Old Greer CO. OK - from the Plain Dealer 1901 USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities,as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. ************************************************************************ Transcribed and submitted by "Phyllis Rhodes" April 1997 THE PLAIN DEALER NEWSPAPER Altus, Old Greer Co., Oklahoma Territory (Excerpts from 1901) JANUARY 7, 1901 RAILROADS are the big news since 1898. They get closer to Altus. Students of the Agricultural and Mechanical college at Stillwater burned Gov. Barnes in effigy when they learned he vetoed the bill appropriating $50,000 for new college buildings. Advertisement: J.M. Julian, groceries, east side of Square. Advertisement: R.T. Williams, Pianos, east side of Square. Advertisement: Granite State Bank, R.S. Waddell, O.B. Kee, C.D. Rorer, C.W. Johnson, J.N. Olds, K.C. Cox. Advertisement: Hockaday Mercantile Company, Granite. Advertisement: W.D. Baird, M.D., office at Pendleton Drug. Advertisement: Dr. A.R. Hagen, visiting, Altus hotel. Advertisement: Spears and Chisum, Painters and Paper Hangers. Advertisement: J.J. Satterfield, Dentist Advertisement: J.M. Wileman, Attorney Advertisement: W.C. Jarboe, Justice of Peace Advertisement: Jno. J. Rogers dealer in Groceries and Hardware, Altus, O.T. Advertisement: The Altus Hotel, G.T. Russell, Prop, Clean beds, Altus, Ok. Advertisement: J.S. Mayfield Lumber Company. Advertisement: Geo. D. Pendleton, Carbon and Strychnine. Advertisement: Early Triumph, Early Rose and Early Ohio seed potatoes for sale at Hightower and Funderburks. Advertisement: R.T. Williams stocks Millinery. Funds being raised for a new Methodist Church. Judge Huling, Dot, assessing taxes. Rev. Hardy of Clarendon preached at the Methodist Church. M. Reid received word his wife's mother died in Missouri. Ola Cole is visiting Stella McMahan. Garland Buck departed for St. Louis, he has severed his connections with The News. Dr. Satterfield organized a Woodman of the World Lodge at Martha last Saturday night with good membership. W.L. Napier, manager of Mayfield Lumber Yard, arrived with his family to make their home in Altus. Henry Kimbell, bookkeeper for Moore Gin Milling Co., Mangum, in Altus visiting his parents Mr. And Mrs. J.T. Kimbell. E.R. McDaniel is building a new dwelling. We asked if he was thinking of getting married. Maude Stinson, Nona Boyd of Vernon and Bobbie Miller visited Altus and Mangum. Young people from Mangum down to Altus, Wm. Funderburk, Walter Hooks, Charles Fly and Frank Geyer and Misses Bessie Eaton and Ola Cole. All visited Stella McMahan. Claud Miller is back from St. Louis with dry goods for his Navajoe store. His brother Cleburne has arrived to help him in Miller Bros. Store. Southerland addition has been added to the town of Altus. It joins the town on the north and is the most desirable residence portion of the town. Rev. S.G. Hardy, of Clarendon, a relative of Mrs. Sutherland, is here attending to the sale of lots. There are 192 lots and about 70 lots have been sold. W.C. Jarboe is back in Altus. Judge Orr, who has been running the Globe at Vernon the past number of years, printed his valedictory last week and moved the whole outfit to Altus, where it will be absorbed into The News. The Judge has all the facilities for making a good paper and from the number of years experience he has had in the business he no doubt will. We welcome him in our midst. Mangum organized a baseball team. They have for or five league players who have spent most of their lives handling the pigskin. Dr. Satterfield, of Nashville, Tenn., here to look at property. He is not kin to our Dr. Satterfield. John McConnell, who was in charge of Mayfield Lumber Yard has returned to his home in Vernon. Dr. Hagen, who is at Coffeyville, Kansas on business will return in a short time. MARCH 21, 1901 John W. Guffin (guardian for the heirs of Robert S. Guffin deceased) filed homestead papers for nw 1/4 sec, 16 twp 2n r22 on Jan. 7, 1901 Mary J. Howard, widow Of Alonzo L. Howard,deceased, filed for se 1/4 Sec 15, Twp 3, R 19 THE LOST WHITE SHIP by C H Eagin The great white ship swung to and fro On the tidal current's ebb and flow, A model of beauty and strength she lay In the waters of Havana Bay. The brilliant stars of the southern zone, Above her in softened splendor shone, Her own bright stars in silken stream Reflecting back their lustrus gleam. Save, the indistinct and murmured word >From the lips of the dreaming sailor heard, As fitfully his fancies roam Away to his far off northern home, And the wakeful sentry's measured, tread Pacing his vigil overhead. On the floating fortress of steel and oak No sound the deepening stillness broke. Such deathlike calm precedes the storm When the dark tempest gathers form, And nature cowers in affright Before its awe inspiring might. That fateful night no wind, nor wave Unto the sleeping sailors gave An omen of impending doom Approaching through the gathered gloom. Like heaven's artillery pealing loud When lightning cleaves the midnight cloud, Out from the bosom of the deep Tumultuous flames and thunder leap; It smote the ship from deck to keel, It shivered the oak and rent the steel, And the fleecy foam of the crested wave Was red with blood of sailors brave. Above the ashes of our brave Entomb bed beneath the southern wave, The North and South again renew The pledge of union real and true. Let this new covenant of tears Blot out the feud of former years, And this free bond of unity Preserve our land forever free. Could those brave spirits whom we mourn Look back from that 'mysterious bourn," And view the hosts of blue and gray Swing into line in stern array, And proudly round "Old Glory" throng Eager to right the nation's wrong, The fallen heroes of the Maine Would know they had not died in vain. Outline upon the hallowed scroll Of valor's glorious muster roll, Among the nation's cherished brave Inscribed these warriors of the wave, Beneath their names one paragraph will write their finest epitaph, "They fell for human liberty, They died that Cuba might be free. MARCH 28, 1901 Surveyors are under contract to re-survey the Kiowa Comanche county. There are four camps of surveyors. The allotting agents are following close after the surveyors. The work around Mountain View will soon be completed. Kiowa George, the shrewd father of twelve children, has staked his claims near Mountain View and got 2,080 acres of the best land in that section. Chickasha is going to have an 800 barrel flouring mill James T. Buck will run the Plain Dealer and James E. Kelly and Garland will go to Granite to start a publication. Publication day will change from Thursday to Friday. Subscription price is cut from $1.00 to $50 cents per year. R.C. Echols, talented editor of the Mangum Star, has become a Benedict. For the past few months parties have been taking the privilege of hauling dead animals to the vacant round north of town near the public road and leaving them wholly exposed. The stench is unbearable. For the guilty we cite the law as follows: Any person who shall put a dead animal in any road, street, alley, lane, lot, field or section without burying same, not less than two feet can be fined from five to twenty- five dollars for every twenty four hours the animal is not buried. Counterfeit dollars in circulation in Altus. Postmaster Hatley, W.R. Jones and Sons, Geo. D. Pendleton have all received them. John A. Oliphant of Perry, and John A. Trotter of Granite have been appointed to succeed James Kelly and Jam. H.D. McKnight in the land office at Mangum. Garland Buck returned from St. Louis with the American Type Founders Co., the most up-to-date printing plant in Western Oklahoma. It will be at Granite where "The Granite Herald" will be published. Kizziar, R. J.W. is on the sick list. W.L. Napier and wife went to Vernon. Dr. Baird, J.M. Clayton in Mangum. Florence Terry, of Bethel, Claude Miller, of Navajoe, Mr. And Mrs. J.C. Camp, of Vernon, in Altus. N.M. Crain is in St. Louis purchasing spring stock. Dr. Rawls and wife attended W.O.W. Lloyd Adams was married to Nina Hyde at Prairie Home on the 14th. R.T. Edwards officiating. Lillie Maupin visited her sister, Mrs. Wm. McDaniel, at Navajoe. C.C. Mansfield was with her. Lumber is on the ground for E.D. McGregor's dwelling house. Welch & Frazier have dissolved partnership. Frazier will go into business on the south side of the square by himself. Ola Cole, of Vernon, is visiting Stella McMahan. E.M. Napier, manager of Mayfield Lumber Yard at Vernon and J.S. Wood, bookkeeper of the Waggoner Bank were in Altus. Henry Denton, former resident, but now of Grayson Co., Texas, came to look after his farm. T.A. Evans, Wilbarger County's largest wheat grower, was in town. He has in 1900 acres of wheat. Edna Johnson is home from Vernon. Sallie Ferrell, of Vernon, visited Mrs. T.G. Braddock. Bids will be open for the building of the New Methodist Church in Altus. A large force of carpenters left Tuesday to build a 30x40 church six miles north of Altus. It will be known as the A.R.P.Church. Thomas Alya, tinner, paid Mangum and Granite a visit. John I Derr, who is attending medical school at Ft. Worth, returned. Lee Walker is helping build a residence. Marriages: Hon. R.C. Echols and Sallie Stringer; J.W. Braswell and Gladys Beasley; Charles Gallespie and Willie Fowler. Miss. Bailey, milliner from Mangum, visited Mr. R. C. Johnson. Esther Cole, milliner of Altus, accompanied her home. Nick Coker and Monroe Harvey of Aaron in Altus. Here of late there has been promiscuous shooting and the raising of thunder on our streets at night. Mr. Kimbell, our deputy sheriff has been keeping his eye "sot" on the evil doers and if the "rumpus" still continues, some one will be in the clutches of the law. James Buck, from the Mangum Star, came down to assume the management of the Plain Dealer, while the editor expects to set "The Herald" in Granite. Bandy Smithee, the promising young son of Mr. And Mrs. S.H. Smithee, died in Altus, Sunday morning. He had been ill about ten days with pneumonia and was rallying from the effects of it when general peritonitis set in and proved fatal. His remains were interred in the Altus French Cemetery three miles east of Altus. Rev. W.P. Bailey conducted the services. WOW entertainment was presented by Prof. Roberts and Mrs. R.T. Williams. Lee Montgomery, a young farmer 23 years of age, who resides about twelve miles north of Granite, dropped dead Monday morning about 10 o'clock. He was a single man from Waxahatchie, Tx. (Granite Enterprise) Peter Maher, an old time miner and mountaineer, whose headquarters are somewhere in the Wichita mountains, appeared on the street of Mangum Thursday arrayed in a coat that Joseph of ole would have envied. Peter was looking for one T. Jefferson Zook. Mr. Zook gave Peter a grub stake two years ago and this was the first sight he had of him in all that time. Peter had with him a bag of mineral that is prima facia evidence that copper in large quantities exists in the Wichita mountains. Peter and Zook departed Thursday for the mountains. The next thing the people will hear will be that a copper mine of fabulous value has been discovered. U.S. Marshall C.H. Thompson has received a letter which states that a fellow is doing a land office business in some of the west side counties, making contracts to locate settlers in the Kiowa and Comanche country when opened. After paying $10 down to the sharper the latter takes the applicant's note for $80 and agrees to get each client a good piece of land. The fellow claims that he is in cahoots with the Indians, who have contracted with him to settle all the best quarter sections and hold them until he comes with his party of clients. When the client comes up and pays off his note of $80, then Mr. Indian will move off, have secured a piece of wampom for his little exertion. The deal is a steal, pure and simple. It is illegal. He just robs each sucker of $10 and will sell the note if he can. Old soldiers can file by declaration instead of by person. The truth of the matter is that no man, whether he is an old soldier or not can file on but one piece of land. This is a warning to watch out for these schemers. We think that the gold mine discovered last week by Dr. Satterfield and Claude Miller is none other but the celebrated "Dad" mine, of which Uncle Buck's boarders have heard so much. (Story on page 4) Two Altus Citizens suddenly become Millionaires. Judge Jarboe tries to form a Stock company with himself as President. Claude Miller and Dr. J.J. Satterfield, came from a prospecting trip of several days through the mountains near Navajoe. Mr. Came immediately to the office and divulged the secret of a very rich and most wonderful gold find they had made. While scaling mountain they discovered a large and gruesome looking cave. Being cheered on by the glittering hope of finding gold, they ventured in. They found the cave to be very large, constructed of pieces of nature's handiwork. They penetrated this cave deep down into the bowels of the earth and found it a vat of midnight darkness. He stopped and raked up a handful of sand and about that time Dr. Satterfield gave a big whoop and yell, as if they were at an Indian war dance, and realizing the frightful darkness hovering around them, they both retreated in a double quick. In his scramble to get out Dr. Satterfield broke off a piece of rock inside the cave and pocketed it. They examined the sand and the piece of rock and to their great surprise found them both to be fully half gold. They were overwhelmed and both sat down and cried and wrung their hand with joy for fully two and a half hours. Both were very eloquent in describing this god discovery. Judge W.C. Jarboe, who is ever on the alert when real estate is discussed, came stalking in the office when they were about in the middle of the story. He immediately tried to form a stock company with himself as president. Miller and Satterfield did not approve. He kept close to the discoverer most of the evening, but Dr. Satterfield finally succeeded in eluding him and requested that we be sworn to secrecy about this matter, knowing in reason that Jarboe would spread the glad tiding to the four winds. Mr. Miller slipped out of town early Monday morning with the doctor's horse and buggy, we presume to guard the mountain and stake off their claims. No doubt they are both laboring under the impression that we will keep this discovery a profound secret until they can fully establish and perfect title to their claim, but we are running a newspaper and expect to furnish our readers the news regardless of consequences. APRIL 12, 1901 The A.T. & S.F. Railroad will go through counties of Woods, Dewey, Custer, Washita and Greer, a portion of Kiowa and Comanche reservation to a point on Red River. J.A. Fraley, of Greer County, is one of the incorporators Greer County Baptist Association: Rev. R. Night, moderator; Rev. L.W. Abernathy, sec.; H.C. Ginley, assistant sec. Present were Revs. J.W. Solomon, H.G. Finley, Morgan, Night, Abernathy, Witt, and Mr. McKnight. Rev. J.H. Moody, Bailey, Cook, JHF Williams. Next meeting will be at Mount Zion Church. Andrew James died on the 3rd April. R.J. Morgan, G.D. Goodner, J.Q. Weir, committee. Our Commissioners are up against the most serious proposition that has ever confronted Greer Co. There are something over $20,000 in claims pending and not a dollar to pay them. They are due and just. The claimants need the money. There is only one way to get it and that is to bond the county. This is distasteful to them and the people, but is seems by far the cheapest, for those who have claims will surely sue. The duty of the commissioners is plain, and that is to issue bonds. Court House Question: The question was asked in Altus, "What do you think of a bond to build a new court house.?" R.C. Johnson, "County matters are too unsettled to make any move toward building at this time." Geo. T. Russell, "I think this move is premature at this time. We can hold on a few more years until the county gets in better shape." G.T. Braddock, "I think we ought to made do with what we have until after Statehood." J.A. Parsons, "I am of the same opinion." John J. Rogers, "The county is already in debt. Let's figure on getting out of debt first." T.E. Williams, "I do not think it the proper step. There is already a demand for a division that will come sooner or later." Go to Judge Woodson for legal advice. J.R. McMahan left for Guthrie on business. Claude Miller went to Mangum. W.C. Brunk, four miles south, was in Altus. E.R. McDaniel and J.C. Aycock visited Navajoe. Ed Shipes, a Navajoite, was in Altus on business. Judge Woodson and E.D. McGregor went to Vernon. Mrs. A.J. Fitter from near Lock was shopping in Altus. James Little, of Martha, was in Altus. Judge Orr visited his old home in Vernon, Texas. Wash Bailey, farmer near Navajoe, business visitor in Altus. Melvin Miller, a young man 28 years of age, who lived eight miles east of Navajoe, died on the 8th inst. Miss Lillie Maupin, in company with C.C. Mansfield, paid her sister, Mrs. W.M. Mc Daniel of Navajoe, a visit Sunday. V.E. Conkle visited in Vernon. Ella McMahan, who has been attending the Fort Worth Commercial College, returned home Tuesday. Rev. L.W. Abernathy of Mangum preached a very impressive sermon in the Baptist church at Altus Sunday from the text: "When I see the blood I will pass over you." Judge Woodson received a letter from Sec. Jenkins the other day in which he says the government will adopt no new or experimental plan of opening the new territory, so boys get your horse in good trim. Dr. J.E. Fowler reports the following babies: Mr. and Mrs. T.E. Teeter, three miles south, a boy, born Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. Ady, on Salt Fork, a girl, born Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelms, five miles east, a boy on Monday. J.E Coen left for Granite Saturday where he will manage the lumber yard. He is a young man of many good traits of character and we wish him well. Will Funderburk came over to see the homefolks. W.B. Wright and Uncle Dick Blaine and their families visited in Granite on Sunday. P.T. Bettis of Waco, paid the family of John J. Rogers a very pleasant visit. D.L. Walker and Will Mc Daniel were much relieved at his departure. We received a neatly printed blotter from Frank Miller of the Mangum Star. Mr. Miller is an artistic and up-to-date printer. Dr. James Bryce and Charlie Maupin visited Granite Monday. They report smallpox of a very malignant type raging in that place. The doctor states that he was told that there were sixty cases in that town with a number of deaths, three dying Tuesday. A couple of runners came to Altus about midnight last Friday night, from Yeldell, and requested Justice W.C. Jarboe to go immediately to that place and hold an inquest over the body of John Laughlin, who was found dead that morning and who was thought by some to have been foully dealt with. Judge Jarboe went down Saturday night and the jury of inquest found that "the deceased came to his death by a fall from his horse." Our local health officer, Dr. W.D. Baird, received a telephone message Wednesday from Dr. Dodson , the county health officer at Mangum, which stated that two patients had died from smallpox north of Mangum and that there had been seventeen deaths from the same disease in Granite in the past thirty days, and the type was a very malignant and fatal form. He further stated that the city council was likely to pass on ordinance compelling all in that town to be vaccinated. If the people of Greer had enforced the order of the health officers in January very likely there would not be a case in the county today. The people of Altus wisely took advantage of this precaution and the loathsome disease was soon stamped out at this place. Dr. J.J. Satterfield made a trip to Navajoe Saturday in interest of his mining claims in the mountains near that place. He and his partner, Claud Miller, have succeded in getting all the claims allowed by law staked off. James B. Lock, Lord Mayor of the city bearing his name, located seven miles southeast of Altus, was in our burg recently. Advertisement: Jno. J. Rogers, dealer in Groceries & Hardware Methodists contemplate organizing a church at Paradise. Robert Heatly is in favor of building a fifty or sixty thousand dollar court house at Mangum. Rev. N.B., of Tennessee, and brother-in-law of J.C. Gilliland, preached the Easter Sermon at Mangum. A mad dog was killed in Mangum last week by Henry Hoover. Capt. Z.H. Peters, J.R. Blackwell, J.J. Akins and Wash McClung took in commisioners court at Mangum last week. The Yeldell public school is progressing under Prof. Jordan as principal and his sister, Miss. Jennie Jordan, assistant. They have 85 pupils enrolled. Bessie, daughter of T.B. Eaton, Mangum, married Chas. T. Fly on March 21, 1901. Rev. J.J. Wyatt, officiating. The Commissioner's court declares Greer County in bad shape financially, caused by the enormous expense growing out of the recent smallpox epidemic. Claims against the county amount to over twenty thousand dollars with no money in the treasury to pay it. T.I Truscott, general merchant from Klondike, was at comissioners court in Mangum. J.M. Julian, merchant of Altus, in Mangum. Tom Middleton and C.C. Hightower of Altus were in Mangum. Will I. Satterfield, sheriff of Hill county, Tx was in Mangum to get a prisoner, one C.C. Buchanan, who was arrested in Granite. He is wanted for disposing of mortgaged property. We have only a few widows and widowers, but oh my! We have one that's crazy. He wishes some school ma'am or widow to love and be loved by him. Girls are very plentiful, of all sizes and ages, from frying size up; but while there is some very nice young gents they are of a very modest nature-bashful, indeed!