The Red River Bridge War: A Clash of Boundaries and Governance

The Red River Bridge War was a boundary dispute between Oklahoma and Texas in 1931. It involved legal battles over bridge construction across the Red River. Governors William H. Murray of Oklahoma and Ross Sterling of Texas exchanged telegrams over the issue. The conflict escalated with military involvement but was resolved when the Texas legislature allowed the Red River Bridge Company to sue the state, leading to the dissolution of the injunction. The free bridge served the public until 1995.

What was the main cause of the Red River Bridge War?

• A disagreement over the boundary line

• A dispute over oil rights

• A conflict over water usage

• A disagreement over fishing rights

Who were the governors of Oklahoma and Texas during the Red River Bridge War?

• William H. Murray and Ann Richards

• William H. Murray and Ross Sterling

• Alfalfa Bill Murray and Sam Houston

• Alfalfa Bill Murray and George W. Bush

What action did the Red River Bridge Company take against the state of Texas?

• They closed all toll bridges

• They sued for damages

• They built a new bridge

• They relocated their operations

What was the response of the federal judge in Houston to the bridge dispute?

• Ordered the toll bridges to be free

• Ordered the public bridges closed

• Ordered the construction of more bridges

• Ordered a new boundary survey

What did Governor Murray threaten to do if Texas rangers crossed into Oklahoma again?

• Build more toll bridges

• Prosecute them for invasion

• Send Oklahoma rangers to Texas

• Close all bridges

How did Governor Murray respond to the blocking of public bridges by Texas?

• He called out the National Guard

• He built a new bridge

• He filed a lawsuit

• He negotiated a settlement

What did the Oklahoma National Guard do at the bridge?

• Tore down the toll booth

• Built a new toll booth

• Repaired the toll booth

• Painted the bridge

How was the Red River Bridge War finally resolved?

• By a special session of the Texas legislature

• By a federal court ruling

• By a peace treaty between the states

• By building a new bridge

What happened to the free bridge in 1995?

• It was moved to a new location

• It was turned into a museum

• It was dynamited

• It was renovated