Artist Frederick Ruple, an American-Swiss artist, captured the historic Oklahoma land run of 1889 in a painting in which Major Gordan W. Lillie, AKA Pawnee Bill, posed as the central figure. The painting was purchased by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce and given to the state of Oklahoma's historical society. It hung for a short period of time in the Biltmore Hotel while the final arrangements were made for the permanent hanging in the new historical building.

It was reported that Ruple had painted portraits of US Senator Robert L. Owen of Oklahoma; Judge U.M. Rose of Little Rock, Arkansas; Senator Caraway of Arkansas; Judge Thomas of Muskogee, Oklahoma; and William Busby of McAlester, Oklahoma. He was also known for his designs and murals for public buildings.

Fredrick Ruple