REYNOLDS,
Milton W.
Extracted from: A History of Oklahoma by Joseph B.
Thoburn and Isaac M. Holcomb, Doub & Company, San Francisco, 1908,
Page 183
Submitted by Jim
Milton W. Reynolds was
born in Chemung county, New York, May 23, 1833. Most of his early life
was spent in Michigan, whither his parents moved when he was but three
years old. He was educated at the University of Michigan. In 1857 he
migrated to Nebraska and located at Omaha. He farmed, edited a newspaper
and took an active part in politics, serving two terms in the Nebraska
Legislature. He frequently acted as a special correspondent of eastern
newspapers, and it was while acting in that capacity that he visited the
peace council at Fort Smith in the fall of 1865, and also that of the
Medicine Lodge in the fall of 1867. His interest in the Oklahoma country
thus dated from a comparatively remote period. In 1865 he moved from
Nebraska to Kansas, settling at Lawrence and, six years later, at
Parsons, at both of which places he was engaged in the newspaper
business. He represented Labette county in the Kansas Legislature, and
also served one term as a regent of the University of Kansas. His
interest in the Indian Territory was always active. As early as 1872, in
a magazine article entitled "The Indian State," he outlined the future
development of what is now the State of Oklahoma with a remarkably
prophetic vision. He is said to have written more on the Oklahoma
question than any other single writer, especially in his work as a staff
writer on the Kansas City Times, much of his writing appearing under the
nom-de-plume of "Kicking Bird." He came to Guthrie, April 22, 1889,
where he aided in the publication of the Daily State Herald for a few
months. In July following he established the Edmond Sun, and, a few
weeks later, he selected a homestead near Edmond. He took an active part
in the affairs of the new Territory. August 5, 1890, he was elected as
member-at-large to the Territorial House of Representatives. His death
occurred four days later.
