Government is formed
GUTHRIE–On Nov. 16, 1907, thousands of citizens of the new state of Oklahoma gathered at the Carnegie Library to see the formation of the first state government. Newspapers reported then that there were so many people they were climbing the trees to see the scene.
Today isn’t much different, with thousands of people gathered around the library, ready to watch the re-enactment of the scene seen 100 years ago. That includes a ceremonial wedding between Miss Indian Territory and Mr. Oklahoma Territory and the inauguration of the first governor of Oklahoma, Charles Haskell.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Oklahoma is a state!
GUTHRIE–The gunshot has sounded, and thousands of people here cheered as it was announced that Oklahoma has become a state. The reenactment of the scene 100 years ago kicks off Oklahoma’s secondcentury.
A shot was fired by the grandson of Hugh Scott, the man who originally announced statehood. The crowds cheered and men on horses fired more shots, ringing in Oklahoma’s birthday.
Next up is a re-enactment of statehood and a mock marriage between Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory. The weather is clear, albeit cold, and people seem as jubilant as they were described to be 100 years ago today.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
The sun sets on first 100 years
GUTHRIE- The ceremony concluded as the sun set on Oklahoma’s first century, looking forward to tomorrow when it will rise on a new 100 years for the state.
The ceremony represents a melding of talents from American Indians as tribal prayers, dances and songs are shared as gifts to Oklahoma. The goal of the ceremony is to honor the past and those who have paved the way for what is remembered today.
Our native cultures are still here and continue to grow, said Gena Howard, with the American Indian Cultural Center.
Rep. Shane Jett, who is a Cherokee and co-chairman of the American Indian legislative caucus, said, “If any time in your life you have been proud to be an Oklahoman, this is the night.”
The state and its people have made some mistakes in the first 100 years, but Jett, R-Tecumseh, urged everyone to learn from history, and not let it repeat itself.
The end of the ceremony marked the last event before Oklahoma’s statehood day tomorrow. Events begin at 9:15 with a commemoration of Oklahoma being declared a state on Nov. 16, 1907. Check back here tomorrow for live, up-to-date coverage from Guthrie on the commemorative events, parade and picnic.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Native American sunset ceremony
GUTHRIE – Hundreds of people have gathered to hear about the history of American Indians here in Oklahoma.
Tribal chants and drums are entertaining the crowds while we wait for the ceremony to begin. For Indians, the centennial represents a triumph over tragedy, said Gena Howard with the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.
The symbolic ceremony will include parts from several tribes in Oklahoma, and will conclude at 5:20 as the sun sets.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Session adjourned
GUTHRIE – The session is adjourned. It ended with a presentation of the official state seal to the city of Guthrie, where it will stay for a couple days.
Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett admitted that his city was accused of stealing the state seal from Guthrie when
Oklahoma City became the state capital. This reminds him that things change, he said.
“In 1907, Oklahoma City was accused of stealing the state seal from Guthrie,” he said. “In 2007, we are being accused of stealing a basketball team from Seattle.”
Lawmakers are now meeting for a brief reception before heading outside for the Native American Sunset Ceremony. More to come from there.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
1900s revisited
GUTHRIE – A history lesson has begun at the legislative session here.
Robert Davis, a historian with the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, talked of the first legislative session that happened here at the temple, Jan. 5, 1909.
The large room seen now was then split in half, with the Senate meeting on one side and the House on the other. It represented the first time in state history when both bodies met at the same time to do the work of the state. Two sessions were held here in 1909 and 1910 before the state capital was moved to Oklahoma City permanently.
An impersonator of President Theodore Roosevelt made an appearance at the session, talking of when Oklahoma became the first state accepted into the
United States in the 20th century and is the 46th star on the American flag.
High school students also presented issues of the day when
Oklahoma became a state. Women are not to vote, one student said. Another noted that child labor is encouraged. Prohibition is a matter of states’ rights, a third said of 1907. “Most Oklahomans will vote dry as long as they can stumble to the polls,” he said.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Henry addresses session
GUTHRIE – Along with members of the Legislature, including Gov. Brad Henry and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, a number of other state officials are at the session. They include 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Robert Henry, several justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Attorney General Drew Edmondson; Treasurer Scott Meacham and the Higher Education Chancellor Glen Johnson.
A group of House and Senate members was formed to welcome the governor and his family to give a message at the session.
“Happy birthday, Oklahoma,” he said as he kicked off a speech on the past, present and future of the state.
“Oklahomans have remained resolute and committed to building the greatest state in this nation,” he said. “Our future is brighter than ever before.”
Henry urged lawmakers to continue the excitement and enthusiasm of this day into Oklahoma’s next century.
Tomorrow, take a moment and think about what Oklahoma means to each of us, Henry told those at the session.
“Our challenge for the next century is to build on our legacy of the last 100 years and to tell the world of Oklahoma’s greatness,” he said in conclusion.
Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Lawmakers travel along with staff
GUTHRIE - Some of the staff at the state Capitol has been transplanted to Guthrie today.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers who typically guard the doors at the Capitol in Oklahoma City are here in Guthrie, running the metal detectors. Many of the sergeant-at-arms are here as well, keeping control of the proceedings like they do on a daily basis in
Oklahoma City.
House and Senate staff members are here to watch the session, and even the legislative media staff are here to help us out as we bring you the latest.
The room in the legislative hall is grand, though the lawmakers are seated in metal folding chairs instead of the nice wooden desks they are used to at the Capitol. But there is a feeling of history here, and a hush has fallen over the room as a verbal roll call is done for all 149 lawmakers in attendance.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Session to begin
GUTHRIE – Though the point of today is for lawmakers to look back over the state’s last 100 years, many are looking forward to the next century.
Senate President Pro Tempore Mike Morgan, D-Stillwater, said his family roots are the definition of hillbilly. He joked that at the turn of the century, they were probably just learning to wear shoes and pants other than overalls. As a lifelong Oklahoman, Morgan said this day is special, made even better because the Scottish Rite Masonic Center where the session is being held is in his Senate district.
Rep. T.W. Shannon, R-Lawton, said he is honored to be a part of the centennial during his freshman year in the Legislature.
“We’ve come a long way, but we have a long way to go,” he said.
Rep. Colby Schwartz, R-Yukon, said it is the people who are really making the centennial celebration special.
“It is great to see Oklahomans being so proud of who they are,” he said.
The lawmakers along with their families and some lucky members of the public are all gathering inside the legislative hall now, readying for the start of the mock session.
- Jennifer Mock, Capitol Bureau
Legislators gather
GUTHRIE - After lunch, legislators and others who rode the train were taken by bus to the legislative hall to prepare for the ceremonial special session.
The legislative hall was last used by state legislators in 1910. It’s connected to the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
- John Greiner, Capitol Bureau
