Sapulpa History - Did You Know...?

Booker T. Washington High School Wins

4/30/2023

Did You Know...
This Week in Sapulpa History – Booker T. Washington High School Wins!
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

Stated in the Booker T. Washington High School 1948 Yearbook: “The Booker T. Washington High School is highly industrialized. The following courses are offered: two years of typing including shorthand, two years of household service, four years of vocational agriculture, three years of home economics and vocational home economics, three years of industrial arts, and a course in maintenance mechanics for veterans. In addition to these courses, the curriculum offers all of the subjects required for meeting state regulations and for preparing students for college entrance.
“In the annual Interscholastic Meet, sponsored by the Langston University Alumni Association, the students of Sapulpa have made an enviable record*.
*Note: the Interscholastic Meet for Oklahoma’s African-American schools began its competition circa 1942.
“During the five years of the Meet, the students from Booker T. have taken First Place in every contest in the “B” Division. In the 1946 and 1947, they won the sweepstake trophy which is won without regard to the size of the school.”
The announcements for Sapulpa’s very own to win the Meets continued year after year. The Meets consisted of “standardized tests were given in every subject taught, including music and speech arts.*”
*Note: the article further stated these subjects were the standard courses offered for African-American schools.
Sapulpa’s students “had little trouble winning in the ‘B’ Division where they contested against such cities as McAlester, Guthrie, Luther, and a number of schools.” Principal D. Adolph Williams once stated, “The credit for this fine showing goes to the hard work of the faculty and the spirit and will to work of the students.”
This week in Sapulpa history, in 1952, it was announced, “Booker T. Students Take 10th Scholastic Contest.”
Since the establishment of the Meet, the Sapulpa school took home the First Place award. “In their division of the annual contest at Langston U,” Sapulpa school “under D.A. Williams, principal, has not only won the ‘B’ Division (based on enrollment) 10 times, but has also won the ‘Open’ (for all divisions) contest twice.”
In the ‘Open’ Division of 1952, Sapulpa’s Booker T. Washington High School took fourth place, “behind Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Wewoka. Weowoka nudged the local students out by one point.
“Twenty students from Booker T. participated in the contest in which more than 500 students form 31 schools took part. The local school entered 29 of the 30 subjects and scored in all but four.”

A Necessary Traffic Light is Installed

4/23/2023

Did You Know...
This Week in Sapulpa History – A Necessary Traffic Light is Installed
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

In mid-November of 1959, officers were called to a scene. The sergeant arrived on the scene just moments after a traffic accident. He found two pedestrians that were struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident. One person complained of an injured leg, while the other would die from internal bleeding just hours later. These two were struck crossing the street on Mission, near Haskell, “enroute to their job at Liberty Glass Company.”
“Many other serious accidents have occurred at the intersection of Mission and Haskell streets during shift changes at the plant.”
This week in Sapulpa history, on April 27, 1960, “a new stop light was erected by the city in front of Liberty Glass plant on North Mission Street. The new light is installed in an effort to curb the many accidents, which have occurred the past few years in front of the glass plant.”
The call-to-action for the new light would aid pedestrians crossing the highway.
The traffic light would cost $1,231*.
*Note: with today’s inflation, this would cost about $12,500.
However, Liberty Glass Co. donated the funds to purchase the light.
“The light is designed so as not to slow traffic any longer than at any other light, and also to permit uninterrupted flow of traffic. There will be two, four-fact lights with poles set up on both east and west sides of Mission. Traffic entering Mission from Haskell, also, will be controlled by the new signal.”
This signal would also make way for pedestrians much easier, safer, and faster. “A pedestrian starts across, pushes one of the buttons turning the light controlling traffic red. After the button is pushed once, the light will go into a predetermined sequence, assuring a smooth flow of traffic and eliminating the possibility of holding down the button to stop traffic for any great length of time.”
It was also noted that the approval came by the State Highway Department and City Manager. “Routine traffic off Haskell will be handled by a magnetic detector in the ground. The detector will register when a vehicle passes over it, changing the light to allow autos to enter Mission from Hasell.”
Both the traffic light and the detector were installed that day, but would be operational the following week in April 1960. Liberty Glass Co. began operation in 1912, but the plant was known as the Premium Glass then. Since its operations began, several incidents and traffic collisions have occurred around their intersection, including at least one train accident. In 1916, an elderly man crossed the road, between the glass plant and the oil refinery and was struck by an on-coming train.
Today, caution lights flash and the speed limit dropped near the intersections of Mission and Haskell.
(Sapulpa Herald, November, 16, 1959, April 28, 1960)

Celebrating 100th Birthday for Jackie (Rule) Robertson

4/16/2023

Did You Know...
This Week in Sapulpa History – Celebrating 100th Birthday for Jackie (Rule) Robertson
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

“Davis and Rule buy John Wilson Furniture Store,” was the headline from January 2, 1937. “Otis R. Rule, school board clerk, and Milford Davis, employee” had announced “the sale of [Wilson’s] store in the Clayton building.” The Davis-Rule Furniture Store began.
Their store opened during Jacqueline Rule’s eighth grade year. Her parents moved to Sapulpa in 1923, and the name Rule became a household name.
Jacqueline, or Jackie, and her siblings went to Sapulpa Jr. and High School. One of her classmates, Hobart Robertson Jr., would become her husband after graduation during WWII. During her senior year in 1941, Jackie kept busy with a long list of clubs and duties, an attribute and passion she would keep with her for the next 82 years.
Jackie was involved in Twin Trio, Student Council, Yearbook, Thespians, Printers Club, Girl Reserves, Pepoose, and Home Economics. She also was named the yearbook editor. She also was an Office Assistant and named “Outstanding Girl.”
Both Hobart Jr. and Jackie left a senior last will gift. “We, Mary Ellen Harper, Jackie Rule, and Mary Stallard, will our printer’s devils to Mr. Davis’ next year’s assistant.” Additionally, “I, Hobart, will my luxuriant eyebrows to Dean Howard.”
Near the end of her senior year, an assembly was held to introduce the Band Queen. “Barbara Conway was introduced in the high school assembly as new band queen…Another feature of the assembly was the presentation of the first senior yearbook by Jackie Rule, editor, to Principal Carl Ransbarger, whom the yearbook had been dedicated.”
Her family was involved with the Methodist Church South. Jackie would often join the choir and Sunday School. By 1942, when the North and South Methodist Churches combined, she called this her home. She would continue being a member of the choir.
“A shower for a prospective bride: Jackie Rule, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O.R. Rule, whose forthcoming marriage to Hobart Robertson Jr., U.S. Army Air Cadet, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hobart Robertson Sr.” Hobart Jr. and Jackie married in 1943. Jackie’s brother, Lewis, and her husband, Hobart Jr., ran the store after WWII. It was renamed Rule Furniture in 1950; it had been named Rule-Reel furniture since 1939 after Davis resigned.

