County residents at its core. Few people took the effort seriously and as anything other than a publicity stunt. Governor Orval E. Faubus of Arkansas was willing to accept McDonald County into Arkansas, but this plan never came to fruition. Giving Native Americans control of the land, which was suggested by Chief Henry Saugee of the Cherokee tribe of the nearby Jay, Oklahoma, was also under consideration. Provisional government McDonald County set up a provisional government and printed their own tourism literature. They elected and appointed officers, but there is conflicting reporting on who held many government positions. A local territorial militia was formed and visas were issued. Vehicles entering the territory were stopped by militiamen, and if the occupants were not local residents, they were given entry visas and local tourism information. The government of the territory also established a dispatch service, which provided mail service from the territorial post office to the nearest U.S. Post Office. This service issued a series of six two cent stamps to charge for its services. Activity In April 1961, during a mock battle between the territorial militia and troops from nearby Jasper County, a Jasper County soldier was accidentally injured when his musket exploded. He received minor cuts and burns. The McDonald Territory hosted a fishing derby, that had paid out over $500 in prize money as of May 1962. References McDonald County, Missouri Former regions and territories of the United States History of Missouri Separatism in the United States 1961 establishments in Missouri