Muskogee and the Jefferson Highway

Muskogee, Oklahoma is proud to have played a founding role in the establishment of the Jefferson Highway across the state of Oklahoma. The many active boosters and promoters of the city included a large number who gave their total support to new road-and bridge-building programs.

When the first organizational meeting of the Jefferson Highway Association was held in New Orleans on November 15 and 16, 1914, organizers had expected to attract about fifty delegates, but over six times that number attended! In fact, more than fifty delegates showed up from Oklahoma, many of them from Muskogee.  All delegates wanted the new highway to run through their states and cities.  Route selection yielded the most contentious issue of all: would the new highway run through Arkansas or, less directly but on better roads, through Texas and Oklahoma?

David N. Fink, president of the Commercial Bank of Muskogee, quickly emerged as the leader of the Oklahoma delegation, which succeeded in getting the highway routed through Texas into Durant, Oklahoma, then north through McAlester, Muskogee and Vinita to the Missouri state line. At this
meeting Fink was also elected JHA vice-president. further reflecting the great enthusiasm for the new highway coursing through the state, several months later Fink and approximately two hundred other delegates from seven Oklahoma counties met in McAlester to organize the Oklahoma Jefferson Highway Association.

In late November, 1916, the JHA held a meeting of the board of directors at the Severs Hotel in Muskogee, on which occasion Fink was unanimously elected as JHA president for the following year.  At a concurrent meeting of the Oklahoma Jefferson Highway Association, Fink proposed a plan to build a new bridge of concrete and steel over the Canadian River near Eufaula, in order to prevent the JHA from altering the highway's route in Oklahoma.  A non-profit company was organized and authorized to issue bonds to finance the $125,000 cost of the bridge, which was completed in April 1920.


This is the original road where the Jefferson Highway
came into Muskogee from the south side.
It is now South 24th street and only used by local traffic.
Photo taken by Glenn Smith September 2012.

The highway through Muskogee County was completed and opened in the summer of 1918. the public's interest in automobile travel continued to grow by leaps and bounds as the Jefferson Highway and other improved roads were built.  Not only did car ownership increase rapidly in the Muskogee area, but as the largest city on the Jefferson Highway between Kansas City and Dallas, Muskogee benefited from lots of tourist traffic, an outcome that city fathers and business groups had eagerly anticipated from the start.  To foster and accommodate that ever-growing automobile traffic, the local Kiwanis Club in 1921 built in a Muskogee park a well-equipped state-of-the-art tourist camp able to accommodate 200 automobiles.

Muskogee had led the way to get the Jefferson Highway built in Oklahoma, and the leadership of David N. Fink (1868-1927) was an important part of the highway's successful completion.

This article by Glenn Smith was originally published in the Jefferson Highway Declaration Newsletter of the Jefferson Highway Association Vol 2, No. 1, Winter 2013

 

Muskogee's Torson Hotel

 





The opening of the Torson Hotel at 6th and Boston in Muskogee was reported in the Muskogee County Republican newspaper on 15 September 1910. The brief announcement said: "It is a modern hostelry, and will be conducted with an eye single only to the comforts of its guests." Thomas A. Johnson and J. B. Torrans built the structure and operated the hotel.

The Torson was considered a family hotel, temporary home to Muskogee visitors including traveling theatre troupes, as well as permanent home for local families and businessmen.  Frequent events occurred at the Torson, including bridge parties, wedding and engagement receptions, and numerous meetings and conventions as well as private parties in the family suites.

In March of 1911, such a large event was held that a riot almost ensued.  An article in the Muskogee Times-Democrat shouted: "Cabbies Run Over Lawn" and explained: "So sharp was the competition for trade among the cabbies lined up on the street in front of the Torson hotel last night that it required the presence of police to quell the small riot that threatened as each and every cabman insisted on driving his carriage in the same location, the walk leading to  the entrance of the hotel. A reception was on at the Torson and the guest list was large and distinguished. When the festivities were over and the guests called for their carriages, the cabbies all came in a bunch, until the street entrance was congested with hacks and even the lawn was driven over by the ambitious cabbies who saw visions of short drives and big tips.  Patrolman Bailey headed the platoon of police officers who tried to straighten out the muddle between the cabbies." .....Muskogee Times-Democrat.

