Beckham County, OK - Obits: Franklin H. Dice, 1927
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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DICE, FRANKLIN H.
(24 Mar 1927, Sayre Headlight, Sayre, Beckham Co, OK):
The above words, written by Franklin H. Dice, upon the death of his
grandson, Dice Francis, on June 8, 1920, seem especially applicable to his
passing away on March 24, 1927, at Amarillo, Texas.
Franklin H. Dice was born in Pendleton county, West Virginia, on September
15, 1839 and departed this life on March 24, 1927, at the home of his
daughter, Mrs. R. B. Francis, at Amarillo, Texas.  Interment was had at
Elk City on Friday March 25.  Mr. Dice was married on May 12, 1861, to
Miss Mary A. Andrew in Rockingham county, Virginia; to this union five
children were born; four of whom survive.
Mr. Dice was a member of the Franklin Guards, and upon the declaration of
war between the states, was mustered into service on May 16, 1861 - just
four days after his marriage.  He belonged to company E, 25 Virginia
Volunteer Infantry, and served the four years of the war; three years as
rifleman and one year as fifer in a drum corps; he served under Stonewall
Jackson in the Shenandoah valley and was with Lee's army at the surrender
of Appomattox April 9, 1865.
Mr. Dice was a member of the M. E. church for sixty years.
Mr. Dice came to Oklahoma in 1896, and settled on a homestead four miles
west of Elk City.  He resided here for many years, later moving to Elk
City, where he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. R. B. Francis, and
some times with another daughter, Mrs. M. Thompson, at Randlett, Oklahoma.
 During the past year he spent most of his time with Mrs. Francis at
Amarillo, where he was active in the work of the M. E. church and the camp
of Confederate veterans.  Dr. R. J. Dice, and Mrs. M. M. Thompson, of
Randlett; Mrs. Smysers, of Byers, Texas, and Mrs. R. B. Francis of
Amarillo, Texas, children of the deceased, were with him at the time of
his demise.  He also leaves twelve grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.  The county joins with the children in sympathy in the loss
of their father, one of the pioneers of Beckham County.
(21 Apr 1927, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
Franklin H. Dice, aged 77 years, 6 months, and 9 days, was born at
Franklin, Pendleton county, West Virginia, on September 15, 1839, and
departed this live on March 24, 1927, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. R.
B. Francis, Amarillo, Texas.
On May 12, 1861, Mr. Dice was married to Mary A. Andrews and on May 16,
1861, just four days after this happy event, the Franklin Guards, of which
he was a member, were mustered into service to defend the rights of the
South.  The entire four years following found Mr. Dice in the thick of the
turmoil and strife of the Civil War period.  While not a participant in
the famous battle of Gettysburg, he was encamped so near at hand awaiting
orders to reinforce the Confederates that he could hear distinctly the
noise and din of the desperate struggle.  His vivid description of the war
time was indeed instructive and many are his friends where knowledge of
the Southland has been enriched by these stories.  Very interesting were
his reminiscences  of his time served in the Valley of Virginia.  He was
close to Appomattox when Lee surrendered to Grant and it was with a heavy
heart that he received the news that the war had been ended, for he was a
staunch patriot of the South.  However, his allegiance to the Union was
devout and to his last days he was alert and anxious over the welfare of
all who dwelled under the American Flag.
Mr. Dice was a sturdy pioneer and to him this part of Beckham county,
indeed the state of Oklahoma, owes much, for in the year 1897 he and his
daughter Myrtle, now Mrs. R. B. Francis, homesteaded three miles west of
Elk City.  They came not to invest and soon to leave, but to establish a
home, did so and remained through all the years of hardships and by his
true Christian influence, others were inspired to stay and build up what
now is one of the richest parts of Oklahoma.  Only those of the first
settlers who remain can appreciate and value this long, weary epoch in a
country so untried and it is they, most, who will sadly mourn this hardy
character.
Mr. Dice was a gentleman of great intellect and for some years past had
spent many hours in writing.  These articles were eulogies of a poetic
nature, mainly, and gave him much enjoyment.

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