-can't get their mouth to fire off; can't express their minds, their feelings nor their affections, while the girls are waiting despondently. In fact, some of these girls have a nice farm which a young man could get a half interest in for $2.00, but no; she has to depend on hired labor. Dr. A.R. Hagan, who has been in Texas several weeks on account of his mother's illness, will soon return to Altus. Dr. A.C. Bennett would like to have the address of Henry Netherton and H. Keifer, who, he understands, have located in Greer County. Mrs. W.C. Johnson, wife of the president of our town council and one of the pioneers of Greer county, died at her home in Granite on Sunday March 21. She had been afflicted with cancer and her life had been despaired of by her family. The Greer Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church met at Dot, March 28. It was well attended. Rev. F.E. Green, moderator, Mr. Fink of Navajoe, clerk. Rev. J. Cal Littrell assigned as pastor of the Granite Church. Presbytery is growing numerically and in additional churches. Advertisement: Granite State Bank, K.C. Cox, president; A.L. Elliott, vice president; C. D. Rorer, Cashier. Advertisement: Hockaday Mercantile, Granite, Ok. APRIL 26, 1901 The Navajoe Camp of Confederate Veterans met in Navajoe last Sunday evening and elected Rev. J.A. Zinn and Col. J.M. Shropshire delegates to the Memphis reunion., J.K. Taylor and J.M. Hitt were elected alternates. Mrs. Emma M. Zinn sponsor and Missess Nora Hitt and Emma May Cornelius, maids of Honor. Officers: S. M. Casteel, captain; G. M. Smith, first lieutenant; J.A. Zinn, chaplain; N.V. White, adjutant; Dr. H. C. Redding, surgeon. The new mail route to Dunbar, J.W. Mathews contractor, commenced Monday. Mr. Mathews would like to continue to Navajoe. The Star should see that some enterprising citizen of Mangum build a good stone building with vaults to protect the county records and rent it to the county. It wouldn't cost the county any more than the several small shacks now in use by the county. It would look better for the town and save the Star from having the jim jams worrying over the jeopardy of our records. RAILROAD. The outlook for a railroad for Altus is indeed bright. The citizens of Altus are known for their conservatism and great liberality. A railroad through this section of the country would greatly enhance the value of their property, the farmers along the survey have been very liberal in granting the right of way. But this does not build a railroad, neither does it insure one. The road may ask a bonus from Altus or other substantial donation, and if so, we suggest that the property owners exercise great energy and liberality to assure the building and success of this road and should leave no stone unturned to have a depot at this place. It is a fact that the road will be built through Greer County and the survey runs through this town, yet the rout could be changed only a few miles, crippling the bright prospects of the most promising inland town in the southwest. We have hopes of a second road, the Orient and the Frisco, running through Altus. It takes men and money to build cities. When the surroundings are favorable and location well situated the success of it then depends on two things alone-men and money. Live, active, enterprising men to expend their money in a wise and judicious manner. Harmony must prevail, unity of action without friction. Let us all pull together or keep still, then we will succeed in Altus. Southeast Greer Singing convention meets at Prairie Home second Saturday and Sunday. Oklahoma's Birthday Oklahoma was twelve years old on April 22nd, becoming a territory on that date in 1890. That year the population was 6,500 souls and today it is 500,000. Every town in the territory is prosperous, the financial status is flattering and there is no limit to new enterprises. The whole universe is amazed and talking of the wonderful young territory The mail route between Navajoe and Hess was suspended last Saturday and Navajoe now gets her mail from Koreb. This change is a great inconvenience. The route from Altus to Dunbar should continue to Navajoe. A letter mailed at Dunbar, nine miles (distant), is on the road two days before getting to its destination. The growing business of Navajoe and Altus demands a route be established between the two places. Go to work to change it. H.B. Turner of Altus is interested in WOW. Banks Bennett, of The News, is all smiles. His wife and child were up from Vernon. Plain Dealer Real Estate Agency transfers made this week were: Two lots from Claud Miller to Frank Cox. The following from the Walter Wright addition to Altus: J.T. Buck, four lots; Clyde Herman, 1 lot; J.H. Campass 2 lots; L.L. Cowan 4 lots; W.F. Bishop 2 lots; J.W. Clayton, 2 lots; T.V. Turner, 5 lots; H.K. Brown, 2 lots; Banks Bennett, 1 lot. Jarboe and Black have made good sales. The following is a list of property yet in the hand of the Plain Dealer Real Estate Agency for sale. Two business lots on square; 3 on Locust street; 6 south of square on Hudson street. Residence lots: 10 lots near square; 8 lots in Julian addition; 19 lots in the Sutherland addition; all unsold lots in Wright addition; 10 lots in Blain Addition; 4 lots in Crain addition. Houses and lots-3 west of square. Farms: 160 acres situated in Horse Branch valley; 160 acres 2 miles east of Altus; 160 acres 8 1/2 miles north of Martha, grove of Locust and Bois d'ark on same. Advertisement: City Meat Market, Cantrell and Wimberly, one door west of Plain Dealer. Advertisement: J.M. Wileman, attorney-at-law, Mangum, Oklahoma. Advertisement: Mattie Cox, new Millinery shop in Altus. Advertisement: Miller Bros. And Co. Advertisement: J.S. Mayfield, Lumber Co., Altus and Vernon Advertisement: Guy Gamble, new harness, bridles, saddles, Altus, O.T. Advertisement: Oscar Smith, money to loan for cattle W.M. Mc Daniel, Joe Glenn, Vera Plummer, Edna Johnson, Mr. V.E. Conkle and Clarence Johnson were over to visit Navajoe. E.R. Gamble and Wm. Stinson went to Vernon, Texas W. F. Maulen from El Reno in Altus Mrs. C.W. Newlan from Texas visiting her sister, Mrs. Luke Roberts. First-class bicycle for sale or will trade for cow or yearling. Mrs. Dale, Miss. Zula Rogers and Lillie Maupin were over to visit Navajoe. Mrs. Edna Watson from Mangum visiting her sister, Mrs. W.P. Bryan. J.W. Mathews informs us that Dunbar is on a boom, having both the measles and small pox. Vera Plummer returned to her home in Vernon. J.R. Blackwell, one of Navajoe's rustling merchants, in Altus. Very pleasant visit from popular hotel man, J.W. McClurg. H.K. Brown, a Texas prospector, in the Real Estate Agency and we sold him two nice resident lots. M.M. Welch found a pocket book containing money. Owner may claim. The lumber for the new Methodist church is now ready at Vernon and any one wishing to donate hauling should call on W.L. Napier or J.W. Lofland. S.B. Abercrombie from near Navajoe by subscribing for the paper. Rev. J.D. Terry of Bethel was in town. He has some valuable Altus property and listed it for sale. Rev. J.A. Zinn preached a very interesting sermon in the Baptist church, and received a call from his church, Cumberland Presbyterian, to serve them here. Rev. Zinn has sold out at Warren and is looking for a new location. Guy Gamble, Claud Miller, Dr. Satterfield, Dr. Bass, F.B. Cox, C.C. Mansfield, Charlie and Herman Maupin attended the ball at Navajoe. They report a huge time. Dr. Saterfield says he danced with a widow who complimentary told him that he would be a fine dancer when he learned how. He states that he danced to a "frazill". Beulah Terry, of Bethel, is a guest of Mrs. R.A. Walker of Altus. Dr. Bass, dentist from Vernon, was here on professional business. Rev. T.E. Williams preached at the Baptist church Sunday night. John J. Rogers has leased a lot. He and Mr. Bocks are putting up a blacksmith shop. Mr. And Mrs. Joiner had an infant child to die on Tuesday night. They live a few miles east of Altus. E.H. Hicks and son, of Texas, are visiting relatives in Altus. W.A. Stinson, one of the leading cattlemen of Wilbarger Co., TX, in Altus. Lillie Maupin returned with her uncle, L.C. Baker to his Texas home to visit. Mr. And Mrs. Wm. Dishman, Navajoe, lost their infant babe Saturday.. Mr. And Mrs. J.W. Stewart of Navajoe lost an infant on Friday night Judge W. C. Jarboe, J.R. Mc Mahan, T.G. Braddock, E.E. Russell and W.J. McDaniel formed a stock company yesterday and purchased a quarter block near the business square from A.J. paying $500 for same. M. Reid closed out his grocery business and rented his store building to Cantrell & Wimberly who have opened a meat market and butcher shop in Altus, O.T. Marion M. Woodson, son of Judge Woodson, who is a student at A&M College at Stillwater and captured the Oratorical contest of that college, selected the representative at the territorial contest at Guthrie on May 9th. Claud Miller, of Miller Brothers, has purchased the dry goods stock of Hightower & Funderburk and rented the north room of their new building ,in which the former firm will operate an up-to-date dry goods business. Paul Truitt, friend of Judge Woodson, from Kay county is looking to locate in Greer county. J.E. Coen and Garland Buck were over from Granite. The Lock public school closed for this term. Prof. Lee Frasier, the efficient teacher returned to Altus where he enters his mercantile establishment. The