Large conventions at the hotel were common. On 27 March 1912, The Muskogee Times-Democrat reported: "Floating above the stately entrance of the Torson hotel, the stars and stripes waved in the breeze today while within one hundred women, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution were entertained. The occasion was the coming of the state chaper of the D.A.R. which convened in Muskogee today."

The Torson was a busy place in bustling downtown Muskogee until in early 1917 the owners began negotiations with the Bedouin Temple for purchase of the "famous hostelry at the corner of Sixth and Boston for use as a home for the shrine" for $43,000.

By 15 May of that year, the deal was completed and the hotel tenants were moving: "Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Ogden, who have had a suite at the Torson hotel, are moving to the Hotel Severs....Thomas A. Johnson and J. B. Torrans will be at the Hotel Severs after Wednesday, having sold the Torson hotel to the Bedouin patrol of Shriners....Mr. and Mrs. John Flenner, who have been at the Torson hotel, have moved and are temporarily at home with Mr. Flenner's parents Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Flenner, 525 South Fourteenth.....Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Hathaway and children have moved from the Torson hotel to the Mayland apartments on South Seventh street." .....Muskogee Times Democrat.

Today, the Torson Hotel is gone from the south west corner of 6th and Boston but the property is still used by the Shrine.

Three Rivers History Explorers

The Planned U.S. Marshals Museum

Three Rivers History Explorers Meeting Tuesday Evening

The US Marshals Museum will be the program presentation by Jim Dunn when the Three Rivers History Explorers meet on Tuesday June 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room of the Three Rivers Museum, 220 Elgin.

 

Mr. Dunn is President and CEO of the planned Fort Smith museum to be located near the Fort Smith National Historic site in downtown Fort Smith. 

The public is welcome to attend the History Explorers events and meetings on the last Tuesday of each month.  For more information, call the Three Rivers Museum, 918-686-6624 or see our website at www.3riversmusem.com.

Fun, Food, and Music at Disney on the Dock

Three Rivers Museum brings you great family entertainment Saturday June 23rd at 7:00 p.m.  Disney on the Dock is a FREE outdoor concert and sing along with outstanding Muskogee area performers.  Bring your lawn chairs and join us!  Hot dogs, cotton candy, popcorn and soda will be available for purchase.

Kids will love the Disney space jump and Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy will make an appearance too!

We thank these great musicians for so graciously volunteering their time for this event:

 

Tyler Acord, Brady Allen, Michael Dunn, Abbie Faith, Colten Fitzgerald, Shalyn Gallaway, Bill Gardner, Cathy Hayes, Kim Jaquez, Jeremy Jones, Dana Lane, Tyler Maruca, Katie Matthews, Tim Matthews, Jericha McGill, Brittany Mealer, Amber Morton, Tanner Morton, Joy Nelson, Madeline Parks, Stephanie Payne, Jessica Potter, Marsha Reynolds, Janie Riddle, Madison Riddle, Muriel Saunders and Nate Tolbert.

For further info, please call the museum at 918-686-6624 or email: 3riversmuseum@sbcglobal.net or visit our website at: www.3riversmuseum.com

Beardless President Truman Gets Shaving Permit During Muskogee Visit

"Chief Injustice" Bob Hurst pins a shaving permit
on President Harry S. Truman

Muskogee was busy celebrating the Indian Centennial when the nation's 33rd President Harry S. Truman rode into town during his whistle stop presidential campaign on September 29, 1948.

Truman's special eighteen car presidential campaign train arrived at the KATY Depot about 12:35 p.m. and Mayor J. Ollie Lee officially greeted the President, who then shook hands with members of a reception committee.

The Secret Service set the estimated number in the crowd gathered at the depot, along East Okmulgee Street, and in Spaulding Park at 50,000 strong, swarming into Muskogee to see the "warhorse whose favorite rhetorical pastime was to "give 'em hell.' "  "Just how many persons saw or heard the President during his 45 minute visit couldn't be accurately judged, but indications were that local Democrats hadn't been overly optimistic in predicting a crowd of 25,000" reported the local newspaper.

In keeping with the spirit of the Indian Centennial celebration, beardless men and women wearing cosmetics were considered to be "villains." At the depot, Truman was confronted by a group of bearded men, members of the "Court of the Brush," which was organized for the celebration. But, Bob Hurst, the "Chief Injustice," allowed the nation's commander-in-chief to "escape from justice" while in Muskogee by pinning a shaving permit on the beardless U.S. President.

