BOOK   

  The Negro-owned Boley, Oklahoma
FARMERS AND MERCHANTS BANK

This bank was successfully defended from a robbery attempt by members of Most Wanted Criminal "Pretty Boy" Floyd's gang. It profitably operated during some of America's toughest economic times.

Back in Boley

A Colored Town’s Story of Self-determination

By S. P. Jennifer 

Back in Boley promises to dust off and polish up the dusty tales of the west by including this “gem of a town” in its annals.  This was Booker T. Washington’s description of the town upon his first visit there.  The addition of a family’s struggle to racially define themselves, along with the appearance of some of America’s most wanted bank robbers assault on the town, adds unpredictable intrigue to the story. 

The author intentionally raises doubt on the color/race classification model, and includes photos of a Civil War document, along with a World War I photo to stimulate the dialogue on race and enlighten perspectives on African American historical contributions.  A portion of the sales from Back in Boley, will be used to assist in the revitalization campaign for the town. 

About the Author 

Sheila P. Jennifer writes from Columbia, Maryland.  As a former federal and state archivist, she has vast experience in research/documentation, including receipt of the National Archivist Award.  She has also produced a documentary  for community access cable television entitled: Promise of Color: Columbia’s Quest for Racial Harmony.  She has a B.A. from Morgan State University, and is currently teaching in a local private elementary school.  Contact her at backinboley@yahoo.com, or at any of the contacts given in the address heading. 

October-2006•History•Paperbook

90 pages•$9.95•ISBN: 0-7417-3464-4

...tells the fascinating history of a Midwestern town bound and determined to achieve self determination. The fact that two white railroad tycoons have placed a bet on whether its colored townspeople can successfully accomplish this task is documented herein.

The author, Sheila P. Jennifer, is the wife of Clinton Jennifer whose grandfather, Wesley W. Riley, was Cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Boley, Oklahoma during the attempted robbery in 1932.

Wesley W. Riley is the son of Sam and Ophelia Montgomery Riley and grandson of Jerry and Emma Montgomery

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AMERICA'S WESTERN FRONTIER

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