Caddo- My Home Town

Ending the Year

I’d like to end the year with some apologies, reminders, and plans.

First of all please accept my apologies for any mistakes I have made in the past, both here and in my books. I try to check for accuracy. I try to be careful. I try to check sources. However, things happen. And I know I’ve probably made more mistakes than I realize. The thing I want you to remember is that I solicit your input and will gladly acknowledge my mistakes and correct them. This blog is about information….for families, for historians, for genealogists, for the curious…and I want it to be as accurate as possible. So if you question something, or know that it is wrong, please contact me.

Second, my apologies to anyone who feels that I didn’t do as much for them as they had hoped. Some of my research for others has sort of “fallen by the wayside” this year due to other commitments, health concerns, and school challenges. I am, in my own defense, still working. However, if there is something I was supposed to find for you and I haven’t done it yet, don’t hesitate to remind me. It won’t bother me at all…and chances are you are still on my master list of research projects. I just get distracted sometimes.

A reminder that any and all donations to the Bryan County Genealogy Library, P. O. Box 153, Calera, Oklahoma, 74730 will be appreciated, used wisely, and benefit all of us. As they add more files and resources and books and microfilm, more pieces of the past become available for researchers. There is a LOT of information online, but not all of it is factual or proven and sometimes only the old records solve our problems. The group also has operating expenses and is staffed by volunteers.

Please remember also that your stories are important- to your family and to me. If you have something to share about Caddo’s past please send it to me. I love to hear about real experiences and relationships. Also….I am ALWAYS looking for photos! Email copies or scans are great.

I am putting the finishing touches on More Fat Men and Fabulous Ladies. It should be available very soon. Included in my future plans are a biography of Ben Siegel, then the next Fat Men volume, then a book about Fun and Frolic (entertainment in Caddo).

One of the things I plan to do for the blog in the coming year is abstract articles and columns from the Durant papers. For years there were local correspondents who reported the news to the Durant Weekly News or the Durant Daily Democrat, despite the fact that Caddo had its own paper. I also want to try to get more out of the 1930s papers. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but many issues from those years are in very bad shape (dark) and can’t be copied by the printer. I have to write them out by hand or buy a laptop and type them directly.

I’ve thought from time to time that there might be a point at which I would be forced to end this blog because of a lack of new material. That doesn’t seem to be the case! There are still so many discoveries to be made and stories to be shared. As an example, I only recently became aware of the scandal surrounding the Arthur Gooch hanging in June of 1936, because of my research on Sam Swinney. And of course, there is also current news that needs to be shared from time to time.

So…as we end 2011 and prepare for 2012 I wish you the best and hope that you will continue to join me for more glimpses of the past.

And if you would be so kind, I would ask that you pass this link on to one other person this year.

Sam Swinney

The Durant Weekly News

December 18, 1936

Sam Swinney Dies at Muskogee Home

Sam E. Swinney, pioneer citizen and first county clerk of Bryan County, now United States Marshal for the eastern district of Oklahoma, died at his home in Muskogee at 4:20 o’clock Wednesday following a prolonged illness lasting several months. The immediate cause of death was heart failure.

Funeral services will be conducted in Durant Friday afternoon from the home of the deceased’s brother, D. W. Swinney, West Elm Street, Hon. R. L. Williams, United States Federal Judge and former governor of Oklahoma will deliver the funeral address. Interment will be in Highland Cemetery.

At the time this is written further details are lacking. A more extended notice will appear next week.

The deceased is survived by his wife and one daughter, Francille, three brothers, Albert, of Ringling, Oklahoma, Dan, of Durant, and John, of Portland, Oregon, and three sisters, Mrs. V. M. Myers, Deer Park, Washington, Mrs. C. H. Price, Collville, Washington, and Mrs. R. C. Bowman, Kanawha, Texas.

 

December 25, 1936

Samuel E. Swinney, 58, United States Marshal in eastern Oklahoma and former Durant postmaster, died at this home in Muskogee Wednesday afternoon after a relapse from a heart ailment with which he has been afflicted for the past year.

