor displeasure of a number of political leaders. He Steele resigned and returned to Indiana. During the time he served, the Territory was organized ; the Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie-Shawnee reservations were settled, and three territorial schools were established : the University at Norman, the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater, and the Normal School at Edmond. Governor A. J. Seay was also appointed by President Harrison. He served from October 18, 1891, to May 7, 1893. Governor He was an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sea y of the Territory at the time of his appointment. The Cheyenne and Arapahoe country was settled during his term, and Dennis Flynn (Republican) was elected delegate to Congress. William C. Renfrow was governor from May 7, 1893 to May 24, 1897, a full term. Governors of territories are ap- Govemor pointed for four years, but may be removed Renfrow sooner. During his term the Cherokee Outlet and the Kickapoo country were settled and Greer County added to Oklahoma. The Dawes Commission was appointed in 1893. Flynn was reelected to Congress in 1894 and was defeated by James Y. Callahan in 1896. The Democrats and Populists fused to elect Callahan. Cassius M. Barnes was appointed governor, May 24, 1897, and served until April 15, 1901, practically a full term. The Governor Spanish-American War occurred while he was in Barnes office, and President McKinley made two calls for volunteers. Under the first call, Oklahoma and Indian Under Territorial Government 91 Territory each furnished one troop of cavalry. These two troops were "Rough Riders." Oklahoma was allowed to organize a battalion of four companies under the second call. Flynn was elected delegate to Congress in 1898 and again in 1900. He had declared himself in favor of a law giving the settlers their homes free. This applied particularly to the Cherokee Outlet where it was about time for the settlers to prove up their lands. The Free Homes Bill became a law June 17, 1900. During this time Congress also passed the Curtis Act, and the legislature established the Northwestern Normal School at Alva and the University Preparatory School at Tonkawa. Early in 1901 there was considerable excitement aroused by the report that Crazy Snake, a Creek chief, was about to take the warpath. He was simply trying to restore the old laws and customs of his tribe. Governor William M. Jenkins was appointed by President McKinley, April 15, 1901, and served until November 30, 1901, when he was removed by President Roosevelt. Governor During the short time he served the Southwestern J enkins Normal School was established at Weatherford and the Kiowa and Comanche country was opened to settlement. Thompson B. Ferguson was governor from November 30, 1 901, to January 5, 1906. He served a little more than four years, as no appointment had been made when Governor his term expired. While he was governor, the Fer s uson tribal governments of the Kaws, Poncas, and Otoe-Missouris were ended and their lands added to Kay, Noble, and Pawnee counties. The Sequoyah Convention was held at Muskogee, in 1905, and a tornado almost destroyed Snyder the same year. Bird McGuire was elected delegate to Con- gress in 1902, and again in 1904. 92 Oklahoma History During Governor Ferguson's term the statehood question was uppermost in the minds of the people. Conventions were held and lively discussions took place, some favored single, others separate, statehood. Governor Frank Frantz served from January 5, 1906, to November 16, 1907. The Big Pasture was settled in Decem- Governor Der > 1906. The most important event of his Frantz term was the passage of the Omnibus Statehood Bill which provided for the admission of Oklahoma and the Indian Territory as one state, and the territories of New Mexico and Arizona as another state. Oklahoma and the Indian Territory were divided into delegate districts, and delegates were elected to the Constitutional Convention. The convention met and framed a constitution. This con- stitution was submitted to the people for their approval and at the same time state officers were elected. The election resulted in the adoption of the constitution by a large majority, so the President proclaimed Oklahoma a state. Questions. During what time was Oklahoma a territory? How much had it increased in population? In area? How are governors of a territory chosen? Name the governors in order of service, giving time each served. What is the length of a term of a territorial governor ? Why did some of the governors of Oklahoma serve a shorter period? Which governor served the shortest time? • Why? Who was governor during the war with Spain ? How many men did Oklahoma send to the war? What is a troop? Name the delegates to Congress. What was the Free Homes Bill? What territorial schools were established? Written Work. Write sketches of each of the governors. The Struggle for Statehood 93 LESSON 34 THE STRUGGLE FOR STATEHOOD Agitation for the admission of Oklahoma into the Union as a state began soon after the Territory was organized. In December, 1893, Delegate Flynn introduced a bill in Congress, providing for the admission of Oklahoma and Indian Territory as one state. The House Committee on Territories reported in favor of the admission of Oklahoma alone. A Democratic Statehood Convention met at Perry in January, 1894, which declared in favor of single statehood. A council of Indians belonging to the Five Civilized Tribes, was held at Eufaula in March, 1894, which adopted resolutions against statehood. From this time on, people were divided on the statehood question. Some favored single statehood, or the singleand forming of a single state out of Oklahoma and separate the Indian Territory. Others wanted a separate state to be made of Oklahoma, leaving the Indian Terri- tory to be cared for at some other time. The term double statehood was also used. That term meant to make two states of the two territories. Joint statehood meant to join the two territories into one state. Interest in the question of statehood continued to grow. Conventions of various kinds — business, religious, and educa- tional — adopted resolutions urging Congress to act. State- hood Conventions memorialized Congress to pass a Statehood Bill. Some were for single, others for separate, statehood. There were many reasons for delay. Those interested could not unite on any one plan. Most of the Democratic leaders in Congress favored two states. Most of the Republi- can leaders wanted but one state. Many of the eastern Congressmen thought the Indians were not ready for state- 94 Oklahoma History hood. Some even thought Oklahoma too much of a wild- west region to convert into a state. Delegate Flynn succeeded in getting an Omnibus Statehood Bill through the House in 1902, but it failed to pass the Senate before the end of that Congress, March 4, 1903. Delegate McGuire secured the passage of a bill through the House, providing for a separate state to be formed of Okla- homa. The Senate amended the bill, making one state of the two territories. The House refused to concur, so the bill failed to become a law. In July, 1905, a convention was held at Muskogee, con- sisting of delegates who favored making a separate state of Sequoyah the Indian Territory. This convention drew convention U p a cons titution for the state of Sequoyah, as it was proposed to call the state. The constitution was sub- mitted to the people of the Indian Territory for their approval. The vote was light, but the majority of those who voted favored the constitution. Congress was then asked to admit the proposed state of Sequoyah into the Union. No action was taken by Congress, and the effort failed to secure state- hood, but it brought a number of men into prominence and prepared them for the Constitutional Convention, which formed the constitution for Oklahoma. Charles N. Haskell and William Murray were the leaders in the Sequoyah Con- vention. Pleasant Porter, governor of the Creek Nation , was chairman. After a long struggle the fifty-ninth Congress passed the Omnibus Statehood Bill, June 14, 1906 (Flag Day), and it was Omnibus approved by the President, June 16. It pro- statehood vided for a single state of Oklahoma and Indian Bill Territory, and for a single state of Arizona and New Mexico, provided the people in those two territories The Struggle for Statehood 95 wanted to unite. The people of the two last-named terri- tories were opposed to uniting, and as a result those states did not enter the Union until the year 191 2. The Enabling Act provided for one hundred and twelve delegates, to be elected to a Constitutional Convention ; fifty-five from Oklahoma, fifty-five from Indian Territory, and two from the Osage Nation. Oklahoma was divided into fifty-five districts by the governor, the secretary, and the chief justice of the Ter- City Hall, Guthrie, Oklahoma ritory. Indian Territory was divided into fifty-five districts by the commis- sioner of the Five Tribes and two of the judges of the Federal Courts of Indian Territory. The delegates were elected November 6, 1906. Ninety-nine were Democrats, twelve Republi- cans, and one Independent. The convention met in the City Hall at Guthrie, November 20 1906, and continued in session until July, 1907, except that they took two recesses ; one in April, to give the committees a chance to complete their work, and the other in June, to await the result of an injunction suit brought against the convention. The constitution was submitted to the people, September 17, 1907. At the same time state officers were elected. One provision of the Enabling Act was that there should be prohi- bition in the Indian Territory part of the state constitution for twenty-one years. A proposition to have ratlfied prohibition in the entire state for twenty-one years was sub- mitted to the voters at the same time, as an amendment 96 Oklahoma History to the constitution. The constitution was ratified by an overwhelming majority. The prohibition amendment was carried by eighteen thousand. The Democratic party elected their candidates for the state officers. William H. Murray was president of the Constitution Con- vention. Charles N. Haskell was the leader of the majority party in the convention, and Henry Asp was the leader of the minority. President Roosevelt proclaimed Oklahoma a state, Novem- ber 16, 1907. Questions. What is meant by single statehood? Separate state- hood? How is a state admitted into the Union? Why did Congress delay the matter so long? Why were conventions called at various times? Why were resolutions passed? What delegates to Congress were active in trying to secure statehood? What is an Omnibus Bill? When did the Omnibus Statehood Bill become a law? What is an Enabling Act? How many delegates were provided for in the Enabling Act? How distributed? What were they to do? When were the delegates elected? How long was the Constitutional Convention in session ? When was the constitution voted upon ? W r hat other question was voted upon at the same time? When did Oklahoma become a state? How? When were state officers elected? Written Work. Write a brief account of the Sequoyah Convention. Make a list of the leading men in the Constitutional Convention. PERIOD OF STATEHOOD LESSON 35 THE FORTY-SIXTH STATE Now that we have followed the story of a great state in its making, it may be well to pause and take a view of this, the forty-sixth state to enter our Union, that we may see what it is and how it was made. Explored by Spaniards, Frenchmen, and Americans ; claimed by Spain, France and England, it is now a constituent part of a great federal nation, on an equal footing with the other members of that Union. When the Europeans appropriated the New World to them- selves, they found here a native race which they called the Indian. This race being nomadic in instinct roamed at will, and most of its tribes had no very permanent place of abode. Many of the white people, therefore, developed the idea that the Indians had but little right to the land. If the Indians tried to prevent the encroachments of the whites, they were driven from their lands or forced to sell. The United States decided to give them a part of the western lands and let them have that to themselves. In accordance with this idea, Congress set apart an Indian Indian country in 1 830. The western part of the Louisana Terntor y Purchase was considered of little value, so Congress was generous. It set apart a great region west of Arkansas and Missouri, stretching from the Red River to the British Posses- sions. Tribes and remnants of tribes were moved there. 