Vol. 46, No. 6 Published monthly by the Oklahoma Historical Society, serving since 1893 June 2015

Fort Towson to open new Visitor Center

On Saturday, June 13, Fort Towson will host the grand opening of a brand-new, 6,000-square-foot visitor center. Construction of the new building was funded, in part, with grant funds from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation through the Transportation Enhancement Program. Exhibit development was made possible by a generous donation from the Kirkpatrick Foundation and a National Park Service grant through the Maritime Heritage Grant Program. The Fort Towson Visitor Center grand opening coincides with the annual Fort Town Homecoming Celebration. Community activities on Saturday, June 13, include a parade downtown at 10 a.m. Opening ceremonies at Fort Towson Historic Site take place at 11:30 a.m. and will commence with Union officers accepting Stand Watie’s formal surrender as the last Confederate areas on the broken deck and see the objects in the river bottom general to lay down arms. The surrender document will be read below. As they explore, they will trigger motion sensors that will prior to the signing, thus marking the end of the sesquicentennial activate spotlights and audio clips of the archaeologists high- commemorations. Following a welcome and recognition of lighting the various objects they found. In the boxes, visitors dignitaries will be the formal ribbon cutting. Barbecue vendors will feel a small portion of the artifact as if it were buried in sand will be available at the fort and a Pony Express Race begins at and mud. Artifacts will include hammer heads, buckles, boots, 1:30 p.m. dishes, various tools, boxes, and barrels of goods. The partially The $1 million construction project was recently completed at reconstructed paddle wheel will give visitors a visual perspective Fort Towson, funded by a partnership between the OHS and of the size of the boat. the Department of Transportation through the federal highway Located in Choctaw County, Fort Towson was established in enhancement program. With the visitor center’s completion, staff 1824 in response to a need to quell conflicts between lawless are moving operations into the new 6,000-square-foot facility. elements, American Indian peoples, and settlers claiming the The new building includes 1,600 square feet of exhibit space, as area as part of Arkansas Territory. The fort also served as an well as collections storage, a research library, and a gift shop. outpost on the border between the United States and Texas, Exhibit designs are in the final stages. Topics featured in the which at that time was part of Mexico. Connected to the East museum exhibits will include the establishment and history by road, Fort Towson served as a gateway for settlers bound of Fort Towson, Choctaw removal and resettlement in Indian for Texas during the 1830s. Those passing through the area Territory, daily life of frontier soldiers, the Civil War in Indian included Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and Stephen F. Austin. Territory, Doaksville, Rose Hill plantation, and commerce in the When the Choctaws and Chickasaws were displaced from their area—how goods traveled into and out of the territory. lands in the southeastern United States, the fort served as a An exhibit highlight will be the Heroine, a steamboat wreck point of dispersal upon their arrival in the West. The fort also discovered in the Red River in 1999 near Swink, Oklahoma. was an important staging area for US forces during the Mexican The Heroine is the earliest example of a western river steamboat War of 1846. ever studied by archaeologists. The OHS and the Institute of Fort Towson was abandoned in 1856 when the frontier moved Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University completed a west. During the Civil War, however, it served for a time as head- multiyear project of excavation, documentation, research, and quarters for Confederate forces operating in Indian Territory. In conservation of the vessel and its cargo. Low visibility, changing 1865 General Stand Watie surrendered his command near the river currents, and hidden obstacles made dive conditions fort to become the last Confederate general to lay down arms. especially harsh during the excavation project. When the Oklahoma Historical Society acquired the site The steamboat Heroine exhibit will give visitors a small sample in 1960, little remained on the surface to portray its former of what the divers experienced while recovering objects from the importance. The movement to save the remains of Fort Towson sunken steamboat. Visitors can explore the boxes and various began in 1961 during the Civil War Centennial celebration. John E. Kirkpatrick served on the centennial commission and soon personally took on the task of saving the fort. In 1967 the Kirkpatrick Foundation purchased seventy-two acres of land, the core of the historic ruins. In 1968 a long-term lease executed between the OHS and the Kirkpatrick Foundation allowed the OHS to develop the property and open it to the public. That same year the OHS Board of Directors appointed Kirkpatrick to the newly formed Fort Towson Commission charged with preserving the site and overseeing operations. In 2013, the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the OHS renewed the lease for thirty-five years. Fort Towson is located fourteen miles east of Hugo on Highway 70 in Fort Towson, Oklahoma. The address is HC 63, Box 1580. Artist rendering of exhibits inside the visitor center. Please call 580-873-2634 for more information. It is our hope that the grants will be New Members, April 2015 used primarily for care of collections, educational programs, and exhibit devel- *Indicates renewed memberships at a opment. This may take the form of con- higher level sulting contracts, but in most cases the grants would be for staff support with Director’s Circle specific outcomes based on collections, *Barrie Henke, Edmond Director’s education, and exhibits. Other possible Associate column uses of the funds might be heat and air *Phil Kliewer, Cordell system repair or upgrades, case work, lighting, and security. Friend Passage of the bill has been a long-time Robert Berry, Enid *Terry and Kay Britton, Norman dream of the OHS. *Royce and Kathlyn Caldron, Ponca City We first proposed a grants program in *Joe and Donna Foote, Norman 2005, and came close to passage one Daniel Mahler, Fort Smith, AR year. Since then, we have requested Family authorization every year, but with little Mickey and Jane Banister, Edmond By Dr. Bob L. Blackburn response. Robert and Jeannine Bennett, Oklahoma City Executive Director This time, we asked Senator Ron Jus- Charles and Penni Brady, Ardmore Susan Cartwright and Kayla Cartwright, Durant tice to sponsor the bill. We worked with Kent Condray and Astrid Lee, El Reno Help is on the way. him to draft the language, sought support Ronald and Ann Davis, Oklahoma City A few weeks ago, the Oklahoma Legis- Charlie Dry and Anita Bryant-Dry, Edmond from local and tribal groups interested in Sandi Estes, Locust Grove lature passed and the governor signed history, and supported the senator as he Barbara Hutton, Sapulpa Senate Bill 297, which creates a grants- guided the bill through the committee Yolanda Jones, Oklahoma City in-aid program that will accomplish a long Eva King and Eugene King, Oklahoma City process and onto the floor for a vote. *Betty Jo Law, Oklahoma City list of goals for the historical community Representative Earl Sears signed on Roger Mitchell, Austin, TX in our state. as the House sponsor and guided the *Terry Schreiner, Duncan Although the bill does not provide Jeff and Pattie Simmons, Oklahoma City bill through that side of the Capitol. He Eddie and Donna Spaulding, Tulsa funding for grants at this time, it does always has been an active supporter of Robert Tehan and Linda Quinlivan, Oklahoma City allow us to start working on the rules and *Ethel Thomas, Pawhuska the Frank Phillips Home in Bartlesville, Donna Wyskup and Chinh Doan, Oklahoma City criteria for grants as we prepare for the one of our properties, so he understood day when funding is in place. what we are trying to accomplish at the Individual The program will provide small but grassroots level throughout the state. Michael Beauchamp, Claremore significant grants to local historical Christina Bell, Idabel I want to thank both of those gentlemen Shelly Berryman, Tulsa societies, museums, genealogical groups, for sponsoring the bill and Governor Fallin Mekayla Brock, Tulsa and other nonprofit organizations that for signing it into law. Now it is up to us Shawnnon Carrol, Duncan “collect, preserve, and share” Oklahoma Andrew Castleberry, Edmond to find a sustainable stream of funding Richard Cooper, Ada history. This includes city and county to make the system work. We have ideas, Bobby Cornelson, Weatherford museums, tribal museums, family but it will take a couple of years to put Carolyn Dewberry, Lawton research centers, and historic properties Abraham Dominguez, Tulsa them in place. George Drianis, Mountain Iron, MN open to the public. In the meantime, I want to encourage John Francis, McAlester As stated in the bill, the grants will re- Stan Galyen, Okay all historical groups to continue building Seth Graves, Sulphur quire a small match, regularly scheduled their collections, reaching out to young Tonya Gray, Enid hours of public access, and a nonprofit people, and developing exhibits. Katy Green, Tulsa Teri Hammons, Pauls Valley governing board with a constitution and Yes, help is on the way. bylaws. Construction of new museums cont’d. on p. 7 or additions will not be eligible. Other eligibility requirements will be developed through the rules-making process over Oklahoma Historical Society Membership Office: Alma Moore the coming months. 405-522-5242 [email protected]