As stated earlier, Jackie would engage and participate in many organizations and groups. She was honored, proud, and devoted to her Methodist faith. She was a member of “Victory Sunday School class, Pearl Pickett Fellowship, United Methodist Women, Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, and Weekly Teller’s Committee.” She even joined the Crusaders Sunday School class, continuing to sing in the choir, and Esther Circle.
“Our two children, David and Debbie, were baptized in this church.” When the kids were young, Jackie would later become a Sunday School teacher. But Jackie would say her favorite Sunday School teacher was John Frank. “He made the Bible stories so alive and interesting.”
Another passion of Jackie and her family was education. “Jackie is very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren…All of her children and grandchildren have received Master’s Degrees and more.”
Jackie was very involved with school. Since 1940, Jackie participated in dinners, events, and became counselor of the local organization for Girls State. “Girls State, like Boys State, is a week of government experience in which the various offices and phases of state, county and city government are set-up for operation by the girls attending. It is a program sponsored annually by the American Legion Auxiliary.”
“Mrs. Hobart Robertson Jr., represented Sapulpa at the first Girls State in 1940 at Norman and was appointed Girls State Counselor for 1949.” She participated in the organization, representing Sapulpa for many years.
By the late 1950s into early 1960, Jackie was involved with a Bowling League. Her team called themselves “the Housewives” and were bowling the competition over. “Hobbies are sewing and gardening, and travel trailer camping. With her husband, she joined a camper club and they enjoyed the recreation.”
One such club that she devoted many years to was the Thakatria Club. She participated in the organization for more than fifty years. She held many offices and years while in the club, as president and vice-president.
Jackie Robertson also volunteered and was on the Board for the Sapulpa Historical Society. She volunteered, working on displays, tours, and events from the 1990s to 2011. She volunteered alongside Doris and Dick Yocham, Jim Hubbbard, Louise Briggs, Ken Blackburn, and many, many others.
Jackie and Hobart Jr. never forgot where it all began - the Class of 1941. The Robertsons were often involved with the planning and participating in the class reunions.
The Sapulpa High School Class of 1941 met for their regular scheduled meeting at the home of Jackie Robertson for a picnic. Tables were set up on the lawn and on the patio.”
If being involved with these many organizations and events weren’t enough, Jackie Robertson also had a successful career. She worked for Lon T. Jackson’s Insurance from 1953 until retirement in 1989. “Jackie is a specialist in the field of Fire and Homeowners insurance, and works constantly with the area customers as she assists with updating of insurance coverages and other items dealing with fire and homeowners insurance.”
“Jackie Robertson has become the first Sapulpan to receive the designation of Certified Professional Insurance Women (CPIW)” in 1977. The following year, “Mrs Hobart Robertson Jr. was installed president of the Insurance Women of Tulsa” in June 1978.
Jackie has been involved with the Sapulpa history, community, and lives, and still continues to leave her mark on the hearts of many.
This week in Sapulpa history, on April 19, Jackie Robertson turns 100.
(Sapulpa Herald, May 9, 1941, February 22, 1943, April 24, 1949, December 24, 1956, February 16, 1959, August 13, 1959, January 22, 1961, December 25, 1969, August 7, 1970, May 18, 1971, April 4, 1976, November 28, 1977, June 11, 1978, March 5, 1980, November 22, 1983, June 24, 1992, August 22, 1993, June 6, 1994; United Methodist Church Archives)

Bunion Derby comes to Creek county

4/9/2023

Did You Know...
This Week in Sapulpa History – Bunion Derby Comes to Creek County
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

Ready. Set. Go! And they’re off!
“Charles C. Pyle, often called Cash and Carry Pyle… inaugurated the first Trans-American Footrace,” also known as the Trans-Contiental Footrace. It is better known as the “Bunion Derby, an ambitious 3,455-mile-long foot race from Los Angeles, California to Chicago, Illinois, to New York City, New York” in 1928.
Route 66, the Mother Road, was built from LA, California to Chicago, IL in 1926. One of the now infamous destinations, attractions, and ways for travel, needed a little boost of promotion in the beginning. As a way of promoting the newly established Main Street of America, Pyle created the footrace, and that the main route for the runners was Highway 66.
In Sapulpa, historic Route 66 followed Dewey Ave, heading east. The route turned north on Division, then again back east to Mission. It then continued north, toward Tulsa, connecting Sapulpa with many other Route 66 destinations.
“The race was to begin on March 4, 1928, and finish near the end of May.” The prize money for the first-place runner was set for $25,000*. “The total distance was over 3,4000 miles in less than three months. There would be a slough of cars to follow along the race, including support teams, journalists, a shoe repairman, and first mobile radio station.”
*Note: $25,000 in 1928 is roughly worth $437,000 today.
“Race participants would have to sleep in tents along the way, and food would be served once a day in a chow-line fashion. The chamber of commerce in towns along the way would pay Pyle for the opportunity to have the runners stop in their town, and he would even set up carnivals at some points to take advantage of the crowds. At these carnivals, the runners could earn money by selling race programs and autographs.”
The Bunion Derby began with nearly 300 runners eager to participate in the lengthy race. With 275 runners beginning, “so many runners developed foot problems a week into the competition,” that by the end of the first day, 77 runners dropped from the race. With only 145 runners remaining, a 20-year old from Foyil, Oklahoma was among the leaders in the race.
Andy Payne, Cherokee, earned several track awards in high school. “He trained on the back roads of eastern Oklahoma in any weather conditions, and developed a running style his father described as ‘a machine-like trot that keeps him moving but doesn’t hurt him.’”
By mid-April, the runners would make their way to Oklahoma City.
“As more dropped out due to injuries, Payne became the leader. He persisted even when he was diagnosed with tonsillitis. As the race made its way into Oklahoma, people ran alongside Payne, snagging autographs and pictures of the local hero. In Oklahoma City, the governor cheered him on.”
This week in Sapulpa history, the runners raced their way through Downtown Sapulpa.
On April 16th, “Peter Gavuzzi leads Highway 66 marathon runners into Sapulpa.” Gauzzi, from England, “was leading the field when he sped past the Creek County Court House at 10:34 this morning. Oklahoma’s own Andrew Payne followed the flying Gavuzzi nearly 20 minutes later, trotting down Dewey Avenue by the Court House at 10:53. Close on Payne’s heels was Ginsto Umek, from Italy, who made it past the Court House at 10:55.”
“Runners were still going through Sapulpa at 3 o’clock…A large crowd greeted the runners as the reached Tulsa - the halfway mark in their cross continent race. Andy Payne, who led in elapsed time for several days, came in third today.” “And in Payne’s hometown of Claremore, Will Rogers was in the crowd, applauding the young man.”
On May 26th, “crossing the finish line 84 days after the race began, Payne’s total running time was 573 hours, 4 minutes, 34 seconds, at an average speed of 6 miles per hour.” It was that “only four of the original runners made it to the Madison Square Garden’s finish line. In fact, of the 275 who entered the race, half of them dropped out by the fourth day.*”
*Note: between Chicago to New York, “the athletes once logged 74.6 miles in a day. Only 55 contestants finished the race,” in total.
Andy Payne won the $25,000. The second place runner, John Salo, won $10,000. Third place received $5,000, and fourth place earned $3,000. Fifth place to tenth place received $1,000 each.
“After winning the footrace and receiving the prize, he used the money to pay off the mortgage on his father’s farm.*” He would further his education and receive a law degree, as well. “At Oklahoma City University, his interest lay in land acquisition with an eye towards oil production.”
*Note: “Although, he only got $18,000 of the promised $25,000.”
Payne would become Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, and was re-elected five times, spanning his position for decades. “He served from January 1935 to December 1972.”
“Payne died in 1977. Through efforts of the Foyil Heritage Association, the Rogers County Historical Society, and private donations, a park and statue was erected in the early 1990s.”
*Note: “While the 1928 race was not a financial success, Pyle organized a 1929 ‘return’” race from New York to Los Angeles. “Johnny Salo, who finished in 2nd place in 1928 and 1st in 1929, became the fastest person to twice run across the continental United States in consecutive years.”

