Caddo- My Home Town

The Jefferson Highway

Okay, sometimes I’m a bit behind in researching historical information about Caddo. However, in my own defense I have to remind you that I did NOT grow up in Caddo and although I have lots of connections to family and friends, and lots of memories of visits, I do not have the same memories and knowledge that many of you long-time residents have. So I depend on you to help me with interesting bits of history. I need topics, ideas, suggestions. Like Mr. Moore telling me about Socialists in Caddo. Or Mrs. Davison telling me about the Moon mausoleum. You can’t always wait for me to discover something you’ve known about all your life! So now you should feel very guilty if you knew all about the Jefferson Highway, but didn’t think about mentioning it to me. I had to read about it in W.F. Dodd’s obituary and wonder “what are they talking about?” and then go research it for myself!

First, here is what I read in the obituary of  W. F. Dodd, local pharmacist and civic champion:  “…was president of the Jefferson Highway Association. It was largely through his efforts that the Jefferson Highway was located through Caddo, and through Oklahoma. It is a memorial to his enterprise and his ability.”

I think we forget that in the early days of automobile travel “roads” were the trails that had been used by horses and buggies, mules and wagons. Think about that dirt or gravel driveway through your pasture, or the lane that leads to your favorite primitive campground at the lake, or the road to the “deer woods”. In 1910 that was a road. Businessmen and travelers clamored for a better way to travel. They formed associations and raised money. They eventually built interstate routes to connect hundreds of towns.

One of the first north-south roads was the Jefferson Highway, which stretched from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada down to New Orleans, Louisiana. It was conceived in 1915, dedicated in 1919 and completed in 1926. Imagine what an undertaking that must have been! You can read more about the Jefferson Highway Convention if you’d like. Our Mr. Dodd and his Texas counterparts must have been quite the lobbyists. If you look at a map, from Joplin, MO through Oklahoma to Texas to Shreveport isn’t exactly a direct route to New Orleans. I’d sure like to know why they bypassed Arkansas altogether.

The Jefferson highway eventually connected 2,200 miles of road. The nickname for the highway was “From Palm to Pine” and in the summer of 1919 a group set out to prove the worthiness of the route. They arrived in Caddo on Monday, July 7 at 10:30am.

The Caddo Herald, July 11, 1919

“Jefferson Highway Officials Were Here

Manager Clarkson of the Jefferson Highway was the leader of the Sociability Run that came through Caddo Monday morning at 10:30. In the four other cars were Governor R. G. Pleasant of Louisiana, Mayor Behrman of New Orleans, and Duncan Buie, State Highway Commissioner of Louisiana.

They are making the run from New Orleans to Winnipeg over the Jefferson Highway to show the possibilities of the Highway for auto driving. 

Being a little behind time the party stopped but a moment in Caddo.”

In 1926 a motorcade of 132 people in 32 cars completed the route, in reverse- north to south, in 13 days. I’m still researching their passage through Oklahoma.

The Jefferson Highway didn’t exist by that name for long. The government soon moved to a system of numbered highways. If you have any stories about the highway or any photos of the highway signs I would love to hear from you.

W. F. Dodd

Caddo Herald, February, 1924

Town is Shocked by Death of W. F. Dodd

            Caddo and community was numbed by the news Saturday evening that W. F. Dodd was dead, stricken with apoplexy.

            Up until 5:30 in the afternoon he was attending to business in his store as usual, had a hearty good word for all who came in, and was apparently in as good health as at any time in his life.

            His son, Clarence, had gone to supper, and he was behind the prescription case when he called to Fleming Clower to call a doctor. Dr. Grassham soon arrived and found Mr. Dodd backward across the sink. The stricken man was taken to his office in the rear of the store, and at 6:12 was dead. Just 42 minutes from blooming health to silent death. He was unconscious form the time of being stricken. Friends quickly gathered around, but their prayers and hopes were unavailing. Mrs. Dodd came to the store before the final demise.

            Tender hands of numerous friends took the body to his home on West Buffalo street, where it was prepared for burial. Through the night and Sunday hundreds of friends visited the family, offered condolences and dropped a tear of sadness, for indeed a friend to every man was gone Beyond.

