Caddo- My Home Town

Cat's Paw

During my high school days the school paper, published by the classes of the business department, was called the “Cat’s Paw”. I’m not sure how we came about that name, but it’s rather strange to see the same phrase on the window of the museum.

I still have the October 21, 1966 edition because one of the front page articles is about my election as the “Sub-District President” of the FHA. I’m not sure I even remember what the sub-district was! But the paper is interesting for a number of reasons. For one thing it contains the names of the same people who are active in community affairs today, because they were active in school projects and groups.

On page two is a devotional, including a prayer, and this thought for the day: “I want the light of Christ to shine through me, and my life to shine in the midst of darkness.” Apparently there was less concern in those days about separation of church and state! I wonder if we could print a devotional in today’s school paper. Probably not.

There is also a report of a fire on September 16^th doing $2,000 damage to the “grade school”. The fire started in the fifth grade room and spread to the fourth grade room. It was started by a faulty compressor in a water cooler.

The superintendent’s message is ironic since it could have been written today. He opens by saying how well the students are adjusting to school and accepting new regulations. Then he addresses the problem of the day. “The one regulation that has not been accepted as fully as we had hoped is the one concerning the length of girls’ skirts. Proper dress and appearance is as important as the knowledge gained by an individual. In our modern world, you must be accepted by your superiors before you can demonstrate your knowledge or ability. A person’s dress should tell us something about that person. It should characterize the individual. …If your dress indicates that you have no self respect, it seems to me that it would be hard for you to command respect from your peers.” I wonder if I could go back to the fifties or even the forties and find a similar plea from the superintendent? No doubt.

In a survey (very scientific I’m sure) 54% of the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior students said if a boy and girl went out two or three times the other students considered them “going steady”. 57% said girls should NOT have equal rights in asking for dates. 72% thought is was all right to go “Dutch treat” on dates.

The back page of the paper is filled with little teasers. “____, why is it that you are so anxious to see the Junior play?? Could it be because of a certain fellow named ____?” “___, who have you been looking for in the halls??? Could it be ____?” I guess anyone’s romance was fair game. There is even a teaser about me!!

New classes were added to the Caddo High curriculum. Boy’s home economics, taught by Mrs. Adkisson, covered the following topics: personal development, clothing and grooming, bachelor meals, cooking, family living, and housing.

The junior play, “The Phantom Bells” promised to finish with a final surprise that “will leave an audience gasping”. I was in the play, and I can’t remember how it ended. I do remember us losing a prop!

Finally, these words of wisdom from the editorial: “We all know that to succeed in life today you need a very high education. Now is the time to start preparing that education. A good education can’t come with just the snap of the fingers, it has to be worked and planned for…Prepare now, for the time is coming when you will need this preparation.” Words to live by. 

I don’t know about you, but I love looking back at these glimpses of the past because they show us that the basic nature of people changes very little from decade to decade. I think people always do the best they can, where they are, with what they have. The majority of people in Caddo have always worked hard to make it a better place to live. They’ve always cared about the problems and prospects of the next generation. Looking back to where we’ve been helps us move forward to where we need to be!

By the way, if you have any old papers, family history, or news you want to share in 2006, you can leave them at Craighead’s for me. Just put them in an envelope marked “Caddo Blog”.

Progress and a Higher Civilization

I spent some time reading the Oklahoma Star today. Remember, Caddo’s first known paper began January 14, 1874 and was the first to use the word Oklahoma in its title. The editor was W.J Hemby, a practical printer. He employed Granville McPherson. His motto, “Progress and a Higher Civilization”. McPherson bought the paper in 1876, but in 1877 consolidated it with the Star-Vindicator, Rev. J.S. Morrow, joint-owner. It was then moved to McAlester.

Here is an interesting item from 1875:

“A little over two years ago and Caddo had no existence. The place where it now stands was then but a wild and unbroken solitude. The romantic hills lying off to the south which give the town its name, were wrapt(sic) in superstitions and the benighted traveler, with bated breath, urged his weary pony away from the “haunted” ground. At last the whistle of the locomotive resounded through the wilderness and the spell was broken, the phantoms died.