Let 'em Dance

4/2/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – Let ‘em Dance
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

Thirty-five years before infamous film with Kevin Bacon and the iconic lyrics of Kenny Logins “You're playing so cool / Obeying every rule / Dig way down in your heart / You're burning, yearning for some / Somebody to tell you / That life ain't passing you by / I'm trying to tell you / It will if you don't even try…I’m turning it loose, footloose / Kick off your Sunday shoes…” Sapulpa had a decision to make: oppose school dances or allow them.
The film Footloose came out in 1984. It is “loosely based on a town” in Oklahoma. Elmore City. “The town had banned dancing since its founding in 1898 in an attempt to decrease the amount of heavy drinking.” A Reverend from a neighboring town had said, “‘No good has ever come from a dance…’” The beginning of the ‘80s era changed the town around. “In February 1980, the junior class of Elmore City’s high school made national news when they requested permission to hold a junior prom, and it was granted.” The overturn vote on the ban ended with a tie of 2-2 from the School Board. The School Board president was the tiebreaker, and he said, “‘let ‘em dance.’”
Sapulpa’s situation was not as extreme as Elmore City or the Footloose film. However, it was still a conflict and a controversy of its time. In 1949, dancing on school grounds came down to a vote.
February 1949: The School Board voted not to allow dancing on school property.
Unless, the decision went to the town in an election. “It was the decision of the board that to fairly determine whether or not Sapulpa voters are in accord with the dancing question that an election possibly should be held. This can be done by the petitions now being circulated, being filed with the board. It will then be added to the ballot at the regular school levy election in May.”
“The question has been brought to the consideration of the board previously at which time it was stated that ‘It is the opinion of the board that the broad purposes, the long-time program and the general welfare of the schools will be served best by refusing to grant the request for dancing in the school buildings.’”
March 1949: The School Board voted to have an election for the purposes of allowing dancing in school buildings.
The special election will be held on April 5th, instead of May. The petition was labeled as being submitted by Wesley A. Whittlesey. The School Board was not objecting to having a recreational center for the youth but would not get involved in the school dancing controversy. Several churches in town were adamantly opposed to having dances on public property.
The petition called for a youth center. It stated that the center would be open at least two evenings a week: “one of which will be Saturday night, and on other nights as shall be in harmony with general school programs.” It was proposed for Junior-Senior prom, Hi-Y prom, special holiday parties, etc. It will also have available “social dancing, both square and ball room, dart games, table tennis, badminton, intramural basketball, a piano, turntable, a soft drink and sandwich counter, which shall be under the auspices of the Student Council.”
April 1949: this week in Sapulpa history, on April 5, 1949, the election to allow dancing had a large turnout.
Students held a parade the night before the election, for the endorsement of the dance hall.
The decision came down to 1,617 to 1,430 votes; a difference of less than 200 votes*. The tallies were in and the people of Sapulpa decided to allow the dances and have a youth center.
*Note: In May 1949, the election for the School Bond issue to add four classrooms to Washington school passed by 301 to 37. This had been the heaviest School Bond issue in several years. Note that the bond issue had just over 300 voters, while the dance vote had over 3,000 votes.
“‘The election is history now,’” Mrs. Paul East, an opponent to the dance hall, proclaimed.
The election had become very heated at times with most of the ministers in town opposed to dancing. There was even a cross burning at a home Mrs. Paul East’s home*.
*Note: it is unknown if she was on the School Board.
The proposed youth center would be held at the “old Euchee gymnasium.” By May, the “new youth center” would be painted, decorated by high school students, and refurbished. All the work was being done by the students of the town.

Sapulpa

3/26/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – Sapulpa
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

