The Wapanucka Press Jul 1903 - Johnston County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Mary Achterhof 2 Mar 2008 Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.org/ok/johnston/johnston.htm ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm ========================================================================= TheWapanucka Press, 2 July 1903 LOCAL ITEMS Eli Roberts attended to business at Lehigh at Coalgate Thursday. Edgar Walton transacted business in Ardmore last Friday. J. K. Dixon of Wapanucka is here of business this week. Ravia Tribune Harry Byers, A. G. Summerfield and Mr. Jennings attended a dance at Lehigh Thursday night. Mrs. John Hanney, of Van Austyne, Texas, was here this week to attend the bedside of her sick mother, Mrs. T. B. Murphey. Misses India Lindsay, Dora Ball and Lula Ball of Wapanucka, are visiting Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Tyhes at the Grand Avenue this week. Ravia Tribune Mrs. T. B. Murphey who has been very sick for several weeks is much better, so reports Dr. Laura E. Burton. Gordon F. Kirkpatrick, brother of Rev. R. F. Kirkpatrick, came home last Thursday from Fredericksburg College, Virginia, for summer vacation. Mrs. D. O. Bosley is sick this week. S. L. Barnes attended to insurance business at Roff Tuesday. M. C. Bledsoe left last week for Ada and other points north. B. F. Stroud and L. M. Ralph attended to business at Atoka yesterday. Twin babies, a girl and a boy were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lorene Ray near Byrne last Saturday. Dr. B. C. Cunninham visiting at Coalgate and South McAlester Friday. Miss Smith, of Haileyville, spent Sunday in the city, the guest of the Misses O’Neals. Miss Nora Clay is visiting friends and relatives in Chickasha this week. Dr. E. O. Loomis who has been suffering with rheumatism for several days is reported as some better. Charles Morgan, a prominent merchant of Ego, was attending to business in the city yesterday. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Henchie left Monday for Sulphur Springs where they are spending the week. E. W. Chastain, a prominent farmer of Boggy Depot, was attending to business in the city yesterday, Livingston Read who has been attending Fredericksburg College, at Fredericksburg, Virginia returned home last week and will spend the summer with his mother, Mrs. J. J. Read. The valuable present for being the most beautiful young lady trading on the sale day Saturday, June 27, at Harry Byers was received by Novela Murphey. Rev. W. J. Downing, pastor of the Missionary Baptist Church of Tishomingo will preach at the arbor in this city tonight. Rev. Downing has a reputation as being a speaker of ability, and no doubt he will be greeted by a large congregation. Everybody cordially invited. George Winkler, the expert organ and piano tuner, of Durant, is here this week getting the musical instruments of the city, which have been out of sorts, in good shape. He has tuned the instruments at the homes of Dr. Loomis, J. G. Riley and T. J. Chamberlin and they are highly pleased with his good work. Mr. Snider, prominent merchant of Boggy Depot, was attending to business in the city yesterday. Will Henegar and wife are here this week visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Henegar. Mrs. W. H. Ball returned from Corsicana, Texas, last Thursday, where she had been on a visit to relatives. Rev. C. Newton Martin pastor of the First Christian Church, will preach at the arbor next Sunday. All are cordially invited to attend. Nathan Byers, of Lehigh, was here last Saturday assisting his brother, Harry Byers, in conducting the great special sale. Rev. R. F. Kirkpatrick, R. T. Ball, Misses Berthie Ball and Lillia Read left Monday for Sulphur Springs, where they will spend several days. T. J. McCurdy was in from Wiley last Monday. Mrs. W. P. Booker and children are visiting relatives at Caddo this week. Mr. L. B. Worcaster held the lucky number and got the bowl and pitcher at Harry Byers. The L. U. B. Society gave an entertainment at the home of Mrs. W. W. Patten lat Thursday night. WRITING CONTEST Mrs. J. M. Ramsey received the p[air of shoes given free, by Harry Byers for writing 510 time, “Harry Byers sells Friedman Shoes” on a U. S. Postal Card. Mrs. L. P. Patton, living a mile and a half southeast of Ravia was shocked by lightning one evening recently and severely injured. The bolt struck near her home and shocked her into insensibility. She was jut convalescent from a broken leg and fell to the floor. A daughter was also rendered unconscious but was not severely hurt. KILLED BY PLAYMATE Youth Shot Through the Heart in Accidental Manner Madill: While out fishing and swimming, Willie Benge, was 15 or 16 years old, was accidentally shot through the heart and died in a very few minutes, only speaking four or five words. Some six or seven of the small boys were out from this city for an evening g of sport and had just come out of their bath and put on their clothes when they began shooting at each other’s hats, when one of the boys went to raise his gun to shoot it went off at the proper range to strike the boy in lower part of the heart, killing him almost instantly. MURDERER ASSERTED Body of Leonard Lamb Found on Railroad Track Terribly Mangled Hobart: Leonard Lamb, a prominent Oklahoman, was found dead on the railroad track at Washita Junction, terribly mangled by the cars. It is asserted that he was murdered and his body placed on the track. Five persons have been arrested on suspicion. In the government land lottery at El Reno two years ago Lamb drew one of the most valuable tracts in the territory, being number