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:

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.