Caddo- My Home Town

A Stranger's View of Caddo

The Caddo Herald

October 19, 1923

The Stranger’s Opinion

To get a perfect picture of our town, to learn its good and bad qualities, we should ask the impartial stranger for his opinion concerning it; just the way it impressed him after he had had an unobstructed look into it. It is absolutely impossible for us to judge it correctly. All the good in it would flare up before us after the manner of a bon fire and the bad would be as a drop of water in the blaze. Of course this is all right, as of course it is natural for us to have good opinions of ourselves and ours, but nevertheless we should not permit our opinion of ourselves and ours to push the stranger’s opinion into complete oblivion. We should listen to him, weigh his ideas; he sees it comparatively different to the way we do. He sees things that we have perhaps overlooked and we may profit by his pointing to a few things.

A stranger’s opinion of Caddo is quoted in this manner: “Beginning where I alighted from the train and stopping at the other end of town, I noticed that your town is far behind a few other towns in weed cutting.

Another bad feature is your street crossings. It is difficult, more especially for a lady, to cross them safely.

Your school system is very good- but there is room for a bit more good in everything- as there are none perfect.

Your churches, the most important institutions in any community, are sadly neglected- neglected to a certain extent. A few of your citizens are church goers- perhaps a fourth of them; which should be four fourths. But considering other churches of the country, yours are about on average.

Your citizens: they are the average of the country, some very fine, admirable, and there are some- well, you know that some are not so good.“

It is fine to have people thus frankly express themselves. We are better enabled to see our weak and strong points. Much better would the world be if a stronger degree of communion were abroad.

 

Busy People, 1901

The Caddo Herald

September 27, 1901

Local Items

 Bass has it. See him.

Dr. N. Miller. Dentist.

Call No. 45 for printing.

Sell Bass your poor hogs.

It pays to buy at Levine’s.

Oak rockers. $1.50 at Lamb’s.

For fresh groceries go to Bass.

Fresh sauerkraut in bulk at Bass.

Chattel Mortgages at the Herald.

Born to R. T. Morgan, Tuesday, a fine boy.

See Clinkscales when you want photos.

Frank Maddox took in the Denison fair Tuesday.

Anything you want at Droke’s, the Hustling Grocer.

Mrs. Ed Payne has been quite sick but is now convalescent.

J. F. Lamb has the finest line of guns and ammunition in town.

The Caddo Gin co. will give you more for your cotton seed.

The only produce in Caddo is Droke, the Hustling Grocer.

Joe Black came clear of his charge in the trial at Atoka Monday.

Mrs. H. M. Chiles and Miss Mary Allen visited Denison yesterday.

Vinita Excursions. Sunday Sept. 29. Ball game. Parsons vs. Denison.

We want your cotton seed. Caddo Gin Co. R. B. McBee, Mgr.

Corn for sale. Bass the grocer.

Train leaves Caddo 4:13a.m. Only $2.50 Round trip. Be sure to go.

Mrs. G. A. Pate and Miss Soulie Pate visited relatives in Sherman yesterday.

Be sure to hear Abe Mulkey tonight. He will continue his sermon on Restitution.

Mrs. Ellis Bradley of South McAlester is visiting Mrs. W. F. Dodd this week.

Edgar Lyle took a run up from Texas Saturday and spent Sunday with relatives here.

Will Carnes was here from boggy Depot Wednesday. He had lost a mare and two mules.

T. H. P. Smith has bought the place of Geo. Varner, and has moved his family into town.

Mrs. W. J. B. Lloyd and daughter Miss Hattie of Bennington, were visitors in Caddo this week.

Droke, the hustling grocer, has just received a car of the best flour, also bran and rice. See his adv.

The neat residence of C. W. Hill on Main Street has been finished. Several other cottages are being erected.

C. A. Hancock has the largest stock of shoes ever brought to the city. He keeps the celebrated Clover brand.

Attention farmers- We make the ginning go custom cotton a specialty. Caddo Gin Co. R. B. McBee, Mgr.

Putnam Fadeless Dyes are as easy to use as soap. No muss or failure. 10c per package. Sold by W. P. Wood.

