The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-25
PRAISE Of HOLSTERS
Voiced by That Eloquent Hoo
Sier, Dick 7. Morgan.
LEADERSHIP IN AFFAIRS
Of the Territory Has Been
Most Conspicuous.
LEADERSHIP IN AFFAIRS


Washington's birthday, attracted a large
gathering Of former Indianans, who thor
oughly enjoyed the attractive program Of
songs, speeches and recitauons. The fol-
lowing were present from abroad: Hon
Dick T. Morgan and wife, Perry; Jere
Johnson, Newkirk: Freeman Z. Miller
Saltwater; J. B. Calhoun, Los Angeles,
Cal; Mr.. and Mrs. A. C. Ringgold Mr.
and Mrs. E. II. Cox. Mr.. and Mrs. VIM.
Baker and Mrs. Arinta Reed of Crescent
City. There was in attendance an assem-
blage of over 200, the reunion extending
from to o'clock. 1t was decided TO
hold the next annual reunion in Guthrie
on F'ebrutry %, 1901; to have an all-day
session, closing with a banquet at night
The following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: President, ". B. Hood
Guthrie; secretary, Mrs Chas. Filson,
Guthrie;t treasurer, VIM. NJ. Engar,
Guthrie.
Following is the eloquent address OF
Hon. Dick T. Morgan of Perry, before
the assembled Indianans:
The Hoosier in Oklahoma is proud
of his native state-proud of her history,
her wealth, her great resources, her pub
lie institutions, her unequalled public
school fund, her famous orators. her il
lustrous statesmen, her popular poets, her
great authors, her military heroes, her
brave soldiers. Indiana ranks among the
foremost commonwealth of the union
Her sons in Oklahoma are Justly proud
of her. Being myself one of the very
humble Hoosiers in Oklahoma. 1 may,
with propriety say that Indiana is, no
doubt, also proud of the honorable record
of her sons in Oklahoma.
''The famous proclamation, fixing u
o'clock noon,, April %, 1898, as the time
when the first lands in Oklahoma should
be opened ito white settlement. bore the
signature of our great Hoosier president,
Benjamin Harrison. More than a hun
dred thousand people. from the various
states of the union, had gathered around
these lands, eager to enter at the ap-
pointed hour. There was great rivalry. as
to who should lead in the great race
There was intense excitement. Finally
the hour came; the great race was on;
the land office doors at Guthrie swung
open. The first man to file his filing
papers was an Indiana farmer! Behind
the desk to receive and act upon his pa
pers stood the widely known Hoosier reg
lister of the land office, Hon John l.
Ollie. At the same hour, thirty-fve miles
westward. at the Kingfsher land office,
a similar scene was being enacted. The
first homesteader that walked into the
door and paid his money over the counter
into the hands of a Hoosier, receiver of
monies, the Hon. ]. V Admire
creating the territory of Oklahoma. To
organize this government demanded
master mind There were numerous ap-
plications for the chief executive of the
new territory. After mature elaboration
the president finally selected for this i'm
portant position that distinguished states
man from Indiana, Hon. George W.
Steele. We therefore justly boast of hav-
ing furnished TO Oklahoma her first gov
ernor This was a critical period in the
history of our territory. An experienced
hand was required at the helm. Manu-
facturers always send an expert TO set
up and start to running a new piece Of
manchinery. The governmental machin-
cry of this territory must be set up. ad-
justed, fabricated, tested. and placed I'm
running order. This responsible work was
entrusted to a Hoosier. So well was the
work done that Missouri and Arkansas
have had no difficulty in running the gov
ernment successfully.
The judicial branch OF our govern
ment has done much in moulding the
history of our territory The judges Of
our supreme court have guided us safely
through many dangers. incident to our
peculiar surroundings. circumstances and
conditions. To our judiciary we owe a
great debt Of gratitude. The Hoosier
Judge is entitled TO a full share Of praise.
In length of service N legal acquire
ments. in intellectual power. in dignity OF
character. and in purity Of purpose. who
among all Of our honorable justices.
ranks above our present Hoosier cher
justice. Hon. John II. Burford.
But three persons have occupied the
position or United States attorney for
Oklahoma. Two OF these have been
Hoosiers. One of these. Hon. Horace
Speed, served one full term. having been
re-appointed, upon his excellent record.
by our great Ohio president, William Nc
kinney The other Hoosisr United States
attorney was the ciear-headed. warm and
generous-h hearted universally popular
true and faithful and now deceased and
lamented son Of Indiana. Hon Samuel
L. Oyerstreet.
The Hoosier in Oklahoma has been
conspicuous as legislator For one ses-
sion Of our legislature. Indiana furnished
the president Of the council IN the per
son Of the late Hon. J n Pfizer. No one
has served with more credit in our iegis
lative halls than our Hcozier senator !
Hon. o. r Fegaa Hon. J. J. Nerrick
another HoosieT. represented his county |
IN cur legislature with honor ard credit (
In every legislature the voice OF the /
formerly Indiana man has been heard IL |
behalf Of just. wise and equitable laws
The Ho0sier In Oklahoma has rot /
been merely civilian. During the span |
4sh-American VIZ. the man selected % 4
lead the Oklahoma battalion. vas ths
bros s-shouI6ereG. big-brainsd. fearless j
Hoosier Major John r. Stone After The 1
war. be was made colonel % our terri i
forfal militia. ard held the position when /
the bullet from the asssseln's gun Ga is 4
deadly wosk
The adjazaHt general q cur territory /
Bert Or1er Is a son = widely knaz-n i
Hoosisr. Hon George D. orner. VINO RS /
Tor years held the responsible position /
OF special agent q the general laad O. 4
zee and 70 tals list Jnay D zdeed re K
name q ths ex-atiorneg gersersi and 4
Hoosser. Her. {. A Gslb-slth-
The important position q scbco' szrsd 4
Commissioner IS sqE occupied ~ Hon. i
Charles = FglEoa. an5 5ts reryssaslsss
place q clerk % orr Supreme ,ssssst b. !
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