Bryan Co., OK; Town of Kemp - Warner Springs - History --------------------------------- Submitted by the Bryan County Heritage Library Located in Calera, OK Written by Mary Garrett, Phyllis Blankenship and] Pamela E. Delashaw Typed for the archives by Trudy Marlow --------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ---------------------------------------------------- KEMP COMMUNITY Kemp is located in what was the southwest corner of the Chickasaw Nation, in Panola County. It was settled in the 1880's, with the name of Warner Springs. This name came from the springs located on the creek about two blocks west of Main Street, just south-it of the present Clyde Nichols home. People from all over the area came in wagons to haul water, and also to do their washing. The town was renamed Kemp about 1890. The post office was established Oct. 20,1890, with the name Kemp, Indian Territory. It was first located in the building with Claude Jerrell's Barber Shop, in front of where Jewel Kemp now lives. Then it was moved to a site just north of the present location. The McGuyers ran it for many years, then Ray and Frona Phillips served as postmaster and postmistress. Rosalie Barnett is the postmistress at present. Kemp was renamed for Jackson Kemp, a prominent Indian Of the area. He had a long and illustrious career. He was interpreter for the Chickasaw agency in western Alabama in 1830. He was one of three hundred Indians arriving in Doaksville, Okla., Dec.22, 1838, in the Indian removal. In the 1839 census, he is shown as owning 52 slaves, 17 horses, 90 cattle, 200 hogs, 47 sheep, 1 wagon and 1 pleasure carriage. He was president of the Chickasaw Constitutional Convention in 1856, and senate president in 1869 and 1870. He was sheriff of Panola County in 1887, and also held other offices. Other members of the Kemp family also settled here. Most of the land in the Kemp, Liberty and Hendrix area belonged to the Kemp and Reynolds families. Lem Reynolds, Joe C. Kemp and Simon Kemp, were all granted charters by the Chickasaw legislature, to operate ferries across Red river, for period of five and ten years, from the years 1876 to 1898. Several men of the Kemp family served as legislators, commissioners, judges, and on the Chickasaw Council. Among them were, Simon, Benjamin F. (Judge Ben), William and Joel Kemp. Simon and Judge Ben were judges over the Rock Springs Court. The town of Kemp was surveyed and staked out Aug. 8, 1901. The town lots were sold Oct. 20, 1905. Kemp really boomed for a few years. Board sidewalks lined Main Street. The bank, known as the First Bank of Kemp, stood on the corner where the post office is now located. It was run by George Ellis. The bank, and many other businesses moved to Hendrix in 1912, when the railroad came through there. The town of Hendrix was first called Kemp City. The bank checks read "The First Bank of Kemp City" in 1913. While Kemp was booming, Peter Grisham owned a grocery store across the street, west of the bank. Later, Joshua Fox, and then his son J.B. operated this store for many years. Lee Delashaw operated this store for most of the last thirty-five years. James Blankenship was the last owner. This building stood as a landmark in Kemp until it was torn down in '81. A theatre was once attached on the north side of it. Just north of the store was butcher shop, run by Mr. Groner and John Brumfield, then later by Harry Hall and Bob Stone. South of Lee Delashaw's present home stood another store building. Francis and Ira Elrod first operated this store, then Earn Dillingham ran it for several years. The house built for his family still stands west of the store site. Jim Baines had a blacksmith shop on the corner where Harold Fox lives. West of the blacksmith shop was a one room log jail house. It was standing for many years, and used as a cow shed by Bill and Ruby Craige, until Ruby accidently burned it down. Isaac (Pap) Little had a grist mill northwest of the jail, between where Simon Dillingham and Isadora Evans now live. He would grind your corn on a percentage basis and trade white for yellow if you wanted it. Jim Whittemore had a store where Ace Richardson now lives. Later Wesley Phillips operated this store. Curtis Dillingham had a barber shop and restaurant called The Blue Goose, north of Whittemore's store. Mollie Williams, known as Aunt Mollie, operated a hotel where Clifford Dobbins now lives. Near the south end of Main Street, in what many years was Walker Elrod's pasture, stood a one room log school house. It was called Warner Springs School. The children went to school there or to subscription schools, two of which were taught by Mr. Henshaw and Sarah Jane Thomas. A larger frame school building was built at the present site around statehood. Later, this building moved down the street, to where Jewel Kemp lives now. The Woodman Hall was upstairs and a store run by Walker Elrod, was downstairs. A brick school building was built to replace the frame one. It later burned, and the present rock building was built. The first high school graduating class was in 1932. The school lost it's accredation in 1968, and the students went to school at Yuba. The building is now used for a community center. There was a livery stable south of Frona Phillips home. The court house stood about where Gary Davis now lives. The foundation and some of the walls were still standing in the early 1950's. Between the court house and Elrod's store, was a restaurant operated by Isaac (Ike) Huey. A telephone office was later where the bank had been. It was run by the Flemmons, then A.B. Neatherly, and finally by Mattie Wilson. Several doctors were located at Kemp, at different times, in the early days. Dr. George Ellis had an office upstairs over Robert Hedrick's drugstore. This building was located where the McMennamy now stands. A Dr. Hyde was here for a while, and two brothers named Bates. Mr. Battle had a cotton gin north of Jim Polk Wilson's present home. Later, Mr. Scales operated it. William C. Ellis operated a ferry across Red River in the early days. He was also a deputy sheriff. He once captured a man who had killed some people at Carpenter's Bluff, and took him to the authorities in Denison. Wiley Killian was a U.S. Marshall. Steven Johns was an early mayor of Kemp, Indian Territory, in 1902 and several years following. His granddaughter, Flois Lidy taught piano lessons. They lived in the old house next to Flois Calhoun's present home. Miss Jimmy Warrick was a dressmaker. She lived with her father, south of Harold Fox's home. THE CHURCHES The first church to be organized in Kemp was called Warner Springs Missionary Church, and everyone went to it. This was in 1887. They first met in the Warner Springs School House. They later renamed it the Bethel Baptist, and later Kemp Baptist. William and Elizabeth Ford, and Sarah Jane Thomas were three of the six charter members of this church. Robert Ford was their first minister, from 1887 to 1890. They built their first building in 1902. The first building on their present site was built in 1922. The land was donated by Tom Phillips. The present building was erected in the late 1940's, and an addition was made in 1978. The Methodist church was organized in 1890. They also met in the school house. In 1896, they built their first building. This building was torn down and rebuilt in 1920. The Methodists disbanded and began meeting with the Baptists in the early 1950's. The building was sold to the Masons and used as their meeting for a number of years. It is now used as an upholstery shop and garage by Don Covey and Harold Fox. The Church of Christ was first organized in Kemp in 1892. They met in the log school house. They disbanded for a few years, and then regrouped in 1902. Samuel Conner and a Mr. Milholland were instrumental in this reorganization. Their first building was erected in 1909, just northwest of Jim Polk Wilson's present home. An addition was made in 1924. They built the concrete building on their present site in 1947. The brick auditorium was built in 1966. Their first minister was J.B. Bush. They built a preacher's home in 1980, west of Kemp. They are at present making another addition to the auditorium. BLOOMFIELD ACADEMY The Bloomfield Academy, and Indian girls school, was located west of Kemp, between Hendrix and Achille. It opened and held it's first classes in 1852. A Methodist missionary, John H. Carr, established the school. He was also a carpenter, and directed the work of construction at Bloomfield for fifteen years. A high school, or seminary was added beginning in 1876. Bloomfield was burned and rebuilt several times during it's career. THE CEMETERIES The old cemetery for the town of Kemp located across the street, to the east of Ronni Clark's home. Gravestones still standing read as follows: Myra, daughter of N.J. and Id Kight, born Nov.18, 1895, died Dec. 22, 1899. Della, wife of J.C. Cole, born July 1, 1873 died Dec. 11, 1899. Wallager, son of T.H. and Virgie Fowler, born July 21, 1900, died Jun, 21,1901. Elias, son of J.C. and F.D. Bake, born June 25, 1897, died July 23, 1897 Charles, son of J.C. and F.D. Baker, born Oct 17, 1894, died Aug. 4, 1897, Billie, wife of T.E Key, born Oct.16, 1875, died Apr.14, 1896 Cynthia P., daughter of D.C. and M.E McCalib, born Aug. 29, 1897, died July 7 1899. John C., son of J.W. and I.D. Barnett born Aug. 19, 1878, died Apr.26, 1899, Victor C., son of Jno. and Ida Wright, born Dec. 6, 1891, died Aug.15, 1899. Joseph S., son of J.C. and A.L. Hunter, born June 13, 1899, died Oct. 26, 1900. Lillie M., daughter of I.N. and M.E. Haddock, May 12, 1889, died Mar. 14, 1899. Henryweata, daughter of J.H. and B.B. Curington, born Jan.16, 1899, died Nov. 15, 1899. T.R. Williams, born Mar. 9, 1823, died Feb. 4, 1898. PRESENT CEMETERY The land for Kemp's present cemetery was donated by a Mr. Shepherd in 1901. The first recorded deed for a lot was sold to Rosa Wilson, July 28, 1902, however, there is at least one earlier tombstone. B.A. Duckworth's stone shows his death as Jan. 29, 1902. Other early stones include the following names; W.C. Ellis, Abner L. Ford, B.W. Malone, Rachel M. Cole, Martha Morrison, and Jessie Flemmons. A cemetery association was formed Nov. 17, 1979, with Hersell Wilson, Dan Wells and Vernon Garrett chosen as board members, and Rosalie Barnett chosen as secretary. These are all still serving except Hersehll Wilson, who is deceased. Donations are accepted for the upkeep of the cemetery grounds. KEMP-REYNOLDS FAMILY