Hi Angela!

I just discovered the Oklahoma Freedmen Message Board.

My son Cedric Barnes is a direct descendent of these Freedmen which is why I am doing this research. He is the son of Obee Gilbert LANDRUM; Jr.; son of Obee Gilbert LANDRUM Sr; the son of Obee LANDRUM; son of Spence & Martha
LANDRUM; son of Arch & Winnie LANDRUM; son of Lucy Muskrat. The first Obee Spence Arch and Winnie are all on the Dawes Commission Final Rolls.

Though not as notorious as Cherokee Bill Spence Arch and Winnie spent considerable time in the famous Judge Parker's court. I have copies of these records. It seems that along with other relatives and friends they were
arrested many times for selling whiskey in I.T. without a special sales license - for the most part. And while I personally don't consider their acts leadership behavior I found my son's ancestors to be most interesting nontheless. It seems they lost their land in OK due to these legal problems which makes me wonder if and why the risk of jail made it more profitable than
working the land (between the three they should have been granted 120 acres).

It would be a bit of cost and expense to copy and forward copies of the federal jacket to you however I would be more than happy to do so if you are interested. I support your efforts to contribute another publication about these Freedmen. Cedric's father and I separated before he was born. I didn't learn about this part of my son's heritage until he was *16-years-old*. While he was growing up I would have liked to have taught him to take equal pride in
the perseverance of these people along with the rest. By the time I got a little up to speed on this information Cedric was not interested. I pray that he matures into an appreciation. In the mean time girlfriend I am gathering knowledge for my GRANDBABIES - praise God. I have been at it for three years now so by the time they come along I'll be ready!

If you want these copies let me know and I'll get started.

Take care and God bless.

[16 Aug 1999]