97 98 Oklahoma History This land afterwards proved to be more valuable than it was first thought to be, and the Indians had been given more than they needed. By the Kansas-Nebraska Bill (1854) the Indian country was narrowed down to the present limits of Oklahoma, leaving out the Panhandle. Later, the Five Tribes owning most of that region took sides with the Confederacy. By so doing they forfeited their treaty rights and in making new treaties they were forced to make terms which opened the way for the whites to invade their country. The white men brought progress and a more ad- vanced form of government. To-day we have a state of one million seven hundred thousand people. Hardly one hundred thousand of them are Indians. There are sixteen whites to one Indian. While the proportion of Indian blood is not great, yet this is the Indian state. It contains more Indian blood than any other state of the Union. Its name is Oklahoma (Red Man's Land). Many of its counties, cities, and rivers, and mounds have Indian names. Another important element in its development is the way it was settled. The other states have been settled by people Character of who came from states almost directly east of population them. People have moved westward mainly along parallel lines, a fact that has divided the country into two great segments, the north and the south. This region, having been set apart for Indians, withheld it from white settlement, until the whites had settled the country to the north and to the south of it. All of the first railroads that crossed it ran from north to south. When it was opened to settlement, people came from both the north and the south. There were brought together for the first time people from these two sections to form one commonwealth. The way Inauguration of State Government 99 in which it was settled is worth considering. In all the lands opened by the race plan, great energy and great endurance were demanded. Hence, the population ought to have an unusually high percentage of those forces which go to make success. This fusion, this bringing together of the best blood of the north and the south and the American Indian, under the present favorable conditions, should produce the highest type of manhood and womanhood. Questions. Who were the Indians? Why were they so called? How did they live? How did the Europeans regard them? How did the whites treat them ? When did the United States set apart a country for them? What region was set apart? When and how was it cut down? In the treaties of 1866 what terms did the Five Civilized Tribes have to agree to? How did these terms lead to the settlement of this country by the whites? How many people in Oklahoma now? From what direction did the settlers in Oklahoma come? Written Work. Write a paper showing how a fusion of people from the north and the south will be an advantage. LESSON 36 INAUGURATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT According to the Enabling Act Oklahoma would become a state the moment the President signed his name to the proc- lamation. In order that arrangements might President's be made for the inauguration of the first governor proclamation of the state, President Roosevelt gave notice in advance that he would sign the proclamation at ten o'clock a.m. (Eastern time), November 16, 1907. Governor Haskell took the oath of office at 9 : 20 a.m., which was as soon as this message from Washington was received. ioo Oklahoma History He did this that he might prevent a pipe line from being laid out of the state into Kansas. Had he waited to take the oath in public at twelve o'clock noon, the time set, there would have been an interval when Oklahoma would have been without a governor. The plan of those constructing the line was to extend the pipe across the state border during this interval. A large number of people from over the state assembled at Guthrie to see the inauguration. A sufficient number of inauguration beeves had been barbecued, so that any who ceremonies desired could eat barbecued beef. The ceremonies were held on a platform erected in front of the Carnegie Library, beginning at twelve o'clock. A marriage ceremony, repre- senting the union of the two territories, was performed. A lady represented Indian Territory and a man stood for Okla- homa, and as is usually the case, the bride took the husband's name. Governor Haskell again took the oath of office and delivered his inaugural address to a multitude of people. The task of starting the state government into operation was an important one. Half of the state had had no county government, in fact, little government of any kind. A new constitution, containing many new ideas, had to be put into operation. The territorial laws had to be modified to suit the changed conditions. Governor Haskell called the legislature to meet at Guth- rie the first Monday in December. Lieutenant Governor Bellamy was, ex-officio, President of the Senate. William H. Murray was chosen Speaker of the House of Representa- tives. As soon as the legislature could do so, it elected two United States Senators. Robert L. Owen and Thomas P. Gore were chosen. Under State Government 101 The members of the Supreme Court were John B. Turner, R. L. Williams, M. J. Kane, Samuel W. Hayes, and Jesse J. Dunn. They were elected at the time the state supreme officers were chosen. At that same election were Court chosen judges of the District Courts and all the county offi- cers, as well as members of both Houses of the state legislature. All of the state officers — legislative, executive, and judicial — and all of the county officers having been elected September 17, and all of the officers having entered upon the duties of their offices, November 16, 1907, the government of the state was fully organized. Questions. When did Oklahoma become a state? Who was the first governor? In what ways had he been prominent before? When and where was he inaugurated? When did the first state legislature meet? Who presided over each House? How was each chosen to the position of presiding officer? Who were the first United States Senators from this state? How chosen? Who were the members of the Lower House of Congress from this state ? Name the members of the Supreme Court. When were the State Officers elected? The county officers? When did their terms begin ? What is meant by Eastern time. Written Work. Write a description of the inauguration of the first governor. Write fully the reason Governor Haskell took the oath of office twice. LESSON 37 UNDER STATE GOVERNMENT Charles N. Haskell, the first governor of the State of Okla- homa, served from November 16, 1907 until Governor January, 191 1 . He had been a resident of Musko- Haske11 gee smce 1900, had been a prominent member of the Sequoyah Constitutional Convention (1905), and had been the acknowledged leader in the Constitutional Convention 102 Oklahoma History which met at Guthrie, November 20, 1906, to frame a consti- tution for the state of Oklahoma. He was the candidate of the Democratic party, his chief opponent being Frank Frantz, the Republican candidate. He called the legislature together as soon as it could be done by law. It assembled the first Monday in December First state an d continued in session for more than five legislature months. The constitution provided that the first session of the legislature might be one hundred and sixty days. The legislature on the day after it met and organized elected United States Senators Owen and Gore. The legislature revised the territorial statutes and enacted a number of important laws. Among them were the Guaranty Bank Deposit Law, the Compulsory Primary Election Law, and the Uniform Textbook Law. The Board of Agriculture was reorganized, and provisions were made for the establish- ment of three additional normal schools and six secondary schools of agriculture. One of the characteristic features of the Oklahoma con- stitution is that the people may initiate laws, also amend- initiative and nients to the constitution, and have laws and referendum amendments referred to them to be voted upon by them. A number of measures have been initiated by the people, and others have been referred to them by the legislature. One important question was the location of the state capital. The election was held June 11, 1910. The vote stood: Oklahoma City 92,261 ; Guthrie 31,301 ; Shawnee 8382. Governor Haskell at once moved the capital to Oklahoma City. Another initiated question was an amendment to the suffrage clause of the constitution, known as the Grandfather Clause. The election was held August 2, 1901. There were 134,443 votes cast for the amendment, and 106,222 against it. Under State Government 103 The Constitutional Convention had divided the state into seventy-five counties and had made regulations by which other counties might be formed. In accordance . . New counties with these provisions Harmon County was formed from a part of Greer County. Swanson County was formed of parts of Kiowa and Comanche counties, but the courts decided that it was illegally formed and it was dissolved. During 191 2 a new county was formed of the southern part of Comanche County and was named Cotton County. Rand- lett was made county seat. The constitution provides that the governor can not suc- ceed himself. Governor Haskell could not be a candidate for reelection in 19 10. At the primary election held in August of that year, the Democratic Party nominated Lee Cruce for governor, and the Republican Party named J. W. McNeal. The Democrats were successful at the general election in November and elected Lee Cruce. At the time of his election Governor Cruce was engaged in the banking business at Ardmore. His term began the sec- ond Monday of January, 1 9 1 1 , and will end in 1 9 1 5 . Governor During his term a number of important laws have Cruce been made. The management of the state banks and the Guaranty Bank Fund have been given to a board con- sisting of the governor and two men experienced in banking. In 191 1 a law was enacted creating the State Board of Edu- cation. This board consists of seven members, the state superintendent being president of the board, with state board six members appointed by the governor. The o f education board has control of all the state educational institutions except the agricultural schools. This was a move to secure harmony among\he state schools, as well asjinity in the state school 104 Oklahoma History system. The State Board of Education is also the state text- book board. The office of county assessor was created. This office takes the place of township assessors. Laws were also made favoring the consolidation of district schools. A tax congress was held in Oklahoma City in June, 191 2 to inquire into the cause of high taxes and to de- vise some way to remedy the matter. At that convention Governor Cruce advocated cutting down the number of state and county officers. The congress adopted a resolution favoring a commission form of government for counties. Their plan is for the people of each county to elect four men, a county judge and three commissioners, and that these four men should appoint what county officers are needed and should have entire charge of the affairs of the county. It will be seen by observing the new features already in the constitution of Oklahoma, and the tendency to adopt others, that we are in a very important period in the development of government. Oklahoma is making history rapidly. Questions. When did Oklahoma become a state? Who was the first governor of the state ? The present governor ? What party elected each? What is the length of the governor's term? When does the governor's term begin ? Name a law that has been initiated. An amend- ment that has been initiated. What is the Guaranty Bank Law? What is the Grandfather Clause ? How is the Board of Education con- stituted ? Written Work. Write on the advantages and disadvantages of a consolidated district. Write an explanation of the commission form of government. Write an account of the moving of the capital. Industries of the State 105 LESSON 38 INDUSTRIES OF THE STATE Oklahoma is well located. It is almost in the center of the United States. It has easy access to the Gulf of Mexico with its ports, and it has good railway connections with the southern ports of California as well as with the Great Lakes and the Mississippi by way of Chicago and St. Louis. Oklahoma is a good-sized state. Its seventy thousand square miles extend from the foot of the Ozarks across undulat- ing plains almost to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. In elevation it is from a few hundred feet in the east to about five thousand feet in the extreme west. Its surface is rough in places, even to mountainous, rolling in some sections, and almost a perfect plain in others. There is a great variety of soil in the state, most of it is very fertile. The climate is mild temperate, and the rainfall is sufficient for crops in most sections of the state, except during occasional seasons. Agriculture is the leading industry. The most important crops are cotton, corn, wheat, and oats. Other products of the farm, which add materially to the wealth Agriculture of the state, are alfalfa, kaffir corn, broom corn, potatoes, cowpeas, and fruit. The farms and the pasture lands produce great numbers of hogs, cattle, horses, mules, and some sheep. Oklahoma is