Caddo- My Home Town

Gone Forever

People often make the comment that "nothing seems to change" in Caddo. Others remark that "everything has changed".  They are both right. Caddo maintains the same small town friendliness and attitude it has always had. Many of the homes that I walked past as a child are still here. Many of the business buildings have withstood the tests of time. However, the ravages of time and misfortune have changed much of Caddo forever. Fires, floods, and neglect have destroyed many homes and businesses and continue to do so. We must appreciate what we have, while we still have it.

Caddo Herald, July 1, 1921

Handsome Residence Destroyed by Flames

The residence of Amos K. Bass, occupied by J. P. Rogers, on Buffalo street, was discovered by neighbors to be on fire Tuesday morning about 9:30.

The alarm was quickly given and soon two streams of water were playing upon the flames but availed nothing except to save other property- only charred walls are left standing.

Mr. Rogers was at work down town as was also his daughter. Mrs. Rogers is visiting in Texas, no one was at home when the fire was discovered. They had moved into this house only three weeks ago.

This was the original Amos Bass home and was one of the nicest in town and will be hard to replace.

From some cause or other there was not as much water pressure as usual. But the fire had gained such headway that no amount of water would have saved the building.

The firemen arrived soon with apparatus and worked hard.

Soldiers Rest

These two soldiers rest in Gethsemane Cemetery. The above photo is of Corbett Benefield. I've been unable to locate a photo of Elmer Keith. I found their story fascinating.

Caddo Herald, October 14, 1921

Keith and Benefield Funerals on Sunday

            Next Sunday morning at 11 o’clock the funerals of Elmer Keith and Corbett Benefield will be held at the Baptist tabernacle, after which the Elmer Keith Post American Legion will take charge of the remains. Interment will be in Caddo Cemetery.

            It is not announced yet who will conduct religious ceremonies at the tabernacle.

            The bodies were shipped from Hoboken Sunday and arrived Wednesday. They were held in state at the Presbyterian chapel until Sunday, being watched by details from the A. L. Post.

            Elmer Keith and Corbett Benefield both were corporals in Company E, 142^nd regiment, 36^th Division, which trained at Fort Worth. Keith lived in Caddo, was the son of Mr. and Mr. W. T. Keith, and was a member of the Methodist church when he left for the army. He was an excellent young man, liked by all who knew him. Benefield lived just south of town, was a young man much respected by his friends and neighbors. Both were killed about the same time in the fighting around St. Etainne at the beginning of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, October 8^th, 1918. It is co-incident that their bodies arrived back in America just three years after being killed.

           These were the only Caddo boys to lose their lives in the World War. Others were wounded, and came home. Others were in the big fighting and came out unscathed. It was the fortune of battle that these should be called to pay the supreme sacrifice. To them, then, we owe every courtesy, every consideration.  vast number of people will be present to pay respect, to silently acknowledge their debt to these young men. Our encomiums* will fall upon unhearing ears, but their families will know that their neighbors have not forgot what their boys did for the Nation.

            No other church service will be held that morning. The Tabernacle will seat more people than any other place.

*Note: “encomiums” means “expressions of high praise”.

Caddo Herald, October 21, 1921

Soldier Funeral Attended by Thousands

            Sunday morning at eleven o’clock the funerals of Corporals Elmer Keith and Corbett Benefield were held at the Presbyterian Chapel lawn, attended by fully three thousand people. The sermons were delivered by Rev. Rylant of the Baptist church, and Rev. Naylor of the Methodist church.

            The remains were taken in charge by the Elmer Keith Post American Legion, proceeded with it to the cemetery, followed by the largest cortege ever had in Caddo. There the salute was fired and the bodies laid to rest side by side.

            The funreal offerings were very numerous and exquisite, by friends of the families and by the Ladies Auxiliary.

            Rev. Beasley, as chaplain, and Grover Braudrick, as commander of the Post, delivered the eulogies and prayer at the grave.

            Fitting as in life- these soldiers lived as buddies, as comrades, as boys-they were buried together. 

            It is estimated that fully three thousand people were here on this occasion, a fitting tribute to the American lads who laid down their all, that us at home might be safe from the hand of the ruthless invader. They came from all the country aroundabout, from Atoka, from Caney, from Kenefick, from Bennington, from Bokchito, from Durant, came the multitude thus to honor the soldier dead. The band from Durant, twenty strong, came and rendered the appropriate music, adding solemnity and color to the occasion.

