National Affairs: Red River War

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An epilog to the Red River war occurred when the toll bridge receivers secured a belated Federal injunction against Governor Murray's military blockade of their property. Defying the Federal Court and refusing to withdraw his troops, Governor Murray packed an old-fashioned horse pistol in his bag, set out for Durant to take personal charge of his siege. When he arrived, he found the free bridge al ready open. He closed it for five minutes and then officially reopened it in the name of Oklahoma. After drilling his army of 32 guardsmen, posing for photographs, eating a salt pork and cabbage meal, he ordered the toll bridge also opened, though he refused to withdraw his men. Asked if he had lifted his blockade because of the Federal injunction, he snorted: "I said 'Hell no' yesterday, say 'Hell no' today and will say 'Hell no' tomorrow. The free bridge is open now. If folks are fools enough to want to pay 75¢ to cross the toll bridge, let 'em."