Misses Mary and Mattie Holiday of Van Alstyne, Tex. returned home Tuesday after visiting Mrs. Terry a fortnight.

Collector Jim Jackson has been collecting city taxes this week. He is desirous of finishing tomorrow. Be sure to call early.

Mrs. L. A. Morris has returned from Midway and will board with Mrs. J. N. Jackson. Mr. M. has a position as traveling salesman.

J. W. Coker Furniture Co. have an adv. in this issue. They handle everything in the furniture line and are delighted to please you.

Mrs. Edna Hill’s opening of fall millinery and hats occurred Tuesday. Everything on display was indeed beautiful and Mrs. Hill took lots of orders.

We have a good outfit for a restaurant consisting of stove, dishes, tables, chairs, and knives which we will sell very cheap. L. E. Droke & Co.

The Cow Law goes into effect October the 1^st, so please keep your cows up and save pound fees. Jim Jackson, Marshal.

I have about a thousand good straight bois d’ arc fence posts and five hundred feet of (?) blocks to sell. See me if you want them. A. C. Joyce

When you want to purchase boots or shoes examine my large well selected stock. I can fit and satisfy you in quality and make up. C. A. Hancock

It will pay you to see Mrs. Lynch before you buy a dress or hat. She will tell you what is worn and where to get it. She has the latest instructions in both from St. Louis.

We desire to thank the neighbors and friends who so kindly assisted us during the illness of our little girl. “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Mr. and Mrs. Jack Harris

Mrs. F. E. Thedin and daughter, Miss Cecilia, arrived this week from Wynnewood, I.T. and will make their home with their son and brother W. E. Thedin in Caddo.

Don’t miss the excursion to Vinita Sunday, Sept. 29. Only $2.50 round trip via M.K. & T. Train leaves Caddo 4:13 a.m. The best ball game of the season- Parsons vs. Denison.

Don’t forget about the damaged goods sale at Arnold & Attaway’s. They have had their insurance settled, and are offering great bargains to get rid of their stock damaged in moving.

All members of the Caddo Lodge Knights of Pythias are earnestly requested to be at the meeting Monday night as business of importance is to be attended to. Visitors invited.

Remember that I keep the celebrated clover brand of shoes, the brand that has been thoroughly tested. Examine my large stock, buy them, try them, and be convinced. C. A. Hancock

Say, George, I’ve found it. A. J. Vaughn’s grocery, restaurant and lunch stand. On Buffalo street near the depot. He keeps the best of staple and fancy groceries. Lunch in connection.

Miss Gertrude Thompson was called from attendance of the St. Xavier’s Academy last Thursday on account of the sickness of her little niece. She returned Tuesday to the Academy.

The Musical Club met with Mrs. R. J. Homer last Saturday evening and had quite an interesting time. The exercises were enjoyed by all. The club meets with Mrs. Ed Walters next Saturday week.

Ball games at Vinita, Sunday, Sept. 29^th. Parsons vs. Denison. This will be the best game of the season. Special excursion rate only $2.50 round trip. Train leaves Caddo 4:13 a.m. via M K & T Ry.

The public school now has enrolled more than two hundred pupils. The teachers are making every effort to have the school a success. A prospectus and course of study is in course of preparation.

J. M. Hall, while enroute from Nashville, Tenn. to Ardmore, had the misfortune to lose his little 7 year old girl by death Monday night, thirty miles east of here. She was buried in Caddo Cemetery Tuesday.

The fall opening of millinery goods and hats at Mrs. Lynch’s was a success last Friday. On display were many hats and millinery notions of the latest styles. Many ladies called and were delighted with the displays.

My undertaking department is now complete. I have everything form a pauper case to the finest cloth covered caskets. Also a nice line of robes, hose, gloves, slippers, etc.  At Lamb’s Furniture Store.

In a few days we will received a full car load of the famous charter Oak stove and ranges. Call around and see them. They are the best stoves made. Our prices are right. Smith, Cobb, and Pace.

