Since the Centennial recognition of the horrors suffered at #greenwood, in #tulsaoklahoma are coming up I did some research and found a sombering tale of one of our brethren.
His name was Dr. Andrew C. Jackson, and he lost his life while assisting his people to safety during the #tulsamassacre in 1921.
He and his family lived in Guthrie, Oklahoma first. A boomtown of sourced trades of all colors and creeds at it’s inception. Segregation laws were written into the new state’s constitution. Over the course of a few years, the Jacksons found themselves reviled in a community where they were once respected. Hearing of the Promised Land built by black entrepreneurs in Greenwood, they dipped.
Bro. Jackson, was able to earn acceptance to the first medical school in the country for aspiring black doctors: #MeharryMedicalCollege in Nashville.
Dr. Jackson graduated from Meharry, practiced for awhile in Tulsa and Claremore, then trained as a surgeon in #Memphis. His work was such that he attracted the attention of the #MayoBrothers, and in 1919 he returned to Tulsa as a specialist in “chronic diseases and surgery for women.”
Dr. Jackson created some of the most innovative surgical tools that are still being used today post modifications and surgical and technological advancements. Surgical students the world over have been influenced by this great surgeon’s contribution to the medical community. Dr. Jackson lived on what was one of the most exclusive blocks in all of Greenwood….
In August of 1918, Dr. Jackson met with the mayor of Tulsa about establishing the Booker T. Washington Hospital for Negros, at the corner of Boston Ave. and Archer St. The Tulsa World article reporting on the creation of the hospital noted that the board of directors was made up of both black and white professionals.
On the night of the Massacre, many dead and wounded began showing up at the Hospital. The doctor spent the majority of the night tending to the wounded.
They encountered Judge John Oliphant and a group of armed men in khaki uniforms. Dr. Jackson put his hands in the air, saying, “Here I am. Take me.” men raised their rifles, Judge Oliphant yelled “don’t shoot! That’s Doctor Jackson!”. By this time it was too late…The men gunned him down in cold blood….
Today let us remember our Brother not only for his accolades, but for his ultimate sacrifices as we remember… Be ever mindful that although it happened so long ago and so far away, even this dark day in Tulsa effected our Order…
Notably, our brother served as medical examiner of District 35, Oklahoma’s Grand United Order of Oddfellows..
More to come