Little tidbits that might be useful, or just interesting to some There were and are coal mines in Oklahoma. At present day there are 28. Now, living in a coal mining community, I can tell you, the mines here in Pennsylvania have been around forever, so, more than likely, most of the 28 mines in OK, were there when our ancestors were alive. :) The first state capital was located at Guthrie, Oklahoma. In 1910, the capital was built in Oklahoma City. Fur Trade: Oklahoma was still wild and unsettled. The Trail of Tears had not yet been done. Though some had moved here by this time. Game flourished and the Indians still controlled the area .learn more here: http://www.telepath.com/erics/furtrade/fur1.html Cheyenne Indian Camp 1840 U.S. Dragoon Camp 1840 Buffalo Hunter Camp 1870 Homesteaders 1889 (very first land rush) U.S. Cavalry 1870 C.S. Artillery 1863 U.S. Marshals 1870 Chuckwagons 1870 Cherokee Strip was the second land rush, in or around 1898 Wheat farmers - after WWII The development of oil and gas industry began in earnest during the first part of the 20th century, and then of course, the Great Depression depleted the population of the state The first newspaper, per se, published in Indian Territory, It was printed in both English and Cherokee with the first issue being published on September 26, 1844, Publication was suspended several times, the first being in 1851 or 1852 due to funding; after the Civil War publication was resumed in April of 1870, again using volume 1, number 1. A fire at the plant interrupted publication 1875, from that point the Cherokee Advocate continued until 1907 when tribal political difficulties were responsible for its demise. I would assume that the Genealogical or Historical Society would have more information, and possible microfishe available on these newspapers. http://brightok.net/chickasaw/ardmore/county/thelook.html (just little tidbits in and around Ardmore/Carter County) http://members.aol.com/TMCorner/ - A great find! They sell all kinds of books/CD's/etc, and their prices are very reasonable. Lots on Oklahoma/Indian Territory as well as other states :)