Volume 15 , Issue 14

One Hundred Years Ago - 8 April 1913

One hundred years ago today there was an article in the Tulsa World, 8 April 1913, morning edition, that mentioned in the headlines: "Tulsa May Become Candidate For State Capital."

There are a couple articles on the front page concerning this headline. One of the headlines was concerning sentiment favoring making Tulsa seat of State Administration. It seemed that prominent men living elsewhere were urging Tulsa to get in the race. The Eastern part of the State was unanimous, while the near the center of population of Oklahoma opposed it by just a few. There was a luncheon where the Muskogee committee and local men would discuss the matter.

The undivided sentiment of the eastern part of Oklahoma and many sections of the western part of the state that wanted Tulsa to initiate a bill to locate the state capital to Tulsa. It finally had taken root and at the weekly business mens' lunch in the Hotel Tulsa the matter was brought up formally for the first time.

There were several weeks of letters from all parts of the state that had poured in on the business men and commercial club of Tulsa urging that the city of Tulsa get in the fight for the capital.

A special committee from Muskogee composed of Editor Eugene Kerr of the Times-Democrat, President J. F. Darby of the Commercial Club, Superior Judge Forra L. McCain and Nate Gibson, a prominent oil man, were present at the luncheon to urge the name of all the citizens of Muskogee that Tulsa should get in the race for the capital.

They also reported that sentiment throughout a greater part of the state was strongly in favor of Tulsa getting int he race for capital evidenced by a couple of letters sent from Muskogee, April 4, 1913, to Mr. T. D. Lyons, in Tulsa. See letter below:

First Letter

"Dear Sir: I have been in Oklahoma City several weeks of late and believe that the people in many parts of the state of Oklahoma are hostile toward Oklahoma City and completely dissatisfied with the manner in which they have handled the state capital proposition from the start. I believe that a proposition to resubmit the location of the State capital to the people would find general support. It is my opinion that should Tulsa want the the State capital located there and put forth the effort of which she is capable that the capital can be located at Tulsa. I am sure that Muskogee, Muskogee County, and the adjoining counties will give their hearty support to Tulsa should she enter the race. Very truly yours, J. F. Darry, President Commercial Club."

Second Letter

The second letter was also sent to T. D. Lyons, in Tulsa and read as follows: "Dear Lyons: Relative to our conversation about the prospect of Tulsa initiating a petition for a Constitutional amendment locating the state capital at Tulsa, I find that public opinion in this town would unanimously approve and endorse such an amendment to the Constitution. I have discussed the matter with the president of our Commercial Club and large number of our leading business men and politicians in both parties and I believe that if Tulsa should determine to make an effort to get the capital that she would not lose exceeding one hundred votes in this county,a nd she would not only not lose the votes but would receive the enthusiastic support of the citizens of this town and county. Yours very truly, Forrar L. M'Cain."

Check in this week's "OkieLegacy Ezine" for the other headline that read: "Rumor That Gore Contemplates Resigning Startles Oklahoma."   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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