Caddo- My Home Town

Spanish Flu- Killer Strikes Caddo

Between 1918 and 1920 a medical holocaust occurred in this country and wiped out over 500,000 people. Worldwide, it killed more people than World War I. It was the Spanish Flu. I've read accounts of many deaths from this area, but this is one of the saddest ones.

Caddo Herald

February 27, 1920

Mrs. E.E. Pitchlynn

Died Sunday Evening

            Mrs. E. E. Pitchlynn died at the family home a mile west of Caddo, Sunday evening at 7:30, of pneumonia after an illness of two weeks. The funeral service were held Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. E. Hotchkins of Durant. Internment was had in Caddo Cemetery.

            Mrs. Pitchlynn was 37 years of age, is survived by her husband, mother, 9 children, and brothers and sisters. She was the daughter of Col. Peter Maytubby, belonging to one of the oldest Chickasaw families; who came as a pioneer to this country.

            The death of Mrs. Pitchlynn was not unexpected since the disease had taken such a hold upon her, but everything that care and medical skill (could do) was done to prolong her life, hoping almost against hope for the best. At the time of her illness the whole family were in bed with influenza and pneumonia; and relatives and neighbors and friends as well as nurses were constant in their attention.

            The funeral was largely attended, the church being crowded with those who wished to pay respect to the departed and to the survivors; banks of flowers covered the rostrum, mementos of friends who could in this manner show their respects. The remains were followed to the cemetery by a large number of people.

            Rev. Hotchkin’s theme was: “Blessed are they who die in the Lord.” He comforted the bereaved with this thought, amplified by the fact that Christ having conquered death, and made it a goal rather than an unknown and hideous place. Those who remain may go to her since she cannot come to them.

            The husband, being a member of the school board, no school was held Monday and Tuesday out of respect for him.

            The surviving relatives are : Mrs. T. S. Maytubby, of Caddo; Sam W. Maytubby, J. D. Maytubby and Mrs. M. L. Tanner of Caddo; Bud Maytubby of Voca; Mrs. Mary Moore of Durant; Mrs. Sophia Miller and E. B. Maytubby of Muskogee; and Mrs. Jack Bonham of Atoka; all whom were present at the funeral. The children are : Sophia May, Everett Jr., Peter Paul, Ruth, Charlie, Lillian, Naomi, Helen, and Robert.

            Mr. Pitchlynn informed us Wednesday that all the sick were up and convalescing and that soon he hoped would regain their wanted good health.

Resolutions

Whereas, The hand of death has removed form community a beloved member:

Mrs. E. E. Pitchlynn

wife of one of the members of the Board of Trustees, and the mother of several members of the student body of Caddo public schools, therefore be it

Resolved, By the Faculty and the Student Body of Caddo Public Schools, that we hereby extend our deepest sympathy to the bereaved husband and children on whom the blow has so heavily fallen.

Taken from us in the prime of life, taken in the years of her usefulness, when greatest need of her kindly, motherly administrations were most needed, her loss is the deeply felt. And to those surviving we can only give our sympathy, our encouragement and our love, well knowing that nothing we can do or say can take her place; it can but slightly assuage the grief that is most bitterly felt by them.

We can point out to them the nobility of the character of the mother: the unselfishness of the life that is gone, and hope of the future.

C.H. Hatfield

E. B. Black

Pluma Smith

Thelma Malone

Helen Styron

O.J. Watkins

Card of Thanks

We have not words to convey our appreciation to those many kind friends and neighbors who ministered to us during our illness and bereavement. People were so kind, so good, so considerate that we can never repay even in part; but we can always think well of you; we shall never forget; we shall always hold your memory as one blessed milestone in our lives.

E.E. Pitchlynn

and family

            

Mr. Moon

Someone reminded me that I forgot to post the photos of Mr. Moon and his third wife, Lula, so here they are. They are labeled "1920, Dallas". They were copied from photos belonging to the Plunketts.

 

Caddo High School

I finally located a picture of the old high school. This one is dated 1926. Someone please send me comments or information if you remember it.

Fun Facts about Caddo, Oklahoma

I'm trying to remember to put the words "Caddo, Oklahoma" into more posts so that my blog will be picked up by more search engines. Anyway, today I want you to see a new feature that will be on our Caddo website. I'm also going to post "First Facts", and later there will be a Caddo History timeline of major events. Still working on that one!

