Lucile Walrond

Lucile Walrond

April 1879 – September 16, 1970 (Aged 91)

Robert Calvin Loveall (TU, BA Class of 2026)

“The First Bachelor of Arts in the Indian Territory”1

Following the return of Alice Robertson to the Muskogee area in 1890, as is noted in Anna (Peterson) Shortall’s biography, the Presbyterian School of Indian Girls (PSIG) opened to non-Native students. Lucile Walrond was one of a small group of non-Native students who joined PSIG. She began her studies at PSIG shortly before the school ceased to exist as an independent entity. After PSIG transformed into Henry Kendall College, however, she matriculated as part of its inaugural class in 1894, later graduating as one of the first three students to earn a Bachelor in the Arts within the territory. In the years following, Henry Kendall College moved to Tulsa and was renamed the University of Tulsa.

Early History

Lucile Walrond was born in April 1879 to Mary Duncan Smith Walrond (1850 – 1931) and Zachary Taylor Walrond (1847 – 1914) in Osbourne, Kansas.2 Out of her three siblings, Virgil S. (1876 – 1876), Warren (1880 – 1880), and Anna (1881 – 1881), Lucile was the only one who “lived to adulthood,” with her siblings interred in the Osbourne cemetery in Osbourne, Kansas.3

As recorded in multiple sources, Lucile went by the names “Lulu,” “Ludie,” and “Lucile” interchangeably until early adulthood. In an 1880 U.S. Census report, when she would have been one year old, the name “Lulu” was recorded. Just five years later, the 1885 U.S. Census recorded her name as “Ludie.”4

According to family and government documents, both of Lucile’s parents came from families who had backgrounds in farming as their main occupation. Additionally, both families migrated from Virginia to Hart County, Kentucky.5 While it is currently unknown exactly when the two met, Zachary married Mary Duncan Smith in December 1874, following a short visit he made to his father’s house in Kentucky. The couple settled in Zachary’s “newly-built home” in Osborne, Kansas.6

After establishing a homestead, Zachary became a prominent figure in the area, circulating a “record of current events” titled “Annals of Osbourne Country” in the community, and being elected “Register of Deeds” in 1874.7

The same year that Lucile was born — two years after her father, having studied law and having been “admitted to the bar,” retired from his position as the register of deeds — Zachary developed his practice as a private attorney with his cousin J. K. Mitchell.7 In 1889, when Lucile would have been nine years old, her family moved to the Muskogee area because President Benjamin Harrison had appointed Zachary the first United States Attorney for the Indian Territory.8

School

Lucile’s obituary and local newspapers record that, while growing up in Kansas, she studied at local public schools until her family moved to Muskogee.9 The first record of her attending an educational institution is found in the Osborne County Journal, which noted on November 2, 1887, that, at the age of seven, she was studying in the First Intermediate classroom under Frank H. Gray.10 Later, on October 3, 1888, she studied in the Second Intermediate classroom under Maria C. Hopper.11 Additionally, an article of December 26, 1888, in the same journal records her  as “having the best grade for December.”12

In Muskogee, Lucile continued her education through an academic course at the Harrell Institute and later attended the Presbyterian School of Indian Girls (PSIG). While it is unknown exactly how long she remained at either institution, in a questionnaire of 1937 for the Indian-Pioneer History Project (IPP), Lucile described the work of Reverend Theodore F. Brewer, his wife, and Miss Alice Robertson as “outstanding.”13

While there is only limited documentation of her attendance at the Harrell Institute, the name “Ludie Walrond” appears in two PSIG honor rolls published by the Muskogee Phoenix on September 25 and November 20 of 1890.14

Following the closure of PSIG, Lucile matriculated at Henry Kendall College as part of its opening class in 1894. A Muskogee Phoenix article on June 8, 1895, noted that Lucile performed a piano solo of a tarantella piece in the same musical program that listed fellow PSIG students Susanna Barnett and Lutie Nash[1].15 On October 28, 1897, the Muskogee Phoenix noted that Lucile had been elected president of her class.16

As was reported by the St. Louis Globe-Democrat and several other newspapers all over the United States (ranging from New York to California), Lucile became the “first” person to receive a Bachelor of Arts from an institution of higher education in Indian Territory in 1898. She shares this achievement with two other students, Benjamin F. McCurtain and Joseph Norman Leard, who were both citizens of the Choctaw Nation, but she received pride of place because she was valedictorian, graduating with honors.17

After graduating from Henry Kendall College, she remained closely involved with the school. For example, the Muskogee Evening Times records her participation in the program for the college’s “Musical Recital,” where she performed a violin solo of “Swing Song” by Fowler on May 23, 1901.18