Mistletoe Leaves (USPS 018-315) is published monthly by the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105- Development News 7917. Periodicals postage paid at Oklahoma City, OK. (ISSN 1932-0108) POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mistletoe Leaves, 800 Nazih By Larry O’Dell Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917.

By authorization of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Board of Directors, 6,000 copies are prepared at a cost of $1,276 each month. The The Oklahoma Historical Society publication is financed in part with federal funds from the National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. would like to thank our members Contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies for a very successful annual History of the Oklahoma Historical Society or the United States Department of the Interior. Mention of trade names does not constitute endorsement or Conference. For the first time we recommendation by either organization. Mistletoe Leaves is published for the members and friends of the sold out the conference. The OHS also would like to recognize the Chickasaw Nation and Oklahoma Historical Society in partial fulfillment of the Society’s purpose to “perserve and perpetuate the history of Oklahoma and its Governor Bill Anoatubby for all of the nation’s support that allowed the conference to be people, to stimulate popular interest in historical study and research, and to promote and disseminate historical knowledge.” so appealing. If you missed it, the sessions were outstanding, as were the extra events, The public and OHS members are encouraged to submit heritage- related items for publication. Students and teachers are invited to share including bus tours and a fun concert. Sponsored by the OKPOP, the concert featured studies and programs and to duplicate contents as desired. Editors are three distinct music styles: the cowboy music of Gene Autry, the 1940s pop music of Kay welcome to reprint materials with credit. All Oklahoma Historical Society facilities are for the education Starr, and the blues of Lowell Fulson and Wayne Bennett. and enjoyment of all. State and federal regulations prohibit unlawful discrimination in state and federally assisted programs on the basis of The OHS would like to announce that the 2016 History Conference will be held at Wood- race, color, national origin, and/or handicap. Anyone denied benefits should contact the grievance manager of ward, Oklahoma. The host city will hold the event at its new, state-of-the-art conference the Oklahoma Historical Society, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917, telephone 405-522-8989, and/or the director, center. Mark your calendars for next April 27, 28, and 29 to attend. If you have any ques- Office of Equal Opportunity, United States Department of the Interior, tions feel free to email [email protected]. Washington, D.C. 20240.

