Caddo- My Home Town

New Year, 1917

The Caddo Herald

January 5, 1917

Music Club Banquet

            One of the most brilliant social events of the season was the six-course dinner given by the Music Club at the Royal Hotel on New Year’s evening.

            Covers were laid for eighty. Promptly at seven-thirty the doors were opened and the guests were greeted by a burst of splendid music by the orchestra which played throughout the evening. 

            The dining room was decorated with an abundance of carnations, the club flower. Much merriment preceded the names on the dainty little palace cards; after all were seated Mrs. Bilbo, president of the Fourth District, acted as the toastmistress, and in her most gracious manner gave a short welcome address, followed by the club singing “You’re as welcome as the Flowers in May”.

            After the first course Mrs. Ed F. Brown, past president of the Music Club, was introduced and gave a history and a toast to the club and the New Year in a most charming manner, which was heartily responded to by all.

            After the next course the dearly beloved president, Miss Phyllis Hancock, was introduced, who in a modest, capable way gave an outline of the present workings in club life.

After the third course Mr. W. F. Dodd, one of the club husbands who in all the seventeen years of club life in Caddo, has never failed to respond to all the demands made upon him, gave a splendid talk on “Fellowship”.

            After this “The Sweetest Music on Earth”, a woman’s tongue, a string which has no discord, was aptly and amply proven by a dainty little reading by Miss Mary Odell Mitchell.

After the next course John L. Boland, on behalf of the young men of Caddo, in an able manner, invited all guests present to attend the New Year’s ball at the McCoy building immediately following the dinner.

            After the last course, most of the guests having made known their wishes, the invitation was accepted by leaving the room all singing, “There’ll be a good time in the old town tonight.”

            The dinner was served by the young daughters of the club members in a very capable manner. Much of the success of the dinner was due to the efforts of Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Manning, Mr. Kuschke and Mr. Mills. 

Cereal, 1915

Fire Danger, 1918

Butler Smiser

Sooner State Press (Norman)

April 18, 1942

Butler S. Smiser, Early-Day Editor, Claimed by Death

Founder of Indian Citizen in 1886 Dies at Atoka;

Paper Was Printed in English and Choctaw Languages

            Butler S. Smiser, prominent figure in Indian Territory journalism and founder of the Indian Citizen at Atoka in 1886, died April 8 at his home near Atoka after an illness of several months. He was 79 years old.

            Smiser was born in Oldham County, Ky, in 1862 and was educated in that state. He moved to Atoka in 1883, serving as superintendent of schools until 1886. Later he taught for a year at McAlester and then returned to Atoka, where he purchased the Atoka Independent with Capt. James S. Standley.

Paper Begun in 1886

            The Independent was merged with the Lehigh News and the name was changed to the Indian Citizen, which made its appearance in May, 1886. Smiser was assisted in the publication of the paper by his wife, Mrs. Norma Standley Smiser, daughter of Standley.

            Smiser was connected with the paper until his appointment to the Choctaw townsite board in 1898, when Mrs. Smiser assumed full management of the paper. In the early days the Indian Citizen was published in both Choctaw and English. Mrs. Smiser was editor for seven years.

Headed Press Group

                The Indian Citizen was consolidated with the Atoka Democrat about 1905, and the paper ahs been published since as the Atoka Indian Citizen-Democrat.

                Smiser served as president of the Indian Territory Press association in 1896, and his wife later occupied the office of secretary.

                Smiser was a member of the Indian Territory Bar association and served as county clerk under the Choctaw government. He entered the ministry in 1915, becoming pastor at Morris, then Caddo, and later Laredo, Tex. At the time of his death he was supply minister of the Atoka Christian church.

                Surviving relatives include his widow and several children.

Family Notes:

The Caddo Herald

October 27, 1916

All Were at Home

Last Sunday there was a family reunion at the home of Mr. and Mrs. B. S. Smiser. Their five sons, only daughter and three grandbabies were there. Mr. A. S. Farnham and daughter, Norma, from Marble Rock, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. B. Stirman Smiser of Ft. Worth, Mr. and Mrs. Garnet Smiser and little daughter, Kathryne and Marie, of Caddo; Ira M. Smiser of Durant; Posey B. Smiser of Philadlephia, and Master Jerome, who is still under the parental roof, composed the party.           

It was a glad day to the parents thus again to have around the fireside their family intact and in good health.

There is a lengthy “Biographical Sketch” of Mr. Smiser’s life in the Indian Citizen-Democrat, June 27, 1940.

The Owensboro Messenger (KY)

April 11, 1942

                Butler Smiser, who formerly resided here, died at his home in Atoka, Okla. Tuesday. Surviving are the widow, five sons, a daughter, five grandchildren, a great grandchild; two brothers, L. G. Smiser, Owensboro; and John Smiser, Newburg; and three sisters, Miss Laura Smiser, and Mrs. Emma Lewis, Owesnboro; and Mrs. Anna Cox, Indianapolis. Funeral services and burial took place in Atoka.

Last Week

 

Scam, 1910

This was on the front page of the Reno Gazette, December 14, 1910

Getting Ready for Christmas, 1899

Golden Racket Store

1899

1901

D. A. Mounts owned the store. 

 

Soldier, 1943

Daily Democrat

June 29, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Hogan of Blue have received the following letter from their son, Pvt. Freeman C. Hogan. This is the first letter received from him since he left the States.

Dearest Family: I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I’m still alive and doing swell and I hope all of you are the same. I am on a very nice ship and we have pretty good food to eat. We also have a P.X. where we buy the things we need, such as candy, cookies, cigarettes, and toilet articles. We have a place where we can buy our cold drinks too.

Well, so far I haven’t been seasick and I hope I never will be. We have a few USO shows on the ship and have lots of fun. The best thing they have is a church. You can also go to church.

There are a few boys who know how to play different kinds of instruments and we go to sleep sometimes singing.

Mother when you write to me use the address which I have given you on the envelope.

Well, I’ve written all I know to write so be real sweet and please answer soon.

With love, from your son and brother, Coolidge Hogan.