Caddo- My Home Town

Jefferson Highway Route

The Caddo Herald

April 27, 1923

Jefferson Highway Might Be Changed

A meeting of the directors of Jefferson Highway will be held Monday, April 30^th, to decide about the route of the Jefferson Highway, which now runs north and south through Eastern Oklahoma. Arkansas is bidding for such designation of route and Oklahoma will have to do her part or lose it.

Certain expenses are incurred in keeping up a highway, and Oklahoma has fallen down on paying her share of the last year, and unless this is done the route will be taken where the people appreciate it enough to pay for it.

A few live spirits like W. F. Dodd, the president, have secured this road for Oklahoma and kept it here for this long, but they cannot do it alone all the time. They must have help and lots of it. We understand Mr. Dodd is still willing to do his part and more, but that the towns through which this highway runs must do their part or lose the designation, letting it to go Arkansas.

Of course that does not mean that we lose the road. The road is built, and built permanently, but it means that we shall lose the national advertising and the national travel that comes north and south through the Highway; that such travel will go through Arkansas.

Cross-Smith, 1922

The Caddo Herald

September 29, 1922

Cross-Smith

At the home of the bride near Pleasant Hill, Sunday morning, Rev. F. Naylor united in marriage Mrs. Belle Haney Smith and Mr. G. W. Cross of Ardmore. The bride is 73 years of age and is the mother of Leroy and Noah Arrington, prominent farmers of the Pleasant Hill community. The groom is seventy years old. They will make their home at Pleasant Hill. Their friends wish them many years of wedded bliss.

Caddo Book

My new book, Caddo, Oklahoma- Persevering on the Prairie is now available from the Bryan County Genealogy Library and Archives. This book is a compilation of research, stories, newspaper articles, and obituaries that will help you understand Caddo’s fascinating past and give you names and dates to help with your family genealogy. The book is fully indexed.

To order your copies send a check or money order for $35 plus $3.50 postage and handling to Bryan County Genealogy Library and Archives, P.O. Box 153, Calera, Oklahoma 74730-0153. (If you order multiple copies just add $1postage for each additional book.) Please indicate if you would like your book signed. I will be happy to write a message of gratitude for you. 

Persevere: to persist in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.

The early settlers of Caddo faced violence, fierce weather, isolation, and poverty yet managed to create a community that has lasted one hundred and thirty-eight years. Twice Caddo was nearly devastated by fire, but the community rebuilt. And it thrived! Caddo was once home to more than 2,000 people and had visitors from all over the world. You can read about the Corn Carnival, the Moon Mausoleum, the Jefferson Highway, and many more of Caddo’s famous attractions.  Order your copy of Persevering on the Prairie today!

Thanks for your support and your interest in my hometown.

Walter Lindsey

The Caddo Herald

September 15, 1922

Walter Lindsey Dies After Blow on Head

At Durant Saturday evening about dark Walter Lindsey of Caddo received a blow on his head from the effects of which he died at the home of Mr. Mahoney Monday.

A Mr. Crowder, grocery man, was placed in jail accused of being responsible for the death.

Not much could at first be learned of the affair. Mr. Lindsey had been patronizing the Crowder store and it seems that some trouble came up and in the resulting fight Lindsey received a blow on the head. It at first was not thought to be serious. But either it or the fall to the floor or something Lindsey had taken proved fatal.

The remains were brought to Caddo Tuesday and buried in Caddo Cemetery.

Mr. Lindsey was a farmer, living southwest of Caddo, leaves a wife and eight children; was 39 years of age, and bore a reputation for industry and success in his calling. He was a brother of W. O. Lindsey and this year received the premium for bringing the first bale of cotton to Caddo.

 

September 29, 1922

Crowder held for Manslaughter

E. F. Crowder was held for manslaughter in the first degree in connection with the death of Walter Lindsey here two weeks ago and allowed bond in the sum of $5,000 after preliminary hearing before Justice of the Peace W. S. Archibald yesterday afternoon and this morning. W. R. Crowder was absolved of complicity in this death of Lindsey and released.

