Caddo- My Home Town

Fat Men and Fabulous Ladies

Finally…

My New book is available!

 

Fat Men and Fabulous Ladies-

The Founding Families of Caddo, Oklahoma, Vol. 1

In 1972 a special edition of the Bryan County Star included a photo of some of the men who helped build Caddo. Since each was nearly as rotund as they were powerful, the group was dubbed “the fat men’s club”. These hefty leaders included A. E. Rutherford, D. B. Williams, Ed Walters, Barlow Roberts, Jim Hogan, Judge Rappolee, Harry Dunlap, R. A. Riddel, W. E. Theden, Bob Travis, C. A. Bilbo, Ira Smith, Amos Bass, J. W. Abney, Billy Smith, Bob Pace, Dr. Bowman, Joe House, A.B. McCoy. One doesn’t have to read many issues of the Caddo Herald to realize that these were the “movers and shakers” of their time.

However, there were at least a dozen other men and women who helped mold and shape Caddo from a wild railroad station into a civilized town that has drawn settlers and visitors from all over the nation. As I have researched Caddo’s history over the past five years I have noticed the same names appearing over and over again. And I’ve also noticed relationships and partnerships and friendships among those names. I began to create my own list of prominent Caddo citizens that I call the Fabulous Fifty.

Famous or infamous, the men and women who were members of these prominent families helped shape the history of Caddo from 1898 to 1948. November 27, 1898 was the date when Caddo was incorporated, and 1948 was the year of the Golden Jubilee to celebrate 50 years. I could have easily chosen another set of fifty families because there were so many people in Caddo’s history who were active in community service, local politics, education, and religion. If your family is not on the list it is not a reflection on them or their contribution to history. It is simply the result of honing a list of 200 people down to a manageable number.

This book does not include all of the families on the list. If your family is not here, you will have to wait for volume two. And I make no claims about the completeness nor the accuracy of the information included here. I have tried to make sure that the information listed is backed by at least one reliable source. However, if you desire perfection you will have to seek it on your own. Mistakes happen. I have seen headstones that do not match obituaries, obituaries that were retracted because the person didn’t really die, “deaths” that turned out to be disappearances, “widows” that were actually divorced, children who were secretly adopted, and numerous names and dates that turned out to simply be transcribed incorrectly. I have tried not to make any mistakes of my own, but if you notice one, don’t hesitate to contact me.

Those of you who are familiar with Caddo history will note the glaring absence of Ben Siegel from the book. That is because I plan to give Mr. Siegel his rightful due in a separate book. And yes, Fat Men…vol. 2 is already in the works.

Unless specifically indicated, all the articles that are abstracted are from the Caddo Star, News, Press, or Herald. Other information has been gleaned from Leaders and Leading Men of the Indian Territory, Oklahoma Chronicles, family histories, family members, and The Indian Territory Museum.  If you need to know the source of a specific piece of information you may contact me.

The purpose of this book is to provide background information about specific families and to show their contributions to the development of Caddo. None of the biographies is “complete”. I doubt they ever will be completed. Genealogists spend a lifetime adding bits and pieces of information to their family stories. It is my hope that these items in my book will help fill in the gaps or knock down the brick walls that are perplexing some poor family historian who just needs one date, one location, or one name to solve a family mystery.  

To order your copies of Fat Men and Fabulous Ladies 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.) The books are also available at Craighead’s in Caddo.

 

1925

 

School, 1923

The Caddo Herald

September 7, 1923

Schools Begin

Caddo Grammar school began last Monday with a good enrollment. Teachers and pupils have been busy this week getting classified.

Next Monday the High School begins. Pupils will go to the high school building Saturday morning for enrollment and classification.

S. L. Shofner is principal of the Grammar School. Part is taught at the old building and part at the new.

 

Notice About School

All high school pupils are requested to appear at the high school building Saturday morning at 9 o’clock for enrollment and classification so that Monday morning classes may begin and continue as if without interruption.

