met and agreed to petition for statehood — Oklahoma State Quarter Coin

Today, the Oklahoma State Quarter Coin remembers the convention held at Purcell in the Indian Territory on September 30, 1893.

The delegates agreed to petition Congress to allow them to pursue the process for joining the Union as a state.

From the Dodge City, Kansas Globe Republican newspaper of October 6, 1893:

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Oklahoma Statehood.

Delegates Assemble at Purcell, I. T., in Considerable Force.

Purcell, I. T., Oct 3. The first statehood convention ever held in the Indian territory met here Saturday [September 30] with 300 delegates present and was called to order by Hon. Sydney Clark.

W. A. Ledbetter. of Ardmore, was elected temporary chairman.

James E. Humphrey was elected permanent chairman, W. A. Ledbetter, vice president; Henry Bixler, secretary; Lewis Hornbeck, assistant secretary.

The committee on resolutions reported as follows and the same was unanimously adopted:

Resolved, first, That we favor the passage by congress of an enabling act empowering a constitutional convention to be called creating a state from the present territory of Oklahoma and the Indian territory as provided in the Carey bill.

Second Resolved, That as a state, created by the enabling act herein prayed for, would have within its boundaries over 600,000 inhabitants, that it is entitled to three representatives in congress from the separate congressional districts to be established by the constitutional convention of said territory, in accordance with the provisions of the statutes of the United States.

Third Whereas, That portion of Oklahoma known as the Wichita Kiowa Commanche and other reservations have been treated for and are waiting settlement by the citizens of the United States for two years or more and,

Whereas, A bill is now before congress, offered by Hon. D. T. Flynn. ratifying the treaties for the purpose of giving these lands to civilization: therefore, be it

Resolved, That we ask congress to at once pass the bills for the purpose of living these lands to civilization: therefore, be it

Resolved, That we ask congress to at once to pass the bill ratifying said treaties opening said lands to citizens of the United States as soon as possible.

Fourth Whereas, The present system of land holding in the Indian territory is unwise, unequal and unjust to the citizens of the Indian territory: therefore, be it

Resolved, That the convention favors a change of the land tenure in the Indian Territory and favor a just and equal division of the domain of the entire Indian territory among the citizens of each nation respectively.

Resolved, That each of the civilized tribes select one delegate to meet with the executive committee at Oklahoma City, October 10, for the consideration of matters pertaining to statehood.

Resolved, That the secretary be ordered to have the memorial printed, and copies be sent to the president of the United States, five to the secretary of the interior and one to each member.

Resolved, That this convention earnestly petition President Cleveland and his cabinet to use their influence in behalf of the cause for the promotion of which we are here assembled — statehood at the earliest possible date for Oklahoma and Indian territory as one state.

A long memorial, showing why the Indian territory should become part of the new state, was adopted and ordered to be transmitted to the president and congress.

The utmost harmony prevailed, and after perfecting arrangements to meet at Oklahoma City, October 10, to discuss matters pertaining to statehood, the convention adjourned.

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The Oklahoma State Quarter Coin shows with a map of the Indian Territory and Oklahoma, circa 1890.

Oklahoma State Quarter Coin