Truman received repeated applause as his forty-three vehicle "auto-caravan" moved slowly along the East Okmulgee route from the depot to Spaulding Park accompanied by shouts of "There He Is!"

Arriving at Spaulding Park, Truman was greeted by costumed Indians from Bacone College. The group reportedly included two nationally known Indian artists, Dick West and Acee Blue Eagle and the President shook hands with them. Truman's wife Bess and daughter Margaret were greeted by the "Hazing Harpies," the feminine equivalent of the "Court of the Brush." The "Harpies" gave feathers to the Truman women which entitled them to wear cosmetics while in Muskogee "without fear of punishment."

Governor Roy Turner and former Governor Robert S. Kerr who was running for a U.S. Senate seat at the time shared the platform in the park band shell with Truman.  "I certainly am most happy to be in the wonderful town of Muskogee." Truman told the very large crowd. "I don't know where all these people came from, but there must be everybody in Oklahoma here."

Sources:
Muskogee Phoenix and Times Democrat

Thomas J. Presley

He was 17 and in the ninth grade when he began service for Grant and Carolyn Foreman in 1916. Presley heard about the job through his uncle W. C. Esco, a friend of Judge Thomas.   Back then, the home was on the edge of town and Presley milked the family cow, fed 250 chickens and 175 pigeons and cared for the large yard, and also kept an eye on things at the Foreman home while they traveled during the summer months.

Presley was born in Broken Arrow and came to Muskogee with his parents in 1908 when there were no paved streets and 12th Street was considered out in the country. He attended Tullahassee Mission School and Muskogee schools.

Working and finishing his education wasn’t too difficult for Presely because he had grown up on a farm where there were eight to ten cows to milk every morning and evening.  The Foremans only had one cow.  A good student, when he graduated from High School the Foremans encouraged him to go to Meharrys Medical College in Nashville where he studied dentistry.

Paying his way through college by waiting tables and working summers as a Pullman sleeping car porter on a run from Chicago to Portland for the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, he enjoyed traveling to large cities.

Setting up an office in Bristow in 1927 after taking the general board, he struggled for a few years then returned to Muskogee where the Depression brought an end to his dental career. In Muskogee he worked with a Dr. Wallace for a short time but when the Foremans decided to take a trip overseas they asked him to stay at their house as a caretaker.  He decided to take the job.

The Foreman’s came to depend on the quiet, man as the years went on.  Their dependence was so great that Grant Foreman went to great lengths to get a deferment for Presley when World War II broke out.

Presley lived in the out building on the property until marrying his wife Irma in 1943. After that he rode his bike or walked to the Foreman home each day.

Cooking was another of the chores handled by Presley at the request of Carolyn Foreman.  Although he had no special training or instruction, he managed to prepare good food regardless of what was ordered.  Carolyn was very frugal, keeping supplies in locked cabinets.  She was also very particular about the cooking, voicing her criticism when it was necessary.

 
Thomas Presley cared for both Grant until he died in 1953 and Carolyn until she died in 1967, using the medical knowledge from his dental school years to tend to them.  For several years after Carolyn died he continued to care for both the house and the yard until his own failing health forced him to stop.

Local Authors Showcase Their New Books

Irish O'Malley and the Ozark Mountain Boys

Three Rivers Museum is honored to host author R.D. Morgan for a book signing during our Holiday Open House on December 17th. Area authors will showcase and autograph their newly released books from 1 to 4:00 p.m.

This event will be the only book signing for R. D. Morgan's newest book, recently released Irish O'Malley and the Ozark Mountain Boys published by New Forums Press. The book is available for purchase in the museum's gift shop.

R. D. Morgan is the author of six non-fiction books dealing with early day Oklahoma lawmen and outlaws. He has also written numerous articles for Oklahoma newspapers and historical magazines on the subject.

Morgan spent his childhood in the East Texas oil patch country and his teen years living in a small Iowa farming community. Upon graduation from high school, he knocked around a year or so working construction before entering the U.S. Army where he served as a law enforcement officer. After his military career, he attended the College of the Ozarks before being employed as an electrician and maintenance supervisor for many years in Missouri and Arkansas. On retirement, he moved to Oklahoma to fulfill his life-long desire to commit his energies full time into writing and researching depression-era American history. Morgan developed a passion for the subject as a teenager listening to his Grandfather's tales of life and culture in Middle America during the 1920s and 1930s. Morgan and his wife Naomi currently reside in Haskell, Oklahoma.