By 1889, it was estimated that there were less than 1,000 wild buffalo left. A species that once thundered across the land had been hunted to near extinction. At one time, there were as many as sixty-million roaming throughout the Great Plains. Wanting to preserve an example of the bison for the U.S. National Museum, […]
Tag: Native American
Folsom – 8,000 BC
They roamed across the great plains in small bands. Although most groups numbered less than a handful, they became experts at hunting the massive straight-horned Buffalo that dominated the region. Their life was primitive and nomadic, following where the great herds led them. Despite that, they were a highly intelligent people. They had not quite […]
From Irish Famine to Oklahoma Fame: The Story of Frank Murray
Young Frank was only twenty-five years old when he came to the United States. It was 1850. The Great Hunger spread across Northern Ireland like a plague. It would be two more years before the Irish Potato Famine ended. Frank Murray should have been immune. His family was well off, being part of the landed […]
How the American Civil War Affected the Choctaw Nation
The Effects of the Civil War The American Civil War (1861–1865) took more American lives than any other war in American history. It so divided the people of the United States that in some families, brother literally fought against brother. In Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory, the four years that the United States was embroiled in the Civil […]
The First Settlers Under Cavanal: A Story of Poteau
The First White Settlers Arrive Nearly a decade after the final shot was fired during the Civil War, westward expansion was in full gallop. Many people fled from homes that had been ravaged by the war and headed toward the untamed wilds in search of a new start. Many of these early settlers passed through […]
The Tushka Lusa Institute; a “lost” Freedmen Academy
Six miles east of Talihina Oklahoma, buried somewhere underneath a century or more of brush an overgrowth, the remains of the foundation of Tushka Lusa Academy can still be found for those who are willing to seek it out. Tushka Lusa, whose translation means “black warrior” can be called one of the long forgotten schools […]
A History of the Choctaw Country Club & Golf Course in Poteau
Golf Throughout the Ages Throughout recorded history, every civilization has played a game with a club and a ball. For example, Pangea, as described by Roman scribes, would appear to be the source of a precursor to modern hockey and the Celtic games of Shinty and Hurling. In one form or another, older varieties of […]
A Coal Miner’s Life in the Early 20th Century: The Story of Witteville, Oklahoma
Witteville Coal Mines Witteville was once a prosperous mining town during the early 20th century. Located just three miles west of Poteau, the Witteville coal mines drew hundreds of workers from all over the world. During an age where coal was king, the mines in Oklahoma employed over 7,500 men and boys. Oftentimes, children as […]
Cavanal Hill Historic Trail
The French Influence Cavanal Hill is known as the “World’s Highest Hill,” reaching 1,999 feet above the surrounding terrain. While this is impressive, the history surrounding Cavanal is even more alluring. The legacy of Cavanal has had a tremendous impact on Poteau and the surrounding area. The area was first settled in the late 1700s […]
Famous Cherokee Indians: Sequoyah, a Literary Genius
Every day, we take the written word for granted. It conveys thoughts and emotions. It details complex designs and abstract thoughts. If it weren’t for the written word, civilization as we know it wouldn’t exist. For a moment, imagine what life would be like without the written word. Would we still be roaming about in […]