            More than three hundred autos, wagons, and carriages were in the sad procession that marched to Gethsemane, filled each with its load of grateful people. None other Caddo people had done so much for America as these lad; they paid the big price, and nothing the folks at home could do will ever repay or requite them, but the nation will know that a grateful folk live in the boundaries of Caddo, and their graves will ever be green, kept by loving hands and loyal hearts.

            Elmer Keith was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Keith and Corbett Benefield was the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Benefield who live near Caddo. They were members of the same regiment and company, trained at the same place, went away together, fought together, died together, came back together, and buried simultaneously, no difference will there be in the esteem in which they are held.

            The attention paid these comrades by the American Legion, is also worthy of mention. Diligent watch was kept at the Chapel by details in uniform of the Post. Each member seemed to be glad to do for their fallen comrades, and their attendance in uniform, fully a hundred strong, attested also that the spirit that went to France still lives in the hearts of the citizen soldiery.

            The Herald can add nothing to the honor of these dead heroes, voicing the sentiment of their fellow townsmen we can but say we shall remember them in kindness and honor.

Early-Manning

Caddo Herald, October 7, 1921

Early-Manning Nuptials

            At the home of the bride Friday afternoon at 5:30 o’clock Mr. Fred J. Early and Miss Jennie Manning were married, Rev. Frank Naylor, officiating. They left immediately for McAlester for a short honeymoon.

            Only relatives and a few intimate friends were present.

            The bride and groom, accompanied by Miss Edith Moore and Frank Robertson, entered to the famed strains of Lohengrin’s Wedding March, rendered by Miss Kahteyo Maytubby. Rev. Naylor, in his inimicable manner performed the ceremony. Congratulations were showered upon the young couple, never ceasing until the train bearing them pulled out of hearing.

            They returned Sunday, and have rooms at the home of Mrs. V. M. Locke, where they are at home to their many friends.

            Mr. Early is principal of the Caddo High School, is a young man of worth, having by his own efforts build himself up the position he holds. He was a citizen of Durant until last year when he was chosen by the Caddo Board. Miss Manning is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Manning, is a native of Caddo grown to handsome young womanhood here, having graduated two years ago from Caddo High School, and lately being employed in the Oklahoma State Bank, of which her father is president. She has a host of friends among those who know her best.

Linen Shower

            One of the most enjoyable social affairs relating to the Early-Manning nuptials, was a linen shower given last Thursday afternoon at the home of Mrs. R. H. Carraway, when she, Mrs. June Robinson, and Miss Edith Moore entertained the Music Club.

            The program was very enjoyable, numbers being given by Mesdames Edwards, Robinson, Locke, Miss Ellen McClure and Miss Merle McClure.

          Little Miss Mary Jane Bass acted as Cupid and presented the guest of honor with the gifts in appropriately decorated baskets.

            The home was beautifully and tastefully decorated in ferns, golden rods and cupids.

            The hostesses served an ice course as refreshments.

October 14, 1921, C.H. Cat’s Paw news (school)

note from Assembly: “Our only pranks played this year in assembly was the mock wedding of Mr. Early and Miss Jennie Manning. We expect to liven up things later on.”

            

Sad News

With all the heavy rainfall in our area many of the homes and downtown buildings in Caddo have been damaged. The roof of the Ben Siegel building has collapsed and I fear that the front may fall soon. It is sad to see any of our historic buildings damaged after they have served us for so many years. I hope that repairs will be made and the building will be saved. I will keep you posted.

Phil Harris

Caddo Herald, October 7, 1921

Body of Phil Harris Buried Here Monday

            The remains of Phil C. Harris were buried in Caddo Cemetery, Monday afternoon at 1:30, Rev. Butler of Durant performing religious rites, and the American Legion performing patriotic rites.

            Phil Harris was 23 years of age when he died. He lived with his father, M.L. Harris near Nida; was a member of Co. K, 141^st Infantry, 36^th Division which trained at Ft. Worth; was in the Campaign fighting and Oct. 8, 1918 was killed in battle. His number was 1504772. His remains were disinterred and brought home, arriving Sunday in Durant, and were brought here by Holmes Bros. undertakers.

            He was buried beside his mother in the Caddo Cemetery. He is survived by his father, sisters, and brothers. He had many friends in his home community and quite a number were present at the funeral.