2 Mangum will host Wild West Days on Marshal west of the Mississippi River. Events Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20. He also worked for the Muskogee Police Attendees will enjoy festivities that include Department and is known as one of the Attend the Edmond Historical Society an antique quilt show, pioneer reunion, greatest peace officers in the history of and Museum’s 2015 Heritage Awards fiddler contest, chuck wagon breakfast, the American western frontier. Celebrate and Thirtieth Birthday Celebration barbecue vendors, an art show and sale, his legacy with a tour through lawman on Friday, June 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 and a parade. Witness reenactments of Bass Reeves’s route in Muskogee. Along p.m. in Edmond. This event honors gunfights on the main streets of Mangum the way, guests will encounter different individuals in Edmond who have made and stick around for a thrilling rodeo, held characters with whom Bass Reeves outstanding contributions to the local both nights of the festival. Mangum’s Wild interacted, including Judge Shackelford, community and have helped preserve West Day will be held on Saturday, while reporter Ora Eddleman Reed, lawman the history of Edmond. The evening will the Mangum Mountie Rodeo will be held Bud Ledbetter, and Bass’s family. This include wine and hors d’oeuvres, the Friday and Saturday evenings. Enjoy two event will also include mock gunfights presentation of awards, and a special nights of rodeo excitement and witness and historic reenactments. In the eve- “Roots of Edmond” video presentation. local cowboys and cowgirls, as well as ning, the Three Rivers Museum will host Guest speakers will be Dwight Polson those from various states, compete in a meal and live music at 220 Elgin in from the City of Edmond and Eric Smith events such as bareback, saddle bronc, Muskogee. Please call 918-686-6624 for from Forge Multimedia. Polson and and breakaway riding. Other events at more information. Smith have combined efforts to produce this annual rodeo include calf roping, the outstanding “Roots of Edmond” video steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, documentaries on the history of Edmond. and team roping. Competitors will Their next project under production is a demonstrate precise cowboy techniques Meetings video on the history of the Rodkey family, and showmanship in timed events. There The monthly meeting and program of the Rodkey Mill, and their historic home, also will be celebrations of pioneer spirit Oklahoma Genealogical Society (OGS) will soon to be renovated in Stephenson and a variety of activities for children, be on Monday, June 1, at the Oklahoma Park. The master of ceremonies will be including donkey rides. The rodeo arena History Center in Oklahoma City. This Don Reece of Edmond. Tickets are $20 will offer vendors with hamburgers, month, OGS will host Nancy Calhoun, and may be purchased online at www. brisket sandwiches, and homemade ice head of genealogy and local history at edmondhistory.org or by calling 405-340- cream. Take the entire family to Mangum’s the Muskogee Public Library. Calhoun 0078. Guests also may mail a check with courthouse lawn on Saturday morning will give a presentation entitled, “Native their contact information to 431 South for a chuck wagon breakfast, fiddling American Research.” The meeting and Boulevard, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034. contest, arts and crafts, and quilt show. program will take place from 6 to 7:45 The Heritage Celebration will take place Events will take place Friday from 9 a.m. p.m., and experienced researchers will at the Edmond Historical Society and to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to be available before the meeting at 5 p.m. Museum, located at the aforementioned 6 p.m. at Mangum Square in downtown to answer questions. Monthly programs address. For more information please Mangum. Please call 580-782-2444 for are free for all members of OGS. Non- contact Executive Director Anita Schlaht more information. members are welcome, but are charged at [email protected] or 405- $5 to attend each program. All are invited 340-0078, ext. 103. Experience the annual Peoria Powwow to join, with more information available in Miami on Friday, June 26, through at www.okgensoc.org. General meetings Jump on the bus for an educational tour Sunday, June 28. Celebrate American of the Oklahoma Genealogical Society are of Oklahoma’s All-Black towns, departing Indian culture and enjoy three days of held on the first Monday of each month from Tulsa. On Saturday, June 13, from traditional dancing and singing. This at the Oklahoma History Center, which is 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. learn more about the event features a wide range of contest located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in the African American history of Oklahoma. dancing, including gourd, straight, grass, State Capitol Complex. Please call 405- Between 1865 and 1915, there were at and fancy dancing. Other categories of 637-1907 or visit www.okgensoc.org for least sixty All-Black towns settled in the dance are cloth, buckskin, jingle, and more information. United States, and Oklahoma led all other fancy shawl. The public is invited to states with more than twenty within its attend this free event, and the master Do you want your organization’s meeting, borders. During this unique tour buses of ceremonies will be on hand to inform event, or exhibit included in the “Around will take visitors to historically All-Black visitors about the various dances and Oklahoma” section of the Mistletoe towns in Oklahoma, and local historians events. There will be food vendors, arts Leaves? The “Around Oklahoma” section and citizens will speak about the history and crafts booths, and free camping. features Oklahoma history and heritage- of each town and its part in Oklahoma Events begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, 2 p.m. related activities or programs sponsored history. Possible towns included in this on Saturday, and 1 p.m. on Sunday. The by entities other than the Oklahoma tour are Boley, Clearview, Grayson, powwow grounds are located at 60610 Historical Society. To submit news items, Langston, Lincoln, Redbird, Rentiesville, East 90 Road, on the north side of the please contact Evelyn Brown, assistant and Taft. Space is limited, so please street, in Miami. For more information editor, by email at eebrown@okhistory. purchase tickets in advance. Tickets for please call 918-540-2535. org or by mail at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, the annual Historic All-Black Towns Tour Oklahoma City, OK 73105, during the are available for $40 per person, which Bring the story of Bass Reeves to life with first week of the month before you wish includes meals. The tour will depart from Bass Reeves Legacy Day on Saturday, a news item to appear. For example, if Rudisill Regional Library at 1520 North June 27, in Muskogee. Reeves is you wish an item to appear in the July Hartford Avenue in Tulsa. Please call believed to be the first African American issue, you must submit by the first week 918-549-7645 for more information. to be commissioned as a Deputy US of June.

