Caddo- My Home Town

Error

I made a terrible error-- a wrong date-- on a recent post. So I am reposting it here to clarify for anyone who needed the date for their research. I hate it when I make a mistake and I am SO very grateful that a reader pointed it out to me. Please do NOT ever hesitate to let me know if I make an error here or in a book. Thanks!

The Caddo Herald

December 4, 1914 (originally posted in error as 1911)

Eight Get Out of Jail

At 4 o’clock Wednesday morning eight prisoners escaped from the county jail and so far not a trace of the men has been found.

The escape was effected when jailer Clark lay down in the vestibule and went to sleep. He was about four feet from the jail door and the prisoners secured a long wire and hooked it onto the key ring in his belt, drew the keys inside, opened the big door, and made their getaway.

These are the men who escaped: Fletcher Watson, bad check artist; Guy Russell, charged with adultery; Will Ray, charged with stealing two bales of cotton; C. H. Thomas, charged with theft of a coat; Roy Fuller, for transporting; men giving names of Story, Angel, and Harness who were charged with bootlegging. Twenty men were left in the big cell, but they refused to go, one of them being Cliff Moye. Some of them were asleep and did not know anything about the delivery until they awoke.

Sheriff Hart, as soon as he was informed, stared a search. Durant Democrat

The Bennington Church, 1852

March 13, 1852

The Session met at Bennington and was opened with prayer.

Present: C. C. Copeland, Minister

J. Folsom, Makinta, J. Belvin, Elders

 

Joe Hakishtapata, Nokowa, Rhoda, Sully, and Betsy, presented themselves as candidates for admission to the church. After a full examination, resolved, that they be received. (They were received publicly March 14.)

 

Loanza Benton, a member of Pine Ridge Church requested to be received as a member of this church. On conversing with her it appeared that she had been guilty of a breach of the seventh commandment. Resolved, that the case be deferred.

 

Jeremiah Daly, guilty of a breach of his temperance pledge, and Willis Nicholas and his wife, guilty of domestic feuds, appeared before the Session, confessed their sins, appeared penitent, and requested to be restored to the fellowship and communion of the church. The Session being satisfied of a reformation in their conduct resolved that their request be granted.

 

Hannah Fisher, a member of this church appeared and confessed herself guilty of a breach of the seventh commandment. Resolved, that she be suspended.

 

James Fisher, accused of and prosecuted for a most foul and scandalous slander, was suspended till that charge be lawfully investigated and the decision of the court ascertained. Closed with prayer. C. Kingsbury, Clerk of the Session.

New Book

These obituaries are from Rozell Thomas’s new book, Obituaries of Bryan County, Oklahoma, 1930-1934. It is available from the Bryan County Genealogy Library & Archives at P.O. Box 153, Calera, OK 74730-0153. Cost is $20 plus $3.50 postage and handling. Or stop by at 203 N. McKinley, just down the block from the fire station.

Dainey, Mrs.          CH- January 2, 1931

Liberty news: Mrs. Dainey, who has been ill for two weeks, died Friday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ed Lane. She was rather old. The immediate cause of her death was paralysis. Burial was in the Folsom grave yard Sunday.

Folsom Cemetery, Mrs. Dainey, d: December 26, 1930

 

Markham, W. Henry     CH-November 6, 1931

Wednesday night at 11 o’clock Henry Markham died at the home of his son C. O. Markham in Caddo after a long illness. W. H. Markham was 71 years of age; had lived in Caddo many years and endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. He was beloved by all children, having spent many hours of his spare time making little toys for them, never receiving monetary reward. His delight was in the laughter and joys of the little fellows. Thursday morning gloom was in the faces of the many little fellows whose lives he brightened.

Funeral services were held at the Markham residence with interment beside his wife in the Caddo Cemetery at 3 o’clock Thursday. Mr. Markham was a member of the Methodist Church for many years and was consistent in his Christian life.

Caddo Cemetery, W. Henry Markham, 1860-Nobmeber 4, 1931

 

Mullens, Bonnie Mae     CH- January 26, 1934

The day old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Theo Mullens died Monday at the home of Mrs. Mullens’ sister, Mrs. H. M. James. The funeral was held Tuesday at the residence with Rev. Roy Ellis in charge of the services. Burial was in the Silo Cemetery.