two in the El Reno district. He selected his land adjoining Hobart, and it has since become very valuable. Hs brother, Charles Lamb, recently moved to Guthrie from this city. VIOLA ITEMS – June 29 Elder A. Springer is on the sick list. G. T. Austin is in very bad health. Mr. Woens and family of Franks were visiting Mr. Richardson and family last week. J. H. Long, of Franks was in town Saturday. Askew Richardson and family are visiting at Franks, this week. Mrs. Provine is visiting at Wapanucka this week. Mr. Wiggington went to Tishomingo with a load of potatoes this week. Miss Minnie Anderson was visiting Miss Emma Chapman Sunday. Judge. W. H. Jackson and family were in Viola Sunday. Mrs. Clark who has been visiting her sister, Mrs. Lannon, for two weeks, returned to her home at Ardmore last week. JESSE NEWS NOTES – June 29 Dr. and Miss Dora Halloway, of Center, were here Sunday visiting friends. Rev. Martin, pastor of the Christian church, held services here Sunday morning and evening. At the morning service four deacons were ordained. Bessie, little daughter of Mr. Frank Flippin, is quite sick with pneumonia fever. Clifton Perry, of Ada, was here last Sunday visiting friends. Miss Surrell, of Atoka, is visiting her brother, John Surrell, of this place. HUNTON NOTES Mrs. Simmons of Texas, is here visiting her son, O. E. Simmons. J. T. Hightower formerly of this place, but now a citizen of Wapanucka, was in our town yesterday, looking after his cattle and wanting to buy corn. Al McAlester of Wapanucka was in our town last week buying hogs and wanting to buy the present growing crop of corn, offering 50 cents per bushel. Dr. A. Stephenson performed a surgical operation on John Wood Tuesday. Bob Stratton and Jordon Price went to Stonewall, Saturday to a picnic. Dr. Ellis informs us that there is another girl to feed at J. T. Emerson’s weighs 13 pounds. COPE ITEMS – June 30 W. H. Hulsey and family, from Wapanucka, spent Sunday in our town. Some mischievous boy cut Burr Well’s carriage harness Sunday night at the church. We don’t think that was right boys. LOCAL ITEMS J. L. Bayne took in the sights at Tishomingo Tuesday. Rev. T. N. Moore and family, of Ego were trading in the city Monday. S. C. Walden, postmaster and prominent merchant of Coatsworth was in town on business yesterday. Mayor Barker, Clem White, W. J. Bond and Arch K. McGill returned Friday from Shawnee, O. T. where they attended the single statehood convention. The baby of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Simpson, who lives on the Reams farm south of town, died Sunday. C. E. McPherrin, of Caddo, was transacting business in our city last Saturday. Charlie is one of the coming young attorneys of this country. The Wapanucka Press, 9 July 1903 DUKES – POWERS Joe Dukes and Miss Lilia Powers were married at Tishomingo Wednesday evening of last week, Rev. F. A. Brown, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, officiating. Mr. Dukes is a son of ex-Gov. G. W. Dukes of the Choctaw Nation, and is a promising young man. Miss Powers is the accomplished daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Powers, and is one of the most popular young ladies of Wapanucka. They left for Tallihina, in the eastern part of the Choctaw Nation, which place they will make their future home. The many friends of the bride, in this city, extend to the couple hearty congratulations. COUNCIL MEETING The City Council met in regular session Monday night and transacted a considerable amount of business. Present: Barker, Riner, Gibson, Roberts, Farris; absent Juhan and Recorder J. B. Enfield. The minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. The following reports of officers and committees were call for, received and accepted. The city marshal’s report showed that $15. had been collected by fines and occupation tax during the month of June. The street commission reported that 51 men had been warned out to work on the streets, $18. of which was paid in cash and balance in work. Chairman Riner of the street and alley committee reported that the people of old town were dissatisfied because no work had been done on their streets, and gave it as his opinion that some work should be done in that part of town, for the fact that the streets over there were in bad condition. This brought up a lively discussion. Gibson and Roberts thought that the demands of these residents were contrariness and expressed themselves as against conceding to them or anyone. The matter was referred to the street and alley committee for investigation and consideration. The following bills were allowed; F. J. McKeen, city scavenger, for removing one dead shoat, one dog and one cat, $2.00. C. L. Zimmeron, work on street grader, $4.00. B. O. Criswell, City Marshal, one month’s salary, $10.00. James B. Farris, for lumber, $12.40. This bill brought up a discussion. Mr. Riner thought that the street commissioner had no authority to purchase this lumber without having been authorized by the committee. The bill was allowed after a warm discussion. Mrs. Laura Ellis for rent of city hall, $4.00. Jack Ramsey, street commission $34.00. Eli Roberts, for hardware, $4.00. J. B. Enfield, hardware, $7.12, was presented but having not been approved by the street commissioner was not allowed. Mr. Riner brought up the matter and called the attention of the sanitary committee to the frog pone of W. Z. Gibson’s on Choctaw Avenue adjoining Durham Walton & Co. store, and to the fearful water pond and slop hole under Gibson’s ice cream parlor and other buildings in that row. In accordance with this statement Mr. Gibson made a motion which was seconded by Riner that the