            The Caddo Legion was largely represented. The firing squad of five fired the three volleys, and taps were sounded by Tom Gross. A touching tribute was the large wreath sent by the Ku Klux Klan of Durant. Among its principles there appears to be no stronger one than that of patriotism and it was their tribute to the boy who gave his life in battle.

All the stores and shops in Caddo were closed during the ceremonies as a tribute, also to the patriotism of the deceased, and a very large crowd attended the exercises at the grave.

This is the first soldier who died in France to be buried in Caddo Cemetery, and while he was not exactly a Caddo citizen, still our people felt that what they did was small enough recompense for the great thing this boy did. He was a comrade of every American Legion member; he was a patriot who gave his all upon his country’s alter; he was a young man of which any community might be proud. It is altogether fitting that we should pay tribute to one who made the supreme sacrifice. 

Wedded Bliss and other topics

I love summer because I can go to the library at least once a week! Found several resources that are “new to me”, including Notable Men of Indian Territory, 1904-1905, edited by Paul W. H. Dewitz. Also located some new websites that I will link here as soon as I get permission. If you have resources, questions, suggestions, or photos to share, don’t hesitate to email me.

Found these in the Caddo Free Press, Jan. 24, 1879 and I don’t think I’ve posted them before:

married:

W. A. McBride and Miss Clara A. Murrow, Jan 16 in Atoka, by Rev. H. F. Buckner

J. F. Vales and Mrs. M. Stidham in Caddo, Sunday the 19th by Rev. Edward Morris

Mr. Absolem Lewis and Miss Nancy Logan in the Free Press office on Jan. 22 by Rev. Edward Morris

From Blue County Marriages:

Joe H. Goforth, Cordelia Nelson, 14 Sept 1901

Clay Freeny, Josephine Bateman, 6 Jun 1894

Samual Jackson, Mrs. Mary Goforth, 14 Jul 1901

Solomon Goforth, Mary Homer, 11 Jul 1897

Atoka Marriages:

James B. Clark, Ellen Airington, 11 Aug. 1886

South McAlester:

Charles A. Bilbo, Ella McCoy, 11 Sept. 1889

Overlooked this recently:

Seeking information on Susan Walden, born 30 Jan 1860 and died 03 May 1889. She was married to Andrew Robert Thomas. Reportedly buried near her infant daughter Fronie in the Caddo Cemetery.

Solomon Goforth

I recently posted Solomon Goforth's obituary from June 8, 1928 and a family member was kind enough to supply this photo of him, and his wife, Mary Homer.

If you have any other information about Solomon or other family members, especially Mahate Goforth, or Fred Wyas Goforth please send a comment or email. Fred managed a grocery store in Kenefic with his brother-in-law (   ) Wilfong.

Boland Park

Our little park recently underwent extensive painting and repair by the Caddo Student Council. They deserve a big round of applause for all of their hard work! Their sponsor is Sammie Adams. Members are Erika Miller, Matt Morris, Jessica Birdsong, Jennifer Owen, Brady Haddock, Bailey Nelson, Tasha Joines, Jereck McWilliams, Charlee Goodwin, and Ethan Purkins. Also, special thanks to the Caddo Presbyterian Church and The Sign Depot for their contributions to this project.

The Downing Cafe

Janice Gaynell Crossett Downing Bates was born in Waurika, OK in 1910, but lived in Caddo most of her life. Her father, G.A. Crossett was Caddo’s famous newspaper editor. Janice married Roy Downing and ran the Downing Café in downtown Caddo. My thanks to her daughter for sending me these wonderful photos and newspaper clippings about her mom.

Denison Herald, February 2, 1942

Caddo Woman Has Photos of Boys in U.S. Service

"Caddo- Mrs. Roy Downing, who operates a café here, has started an interesting feature. Men from Caddo who are members of the armed forces of the United States have their pictures at the café. For a number of years the younger boys and girls have made the café downtown headquarters.

When the younger boys started off for duty with the army, navy and marines, Mrs. Downing conceived the idea of placing their photos on a large blackboard designed by Mr. Downing.

With the younger boys and girls coming into the café often, Mrs. Downing has become a mother friend to the boys in service. When the soldiers are home on leave they make the café headquarters, often leaving their money, jewels, or traveling bags with her. Many times she has paid the soldiers expenses back to camp, but has always had the money returned.

