A busy week in history: Election and theft set stage for capital

One hundred years ago this was a tumultuous and historic week.

It began Saturday, June 11, when the state held an election to determine whether Oklahoma City, Guthrie or Shawnee would become the permanent state capital.

On June 12, the Sunday Oklahoman announced Oklahoma City as the winner of the election by a

landslide vote of 70,004 to 39, 642 with several precincts still waiting to report. It also mentioned the filing of a temporary injunction by Guthrie to prevent the removal of state records and property.

Monday’s newspaper announced, “STATE CAPITAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY TODAY,” and included a letter from Gov. Charles M. Haskell declaring Oklahoma City the official state capitol and inviting anyone who felt the need to come to the Lee-Huckins Hotel, which was serving as the temporary capitol building, and talk to him.

Wednesday’s paper carried a story on Page 5 about the thrilling automobile drive taken to Guthrie on Saturday and “theft” of the state seal on the governor’s orders by his secretary, W. B. Anthony, and several other accomplices.

On Thursday, the newspaper reported a celebration at the state fairgrounds and the automobile parade through the streets of more than 200 cars filled with dignitaries and celebrants.

In Friday’s paper, Gov. Haskell issued an official proclamation, proclaiming the election results official and Oklahoma City the winner.

By Saturday, the only mention was of the injunction before the state Supreme Court that was expected to be and was nullified. The big stories on the front page were about Theodore Roosevelt taking a vacation to Oyster Bay, N.Y., after touring Africa and Europe and California’s governor preparing to declare martial law to prevent a boxing match.

So a busy  and controversial week ended, and Oklahoma City has been our capital ever since.

Mary Phillips

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