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Bruney, Edward Sheldon

 Edward S. Burney

 June 20, 1920—Chickasha, OK—Edward S. Burney, 59 years old, native of the Chickasaw nation, and called the “Father of Chickasha,” died at his home here this week.  His body was buried in the cemetery he in the early days had helped to dedicate.

            When the Chicago, rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company extended its line through this section of the state and into Texas, in 1892, Burney organized a company and bought the present site of Chickasha, and surveyed—and laid out the town.  Soon after the organization of the village government he was elected a member of the board of education.

            Burney’s father, David C. Burney was of Choctaw and Chickasaw lineage.  He was born in Mississippi and accompanied the Chickasaws in their exodus to Indian Territory.  Here he served a leading place among the councils, the legislatures and in the courts.

            Burney attended all the school of the Chickasha nation and completed a course in the Chickasha manual training school at Tishomingo. When 16 years old, he became a cowboy, after which he engaged in the cattle industry.

Burney served from 1895 to 1898 as deputy U. S. marshal.  He resigned this position to engage in the campaign of Douglas H. Johnson as a candidate for the office of governor of the Chickasaw nation.  After Johnson’s election Burney was appointed as a representative of the Chickasaws on the Dawes commission.  He held this place until 1902.  In 1906 he was reappointed as deputy U. S. marshal, which position he held until Oklahoma became a state.