3 Oklahoma History Conference a success TG&Y Reunion at

The 2015 Oklahoma History Confer- homa City, was honored as the author Chisholm Trail Museum ence, sponsored by the Oklahoma Histor- of the Outstanding Book on Oklahoma The Chisholm Trail Museum is proud ical Society, was a sellout, according to History published in 2014, Banking in to announce that a reunion of former Charles Tate, chair of the planning com- Oklahoma, 1907–2000. The University of TG&Y employees will take place at the mittee for the conference. The conference Oklahoma Press was recognized as the museum on Saturday, June 13, from 1 to was held at the Artesian Hotel in Sulphur publisher of Hightower’s book. 3 p.m. The reunion is open to all former on April 22, 23, and 24. The Chickasaw Two organizations also were recognized. employees as well as the general public. Nation was the Presenting Sponsor for The Friends of Fort Washita, Inc. was For those who either remember shopping the event. honored as the Outstanding Local OHS at or working for TG&Y, this exhibit is a In addition to the Artesian Hotel, con- Support Group, and the Chickasaw Cul- must see. The Chisholm Trail Museum is ference events were staged at the Chicka- tural Center was recognized at the Out- housing a true Oklahoma icon with items saw Retreat and Conference Center and standing Regional Historical Complex. and memorabilia that have not been the Chickasaw Cultural Center. Eighteen Conference activities were concluded displayed since TG&Y’s decline in the presentation sessions on topics relating to with a book signing featuring authors early 1980s. the conference theme, “Land, Wood, and Wiley Barnes, Larry Floyd, Jimmie Lewis The exhibit from the museum’s perma- Water: Natural Resources in the Course Franklin, Kent Frates, Joshua Hinson, nent collection, TG&Y: An Original Okla- of Oklahoma History,” were held over a Davis Joyce, Michael Lovegrove, Phillip homa Icon, features items and artifacts two-day period as well as a bus tour, a Morgan, Vicki Penner, Rebecca Travis, from the TG&Y era including personal concert, reception, and two luncheons. Bill Welge, and John Wooley. items on loan from the original TG&Y Chickasaw Governor Bill Anoatubby store in Kingfisher. Please call 405-375- was the keynote speaker for the confer- 5176 for more information. The Chisholm ence, making his presentation during the Trail Museum is located at 605 Zellers Annual Conference Luncheon on April Avenue in Kingfisher. 23. The Annual Awards Luncheon was held on April 24, during which four indi- viduals were inducted into the Oklahoma Inventory of collections at Pioneer Woman Museum Historians Hall of Fame. The honorees In January the staff and volunteers of In an attempt at efficient storage, a were Sally Bourne Ferrell, Chandler; Jim- the Pioneer Woman Museum (PWM) drew hanging system for the thirty-plus quilts mie Lewis Franklin, Las Vegas, Nevada; a deep breath and began a huge task—a in the collection was contrived and Edwin C. McReynolds, deceased; and complete inventory of objects held in the installed with a donation from a local John Wooley, Foyil. PWM archives. Four staff members from carpet dealer and two of the OHS staff. A variety of other individuals and the Oklahoma Historical Society joined Additional hanging storage was installed organizations were recognized during the two full-time staff and two PWM vol- at a later date for the multitude of framed the Annual Awards Luncheon for unteers to assist with the inventory. For photos, portraits, and memorabilia. outstanding work on behalf of Oklahoma one week the staff and volunteers pored The inventory information is now being history. Tracey Hanshew of Stillwater and through the contents of 115 boxes and entered into the museum’s computer Alvin O. Turner of Norman each received various shelves, bays, and corners to system, which will show what each Muriel H. Wright Awards for outstanding identify, log, and photograph the items. artifact looks like and where it is stored articles published in The Chronicles of It was hard work that was anything but in the archives. Inventory, however, will Oklahoma in 2014. Hanshew’s article was tedious. The objects in the museum give never truly be completed. New donations titled “Rodeo in Oklahoma is Women’s such color to the details of our ancestors’ continue to come in and are being added Business: How Lucille Mulhall’s Fame lives. Kitchen and farm tools are there, to the collection of artifacts that support Created Opportunity in Rodeo.” Turner and doctor’s bags with the tools of the the Pioneer Woman Museum’s mission, was recognized for his article “The Dust nineteenth-century medical practitioner. the pioneer and pioneering women of Bowl: The Blame Game, the Facts, the The museum has side-saddles that were Oklahoma. Problem that Remains.” used by the more refined ladies, as well as The Pioneer Woman Museum is located Charlotte Bailey and Evelyn Culver of photos, equipment, and personal items at 701 Monument Road in Ponca City. Oklahoma City’s Classen School of Ad- of the skilled women sharpshooters, trick The museum is open Tuesday through vanced Studies each received Joseph B. riders, and ropers of the Wild West shows. Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please Thoburn Student Historian Awards for There are Edwardian gowns, nineteenth- call 580-765-6108 for more information. their documentary project titled “Through century riding habits, house dresses and Visit the museum’s Facebook page for the Eyes of Elephants” that earned them wedding dresses, and underwear split to current projects, classes, and exhibits. first place at the state level as eighth demonstrate how a woman could go to the grade students in the 2014 Oklahoma toilet while wrapped in corset, camisole, History Day competition. LaRadius Al- drawers, petticoats, and skirts. len Stephens, an Oklahoma history and One of the most exciting finds was a American history teacher at Classen claim flag from the 1893 Land Run. The SAS, received the William D. Pennington red flag with black lettering was framed Outstanding Oklahoma History Teacher and is still in very good condition, a me- Award. mento of that formative event in Okla- Other individual award recipients in- homa history. Another discovery was a cluded Jennifer M. Frazee of Tahlequah membership ledger for the Oklahoma and Northeastern State University, who Anti Horse Thief Association. It was a rev- was recognized for producing the out- elation to find that the vigilante posse, a standing MA degree thesis approved in staple of Hollywood western movies, was 2014. It was titled “A Mansion at the Ath- not only real but frequently organized ens of Indian Territory: Hunter’s Home, Lorraine McDonagh and Mary Lee into lodges, complete with officers, dues, inventory collections at the 1845–1991.” Michael J. Hightower, Okla- and membership requirements. Pioneer Woman Museum. 