Funeral services for Oscar G. Lee, pioneer realtor and hotel man of Oklahoma City who died in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday afternoon [June 13, 1934], will be held here at 10:30 a.m., Friday, it was announced Wednesday night.
Death, caused by hardening of the arteries, came to Lee following almost a year’s confinement in St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City. He had been a resident of that city since leaving Oklahoma City in 1913.
While Lee was supposed to have staked out a claim in Oklahoma City following the run of 1889, friends of his here recalled that he originally came to the city shortly before the turn of the century. The family, they declared, settled in Kingfisher from where the Lee brothers moved to the city.
Lee’s first venture in business here was a livery stable. This he sold upon being appointed chief of police under C. G. Jones, Mayor. During his term as chief of police, Lee negotiated for the ground upon which the Lee Hotel was to be built. This was the first of three valuable pieces of property he acquired.
He sold the hotel to the Huckins interest in 1905 and it was thenceforth known as the Lee-Huckins. It was destroyed by fire in 1908 and rebuilt. Before its destruction it was easily the most pretentious hostelry in Oklahoma Territory.
Later, Lee constructed the office building now known as the Liberty National Bank Building. This was the first office building in the territory. The estate still owns the ground on which the building stands.
In addition to these properties, the estate owns the land on which the majestic building stands at Main Street and Harvey Avenue and the corner on which the Schulte Cigar Store stands at Main Street and Robinson Avenue.
Lee is remembered here as one of the most active civic workers of his time. In addition to his individual business successes, he was noted for his influence in bringing industries and additional railway facilities to the city.
He is survived by two brothers, Harley E. and Harker H. Lee, Kansas City; a sister, Mrs. [Nellie] Arthur E. Bracken, Kingfisher; a nephew, George Bracken, Kansas City, and his stepmother, Mrs. J. M. Lee [Lillian Westbury], Kingfisher. He had been a widower since 1912. [Parents were John Michael Lee and Maria Essex. His wife was Adelaide Murray. Interment Fairlawn Cemetery, Kingfisher, OK]
The Daily Oklahoman, June 14, 1934
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman