The Fergusons were very proud of the progress toward statehood during T.B.’s 1901-1906 administration. On Nov. 16, 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state of the Union. On Friday, Nov. 15, the Friends of the Ferguson will hold their second Ferguson Good Government Symposium for seniors in high school in conjunction with a celebration of Oklahoma’s statehood.
Regarding the initiative to become a state, Mrs. Ferguson in her book “They carried the Torch…”, writes about the St. Louis World’s Fair. “I think one of the most important events that happened during the administration of Governor Ferguson was that of the World’s Fair, in 1904, at St. Louis. It was far reaching in its effect as an advertising medium for the territory, as the east at that time believed this part of the country to be little less than a desert inhabited by Indians, cowboys and other untamed folks. While we could not bring the east to Oklahoma to convince them of their err, we could take Oklahoma as far east as St. Louis to display what kind of progress had been made in less than fifteen years (as a territory) and which demanded statehood.
I doubt sixty thousand dollars were ever spent as judiciously for a purpose. So well was it administered, there remained at the close of the exposition a surplus of two thousand dollars which was turned back to the territorial treasury.
“The National Editorial Association held its convention at the exposition grounds that summer, as did almost every organization in the land. Newspaper men from every state in the Union, as well as a number from foreign countries attended the Editorial Convention. A special train brought the Oklahoma editors and their wives to the exposition, and they were all prepared to act as boosters for the new territory. With data at their fingertips, they told it upon every occasion. A big reception was arranged for these visitors at the Oklahoma State Building, with our own editors ready and eager to set the nation right upon conditions in the new territory, the wonderful progress made in a few years and the kind of citizens who lived there.
The Oklahoma military band led by the picturesque Tom Mix furnished music throughout the evening. Mix always attracted attention whether leading a band in gorgeous uniform or playing a part on the screen. Governor Ferguson, myself, and prominent editors of the state acted as hosts. The governor’s staff, in gold braided uniforms, formed a most decorative background. Many came out fully expecting Oklahoma folks wearing blankets and feathered war bonnets, or at least ten-gallon hats and high boots. What they found were well groomed men in correct evening attire, and beautifully gowned women all intent upon showing true western hospitality. As a publicity stunt it was a great success and soon from Maine to California, editors were printing favorable editorials about Oklahoma, its valuable resources and its people.”