Adult Life

On July 14, 1903, as reported by the Muskogee Evening Times and later the Muskogee Times-Democrat, Lucile worked at the post office as a “stamper,” only to resign one year later, in order to accept a position with the Dawes Commission. While it is unclear how long she worked for the commission, she worked inside the “Five Civilized Tribes” Post Office Agency for thirty years.19

On November 6, 1914, Lucile’s father died at the age of sixty-seven from uraemic poisoning, caused by untreated kidney failure. As reported by various newspapers, his death occurred shortly after he had been appointed president of the Muskogee Bar Association.20 On June 11, 1931, The Claremore Messenger reported that Lucile’s mother, Mary Duncan Smith Walrond, had passed away on May 25, 1931.21

On June 25, 1933, the Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Muskogee Times-Democrat reported that Lucile had been forced to retire as the Mailing Division Clerk after thirty years of working inside the post office department of the “Five Civilized Tribes Agency.” The newspapers and the agency’s superintendent, L. M. Landman, speculated that these cuts were due to economic pressures, leading the federal government to pass an “enactment” that “permits employees with 30 years or more service to be retired.”22

Throughout her life, Lucile was devoted to serving the general public not only through her employment, but also through regular volunteer service in local events hosted by various organizations of which she was a member. Below is a list of organizations that she regularly participated in:

The Order of the Eastern Star (OES)

Ladies Saturday Music Club and or Music Club Program

Kentucky Society

Old Settlers, Pioneers of Indian Territory Association

The Ladies Bible Class and Missionary Society of the First Presbyterian Church

The Muskogee Woman’s Forum

Daughters of the American Revolution

The Musical Arts Society23

Death and Legacy

Lucile Walrond died at the age of ninety-one on September 16, 1970. She is buried alongside her parents at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee County, Oklahoma.24

Until 1930, a steady number of Native American students graduated every year from Henry Kendall College and the University of Tulsa. The absence of Native graduates in 1930 provoked concern in various local newspapers, which reported the significance of this break in tradition. The Tulsa World published an article titled, “T.U. Senior Class has No Indians – Is First time in History of University; Chancellor Expresses Regret,” in which the author recognized the close tie that the university has with Native history and how it was disappearing.25

On January 24, 1997, the Tulsa World published an article titled, “TU’s Roots – Diploma From College’s First Graduating Class Found.” Its author, Randy Krehbiel, details the accidental discovery of Lucile’s diploma in a Muskogee antique mall, and the return of this diploma to the University of Tulsa.26

Endnotes

1 “Miss Lucile Walrond, The First Bachelor of Arts in the Indian Territory,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 3, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat-miss-lucile-wal/191193209/, accessed February 13, 2026.

2 “Osborne County Hall of Fame,” Osborne County Farmer, March 28, 1996, https://osborne.advantage-preservation.com/viewer, accessed February 13, 2026; “Lucile Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48891194/lucille-walron, accessed February 13, 2026; “Judge Zachary Taylor Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48891210/zachary_taylor-walrond, accessed February 13, 2026; “Mary Duncan Smith Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48891202/mary_duncan-walrond, accessed February 13, 2026.

3 “Virgil S. Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118916562/virgil_s-walrond, accessed February 13, 2026; “Warren Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118916614/warren-walrond, accessed February 13, 2026; “Anna Walrond,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118916498/anna-walrond, accessed February 13, 2026.

4 Lulu Walrond, U.S. Census Bureau, 1880 United States Federal Census, Osborne, Kansas, Enumeration District 210, roll 392, page 273c. Ancestry.com, accessed February 13, 2026, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/records/49095484.

5 Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, 37.119 (April 1939), 173, https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62282/records/4503683430, accessed February 13, 2026; Zacariah T. Walrond and Mary D. Smith, U.S. Census Bureau, 1860 United States Federal Census, Hart, Kentucky, District 1. Roll: M653_372; Page: 793.  Ancestry.com, accessed February 13, 2026,  https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/records/39186385.

6 “The Late Z. T. Walrond,” Osborne County Farmer, November 19, 1914, https://osborne.advantage-preservation.com/viewer/?k=walrond&t=29152&i=t&d=01011913-12311915&m=between&ord=k1&fn=osborne_county_farmer_usa_kansas_osbourne_city_19141119_english_7&df=1&dt=7, accessed February 13, 2026.

7 “Late Z. T. Walrond.”

8 “Appointment of Zachary Taylor Walrond as U.S. Attorney for Oklahoma,” Osborne County Farmer, April 3, 1889, newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/osborne-county-farmer-praises-of-walrond/192262739/, accessed February 13, 2026.

9 “Pioneer Henry Kendall College Grad, 91, Dies,” Tulsa World, September 17, 1970, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-19700917-tulsa-world-l/190158828/, accessed February 13, 2026.

10 “Lulu Walrond Attending Grammar School,” Osborne County Journal, November 2, 1887, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/osborne-county-journal-lulu-walrond-atte/194772979/, accessed March 26, 2026.

