Opinion

The first fort built on the Washita River was one at the mouth of the Washita by General Leavenworth in 1834. But this had been such a disastrous place for the soldiers, (malaria), that it was not occupied very long. The Chickasaws were begging for protection, from the wild plains tribes, (Comanche and Kiowa) and in answer to their cry, General Taylor departed from Fort Gibson in September 1841, to locate a camp among them. This camp was finally located April 3, 1843, about twenty-two miles above the mouth of the Washita. It was occupied immediately by two companies of Dragoons. Major Fontleroy was placed in command. This post was called Ft. Washita.

The popular Ranchers Thursday Lunchtime series of free cattle industry webinars is extending into August and September with a spotlight on alfalfa, Oklahoma State University Extension officials said.

The U.S. Census will be wrapping up their work soon, and it’s important that all Oklahomans participate and are counted. This population count occurs every ten years to decide how hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds will be dispersed in the next decade.