๐ง๐ฒ๐ป ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ด
On the morning of May 21, 1924, word crackled like wildfire across Osage County: Dick Gregg, a notorious outlaw with ties to the feared Al Spencer gang, had been captured. Just hours earlier, the Farmers State Bank in Burbank, OK had been robbed in a brazen daylight heist. Now, one of the men believed responsible was in custody following a dramatic and violent confrontation deep in the Osage Hillsโa region long known as a safe haven for outlaws.
๐๐๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ข๐ถ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐
Burbank, a booming oil town about 25 miles west of Pawhuska, was left shaken by the robbery. Witness accounts quickly tied Gregg to the scene. But it was swift action by two unlikely lawmenโJohn Henderson, a former deputy sheriff working as constable of nearby Lyman, and Freddie Graves, a deputized postal worker and son of the town marshalโthat brought Gregg to justice.
The showdown unfolded in Lyman, a rough-and-tumble town in the heart of the Burbank oil field. Acting on reports of a disturbance near the Cadillac Rooms, Henderson and Graves approached a boarding house suspected of harboring outlaws. Graves circled back while Henderson knocked on the front door. There, Graves suddenly found himself face-to-face with Dick Gregg. Before he could draw, Gregg had him covered at gunpoint.
Moments later, Henderson entered the scene. Gregg spun around and opened fire. A bullet tore into Hendersonโs hip. Despite the injury, both men returned fire. Hendersonโs revolver eventually clicked empty, and Gravesโs pistol misfired. Gregg pistol-whipped Graves, disarmed both men, and marched them at gunpoint toward a waiting car. "I'm taking you out to the prairie," Gregg warned, "and I'm going to shoot you both."
But fateโand a fearless taxi driverโintervened. As Gregg forced the wounded lawmen into the car, the driver struck the outlawโs hand, knocking his revolver loose. Henderson lunged forward, locking Gregg in a half-nelson. The car exploded into chaos. A violent struggle ensued inside until Gregg was overpowered, shackled, and dragged from the vehicle.
When Marshal Arthur Graves and Deputy Smith Leahy delivered Gregg to the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska that night, he was beaten so badly that jailers couldn't immediately confirm his identity. His eyes were swollen shut beneath heavy bandages.
Gregg wasnโt alone. Authorities also arrested Wendall Powell, an alleged ex-convict, and Alta Greggโreported as either Dickโs sister or his wife. She was described as a small woman with black hair and dark eyes and was said to be the getaway driver behind the wheel of the Cadillac sedan.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ข๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐
Dick Gregg was no stranger to law enforcement. Born in Nowata, Oklahoma, his rap sheet was long and violent. Two years earlier, heโd been arrested near Bigheart (now Barnsdall) by Deputy Ted Strong alongside associates I.E. Berry and another gang member. Their car was loaded with firearms and ammunition. Strong, unaware of their identities, brought them into Pawhuska alone, where they were placed in the Osage County Jail. Gregg was soon extradited to Kansas, but jumped a $20,000 bond and vanished.
He resurfaced later in Pawhuska, where he engaged in a shootout with Pawhuska police during another attempted arrest. Officer C.E. Van Noy was wounded; Gregg escaped yet again.
He was a suspect in the June 7, 1922, murder of William Lockett, the night marshal of Ochelata, Oklahoma. Lockett was shot through the heart during a burglary that reportedly involved both Gregg and Al Spencer. Weeks later, Gregg and Spencer robbed a bank in Elgin, Kansas, escaping with over $20,000 in bonds and $1,500 in cash, taking hostages and fleeing back across the Oklahoma border.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
By fall 1925, the Osage Indian Murdersโalso known as the Reign of Terrorโhad sparked national outrage. Despite Bureau of Investigation agent Tom White making progress, J. Edgar Hoover, still forging his national profile, was demanding results. Fear gripped the Osage Nation, and families began fleeing their homesโsome even leaving the country.
In a desperate bid for new leads, Tom White arranged a meeting with Dick Gregg, then serving time in a Kansas penitentiary. Through a local attorney, Gregg was transported to Pawhuska under guard to meet with White at the county jail.
In exchange for a sentence reduction, Gregg offered explosive testimony: he claimed that William Hale, the powerful rancher at the heart of the Osage murder conspiracy, had paid the Spencer gang $2,000 to kill Bill and Rita Smith. Gregg said he refused the hit, insisting he would not murder a woman. Even by the brutal standards of the era, Gregg maintained that killing an Indian woman crossed a moral line.