fortunate in the variety and abundance of its mineral deposits. While mining in the state is in its infancy, yet vast sums are being realized from that source annually. It is well supplied with petroleum, natural gas, coal, asphalt, granite, limestone, sandstone, gypsum, salt, sand, and gravel. In the northeastern part of the state considerable zinc and 106 Oklahoma History lead are produced, and good qualities of clay for brick and tile are found in many parts of the state. Manufacturing is rapidly becoming one of the principal industries of the state. The abundance of fuel makes it desirable to establish factories near the source of Manufactures supply of the materials to be used in manufacturing. Cotton gins, flour mills, and cotton-seed oil mills are numerous. There are also in operation a number of cement plants, meat packing plants, saw mills, planing mills, machine shops, foundries, and mills for cutting and polishing granite. Salt, brick, tile, paint, and asphaltum paving-blocks are being manufactured. Lumbering in the eastern part of the state and dairying in many parts of the state are important. Many people are engaged in commerce and in transporting the products of the state to market, and in supplying the state with needed ar- ticles that it does not produce. Oklahoma does not depend upon one industry, nor mainly upon one crop. The variety of its products and the number of its industries make it a well-balanced state where business interests are not so likely to fluctuate as in a community that depends largely upon one industry. Questions. What is the area of Oklahoma? What are its dimen- sions ? What can you say of its surface ? Of its soil ? Of its rainfall ? Name the industries of the state. Name the farm products and the part of the state in which each is produced. WTiat kinds of live stock are raised in the state? Name the minerals found in Oklahoma. Tell where each is found. What kinds of factories ? Locate several of each kind. In what part of the state are men engaged in lumbering ? What products are shipped out of the state? Where do they go? What are shipped into the state? From where? Why is a variety of industries important ? Development of the State 107 Written Work. Make a list of the products of cotton seed? Make a list of the prices of the products of the state. Write a paper on the uses of cement. LESSON 39 DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE The development of Oklahoma has been wonderful. People who have seen its growth from the beginning are struck with wonder and admiration at the rapidity of its progress. In the history of Greece, during its mythical period, we are told of a certain hero by the name of Cadmus who, having slain a dragon that guarded a spring, took the dragon's teeth and sowed them. These sprang up armed men, and with these men he overcame the enemies in the land and established the city of Thebes. The heroes who have made Oklahoma came into this untried region, and broke the virgin soil in search of agricultural riches, and delved deep into its surface for its Real heroes mineral treasures, and from their efforts have sprung up, as if by magic, cities and schools and homes. But a quarter of a century ago almost all of the land was as if it had been untouched by the hand of man. Cattle roamed over a large part of it, with a ranch house here and there. In the eastern part and about the agencies, a few farms had been opened up by the Indians or by the government for the Indians, but the country in the main was in its original state. The story of its settlement has been told. With its settle- ment came development and progress. Now the state is crossed in all directions by railroads. Almost ^ ., J Railroads every section is reached by a road and many lo- calities have the best of railroad facilities. The total mile- age aggregates about seven thousand miles. The Missouri, io8 Oklahoma History Kansas and Texas ; the St. Louis and San Francisco ; the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe ; the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific ; and the Kansas City, Mexico, and Orient are the leading lines. Oil pipe-lines carry petroleum to the refineries, and natural gas is piped to many of the leading cities. Many cities and towns have been built, and most of them have part or all of the modern conveniences. According Cities Oklahoma City High School to the 1 910 census there were eight cities with more than ten thousand inhabitants, — Oklahoma City, Mus- kogee, Tulsa, Enid, McAlester, Shawnee, Guthrie, and Chickasha. The population of the state was 1,657,155. In the state there are about 12,000,000 acres of land in cultivation, about twice that amount under control, and as much more farm land undeveloped in any way. In the southeastern part of the state there are large sections of segregated coal lands, or lands underlaid with coal, which are still tribal property. The surface of much of this land is well suited to agriculture. In a short time the surface of these lands will be sold and opened up to the farmer. Development of the State 109 The people are, as a class, thrifty and ambitious to advance. As soon as they are able they build substantial houses and make other permanent improvements. They are now much interested in the building of good roads. While Oklahoma is advancing rapidly in a material way, this is not the only progress it is making. It is also advancing intellectually and morally. The most modern school buildings are being erected in all the cities and in many rural districts. The state has established and equipped many splendid in- stitutions of learning. Particular efforts are being made to raise the standard of farming and to improve rural conditions so that farm life will be more attractive. The various religious bodies are well represented in the state. Every city and town and most rural communities are well supplied with churches. The state at its beginning voted prohibition for twenty-one years, and since then has voted down the propo- sition to resubmit the prohibition amendment to and moral ,1 .». ,' advancement the constitution. The history of Oklahoma has a unique and marvelous beginning. It should be full of interest to every person in Oklahoma. Let it be remembered that its history has just be- gun. What its future will be depends upon the boys and girls of to-day. The state expects every Oklahoman to do his duty. Questions. Tell the story of Cadmus. Who are the real heroes of Oklahoma ? How old is Oklahoma ? Name and trace the leading rail- road lines. Locate the oil pipe-lines. What cities are supplied with natural gas ? Where is gas found ? Name and locate eight of the largest cities in the state. What is the population of the state? How much of the land is under cultivation? How much of it is not cultivated? What is segregated coal land? What is to be done with the surface of it? What is meant by intellectual advancement? By moral advance- ment? What is prohibition? iio Oklahoma History Written Work. Make a list of the religious bodies represented in this state with the membership of each. Write a paper on how farm life may be made attractive? Write a paper on the value of good roads. LESSON 40 EDUCATION Missionaries had started educational work among the Mission Indians before the Five Tribes moved west. The schools mission schools, and the printing presses operated in connection with some of them, contributed much toward the advancement of the civilized tribes. A number of schools were successfully conducted by different religious bodies. Among them were Parkhill Seminary in the Cherokee Nation, Armstrong Academy in the Choctaw Nation, Wapanucka Academy in the Chickasaw Nation, Tallahasse Mission in the Creek Nation, and Sacred Heart in the Potta- watomie country. Near the Union agency at Muskogee were Bacone College, Harry Kendall College, and Harrell In- stitute. When the Five Tribes moved west they left funds on de- posit with the government, on which they drew interest. Tribal Part of this interest was used for the support of schools tribal schools. The Creeks and Seminoles had no tribal schools until after the Civil War. However, for many years before statehood, the Five Tribes maintained schools for Indian children. The Cherokees had two acad- emies at Tahlequah, one for males and the other for females. The Choctaws appropriated money for the support of acad- emies. The Indians also often sent some of their children to schools among the whites. Education i i i The Federal Government established a number of schools for the Indians, — one at Chilocco, one near the Darlington agency, one at Lawton, and another near Anadarko. By the Curtis Act, government schools were organized in the rural districts of the civilized tribes for the benefit of the white children, but Indian children could Government attend also. These schools were under the schools supervision of John D. Benedict for about ten years beginning U. S. Indian School, Chilocco, Oklahoma in 1898. The Curtis Act also provided for the organization of schools in the cities of Indian Territory. A great educational factor among the Cherokees was their newspaper which was published by the nation and furnished free to the members of the tribe. It was printed both in Cherokee and in English. It was started by Elias Boudinot in 1827 before the Cherokees came west, and was Cherokee called the Phoenix. It was discontinued in 1832, Advocate and started again in 1844, under the name of the Cherokee Advocate. The Civil War caused it to cease publication, but in 1870 it was reestablished, and continued until 1906. I I 2 Oklahoma History * '"■V^nK ^Jk trrJf . -U1V9 Sequoyah, Inventor of Cherokee Alphabet Sequoyah's name should be mentioned in this connection. By the invention of the Cherokee alphabet he opened the way for the education of his people. The Cherokee language con- tains eighty-five sounds. Sequoyah (George Guess) invented a character for each sound. He made the invention about 182 1. As soon as Oklahoma was settled, schools were started. When Oklahoma Territory was organized, a territorial superintendent was appointed by the governor (Governor Steele),, also a county superintendent for each county, and an educational system was soon outlined. The first territorial legisla- ture provided for a university, an agri- cultural college, and a normal school. Before statehood there had been established in addition to these, two other normal schools, a preparatory school, and a school for colored people. Since statehood the number of state schools has been greatly increased. There have been added three normal schools, a preparatory school, a school of mines, a college for girls, a school for the deaf, one for the blind, a boys' training school, a school for feeble minded, a school for orphans, and six secondary agricultural schools (one of the last named has just been closed). At the session of the state legislature in 191 1, a law was passed providing for a State Board of Education, giving it additional powers. This law has done much to unify the school system of the state by giving the Board control over all the state schools, except the agricultural schools, and giving it the power to select the textbooks for the state. State schools Education t i 3 The Board of Agriculture has control of the agricultural schools. The common schoolsa re free, the cities provide free high schools, and two counties, 1 Logan and Creek, have county high schools. The law provides for compulsory education, for uniform textbooks, for the consolidation of district schools, and it forbids child labor that will prevent children from attending school. Oklahoma received from the United States large grants of land, also $5,000,000 for the support of the common schools and the higher institutions of learning. The income from the school lands and state school fund is supplemented by taxa- tion. The state is also well supplied with educational institutions supported by religious bodies. Some of these are Kingfisher College, at Kingfisher ; the Wesleyan College, at Britton ; the Phillips Christian University, at Enid ; Oklahoma Metho- dist University, at Guthrie ; Harry Kendall College, at Tulsa ; Bacone University, at Muskogee, and the Baptist College, at Blackwell. Questions. What are mission schools? Name and locate as many as you can that were established in Indian Territory. What were tribal schools? How were they supported? Name and locate the govern- ment schools in Oklahoma. How did the Curtis Act benefit education? What was the Phoenix? Who founded it? What was the Cherokee Advo- cate? How long published? Who was Sequoyah? Name and locate the state normal schools. The agricultural schools. The other state educational institutions. What financial aid did the United States give toward education in Oklahoma ? Written Work. Write on the value of having uniformity of text- books. The benefits of compulsory education. 