Caddo- My Home Town

Cultural Experiences

           I'm often asked what people in a small town like Caddo, Oklahoma do for fun and entertainment- besides go to potlucks and family reunions. The simple answer is that we do anything we want to do! It's true that we often have to drive to other towns or areas for that entertainment, but the positive side is that we also don't have to put up with the daily crowding, traffic, and stress that is so prevalent in the areas we visit. So we can go for the show, and reap the benefits of living near a city, without being stifled by it. That's what we did last night. My husband and I belong to the Red River Arts Council which partners with Southeastern Oklahoma State University to bring cultural experiences to the area. Last night we enjoyed the thrilling performance of Piffaro, The Renaissance Band. Piffaro "performs music of the late Medieval and Renaissance periods on a large and varied collection of early wind instruments, plucked strings and percussion." We thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and it was free, thanks to the Arts Council, SOSU, sponsors, and grants.

            Renaissance period not your favorite? Well, the next performer, October 17, will be soprano Loraine Sims, followed on November 17 by the Long Piano Duo. And if music just isn't your thing, I've heard there is also a tractor pull somewhere around here. The point is that "us country folk" don't miss out on anything, unless it's by choice.

Headlines

OEA Survey Shows Acute Okla. Teacher Shortage

Caddo Lions Club Wins Attendance Trophy

Truman’s Mother Dies: Aged 94: Simple Service

Carl Albert’s Father is Dead- Buried Tuesday

State Heat Reaches 111- Around 107 in Caddo

Rescue Try Fails and Sulphur Boy 13, Drowns

Utility Worker Killed By Live Wire Near Atoka

Summer Term of School Opens with Enthusiasm

Clyde Clack is President of Durant Chamber of C

Mrs. C. W. Banta Died in Colorado: Buried Mon.

Caddo Must Vote a 5-Mill Tax Levy for Schools

Roy Jones Weds Lassie of Louisiana in Dallas

As you may have already guessed, I’m fascinated by old newspapers. Not only is the news itself interesting, but so is the way in which it is presented.  The headlines listed above, and half a dozen more are all on the front page of The Caddo Herald, Friday, August 1, 1947. The front page. Most of the headlines are the same type and size. There is one large “Headlines” which lists world and state teasers- not articles, and there is another large heading- “School” with some news below. It seems as though the editor endeavored to squeeze in every drop of news he could find, so most issues have obituaries, weddings, news, sports, and weather on the front page. My great-grandmother Banta’s obituary is between “Bokchito Plans to Have a Big Day Saturday” and “Church of Christ Meting will Close Sunday Night”. Order doesn’t seem to have been as important as juggling the amount of type to fit the allotted space available.  The inside pages of the paper were saved for wire service news, advertisements, and some interesting items we’ll get to in a moment. There are also large advertisements for Calhoun Auto Store, Craighead Notion Shop, The First State Bank, S&B Grocery, Jordan’s Dept. Store, Bass Groceries, and the Rex Theatre on the front page. By the way, the Rex was showing “My Darling Clementine” with Henry Fonda and Linda Darnell that Friday and Saturday.

            Inside the paper are articles and photos from around the globe. There is an article about Bantam chickens, and one about an end to the sugar shortage. There is a photo of  a young New York radio star, and one of Princess Elizabeth. There is a “history of the bison” next to a column called “Star Dust” about stage, screen and radio news. One of the column’s notes is that  “Duel in the Sun has grossed about $7,000,000 and caused no end of discussion.” There are a few classified ads from around the state. On page five there is a short story- “Nice Old Girl”, by Margaret Cobb. Again, space must have been the deciding factor for “what went where”, because there is an item about a double hanging in Kansas right next to an article about how to make plastic diaper covers! Page six has a Sunday School Lesson, Sewing Circle Pattern, the comics, Household Hints, and a wonderful ad for BUB bubble gum- “parents approve this laboratory- pure, foil-wrapped, quality bubble gum”.

On page seven you’ll find Chapter XXI of Last Lover by Helen Topping Miller Right next to that is Household Memos by Lynn Chambers and an informative article about canning. The last page is a mixture of state and national news, a filler about the beginning of the coffee industry, more ads, and “Locals” such as- “Mrs. Russell Fox went to Tushka Monday morning, the school beginning then. She will teach at Tushka this year.”