But before he could testify in open court, Gregg pulled off another sensational escape. In 1927, while being held in Pawhuska for the trial, he escaped the Osage County Jail and vanished into the hills once more.
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Gregg remained a fugitive for over two years. During that time, he was linked to a string of robberies across the region. The last confirmed sighting came after a robbery of the Peoples State Bank in Wichita, Kansas, on July 26, 1929.
His criminal saga ended weeks later, on August 29, 1929, in a deadly shootout outside Sand Springs, near the Tulsa-Osage County line. After a car accident, Gregg and an accomplice attempted to flee. When Tulsa Highway Patrolmen Ross Darrow and Abraham Bowline tried to make an arrest, Gregg opened fire, killing both officers.
As Patrolman Darrow fell from his wounds, he summoned the strength to return fireโhis final act of duty. His bullet struck Gregg, who collapsed and died at the scene, ending one of the most violent outlaw careers in Osage County history. Nearby, officers arrested Bob Dyer, a 29-year-old Indian cowboy from Pawhuska, in connection with the shooting. Dyer told authorities that he and Gregg had traveled to Tulsa the night before to have Greggโs car repaired at a local mechanic's garage. With no prior criminal record and insufficient evidence tying him to the crime, Dyer was later released.
The deaths of Patrolmen Darrow and Bowline left behind grieving widows and childrenโand marked the grim closing chapter of Dick Greggโs long and bloody reign across the Osage Hills.
๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐
Author Gerald Moore once wrote that, since the days when Abilene, Arkansas City, and Dodge City were young cow towns, the Osage Hills had served as a โhaven of the fugitive.โ The tangled scrub oak, deep canyons, and rocky ridges formed a natural fortress for those hoping to evade the law.
It was in this unforgiving wilderness that outlaws like Dick Gregg disappearedโand where, sooner or later, justice caught up with them.
… See MoreSee Less
2 days ago
๐จ ESCAPED INMATE ALERT ๐จ
Osage County Sheriff's Office | July 30, 2025
The Osage County Sheriffโs Office, in coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, and Hominy Police Department is actively searching for an escaped inmate from Dick Conner Correctional Center in Hominy, OK.
ESCAPED INMATE DETAILS:
Name: Ponca Green
Age: 45
Race/Sex: Native American / Male
Height/Weight: 6โ1 / 200lbs
Last Seen Wearing: unknown
Time/Date of Escape: Morning of 7/30/25
Last Known Direction of Travel: Unknown
This individual has a history of escape, burglary and armed robbery. He has very noticeable tattoos on his face neck areas. This individual should be considered dangerous. Do not approach. If you see someone matching this description or have any information on their whereabouts, please contact the Osage County Sheriffโs Office immediately at 918-287-3131 or dial 911.
Updates will be posted here as more information becomes available. Please remain alert and vigilant, especially in the Hominy area and surrounding communities.
SHARE to help us spread the word. Your awareness could make a difference. … See MoreSee Less
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๐ง๐ฒ๐ป ๐ง๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐น๐ถ๐๐ฒ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ป๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ด๐ด
On the morning of May 21, 1924, word crackled like wildfire across Osage County: Dick Gregg, a notorious outlaw with ties to the feared Al Spencer gang, had been captured. Just hours earlier, the Farmers State Bank in Burbank, OK had been robbed in a brazen daylight heist. Now, one of the men believed responsible was in custody following a dramatic and violent confrontation deep in the Osage Hillsโa region long known as a safe haven for outlaws.
๐๐๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ข๐ถ๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐
Burbank, a booming oil town about 25 miles west of Pawhuska, was left shaken by the robbery. Witness accounts quickly tied Gregg to the scene. But it was swift action by two unlikely lawmenโJohn Henderson, a former deputy sheriff working as constable of nearby Lyman, and Freddie Graves, a deputized postal worker and son of the town marshalโthat brought Gregg to justice.
The showdown unfolded in Lyman, a rough-and-tumble town in the heart of the Burbank oil field. Acting on reports of a disturbance near the Cadillac Rooms, Henderson and Graves approached a boarding house suspected of harboring outlaws. Graves circled back while Henderson knocked on the front door. There, Graves suddenly found himself face-to-face with Dick Gregg. Before he could draw, Gregg had him covered at gunpoint.
