Letter Major Byron Kirkpatrick to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney; Page 1 |
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Tulsa, Okla. July 1, 1921.
From: Byron Kirkpatrick, Major, A. G. Dept. Okla. Nat'l. Gd.
To: Lt. Col. L. J. F. Rooney, 3d. Inf. Okla. Nat'l. Gd.
Subject: Activities on night of May 31, 1921, at Tulsa, Okla.
1. On the night of May 31, 1921. at the hour of approximately ten o'clock, P M I was sitting on my porch, which faces south, at 514 South Elgin Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with members of my family. At said time a young man named Brewer, who rooms at my house drove up in his car and reported that a large number of armed negroes, approximately 150 had congregated at the corner of 5th. and Elgin. Within a few moments, possible five, my attention was attracted to a number of trucks and automobiles, heavily laden with armed men, driving at a high rate of speed, in an easterly direction on Sixth street. At the same time a number of shots were fired from the mob at 5th & Elgin. These shots, so far as I can learn, were fired into the air, and no causaulties occurred therefrom. I at once went to the telephone and called Col. Rooney, and explained the situation to him, so far as I was advised at that time. At the direction of Col. Rooney, I placed a long distance call for the Adjutant General at Oklahoma City. At about the hour of ten o'clock, and ten minutes, an automobile containing Col. Rooney, Capt. Vann, and other drove up in front of my house, and not having completed my long distance call, I asked Col. Rooney, to have the care return for me at once. At 10:14, I reached the Adjutant General on the long distance wrie, and explained briefly the situation to him. Advising that in my judgement great disorder was to be apprehended, and was instructed by him to report to the Armory and assist in mobilizing the troops and render such assistance to the civil authorities as might be required, when legally called upon.
2. At approximately 10:20, the car returned and I was driven to the Armory. I found several members of the guard, possible 25 or 30 already assembled, and extrenous efforts being made to get in touch with other members in the city. At this time the service truck of the Service Company was being loaded to go to the City Jail, it having been reported by the Chief of Police that a large mob had surrounded the jail. The truck was loaded with a squad of men, the exact number of which I do not recall. Probably ten, or fifteen. The truck was driven to the Police Station, and Col. Rooney reported personally to Chief Gustafason, who verbally instructed him to hold his men about the station, and assist in removing the crowd from the street. I accompanied this party to the police station.
3. Under your direction, sentinels were established at 2nd. and Main, and at Boulder & 2nd. for the purpose of holding back crowds, and preventing traffice from using the street. Also at your direction I assumed charge of a body of armed volunteers, whom I understand were Legion men, and marched them around into Main Street. There the outfit was divided into two groups, placed under the charge of officers of their number who had all had military experience, and ordered to patrol the business section and court-house, and to report back to the Police Station at intervals of fifteen minutes.
Object Description
Title | Letter Major Byron Kirkpatrick to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney, 1921 July 1 |
Sender | Major Byron Kirkpatrick, A.G. Dept. Oklahoma National Guard |
Description | Letter to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney, 3rd Infantry Oklahoma National Guard, 1921 July 1, from Major Byron Kirkpatrick, A.G. Dept. Oklahoma National Guard, regarding activities on night of May 31, 1921 at Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
Physical Description | typed manuscript; 3 pages |
Subject |
Afro-Americans--Oklahoma--Tulsa-History Riots--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Tulsa (Okla.)--Race relations Violence--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century African American neighborhoods--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Racism--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Riots--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century--Sources |
Coverage | 1919; 1920; 1921; 1922; 1923 |
Citation | Letter to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney, 3rd Infantry Oklahoma National Guard, 1921 July 1, from Major Byron Kirkpatrick, A.G. Dept. Oklahoma National Guard, Folder 16, Box 3, Record Group 8-D-1-3, Administration of James B. A. Robertson, 1919-1923, Oklahoma Governors' Papers, Oklahoma State Archives Division, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Oklahoma City, OK |
Rights and Permissions | Oklahoma State Archives Division, Oklahoma Department of Libraries. For further information regarding the rights to this collection, please visit www.crossroads.odl.state.ok.us/cdm4/rights.php |
Electronic Publication Date | 2005-02-28 |
Metadata/Digital Resource Archivist | Tally Fugate |
Description
Title | Letter Major Byron Kirkpatrick to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney; Page 1 |
Transcript |
Tulsa, Okla. July 1, 1921. From: Byron Kirkpatrick, Major, A. G. Dept. Okla. Nat'l. Gd. To: Lt. Col. L. J. F. Rooney, 3d. Inf. Okla. Nat'l. Gd. Subject: Activities on night of May 31, 1921, at Tulsa, Okla. 1. On the night of May 31, 1921. at the hour of approximately ten o'clock, P M I was sitting on my porch, which faces south, at 514 South Elgin Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with members of my family. At said time a young man named Brewer, who rooms at my house drove up in his car and reported that a large number of armed negroes, approximately 150 had congregated at the corner of 5th. and Elgin. Within a few moments, possible five, my attention was attracted to a number of trucks and automobiles, heavily laden with armed men, driving at a high rate of speed, in an easterly direction on Sixth street. At the same time a number of shots were fired from the mob at 5th & Elgin. These shots, so far as I can learn, were fired into the air, and no causaulties occurred therefrom. I at once went to the telephone and called Col. Rooney, and explained the situation to him, so far as I was advised at that time. At the direction of Col. Rooney, I placed a long distance call for the Adjutant General at Oklahoma City. At about the hour of ten o'clock, and ten minutes, an automobile containing Col. Rooney, Capt. Vann, and other drove up in front of my house, and not having completed my long distance call, I asked Col. Rooney, to have the care return for me at once. At 10:14, I reached the Adjutant General on the long distance wrie, and explained briefly the situation to him. Advising that in my judgement great disorder was to be apprehended, and was instructed by him to report to the Armory and assist in mobilizing the troops and render such assistance to the civil authorities as might be required, when legally called upon. 2. At approximately 10:20, the car returned and I was driven to the Armory. I found several members of the guard, possible 25 or 30 already assembled, and extrenous efforts being made to get in touch with other members in the city. At this time the service truck of the Service Company was being loaded to go to the City Jail, it having been reported by the Chief of Police that a large mob had surrounded the jail. The truck was loaded with a squad of men, the exact number of which I do not recall. Probably ten, or fifteen. The truck was driven to the Police Station, and Col. Rooney reported personally to Chief Gustafason, who verbally instructed him to hold his men about the station, and assist in removing the crowd from the street. I accompanied this party to the police station. 3. Under your direction, sentinels were established at 2nd. and Main, and at Boulder & 2nd. for the purpose of holding back crowds, and preventing traffice from using the street. Also at your direction I assumed charge of a body of armed volunteers, whom I understand were Legion men, and marched them around into Main Street. There the outfit was divided into two groups, placed under the charge of officers of their number who had all had military experience, and ordered to patrol the business section and court-house, and to report back to the Police Station at intervals of fifteen minutes. |
Subject |
Afro-Americans--Oklahoma--Tulsa-History Riots--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Tulsa (Okla.)--Race relations Violence--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century African American neighborhoods--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Racism--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century Riots--Oklahoma--Tulsa--History--20th century--Sources |
Rights and Permissions | Oklahoma State Archives Division, Oklahoma Department of Libraries. For further information regarding the rights to this collection, please visit www.crossroads.odl.state.ok.us/cdm4/rights.php |
Identifier | 001_Letter Major Byron Kirkpatrick to Lieut. Col. L. J. F. Rooney; Page 1 |
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