Capitol Hill Notes During the 1900s

THE CURIOUS CASE OF H. C. SCHILLING

by Doug Loudenback

As Gleaned From the Archives of the Daily Oklahoman

      In researching information for my main article on Historic Capitol Hill, perhaps nothing more interesting popped out of that research than information relating to H.C. Schilling, Capitol Hill's ex officio mayor from 1905 until his removal from office on 1907. I say "ex officio mayor" since Capitol Hill did not have an official mayor, as such — it had a board of trustees and its president was unofficially called mayor. Most articles use the name, "H.C." but sometimes he is referred to as "H.G." Schilling.

      H.C. Schilling had formed and caused East Capitol Hill Addition to be platted, immediately east of the Capitol Hill addition at some time before April 2, 1902 when he began marketing its parcels. An April 3, 1902, Daily Oklahoman article read, "Schilling's new addition to Oklahoma City will be paced on the market April 2, 1902. ¶ With especial inducements this is one of the most beautiful additions ever made to Oklahoma City. It has been platted and lots will be sold at price that will surprise you. A street car line will be built as soon as it is possible to get the material. This addition lays east of Capital [sic] Hill, and east of the Santa Fe tracks." Schilling was also very much involved in his addition's namesake, Capitol Hill.

      Capitol Hill voted to become an incorporated municipality on March 21, 1904, by a vote of 72-61, and that status remained until yet another set of curious happenings occurred during 1909-1910 which resulted in the town of Capitol Hill being annexed by Oklahoma City -- but that is another story. This one's about H.C. Schilling.

      Aside from real estate transactions (sales, foreclosures and sheriff's sales), Schilling began making the news shown in this January 14, 1904, article which reported on an assault and battery charge that he and Theodore Schultz had harmed a 13-year old boy, Talmage Marr, at a picnic the summer before. The boy's father was reported to have said, "Schilling struck my boy on the temple with an umbrella and between the two they came near killing him."

      Four years later, a February 11, 1908, article reported that this particular case was dismissed for failure to prosecute.

      About a month later, a February 16, 1904, article reported that,

J. P. Allison last night swore out a warrant at police quarters for the arrest of H.C. Schilling, alleging assault. Allison said he was rooming at 200 East Second and had retired last night when Schilling burst open the door and ordered him to get up and light a lamp. When he did so, he alleges, Schilling commenced beating him with a cane. Allison showed some big welts on his arm to show that the strokes had not been love taps. Allison says that his mother who is now in California, owns the house and left it in charge of Schilling as its renting agent, but wrote that she was not receiving the rent money and asked her daughter to take charge of the place and for her son to room in it.

      I located no outcome of this charge. But, a pattern seemed to be emerging, based upon the claims presented, and that pattern would lead itself into Capitol Hill city council proceedings.

      Time passed.

      By 1905, Schilling had developed a reputation and not a good one in Oklahoma City. In this April 25, 1905, article, it was reported that, "A long and revolutionary communication was read, the authorship of which was credited to H.G. Schilling. When the reading was completed Alderman Warren dryly moved that it be 'referred to the sewer committee.'"

       Content of the "revolutionary communication" was not described.

      Based upon information from Schilling, an August 15, 2005, Guthrie Leader article reported on "How Business Is Done in Oklahoma City," apparently in the most uncomplimentary way toward the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce. In a reply by J. H. Johnston, then secretary of the Oklahoma City Chamber, excerpts from the August 16, 1905, Daily Oklahoman article bearing his by-line read as follows:

Our attention has just been called to an article under the above heading which appeared in the Guthrie Leader of August 14, signed by H.C. Schilling, who is referred to as a "pioneer citizen of Oklahoma City," although it is assumed that the article was in reality written by a man now commonly known as 'Measley' Fulton, Schilling himself making no pretensions as a man of letters; and, in fact, we doubt his ability to write even as illogical a statement as the one referred to.

Schilling is a pioneer, all right, but is not a pioneer of Oklahoma City. He is simply a pioneer kicker, and has either kicked himself or been kicked out of every community and organization of which he has even been a member, so far as we have been able to learn. But "Measley" is a man of different stripe and is more of a knave than a fool. * * *

[Detail extolling the virtues of the Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce at this point in the article is omitted.]

