Alfalfa Bill Murray,
Speaker of the House
First Statehood Legislature
click picture
to enlarge |
Artist: Kathryn
Walker Richardson
Sponsor: Rep. Larry Adair
Dedication: February 4,
2004
Size: 48" x 30"
Type: Oil on Canvas
Location: House Lobby |
One of the most colorful politicians
of Oklahoma history was William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray
(1869-1956).
A teacher, farmer, journalist,
and lawyer, Murray first entered Democratic Party politics
with the movement for Oklahoma statehood. He served as
the president of the Oklahoma Constitutional Convention
and played a major role in the drafting of the state's
constitution. Murray became the first speaker of the new
state's House of Representatives.
In 1912, Murray won one of the
state's at-large seats in the United States House of Representatives.
Two years later, he was elected representative of Oklahoma's
Fourth District. He was elected Governor in 1930 after two
unsuccessful runs for the office in 1910 and 1918.
Flamboyant, unpredictable and
stubborn, Alfalfa Bill became a legend to several generations
of Oklahomans.
Images are copyright
of The Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund,
Inc. and the artist. Please contact Pam Hodges at
524-0126 or hodges@oksenate.gov for
further copyright information.
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