The great rush for the Oklahoma lands in 1889 was more than a regional event--it was a national excitement comparable to the California and Colorado gold rushes and involved people from all parts of the country. Some were honest, God-fearing citizens; some were not. Stan Hoig's The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 is the first study to take an in-depth look at what really took place before and after the shots were fired at high noon on April 22.

These letters were sent from Indian Territory by those seeking land in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889. The adventurous writers sent home bits and pieces of news about new vocations, deaths, murders, births, fights, shootings, politics, prices for commodities and more. These land seekers, correspondents, cowboys and other citizens writing these letters provide a great historical record of the settlement of Indian Territory and the American west during the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889.