Fun Facts from Caddo's history:

1. The old Bass store offered customers barrels of salted mackerel, crackers, pickles, and kraut. This was the pioneer equivalent of “fast food”.
2. Israel Stone, editor of the Caddo Free Press, bemoaned the fact that Caddo was getting dull and printed this request in June of 1879: “Why don’t somebody get killed or do something to give us an item?”
3. In 1876 Caddo was touted by William Hepworth Dixon as a “Zambo Village- a town tenanted by the new race of mixed bloods known to science as Zambos- the offspring of Negro bucks and Indian squaws.” This so intrigued Dutch ethnologist, Herman Fredrick Carel Ten Kate that he traveled here in 1882 to see them for himself. He wrote: “I found that not a single Zambo was present in Caddo, and that Zambos had never even dwelled there. I found only whites, blacks, and Indians, numbering 350.” At least he had some very positive things to say about Caddo in his book, Travels and Researches in Native America, 1882-1883.
4. In 1900 Charles McPherren won a prize at a “measuring party” for being the tallest man there. Good thing he didn’t meet up with John M. Crunch of Wade. Mr. Crunch was called the “champion tall man of the Territory” at 7ft. 8in. tall!
5. At the Caddo Corn Carnival of 1910 a premium of $1 was paid for the “best quart of home made catsup”. A Walters & Williams baby buggy went to the prettiest baby, and the owner of the best 1 to 2 year old colt was paid $7. There were hundreds of prizes awarded at this spectacular event.
6. This was on the front page of the Caddo Herald on May 25, 1923: Worries the Men- Most everybody will be glad when those new fangled drapes on dresses go out of style. They look as if the women were losing something.
7. Also in 1923, burglars blew up the safe at the Katy railroad depot in Caddo, but got away with only $4.30 because they overlooked a concealed wall safe containing over $500.
8. In 1925 Boone & Styron advertised new spring dresses in plain crepes, painted crepes, and light-weight woolens worth $12.50 to $14.50, for the special price of $9.90.
9. In 1911 you could see the “New Motion Pictures” at the Opera House in Caddo for only 10 cents. Children under 5 were free!
10. Caddo’s graduating class of 1920 was hailed as a “big class” having 19 students graduating! Every class before that had had less than ten graduating seniors.

Upcoming Events

Just a reminder of two upcoming events.

April 12 is the annual Trash Off day. We'll meet at the pavilion at 8am and get our bags and assignments. Then we'll spend a few hours cleaning up the streets and ditches. It's always amazing to see how much trash accumulates over the winter! If you are in town that weekend, stop and help us out. We'd sure appreciate it!

May 17 will be the second annual Mustang Meet. No rules, no prizes- just a good time. Bring your Mustang or other "interesting" vehicles and join us for a day of admiring, visiting, and of course...a little bragging.

A Romantic Wedding

Caddo Herald

May 24, 1918

A Romantic Wedding

            At the home of D. B. Williams in Caddo Friday afternoon at 4o’clock Rev. B. S. Smiser untied in marriage Lieut. Jesse Grissham and Miss Mary Smyres, in the presence of a large number of people who gathered on the lawn.

            Appropriate music was furnished by Mrs. Bilbo and Mrs. Blessing, assisted by Mrs. Locke, Mrs. Boxley, and Wesley Robertson. The ceremony was performed on the porch, which was tastefully and beautifully decorated with American flags.

            An interesting romance attaches to this wedding which makes it of more than ordinary interest. The young people met last Thanksgiving at Fort Worth where the Lieutenant was then stationed. The bride’s home is in Tucumcari, New Mexico, while the groom is form Mississippi originally. Miss Smyres was attending Kidd-Key college at Sherman, and their courtship since the first meeting has been conducted by correspondence.

            Since the Lieutenant’s time was short, he being on furlough, they agreed to meet in Caddo. Mrs. Sadie Powell, who also was attending Kidd-Key, and a close friend of the bride, invited them to meet at her home here. But the officials of the College saw fit to object to the girl leaving before school was out. Of course then the only thing to do was to run away, which they did Thursday night, making the trip back to Caddo in a car driven by Mr. Post. 

            After congratulations all round, even from Prof. Kidd, the young people went back to Sherman for the bride’s belongings and left Saturday night for Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. where the groom is stationed in Uncle Sam’s army.

            Caddo people were glad to be of assistance to the young people. The adage that “all the world loves a lover” was amply proven; beside that the fact that the young man is one of our Army Officers found him friends among people who he never saw before and who perhaps may never see him again.

