Albuquerque evening citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1905-1907, 1905-10-07
H1U5E
IN HKDLHN
ZER%/r0Py Bum 1913

Fort Gibson, l. T., oct. This, the
oldest town in the territory, the rich
est in historic and legendary lore, will
be the capital if the movement for sep
arate statehood wins. The constitu-
tional convention at Muskogee de-
cided upon Sequoyah as the name of
the new state, and Fort Gibson as the
capital city. 1t is located on the
Grand river and two miles from the
Arkansas river, in the Cherokee na-
ton. Population and business inter
ests are small because the Cherokees
for years did everything to keep the
white man out.
1t has been the abiding place of
some of the most noted men, and he
most desperate outlaws in the
try. j. S. Holden, the grizzled vet
eran who edits the Fort Smith Post,
knows all about them.
This is the oldest town in the ter
ritory," he said, having grown from
a military post established in 1913.
Among the officers who commanded
here was Zachary Taylor, afterwards
president, and Jefferson Davis, who
became president of the confederate
states. When Davis was a lieutenant
he eloped with Miss Bette Taylor,
| daughter of Zachary, and they were
married in Arkansas. They lived here
in a two story double log house until
Davis was called to service in the
Mexican War, where he achieved dis
tinction. Gen. Robt. e. Lee, Gen. AL
bert Sidney Johnston, Gen. Scott, Gen.
Mcclellan, and many others, who were
distinguished in the Civil War, came
here on tours of inspection.
Henry NJ. Stanley, the African ex-
plorer, taught school, and the building
where he presided over the rising gen
Grafton is one of the landmarks.
Gen. Hazen, while residing here,
married Miss Mclean, of Cincinnati,
who a few years ago became the wife
of Admiral Dewey.
Jas. G. Blaine was a visitor here
and a spell of sickness prolonged his
stay over a period of six weeks.
Washington Irving wrote his Tales of
a Traveller ina ten just outside of
the parade ground. In 1S4S Long
fellow came, and much of the scenery
hereabOuts is described in 'Evange-
line
Gen. Sam Houston was long a resi-
dent of Fort Gibson. Here it was that
he married Tahilhina Rogers, a beau
tiful Cherokee maiden. She died in
1888. A year ago | interested some
citizens in the natter and We caused
the removal of her remains to the
national cemetery here"
Among the notable people buried
in the cemetery was the Seminole
chief, Billy Bowlegs, who fought with
Osceola in the battle of WahOo swamp,
where Gen. Dade was killed and the
American troops routed.
F ON the notables Editor Holden
branched off to the notorious CherO-
kee Bill, whose blood was a mixture
of white, negro and Cherokee. who
heads the list. He shot men for the
fun Of killing, and robbed stores at
will.
A gentleman named Proctor ranged
%hereabouts. About is years ago they
arraigned him for trial in an Indian
court. The proceedings were inter
rupted by some shooting. Eleven
men were killed, including the Judge
two jurymen and a deputy United
States marshal. Eight of the death:
were credited to the skill Of Mr., Proc
tor.
Eight murders were committed in 6
single week in the Cherokee nation
The Indian courts were lenient witt
shooters, however, and in all their eX
/, istence only fourteen men were ex
ecuted.
Bill Cook and his gang accomplish
D ed something that was beyond the in
/, fluence of the Fort Smith, Ark.
: Chamber of Commerce. They forceD
D the Fort Smith & Coffeyville RAILROAD
l. to run a day train. Cook made tn,
: night trips so dangerous that a chang
OF schedule became necessary. Coo