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Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma 
Date: June 18, 1937 
Name: Mr. C. E. Foley 
Post Office: Eufaula, Oklahoma 
Field Worker: Margaret McGuire 
Interview #6332

THE STORY OF EARLY DAYS IN OKLAHOMA 

I came from Iowa to Muskeg, Oklahoma, in the year 1881, with my father, when I was a young boy, leaving my mother in Iowa until we got settled. Mother died and is buried in the Eufaula, Oklahoma cemetery. 

When I grew up I worked in a store in Muskeg, as clerk, but after a few years I came to Eufaula. There were very few trading places here at that time, only one drug store; and about three dry goods and grocery stores. The Katy railroad was here then and Main street was next to the Katy track, so that all the business houses faced the railroad. I was the first licensed white man trader in Eufaula. The first trading post here was this side of Rocky Ford at Old Town, on the Kansas and Texas trail, which ran from Ft. Smith, through Stiller and across the North Canadian River, about two miles east of Eufaula, and on across the South Canadian River about three miles south of Eufaula then turning west on through Wetumka, to the Seminal Nation and through Skullyville to the Choctaw Nation and so on to White Field. 

The old trail is not used now, only as it is a part of Highway No. 9, that part of Highway No. 9 that goes through Stiller. 

The first telephone line was built from Eufaula to San Obis, Choctaw Nation, extending on to McAlester, Attack and Durance, and Sermon, Texas. From McAlester to Ft. Smith, this line was built on the Old Kansas and Texas trail. 

The Younger brothers were around here at that time, and had a hiding place on the bluff on the South Canadian River. Belle Star also lived in the Younger Bend. 

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Lola Crane <coolbreze@cybertrails.com> April 2002.