All former pupils are requested to bring their old books for sale; and these will be supplies as far as they will go to new pupils. Books are good from one grade to another. Some money can be saved to pupils buying used books and thus none will be wasted. Fred J. Early, Supt.

 

Normal Begins

Pupils have been going to Durant this week for enrollment in the Southeastern. The school began Wednesday and it is expected that the enrollment will be the largest of any regular term.

Quite a number from Caddo are attending.

This is a good school and offers courses the same as the University at much less cost to the pupils. Besides, the children are nearer home.  

 

Note: Below is the graduating class of 1923. The married names were taken from a reunion list published several years later.

Class of 1923

1. Windel Braudrick

2. Muncie Crutchfield (Mrs. W. Sands)

3. Bonnie Dale (Mrs. Harry Pace)

4. Irene Davies

5. Mattie Harmon

6. Naomi Hensley (Mrs. Bill Hamilton)

7. Charles Hogan

8. Hunter Jo Hogan

9. Ruth Lawrence

10. Ralph Mitchell

11. Jennie Grace Mugg

12. Harry Pace

13. Vernon Pate

14. Maudie Pierson

15. Willie Redmon (Mrs. F. McCurley)

16. Willie Mae Trout

Mattie Harmon Carroll recalls a Senior class picnic instead of a Senior trip. The banquet was held at school. Dress length was just below the knee.

 

 

 

News from the neighbors...

The Caddo Herald

September 10, 1926

Liberty News

At the home of W. R. Riddle, 4 miles north of Caddo, Miss Nancy Willan, aged 86, after a lingering illness of many months, passed peacefully away Saturday, September 4. Miss Willan was never married and made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Riddle. Burial was at Center Hill Cemetery.

Born to Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Springer, a 10-pound boy. Mother and son are doing well. Said son arrived on September 5 and announced that he had come to stay.

Another rain Sunday and prospects of more soon. Cotton is the most complete failure this year that we’ve had since 1921. Many of our farmers are going west to pick cotton as there will be little here to pick.

W. L. McCrory and family have gone to Atoka to do a job of work while waiting for their corn crop to mature.

Oscar Henninger left Monday to attend Durant High School. Oscar is on e of our most prominent young men and we feel sure that he will make good in school at Durant as he did in Caddo.

Our school will close for the summer Sept. 10.

Rufe Bolts

 

The Caddo Herald

September 17, 1926

Liberty News

Miss Bertha Lashly left Sunday to attend the normal at Durant. She is the primary teacher at Liberty and is held in high esteem by her pupils.

Last Sunday morning about 10 am a big boy came to make his home with Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Dial. Mother and son are doing well.

D. M. Hartman and family, W. R. McCrory and family, and Mr. Cook are leaving this week for the cotton fields to pick cotton through the season, there being no work here.

Raining again today. We need most anything worse than we need rain. All we can do is to take it whether we need it or not.

E. L. McCreary is visiting his wife’s parents near Durant this week.

Mrs. Flossie Snow was on the sick list this week. She was improving when last heard from by yours truly.

Mr. and Mrs. W. O. Springer spent the evening with their new grandson Sunday evening at the home of J. L. Springer.

Roy Springer of Durant was visiting at Liberty Sunday.

Rufe Bolts

Memories of 1902

Another great “memory” article from Mr. Crossett! And by the way- there are several issues of the paper missing during this period, so I can’t copy much more of the series. This goes along with a piece I published earlier about the court house, and then there is one about the Durant fire.

 

The Caddo Herald

September 10, 1926

Passing Years Bring Experience-Wisdom

By G. A. Crossett

What can you remember for twenty-four years?

Some of my good friends have been kidding me since I began this series of reminiscent articles for publication, about being old. Why, I’m not old, I just began young. Besides a fine memory which I have cultivated, I have access to files of my paper for many years back and in reading them many things are recalled that seem to have happened but yesterday.

And I have known people who could remember unpleasant things forever, an seemed ever to delight in reminding one of them.