The body was returned to Durant Thursday afternoon in a Holmes ambulance by Howard Holmes and Frank Powell, who left Thursday morning for Muskogee. Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 Friday afternoon at the Holmes chapel.

Federal Judge R. L. Williams, lifetime friend of Mr. Swinney, delivered the funeral address.

 

Presided at Gooch Hanging

Swinney received national publicity last summer when he presided at the hanging of Arthur Gooch, the only man in America to be executed for violating the Lindbergh law. He was ill at the time and left a sick bed to take over his official duties, scorning to assign the unpleasant task to any of his subordinates.

He was born in Fannin County, Texas in 1878, but moved to Caddo and later to Durant while a young man. At statehood in 1907 he was elected county clerk of Bryan County and was named a deputy in the office of the state examiner and inspector.

President Woodrow Wilson named him postmaster at Durant at the same time he appointed his lifelong friend, Gov. R. L. Williams, federal judge in the eastern district. Swinney served in the post office until the Harding administration.

He was named inspector for the HOLC early in 1934, resigning to accept the appointment as United States Marshal to succeed Clark Wasson of Antlers on July 17, 1934. His commission did not expire until 1938.

Swinney was active in affairs of the Democratic Party, serving several terms as Bryan County chairman and chairman of the central committee in the third congressional district. His selection as marshal was endorsed by U. S. Senator Elmer Thomas and T. P. Gore, and approved by Judge Williams.

 

Williams Pays Tribute

Judge Williams Wednesday night paid tribute to him as a “fine man and a good citizen”.

“He was level-headed and conservative, and every office he held, he held with distinction and honor,” the judge declared.

The deceased is survived by his wife and one daughter, Francille, three brothers, Albert, of Ringling, Oklahoma, Dan, of Durant, and John, of Portland, Oregon, and three sisters, Mrs. V. M. Myers, Deer Park, Washington, Mrs. C. H. Price, Collville, Washington, and Mrs. R. C. Bowman, Kanawha, Texas.

Active pallbearers were Clarence Dyer, L. F. Lee, G. W. Archibald, George C. Pendleton, Vige Steger, and R. F. Story.

Correction

For those of you who purchased my book, “Fat Men and Fabulous Ladies”, please note that there is a typographical error on page 115 which might interfere with family research on Mr. Granville McPherson. The sentence which reads “In visits he has had no cause for drawing upon his own stores;” should instead be “In Vinita he has….” I just noticed the error yesterday when doing some more research on Mr. Granville. The Word program often makes auto-corrections which go unnoticed and I suspect this was one of them. However the error occurred, it might be important to someone’s research to know that Mr. McPherson was in Vinita during this time period. My apologies.

Ladies Man

The Durant Weekly News

December 20, 1935

Ben Siegel Becomes a Real Ladies Man

Ben Siegel, 61-year-old and brags about it, afraid of women all his life and admits it, has suddenly changed face about and become a ladies’ man and how. It seems that the girls’ glee club of a certain local institution was in the market for white sweaters, all fifty-five of the young women. Ben landed the order against all competition in nothing. Someone told Ben that it was his beauty, like that of the Greek God Apollo, that did the trick- rather than anything else, and he believed it- and that’s how Ben became a ladies’ man. 

 

December, 1936

The Caddo Herald

December 25, 1936

Local Stuff

Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Ward had as their guests Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ballard and daughter and Mrs. S. E. Owen, all of Paris, Texas.

Mrs. Ed Walters had as her guest Tuesday, Mrs. McMorris, a teacher in the Indian school at Lawton and Mrs. Frank Lewis of Durant.

Mrs. Mary Turnbull and children of Norman arrived Wednesday to spend the Christmas holidays with John L. Boland and family.

Card of Thanks

We desire to extend to you our many friends our heartfelt thanks and appreciation of your many kind deeds, prayers, and words of sympathy in our bereavement at the death of our wife, daughter, and sister, Claudean (Joines) Warrick, also for the beautiful floral offerings. We shall ever hold the highest regards for you in our memory.