Moments later, Henderson entered the scene. Gregg spun around and opened fire. A bullet tore into Hendersonโs hip. Despite the injury, both men returned fire. Hendersonโs revolver eventually clicked empty, and Gravesโs pistol misfired. Gregg pistol-whipped Graves, disarmed both men, and marched them at gunpoint toward a waiting car. "I'm taking you out to the prairie," Gregg warned, "and I'm going to shoot you both."
But fateโand a fearless taxi driverโintervened. As Gregg forced the wounded lawmen into the car, the driver struck the outlawโs hand, knocking his revolver loose. Henderson lunged forward, locking Gregg in a half-nelson. The car exploded into chaos. A violent struggle ensued inside until Gregg was overpowered, shackled, and dragged from the vehicle.
When Marshal Arthur Graves and Deputy Smith Leahy delivered Gregg to the Osage County Jail in Pawhuska that night, he was beaten so badly that jailers couldn't immediately confirm his identity. His eyes were swollen shut beneath heavy bandages.
Gregg wasnโt alone. Authorities also arrested Wendall Powell, an alleged ex-convict, and Alta Greggโreported as either Dickโs sister or his wife. She was described as a small woman with black hair and dark eyes and was said to be the getaway driver behind the wheel of the Cadillac sedan.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ข๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐
Dick Gregg was no stranger to law enforcement. Born in Nowata, Oklahoma, his rap sheet was long and violent. Two years earlier, heโd been arrested near Bigheart (now Barnsdall) by Deputy Ted Strong alongside associates I.E. Berry and another gang member. Their car was loaded with firearms and ammunition. Strong, unaware of their identities, brought them into Pawhuska alone, where they were placed in the Osage County Jail. Gregg was soon extradited to Kansas, but jumped a $20,000 bond and vanished.
He resurfaced later in Pawhuska, where he engaged in a shootout with Pawhuska police during another attempted arrest. Officer C.E. Van Noy was wounded; Gregg escaped yet again.
He was a suspect in the June 7, 1922, murder of William Lockett, the night marshal of Ochelata, Oklahoma. Lockett was shot through the heart during a burglary that reportedly involved both Gregg and Al Spencer. Weeks later, Gregg and Spencer robbed a bank in Elgin, Kansas, escaping with over $20,000 in bonds and $1,500 in cash, taking hostages and fleeing back across the Oklahoma border.
๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ช๐ถ๐๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
By fall 1925, the Osage Indian Murdersโalso known as the Reign of Terrorโhad sparked national outrage. Despite Bureau of Investigation agent Tom White making progress, J. Edgar Hoover, still forging his national profile, was demanding results. Fear gripped the Osage Nation, and families began fleeing their homesโsome even leaving the country.
In a desperate bid for new leads, Tom White arranged a meeting with Dick Gregg, then serving time in a Kansas penitentiary. Through a local attorney, Gregg was transported to Pawhuska under guard to meet with White at the county jail.
In exchange for a sentence reduction, Gregg offered explosive testimony: he claimed that William Hale, the powerful rancher at the heart of the Osage murder conspiracy, had paid the Spencer gang $2,000 to kill Bill and Rita Smith. Gregg said he refused the hit, insisting he would not murder a woman. Even by the brutal standards of the era, Gregg maintained that killing an Indian woman crossed a moral line.
But before he could testify in open court, Gregg pulled off another sensational escape. In 1927, while being held in Pawhuska for the trial, he escaped the Osage County Jail and vanished into the hills once more.
๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ผ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด
Gregg remained a fugitive for over two years. During that time, he was linked to a string of robberies across the region. The last confirmed sighting came after a robbery of the Peoples State Bank in Wichita, Kansas, on July 26, 1929.
His criminal saga ended weeks later, on August 29, 1929, in a deadly shootout outside Sand Springs, near the Tulsa-Osage County line. After a car accident, Gregg and an accomplice attempted to flee. When Tulsa Highway Patrolmen Ross Darrow and Abraham Bowline tried to make an arrest, Gregg opened fire, killing both officers.
As Patrolman Darrow fell from his wounds, he summoned the strength to return fireโhis final act of duty. His bullet struck Gregg, who collapsed and died at the scene, ending one of the most violent outlaw careers in Osage County history. Nearby, officers arrested Bob Dyer, a 29-year-old Indian cowboy from Pawhuska, in connection with the shooting. Dyer told authorities that he and Gregg had traveled to Tulsa the night before to have Greggโs car repaired at a local mechanic's garage. With no prior criminal record and insufficient evidence tying him to the crime, Dyer was later released.
