I don't know how many of you caught the news item, but a man purchased an old house in Miami Oklahoma and in a shed found 10 boxes containing 1700 documents pertaining to the life of Samuel G. Victor between 1900 and 1920. Victor was, among other things, the Chair of the Republican Party in Indian Territory.
These papers have been partially reviewed by the Oklahoma Historical Society and are of primary importance in understanding the Republican party infleuence in pre and post statehood politics.
In the 1890's, Congress was divided as to whether the Twin Territories should be admitted as one state or two. The Republicans were especially opposed to separate states because they feared both entities would enter as democratic strongholds, bringing aboard four Democrat Senators. The Democratic leadership was for separate states because they wanted to increase their party's power, nevertheless since they stood to win either way, were not opposed to a single state. The struggle between the factions caused numerous bills to die in committee and delayed statehood. I suspect the same dynamics were going on in New Mexico and Arizona.
Some data on Victor: Samuel Grant Victor was born 11-17, 1867 and died 2-4,1934. He was Cherokee Indian by heritage and was United States Marshal of the Southern District of Indian Territory 1907-March, 1908.
By the way, Craig Sparks, the finder of these documents is planning on autioning them off to the highest bidder.

It's amazing what can turn up at garage/estate sales. Supposedly he bought the estate for $500 and found the old trunk under a pile of lawnmower parts. An appraiser has put the value of these documents at about $200,000. I hope the collection remains together, whoever buys it, or at least that he allows the OHS to copy the documents before they are sold off piecemeal.

--meursault

What an incredible find for that particular fellow! But, alas, he was quoted as saying that he would, in fact, sell off the whole collection, piece-at-a-time, to the highest bidder. Bill Welge and Don DeWitt have both evaluated the find and have, I'm sure, all-but-begged to have it given to their respective institutions. It's doubtful that the finder sees that kind of value in the documents; regrettably. Expect to see the items on e-bay. Anyone have $200K?