Our prayers shall be that richest blessing shall be upon each of you. J. C. Warrick, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Joines and family

City Teachers Hold Quarterly Meeting

The members of the school faculty and board members held their quarterly meeting Monday night at the high school auditorium. Miss Guthrie, Miss Brown, Mr. Dyer and Mr. Steinbock were hosts for the night and furnished the program.

Following the program a big Christmas tree was stripped of its gifts, all of which caused no little merriment. Pie and coffee was served. Mrs. H. B. Fuston of Bokchito was the guest speaker.

Junia Craghead and Lebrun Sawyer Wed Friday Night

Junia Craghead, daughter of Mrs. Leslie Craghead of this city, was married to Lebrun Sawyer, son of Mrs. N. B. Sawyer, also of this city, Friday night at the home of Ref. F. B. Rickerson in Durant.

The bride wore a gray suit, white accessories and white flowers. The maid of honor, Miss April Green, wore a navy suit with red accessories and red flowers. Cecil Flowers was best man.

Mrs. Sawyer is at present a student at Southeastern Teacher’s College, Durant. She finished high school here last year, having been very active in social circles throughout her high school career.

Mr. Sawyer finished high school here in 1935 and has since been attending S. T. C. The couple will be at home here.

 

Mrs. Lebrun Sawyer is Honored with Shower

Honoring Mrs. Leburn Sawyer, a bride of last Friday, Mrs. H. F. Bass, Mrs. H. W. Sargent, Mrs. Frankie Izzard, Miss April Green, and Miss Frances Bass entertained Monday night with a shower at the Methodist Annex.

The bride was summoned to the Annex by friends and as she arrived she was greeted by “Here Comes the Bride”. Games of various kinds were played during the evening. Helpful hints for a bride were written by each guest and then read by Mrs. Sawyer.              

Following the games Mrs. Sawyer was asked to open the many gifts placed before her on the table. Delicious refreshments were served to the thirty guests present.

 

Mary Hill Receives Bicycle in Letter Writing Contest

Mary Allen Hill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Hill of this city, has been awarded a bicycle for first place in an LTO letter writing contest. LTO is the trademark of a school supply company which gave a bicycle to the child in Oklahoma writing the best letter about their school supplies.

Mary will receive her bicycle through the Notion Shop here through whom the contest was held.

 

1913

The Caddo Herald

May 2, 1913

Locals

Miss Daisy Ward was in town Tuesday.

Miss Mary Howe spent Tuesday in Durant.

Fran Suttle and family are moving to Caney today.

Mr. and Mrs. Spurgeon Moore were in Caddo Wednesday.

Mrs. Chas. Smith of Caney was in last Friday shopping.

Deputy County Attorney Grey Moore was in town yesterday.

Fine watch repairing. S. A. McCoy at Malone’s drug store.

C. O. Markham came over from Soper Saturday and spent Sunday.

Mrs. Ben Brewer spent last Saturday and Sunday with Mrs. E. G. Baxter.

Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Smith visited relatives in Eufaula the first of the week.

Nice lot in bungalow Addition for sale right for cash, see A. C. Chaney.

When better Autos are built, Buick will build them.

Mrs. R. W. Pritchard and daughter were shopping with the Bass Co. last Monday.

Henry Braudrick came down from Caney Sunday and spent the day with homefolks.

Misses Mabel McKee, Eula Childers, and Ruth Thomas of Caney were here last Friday.

I have 260 acres of West Texas land to trade for anything of value. A. C. Chaney.

Expecting daily, car of Buick Autos, roadsters, and touring cars. Amos K. Bass, Agt.

Miss Dollie Madigar from Weston, Neb. Arrived Thursday to spend the summer with her cousin, Mrs. P. W. Howe.

There is no load too heavy and none too small to obtain our careful attention. Hauling is our specialty, our business. Let us know your wants. Phone 84. Sargent Bros.

