“In securing territorial legislation was one of the most effective and powerful influences employed; merely all of the members were gentlemen of high standing and large influence in Washington, and both individually and as an organization they were uniting in the work of advancing the interest of not only Guthrie but of the entire Territory. Mr. H. J. Whitley, to the neglect of his own private businesses, at his own expense, went to Washington in the winter of 1889-90, where he spent several weeks in working for Oklahoma legislation in Congress.”

Illustrated History of Oklahoma: Its Occupation by Spain and ... -1890 Page 59 Blomgren Brothers & Company, Chicago, Ill. Can be found for free in Google Books