Caddo- My Home Town

Cade, Oklahoma, 1928

My grandfather, Robert Lee Simmons, was born in Cade (northeastern Bryan County) on July 31, 1907 and married my grandmother Beatrice Alexander, on December 22, 1928 in Caddo.

The Caddo Herald

December 7, 1928

County News

Cade News Notes

The cold spell of last week brought about more hog killing. It seems that sure enough, cold weather is later this year than usual.

Gus Pickens of Boswell was in Cade Sunday morning following his hounds, which were after a wolf. Several have reported seeing wolves lately, so we hope Mr. Pickens ceases them often.

J. T. Hale of Cade, and G. N. Harkey of Matoy attended the annual farm council at Durant Friday as representatives from Matoy township.

The patrons of the Cade school gathered at the school building Thanksgiving morning and listened to a very entertaining program rendered by school children. The program completed, the entire body passed into an adjoining room where neatly liveried tables simply groaned beneath their load of appetizing eats of sundry description. All declared that it was the most enjoyable day of the year.

Several of the community were shopping in Bennington Saturday, including W. G. Ruth, Fred Wigley, S. A. White, and D. W. Weathers.

Mrs. C. H. Wigley and son, Henry, are spending a few days in Okla. City visiting relatives.

Mrs. L. E. Roberts and daughter Edna Belle are visiting at Whitewright and other places in Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Green are rejoicing over the arrival of an 8-pound baby girl who came Thanksgiving morn.

 

Dear Santa....

The Caddo Herald

December 13, 1929

Dear Santa…

I want a drum and wagon. T. J. Alexander

I am a little girl 5 years old. I do not expect much as I have twin brothers 18 months old and I want you to remember them too. I want a story book, a pair of gloves, a doll, ABC book, and a tablet. I am a good girl. I help mother with the babies and work. Your friend, Joyce Copeland

I am a little boy 2 years old. Please bring me a tricycle, a stick horse, and some candy, apples and oranges.  Bobbie Bee Eslick, Kenefick

I am a little girl 3 years old. Please bring me a doll and doll cart. Bring my little brother a tricycle and a teddy bear, also bring both of us some candy, nuts, organs, and apples. With love, Azelle and Laverne Anderson

I want a doll buggy, a book satchel, a pair of shoes, a set of china dishes, a table and four chairs. I thank you for the pretty things you brought me last Christmas. Lots of love, Wanda Jean Wood

I’ve been a good boy so please bring me a coaster wagon, a tractor, and an airplane. I like apples and oranges too. Byron Redden

I’m just a wee girl, but I’m big enough to rock a Bye Lo baby doll in a little red rocker. LaRue Redden

Bring me and my brother some apples and candy and some dolls and toys. Susie Szenasi

I want you to bring me please a pair of skates, a bicycle, a piano, a sack of fruit, and twin dolls. Doris Hunter

I want a wagon, some fruit, and candy. Lonnie Iker

I am 7 years ol. I want some skates, a doll buggy, a cradle, and lots of fruit and candy. Anita Harris

I want a doll, a pair of shoes, and stockings for my doll. Maxine Gross

I want lots of toys, a rain coat, and a pair of boots. Shannon wants a rockybye baby in the tree top. Sean wants a Baby Ruth and a rubber doll. Bryce Holmes Cochran

I am a three year old boy, am good only when I run off, but am going to quit running off. Please bring me a little truck, a big ball, a fire truck with a bell on it, some candy, apples, nuts, and anything else that you want to. Please don’t forget Myron and Ladell. Donald Gene Shofner

I have been a real good girl this year. I am six years old. I want a pair of skates, a doll, and doll buggy, little trunk, lots of candy, apples, and oranges. Addie Bob McGraw

I want you to bring me a wagon, sky rockets, electric train, a football, basketball, a bag of fruit and a story book about the Indians. I want a big bus too. Carl Thrower  P.S. I’ve moved to Durant.

How are you? Fine, I hope. I want you to bring me a pair of skates, a sack of fruit, and candy and a bicycle. Georgia Ella Smith

I want a Bye Lo doll, a doll buggy, a story book, and a set of dishes. Georgia Pearl Harper

I want a wagon, a gun, some apples, oranges, and candy. I have been a good boy. Myron Edward Dorsey

I want you please to bring me a Bye Lo baby doll with a bottle, a doll buggy, and a pair of skates and bring my baby sister a doll. Delliah Dorsey

I want a little red wagon and lots of nuts and fruit. And some skates. O. C. Green

I am 8 years old. I want some firecrackers and torpedoes, a truck, an air gun, and roman candles. Lovingly, Curtis Logan

I want a football, a wagon, roman candles, and air gun. Leslie Welch

I want a pair of skate, a set of dishes, a Bye Lo doll, box of chocolates, a doll buggy, a cradle, a wagon, and automobile. Lovingly, Gracie Higgenbotham

 

 

 

July, 1899

The Caddo Herald

July 28, 1899

Locals 

A child of Martin Ingram was quite sick last week.

