Cattle Brands on the Cherokee Strip

I came across this book with brands of cattle in the Cherokee Strip area and thought how useful it might be if you're setting a story in that area. Brand book containing the brands of the Cherokee Strip published in 1882.

If you scroll down to the index it has the brands with the name of the ranch to the right of it as well as the page where you can find additional information about the ranch and where they placed their brands. These brands were not just for cattle but horses as well.

Cherokee Strip

Is an area in Kansas that was disputed between the Indians and the United States. It was the Southern boarder of the state. Cherokee Outlet was the Northern part of Oklahoma also involved in the dispute.

This land was in dispute since 1825 - 1866, at which time the Treaty of 1866 selling the land for not less than $1.25 an acre. In 1871 the land was surveyed and found to be off by 2.46 miles.

Here's a link to a web page with a Map of the area: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ok/state/outlet/strip.html There are also some great books out there regarding the history of this area.

Trail of Tears

One of the worse times in our American history, imho, was the Trail of Tears, the forcible relocation of many Native Americans. Five tribes the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Muscogee-Creek, and Seminole all living in the deep south were relocated to the Indian Territory, what is now known and most of Oklahoma and some of Kansas.

The trail was not a one time event, each tribe was relocated at different intervals. The act was called "The Indian Removal Act of 1830" Wikipedia has a good article referring to the act voted on and signed by President Andrew Jackson.

Choctaw from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana were marched out in 1831
1832 was the removal of the Seminole tribe from Florida.
The Creek were removed in 1834 also from Alabama & Georgia
The Chickasaw in 1837 Mississippi River area.
Cherokee in 1838 from North Carolina, Georgia because gold had been found on their lands.

The trail took the lives of many as exposure, disease and starvation hit them as they were en route. 46,000 were taken before the Cherokee, I couldn't find figures on how many Cherokee were taken but at least 4,000 died on the trail. I've found figures from 17,000 to 24,000

Oklahoma Land Rush

Apr. 22nd 1889 at high noon was the start of the Oklahoma land run. Land that had been given to the Native Americans was now being reallocated for the white man. It was a race to pick out your spot. 160 acres were given for farm land and I'm not sure what the size of town lots were. People hid in the woods and arrived long before those who were fairly entering the competition. People would grab your land if you left it to go to the river and gather some water. In reality it wasn't a simple solution and after a few weeks more people were leaving the area than were arriving. In the end the area was built up and cities and towns were formed.

Online I've found a source that gives an interesting aspect to this land run. Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 check it out if you'd like to know more about the event.