Statue of Chief Sapulpa planned

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) -- An artist will build a clay likeness of Chief Sapulpa in the local Wal-Mart Supercenter from June 1 to Oct. 1.<br><br>The clay model will be used to cast a 9-foot bronze sculpture

Tuesday, April 13th 2004, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) -- An artist will build a clay likeness of Chief Sapulpa in the local Wal-Mart Supercenter from June 1 to Oct. 1.

The clay model will be used to cast a 9-foot bronze sculpture that will become a permanent fixture in front of City Hall.

Community members and school children will be able to help with the clay work, said Jim Branscum, the artist.

"I would like every student in Sapulpa to come and put a piece of clay on Chief Sapulpa," he said.

He is using the one photograph in existence of Chief Sapulpa to construct the statue.

The statue will hold a rifle in one hand and a lantern in the other.

Chief Sapulpa, a Creek Indian, was the area's first permanent settler.

He arrived in Indian Territory about 1850 and established a trading post in the area.