The Railroad company selected this as a site for a Depot and the town of Caddo had its birth. The company went to work and put up the most extensive warehouse of any on the whole line of road between Sedalia and Denison; showing the importance they attached to the station. They have done their part, and laid the foundation for a town, and it but remains for us to complete it. We have it in our power to make Caddo the leading city in the Indian Territory or we can kill it so dead that a few months  would see the grass growing in our deserted streets and the deer and wolf return to resume possession of their old haunts.

In the first place we should manifest the greatest liberality towards the Railroad company, and allow them to set apart for their own use and benefit as much ground as they may ask. Our lands are not so valuable that we must needs be so sparing of a few feet, and even if they were, no better disposition could be made of them than a voluntary contribution to this company of all they may require. Self interest, if nothing else, would dictate the policy for us to pursue in this respect.

And in the second place no obstacles should be thrown in the way of those who desire to build here. Every eligible building spot should be left open and free to the first who may wish to erect either a business house or residence. We have plenty of land for fields and stock yards without encroaching upon desirable building sites.

Of course every citizen has the right to fence in as much ground as he can, but then is this not a serious drawback to the growth and prosperity of our town?

These remarks are made through the very purest motives. We are wedded to Caddo and are doing all we can to further its interest and believe that every one of our citizens feel an equal pride in the welfare of the town, and would not willfully do anything to injure it; but think some of them have unthoughtedly (sic) made a mistake, and hope, upon mature consideration, they will recognize the correctness of our views, and at least five us credit for honesty of purpose.”

Mr. Hemby was great at tucking little tidbits of good cheer into the paper. In between news about the price of eggs and the local happenings are these:

“Let us all go to work and make Caddo what it should be, the first and most important town in the Indian Territory. We can do it if we will.”

“The healthful location of Caddo will always make it the most desirable place in the territory, without taking into consideration any other advantages.”

“While we hear of more or less sickness throughout the country, Caddo continues blessed with good health.”

Now listen to the change of tone and message in July of 1876:

“The editor of a newspaper in the Territory is situated in rather an awkward position. Anywhere else on God’s green earth he would consider it his duty as it certainly would be to his interest, to portray the beauties of his country in glowing colors so as to induce immigration, but here this is exactly what he must guard against. He must not only studiously avoid saying anything that would excite the cupidity of the pale face “land grabbers” hovering on our borders, ready to pounce upon us and drive us into the Pacific ocean, at the very first intimation that there is anything here worth having, but he must every now and then paint it as a poor, barren, God forsaken land, fit only for the habitation of an Indian…”

Apparently, once the citizens decided they had something worthwhile, they decided not to be quite so generous in sharing it! More later…

 

The Banta's Trip to OK

My grandmother's sister, Martha Banta, wrote a thirty-two page letter about her childhood and from time to time I will copy some passages from it. Today I'm going to relate her arrival in Oklahoma.

           Let me start this collection of memories beginning in 1908 when I was six years old. We lived somewhere in East Texas and for some reason my daddy decided to move to Oklahoma. I may be mistaken about the date but this can easily be ascertained by history. It was almost immediately after Indian Territory became a state and I do remember getting ready to make the trip. Daddy worked long and hard to prepare the wagon in which we were to travel.
          There were high sideboards and what was called an overfit which was just a flat bed that fitted on top of the sideboards and made it secure. On this was placed a mattress and that was where we three children slept during the trip. In the bed of the wagon was another bed on which daddy and mother and the baby slept. In addition to the two beds there were dishes, cooking utensils, clothes for the family, and provisions for the journey. Besides feed for the horses and a few essential tools for daddy's trade, that being a carpenter, a farmer, and a woodsman all rolled into one. I do seem to remember too a box of books. Daddy was always a bookish kind of man. I took it all as a matter of course then, but I've often wondered how they managed to pack so much into one wagon. Over it all were the wagon bows and the tarpaulin, "wagon sheet" we called it, which kept out the rain and gave a measure of protection from the wind and sun. This was how we started the trek into Oklahoma.
          There were six of us (Ira, Clarissa, Pryor, Martha, Calvin, Della). My older sister who was 14 years of age was considered then to be a grown up. I was about 6 and there were two younger than me, my brother Calvin and the baby, Della. I think we children walked a lot of the distance. I don't remember how many days we were on that trip. I do recall spending some nights in wagon yards and other nights camped alongside of the road. And how we did enjoy the meals mama cooked on the camp fires!
          Finally we came to the Red River and just across was Oklahoma. My most vivid memory of Oklahoma was of being scared almost to the point of panic. There, to my child's mind, was that MIGHTY river, and only a barge to ferry us across. When daddy drove the horses onto that barge I remember clinging to mama's skirts and waiting for the "end of the world". We made it across okay and I felt blessed relief when we were once more on solid ground.
          I don't think we lingered long at that place. Daddy pressed on. I cannot recall very much about the trip into Oklahoma. I do remember the dense forest of trees. They are all gone now. I do not recall passing through Durant. In fact I think daddy purposefully avoided the big cities. 
          I do remember Caddo. And as I recall Caddo looked then very much as it looks today. At least main street did. There may have been a wagon yard there, and we may have spent the night. I am rather vague on that point. I do know we stayed there a while, made some purchases, and Daddy talked to some of the men about locations and working opportunities. Then we went on the Caney. 