4 Pawnee Bill’s Original Museum Store News Wild West Show by Jera Winters The historic Pawnee Bill Ranch will The Oklahoma History Center is proud host Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West to bring its patrons and guests a unique Show on June 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. glimpse of Oklahoma history with our Stagecoaches will roll amid thundering latest exhibit, Jòqīgácút: Tipi With Battle horse hooves while the lightning of gun- Pictures. Located in the Oklahoma fire explodes around Pawnee Bill and his Historical Society collections, this battle cohorts as the talented cast thrill and tipi is believed to have been created in amaze audiences at the 2015 Wild West 1833. The tipi records the history of the Show. The show will feature acts from the Kiowa people through art. The Oklahoma original Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Shows. History Center Museum Store is pleased Producers and directors have combined to offer new book titles to supplement stage and script with historical preserva- this exciting exhibit. tion to ensure that the Wild West Show The Indian Tipi: Its History, Construction, is one of the most historically accurate and Use, second edition, by Reginald productions to date. Kevin Webb portrays and Gladys Laubin is an overview of the Pawnee Bill for the seventh time. Webb, a subject designed to conserve the craft. long-time Wild West Show cast member When the first edition of this book was and Pawnee Bill Ranch employee, is also published in 1957, the art of making a tipi a whip artist and chariot racer. was almost lost, even among American The museum and mansion will be Indians. Since that time a tremendous In Silver Horn: Master Illustrator of the open to the public on show days from resurgence of interest in the Indian Kiowas, Candace S. Greene explores the 11 a.m.–7 p.m. In addition there will be way of life has occurred, due in part, at art and life of Silver Horn, a man of re- historically accurate entertainment, such least, to the Laubins’ life-long efforts at markable skill and talent. Working in as blacksmithing, gunfighters and sharp preservation and interpretation of Indian graphite, colored pencil, crayon, pen shooters, a medicine man show, and culture. The book is regularly priced at and ink, and watercolor on hide, mus- musicians, all free and held continuous- $26.95, and is available to members for lin, and paper, he produced more than ly on the ranch grounds from 2–7 p.m. $22.90. one thousand illustrations between 1870 The cast will be available for a meet and In Bad Medicine and Good: Tales of the and 1920. Silver Horn created an unpar- greet with the audience on the museum Kiowas, Wilbur Sturtevant Nye collects alleled visual record of Kiowa culture, grounds from 5–6:30 p.m. The Friends of forty-four stories covering Kiowa history from traditional images of warfare and the Pawnee Bill Ranch Association will from the 1700s through the 1940s, all coup counting to sensitive depictions of serve a barbecue meal in the big barn gleaned from interviews with Kiowas who the Sun Dance, early Peyote religion, and starting at 5 p.m. actually took part in the events or recalled domestic daily life. The book is regular- Ticket prices in advance are $12 for them from the accounts of their elders, ly priced at $26.95, and is available to adults, $10 for seniors (over age sixty- and from the notes of Captain Hugh L. members for $22.90. five), $8 for children ages ten and under, Scott at Fort Sill. They cover such topics Call or stop by for these and many other and ages three and under are free. A as the organization and conduct of a unique items that reflect the rich and group rate of $10 per ticket is available raiding party, brave deeds of war chiefs, diverse history of Oklahoma. As always, for groups of ten or more people. On the treatment of white captives, Grandmother members receive a 15 percent discount on day of the show ticket prices are $14 for gods, Kiowa Sun Dance, and problems Museum Store purchases. Please contact adults, $12 for seniors (over age sixty- of adjusting to white society. The book us at 405-522-5214 with questions about five), $10 for children ages ten and under, is regularly priced at $19.95, and is these or any of our other great items. and ages three and under are free. Special available to members for $16.95. price package bundles are available for reserved seating and that information can be found at www.pawneebillranch.com or by calling 918-762-2513. For more OHS Research Center Lunch and Learns information or to purchase tickets, please call 918-762-2513. Online tickets are not The Oklahoma Historical Society Research Center will present a series of Lunch and available for this show. The Pawnee Bill Learns, lunchtime programs on various topics pertaining to family history research. Ranch is located one-half mile west of Lunch and Learns are held on the fourth Wednesday of the month from May to August. Pawnee on US Highway 64. On May 27 attendees explored family history during, “Finding Your Civil War Ances- tors,” with genealogist Mahlon Erickson. On Wednesday, June 24, William D. Welge, director of the OHS American Indian Culture and Preservation Office, will speak about American Indian history in his presentation, “Those Who Stayed: American Indians Who Remained on Ancestral Land.” On Wednesday, July 22, Dr. Debra Osborne Spindle, OHS librarian, will teach researchers the value of obituaries in genealogical research in “Mining Obituaries for Family Research.” The final program on Wednesday, August 26, will explore letters, records, and historical documents in “Secrets of the OHS Manuscript Collections,” with Mallory Covington, OHS manuscripts archivist. Research Center Lunch and Learns are held in the Oklahoma History Center class- rooms from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is $10 per person and lunch is included. Seating is limited and preregistration is required. Please call 405-522-5225 to register by phone or visit www.okhistory.org/researchcalendar for details and a printable reg- istration form. The Oklahoma History Center is located at at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive in Oklahoma City.