city marshal be instructed to enforce occupants to drain the ground under buildings which they occupy. Motion carried and marshal was so instructed. An ordinance providing for compensation to the town recorder and members of the board of aldermen was read. The amount that should be made brought about a lively discussion. Roberts moved and seconded by Gibson that ordinance provide $1.50 for members of council and town recorder of regular meetings and $1.00 for call meetings, and Farris moved and Riner seconded to amend so as to read $2.00 for regular and $1.00 for call meeting. An ordinance compelling the opening of the streets and alleys was read and adopted. Council then adjourned. BURGLARY AT OLNEY The general merchandise store of Smart & Jackson at Olney, was burglarized Thursday night. The safe was blown open with dynamite and $65.00 in cash and $235.00 in checks taken out. A lot of 30 to 32 calibre cartridge were also taken from the stock. Entrance was affected by prying open the front door. The explosion was heard but a heavy rain being in progress at the time was thought to be thunder. The burglary was accomplished during the violent thunder store that night and owing to the heavy rain spoiling all tracks and traces no clue has been found. The marshals are working on the case. Olney is a small station 12 miles north of this city and is a very tough little place. LOCAL ITEMS Dr. B. C. Cunninham spent Sunday in Ardmore. W. Z. Gibson and J. F. Carpenter attended the picnic at Ada last Saturday. Dr. J. Donald Enfield who has been visiting his parents at Clarenda, Iowa, returned last Friday. J. L. Bayne made a business trip to Shawnee Saturday. Mrs. Smith of Gurtie is visiting her daughter, Mrs. C. Newton Martin, this week. Dr. Laura E. Burton visited relatives in Tishomingo Wednesday. Dr. R. W. Roach has returned from a visit to Percell and other points in the northern part of the Nation. Messrs Lee and Boles tow prominent merchants of Kittie, were attending to business in the city Monday. R. T. Morris and family of Trenton, Texas came in Saturday and are visiting the families of W. S. Johnson in the city and H. J. Jennings in Wells Valley. A baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. C. Newton Martin last Friday. Mrs. Martin is getting along reasonably well. Mrs. Cly Woods, who has been visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Barker, the past month, returned to her home at Van Buren, Arkansas Friday. COATSWORTH NEWS – July 6 Mr. Muncrief carried a load of potatoes, chickens and eggs to Coatgate this week. Mr. Walden our merchant has just received a good stock of ladies shoes. Mrs. Shamerarel has gone to Kansas to visit. Abb Kirk, of Salt Springs, was here Saturday. Vaxter Hally was trying to ride a broncho Sunday and was thrown. Clarence Caravatt tried his hand then the broncho ran through the brush with the rider and now Clarence is minus of one ear. John Moore spent the latter part of last week in Ardmore. C. E. Hook of Salt Springs was in the city Monday on business. H. C. Sissom a hustling farmer of Salt Springs was in the city Monday on business. S. J. Penson of Coalgate was in the city Saturday visiting relatives and friends. Rev. Mr. Downing, pastor of the Missionary Baptist church of Tishomingo has begun a series of meetings at the arbor. J. C. Fahrney was over from Boggy Depot Monday. He says crops in his section are looking well. Miss Willie Hall, daughter of W. M. Hall, and Daniel Taylor were married at Boggy Depot Sunday. Both are popular young people of Boggy Depot. J. W. Justus, one of the prosperous farmers of Salt Springs, was in town Monday. He says crops in his section are not looking so well. George Alyea, an elevator manager at Chickasha, shot and killed his wife and attempted to take his won life. His chances for recover are few. William Costigan, city attorney of South McAlester, died last week from the effects of an overdose of laudanum, which it is supposed he took to alleviate pain. He was found by his wife, but was too far gone for medical aid to avail anything. READ TOO MANY BOOKS Young Man Delved Into Books Too Deeply and Ruined His Mind Hobart: Ernest Adams, a young man about 22 year of age, who lives at Ernest, a post office fourteen miles southwest of Snyder has been adjudged insane and sent to the asylum for the insane at Norman. The young man, who has a wife and one child, has always been noted for h is precocity and desire for the acquisition of knowledge, and therefore delved into all kinds of books, making great efforts to store his mind with useful knowledge. Especially was this true of the Bible, which he has been studying diligently and persistently for many months. He then borrowed Ingersoll’s works of a neighbor and read them. It is thought that hard study had much to do with the dethroning of his reason. WILL DIE TOGETHER Charles Barrett and Dora Wright Ready to Die, But Hope for Commutation South McAlester: Some time between the hours of sunrise and sunset on Friday, July 17, Charles Barrett and Dora Wright will meet death together on a scaffold to be erected against the ease wall of the federal jail in this city. Preparations are now will under way for the execution. Plans for the scaffold have been accepted and will soon be turned over to the contractors. The ropes are now en route as are also the steel trap doors, invented and manufactured by the Pauley Jail Company, of St. Louis. The scaffold proper will be eighteen feet high and of heavy pine. It will have two traps, so that both prisoners will be dropped into eternity at the same instant. The traps will be steel. Each one has two steel plate doors, which