OKOBOJI INDIANS
About Us
The Lazy T Farm Com
The Okoboji Indians are one of the oldest shooting organizations in the world, holding their first Powwow in the summer of 1898 at Clear Lake, Iowa. A Powwow has been held every year since, except for the year 1907, the 2 years during World War II and and the 2020 year during the COVID pandemic.
There is one motto in the Indians that must be adhered to at all times and that is, "Fair Play and Square Play". This motto applies to our Okoboji brothers and the outside world as well. Okoboji Indians receive a challenge to keep this motto, not only in shooting, but also at work and in their home surroundings. Indians are to be committed to their God, their family and their work. If given a job to do, it is to be done to the best of their ability.
"Let your yes be yes and your no be no, for commitment is all-important in today's society'"
History of the origin of “The Indians”
The following information was obtained from a Special Report written by H.C. Brown at the annual powwow on August 11 1904. The information contained in this document is written by Don Cohagen Jr, Chief Big Hole PHC 1991, and is contained in the history book published by the same during his year as High Chief.
“But who are the Indians? This question has been asked us times immemorial and in this issue we purpose to tell our readers about the organiza/on.”
“In order to do this well, we cannot find a better or more correct method than to quote here the opening paragraphs of their own preamble and constitution”
“During the summer of 1897, a little group of Western sportsmen meeting by chance at a tournament at Memphis, Tenn. were facetiously designated by Elmer Shanner, then as now secretary-manager of the Interstate Association, as “The Indians”. It was one of those random shoots of wit handed about at every tournament where the boys are wont to meet, but so pat to the point that it was taken up, first in a jocular way, and then seriously, by the men who inspired it These, though not present on the par/cular occasion above referred to were, Frank S. Parmelee and Geo. W. Loomis of Omaha Neb; Fred Gilbert of Spirit Lake IA: Chauncey M. Powers of Decatur Ill; Richard S. Merrill of Milwaukee, WI; Tom A. Marshall of Keithsburg, Ill; Harvey McMurchy of Fulton NY; Chas. W. Budd of Des Moines, IA; Chas. M. Grimm of Clear Lake IA; and Rolla O. Heikes of Dayton OH. At a subsequent meeting, where new idea was discussed these gentlemen became associated as charter members of the tribe, admitting to membership at the same time, Elmer E Neal of Bloomfield Ind. And Ernest H. Tripp of Indianapolis, Indiana.”
“What has since known as the first regular Indian tournament was held under this management at Clear Lake IA., late in the summer of 1898 and the conspicuous success of this event gave to the embryo organiza/on the impetus of growth that resulted in the remarkable fruition of later years. However, no formal organization was affected until nearly two years later. At a powwow held at Springfield Ill. The following spring, W.R. Crosby of O’Fallon Ill. Was elected to membership. Another annual tourney was held, this time at Lake Okoboji IA. With even greater success and from that time the permanency of The Indian as a shooting organiza/on was assured. The dedication ode, which was published at the time, was written for this occasion and at this time, also F.C. Riehl, of Alton Ill., was elected to membership.”
“Late in the autumn of the same year (1900) a called meeting was held in the Leland Hotel, Chicago, and therein permanent officers were elected and a formal constitution and by-laws adopted.” In the standards thus established and practically carried out in the annual tourneys since held, The Indians have become known throughout the United States as an organization standing for and signifying all that is best in what has been happily termed “the American gentlemen’s sport” the art of shooting at the trap.
“The keynote of the organization, which has pervaded every act since its inception, is absolute fairness in everything, as between one chief and another, and in all relationship of the Tribe as a whole with the outside world.”
“In the Councils of the Tribe and in its annual tourneys, everything pertaining to professionalism and trade rivalry has been strictly tabooed and forbidden. And centered on this thought The Indians hold annually at least one tournament, where they offer in added money and prizes, raised by individual subscription among members, a program sufficiently inviting to attract the attention of all lovers of the sport, where all may meet and compete on an equal footing, without handicap or class distinction; where the best man may win on the merits and all who can shoot within the places are reasonably assured of getting their money back. The remarkable success which has attended all the Indian tournaments, with a steadily increasing ratio, has eminently justified and demonstrated the wisdom of this fundamental plan.”
To be an Indian one must be a gentleman and a sportsman. The organization intended to furnish a high-class amusement once or more each year and so hedge it about with safeguards none but the ladies and gentlemen will attend. It is as much for the pleasure of the wives and daughters of sportsmen as for men and is therefore select. The annual powwow is always both interesting and pleasant.
Little known facts:
1) The Okoboji’s had their first trap shoot a year before the American Amateur Trapshoo/ng Association was formed (AATA).
2) Famous shooters who shot the Indian shoot; Anny Oakley, John Phillip Sousa (first president of the American Trapshooting Association), William Saxbe, attorney general of the US., and Larry Hansen (pilot for Eisenhower during World War II).
3) ATA past presidents (11), Guy Dering, Ralph and Roscoe Jenkins, Hershel Cheek, Dr. H.N. Alford, Robert Greek, Earl Toliver, Lucky Nigh/ngale, Tom Acklin, Ken Duncan and Terry Roush.
4)There are 39 Hall of Fame members of the ATA.
5) ATA managers; Ray Loring, and Hugh McKinley
6) Bob Clyne; co-inventor of the Clyne electric pull and scribe of the Indians for many years. Without question, the Clyne electric pull invention revolu/onized our sport.
7) Current ATA officers for 2022, Hunter H. Galloway III, Secretary, Robert E. Goodman, Treasurer.
8) Father and son High Chiefs, Don Cohagen Sr. and Jr., Grandfather, father and son High Chiefs, the Waldock’s and brothers, the Jenkins.
9) Betty Ann Foxworthy, editor of the Trap and Field.