5 Pioneer Kids summer Oklahoma Indian T. B. Ferguson Home to activities at Pioneer Removal Teachers’ host tea party

Woman Museum Institute On Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m. the T. B. Ferguson Home will host an event The Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca The Oklahoma Historical Society an- entitled, “Let Us Treasure Your Memories City will host Pioneer Kids summer nounces the Indian Removal Teachers’ of Jewelry.” This includes a tea party and activities every Wednesday in June and Institute, set for Wednesday, July 15, an afternoon of sharing heirloom jewelry July. In its second year, this summer through Friday, July 17, in Tahlequah, as well as the memories associated with program is intended for fourth through Oklahoma. each piece. This event will be held in sixth graders. The OHS will host the teachers’ the Foley Building at the Blaine County Beginning on Wednesday, June 3, from institute to explore the impact of the Trail Fairgrounds in Watonga. For more infor- 1 to 4 p.m., museum staff and volunteers of Tears, the removal of the Cherokee, mation please call Cindy Pitts at 580-623- will offer a number of fun activities for Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee(Creek), 5069. The T. B. Ferguson Home is located children. There will be crafts and games, and Seminole Nations from the at 519 North Weigle Avenue in Watonga with weekly themes that revolve around southeastern United States to Indian and offers free admission. the pioneer spirit. The Pioneer Kids Territory. Conference participants will program will continue every Wednesday visit important landmarks of the removal, afternoon through July 29. The cost is $5 including Fort Gibson Historic Site, the per child, which includes all supplies and George M. Murrell Home, Sequoyah’s Tipi exhibit now a snack. Preregistration is encouraged Cabin, and Fort Smith. Lecture topics open at the Oklahoma but not required, unless bringing a large will include American Indian policy, the group. All children must be accompanied mechanics of removal, and the rebuilding History Center by an adult. Adults will receive free and recovery process. Facilitators for the The Oklahoma History Center recently admission to the museum. event include education staff from the opened its newest exhibit, Jòqīgácút: Tipi Please call 580-765-6108 for more in- OHS and Northeastern State University. With Battle Pictures. formation or to make a reservation. The Oklahoma teachers will explore non- While doing regular upkeep on the Pioneer Woman Museum is located at traditional classroom experiences, includ- Indian collections housed within the 701 Monument Road in Ponca City. ing field trips and interactive activities Oklahoma History Center, a museum to share with students. curator discovered something that had Each teacher will receive an extensive been forgotten for many years. Stored resource kit with classroom activities Oklahoma’s Twenty- on one of the shelving units was a rolled and lesson guides. The cost for the canvas tipi that no one had seen for Seventh Annual Statewide program is $185 per person and includes many decades. This tipi is known as the Preservation Conference all materials. Teachers who register by Tipi with Battle Pictures. The tradition June 25 will receive a $10 discount. Most and history embodied by this tipi can be Tradition and Transition: Oklahoma’s meals are provided. A limit of twenty traced to 1833 when Little Bluff became Twenty-Seventh Annual Statewide Oklahoma teachers will be selected on a the sole leader of the Kiowa people. The Preservation Conference will be held first-come, first-served basis. Visit www. Tipi with Battle Pictures also figures in Bartlesville on Wednesday, June 3, okhistory.org/teachersinstitute to apply prominently in another recent Oklahoma through Friday, June 5. All conference for the institute. Please contact Amanda Historical Society venture: the acquisition sessions will be at the Bartlesville Pritchett at 918-456-2751 or apritchett@ and conservation of the 1920 silent film Community Center at 300 South Adams okhistory.org for more information. Boulevard in Bartlesville. Daughter of Dawn. In fact, the tipi was The special places we appreciate, authenticated using photographic stills protect, and adapt for new uses em- from the movie. body our traditions. A more diverse Elections results for This rare artifact is on display in the E. L. and Thelma Gaylord Special Exhibit preservation community develops; what OHS Board of Directors is considered significant evolves; and Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The Oklahoma His- new preservation methods and strategies The results of the election to fill four emerge. The conference program will tory Center is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi slots on the OHS Board of Directors were Drive in Oklahoma City. It is an affiliate address these topics during two plenary announced during the Board of Directors sessions and three concurrent tracks of the Smithsonian Institution, National meeting on Thursday, April 23. Archives, and is an accredited member of of sessions. One of the nation’s leading Dr. William Corbett, Tahlequah, was preservationists, Stephanie K. Meeks, the American Alliance of Museums. For elected to a three-year term representing more information please contact Steve president of the National Trust for Membership District Two. An incumbent Historic Preservation, will present Hawkins at 405-522-0754 or shawkins@ director, Corbett has completed one year okhistory.org. “The Future of the Past: Reconceiving as president of the OHS and was elected Historic Preservation for the Twenty- by the board to serve another year in that First Century” in the opening plenary office. session of this year’s conference. The full Dr. Linda Reese of Norman was elected conference schedule can be found in the to the board as a representative of May issue of Mistletoe Leaves on pages Membership District Four. This will be six and seven. her first term as a director of the OHS. Request a conference program, hotel Two incumbent directors were elected information, and registration brochure at-large to serve new, three-year terms. from Melvena Heisch at 405-522-4484 or They are Sandra Olson, Waynoka, and [email protected]. Individuals may Barbara Thompson, Oklahoma City. Daughter of Dawn movie still, c. 1920 also register online at www.downtown- (20941.73.4.1.81, Museum of the Western bartlesvilleinc.org. Prairie Collection, OHS Research Division).