We want to make this matter entirely clear to show that there is no truth in the statement made by "Measley," alias Schilling, that the rank and file of the membership of the Chamber of Commerce are not in full sympathy with the progressive business men who are managing the affairs of this organization by the untrammeled choice and selection of the members themselves. ¶ It is, or course, unnecessary to call attention to the fact that of the few misguided individuals who are playing the dupe for "Measley" Fulton and his erratic friends, Schilling and Tomlin, and lending their names to the so-called reform movement, no fifty percent of them are represented at all in the city directory nor are they known in the commercial world in any shape, manner or form.

      In analyzing the Daily Oklahoman's objectivity at this point, it is right to recall, in this exact same period of time, that the newspaper was railing against the capitalists with things such as this April 1, 1905, article vilifying Henry Overholser, the sina qua non of Oklahoma City capitalists, and against the Republican Party's position in Oklahoma City, generally. Big time, really really big time animosity exited between the Oklahoman and people like Henry Overholser. It is also recalled that the Daily Oklahoman was aligned with the democrat, and not the republican, party in this time — and Schilling was a democrat.

      So, the fact that the Daily Oklahoman even chose to print the article written by O.H. Johnston, capitalist representative of the Chamber of Commerce, which was certainly uncomplimentary to Schilling is well worth noting. Schilling was disliked by republicans and democrats alike.

      In this time, Capitol Hill was a teetotaling town with a very strong WCTU group. Capitol Hill didn't do bars and honky tonks and gamble like Oklahoma City did and it didn't intend to. One wouldn't suppose it likely, then, that someone arrested for public drunkenness would have a place in the town's government. Such a person may have been the "H.G." Schilling identified in the August 20, 1905, Pavement Pickup at the left.

      Could such a man become an elected official in such a town's government? Apparently so.   Daily Oklahoman articles don't trace any elections of Schilling's rise to alderman in the Capitol Hill city government, but after the fact, a January 11, 1907, article reported that Schilling said, "Alderman Schilling Thinks [the Frisco] Railway Will Touch Suburban Town," so, by then, he was a member of the town's governing body.

      Less than three months later, by the March 1, 1907, article shown at right, he had both become mayor and had been charged with assault to do bodily injury upon C.L. Bonn, an elderly Negro man from whom Schilling was attempting to collect $11 of unpaid rent. I had to look it up, too — in this context a "scantling" probably meant a 2 x 4. This case would endure from March 1907 until February 1908. Reports on March 13, 1907, and March 21, 1907, indicated that Bonn was near death and would not likely survive the injury, which could, of course, convert the pending criminal case to manslaughter or murder. One of Mr. Bonn's attending physicians was none other than Dr. W.H. Slaughter for whom the Deep Deuce Slaughter Building was named. In the March 13, 1907, article, Bonn's condition was described as follows:

His mind a blank, his eyes sunken and staring into space, his aged body feebly fighting to regain its spark of life, Henry Bonn, the old negro, who it was alleged, was struck with a scantling in the hands of H.C. Schilling, mayor of Capitol Hill, may not live until sundown. "Bonn is in a critical condition," said Dr. W.H. Slaughter, who is attending him, last night. "His fight for life has been a hard one and times it seems that even the most careful medical attention will not save him." * * * The trial of his case has not been set because his victim has not been able to leave his bed since he was removed to his home, after being struck by the mayor.

      A March 21, 1907, article reported on the criminal case's preliminary hearing. Over the objection of Marshall Fulton, Schilling's lawyer, the hearing was continued because of the inability of Bonn to be present because his head got bashed in by Schilling. Schilling wanted the case to be dismissed since the principal witness against him whose head had been bashed did not appear, but Judge William Zwick saw the matter differently.

      Regardless of Schilling's developing history of anti-social behavior and the pending criminal charge against him, the May 7, 1907, Daily Oklahoman reported that Schilling was elected as Ward 1's member of the town's board of trustees (formally or informally called aldermen) by a vote of 28 to 15, and Schilling continued in his role as presiding officer, informally called mayor.

      But, while the folk in Capitol Hill might have been willing to overlook the fact that Schilling and another had beaten up 13 year old Talmage Marr at a picnic, beat J. P. Allison with a cane apparently to collect rent, had been fined for being a public drunk, and had criminal charges pending against him for whacking an elderly Negro over the head to collect $11 in rent to the Negro's near-death — while all of those things might be overlooked, the Capitol Hill board of trustees (the council) would be less forgiving when Schilling's method and manner became involved in meetings of the government.