Silo Cemetery, Bonnie Mae Mullens, January 21, 1934-January 22, 1934

Freshmen, 1925

I like finding lists like this one because I know it is often difficult to find school records for someone if they didn’t actually graduate or if they moved during the school year. We are fortunate to also have lots of Bryan County enrollment records at the genealogy library.

Note: names are as printed, although I suspect a couple are not spelled correctly. 

 

The Caddo Herald

September 25, 1925

Freshman Class

 

President: Pearl Lynch

Vice-President: James Hogan

Sec.-Treas.: Aileen Adkins

Editor: Hardenia Ellis

 

Class Roll-

Golda Carlton

Ruby Croley

Jack Hancock

Edna Howell

Loraine Mugle

Willie Ballard

Lola Brown

Columbus Woods

Bismarck Rohde

Richard Lassiter

Pearl Lynch

George Jones

Charles Duncan

Madel Grewell

Claude Schwartz

Howell Boydstun

Macon Smith

Hardenia Ellis

Sarah Elten Beck

Lucille Mills

Ella Council

Hazel Meadows

Joe Hill

Marilee Hogan

Ailene Adkins

Willie Hickenbottom

Doris Maytubby

Gladys Richey

Mary Winton

Joe Smith

 

Thomas Brent Moore, 1925

I’m not sure of this man’s relationship to anyone in the community since the editor does not mention local relatives. Perhaps he included it in the paper because many county residents attended the university. Whatever, the reason, I thought the information might be needed by someone.

 

The Caddo Herald

September 25, 1925

University Man Hanged

The body of Thomas Brent Moore, professor of economics in the University of Oklahoma, was found Monday morning hanging to a bridge near Lexington, Oklahoma. Indications are to the effect that the professor hanged himself, but investigations are being made under the theory of a possible murder.

Professor Moore was a new professor in the university, having come to the institution recently from his home in South Carolina.

 

The Kentucky Kernel

September 25, 1925 

GRADUATE ENDS LIFE BY HANGING

Dr. Thomas Brent Moore, formerly of Lexingon and a Student at University of Kentucky, Dies in Oklahoma. Left Here in 1901.

The body of a man found hanging by a wire from a bridge near Norman, Okla., early Monday morning, September 21, was identified as that of Thomas Brent Moore, associate professor of economics at the University of Oklahoma and a graduate of the University of Kentucky. The identification was made by Dr. A. B. Adams, a member of the University of Oklahoma faculty. Doctor Moore, who was 48 years old, went to Norman, the seat of the University of Oklahoma, last Monday from his home in Sumpter, S. C. He was unmarried. Doctor Moore was the son of the late Charles C. Moore, of Lexington, who became famous as the editor of The Blue Grass Blade, a paper published here for a number of years. Thomas Brent Moore was reared here and lived with his father on the Russ Cave pike until 1901 when he was graduated from the University of Kentucky. He received an A. B. degree from the university here and then went to Columbia University in New York, where he received his doctor's degree. He is remembered by the instructors of the University of Kentucky as an exceptionally bright student. He is well remembered here where he has a number of distant relatives and many friends. Leland Moore, brother of the dead man, arrived here from Sumpter, S. C, Monday night to be with his mother who was awaiting the arrival of the body from Oklahoma. Funeral services were held at the grave in the Lexington cemetery Thursday, according to Mr. Charles Stevenson, of Lexington, whom Mrs., Moore visited.

Cat's Paw, 1925

The Caddo Herald

September 25, 1925

The Cat’s Paw

Lucille Grassham, Editor in Chief, Beth Moore, Associate

Reporters:

Senior, Eugenia Sargent

Junior, Mildred Guthrie

Sophomore, Lucille Coffey

Freshman, Hardenia Ellis

 

Seniors-

President, J. C. Davison

Vice-President, Dow McCalman

Sec.-Treas., Margaret Jayne McGraw

Sergeant at Arms, Thomas Ray Coffey

Yell leader, Clovis Wood

Sponsor, Miss Edith Moore

Committee to select class flower, colors and motto: Lucille Grassham, Dow McCalman, and Eugenia Sargent.

