Craig County, Ok - World War I Veterans Memorial Marker History

Submitted by:  Carl Jennings    AL5700@swbell.net

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Source: The Muskogee Phoenix, Muskogee OK

Work of Vinita Man R. A. Carline, Responsible for Marker to World War 
Participants

Big Cabin, Oklahoma, January 11, 1935.

A Unique marker was erected here recently honoring all soldiers from 
the community who served in the world war. The monument erected on a 
prominent corner of this Craig County city of 271 population, bears 
55 names of residents of that community who answered the call to arms 
in 1918. All but 9 are still living.

Establishment of the monument was made possible through the efforts of 
R. A. Carline of Vinita, the first man to leave Big Cabin to enter 
the Army.

In Corry, Pennsylvania, last Memorial day Carline witnessed the erection 
of a marker to all members of that community who served in the Civil War. 
It bore the names of the living as well as those who made the supreme 
sacrifice.


Township Give Funds

Returning to Vinita, Carline could not erase from his memory the 
Pennsylvania monument service. He set to work to secure a similar monument 
in Big Cabin. First the site was chosen and the owners were sought.

The corner location of the marker was owned by C. L. Landrum. Mr. and Mrs. 
Landrum donated the plot of ground, giving a deed to the state of Oklahoma.

Business people of Vinita and Big Cabin contributed funds for erection of 
the marker. Pie suppers were held at Crouch and Blue Hawk rural school and 
Big Cabin High School to raise additional funds. C. H. Brought of Vinita 
contributed engraving the names of all deceased persons whose names were to 
go on the marker after the movement had secured funds with which to purchase 
the stone.


Memorial Service Held

Carline was aided in promotion of the marker by Roy Huffman, Jack Stewart, 
C. L. Landrum and John Harris. A neat rial service was conducted at the 
unveiling of the marker at witch William T. Rye, Vinita Attorney, paid tribute 
to the men those names were on the marker. Rev W. H. Brickers, First 
Congregational church pastor at Vinita, made an address at the unveiling of 
the marker. John Harris, Robert Stanberry, Miss Blackwell and Rev Ed Foreman 
of Big Cabin participated in the services which were directed by Carline.

More than 1000 people attended the unveiling of the marker by Mrs. Carling.

Men honored by the marker include: Alvie Allard, Charles Allard, Jess Balley, 
A. W. Ballanger, Ray Comer, Evert Brown, Robert L. Carline, Walter Carmichel, 
S. A. Cobb, Alta Cole, Authur Cole, Loyd Clevenger, G. B. Clevenger, J. C. Choteau, 
M. F. Choteau.

Grover Dix, Tom Dixon, Luther Emerson, George Freeman, W. T. Freeman, John Harris, 
Roy Huffman, Pearl Hawkins, Hooley Hom, Fred Hull, G. Hubbard, Howard Jennings, 
W. T. Ketchum, C. L. Landrum, S. E. Landrum, Jarnes Loughner, Walter Lord, 
Enoch Roberson, E. N Robinson, Charles McMullen, John McCombes, 
D. R. McKissick Jos L Puckett. Enos Lawarnce, Walter Robb, John Rumsey, 
Roy Smith, Bill Smith, Eldo Smith, Sam Stanley, Jack  Stewart, Ray Steigleder, 
Creed Trout, Lawrence Van Cleave, Bernard Van Cleave, Gorden Wroe, 
Henry Weinberger, Ed Wheeler, C. O. Whistler and D. C. Woods.

Of the 55 all but R. D. McKissick, W. T Ketchum, Roy Smith, Bill Smith, 
Pearl Hawkins, Loyd Clevenger, G. B. Clevenger, J E. Choteau and 
Hooley Horn, Remain alive. 


Photo of the stone can be found at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/craig/ww1memorial.jpg