The eight-month old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Harris died last Saturday night after an illness of several weeks of fever. This little one was buried Sunday in the Caddo cemetery. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of the entire community.

The bloodhound which was bought by Caddo people from the Texas penitentiary arrived several weeks ago and has been tried and not found wanting. The animal takes a trail twenty-four hours cold and unerringly traces the criminal when the tracks have not been obliterated.

Weddings, 1901

The Caddo Herald

September 27, 1901

A Double Wedding

Last Sunday evening at four o’clock two couples stopped at the gate of I. G. Abney, and requested that Rev. Forrest Maddox attend to them. He came soon and united in wedlock Mr. Jim Abney and Miss Eddye Payne, and A. Cornelius Markham and Miss Grace Jackson. The couples then drove away to their respective homes.

Mr. Abney is the nephew of I. G. Abney and holds a responsible position at the establishment of Abney and Allen and is a young man of many good traits, has many friends who wish him joy. Miss Payne is the charming daughter of Mr. Ed Payne and is a young lady of womanly ways and will make an excellent helpmate for her choice as a partner in life’s joys.

Mr. Markham is well known here as a young man of excellent habits, gentlemanly manners and has many friends and is employed at the big store of Abney & Allen. He will make an ideal husband. Miss Jackson is the accomplished daughter of Mr. John N. Jackson and is a young lady of many charms; possesses a loveable nature and disposition and will be a treasure to the husband of her choice.

These weddings come as a surprise to the town, though it was known that the couples were lovers and that it would ultimately come, but none expected it this early. However, the many friends of both brides and grooms wish the happy young people all the joy this life affords, feeling that they have chosen wisely and well. The Herald adds its congratulations to the many already offered.

Frank Hall, 1922

The Caddo Herald

December 8, 1922

Frank Hall Killed in Fight at Dance

Frank Harris, a young man about 18 years of age, is in the local county jail held in connection with the slaying of Frank Hall, aged 30, at the home of J. M. Everett, one mile northeast of Armstrong Saturday night. Willie Ledford and Ed Crowder of Durant are held in jail on charges of drunkenness at the dance held at the home of Mr. Everett Saturday night.

Hall was shot once through the breast with a 32 caliber revolver, following a quarrel and fight among several participants at the dance. He died instantly. Witnesses said young Harris, who lives in Texas, shot Hall after he had been knocked down three times by Hall. Mr. Everett received a slash across the right side of his neck when he attempted to stop the fight, he said.

Everett said Hall, Crowder and Ledford came to the dance on Saturday night while under the influence of liquor and when the girls refused to dance with them began to make trouble. Two fights are said to have resulted before the shooting.

Assistant county Attorneys W. L. Boner and J. A. Shirley were questioning a number of the witnesses today, collecting evidence and said they might file riot charge against several of the participants.

Holdup-1922

The Caddo Herald

December 22, 1922

Hold-Up Men Rob Caddo Bank Friday

Three men, one with smut on his face, held up the Caddo National Bank last Friday morning, secured the cash and bonds, and made their get-away in a Buick car, going east. One stayed outside, another at the back, making five in all.

The sheriff was immediately notified, and quickly there were numerous armed posses in pursuit. Friday evening a car was discovered in the forks of Boggy and one man brought in. The car was identified as the one seen in Caddo and along the road. The man is in jail at Durant.

The first intimation the bank officials had of any robbery was the order to “hold up your hands”. Three men had come in at the front, and issued the order. The hands all went up, though the order had to be repeated several times before the robbers could make the officials believe they meant business. Two men kept the seven employees and five customers covered while the third took all the money in sight, and compelled Cashier Maytubby to open the safe, where other money and Liberty Bonds were kept. After securing the money the robbers shut all twelve people in the vault, and made their way out the back way, where the car was waiting, engine running.

A telephone inside the vault enabled those in it to phone for help; but by this time the robbers were swiftly going east. Parties whom they passed on the road say the car was going seventy miles an hour and hesitating about nothing.

