OKLAHOMA JESSE JAMES CONNECTION/TRAILS

[BILL 1876]

Oklahoma was Indian Territory or known as the Nations during the civil war era and the James/Younger days. There were Civil War battles fought in Oklahoma. Indian Territory was a Confederate sympathizer and considered to be controlled by the Confederacy having several Confederate forts and outposts.

Indian Territory being strategically located, having Kansas bordering to the north a strong pro-Union state much to the chagrin of it’s neighbors. Missouri bordering to the NE, Arkansas to the East and Texas to the South and West all of which being pro-Confederacy needed to control Indian Territory. The Texas Rd. a main thoroughfare from Missouri/Arkansas to Texas cut through Oklahoma. Today, Oklahoma state highway 69 somewhat follows that same route of the Texas Rd. You can look at several older maps or some newer atlas’ that show the old Texas Rd.

The James’ used this road not only while in their gang but also while guerilla fighting with William Clarke Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson who had a “winter” camp so to speak near Sherman Texas. As well the James’and Younger’s had family in Texas at one point or another. The Texas Road passed through towns such as Atoka, Boggy Depot etc…most still on state highway 69, now this was not the exclusive route traveled but it was well known.

Not far from this road and west of Atoka is the much talked about property for sale on Ebay just NW of Wapanucka, about 2 miles SE of Bromide Oklahoma, more specifically Township 2 south; Range 8 east; Section 9, the GPS coordinates are; 34.401 degrees North and 96.468 degrees West. Delaware creek flows in from the west, courses around the extreme north end of this section and then back down the east side of this section. The Chickasaw Rock Academy (ruins now) are located close to the center of this section. A strong ridgeline forms on the west and north west side of the section. A quarry is located just north of the section line road (in section 4).

Other routes across Oklahoma included the Butterfield Southern Mail route out of Ft. Smith passing through this same SE part of Oklahoma continuing into Texas crossing at Colbert’s Ferry to places such as Fort Belknap, Camp Cooper etc. Also Marcy’s route to Santa Fe paralleling the Canadian River again out of Ft. Smith passing near Edwards Trading Post, Camp Holmes, and Ft. Cobb.

Numerous other roads and trails crisscrossed Indian Territory as well, but one of the best things about Indian Territory at least for outlaws/renegades was not the trails but the fact there was no type of law enforcement. So Oklahoma became one big hideout haven where an outlaw could take a deep breath (at least from law enforcement) and semi relax. Of course you would have to watch out for other outlaws and possibly Indians, but if you were familiar with the area and were on good relations with some of the tribes you could find a place where you could remain for the most part unmolested. Some of these outlaws would make Oklahoma their home base, others just camping here on their way to Texas, and still others doing a little bit of both while caching away supplies and loot.

[dwight traina]

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