            The funeral was held Monday afternoon at the Baptist church conducted by Rev. Hardin and Rev. Rylant, pastor and former pastor of the Baptist church. Though a gloomy day, with skies overcast, the building was not nearly large enough to contain the throng of sorrowing friends who came to pay their last respects.

            As a fitting tribute to the man, and the life he had lived in our town, every store and office was closed from one until four o’clock during the funeral. School was dismissed at noon.

            As a further tribute the Odd Fellows took part in the funeral services, Mr. Dodd having formerly been a member of that fraternal order.

            The body was taken in charge by the Caddo Masonic Lodge and at the grave the funeral rites of the lodge were administered. 

            Mr. Dodd was fifty-eight years of age. In the full bloom of a vigorous and useful manhood he was stricken and taken away. He came to Caddo in 1897 twenty-seven years ago. His years of residence here were filled with good deeds.

            He was a leader in nearly every public enterprise for the town. His voice, his time, his talents, his money were always to be found on the side of right. Probably there was no man in Caddo who was more public spirited who was as nearly always ready to do something for the public good as he. He would neglect his own business to forward some interest of the town.

He was a member of the Baptist church of Caddo; was one of its original organizers, and was ever faithful to its teaching. He was superintendent of that Sunday School when he died; had been for eight years, and under his guidance this school had grown to be a great power for the uplift of the community. The little children loved him. None ever came in his presence without a word of cheer and jollity. He was a friend of the poor. No needy were ever turned empty handed from him; he divided his living with those who were in need.

            The familiar form and voice of this great and good man will be sadly missed for many yeasr in the community that knew him so long. Many and many times we shall wonder “to whom shall we go to get this or that done”. His church will miss him. His life was consecrated to making his community better. Often and often had he occupied pulpits with sage lay advice for the people. He had more call of this kind than he possibly could fill.

            Such a life as this has not been lived in vain. His spirit carries on. His example is one to point to with pride. His supreme unselfishness as exemplified in a life full of good deeds is one that everyone could follow with profit. There are no regrets in such a life. To him many talents were given and he used them for the benefit of his race. In his own sphere he was the peer of any man.

            To his son, his wife, his father, he leaves a rich heritage. A name unsullied, a life unblemished, and a memory unsoiled. To them also he leaves the assurance that in the Hereafter there shall be a reunion “where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest”.

            The floral offerings were perhaps the greatest and most beautiful ever seen in Caddo. Dozens and dozens came form friends he had made in other places. And the funeral as attended by many people from distant points.

            His epitaph is written in the history of Caddo. The marks of his life are in every public enterprise. And his crowning glory is his influence upon the little fellows with whom he come in daily contact in his Sunday School.

Memorial Services

            At the Baptist church next Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock a Memorial Service will be held commemorating the life and service of W. F. Dodd.

            Speakers will be there to tell of the activities of the deceased in the several lines of his life work:

            Baptist church and Sunday School

            Laymen’s Movement

            Masonic Lodge

            Jefferson Highway Association

            Commercial Club

            Woodmen of the World

            Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy

            Bryan County Pharmaceutical Association

            All those assigned to places on the program have not been heard from, so a full program cannot now be published.

            Everyone is cordially invited to be present so that a deserved tribute can be made to the memory of Mr. Dodd, whose activities covered every phase of town life.

An Appreciation

            A great town builder has fallen. A town patriot has answered the call of all the earth.

            W. F. Dodd is dead.

            If you, a week ago, had asked anyone familiar with the history of Caddo: Who is your most useful citizen? The reply universally would have been, “W. F. Dodd”.

            Full of good public deeds, ripened in experience, still pulling in the harness, he suddenly has been taken from us. But his spirit will live. Such spirits are not born to die. It is of such spirits that America is made. He has told us by his unselfish work to “carry on”.