Walter Lindsey is alleged to have died from injuries received in a fight with E. F. Crowder when he was knocked down; and injured when his head struck the concrete floor. Lindsey died two days after the injury.

Crowder will be given trial in the district court in the November term. He made bond. Durant Democrat

Horse Show, 1913

The Caddo Herald

July 25, 1913

Ladies Will Ride

Miss Mary Howe has charge of the ladies in the Horse Show riding. Several have indicated their desire to participate in this show, among them being Miss Peters, Mrs. Robertson, Miss Madigal, and Miss Heath.

Mrs. Robertson has charge of the Children’s Horseback Drill, the first practice being announced for Saturday at the grounds. Those who desire to are welcome to practice riding at the park, and Mr. Pollard, who has charge of the horse show, will give any information desired.

1904

February 1904

From The Caddo Herald

February 11, 1924

Twenty Years Ago

Cotton was worth 13c to 14c per pound.

The report of Frank Semple, county clerk and treasurer, was made to Choctaw county court. $1,287.70 had been collected and expended. The receipts mainly were from permits and hay royalty.

The Indian Agent had ordered all section lines to be left open for roads, though there was no provision in the treaties for this. With statehood this became law.

The Herald at that time published an abstract of the status of land conditions. It showed the amount of each kind of allotment, the law relating to leases, and to alienation of lands. Since that time all these things have become history.

Leeper & Chiles wanted 25 post makers.

Dr. Gray of Matoy was complaining about somebody breaking into his smokehouse and stealing livers and fresh meat.

Parties were canvassing the entire country selling kitchen cabinets. They sold almost every house. Later the articles proved almost worthless.

Sam Morley had 200 tons of hay for sale at his barn ten miles east of town at $5 per ton.

Woodson Clinkscales, Clarence Schwartz, Carlisle Pitchlynn, Lafayette Hull, May Bursby, John Droke, Jennie and Grover Riddle were on the honor roll of Miss Wallace’s room at school.

Miss Daisy Baxter was visiting homefolks. She was attending Presbyterian College.

County Court was held Monday. The Bilbo home was then used as Choctaw court house.

Leeper & Chiles had seed oats and hay for sale, as well as lumber.

Dr. Rappolee had moved into his new home, where Dr. Dale now lives.

Plans were completed for making a sidewalk form the depot to town. The depot was located where the oil mill now stands.

Rev. Cashman delivered several sermons at the Baptist church. He was from Canada, and later became a pastor here.

While the horse of Sam Heath was standing in front of his market he suddenly shook himself, causing  a Winchester to fall from the saddle scabbard. When the gun struck the ground it was discharged. The bullet went across the street, passed through the plate glass window of Wood’s Drug Store and struck Mr. J. A. Kaufman on the shoulder blade, making a painful, but not dangerous wound.

The firm of Smith, Cobb & Pace dissolved, G. S. Cobb retiring. The new name was Pace & Smith.

A fine girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Rutherford.

S. J. Homer, F. Manning, and C. A. Bilbo attended district court at Mayhew.

C. B. Farrington, and two sons, Chas. and Clem visited Durant.

Will Gardner and Tunk Terry were here from Bokchito.

Edward Bates & Sons were agents for Derre Plows.

Ben Siegel was advertising ginghams at 8c per yard.

 

 

 

 

 

Business, 1913

School, 1915

One of my goals for 2010 is to post more school news. I'm also in the process of writing several biographies and will try to share those. "Caddo, OK- Persevering on the Prairie" will be available next week!  

 

The Caddo Herald

May 28, 1915

School Closing

By reason of the fact that the closing exercises of the Caddo High School were not completed when The Herald went to press last week, The Herald did not get to say all it wanted to about the school.

The High School play, “Better Than Gold” was given at the Opera House Thursday night to a full house. This was the only feature charged for, but it was well worth the price and thus funds were obtained with which to pay the expense of commencement week.

