Great food and fellowship was had by all at Billy Sims BBQ in Muskogee during an Oklahomans, Volume 2 (World War 1-Present) research confab. My fellow Oklahoma History fanatics Art T. Burton, Margaret "The Artist" Taylor, and Art's wife Patrice Burton joined in the delightful discussion that ranged across numerous topics of Muskogee and Oklahoma History.

Art, author of great books like "Black Gun, Silver Star," was in town to speak at the Bass Reeves Conference and I was in town to interview him and Muskogee historian Margaret. We explored numerous Oklahomans topics, including famed Old West lawman and Muskogee resident Bass Reeves, the remarkable jazz musicians hailing from Muskogee (and Tulsa), the two vibrant Twentieth Century African-American business communities in Muskogee and some of the luminaries who led them, the influential place of blacks in the Creek Indian tribe, and the tragic 1921 Tulsa race conflagration

John with author and historian Art “Black Gun, Silver Star” Burton.

Heart and history in one of Oklahoma’s oldest and greatest towns.

The view coming into Muskogee from the south.

Muskogee remains the vibrant rail crossroads it has been since the Katy Railroad laid tracks through it in 1872!

Great barbecue and Sooner lore in Muskogee (and many other towns).

One of the classic jumbo photos gracing the walls of Billy Sims BBQ in Muskogee from my OU classmate Simbo’s storied gridiron career. Spotlighted here are the Heisman Trophy-winning Sooner and two-time All Big 10 safety BOB STOOPS crashing together in a big 1979 OU-Iowa game in Norman!

Creek freedman, Muskogee pioneer, educator, lawyer, and publisher A. G. W. Sango.

L-R, John, author Art T. Burton, Muskogee historian Margaret Taylor, and Art’s wife Patrice.