Finding Aid: George W. Benge
Institution: Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive
Language of Material: English
Description: 65 items
Period covered: 1885 - 1919
Collection summary derived from "Guidebook to Manuscripts", 1969: These papers concern the circuit court of which G.W. Benge was judge at the time. There are letters and "House Bills" regarding the sale of land in the Cherokee Outlet - especially some dealing with E.D. Chadwick and R.T. Wilson. One document, an amendment to House Bill No. 10,002, relates to the "Old Settlers or Western Cherokees Fund." There is one petition asking that the town of Catoosa be incorporated. Most of the items consist of correspondence to and from G.W. Benge (1853 - 1919) a Cherokee of some prominence in the tribe. He was a delegate to the Sequoya Constitutional Convention (1905) and Judge of the Circuit Court at Tahlequah, Indian Territory. Interesting item: In Folder 24, one De Gar du Nah Judge signs an affidavit to the effect that while under the influence of whiskey and because he had been given a pair of shoes, he voted for Joel B. Mayes running on the Downing Ticket. He says that otherwise he would have voted for G. W. Benge who was running on the National Ticket.
Written in the Cherokee Language.
Background: Staff, interns, and volunteers of the Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive have contributed to the organization and maintenance of the files since the collection passed to the City of Tulsa in the 1950s. The Gilcrease Foundation acquired these materials before 1964 and is housed in the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). The library currently receives most materials through community donation, board members, artists and the acquisition of manuscript collections.
Restrictions: Please, contact the Rights and Reproduction Department for information on publishing or reproducing materials included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Gilcrease Museum as the owner of the physical materials, and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the copyright holder.
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Availability: This collection is open for use by appointment only at the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). Contact the Library at 918-631-6441 or renee-harvey@utulsa.edu in advance to inquire if materials exist pertaining to your research interests.
| Arrangement | Title | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| George W. Benge, Folder 1 | Letter from D. W. Bushyhead to R. L. Owen, Indian Agent, Muskogee, I.T. |
Letter from D. W. Bushyhead to R. L. Owen, Indian Agent, Muscogee, and I.T. concerning some accusations of altering returns in the election of Chief and councilors. |
January 5, 1888 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 2 | Quarterly report of permits issues by Clerk of Tahlequah |
Quarterly report of permits issues by Clerk of Tahlequah |
June 30, 1886 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 3 | List of names and finances written in Cherokee syllabary |
List of names and finances written in Cherokee syllabary |
1888 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 4 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1888 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 5 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1889 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 6 | Letter from H. H. Trott, Mayor of Downingville, Cherokee Nation, to G. W. Benge |
Letter from H. H. Trott, Mayor of Downingville, Cherokee Nation, to G. W. Benge requesting Benge to reinstate a case verdict that was not popular with the residents of the town. |
June 17, 1889 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 7 | Letter from H. H. Trott to Honorable Judge Benge |
Letter from H. H. Trott to Hon. Judge Benge concerning refilling the jury box. |
November 24, 1889 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 8 | Listing of names in Cherokee and English |
Listing of names in Cherokee and English |
1889 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 9 | Letter to Benge written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter to Benge written in the Cherokee syllabary |
June 19, 1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 10 | Letter from Percy Wyly, Sheriff, Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation, to Benge |
Letter from Percy Wyly, Sheriff, Delaware District of the Cherokee Nation, to Benge, concerning two Cherokees under arrest and wanting the case to be held early. |
August 15, 1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 11 | Letter from D. M. Lipe to Benge |
Letter from D. M. Lipe to Benge concerning the Oo-Wa-La Indian Territory being leased by noncitizens and causing duress among the full bloods. The letter also mentions the coming election for Chief. |
November 19, 1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 12 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 13 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 14 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 15 | Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter written in the Cherokee syllabary |
1890 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 16 | Letter from D. M. Lipe to Benge |
Letter from D. M. Lipe to Benge discussing the coming election for chief and a cattle law which is on the books that will have adverse effects locally with the influx of Texas cattle. |
January 7, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 17 | Letter from "Catoosa" to Benge |
Letter from "Catoosa" to Benge referring to the coming election and the reaction in Claremore. The last section of the letter is written in the Cherokee syllabary. |
January 10, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 19 | A legal document to the Marshal for Indian Territory |
A legal document to the Marshal for Indian Territory directing that 35 black walnut logs be retrieved from Ed Adair and James Tittle and delivered to William Winsell. |
May 12, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 20 | Summons to Ed Adair and James Tittle to appear in court on May 1, 1891 |
Folder 20 |
April 23, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 21 | Letter to Benge with election news from Coffeyville |
Letter to Benge with election news from Coffeyville |
May 28, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 22 | Tax receipt for Hart, Vann & Company, family grocery store in Fort Gibson, C.N. |
Tax receipt for Hart, Vann & Company, family grocery store in Fort Gibson, C.N. |
October 17, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 23 | Grocery License for Hart, Vann & Co. in Fort Gibson, C.N. |
Grocery License for Hart, Vann & Co. in Fort Gibson, C.N. |
October 17, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 24 | Letter from Delaware District Sheriff, Percy Wyly, to Judge Benge |
Letter from Delaware District Sheriff, Percy Wyly, to Judge Benge requesting the Grand and Civil Jury list any information on the third party progress in coming elections. |