I have a purpose in these articles: to remind us of other yeas and to let the younger generation know that things were not always as they are now. It is difficult to get the younger folks to profit by the experience of their elders though they all profit by the labor and accomplishments of those gone before.

First Federal Court

Prior to the passage of the Curtis bill in 1898 all court matters relating to white people were settled either at Fort Smith or Paris. Judge I. C. Parker was Judge many years at Fort Smith. He was the father of Judge C. C. Parker of Durant who died about a year ago and who was chairman of the Bryan County Draft Board during the late unpleasantness with Germany. It was a long journey then to Fort Smith and witnesses and jurors were often gone away a month at a time. The first near court was established at Atoka . In 1901 the white population had grown so large and court matters so pressing that other courts were necessary. So the Recording Districts were established. This month, twenty-four years ago, Judge Clayton, Major Hackett, E. J. Fannin and D. M. Brown were in Durant and made the first steps toward organizing the court which had been authorized for Durant. A jury list was drawn and the first term set for October 27th. At this term of court there was one murder trial and a number of civil suits.

Abbott Taught School

Chas. P. Abbott, now prominent attorney of Durant, and one time county attorney was chosen principal of the Caddo schools. There schools were just beginning and Prof. Abbott had come out from Tennessee to help build the new country. When you remember that we had no state or county governments and that we had simply to rely on town government for school moneys, you will realize how difficult was the financing of the early schools. Yet our people were progressive and wanted schools for their children.

Land Office at Atoka

The land office building at Atoka had just begun. Allotments of Indian lands were just beginning. Atoka was a thriving town at that time because the land office was to attract for several years thousands of people who must go to get their lands allotted. Many suits at law were had as to rights to allot certain lands. 

Townsite Commission

The townsite commission was at work in Caddo that October and adjournment came suddenly one day when the chairman, Mr. Sterrett solemnly announced after looking out the window that the round bale gin was afire. It was completely destroyed and never rebuilt.

Early churches

Rev. F. F. Threadgill was appointed by the Indian Mission Conference as pastor of the Methodist church here, vice Rev. J. A. Trickey who was sent to Wapanucka. Rev. Threadgill later began the practice of law. Rev. J. J. Lovett was sent to Durant station and Rev. A. B. L. Hunkapillar ws appointed presiding elder. Like every other church in that early day the Methodist church did not have as many members as now, and the pastors had a hard time getting a living salary for their work but hey labored not in vain for the many nice churches and larger congregations that we have now have are a result of the good work they did then.

First Jurors

Here is the personnel of the first Federal Grand Jury in Durant, October 1902: J. A. Nolen, A. N. Leecraft, E. Ferguson, John Long, W. T. Elrod, C. A. Hancock, W. Prewitt, W. M. Metcalf, D. B. Baker, W. F. Williams, W. T. R. Easor, John Hampton, Ed Franklin, J. H. Mashburn, W. L. William. The petit jury was composed of : Duke Grimes, John Elrod, Harry Roberts, John Black, Wm. Duckworth, S. H. Baker, F. c. Melton, Il. L. Strange, Matt Newell, W. T. Booker, J. A. Pickens, ira L. Smith, W. W. Halbrook, D. D. bond, Will McHenry, Geo. Yarbrough, John O’Riley, W. H. Lawrence, Frank Ross, Jim Ballew, H. Veach, W. R. Sullivan, J. H. Bugg, and William Bates. Several bills were found by the grand jury, but none at this time for introducing.

Published Slackers

The town published a list of men who had failed to pay their street tax. Some prominent men on this list but no good could be gained by republishing it. We had no other way of making our streets passable.

Things didn’t just come by accident to towns in those days. An editorial in The Herald says: “Caddo didn’t get the land office; it didn’t get the citizenship court; it didn’t’ get a new railroad and it didn’t get a commissioner’s court, but it did get electric lights and free schools.” Durant, McAlester and Atoka got the other items.