Plans

          The Town Restoration Association of  Caddo met this week with Cecil Carter, coordinator for the Southeastern Oklahoma Economic Development Network. Just as a reminder, the mission of TRAC is to provide visionary leadership, focus on historical preservation, and promote economic growth to enrich the quality of life in our community. That's the "big picture". That's the statement that keeps us on track (pun intended) and reminds us of our purpose. Cecil is guiding us through our strategic planning and helping us write out our goals in "achievable steps". He's giving us advice about grants and making us aware of various resources available to our committees.
          Planning for anything is a challenge. Planning for the future of a town is a daunting task indeed. That's why TRAC encourages new members. That's why we solicit professional advice. That's why we meet together and brainstorm ideas. That's why we're attempting to break our goals down into smaller steps. But we don't want to just talk about change, we want to make things happen.
Three of the major goals of TRAC are (1) preserving our wonderful downtown buildings, (2) improving our main street, and (3) attracting more people to our community. The problem is that each of those are broad goals and each is fraught with challenges.
          Preserving the downtown buildings requires the cooperation of building owners, the city council, and numerous other citizens. Citizens have to care about the downtown area and have to help take care of it. We all need to do more local shopping to support the people who are putting their money and time and energy into local businesses. We need to be present at city council meetings to voice our opinions about safety issues, beautification,  and maintenance.
          TRAC plans to continue the sidewalks and streetlamps from downtown Caddo to the bank. We also want to put flower beds and benches in front of the community building and improve the lighting on our "Welcome to Caddo" archway. This will create a more inviting entry into our town. It will also make walking much safer and easier for our elderly residents. Of course a project of this size requires careful planning, lots of money, and many hours of labor. We're confident we can accomplish this goal even if we have to do it a block at a time.
            Attracting more people to Caddo is a long-range goal that will impact everything and everyone in our community. We need more tourists! We need a few more resident families. But first of all we need a new attitude! Ask most long-time residents why anyone would want to visit Caddo and you'll likely get silence. That's what happened when Cecil asked the TRAC group to tell him what a tourist would want to see in our area. No one answered! We had to think about it for a few minutes. It's usually the newest members of the community who are the first to speak. They love Caddo's nostalgic downtown. They love our museum. They love the warm-hearted people. They love the location. Then they start listing the area entertainment, the lake, the shopping, the natural beauty. Those of us who have lived here for a long time have started taking some of those things for granted! We need to look around with fresh eyes and be ready with an answer when friends and family, or even strangers, ask us not only why we live here, but why they might want to join us.
           No, this isn't going to end with a plea for membership or money. Not yet. What I want to ask for today is your interest and encouragement. I want to ask for your input and cooperation. If you live in Caddo, have friends or family in Caddo, or just visit occasionally, let us know your views and concerns. Don't drive by something and think "I wonder why they don't clean that up!". Don't visit and think "I wish they had….".  Don't keep a good idea to yourself! Talk to us. Click on the "comments" button and tell me what you think. Talk to a TRAC member. Stop by Craighead's and talk to Belinda. Come to a meeting: third Monday, 6:30pm, in the museum. The mission of TRAC is to provide visionary leadership, focus on historical preservation, and promote economic growth to enrich the quality of life in our community. With your help we can accomplish anything!

