Caddo boosters

Caddo Herald, August 14, 1914

Caddo Boosters Visit Neighbors

            "The Caddo Corn Carnival boosters left Caddo Tuesday morning on a special train over the Katy to boost and advertise the Sixth Annual Caddo Corn Carnival. The train left Caddo promptly on scheduled time, and notwithstanding the fact a torrential rain was falling at the hour of leaving, more than one hundred and twenty-five boosters were at the depot and ready for the trip, thus proving conclusively that obstacles, however great, when thrown in the way of the Caddo booster, will be overcome. Had the weather been favorable fully 50 more people would have taken passage on the booster train. At Caney and Tushka we were fortunate in making the towns between showers.

            Upon our arrival at Atoka we were enthusiastically received by the citizens of that progressive little city and shown many courtesies by them. They ALL promised to come to Caddo during the Carnival. At Atoka then we left the main line of the Katy, going to Midway, Phillips, Lehigh, and Coalgate, being warmly received at each place. At Coalgate we spent two hours, taking dinner at that place.

            From there we went to Wapanucka over the Rock Island, there meeting a number of old time citizens of Caddo, among them was Ben Payne who is in the drug business over there and is doing a splendid business. Ben’s store was headquarters for the boosters during their stay in Wapanucka.

            At Milburn the boosters were well received and shown many favors.

            At the quaint and historic Tishomingo we were given a most cordial welcome. There we met Bert Robertson, editor of the Capital Democrat. Bert is an old Caddoite and his friends here will be glad to know that he is prospering in his adopted city. D.B. Williams met friends and relatives there whom he had not seen for twenty-five to thirty years. The citizens of Tishomingo took a number of the boosters over the city in automobiles and reviewed the many places of interest of that city. From here we went to Randolph where the change was made to the Frisco, thence to Madill, and were given the glad hand by the progressive citizens of that thorough going city. Many old time Caddoites are residents of this beautiful little city.

            The next stop of the boosters was at Kingston, where we were met at the depot by a band and the entire citizenship of that splendid little city. One of the most cordial welcomes we received was at Kingston. From there we went to Woodville, and Platter, billing both those towns, thence on to Denison where the royal welcome awaited us. At Denison we were met at the depot by the Chamber of Commerce and by thousands of the good people of the Gate city. From the depot we were escorted to the Denison Hotel where a sumptuous banquet was served by the Denison Chamber of Commerce. The whole-souled manner in which we were received, the royal manner in which we were entertained has helped to cement in closer bonds of friendship the best town in Texas and the best town in Oklahoma. The evidences of friendship and good fellowship we witnessed in Denison form the time of our arrival until our departure was truly gratifying and inspiring. The night was spent in Denison and Wednesday morning at 8:30 the start was made for Sherman.

            We were received in Sherman by the Chamber of Commerce and were shown many courtesies, we were given Sherman-made cigars to smoke, cold drinks that were manufactured in Sherman, a moving picture show was running for the special benefit of the boosters, it was all free, it being Sherman’s day to entertain.

            From Sherman the return trip to Caddo was begun, making stops at Colbert and Calera where we were well received. At Durant the boosters paraded the streets and exhibited a goat which had been captured somewhere on the route by the boosters, it was reported as being Judge Robertson’s goat and Caddo “got it”. This good natured little stunt was very well received by the people of Governor Williams’ home town.

            The boosters had a splendid band of twenty pieces and received many flattering compliments for the band boys.

            At almost every stop the people marveled at the demonstration made by a town so small as Caddo, and the larger cities freely admitted that their towns, although many times the population of Caddo, could not make such a demonstration successfully. At Lehigh a man inquired the population of Caddo, and on being told 2000, remarked that evidently the entire population was aboard the booster train.

            At Denison one man remarked “what on earth would Caddo do tonight if a fire should occur?” He thought it wonderful that a town could send out on a booster trip almost ten per cent of its population and predicted that a town with such progressive and aggressive citizens is bound to rise to an important city. It was suggested that “there is nothing between Denison and Caddo but Red River.” and the suggestion that it be made navigable, thus being of untold benefit in developing this great section of North Texas and Southern Oklahoma was enthusiastically received.

            J.C. Davison, local agent for the Katy railway, was in direct charge of the train, and so well did he do his duty, and so accommodating withal, that he was given a vote of thanks.

            We should be glad to give a more minute account of the trip but time and space forbid. On the whole the trip was a grand glorious success, and we are very grateful indeed for the manner in which we were received by the various towns visited.

            J.E. Davis was the Booster Policeman, he was such a good one that there has already been talk of running him for the chief of police of Durant.

            Art Wright was Goat Master; the similarity of dialect, looks and general appearance caused considerable comment at the different towns as to the relationship of goat and master. Any how, Art saw to it that nobody got Caddo’s goat.

            Claude Smith, John Boland, and Sam Maytubby were the chief booster orators.

*Owing to sickness in his family one of Caddo’s main boosters, W.F. Dodd did not get to go. Dodd not only is a  Caddo-booster from way back, but he’s some road builder, being the moving spirit behind Caddo’s good roads. If it were not for losing him as a citizen we would suggest his appointment as state highway commissioner under Governor Bob Williams."