“People” sometimes ask me to write more about Allen’s olden history. There were no Allen newspapers in 1834 but according to a Historical Marker about 3.6 miles west of Allen on State HWY 1 there was something going on here. A large group of Osage Indians were camped out in those flats.

These Indians came down here every year killing buffalo and dressing them out. They took what they needed for meat and clothing. It was an intense time of hard work for this large group (hundreds) and then they went back home. It is thought this annual hunt was a happy enjoyable campout for these 600 Osages as well as an essential part of their food gathering. And the historical marker still stands.

We probably would not know this much since the Osage were not much for writing diaries and letters home and the such but there was another group here this hot summer of 1834. An expeditionary group of elite soldiers containing some historical notables such as Army officers Henry Leavenworth, Jefferson Davis, George Cook and of course, famous artist George Catlin. These officers were among those surveying the territory to help identify where future roads and railroads would be built and in general inform then President Andrew Jackson of area resources, if any. In about this same time the historical “Edwards Store” across the South Canadian came into existence. Also, the first known settlement of Whites on the area (south side of river) that would become the town of Allen. But that was a little later.

President Andrew Jackson wanted the expedition to be protected and wanted it to impress the Indians living in Oklahoma. It was a good thought with mixed results. He outfitted a squad of 400 Dragoons just for this job. The Dragoons wore uniformed in dressy wool outfits. Each company of about 100 men rode matched and beautiful horses, and everything was beautifully done. Very impressive. But not to the Osage guy who headed up the food expedition—a 7-foot tall one-eyed Osage. In the summer heat the chief and his tribesmen stripped off and worked naked. The local Indians did not approve but Black Dog never showed that he cared one whit.

Some efforts to contact the Osages was poorly received. They were terribly busy and after Black Dog looked at the 400 overdressed Dragoons, he considered them foolish. Too hot. And they were. The officer in charge branded the Osages shiftless and said they reminded him of shiftless gypsies. Besides, they went naked.

The Dragoons camped in this area and after they noted they had not impressed anyone here set out on the rest of their 200-mile trip across the hot Oklahoma plains. Black Dog did comment that he did not think they would be successful. “Clothes too hot.” But set out they did. And the trip was a partial success. Much surveying was done, treaties were made, and the many surveyors did their jobs well. George Catlin made hundreds of valuable sketches and drawings. But the soldiers soon fell sick.

These poor devils who were to protect and impress were a big failure. Bureaucratic snafu. Black Dog was right. Plans had been made for the Dragoons and their fancy and matched horses to impress but very few plans were made to feed and care for these 400 soldiers. And the heat. 1834 is said to have been the hottest. No one had a thermometer, so we do not know how hot it was. But it was so hot 150 of the 400 soldiers died on the march. Their fancy horses did not do so well either. The officers in charge had pretty much ignored logistics needed for this large group.

When the expedition came back to Fort Gibson, bystanders wept at the sight of the once splendid Dragoons, now ragged and sick. It was a shocking sight.

In another shocking sight, let me notice that our local churches are now open in a less shocking way—again. And I want to invite everyone to attend their church next Sunday. No wool clothing, please.

I do enjoy hearing from my readers.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com