The township of Sapulpa would be incorporated as a city in Indian Territory (I.T.), later state of Oklahoma, on March 31, 1898 - 125 years ago, this week in Sapulpa history. But the story of Sapulpa, the person the township was named after, began long before the city establishment*.
*Note: the information about his family, tribe, parents, and life were found in interviews: a written biography published in 1926, and two transcripts of an oral interview, in 1937, from William Sapulpa and Sarah (Sapulpa) Fife, two of his children. Additional information outside these interviews has been included, too, to provide multiple perspectives.
What is Known of His Childhood
Born between 1812 and 1824*, he was born in the Muscogee (Creek) Tribe. He was raised in the area where the states of Georgia and Alabama would be established. His parents, both full-blood Muscogee (Creek), were of the Kashita Tribe. His father’s name was Omiya, translated as “the swimmer,” and his mother's name is unknown.
*Note: in the transcript of the interview 1937, William says his father was born about 1812 or 1814, in Alabama.
“Both his parents died in Alabama when he was two or three years old. He and his three sisters were raised by his two uncles, brothers of his father.” There is no further information on his siblings and his family members.
“His boyhood and early youth were spent on the hunting grounds of their [Muscogee] country, which extended from Florida to Mississippi.” He would spend most of his childhood in this area.
Life Before Trading Post at Polecat Creek
From 1830 to the 1850s, tribal communities were forced to relocate to designations deemed “Indian Territory,” and this era was known as Trail of Tears. Tens of thousands of Indigenous Peoples were displaced. Very few Native Americans remained in their cultural areas.
“The encroachment of white settlers into that country brought him into conflict with the governmental authorities and the soldiers…The [Native Americans] proceeded to retake such of their stock as they could find, and, perhaps, taking other stock in place of the stock not found. This conduct on the part of the white settlers so aroused the manly and racial instincts of [my] young [father] to action that brought the soldiers in pursuit of him; but he was too wily and fleet of foot for the soldier boys, so they never caught him.”
“One incident of his experience with the soldiers that he often told his children was this: while out hunting with some other men, in Florida, they saw soldiers with bloodhounds-and the pursuit was on. [They] ran into a swamp…he saw a big alligator in the creek…he made a desperate jump over the alligator and the creek. But the hounds and soldiers were not so fortunate…the alligator put up such a hard fight that they [the soldiers] gave up the chase.”
William Sapulpa stated that trading with the settlers and Muscogee Creeks took place at St Augustine, Florida. He said his father would often trade here, and would learn trade and establish relationships with merchants and customers.
“His last trip to St Augustine was his last trip from the old hunting grounds…some of his white friends induced him to go with them to Charleston, SC. The trip was made by boat, and [he] was treated to sights of whales, etc. to be seen in the briny deep. Leaving Charleston, he continued by boat to New Orleans and then continued on to what later became the eastern part of the Creek Nation, in what is now Oklahoma-thus becoming one of its pioneers and one of the leaders of his people.”
It is uncertain when he arrived in the area known as Polecat Creek; sometime after 1836 and 1850, William Sapulpa suggested*.
*Note: in the transcript, William stated the area was “a good hunting and fishing region.”
Trading Post and Civil War
“Moving to what is now Creek County, he built his home, and commenced farming on Rock Creek, one mile southeast of [town of Sapulpa]. Sometime later, in about 1850, he started a store at his home, where he sold coffee, sugar, tobacco, dry goods, flour, spices, and other articles…hauling his goods in by team and pack horses from Ft Smith…”
William Sapulpa discussed how the nearest store to his father’s location was in Muskogee at the Council Hill. “At the end of two years, he gave up merchandising on account of the difficulties of getting his goods…we had no railroads, no automobiles, no trucks, no interurban lines, no bridges over our streams-and no wagon roads fit to travel.*”
*Note: in the transcript of William’s it said, the store was located in their house, which was “a large double log house.” Sarah’s transcript stated, she was born in the family’s “three log cabins, one being used for a place to cook and eat, and the other two were used as sleeping quarters…the shingles were made from large logs…their floors were made by using straight logs and splitting them to desired thickness. These made a rough floor.”
William Sapulpa remembers that there was one store and blacksmith shop “at the end of what is now South Maple Street for several years before the Civil War, and that business was kept up there until the war broke out, and that during the war all the buildings were burned.”
From 1861 to 1865, the American Civil War divided the country. The statuses of the states were divided between slave-states, union-states, border-states, and territories. The Indigenous People were also divided between fighting the conflict with the union-, slave-states, or avoiding each opposing side; but the territories were also being claimed by each side.
William Sapulpa stated: “‘I was just a little lad when the Civil War started [born in 1861], and I did not realize just what was going on…I did not know until late in life that my father was one of those fellows called the wealthy kind. He was owner of many Slaves, so naturally, he had to fight for his property, like the people of the south did.*’”
*Note: there are no other written records found, thus far, that he owned enslaved people or how many.
“When the Civil War broke out, [my father] loaned $1,000 in gold to the Confederate cause, receiving a note as evidence thereof…He joined the Creek Regiment of the Confederate Army, which he served for three years and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, and was wounded in the Battle of Elk Creek, near what is now Checotah, OK.”
He was discharged on July 1, 1864. According to his discharge paper, he was “born in the state of Alabama, age 40 years, five feet, eight inches high, dark complexion, black eyes, black hair, and a farmer by occupation.*”
*Note: according to the discharge paper, if he was 40 in 1864, then he would presumably have been born in 1824, not 1812 or 1814, like William Sapulpa stated earlier.
“In 1872, he opened another store at his home on the hill southeast of [town], buying and hauling his merchandise this time from Coffeyville, KS. But about a year later, he closed out the business again. However, he had taken a deep interest in farming and stock raising.” William Sapulpa said his father had other hobbies, too. He was “fond of the [American] Indian ball game, and was considered the best all-round ball player on the Arkansas River.”
Wives, Children, and Religion
William Sapulpa said his father married NaKitty before moving to what would be known as Creek County. “Three children were born of this marriage: James, Hanna, and Sarah.” At the time of the written biography in 1926, William said James and Sarah were living; James lived one mile south of town, and Sarah lived within city limits*.
*Note: he had seven children with NaKitty: unknown, James, Hanna, John, Sarah, Lucy, and unknown.
It is not known if the second marriage was at the same time as NaKitty or after, however. He married again to “Cho-pok-sa*, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had seven children: Moses, Yarna, Samuel, William, Rhoda, Becca, and Nicey.” William Sapulpa said his siblings were now gone by the time of the publication in 1926. He lived “about two miles west of town.”
*Note: William Sapulpa said in the transcript of the 1937 interview that his mother’s name was “Mary in English.”
Sarah said in her transcript that “the girls of the family did not go to school-only boys. William went to Wealaka Mission and Jim (James) went to Choctaw Nation. She did not know where the others went.”
Everyone worked on the ranch. “The land was open range, no fences being there then. [We] raised cattle, horses, and hogs, raised sweet potatoes, white corn, and wheat.”
“In about 1875, he joined the Methodist Church South, and was an active member thereof from then until time of his death. He donated liberally with cattle, flour, coffee, and sugar to feed the people at Camp Meetings.”
It is often said that he had three wives and at least 10 to 14 children. His first wife did not have children with him; it was said that her name was Tenofe. He then married NaKitty. He then married Cho-pok-sa, a presumed sister of the “first wife,” often referred to as NaKitty.
Railroad Charges into Town
“In about 1884 or 1885, the Frisco railroad completed the extension from Tulsa to Sapulpa. He was invited by the Frisco officials to ride into Sapulpa on the first passenger train from Tulsa.”
Sarah recalled the biggest change that was on her mind when more and more settlers came to the area. She states, “there were no mice or rats here until after the white people settled here.”
A similar story about the railroad arriving into town stated:
“The railroad line was extended to Sapulpa in 1883 for freighting out the walnut logs found on the banks of Rock Creek. In 1886, the first passenger train came down. His son, William, took his father over to Tulsa at the invitation of the Frisco officials to ride on the first passenger train into Sapulpa. He was given two brass spittoons from that train.”
Titles and Name
“He was a member of the Coon Clan and his wives were members of the Fox Clan. He was a member of Osocheetown. In 1868, he was elected by his town as a member of the House of Kings. The position of honor and trust was held until his death on March 17, 1887.*”
*Note: other articles mention his title was House of Warriors, in addition, his grave marker states he was 75 at the time of his death. Therefore, he would have been born in 1812.
As for the term “chief,” articles and references to the town’s founder are rarely used to describe him in the early newspapers. “As always noted when biographies of Sapulpa are written, Sapulpa was not actually a ‘chief’ of his tribe, but did have a place of influence.”
Based on the transcript from Joseph Bruner in 1937, he referred to the person the town to be named after as “‘old Sapulpa’.’” Incidentally, Elizabeth (Barnett) Sapulpa referred to her father-in-law as “‘the old man.’”
Lincoln Postoak, of Red Fork, added in his transcript in 1937, that he knew the history of the person the city of Sapulpa was named for. He stated: “James Sapulpa, for whom the town of Sapulpa is named…was born in Alabama. His father’s name was Omiya; his mother’s name is not known.” Postoak continues the history of this “James Sapulpa” as the same story that William Sapulpa described above.
However, Elizabeth (Barnett) Sapulpa married to James Sapulpa, the son, stated in an article published in 1946, “And So They Called it Sapulpa,” states:
“The name ‘Sapulpa’ came about quite by accident. ‘The old man…had only one name, and that was ‘Sepulchre.’ She explained that in the olden times the [Natives] were generally given names at birth to signify some event or happening. The religious groups sought names for their children in the Bible. Something in the passage in St Matthew, after saying that Joseph claimed the body of Jesus and placed it in his own tomb, where it reads: ‘And he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre,’ caught the fancy of the parents of the original ‘Sepulchre’ and they gave him that name to stand for strength.”
The article later stated that when her father-in-law sounded out his name, it may have sounded like “‘Suh-bul-ba.’” Furthermore, “the first signs of a change in ‘Sepulcher’s’ name showed on a discharge certificate from the Confederate Army: ‘it is written like the army clerk heard it, ‘Suspulber’ (Sus-pul-ber).*”
*Note: Harrison Sapulpa, a grandson, “rejected the theory of “‘Sepulcher.’”
It was often thought that the term “Sapulpa” would translate to sweet potato stated an article in 1990. But “there is no truth to the belief.” Similarly to the translation above, Sapulpa or “Sapulka, [or Sapulpakah], means burial place,” as Harrison Sapulpa explained. Another translation belief was published in a 1998 article: “‘Sapulpa’ in the Creek language means hiding spot or hide yourself, a reference to a skillful hunter.”
Merle Sapulpa, great-grandson of Sapulpa, visited the museum months before his death in 2021. Merle gave the museum workers the name “Ah ha Lark Yahola*'' for his great-grandfather. Merle further discussed how in his own research, the name “Sapulpa'' was never a Native American term, nor an English word or phrase. Merle suggested that the name came from railroad workers, most likely Italian workers, and he suggested “Sapulpa” could have been an Italian word or phrase given to the man who owned a trading post near the Polecat and Rock Creeks.
*Note: this name was also used in a 2005 article from Owen Sapulpa, a great-grandson. In the article he stated the name means ‘sweet potato.’ He further stated that the Muscogee term for “hole” (a hunter’s hiding hole “which would hide the human’s odor from the animals being hunted”) sounded like the term “Sapulpa” or “Sus-pul-ber.”
Grave Maker and Cemetery
He is buried in the Sapulpa Family Cemetery, located on S Division St, off E Taft Ave, at 909 S Division. The location is just past E Hastain Ave; on S Division, it’s on the eastside of the street.
“The Nancy Green Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), was organized February 24, 1913, and chartered January 10, 1914.” The DAR began the care for the cemetery in January 1923. “At that time the markers were scattered over about 40 acres. Effort was made through family contacts to establish exactly where each belonged.”
The grave maker reads: “Sapulpa, died Mar. 17 1887, aged 75 years,” on front side, whereas another side written Muscogee (Creek) that translates to “he has left this old world,” or “he is leaving this world for heaven.”
On the local chapter of DAR’s website, it states ten people (not all marked) are in the cemetery*:

