The cosy homes and promising fields of these freedmen attracted his attention as striking evidences of their thrift.

He saw new fences, additions to cabins, new barns, churches and school-houses indicating prosperity.

Given every privilege which the Indians themselves enjoyed, the Negroes could not be other than contented.[22] It was very unfortunate, however, that in 1889, when by proclamation of President Harrison the Oklahoma Territory was thrown open, the intense race prejudice of the white immigrants and the rule of the mob prevented a larger number of Negroes from settling in that promising commonwealth.
Long since extensively advertised as valuable, the land of Oklahoma had become a coveted prize for the adventurous squatters invading the territory in defiance of the law before it was declared open for settlement.

The rush came with all the excitement of pioneer days redoubled.

Stakes were set, parcels of land were claimed, cabins were constructed in an hour and towns grew up in a day.[23] Then came conflicting claims as to titles and rights of preemption culminating in fighting and bloodshed.