form a small square in the center of the scaffold. The prisoner stands on these plates. The rope is fixed to the brace above, the black cap drawn down and the signal given. The hangman jerks a small lever and the steel trap, or flooring, parts in the center and falls downward, where each side is caught by a spring. The prisoner falls ten feet. The scaffold will be reached by a stairway at the north side of the structure. In case the condemned collapse, they will be strapped to boards and held in an upright position on the trap. The distasteful duty of overseeing the execution falls upon Chief Deputy Marshal F. S. Genung, who will personally supervise the executions. The hangman has not been selected, neither have his assistants. Mr. Genung has been familiarizing himself with the gruesome work at St. Louis and Washington. Ropes will be stretched around the scaffold to prevent a crush of invited spectators. Invitations will be issued to a few outside members of the press and officials. Carpenters are now completing a small building in the jail yard, which will contain two cells for the condemned. The prisoners will be confined there until the execution and a death watch will be put over them as soon as the change is made. Barrett is now the sole inhabitant of the hospital building and is closely watched. The Wright woman is confined in the female ward with other women. Charles Barrett says he is ready to die. He protests that he is innocent of the murder of old John Hennessey, and says that God has forgiven him of all sins. He still has hope of commutation, although his minister and guards have repeatedly told him that there is little or not hope. The Wright woman says she has religion and is ready to die, but she insists that the whipping she inflicted upon her child did not produce death. She, too is hopeful of a commutation to life imprisonment. SALT SPRINGS BRIEFS – July 6 N. Adams is visiting his son at Coalgate this week. C. E. Hook’s family are visiting Rev. H. P. Hook near Wapanucka this week. H. C. Sissom was at Wapanucka Monday. Mr. Springer and Uncle Tom Burch were at Wapanucka Monday on business. B. L. White of Butler, O. T, is here this week, visiting his sons, Will and J. W. White. HUNTON NOTES – July 8 A little orphan girl died at James Allen’s Saturday night. Princtice Gay has a fine hog at his house. Tom Whisenant has a chick in the shape of a mole with no eyes, also a pig in the shape of a chicken with only two feet. M. J. Moran and wife are visiting at Jesse. Frank Driggers let a team of mules run away with him last Sunday. He has not found the mules. Mr. Bryant will start for Wyoming today, where he will resume his old position as foreman of a cow ranch. C. A. Skeen, cattle king, banker, merchant, stump speaker and philosopher, of Wapanucka, is gathering the H. K. cattle in his section which he bought of Hogan Keel this week. Ray Kindred has bloomed out as a veterinary surgeon of the first water. COPE ITEMS – July 8 Mr. Frank Hargrove, one of the many successful Salt Springs farmers, was in Cope Monday. Prof. Harris of Ravia gave us a musical entertainment Tuesday night. He will teach a singing school here in the near future. John White and sister, Miss Maud of Texas, are visiting their brothers and family W. R. White this week. They will spend the summer here. Our merchant, W. R. White, says his business is going on at a good rate, in spite of the floods. He keeps a good goods. VIOLA ITEMS – July 8 The big rains Friday night and Saturday morning did considerable damage to crops in this section. Delaware River rose higher than before in many years, spreading out over the bottoms, washing fencing and destroying crops. Miles brothers are the greatest affected losing 10 head of hogs, one cow and about 1400 binds of oats, besides a considerable amount of fencing and damage to crop. W. T. Wiggington was the next worst hurt. The water spread over his field like a raging river, carrying trees, logs and drifts before I, Washington away fencing and damaging his crop. Messrs Kennedy and Lanam were damaged considerably, losing fencing, and cotton crop almost destroyed. We hear of great numbers of others who were damaged considerably. The young folks had a very nice little singing in Viola Sunday night, Dr. German and Warden Williams leading. The doctor was a little hoarse and Warden’s best girl was “there” which caused him some embarrassment, however, the did splendidly. The Wapanucka Press, 16 July 1903 PLEASANTLY ENTERTAINED Last Sunday afternoon Dr. Laura E. Burton and Mrs. May Robertson spent several hours with Mrs. Underwood and her four lovely daughters, at their beautiful home east of town, and were pleasantly entertained. They had all the nice apples they could eat and brought home with them, and each bringing home a lovely bouquet. Mrs. Underwood has two crab apple trees laiden with apples and they make the most delicious jelly imaginable. Ladies, if you want nice jelly for the winter you had better get some of the nice crab apples, as they are now ripe and will soon be gone. Oh! we forgot to speak of the little “tarrapin” which ladies brought home. You see you can find anything from crab apples to terrapins at Mrs. Underwood’s. The terrapins went to the Square Hotel. We would suggest, possibly they had fine turtle soup for dinner Sunday at the Square. LOCAL ITEMS R. C. Tate made a business trip to Oklahoma City Sunday. A. W. Taylor visited relatives at Tecumseh, O. T. last week. W. A. Franc our popular jeweler and optician, made a business trip to Byrne Friday. Col. W. H. Jackson was in from Viola Tuesday. G. W. Day was transacting business in Coalgate Tuesday. Clarence