1 The people of Logan county recently voted to do away with their county high school. Flag of Oklahoma Designed by Mrs. W. R. Clement of Oklahoma City. Adopted by the State Legislature February 25, 1911. Approved by the Governor March 2, 1911. OKLAHOMA CIVICS LESSON 1 INTRODUCTION Government. — Government is an organization of the people into a political body for protection, to secure justice among themselves, and to aid in their material advancement. It is necessary that people be protected from lawless persons in the state and from enemies of their country. People differ among themselves as to what is right, so it is necessary to have some authority to decide what is right. Without govern- ment we could not have schools, good roads, and large bridges. Natural and Civil Rights. — A person living entirely alone would have a right to do as he pleased, so far as other people are concerned. When a person lives in a community he must refrain from doing some things that would interfere with other people. In return he would receive some rights that he did not have before, such as protection, school privileges, and the use of good roads and bridges. Government is a good thing, a blessing. Kinds of Government. — In the world to-day there are two important kinds of government, monarchies and repub- lics. A monarchy is a government that has at its head one ruler who inherits his position. The power of the monarchs of to-day is limited in some way ; that is, they do not have entire control of affairs. A republic, or representative 117 1 1 8 Oklahoma Civics democracy, is a government where the people elect represen- tatives to make laws for them and choose other persons to enforce the laws. The tendency at the present time is for republics to become more democratic. In other words, the people are taking more of the government into their own hands. Principles of Government. — The colonies that established the United States were, previous to that time, a part of Eng- land. As a result of this we borrowed a good many ideas of government from England. The Magna Charta and the Bill of Rights form the basis of the English Constitution. The Constitution of the United States is the fundamental or foundation law of our whole land, and the Declaration of Independence is an expression of the rights which we claim to be ours. Units of Government. — We live under a two-fold or double government. We live under the government of the United States, and under the government of Oklahoma. Then the state is divided into counties, so we live under county govern- ment. If we live in a city or organized town, we live under city or town government. If we live in the country, we live under township government, for all of the country outside of organized cities and towns is organized into municipal town- ships. The country is also organized into school districts. It will be seen that we have a number of units of government ; the Federal, the State, the County, the City, the Town, the Township, and the School District. At first this may seem complex, but each unit has its own work to perform. Our Government. — Our country is a representative democ- racy and we form a part of it. The government of our state and its subdivisions are near to us and affect us in our everyday life. For these reasons we should beJthoroughly n acquainted The School District 1 1 9 with our government, that we may be active members of the political body or state in which we live. Questions. What is government? Why do we need government? What are natural rights? Civil rights? Give examples of each. What are the principal kinds of government in the world to-day? Ex- plain each kind. What documents form the bulwark of English liberty? Why are they important to us? Why do we prize the Declaration of Independence? The Constitution of the United States? What is a unit of government? Name the units of government in which we are interested. Why should we study^Civil Government? LESSON 2 THE SCHOOL DISTRICT Organization. — The school district is formed by the county superintendent and is said to be organized when its officers have been elected and have qualified. No district shall be organized which contains less than eight persons of school age. District Affairs. — A director, clerk, and treasurer consti- tute the school board. At the annual meeting in 1908 the director was elected for three years, the clerk for two years, and the treasurer for one year. Their successors are elected for three years. Annual Meeting. — The annual school meeting is held the first Tuesday in June, at two o'clock in the afternoon. At this meeting the voters elect the district officer whose term ex- pires, levy a tax not to exceed five mills on the dollar for the support of the school, and may determine the length of the ensuing term of school, which shall not be less than three months. Other matters pertaining to the school may be discussed and decided. 120 Oklahoma Civics Voters. — All persons, male or female, twenty-one years of age, who are citizens of the United States, and who have resided in the state one year, in the county six months, and in the school district thirty days just preceding the school meeting, are entitled to vote at the meeting. School Money. — Money for the support of the district school comes from three funds. A tax is levied on the prop- erty in the district by the voters, a county tax not to exceed one mill on the dollar may be levied by the county, and the revenue from the state school fund is divided among the dis- tricts according to the number of children in the district who are of school age, which is between six and twenty-one. The tax levied at the annual school meeting may be increased by an amount not to exceed ten mills on the dollar, provided a majority of the voters vote in favor of such increase. Consolidated Districts. — Two or more school districts may be consolidated or may join so as to form one large district, provided a majority of the voters in each district vote in favor of the proposition. Separate Schools. — In districts where there are both white and colored children, separate schools must be maintained for those who are fewer in number. When the pupils for the separate school do not exceed ten in number, they may be transferred to the nearest school of their own color in an adjoining district. Where there is a separate school there is a separate school board. Compulsory Attendance. — Children between the ages of eight and sixteen years may be compelled to attend school at least three months in the year. Any school district may vote to increase the length of time which children must attend to six months. Municipal Township 121 Questions. Who forms the boundary lines of a school district? When is a district organized ? ' Who are the members of a district board ? How are they elected? How long do they serve? When is the annual school meeting ? What is done at the meeting? Where does the money for the support of schools come from ? What rate of tax can be levied ? How may it be increased? How may a consolidated district be formed? What are the advantages of a large district ? What are separate schools ? What length of time may a child be compelled to go to school ? Between what ages? LESSON 3 MUNICIPAL TOWNSHIP Organization. — In Oklahoma, under territorial govern- ment, the county commissioners in each county were author- ized to divide their county into municipal townships. The Constitutional Convention divided the new counties into townships. When the officers are chosen, and qualify or take the oath of office, the township is organized. Officers. — The officers of a township are : trustee, clerk, treasurer, and one road overseer in each road district. These officers are elected at the general election, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. They serve two years. When a vacancy occurs in a township office the county commissioners appoint some one to fill the place until the next election. Township Board. — ■ The trustee, clerk, and treasurer con- stitute the township board, or legislative body of the township. This board examines and passes upon all accounts against the township, levies taxes for township and road purposes, divides the township into road districts, and appoints a road supervisor in each road district. Duties of Officers. — The trustee is the chief executive of 122 Oklahoma Civics the township, has oversight of the road overseers, and may direct the work on roads. The clerk keeps the accounts of the township. The treasurer has charge of the township funds. The road overseers notify citizens when and where to work on the roads, and have charge of the work. Municipal Township. — A municipal township serves as a unit for election purposes. A township forms an election precinct unless there are too many voters in the township to vote conveniently at one place, in which case the county commissioners may divide the township into voting precincts. Congressional Township. — The municipal township, or township as it is usually called, should not be confused with the congressional township. The municipal township is for purposes of government, having the officers mentioned above. The congressional township is a tract of land six miles square, and is used for the purpose of locating or describing land. A municipal township's boundary lines often follow the boundary lines of congressional townships and in some parts of the state a municipal township exactly coincides with the con- gressional township. The purpose of each, however, is dif- ferent. The municipal township is usually larger than the congressional township unless the country is thickly settled. Questions. How were municipal townships organized under terri- torial government in Oklahoma? How formed in the new counties at statehood? When is a township organized? Name the officers of a township. When and how elected? Who constitute the township board ? What are the duties of the board ? What are the duties of the officers of the township? In what way do townships aid in holding elections? What is a congressional township? What is the difference between a municipal and a congressional township? Which is usually the larger? State whether their boundary lines ever coincide. Written Work. Draw a map of your county showing congressional and municipal townships, naming the latter. Incorporated Towns 123 LESSON 4 INCORPORATED TOWNS Corporations. -- A corporation is a body of individuals authorized by law to act or do business as one person. There are public corporations and private corporations. A school district is a public corporation, so is a municipal township. A thickly settled community not incorporated may be called a town, but to be incorporated the community must be em- powered by law to act as one individual. Method of Incorporation. — A petition signed by not less than one- third of the qualified voters of the town is made to the county commissioners. The commissioners fix a time for an election to be held to determine whether the people want to incorporate. If a majority of the voters favor incor- poration, the commissioners declare the town incorporated. No fixed number of people is required, but there should be a sufficient number to support such government. Necessity for Incorporation. — When any part of a township becomes very thickly settled, the people living in such terri- tory will need public conveniences and advantages which the township government or the county government cannot furnish. Therefore, it becomes necessary that this territory should be separated from that adjoining it and be given a form of government that will better meet its needs. Town Government. — The town is divided into not less than three, nor more than seven districts, often called wards. Each district elects one trustee, often called councilman. The board of trustees elects one of its number as president of the board. The board of trustees constitutes the legislative or lawmaking department. The town also elects a clerk, treas- urer, marshal, and justice of the peace. The president of i 24 Oklahoma Civics the board of trustees, clerk, treasurer, and marshal constitute the executive department. The justice is the judicial officer. Some towns provide for other officers such as street commis- sioner, fire marshal, engineer, physician, and police judge. Powers of Towns. — An incorporated town has power to have a seal, to own property, to lay out and improve streets, to provide for fire protection, to assess annual taxes for the support of the town's government, to provide for waterworks, to prohibit stock from running at large, and to establish by- laws, ordinances, and regulations not in conflict with the laws of the state. Town Schools. — • Schools in incorporated towns are or- ganized and controlled under the same laws that the rural schools are under. Unincorporated Towns. — A community may become more thickly settled than the surrounding country and may con- tain two or three hundred people and yet not be incorporated. It may contain stores and shops, and some sidewalks and street crossings. However, all improvements of a