Caddo- My Home Town

1876

The Caddo Oklahoma Star

October 19, 1876

G. O. Hunter, foreman of this paper, is sick; we hope to get out earlier next week.

Henry Burks, son of Dr. Burks of Caddo has gone to Booneville, Missouri to attend school.

Maj. Graves and Lt. Wolf passed through town on the 16^th inst. on their way to Ft. Riley Kansas with 54 U. S. soldiers.

McPherson and Boudinot, editors of the Star, are at Muskogee attending the Indian International Fair.

Mrs. Israel Stone and her sister, Miss Daniels, made the Star a call this week.

Died: At the residence of her parents at Atoka, on Sunday evening, 15^th inst. of typhoid fever, Sallie, youngest daughter of Dr. T. M. and Sarah A. Fendall, aged 15 years, 2 months and 23 days.

 

Background notes:

Granville O. Hunter, son of Lydia Starr Hunter McPherson.

Dr. W. S. Burks, general merchandise. There are several ads in the paper for his store. No mention of him practicing medicine.  

From A History of Fort Riley: Built in 1852 and named in honor of Major General Bennett C. Riley. After the Civil War troops from Fort Riley were needed to protect construction workers on the Kansas Pacific Railroad from Indian attacks. 

Granville McPherson and Col. E. C. Boudinot.

From Chronicles of Oklahoma: The Indian International Fair resembled contemporary agricultural fairs. Held annually in Muskogee, Indian Territory, in September or October from 1874 to about 1900, the week-long event featured produce and domestic exhibits in a barn-like pavilion. These displays, horse racing on the adjacent track, a merry-go-round, and commercial vendors attracted many Indians and non-Indians from the Indian Territory and neighboring states. Indian policemen tried to suppress horse theft, alcohol consumption, and illicit games of chance. The fair was a much-anticipated occasion for visiting and family reunions. As an outgrowth of the Okmulgee Constitutional Convention of the early 1870s, the fair served several purposes. Founders of the Indian International Fair Association included Muskogee's white and Indian businessmen, who believed it would boost the town and territory. Federal officials supported it as a means of "civilizing" Indians. They and some members of the Five Civilized Tribes used fair exhibits to impress upon visiting Plains Indians the benefits of and need for adopting the sedentary, agricultural, "progressive" lifestyle demanded by Anglo-Americans. At the 1879 fair Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz stunned his multi-tribal audience with the first warning that, in spite of their treaties, allotment of their lands and opening the territory for homesteading was inevitable.

Israel W. Stone was the postmaster of Caddo, Choctaw Nation. In 1879 he is listed as the editor of the paper.

1860 census, Doaksville. Thomas and Sarah Fendall, Physician, 38, born in Georgia. Eight children.

 

Teachers' Pay, 1934

The Caddo Herald

December 14, 1934

Bryan County Rural Teachers Receive Pay Increase

Bryan county teachers in rural schools will received an average salary of $823 for the 1934-35 term, which is an increase of 32 percent over last year, but $44 less than the average in 1929-30, according to a survey just released by Dr. J. M. Ashton, research director of the state chamber of commerce.

Dr. Ashton found that the 4,909 rural teachers in the state reported to date are receiving an average yearly wage of $685 compared with $914 paid for the year 1929-30.

In Bryan County, for purposes of comparison, men teachers in 1934-35 will receive an average salary of $987 per year, while women will receive $752. In 1929-30 men received $1,097 and women $770.

However, despite the increase this year, prices have gone up from the depression low too, until the total teacher salaries paid in the state will buy eight per cent less than in 1929-30.

Ford C. Harper, manager of the state chamber of commerce says, “These figures show a gratifying improvement over last year. However, the next problem is to see that administrative economics and fiscal changes are made so that even these low salaries can be paid in cash without discount.” 

Methodist Church

I ran across this interesting item yesterday. I would assume from the recorded history of the Methodist Church, which mentions three buildings (1873, 1901, and 1966), that this structure was never built. I will keep my eyes open for further references to it.

The Caddo Herald

June 20, 1913

New Methodist Church

The building committee of the Methodist Church met Wednesday night and adopted final plans for the new church to be erected by their congregation.

As planned, the church will be built of brick and cement, its extreme dimensions 50x70 feet with basement, six classrooms, and a large main auditorium. It will be fitted with every modern convenience and will be a church of which the whole town will be proud.

The estimated cost is $10,000. The plans provide for a dome, for metal tile roof, hot air heat, splendid lighting, and ventilation.