I leave you with these words of wisdom from an item on the last page headlined Don’t Replenish- Conserve-“Here are the classic rules for conserving household linens: Rotate the use of sheets, putting the fresh ones on the bottom of the pile when you sort the laundry each week, then using off the top.”

News to live by.

KKK

           I never thought much about Klan activity in Caddo until I was looking for something else and ran across this little item in the Caddo Herald (July 1922):

“Thanks to the Klan-Rev. C.W. Mowdy has received a letter from the Caddo Ku Klux Klan enclosing $15 to aid him in his sickness. Also assuring him of their support in his work. Mr. Mowdy therefore asks us to print this card- ‘I thank you very much for your kindness to me. Not only is the money very welcome and needed, but I appreciate your standing by the work of Jesus Christ in the community more than the money. Be assured that you will ever be remembered in my devotions. There can not be too many who favor the work of the Master in any community. C.W. Mowdy’” Huh?? I sat in the library just pondering that for a few minutes. It totally clashed with my limited understanding of the KKK.    

Well, after a little more research I was able to uncover a few facts about the activities of the Klan in the twenties. According to Hooded Progressivism by Jesse Walker, “Race may have been paramount in other parts of the South, but in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, the Klan’s activities indicated a strikingly small amount of hostility to Negroes. Instead the Klansman’s conception of reform encompassed efforts to preserve premarital chastity, marital fidelity, and respect for parental authority, to compel obedience of state and national prohibition laws, to fight the postwar crime wave, and to rid state and local governments of dishonest politicians. These Klansmen were more likely to flog you for bootlegging or breaking your marriage vows than for being black or Jewish.”

According to this letter published in the Herald, the Klan was well established in Caddo: “This is an official announcement of the Ku Klux Klan of Caddo with the official seal affixed. We here and now announce to the public that we have nothing to do with any lawlessness nor anyone using disguise of any kind whatever to intimidate anyone doing a legitimate business provided his business is according to the laws of the land and according to the constitution of the state and nation. We stand for law and order, the protection of the peace of the community and strictly behind the officers of the law to help them to see that the law is properly enforced. We are 85 strong and take none but men who are law abiding citizens. We have never sent a letter except it had on it the seal of the Klan, and never will. We are for the church and everything that is good. Done by order of the E.C. of the Invisible Empire. Ku Klux Klan No.188, Caddo, Okla.” 

Apparently there were still some doubts about the intentions of the Klan because in 1922 Governor Robertson issued this order to the Oklahoma National Guard: “if any guardsmen have membership in any organization, the purpose of which and principles of which might conflict with their duty to the state or nation, they must immediately forswear the organization or get out of the guard.”

There are numerous items in the paper about Klansmen suddenly appearing in church services or holding “silent parades”. There were also speeches given in several churches and other public buildings. In April of 1922 ten Klansmen visited the Caddo Methodist Church, leaving them a written message, fifteen dollars, and an American flag. “The Klansmen left an American flag at the church which will be always displayed so that those who come to meeting may know that the church reverences the flag that protects it.”

June 2, 1922- “Saturday night about 11 o’clock a band of some forty horsemen paraded through Caddo, coming from the north and going down main street to the depot thence to the northeast, disappearing by the cemetery. They made no threats, spoke no words, and carried no banner except a U.S. flag. They were dressed in white sheets and hoods, but without the distinguishing insignia of the regulation Ku Klux Klan.”

In July there was a huge “welcome meeting” by the Baptists, and in October the Rev. John Tabor of Dallas spoke at the Baptist Tabernacle in defense of the Klan. There is also one item in the paper about “most of Caddo” being gone to Durant for a KKK parade!

In hindsight we know that the KKK overstepped it’s bounds, resulting in violence and bloodshed. However, it’s interesting to take a glimpse into the mood of the times and try to understand how some good citizens might have joined the group with the best of intentions. That’s what makes history so fascinating- the good, the bad, and the ugly all joined together to create what we have today.         

Stay tuned- I’ll keep writing if you’ll keep reading!

Caddo, 1922

from The Caddo Herald

April

“The good road is demonstrating its value already. It will stand the traffic we believe, and will be finished to Red River before fall, so that we shall have a north and south road 365 days each year. It will mean that our children can attend the Normal at Durant and live at home, thus reducing the expenses necessary to such attendance.”