Ellis came in from Holdenville Tuesday. J. H. Thomason and family of Jesse were in the city Saturday visiting relatives. D. Kennedy is having a well bored on his property occupied by the English Kitchen. W. O. Salmon cashier of the First National Bank, attended to business at Owl Monday. Dr. Cunningham was called home last Friday on account of the illness of his mother at Dardenelle, Arkansas. A fine baby boy was born to Rev. and Mrs. G. W. Day Wednesday night of last week, Mrs. Emma Blake who lives on Wilson farm five miles east of town has returned from several weeks stay at Hartshorne. Don W. Sowers has returned from Iowa, where he had a most pleasant time, visiting parents and friends. W. H Ritchey, the Missouri banker and capitalist, was in the city the first of the week, the guest of Mr. and Mrs. L. Fountain. J. E. Benson, our popular drayman, has received his new dray wagon. It is a bute and Benson is well pleased with it. J. B. Ream, Deputy United States court clerk at Tishomingo, was here Sunday visiting his mother, Mrs. A. J. Addington and brother, R. L. Ream. Ban Bosley returned from Col. R. McLish’s ranch Monday where he did some tin work. Col. McLish has a very lovely home out there, The fine dwelling house which L. P. Agnew is building for Col. W. H. Jackson, on his farm near Viola, will soon be completed and will be one of the most handsome and convenient houses in this section of country. In the contest for the prize offered by the Glad Tidings Remedy Co. last week Miss Flora Benson won over Mrs. B. O. Criswell for the lady prize and Ludie Stephenson won over Leona Ream in the contest for baby present. They are both handsome presents and highly prized by the winners. G. R. Gambel, father of Mrs. L. Fountain, who is spending the summer here for his health, is not getting along so well. He had been improving greatly since in the city but the old trouble came back on him the last few days. A fine baby boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Ridley who live north of town Friday night. Mrs. Stamps, of Texas, who is visiting her son, Dr. O. J. Stamps has been sick for several days. Mat White and Dr. Taylor have just had a well bored on their property on Choctaw Avenue and struck an abundant supply of water. Frank Juhan and family, Misses McSpadden and Thurman, George W. Bradley and Edgar Walton spent Tuesday and Wednesday on Blue River, in pursuit of the little fishes. They had quite a nice time. Charles M. Witter, one of the prominent business me of Coalgate, was in the city Friday, looking after his property in East end. Mr. Witter thinks that Wapanucka has a flattering future. The death of Mrs. M. L. Given, wife of Rev. Given, a Presbyterian minister of Chickasha, is reported from Madison, Connecticut, where she was in a sanitarium. KILLED AT SOUTH McALESTER One Man Shot to Death and Two Others Wounded South McAlester: William Wilson of South McAlester was shot and killed and William Frazee of Coalgate and John McShane of McAlester were badly wounded by some unknown men at the Krebs baseball park. McShane and Frazee stat that the trio were riding in a buggy when some persons drove up behind them and began shooting into the buggy without a word of altercation or any warning. Wilson was shot just below the heart and died instantly. The other two men received body wounds and one of Frazee's fingers was shot off. Wilson whose mother lives here, worked on the Katy railroad. The unknown men did not stop to see the result of their shots, but drove on. None of them were identified, but deputy marshals have gone in search of them. FIGHT AT HARTSHORNE Woman is Killed and a Man Probably Fatally Injured South McAlester: As a result of a fight between two men and their wives at Hartshorne, Mrs. George Hart is dead and W. C. Cole is lying perhaps fatally wounded at All Saints Hospital here and George Hart and Mrs. W. C. Cole are in the federal jail where they were lodged to wait the termination of the injuries to their respective spouses. The two women met and had a difficulty. The trouble brought the husbands of the women to the scene and a general fight with pistols followed with the result stated. Hart and Cole are miners and both they and their wives have been on a very intimate terms until a short time ago. Hart was taken from the jail to the hospital to witness an operation of his wife. She died a few minutes after the completion of the operation. L. M. Clark, near Ardmore, while whipping his wife, was stabbed with a pocket knife by his 18 year old son. Clark is in a precarious condition. L. C. Ball was at Birds Mill on business Monday. Mrs. T. J. Chamberlin is sick this week. R. E. Odem left yesterday for Surprise, Tennessee, where he goes to spend several weeks with old homefolks. J. W. Riley is still in Ardmore undergoing treatment for his eyes. His many friends will be glad to learn that his eyes are being successfully treated. Miss Mae Harrison who has been teaching music at Newburg, Missouri can in last Wednesday and will make her home with her father J. E. Harrison at the Square Hotel. Miss Harrison is an accomplished musician and will teach here. COATSWORTH NEWS – July 14 Wilburn Kelley was thrown by a horse last week and his shoulder was broken in two places. You have heard of fishy stories. Abe Epperson tells the fishiest fish story of the season. He says he went fishing on Blue River a few days ago and caught a fish which weighed 28 lbs. From the looks of his cotton patch we should think it weighed a hundred pounds. The young people were royally entertained last Friday night at a sociable and ice cream supper at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Crude