Dr. McGaughy was in Emmet on business Saturday.

Mrs. James Cobb, east of town, was on the sick list last week.

Mose Downing, of Atoka, is visiting the family of Dr. Long.

Miss Ida Folsom and Soulie Pate went to Atoka Wednesday to visit friends.

Died: The little 6-month old son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Skaggs died on the 26^th.

Miss Fannie Lyle is attending examinations of Territory teachers at Atoka this week.

Judge J. G. Ralls and party were out shooting chickens and quail Thursday west of town.

Mrs. John Jennings has been very ill this week, but is reported to be slightly better at this time.

Thad Burris has purchased a lot in the Manning addition and will build a nice two-story residence soon.

Mrs. Lucinda Barnes has been granted a pension of $8 a month as the widow of a Mexican War veteran.

Dr. J. W. Folsom, of Ardmore, has been in town this week. He was called to see his niece, Mrs. T. W. Hunter.

Dr. Wilkinson, of Durant, was in Caddo last week having dental work done by Dr. Miller.

Born: Dr. H. E. Rappolee was presented with a fine 8-pound daughter Wednesday. Mother and daughter are doing well.

One of the children of Judge and Mrs. R. C. Freeny has been quite ill the past week at their home east of town.

Born: Mr. W. H. Bates was in Durant Wednesday to vise her infant grandson, born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. J. Yarbaugh.

The many friends of Mrs. T. W. Hunter will be rejoiced to learn that she is now convalescent from her recent severe illness.

T. R. McDonald was in Leonard, Texas this week, his old home, where he attended a picnic and met many friends.

Judge Julius Golsom of Atoka, has been in town this week visiting his daughter, Mrs. T. W. Hunter, who has been quite sick.

J. H. Dobson, who has been quite ill for a month, is at his old place now in the business house of W. J. Moon, having fully recovered.

Miss Mary Dobson, who has been visiting her brother, J. H. Dobson, in town, went to Whitewright Tuesday to visit other relatives and friends.

J. P. Rennels and W. B. Deverick, of Charleston, Illinois, have been in town this week. They are looking for good farming land on which to locate.

Married at the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. Powell, south of Caddo, on July 26^th, Mr. Joe Winton and Miss Delilia Powell, Rev. J. N. Cooper, officiating.

Rev. J. N. Cooper, of Caddo Hills, was in the city yesterday. Elder Cooper is the favorite divine among the young folks of his vicinity for tying the nuptial knot.

Died: An infant of the family of Mr. Daniels, who are visiting at Tom Logan’s, seven miles east of town, died Sunday of congestion. The funeral occurred Monday.

Mrs. Knight and her daughter, Miss Kate, arrived in Caddo on Thursday from Mississippi. They formerly resided here, Mrs. Knight having taught school here for several years.

Mrs. Grace M. Pitchlynn, of Washington, D. C., accompanied by her interesting family of four children, arrived in Caddo Wednesday. They are visiting the family of Charles Semple.

W. M. Hynds, cotton buyer form McKinney, Texas, was in town this week looking after the prospect of the coming crop, which were never better. Mr. Hynds bought the greater portion of the crop here last year.

The new grain warehouse of Leeper & Chiles is completed and will soon be full of grain from the fertile farms of Blue County.

Mr. and Mrs. Ira Smith and Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dodd are rustication at Sulphur Springs, the Territory’s famed summer resort.

Miss Della Cocke will go to Davis Tuesday where she will join a party who go to spend a month in the picturesque and pleasant country about Colorado Springs, Manitou, and elsewhere in the mountains of Colorado.

 

 

Ben Siegel, 1899

I'm doing some research on Mr. Siegel and his business. I'm trying to work on his biography in between other projects and hope to have it completed some time next year. Here is one of his early ads.

