The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-06
Interesting Facts Concerning
Past and Present Executives
GEO. w. STEEL WAS FIRST
He Tired of WrangIing and
Resigned After Two Years.

lated some interesting facts regarding
the men who have held this office, and
gave short history of each, as follows:
The first governor of Oklahoma was
George WD. Steele, of Marion, Ind, was
appointed in May, 1890, by President Ben
Harrison, his warm personal friend. and
arrived in Guthrie, the Capital of the
territory, on May p, Of that year. Gov
ernor Steele had been In politics In his
native state, having served four terms
in congress, had a splendid military re-
cord having served clear through the
war of the rebellion coming out with the
rank of major, and the appointment was
ono that was pleasing to Oklahoma, the
new governor being rendered magnIh-
cent ovation when he reached the ter
ritory. He only served out half his
term OF four years. as he tired of the
wrangling of politicians, and the trouble
engendered by the attempt to permanent
Iy locate the territorial capital by the
First Assembly, and resigned and went
back to Indiana. He has since been
elected to congress from his old district,
and Is now engaged in the practice OF
law. healthy. happy and prosperous
President Harrison named Judge A. j.
Seay of Kingfisher, o. T, as the sue
ceseor of Governor Steele. Governor
Seay, at the time of his appointment, was
one of the three associated justices Of
the territory and presiding Judge of the
Third judicial district. He came to Ok
lahoma from Missouri. where he had
bee nan active Republican, having made
times
against silver Dick Bland. He had
the endorsement of john w. Noble, at
that time Harrison's secretary of the
.nterior, and was appointed for a term
OF four years from the date Of the ac-
ceptance of the resignation of his prede-
cessor. But ne was not allowed TO serve
out his full term, as President Cleveland
was elected to succeed President Harri-
son in 1892, ana he removed Governor
Seay after the latter had served a little
over two years. His administration was
successful and popular. he now resides
at Kingfisher, and is power IN the
Republican party of the territory.
When President Cleveland was inaugu-
rated. there was a great scramble among
the Democrats OF the territory to get
to the pie counter. a dozen candidates
rushed to Washington for the guberna-
toriaI honor, and the world never be-
for or since saw such hurting of
charges and counter charges The presi-
dent. out of the wilderness. of accusa-
tions, was unable TO make a selection,
and named William r. Renfrow, of Nor
man, as the successor Of Governor Seay.
Governor Renfrow was local banker,
and practically unknown in Oklahoma
When the wires flashed the news that
"Renfrow has been appointed governor,
not a dozen men in the capital city had
ever heard of him, and the question;
ssWho the devil is Renfrow," was heard
in every direction. The new governor,
who was a native of the SKATE of Arkan-
Gas. was allowed to serve his full term
out. He made a good executive, ana Is
now rich, having made a fortune in zinc
mines and banking, and resides in Joplin,
Mo.
President Mckinley succeeded President
Cleveland in 1897, and in May or that
wear, named Cassium NJ. Barnes, OF
Guthrie. as the successor of Governor
Renfrow The new governor was born IN
New York from which state he removed
to Michigan and enlisted in the civil wal
from the latter state At the close OF
the war. he settled in Little Rock, Ark
where he became a trusted lieutenant
of Powell CLAYTON, whose influence had
much to do with Governor Barnes Sc
lection. At the time of his appointment
Mr. Barnes was one of the best-knowI
Republicans in Oklahoma. having served
-FOUR years as receiver il the United
States land Office. in Guthrie, also TIVE
terms In the territorial assembly, ant
had heen honored by his party by beins
elected national committeeman. His ad
m.nistration, while a stormy one OWNS
TO factions In his party, was a brilliant
one, and came at time when Oklaho
mas great period Of development was
lust beginning to set in. He served on
his full term of four years. and is nov
engaged in banking business in Guthrie
being president of the Logan county bani
here
William NJ. Jenkins was named b,
President Mckinley 10 succeed Governor
Barnes and began his administration IL
May. 1891. He was a native OF the stat
of Ohio, moving from there TO Kansas
and then coming TO Oklahoma. He was
personal acquaintance OF President Nc
kinley. they having been boys tosethe
IN Ohio. and he had. while a delegate
to the national convention at Minneapolis
that nominated Ben Harrison. voted first
last and all the time Tor Mckinley 70
the presidency Al the tine of his ap
pointment he was serving as secretar.
OF the territory His administration wa
q short-hved one. only lasting sever
-, ~f.s1 =,
scandal growing out Of letting the con
tract for the keeping of the territory
insane. and was summarily removed b.
President Roosevelt, who had succeeds
20 the presidency on the death of Nc
Kiuley Governor Jenkins resides II
Guthrie. and is well of having investe'
his money in several fine farms an,
ranches. and is now engaged in promot
ing the townsiie OF Haw City. 4 thirty
ing town on the line between Kay count,
and the Usage nation.
The present incumbent. Thomas E. Fer
euson. was the persona choice Of Presi
dent Roosevelt to succeed Governor Jen
kins. \ number Of gentlemen had beer
considered for the position, but the presl
dent after canvassing the names men
toned and the situation IN the territory
decided not TO appoint any OF the activ'
candidates. and after q careful inquiry
selected Mr.. Ferguson. the chairman O
the territorial executive committee. 70
the place The appointee WIS not a can
diGate and 1t the time was postmaste
1T watongs, where he also conducted
newspaper. When the president wired &
know Il 10 would Accept the pHltioa