following is the roll of honor: Spelling, Mary Fitter, Maggie Taylor, Katie Fitter and Stella Johnston. Geography for best map: Mabel Rawlston, Myrtle Rawlston, Hattie Taylor, Alvin Kimmons, Thomas French and Ira Kimmons, Best penmanship: John Fitter, Frank Johnston, Samuel Fitter, Myrtle Rawlston. Our Trip To Navajoe: We called on Prof. W. H. Dickey, to introduce us to the business men of Navajoe. We were surprised at finding the town such a business-like place. The merchants were busy most of the day, and the farmers were in high spirits. The scenery surrounding the town is very beautiful and indeed picturesque. To the east and fronting the business portion of the town are the mountains. The town takes it name from the famous Navajoe tribe of Indians, now extinct, and we are told is one of the oldest towns in the county. The rich harvest of the past years seems to have thoroughly aroused the place from its Rip Van Winkle slumbers, and the citizens are vieing each other in their efforts to build a town. New houses can be seen in every direction. J.H. Willis is erecting a commodious hotel, the second for the town. Akin & Blackwell have just finished a new business house and are running two stores. We met Dr. R. E. Tollerson and Dr. H.C. Redding. Both have nice drug stores and doing a good practice. Among the leading men whom we met were Col. J.M. Shropshire, Capt. Z.H. Peter, N.V. White, J. K. Taylor, James Baker, W. J. Hastings, Capt. S.M. Casteel and a number more. We have a correspondent from that place and will devote space to that progressive town. Prof. Dickey is the Principal of Navajoe high school. They rank among the best boarding schools of Southwestern Oklahoma besides having a large attendance of home students. Prof. Dickey has a reputation of being one of Greer's foremost educators. He had charge of the Altus school some years back. I'm selling out my business in Altus. I am associated with my brother in our store in Navajoe. We have now rented the store room just built by Hightower & Funderburk and bought their stock of dry goods. We are now stocking up with the sale goods and new goods. Claude Miller Mr. Slocum and Blair, right of way agents of the Orient railroad, are here to secure the right-of-way and they have met with success far beyond their expectations. Most every land owner along the route readily signed a right-of-way and all seemed enthusiastic over the building of this road. We believe they have a kind feeling for Altus. Woodmen are booming at Altus. Judge Orr is one of the new members. It is whispered that he has erected a wooden horse in his office and is practicing riding in the dead hours of the night. Dr. Baird showed us a Chinese newspaper he had received. It's a curiosity. Dr. Baird is our efficient local health officer and reports Oscar Blain, Dunbar, has a severe case of black small pox and is in critical condition. As we went to press Mr. Blain is better. "Uncle " Joe Beard, one of Greer's most substantial citizens, living near old Frazier, was hauling in hogs all day Monday. He is shipping three car loads to Kansas City. Thos. J. Zook returned from Texas where the green bugs are destroying the wheat. The ground is perfectly bare. Chas. F. Lanter died at his home in Vernon (TX) last week. J.M. Smith was married to Miss. Mamie E. McClaren at Vernon on the 17th, by Rev. A.J. Fant. Marriage License issued this week In Willbarger County, Texas, To: T.J. Keys and Jennie Dooley; R.T. Dooley and Mattie Keys; J.M. King anf Mary Wright. Methodist Convention: Methodists met at Mangum and organized by electing S. H Zinn, Warren, president. Attending were Rev. L.W. Cain, J. Cal Litrell, Capt. S.M. Casteel. Judge Jarrett Todd takes the city fathers of Mangum to task for passing an ordinance forbidding citizens from hitching to the post of the fence around the public square of our county capitol. He suggests that a hitching place be purchased from some neighboring town or that the citizens of Mangum buy a twenty foot of strip of land around the town and put up hitching posts and let customers walk into town, or hire boys at one dollar per day to hold the horses while the people trade, or that a pasture be rented near town in which to leave the stock while trading, or that three thousand balloons be fastened in the air with ropes and rings attached for hitching purposes. Maybe they could add swinging lamps to the balloons to furnish gas light for that city at night. MAY 3, 1901 Frisco At Work: The graders are now at Chickasha and will begin work south of that city. This extension will be built through Greer County. Entering the county at the Gates Crossing on North Fork, it passes south of Navajoe to Altus and from here to Acme, Texas. Kiowa Survey Finished: The survey of the Kiowa-Comanche Indian Reservation was completed and surveying corps are now at work on the Wichita and Caddo reservation. Allotting agent Nesler has nearly completed the allotting of the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache bands and nothing remains to be done except to write the field notes of the survey, which will probably take 30 days. Judge Bierer of Guthrie says that the President's proclamation to open the Indian lands of the Kiowa and Comanche reservations will be by drawing and it will be soon. There is a greater influx of visitors to Altus than there has ever been before. Railroad Assured: Judge Dill, John Blair and E.M. Slocum have been here familiarizing themselves with their line through Greer County. They expressed surprise at the county and feel it is their good fortune to tap such a splendid body of agricultural lands. They were expecting to find Altus a cross-roads post office and blacksmith shop, but instead found a beautifully laid off town, well up with times and near one thousand inhabitants. They were met with open arms and generously extended them every possible courtesy and assistance which led to securing, free of charge, nearly the whole right of way through Greer county. A $20.00 lot a few days ago is selling for $100 today and still advancing. T.C. Phillips, banker from Bowie, Texas, organized a bank at Mangum last week with $25,000 capital. Real Estate Changing Hands: Those in real estate transactions are: Walter Wright, T. W. Middleton, P.H. Heggins, T. Cox, J.T. Conway, D. L. Walker, W. A. Baucum, T.F. Baker. Agents, E.R. & W.J. McDaniel. H.B. Bolinger died at his home six miles southeast of Mangum last week after a long illness. Granite Herald put out their first issue. Editors, James E. Kelly and Garland Buck, rolled up their sleeves and ripped Mangum up the back while they smeared tobacco juice all in the face of Chickasha and then "cussed" the town out in the following style. "They have liars in the town who are direct descendants of Annanias, and each generation has improved in the art of lying. There is not so much harm in a fat, round-headed, cheerful liar of the Chickasha brand, but the oness who are dangerous are the ones whose lies hatch out in their think tank like wiggle tails in a tub of fowl water." We expect the fur to fly thick and fast. Advertisement: Bicycles for sale from J.W. Clayton Prof. Dickey lectures at school house tonight, Judge Woodson, Mrs. Dale in Mangum. Parties who haul lumber for the new church will get credit for same on their subscriptions. J.R. McMahan is surveying his addition to Altus this week and will put the lots on the market, He purchased a half interest in the M. Reid business lot on the square by paying $250.00 for same Second quarterly conference of the Altus Charge convenes at Bethel tomorrow. Houston Fincher bought a 32 thresher yesterday. W.L. Napier is improving his lumberyard with a new coat of red paint. Dr. Fowler reports the arrival of a boy at E. D. Thomas' at Dot last Monday night. Mr. and Mrs. James Shelton, 4 miles south of Altus had a new boy on Tuesday. Mrs. Lofland and daughter, accompanied by Mr. Spencer, came up from Chillicothe, Texas. They plan to live here. The report was false that Mrs. Walter Wright had the small pox. Wind storm past over last night blowing over barns and outhouse. One or two residences were slightly moved. Ellie Allen returned to Altus from Decatur, Texas where she has been teaching school. Her cousins, Ida Tankely and Lula Fields came home with her. Wm. Dunnoway, a young man, died at his home nine miles south of Altus on Saturday, last. Funeral was conducted in the Baptist Church here Sunday by Rev. R. A. Walker, and his remains were laid to rest in the Frazier cemetery. Mrs. J. M. Wileman died at her home in Mangum last week. A.S. Tarrant left for his old home in Itasea, Texas. Mrs. Hightower had a social. Entertainment was by Addie Williams and Shirley Maupin. Net receipts was $12 for the new Methodist Church. Dr. S.P. Rawls came up from Lock. We were acquainted in Mississippi. He has a good practice and says he collects for his work. Rev. R.A. Walker says that someone shot his horse some days ago with a target gun and wounded him. He thinks it is work of rude boys lurking around his premises. These boys should think more of their parents than to lower themselves in such manner, and if found out they should be publicly cow hided for this inhuman act. F.M. Trimble, cattleman, returned from Texas. He went to Beaumont to the famous wells and reports that section under fever of excitement. Oil companies are being formed most ever day. Wheat and oats are being destroyed by green bugs. Sections are lying parched with drought, no grass between Henrietta and Vernon, Texas. J.T. Conway, from Paris, Texas, is a guest of his boyhood friend, R.C. Johnson. He lectured at the Baptist church. He purchased a lot on the business square from T. Cox, paying $1,000 for same. This is the biggest real estate sale ever made in Altus for one lot. Mr. Conway also bought the Frank Fickert farm near town, paying $3200 for it. J.S. Wood and Verna Davison will drive out to Red river to meet Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap C.N. Davis a carpenter from Altus has moved to Granite, O.T. Jack McClendon, contractor from Altus, rode into town on a bicycle in one hour and forty five minutes. Ben Kiser, one of Greer's oldest and best citizens, and proprietor of the great salt works of the county was in Mangum and handed us an extract from the 21st annual report of mineral resources on the amount of salt produced by the states. Oklahoma produced in 1899, 5,248 pound valued at $4,704. We paid a visit to the salt bed and it is the finest quality. It was one of the most beautiful scenes ever witnessed, there are hundreds of barrels of salt flowing down the little stream going to waste. Were it developed it would be a pearl. The farms have never been so promising. Wheat needs rain, oats are a little slow, corn is up nicely, maize is being planted, cotton is being planted. There were numerous bales of cotton seen lying in the yards of the farmers along the way. In one yard we counted 16 bales and this was not a big farmer. He is only a two-horse farmer on a quarter section of land living in a dugout. Even many of the renters still had cotton on hand to tide them over till fall. The secretary of interior will designate county boundaries and locate county seats when the allotments are complete. Judge Brooks in the Travis County (Austin, TX) district court today rendered a judgment in favor of the state in the case of Greer County for the recovery of land deeded to that county for school purposes when it belonged to the State of Texas. For sale, four good milk cows, R.T. Williams, east side of square, Altus, Ok. New Blacksmith north of Rogers Wagon Yard. Box and Bennett MAY 17, 1901 The latest news on the Kiowa-Comanche country is that there will be only three counties formed. Small section of the Wichita Reservation are attached to Blaine and Canadian counties to square them up. The balance of the Wichita country will be made one county with a seat at Anadarko. South of this and extending to the Texas line is the second county with the county seat just south of the Fort Sill military reservation. The third is entirely across the western portion with a county seat at the station of Kiowa. The Indian Pasture of 480,000 acres is located in the central southern part of the reservation next to Red River. Sixty thousand acres is reserved at Ft. Sill for Military purposes. Sections 13, 16, 33, and 36 of each township are public school, colleges and public buildings. There will be about 60,00 acres of indemnity land selected for school, taken by allotment, reserved from settlement. There will be agency reservations at Anadarko and Ft. Sill; allotments to churches, missionaries and adopted members of the tribe. Schools at Rainy Mountain, Ft. Sill and Riverside. A wood reservation has been set aside east of Ft. Sill, of 20,000 acres. It will probably be opened somewhere between the middle of July and August 1st. Prof. Driggers from Aaron, J.M. Thomas from Dunbar, T.C. Lanier of Dunbar, Will Funderburk of Mangum, A. B. Boyd and James Brummett from Texas, W .Q. Flynt and E.M. Napier of Vernon, Dr. S.P. Rawls of Lock, J.A. Henry and wife of Mangum, Louella Cunningham, Sam Ward and Mr and Mrs. Claud Smithee of Silverton, Texas guests of S.H. Smithee, in Altus. Samuel Hill married Miss. Moss at Willowvale, Sunday. W.G. Bell and J.B. Owens visit Granite. W. M. Ferguson in Yelldell selling nice turkeys. We are glad to see W.H. You up after two weeks of severe sickness. T.C. Lanier, Dunbar, purchased a nice residence lot in Altus. Mr. Davis and McClellan, Kay County prospectors, in our city. V.E. Conkler returned from the oil district of Texas. He went into the organization of another oil company at Beaumont. Dr. W.E. Black returned from Memphis Medical college where he graduated in medicine. He brings back three diplomas. Uncle Dick Blain is back from Mangum where he was housed up in bed with a severe spell of sickness for the past two weeks. He did not have smallpox but did have a genuine case of the "big head." The Altus base ball team consisting of: Herman Maupin, captain; Ray Thoush, Tom Thoush, Robert Mathews, Will and Madge Middleton, Tom and Ed Baucum, Alfred French and Arthur Fuqua crossed bats with the Lock team at Prairie Home Saturday. Altus won 8 to 10. Capt. Ambrose Howse requested us to state that the railroad fee for the Confederate Reunion at Memphis would be $14.95 round trip. Capt. Howse is captain of the Altus Camp. W.T. Robinson from Cottondale, Texas purchased the claim of Elmer Crain five miles southeast for $1000. He will move in the fall. Judge Orr, F.M. Trimble and T.W. Middleton, in Mangum. Rev. J.W. Coker married Mrs. Dobbs at her home near Dunbar last week. Rev. G.W. Turner, officiating. C.L. and A.A. Allen, who were visiting their sister, Mrs. J.C. Glenn, have just returned from the Philippine Island where they had served 18 months in the Army. They have rented land near town and will make a crop this year. They bought six resident lots. Judge Woodson accompanied his friends Capt. Rickey H. Walker and James Tosh of Kay County, back to Kiowa station. John R. Blackwell, one of Navajoe's leading merchants paid Altus a visit. He stated that the citizens of that place had formed a stock company and had bought out the old townsite company. Navajoe is situated at a place that should become a large town. Baptist Missionary rally at Altus. Rev. J.W. Solomon, moderator, J.A. Weir, secretary. Rev. L.L. Smith, Ok. City, district missionary for Southwestern OK preached. Mission offering $100.00. E.L. Coen, Earl Sayers, J.W. Clayton and Dr. James Bryce spent a week in the reservation. They say the railroad is almost to Ft. Sill and that the depot had been located in the middle of the military reservation about a half mile southeast of the Fort. E.D. Nichols, E. H. Kimmons and M.L. Lawrence of Iowa Park, Texas were in Altus prospecting. They came in from the Northwest through Roger Mills county and Mangum. They are traveling in a wagon and have made an 800 mile trip. Mr. Nichols and Kimmons are from Mississippi. Altus Burglarized: Two Houses entered; stole horse and rode off. Burglars spent the night here and done considerable devilment. There were not less than two of them that entered the Johnson Hardware store through the back window and took about $60.00 worth of saddle and bridles, knives, cartridges and powder. They entered Hightower & Funderburk's grocery store through a back window, and after eating some canned goods and looting, took $4.00 from the cash drawer and then went to work on the fire and burglar proof safe. They must have been amateurs. They drilled a quarter inch hole through the top of the safe and poured two pounds of powder in it. This powder fell through the books and settled at the bottom of the safe. They then tried to run a fuse down through the safe, but the books prevented it from reaching down to the powder and the safe escaped further damage. They took a fine Marlin rifle, worth $40.00. They broke into the Blacksmith Shop of Boger & Fincher and got tools. The back door of the bank shows they made a halt there and tried to get it. They also kicked three times on the back door of the saddle shop of Guy Gamble. Mr Gamble and his brother Frank sleep in the shop and this awoke them and they asked what they wanted, thinking it was some of the boys. Mr. Gamble thinks it must have been one or two o'clock. J.M. Julian's horse stays in a stable back of his store and they rode him off. A lone horse was tracked out east and at the home of Rev. F.S.C. Bryce, two miles out, the traveler made a halt and tried to get another horse. He pulled up some posts to cross the wire fencing. It was about four o'clock when he struck this place. From there he tuned south. R.C. Johnson armed himself and pulled out in pursuit very early in the morning and was joined just out of town by Earl Cole Some later in the morning W.P. Bryan, Walter Wright, C.C. Mansfield, A. H. Wimberly and C.S. Maupin left for the same purpose. Stewart Miller and John Bridges came in from Navajoe last night with the news that the horse and saddle had been recovered and that all parties had crossed Northfork over into the reservation before the rain and they could not return for the swollen river. They thought the robbers escaped to the Wichita mountains. Advertisement: Wm. Mitchell of Altus, Geo. W. Burkett, liveryman of Altus C.E. Goger and W.H. Maupin of Altus bought $1,000 worth of lumber; were in Granite. Ben Crowe, living five miles south of Granite, caught in a steel trap a catamount measuring three feet and six inches from tip to tip. This makes thirty-one he has captured in the past two years. Some very fine specimens of copper have been brought from the Wichita mountains. Some have been from the neighborhood of Navajoe. Judge Oliphant, registrar of U.S. Land office of Mangum, is about to become an oil king. He owns quite a large tract of land in the Beaumont oil district and has had some very handsome offers but refuses to sell it. J.C. Dickenson, farmer from Aaron, was in Mangum. He says wheat has commenced to head out and no crops have been seriously injured by pests, but young grasshoppers are hatching out and he and his neighbors are preparing to fight them. They have clubbed together and bought 130 pounds of arsenic to mix with molasses and place for the hoppers to feast on. Southeast Greer County Singing Convention met at Prairie Home. C.V. Kitcherside took charge; Mrs. Effie Bagly secretary protem. Those leading the singing were Prof. Lafayette Ketchersed, Louis Carmichael, J. Osbourn and C.R. McCormick. A.L. Tinker and Lee Frasier presented the Altus class for membership which was accepted. Pleasant Valley class asked for admission. Yelldell will be the August meeting. Short lessons were given by Frasier, Tinker, L. Carmichael, R.T. Edwards and J. Osbourn. Those participating in the lessons were Prof. Fink, Kitchersid, Carmichael, Franklin Willie Dickson, Edwards, Chas. Pool. Prayer by R.T. Edwards. The meeting lasted two days. Others attending included Will McGee. MAY 24, 1901 A man named Duncan was drowned in Elk creek ten miles east of Granite last week. Navajoe is to have a newspaper with H.A. Spanogle as editor. J.N. Kimberlan came in yesterday morning from his ranch at Round Timbers and stated that grading had commenced at the mouth of Salt Fork on Red river and work is being pushed in the direction of Chillicothe. They need twenty more teams and will pay $3.00 per day for same. This section of country has had enough rain, and to spare. Last Sunday an old fashioned chunk-mover visited us, and as a consequence the creeks have all been on a rampage. Stinking Creek got out of its banks, being higher than it was ever known to be. It got up into the stores at Dunbar, the water standing fully two feet in the store buildings, we are informed. Old Frasier was again bathed as of