Music, Art & Literature, 1901

The Caddo Herald

January 24, 1901

Music, Art and Literature Club

The Caddo Music & Literature Club met with Mrs. J. B. Lyle last Saturday. The name of the club was changed to the Music, Art & Literature Club. The following officers were elected:

Mrs. Ed Walters, president

Mrs. Barlow Roberts, 1^st vice president

Mrs. S. J. Homer, 2^nd vice president

Miss Mary McArthur, secretary

Mrs. H. E. Rappolee, treasurer

Mrs. A. E. Folsom, librarian

Miss Fannie Lyle, historian

This club from its inception about a year and half ago has been a success and the future is brighter than the past. They have a great deal of pleasure and profit at each meeting and much individual good is done meantime.

Bank Closing, 1922

The Caddo Herald

March 24, 1922

Oklahoma State Bank Closes Doors Monday

Monday morning customers of the Oklahoma State Bank of Caddo were greeted with the announcement on the door that “for the best interest of all concerned the Bank would not reopen until word was received from the state banking department.”

In other words, it was thought best to have the state banking department take charge until other arrangements could be made.

This was quite a shock to many citizens. It came so unexpectedly and no hint had been uttered before that here was any difficulty at the bank up to that time.

The Oklahoma State Bank was the largest state bank in Bryan County. It had a capital stock of $35,000 with $6,000 surplus. A. F. Manning was president; J. C. Davison, cashier; W. W. Boone, H. T. Chiles, J. B. Moore were local directors; Green Thompson of Durant and H. C. Perry of McAlester were stockholders and directors.

Their last statement of Dec. 31 showed:

Loans and discounts  $391,031.03

Total resources  $406,638.56

Deposits  $274,881.25

Of these deposits, $218,647.56 were individual and subject to check. The remaining were on time.

This bank was established in 1911, was later consolidated with The Security National Bank. Since which time it has been under its present management.

At this writing there is nothing definite that can be given out as to reopening; but we understand that plans already are on foot to reopen just as soon as arrangements can be made.

The Herald has sufficient faith in the integrity of the owners of the bank, faith in their financial ability, to believe that things will come out right. We also have confidence enough in the guaranty fund and the state banking department to believe that no depositor will lose a dollar by the closing of this bank.

The service such an institution renders to the town and community is inestimable. It is needed and the need will be supplied, we believe, just as soon as legal formalities can be complied with.

Bank commissioner Walcott came to Caddo Tuesday and spent two days going over the affairs of the bank. The owners of the bank are making arrangements to open in a few days. It may be a week or ten days before the plans actually mature.

 

One Family Name

I have been doing some research this weekend on the Crowder family and I thought I would show you part of the process and how I use some of the materials available at the library. There is a lot of information on the internet and much of it is very informative and helpful. However, nothing beats the facts and figures found on old microfilm records! Yes, names are often misspelled. Yes, dates are occasionally wrong. But everything I use for family research is simply one more tool, and each tool- court records, tax records, church records, wills, newspapers, censuses, etc.- may provide one more name or date or location that I need to find an elusive family member. There are six names provided by these court records. Now I can look for these same people in other records for the time period in Blue County. I can also look for relationships since they are in the same place at the same time. My next task will be to look for the Crowder family in the local census records.

Crowder

Blue County Court Records, Book 1, CTN 26

 

1866

Divorce Petitions:

Salina Crowder vs. Van

 

1885

Case No. 383. Choctaw Nation vs. Jefferson Folsom, murder. Witnesses: Davis, Thompson Carn, Sibby Crowder, Silas Hunter, Ben Frazier.

 

From the index of Cases from November 1890

Crowder, S.

Crowder, B. C. vs. Estate of Crowder

W. A. Horton vs. Estate of Jno Crowder

 

1890

Case 128. The report of J. H. Bryant was presented to the court for examination against John F. Crowder for violating the herdsman law, 8 April 1890. Acquitted after examination of the county court, July 7, 1890. G. W. Gardner, Judge

 

July 1890

Paid as witness, one day, Blucher Crowder

 

1892

Case 125. The Choctaw nation vs. John Crowder was filed, October 5, 1891. The case was dismissed 4 January 1892.

 

Case 150. The Petition of Sophia Crowder asking for letters of administration on the estate of John Crowder, deceased, march 7, 1892. It was granted 4 April 1892.

 

Case 155. John Crowder vs. J. Bingham. Frank Burris, witness.

 

Case 169. The account of H. B. Crowder vs. Estate of Jno Crowder, deceased was presented, April 4, 1892. It was allowed 6 September 1892.

 

Case 171. Account of W. G. Clark vs. Estate of Jno Crowder, April 4, 1892 was allowed 6 September 1892.