History Repeats Itself

The farmers were complaining twenty-four years ago, the same as today, about too much rain for cotton. Yet a month later they were hauling a big crop to town. Showing that history repeats itself and that maybe our cotton crop this year will come out all right.

Sam L. Morley, recently candidate for governor for a day, was at that time superintendent of Armstrong Academy. He was married that fall to a Wisconsin young lady.

It was in October, 1902 that Woodrow Wilson was chosen president of Princeton University.

The first wireless message was sent across the ocean that year.

Roosevelt stood firm in dealing with England and Germany on the Venezuelan question, and won.

The Cherokees were reported as not taking the least interest in allotting their lands. The tribesmen, it seems , were rather satisfied with the old way and thought then that by not taking an allotment they could prevent such distribution of lands . They finally were prevailed upon to take their lands.

Durant townsite then was given 1300 acres. Some has been added by the several additions to the town.

Bond Issue Failed

A bond issue that year for waterworks was voted down, but one for $15,000 for school was carried. The waterworks bond called for $150,000. The people thought the town would never need that much water. Some time later a bond issue of $100,000 was voted. There has been some change in the minds of the people since then for not more than a year ago $100,000 bonds was voted in Durant for a municipal auditorium.

Yes, the years bring changes and experience and wisdom.

August 1903

The Caddo Herald

August 31, 1923

20 Years Ago

 

W. J. Moon had just returned from a buying trip in the East.

R. T. Lynch was killed last Thursday night. He was sitting in his barber shop and was smoking a cigar when the assailant shot him form the back of his shop, the shots entering his head form the side. His murderer has never been found to this day.

Rev. I. T. Underwood resigned from the pastorate of the Baptist church of Caddo because of ill health.

D. A. Mounts was moving his family to California for the benefit of his health.

The school board had secured the Choctaw court house in which to hold school instead of the Buggs Building.

Amos K. Bass left for a vacation in the Colorado mountains.

Miss Nell Wakefield was visiting friends in Caddo from her home in Lehigh.

Ben Siegel left Sunday on a buying trip to St. Louis.

C. P. Abbott was principal of the Caddo schools this last term. He went the next term to Hartshorne as principal. (He is now an attorney in Durant- served one term as county attorney.)

Famers were using sulphur as bug killers in cotton files. Crop prospects were never better.

M. J. Kelley was the first mayor of Bokchito.

Peter Bloom had a notice that hereafter all work done in his shop was for cash only.

Mrs. G. L. Williams announced the opening of Williams Cottage for meals by September 1^st.

Edward Bates was mayor and A. C. Joyce recorder.

Joyce & Manning were selling summer dry goods below cost.

The Choctaw National Bank had $50,000 capital and $5,000 surplus. H. M. Dunlap was president and Barlow Roberts cashier.

W. H. Attaway as trustee was to sell thirteen Fair Association town lots.

 

 

Barber shop, 1923

The Caddo Herald

August 24, 1923

Hodges Sells Barbershop

S. B. Hodges sold his interest in the Hodges & Roach barber shop this week to Claude Honsinger, who immediately took possession.

Mr. Hodges says that he is contemplating moving away from Caddo, but has not decided yet where he is going. He is a good citizen, an excellent barber and if he moves away the many friends of the family will regret their going, but will wish them health and prosperity in their new home.

Mr. Honsinger, purchaser of the shop and known among his friends as “Scoots” is a Caddo raised boy, well-liked and has started into the barber trade as if he intends doing business on a basis that will be pleasing to his customers. He and Mr. Roach have formed a partnership and will welcome old customers and new ones under such a partnership.

September 1903

The Caddo Herald

September 1903

from “20 Years Ago” (Sept. 21, 1923)

 

Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Chiles were proud parents of a fine boy.

Cotton picking was well under way.

Caddo was visited by a globe trotter- a German who was just completing a trip around the world on a bicycle. He had worn out three bicycles and two dozen tires. He ate dinner at Alexander’s Restaurant.

W. J. Moon was selling good madras shirts at 40c each.

Caddo was paying a cent more per pound for cotton than any other town.

