Chronicles of Oklahoma
Volume 17, No. 1
March, 1939
MINUTES OF THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
January 26, 1939
Page 110
The first regular quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Historical Society convened in the Historical
building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, January 26, 1939, at 10:00 A. M., with Judge Robert L.Williams, President, presiding.
The Secretary called the roll which showed the following members present: Judge Harry Campbell, Judge Thomas H. Doyle, Judge
Thomas A. Edwards, Mr. George H. Evans, Dr. Grant Foreman, Mr. James H. Gardner, Dr. Emma Estill-Harbour, Judge Samuel W.
Hayes, Gen. William S. Key, Mrs. Frank Korn, Col. A. N. Leecraft, Mrs. Blanche Lucas, Mrs. Jessie E. Moore, Hon. W. J. Peterson,
Judge Baxter Taylor, Judge William P. Thompson, Mrs. John R. Williams, Judge Robert L. Williams and James W. Moffitt, the
Secretary.
The following members had reported their inability to be present: Dr. E. E. Dale, Mr. John B. Doolin, Judge Robert A. Hefner
and Mr. John B. Meserve, and upon motion the reasons given for absence were deemed sufficient.
The President presented to the Society a framed photograph of 34 of the 200 United States Deputy Marshals working out from
the Federal Court for the Western District of Arkansas, 1875-1896.
Judge Thomas A. Edwards moved that the photograph be received and that Mr. W. J. Truby be paid $1.50 for framing the picture.
Motion was seconded and carried.
Mr. James H. Gardner presented to the Society a large map of the Chisholm Trail, made by the Aero Exploration Company, of
Tulsa, Oklahoma, January, 1938.
Dr. Grant Foreman moved that appropriate recognition and thanks be rendered to Mr. Gardner and the donors of this map. Motion
was seconded and carried.
Judge Thomas A. Edwards moved that a committee be appointed to investigate and ascertain the cost of framing this map and
the cost of a table to set it on under the glass. Motion was seconded and carried.
Mrs. Jessie E. Moore introduced Mrs. A. E. Perry, who presented to the Society the portrait of Mrs. Czarina Colbert Conlan,
gift of friends, and painted by the Polish artist Rembski.
Mrs. Blanche Lucas moved that the portrait be accepted with thanks to the donors. Motion was seconded and carried.
The President presented to the Society a family Bible of the late Col. Robert M. Jones and a collection of his letters and
other papers and manuscripts delivered to him for such presentation by the late J. H. Randell of Denison, Texas, the following
being a list of same:
A Bible published and sold by Edmund Cushing, of Luenburg, Mass., 1829, in which was inscribed the births and deaths of members
of the family of Robert M. Jones.
Original school certificate dated June 11, 1830, signed by Theo. Hendersan, superintendent of Choctaw Academy, and also original
supplemental
Page 111
certificate, signed by Theo Henderson, Teacher, and F. C. M. Calla, Asst. Teacher, and Richard M. Johnson, afterwards Vice-President
of the United States.
A note signed by Sam Garland, dated Dec. 14, 1867, and also a note memorandum signed by A. Wright, Dec. 19, 1867.
An account memorandum dated 1850, Col. P. P. Pitchlynn, Dr. to Berthelet, Jones & Co.
Also other notes signed by Samuel Garland, dated Dec. 16, 1867, and other memoranda as to Pitchlynn, and a letter dated October
27, 1860, addressed to Robert M. Jones, by P. P. Pitchlynn. Letters signed by Campbell Leflore, dated Nov. 2, 1888, and certified
copy of communication by Campbell Leflore to the Choctaw Council, dated November 2, 1888, the certificate being made by A.
Telle, National Secretary of the Choctaw Nation, and dated Nov. 7th, 1888.
A letter from Robert M. Jones dated at Armstrong Academy, Friday, 8th Nov. 1872, to his wife. A letter addressed to Robert
M. Jones, written from Boggy Depot, September 23, 1872, signed by Allen Wright. A letter from S. B. Maxey, General of the
Confederate Army and later U. S. Senator from Texas, dated at Paris, Texas, April 14, 1868, addressed to R. M. Jones, Rose
Hill, Choctaw Nation. A letter from P. P. Pitchlynn to Robert M. Jones, dated at Washington, D. C., 1872. Letter from D. H.
Cooper, Brigadier General of the Confederate Army from Indian Territory and formerly Indian Agent to the Choctaws, dated July
19, 1871, addressed to Robert M. Jones. Printed statement of an account made by Campbell Leflore, Choctaw Delegate, dated
Washington, D. C., January 16, 1888.
Other data as follows: Statement to Martin Epps, dated Amelia Court House, Va., June 20, 1878, and copy of marriage bond of
John Jennings on account of William Jennings and W. Fanny Jones, the marriage taking place the 12th day of December, 1736,
the bond being of record in Amelia County, Virginia, and also a letter dated Amelia County, Va., May 14, 1878, written by
E. H. Coleman, Clerk in said county. (This data goes to show that Robert M. Jones was probably kin or descended from the Jones
Family in Amelia County in Virginia. RLW).