old. The mails failed to get here Monday. Advertisement: W.D. Baird, M.D., formerly physician U.S. Jail and at Sisters Hospital, Antlers, I.T., local health officer. Office at Pendleton's Drug Store, Altus, O.T. W.D. Baine, from Va., Prof. Dickey, Navajoite, Dr. Johnson of Martha, R. Stennitt and family of Mt. View were guests of Rev. W.E. Copeland, in Altus. T.W. Middleton and J.W. Conner of Altus in Mangum Mrs.J.B. Maynor left today for her old home in Winchester, Tenn to visit relatives. We regret to learn that Warren Smithee contemplates moving his family to Texas. L.B. Toney has rented his boarding house to T.H. Green, who is now running the same. Postmaster Hatley received notice last week that the Aaron post office has been discontinued. L.H. Hunnicutt of Lock was in town. Rev. G.S. Hardy, of Clarendon, Texas was in Altus on business. Mrs. Sarah Irving and her son, John R. Irving, from Millerville, Ala, are visiting the family of her daughter, Mrs. J.A. Weir, this week. S.H. Smithee sold his stock of hardware and groceries to Messrs W.E. Copeland and W.F. Dodson, who will continue the business. New song books for the Altus class are on hand. All who are interested in singing meet at the Baptist Church, Sunday, 3:30. Dr. R.E. Tollerson, Navajoe, says his section of country is good and says gradually on the improve. B.H. McQuinn and Wash Shelton were here from Navajoe after a coffin for Mrs. Howard, a widow lady who lived three miles north of that place. She died that evening after an illness of about twelve days with smallpox. Three other members of the Howard family have the dread disease, but are recovering. Judge Dill and Messrs Walker and Snelbourne, officials of the Orient railroad company were in Altus with a final proposition as follows: That in lieu of a half interest in the town and for a bonus of $18,000 they would obligate themselves to build a depot at this place and to also make it division headquarters, with a round house and other railroad works here. They stated that they had thought of buying land somewhere in Greer and building a new town, but feeling under so many obligations to Altus and her citizens, they had decided to give them a show and pledged themselves to do all in their power to make this place one of the best cities on the road if our people would accept the proposition. The suggested that they be allowed to change the name of the place from Altus to Leger. They further stated that they would buy another quarter section of land near town and would use their influence to have the Southwestern Normal located on it, and if they failed in this that they would found a college on this land themselves. A citizens meeting was held in the evening and discussed and since several meetings have been held, it was unanimously agreed to work to comply with the proposition. Mr. Dew, of Prairie Home, in Altus. He was formerly a citizen of Altus. Mr. Ham, of Bethel, is thinking of moving to Altus. Sam Robinson from the south part of the county has been to Texas on a visit. Albert Cowan, from Bethel, is working behind the Miller Bros. counters. Turkey creek is getting to be quite a fishing resort. Several new citizens took the RAR degree, among them Mr. Cowan and Mr. Copass. Everett Pennell from Navajoe, Tom Terry, from Bethel, J.B. Raulston from Lock, George Stroud, from Bethel in Altus, Gough McDaniel and wife were visiting Mr. and Mrs. W.H.H. Maupin. Greer County Sunday School Convention and Picnic to be held July 10,11 at Mangum. Those on the program are: Rev. W.C. Banks, H.D. McKnight, Sam H. Zinn, Rev. J.K. Nigh, Rev. M.A. Bryan, Rev. W.S. P. McCullough, Rev. R.J. Morgan, Rev. A. Baird, Rev. W.A. McAnnally, Rev. E.H. Reynolds, S.M. Casteel, Rev. R.A. Walker. Communities taking part were Mangum, Lowder, Altus, Granite, Elk View, Mt. Zion, Deer Creek, Union, Navajoe and Bethel. W.H. You makes complaint to the Plain Dealer that the stench arising from the carcasses of dead animals left on the public road near his house is almost unbearable to his family. Sometime ago the law warned against the violation, but is seems they will not heed it. Mr. You is very reasonable in his request and states that he dislikes to report anyone and hopes he will not be compelled to resort to the protection of the law. The Orient railroad people with a large crowd of excited spectators, were treated to a badger fight just before dusk. The same badger, owned by J.W. Dicks, that has been doing such remarkable fighting for the past few weeks, was to fight the large and well trained dog of Van Williams for the third time. This time the dog came out winner, amid the deafening cheers of parties who had placed their money on him. Bets were freely made and considerable money must have changed hands. A number of the jovial members of the railroad fraternity staked their money on the dog and of course they won, as they do in all things. Judge Dill, was a quiet spectator, but Messrs Slocum and Blair had bets up and enjoyed the excitement to the fullest extent. The honor of pulling the badger was finally given to a man from Mangum named Jones, and employee of the Henry livery stable at that place, who drove some drummers down here. After much parlay over who should pull it, and wishing to do the "right thing" he was anxious to know just how to "pull" the vicious little animal that was to fight such a large and ferocious looking dog. However, after getting the crowd quieted down, he did his part to the entire satisfaction of all present and was then himself considered one of the heroes of the hour. William Loeser, a young portrait agent from Houston, Texas got in on a badger fight while in town. He was extended the honor of pulling the badger and did his duty nobly The new firm of Copeland & Dodson changed hands, W.R. Dodsdon buying his partner's interest in the store. John R. Irving, of Millerville, Ala, came out with his mother last week to visit Mr. J.A. Weir and has made a number of investments in valuable property here. J.W. Snively, who lives three miles east of town, is trying to recover a claim to a very large and valuable tract of land in the heart of the Beaumont oil fields. Mr. Snively's father owned an interest in a league of the land in the early settling of Texas, and after his death, the land passed into other hands, yet a good title never was made to the new owners. Mr. Snively is a good citizen and has been in Greer county for the past dozen years. MAY 31, 1901 During the rain storm at Mangum last Sunday night a small box house in the western portion of town was struck by lightening and burned to the ground. It was empty but was owned by W.C. Pore who now resides at Altus. A.W. Putnam, Civil engineer is laying off a new town to be called Texoma. It is on the line of the Choctaw road, one mile from the Texas line. The official bond of Miss Laura Moore, county superintendent, was approved. She has named Prof. W.A. Cooksey and Mrs. Alva Dale as members of the county board of teachers' examiners. Allen and Albert Lock killed a very fine bear near their ranch in the Jester neighborhood a few days ago. Rev. J.W. Solomon returned from New Orleans (May 10-13) from the Southern Baptist Convention. He visited several points of interest in Louisiana and the oil field of Beaumont, Texas where he invested 25 cents in a small ham sandwich. Beds were $5.00 each-he did not invest. Attorney C.H. Aldredge and a friend hitched up a double team and started to Navajoe early yesterday morning. They got along very nicely until they struck that mud hole about two miles out on the Altus road where the team balked (and we don't blame them) and laid down in the mud. The judge looked ruefully at the team, the hack and lastly at the mud hole, which he was tempted to call hell. He hesitated, coaxed the horses to rise and extricate him, but his work was too coarse, and he was at last forced to emulate the example of our Savior by walking upon the water. The ice of course, had melted, and he sank shoe mouth deep in the shallowest portion of the mire. He managed to unhitch the team and get them out of the mud, where he sat down upon the roadside and awaited the approach of some good Samaritan to assist him in extracting the hack from the jaws of the "loblolly," after which he came back to town a sadder but wiser man. Rev. J.D. Terry, of Bethel and Rev. R.A. Walker were in Town, as gossip say, to perform the ceremony that will unite Stewart Miller and Florence Terry in the happy bonds of matrimony. Mr. Miller is a brother to our Claude Miller, who has a store in Altus and one in Navajoe. The bride is a daughter of Brother Terry. Reports have gone out alleging that the opening of the new Indian country was to be delayed are not believed by those who understand such matters. No faith is placed in the report of Lone Wolf. It is believed that this story was started by the cattle kings, as they are most vitally interested in the opening of this new territory. By it they are to be deprived of thousands of acres of the best range country in the world, heretofore used by them for grazing purposes, with little or no expense. J.H. Ethridge informs us of the death of Peter Holt at his home in Collingsworth County, Texas. He was one of the first settlers of old Frasier and moved from that place two years ago. J.S. Davis of Blackwell, Judge Shepherd of Stephen County, Texas, jovial Pat Carpenter, J.E. Coen, Granite, Mrs. Virgie Miller and Maggie Miller of Navajoe, Dr. S.P. Rawls of Lock, Rev. W.E. Banks and J.T. Goddard, from Cross Roads, Dr. O'Hara and Thos Croutch of Granberry, Texas on a prospecting tour; E.M. Yeldell, mayor of Yeldell, Van L. Kennedy of Peoria, Tx., M.A. Williams, a prospector from Chismville, Arkansas, W.A. Roberts of Kay County, prospector, are all visiting in Altus. Albert Cowan Sundayed with home folks near Bethel. I.N. Ennis made a trip to Granite. Thomas Lindley was a visitor Judge Woodson was detained at court in Mangum most of last week. Dr. James Bryce returned from Memphis, Tennessee. Henry T. Kimball and sister, Mrs. Mooney, of Mangum, visited their parents Mr. and Mrs. John T. Kimball in Altus. L.F. Patrick came in from Weatherford, Texas, from visiting relatives and prospecting. He is a brother of M.Y. Patrick and son-in- law of Mr. Bishop. W.S. Trimble of the Orient R.R. was in town. A social gathering of young folks met at the home of Mrs. McMahan to honor Misses Tankersly and Fields of Texas, who