The deaths of Patrolmen Darrow and Bowline left behind grieving widows and childrenโand marked the grim closing chapter of Dick Greggโs long and bloody reign across the Osage Hills.
๐๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐
Author Gerald Moore once wrote that, since the days when Abilene, Arkansas City, and Dodge City were young cow towns, the Osage Hills had served as a โhaven of the fugitive.โ The tangled scrub oak, deep canyons, and rocky ridges formed a natural fortress for those hoping to evade the law.
It was in this unforgiving wilderness that outlaws like Dick Gregg disappearedโand where, sooner or later, justice caught up with them. … See MoreSee Less
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A thiefโs dream: an unlocked car. Donโt let them get an easy steal. A few seconds of caution can save your vehicle. Some safety tips include:
๐ก Park in well-lit areas.
๐ Close and lock all doors and windows.
๐ Hide valuables out of sight.
๐ Take your keys with you; donโt leave them in the vehicle.
๐จ Do not leave an unattended vehicle running.
#VehicleTheft #TheftPrevention #SafetyTip #DriveSafe … See MoreSee Less
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๐๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ธ
๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ณ๐ณ ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ฟ
As we enter the third quarter of 2025, the Osage County Sheriffโs Office continues making steady progress on critical infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements that enhance our ability to serve the citizens of Osage County.
At the Osage County Jail, we recently resolved a significant, long-standing plumbing issue in one of the inmate housing areas. With the support of the Osage County Commissioners, we completed this $30,000 repairโeliminating a problem that had persisted for years. Additionally, weโve implemented a new RFID tracking system to streamline inmate checks, improving both accountability and safety within the facility.
In July, we entered into a new contract with Dr. Rumsey, a local physician, to provide inmate medical services. We believe this partnership will not only enhance the quality of care for those in custody but also be more cost-effective for the county.
Looking ahead, with approval from the County Commissioners, we will soon begin construction of a new 150-by-50-foot multipurpose facility. This building will provide long-term evidence storage and serve as a central hub for Osage County Emergency Management operations. Two-thirds of the structure will be dedicated to secure storage for evidence, with the remaining third supporting emergency management functions. This project was identified as a top priority early in my term. We anticipate completion by spring 2026, with the Sheriffโs Office funding two-thirds of the project cost and Emergency Management covering the remainder.
On the patrol side, I am pleased to report that we are now operating at full staffing, with five deputies assigned to each 12-hour shift. This allows for improved patrol coverage and faster response times countywide.
Our School Resource Officer (SRO) program has also expanded significantly. We now have six SROs serving nine school districts. While most districts still share an SRO, weโre proud to announce that starting this school year, the Shidler School District will receive full-time SRO coverage under a new agreement in which the district funds the salary during the academic year. We remain committed to expanding this program to enhance school safety across the county.
The investigations division continues to carry a demanding caseload involving major crimes, property crimes, and narcotics enforcement. While this workload has limited our capacity to fully revisit cold cases, we are actively working to move several of them forward. One area weโve identified for targeted improvement is the investigation of sex crimes. Beginning in August, we will assign a dedicated investigator to handle these cases exclusively, along with a full-time Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigator. This structure is a critical step toward more effectively addressing cases involving sexual predators and safeguarding our most vulnerable citizens. We are actively seeking grant funding and financial support to sustain these specialized roles.
Another important update, Osage County Dispatch has officially assumed responsibility for dispatching police, fire, and EMS services for the City of Pawhuska. This expansion was made possible through a new $100,000 annual contract agreement, further strengthening collaboration and emergency response capabilities.
As always, I remain committed to transparency, accountability, and meaningful progress. Iโm proud of the dedication shown by every division within the Sheriffโs Office. Thank you to the people of Osage County for your continued trust and support.
๐ข๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฏ ๐๐ช๐ป๐ฝ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป
๐๐ผ๐ช๐ฐ๐ฎ ๐๐ธ๐พ๐ท๐ฝ๐ ๐ข๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฏโ๐ผ ๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ฎ … See MoreSee Less
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๐๐ Huge Congratulations to Lane Decker and RJ McCann! ๐๐
Weโre proud to recognize Lane and RJ on their graduation from the CLEET Basic Academy! Your commitment, discipline, and dedication to serving with integrity are truly commendable.
Youโve stepped up to take on a vital role in protecting and supporting our communities โ and we couldn't be prouder. Hereโs to a future of strong leadership and honorable service. … See MoreSee Less
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Welcome to the 79th Annual Cavalcade Rodeo in Pawhuska!