 

 

 

School News, 1929

The Caddo Herald

September 30, 1929

Cat’s Paw

Clyde Blanks, Editor

Nella Bilbo, Associate

 

General News

 School! School!

It’s about the same as last year except Mr. Alair left us and Mr. Shofner is taking his place and Miss Hagood left and Mrs. Grayson has it piled up on her. Poor thing! And Miss Lynch has Mrs. Maddux place.

We had several visitors the first day of school, Dr. Cochran, Mr. Chiles, Mr. Boone, Mr. Edwards and Mr. Wood, all members of the Lion’s club; Mrs. Chiles, Mrs. Edwards, Opal Smith, Bismarck Rohde, Joe Hill, Midget Harris and Gladys Richey.

The Botany class is one more swell class. We hear they are gonna do great things and leave a few of them after they’re gone. All the teachers made a talk- except Mrs. Van, she gave us a wave of her hand.

We had assembly Tuesday. Mr. Crossett made us a very interesting talk on the Constitution, it being the anniversary of its adoption.

Junior Hi has changed quite a bit. Mr. McBride has the place of Mr. Bassett, and Miss Pearl Lynch of Mrs. Maddux.

Football is going strong. Mr. Shofner and Mr. McBride are very good coaches, so we hear, and of course our football boys know everything, so you better watch out for the Caddo football team. We play Madill Friday.

We have 112 enrolled in High School and 74 in Junior High.

Sixth Grade Notes

Sixth Grade had a class meeting last Friday and elected these officers: Jessie Guthrie, president, Claudine Nail, vice president, Dorothy Bilbo, secretary-treas.

Enrollment 26 first week.

A large number of sixth grade attended the Durant Fair. Many are interested in 4-H Club work.

A few are absent on account of cotton picking. We hope they’ll soon be back.

Seventh Grade Notes

We opened school with a new sponsor, Miss Pearl Lynch.

Enrollment 21 first day.

Elected these officers: J. C. Blanks, president, Ruth Johnson, Vice, W. E. McIntosh, secy.-treas., Virginia Hogan and Jane Moore, editors

Had three tests this week, and doing fine as usual.

Sh! Don’t tell the teachers, but Harriet Ray sure likes to draw.

Monday Thelma Lee gave a picture to us. Harriet Ray is to have it framed for us.

Mr. McBride sure knows his arithmetic.

Eighth Grade

Eight Grade officers: Lavene Markam, president, Marinell Sargent, vice pres., James Goddard, secretary, Doris Jane Wilson, treasurer, Wilma Hamilton, editor, Pauline Kimbrough, yell leader. Class colors- blue and gold.

Motto: Through difficulty to the highest.  

Freshman Frights

Class met Friday and organized by electing these officers: Inez Hogan, president, Nadine Guthrie, secy-treas., Orman Womble, vice, Gail Downing, reporter, Mrs. S. L. Shofner, sponsor.

I don’t know, but I heard that freshmen girls had to go barefooted all Friday afternoon and the boys were sent through the belt line.

Freshmen class has several boys on the football team and seems to be a pretty large class of girls who surely can yell. Freshmen, Rah!

Sophomore Notes

Well, here we are again but not Freshmen. We have advanced one more step in High School and it won’t be long now until we will be writing “Senior Doings”.

There were twenty-two sophomores enrolled the first day of school and a few have entered since then.

The sophomores are settled down for a real year of business and study and will come out in the lead.

We sure selected some real class officers, especially sponsor, who is Mrs. Grayson. She will stand by us and boost us in every move we make of rhte good of the class and Caddo High School.

Class officers:

Pres. – Geo. A. Wood

Vice Pres.- Jim Green

Sec. and Treas.- Ava Jo Wright

Reproter- Spurgeon Brister

Sponsor- Mrs. Grayson

Junior Jottings

Here we are again! Only we’re juniors now- getting a little nearer being “dignified”.

We organized our class with a bang! Our officers are: Homer Geter, president, Clifton Wood, vice, Billy Edwards, secy-treas., Mary Adeline Boland, reporter, Miss Hauer, sponsor.

You can tell by our officers that the boys are in the majority, but they’ll have to play a girl’s part, so we don’t care.

As usual we have a large number of boys taking up footballs.

Now come on folks and pretend you’re a junior because we need you. If you don’t, watch US!

Senior Doings

Greetings, folks! Here we are again. However, we are very dignified now, being Seniors you know. The Juniors say that we are stuck up, but we’re not- we just know that we are important and the best class in school. That doesn’t sound a bit stuck up, “do it?” Anyway we’re mighty glad to be back up here this year and we’re going to do things that’ll always be telling you that C. H. S. has a “hot” Senior Class.

