If your family lived in the 
six counties of the Unassigned Lands prior to statehood, 
and you have stories, letters, photographs, 
or other information pertaining to their experiences,
please e-mail your posts to me for inclusion on this page.

Thank you for sharing your family histories with others.

This Family Story was submitted by David L. Payne...

Greetings:

I'm a close relative to Oklahoma Boomer, Capt. David L. Payne.

In January 1995, I was able to move the grave of Capt. Payne from Wellington, Kansas, to Stillwater, Oklahoma, located in Payne County. I worked to move his grave for more than 20 years and several family members before me over this century. The Payne Family desired to have Capt. Payne's grave moved to Oklahoma since the early 1890s but there were several roadblocks.

Capt. Payne was laid to rest for the second time, but this time overlooking BoomerLake/Park in Stillwater on April 22, 1995. We've since built a memorial at the grave site. I've learned much about my namesake, and feel very close to him, since I've handled every bone of his body in my hands.

He was a very interesting man for his few short years on the sod.

(Guestbook entry)

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