The Osage County Sheriff's Office would like to welcome all contestants, spectators, and visitors to the world's largest amateur Cavalcade Rodeo! Cavalcade is a proud Osage County tradition, bringing spectators and visitors from all of the world to Pawhuska each year for a celebration of Western heritage and community spirit.
This week-long event features 9 exciting rodeo performances and 5 nights of red dirt music and dance under the starsโa true showcase of the Old West and Oklahoma pride.
Our deputies will be on location throughout the week to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone. As you celebrate, please be responsible. If you plan to drink, have a plan and a sober driver.
Letโs make it a memorable, safe, and fun Cavalcade.
Sheriff Bart Perrier … See MoreSee Less
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OCSO monthly stats for June! … See MoreSee Less
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๐๐จ๐ก๐ง ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐ข๐ซ๐: ๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒโ๐ฌ ๐ ๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ
Born: November 22, 1864, Rockport, Missouri
Died: January 1935, Pawhuska, Oklahoma
John Layman Bird was a pioneer of uncommon integrity whose legacy shaped the legal, commercial, and civic foundation of early Osage County, Oklahoma. As the countyโs first elected sheriff, a successful frontier trader, and later a banking leader, Bird left behind a legacy of public trust, fair governance, and economic development that endured far beyond his time.
๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฒ
Bird was born in Missouri just after the Civil War. In 1883, at the age of 18, he was encouraged by his brotherโa physician working among the Kaw Nationโto seek opportunity in Indian Territory. He soon found work as a clerk at a Kaw trading post, immersing himself in the diverse cultures and frontier economy of the region.
By January 1885, Bird had relocated to Pawhuska, where he worked with the respected trading firm Dunlap & Florer. Over time, he married the daughter of partner John N. Florer and became a business associate in the rebranded Florer & Bird, operating a general store in Gray Horse and managing a successful cattle ranch. His reputation for fairness and transparency won him lasting respect from both Native and non-Native residents.
๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฌ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ฒ
With statehood on the horizon in 1907, Bird announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Osage County as a Democrat. Already a respected businessman and civic leader, his reputation helped him win the confidence of voters across the sprawling and often unruly county.
Birdโs election marked a crucial transition from territorial law enforcement to state-regulated justice. Known for measured judgment and a calm demeanor, Bird brought a sense of order that was sorely needed in the rough-and-tumble oil frontier.
A local newspaper endorsed him with these words:
โNot one word can be said against John Bird. He is honest and fairโฆ His presence in the sheriffโs office will do more toward securing good order in Osage County than all the pistol toters that can be stacked in the office.โ
Bird served as sheriff until 1909, when he voluntarily stepped down to pursue growing business interests in banking. Birdโs predecessor as Osage County Sheriff was R.A. Carrell from 1910-1911.
๐๐๐ง๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ
Birdโs return to the private sector was no less impactful. In 1906, he helped found the Fairfax National Bank, serving as its first president. After his tenure as sheriff, he and his partners purchased the City National Bank of Pawhuska, where Bird served as vice president.
Through both institutions, he played a vital role in financing ranches, oil development, and local businesses during the early 20th-century boom. His leadership helped stabilize and grow the local economy during periods of rapid expansion and later, economic uncertainty.
๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ก๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ค๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐ค๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐
One of Birdโs most enduring contributions to Pawhuska was the development of the cityโs first "skyscraper"โthe Triangle Building, currently operated as the Frontier Hotel.
In 1910, U.S. Indian Agent Hugh Pitzer advertised the sale of a triangular public plot at the heart of Pawhuska. Bird placed the winning bid of $12,500, acquiring the land between Main Street, Kihekah Avenue, and Osage Street. Despite legal disputes between federal and local authorities, Bird pressed forward with plans to erect a modern commercial building on the site.
By 1913, construction began, and by November 1914, the completed Triangle Building featured elevator service and five stories, two more than originally planned. The first floor housed retail shops, while professionals, including doctors and lawyers, occupied the upper floors. The building became a symbol of Pawhuskaโs modernization and Birdโs forward-thinking vision.
๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ
John L. Bird remained a central figure in Pawhuska's civic and business life until his death in January 1935 at the age of 70. In his later years, he lived in the basement apartment in the Triangle Buildingโa structure that stood as a testament to his commitment to Osage Countyโs future. … See MoreSee Less
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