Early Mayors of Oklahoma County

MEN WHO HAVE GUIDED CITY AFFAIRS
First Election Was Unique And Resembled Lottery
Government Settled Down Quickly
By Edwin G. Skinner

Less than thirty-three years ago, Oklahoma City did not exist. The territory it now covers was then a part of the vast prairie known as "the Oklahoma country," bearing few signs of human habitation and untouched by civilization. It's growth has been nothing short of phenomenal, possibly never paralleled by any other city in the United States of the world. From a mere point on the Santa Fe railway, distinguished from other precisely similar points by a signboard, beside the railroad tracks, it has grown to a city of a population approximating 100,000, leading every other city in the state. On March 3, 1889, by a "rider" on the Indian appropriation act, Oklahoma was declared open to settlement, April 2, was named as the opening day by President Harrison. The first day of Oklahoma City's existence brought nearly 10,000 inhabitants here from every state in the union. Rushing in by train, by wagon, horseback and in every other way possible, men began settling upon land here with such rapidly that before nightfall a tented city had risen upon the prairie, and civilized beings were moving in every direction. Since Oklahoma was not at that time a state, nor even a territory, there was no legal authority for the organization of municipalities and no power to make such laws. There was no organization, no laws and no government except such as were generally applicable to federal territory. The first semblance of organization of a city was brought about when the newly arrived settlers found that building of temporary houses on the land that had held claim to was leading to a disarrangement that would result in much confusion when it came time to lay off the townsite into lots and blocks. It was then that the whole populace was called together in a mass meeting, April 22, to discuss plans for the proposed city and provide for surveying it into lots and blocks. Angelo C. Scott was elected as the temporary head of the assemblage. He also presided at a second meeting held the following Saturday night, after the preliminary survey had been completed. Lacking definite authority for the organization of a municipality , those first settlers were at a loss to know what sort of a government to institute. Soon, however, it was suggested that a provisional mayor and councilmen be elected to serve until further organization could be perfected. That first election was conducted upon the purest of democratic lines. The entire populace was called together to express his wishes, and the selection was made by acclamation. Candidates were put forward. Among them was Capt. W. L. Couch, who the other candidates were has passed from the memory of the few of the original settlers still living here. Each candidate was placed atop a large goods box, where his fellow citizens might view him. Since hardly any of the men were known to others of the gathering before the opening date for settlement, the selection was a matter of picking the man who appeared to be most capable of holding the office of mayor. In order to facilitate the counting of votes, the citizens were divided into groups in accordance with their desires. Forming into single file, each troup then marched past a central point, and the number of men composing it counted. The tabulation showed that Captain Couch had been elected. Captain Couch immediately took office. He served until October of that year. Since it was required that each settler live on the land he had claimed within six months from the date of the opening. It became necessary for Captain Couch to resign his office as provisional mayor and move to his land, a short distance from the central part of the townsite. Captain Couch was afterward shot and killed by a man named Adams, according to the story told by men who knew him. The killing was the result of a dispute between Couch and Adams over the claim to the site upon which the courthouse of Oklahoma county now stands. Succeeding Captain Couch was Dr. A. J. Beale, who was known as the first elected mayor. He also resigned in order to move to land which he had laid claim to, leaving the office vacant in July 1890, according to the story told by '89er's. In May, 1890, congress passed an act known as the enabling bill, providing for the organization and incorporation of municipalities. Oklahoma City was then organized and was incorporated about the time of Dr. Beale's resignation. He was succeeded to the office by D. W. Gibbs, and architect, who had been serving as chairman of the board of trustees. Gibbs was empowered to exercise the functions of mayor in July, 1890. The board, which he had headed, divided the municipality into wards and called an election for city officers at that time. In the election following, W. J. Gault, was elected for mayor. He served until April 1892. It was during his administration that the old Choctaw railway was built, and a part of the money was raised for its construction by Oklahoma City. Mr. Gault was known as one of the most efficient business men ever to head the city government, early residents say. Opposing Gault in the mayorality race in 1890 was Henry Overholser. By a peculiar coincidence, the sons of the two men afterward were opposing candidates for the same office. In the later election, however, W. D. Gault was defeated by Ed Overholser. Following Gault was O.A. Mitscher, who served from April, 1892 to April, 1894. During his administration, negotiations were started that later resulted in the building of the Frisco railway through Oklahoma City. Nelson Button was the next mayor. He served from April, 1894 until April, 1896. In April, 1896, C. G. Jones became mayor. He was known as "Grist Mill" Jones, because he had established and operated the first mill in the city. He served until April, 1897. Later he was again selected for the office, serving from April, 1901 until April, 1903. J. P. Allen follow Jones to the office of chief executive of the city. He served from April, 1897, until April, 1890. He was succeeded by Lee Van Winkle, who after serving his first two-year term, was re-elected to succeed Jones at the expiration of his second term. Dr. J.F. Messenbaugh became mayor after the expiration of Van Winkle's second term. He served from April, 1905 until April 1907. Them came Henry M. Scales, who took office in April, 1907. It was at this time that the term of office of the mayor was increased from two to four years. Scales, however, resigned in October of 1910, and his term was completed by Dan V. Lackey, who had been head of the council. During the latter part of Scales' tenure of office and the early part of Lacky's administration, the city was thrown into considerable confusion by a street car's strike. At the expiration of Lackey's term, the commission form of government for the city was adopted. Whit M. Grant was elected mayor and served from May, 1911 to April, 1915. Ed Overholser was the next holder of the office. After serving approximately three years and ten months, he resigned, and his term was completed by Byron D. Shear, formerly municipal counselor, who served until April, 1919.
[Source: The Oklahoman December 11, 1921 Page 46]

Source: Daily Oklahoman that was printed on December 11, 1921 on page 46, with an accompaning story. Photos are in numerical order as the men served in office. Beginning in the upper left corner across to the right: Capt. W. L. Couch, Dr. R. J. Berle, David W. Gibbs, W. J. Gualt, Oscar R. Mitscher, N. Button, Charles Gristwell Jones, J. R. Allen, Lee Winkle, J. F. Messenbaugh, N. M. Scales, D. V. Lackey Whit M. Grant, Ed Overholser, and Byron D. Shear.

Provisional mayors following land run:

Elected mayors following Oklahoma City's incorporation:

David W. Gibbs, a civic and social leader in Oklahoma City, was appointed as Chairman of a Board of Trustees charged with setting up a statutory City government on July 15, 1890. He was among the principle petitioners for incorporation of the City of Oklahoma City in 1890, and he and the Board of Trustees set elections for City officers on August 9, 1890 under an aldermanic system of government. D.W. Gibbs operated an ice-cream parlor which housed the City’s first piano, and the townspeople often came to hear his daughter play. Gibbs’ wife was president of the Ladies Relief Club that raised money to assist the needy. He was also an architect of note, one of his designs being that of the Wyoming state capitol. He was also interested in art and music. Their Oklahoma City home was at Third street and Harvey avenue. Mayor Gibbs died, Wednesday. October 19, 1917 at Toledo, Ohio at the home of his daughter, Mrs. D. L. Stine. His wife preceeded him in death in 1912. In addition to his daughter, he was also survived by two sons, John and David.

Source: http://www.okc.gov/council/okcmayors/index.html

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