I’m often asked why some family names do not appear in the paper, even though we know that the family lived in Caddo. Some families simply kept a “low profile” as most of us do, and didn’t do much that was newsworthy except graduate, get married, and die. Others simply lived outside the normal reporting area for the paper. Settlements like Baxter, Wilkinson’s Heights, Pleasant Hill, Cade, Buffalo Hill and Liberty Hill depended on the generosity of a local volunteer reporter and the editor of the Herald to spread their news. Sometimes the paper had room for a community report and sometimes it didn’t. This issue of the paper contains three community reports and I have included one today. I also like the account of the train accident since it had a happy ending.
The court report is just a reminder that if you are searching local papers for information about your family you should never overlook the legal notices that were required for many life events. News of estates, property sales, divorces, etc. are often in these small items.
The Caddo Herald
April 26, 1912
Fell of the Train
Mrs. M. Chipley was found north of Caddo Wednesday morning by some boys, and taken to the home of J. H. McCalman. She was considerably bruise and seemed to be in a semi-conscious.
In company with her daughter, Mrs. T. R. Spencer, of Abilene, Texas, she occupied a Pullman berth on train No. 9 Southbound, which arrived at Caddo at 4:26 that morning. She awakened during the night and sat up in an unoccupied berth and seemed restless. When her daughter awakened the mother was not to be found so the alarm was spread.
Mrs. Spencer arrived in Caddo on No. 9 and immediately set up search, finding her mother as above stated. In her somnambulance, Mrs. Chipley had fallen off the car (how is hard to explain) and was hurled to the embankment. It was a miracle that she was not killed as the train was going full speed and Mrs. Chipley was 84 years of age.
The Katy officials lent every aid in finding the woman and gave relief when she was found.
Notice of Final Settlement
Notice is hereby given that the following Guardians and Administrators have filed their final reports and petitions for the distribution of estates and asking to be discharged. Said reports and petitions for distribution of estates will come on for hearing at the may 1912 term of this Court which convenes on the firs Monday in May 1912, and all parties interested therein will appear on or before said date and file their objections to said reports and petitions for distribution of estates, if they desire to , to the confirmation thereof.
Administrator, Case No. 1, Michael J. O’Dea, deceased: C. C. Robinson and James J. Waltrapp, Administrators.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said Court this the 11th day of April, 1912. J. L. Rappolee, County Judge, Bryan County, Oklahoma.
Matoy News
The light rains last week were welcomed by the farmers as the recent big rains had caused the ground to become baked and the light showers helped the young corn which is looking nice.
Miss Anna Stenson of Bokchito is visiting her aunt, Mrs. W. L. Sullivan.
Mrs. J. Nickles went to Caddo last week to do her spring shopping.
Miss Eunice Ford happened to the misfortune of cutting her foot very severally with an ax some time ago and is not able to be out yet.
The play at the school house Friday night was good but there were not many there on account of the threatening weather.
Willis Jones has returned from an extended business trip to Texas.
Some of the men found a den of rattle snakes last week near the home of J. L. Meadows. One snake with 15 rattles was killed.
There were two singings in the community Sunday afternoon. The south side of the creek met at Mr. Fenly’s and the north side at J. D. Nickels.
Mrs. John McGee and L. C. McGee of the Baxter settlement, visited Mrs. Lib Hart last Friday night and Mrs. McGee attended the Woodmen Circle Saturday afternoon. We are always glad to have her with us, as she is sure to tell us something good for the order.
Let us get together and fence the grave yard, as the money was made up some time ago for this purpose. Now let us attend to this the first wet day as the cemetery is in Mr. Cannon’s field and he earnestly asks that the gave yard be fenced separate from his land. A Reader
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