are visiting the family of C.A. Allen Samuel Piper and J.P. Hinds of Cleburne, Texas are in town with J.W. Piper, a son of the farmer who lives four miles out. A. W. Brown came in with his family from South Haven, Kansas. His much pleased and hopes to locate in Greer Co. Mr. And Mrs. Robert E. Dunlap went to Chickasha in response to a message stating that Dr. Woods, Mrs. Dunlap's father, was dangerously ill. They have returned and the father is improved. Dr. Satterfield paid Lock a professional visit. Guy Gamble and R. H. Mathews went to Granite. Rev. J. M. Whitehurst of Amarillo, Texas was in town. Lula Stanley, Vernon, is a guest of Mrs. L.B. Toney. Mr. And Mrs. E.E. Crain have a fine girl born last Saturday. Henry Sweet, son of J.L. Sweet, died of smallpox in Mangum, last week. J.E. Corn has resigned his position as manager of the Brown Lumber Co. of Granite. B.F. Pryor subscribes to paper; sends one to his brother in Arkansas. Claud Miller returned from Dallas, Texas with his mother and sister to become permanent residents of our town. Postmaster Hatley whispered to us the other day that assistant Prof. Lee Frasier had gone to his old home in Alabama; sounds like he went to get married. Hon. Mark Hanna, ex-editor of Plain Dealer, is in town. It is whispered that his mission is of a matrimonial nature. Judge J.H. Buford was holding court at Mangum last week, impaneling a jury and asked the usual questions as to age, birth, etc. Most of the jurors were from Texas, one from Tennessee and one from Kentucky. The last man admitted gently that he was born in Arkansas, whereupon everybody roared with laughter, and the Judge rapped for order. Judge Buford, to relieve the embarrassment of the man from Arkansas, said jocularly, "Well, don't worry, for its probably true that all the others are from Arkansas but will not admit it." "Yes," replied the juror with a grin, "but I just knew that the chumps would all laugh when I said I was from Arkansas." Joe Hale has commenced a nice residence in the north part of town. Walter Wright is ailing. Clay Aycock working in Miller store. Claud Miller in Dallas buying for Miller Stores in Navajoe and Altus. W.H. Henderson, Bob James, Rev. W.G.H. Crump, W.R. Stroud, Lee Shropshire all of Bethel, in Altus. The old store room of Hightower & Funderburk has been rented to the Orient Railway people for a provision room. The old building has served well, but its days are nearly gone. Mrs. Fannie Trotter, wife of Hon. John A. Trotter, Receiver of the land office at Mangum, died on the 18th at the family home near Quarts. She had been an invalid for several years. Yeldell is dubbed a "Jim" town as so many of her citizens are named Jim: Jim Dickson, Jim Yeldell, Jim Burnett, Jim Harris, Jim Jackson, Jim Hatton, Jim Sanders, Jim Stewart, Jim Cox, Sr., Jim Cox, Jr., Jim O'Neal, and Big Jim Brown. Yeldell is evidently a "Jim" dandy town. Mangum was thrown into considerable excitement last week by a man named Geo. Ingram, who was crazy with intoxication, got hold of a double barrel shot gun and fired into a crowd, wounding George Pendleton, a farmer living near Eldorado, and a Mr. Anderson. The man was captured and jailed. JUNE 7, 1901 Round House And Division Headquarters To Be Located Here. Final Deal closed Saturday. A City of First Magnitude, Everybody happy, Real Estate gone skyward---Our people have been breathless in suspense for the past few weeks waiting for the final word and seeking the latest developments in regard to the outcome of the proposition submitted to the town by the Orient Railway Co, in regard to bonus and other concessions in consideration of a depot, round house and division headquarters to be located here. Saturday the glad news of a satisfactory deal being entered into and signed by the railroad officials and a committee of our citizen. Big smiles were on the faces if both young and old. The night was celebrated by shooting of sky rockets and firing of anvils, lasting till midnight. Real Estate immediately went up and had advanced each day. We hope that all parties will be rewarded by the increased valuation of their property and that a great city will some day--in the near future--stand upon this beautiful spot of mother earth. Funding Bonds Issued By Greer County: The board of county commissioners finding that bills for current expenses were piling up and no money in the treasure to pay with, decided April 29th to issue $20,000 in bonds and sell them and liquidate the current claims; to run for 20 to 30 years at 5%. The presence of about 1000 sooners in the Wichita mountains are hiding, ready to make the run when the reservation is thrown open. The President is expected to open the reservation between the 15th of June and 1st of July. The allotment of land will be by drawings instead of the old method of a run. The dissatisfied Indians have served notice that they will contest the opening of the reservation. They assert that their tribe has not been permitted as they were by law entitled to pass upon the treaty under which the reservation will be opened, and they have been defrauded of their property. A detachment of soldiers will be ordered to the reservation to clear it of sooners. Col. J.M. Shropshire, Judge Huling, Rev. J.A. Zinn and County Commissioner Lowry represented this county at the Confederates reunion at Memphis. Sam Lazarus, principal stock holder in the Acme cement works is right-of-way agent for the Frisco railroad. T.V. Turner is in Mangum. J.E. DuBose, Navajoe, Dr. Wiley and Ross Goodner, Granite, W.W. Austin, Mr. Fagan and Jas A. Crane, Granite, J.W. McClurg and B.T. Hawkins of Navajoe, in Altus on business. Mrs. Funderburk is recovering from a spell of sickness. Lula Stanley of Vernon, who was visiting Mrs. L.B. Toney left for Yeldell. A.P. Austin from St. Jo, Texas was a prospector in town. Mrs. F.M. Trimble has been ill. J.H. Copass is quite sick. Dr. A.R. Hagan has been absent for over a month. Dr. Black reports that his father is improving. Joe Mulky and wife and sister, Mary of Tolber, Texas, stopped over Sunday with Col. B.C. Bennett and family. They were returning from visiting relatives at Granite. Mrs. Tankersly and son, Lula Fields and Ida Tankersly visited in Altus with C.A. Allen, then departed for their Texas home. John F. Wilson, boyhood friend of editor came in from Mangum. W.C. McCloud, near Navajoe sent the paper to his friends in Texas. J.S. Mayfield, president of the Mayfield Lumber Co., with W.M. Baldwin, Dallas, is looking after his interests. Mr. Mayfield is a resident of Los Angeles, Cal. W. L. Napier looks after their yard here. Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller and son, Harry, have been in Mangum visiting relatives. He brings news of much sickness in Mangum. Five burials there on Tuesday. T.J. Dalton and Mrs. Carl Shehan, Greer County, married in Quanah last week. BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF ALTUS, OKLAHOMA TERRITORY Altus Hotel--George. T. Russell, Proprietor Dr. W.D. Baird--Physician And Surgeon Boger & Fincher--Blacksmiths Box & Bennite--Blacksmiths T.G. Braddock--Groceries G.W. Burkett--Liveryman Coen, Bros. --Contractors And Builders M.N. Crain--Dry Goods Miss. Mattie Cox, --Millinery Robert D. Dunlap--Dry Goods Frank Fickert --Shoemaker Dr. J.E. Fowler--Physician And Surgeon Lee Frasier --Groceries Gamble--Harness And Saddles, Lap Robes N.J. Hamilton-Blacksmith W.C. Jarboe--Justice Of Peace J.M. Julian--Groceries W.R. Jones & Son--Groceries Johnson Hardware Co.--Implements A.E Leach.--Dry Goods "Uncle" Mack-- Restaurant W.H.H. Maupin--Ginner E.D. Mcgregor--Furniture J.R McMahan--Druggist Mayfield Lumber Co--W.L. Napier, Mgr. A.B. McNutt--Shoes Miller Brothers--Dry Goods The News --Judge J.P. Orr, Editor George D.Pendleton--Druggist People's Bank-- .C. Baker, Cashier Plain Dealer--- James B. Kelley, Editor Jno. R. Rogers---Groceries E.E. Russell--Jeweler And Undertaker DR. J.J. Satterfield--Dentist S.E. Smithee & Son--Groceries Spears & Kizziar--Barbers Spencer & Lofland--Contractors J.A.Weir--Ginner And Miller M.M. Welch--Groceries White & Wimberly--Butchers R.T. Williams--Millinery B.N. Woodson-Attorney-At-Law Dora McElroy and wife, Charlie Eskey, W. C. McLeod all from Bethel, Newt Stroud, Rev. Coker, Dunbar, Tom Aaron, Victory, Billy Smith and Smith Pierson, Mangum Col, J.M. Shropshire, Navajoe, were all in Altus this week. J.E. Shelburne, Commissary Agent of the Orient railroad moved into the old Hightower building and will commence grading on the road. Mrs. Spencer and children, wife of Contractor Spencer, came over from Chillicothe in company with H.M. Davis. They will live here. Sunday School Institute of Baptist Church in Greer County Association will meet at Reed June 12, 13, 14. Messrs Slocum, Blair, Wolfinger, Orient Agents, are in Altus making preparation to commence work. G.W. Barr, Yeldell, is an enterprising citizen and is desirous of getting a depot for Yeldell. Her people should pull for a station. F.C. Berry, Lock, stated that he had lived on the same farm since coming to Greer over twelve years ago and that his place had never been left alone twenty-four hours at a time during all those years. Ludric and Leila Johnson returned from Vernon in company with W.L. Napier. Miss. Ludric has been engaged in teaching school in Vernon. She declines to teach there the next session. Program For Children's Day at Methodist Church. Those mentioned on the program are: Hugh Kizziar, Mabel Braddock, Bessie Trimble, Jessie McMahan, Sybil Cole, Shirley Maupin, Clara Boger, Mont Trimble. The program is listed in detail in the paper. JUNE 14, 1901 Altus is situated in Greer county. This county contains 1, 511, 575 acres, 2352 sections, 9448 homes, with 200 homes not yet taken up. There will be three counties in the two reservations says Washington City. One county seat will be at the station of Kiowa; another at Anadarko, a mile east and a half mile north of the Methodist Mission. The third in the north half section 31, Twp 11 range 3 north, five miles south of Ft. Sill Military post. Dr. Neill of Mangum, Andrew Jackson McClenon, Granite, Col. J.M. Shropshire & W.C. McCloud of Bethel, E.R. Gamble of Vernon, Galen B. Townsend, editor of Mangum Star and his cousin, a Mr. Hughes, James E. Kelly of Granite, all visited in Altus. J.B. Mathews in Mangum. Program For Children's Day At Methodist Church: Those mentioned on program are: Hugh Kizziar, Mabel