Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1911-09-13
HURLEY CHOCTAN
TRIBE ATTORNEY
APPOINTMENT OF IMPORTANCE
FOR YOUNG TULSA LAWYER
A NET SALARY OF $4,000
A Story of Close Friendship with
Chief I.ocke-Pat "Came Up
From the Coal Mines.

An announcement Of unusual i'm
portance was made yesterday when It
was given out that Pat j. Hurley, a
prominent young attorney OF Tulsa,
has signed u contract TO represent
the Choctaw tribe Of Indians in all
litigation affecting the affairs of the
tribe. The contract between Mr. Hur-
ley and Chief Locke of the Choctaw
tribe, will become effective as soon
as President Taft ailixes his signature
which is a mere formality. and will
be disposed of as soon as the Presi-
dent returns to the White House.
For several months a number OF
attorneys in Oklahoma have been en-
deavoring to gather in this lucrative
practice, but 1t fell to the lot of the
hustling young president of the Tulsa
Bar Association to get the contract.
The position pays a salary of $4,000,
with all personal and travelling ex-
penses.
Mr.. Hurley will not leave Tulsa,
and will make his headquarters here.
Much of his time, however. Will be
spent in Washington, looking after
legislation and litigation affecting the
Choctaw Indians.
A pretty story of close friendship
from early boyhood through to the
maturing manhood can be seen In
the appointment of Mr.. Hurley to this
important position.
Mr.. Hurley was born and raised in
the Choctaw Nation in Southern Ok
lahoma. One of his boon compan-
ions during his boyhood days was
Victor NJ. Locke, Jr. At that time,
each of the two lads had an ambition,
Hurley to be a good attorney, and
Locke to be chief Of the Choctaw
Tube. Little did either of the boys
at that time think that their ambi-
tons would come true.
Last February, Greene McCurtain,
who for long years had directed the
destines of the Choctaw Nation, died.
A successor was appointed. Victor NJ.
Locke Jr., was then young man. IN
the prime of life, and working assid-
uously for the advancement OF his
tribe. He was selected over many
older men to su ceed Chief McCur-
tain
short time ago. It came to his lot
to select an attorney to represent
the people in the mass of litigation
and legislation that is pending before
the affairs of the tribe can he settled
up. number of attorneys immed-
ately became candidates for the po-
sition, but Pat Hurley, then a prac-
tlcing attorney of Tulsa was chosen
to fill the position. The life long
friendship between the two is today
more strongly cemented than ever be-
fore
Mr.. Hurley is ambitious, and his
ambitions run along political lines.
lie is 2S years old, and already his
short career has been filed with
number of hard political fights In the
new state.
Last fall he was a candidate for
state senator from this district on the
Republican ticket, and was only de-
feated in a strong Democratic dis
trlct by Q votes, showing conclusively
his power as n convlncer.
Twenty eight years ago, Pat Hurley
was born on the banks of the Red
River in the heart Of the Choctaw
country, near what Is now Atoka. His
father was a cattleman and came to
the territory thirty-four years ago,
and is still here, living with his son.
His mother died when Pat was IL
years old.
As young boy, Mr. Hurley work.
ed in the coal mines south Of Me-
Alester and graduated from that into
life as cowboy in the cattle coun-
try. During this time. his one am
bition was to be an attorney.
He then attended school at Bacone
University at Muskogee. He was the
only white boy to attend this famous
old Indian school. He had no funds
but worked his way through. After
graduating from Bacone, he accepted
a position with the Indian agent at
Muskogee, and held that for two
years, when he went to Washington,
ID. c.. to finish his law education. He
attended the George Washington Uni
verslty there and completed his
course at the National Laws School.
He then came back to Oklahoma and
took up his residence at Tulsa, where
he has since been practicing law.
He has more than made good here
and last year was elected president Of
the Tulsa County Bar Association.
He has been mentioned prominent
~ as a candidate for Congress from
this district. and may be a candidate
under the new redistricting bill which
will come up at a special session OF
the legislature, which may be called
for January.