Friends for a Day - October 12, 1832
by Wayne Cooper
As described in Washington Irving's "Tour on the Prairies" on October 12, 1832, a young Osage boy of about 17 brought a stray horse into camp, expecting a reward. However, the Cherokees thought the horse was stolen. They claimed the horse and recommended the boy be flogged. Irving and others took the boy's side and prevented the flogging. Young Count Porutales, age 21, was immensely impressed with the handsome Osage and through an interpreter, persuaded him to stay on as his personal squire. They immediately became friends and started out on their own to explore the countryside. They returned very late that night and early the next morning the young Indian was gone. It was later said that the reason for his leaving was the Osage elders advised the boy that his association with Count Porutales was not the right thing to do. Porutales and the Osage boy are depicted on top of Bald Hill northeast of Sand Springs. The stone monument marks an Osage hunting trail.
Friends for a Day - October 12, 1832 by Wayne Cooper was dedicated on May 18, 1998 the commission was managed by the Oklahoma State Senate Historical Preservation Fund, Inc.
Friends for a Day - October 12, 1832 by Wayne Cooper is located outside the Oklahoma State Senate lounge on the fourth floor of the Oklahoma State Capitol and can be viewed daily from 8:30-5:30 when the Senate is not in session.
The Artist
Wayne
Cooper is an acknowledged national painter known for his portrayals
of Western and American Indian subjects. He comes from a background
of Indian heritage and was raised on a small ranch gaining first hand
knowledge of Oklahoma ranch life.
Cooper is listed in Artists USA, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in American Art, International Who’s Who in Art and Antiques, Universal Directory of the Art and Personalities of the Americas, and others.
His works consist of oils, water colors, charcoals, pencil, sculpture (bronzes) and lithographs. His works are held in many private and public collections worldwide, including the halls of the Oklahoma State Senate and House of Representatives.