Caddo Newspapers

(from Erma L. Taylor)

Newspapers were published in I.T. soon after the removal of the Choctaws to Oklahoma. Caddo’s first known paper began January 14, 1874 and was the first to use the word Oklahoma in its title. The editor was W.J Hemby, a practical printer. He employed Granville McPherson as editor. His policy stated in the April 3, 1874 issue read, “My aim and object will be to conduct the Oklahoma Star in what I conceive to be the interest of the I.T. as a whole, and the local interests of the Choctaws and Chickasaw especially, without subversing (sic) the ends of any particular party or faction. His motto, “Progress and a Higher Civilization”. McPherson bought the paper in 1876, but in 1877 consolidated it with the Star-Vindicator, Rev. J.S. Morrow, joint-owner. It was then moved to McAlester.

Two other papers in Caddo’s early days were the Caddo-International News, 1877, published by Hunter Brothers, and the Caddo Free Press, established in 1878. The November 25, 1878 copy gave Neely Thompson as editor and Israel W. Stone as publisher.

A fourth paper, the Caddo Banner, seemingly the beginning of the permanent one later known as the Bryan County Star, was established in 1891 by J.Y. Shencke as editor and publisher. He sold it in 1895 to John S. Hancock who named it the Caddo Herald. He was editor until 1900 when George McQuaid became editor. G. A. Crossett became the publisher in 1901 after the death of Hancock. At that time it was described as the “Pride of the Town”. During the next two years its circulation was estimated at 1,000. It remained the one and only paper in Caddo until shortly before the death of Crossett in December 1948, when the Durant Daily Democrat bought and published it for a few months. It was not revived until about 20 years later.

Then in September 1961 Alvin J. Morris of Antlers bought it and placed E.D. (Pop) Atterbury as editor. The first issue came out Sept. 18, 1961. The name was changed to The Caddo Star, then to The Bryan County Star in 1967.

The Star staff was joined in the early 60’s by Joe Meadows, Caddo rural mail carrier, to help the aging editor. Upon his retirement, Meadows and his wife, Kathy, along with their three daughters took over the publishing of the paper. They were joined in 1970 by Joes’ brother Max, who bought it in 1971. He ran it until Bob and B.L. Swearengin bought it. The latter sold the paper to Charles Murray about the last of 1977, and he was editor and publisher until he sold it to the Plyler Printing Co. of Durant about 1980.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

                                                            Last night the children of Caddo gathered in the community center for their annual "visit with Santa", sponsored by the Caddo Community Association. Over sixty children made crafts, listened to stories, ate cookies, and told Santa their secret desires. However, some were reluctant participants when they got to the "visit with Santa" part of the evening. There were a few tears and one or two outright refusals. Even the promise of a candy cane and a keepsake photo didn't change their minds. All part of the holiday tradition. And every moment was enjoyed by the adults in attendance. Thanks for stopping by Santa!  

Headlines- 1944

From time to time I plan to use quotes from old issues of The Caddo Herald. You can read more about the history of newspapers in Caddo next week in my “Newspapers of Caddo” blog. As far as I can determine, The Caddo Herald was printed from 1895 to 1948. Today’s headlines are from Friday, December 1, 1944. In 1944 the paper was published by editor-owner Guy A Crossett. (Please keep in mind as you read these or any other articles, that I’m not editing to make them politically correct, and they should be read with consideration for the time in which they were written.)

I suppose the reason my mother kept this particular newspaper is because my grandmother’s poem is on the front page. So first of all…

A Soldier’s View, by Della Springer

So you don’t like these bond drives,

You wish that they would stop

Mister, were you ever in a foxhole

With water up to the top?

Have you ever crawled thru mud and slime

Or faced hot screaming lead,

Have you ever hid for endless hours

Surrounded by the dead?

Have you ever fought in tortuous heat

Mid mosquitoes, ants and fleas,

Have you ever recoiled in sick revolt

At tarantulas, snakes & centipedes?

Have you ever drawn a perfect bead

On slinking, dirty Japs,

But when you pulled the trigger,

Your empty gun just snaps?

Can you imagine all our boys

With empty guns in hand,

Each one sacrificing all

To save our beloved land?