One-fourth off the price of all gingham and percale dresses at Huffman’s for ten days only. Now is the time to buy.

Play safe! Let W. H. Morris insure your property against loss by tornadoes. Only the best companies represented.

Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Thompson, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Kelly and Misses Keynon and Thompson spent Sunday eve on Blue.

Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Robinson, Miss Cora Odea, and Miss Katie Odea attended Early Mass at J. L. Boland’s last Tuesday.

Rappolee & Moore are having a new floor put in their brick building on Buffalo Street. B. F. Pinson is doing the work.

Misses Mary Gail, Lucy Board, Lula Threldkeld, and Frankie Wood visited Mrs. C. F. Manning north of town Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs. Geo. Jennings from Rockwall, Texas, has purchased the new bungalow erected by J. L. Campbell and will move into it Monday.

The Domestic Science Club will not hold another meeting until the regular date, which is May 20^th. The place will be announced later.

Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Tatum from Bryan, Texas, were in Caddo this week looking after some land which he has purchased in Caddo Hills.

One of the swellest residences in Suplhur, Okla. can be traded for land in the Caddo vicinity. See A. C Chaney.

Huffman has reduced the price of his ready-to-wear gingham and percale dresses one-fourth. These dresses are excellent values at the regular price.

If you want a read Automobile, buy a Buick. Amos K. Bass, Agent.

P. H. Boxley has rented the Mrs. Mattie Bloom house, corner Arkansas and Ainsworth streets and will soon move into it.

Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Manning are preparing to move into the Dunlap property which they recently purchased.

M. L. Braudrick has been at McAlester since last Thursday undergoing an operation. He was accompanied to the hospital by A. P. Braudrick.

Craghead Bros. this week are repairing the floor, putting in a new front and awning and otherwise improving the W. T. Smith building on Buffalo Street.

W. F. Dodd, at the Corner Drug Store, put in a new and up-to-date front serving fountain this week, discarding the old one. It very much improves the looks of his store.

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Wood arrived home Monday from spending ten days at Denton, and other North Texas points, where they were called by the death of a niece of Mr. Wood.

Miss Mary Gail from Denton, Texas arrived Wednesday to take a potion as stenographer at the office of W. H. Morris. She will make her home with her old friend, Miss Frankie Wood.

Of course if you want to carry your own risks, don’t take out any insurance- but the wise man lets the big companies bear his losses. Talk with W. H. Morris about insurance today.

I did not sell my famous young Percheron horse, “Rock”, while exhibiting him at the Ft. Worth Stock Show, as is reported, but will make the season with him at my place northeast of Caddo. Chas. V. Ellis.

Bring that old watch along with you when you come to town and have it repaired at the Corner Drug Store. All work guaranteed to give perfect satisfaction. W. F. Dodd

C. E. Blessing has purchased from Rudisill & Wayne, their cement business and tools. Mr. Blessing has a large number of cement contracts which will require much work during the summer.

Mrs. A. B. McCoy, Dr. and Mrs. J. H. McCoy and children, and Mrs. C. A. Bilbo went to Ardmore Tuesday to be present the wedding of Miss Birtie McCoy which occurred Wednesday night.

L. H. Rowsey has completed cement walks around his place. W. D. Harrison has completed walks around his close-places and is preparing to build walks around his property in southwest Caddo.

The business meeting of the W. H. M. Society will be held with Mrs. J. H. Phillips and Mrs. H. D. Person Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Person. All members are urged to be present.

Word came to Caddo Wednesday that Allison Cooper died at Clifton, Texas Tuesday. He was a cousin of Amos K. Bass and has visited here several times, being winner of the roping contest two years ago.

Don’t be foolhardy and carry your own risks. It costs but little to carry good tornado insurance. Then in case of loss a company that is able to stand it bears the loss. See W. H. Morris about it today.  

Listen- If you want a home see me. I have three modern improved places that I will sell you on reasonable terms and at the right prices. H. T. Chiles

Remember that reduction on all paint I have been telling you about? It will only be on a few more days. Better get busy and paint your house while paint is cheap. Remember the place, the old reliable Corner Drug. W. F. Dodd, Prop.