6 Construction underway at Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center

Construction of the long-anticipated Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center is now underway. “It has been a compli- cated process to get the project off the ADG rendering of exterior (above) ground,” stated OHS Executive Director and interior (right) for Honey Springs Bob Blackburn. “The center is a multi- Battlefield Visitor Center. million dollar development partnership between four federal agencies, a state agency, McIntosh County, several local the center will be through a continuing New Members, cont’d. businesses, and a nonprofit organization. partnership between the Friends and the OHS,” continued Blackburn. Federal involvement includes the Nation- Individual al Park Service, as well as all three agen- “The project is underway but we still Beth Hromas-Parker, Waukomis have a lot of work to do,” stated Friends Misty Johnson, Tishomingo cies of USDA Rural Development—Rural Donna Jones, Morrison Business Service, Rural Utilities Service, president Gary Nichols of Checotah. “We Crystal Jordan, Fletcher and Rural Housing Service.” are launching our fundraising efforts to Travis Kasper, Enid raise the funds needed for exhibit devel- Angela Kelsey, Brunswick, MD “The site offers visitors the opportu- Trey Knowles, Ardmore nity to enjoy hiking and area wildlife, opment and to possibly add some ele- Adrian Lay, Weatherford while learning about the Battle of Honey ments back to the building that were cut Kathy Lyons, Stuart to bring the project into budget. We also Jake Marquez, Enid Springs and the impact of the Civil War Mary Martin, Tulsa on American Indians living in Indian hope to retire the debt well ahead of the Rick McMullin, Clinton forty-year term.” Angela Meek, Alderson Territory. The Civil War’s toll on life and Adam Milligan, Broken Arrow property was greater per capita in what is The building was designed by ADG of Amanda Neal, Idabel present-day Oklahoma than any state in Oklahoma City. The construction con- Elio Palacios, Canton tract was awarded to Zenith Construction David Perry, Chandler the country,” stated Blackburn. Rebekah Ratcliffe, Tuttle The new visitor center is being built in of Tahlequah. Company president Tyson James Ruiz, Blanchard Rentiesville, one of thirteen remaining Young was critical to getting the project Donna Sanders, Broken Arrow underway, according to Blackburn. “The Dorthea Sexton, Sapulpa All-Black towns of Oklahoma, populated Turner Silmon, Shawnee by former slaves after the Civil War. In low bid was out of the money, but Young Justin Smith, Enid worked with the OHS construction man- Lisa South, Lawton addition to being home to noted historian Sayle Stumblingbear, Fort Cobb John Hope Franklin, Blues legend D. C. ager, Rillis Howard, and the project ar- Jimmie Terrel, Owasso Minner, and Rentiesville’s annual Blues chitect, J. C. Witcher of ADG, to value Timothy Vandivort, McLoud engineer the project to get it within bud- Eric Walden, Claremore Festival, the town is home to Oklahoma’s Mayble Watson, Helena largest military engagement. Ryan get,” stated Blackburn. Anne Winzenread, Edmond McMullen, state director of USDA Rural According to McMullen, “Alone, USDA Development, stated, “The community Rural Development could not make such has a high level of poverty, but does a large project happen in such a small, Twenty-year members have some historic and cultural assets impoverished community. But with plen- renew in April that provide opportunities for tourism, ty of creativity and enough partners, it’s which the new center will capitalize on. In still possible to make big things happen Listed below, with the date they addition to exhibits, the center will offer in small towns.” joined the OHS, are people and a library space with collections focusing The visitor center has been a dream organizations that, when they on Indian Territory, the Civil War, and since the first land was acquired to se- renewed their memberships in April, the community. The library will also pro- cure the battlefield in 1964. Over the have been members twenty or more vide computers for community internet years many individuals have contributed years. Their long-term loyalty is most access.” to securing the land, developing a road sincerely appreciated! Blackburn noted, “The state, through and walking trails through the site. The battlefield was designated a National His- Peggy Talley, Poteau, May 1, 1981 the Oklahoma Historical Society, which Dola Yeager, Edmond, April 1, 1984 owns the battlefield, has contributed toric Landmark in 2013. Ric and Francie Russell, Meeker, April 1, 1984 over $1 million in site development and The Battle of Honey Springs was the Van Appelman Jr., Catoosa, April 3, 1985 largest engagement of the American Civil Kalvin Zitterkob, Moore, April 7, 1986 architectural service fees. The OHS will Rondi Ott, Enid, March 20, 1987 continue to be involved providing in-kind War fought in Indian Territory, and it had Donald W. Reynolds Community Center and Library, far reaching impact on Indian Territory, Durant, February 10, 1988 services to monitor construction of the Bill Carter, Coweta, April 4, 1988 building and to provide design and con- American national development, and the Will Rogers Library, Claremore, February 24, 1989 struction services for the completion of future State of Oklahoma. The Battle of Barbara Klein and James Weaver, Oklahoma City, Honey Springs (also called Elk Creek) March 29, 1989 the museum exhibits for the new center.” Ethel Thomas, Pawhuska, February 5, 1991 All the partners have a vital role in the was the largest battle in which American Daniel and Mary Ann Littlefield, North Little Rock, project, but the heart of the project, ac- Indians, Blacks, and Whites fought with AR, January 8, 1992 and against one another. Frances Elliott, Wichita, KS, April 2, 1992 cording to Blackburn, are the members Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Weigand, Edmond, April 21, of the Friends of Honey Springs Battle- If you would like to contribute toward 1992 the building construction, exhibit devel- Sloan Coats, San Francisco, CA, April 24, 1992 field. “This nonprofit membership organi- Leroy and Marlene Boyer, Oklahoma City, April 27, zation is handling all the grant funding opment, or to retire the building debt, 1992 and most importantly the USDA loans to contact Director of OHS Museums and Wagoner County Historical Society, Wagoner, April Historic Sites Kathy Dickson at 405-522- 23, 1993 make the project happen. The OHS can- Robert Ringo, Lincoln, CA, April 28, 1993 not borrow funds so the visitor center will 5231 or [email protected]. Spon- Laurie Williams, Ardmore, May 3, 1993 belong to the Friends. The operation of sorship opportunities are available. Nancy De Quevedo, Oklahoma City, April 26, 1995