11 “Lulu Walrond Having the Best Grade in December 1888,” Osborne County Journal, December 26, 1888, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/osborne-county-journal-lulu-walrond-havi/194773354/, accessed March 26, 2026.

12 “Lulu Walrond Attending Second Intermediate Class,” Osborne County Farmer, October 3, 1888, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/osborne-county-farmer-lulu-walrond-atten/202229243/, accessed March 26, 2026.

13 Lucille Walrond, Questionnaire, no date or place specified, The Indian-Pioneer Papers Collection, Volume 73, Page 294. Accessed through Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9025/images/41698_332950-01331, February 13, 2026.

14 “Lulu Walrond,” U.S. Census Bureau, 1885 Kansas Territory Census, Osborne, Kansas, Topeka, Kansas; Roll KS1885_102; Page 17, Line 3. Ancestry.com, accessed March 26, 2026 https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/1088/records/522502; “Presbyterian School - Honor Roll,” Muskogee Phoenix, September 25, 1890, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Presbyterian School - Honor Roll,” Muskogee Phoenix, November 20, 1890, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611429103/, accessed March 26, 2026.

15 “Lucile Walrond at the Henry Kendall College Exercises,” Muskogee Phoenix, June 8, 1895, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-phoenix-lucile-walrond-at-the-h/194291817/, accessed February 13, 2026.

16 Marc Carlson, “University of Tulsa,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=UN014, accessed February 13, 2026.

17 “Senior Class Reception,” Muskogee Evening Times, May 27, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/586374777/, accessed February 13, 2026; “Miss Lucile Walrond - The First Bachelor of Arts in the Indian Territory,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 3, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/571324571/, accessed February 13, 2026; “The First in Oklahoma,” Springville Journal, August 11, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/279532638/, accessed February 13, 2026; “Miss Lucile Walrond Receives the First Degree in Indian Territory,” Los Angeles Times, July 18, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/378317325/, accessed February 13, 2026; “First Class - To Graduate From the Henry Kendall College,” The Wichita Beacon, June 3, 1898, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/76740504/, accessed February 13, 2026; “Benjamin F. ‘Ben’ McCurtain,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38400963/, accessed February 13, 2026; “Joseph Norman,” Find A Grave, data and images, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/80219326/, accessed February 13, 2026.

18 “Henry Kendall College Music Recital - Program,” Muskogee Evening Time, May 23, 1901, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/, accessed February 13, 2026.

19 “Additional Post Office Clerks,” Muskogee Evening Times, July 14, 1903, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611271753/, accessed February 13, 2026; “Cause of Delay,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, September 15, 1904, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/14952843/, accessed February 13, 2026; "Lucile Walrond Loses her Job at the Five Civilized Tribes Agency" Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, June 25, 1933, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/muskogee-daily-phoenix-and-times-democra/202229476/, accessed March 26, 2026.

20 “Zachary T. Walrond is Dead,” The Lehigh News, November 12, 1914, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/606212548/, accessed March 26, 2026; “The Late Z. T. Walrond.”

21 “Mary Walrond Passes Away,” The Claremore Messenger, June 11, 1931, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/715442825/, accessed March 26, 2026. It is important to note that the article misreported or misprinted the date of her family’s arrival to the “Indian Territory.” The article should have read, “Mrs. Walrond came to Indian Territory in 1889 with her husband, Z. T. Walrond, then United States Attorney” (italics mine).

22 “Nine Five Tribes Office Positions are Abolished in U. S. Economy Drive,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, June 25, 1933, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898849533/, accessed March 26, 2026.

23 “Society Directory - Lucile and Zachary Walrond as Chapter Leaders,” Muskogee Evening Times, January 14, 1902, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611271591/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Musical Club Program,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, March 21, 1909, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/584036974/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Accomplishing a Splendid Work,” Muskogee Evening Times, February 18, 1902; Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/611271958/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Kentucky Society Officers - Lucile Serves as Assistant Secretary,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, July 9, 1907, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/584033525/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Eastern Oklahoma Pioneers Meet Here - Lucile Walrond Pictured,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, October 6, 1934, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article, accessed March 26, 2026); “Announcements,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, May 11, 1937, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898554517/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Woman’s Forum to Meet Wednesday,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, May 26, 1936, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898499260/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Social Calendar,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, September 24, 1957, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/590666991/, accessed March 26, 2026; “Musical Arts,” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, March 6, 1947, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/898564189/, accessed March 26, 2026.

24 “Lucile Walrond,” Findagrave.com; “Pioneer Henry Kendall College Grad, 91, Dies.”

25 “T.U. Senior Class has No Indians - Is First time in History of University; Chancellor Expresses Regret,” Tulsa World, January 19, 1930, Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/image/888527413/, accessed March 26, 2026.