Jackson. A swell time is reported by all who attended. The young people had a nice singing at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Cravatt Sunday evening. Mrs. Lilia Dukes is visiting her parents this week, Mr. and Mrs. Powers. R. F. Jones and Wyatt Tanner have bought out the butcher shop of J. T. Kelley on Main Street. VIOLA ITEMS Dr. Provine returned home Monday from Texas. Glen Miles made a flying trip to Texas this week. Walter Simpson and Ben Burch have gone to Coalgate. W. D. Kennedy and family are attending the 83rd birthday celebration of Mr. Kennedy’s father. Uncle Billy Cribbs was in town Saturday and reports a good crop and clean. Uncle Billy is an up to day farmer. C. E. Hook of Salt Springs has a very sick child. W. E. Dickson and family were visiting Mr. Hamsley at Hunton, Saturday and Sunday. The Wapanucka Press, 23 July 1903 NEW STONE BUILDING Wednesday, Byrne Statler, of Byrne, awarded the contract for the erection of a magnificent two story building, 50 x 100, at the corner of Choctaw and Sixth to Fred Schnider. The corner room on the lower story has been leased and will be built especially for the Wapanucka Banking & Trust Co. The other lower story will be used for a store room and upper story for office rooms. This will be one of the best buildings in the city when finished. PALACE MEAT MARKET R. F. Jones has opened up a new meat market on Main Street, in the old townsite office. He has fitted the place with new tools, put in a brand new refrigerator, and employed Mr. Woods to cut meat which assures good treatment and liberal accommodations to the patrons. Mr. Jones will carry the very best meats of all kinds and will be always on hand to serve his customers in the right way. We predict a successful business for Mr. Jones. A GRAND SUCCESS The Old Settlers’ picnic and barbecue, which was held at Wapanucka on Tuesday and Wednesday, was one of the best and most successful events ever given in this section of country. Fully eight thousand people were in attendance each day, and an enjoyable time was had by all. By 8 o’clock each morning they began rolling in on trains, in wagons, hacks, buggies, carriages, some bare back and some toot-back. By 11 o’clock every available space seemed to have been filled to its full capacity; streets everywhere were rammed and jammed with wagons and people, making it almost impossible to pass. Excursion trains were run from all points on the Choctaw Road and every in-coming train brought in several car loads of people, all the towns between Haileyville and Ardmore being represented. The Harly Institute band furnished the music. The old soldiers marched from the Skeen hall to the grounds, and after arriving and listening to a “toot” or two by the band, were addressed by Judge C. A. Skeen, who made one of the best speeches of his life followed by Rev. C. Newton Martin in a grand oratorical effort. It being 12 o’clock and fourteen beeves, mutton and porkers having been barbecued, carved and spread upon the table together with all other good things that go in to make up a good dinner, the people were invited to eat, and eat they did. The meet was well barbecued, and after all had eaten there was enough left to have feed another such crowd. D. Kennedy who had charge of the dinner is to be congratulated on the good judgement displayed in managing his part so well. In the afternoon Lehigh and Tishomingo crossed bats at the City Park, and it was one of the warmest games of the season, but Lehigh just “wasn’t” there with the goods, and Tishomingo easily carried off the $100 purse in nine innings with the result of 5 to nothing. At the very first the Wapanucka spectators were determined that if in their power Lehigh should have the game. They yelled, boosted and shouted at every successful play made by the team from our sister city, but it did no good, for Tishomingo seemed to have gone in to win and win she did. At 5:30 Prof. Hailey ascended from mother earth in a balloon. He made a parachute leap from the balloon, which was a very daring feat to perform. There were skin games. Red lemonade and other things galore on the grounds each day. Dr. “Booze” was there and did a little business with the boys, but nothing happened during the whole two days to mar the pleasure of the crowd. The special events, Wednesday, the second day was an address at 10:30 by G. H. Alexander, Grand Secretary of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Alexander made a very interesting address on Odd Fellowship. In the afternoon, Hon. J. H. Wilkins, District Attorney for the Central District, delivered a strong address on temperance. At 3:30 in the afternoon, Ardmore and Wapanucka crossed bats at the City Park. Ardmore easily won the game, making a score of 16 to 5. Lehigh people were well represented in the grand stand and they all, like Wapanucka had stood to their boys the previous day, boosted for Wapanucka, but without results. And thus one of the best barbeques and picnic ever held in the Indian Territory ended. It was a great success both days, and all who attended have nothing but praise for Wapanucka. The crowd was very orderly considering the size, only two arrests being made during the two days. Chief Marshal Criswell had a strong force of extra police, and it is to himself and them that credit is due for the excellent order maintained. SHOOTS HIS ASSAILANT South McAlester: Through a peculiar blunder William Mickle, posseman to Deputy Marshal Robert Fortune, lost his leg and may lose it life. T he deputy and posseman were scouring the woods near Wilburton for a whiskey peddler. In the dark each mistook the other for the