public nature will have to be done voluntarily. No one can be forced to pay taxes, to build sidewalks, or to provide for other public improvements. Questions. What is a corporation? A public corporation? Give examples. How may a town be incorporated ? How many people must it contain? What is the need of incorporating a town? What officers has an incorporated town? What officers constitute the legislative department? Which are executive officers? Name the powers of an incorporated town. How are the schools in such a town organized and controlled? Name the advantages of an unincorporated town. Cities 125 LESSON 5 CITIES Kinds of City Government. - - We hear the expressions : cities of the first class, cities with charter government, and cities with commission form of government. In Oklahoma there is but one class of cities, and that is the first class. Any city with a population of two thousand may become a city of the first class by complying with certain provisions of the law. Thickly settled communities with a population less than two thousand, that are incorporated, are called incor- porated towns. Any city of the first class may adopt a spe- ■ cial charter for its own government, but it is still a city of the first class. Any city when it adopts a charter may so form that charter as to have a commission form of government. Such a city has a commission form of government which is a form of charter government, and it also is a city of the first class. Statutory First Class Cities. — Any city with a population of two thousand may petition the governor to be incorporated as a city of the first class. The governor then calls an elec- tion to determine whether the people want to incorporate. If a majority of the voters are in favor of incorporating, the governor proclaims it a city of the first class. Officers. — The city is divided into not less than four wards. Each ward elects two councilmen, who form the leg- islative department. The city also elects a mayor, clerk, treasurer, attorney, marshal, and street commissioner, who are the executive officers. A police judge is also elected. He is the judicial officer of the city. Other officers may be pro- vided for by city ordinance. Each ward elects two members of the school board and the city elects a treasurer of the school i 26 Oklahoma Civics board. These officers are officers of the city school district. One member of the council and one member of the school board are elected every year for a term of two years. Thus one-half of the council and one-half of the school board are elected at one time. The city election is the first Tuesday in April. The officers are elected for two years in odd-numbered years. Duties of Officers. — The council makes certain laws, called ordinances, for the city. The mayor presides over the council and sees that the laws of the city are enforced. The clerk keeps a record of the proceedings of the council and has charge of the documents of the city. The treasurer has control of the funds of the city and keeps a record of the money received and paid out. The attorney is the legal ad- visor of the city officers, has charge of the law suits of the city, and prosecutes those who break the city laws. The marshal preserves order and makes arrests. The street commissioner has charge of the streets and sidewalks. The police judge tries persons who have violated the city ordinances. Cities with Charter Government. — Any city of the first class may form a charter government. Two freeholders (men who own real property) are elected from each ward. These freeholders draw up a charter or form of government for the city. The charter is submitted to voters for their approval. If a majority vote in favor of the charter, it is then sent to the governor for his approval. If he finds that the charter is in accord with the constitution and laws of the state, he approves it, and it becomes the constitution or char- ter of the city. Cities with Commission Government. — A city may so form its charter as to have a commission form of govern- ment, which means a government by a body of commissioners instead of a mayor and council and other elective officers. The County 127 The voters elect commissioners, usually five in number, who appoint other necessary officers. City Schools. — Schools in cities of the first class are not under the control of the county superintendent, but are governed by a board of education and a superintendent elected by the board. The board consists of two members from each ward, and two from territory outside of the city, but within the city school district, provided this outside territory is suf- ficiently large and populous. Questions. How may a city of the first class be formed ? Name the officers of such a city. State the duties of each. Who makes the city laws ? What are they called ? How many people in a city of the first class? How may a city form a charter? Explain the commission form of city government. What are its advantages? Why are some cities changing to the commission form of government? Name some of them. What is a freeholder? LESSON 6 THE COUNTY The County. — In Oklahoma the county is the most im- portant unit of local government. The township looks after the roads and small bridges, but the county keeps a record of the real estate, assesses and collects taxes, builds the larger bridges, cares for the poor, has charge of the schools, and looks after many other matters of government. How Counties are Formed. — Oklahoma Territory was organized into counties, but Indian Territory was not. When the two were united into a state, the constitutional conven- tion formed the counties and selected the county seats. Most of the counties that had been organized were left as they were, but some new counties were formed, and one county i 28 Oklahoma Civics (Day) was eliminated. Seventy-five counties were estab- lished. New Counties. — The constitution provides a way for forming new counties. A petition is made to the governor, who calls an election in the proposed new county to determine whether the people want to form a new county. If sixty per cent of the voters favor the proposition, the governor proclaims the county to be formed. No new county can be formed of less than four hundred square miles of taxable land, nor with a population of less than fifteen thousand, nor with a taxable wealth less than S 2,500,000. The county or counties from which the new county is formed must still contain as much land and wealth and as many people as required in the new county. Three new counties, Harmon, Swanson, and Cotton, have been created. One of them, Swanson, has been dissolved. County Officers. — - County officers are elected at the gen- eral election in even-numbered years, for a term of two years. The commissioners form the legislative department. The executive officers are : sheriff, attorney, clerk, treasurer, clerk of the district court, register of deeds, superintendent of schools, assessor, surveyor, and weigher. The judicial officers are : county judge and six justices of the peace. The number of justices may be increased by the commissioners if the population warrants it. Some counties are allowed a superior court. Duties of Officers. — The commissioners have charge of the property of the county, examine all accounts filed against the county, build bridges, care for the poor, and attend to the affairs of the county in general. The sheriff makes arrests, preserves the peace, and carries out orders of the court. The attorney prosecutes violators of the state law The County i 29 and is legal advisor of the other county officers. The clerk keeps a record of the proceedings of the commissioners and makes out the tax roll. The treasurer collects taxes, pays out money on the order of the commissioners, distributes their portion of the taxes to the treasurers of the school districts, townships, towns, and cities, and keeps a record of the same. The clerk of the district court keeps a record of the cases filed and tried in that court. The register of deeds keeps a record of the deeds and mortgages given. The assessor makes a list of the property to be taxed and fixes the value of it. The superintendent has oversight of the schools in the county that are outside of cities of the first class. The sur- veyor makes the surveys for roads, bridges and county build- ings. County Judiciary. — ■ The county judge has a right to try civil cases where the amount in controversy is not more than one thousand dollars, has criminal jurisdiction the same as a justice of the peace, and has probate jurisdiction over the property of deceased persons. There are six justices of the peace in each county, but the commissioners may increase the number if the population of the county is large. Justices have the right to try civil cases where the amount involved does not exceed two hundred dollars, and criminal cases where the fine does not exceed two hundred dollars, or the punish- ment not more than thirty days in jail. They may also hold preliminary hearings in more serious offenses and have the parties held for trial in higher courts. Justices may hold inquests. Some counties have a superior court which has concurrent jurisdiction with the district and county court, except that it has no probate jurisdiction. Questions. State whether there were counties in Oklahoma and Indian Territory before statehood. How many counties were formed i 30 Oklahoma Civics when Oklahoma became a state ? By whom ? How many new counties have been formed since statehood ? Name and locate a new one. What officers constitute the legislature of the county ? What duties have they ? Name the executive officers of a county. State some of their duties. What judicial officers has a county ? What jurisdiction has each court ? What is meant by jurisdiction ? What is an inquest ? Written Work. Make a list of the names of the county officers in your county, giving the salary of each. LESSON 7 GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE Admission into the Union. — Congress has the power to admit states into the Union. The usual method is for Con- gress to pass an Act authorizing the territory to prepare and adopt a state constitution and at the same time elect state officers. Then Congress may approve the action of the ter- ritory and declare it a state, or the President may review the action of the territory and proclaim it a state. How Oklahoma was Admitted. — - Congress passed an Enabling Act which was approved by the President, June 16, 1906. The two territories were divided into districts for the election of delegates to a constitutional convention. The delegates were elected November 6, 1906. The convention assembled November 20, 1906, and prepared a constitution. The constitution was submitted to the people for their approval September 17, 1907, and at the same time state officers were elected. The President proclaimed Oklahoma a state November 16, 1907. Provisions of the Enabling Act. — The Enabling Act was an act or law passed by Congress, enabling the territories to form state governments. Some of its provisions were as fol- Government of the State i 3 1 lows : the constitutional convention was to consist of one hundred and twelve delegates, one hundred thousand dollars was given to pay the expenses of forming the state govern- ment, one million and fifty thousand acres of land were given to the state besides what had already been given Oklahoma Territory, five million dollars was given to the state's per- manent school fund, the state was to have two senators and five members of the lower house of Congress until the next census, there was to be prohibition of the sale of liquor for twenty-one years in the Indian Territory part of the state, plural marriage was forever prohibited, religious toleration was not to be infringed upon, and the right of suffrage was not to be abridged on account of race, color, or previous con- dition of servitude. Constitutional Convention. — The convention was in ses- sion from November 20, 1906, until July 16, 1907, except for a recess taken to give the committees time to arrange the constitution and another to await the decision of an injunc- tion suit against the convention. William H. Murray was president of the convention, and John M. Young secretary. A number of delegates to this convention now hold, or have held, high positions under the state government. Questions. What is the usual method of admitting states ? Who has power to admit states? Give the steps by which Oklahoma was ad- mitted. How much money did Congress give for the expense of forming the state government ? How much money was given to the school fund ? How many acres of land were given to Oklahoma by the Enabling Act ? Had any land been given Oklahoma before? Tell something about what lands had been given. What was the new state forbidden to do? How many Congressmen were allowed the state? 