I have had the experience of visting the old Oklahoma capital of Guthrie, and was fascinated to find out how many persons had relocated there from Tennessee and other areas.

The cemetery in Guthrie has quite a few black Civil War soldiers buried there, who served in a number of units of the US Colored Troops. Interestingly many of those soldiers also have GAR markers near there graves. I urge anyone visiting Oklahoma, driving through that part of the country to note that many of the early settlers prior to OK statehood, settled in Guthrie, as well. Also hopefully many will make time to visit the town cemetery, and to honor the USCTS, who should not be forgotten.

The history of blacks in Oklahoma has two unique segments---the Oklahoma Territory history and the Indian Territory history. Both are stories needing to be told.

-Angela-