By J. M. Hall

© Karolyn Kay Garland 1997

Page # 31

school house and other buildings, fences, etc., known as the Presbyterian school house property.

"Together with the appurtenances, and all the estate and rights of the party of the first part in and to said premises. To have and to hold the above granted premises unto the said parties of the second part, their heirs and assigns for ever. And the said party of the first part does covenant that it has not done anything whereby the said premises have been incumbered in any way whatsoever.

'In 'Witness Whereof, the said party of the first part has hereunto set its hand and seal the day and year first above written, (Signed) The Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America by

(Seal) HARVEY C. OLIN,
"Treasurer.
"In the presence of Benedicta McCann, Vivian Banks.
"Revenue stamps attached and cancelled as follows:
"$1 Documentary; 50 cents Documentary.
"H, C. 0., 5-1 1-99; H. C. 0., 5-11-99." "State of New York, City and County of New York, ss.

"On the 11th day of May, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Ninety-nine, before me, Benedicta McCann, a notary public of the State of New York, duly commissioned and sworn, residing in said state, personally came Harvey C. Olin, to me personally known and who being duly sworn, did depose and say that he resided in the Town of East Orange, State of New Jersey, that he was the treasurer of the board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian church, in the United Stares of America, the corporation described in and who executed the within instrument by him as treasurer thereof, that he knew the corporate seal of said corporation, that the seal affixed to said instrument was such corporate seal, that the same was affixed thereto by authority of the said board and that he subscribed his name thereto as treasurer thereof by like authority,

"In Witness 'Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my official seal the day and year last above written, "(Signed) BENEDICTA McCANN "(No. 4, Notary Public, New York County.)

"Ten cent documentary stamp attached and cancelled by B. McC. 5-1 1-99."

And with it came this letter:

"New York, May 11, 1899.
"Mr. J. M. Hall,
"Tulsa, I. T.

"My Dear Sir:

"Complying with your letter of the first inst., I beg to return herewith, duly executed a deed from this board to yourself, R. N. Bynum, J. Forsythe and Joe Price, covering property purchased for school purposes. I trust you will find the same in order and that the matter will thus have been brought to a satisfactory conclusion.

"Very cordially yours,
"(Signed) H. C. OLIN,
"(Enclosure) Treasurer."

PUBLIC SCHOOL

Under the law of that day the city authorities had a right so levy a tax on personal property for governmental and school expense. None of the whites had title to the real estate. When that situation was cleared, however, the school property was kept intact and now the school board derives substantial revenue from the block of ground that has its four corners at Fourth street and Boston avenue, Fourth and Cincinnati avenue, Fifth street and Cincinnati and Fifth and Boston: Long time leases have been given the owners of the big buildings there. Tulsa should not forget the wise action of these four of its early citizens.

The writer was president of the first school board. J. D. Hagler, J. M. Morrow, P. L. Price, T. E. Smiley and B. F. Colley were the other members. These men employed the teachers and watched the operation of the school. The building had been enlarged and made two stories high.

There were troubles after this, though. Under Mayor Blakeley's administration the city council set aside $1,750 for the maintenance of the school for that year. The board members notified the mayor and councilmen that they would not open a door to the building unless $2,500 were appropriated. The board's request was granted and Tulsa kept going ahead under the influence of good schools.