GARVIN COUNTY INDIAN PIONEER PAPERS

OKGenWeb Indian Pioneer Papers Collection

Garvin County Indian Pioneer Papers

Birthet Harper

Interview #
Field Worker: Maurice R. Anderson
Date:
Name: Mr. Birthet Harper ( Negro)
Residence: Pauls Valley, OK
Date of Birth:  May 9, 1876
Place of Birth: Pauls Valley, OK
Father: B.H. Harper
Mother: Eliza Harper

 

Birthet Harper was given to Noah Leal by his father when thirteen years of age.  He and Mr. Leal made an agreement that he would stay with him as long as he lived or as long as Mr. Leal lived.

Mr. Leal at that time was a prominent cattle man in 1889.

This young Negro at that time, did the small chores around the place.   Later as he grew up he was given the job of breaking wild broncs.

He was at the bedside of Mr. Leal when he died in 1930.   That completed a forty-one year verbal contract.

This aged Negro has lived in Pauls Valley sixty-one years.