            The Herald wishes the young couple every joy and happiness that life may hold. 

May 2, 1913

New Williams Hotel

Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Williams have leased the Brick Hotel building, taking charge Monday, moving the belonging from the Williams Hotel and combing the two into the name of  The Williams Hotel.

Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been in the hotel business in Caddo the past ten years, and have been very successful, giving complete satisfaction to all their customers, who are many.

In taking charge of the new hotel they expect to give the same excellent service that has characterized their hotel in the past. In the new quarters they will have a better plant, more room, and consequently be able to give better service to the people.

Caddo hotel service will now be adequate and a credit to the town for all of which we are duly appreciative.

Sewer Bonds Sold at Par

            A deal was completed last week by which the sewer bonds recently voted by Caddo, were sold at par without commission- thus the town will receive full thirty thousand dollars for the issue.

            The Attorney General has approved the bonds and the money has been paid to the treasurer of Caddo, J. A. Beaird.

            Bids will be received until May 15^th, when the contract for construction of the sewers will be let.

            The new council will take charge of the affairs of the city on May 5^th.

Caddo New and Second Hand Furniture Comp’y

Across the street from the post office. We buy your old furniture and sell you new and second-hand furniture and household articles at low money-saving prices. You will never know just how cheap you can buy good furniture until you see us. Reeves & Laurence

If you expect to buy an auto see me before buying as I can give you 50 per cent more value for your money. Amos K. Bass, Agent.

Note: To read more about The Moon Mystery and my latest research click on Stories Too Long.

War News- 1918

The Caddo Herald

September 20, 1918

Jim Ledford up for Keeping Deserter

Jim Ledford, a farmer who lives near Albany, has been arrested, charged with harboring a deserter. His brother-in-law has been at his house for some time, and Monday morning the officers arrested him and placed him in the county jail. Ledford was arrested for harboring the deserter. It is almost as serious offense to harbor a deserter as it is to desert and the sooner some people find out that the government is not going to tolerate any foolishness, the better off they will be. If you know of a deserter, you must turn him in, or at least not allow him to hang around your home.

October 11, 1918

Mayor's Proclamation

Until further notice the schools, the picture shows, the churches, and all public meetings are requested to close. Parents are requested to keep the children at home. By order of the Council. A. P. Braudrick, Mayor

Airplane Lands in Caddo Last Monday

            Monday afternoon an army airplane, piloted by Lieutenant Wm. R. Heath and Louis Goss of Call Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, on their way from Muskogee home, landed in west Caddo near the school house. They were out of gas and had to be replenished.

            Of course quite a curious crowd gathered round, and some gasoline money was made up for the plane, but Lieutenant Hath refused to accept it, saying that the government furnished all those supplies and that it were best to give the money, about $10 to the Red Cross, which was done.

            A volunteer guard was formed to guard the machine during the night, while the officers slept at the hotel.

            They departed early Tuesday, thanking the Caddo folks for their hospitality.

News of the Boys

            Clarence Dodd, who is attending the State University at Austin, Texas, is also enrolled in the Student’s Army Training Corps., so as to be ready when Uncle Sam needs him.

            Audra Hipp is enrolled in the S.A.T.C. of the Southeastern Normal.

            Mr. and Mrs. J. L. McGee have received a card announcing that their son, L.C. McGee, had arrived safely in France. L.C. was with the bunch who left Camp Cody, N.M.  Owing to the influenza epidemic June Robinson has not yet gone across.

            H.T. Styron has received a telegram from his son, Jim, that he will graduate at West Point November 1^st. He will immediately go into active military service as first lieutenant. There is one thing we may be sure of: Wherever Caddo boys go they are sure to make good. 

American Red Cross Wants Linen Work

Must be new or practically as good. The allotment of articles requested form the Caddo Chapter is as follows:

            50 bath towels, linen, 19x38 inches.

            100 hand towels, linen, 18x30 inches.

            100 handkerchiefs, linen, 18x30 inches.

            50 napkins, linen, 14x14 inches.

            25 sheets, 64x102 inches.

These articles can be left at the home of any member of the committee, or at the office of H. D. Person, Chairman.

Buy Your Bonds Saturday, Oct. 12Saturday it is the duty of each citizen to go to his schoolhouse and make the first payment on the bonds he expects to buy and sign the application card. If the amount assessed against you is not enough you can raise it- if too much you can talk to the committee about it.