The basement will be fitted so that entertainments, Sunday School classes and many other exercises my be held in it.

The exact details will not be known until the plans are completely worked out, but enough is known that the new church will be a credit to Caddo and one that will serve the church for years to come. The extreme seating capacity will be close to 1,000 when all rooms are thrown open so that the building will accommodate possibly the largest crowed that can be assembled in Caddo.

 

This was the same summer that the Christian Church was dedicated.

July 25, 1913

Christian Church Dedicated

Last Sunday at 10:30 a.m. a large crowd assembled at the new building of the Christian church to hear the Dedication services. The treasurer of the board of trustees reported that $4,000 would have to be raised in order to be dedicated free of debt and Bro. Geo. L. Snively of Lewistown, Ill. , who was in charge, proceeded to call for pledges on a five year basis and the ball was started rolling by the president of Loyal Women’s Bible Class, pledging for her class $800 to be paid in annual payments covering a period of five years, and following that several others pledged individually $500, $250 and on down to as low at $10- raising in all $5,700.00.

In the afternoon a Union Memorial service was held and the struggles of the church in Caddo as experienced by all the members present was related. The Presbyterians were ably represented by S. W. Maytubby, who made a nice talk, outlining the struggles of the churches in Caddo as he had seen them for many years past. 

All ate of the basket dinner spread on the Manning lawn and rejoiced together over the success of the day.

At the services at night the building was dedicated to be used for the house of God, where all people could assemble and worship together and carry into effect the Lord’s prayer for Christian union.

 

Court 1914

The Caddo Herald

October 2, 1914

Sanders Gets a Year and $50.00

A jury in the district court of Bryan composed of some of its best citizens, Wednesday afternoon set its stamp of disapproval upon the violation of the prohibition law in this county by assessing a sentence of one year in the state penitentiary and a fine of $50 on W. R. Sanders for the second and subsequent violation of this law.

Mr. Sanders lives at Caddo and was convicted in the county court here last February for the violation of the prohibition law and a short time ago the county attorney filed a complaint in the district court alleging a second and subsequent violation which under the new law is a felony punishable by from one day in the county jail to five years in the penitentiary and a fine up to $5,000 or both.

The case in which Sanders was first convicted is now on appeal to the criminal court. After the verdict Wednesday he was allowed his liberty under the same bond which he gave when he was first arrested. This case will be appealed.

It will be remembered that Sanders last year sued Clipper Hamilton and Al Ray for damages, alleging false imprisonment in which the jury found a verdict in favor of the defendants.

The jury which found Sanders guilty last week was composed of: J. A. Ellison, Bennington; J. E. Bass, Forbes Manning, Caddo; R. F. Choate, Kenefick; T. J. Davis, Bennington; R. W. Scott, Mead; O. L. Shannon, Durant; L. W. Franks, Bokchito; C. M. Clark, W. E. Clark, Durant; A. P. Russell, Durant; George McVeigh, Calera.

------

It took a Bryan county jury but a short time Saturday afternoon to give Red Scott, the white man charged with living in adultery with a negro woman near Bokchito the extreme limit and returned a verdict in the district court at Durant sending him to the penitentiary for five years.

This case attracted a great deal of notoriety by reason of the fact that the good citizens of Bokchito had become very much incensed over the matter, and had threatened summary punishment to Scott if he did not leave the adultery. According to the testimony of witnesses Scott had been living there off and on for the past 8 years.

------

“We the jury find the defendants guilty as charged and affix their punishment at one year and one day in the state penitentiary.” This was the verdict rendered in the district court Tuesday afternoon in the case of Ben Harmon, Mollie Harmon, and the daughter of Mrs. Harmon, Laura Watson. This is the case where the mother and daughter left the baby on the Katy Limited train last June. Shortly after leaving Durant the baby was discovered by the conductor in the toilet room, the train was backed up, the baby put off, and the arrest of the people soon followed. The child was adopted by Durant people but later the girl and her mother came and secured the child and now have it. The following composed the jury in the case: W. H. Glasscock, Caddo; T. J. Davis, Bennington; C. C. Cadenhead, Bokchito; C. M. Clark, Brown; R. F. Choate, Caddo; E. G. Harrison, Silo; J. B. Potts, Jr., Colbert; C. K. Milam, Durant; H. Robinson, Durant; M. G. Stanford, Durant; C. B. Mitchell, Durant; E. H. Stewart, Durant. 

Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a safe holiday with family and friends. Be sure to ask them important questions about your family history! Share while you have the opportunity. 