Those in the bank were: F. P. Semple, J. D. Maytubby, R. H. Carraway, Rex. Whitt, L. M. Wood, Mrs. L. M. Wood, Francis Schwartz, all connected with the bank and J. L. Sargent, J. H. Cossart, Antone Havernick, Othe Hale, and W. W. Fort, customers. Mr. Fort, who lives at Ardmore, was in the telephone booth at the time and they had to wait ‘til he came out before they could complete the holdup.

The three men who were in the bank are described as follows: One about 22 or 23 years of age, weight about 135 pounds, blue eyes, about 5 feet 9 inches high, sandy hair, smooth face, slouch gray hat.  One was about 30 years old, weight about 160 pounds, wore overalls, cap, round face, rather red, and prominent nose. One was about 35 years old, smut on face, wore blue glasses, large black hat, black shoes, sand hair, rather sharp face, wore gloves. All there looked to have two day growth of beard on their faces, all looked as though they might have worked on farms.

The men were closely studied by several of those held up who readily would recognize them if seen.

The bank carried sufficient insurance to pay losses. The money loss was about $8,000; while about $25,000 of Liberty Bonds belonging to customers were taken. $18,000 of those were registered bonds so no loss can occur there to anyone.

While all the money except a few pennies were taken, in less than an hour the bank was doing business as usual with plenty of cash on hand, receiving it from Durant.

The robbers were fairly polite and gentle in their dealings with all concerned; they knew what they wanted and got it and seemed pleased that they got so much.

Jim Sargent had just cashed a check and with his purse on the counter was ordered to hold up his hands and he did; but the robbers did not take his $20, saying it belonged to some farmer who needed it worse than he did. So Jim got his money back. No attempt was made to rob the persons of any money. No notes or warrants or other papers were taken- just money and bonds.

Caddo was in a fever of excitement all that day and the next about the robbery- it being the first ever experienced here. No one was injured but time was required for some to regain their wanted equanimity.

More from 1933

The Caddo Herald

October 27, 1933

W. R. Evans Store Sold to Mrs. U. S. Markham

Mrs. U. S. Markham has purchased the Variety Store of the late W. R. Evans and has taken over the management of it since Monday. It has been renamed the Five and Ten Cent Store and will handle the same type of merchandise as it has previously.

Much work is being done on the exterior and interior of the building by the new owner. A fresh coat of paint is being applied which adds very much towards the improvement of the looks of our town.

 

Barn of Mrs. E. G. Baxter Destroyed by Fire

Tuesday evening about 7:00 o’clock, the barn on the farm of Mrs. E. G. Baxter was entirely destroyed by fired of unknown origin. The barn contained feed stuffs belonging to Mrs. Baxter and to C. E. Baxter, all of which were burned and damaged beyond any use.

The barn contained 2,000 bushels of oats, 75 tons of hay, 150 bushels of corn and a ton and a half of cotton seed, which represents a loss of about two thousand dollars in itself. There was no insurance on the barn.

Mr. Baxter was unable to advance a theory as to the origin of the fire, but said it was in all probability caused by rats or by spontaneous combustion

Highway, 1933

The Caddo Herald

October 20, 1933

Highway Paving Job is Almost Finished

According to reports given by the officials of the Highway Construction Company on the project here, the concrete pouring will be finished Saturday or Sunday of this week, unless the weather conditions interfere.

It is very probable that some of the men will be retained here until the first of December finishing the shoulders on the road and getting the equipment ready for shipment.

The new pavement will be opened to the public after three weeks, during which time the concrete is allowed to cure.

October 27, 1933

Pouring of Concrete on Highway Completed

Sunday evening the pouring of the concrete on the highway south to Durant was completed after many months of anxious waiting by those who desired to go to Durant and other of the cities along this highway.

As the last batch was mixed the workers all doffed their hats and buried them under a 10 inch layer of concrete. Perhaps they were as glad to complete the work as the citizens of our town are to have it completed.

Twenty-one days from last Sunday, the dirt will be removed from the concrete and it will be opened for traffic. The construction company is now at work building up the shoulders along the part of the road that has already been opened for traffic.