            W.F. Dodd was never known to neglect a civic duty. In the early days he was town mayor. He did the job well. He always stood for a clean town and he accomplished it. Later he was made president of the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy. He did a good job of that. There was no hint of wrong doing or of graft while he served. He was president from the beginning of the town of its commercial organization. If a difficult piece of work was to be preformed, we let “Dodd do it”. And he did. He was president of the Jefferson Highway Association. It was largely through his efforts that the Jefferson Highway was located through Caddo, and through Oklahoma. It is a memorial to his enterprise and his ability.

            Through it all he was simply a friend to man. His largess was bestowed everywhere. His energies were not confined to one church, one people or one lodge. He was for his adopted state, and wrought wonders of achievement.

            Caddo will miss this great town friend. as the days pass without his presence we shall miss him more and more. We shall not overlook the wondrous things he had done, nor the wondrous life he has lived among us. We shall remember, and remembering, resolve that we shall take courage from his example and continue to the way that he had pointed- to the end that the people as a whole shall be blessed, and the community made better and better as the days go by.

(later issue) Memorial Services-

            A very large crowd assembled Sunday afternoon at the Baptist church to take part in and listen to the Memorial Services in honor of W. F. Dodd, one of the members of that church, who died eight days previously.

            The fact of so large a crowd to do honor to the deceased was in itself a tribute of large proportions. The program follows:

            Prelude:

            Introductory by Rev. Hardin, who sated the purpose of the meeting and delivered an eloquent eulogy.

            Song, No. 30, by congregation.

            Prayer by Rev. Moore, pastor of the Presbyterian church.

            Baptist church was represented by F. F. Maddox, who told of the connection of Mr. Dodd with the church and his wonderful influence.

            Laymen, by C.C. Hatchett. of Durant, who told of deceased’s activities throughout the county and state with the Laymen’s Movement.

            A tribute form the W.O.W. by S.L. Shofner.

            A Masonic tribute by J.A. Amyett.

            Quartet: Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Coffey, Mr. McCreary, Mr. Worthen.

            A beautiful wreath of flowers was presented by the State Board of Pharmacy.

            Song, No. 125, congregation.

            The Commercial Club was represented by G.A Crossett, who told of Mr. Dodd’s work for the upbuilding and uplift of the town, and of his beneficent influence all the way.

            Male quartet: Messrs. Gross, McCreary, Moore, Worthen.

            Telegrams of condolence were read from the Jefferson Highway Association of which Mr. Dodd had been president.

            A letter of condolence was also read from the Scottish Rite.

            The B.Y.P.U. was represented by Miss Ewing, who read a beautiful poem “Faith”.

            Benediction.

            

In the beginning...

Ever wonder how a town gets started? Here are some clues from Caddo's earliest newspapers:

The Caddo Oklahoma Star

May 27, 1875

If the next council fails to incorporate our town, so as to give us a municipal government, then the only thing left will be for our citizens to form a compact to protect themselves.

September 3, 1875

If the Council will appropriate $200 towards building a jail at this place, the citizens of Caddo will contribute $300 and this amount will be amply sufficient to erect a building that will answer for a National jail for some time to come. We hope the Council will not hesitate to accept this liberal proposition. We want a jail and a city government and there is no reason why we should not have them. The money it has cost to guard prisoners in Blue County within the last few years would have built a good jail.

July 13, 1876

We have appealed in vain to the Choctaw Council for a city government and as a last resort we now suggest that petition be gotten up for this purpose and sent to Mr. Marston, the Agent. There is no question to our mind, but that he possesses the power to assist us in this respect and if applied to in the proper way we think he would promptly respond to our call. Mr. Marston is a law and order man, and we confidently believe would gladly do all in his power to produce this much needed state of affairs in Caddo, or any other town in the territory.

The Caddo Herald

May 5, 1899

…(part of article unreadable) Mark Kirkpatrick was enroute to Cale where he goes looking over the situation preparatory to beginning work there in about two weeks. Cale is the first town in the Choctaw nation that will be platted by the Townsite Commission for that Nation. 

June 16, 1899

            The citizens of Caddo are acting rightly in making a move to obtain lots on which to erect school buildings. The lots should be selected by the time the Townsite Commission arrives. While it is not expected that we can have free schools just now, yet the time is rapidly approaching when they will be demanded. All realize the importance of good schools; they attract good citizens, build up good towns, and good communities.