outlaw and in the fight which followed Fortune shot Mickle and the leg necessitating amputation. E. J. BALL (photo in paper) The above is a correct likeness of E. J. Ball, one of the strongest business men of Wapanucka, and one of the many men who came to this country in pioneer days and made good success. Mr. Ball has been connected with every enterprise looking to the advancement of Wapanucka. He is manager for the Wapanucka Trading Co., the largest mercantile house in this section of the Territory. He owns considerable property here and has just completed one of the handsomest residences in the city. LOCAL ITEMS Clarence Colbert of near Nail, attended the picnic Wednesday. Judge Crowell transacted business in Coalgate Thursday before the commissioners court. Capt. A. A. Faulk left today for Athens, Texas, where he goes to visit his brother, Senator J. J. Faulk. Miss Hattie Lloyd, a beautiful young lady of Bennington, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. A. A. Taylor, this week. Presiding Elder Hunkapiller of the M. E. Church South, is in the city from Atoka today. B. H. Colbert, United States Marshal for the Southern District, was over from Tishomingo this week taking in the picnic. Kirby Purdom, president of the Chickasaw Bank at Tishomingo, was taking in the picnic Tuesday and Wednesday. Misses Nellie and Marie Royle, accompanied by Lewis Mitchem, Mrs. Ed Bond, Miss Sue Carter, Fred Price. Mr. and Mrs. Will Aimes, Miss Bessie Powers and a number of others from Lehigh, were visiting friends and attending the picnic Tuesday and Wednesday. Author Juhan and wife visited relatives in Ardmore Sunday. Dr. Pierson attended to business at Milburn Monday. Dr. Laura E. Burton made a visit to Tishomingo Monday. Mrs. A. J. Addington and daughter, Miss Carnes, are visiting relatives in Washington City. Mrs. Aikin, of Conway, Arkansas was here this week, visiting her father, J. N. Walton. C. J. Durham and wife, of Conway, Arkansas were here this week visiting his brother, E. A. Durham. Sam McClendon, who has been living east of Atoka for the last six months, has returned home. Col. John M. Hodges was out from Atoka the first of the week, looking after his business interest here, R. T. Ball returned from Kansas City Saturday where he went with a car load of cattle. George White, formerly of Wapanucka but now of Roff, was here this week taking in the picnic. Miss Malissa Nelson, who has been visiting at the home of E. J. Ball for the past week, returned to her home at Sulphur Sunday. Miss Jesse Tynes a beautiful and accomplished young lady of Ravia, is visiting Miss Lindsey and Misses Balls this week. W. M. Harkins, one of the prominent citizens and land owners of Boggy Depot, was in the city Monday on business. Misses Imogene Miller and Tena Guy, two beautiful and accomplished young ladies of Sulphur, are the guest of the Misses Balls and Miss Lindsay this week. Misses Stella Woods and Kate Hord, two beautiful young ladies of Denison, Texas were here this week visiting their relatives, J. H. Woods, and taking in the picnic. Miss Rosa Boettger, a fair young lady of Kentucky, is the guest of her cousin, Mrs. Lon Edge. She will remain during the summer. Ben and Nathan Byers, brothers to Harry S. Tobias, all of Lehigh, and M. Joseph and daughters, of Coalgate, were here Tuesday taking in the barbecue. Wilburn Montgomery who has been living in Arkansas for several months returned to Wapanucka this week. Mrs. F. M. Jackson has been visiting her children at Utica. C. C. Bene of Boggy Depot was here Wednesday. John Surrell and wife, of Jesse, were here during the week taking in the barbecue. V. L. Cofer, a prominent farmer of Salt Springs was in the city Wednesday. He sends the Press his son, F. L. Cofer, at Grand Saline, Texas. Price Statler, a prominent merchant of Jesse, was here Tuesday taking in the barbecue. COPE ITEMS – July 22 Messers Howard, Hargrove and Sissom of Salt Springs were in town yesterday. They report good crops in that neighborhood. Miss Maud White has returned to her home at Ennis, Texas, after several weeks visit with her brother W. R. White and family. Mr. Thompson of the eastern part of the Choctaw Nation, was visiting Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Bond east of town this week and taking in the picnic. HUNTON NEWS – July 22 Wilburn Kelley, who happened to the misfortune of getting his collar bone broken last week, is improving. Mrs. Jeff Howard has not yet returned and that fellow, Howard, looks rather blue on account of baching. Grandma Whiteside is on the sick list this week. Oscar Wood has returned to Hunton. He thinks Hunton the best place yet. The Wapanucka Press, 30 July 1903 Mr. L. B. Rutherford, the auctioneer who conducted the sale of the A. Telle property at the Telle Ranch near Byrne a few days ago has received a letter from the administrator thanking him very much on the success of the sale. Mr. Rutherford realized $500 more and above the appraised value of the property. Everything brought good prices and Mr. Ruthereford’s service as auctioneer is very much appreciated by the administrators of the estate. Miss Alice, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. W. Williams, who has been very sick with fever, is better, so reports Dr. Renegar. Dr. Renegar reports a boy of Mr. Lewis, who lives north of town, as very sick. LOCAL ITEMS Mrs. Mike Leonard and little daughter were up from Ray yesterday. George W. Bradley attended to business at South McAlester Saturday. Miss May McGee, of Corsicana, Texas, is the guest of her cousin, Miss Bessie Smith. C. S. Walden, the genial postmaster and merchant of Coatsworth was in the