 

Class Roll:

Mary Cochran

Dow McCalman

Zora Smith

Opal Smith

J. C. Davison

Oscar Henninger

Luckille Grassham

Margaret Jayne McGraw

Madge Richey

Willie Taylor

Charles Cobb

Ailene Sessions

Eugenia Sargent

Thomas Ray Coffey

Alton Downing

Dick Briggs

Clovis Wood

Dadia Robinson

Lillie Mae Hickenbottom

 

Athletics:

The football squad consists of:

 

Oscar Henninger

Alton Downing

J. C. Davison

Grady Sargent

Dick Briggs

Dow McCalman

Ocie Faudree

Willie Taylor

Thomas Ray Coffey

Charles Cobb

W. J. Thompson

Clovis Wood

Coumbus Wood

Edward Pierson

Haskell Copeland

Joe Smith

James Hogan

Jack Hancock

 

The first five are letter men and Oscar Henninger is captain.

“Pep” is being revived in old Caddo High. Just wait until our first game at Bennington Friday afternoon. We are looking forward to a grand time this year!

The Star-Vindicator, 1877

As mentioned in an earlier post, Granville McPherson joined with Rev. J. S. Murrow in publishing the Star-Vindicator. It seems to cover a wide range of news from Caddo, Atoka, McAlester and other communities. Many of the advertisements are for St. Louis businesses.   

 

The Star-Vindicator

Published each Saturday at McAlester, Indian Territory

January 13, 1877

Star Lights

-Coal

-No moon

-Good night

-Dark nights

-Up and down

-Snowing again

-Here we are again

-School progressing finely

-Read our new advertisements

-Another snow storm Sunday

Star-Vindicator is the name now

-One thousand subscribers and still they come

J. J. Phillips of Atoka paid us a visit last week.

Several new houses going up and in contemplation.

McAlester is to have a Masonic and Odd Fellows Hall.

No Christmas gifts came to us either, so you are not alone.

There is nothing certain in this world but death and taxes.

Star-Vindicator, $1.26 per annum. Single copies five cents.

How do you like the Star-Vindicator? Don’t all speak at once!

The surplus of corn in Paul’s Valley is being fed to cattle from Texas.

Money for subscriptions to the Star-Vindicator sent by mail at our risk.

The whole secret of making good coffee is to parch it right and put in enough.

Health of McAlester good, but some few cases of pneumonia at the mines yet.

Our brother of the Parsons Daily Record already sees indications of an early spring.

Dr. D. M. Hailey is making preparations to build a dwelling and business house.

The subscription list of the Star-Vindicator is already large and increasing rapidly.

Mrs. Dr. W. S. Burks of Caddo was on a visit this week to her sister, Mrs. J. J. McAlester.

We were favored with a visit this week from Mr. H. E. Scott of Caddo who was here looking for a location.

Died: At the coal mines near this place on Thursday, 11^th inst. of pneumonia, Mr. P. J. Hawkins.

Mr. Garner of Stringtown, has purchased quite a quantity of corn in Kansas to supply the deficiency at his place.

The several departments of the Star-Vindicator are not regulated yet, but we’ll get everything in shape after a while.

Wesley Parker, a popular young Chickasaw gentleman, manipulates the yardstick and scissors at J. J. McAlester’s.

A man whose name we have not learned down in the mines at No. 9 had his ankle and thigh broken last Wednesday by the falling of a chunk of coal. Dr. Smith hopes to be able to manage the case without amputation.

Mrs. Bell, former hostess of the McAlester hotel, and Miss Dixon, a young lady living with her, left this week for Dallas, Texas.

Mr. Jno. Coyle, W. M. of Elm Springs Lodge, A. F. & A. M. passed through town last Sunday on his way from Ft. Smith.

Thomas Flemming, superintendent of the Osage Mining Co. called to see us this week and added his name to our subscription list.

A Methodist quarterly meeting will be held at this place the third Sunday in February. Bro. Walker, the presiding Elder, will be here.

We learn that a new freight tariff on the M. K. & T. went into operation this week, but are not advised as to whether its tendency is up or down.

We are now writing our editorials at a desk made for the Star-Vindicator by Mr. John Schuller, one of the best mechanics in the Indian Territory.

Martin, of the Sherman Register, has “gone back” on us for some cause or other. We have not received a number of his paper since our removal to McAlester.

We are happy to state that Mr. S. L. Watson, who has been confined to his room for two weeks with pneumonia, is convalescent, and will be up again soon.

All communications to the Star-Vindicator should be addressed to G. McPherson & Co., McAlester, Ind. Ter. except what pertains strictly to religious matters, which should be addressed to Rev. J. S. Murrow, Atoka, Ind. Ter.