132 Oklahoma Civics LESSON 8 BILL OF RIGHTS Bill of Rights. —A bill of rights in a constitution is a list of rights or privileges belonging to the people, which cannot be infringed upon or taken away from them by the government or the officers of the state. The name has come down to us from the Bill of Rights enacted by the English Parliament in 1689. The Constitution of the United States when first made contained no Bill of Rights, but many of the people were dissatisfied with it on that account, and the Constitution was amended as soon as this could be done. The first ten amend- ments to the Constitution of the United States form a Bill of Rights. The Oklahoma Bill of Rights. — This bill is much longer than those of other constitutions and for that reason is much more complete. Besides enumerating the rights usually found in other state constitutions, it contains a number of new features. The Bill of Rights is Article II of the constitution and con- tains thirty-three sections. Trial Jury. — Juries in county and justice courts shall consist of six men ; juries in higher courts, twelve men. In civil cases, and in criminal cases less than felonies, three- fourths of the whole number of jurors concurring have the power to render a verdict. In all other cases all the jurors must agree in order to render a verdict. Habeas Corpus. - - The authorities of Oklahoma can not suspend the writ of habeas corpus under any circumstances. The authorities of the United States can suspend the writ in case of rebellion or when the public safety demands it. A writ of habeas corpus demands that a person held in cus- Bill of Rights 133 tody be brought into court for the authorities to show why he is being held. Contempt of Court. — When a person is accused of commit- ting an act of contempt of court when not in the presence of the court, he shall be given a trial by jury, before being fined or punished. The three rights mentioned are new rules on these subjects. Usual Rights. — The Bill of Rights also states that all polit- ical power belongs to the people ; all persons have the right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the gains of their industry ; have the right peaceably to as- semble for their own good and be secure in their persons, houses, and papers against unreasonable searches or seizures. State officers must give their personal attention to the duties of their offices. Courts of justice shall be open to every per- son. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. The right of trial by jury shall not be violated. Private property shall not be taken for public use without due com- pensation. Many other rights are enumerated in the state constitution. Questions. What is a bill of rights? What can you say about the Oklahoma Bill of Rights. Compare the state and the federal constitu- tions, on the writ of habeas corpus. What is a felony? How many jurors in a justice court ? In a county court ? In a higher court ? What is a verdict? How many jurors must concur to render a verdict? What is contempt of court? What other rights mentioned? Where would you look for the United States Bill of Rights ? i 34 Oklahoma Civics LESSON 9 LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT Division of Powers. — The powers of the state government are divided among three departments : legislative, executive, and judicial. The intent is to have each of these branches of government as separate and distinct from the others as practicable. Legislative Authority. — The lawmaking authority of the state is vested in a legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, but the people reserve to themselves the right to make laws and amendments to the constitution and to reject laws passed by the legislature. The Senate. — The constitution provides for forty- four senators to be elected by the voters of the districts, but there may be additional senators. The term is four years. One half of the senators are elected every two years at the general election. Senators must be twenty-five years of age, and must be qualified to vote in their districts and must continue to live in their districts. The lieutenant governor is president of the Senate, but has no vote except in case of a tie. The Senate elects one of its members president pro tempore to preside when the lieutenant governor is absent. House of Representatives. — The number of representa- tives is not made definite, but will always be more than one hundred. The term is two years, and the representatives are elected on even-numbered years. Representatives must be twenty-one years of age, voters of their districts, and must continue to live in their districts. The House elects a speaker from its own numbers to preside over that body. Powers of Each House. — Each House is judge of the elec- Legislative Department 135 tion of its members, makes its own rules, and provides neces- sary clerks, sergeants at arms, and other assistants. Salary. — Members of the legislature receive six dollars per day during the sessions of the legislature, provided the sessions are not longer than sixty days. They receive only two dollars a day after sixty days have elapsed. Vacancies, Quorum. — In case of a vacancy, the governor shall call an election to fill the vacancy. It takes a majority of the members elected to each House to make a quorum. How a Bill May Become a Law. - - A bill to become a law must pass both Houses and be signed by the governor. If the governor refuses to sign a bill, it may become a law with- out his signature by passing both Houses by a two-thirds vote. If the governor retains a bill five days, it becomes a law, unless the legislature adjourns within that time. In order to pass either House, a bill must receive the votes of a majority of the members elected to that House. Emergency Legislation. — Laws that are passed by the legislature do not go into effect until ninety days after the adjournment of the session at which they are passed, unless the legislature by a two-thirds vote declares the law to be an emergency law, in which case it goes into effect as soon as approved by the governor. Sessions. — The legislature meets regularly once every two years, but the governor may call special sessions. It meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January, in the year after the election. Questions. Name the three departments of state government. What is the lawmaking power vested in ? How many members in each House? How elected? State the qualifications of members of each House. What is the salary of the members of the legislature? How long is a session ? What is necessary to make a quorum ? How may a 136 Oklahoma Civics bill become a law ? What is an emergency law ? How passed ? How are vacancies in each House filled? State whether the legislature alone can make laws in Oklahoma. How often does the legislature meet? When? LESSON 10 INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM Direct Legislation. — Oklahoma is one of the few states that have direct control over the lawmaking of the state. Sometimes legislatures fail to pass some law that the people want. In Oklahoma the people can make laws that the majority of the people wish made. Sometimes legislatures pass laws that the people do not want. In this state the people can reject the law passed by the legislature, unless the legislature, by a two-thirds vote, has declared it an emer- gency. Where the people have the right to make laws, the legislature is apt to be more careful to make laws that the people want. Initiative. — Initiative as applied to lawmaking means proposing a law. To initiate a law in the state, it is neces- sary for eight per cent of the legal voters of the state to sign a petition that the law be made. When eight per cent of the voters have signed the petition, it is filed with the secretary of state. The governor then orders an election on the question of the proposed law. If a majority of the voters vote in favor of the question, it becomes a law. Fifteen per cent of the legal voters is required to initiate an amendment to the constitution, but only a majority vote is necessary to carry the proposition. To initiate a measure in a county, city, or township, it is necessary for the petition to be signed by twenty-five per cent of the legal voters of the county, or of the city, or of the township. Initiative and Referendum 137 Referendum. — Referendum means an election on a propo- sition. All initiative questions are referred to the people. The legislature may pass a measure and order a referendum on it. If the legislature passes a law that is objectionable, the people can ask that the law be referred to them, for their approval or rejection. In such a case, it would require a petition to that effect, signed by five per cent of the legal voters of the state. If the majority vote against the ques- tion, it is rejected. Petitions calling for a referendum on a law passed by the legislature must be riled within ninety days after the adjournment of the session of the legislature at which the law was passed. A referendum cannot be de- manded on an emergency measure. A referendum may be demanded on one or more parts of a measure passed by the legislature. Amendments to the Constitution. — Amendments may be proposed or initiated by fifteen per cent of the legal voters of the state. They may also be proposed by the legislature by a majoiity vote. An amendment must always be referred to the people, and a majority vote is necessary to carry it. The legislature by a two-thirds vote may order a special election on a proposed amendment. The governor may order a special election on an initiative question. If a special election is not called, the question is voted upon at the next general election. Repeal, Veto. — The legislature can repeal an initiated law, but it is not likely to do so unless the people have appar- ently changed their minds on the matter and seem to want it repealed. The governor cannot veto an initiated measure. If the people vote in favor of a law, one man, even if he be the governor, should not be able to defeat the law. 138 Oklahoma Civics Questions. What is direct legislation? Of what advantage is it? What is meant by initiative ? How may a law be initiated ? An amend- ment ? What per cent is required to initiate a law in a city ? Explain the referendum. In what ways may a referendum be ordered? In what time must the referendum be demanded on acts of the legislature ? State whether the referendum can be demanded on emergency laws. How may amendments be made to the constitution ? Who can repeal initiated laws? Why? State whether the governor can veto them. LESSON 11 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT The Executive Officers of the state are : governor, lieu- tenant governor, secretary of state, auditor, attorney general, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, examiner and inspector, chief mine inspector, labor commissioner, commissioner of charities and corrections, commissioner of insurance, state printer, bank commissioner, president of the board of agriculture, public health commissioner, and corpo- ration commissioners. There are a number of important boards : board of education, board of agriculture, board of affairs, banking board, board of pardons, and commissioners of the land office. The Governor is the chief executive officer of the state. It is his duty to see that the laws are enforced. He must be thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and must have been a qualified elector of the state for three years. He is elected by the people, for a term of four years, and cannot immediately succeed himself. The term begins the second Monday in January, following the election. The Lieutenant Governor is the president of the senate. Executive Department J 39 He is acting governor during the absence of the governor from the state, and, in case of death, resignation, or removal of the governor, he succeeds him in office. He must have the same qualifications for office as the governor, and is elected at the same time for the same term. He may succeed himself in office. The Secretary of State has charge of and publishes the state laws. He keeps a record of the official acts of the governor. He is cus- todian of the great seal of the state. He issues certificates of incorporation and receives the initiative and referen- dum petitions. His qualifications and term are the same as those of the gov- ernor. He cannot succeed himself. The State Auditor examines accounts and claims against the state. He draws warrants on the treasurer to pay the bills of the state and he keeps a record of the accounts paid, which should agree with the treasurer's books. His qualifications and term are the same as those of the governor. He cannot succeed himself. The State Treasurer has charge of all money belonging to the state. He can pay out money only on warrants issued by the state auditor, and there must be a law for such pay- ments. His qualifications and term are those of the gover- nor. He cannot succeed himself. The Attorney General is the legal advisor of the state officers. He serves as counsel for the state in civil and crim- inal cases, and prosecutes certain criminal cases where county attorneys fail to do their duty. His term and qualifications are the same as those of the governor. He may succeed himself. 