Mrs. Fannie M. Kirk who for the past ten months has been manager of the Commercial Hotel, left Saturday to make her home at Italy, Texas. She sold her interest in the Williams Hotel. While here Mrs. Kirk made many friends who regretted to see her leave.

Ten new automobiles arrived in Caddo this week. Brigance Hardware Co. received six Fords, and Amos K. Bass got in four Buick’s. Already several of these are sold and more have been ordered. The roads around Caddo are such that automobiling is a pleasure much enjoyed.

 

1925

Christmas Wishes, 1947

I love these! I’ll have to ask Clifford Joines if he got his train.

 

The Caddo Herald

December 19, 1947

Letters to Santa Claus

Please bring me a real horse. Benny Jack Gordon.

Please bring me a gun and a scabbard. Lonso Butler

Please bring me a doll, skates, doll bedroom suite, piano, and a dresser. Bessie Fay Lorrance

Please bring me a Betsy Wetsy doll, nuts, fruits, and candy. Letha Fay Brown

Please bring me a wagon, gun, and scabbard, also candy. Tommy Margaleis

Please bring me a double box of crayons, a Betsy Wetsy doll, and nuts, fruits, candy. Love, Freda Lynn

Please bring me a car, cap gun, nuts, fruit, and candy and a cowboy suit. Tommy Ray Hutchens

Please bring me a bebe gun, and firecrackers too. Carrill Braudrick

Please bring me a doll, a doll bedroom suite, and a set of little dishes, nuts, fruits, candy. Velma June Moran

Please bring me a piano and a dresser set, double box of crayons, firecrackers, fruits, candy, and nuts. Charlotte Braudrick

Please bring me a Betsy Wetsy doll and roller skates. Mary Frances Alexander

Please bring me a ball, gloves. Daisy is my sister. Bring her the nicest thing you have. David Roy

Please bring me a bebe gun. Leonard Thornton

Please sir, bring me a Betsy Wetsy doll, nuts, fruit, candy. Sarah Ann Woods

Please bring me a gun, scabbard, train, firecrackers, candy, nuts, fruit. Love, Frank Ray Armstrong

Please bring me a doll, a doll buggy, and gloves. Mary Nell Morgan

Please bring me a gun, a scabbard, wagon, ball, firecrackers. Ray Ammons

Please bring me a doll, a doll bed, and buggy, and skates. Bessie Roena Winnie

I want a Betsy Wetsy doll, doll buggy and wagon, a telephone and a piano, dresser set. Anita Dale Key

Please bring me roller skates. I think my momma is pretty. Larry Guy Young

Please bring me a wagon and a bebe gun and shots for it. Johnnie McGee

Please bring me a train. Odis Smitheart

I want a train, candy, firecrackers and fruits. Love, Clifford Ray Joines

Please bring me a doll and doll buggy and a set of dishes. Zelda Smith

I would like a doll, buggy, bed, and dishes please, Santa. Nadine Childers

You know I’d like to have a doll, wagon, candy, fruits, nuts. Joyce Ann Lindsey

Please bring me a wagon. Roy Clement

Please bring me a bebe gun. Billy Russell

Please bring me a gun and a scabbard. John Wisdom

Please bring me a bebe gun. Jack Sawyers

Wouldn’t it be nice Santa if I could have a bebe gun and roller skates? Ronnie Sullivan

 

 

Merry Christmas!

Caddo has a wonderful light display this year! If you are in the area come visit!

 

February, 1926

The Caddo Herald

February 12, 1926

Locals

Rev. C. J. Ralston of Caney was in Caddo Monday.

W. W. Boone spent Sunday in Denison with his parents.

Green Thompson was up form Durant Monday on business.

Miss Audrey Moffatt spent the weekend with homefolks near Atoka.

Mrs. A. B. McCoy of Durant was the guest of relatives here Sunday.