We are truly sorry to learn, by a private letter from Bro. R. P. Jones, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, Ind. Ter. A. F. & A. M., that his little son, Pitt, has been lying at the point of death for three weeks passed, but at the same time pleased to know that his physicians pronounce him convalescent.

How we can sympathize with anybody place in the position of Bro. Jones. Oh! How often has it been our sad lot to watch and wait by the sick and dying bed of our little ones; see them struggle in the throes of death, and one by one pass away from our arms forever.

Mr. R. S. McCarty, an old and highly respected citizen of the Choctaw Nation, living at the main crossing of the Poteau, above Ft. Smith, called on us last Wednesday. Mr. McCarty was on a visit to his three daughters, Mrs. Hailey, Mrs. Chunn, and Mrs. Ryan. He left Thursday morning for his home.

Geo. W. Harlin, a Cherokee by blood and a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation by marriage, died at Choteau, Cherokee Nation, on the 26^th of Dec. last, of pneumonia. We knew him well, having lived a neighbor to him for several years, and can truthfully say that the country has lost a good and a useful man. He leaves a wife and one child.

Mr. E. S. Stillwell, U. S. interpreter, an affable gentleman and fine looking man, passed through town last Thursday with a party of Comanche who had been to Ft. Smith attending court. Those people will have traveled a distance when they get back home, of 670 miles. How much better it would be to have courts in the Indian Territory and save all this unnecessary trouble and expense.

When we purchased the Vindicator we agreed to fill all unexpired subscriptions and advertisements. Subscribers to the Vindicator will therefore get the Star-Vindicator up to the full time when their subscription to the Vindicator would have expired. Many of these will be on March the 27^th, and we hope before then all will be so well pleased with the new paper that they will promptly renew.

Rev. J. Y. Bryce, of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, organized a church at this place last Sunday by the admission of five members. Bro. Bryce, on the occasion, made to our mind, some of the most sensible remarks we have ever heard enunciated from the pulpit. That is, for Christian denominations to abstain from sectarian controversies; to go on and preach what they believe to be right, allowing others the same privilege, without arguing the question as to whether they are right or wrong. We have always contended that religious controversies were fruitful of more harm than good, and believe that when every minister of the gospel takes the same view of it Bro. Bryce does, the long hoped for millennium will have come.

Gratitude: The festival recently held at Caddo for the benefit of Rev. J. Y. Bryce, Methodist minister in charge of that circuit, resulted in the raising of $96.50 in cash, clothing, &c. Bro. Bryce has left it with us to hank, through the columns of the Star-Vindicator, all who assisted in this munificent and timely donation. Had Bro. Bryce den this himself, in his own beautiful language, we know the generous hearted donors would have come nearer receiving justice, form the fact that he feels and appreciates the liberal contribution to an extent far beyond our limited imagination. Mrs. Dr. Burks brought the money and other articles to this place and delivered them to the worthy minister last Sunday, and his heart was filled with gratitude.

In the name of Bro. Bryce and the church he represents, we will only say that our pen is incompetent to express the profound feelings of gratefulness he entertains toward those who so kindly and so generously assisted him.

Rock Bottom

As the New Year appears, I now offer my general stock at reduced prices and ask that you call on us for one trial at least. Jas. J. McAlester

 

Atoka Locals

Mr. James Colbert and Mr. J. B. Ritter have returned from attending the U. S. District Court. They suffered greatly from the cold weather on the road home and Mr. Colbert is now sick in bed from exposure.

 

Mr. J. R. Brown, our enterprising hotel man, has put up a large quantity of ice. We looked into his ice house when it was being packed and thought of the good time coming.

Mr. Smith, our R. R. Agent and Telegraph man, vice “Genl. Brown” is giving general satisfaction.

Prairie chickens, squirrels, rabbit, turkeys, and venison hams crowd the Atoka market.

Both the Atoka schools reopened on last Monday with fine prospects.

The warehouse of one of our merchants was broken into one night last week and some furs and hides stolen.

Boggy was frozen over with ice six inches thick.

Z. J. Phillips of Stonewall recently shipped a car load of beef cattle to Chicago which averaged 1,550 lbs. gross and sold them at $4.15 per 100 lbs or $64.32 per head. Who can beat that?

