Bryan Co., OK; Town of Colbert - History --------------------------------- Submitted by the Bryan County Heritage Library Located in Calera, OK Written by Lynda Stout Massey Typed for the archives by Trudy Marlow --------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ---------------------------------------------------- HOW COLBERT GOT IT'S NAME In 1846 Benjamin F. Colbert, who came to the area from Mississippi with Chickasaw Tribe. The capricious Chickasaw didn't sit around a teepee when he hid Indian Territory, he got busy and within seven years after he arrived and piched camp at Colbert, Oklahoma, he had a steam sawmill, a grist mill and a cotton gin in operation. After that there was a large settlement of people in the area and since Colbert owned just about everything in the town the people always referred to it as Colbert. In 1853 the Indian's had established Colbert's Ferry on the Red River which he continued to operate until 1875 then even through the Missouri Kansas and Texas. The railroad had pushed through this frontier wilderness with its iron horsed and building a bridge across the Red River, Mr. Colbert got himself out of the ferry business. And the bridge that he built across Red cost was $40,000.00. The span was 577 feet long and 15 feet wide with a turnoff in the center of 24 feet wide to allow for the passing of teams. In 1906 the First National Bank was organized by a man by the name of Dr. W.H. McCarley. The doctor-physician operated his practice of medicine and the bank simultaneously. His son, Dr. W.H. McCarley Jr. succeeded him as president leaving the teaching profession in Madill to join his father when he retired the bank went out of the McCarley hands for the first time since it was founded. At this time Colbert was making steady progress as a Bedroom TOWN to nearby Denison and Sherman, Texas and Durant, Oklahoma where many of its residents work. While it has no major industry, it is continuing to grow. The growth factors is a central water and sewer system that was installed some years ago after the town had operated for more Than 100 years with every residence having its own water well. Septic tanks eventually came along to replace the outdoor johns, and then with the coming of the sewer system, the septic tanks. The town has had more than its share of major fires that have wiped out main stem of its buildings. But each time it has built back bigger and better. In these days Colbert is a thriving small town in Little Dixie with a bright future. Colbert is one of the most historic sites in the area, just south of the main business district was a post office stop for the old Butterfield mail runs, the town is steeped in lore, storied in its own right. There are many negroes today in Colbert and they add to its history. There was a 79 year old woman, by the name of Nancy Giles, who started residents back in 1958 when she dug up $5,000.00 while she was hoeing a corn patch. Also there was a man by the name of Willie Jacobs, he was also a negro, money lender, who died only to have from time to time uncover a Prince Albert tobacco tin filled with molding money. THIS WAS REPORTED A FEW YEARS BACK. Information from the Denison Herald June 1972. COLBERT, AND THE COLBERT FERRY The town of Colbert was named after Benjamin Franklin Colbert. He was granted Franchise to operate a ferry across the Red River, by the Chickasaw Council. By Council stipulations, he was obliged to keep the roads leading to the ferry in excellent order. In return he was allowed to charge $1.25 for a four horse team, wagon or stage. His ferry was located near a well known south to north cattle drive crossing. By 1850, enough people had settled about three miles up-land from the ferry for a town to be created, so it was naturally called "Colbert". It received a postoffice on November 17, 1853. In 1899 the Dawes Commission surveyed, plotted, and appraised the town of Colbert. At that time Colbert contained 129.74 acres. In Arrel M. Gibson's book, "The Chickasaws" he mentions James Logan Colbert, a Scotsman who in 1729 began a forty year residence in the Chickasaw Nation. He married three Chickasaw women, their sons were, William, George, Levi, Samuel, Joseph, and Pittman (James). The Colberts were the principal spokesman for the Chickasaw tribe. These were the early ancestors of Benjamin Franklin Colbert. ---------------------------------------------------- Written by Olivia G. Barton