This play was not only a high moral play, one that was full of thrills and dramatic situations, as well as some fun, and it was so well rendered that the audience could not help but enjoy every minute of the time. It was perhaps the best rendered home talent plays ever put on in Caddo, which is saying a great deal. The high school pupils not only showed remarkable talent, but careful thought and training. And when it is considered that less than two weeks preparation was had its perfect rendition was most remarkable. The large crowd showed its appreciation by frequent and hearty applause.

Friday night at the high school auditorium, occurred the address to the pupils, teachers and patrons by Prof. Dodson of the Southeastern State Normal and the awarding of prizes and perfect attendance certificates. Hon. Claud Smith presented the medals given by Civic Club, and Prof. Dodson presented the others. A remarkable feature of the perfect attendance certificates was the fact that last year only seventeen received them, while this year sixty received the coveted honors.

Following is a list of the prize winners:

The Civic Club Medals, one to the boy and girl in each school for perfect attendance and deportment. In the high school Misses Charleen Hogan, Bertie Wood, and Nina Johnson tied, for which was awarded, by drawing lots, to Miss Charleen Hogan. Boys, Earl Phelps. In the Grammar school, Ola Harmon and Fleming Clower.

The Music Club Medal for the highest grade in the High School was awarded to Miss Jewel Cobb.

The Dodd Medal for highest grade in Seventh: Two tied for the honor, and Mr. Dodd generously issued two medals- one to Velma Shelby and one to Gladys Stevens.

The George Frazier Medal was awarded to Otis Smith for highest grade in Seventh.

Following is the list of perfect attendance:

Nina Johnson     Bertie Wood

Charleen Hogan    Jack Glasscock

Earl Phelps Ruth Bloom

Audra Hipp Roland Wright

Christine Hogan    Dora Hogan

Ernest Black    Georgia Boydstun

Robert Beaty Eddie Booker

Stanton Carroll Lorane Freeny

Cortelle Hipp     Conseola Pierson

Otis Smith    Velma Shelby

Ola Harmon    Mamie Wright

Thelma Malone     Ishel McKinney

Guy Crossett   Tacitus Drake

Charles Hogan   Jack Hendricks

Ethel Kelso Ruby Mead

Alfred Pherigo   Vera Manning

C. J. Powell Roy Powers

Harry Pace   Helen Styron

Pauline Shelby Nelsine Turner

Vernon Rowsey     Fleming Clower

Arthur Drake   Hunter Joe Hogan

Frank B. Reed     Nell Sargent

Ora Black Jewell Marshall

Eva McKinney    Lillian McKinney

Maggie Trent Maudie Pierson

Louise Peters     Annie Muckelroy

Kathryne Gravitt   Neva Rowsey

Artell Bell    Mary Alice Reed

Margaret Boland   Mamie Lou Malone

Maggie Braudrick     Dottie Evelyn Smith

Following the awarding came the burlesque on the faculty by pupils of the High School, which was decidedly humorous and entertaining. None enjoyed this gridiron more than did the teachers themselves, who had worked hard for a successful year and as a relaxation did not mind a bit of fun at their expense. A hard rain came just at the time of gathering Friday night, yet there was a large crowd present, who in spite of the difficulty of getting there, thoroughly enjoyed the program.

Saturday afternoon Mrs. G. Goodman entertained the members of the Websterian and Eureka Societies at the matinee. Saturday night Miss Blackwell entertained the Eurekas at The Cove with elegant refreshments.  

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

The Cost of Living

The Caddo Herald

March 28, 1913

Cost of Living

The main reason for high cost of living is that people demand and receive more convenience. The living costs more, but it is worth more. For instance, in Caddo not less than $300 per month is spent by the grocers in maintaining delivery teams and wagons. If people did not demand delivered goods this cost would be eliminated. There are many other things that require money that the ultimate consumer pays for. Demand less service and the cost will be less.