Sapulpa - Died March 17, 1887, at the age of 75
Eliza - NaKitty, first wife of Sapulpa, her grave is not marked
Niesie - Died August 6, 187?, daughter of Sapulpa
Rebecca - Died August 1, 1879, daughter of Sapulpa
Lucy - Died February 16, 1900, daughter of Sapulpa
Bessie Bruner - Died September 11, 1888, granddaughter of Sapulpa
Infant born/died March 29, 1905, grandson of Sapulpa
Aggie Jones - Died March 1, 1900, orphan at Euchee Mission
Velma James - student at Euchee Mission
Unknown third child who died during the measles epidemic of 1900

*Note: one article stated “buried with Sapulpa is his wife, although both graves are marked by one stone.” Eliza is also believed to be the English name for NaKitty. In addition, the spelling of Nicey or Niesie is often used.
We may not know his real name, origins or meanings of the name Sapulpa. However, we honor the history and legacy of the man the town and his family are named for: Sapulpa.
(The University of Oklahoma, Digital Collections, April 9, 1937, July 13, 1937, September 3, 1937, December 16, 1937, February 16, 1938, February 28, 1938; Chronicles of Oklahoma, December 1926; Sapulpa Herald, May 7, 1931, Sept 7, 1946, April 12, 1955, May 19, 1968; July 1, 1973, July 4, 1948, Dec 25, 1983, February 22, 1998, March 28, 1998; Democrat News, November 20, 1958; Tulsa World, April 2, 1990, July 2003; Nancy Green DAR website)

The Sapulpan Babe Ruth

3/19/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – The Sapulpan Babe Ruth
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