7 Oklahoma Historical Society 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive Oklahoma City, OK 73105-7917 PERIODICALS

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Vol. 46, No. 6 June 2015 Carl Mays: From Kingfisher to the Big Leagues exhibit opening at Chisholm Trail Museum On Saturday, June 6, at 1 p.m. the Chisholm Trail Museum in Kingfisher will open a new exhibit about former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Carl Mays. The exhibit is entitled Carl Mays: From Kingfisher to the Big Leagues. Mays start- ed playing baseball in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s and went on to play in the major leagues for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Giants. Carl Mays was born in Liberty, Kentucky, on November 12, 1891. After the sud- den passing of his father, Mays’s mother moved the family to Kingfisher around 1903. Carl Mays worked on his family’s farm and grew up playing baseball with other young boys out in the local pastures, often using dried cow chips for bases. In late 1909, after Kingfisher beat Hennessey with Mays at the helm as pitcher, the Hennessey Sluggers offered to pay him more money to pitch for their team. Consequently, Mays moved approximately twenty miles north to pitch for the Hennessey Sluggers in 1909, where he led the team to the title game. According to the Hennessey Clipper newspaper, Mays recorded a no-hitter and won every game he pitched for the Sluggers. Toward the end of his career in Major League Baseball, Mays retained his ties to the Kingfisher County area, sending letters to June events at a glance friends residing in Hennessey and Kingfisher. Carl Mays was one of the best MLB 3 Okietales (Wednesdays in June and July), Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City pitchers from 1915 to 1929; however, he most often is remembered for causing Major League Baseball’s only fatality. In 1920, before batting helmets were used, 3 Pioneer Kids summer activities (Wednesdays in June and July), Pioneer Woman Museum, Ponca City Mays’s submarine ball cracked the skull of Cleveland’s Ray Chapman, who died 3-5 Oklahoma’s Twenty-Seventh Annual Statewide Preservation Conference, Bartlesville the next day. For more information about this exhibit, please contact Director Adam Lynn at 6 Carl Mays: From Kingfisher to the Big Leaguesexhibit opening, Chisholm Trail Museum, Kingfisher 405-375-5176 or [email protected]. The 7 “Let Us Treasure Your Memories of Jewelry” tea party with T. B. Ferguson Home, Blaine County Chisholm Trail Museum and Governor Fairgrounds, Watonga A. J. Seay Mansion are located at 605 9 Lunch and Learn: Buckboard Quilts, Pioneer Woman Museum, Ponca City Zellers Avenue in Kingfisher.

9-13 Chautauqua in the Park: The Dust Bowl, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

10 Brown Bag Lunch and Learn program, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, Enid

12-13 Pawnee Bill’s Original Wild West Show, Pawnee Bill Ranch, Pawnee

13 Grand opening of Fort Towson Visitor Center, Fort Towson Historic Site, Fort Towson

13 TG&Y Reunion, Chisholm Trail Museum, Kingfisher

13 Quilting workshop, Sod House Museum, Aline

18 Juneteenth panel discussion, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City

20 Tatting lace making workshop, Chisholm Trail Museum, Kingfisher

20 Fiber Rendezvous and Traditional Craft Day, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City Above: Carl Mays in 1915, photo 20 Third Saturday living history program, George M. Murrell Home, Park Hill courtesy Library of Congress.

20-21 Summer Solstice Walks, Spiro Mounds Archaeological Center, Spiro Right: Carl Mays in his New York Yankees uniform c. 1920, photo 24 “Those Who Stayed” Lunch and Learn, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City courtesy Library of Congress. 27 Family Space Camp, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma City