David Lewis Payne

Born in Indiana, David Payne (1836–1884) became known for making the Oklahoma Boomer Movement popular. Payne spent time scouting land in Kansas for the government before he learned about the possibility of land opening to settlement in Indian Territory. He quickly became an advocate for the opening of Unassigned Lands in the territory. Despite the government’s initial refusal, Payne and his followers made several attempts to stake claims on the unassigned property. Despite being arrested and removed each time, Payne continued to intrude onto Indian Territory lands. Payne died before the Unassigned Lands he was fighting for were officially opened for settlement.