February 2, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 25 | An Affidavit sworn before William Rasmus, U.S. Commissioner in Indian Territory |
An Affidavit sworn before William Rasmus, U.S. Commissioner in Indian Territory to the effect that for whiskey and a pair of shoes votes were purchased for Joel Mayes, as Cherokee Chief. |
October 21, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 26 | A note written in the Cherokee syllabary |
A note in the Benge papers written in the Cherokee syllabary. |
June 25, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 27 | A one page note written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Folder 27 |
June 28, 1891 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 28 | A four-page note written in Cherokee syllabary |
Folder 28 |
July 4, 1892 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 29 | A letter signed by Thomas Keener to the Honorable Judge Benge written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Letter signed by Thomas Keener in Chouteau to the Honorable Judge Benge written in the Cherokee syllabary. A handwritten note in English at the bottom implores, "Please you must write to me Son." |
September 10, 1892 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 30 | A letter on Benge and Shelton stationery written in the Cherokee syllabary |
A letter on G.W. Benge, Harvey W.C. Shelton, Attorneys-at-Law stationery written in the Cherokee syllabary. |
July 28, 1892 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 31 | A letter from D.W. Bushyhead to George Benge about a political meeting |
A Letter from D.W. Bushyhead to George W. Benge, Esq., with transcription, about getting George Butler to a meeting and supporting the Nationals in power. |
August 11, 1893 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 32 | Council Bill Number 7 Petition from the citizens of Catoosa to the Council in Tahlequah |
Council Bill no 7 Petition from the citizens of Catoosa to the Council in Tahlequah asking to be incorporated on the same terms as the town of Fort Gibson with transcript and envelope. Passed the Lower House November 16, 1893. |
November 11, 1893 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 33 | Letter from Edwin D. Chadick of the Cherokee Nation Executive Department to the Honorable C.I. Harris, Principal Chief Cherokee Nation |
Letter with transcript from Edwin D. Chadick to C.I. Harris, Principal Chief Cherokee Nation with the proposition to purchase over six million dollars in Cherokee bonds to deposit $100,000 in the National Bank of Commerce in St. Louis as good faith guarantee. |
December 13, 1893 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 34 | Resolution dealing with Chadick bond proposal |
Resolution by the National Council of the Cherokee Nation with transcript to accept Chadick proposal for buying bonds. |
December 18, 1893 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 36 | Document is written in the Cherokee syllabary |
This document is written in the Cherokee syllabary and is on the letterhead of Max Hoop, Proprietor of U. S. Witness Store. |
June 7, 1893 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 41 | Published copy of House Resolution 134 |
A published copy of House Resolution 134 approving the Cherokee Outlet loan of Edwin Chadick and R. T. Wilson and Company. This proposal was discussed in December 1893. |
March 6, 1894 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 42 | A published report by the House of Representatives opposition to House Bill 134 |
A published report by the House of Representatives opposition to House Bill 134 concerning the Cherokee Nation's loan to Edwin Chadick and R. T. Wilson and Company. |
March 10, 1894 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 43 | Letter from W. A. Duncan to the Honorable George Benge |
Letter from W. A. Duncan to the Honorable George Benge regarding Duncan's explanation of the progress on the "Strip" deal and the impending visit by a government official to ascertain the facts of the loan. |
April 6, 1894 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 52 | Typed copy of a Contract of Agreement between the Texas Cherokees, George Benge, and others |
A typed copy of a Contract of Agreement between the Texas Cherokees, George Benge, and others, and Daniel B. Henderson of Kansas City, Missouri, to act as their legal counsel. |
April 30, 1901 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 53 | Report of the Business Committee of the Texas Cherokees on which George Benge served |
A typed report of the Business Committee of the Texas Cherokees on which George Benge served. |
September 28, 1905 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 54 | Contract between the Cherokee Nation and J. M. Keys |
A typed contract between the Cherokee Nation and J. M. Keys in which Keys is given the power to serve subpoenas. |
May 31, 1906 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 55 | Letter from C. G. Matheny to George Benge and a copy of a land office document dated December 6, 1876 |
A typed letter from C. G. Matheny to George Benge which includes an enclosed copy of a land office document dated December 6, 1876 and also states Matheny's proposed fee for services in helping the Cherokees claim title to their Texas lands. |
January 1913 |
| Typed copy of a land office document dated December 6, 1876, with a typed letter |
Typed copy of a land office document dated December 6, 1876, enclosed with a typed letter from C. G. Matheny to George Benge concerning Texas Cherokee lands. |
early 20th century | |
| George W. Benge, Folder 56 | Typed letter from C. G. Matheny to George Benge |
Typed letter from C. G. Matheny to George Benge in which a visit by Matheny is announced. |
April 8, 1918 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 57 | Typed letter from C. G. Matheny to the Honorable George W. Benge, Tahlequah |
Typed letter from C. G. Matheny to the Honorable George W. Benge, Tahlequah, regarding Matheny's planned trip to Texas to discuss Texas Cherokee land claims during the Texas legislative session. |
February 3, 1919 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 58 | Letter from C. G. Matheny to Miss Benge expressing sorrow at the death of her father, George Benge |
Typed letter from C. G. Matheny to Miss Benge expressing sorrow at the death of her father, George Benge. |
February 18, 1919 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 59 | Bill for the Sale of the Indebtedness of the United States to the Cherokee Nation |
Typed Bill for the Sale of the Indebtedness of the United States to the Cherokee Nation and for Other Purposes. |
early 20th century |
| George W. Benge, Folder 60 | Essay by Miss Ossie Wiggins |
Essay by Miss Ossie Wiggins, Salutatorian, Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, Texas, concerning Texas Cherokee Claim of land rights. This essay won an award in 1913. |
June 7, 1913 |
| George W. Benge, Folder 62 | A typed Resolution of the Council of the Old Settler Cherokees |
A typed Resolution of the Council of the Old Settler Cherokees. |
mid-19th century |
| George W. Benge, Folder 63 | Document written in the Cherokee syllabary |
Document written in the Cherokee syllabary. |
1888 |