Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-01-18

for trade, was original, cheerful,
and soon built up good business.
Soon after he started, G. W.
Green became his partner and to
no two men does Vinita owe more
during her early and formative
period.
Vinita's first mayor was Johnson
Thompson. The next G. c. Iron
side and Dick Timberlske. Mr..
Ironside was impeached and Mr..
Timberlake suddenly resigned for
cause. For the first two years
after Vinita was located, the near
est peace office was at Ft. Smith
and the federal court the only
place where offenders could be
tried. When the boys became
ugly and drunk (Which was about
every nighD the stores and bust
ness places were closed shortly
after sundown. Everybody went
armed and dry goods clerks usu-
ally sold goods with a six-shooter
on each hip and double-barrelled
shot gun or two well loaded near
at hand. There was little talk
about capitalists or leading infiu-
ential citizens and no mans purse,
however well filled, made him feel
like calling "Slim Jim" or "Red
Eyed Ike" loafer or an informer,
or took the streets to impress his
peculiar opinions or views on the
public.
Society at that time was homo
geneous and all were treated as
gentlemen, and few questions were
asked about each others bank ac-
counts. When they played poker
it was a cash transaction; no
mouthiDg opened a lack
pot;" if caught stealing or tricking
it meant a duel without seconds.
There was no aristocracy or sets.
The boys asked the best looking
girl and dancer to be their part
ners, although she might be a ts-
BILE waitress, cook or washer wom-
an, and many OF the early gallants
of that period found good wives
and housekeepers among these
girls.
The best landlord OF that time
was Tom Johnson. He had been
all over the west as a stage driver.
Had a great, big, generous heart,
loved all mankind, liquor and draw
poker. He fed the passenger
trains on both roads; meals seven
ty-fve cents, but they were worth
the price. He grew rich in a few
years, and is one of the few men
who have made hotel business pay
in Vinita. Cowboys, U. S. mar
shals, gamblers and Indians made
their homes with him when they
came to town. He fed them on
the best, played poker with them
when his wife happened to be alb
sent. On several occasions she
Unexpectedly returned and found
Tom out of the office. Without
moments hesitation she would
walk across the track to walk
er's" rooms, where, finding Tom
in a poker game, she would take
him by the ear and lead him back |
TO the hotel. HIS losses many
times ran into the hundreds, but |
in a day or two be would appar-
emily forget all about it, and |
would be the same genial, whole
souled, clever landlord. He was
murdered in Springfield, Mo-, pre-
sumably for his money.
The first blacksmith shop was
built by VIM. T. Beatty, on the
lot where the opera house now
stands. Beatty stocked the shop
with tools and material, and hired
"Bonny Dan" Landrum to take
charge with instructions to turn
over the receipts of the shop to
Johnson Thompson, and to do no
work except for cash. He then
took the train for Kansas City to
get his family. Upon his return,
two or three months later, he found
Bonny Dan," his entire stock of
and some of his tools
gone. During Beatty's absence
(spring of 1879 Col. L. B. Bell
built another shop on railroad
land, opposite and west of where
the old Masonic hall now stands.
''OId Johnny" Tice was the smith
in charge and kept a neat and or
derly shop. Whiskey was his be-
setting sin, and after drifting from
place to place finally died in Mary
and.