SHORT HISTORY OF ROGER MILLS COUNTY-----By Sooter The location of the County is the 100th Meridian. On the West which is Oklahoma-Texas State boundary line. North side of the County boundary is South Canadian River. The Washita River runs East and West through the middle of the County. First records indicate that Spanish explorer, Coronado, killed antelope for meat in Roger Mills County in 1541. The next record of white people in the County was 1601 by Spaniard Onote. Lasalle claimed the territory for France in 1682. Area granted to Spain in 1762. Territory granted back to France in 1800. The Territory was purchased from France in 1803. In 1804 the Territory was set aside as Indian Territory. In 1830 this area was set aside for Indian tribes moved out of the East United States. In 1858 this area mostly used by Commanches (sic. Comanches) and Plains Indians. Area then granted to Choctaw Indians. After the Civil War this Territory was given to Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians and known as Cheyenne Arapaho Country. First road survey across the County was in 1849. The trail survey entered the County near Moorewood and traversed West, by three corner, Roll, Crawford, Antelope Hills and into Texas. Some gold hunters were in the County in 1847 and 1848. First White man-Indian warfare was by some Texans and Indians near Antelope Hills in 1858. The last Indian and White warfare was in 1868 near Cheyenne by General Custer and Cheyenne-Arapaho Indians. Early trails mostly obliterated around 1902 when fencing law was passed and abolished open range in this area. The cattlemen moved out and land was fenced and broke out. In 1870 area used mostly as cattle range. The Indian Tribes leased land to cattlemen on a yearly basis. Vegetation consisted of Bluestem, Sagebrush, and Shin Oak. Game in the area consisted of Buffalo, Deer, Antelope,Turkey, and Prairie Chicken. The first land survey in this territory was in 1875 when the area was surveyed in sections. This area was first known as County F. In 1889 the Indians filed claims on some land in this territory and sold balance to U. S. Government for 1 ½ million dollars. The government reserved sections 16 and 36 for school revenue. This land now under Administration of Oklahoma Commission of Land Office. This area known as Cheyenne-Arapaho country was opened for settlement April 19, 1892. A homestead claim was 160 acres. To get a patented deed one had to hold claim for 5 years and live on the claim 6 months each year and farm 25% of the land. Money was scarce and about three-fourths of the original claims were abandoned before the title was cleared. This complicated later claims. Most of the farms were mortgaged as soon as land title was obtained to get cash to pay debts and build houses. The population of Cheyenne in 1892 was around 50 and first paper in County was 1892. First Church 1894. First Bank 1898. First cotton planted in the County in 1894. Most banks in the County failed. Most early-day roads ran along ridges to eliminate stream crossings. There were about 4 main river crossings across South Canadian River. One North of Leedy. One at area a mile East of present Packsaddle Bridge. One East of Antelope Hills and one Northwest of Durham. The County was named Roger Mills in 1893 by an Election. Most of the men making claims in the area were from Texas and wanted area for grazing and they named the County for a Texas Congressman by name of Roger Mills. The original County boundary was area North of North Fork of Red River, and North to an East-West line 8 miles North of Cheyenne. Area North of this line was known as DayCounty. When this area became a state in 1907, the County area was changed to the present South line and extended North to theSouth Canadian River. Day County was abolished at the time of Statehood. Sayre and Elk City was in Old Roger Mills County. The first County road was in 1894 from Cheyenne to Grand. Most of the traveled areas were trails until 1911 when some roads were built. The first County Engineer came to the County in 1916. In 1908 a railroad bed was constructed from Doxey to Berlin but the company went broke and no rail was laid. In 1910 a railroad was built through east side of County running through Carpenter and Hammon. In 1912 a railroad was built up Washita through Hammon, Herring and to area called Snakey-Bend (North of present site ofStrong City), and was known as C.O.W. railroad as was owned by a Company known as Clinton-Oklahoma-and Western. Cheyennebuilt a railroad to Strong City in 1913 to connect with railroad there. In 1928 the railroad extended from Cheyenne to Pampa Texas. Present site of Hammon founded in 1910. Strong City 1911, Reydon 1928, Old Rankin, which was south of present site of Reydon, moved to Reydon. Cheyenne was incorporated in 1896. Cheyenne was named for Indian Tribe, “Cheyenne”. Pack Saddle Bridgeacross South Canadian River built 1930.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 01:29:10 +0000
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