city on business Monday. Mr. Walden send the Press to his brother, L. W. Walden, Brown’s Mill Miss. C. E. Hook, that hustling farmer of Salt Springs community, was attending to business in the city Monday. He says crops in his neighborhood are very promising. He says with another good rain soon the Salt Springs country will make a bumper corn crop. S. H. Musgrave who has been conducting a general merchandise business in the M. P. Skeen building on Main Street, has assigned for the benefit of creditors. The doors of the store were closed last Saturday morning. Miss Georgia McSpadden, the beautiful lady who has been visitin her sister, Mrs. C. L. Witte, for several weeks, returned to her home at Witchita Falls, Texas, Tuesday. Miss McSpadden gained a warm place in the hearts of many of our young people during her stay and all hope for her return. Judge Charles M. Crowell left last Sunday for Ardmore and has not yet returned. Miss Mamie Whelche who has been very sick at the home of G. M. Stobaugh is much better. Dr. Renegar has very successfully treated her. Dr. Renegar went up to Byrne yesterday to see a Miss Hawkins who is very sick. Drs. A. W. and Laura E. Burton took in the Tishomingo reunion Friday. Judge Skeen and daughter, Miss Cora, took in the reunion at Tishomingo Thursday. Mrs. Laumaun, of Hickory, is in the city, visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Howell. Miss Hattie Hunkapillar, of Atoka, was the guest of Miss Ella Nixon last week. Rev. C. H. Hyde, of Cordele, Georgia, is the guest of Rev. R. F. Kirkpatrick this week. Little Dorothy Mitchel, little niece of Dr. Burton, of Great Falls, Montana, is here this week. Eli Roberts has moved into his new dwelling house which has just been completed in the northeast part of town. Mrs. B. W. Boyt of Pauls Valley is here this week visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Williams. Mrs. Kennedy and daughter from McLoud, Oklahoma, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Howell. B. F. Hargrove was in from Cope country Saturday. He says crop prospects are very good in his settlement. A child of Neal Williams of Salt Spring prairie was buried at the Wells Valley grave yard Monday evening. Fever was the cause of its death. W. M. Freeman and family of Pauls Valley, are in the city this week visiting Mrs. Freeman’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Williams. Mrs. E. J. Hysmith and daughter, Miss Dasie, of Keller, Texas, and Miss Mary Lou Hysmith, of Cotton Plant, Arkansas, are here this week visiting agent Hysmith and wife. Rev. D. A. Williams and family and niece, Miss Flocie Witten, of Alamogordo, New Mexico, are here this week visiting Mr. Williams parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Williams. Miss Maud Poole of Council Bluff, Iowa, sister to Mrs. W. N. Barker, and cousin, Miss Jenettee Poole, of Omaha, Nebraska, accompanied by their friend, Miss Gussie England, of Van Buren, Arkansas, are in the city this week, guests at the home of Capt. and Mrs. W. N. Barker. SANTA FE WRECK Two Trains on Santa Fe Crash Near Ardmore Flagman Fell Asleep An Let Train By A Local Freight Ran Into a Pile Driver Train – Three Men Seriously Injured – Flagman Arrested, by Afterwards Released Ardmore: The north bound local freight on the Santa Fe ran into a pile driver fourteen miles south of Ardmore Friday, causing a serious wreck and injuring several of both crews, some very badly. The seriously injured: George Champion, fireman of pile driver, injured internally and lower limbs paralyzed. Recovery doubtful. Dan Hoyt, engineer of pile driver; very badly crushed, will probably die. Tom Moore, workman on pile driver, internal injuries and crushed, may not recover. The engineer, fireman and brakeman of the local jumped from the train before the collision. E. C. Harris, a flagman had been sent down the track to warn approaching trains, but went to sleep and allowed the local to pass. Just before reaching Little Hickory Creek where the pile driver was at work, there is a sharp curve; so that the freight crew did not see the danger until too late. They then jumped from the cab, almost as the collision came and were all badly bruised, some of the wreckage falling on them. All of the injured were brought to this city and were taken to the Santa Fe hospital at Temple, The flagman was arrested and given an examination before Commissioner Robnett, but was released. HUNTON NOTES – July 28 John Whiteside’s baby died Saturday night and was buried today. John Kirkpatrick has another boy at his house. John is helping his neighbors this week to clean out their crops free of charge. Hough Williams has a girl at his house. Joe Stratton and Harvey Elark (Clark?) are here this week from Hope, Arkansas, the guest of Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Stratton. Bee robbing is all M. Y. Moran has to do these hot days. There will be a grave yard started the next time a horse gets into Levi Rickey’s corn field. Dr. Henry Ellis performed a surgical operation on Mrs. Ashley over in the Pontotoc settlement a few days ago. Mrs. J. G. Riley and children are visiting relatives in Milan County, Texas this week. D. A. Jackson, a prominent farmer of near Oconee was attending to business in the city yesterday. Mrs. Bud Johnson left yesterday for Shawnee where she goes to visit several days with friends. Lawyer Mullens, of Ardmore, is visiting relatives and friends at this place and Boggy Depot for several days this week. Dr. Renegar says that the daughter of Mr. Matlock of Wells Valley who has been very sick is better. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.org/ok/johnston/johnston.html