Irish Immigrant Party, 1922

Buffalo BBQ

It’s time for the Fourth Annual Buffalo Trail BBQ, Saturday, August 8, 2009. Watch the Rodeo Parade and then join us for food, music, and games. Lunch is just $5 a plate. Under the pavilion, downtown Caddo. See you there!

Useful Citizens

The Caddo Herald

December 22, 1933

Most Useful Citizens

A useful citizen is one who administers untiringly and unceasingly to his fellow man, helping them to live their best and getting the most out of life. Who can live and do their best without health? Doctors are the ones who brave the weather, be it hot or cold and at any time, day or night. They come to us when we need them. Therefore, the doctors of our town, whose names, Doctor Cochran and Dickey, are daily associated with our lives, are useful citizens of our town. Junia Craghead

…

In naming the best citizen in this town, may I suggest Mr. John L. Boland. Mr. Boland is a man with many friends and few enemies; one that can be depended on for help at any time. His devotion to his family, his works in keeping the town alive and his deep interest in the coming generation shows his outstanding character.  Summarizing, Mr. Boland is everything any boy could want as his idea of a real man and to use as a model for his life. J. E. Blanks

…

I think Dr. Cochran is one of the outstanding citizens of our town. Having studied to minister unto “souls”, by accident, he decided his life work to minister unto “bodies”. He has faithfully followed both professions and today he is one of the finest physicians in Bryan County. So what more can be said of a man. Bertha Lou Harris

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There are several good citizens of Caddo, but I chose this particular one because of his untiring helpfulness. Mr. A. P. Braudrick (who has received the name “Uncle Pitt” because he seems like an uncle to everyone) came here before statehood to act as City Marshal for 12 or 15 years. After statehood he resigned to accept the position of Chief of Police. He served as town justice for 18 or 20 years and is now serving in this capacity. In all his career Mr. Braudrick has never been defeated for any office he asked. He is now 66 years old, but he is actively engaged in his business here. He had been in some trade or business all of the time. Merwyn Maddux

…

One of the most enterprising and outstanding citizens of our town is Wallace Boone. Although he is quiet about his affairs, we know he has the interest of our town at heart. He is ever ready and willing to help and because of his ready smile and unfailing good humor, he is sought by many. Jennie Locke

…

One of the most useful citizens of Caddo in my estimation is Mr. Lake Brewer. He is one of the old settlers of Caddo and is always ready to help the community in any way. To sick people Mr. Brewer is exceptionally kind. No one has ever been turned away in time of need by Mr. Brewer. He does his part in donating to charity . He was fair and square in the grocery business and many problems have been solved and many troubles threshed out in the quiet refuge of his store, for he gave a warm welcome to all. Mr. Brewer is now a member of the school board and is liked by everyone. Alton Pace

…

In my opinion Mr. Boone is the most useful and successful citizen of our small community. His great help and good work has been appreciated by all. He is always ready to help in the community problems and is always ready to help or render any service to anyone. Mr. Boone has been a resident here for a good many years. In this time he has established a store which is rated as one of the best in Bryan County. Caddo is not the only lucky town to have a store owned by him, for Atoka and Konawa have the privilege also. Ross Eleene Braudrick

…

Mr. W. W. Boone, in my estimation, is Caddo’s most useful citizen. He is always willing to donate to any useful organization or any other enterprise that should be helped. He is a member of the Lions Club and is always ready to do anything he is called on to do. As he has been here several years, everyone knows him and is never afraid to go to him for advice or help. _________

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The citizen who always does things that are worthwhile for our community, who when elected to office did not move away from his home town, but stands loyal to his friends, who has helped every farmer in the surrounding community and stands ready to help again regardless of non-payments, who always has a smile and good word for everyone, the best known man in our community is in my estimation, Jim Moore. Dorothy Bilbo

…

I think Mr. J. A. Moore is the most useful man in Caddo as far as being a political leader in our town and county. He served as our county treasurer and was very successful. Mr. Moore has also served the Red Cross from time to time. He is always ready to meet you half way in anything concerning this town or county. To show you his outstanding ability we refer you to his recent appointment to be County Administrator of the Civil Works Administration by Administrator Giles. Charleen Markham