140 Oklahoma Civics The Superintendent of Public Instruction has general super- vision over the entire public school system of the state and is president of the State Board of Education. His qualifications and term are the same as those of the governor. The State Examiner and Inspector must examine at least twice each year the books and cash of the state treasurer and of the county treasurers, and must prescribe a uniform sys- tem of bookkeeping for all of the treasurers. He must have the same qualifications as the governor, and must have had at least three years' experience as expert accountant. His term is four years. The Chief Mine Inspector examines the mines and mining machinery of the state, to see that the proper precautions are taken for the safety and health of the operators. He must have had at least eight years' actual experience as a practical miner. His term is four years. The Commissioner of Labor must settle differences be- tween employers of labor and their employees, and im- prove the conditions of the laboring classes. His term is four years. The Insurance Commissioner requires insurance companies which operate in the state to comply with the insurance laws, and suspends unsafe companies from doing business in the state. He must be at least twenty-five years of age and well versed in insurance. His term is four years. Questions. What is meant by executive? What are the qualifica- tions of the chief executive ? His duties ? State the duties and qualifi- cations of lieutenant governor. What is the work of the secretary of state? Of the auditor? What state officers cannot immediately suc- ceed themselves ? Why not ? What are the duties of the state treas- urer]? M 3f the attorney ^general ? Of the state superintendent? What state officers must have the same qualifications that a governor has? Executive Department 141 State the duties of examiner. Of mine inspector. Of commissioner of labor. Of insurance commissioner. Who now holds each of these offices about which you have studied? LESSON 12 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT (Concluded) The Commissioner of Charities looks after the conditions of the charitable and penal institutions of the state, to see that the inmates receive proper treatment. The commis- sioner must be twenty-five years of age, and may be either male or- female. The term is four years. The Bank Commissioner has oversight of the state banks. He requires reports from them at least once each quarter, and takes charge of any state bank that he deems unsafe, and settles up its affairs. The State Printer's duty is to supervise all printing and binding done for the various state departments, to see that the work is done well and according to contract. His term is four years. The Commissioner of Health has supervision of the health officers of the state. He sees that the health regulations of the state are observed and issues orders necessary to check epidemics or the spread of contagious diseases. The President of the Board of Agriculture besides presid- ing over the meetings of the board, supervises the stock inspectors. He enforces animal quarantine rules and pro- motes the interests of farmers and stock raisers. His term is four years. Corporation Commissioners are elected for a term of six years. There are three commissioners, one being elected 142 Oklahoma Civics every two years at the general election. They must be thirty years of age and resident citizens for two years and must not own any interest in any corporation. It is their duty to see that transportation and transmission companies, such as railroads and telephone companies, are not unjust and unfair in their rates, and that they provide proper facilities. The Board of Agriculture consists of the president of the board, elected by the people, and ten farmers, chosen by dele- gates from the county farmers' institutes. Each county insti- tute elects one delegate. The board of agriculture is the board of regents of the state agricultural schools. Its work is to improve farming and stock raising and to check the spread of diseases among stock. The State Board of Education is the board of regents of all the state schools except the agricultural schools, and, as such, it controls those schools and elects their faculties. It selects textbooks for the public schools of the state, adopts courses of study, makes rules governing certificates, prepares examination questions for city and county teachers, and ex- amines applicants for state certificates. The Board consists of the state superintendent and six other members appointed by the governor. The Board of Public Affairs consists of three members appointed by the governor, not more than two of whom may belong to the same political party. The board has charge of the construction and repair of all public buildings and pur- chases all supplies for the state. The Banking Board consists of the governor and two persons experienced in banking. This board makes rules governing state banks and has charge of the Guaranty Bank Funds. The Commissioners of the Land Office have charge of the sale and rental of school lands and other lands belonging to Judicial Department 143 the state. They also have charge of the loaning of the state school fund. The members of the board are the gov- ernor, secretary, auditor, superintendent of public instruc- tion, and president of the board of agriculture. The Board of Pardons consists of the superintendent of public instruction, the president of the board of agriculture, and the auditor. It inquires into the cases of those ap- plying for pardons, and makes recommendations to the governor, who has the power to pardon. Questions. What is the work of the commissioner of charities? What is a penal institution? What are the duties of the bank com- missioner ? The banking board ? What is the Guaranty Fund ? State the work of the state printer. Of the commissioner of health. Of the president of the board of agriculture. Of the board of agriculture. Of what does the board of agriculture consist ? How many corporation commissioners ? What is their work ? What is the work of the Board of Education? How many members of the Board? How chosen? Work of the board of pardons ? How many members on the board of public affairs? How chosen? Work of that board? Make a list of the persons now holding the offices mentioned in this lesson ? LESSON 13 JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT The State Courts. — The judicial department of the state consists of a supreme court, supreme court commissioners, a criminal court of appeals, district courts, county courts, justice of the peace courts, police courts, and in some counties superior courts. The Senate may sit as a court of impeachment to try state officers against whom the House of Representatives has preferred charges of misconduct in office. The Senate cannot 144 Oklahoma Civics punish further than to remove from office. Senators and Representatives cannot be impeached. Each House of the legislature tries its own members. The Supreme Court. — This court consists of five judges elected for a term of six years ; two are elected at one general election, two at the next, and one at the succeeding election. Each supreme court justice is in turn chief justice for one yearr The supreme court has original and appellate jurisdiction, but the most of its work is appellate ; that is, it retries cases that have been tried in lower courts. There is no jury in trials before the supreme court. There is a supreme court clerk, elected by the people for four years. He keeps the records of the supreme court and also of the criminal court of appeals. Supreme Court Commissioners. — The legislature in 191 1 authorized the supreme court to appoint six commissioners who are to assist the supreme court in their work. Their term is two years. The Criminal Court of Appeals. — This court consists of three judges elected for six years ; one is elected every two years. It has appellate jurisdiction only, and tries criminal cases appealed from district, county, and superior courts. It has no jury. District Courts. — The legislature in 191 1 divided the state into twenty-six judicial districts. The district judges are elected for four years. District courts have jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases. They have both original and appellate jurisdiction. Original jurisdiction means the right to try a case the first time it is tried. Appellate jurisdiction means the right to try a case that has been tried in a lower court. District courts may try cases that have been tried in justice or city courts. Judicial Department 145 Superior Court. — A county having a population of thirty thousand in which there is a city of eight thousand, may have a superior court. This court has jurisdiction concurrent with the district and county courts, except that it does not have probate or juvenile jurisdiction. The judge is elected for four years. County Court. — Each county has a county judge who is elected as the other county officers are for a term of two years. As has already been stated, under the discussion of county government, the county court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving not more than one thousand dollars, and over criminal actions where the fine does not exceed two hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail for thirty days. This court may hold preliminary examinations and cause the party to be tried in a higher court. The county judge also holds juvenile court and has jurisdiction over the property of deceased persons. Justice Courts. — The county commissioners were author- ized to divide the county into six justice districts. One jus- tice is elected from each, but the commissioners may allow an additional justice to each district. Justices have jurisdic- tion over civil cases up to two hundred dollars, and over criminal cases, the same as a county judge. Police Courts have jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances. Questions. Name in order the courts of the state's judicial system- Of what does the supreme court consist ? Jurisdiction of that court ? Number of judges? How often elected? Who chooses the supreme court commissioners? What is their work? How many judges in the criminal court of appeals? Its jurisdiction? What is meant by juris- diction? Appellate? Original? How many district courts in the state? Length of term? Jurisdiction? What counties have superior 146 Oklahoma Civics courts? Jurisdiction of superior courts? What is the work of county courts ? Of justice courts ? Of police courts ? Name the judges of the supreme court. The judge of the district court of the district in which you live. LESSON 14 ELECTIONS Time of Elections. — General elections for the purpose of electing members of the lower House of Congress, and also state, legislative, and county officers are held the first Tues- day after the first Monday in November of even-numbered years. City elections are held on the first Tuesday in April. Primary elections are held the first Tuesday in August of even-numbered years. Special elections may be called by the governor. Voters. — Qualified electors are male citizens of the United States, twenty-one years of age, who have resided in the state one year, in the county six months, and in the election precinct thirty days. Persons in the poorhouse cannot vote unless they are ex-Federal, or ex-Confederate soldiers. No person can vote unless he is able to read and write any section of the Constitution. But persons who could vote before January 1, 1866, or their lineal descendants, cannot be pre- vented from voting on account of not being able to read and write. Election Precincts. — The township and the city ward are often taken as voting precincts or districts, but they may be divided into two or more precincts. There can be only one voting place in a precinct. The precinct should be small enough to allow the voters time to vote. Voting places are selected by the county election board. Elections 1 47 Election Boards. - - The state election board consists of three members appointed by the governor who designates one as chairman and one as secretary. No more than two of them can belong to the same political party. The county election board consists of three members. The member who is to be secretary is chosen by the state election board and the two leading political parties each select one. The county election board selects three qualified voters in each precinct to be the precinct election board. No more than two of them can belong to the same political party. Duties of Election Boards. — The state election board prepares the ballots, canvasses the returns, and issues certifi- cates of election, in case of state elections or elections from districts not a subdivision of a county. The county elec- tion board prepares the ballots, canvasses the returns, and issues certificates of election, in case of county elections or elections in subdivisions of a county. The precinct board holds the election in the precinct and delivers the returns to the county board. Before the elec- tion four counters are chosen by the precinct board. No more than three of the counters can belong to the same party. They begin to count the ballots at ten o'clock on the morning of the election. Registration. — In cities of the first class all voters who wish to vote must register before the election and receive a certi- ficate of registration. Registration books are open during the month of July. This is to give the voters a chance to register before the primary election. Mandatory Primary. — All candidates of political parties must be chosen at a primary election. The primary election is under the control of the regular election boards. Any person who wants his name on a primary ballot must present 148 Oklahoma Civics OfcVIOCRATIC M Sample Ballot, General. Election Ward 2, City of EAtiond Oklahoma County ~4H BeaOCSATiC TICKET k ^IT p O O nr* :.., JS ,M«t« O .