Also a letter from P. P. Pitchlynn dated April 25, 1872, a little over two months after Colonel Robert M. Jones' death. A
letter from Mrs. E. A. Moore, nee Earles, who was the wife of Col. R. M. Jones at the time of his death, also a letter dated
Wheelock, Oct. 16, 1868, signed "Mary Jones," who was the daughter of Colonel Jones, and addressed to him. Also a receipt
from G. W. Harkins, given to Mrs. E. A. Bailey, formerly Mrs. R. M. Jones. Also a letter from Sampson Folsom dated January
16, 1869. Also a letter from Mrs. A. E. Moore, formerly Mrs. R. M. Jones, dated Oct. 6, 1888. Also a letter from T. J. Bond,
to R. M. Jones, dated Washington City, D. C., May 17, 1868. Also letter from Allen Wright, dated Boggy Depot, C. N., February
22, 1868, addressed to R. M. Jones. Also a letter dated Washington, D. C., May 16, 1872, addressed to Robt. M. Jones, signed
by M. S. Temple. Also a letter from Tate Springs, Tenn., written to Col. Jones by T. C. Bass. Also material signed by Sam'l
Garland. Various papers signed by A. Wright, Sam'l Garland and printed circulars signed by R. M. Jones.
All these matters, papers, and letters were committed to me by J. H. Randell in his life time with the injunction that I was
to place them in the vaults of the Historical Society for preservation, including the Bible, and I also file a statement from
J. H. Randell and copies of correspondence which he committed to me at the same time. And I ask that these papers be placed
in proper folders and designated as the "Robert M. Jones Papers."
Col. A. N. Leecraft moved that same be accepted wiith appreciation and thanks and placed in a vault for safe-keeping. Motion
was seconded and carried.
Page 112
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hays of Ada, Oklahoma appeared before the Board to secure help in preserving the Chickasaw Capitol, now
used as a county court house, and located on a five-acre site in Tishomingo, all of which is the property of Johnston County,
Oklahoma.
Mrs. John R. Williams moved that this question be referred to the authorities of the City of Tishomingo and of Johnston County,
with the assurance that the Historical Society would be glad to co-operate, with the understanding that Mrs. Jessie E. Moore
would notify the proper authorities of our attitude in the matter. Motion was seconded and carried.
Mrs. Czarina C. Conlan presented to the Society an enlarged framed photograph of the Rev. Joseph Samuel Murrow, Baptist Missionary
to the Indians, 1857-1929, gift of his eight living grandchildren: Murrow McBride, Clara Butler, Ralph McBride, Elliott McBride,
John McBride, Hiram McBride, Mrs. Victor Cline and Mrs. Joy Morris.
Judge Baxter Taylor, a life long friend of Mr. Murrow, moved that the photograph be accepted by the Society and the donors
thanked. Motion was seconded and carried.
Gen. William S. Key presented the following resolution: Resolved that the death of Peter James Hudson, on October 1, 1938,
closes the chapter of a life causing an irreparable loss to his tribe and to the Oklahoma Historical Society; and its Board
of Directors, in regular session, by this resolution so express itself, and extend its sympathy to his bereaved relatives
and fellow tribesmen. Upon motion duly seconded, the resolution was adopted.
Mrs. John Randolph Frazier having died in Oklahoma City on December 4, 1938, an active career as wife and mother, clubwoman
and church worker was closed. She was for years a member of the Oklahoma Historical Society and a number of years a member
of its Board of Directors.
Resolved, that her death is a great loss to that throng of such workers and we express to her surviving children and relatives
and friends our sympathies.
The adoption of the foregoing resolution was moved by Hon. W. J. Peterson, which was duly seconded and unanimously adopted.
Dr. Grant Foreman, the Society's representative, reported on the Fort Gibson Stockade Commission, and requested that the account
be audited. The President appointed Judge Harry Campbell to act as auditor.
Dr. Grant Foreman presented to the Society a plat of Fort Davis, a Confederate Garrison Post in 1862, showing the location
of buildings and well, also the location of a prehistoric Indian Mound used for lookout and flagstaff, and moved that the
map be accepted and that Mr. T. P. Clonts, Engineer of Muskogee, be thanked for his services in preparing this map. Motion
was seconded and carried.
Dr. Grant Foreman reported on the WPA project (S179A) sponsored by this Society, which unless renewed would expire in April,
1939, and moved for its continuation or renewal, and that the President of the Society be authorized to act to that end, and
that he be given authority to use any funds available, either state appropriation, direct or by transfer, or private funds
of the Society as may be necessary for its extension or renewal or being re-created that such work may be carried on. Motion
was seconded and unanimously carried.
The President read a letter from Mr. J. M. Owen, President of the Oklahoma City Federal Savings and Loan Association, presenting
to the Society a diorama depicting Oklahoma City when only a few weeks old.
Col. A. N. Leecraft moved that the diorama be accepted and the donors thanked for this contribution to the museum. Motion
was seconded and carried.