June 23, 1899

            At the last meeting of the town council the following committee was appointed towit: Mayor- C.A. Manning; Councilmen- Campbell LeFlore, William Richie, whose duty is, will be, to first select two citizens of town to cooperate with the committee in performing their duties. The committee appointed W.P. Wood and F.R. Grayson.

            They will set sites for public school buildings, parks, and cemetery, and to decide upon the width of streets and alleys, and to determine the size of lots and blocks. They will meet the Townsite Commission when it arrives and present to them the claims and wishes of the citizens of Caddo.

July 21, 1899

Ruling As to the Size of Town Lots

            The Interior Department at Washington has issued final instructions to the Choctaw Townsite Commissioner and the following in regard to the size of town lots.

Sterrett (formerly Cale)

Z.W. Rains, L.H. Harrel, G.T. Black,  and T.J. Vaughn, Committee

Gentlemen, I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your communication addressed to the Townsite Commissioners for the Choctaw Nation, in which you recite a resolution adopted at a mass meeting of the citizens of Sterrett to the effect that the town should embrace one and one half sections of land to be laid off at right angles with the main street, in such manner as to take in all the bona fide resident of the town, placing as much land as possible on the west and north sides of the town, and in such a manner as to give the town as much high ground as possible that the commission is requested to make the business lots 25 feet front, running back to the center of the block or alley and the residence lots 150x300 feet or one half block.

With regard to the extent of the town you will be governed by the Choctaw and Chickasaw agreement and the instructions heretofore given in the premises, that is, to lay out the town according to its actual limits as nearly as possible.

In reference to the matter of the size of lots, the commission is advised that “opportunity was allowed the inhabitants of the town to express their views in the matter. This privilege was granted merely with a view of aiding the government in the matter. The purpose of this course was to give the people of the town an opportunity to submit their ideas, with the view to assisting the commissioners, but not to leave them the right to decide the size of lots to be laid out in the town.”

After full consideration the department instructs the commission that the size of lots in the town of Sterret should be, for business purposes, 25x150 feet, and for residential purposes 100x150 feet, as nearly as practicable, so as not to disturb any vested interests further than may be necessary to properly adjust the lines of the parties, having regard to all the interests of the parties residing in the town, and that due regard shall be had to the convenience of the parties in the establishment of alleys and streets. J.A. Sterrett, Chairman, Townsite Committee

December 29, 1899

            At the council meeting Wednesday night the committees on sidewalks and on Buffalo Street reported. Sidewalks were ordered built within 30 days from January 1^st as follows: on the south side of Buffalo Street form Main to Arkansas, of smooth stone, brick or concrete, not less than 8 feet wide. On Buffalo Street from W.T. Smith’s corner to Wood's foundation, not less than 8 feet wide, of stone, brick, concrete or gravel. From thence to Manning Street of same material, not less than 6 foot wide. From Manning Street to limits, not less than 4 feet wide and may be built of boards. On south Main Street from Buffalo to Blue County Courthouse, a walk not less than 4 feet all the way on west side of street. Four foot walks were ordered also on north side of Harlan Street and both sides of Henderson Street and east side of Arkansas Avenue. All fences on Buffalo Street as laid out by the committee are to be removed with 30 days form January 1^st.

April 13, 1900

            Monday the Choctaw Townsite Commission received instructions form the Secretary of the Interior to notify citizens of all towns in the Choctaw Nation to prepare their town plats and surveys and file them with the Commissioners. The survey and plats must be made, of course, under the supervision of the Townsite Commissioners, and must be approved by them and appraisements of property must be made by them. As soon as the outside boundaries of the towns are obtained and the citizenship rolls of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations are completed, the Dawes Commission will be ready to allot lands.

November 16, 1900

            Caddo is on the beginning of a prosperous building period. Everyone has confidence in the future of the town and consider money invested in Caddo dirt and improvements is money well spent. If you want to settle down in a growing town that has a bright future, Caddo is the place you are looking for. It is building steadily, and being surrounded as it is by the rich black lands, there is no reason why it should not soon rank as one of the finest towns of the Indian Territory. 