Died at White Bead Hill, Chickasaw Nation, Dec. 1th, 1876, Mrs. Julia Rogers, wife of Mr. Silas Rogers, Worshipful Master of Valley Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

Mrs. Rogers was born in Red River County, Texas, Dec. 30^th, 1841 and at the time of her death was 35 years of age. She had been a member of the Methodist Church sixteen years and died in the full hope of a glorious immortality. To the disconsolate husband we extend our deepest sympathy, but words would fail to express the feeling we have for the seven little children left without a mother. To them the loss is irreparable; her place can never be filled. May the good lord have mercy on them and spare them the hard fate which befalls so many motherless children.

 

Mrs. W. L. Cooper, 1919

The Caddo Herald

July 25, 1919

Mrs. W. L. Cooper Dies

Mrs. W. L. Cooper died in the hospital at Sherman Saturday morning at 11:40 of tetanus, or lockjaw.

Mrs. Cooper had injured her finger a few days before, but not much was thought of it until Friday when the tetanus set up. She rapidly grew worse and was taken Friday night to Sherman, where she failed to respond to treatment.

Mrs. Cooper was 78 years of age, she being the wife of Judge W. L. cooper who died about a year ago. She was the mother of Mrs. Mattie Lynch, Mrs. J. D. Freeny, Mrs. Chick Lynch, Cicero Cooper of Durant, and A. G. Cooper of Dallas, all of whom were present at her bedside and funeral.

The funeral was held at the residence of Mrs. Lynch in Caddo, Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, conducted by Rev. I. W. Archer, pastor of the Baptist Church of which she had been a member since childhood. The services and interment were attended by a large number of friends of the family.

Star-Vindicator, 1877

The Star-Vindicator

January 13, 1877

A Change of Name

By the advice of true friends, to whom I have always been ready to listen, I have changed the name of the Oklahoma Star to that of Star-Vindicator. Rev. J. S. Murrow purchased the Vindicator office and it was thought by consolidating it with the Star, its patronage would be increased and the paper strengthened in proportion.

When the Oklahoma Star ws first founded, just three years ago, it undertook to carry out the unexpired time of the old Vindicator’s subscribers, which it did faithfully; and now in the consolidation I promise the same thing, which  will also be fulfilled. The style of the firm is G. McPherson & Co., publishers; Rev. J. S. Murrow, an old and well-known missionary among the Indians of this Territory, and forcible and fluent writer, will have the management of the religious department while the undersigned still retains editorial control of everything pertaining to regular matters.  The financial management of the concern will be exclusively in the hands of a third party, whose influences and business qualifications places its success beyond the possibility of a doubt.

I know that some of the devoted friends of the old Oklahoma Star, those who have so anxiously watched it from its infancy as it struggled up through the dark stormy clouds of adversity, will hate to see it drop a part of its once familiar name and assume that of another, but then it is deemed best by those who have upheld it in the past and in whose judgment I have the most implicit confidence. Printed on the same press and with the same material, it is to all intents and purposes, the same paper it was before, any more than that with the addition of the polished and erudite pen of Rev. J. S. Murrow, its readers may reasonably expect to find a marked improvement in the quality of matter contained in its columns.

The object of the company will be to make it a spicy and reliable newspaper, with a sufficient amount of religious matter to make it interesting to whose who are inclined to turn their attention to things not of a sublunary nature. And while Rev. J. S. Murrow is a Baptist and will naturally advocate the doctrines of his own denomination, the columns of the Star-Vindicator will never be closed against any creed or sect. Liberality and Toleration, in both politics and religion, are emblazoned upon its banners, and will ever remain the leading features of its character. Life is too short to be frittered away in acrimonious controversies and the Star-Vindicator from this time forward will be devoted to educating the people of this Territory to a higher standard of morals and civilization.

Thanking my friends for favors extended to the Oklahoma Star, I now respectfully solicit a continuance of their patronage to the Star-Vindicator. G. McPherson

Fire Chief, 1914

The Caddo Herald

December 4, 1914

Fire Boys Banquet

Last Tuesday night, in honor of retiring Chief J. L. Hendryx, the Caddo Fire Department gave a banquet at the J. L. Walker shop. It was largely attended and good fellowship prevailed. Owing to going away, Mr. Hendryx resigned as Chief, and Art Wright was elected in his place.

John L. Boland, in his usual happy vein, presented the badge to the new chief who bears the honors thus thrust upon him with pride and becoming dignity. Art is a good selection.

Mr. Hendryx, with his family, left this week for Ada where they will make their home.