Ewing Halsell

Ewing Halsell was born February 17, 1977 in Jackboro, Texas, and died in San Antonio, Texas on December 17, 1965, at the age of 88. He was the only son of William Electious and Mary Alice Crutchfield Halsell. He was admitted to the Cherokee Nation as a blood Cherokee in 1902, and is numbered on both the Dawes and Guion Miller Rolls. Ewing was an important figure in the development and growth of Lamb County. After purchasing his parent's ranch in Vinita, Indian Territory, he married Lucille Fortner on June 25, 1899. Ewing and his father bought Spring Lake division about 1901, and established the Mashed O Ranch in 1902. (Lamb County) The family later was instrumental in founding the towns of Earth (originally named Fairlawn) and Amherst in the county. Ewing also purchased the 100,000 acre Farias Ranch, in San Antonio about 1944.

Biography of Ewing Halsell, his family, his ranches, and his life.

http://www.okgenweb.org/~okcraig/history/people/halsell/ewing_halsell.htm

An inventory of Ewing Halsell's Papers

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/ttusw/00021/tsw-00021.html

Encyclopedia of Ok History & Culture article about William and Ewing Halsell

http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/H/HA014.html

First Irrigation Well in Lamb County

Dug by hand in 1902 for crops, cattle and household use of Ewing Halsell


Application for Enrollment of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes

September 29, 1900

In the matter of Ewing Halsell for the enrollment of himself and wife as citizens of the Cherokee Nation; said Halsell being sworn by Commissioner T.B. Needles, testified as follows:

1. What is your name? Ewing Halsell

2. What is your age? 24

3. Your P.O. address? Vinita

4. What district do you live in? Cooweescoowee

5 Are you a registered citizen of the Cherokee Nation? Yes, sir.

6. What degree of blood do you claim? one-eighth

7/ What is your father's name? W.E. Halsell

8. Is he living? yes, sir.

9. Your mother's name? Mary Alice

10. Is she living? No, sir, dead

11. For whom do you apply? Myself and wife

12. What is your wife's name? Lucille Fortner

13. What is the name of her father? Benjamin Fortner

14. Is he living? Yes, sir

15. The name of her mother? (does not know)

16. What is the age of your wife? 21

17. When did you marry? Last year

18. 1899? Yes sir, I am not on the 1880 roll, I never come here until 1881.

19. Have you been admitted? My father and mother were, I was four years old at the time.

1896 enrollment; page 178, #2292, Ewing Halsell, Cooweescoowee

1880 enrollment; page 105, #1152, Lucille Fortner, Cooweescoowee

1896 enrollment; page 162, #1833 Lucille Fortner, Cooweescoowee

My father and mother were admitted in November 1881

20. Were you born in the Cherokee Nation? No, sir, I was born in Texas and brought here when I was four years old.

Com'r Needles:--The name of Ewing Halsell is found upon the census roll of 1896. He avers that he was married to Lucille Fortner, a citizen by blood in the year 1899, and the name of Lucille Fortner is found upon the authenticated roll of 1896 as Lucille Fortner. He avers that his father, William W. Halsell was admitted to Cherok=eke citizenship on November 18, 1881, and testimony is presented by his father as to his own enrollment. The said Ewing Halsell was born in the State of Texas in the year 1877, before an admission of his father and mother, which was, as has been stated, possibly 1881. His wife being duly identified according to the page and number of the rolls as indicated in the testimony, the said Lucille Halsell, his wife, will be duly listed for enrollment by this Commission as a Cherokee citizen by blood. Final judgement as to the enrollment of the application, Ewing Halsell will be suspended and his name will be placed on a doubtful card.

J.O. Rosson, being first duly sworn, states that as stenographer to the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes, he correctly recorded the testimony and proceedings in this caase, and that the foregoing is a true and complete transcript of his stenographic notes thereof.

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29th day of September, 1900.

Application for Enrollment of the Commission to the Five Civilized Tribes

Supplemental:

February 26, 1902

Supplemental: Muskogee, Indian Territory, Feb. 26, 1902

Supplemental in the matter of the enrollment of Ewing Halsell as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation:

The applicant was notified by registered letter Feb 11, 1902 that his case would be taken up by the Commission for final consideration on the 27th day of Feb, 1902. Receipt has been acknowledged of Commission's letter, and applicant this day appears by his father, William E. Halsell, and by agreement of the representative of the Cherokee Nation present this case is taken up for consideration.

Mr. W.W. Hastings, Cherokee representative, present.

Commission: It appears upon an examination of the original papers filed in the application of the applicant's father, William E. Halsell, #3331, that the applicant;s mother, Mary A. Halsell, was admitted to citizenship on the 7th day of November, 1880, by an act of the Cherokee National Council.