“Quite a number of good hogs have been sold in the Caddo market these past few days. The price is 8 cents and better, which gives a good profit on the cheap corn fed to the hogs.”

May

“Neighbors (to be presented) At the Royal Tuesday evening. Characters: Miss Abel- Ethel Jones, Miss Trot- Margaret Jane McGraw, Miss Moran- Ruth Hancock, Ezra- Hunter Joe Hogan, Peter- Horace Sargent, Inez- Francis Hancock, Miss Ellsworth- Margaret Manning, Grandma- Dorothy Evelyn Smith.”

“All my household furniture for sale cheap. Also good Columbia Phonograph with forty records. See me before May 12^th as we pack then. Ben Siegel.”

June

“The office of Amos K. Bass and of the Bass Co. were moved this week to their building just completed, corner of Main and Buffalo streets on the railway property. These concerns do a large amount of cotton and grain business, and they are now fixed up in there own offices.”

“Since he became town marshal, Volley Ware has been quite busy. Several have paid fines for being drunk, and several bootleggers have been run in. All to the enrichment of the town treasury. Marshal Ware intends to see to it that the laws are not violated in Caddo, and it is not safe for anybody to try any monkey business here. If you must get drunk it will be cheaper to stay away from Caddo.”

“We are in the hauling business. No job too small or too large for our close attention. Phone 84. We move it.- Sargent Bros.”

“Have good pasture, with water, for rent. One dollar per head, both cattle and horses. C.W. Jones”

June

“Men’s Athletic Union Suits, Sale Price, each 59c, Boone & Styron’s”

Heritage Day

The theme for the 22^nd annual Caddo Heritage Day, scheduled for October 7, 2006, will be “The Roaring Twenties”. Heritage Day is hosted by the Caddo Community Association.

Honorees in the parade will be descendents of early day Caddo merchants. Caddo was incorporated in 1872 and has a long history of  hard-working entrepreneurs. Descendents of early merchants are asked to register for the parade before September 15^th, by calling 580-367-2659 or emailing krowland@duracom.net.

            The events for the day will include a 5k run, children’s games, food, crafts, art show, BB shoot and music. There will be a baby contest, Little Mr./Little Miss contest, pie baking contest, and a challenging tug-of-war competition. Pake McIntire will be the featured entertainer. Chairs provided or you may bring your favorite lawn chair.

            Anyone interested in participating in an activity, or needing more information may contact the CCA at P.O. Box 36, Caddo, OK, 74729 or by calling one of the chairmen listed below:

Pie Baking Contest- Debbie Jones (367-2257)

Art Show- Anita Self and Courtney Freis (367-2515)

5K Run- Don Tidwell (367-9898)

Parade- Judy Rowland and Jay Lorrance (367-2797)

Tug of War- Ron Hadley (367-2623)

Children’s Games- Charlotte Busby (367-2323)

Antique Show-Tommy and Jake Edwards, Shirley and Marion Ogle,

   Janice Price (367-9880)

Entertainment- Kathy Meadows (367-2659)

Vendor Booths- Kathy Meadows

Miss Caddo Contest- Vangie Wingfield and Shiela Stevenson (367-3011)

Little Miss/Little Mister Contest- Norma Marsh (367-2818)

Baby Contest- Gina Hamilton (367-2667)

Cake Walk- Wendy Ammons (367-2287)

Caddo's Young Fiddler

Here's a link to see Alex Baker, one of Caddo's fine musicians. The video link is on the right side of the site. Look for "Texoma Tales". Enjoy!

The Story of Oklahoma

The Story of Oklahoma by W. David Baird & Danney Goble

University of Oklahoma Press, 1994

I’ve spent the past week reading this book about the history of our state. I admit to skipping and skimming a few parts, but overall it’s well-written, interesting, easy to read, and contains a wealth of references. It is much more than a “history” book and contains personal stories of many early Oklahomans. It has answered several questions I had about early politics and made some events much clearer for me. I especially like the feature “See History for Yourself” with its travel suggestions and ideas.

