Sooners or Laters

In 1888, Oklahoma - aka Creek Nation - was sold to the US by Chief Pleasant Porter. In 1889, it was opened for settlement, causing the greatest land rushes in history. "Sooners" gained the name because they came early and attempted to cross the line and stake their homestead claims before the bugle sounded to announce the rush was on.

Claim jumpers, land sharps, blacklegs - were all a part of Oklahoma lore too, with their own ways and means of gaining the homestead land.

By 1893, most of the land for homesteading was already gone. The land rush lasted a mere 6 years.