      A July 16, 1907, article actually describes two separate occurrences. First, there's this in the middle of the article:

The trouble started in one of the meetings of the city council, and after an exchange of heated remarks, Agee started to leave the room. He claims that while he had his back turned, Schilling seized him and threw him across the bench, at the same time striking him in the mouth.

Agee secured the arrest of Schilling on a charge of assault and battery, and the mayor was fined $10 and costs in police court in Capitol Hill last week. * * *

      The article continues, describing the second matter:

* * * In return, Schilling had Agee arrested for disturbing the peace, alleging that he was guilty of "using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace." ¶ The case was tried in police court before a jury and 22 witnesses were examined.

      As noted in the article's headline, Agee was found not guilty.

      An October 24, 1907, article, had this headline: "Mayor of Capitol Hill and Member of Council Engage In Fight With Their Fists." A move was afoot to oust Schilling as chairman of the board and ex officio mayor. The ruckus started when councilman M.F. Sullivan moved that a new chairman be elected in Schilling's place:

"You're out of order," shouted Schilling. "I'm not," retorted Sullivan. "I've got a right to make a motion and I insist that the motion be put." "I'll fine you for contempt if you don't sit down," cried the mayor, who was becoming excited. "I want my motion put to a vote," persisted Sullivan. "You are fined $10 and I'll see that the fine is paid in the morning," said Schilling. "Then I move that we adjourn," said Sullivan.

The council adjourned and Sullivan walked across the room to where Sullivan [Schilling] was standing. "You're an officer," said Sullivan. "Why don't you take me to jail." "About that time," says the mayor, "Sullivan hit me in the jaw. Then he got me up against the wall and butted me with his head. Others interfered and I flew my kite."

      The article said that, "Schilling came out second best. In fact, the mayor departed without his hat and he didn't stop to pick any flowers on the way." A brief November 3, 1907, article evidences that Schilling had charges preferred against Sullivan; another, on November 12, 1907, reported that a jury trial resulted in Sullivan being declared not guilty.

      The colorful Schilling period in Capitol Hill government was nearing its end. In a November 6, 1907, article, Schilling acknowledged that he understood that a petition would be presented at the next day's council meeting asking for his resignation and his comments were almost philosophical in tone:

"I believe," continues Mr. Schilling, * * * that I could serve my constituency better upon the floor than in the chair. And then the honor to be had from acting as chairman is not vast nor extensive. It's a hard job at best. There are members of the council who know nothing, absolutely nothing, about parliamentary rules. * * * Now, such things are amusing on occasions, but when they are attended to by several hard punches to the jaw followed by a bearish embrace, such as I received at the last meeting from that 32-year old pugilist, it becomes serious. And — well I don't know yet whether I'll resign if asked to do so. I am not a fighter, though. That's certain." * * * "I may resign, but I'll do it with dignity, if at all."

      He was less than philosophical the next day following a near-unanimous vote which removed him from office. In the Daily Oklahoman's November 7, 1907, report, he was reported as saying,

"The whole proceeding was illegal, and I will contest the election. That is not all. I propose to bring suit for damages. Just how much I am not now prepared to state, but I have been grievously humiliated, and will file a petition the first of next week.

      Concerning the council vote, the article wrote in fine dramatic style,

The ousting of the mayor was a tame affair. F.M. Agee, who was whipped by Schilling in a merry set-to in the board's hall three months ago, arose. "I move you, Mr. President," he said; the silence became so thick that it might have been cut with a knife, "I move you that we elect a new president." "Second the motion," said A.J. Haswell. Five members were present, for of whom voted in favor of the outster. [Sam] Moore let out a subdued "nay." M.F. Rowlett, a well digger, was elected by acclamation as a successor to Schilling.

      The Oklahoman's front page carried this cartoon along with its story on November 8. The headline read, "Asserts They Are Rummies." Schilling was quoted as saying,

* * * "I intend to sue them because of their nonsensical attempt to oust me, but it won't do any good. Why, if you should stack them up in a pile, they would not represent the smallest imaginable cashable valuation." * * * ¶ "Why," says Mr. Schilling, "they are a bunch of aggravated rummies."

