Volume 15 , Issue 18

Obituary: Pliny Soper (1861-1913)

One hundred years ago, 5 May 1913, The Muskogee Cimeter, page 2, headline was "Pliny is Called By Death." Pliny Soper was best known lawyer and politician that ever lived in Oklahoma, and died Sunday, 1913 in Kansas City. He had been living there at the Knickerbocker Apartments. Death followed an illness of two weeks. Pliny would have been 52 years old July 6, 1913. The funeral was held in Topeka, Kansas.

The newspaper article reported that Mr. Soper came to Kansas City about 1911 from Troy, Kansas. Previous to living in Troy, Kansas, he lived in Oklahoma, where he was for four years U. S. District Attorney for the Northern Indian Territory district, with head quarters at Vinita. Pliny was republican national committeeman for Oklahoma from 1904 to 1905.

Mr. Soper was one of the most aggressive politicians of the old territorial days, being known as a fighter equally well in Washington as at this end of the line.

Pliny helped organize the republican party of old Indian Territory,a nd in 1901 was named district attorney by Pres. McKinley. He resigned in October, 1905, and moved to Muskogee to become attorney for the Frisco railroad. He was a candidate for Federal Judge when statehood came, but was knocked out by the rough rider combination then in the saddle in Oklahoma and Indian Territories. Soper carried the fight to Washington and went after President Roosevelt rough shod. Later, Soper, who was still national committeeman, was recognized as distributor of patronage in the Indian Territory. Soper also led the fight that finally resulted int he resignation f Federal Judge C. W. Raymond of Muskogee. Those who knew Soper best describe him as an able attorney and a genius for organization.

It was also reported that Soper, like all men, had his faults, but he was true to his friends. Those who knew him would remember his kindness while he was supreme ruler, and while some differed form him on some occasions they always respected him.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---