Volume 50
June 4, 2020
- No. 22
By Friedrich Gomez
Famed American humorist, Will Rogers, often quipped: “I never had my Americanism doubted before. My mother and my father both were part Cherokee Indian. Of course my people didn’t come over on the Mayflower – but they were there to meet the folks when they landed.” Most everyone knows that vaudeville star, radio pioneer, newspaper columnist, and one of America’s top movies stars, Will Rogers, was of Native American extraction.
On that fact, alone, there is nothing The Paper - 760.747.7119
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new under the sun.
But, few know that a myth-buster would have his hands full in clearing away unnecessary cobwebs of misinformation concerning the real Will Rogers.
EXPLODING A MYTH. Will Rogers (1879-1935), known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” was never a “rags-to-riches” story – although his life has often been, erroneously, reported that way by numerous newspapers, magazines, and television documentaries, all of which have played fast-and-loose with the
facts. Nevertheless, the Horatio Alger approach is irresistibly romantic at the expense of actual truth.
Despite reports to the contrary, Will Rogers was born to a wealthy and upscale Cherokee family at The Dog Iron Ranch, just 30 minutes from Oologah in Indian territory. “Oologah” is Cherokee for “dark cloud.” Amusingly, Will Rogers said he always told folks he was “from Claremore because no one but an Indian could pronounce Oologah.” NATIVE AMERICAN
ROOTS.
Will Rogers See Page 2
Although Will Rogers was only part Native American on both his parents’ side, he steadfastly identified with the Cherokee, as did his parents before him. He often said to great laughter, “I have Indian blood in me. I have just enough white blood for you to question my honesty.” OKLAHOMA’S FAVORITE SON. Known as “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son,” Will Rogers’ fame during his lifetime made him one of the most beloved individuals in American history, to the point of becoming, in essence, “America’s Favorite Son,” a mantle which he humbly, but