            Several passages in the book directly relate to our area, especially those in Chapter 11 which discuss the impact of the railroad.  “Nothing contributed so much to the general economic revival of our state after the Civil Was as did the railroad. Transportation before and immediately after the war had been limited to horse-drawn wagons and coaches and stern-wheeler steamboats. The Reconstruction treaties of 1866, however, gave railroads the right to lay tracks across Indian Territory.” The MK & T did just that between 1870 and 1872 when they laid tracks from Muskogee to McAlester to Caddo to Durant and on to the Red River, crossing at Colbert’s Ferry.

The authors talk about the impact of the railroad on the tribes. Certainly it improved the distribution of grain and beef to “the states”. This led to greater production and many farmers chose to move even closer to the railroad. “The railroads also made possible the development of a commercial lumber industry. Operators situated steam-powered sawmills along the MK & T tracks at Stringtown and Atoka in Atoka County and processed Oklahoma’s virgin forest into railroad ties, telegraph poles, bridge and mining timber, and lumber for other construction.”

            The railroad also brought trouble to the area. The Indian population of approximately 50,000 soon found themselves outnumbered by the “aliens” streaming into the area. These were “primarily tenant farmers, coal miners, railroad workers, cowboys, and merchants, only a few of whom were in the territory legally”.  By 1900 the alien population had “increased 125 times: whites numbered 109,400 and there were 18,600 blacks”.

There was an absence of local law and order in the territory. No one seemed to be responsible for general lawlessness or organized crime. The Indians tried to take care of their own tribes. The federal government largely ignored the problems of the aliens. White outlaw bands, former slaves, and desperados “considered the territory a good hideout and a fertile field for robbery.”

“The coming of the railroad only made matters worse. With the construction crews came prostitutes, whiskey sellers, gamblers, thieves, and other hoodlums. The camps out of which they worked were called ‘Hells on Wheels’ and in them street shootings were routine. The permanent towns they left in their wake, such as Caddo and Wagoner, were only slightly less rowdy.”  (Why is it we get mentioned in the history books for stuff like this, but not for all the good things that happened here? Just wondering out loud.)

In 1871 the federal government finally stepped in at the request of tribal leaders and gave jurisdiction over the Indian Territory to the Western District of Arkansas, at Fort Smith. “The court was never really effective until 1875 when Isaac C. Parker of Missouri was appointed to the bench. Parker made a difference. In twenty-one years he tried nearly 9,000 cases, and most of them involved prisoners arrested in Indian Territory.” Parker was known as the “hanging judge”. He sentenced at least 160 prisoners to hang. His corps of U.S. marshals “worked for fees only, which they lost if their prisoner died on the way to court.” Parker, however, also caused more trouble within the tribes. He “showed little respect for the Indian judicial system or for Indians themselves.”

“The railroad was the engine of ‘progress’, bringing some benefits but far greater liabilities to the citizens of the Five Nations. In the end they lost not only their sovereignty as independent peoples, but their land as well.” 

The “see history” section for this chapter suggests visiting the Blue County Courthouse in Caddo, but of course it no longer exists. It also suggests visiting the Boggy Depot Cemetery in Atoka County.

I hope you’ll look for this book at your local library or college. I think you’ll enjoy it!

Price Reunion

             Had a wonderful lunch today with the Price family at the Boland Park Community Center! They were gracious enough to invite me because they have been reading about Caddo happenings here on the blog. The reunion included the Ammons, Arp, Brister, Price, and Troxell families. (Hope I didn’t forget anyone.) They had a nice crowd and some great food! And they made my husband and me feel right at home.

            Tommye Troxell Craven, Willa Troxell Adkins, Glenna Troxell Macrander, and Morris Grant Troxell are all former Caddo residents so many of you may know them. As we talked over lunch we discovered some mutual friends and even some ancestors who were probably related. They have Bantas in their family and I don’t think there are any Bantas in the United States who aren’t related somehow!

            After lunch they went to Gethsemane Cemetery to see the new stone erected for their ancestors, George Washington Price and Maisianne Goodnight Price, Permelia Frances Price Smith, Lydia Price, Lillian Price, and Ora Maggie Price Maloy and twins (infant Maloys).

            Thanks again to the Price family (especially to Glenna and Tommye).

            I hope you’ll plan your next reunion in Caddo- even if you don’t invite me!