Every day she receives a letter from some of the boys and each one is answered with the same fervor as that of a real mother. Among those whose pictures are on the blackboard are James Goddard, Pleas Whisenhunt, and Alfred Barkeley (?), Camp Barkeley; Prince Flowers, Camp Wolters; Jesse Maytubby, Phoenix, Ariz.; J.E. Brittlinger and A.C. Strickler, Portland, Ore.; William Peters, Fort Sill; Clarence E. Smith and Robert Freeney, Pearl Harbor; R.A. Whisenhunt with the AEF in Ireland; A.E. Boydstun, Jr., San Francisco, Cal."

One Woman USO Gets

Many Appreciation Letters

          "Since the story appeared 11 days ago about the work Mrs. Roy Downing is doing for the boys in service: writing letters and doing other things for the morale of the boys in service, she has received many letters and calls from the parents of the boys expressing appreciation of the noble work she is doing.

The soldiers tell in letters of how those chatty letters cheer them as nothing else can. It is a thing other women could do if they but would  put themselves to the task.

Mrs. Downing is one of the busiest women in town, being on her job 16 hours a day, yet she takes time to take time out to cheer the boys who are on the firing line protecting her and hers from the conquerors."

.

Antiquities of Caddo

Caddo Herald, December 28, 1934-

G. A. Crossett, editor and publisher

            "Compared to the old South, Caddo is but an infant. Compared to Oklahoma, Caddo is a patriarch.

            Caddo is first in Oklahoma in a number of things. The first Odd Fellows Lodge is still at Caddo. The third Masonic lodge was organized in Caddo, and the first Grand Lodge of  Masons was organized in Caddo, in October, 1873. Granville McPherson, editor of the old Caddo Banner, was the first Master of the Lodge and the first Grand Master.

The M.K. & T. railroad had its terminus in Caddo for two years, 1870-1872. The first train ran across Red River December 25, 1872. During these two years Caddo was the most important trading point in Oklahoma.

The Caddo Herald is in its forty-fifth year, having continuously been published these years, and we have owned it lo, these last thirty-four years all by ourselves. There is but one other newspaper now in Oklahoma that exceeds The Herald in age, the Eufala Journal. Others were established and died; notably the Boggy Depot Star, which flourished a short while in 1873 at Boggy Depot, then a great trading place.

While Caddo was the terminal of the Katy railroad much goods were shipped here, thence transshipped by wagons to Sherman, Bonham, Paris, Gainesville, and other North Texas points. The soldiers and Indians of western Oklahoma were supplied by wagon freight from Caddo. The United States soldiers had been sent by train to Caddo, then marched to Fort Sill. General Frederick Grant and Lawton are remember by old timers.

Quite a trading post sprang upon what is now the site of Caddo. The railroad provided a large warehouse in which goods were stored while waiting for wagon trains. It is related that upon an occasion when a car load of liquor was stored in the warehouse, awaiting shipment to Paris, somebody got under the warehouse and with augurs bored holes into several of the barrels, catching the joy water into tubs. Be it remembered that it was not then lawful to introduce liquor into the Indian country. At any rate there was a supply for somebody. 

Mr. C. A. Hancock, now in business in Caddo, came through here in 1868 with one of those long cattle treks that were so frequent after the Civil War. Texas had an abundance of longhorn cattle, but no market outlet. Kansas and Nebraska were being settled by Union soldiers after the civil conflict. Kansas needed Texas cattle to stock their farms and ranches. Texas, impoverished by the war, needed the money the cattle would bring. Hence it was no trouble to trade provided the goods could be delivered. Thus great wagon and cattle trains went north, the cattle and horses subsisting on the rich grasses of the country as they traveled. One route went directly through Caddo, another ran along the line of the Santa Fe railway, and still another ran along what is now the Rock Island railway through Chickasha and Enid. That route through Caddo ended at Baxter Springs, Kansas, others at Abilene and Arkansas City.

Coming back through Caddo as a mere lad, Hancock decided to stay, married, and had a great deal to do with building the country.

He relates many harrowing tales of wild game and wild men. He says he has shot many a deer from his front door in Caddo. He has seen many battles between desperados and officers, and being a merchant and trader, was useful to both sides, so he was never molested.

He recalls that in 1876 a message came for the General in charge at Fort Sill; but the regular courier had gone about a half day earlier, so he volunteered to try to catch the courier, which he did at what is now Pauls Valley, then called White Bead. The message called to soldiers north to avenge the massacre of Custer and his men at the battle of Little Big Horn in South Dakota.