-^ v. u;:r r 1 '" ■* ""* b *"*" c "™ t p™T - n J?«^tr~ □ ? ^- n t'T^^.T" /; c j::^~- Gh"* 1 ' ' PI .■.....«..» O^TTTT" " ""*"'""" " h"" *'*'**' r™j c ., „, .,,. j 5 *™* n"t* U ' « f " "*:"""*■""••* n ■-'""-"■■ to °~- a ."."" i ■ - * 1 * 1 Taxation 149 a petition to the election board that prepares the ballots for that office. Ballots. — The ballots for the general election are on white paper. The candidates of all the parties are on one ballot. All of the candidates of one party are in the same column. At the primary election, the candidates of each party are on a separate ballot. The ballots of each party are on different colored paper. Each voter is given the ballot of his party. Forms of ballots are shown on page 146. Questions. Why are elections held ? What is the time of the general election? Of the primary election? What are the qualifications of voters ? What is an election precinct ? How large should it be ? How is the state election board chosen ? What are the duties of that board ? How is the county election board chosen ? What are its duties ? How is the precinct board chosen? What are its duties? Wlien are voters required to register ? Why ? What does it mean to register ? What is meant by a mandatory primary ? What difference between the primary and the general election ballot? LESSON 15 TAXATION Need of Taxes. — A tax is money paid for the support of the state. It takes money to keep up a government. Money is required for roads, bridges, and school buildings. Until people improve, a great deal of money will be needed for jails and penitentiaries. A good government is a blessing. Right- minded people are willing to bear the expense. Assessment. — Most people think the expense of govern- ment should be distributed according to the ability of the people to bear it. Most of our state and local taxes are 150 Oklahoma Civics based on the value of property. In order to collect taxes in that way it is necessary to have a value placed upon the prop- erty. The officer who makes a list of the property and fixes the value is the assessor. In Oklahoma the property is as- sessed by a county assessor. The property should be assessed at its actual cash value. Levying Taxes. — To levy taxes means to fix a rate to be collected on the assessed value. The district school tax is levied by the people at the annual school meeting. The town- ship tax is levied by the township board. The incorporated town tax is levied by the board of trustees. The city tax is levied by the city council. The school tax in the cities of the first class is levied by the board of education. The county tax is levied by the county commissioner. The state tax is levied under the authority of the state legislature. In each county is an excise board which reviews all the levies made in the county and makes the necessary corrections. Collecting Taxes. — After the assessor has listed and valued the property he turns the list over to the county clerk. The excise board reports the levies to the county clerk. The clerk then makes out a tax roll, which he turns over to the county treasurer. The county treasurer collects the taxes and pays out to the treasurer of each school district, of each township, of each incorporated town, and of each city, the money due each district, township, town, and city. He pays the bills against the county and sends to the state the money due the state from that county. When Taxes are Due. —Taxes are due November 1. If the first one-half of the taxes is paid before December 15, the other one-half may remain unpaid for six months, but must be paid before June 15, following the date when due. Taxation 1 5 1 Special Taxes. — Various special taxes are also collected in this state. Cities and towns require a license for certain kinds of business. Persons who have an income above $3500 a year are liable to a tax. Property that passes by inheritance is taxed ; persons having above a certain amount of land must pay a special tax ; corporations are taxed on their receipts. A poll tax on males between twenty-one and fifty years of age is collected. Exemptions. — There is property upon which taxes are not collected. Property used for schools, for religious purposes, for free libraries, and property belonging to the United States, the state, counties, and cities is exempt from taxation. Heads of families are allowed household goods and tools to the value of one hundred dollars free from tax. Ex-Federal and ex- Confederate soldiers are exempt to the extent of two hundred dollars if they are the heads of families. Questions. What is a tax? Why is it necessary to pay taxes? What is meant by ad valorem taxes? What is meant by assessing? Who assesses property in this state ? What is meant by levying taxes ? Who levies the various kinds of taxes? Who makes out the tax roll? To whom are taxes paid? When are taxes due? When may they be paid? What does the county treasurer do with the taxes he collects? What special taxes are collected in this state? Who is liable to poll tax? What is an income tax? APPENDIX A TERRITORIAL OFFICERS GOVERNORS OF OKLAHOMA George W. Steele A. J. Seay W. C. Renfrew C. M. Barnes . W. M. Jenkins T. B. Ferguson Frank Frantz . David A. Harvey Dennis T. Flynn James Y. Callahan Dennis T. Flynn Bird S. McGuire May 22, 1890 to Oct. 18, 1891 Oct. 18, 1891 to May 7, 1893 May 7, 1893 to May 24, 1897 May 24, 1897 to Apr. 15, 1901 Apr. 15, 1901 to Nov. 30, 1901 Nov. 30, 1901 to Jan. 5, 1906 Jan. 6, 1906 to Nov. 16, 1907 DELEGATES TO CONGRESS Nov. 5, 1890 to Mar. 4, 1893 Mar. 4, 1893 to Mar. 4, 1897 Mar. 4, 1897 to Mar. 4, 1899 Mar. 4, 1899 to Mar. 4, 1903 Mar. 4, 1903- to Nov. 16, 1907 TRIBAL GOVERNORS AT STATEHOOD Cherokee Nation Choctaw Nation Chickasaw Nation Creek Nation . Seminole Nation William C. Rogers Green McCurtain Douglas H. Johnson Moty Tiger John F. Brown POPULATION OF FIVE CIVILIZED TRIBES Cherokees Chickasaws Seminoles Choctaws Creeks 1847 18,000 6,500 2,500 16,000 22,207 1857 21,709 5,822 22,707 27,757 i53 154 Appendix A AREA OF OPENINGS acres Old Oklahoma 1,877,800 No Man's Land 3,681,000 Iowa, Sac and Fox, and Pottawatomie .... 1,281,434 Cheyenne and Arapahoe 4,297,771 Cherokee Outlet 6,014,239 Kickapoo 206,662 Greer County 1,511,576 Kiowa and Comanche 4,000,000 Big Pasture 5°5> 000 APPENDIX B STATE OFFICERS (1914) UNITED STATES SENATORS Robert L. Owen Thomas P. Gore $7500 UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVES First District . Second District Third District . Fourth District Fifth District . ^7500 Bird S. McGuire Richard T. Morgan James S. Davenport Charles D. Carter Scott Ferris EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Elective Governor, Lee Cruce ..... Lieutenant Governor, J. J. McAlester Secretary of State, Ben F. Harrison State Auditor, J. C. McLelland Attorney General, Charles West State Treasurer, Robert Dunlop Superintendent of Public Instruction, R. H. Wilson Examiner and Inspector, Fred Parkinson Chief Mine Inspector, Ed Boyle Labor Commissioner, C. L. Daugherty . Commissioner of Charities, Kate Barnard Commissioner of Insurance, A. L. Welch President of Board of Agriculture, G. T. Bryan J. E. Love Corporation Commissioners A. P. Watson George Henshaw i55 $4500 1000 2500 2500 4000 3000 2500 3000 3000 2000 2500 2500 2500 4000 i56 Appendix B Appointive Bank Commissioner, J. D. Lankford Secretary of State Board of Health, J. C. Mahr State Librarian, S. O. Daws ..... Secretary of School Land Commissioners, J. R. Williams State Reporter, Howard Parker .... Adjutant General, Frank M. Canton Secretary of State Election Board, Ben F. Riley State Fire Marshall, C. C. Hammonds . State Highway Commissioner, Sidney Suggs . State Game Warden, John B. Doolin Statfe Inspector of Rural Schools, E. F. Proffitt State Inspector of High Schools, A. C. Parsons Secretary of State Board of Agriculture, Ben F. Hennessey Board of Education ($6 per day and expenses) ' R. H. Wilson, State Superintendent A. W. Duff B. H. Hester Frank J. Wikoff Dr. F. B. Fite H. C. Potterof I M. H. Duncan Leslie T. Huffman, Secretary $4000 1800 1500 0000 2000 1800 2100 2500 2500 1800 1800 0000 0000 Board of Affairs (Salary $3000) State Election Board ($6 per day and expenses) f L. M. Frame E. E. Morris E. B. Howard C. C. Penn, Chairman B. F. Riley, Secretary T. B. Ferguson Supreme Court ' (Salary $4000) JUDICIAL OFFICERS John B. Turner, First District Robert L. Williams, Second District Mathew J. Kane, Third District Samuel W. Hayes, Fourth District Jesse J. Dunn, Fifth District Appendix B 157 Supreme Court Commis- sioners (Salary $3600) Criminal Court of Appeals (Salary $4000) C. B. Ames P. D. Brewer John B. Harrison J. B. A. Robertson Malcom E. Rosser .J. F. Sharp Henry Furman Thomas B. Doyle [ H. G. Baker Clerk of Supreme Court, W. H. L. Campbell Speaker of House of Representatives, W. A. Durant. APPENDIX C STATE INSTITUTIONS (1912) EDUCATIONAL (Undef Control of Board of Education) University of Oklahoma, Norman, Stratton D. Brooks. Central State Normal School, Edmond, Charles Evans. Northwestern Normal School, Alva, Grant Grumbine. Southwestern Normal School, Weatherford, W. J. Griffith. Northeastern Normal School, Tahlequah, F. E. Buck. Southeastern Normal School, Durant, E. D. Murdaugh East Central Normal School, Ada, Charles W. B riles. University Preparatory School, Tonkawa, Lynn Glover. Eastern Preparatory School, Claremore, J. H. Bayes. School of Mines, Wilburton, George E. Ladd. Industrial Institute and College for Girls, Chickasha, J. B. Eskridge School for the Deaf, Sulphur, A. A. Stewart. School for the Blind, Fort Gibson, 0. W. Stewart. Training School for Boys, Pauls Valley, E. B. Nelson. Institution for Feeble Minded, Enid, Dr. W. L. Kendall. The State Home, Pryor, A. L. Malone. Colored A. & N. University, Langston, Inman E. Page. Colored Orphans Home, Taft, S. Douglas Russell. AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS (Under Control of Board of Agriculture) Agricultural and Mechanical College, Stillwater, J. H, Connell. Murray School of Agriculture, Tishomingo, H. L. Muldrow Connell School of Agriculture, Helena, W. S. Calvert. Haskell School of Agriculture, Broken Arrow, J. H. Esslinger. Conner School of Agriculture, Warner, J. S. Murray. Panhandle School of Agriculture, Goodwell, S. W. Black. Cameron School of Agriculture, Lawton, J. A. Liner. 158 Appendix C 159 CHARITABLE Hospital for Insane, Norman, W. D. Griffin. Hospital for Insane, Fort Supply, E. G. Newell. Confederate Home, Ardmore, John B. Gait. PENAL State Reformatory, Granite, C. A. Reed. State Penitentiary, McAlester, R. W. Dick. « POPULATION 1890 1900 1907 1910 Oklahoma 258,657 790,391 i,4i4,377 i,657,i55 TEN LARGEST CITIES (1910) Oklahoma City 64,205 Muskogee 25,278 Tulsa 18,182 Enid 13,799 McAlester . 12,954 Shawnee .......... 12,474 Guthrie 11,654 Chickasha 10,320 Ardmore 8,618 Sapulpa 8,283 SCHOOLS UNDER CHURCH CONTROL Harry Kendall College, Tulsa, Presbyterian. Bacone University, Muskogee, Baptist. Oklahoma Methodist University, Guthrie, Methodist. Phillips Christian University, Enid, Christian. Oklahoma Wesleyan College, Britton, M. E. South. Kingfisher College, Kingfisher, Congregational. St. Joseph's Retreat, Guthrie, Catholic. Bethany College, Oklahoma City, Holiness. Blackwell College, Blackwell, Baptist. 160 Appendix C BOOKS OF REFERENCE "Journey of Coronado," G. P. Winship. " Thirty Years of Army Life," R. B. Marcy. "Tour of the Prairies," Washington Irving. "Evangeline," Henry W. Longfellow. "Historic Towns of Southern States" (Mobile, New Orleans), Lyman Powell. "Border Fights and Fighters," Part IV, C. T. Brady. "My Life on the Plains," G. A. Custer. "Louisiana," (pp. 1-252), Albert Phelps. "Aboriginal Races," Drake. "Letters and Notes on Indians," Catlin. "Texas," George P. Garrison. "Stories of Georgia," Joel Chandler Harris. "Historic Towns of the Western States " (Santa Fe), Fred Webb Hodge.