“That boy Denver Grigsby seems to be knocking ‘em a mile high.” This was not an uncommon phrase when describing Grigsby’s turn at bat. From the home plate to the outfield and beyond, from High School Championships to Major League diamonds, Grigsby played with some of baseball’s best.
On March 24, 1901, Denver was born in Kentucky. The Grigsby family moved to Sapulpa when Denver was six, just before Oklahoma statehood, in 1907. He and his siblings made many new friends and became a part of Sapulpa and its history.
Denver would graduate from Sapulpa High School in 1921, alongside Frances Hutt, the opera singer and nearly-First-Lady-of-the-United-States we wrote about a couple of weeks ago. As Hutt made news about her singing and performances while at the High School, Grigsby made a splash in the news for his performances on the diamond.
In high school, Denver was the pitcher on the mound. Not only could he throw, he could bat, too. In the Sapulpa Herald, Babe Ruth was given a nickname of “king of the swing” and the “mighty swat artist.” Other nicknames George Herman “Babe” Ruth were the “the Bambino” and the “Sultan of Swat.” Grigsby was often compared to some of the greats in baseball when it came to homeruns.
Sapulpa High School Sappers, then before being renamed the Outlaws, before being renamed Chieftains, came home as baseball champions in 1920 and 1921. “By winning four straight games, one of which was a thirteen inning game, the Sapulpa High School ball team is coming home tonight the champion team of the great new state of Oklahoma. Shawnee, Norman, Miami, and Nowata went down to defeat at the hands of the locals…Sapulpa was ready to come home with the bacon.
“Grigsby starred pitched throughout the series, having pitched the Miami and Nowata games besides otherwise making himself famous.” The Sappers were acknowledged as one of the best teams in high school baseball.
These great games and the extraordinarily versatile player of Denver Grigsby caught the attention of the New York Yankees. At the end of 1921, Grigsby signed on to play for New York. At the time, Babe Ruth was being transferred from Boston Red Sox to New York Yankees during the 1919-1920 seasons. Grigsby would’ve played alongside one of the best home run hitters of all time.
However, he went to spring training with the Yanks in New Orleans. He was converted from a pitcher to an outfielder, and competed for an outfield position against Babe Ruth and others. He was farmed out to Albany, NY in the Eastern League. He later went to Sioux City, Iowa in the Western League. The town of Sapulpa also had their own Minor League team, the Sapulpa Yanks.
Grigsby came back to Sapulpa and played his heart out to earn the spot in the Major Leagues. “Denver Grigsby sets a new home run record. Boy! Page Babe Ruth, Ken Williams, Home Run Baker, and all the mighty swat artists. Then tell ‘em this story: Denver Grigsby, outfielder with Sapulpa Yanks, smashed all the present day home run records in the major leagues and tied the world’s record hung up since the first organized baseball game when he knocked four home runs yesterday!”
Grigsby was immediately “gobbled up” by the Chicago Cubs after receiving word on the great batter. “Denver Grigsby, Sapulpa’s offering to the major leagues, has won his berth in the outfield with Killefer’s Chicago Cubs, National League aggregation. He would be flown out to California for the Cubs training in February 1923.
This week in Sapulpa history, while training in California in 1923, Denver turned twenty-two. He was praised by the Cubs. “Denver Grisby, who will soon reach the age of 22, is one of the most promising young outfielders in Killefer’s roster of recruits.” Grisby threw right-handed, and batted left, and was said to be “one shining light.” “That young man is right handed and he has plenty of power back of his cast. Denver throws low and he paints speed on his throws. Grisbsy is proving the most apt pupil. Grigsby is fast and rangy and stands well at the plate. He bats left-handed and hits the ball hard. Thus far he has displayed no weakness against pitchers.”
His contract stated he would earn $400 per month for his services*. He earned three seasons with the Chicago Cubs. In 1924, Grigsby was a starter. “Grigsby had a respectable career batting average of 2.89 with an on base percentage of .355 over a period of 199 MLB games.” He also had 73 RBI, 179 hits, and had 3 home runs during his time in the Major Leagues**.
*Note: in 1924, the earnings of $400 per month (or $4,800 a year) is nearly $7,000 a month (or $84,000 a year) in today’s inflation.
**Note: there have been debates about Denver Grigsby being awarded the Rookie of the Year in 1924. The actual award for Rookie of the Year didn’t begin until Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. The Most Valuable Player in 1924 went to Babe Ruth of the New York Yankees. However, there was an article after Grigsby’s death about Grigsby being Chicago Cubs’, the clubhouse, Rookie of the Year. However, on the Baseball Reference website, is the only place that mentions this status of the 1924 Rookie award. The website states: “exceeded rookie limits during the 1924 season.” This does not prove nor disprove the claim of Rookie of the Year for Girgsby.
Sadly, in the middle of the season in 1925, Grigsby broke his collarbone. He was out for the rest of the season. He was then sold to the Minor Leagues for the Kansas City Blues. He played for the Blues for eight seasons.
While playing ball, Grigsby lived off and on in Sapulpa. He even surprised the town with a wedding and marriage to a local woman, Louise Coley. “The romance of the pair dating back to the days of ‘readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic.’” The news broke out about their marriage almost a full month after their ceremony. After the surprising announcement, friends of the newlyweds threw a party. “In recognition of Mr. Grigsby’s popularity among baseball fans the predominant motifs used in the decorations were baseball gloves, mitts, bats, and masks.”
Grigsby was selected to the All Star Team on two different occasions while with the Blues. He then went to Montreal in 1934. The following season he played for Tulsa in the Texas League. His baseball career ended in 1935.
He and Louise settled down in Sapulpa, and made home at 223 N Linden. Denver leased the Skelly Service Station at 517-519 E Dewey before purchasing the lot and naming it the Grigsby’s Skelly Service Station. Grigsby retired from the station service in 1972. Denver Grigsby passed away on November 10, 1973 at Bartlett Memorial Hospital.
(Sapulpa Herald, May 1, 1920, May 26, 1922, May 29, 1922, January 10, 1923, February 16, 1923, March 10, 1923, March 15, 1923, March 17, 1923, March 22, 1923, March 31, 1923, April 5, 1923, April 7, 1923, April 10, 1923, July 7, 1923, February 26, 1924, April 5, 1924, May 7, 1924, October 10, 1924, January 14, 1925, January 20, 1925, January 29, 1925, February 27, 1925, March 25, 1925, March 28, 1925, May 1, 1936, November 12, 1973, March 28, 1982, July 30, 1995, August 20, 1995, July 2, 1998, July 8, 2007; Wikipedia; www.sportsillustrated.com; www.baseballrefrence.com; www.mlb.com; www.ainsworthsports.com; www.thisgreatgame.com; www.baseballcube.com; www.baseballalmanac.com)

A Sapulpan Receives a Letter from an Outlaw

3/12/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – A Sapulpan Receives a Letter from an Outlaw
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

