Captain Severs Pioneer, Is Dead

Indian Territory Man Who Started Great Fortune
Shipping Pecans

Muskogee, Okla., April 89.—(Special.) Captain Frederick B. Severs, probably the best known of the old Indian territory pioneers, died at his home this morning at the ago of 76 years.

Death came not unexpectedly to Captain Severs. For over a year he has been in failing health, but an attack of paralyzes early last week hastened the end. The funeral will be held Thursday morning. 'Alen prominent not only in Oklahoma, but nationally, will act as honorary pall bearers. The list includes Leo E. Bennett. C. W. Turner. x-Governor Charles N. Haskell, Senator Robert L. Owen, Joseph Sondheimer, Z. T. Walrond, W. T. Hutchings, F. B. Hopkins, S. Morton Rutherford, W. C. Jackson and J. 7. 7Fanklin, of Okmulgee. Tho active pall hearers will be W. N. Patterson, Jou NIcCusiter, N. F. Hancock, D. N. rink, 1). IL Middleton, E. W. McClure, R. Williams and N. A. Gibson.

Captain Severs died a millionaire, The foundation for this fortune was laid more than fifty years ago, when he began shipping pecan° from Indian territory into St. Louis. Indians up and down the Arkansas river gathered these, and Captain Severs exchanged clothing and dry goods for them, shipping by steamboat to St. Louis. Later he opened it store In Okmulgee, and there became acquainted with the Indians, with whom he had extensive dealings. For many years he W9,9 also known as the cattle king of Oklahoma, and exercised a great influence among the Indians. Captain Severs exchanged clothing and dry goods for them, shipping by steamboat to St. Louis. Later he opened a store in Okrnulgee. and there become acquainted with the Indians, with whom he had extensive dealings. For many years he wag also known as the cattle king of Oklahoma, and exercised a. great Influence among the Indians.

During the Civil war Captain Severs enlisted in the . Confederate army and commanded a regiment of Creek full- bloods. Later in recognition of his service in behalf of the Creeks he was adopted as a member of that tribe. When he moved to 'Muskogee Indians made his home their headquarters and looked to him for advice In all matters pertaining to their welfare.

Several months ago Captain Severe determined to erect in Muskogee a building which would he a lasting monument to his memory and today the ten-story Severs hotel stands practically completed and three months more would have seem it completed and opened for business. From his home he has watched the progress of the builders from day to day and it is said kept so close watch on the work that he could tell almost exactly how much work had been accomplished on the building each day. This building was the pride of his life and it was his aim to make of it the finest hotel In the southwest. The bulk of Captain Severs' estate it is said will go to his daughters, Mrs. A. Z. English, Mrs. W. J. Cook and Mrs. Mary Owen.

Capt. Frederick B. Severs was appointed by Pres. Ulysses S. Grant to serve as Okmulgee's first postmaster.

He helped develop Okmulgee and Muskogee by constructing many of the business buildings, and he built and assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Muskogee. "Captain" Frederick Severs, as he was known at the turn of the twentieth century, died on April 23, 1912, just months before the completion of his last large project, the Severs Hotel in Muskogee. At the time worth an estimated $1 million, Severs spent more than $250,000 to build the hotel, one of the era's finest. In 1982 the Severs Hotel (NR 82003691) was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

photo courtesy Teafor2.com July 2009.

Sources:  good faith fair use of sources stated above

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham, Oklahoma County, OKGenWeb Coordinator, January 2012. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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