Freeny Reunion

The Caddo Herald

June 1, 1934

Family Reunion

The annual reunion of the Freeny family was held again last Sunday where a bountiful dinner was served by Mrs. Evans and her sister, Mrs. Eleanora Lynch.

Those present for the occasion were: Lorraine Freeny; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Smith and son, Winslow; Mr. and Mrs. E. Brasher and son, Rex; all of Okmulgee. Mesdames Smith and Brasher will be better remembered in Caddo as the former Misses Lillian and Mildred Freeny, nieces of Mrs. Evans. Mrs. R. C. Freeny, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Freeny and children, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Propps and son, Miss Helen Denton, and Mrs. C. A. Bilbo were other local guests of the reunion.  

 

Dear Santa

The Caddo Herald

December 14, 1934

Dear Santa Claus,

Please bring me a pair of skates, a Bible, and a pair of gloves. I will thank you very much and will be glad to see you again. Please bring me some fruit, candy, and nuts. So I will close, Santa Claus, sending my love and best wishes. Mary Frances Tisdial

Please send me a Bible and a pair of skates, book satchel, pair of gloves, and please send Peggy Joyce a doll, a set of dishes and fruit and candy. Opal Drennan

Please bring me a football bladder, a BB gun, a pair of gloves, apples, oranges, and lots of nuts. Byron Rodden.

Please bring me some apples, oranges, candy, a set of dishes, a Bible, a doll, skates, and a pair of gloves. Bring me a  pair of shoes, a dress and a new coat for Christmas. Kathleen Prentice

I would like to have a watch that will keep time. That costs about one dollar and eighty nine cents. Marian Martin.

It is about Christmas time. I have been a bad little boy this year. I am 11 years old. I will tell you what I want for this Christmas. I want a football, a pair of slippers, and if you do not mind, I will take a scooter and if you are not too selfish I will take some apples, nuts, and oranges, and I guess that will be all, but I want to tell what my brother wants. He wants a truck, a pair of boots, candy, apples, nuts, oranges. That is all. A. M. Smith

I have been good and bad too, but you bring me something anyhow. Please bring me lots of candy, apples, oranges, and bananas, but don’t bring me pills because they make me sick. Santa Claus, please bring me a doll washer to wash my doll clothes in and you bring me a doll and a pair of boots too. Be sure to bring Miss Carrol a Negro doll. Julia Bell Powell

I want a BB gun and a horn and a knife and some candy for Christmas. Louis Parker

How are you these days? I hope you will come to see me. I am not but 11 years old and in the fifth grade. I want you to bring me a bike and apples, nuts, and candy. Do not forget the other children. Donald Choate

I am writing you so you will know what I want you to give me for Christmas. I wish you would bring me a doll and a suede jacket, some apples and nuts, candy and oranges. I am 11 years old and in the fifth and have been a good girl. Bring my brothers and sisters what they want. Syble McGee

I want you to bring me a little wagon, a 22 target and a pair of skates. Hollis Miller

We know Christmas is almost here and we are looking forward to your coming. Santa, I want a pair of boots, a watch, and a pair of gloves. Well, that is about all in that line. But lots of candy and fruits. Now Santa, do not forget that we’re looking forward to you. Luetta Marie Rethemeyer

I don’t want much this year for Christmas but just some story books and some gloves and a fountain pen, and please don’t forget to bring apples, oranges, and candy and all kinds of nuts. I hope you can help other children all around the world. Well, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please forget to bring Mr. Murphy a bundle of switches. Myra Jean Guthrie

I am a girl 11 years of age. I want a pair of boots, a fountain pen, and lots of apples, oranges, and candy and nuts for Christmas. I hope you will be kind enough to help all other boys and girls. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please do not forget to bring Mr. Murphy an inner tube for he needs it. Annie Ballew

I have been a good little girl since you came last year. I am nine years old. Please bring me a pair of gloves, a pair of boots, a bicycle and I would like to have a little doll that can walk and a pair of skates and oranges, apples, candy, and nuts and bananas. Santa, I hope you will bring me what I wish and do not forget to give something to the poor children and bring some things for my brother and sister and father and mother. Charleen Miller.

