Mystery Remains - But May Be Closing

This image is identified as being taken in Okemah, Oklahoma.  Hudson Family Photographic Collection, Hudson Files.    (M.Hudson, 2008)

HUDSON: Early Oklahoma History

Teams were used to haul large and small loads. Here Jess Hudson's team is hitched up to move one of the massive boilers used in the oil field and supportive work. Standing by the boiler is Jess's stepson, "Red" Conner, and on the back of one of the horses is Marvin Hudson, Jess's son. Jess, it is believed, is the man standing closest to the boy on the horses. The photography from this time period is marred by its tendency to fade and yellow - just as this image has. The historical and genealogical value of the images makes them too important to not preserve. Often, the men who made the oil fields 'work' and brought wealth to others had a harder 'row to hoe.' These 'forgotten Americans' are what history and genealogy are all about.

Hudson: Early Oklahoma Oil History

Jess Hudson, seen in the flat brimmed hat, using his teams to raise the mast on cable tool drilling rig during the 1920's [text from back of picture].

In the background, you can note another rig has already gone up. Once again, the other two men are unidentified.

Hudson:

Jess Hudson (shown in the flat brimmed hat by the pole) was a teamster and came to Oklahoma as the mining, forestry, and oil businesses were beginning to grow. He worked in forestry for a while but the wages in the oil industry were higher. Here he is shown with his team and crew with a portable pulling mast,used to erect cable tool rigs. Location and other men are unknown.

HUDSON: Early Oklahoma History

Ca. 1920, probably around Okmulgee or Bristow, note the landscape. Oil was booming and work was plentiful and highly paid by comparison. The Hudson's left Poplar Bluff, Mo in 1917 in a wagon drawn by his team of hauling/work horses. They lived in a tent for a year or so and finally worked their way up to a basic wood house. Note the chickens in the yard and the brand new guns (play or real?). Mom is seen to the right. The boys are "Red" Conner (Effie Hudson's son from her first marriage) and son Marvin Hudson, older brother of Curtis Hudson.

Mortimore Pots

[Photo by M. Hudson, 1993] The Mortimores in NC produced (either for their own use or for trade) pots and jugs used for storage. These pots shown were made by the original NC Mortimores and came down the line of Plymouth Mortimore through his daughter Pasty Alice Mortimore Sherod. These were in the possession of the descendents located in Kingfisher, Oklahoma in 1993.