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Western History Collections
Jefferson Gardner Collection
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From 1894 to 1896 the Principal Cheif of the Choctaw Nation was Jefferson Gardner. The three main problems that Gardner had to deal with were negotiations with the Dawe's Commission, the reorganization of Choctaw schools, and mineral leases for exploitation of coal lands in the Choctaw Nation. Along with these problems, Jefferson Gardner was responsible for defining the guidelines (i.e., certain requirements for citizenship) needed to check the influx of outsiders into the nation. The collection consists of 67 pieces spanning from 1894 to 1909.
Packet 1
F1: The Indian Citizen, Vol. 9, No. 24 "Message of J. Gardner." Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors: B. S. Smiser and Norma E. Smiser. Contents: Dispute concerning Dawes Commission's proposition. 3 copies. Oct. 11, 1894. Length: 5 pp.
F2: Minco Minstrel, Vol. 5, No. 16 "Editorial on Views of Chief" Minco, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Editor: Lewis N. Hornbeck. Contents: Dispute concerning Dawes Commission's proposition. 3 copies. Oct. 19, 1894. Length: 4 pp.
F3: The Davis Advertiser, Vol. 1, No. 50 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" Davis, Indian Territory Managing Editor: M. B. Rutherford. Contents: Discusses the three factions of Indians in Choctaw Nation and the action they are taking toward one another. 3 copies. April 8, 1895. Length: 3 pp.
F4: The Afton News, Vol. 3, No. 29 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner, W. N. Jones "Afton, Indian Territory. Editor: Randolf Ballard. Contents: Discusses skirmishes between the three factions of Indians. 3 copies. April 19, 1895. Editorial dated April 13 - Paris, Texas. Length: 4 pp.
F5: Fairland News, Vol. 3, No. 35 "Letter of H. L. Dawes to Jefferson Gardner" Fairland, Indian Territory. Editor: W. A. Keel. Contents: henry L. Dawes, Chairman of the Dawes Commission asks Jeff Gardner when it would be appropriate to set up a meeting to negotiate the proposed proposition. 3 copies. May 31, 1895. Letter dated May 18, 1895 from Muskogee, Indian Territory.
F6: Wagoner Record, Vol. 3, No. 45 "Election of Jefferson Gardner & J. V. Locke", Wagoner, Indian Territory. Editors: Phillippe & Hatfield. Contents: Discusses election return and information relative to the Dawes Commission. 3 copies. Aug. 16, 1895. Length: 2 pp.
F7: The Indian Citizen, Vol. 10, No. 26. "The Message of Jefferson Gardner" Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors: B. S. Smiser and Norma E. Smiser. Contents: A discussion of impending issues concerning the Choctaw Nation presented before the General Council of the Choctaw Nation. 3 copies. Oct. 24, 1895. Length: 10 pp.
F8: The Purcell Register, Vol. 9, No. 2 "A Report of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes signed by Jefferson Gardner", Purcell, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Editor: W. H. Walker. Contents: self-explanatory. 3 copies: Dec. 6, 1895. Length: 37 pp.
Packet II
F1: The Indian Citizen, Vol. 11, No. 18 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors & Prop: S. S. Smiser and Norma E. Smiser. Contents: Discussion of Gardner's politics. 6 copies. Aug. 27, 1896. Length: 2 pp.
F2: The Indian Citizen, Vol. 11, No. 18 "Proclamation of Jefferson Gardner" Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors: S. S. Smiser & Norma E. Smiser, Contents: Discussion of Dawes Commission's proposition. 3 copies. Aug. 27, 1896. Length: 3 pp.
F3: Minco Minstrel, Vol. 6, No. 41. "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner", Minco, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory. Editor: L. N. Hornbeck. Contents: A critique on Governor Gardner's attitude. 3 copies. April 10, 1896. Length: 2 pp.
F4: David Progress, Vol. 2, No. 49 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" David, Indian Territory. Editor: A. J. Blackwell. Contents: Various news items. 3 copies. Sept. 2, 1896. Length: 1 p.
Smith McAlester Capital, Vol. 3, No., 41 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" South McAlester, Indian Territory. Editors: Hinds and Jobe. Contents: Discussion of Governor Gardner's policy toward intermarried citizens and Negroes for obtaining citizenship. 3 copies. Sept. 3, 1896. Length: 2 pp.
F5: The Indian Citizen, Vol 12, No. 5 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors: B. S. Smiser and Norma E. Smiser. Contents: Discussion of an act passed that allows those intermarried, adopted, and of Indian blood to be enrolled as citizens of the Choctaw Nation. 3 copies. Oct. 1, 1896. Length: 5 pp.
F6: The Indian Citizen, Vol 12, No. 5 "Editorial on Jefferson Gardner" Atoka, Indian Territory. Editors: B. S. Smiser and Norma E. Smiser. Contents: Discussion of Ex-Governor Gardner's position concerning the 'coal clause.' 3 copies. May 27, 1897. Length: 2 pp.
F7: Muskogee Times-Democrat, Vol. 12, No. 176 "Death of Jefferson Gardner" Muskogee, Indian Territory. Manager: E. B. Teehee. Contents: Description of his death and of his life. 3 copies. April 6, 1906. Letter dated April 9 from Hugo, Indian Territory. Length: 7 pp.
Bixby Bulletin, Vol. 2, No. P "Obituary on Jefferson Gardner" Bixby, Indian Territory. Editor: W. W. Stuckey. Contents: Exact Statement as above. 3 copies. April 20, 1906. Letter from Eagletown, I.T. Length: 1 p.
The Oklahoma State Capital, Vol. 20, No, 237 "News Item of Jefferson Gardner", Guthrie, Ok. Editor: Frank H. Greer. Contents: Discussio of timber reserve of Section 29, in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, and cypress tree in memory of Gardner. 3 copies. Jan. 3, 1909. Letter dated Jan. 2 from Muskogee, Ok. Length: 3 pp.