Misses Ernestine Carroll and Allegra Byers were Durant visitors Tuesday.

R. H. and J. R. Harris attended the foremen’s meeting at Durant Feb. 4.

Ernest McCreary, teacher at Liberty, spent the weekend here with relatives.

H. T. Styron is in St. Louis buying merchandise for the Boone & Styron store.

Miss Ruth Bloom, teacher in Atoka school, spent the weekend her with friends.

Guy G. Crossett was home from Ada over last weekend, visiting his parents and friends.

No school Thursday and Friday on account of teachers meeting at Oklahoma City.

Miss Mary Lee Styron is visiting her sister, Miss Helen Styron, at the University of Oklahoma.

Mr. H. A. Robbins of Blackwell, Okla. visited his daughter, Mrs. H. T. Wiles, here last week.

Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Davison, H. T. Chiles, and W. L. Guthrie were Sherman visitors Wednesday.

A fine young lady is making her home with Mr. and Mrs. W. E. McIntosh since Monday morning.

St. Clair Homer, superintendent o f Bennington schools, was here Wednesday on his way to Oklahoma City.

Clyde McCreary, teacher in the school at Banty, spent the weekend in Caddo with friends and homefolks.

Mr. and Mrs. I. Schaffer and small daughter left Sunday for St. Louis to buy merchandise and visit relatives.

A fine young man arrived Tuesday night to make his home with Rev. and Mrs. H. T. Wiles. His name is John Calvin.

Mr. and Mrs. F. L. Booker, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Owens, and Mrs. Baker Archer visited relatives in Tyler, Texas last Friday.

Mr. and Mrs. Carter McCalman have moved to the farm. They live in the first house north of J. H. McCalman’s home place.

Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Brown and Mrs. Tom Hester, of Caney, were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Sargent in Caddo last Sunday.

Mrs. Roy Barber and little daughters, Rachel and Royce, motored to Ada last Saturday and visited relatives till Monday evening.

Mrs. Ed Kelly and children of Denison, and Mrs. Wesley Dalton of Denver, Colo. visited Mrs. R. H. Harris and Mrs. B. R. Rex.

Mr. W. P. Booker and Mrs. F. L. Booker attended the funeral of W. C. McCulley, an uncle of Mr. F. L. Booker in Dallas last week.

Elder and Mrs. W. Y. Switzer and little daughter of Durant visited the Methodist Church here Sunday night. The elder preached to a large crowd.

Misses Margaret Peak of Greenville, Texas and Sadie Connor of Waco, Texas, were weekend guests of Misses Allegra Byers and Ernestine Carroll.

Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Rogers and daughters, Miss Lottie Rogers and Mrs. Claude Honsinger, went to Waxahachie, Texas, Sunday to visit relatives.

J. Walter Mills was here from Durant Wednesday shaking hand with friends. He is contemplating being a candidate to succeed himself as county clerk.

A. P. Braudrick, J. L. Sargent, Ross Bonner, Jack Roach, and E. L. Gunter went to the Narrows, northeast of Antlers Monday and returned Tuesday. While there they caught a few fish.

Mr. and Mrs. Luther Trout and little son and Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Trout of Shreveport, La. and Mr. and Mrs. Jess Trout of Denison are here to attend the bedside of Mrs. Cobb Trout, who is seriously ill.

The Football Sweaters for the Caddo Team have arrived and soon you will see the fifteen members bedecked in their gold and black sweaters. Stripes on the arm indicate the number of years on the team.

Miss Blanche McCarty, teacher in Bokchito school, spent the weekend here with Mrs. T. G. Westmoreland. She, with Vernon Westmoreland and Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Westmoreland, motored to Stringtown and Atoka Sunday.

Mrs. Bill Owens, Misses Edith Moore, Ernestine Carroll, and Agnes Maytubby of the High School, Prof. and Mrs. S. L. Shofner, Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. Wilson, and Misses Wood, Boydstun, and Sargent of the Grammar School are attending the Teachers Meeting in Oklahoma City.