            This is the day when Oklahoma goes over the top with her Bond quota. It’s the day when Bryan county does likewise- it’s on that day that every town and school district does its share.

            

            Our boys in France have made the Kaiser squawk already- so it’s a contemptible lot we in the safety of home would be if we failed to support them with the money we are asked to loan our Government.

            Remember the time- Saturday, the place- your schoolhouse, the person- YOU. 

Save Materials for Gas Defense

Oklahoma City, Okla., Oct. 9- In order to save the American and allied soldiers from the horrors of being gassed, the Oklahoma State Council of Defense is making an earnest appeal to men, women, and children of the state to save peach stone and pits whose carbon furnish the grade of carbon in the manufacture of gas masks. (rest of the article explains which pits can be collected, how to collect them, and where to send them)

Louis Crutchfield

Thanks to Greg Moore for sending in this item from Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory, by H. F. O'Briene (1891).

Louis Crutchfield- Cherokee

The subject of this sketch was born in Vinita in 1847, his father being white and his mother a Cherokee. When quite a child he moved with his parents close to Dallas, Texas, from thence to Collin county, and on the death of his parents to Decatur in 1866. Soon afterward he went to Eureka, Kansas,w here he remained three years, coming to Denison, Texas, in 1874, which town was then in its infancy. Soon after this he began trading in sheep between Corpus Christi and New York. On one occasion with twelve hundred head, he walked from Corpus Christi to Denison, a distance of over six hundred miles, a trip which occupied him four weeks. After this Mr. Crutchfield devoted his attention for a while to the purchase and shipment of horses from Austin, Texas to Kansas on which he made a profit of eight dollars per head on picked stock. After this he shipped cattle from Caddo, I.T. to Kansas, where he purchased a large flock (eleven thousand head) of sheep and drove them to Paul's Valley, many of which he traded for horses. Mr. Crutchfield is located on Wilson Jones' place near Caddo, where he holds a herd of sheep and raises corn, millet, and other crops.

Caddo Needs Your Help

If you are reading this then I assume you have an interest in Caddo, history, or genealogy. I'd like to ask you to help me, and help Caddo by passing on this blog to someone new. In fact, I am bold enough to assume that you have at least five people on your email contact list who have never seen this site, and you can pass it on to all of them.

I feel that Caddo is at a crossroads and that this summer will be an important one: we will be completing our sidewalk project, preparing for the alumni banquet, hosting the 50th reunion of the class of 1958, finishing the veteran's memorial, landscaping Boland park, and praying for a good tourist season. There are signs that our downtown is in trouble. There are signs that the changing economy is hurting us. I don't want to be sitting here ten years from now saying if only...

So if you grew up here, come back to Caddo this summer and walk where your ancestors walked. Talk to the people who knew you when you were just a toddler. Visit the school that helped you succeed in life. Go to the church that shaped your values. Look around and see how you might help Caddo continue to prosper.

If you didn't grow up here, come and visit a town that has been in existence since before Oklahoma was a state! Stand on the hill just off the highway exit and gaze at the surrounding prairie where buffalo roamed and wildflowers still bloom. Shop in our old fashioned variety store. Watch a movie in our charming little theater. Visit the museum and see how our town has evolved. Go to the cemetery and marvel at the names and dates. Ask the locals to tell you our stories. Caddo has an exciting past and we are more than willing to share it.

We also want to have an exciting future. We are looking for people to live in our town. This is a great place to raise children, and an even better place to retire. The whole country is bemoaning the housing crisis and we still have affordable housing and good land. We have some beautiful office spaces available. We have several good commercial buildings for sale. There is a great business location on our busy highway that is just waiting for the right person to recognize an opportunity!

Yes, this is a small town. Not everyone agrees on the advantages of living in a small town, but let me point out that I lived in a major city for twenty years. Now I love having the city "out there" when I need it, but not in my backyard! There are a lot of us baby boomers who just don't want all the hassles of city living anymore. If you are one of them, perhaps it's time to look at Caddo's great location.

Yes, we have problems. This isn't Mayberry. If more than two people live in an area there are problems. But if you want to live in a small town you learn to work together. You also quickly realize that you can really make a difference! You can be a leader. You can change things. You can use your skills and ideas. You can live your dreams.

I love this town, this area, these people, and I don't mind doing a little begging on their behalf. This is my hometown. I want my grandchildren to be able to visit it someday and be proud of it. Please do your part by passing this along and encouraging others to stay informed and visiting us this summer.