      The ousted mayor reflected upon his own accomplishments on behalf of Capitol Hill. He said,

"* * * I found Capitol Hill a place repulsive to the ocular and olfactory nerves, a municipality dangerous to the health and happiness of the inhabitants. I have developed it into a suburban district famed for its beauty and happiness and prosperity for its people."

      The article's author had apparently interviewed citizens to get their take on the going's on. One said,

"The entire proceeding was done in a purely legitimate manner," said one of the citizens. "Mayor Schilling was not wanted as president. He is combative and hard to get along with, so he was ousted. * * * This is but another event in the city's history."

      Indeed, it was, and one of the better tales, that's for sure, but just a bit remains to be told. In a November 9, 1907, article bearing the headline, "Peace To Reign In Capitol Hill?", Capitol Hill city clerk Dr. W.R. Clement, a Capitol Hill physician, was quoted as follows:

"Mr. Schilling talks illogically and unpatriotically of his fellow citizens, that we are rummies, penniless, dirty and unkept. It is unjust. I am aware of the fact that the citizenship of Capitol Hill has no monopoly on the wisdom of the world. We are a quiet, unpretentious and God-fearing people, our annals are short and simple and happy. That is, they were, until the advent of the recently ousted chairman of the town board. Since he was imported into our midst, we have been securing some unsavory advertising. We have had battles in our legislative assemblies, we have had public discussion characterized by boisterous blasphemy, we have become divided and one portion pretends to despise the other, which feeling is reciprocated by the despised.
* * *
In fact, we have had intimations of a ban being placed upon our women, compelling them to keep both feet on one side of the animal that they may be riding. No immodest, masculine, straddling of the equine would be allowed, under penalty of a jail sentence. [Note: see this October 23, 1907, article for more about that.] Now we are told that we are ignorant, densely so. That we lacked cleanliness, lamentably and unhealthily so. That we were rummies. In the name of everything holy, who will judge our critic? Surely, he has no vast number of medals for learning, good citizenship or exemplary peaceful, quiet and unassuming character attached to his person. At least they are not in sight. The fact of the matter is," continues Dr. Clement, "Mayor Schilling is wrong. He is beaten. He is ousted and doesn't know it. He began operations in a stupendous manner, shortly after his arrival. We were a home loving, unassuming people, and his broad swathes attracted us. We hailed him as a possible something. His cranium began to enlarge, and finally developed to a most obnoxious quantity. Mayor Schilling is not a near-angel."

      The article ended with these interesting words by Dr. Clement: "We would have been a portion of Oklahoma City today, no doubt, had it not been for the obstinacy of our critic, who believes in that event he would not carry his present self-asserted prestige." Of course, that's another story in Capitol Hill's history, right around the corner.

      As to whether Schilling attended council meetings after that and before the election of his successor as council member in May 1908 or the outcome of any suit against the town's commissioners which he may have filed, I found no Daily Oklahoman reports.

      I did find, though, that Schilling later came to use "abusive language' against Dr. Clement, had been fined and that Schilling refused to pay it. Thereupon, he was taken into custody. A February 4, 1908, article reported that Schilling filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus (i.e., to be released from jail) in district court before Judge Sam Hooker. He had subsequently been released on his own bond. A February 6 article reported that Judge Hooker denied Schilling's application.

      Finally, in February 1908, the criminal case which had been pending against Schilling during almost all of his tenure as mayor was set for trial – the charges stemming from his beating of C.L. Bonn for $11 in rent. Although apparently at near-death from those injuries, Mr. Bonn did recover. Instead of taking the case to the jury, a February 11, 1908, article reported that H.C. Schilling plead guilty and was fined $100.00 plus costs.

      After Capitol Hill was annexed by Oklahoma City in 1909-1910, Capitol Hill had two seats on the Oklahoma City Council, and Schilling made a run in 1910 to be one of them, running as an independent. Apparently the top two vote getters would win. The candidates and the results were reported in the April 5 and 6 Daily Oklahomans.

      Why Mr. Schilling's name does not appear in the April 6 article isn't stated. Democrats Donnelly and Taylor won, but what about Schilling? Did he get no votes, drop out of the race, or was the omission of his name from the voter tally list a scrivener's error? Whatever the reason, he didn't win and this was his last hurrah in Capitol Hill governmental life, even though his name continued to appear in print for lawsuits in one way or another for several years. But his life as a Capitol Hill politician was at its end.