Nineteen hundred three taxes were due and payable to A. C. Pace, treasurer.

J. P. House was city marshal and advertised some impounded stock for sale.

E. T. Hamer went to St. Louis.

A boy arrived at the home of Frank Green the 13^th.

The Caddo opera house was to begin the season the 26^th with Ward & Wade’s Minstrels. Amos K. Bass was manager; Ernest Bass, Mirror correspondent; W. F. Dodd, reserve seat seller; Henry Bass and Edwin Boxley were ushers and Joe Black was bill poster and property man.

They had two dances that week at the opera house.

Mrs. Ira L. Smith and Mrs. Bert Robertson visited in Wapanucka.

Rev. S. Williams and Telford were holding a revival meeting at the Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. A. B. Rutherford entertained a party with euchre.

Dodd was selling eye glasses at half price.

A fifth teacher had to be employed in the public schools. Miss Sarah Harrington of Denison was secured.

H. M. Dunlap returned from a trip to Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Rutherford entertained at whist.

Miss Soulie Pate entertained at cards honoring her guest Miss Edna Myers of Atoka.

W. M. Braudrick and Miss May Ann Trice were married by Rev. Threadgill.

In a match tennis game H. T. Chiles and H. Edwards defeated G. A. Crossett and Amos K. Bass, 6-2, 6-4, 1-6. The court was on the lot where H. T. Styron’s residence is now.

C. C. Robinson and Miss Hatcher were married in Durant.

John Droke was advertising good groceries at low prices.

Mrs. Edna Hill was to have her millinery opening Oct. 6^th.

 

 

 

Make or Break

 

I need anyone and everyone who lives in Caddo, is from Caddo, or has a family member living in Caddo to pay attention! By the way, I’m saying this in my commanding “teacher voice”. So listen up…

This could be the year that we do NOT have a Heritage Day Celebration. Think about that seriously for a moment. The end of a tradition. The end of an event that has delighted friends and family members of all ages for decades. The end of a unique day that brings us all together to celebrate our common heritage and pay tribute to our ancestors.

The fact is that the group planning and managing Heritage Day now has an average age of 70. They have the knowledge and skills to organize the event, but not the health and/or physical capabilities to do all of the work involved. It is time for the younger generations of “30, 40, and 50-somethings” to step forward and help with this event! 

The Caddo Community Association is trying to get a dozen people to just commit to helping with the event. October seems a long time away, but there will be more and more tasks to be completed in the months leading up to the actual event. The group may need you to make phone calls, write letters, send emails, make posters, or sell tickets. And in October they will need about twenty-five people to help with site preparation, parade entries, booths, music, traffic, sound, etc.

You don’t have to be in charge.

You don’t have to work all day.

You don’t have to do something difficult.

But you do have to raise your hand and say, “yes, I’ll help”, and you have to do it soon. The CCA cannot flounder around all summer hoping they might get some help. They need to know they can count on some people. And I can tell you for a fact that they could count on the parents and grandparents of some of you! I’ve seen evidence of that in the papers.

So email Judy Rowland at k.rowland@att.net or call Richard Watkins at 580-380-1202 and tell them that you will help. Or attend the next CCA meeting on May 9 at 7pm in the rock community building. Can’t attend that one? CCA meets the second Monday of each month- same time, same place.

Let’s get our act together and get this show on the road!

 

Powell-Grant

The Caddo Herald

September 10, 1926

Powell-Grant

At the home of her aunt in Ada last Friday afternoon Miss Nell R. Grant was married to Mr. Thos. E. Powell.

Miss Grant was a teacher in Caddo public schools in 1920-21 and made many friends while here.

Mr. Powell is a citizen of Iron Mountain Mich. and is connected with the R. S. Patrick Carbon Black Diamond Bortz of Duluth, Minn.

Mr. and Mrs. Powell left immediately for Chicago, Duluth and other northern points and will be at home after December 1 at 513 West Brown Street, Iron Mountain, Mich.