November 23, 1900

            The Townsite surveying corps, of which Mr. H.M. Tinker is the head surveyor, has been here this week surveying the outside boundaries of the town. A Herald reporter went to see Mr. Tinker to find out if possible just how much land would be within the town limits, but Mr. Tinker stated that at that time he had not surveyed at all on two sides of the town and could make no estimate of the area of the town limits. He told the reporter, however, that all the residences, with possibly one or two exceptions, would be included and that the town would be given all the land that they could consistently allow it. The park in the west part of town will be taken in by the survey, as this Saturday he would know how much land would be included in the limits. Asked as to what effect the Townsite limits would have on the incorporation limits, he said that they would have no effect whatever and that the corporate limits would remain the same unless changed by the same power that created these limits. The cooperate limits of Caddo embrace something over 800 acres, but from Mr. Tinker’s conversation we are of the opinion that this will be cut down some. 

November 30, 1900

             A deal has been consummated by which the block of wooden buildings, west of Arnold & Attaway on the north side of Buffalo Street will be moved back on a line with the bank building and the street made 100 feet wide throughout its entire length, with exception of the corner of Main and Buffalo. It would be impossible to move the house occupied by Arnold & Attaway back with the other buildings, as D. McCoy’s building would be in the way. It is probable, however, that this building will be moved east of Dr. Green’s office. When this street is made 100 feet wide its entire length, Buffalo Street will be an extremely pretty street.

            The Townsite surveyors have come and gone. While here they surveyed and platted what they deemed a sufficient quantity of land for our town site. They took a slice off on each side of the Incorporated Town site, reducing it to 400 acres, out of which comes 40 acres for the claim of the railway company and ten acres for the park, leaving a pitiful patch of 350 acres for residences, business houses, streets, and alleys. To say that the citizens of Caddo are disappointed with the survey is putting it mildly and they do not propose to submit to it if they can help themselves. They will appeal to the Secretary of the Interior.

Congratulations!

Coach Don Tidwell must be mighty proud of his Caddo Bruins "Golden Wave" Cross Country Team. They recently earned the title of 2007 Class A State Runners-up and Caddo was the only team with three runners in the top ten, making them the only team placing three on the All-State Team. You can read more about the event on the Durant Democrat website.

Family of the Century

The Braudrick Family was chosen as Caddo's "Family of the Century" at Heritage Day. That's Bill Braudrick accepting the certificate from J.J. Lowrance. They represent a rich history of Caddo residents and also had the most family members present at the event. I had an opportunity to view some of the family albums they brought with them. I hope every Caddo resident is keeping such good records. You can look at their family display at the Indian Territory Museum as soon as it is finished.

Here is a family history printed in the History of Bryan County (1983).

The Braudrick Family

by Dorothy Johnson

My Grandfather, W. M. (Bill) Braudrick migrated to Honey Grove, Texas from Tennessee after the Civil War. He had served for three years as an aide and scout for General Robert E. Lee. Grandfather often told the story of how he was only fourteen years old when Gen. Lee came to their farm in 1861. He was seeking a short cut to Chattanooga. My Great-Grandfather sent young Bill with Gen. Lee to show him the way over the mountains. Bill stayed on with Gen. Lee serving until the end of the war in 1864.

At the end of the war Bill married Elizabeth Pitts, and they moved from Tennessee to Honey Grove, Texas. Eight children were born of that marriage. They were: Pit, Jeff, T.L., Luther, Sim, Henry, Leona, and Grover. Several of these children eventually came to settle in Caddo, Indian Territory where they became prominent citizens of that community. Jeff drove a dray wagon which transferred mail form the train depot to the post office. T.L. was a sheriff in Coal County.

…(there seems to be a family branch left out here) Johnson. Louise lived in Caddo all of her life.

Myrtle Braudrick, a second daughter, married Sam Armstrong and they had eight children: Blanche Williams, Bobbie Jean Stillwell, Kenneth Armstrong, Ethel Peters, Dick Armstrong, Midge Stonebarger, Lathe Armstrong, and Sammie Shoemake. Myrtle presently lives in Durant.

