Post by Eric Standridge on Oct 20, 2011 8:38:36 GMT -6
This is a rough draft of a portion of Chapter 1. This text comes towards the end of the chapter and explains how the French influenced the areas around Poteau. While this chapter does not expressly focus on Poteau, it sets the scene for future development. This chapter includes stories of Spiro Mounds, Vikings, and Early explorers in and around the area. It also describes more in detail how Poteau got it's name, as well as how the early traders and trappers helped define the land around LeFlore County. As this is a rough draft, it still requires editing before it can be marked as complete.
....Although Spain controlled a large part of the new world, this was an age of piracy and warring empires. In 1588, seeking revenge for English attacks on Spanish ships and colonies, King Phillip II of Spain sent a huge fleet of ships, known as the Spanish Armada, to sail against the English fleet. Even though the English fleet was smaller, they produced faster and more stable ships than Spain. The English ships were far superior to Spain’s, and in a devastating defeat, Spain lost most of its naval forces in the battle. As a result, Spain’s empire in the new world declined as other countries began to explore the new lands.
Even though Spain still claimed ownership of much of North America, the vast area that contained present Oklahoma technically remained French Louisiana from 1682 to 1763. The "border" between the two New World empires was vaguely defined. Mythical Quivira notwithstanding, however, the Spanish crown lost interest in expanding to the northeast of New Mexico, viewing the region only as a buffer zone to be defended against the possible incursions of the French into New Spain's interior provinces of New Mexico and Texas.
In the late 17th century, the French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle boldly claimed all of the land drained by Mississippi River for France. The area was subsequently named the "Louisiana Territory" in honor of his King, Louis XIV. The French continued to develop their claims in the Americas, much to the dismay of the long-established Spanish, and for the next century, this valuable land was alternately controlled by both countries. As Spain’s influence in the new world declined, French interests grew. Even though the Spanish were the first to arrive in eastern Oklahoma, the French would have the biggest impact on LeFlore County.
In 1718, two years before Bernard de la Harpe began his explorations, a French trading company was established under John Law for trading with the Indians. His company floundered within two years, but it set an important economic prescient for France as well as the Louisiana Territory. While Spain came to the area in search of gold, the French came to trade.
Traders and trappers roamed throughout what would one day become LeFlore County. The trappers caught mink, beaver, bear, otter, fox, coyote, and raccoon. After the animals were trapped, they would then be skinned and strung up on a drying board. Once dry, they would be bundled into "bricks", or pallets that could easily be transported down the Poteau or Arkansas River. These pallets would be carried on light canoes to New Orleans. In New Orleans, fur was in high demand. What wasn’t used there would then be shipped to France.
During the French occupation of the Louisiana Territory, the Osage Indian called the area around LeFlore County home. Generally, the French got along well with the Osage Indian. In order to supplement their income from the fur trade, the French would frequently trade items with the Osage to sell once they returned to New Orleans.
It was during this time that many of the landmarks in LeFlore County acquired their names....
....Although Spain controlled a large part of the new world, this was an age of piracy and warring empires. In 1588, seeking revenge for English attacks on Spanish ships and colonies, King Phillip II of Spain sent a huge fleet of ships, known as the Spanish Armada, to sail against the English fleet. Even though the English fleet was smaller, they produced faster and more stable ships than Spain. The English ships were far superior to Spain’s, and in a devastating defeat, Spain lost most of its naval forces in the battle. As a result, Spain’s empire in the new world declined as other countries began to explore the new lands.
Even though Spain still claimed ownership of much of North America, the vast area that contained present Oklahoma technically remained French Louisiana from 1682 to 1763. The "border" between the two New World empires was vaguely defined. Mythical Quivira notwithstanding, however, the Spanish crown lost interest in expanding to the northeast of New Mexico, viewing the region only as a buffer zone to be defended against the possible incursions of the French into New Spain's interior provinces of New Mexico and Texas.
In the late 17th century, the French explorer Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle boldly claimed all of the land drained by Mississippi River for France. The area was subsequently named the "Louisiana Territory" in honor of his King, Louis XIV. The French continued to develop their claims in the Americas, much to the dismay of the long-established Spanish, and for the next century, this valuable land was alternately controlled by both countries. As Spain’s influence in the new world declined, French interests grew. Even though the Spanish were the first to arrive in eastern Oklahoma, the French would have the biggest impact on LeFlore County.
In 1718, two years before Bernard de la Harpe began his explorations, a French trading company was established under John Law for trading with the Indians. His company floundered within two years, but it set an important economic prescient for France as well as the Louisiana Territory. While Spain came to the area in search of gold, the French came to trade.
Traders and trappers roamed throughout what would one day become LeFlore County. The trappers caught mink, beaver, bear, otter, fox, coyote, and raccoon. After the animals were trapped, they would then be skinned and strung up on a drying board. Once dry, they would be bundled into "bricks", or pallets that could easily be transported down the Poteau or Arkansas River. These pallets would be carried on light canoes to New Orleans. In New Orleans, fur was in high demand. What wasn’t used there would then be shipped to France.
During the French occupation of the Louisiana Territory, the Osage Indian called the area around LeFlore County home. Generally, the French got along well with the Osage Indian. In order to supplement their income from the fur trade, the French would frequently trade items with the Osage to sell once they returned to New Orleans.
It was during this time that many of the landmarks in LeFlore County acquired their names....