Thursday Mr. VanMeter was so sweet and let us organize our classes- we chose these officers: Russell McGreary, president, Pauline Carlton, vice, Helen Womble, secy-treas., Clyde Blanks, yell leader, BeeBee Chiles, reporter. Believe it or not we couldn’t afford a new sponsor this year, so we had to take our old one. Anyway, Mrs. Van is with us again, and of course we are all very happy to have her ‘cause we love her just an awful lot. We don’t blame Mr. Van a bit, but sometimes we are a bit jealous of him.

Our president appointed two committees, one to choose class flower and the other to select a motto and emblem. Pauline, Maribob, Leila and Clyde form the first. Mrs. Van, Helen, Nella, Martha, and BeeBee compose the second.

The Freshmen think the upper classmen are cruel because the boys were sent through the belt line Thursday, and Friday the girls were deprived of their hose and made to go barefoot Friday. However most of them were good sports because they know “every dog has his day” and theirs will be next year.

Our sponsor had a letter from our “ring” man and he said he would be by Caddo soon so we are all thrilled.

 

 

 

 

 

Rules of the Road, 1929

The Caddo Herald

July 12, 1929

Ford Safety Rules 

As a contribution toward greater safety ad more pleasant driving conditions on the highways of the country this summer the Ford Motor company has listed twelve rules as suggestions to motorists and has distributed them to dealers over the country.

Announcement of the suggestions was made today by C. T. Johnson, Ford dealer in this city, who displays the list prominently in his place of business.

“These rules,” said Mr. Johnson, “are merely common sense applied to automobile driving. Every experienced motorist knows all of them. It is our hope, however, that by stating them concisely and posting them where they will come to the attention of a great many motorists, we can so emphasize them as to make a real contribution towards greater highway safety.”

The twelve rules are:

1. Courtesy comes first. Consider the rights and privileges of others.
2. Keep your mind on your driving and anticipate sudden emergencies.
3. Learn the “feel” of having your car under control.
4. Obey all traffic and parking regulations.
5. Keep to the right and comply with road markings and signs.
6. Signal for stops and turns- watch the car ahead.
7. Slow down at crossings, schools, dangerous places.
8. Never pass cars on hills, curves, crossings.
9. Adapt your driving to road conditions- rain, ice, soft spots and ruts.
10. It doesn’t pay to take the “right of way” too seriously.
11. When you drive, remember the times when you’re a pedestrian.
12. Know the law. It was passed for your protection.

“It is estimated that 20,000,000 person will tour American highways this summer,” Mr. Johnson continued. “Recognition of the rights of others will be essential. Many unpleasantries and accidents will be avoided if motorists at times of close situations will recall these rules and act accordingly. They are the recommendations of the Ford Motor Company offered to give greater peace of mind to those who travel by automobile.”

 

 

Two Weddings, 1930

The Caddo Herald

July 4, 1930

Hogan-Smith

Last Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock in the reception room of the First Methodist church in Durant, Rev. C. A. German said the words that united in marriage Mr. Hunter Jo Hogan and Miss Dorothy Evelyn Smith, in the presence of close relatives and a few intimate friends.

After the ceremony the glad young couple left on No. 5 for a short honeymoon in Galveston after which they will return for a few days visit with friends in Caddo. In August they will leave for Columbia, South America where they will make their home.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hogan, was born and raised in Caddo, is a graduate of Caddo High School and is now employed with the Standard Oil Co. and is a very fine young man. The bride is the only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. O. R. Smith, who likewise was born and raised in Caddo, graduated at Caddo High and C.I.A. at Denton and was a teacher in Caddo schools last year. She is lovely and very excellent young woman. The hosts of friends of the young couple will wish them every joy and happiness in life.

 

Metzler-Chiles

Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Chiles announce the marriage of their daughter Algene to Mr. Theodore Hull Metzler, Thursday, June 26^th at Paris, France.

Miss Chiles was born and raised in Caddo, attended school and graduated in Caddo, attended S. M. U., later taught in Caddo, thence to Randolph Macon College in Virginia. For the last year she has been studying and teaching in Paris where she met the groom, an American in charge of Frigidaire Sales in France.  

Miss Algene is a lovely and accomplished young woman and has many friends wherever she has been. The groom is not known in Caddo, though he has a reputation as a fine young business man.

The many friends of Miss Chiles will wish her the best things.