Allen Gordon Braudrick, the youngest of the four children died at the age of thirty, without having ever married. My dad, Richard Paul Braudrick, married Mabel Ann Nelson, of Electra, Texas on September 23, 1928 in Caddo, Oklahoma. Grover worked in Lake Brewer’s grocery store, before moving back to East Texas. Pitt served as sheriff of Caddo, as well as city judge for a while.

At this time Bill was still living in Honey Grove. After the death of Elizabeth, Bill had married Sara Elizabeth Fletcher. They had three additional children: one son, John and twin daughters, Viola and Elnora. This marriage did not work out, Bill and Sarah were divorced around 1900. Pit encouraged Bill to come to Caddo and live with him, so Bill joined a cattle drive that was going through he Indian Nations near Caddo.

My Grandmother, Mary Ann Trice, a Choctaw native often told the story of how she met my grandfather. She said there is an old Indian legend that says you will meet the man you are to marry in water. Grandmother lived in the small community of Robinson about halfway between Durant and Caddo. She was at the well drawing water when Grandfather rode up and asked permission to draw water for his horse and himself. Grandmother said that when she saw his reflection in the well she knew that she would marry him, and so it came to pass on September 23, 1903. Grandfather was fifty-six and Grandmother was thirty-one.

Bill and Mary Ann had four additional children, bring the total number of children Bill had fathered to fifteen. The first of their children was a daughter, Louise, born on June 21, 1904. Louise was married twice, first to Jack McNatt, and later to Turner Johnson. Louise had four children, Mary Alice and Billy dale McNatt, and Turner Coleman, and Michael Allen. They had nine children. Madeline Potts of Denison, Texas is now retired after having worked several years for a local finance company. Pauline Claborn of Calera, Oklahoma. Pauline is also retired, having worked for a number of years for a local toy manufacturing company. William Thomas Braudrick, has followed the family tradition and manages a meat packing plant in McKinney, Texas. Richard Paul Braudrick Jr. lives near San Francisco, manages an auto salvage company. Dick enjoys racing automobiles as a hobby. Mary Lou Sherrod of Durant, has taught a number of years for Blue Public Schools. Dorothy Sue Johnson of Durant has taught a number of years at Silo Public Schools. Imogene Winnett of Oklahoma City works for a large western wear concern. Don Braudrick of Plano is an electrician and likes to rodeo whenever possible. Luther Niclos Braudrick of Calera, Oklahoma is an ironworker and also likes to rodeo.

The following excerpt is taken from the Bryan County Star of May 5, 1970. It is part of a passage written about the Braudrick Family by Cowboy Pink Williams in his recollections of Caddo History. “The Braudrick Family was a well-liked family. They had good personalities and made friends easily. There were good workers, especially at market work. Pit ran a meat market in Caddo at one time. John claimed to the be best worker, but Richard was a hard worker, too. They may have spent their lifetimes trying to prove which man was the best worker. Richard could work all day and follow a pack of hounds all night.”

The Braudrick Family is very proud to have played a small part in the development of Bryan County and its history, and of our Oklahoma Heritage.

   

Show Your Hometown Pride!

Buy a license plate from the Town Restoration Association of Caddo. You will have a wonderful keepsake and you will be supporting our beautification projects for 2007-2008. Even if you can’t put it on your car, you can hang it on the wall. It will be a great conversation piece! The plates are $12.00 + $2.00 shipping and handling. Mail your check or money order to TRAC, P.O. Box 72, Caddo, OK 74729.

$4.30

 

Durant Daily Democrat

April 2, 1923

Small Safe Blown at Caddo, Another Safe Overlooked

Burglars early last night blew up a safe in the station of the Katy railroad at Caddo, obtaining but $4.30 in pennies, and overlooked a concealed wall safe in the office, which contained the bulk of the money of the office at Caddo. Between $500 and $1,000 was in the safe overlooked.

The small safe was completely demolished and a hole three feet square was blown in the ceiling of the office, but few persons heard the report of the blast, the station being quite a distance from town, and the robbery was not discovered until midnight, when Joe Stubblefield, the night man went to the station to begin his duties.