I have been a good girl since you came last year. I want a big doll with real hair and blue eyes. I want a pretty doll carriage to roll her in with a window on each side, a basket full of candy, nuts, apples, oranges, and a pair of skates, a bicycle and a big doll house to keep my doll and its clothes. I am a girl in the fifth grade and I am just nine years old. If you will bring me what I want I will be a good little girl and help mother too. I hope that Santa will have a Merry Christmas like I am going to have. I hope you bring my sister and brother something and all the poor children. Cordelia Dowd

I am glad you have come again. I hope that you will be at my house first. I want a raincoat, a pair of boots, a football, a pair of gloves. I want you to bring Jimmie Blakney a little dog that will run cows and bring Annie Ballew a Negro doll with a ribbon on it. I will be seeing you, goodbye. Dale Mills

I have been a bad little boy and I would like you to bring me a football, book, air rifle shot, and a new air rifle. Please bring me a bicycle, some apples and candy. Cleaburn Fowler

I want some Christmas presents. An air gun and some bee bees, some nuts, some Negro toes, some apples, oranges, bananas, a Negro dancer, some grapes, and 15 packages of fire crackers. T. Jr. Busby

I want you to bring me a suede jacket and some roller skates. Be sure and do not forget my oranges, apples, nuts, and candy. Do not forget my toys. Gertrude Sims

 

Carnival Movie

The Caddo Herald

September 25, 1914

Carnival Movie

T. L. Baldwin was here from Durant yesterday with the reel pictures that he had made of the Caddo Corn Carnival showing it to a few people and making arrangements for its exhibition in Caddo.

By arrangement with Mrs. G. Goodman, the Carnival moving pictures will be shown Thursday and Friday nights next at the Electric Theatre in Caddo. The Carnival reel will be shown in addition to the regular show and an additional entrance fee will be charged. This reel shows the mains acts of the Carnival as they occurred- the parade, the riding, exhibits, the queen, the ball, the grounds, and many points of interest in town, including business houses, residences, and mills.

The reel is a good one showing people and scenes that you are familiar with. Don’t fail to see Doug Williams and H. T. Styron in the pictures. It is a good advertisement for Caddo.

 

Good Photographs

On account of repairing and remodeling the studio, I will be delayed about 30 days in getting ready to open in Caddo. The date of opening my Caddo Studio will be announced in this paper soon, look for it. There is no use going afar from home to get good pictures for I will soon be at your service and my work is guaranteed to be as good as can be had anywhere on earth. I have been 25 years at it and know the business thoroughly. T. L. Baldwin

December 20, 1901

The Caddo Herald

December 20, 1901

Local

Miss Pearl Russell spent Friday with Miss Ada Bradley in Caney.

W. G. Wiseman and son, Girda, from Wills Point, Texas are visiting Mrs. G. Miller.

J. V. Harden left Wednesday to spend part of the holidays with home folks at Amarillo, Texas.

Miss Birdie Carroll came in Monday from Tuskahoma to spend the holidays with home folks.

Died: The infant child of Carl Drake died Sunday evening and was buried in the Caddo Cemetery Monday.

Miss Maggie Lee Bass returned home Wednesday from a three months’ visit to relatives at Shreveport, Louisiana.

R. A. Riddle received about seventy hogs from Wapanucka Wednesday.

Mrs. Duster and daughter from Wolfe City, Texas, returned home Wednesday after a visit of a week with their cousin, Ira L. Smith.

Bud Maytubby, who for the past month or so has been an Indian Policeman on the Rock Island Railroad, has been given a leave of absence for the holidays, which he is now spending among his Blue County friends.

The Presbyterian Church Sunday School will give a Christmas tree at the church Christmas Eve night.

Married: E. W. Corley left last Friday for his old home at Timpson, Texas to visit and on Wednesday evening was there married to Miss Lillie Brown of that place. Mr. Corley is a most excellent young man, is the junior member of the firm of Monroe & Corley, who during his residence here has made many friends who wish them all the happiness this life affords. They will arrive in Caddo this evening and will make their home here. 

Sun Up Recital, 1929

As always I am astounded by what is available on the internet and a quick Google search provided me with more information on the Sun Up play mentioned below. 

 

The Caddo Herald

July 5, 1929

Sun-Up Recital

 

The dramatic speech recital “Sun Up” given by Miss Dot Smith on last Friday night at the High School auditorium was a decided success from every standpoint. Miss Smith, in her talented way, portrayed each character giving a vivid picture of the life and ways of the Caroline mountain folk. Miss Smith wore a dress of sundown orange and sunup gold. She has just finished her four years work in the College of Industrial Arts in Denton, Texas and Caddo is proud of her accomplishments. Numbers were rendered by the orchestra composed of Miss Juanita Rogers, Messrs. Tom Gross, Horace and Grady Sargent. The Woman’s missionary Society extends thanks to Miss Smith and the orchestra for this enjoyable evening’s program.