That’s what would happen mister,

If war bond drives should cease,

So, better go buy another bond,

To invest in your share of peace.

Sure, Hitler’s spread a rumor,

To stop the sale of bonds,

Don’t be a dumb cluck, Mister,

He’s out to get our sons.

So if someone says to you

Don’t buy bonds and the war will end,

Turn from him as you would a snake,

He’s Hitler’s dearest friend.

Also on the front page is an ad for the REX Theatre, showing “A Guy Named Joe”, starring Spencer Tracey and Irene Dunne.

And news that the women of Caddo were active in 1944:

The Caddo Civic and Cemetery Club

The Civic Club will meet Wednesday, December 6 at Community Hall, with a Christmas program. There will be a Christmas Tree and exchange of gifts by members. All members take notice. The President

(Apparently the biggest difference between Caddo’s sports program of 1944 and today was that they had a band to cheer them on!)

Caddo Loses Two Games Thursday to Kemp

Not much joy in Caddo Thursday night, when Kemp girls and Kemp boys poured it on Caddo girls and boys, the second game of the new basketball season. A large crowd was present, and Pop Gecks and his band with their good music and colorful drilling enlivened the occasion. Kemp girds 7, Caddo girls 6. Kemp boys 22, Caddo boys 14.

from the “Locals” section on the back page:

J.N. Broadhead has moved into the Price Hill home, he having lost his home by fire some weeks ago.

Jack Rudisill arrived home Wednesday after nearly three years in India with the army. We haven’t got to see him yet, but we are sure he’s had wonderful experiences.

Mrs. Glenn Simpson from A & M College, and Mrs. J.C. Carlton from Konawa were home last weekend, visiting their parents Mr. and Mrs. Hatsel Powell. Mrs. Simpson said that Glenn was at a port of embarkation, probably soon to go.

On the back page is an ad for the Lingo-Leeper Lumber Company. It says: “Lumber is available. We have a small amount of lumber that is now available for city and farm dwelling repairs on which no preference rating is required.” Phone 19, Caddo.

Hope you enjoyed these little bits of history!

I’ll be looking for more.

100 Buffalo Creations

100 Buffalo Creations is located at 100 Buffalo Street in downtown Caddo. Owner Vesta Baker is a newcomer to our town, but she has already become a vital part of the community. She has joined several community organizations and is also active in the First Baptist Church where her husband is the pastor. Mrs. Baker likes the family atmosphere of Caddo and has been very happy with her relocation. She says “I feel like we’re living in a Norman Rockwell painting.” Her business, which opened in August of 2003,  offers custom embroidery services. She monograms shirts, jackets, quilts and other items. She enjoys providing a service that enables people to promote their community organizations, ball teams, church groups, or just families. She also offers buffalo collectibles to accentuate her store’s name and location. She sells purses by a local company, D & L Manufacturing and she’s hoping to expand and carry more Native American art and gifts.

One of the things Mrs. Baker’s store offers is personalized service. She is more than willing to work with  customers around their schedules. She likes the people of Caddo and believes in being honest in all her business dealings. “I try to live by treating people as I would like to be treated.”

Mrs. Baker opens her shop in the evening for community meetings. The Caddo Community Association meets there the second Monday of each month. She hopes that in the future she will be able to make her building available for art demonstrations or classes. She sees a need in the community for more cultural experiences, especially for the youth.

          Caddo has been through some economic ups and downs, but Mrs. Baker is positive about her store’s future. “I see much optimism in Caddo toward rebuilding and restoring our business district. I love the cooperation and caring spirit which is abundant in this community. I would like to see our wonderful museum expanded and find ways to inform more of Caddo residents about the rich heritage we have.” She thinks one way would be to open a “mini museum” in a corner of her store. 100 Buffalo Street was once the location of  Caddo’s Oklahoma State Bank from 1911 to 1922. One of Mrs. Baker’s dreams is to catalogue the old bank documents in her store and make them available to historians and genealogists. She also plans to continue restoring the building.

100 Buffalo Creations is an interesting store and Mrs. Baker will make you feel right at home. If she has a “closed” sign in the window just give her a call at 775-3210 and she’ll make arrangements to accommodate you. Now that’s personalized service!