The county authorities were working on the case and arrests were expected soon.

Sadie Belton Williams Powell Golden

As a follow-up to the Craghead murder story I want to show you a couple of photos of Sadie that I found in The History of Bryan County. In a few days I'll also be posting the genealogy of Mordecai Golden. Also coming up will be a history of the Braudrick family, recently chosen as Caddo's "Family of the Century". I have photos of a new business and I'll be telling you how you can show your hometown pride by purchasing a Caddo license plate. Stay tuned!

This photo of Sadie was taken in 1911 when she was a student at Kidd-Key College in Sherman, TX.

The family photo was taken in 1907. Sadie would have been about 12. She is shown with her uncle, Ernest Johnston, her brother Pinckney, and her parents, Douglas and Bessie.

Maude Williams

I ran across this story in The History of Bryan County. It was written by Maude’s daughter, Geraldine Hull McKinney. (It’s quite lengthy and includes a lot of information about her children’s families so I’ve condensed it a bit. If you need more information about this family just contact me.)

Maude Virginia Linton Williams was born October 23, 1893 at Russellville, Arkansas, daughter of William Walker Linton and Laura Jane Bishop Linton, who was part Cherokee Indian. Maude was one of twelve children. She came to Oklahoma at an early age with her parents. Her father was a farmer and they settled near Caddo, Oklahoma.

September 1, 1912 she married Lafe L. Hull who was 3/8 Choctaw Indian. They were married at Bokchito, at the home of his mother, Mrs. John Franklin. They moved into the home of his father, Joseph L. Hull, east of Caddo. To this union three children were born: Beatrice Louise Hull, Loda L. Hull, and Vivian Geraldine Hull. Lafe left in 1920 and moved to New Mexico. Maude moved into Caddo where she worked in the telephone office. Later she moved to Durant and worked for Truby Studio. Later she worked for the Evergreen Sanitarium, The Bryan County Hospital, and the Durant Hospital. 

June 16, 1928 Maude Hull and John E. Williams were married in the home of Willie P. Weeks, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church of Durant. John Williams was working for the Durant Police Department at the time and was later elected Chief of Police for the City of Durant. Maude established their home in Durant with four of their five children. Loda went to New Mexico to live with his father.

John Williams was born in Pontotoc County, Miss. March 28, 1881 one of twelve children. The family moved to Bryan county in 1895 and settled in Old Allison. After reaching manhood Mr. Williams was engaged in farming and for a few years operated a garage at Roberta. He was a strong, athletic youngster and excelled in baseball, in which he became one of the finest pitchers in this section. He pitched one year for the Paris, Texas, T-O league club in 1905 and the next year graduated to the Houston, Texas league team where he was the ace pitcher for the Houston team which won second place. He was assured of promotion to one of the major leagues, but retired from professional baseball. John was married to Annie Mabel Howard at Roberta on November 10, 1907. To the union were born nine children. Mrs. Williams passed away at Durant, February 6, 1927. John moved to Durant in 1928 and June 16, of that year he was married to Mrs. Maude Hull.

Mr. Williams was a devout member of the First Baptist Church and was a very active member of the Odd Fellows Lodge. He also was very active in singing circles, and seldom missed a community singing or a singing convention. On the occasion of Mr. Williams’ funeral a crowd overtaxed the church, with many persons standing outside in the pelting rain to pay tribute to the veteran peace officer.

November 7, 1938 Mrs. Maude Hull Williams was unanimously appointed sheriff to serve out her husband’s un-expired term. The appointment was made by Commissioners D. M. Etheridge, L.W. Diffey, and Walter Davis.

On May 9, 1944 Maude was married to T. L. Moon. He died December 1, 1960. Mrs. Moon died Jun 20, 1971. At the time of her death she was the only woman to have served as sheriff in the history of Bryan County.

            

Map

Some of you have mentioned before that you have trouble remembering streets in Caddo, or that you never used the street names when you were younger (I still don't). In the left column, under "pages" you will see a link to a map of Caddo. When you get to the page you can click on it and it will enlarge. Just thought it might be a good reference sometimes.