John F. Egan came to Sapulpa in 1892, a native of West Union, Iowa, as a licensed trader. The town of Sapulpa “then being but a struggling village at the terminus of the Frisco railway into the Indian Territory…” He had a wife, “married in Iowa prior to his advent into the new country, his two daughters being born in that agricultural empire, his only son a native of Sapulpa.”
When a “possible forty or fifty people comprised the population of the present Creek County metropolis and capital…” John F. arrived in the area of Sapulpa, bringing his entire family along on this journey. He and his brother, James, became proprietors of the Egan Bro. General Mercantile stores, one in Kellyville, Sapulpa, and Tulsa*.
*Note: the location of the Egan store in Sapulpa burnt down in 1899. It would’ve been located on N Main St, east side, between Hobson and the tracks, around near where the Farmers Feed Store is presently.
On May 13, 1893, John F. Egan was appointed Sapulpa’s fourth Postmaster. “For five years, he was postmaster, having been first appointed by President Cleveland and serving under McKinley. The post office at the time was located in the Egan Bro. store, until the fire*. John F. “established the first money order office in our town.”
*Note: The post office relocated to the unit block of E Hobson St.
John F. also is said to have “located and named the town of Bristow twenty miles west of here.*”
*Note: John F. named the area after the PostMaster General under President William McKinley, Joseph L. Bristow.
John F. had many interests and positions earlier and later on in his life. He had been a school teacher for several years in Iowa. He also helped organize Sapulpa’s first schools. John F. was not only a member of the School Board for fourteen years, he had been president of the organization for many years. In 1903, he was appointed U.S. Constable and served until statehood in 1907.
“As an early settler and pusher in Sapulpa,” John F. “was the first real estate dealer in Sapulpa. He sold the first oil property in the town of Red Fork to Dorset Carter, author of the Indian Territory Statues.”
When John F. arrived to the Indian Territory, it was said to have been “rough and wild” “In those days, many of the most desperate men of the Indian Territory traveled through Sapulpa, not the least of whom was the famous ‘Cherokee Bill.’”
Crawford Goldsby, better known by his alias Cherokee Bill, was a notorious outlaw in the late 1800s in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. After moving around from house to house of friends and family, Goldsby, had his first of many confrontations when he was 18 years of age.
“Leaving Fort Gibson, he headed for the Creek and Seminole Nations, where he met up with outlaws Jim and Bill Cook.” The Cook Gang was formed, and “began to terrorize Oklahoma*. The Gang headed to Tahlequah, Wetumka, Nowata, Chandler, Okmulgee, Chouteau, Watova, and many others, including Sapulpa.
*Note: an interview with an early Sapulpa pioneer, W.A. Smith, stated that “he had peaceful dealings with them [outlaws]...At one time Cherokee Bill worked as a dishwasher in Mr. Smith’s Hotel. The famous Cook Gang was organized in a blacksmith shop, which stood on the grounds owned by Mr. Smith.” The Smith Hotel stood near the tracks on N Main St, just north of Hobson. It still stands today, but more on N Poplar and Hobson, as apartments.
In a span of less than a year, the Cook Gang killed, robbed stores and banks, and held train robberies. A supposed safeway for the Gang was in this area. Cherokee Bill somehow became friends with John F. Egan. He would come into the Egan Bro. store and purchase supplies.
But Cherokee Bill would always pull his pistol out, but never failed to pay for the supplies*.
*Note: By having his pistol drawn, this exonerated Egan from harboring a criminal.
On one occasion, after picking up supplies, a Marshal and a small posse rode up and asked John F., in an accusing manner, if Cherokee Bill had been there. When John F. told them he had just left, they asked if he knew where he was going. John F. pointed on top of North Heights Hill, and when the officers looked, a man on a horse waved at them.
The Cook Gang robbed the Frisco train in Red Fork on June 16, 1894. Cherokee Bill participated in the robbery, and found a familiar face on the train. John F. was a passenger, but was not robbed by any of the men*.
*Note: Peter Egan recalls hearing stories about his grandfather, John F. Egan, saying that John F. was a witness to two other train robberies, of which, the robbers recognized him as a friend of Cherokee Bill, and he was never robbed.
John F. told the Tulsa World in 1908, “Sapulpa was then a village of twenty-five people and the round-up and hey-dey town for cattle men, as well, as such characters as Cherokee Bill, Bill Cook, Lonnie Gordon, Hank Munson, Curtis Dayson, and Jim French, who used to make things lively frequently.*”
*Note: an interview with an early citizen of Sapulpa, C.B. Gilbert said, “As a child, Gilbert was well acquainted with the outlaws of Oklahoma. ‘Sapulpa was the headquarters for Cherokee Bill, Al Jennings, Bill Cook, and the Daltons. I rode many a mile with Cherokee Bill and Bill Cook.’” Another interview with an early citizen of Sapulpa, Sam Evans, stated, “Evans recalls how wild the times were when he was a boy. ‘Old Cherokee Bill came to our house and ate at our table. Bill was a killer and bank robber. He would just as soon kill a man as look at him. Some of the outlaws who came to our house to eat wouldn’t sit with their backs to the door. But they were honorable crooks. None of them would harm a woman.*’”
*Side Note: Mrs. Matilda Egan, John F.’s wife, was an excellent rider and liked riding by herself in the country. When approaching a grove of trees, she heard a voice coming from the woods. “Mrs. Egan, don’t look back. Ride out as fast as you can from here.” The voice said cautiously. The voice either belonged to Cherokee Bill or Bill Cook, she believed, and trusted the voice. She rode out as fast as she could.
Cherokee Bill would be arrested and tried in 1895. He was sentenced to be hanged to death on March 17, 1896. This week in Sapulpa history, John F. Egan received a letter from the outlaw. Cherokee Bill sent the letter as he was preparing for his sentencing to be carried out. It read:
“Mr. Egan, please let Tom Wyeth have the pistol that I left there. Your friend, Cherokee Bill.*”
*Note: it is not fully known who Tom Wyeth was or if this is a correct spelling of the name. The article spells “Tom Wyeth” but the handwritten letter says either “Tom V. Wyaot” or “Tom Wyawt” (with the V crossed out for it was supposed to be the W), or “Tom Wyat” and misspelled.
John F. Egan received two gifts from his friend: a gun and a horse named Buck.
(Sapulpa Light, April 21, 1905, May 11, 1906, December 14, 1908; Sapulpa Evening Light, November 28, 1910; Sapulpa Daily Herald, November 25, 1962, June 23, 1963; Sapulpa, OK! The Greatest City in the Known World, Peter D. Egan; Wikipedia)

A Sapulpan Travels for a Broadway Tour

3/5/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – A Sapulpan Travels For A Broadway Tour
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

From 1923 to 1927, Eileen Hoyt toured with Broadway productions. “She made many theatrical appearances…she was also a soloist in a variety show at the Paramount Theatre shortly after its opening in 1926. She als made two 20-week tours of the Paramount Theatres circuit. She appeared in a touring of John Murray Anderson's ‘Almanac’ show.” Hoyt also was the understudy for the leading role, “the principal soloist in a road company of George White’s ‘Scandals.’”
This week in Sapulpa history, on March 5, 1926, it was announced that the vocalist known as Eileen Hoyt, performed ‘Scandals’ to a Tulsa audience, while on her tour.
Eileen Hoyt was very well known in Sapulpa in the late 1910s and many years later, but under another name. France Eileen Hutt used a variation on her name as her stage name.
The Hutts family had moved to Sapulpa when Frances was only seven in 1910. Her father, O.T. Hutt, worked as a railroad worker, a brakeman for the Frisco Railway. Her mother, Lee Davis Hutt, was named after a famous relative; she was a descendent from the Jefferson Davis family of Missisisppi, the President of the Confederacy. The family lived at 1018 East Line Street.
Frances would often perform stage plays, choirs, church groups, and events while in high school. She had a vivid imagination and a talented voice.
Frances had an older brother, Harold, and a younger sister, Marayanna. The trio would often play with neighborhood kids. The kids would often play house together. And one of France’s childhood dreams was to be married, to a president, and she would be “Mrs. President.” Another dream of hers would be “aspired to a singer’s career.”
Little did she know, these dreams may turn into a reality one day.
Frances graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1921 as Valedictorian*.
*Note: Unfortunately, the museum does not have a 1921 yearbook (nor any other of her years at Sapulpa), but a Freshman image of her and her class appears in the 1918 Sayonara yearbook for the high school.
After graduation, Frances moved to Chicago and then New York to pursue her opera career. She attended the Chicago Musical College and the Stephens’ New York Singing School. While in Chicago, she met a charming man named Thomas Dewey. Dewey was also studying music and the performing arts. They moved to New York together and would marry in 1928.
“Convinced that he [Thomas Dewey] could never ‘set the opera world on fire,’ Dewey ultimately turned to law.” He graduated from Columbia University School of Law in New York. “Thomas Dewey would eventually revolutionize the methods of a criminal prosecutor.” He had always claimed, however, that his “first calling was as an opera singer.”
Frances Hutt, or Eileen Hoyt, had accomplished her dream of performing audiences around the country. Now married to a famous prosecutor in New York, she wanted to have children and end her touring career. “Although, she once sang professionally, she sought to avoid the spotlight after marrying Dewey. She was able to do so with marked success while Dewey won fame as a prosecutor of racketeers, from 1933 to 1938. She managed to keep herself and their two sons pretty much out of the public glare.”
Thomas Dewey, who was often said to be a “possessor of a marvelous, deep, rich baritone voice that would also make him the second most effective radio speaker in politics, after FDR,” became the 47th Governor of New York, elected in 1942, re-elected in 1946, and a third consecutive term elected in 1950.
As mentioned above, France dreamed of being married with children (check mark), performing on Broadway (check mark), and being named “Mrs. President” (un-checked so far).
France’s husband won the Republican party nomination to run against a third-term running President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940. Roosevelt won the re-election. But this did not end Dewey’s next run for presidency.
In the next presidential election of 1944*, Dewey once again was the Republican party nominee against the fourth-term seeking President Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt won the campaign, but died soon after taking office again.
*Note: A “France Hutt Dewey Day” event occurred twice in Sapulpa. Both happened during the campaign tours for Thomas Dewey when they arrived in Sapulpa and Tulsa for a tour.
Dewey, once again, stepped up to the podium as the 1948 presidential campaign against President Harry S. Truman, who had been President Roosevelt’s Vice President in his last term. Dewey was projected to win. President Truman famously held up the Chicago Tribune newspaper that was printed the day after the election with the infamous headline across the front page “Dewey Defeats Truman.”
President Truman was re-elected. Mr. and Mrs. Dewey would not live in the White House. When the 1952 presidential election came around, Dewey played a significant role and helped secure General Dwight Eisenhower to become president.
France Hutt Dewey and Thomas Dewey raised their two sons, Thomas Jr. and John Martin in New York. The couple, with their love of music, gave their sons their first piano lessons. Frances tried to stay out of the spotlight once Thomas became Governor of New York in the 1940s. But the headlines of Eileen Hoyt and France Hutt are still remembered.

