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Indian Pioneer Papers - Index

Indian Pioneer History Project for Oklahoma
Date: September 27,1937
Name: Mr. Joe Gibson
Post Office: Mangum, Oklahoma
Residence Address: 1706 New York Street
Date of Birth: May 10, 1879
Place of Birth: Honey Grove, Texas
Father: A.E. Gibson
Place of birth: Missouri
Information on Father:
Mother: Mary Lake
Place of Birth: Texas
Information on Mother:
Field Worker: Ruth Kerbo

Joe Gibson, a Mangum resident since 1891, explained why he is known as the Mayor of North Mangum. When Joe TOMME was city manager, an elderly citizen of the district complained that city workers were grading up his sweet potato patch which he had planted almost in the center of the street." Well, I can’t do anything about it, you’ll have to see the mayor of North Mangum, Joe Gibson," Mr. Tomme answered in an effort to end the interview. There after, when friends of Mr. Gibson learned of the incident, he was called the Mayor of North Mangum.

Mr. Gibson is a registered pioneer of old Greer County, having come here from Hunt County, Texas in 1888 with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Gibson. The Gibson family settled five miles southeast of Mangum and Joe went to school at Gyp Hill No. 1, the district school. An early day teacher was Nancy Byers.

Following his marriage to Miss Rosie BOLLINGER of Hester, Mr. Gibson moved to Mangum. In Mangum he was employed with the maintenance department of a railway for sixteen years and later engaged in occasional farming.

Early settlers in the Hester Community were Doc SIMPSON, George and Sam BARTON and Charlie FLOOD whose claim is now the site of Hester.

In the Spring of 1891, torrential rains swelled the Elm River, Red and Salt Fork Rivers and the bed of the Salt Fork appeared a half-mile wide but the flood waters receded to the river banks in several hours.

Bronco riding at roundups in the district were the popular amusements of early citizens. Cowhands attached

to the ranches delighted in inducing greenhorns to mount broncos which nobody could ride. Each amateur bronc riding event was followed by a picnic and barbecue. Mr. Gibson said, "We enjoyed these amusements because they were so far apart."

Submitted to OKGenWeb by Osie King Gibson MGi7747788@aol.com> 09-2000.