27 “TU’s Roots - Finding of Lucile Walrond’s Diploma Part 2.” Tulsa World, January 24, 1997. Newspapers.com, https://www.newspapers.com/article/tulsa-world-tus-roots-finding-of-luci/192261485/, accessed February 13, 2026.

Bibliography

“Accomplishing a Splendid Work.” Muskogee Evening Times, February 18, 1902.

“Additional Post Office Clerks.” Muskogee Evening Times, July 14, 1903.

Appointment of Zachary Taylor Walrond as U.S. Attorney for Oklahoma.” Osborne County Farmer, April 3, 1889.

“Announcements.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, May 11, 1937.

“Benjamin F. ‘Ben’ McCurtain.” Find A Grave, data and images.

Carlson, Marc. “University of Tulsa,” The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture.

“Cause of Delay,” Muskogee Times-Democrat, September 15, 1904.

“Eastern Oklahoma Pioneers Meet Here - Lucile Walrond Pictured.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, October 6, 1934, Newspapers.com.

“First Class - To Graduate From the Henry Kendall College.” The Wichita Beacon, June 3, 1898.

“The First in Oklahoma,” Springville Journal, August 11, 1898.

“Henry Kendall College Music Recital - Program,” Muskogee Evening Time, May 23, 1901.

“Joseph Norman,” Find A Grave, data and images.

“Judge Zachary Taylor Walrond,”Find A Grave, data and images.

“Kentucky Society Officers - Lucile Serves as Assistant Secretary.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, July 9, 1907.

“The Late Z. T. Walrond.” Osborne County Farmer, November 19, 1914.

“Lucile Walrond,” Findagrave.com, data and images.

Lucile Walrond, Interview transcript, The Indian-Pioneer Papers Collection, Volume 24, page 294. Ancestry.com.

“Lucile Walrond at the Henry Kendall College Exercises,” Muskogee Phoenix, June 8, 1895,

 “Lulu Walrond Attending Grammar School.” Osborne County Journal, November 2, 1887.

“Lulu Walrond Attending Second Intermediate Class,” Osborne County Farmer, October 3, 1888.

“Lulu Walrond Having the Best Grade in December 1888.” Osborne County Journal, December 26, 1888.

“Lulu Walrond Having the Best Grade in December 1888.” Osborne County Journal, December 26, 1888.

“Mary Walrond Passes Away.” The Claremore Messenger, June 11, 1931.

“Mary Duncan Smith Walrond.” Findagrave.com.

“Miss Lucile Walrond, The First Bachelor of Arts in the Indian Territory.” St. Louis Globe-Democrat, June 3, 1898.

“Miss Lucile Walrond Receives the First Degree in Indian Territory.” Los Angeles Times, July 18, 1898.

“Musical Arts.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, March 6, 1947.

“Musical Club Program.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, March 21, 1909, Newspapers.com.

“Nine Five Tribes Office Positions are Abolished in U. S. Economy Drive.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, June 25, 1933.

“Osborne County Hall of Fame.” Osborne County Farmer, March 28, 1996.

“Pioneer Henry Kendall College Grad, 91, Dies.” Tulsa World, September 17, 1970.

“Presbyterian School - Honor Roll.” Muskogee Phoenix, November 20, 1890.

“Presbyterian School - Honor Roll.” Muskogee Phoenix, September 25, 1890.

Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, 37.119 (April 1939), 173.

“Senior Class Reception.” Muskogee Evening Times, May 27, 1898.

“Social Calendar.” Muskogee Times-Democrat, September 24, 1957

“Society Directory - Lucile and Zachary Walrond as Chapter Leaders.” Muskogee Evening Times, January 14, 1902.

“T.U. Senior Class has No Indians - Is First time in History of University; Chancellor Expresses Regret.” Tulsa World, January 19, 1930.

“TU’s Roots - Finding of Lucile Walrond’s Diploma.” Tulsa World, January 24, 1997. Newspapers.com.

U.S. Census Bureau. Lulu Walrond. 1880 United States Federal Census, Osborne, Kansas. Enumeration District 210, roll 392, page 273c.

U.S. Census Bureau. Lulu Walrond. 1885 United States Federal Census, Topeka, Kansas; Roll KS1885_102; Page 17, Line 3.

U.S. Census Bureau. Zacariah T. Walrond and Mary D. Smith. U.S. Census Bureau, 1860 United States Federal Census, Hart, Kentucky, District 1. Roll: M653_372; Page: 793.

“Virgil S. Walrond.” Findagrave.com.

“Woman’s Forum to Meet Wednesday.” Muskogee Daily Phoenix and Times-Democrat, May 26, 1936.

“Warren Walrond,” Findagrave.com.

“Zachary T. Walrond is Dead,” The Lehigh News, November 12, 1914.

Published in June 2026.