Sapulpa Frisco Viaducts

2/26/2023

Did You Know…
This Week in Sapulpa History – Sapulpa Frisco Viaducts
Rachel Whitney, Curator, Sapulpa Historical Museum

This week in Sapulpa history, the Chamber of Commerce met on February 27th, 1905 to discuss improvements to the town. The discussion about constructing a form of a viaduct over the Frisco railroad tracks, sidewalk additions, advertisements, and travelers’ entertainment.
“The entertainment committee reported that the visitors to the YMCA had been entertained by drives over the city.” The YMCA had just opened earlier that month. It had sixteen rooms with 32 beds, offices, reading rooms, and a large social gathering place included a gymnasium, bath rooms, and boiler rooms. It had six bath rooms, three shower baths next to the gymnasium with hot and cold water any time of the day.
“The advertising committee reported that a deal had been made for 1,000 maps of Indian Territory and Oklahoma, with special advertising on the cover. The side walk committee reported that side walk to the Court House (at the time, located on Mound and Dewey, named Lucile Opera House) from Main Street by March 20th. The city will put in the crossings and alleys and other property owners on the street assure walks.
“The committee appointed to investigate the matter of a crossing to the north side of the Frisco tracks for an over-head foot-man crossing.” As Frisco installed more and more tracks, widening the Frisco hub in Sapulpa, it made it more difficult and dangerous to cross for those wishing to reach north of town. “Upon request of the committee figures will be submitted for a sub-way crossing for vehicles and persons. This matter will be pushed and a viaduct will probably result, in the near future.”
Four years later, this week in Sapulpa history, on February 27th, 1909, the Frisco and the City Council finally came to an agreement on building and locating viaducts over the Frisco yards. “The matter of the location of the viaducts was taken up and it was soon evident that it was almost the unanimous opinion” that two crossings would resolve the problem.
The west viaduct would be constructed on Mound Street. The east viaduct would be constructed on Walnut Street. Both would be steel bridges. However, the Mound Street location was met with resistance, not only from citizens, but businesses, as well.
The Commercial Club continued their discussion and understood the difficulties a Mound crossing would be. The realization that if it was built on Mount Street, the Cotton Compress platform would have to be moved or closed down. Many people thought the crossing could be moved to Hickory, even though there was a “grade crossing,” or the intersection of the Frisco lines. Another proposition was announced; instead of a crossing at Mound or at Hickory, Poplar Street would be a better solution for the west viaduct.
The east viaduct, when built, would cross the tracks at Walnut, heading north, then curve around to the east, following the railroad tracks. It would end on Maple Street. The committee had no hesitations on the east location.
The matter had to be resolved soon for the Frisco yards would continue to enlarge, several times more. Traffic began to back up the yards, and it made it near impossible to travel from town to the North Heights area.
By December 1909, the long awaited viaduct over the Frisco tracks construction was underway. “One of the permanent improvements now being made in this city which brings more joy than anything that Old St Nick can leave, is now being made on Frisco's right-of-way at Walnut Street. It is the viaduct for which the patient, long suffering residents of the North side, where a very presentable and good sized city is already planted, have alternately prayed and swore…The Northsiders are merely counting the days now until they can ‘come to town’ without fear of loss of life, by climbing over forty or more strings of box cars.”
Frisco had agreed to build the viaduct if the city would build the approaches. The Frisco delivered on their end by mid-January 1910. Now all that was needed were the approaches. A year later, the City Commision instructed the City Engineer to draw up plans for the approaches to the Walnut Street viaduct. The City did not know where they were going to get the money but they were determined to find a way to build the approaches. The estimated cost would be $30,000 for the approaches*.
*Note: in 1911, $30,000 then would be near a million dollars today.
By October 1911, plans were underway for the City Engineer design of the approach beginning at Hobson and Maple, curving around to the northwest following the railroad tracks. Money was not the only restriction the City came across when attempting to build the approach. In 1912, the City had acquired deeds to build the ramp from Maple STreet going north and west parallel to the railroad to Walnut street. The property owners who owned the land agreed to sell as long as the City picked up the paving taxes.
Finally, in April 1913, the Walnut Street viaduct was open. The bridge over the tracks would be used for not only pedestrians but vehicles, as well. The first over the bridge were City Officials in the auto fire truck.
The Walnut crossing, or the east viaduct, would become the only crossing. The west viaduct located at Mound, Hickory, or Poplar would never be built. Once the town saw how convenient the bridge was for its town, petitions began to revisit the idea of building the west viaduct. The Hickory viaduct would remain a grade crossing.
In 1916, repairs to the Walnut Street viaduct flooring began. It was made from the “best oak,” and soon promises of having it covered with concrete.
The Frisco began work on the Bryan Street subway, or underpass in November 1917. The underpass would give the people living in Forest Park Addition and all those living east of the railroad a better access to their property from town.
Excavation of 2,200 cubic yards of dirt and cost of the underpass was to be $6,000. It was built as a wooden structure with a single 18-foot lane. Later, in 1921, it was rebuilt with two 14-foot lanes with a pier in the middle of Bryan and remained there until it was replaced in 1983. In 1983, the underpass would become a steel-beam structure.