The Beginning of Tulsa
By J. M. Hall
© Karolyn Kay Garland 1997
Page # 7
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H. C. Hall
The Founder of Tulsa
H. C. Hall, the Founder of Tulsa. He selected the location and built the first store building. He was in the mercantile business here for some time and, as this short history will show, was engaged in many activities.
He went to Oswego, Kan., from Tennessee in 1869, when a young man. When he and other men began the construction of the Frisco railroad from Vinita, Indian Territory, to the Arkansas river, he was living in Oswego. Later he moved his family to St. Louis and then to Springfield, Mo.
Eight or ten years from the beginning of Tulsa he spent most of his time here. He had the misfortune to be come afflicted with creeping paralysis and was an invalid for several years. On account of his illness the firm name at Tulsa was changed to J. M. Hall & Co., and at Red Fork, H. C. Hall & Co., the change being made in 1890. The family moved to Springfield, Mo., some years before his death there in 1895. He left his widow, a daughter, Mrs. C. L. Huonker, of Tulsa and a son, R. H. Hall, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
The railroads had much to do with the development of this wild Indian country.
The United States government granted a right-of-way to the first railroad company that would construct a line running north and south through the Indian territory; the railroad arriving at the northern boundary line of the territory first to have the free right-of-way.
About the year 1869 two rival roads started their lines. One was the Missouri, Kansas and Texas R. R. Co., and the other the Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad Co.
It was a magnificent race for even then it was recognized that the prize was a rich one. The gangs of workmen were toiling away night and day to be first. The Fort Scott and Gulf line was rushed to Baxter Springs, Kan. The M. K. and T. gang pushed on, entering the territory near Chetopak, Kan., winning the race and extending its rails to Denison, Texas, about in 1872.
The story has often been told, and may be true, that when the Fort Scott and Gulf line reached Baxter Springs, executives believed they had reached the border line and won the race.
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