An Oklahoma Story: Growing Up on Polecat Hill

When Oklahoma became opened to white settlers in 1889, it was a full-on rush to snatch-up property. Claiming land in this Indian Territory held a dangerous and unknown future for those courageous enough to try. Filled with heroic tales of determination and resilience, this is a fascinating story of the American family that founded the city of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Told through the perspective of the granddaughter of the family patriarch, Alfred Barry Beard, the story starts when Alfred and his sons, Harry and Lyman made the "run" for land and paints the colorful stories of the accomplishments and struggles of new westerners settling the land. At only 17 years old, Lyman was not old enough to stake his own claim to 160 acres of land. His older brother Henry and his wife, Etta Ray Beard, claimed the land and established the town of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Lyman helped them build a little log cabin, the first house in Shawnee which today is enshrined in a park near the center of the city.