To reminisce: When the Caddo Herald first came out in 1889, there were no telephones here. Not a newspaper had a linetoype nor a power saw, neither was there any telegraph news service in what is now Oklahoma. There was no daily newspaper at all. The Herald had an old Washington hand press and we printed 1400 copies two pages at a time- that meant 2800 impressions with old man killer each week. We did not have enough type for four pages, so after printing two pages we threw in the type and set it up again. Many is the time I have had type to freeze in my hand as I distributed it. I remember we had a Washington correspondent who sent us live news concerning Indian affairs. Melvin Cornish, now chairman of the State Tax Commission,  recalled to me not long ago that he was one such and got the princely sum of $1 per month for the service.

There were no roads, no paving. Wagons just followed the lines of least resistance and to cross any creek followed the beds of dry ditches that ran to the creeks, then forded. Hancock built steel bridge across Blue at Nail’s Crossing in 1895, ten miles west of Caddo, in order to get the trade from the then settling Twelve Mile Prairie. Fort McCulloch is located just across Blue at this point. It was here that during the Civil War a company of Confederate soldiers were stationed under the charge of Captain J. H. Nail. A part of the old redoubt is still visible. Joel Nail, a son of Captain Nail, had vast gazing lands west of town, and was the first to try barb wire to hold cattle and horses. He tested the fence first by driving a herd of cattle against it to see if it would hold. It did.

Judge R. C. Freeny was the first man to stick a plow in the blackland prairies. People said he would starve to death, but he didn’t. He died of old age. In those early days people thought the prairies fit only for grazing cattle and horses. They cleared little Tom Fuller patches on the woods for gardens and corn. Wilson N. Jones was Governor in 1896. He had his ranches east of town, and amassed a fortune, leaving as you know, $100,000 for a hospital in Sherman.

I recall looking over my records that ninety-five percent of my business then was local: had very little outside advertising. Now fully half my business is from foreign sources, like Public Service concerns, automobile, tires, gas, etc.  We had no chain stores, no chain gins, no chain oil mills. Caddo once had three banks, now has one. Bryan county once had 22  banks, now has five. Yet there are more people here than at any other time. There was a time in my recollection when a laborer had to pay a permit to breathe the Choctaw air, as did the lawyer and the doctor, the editor and the farmer. But Old Man Ad Valorem had not arrived.

There were no other taxes.

Also there were no schools, no county or state government, there were no political campaigns as we know them.

Likewise no picture shows. Once in a while a medicine show selling Wizard Oil at a dollar a bottle.

I remember the Katy charged 5 cents per mile one way to ride in its passenger cars. Had no busses, no automobiles and no bicycles. A Choctaw upon first seeing a doctor ride a bicycle remarked that “White medicine man heap big lazy. Him sit down to walk.”

I attended the first Press meeting in 1901 at Checotah, I believe. Was secretary when the Indian Territory Press Association consolidated with the Oklahoma Association in 1906. Omer Benedict was president. Once we met at Shawnee and Carrie Nation was there to keep the boys straight, but they spread out on her, and she never got her reform hatchet to working good.

The vicissitudes of time and of changing business conditions have entirely revamped the towns and the newspaper business, but the editors being so versatile, have kept ahead of their towns. In fact many promising journals have died, some are sick and some may never revive. But in the old days editors required little money, for their credit was no good anyway, everything COD express. Journeyman printers worked a while for their keep, and kept going. We bartered our subs for produce, and ads for clothing. We had little regard for prices, just took what we thought the customer would pay. We were not business men. We were artists.

Caddo was a thriving town when Durant was a switch; when Hugo was a prairie; when Madill was unborn; when Coalgate was un-thought-of; when Ardmore was only in Pennsylvania; when Idabel was yet to be; when Atoka was a small village. 

Yet all have outgrown us. The reason is plain. We did not elect a delegate to Bill Murray’s famous Constitutional Convention; and tried to live upon the glories of the past. Finding out too late that we could not run the mill with water that is past. Yet Caddo’s part in the history of the state is honorable. That is secure. The future is another thing."

May 18, 1934

Caddo Herald

(Congressman Wilburn Cartwright appointed G. A. Crossett as acting postmaster due to the delay in testing applicants for the position.)

“Mr. Crossett has been editor of the Caddo Herald for the past 35 years; he has been in the same building for 31 years; has served as Chief Clerk of the Oklahoma legislature; has been with the State Tax Commission; served as county superintendent of Federal relief, and has received national recognition as a writer.”