CEMETERY This cemetery is located in the pasture about one-half mile southwest of the Curt Haddock home. Names on existing tombstones are as follows: Mattie Kemp, wife of Lem, born July 27, 1862, died Feb.15, 1899. Elsie Reynolds, died June 4, 1899. Jackson Kilpatrick Kemp, born Nov.29, 1844, died Apr. 7, 1910. Earnest Albert Lee, born May 22, 1890, died Oct.26, 1911. Eula Mae Tabor, daughter of Tom M. Tabor, horn Oct.15, 1891, died Nov.30, 1895. KEMP VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT In the spring of 1980, several of the residents of Kemp decided it was time to do something to help our small out-of-the- way community. We desperately needed some of the services that the larger towns had. They helped when we needed them, but they were just not close enough. We needed a fire department to answer the needs of our community. With the aid of several government agencies, the city acquired an old, but beautiful truck. After many hours of work, by a number of people, it became a fire truck. The city donated the money to buy a new pump, and elected a board to oversee our department. We were now ready for our first run. It came one Saturday morning in August, 1980. We were called to Liberty, Okla. With the help of a grant from Levi Strauss and personal donations, we were able to erect a building to house our fire truck and ambulance, again with many hours of work by members of the department. We have a board of directors, which includes four of our volunteer fire persons. They are George Walson-fire chief, Darwin Turnbull Jr.-asst. fire chief, Ronald Clark-alternate, Phyllis Blankenship-secretary-treasurer. The other volunteers are James Blankenship, Joe Burgess, Bill Peebles, Billy Marr, Roger Little, Kendell and Kirk Ervin and Marty and Bernie Sinor. Also, everyone else always stands ready to help. We could not have done any of this without caring, giving people, and we stand ready to serve them. KEMP VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE In the last few months of 1981, some citizens of Kemp saw the need in our town for emergency medical services, and tried to persuade others to attend school for training to qualify as Emergency Medical Technicians. Because of the efforts of these citizens, and the efforts of the Colbert Volunteer Ambulance Service, seven volunteers attended Grayson County College from January through May, 1982. All seven of us passed the course and the state and national examinations, and became Emergency Medical Technicians. We seven E.M.T.s formed the Kemp Volunteer Ambulance Service. We elected as our officers, Joe B. Burgess-Director, Pamela E. Delashaw-Asst. Director, Terry Sweeney-Board Member, and Belinda Watson-Secretary-Treasurer. Our other members were Nadine Walson, Dennis Webb, and Kevin Delashaw. We worked very diligently at canvassing our community and the surrounding area, collecting subscriptions and donations to our ambulance service. With these funds and money raised from pie auctions, bingo games and other activities, we purchased the basic essential equipment with which to supply an ambulance. Initially, we had planned to accept Colbert's generous offer to rent us a 1963 model ambulance for one dollar per year. However, Ronald L. Clark, Volunteer fireman, worked hard and persistently at compiling a proposal for a grant from The Pillsbury Foundation. Through his efforts, and because of our sincere need, Pillsbury presented us with $10,000 with which to purchase our own ambulance. We bought a 1979 Collins Ambulance, and equipped with our previously purchased supplies. Our next important purchase, was that of our radio equipment, which amounted to more than $2,500. We had no revenue of our own to purchase the radio, however, a radio system is a must for an ambulance, so we borrowed the money from the First National Bank of Colbert. In hopes of obtaining the money to pay off that loan, we compiled an application for a grant from the Levi Strauss Foundation. With the help of some Levi's employees who serve as emergency back-up drivers for us, namely Delina Clark, Buba Fox, Theresa Davis, Melodie Hanning, and Clara Tumbull, and with the aid of Levi's personnel manager, Sandra Pearson, we were awarded a grant for $3,000. With this grant, we paid off our loan, and bought additional emergency care equipment. Our service has bee in official operation since December 12, 1982, and had made many emergency runs and transfers in Kemp and the surrounding communities. The service is a valuable asset to this area of the county. Our present enlistment of volunteer E.M.T.s consists of Joe B. Burgess-Director, Pamela E. Delashaw- Asst. Director, Belinda Watson-Board Member, Nadine Walson- Secretary-Treasurer, and Dennis Webb. Our grateful appreciation goes to all those who made our ambulance service possible, including every subscriber and donator. We are especially grateful to our director, Joe Burgess, who persuaded us to become E.M.T.s, the members of the Colbert Ambulance Service, who urged and helped us along. Also, our E.M.T. course instructor, Candy Van Sant, Ronald Clark, the Levi and Pillsbury Foundations. ----------------------------------------------------- Written by Mary Garrett, Phyllis Blankenship and Pamela E. Delashaw