Page 113
Dr. Grant Foreman read a letter from the Assistant Librarian of the A. & M. College regarding the preparation of a bibliography
of manuscripts printed in Indian Territory and Oklahoma, in which the Society was asked to recommend that the work be done.
Judge Harry Campbell moved that the matter be deferred for further consideration. Motion was seconded and carried.
Dr. Emma Estill-Harbour, chairman of the committee to search magazines published by other Historical Societies and learn what
they are doing in the way of giving their magazines a more human interest as to news items, read her report which was ordered
received and filed with the Secretary and he was requested to furnish a copy to each member of the Publication Committe.
The President read a letter addressed to the Board from Mr. Hugh M. Johnson, President of the First National Bank and Trust
Company, Oklahoma City, planning with the cooperation of the Society for the participation in celebrating the Fiftieth (Golden)
Anniversary of the opening in 1889 of the Oklahoma country to settlement, and asked that certain designated exhibits be placed
in the lobby of said bank, which was offered for such service, from April 20 to May 20, 1939, the bank agreeing to pay for
the insurance of such articles for the full protection of the Society.
Hon. W. J. Peterson moved that we accept with the provision that the bank insure the material, pay all transportation charges,
and all expenses incident thereto, and also that the bank pay the salary of an officer or regular employee of the Historical
Society to be in charge of said exhibit during said period. Motion was seconded and carried.
The President presented the matter of the annual meeting of the Society be held at Durant and requested that the Board fix
the date of the meeting.
Col. A. N. Leecraft moved that the said next annual meeting of the Society be held May 11-12, 1939. Motion was seconded and
carried.
The Secretary reported that no petitions had been filed for the placing of any candidate on a referendum ballot for the election
of members of the Board of Directors to succeed the five members whose terms would expire with said meeting, to-wit, Judge
R. L. Williams, Dr. E. E. Dale, Mrs. Blanche Lucas, Dr. Grant Foreman and Judge Samuel W. Hayes. As under the Constitution
and under such a status, said members standing as being reelected for another term of five years, Judge Thomas H. Doyle moved
that the rules be suspended and that the Secretary be instructed to cast the unanimous vote of said board for reelection as
members of the Board of directors for the respective ensuing five-year terms. Said motion was duly seconded and unanimously
carried. The Secretary accordingly so cast the votes of said directors and said members were then and there declared duly
elected for such terms.
The Secretary presented the following list of applicants for membership in the Society:
Life: John Albert Brown, Oklahoma City.
Annual: Mrs. Marie Rodke Bailey, Shawnee; Capt. William Bleakley, Oklahoma City; Mrs. W. E. Broach, Tulsa; A. B. Butler, Jr.,
Tulsa; W. E. Carey, Oklahoma City; Emmett D. Chisum, Spiro; Haskell Clark, Durant; P. P. Cowan, Mangum; Carney O. Dean, Chandler;
Phyllis Hancock, Oklahoma City; Mrs. Beulah Harmon, Alex; Vernon E. Hill, Tulsa; Frances Jean Kawick, Chickasha; George A.
Kelly, Oklahoma City; Mrs. C. R. Key, Wewoka; Phillip Charles Lauinger, Tulsa; Mrs. A. Martinez, Anadarko; L. T. McAtee, Lawton;
Mrs. Viola Pelter McGreevy, Carmen; Perry J. Morris, Shattuck; Jonathan R. Osborne, Sr., Maysville; Earl Pruet, Oklahoma City;
Mrs. B. P. Smith, Chickasha; Prof. M. J. Smith, Bacone; Charles E.
Page 114
Sparks, Tulsa; Goldie E. Spencer, Chickasha; Prof. T. U. Taylor, Austin, Texas; Mrs. Emmett Thompson, Ponca City.
Judge Thomas H. Doyle moved that these persons be elected to membership in the Society. Motion was seconded and carried.
Judge Thomas H. Doyle moved that the rules be suspended and that the former Secretary, Dan W. Peery, be elected to a life
membership in the Society. Motion was seconded and carried, and he was declared to be a life member thereof.
Col. A. N. Leecraft moved that the Board of Directors express their regret for the accident that had happened to Dr. Joseph
B. Thoburn, custodian of the Union Soldiers' Room, and express our sympathy and wish for him a speedy recovery. Motion was
seconded and carried.
The President read a letter from Mr. Albert Sydney Edmonds, of Kansas City, Kansas, relating to a diary kept by his uncle
on a trip by wagon from Lexington, Missouri, over the Indian lands to Texas in 1870, and reported that the book could be obtained
and photostated, or that portion of it that referred to the Indian lands, and asked that it be referred to the publication
committee for consideration for the magazine.
Judge Thomas H. Doyle moved that this procedure be approved. Motion was seconded and carried.
Dr. Emma Estill-Harbour moved that the reading of the minutes of the Board meeting held October 27, 1938, be dispensed with
at this time. Motion was seconded and carried.
Upon motion of Judge William P. Thompson the meeting stood adjourned subject to call of the President.
Robert L. Williams, President,
presiding.
James W. Moffitt,
Secretary.
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