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James W. Loewen (1942-2021)

We mourn the loss of our friend and colleague and remain committed to the work he began.

Okemah

Oklahoma

Basic Information

Type of Place
Independent City or Town
Metro Area
Politics c. 1860?
Unions, Organized Labor?

Sundown Town Status

Sundown Town in the Past?
Probable
Was there an ordinance?
Don't Know
Sign?
Don’t Know
Year of Greatest Interest
Still Sundown?
Surely Not

Census Information

The available census data from 1860 to the present
Total White Black Asian Native Hispanic Other BHshld
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
1910
1920
1930 4002 94
1940
1950 3454 27
1960 2836 10
1970 2913 1
1980
1990 3085 59
2000 3038 72
2010
2020

Method of Exclusion

  • Violent Expulsion

Main Ethnic Group(s)

  • Unknown

Group(s) Excluded

  • Black

Comments

Okemah was set up as a sundown town in 1902,
although blacks were occasionally allowed to move
in. In 1907, the home of John Hogan, the only black
man living in the town at the time, was dynamited.

“Once the darkey was not allowed to have his
habitat in the town [Okemah] and he was
discouraged by high explosives.”
– Paden Press, 16 March 1905

In 1911, shortly after the lynching of a black
woman and her son, 400 black homesteaders were
brought to Okemah. “Local peace officers would not
allow the colored homeseekers to stop in Okemah
as no negroes had been allowed to live in Okemah
since the town was opened, April 22, 1902.
“Many armed Negroes were observed in all sections
of Okfuskee County, who threatened revenge for
the lynching of the Nelsons…
“Secret meetings were known to have been held by
the infuriated lawless Negroes in formulating plans
to wreak vengenance on Okemah… Late one
afternoon in June, 1911 a white ‘stool pigeon’
informed the sheriff of Okfuskee County that the
negroes were planning to sack and burn Okemah
that night. No mercy was to be shown women and
children… Sheriff Dunnegan told excited townsmen
that he did not anticipate any immediate trouble,
however within a short time a horseman galloped
into town and informed the sheriff that there was
no doubt the negroes planned to attack the town
during the night…
“The sheriff’s decision to defend the town with
firearms spread like wildfire, and citizens came
from every section of the town with firearms…
“On this memorable occasion, about 2 a. m. a negro
cruising along the trail at the edge of Okemah,
riding a bareback mule was observed by the outer
guards. The rider protested vigorously his
innocence when the guards accused him of being a
spy. He was commanded to dismount and would
have been courtmartialed and shot if he had not
furnished evidence proving his innocence, while on
his knees praying for mercy. After the rider had
finished his prayer he was ordered to arise and
mount his donkey and lose no time in getting out
of Okemah. However, he was stopped in the center
of town by an armed force, who escorted him to the
city limits, where he disappeared into the darkness,
never to be seen here again…
While Okemah citizens were preparing for war, their
colored foes were at home preparing for a good
night’s rest, which prevented the loss of blood on
both sides.”
–from Stories of Early Oklahoma, assembled by
Hazel Ruby McMahan, 1945