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Pittsburg State University

Theory and Practice: HIST430

Organized crime -- Oklahoma

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"Looking As Wise As A Tree Full Of Owls": The Tri-State Mining District's Criminal Ring Disrupts Growth, Efficiency, And Stability Of Society In 1918, Sylvia Rusk Dec 2010

"Looking As Wise As A Tree Full Of Owls": The Tri-State Mining District's Criminal Ring Disrupts Growth, Efficiency, And Stability Of Society In 1918, Sylvia Rusk

Theory and Practice: HIST430

During the year 1918, the criminal ring of the Tri-State mining district was at an all time high. Criminals like Dan Isley, Cedar Red, Harold Pickett, Jimmie Gardner, and the corrupt deputy Sheriff George Gibson terrorized the citizens of Picher, Oklahoma and the surrounding mining towns. These men were solely responsible for bringing and allowing a drug peddling circuit, prostitution, and bootlegging of illegal whiskey and liquor. During the criminal trusts height, the local newspapers of J.J. Shepherd displayed the truths of the illegal actions. These local publications gave the other side of the stories that the corrupt sheriff and …