Commission of Mr. Halsell: Do you, in behalf of your son, submit the case to the Commission for final consideration? Mr. Halsell: Yes, sir

Commission: The applicant, by his father, William E. Halsell, and the representative of the Cherokee Nation present submit this case to the Commission. The same is ordered closed and reported to the Commission for final deceision based upon the records now on file.

Department of the Interior, Commission to the 5 Civilized Tribes, Muskogee, I.T.

June 10, 1902

In the matter of the application of Ewing Halsell for the enrollment of himself and wife as citizens of the Cherokee Nation. Supplemental

Appearances: Applicant appears in person W.W. Hastings in behalf of Cherokee Nation

Commission: The applicant was notified by registered letter May 26, 1902 to appear before the Commission at its offices in Muskogee, I.T. and admit further evidence relative to his residence in the Cherokee Nation.

Ewing Halsell, being first duly sworn, testified as follows:

Commission: What is your name? Ewing Halsell

How old are you, Mr. Halsell? 25 years old

What is your post office address? Vinita, I.T.

Where were you born? Born in Texas, Clay County, I don't remember this for certain.

When did you come to the Cherokee Nation for the first time? In 1881

How long did you continue to reside here after that time, Ever since 1881

Have you ever made your home outside of the Territory since? No, sir.

For how long a period, if any, have you been gone since that time? I suppose about five months, while I was at school, about the longest time.

Where were you residing on the 28th day of June, 1898? I believe I was married that day.

Have you been making your home here prior to that time? Yes, sir.

Is your wife a citizen by blood or a citizen by intermarriage? She's a citizen by blood.

How long did she reside in the Cherokee Nation? I think since "94, "84, I guess it was.

How long did you know her prior to your marriage? Since she come to the Territory, I guess, "84 when I learned to know her.

Has she been residing here continuously since that time? Yes, sir, she has.

Date- June 18, 1902


Supplemental:

Dept. of the Interior

Commission to the five civilized tribes

Cherokee Land Office

Tahlequah, I.T. December 5, 1903

In the matter of the application of Lucile Halsell for enrollment as a citizen by blood of the Cherokee Nation.

Supplemental testimony

Robert A. Chamberlain, being duly sworn, and examined by the Commission, testified as follows:

What is your name? Robert A. Chamberlain

How old are you> 38 years old.

What is your post office address? Vinita

Are you a citizen by blood of the Cherokee Nation? Yes, sir, one of the secretaries in the executive office.

Do you know Lucile Halsell, who would be about 24 at this time, daughter of Doctor Fortner? Yes

How long have you known her? I suppose 20 years anyway.

Has she lived in the Cherokee Nation ever since you've known her? Yes sir

She is married to Ewing Halsell, now is she? Yes sir

She has lived with her husband on a ranch in New Mexico in recent years, hasn't she? No, I don't think they have; I think they have lived in Tulsa a while and they have a residence in Vinita.

She has been living with her husband ever since she was married, has she? Yes, sir

Dated: January 7, 1904


Letter confirming acceptance

Ewing Halsell, Vinita, Indian Territory

Dear Sir,

There is herewith enclosed a copy of the decision of the Commission to the five civilized tribes, dated September 20, 1902, granting your application for the enrollment of yourself as a citizen, by blood, of the Cherokee Nation.

Respectfully,

R. Breckinridge

Acting Chairman

1880 Clay County Texas

#60

Wm. E. Halsell 28 Stock Raising TX KY AL

Mary A. 25 wife Keeps House TX GA NC

Willie E. 3 son TX TX TX

Forest 13 Nephew TX KY AR


1900 Indian Territory- Cherokee Nation--Vinita

#138

Wm. E. Halsell 6/1857 48 KY KY GA Cattle Dealing

Josie wife 11/1875 24 0/0 TX TX TX

Ewing son 2/1877 23 married 1 yr Indian TX KY TX

Eva dau 2/1886 14 Indian IT KY TX

Clarence son 11/1889 10 Indian IT KY TX

Mary dau 3/1891 9 Indian IT KY TX


1910 Craig County Oklahoma- Vinita

#301-315

Ewing Halsell 33 m1 11yr TX TX TX Agent-Real Estate

Lucille wife 31 m1 11yr AR TX AR


1920 Craig County Oklahoma- Vinita

#257

Ewing Halsell Indian 44 TX TN TX Stockman/Cattle

Lucille wife 40 Indian AR TX AR


1930 Craig County Oklahoma- Vinita

#239

Ewing Halsell Indian 53 married at 22 yrs TX Mixed Cherokee Mixed Cherokee 2/32

Lucille wife Indian 51 married at 20 yrs AR Cherokee TX, Cherokee AR