Rutus Sarlls facts for kids

Rutus Sarlls (1848-1913) was an important person in the early history of what is now Oklahoma. He was a lawyer, a businessman, and an inventor. Sarlls moved to South McAlester, which was then part of the Indian Territory. He played a big role in helping people who were not Native American to own land in this area. This was a key step before the Indian Territory became the state of Oklahoma.

Early Life

Rutus Sarlls was born on November 13, 1848, in Ghent, Kentucky.

Professional Career

Sarlls studied law at the University of Michigan and earned his law degree in 1874. He was also an inventor. In 1878, he and Alexander Kelman received a special permission, called a patent, for a machine that could plant, cultivate (prepare soil), and chop cotton. Later, in 1883, he and Virgil Holland got another patent for a type of lock called a permutation lock.

Sarlls worked as a lawyer for a short time in Gainesville, Texas. In 1890, he moved to South McAlester, which was then a growing town in the Indian Territory. He became the very first lawyer in South McAlester. He even handled the first legal case in the new Federal Court there.

Sarlls also tried to become a political leader. He ran for Mayor of South McAlester in 1901 and again in 1903, but he did not win. In 1907, when Oklahoma was becoming a state, he ran for a seat in the U.S. Congress for the new Oklahoma's 4th congressional district. He lost to Charles D. Carter. Sarlls also helped run the main hotel in South McAlester with his cousin.

Helping People Own Land

Rutus Sarlls became very involved in real estate in South McAlester. At that time, it was difficult for people who were not Native American to own land in the Indian Territory. Sarlls worked through the legal system to change this.

One important challenge happened when the local sheriff, from the Choctaw Nation, tried to sell a building Sarlls had built. The sheriff said this was allowed under tribal law. However, Sarlls went to a Federal court and got an order (an injunction) to stop the sale. He argued that taking his property like this was unfair and went against his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment helps make sure everyone has equal protection under the law.

Sarlls strongly supported two important agreements: the Atoka Agreement and later the Curtis Act. He talked with the Choctaw Chief Green McCurtain and worked in Washington, D.C. to support these laws. These acts changed how land was owned in the Indian Territory. They ended the system where land was owned by the whole community (communal lands). Instead, they allowed individuals, including non-Native Americans, to own private property. These changes were very important and helped set the stage for Oklahoma to become a state.

Family and Later Life

Rutus Sarlls married Grace Whistler in 1894 in Chicago, Illinois. He later married Alice Abigail Sprague in 1901.

Sarlls passed away in May 1915 in South McAlester. His wife, Alice, survived him.