Braddock, Bessie Trimble, Jessie McMahan, Sybil Cole, Shirley Maupin, Clara Boger, Mont Trimble.The program is listed in detail in the paper. J.W. Dick, Mrs. Ida Thorp and B.C. Bennett, wife and little girl went sight seeing at Navajoe. J.E. Coen and E. R. McDaniel took their best girls to Odd Fellows picnic at Warren. E.V. Conke, W.B. Wright, Percy Bryan, and Mark Roberts were prospecting over at the reservation. Hon. A.C. Barrett of Clarendon, Tx, county attorney of Donley County, in Altus. P.Y. Brinton, editor of Granite Enterprise, in town with H. L. Standovin, J.D. Morse and Ben Sands who were prospecting. Dr. S.P. Rawls of Lock came in last Sunday with a young man named Sutherland, of Dunbar, who had been bitten on the hand by a large rattle snake some weeks previous and with the assistance of Dr. S. Hagen and Baird, amputated one of the middle fingers. Dr. J.J. Satterfield has gone into training for the opening of the reservation and spent most of last week on the line near Navajoe surveying and clearing out various fords, and wading up and down Northfork with a view to locating the best crossing place. In case old bill should stump his toe he would then fall back on his pedestrian training and thus complete the run. ICE!!! Always on hand at M. Reed's next door above PLAIN DEALER. J.M. Demonet went to visit homefolk at Vernon. H.E. Gask??s and Will Janzen, of Vernon, in town. M.M. Welch visited Vernon. J.N. Kimberlan enroute to reservation. Dr. James Bryce accepted a position with the McMahan drug store as prescription clerk. Daisy Kimberlin visited her sister, Mrs. G.D. Pendleton and brother Rayburn Kimberlan. J.B. Maynor received a letter from his wife that she arrived at her old home in Tennessee. Judge Orr, of The News, has been in Vernon visiting his wife. She has been ill and is improving. Ed Carter, formerly of Navajoe, is now living at Vernon. He has been to Mangum where he witnessed the marriage of his brother. J. A. Blair and Elmer N. Slocum made a trip to Granite. Mrs. Slocum and little daughter returned with them to make their home in Altus. Miss. Jessie and Ella V. Howse returned from the Territorial University at Norman where they have been in school for ten months. They were met at Mangum by their father, Capt Howse. E.N. Slocum of the Orient Railroad Company informs us that he has located a town site on their road south of Altus belonging to Messrs. Brown, Kihel and G.W. Barr. This station will be about two miles from Red River and will make a flourishing town. The station ground north of here have not yet been selected but will be decided in a few days. A camp of Modern Woodmen of America with twenty charter members was organized here by Deputy Head Consul H. B. Turner to be Leger Camp No 9750. This is strictly a fraternal order and offers the cheapest and best insurance of any company in America. C.W. Cole is still confined to his bed. F. M. Trimble's new house is nearly done. W.E. Shankle lost his barn by fire; lost his feed stuff. Monroe Honey and wife from Turkey Creek were in town shopping. George Stroud in town. Wilbur Ayers from Quanah visiting in Altus. Rev. Walker is proving to be quite a carpenter. He is getting in trim for the boom. He says "hatchet and saw" men will be able to get $1.50 a day. JUNE 21, 1901 BYGONE DAYS:THE RISE AND FALL OF FRAZER --First Settling Of Altus. One to talk or think of Altus of former days would naturally drift back to Frazer, a village two and one half miles west of Altus. Peter Holt, Jim Walker and their father-in-law, Uncle John McClaran, were the first to settle on Bitter Creek. Mr. Holt sold bacon, flour and canned goods to the cowboys and a few nesters that ventured across"Prairie Dog Town river":(Red River). The nearest postoffice was Mangum. Prospectors were not so numerous or moneyed as now. A postoffice was needed and granted with Mr. Holt as postmaster. The river nearby was mapped Frazier. The office was named in honor of the river with the "I" left out making it Frazer. In course of time, J.M. Julian, J.R. McMahan, T.A. Lawrence, C.C. Hightower, T.G. Braddock, Hall Richerson, J.M. Russell and sons, who had hauled their stock of dry goods all the way from Washington County, Arkansas on wagons, had settled down by the side of Mr. Holt, all doing a Klondike business. J.C. McFarlin and J.E. Fowler were our M.D's and their superiors haven't come west yet. Uncle John and Grandma McClaren ran the hotel. Grandma was known far and wife as the best of cooks. J.M. Hays also kept boarders. J.D. Wright, our blacksmith never wasted strength on cold iron. Henry Pendergraft kept a saloon, but the people being sober minded he didn't do a Cripple Creek business and in less than two years he shut up shop and left us. J.F. Martin, Esq. Issued out justice to our people. Rilan Spears furnished us with mail daily, driving from Vernon, Texas, to Mangum, sixty five miles, a hack leaving each end of line, driving though same day. Last but not least F. B. Bulls and C.C. Stubbs established and published the "Greer County News." THE COUNTRY STORE: Wiley Baucum, a practical farmer and an all round business man, pitched his tent where his family now resides, about two miles southeast of Altus. In 1889 Mr. Baucum built a store house, and stocked it with such things as the farmers called for, quantity being more desirable than quality. Desirous to build a town Mr. Baucum petitioned the department for a post office. The name ALTUS was suggested by W.A. Baucum (our generous hearted Bogue) son of Wiley Baucum. Wiley Baucum was post master and W.A. assistant. Wiley McCauley and S. J. Margrave were bondsmen and T.V. Turner, Esq. Officiated. For about three months Mr. Baucum carted the mail to and from Frazer at his own expense. THE FRAZIER FLOOD: On the night of June 4, 1891, the people of Frazer, as usual, ate their supper with good relish. Men passed jokes, women put house and dugouts in order for a night's sweet rest from daily toil, for no one was idle. Inoffensive, prattling children, kneeling saying their prayers, were placed on downy couches to dream of gone by days. The threatening clouds with rain was nothing new-all seemed contented. No people enjoy sleeping as Greer people. Old and young were soon sound asleep, except one. Hall Richerson was on guard. He was no coward. He was one of the bravest, but cautious. The clouds changing to inky black, drew nearer each moment. Great flashes of lightening, loud peals of thunder, a mighty rushing wind, and water falling as if it was near Noah's time, yet the people slept. The land was soon covered with water, rising higher and higher each moment. Hall, looking out into Egypt-like darkness, not a light was to be seen. True to his neighbors, he stepped out of his house into water waist deep, to warn the people of the flood. Astonished men, excited women and frightened children, soon saw their awful condition. We will not attempt to reveal the many ways of escape. Suffice to say all landed safe and sound at the home of J.M. Russell, father of E.E. Russell. Next morning it was discovered that Salt Fork, in its haste to destination, had run across the country near Wheatland to Bitter Creek , the little brooklet at the edge of Frazer. As soon as the water had subsided and the businessmen of Frazer could get their wits together a new town was all the talk. The present site of Victory was offered them and some at first favored it. Mr. Baucum invited them to Altus, making a liberal proposition. But most of the Frazer people preferred the Neal hill. Rev. G.S. Hardy, pastor of Frazer mission, a man of winning ways, was sent to convert Baucum to the Neal place. Promising to move the post office and let it retain its name, Baucum finally consented to join them. PRESENT ALTUS LOCATED: A townsite company was organized with F.M. Trimble, J.E. McFarlan, J.N. Kimberlan, J.M. Hays, Wiley Baucum, Wm. Lawson, Mrs. E.H. Southerland, J.S. Kimberlan, of Sherman, Tex. And W.T. Tucker of Vaiden, Miss., W.E. Gates, president, C.C. Hightower vice- president, G.S. Hardy secretary-treasurer. The company bought the north half of town from Sam Neal, containing 320 acres for $1,600. The southeast quarter was purchased from Dave Ross for $1,000 and Mrs. L.D. Pollock gave 80 acres of southwest quarter to the town. The company gave town lots to all the Frazer people that would occupy them, and most all availed themselves of the opportunity. Our friend J.R. McMahan did not join so readily. It was about a year before he penetrated Altus. For his tardiness, providence rewarded him by blowing his house down. The townsite company paying $500.00 each into the town treasury had sufficient money to build a commodious school house and furnished it free to the school directors. The first house moved from Frazer to Altus, in July, 1891, was Hall Richerson's, now owned and occupied by John J. Rogers. By the first of September most all of the houses had been moved, including old Altus. Mr. Baucum continued as postmaster for a year. J.E. Martin was the next postmaster, and Mrs. Row, George T. Russell and Sherrod Hatley have followed in succession. WHEAT, FIRST, COTTON LATER: At the beginning of our narrative the farmers produced wheat entirely, feeding hogs and horses with wheat. It was so bulky the Altus men could not buy it. The farmers were forced to haul to the Denver railroad to sell their wheat and bought most of their supplies there, exchanging wheat at mills for flour. In the spring of 1895 the farmers found their wheat had all frozen out. A great many left the county. Some view it in a different light. They dreaded going back east to rent, cotton being their only alternate, and none regret staying. D.G. Simpson and a few others planted cotton as early as 1890, hauling it to Iowa Park, the distance of sixty-five miles to the nearest gin. The cotton crop has increased to the extent that eleven gins could not gin the crop of 1900. Altus, at present, runs two gins and failed to gin all the cotton raised here. The business men of Altus pay liberal prices for cotton, and most of the cotton that was ginned here was sold here. Besides, quite a number of bales ginned at other places was marketed at Altus. Altus is situated in the best farming part of southwest Oklahoma. In the year of 1894 it was thought and said that half the money crop of Greer county was raised in six miles of Altus. We regret that Altus is likely to lose her name, but hope we will lose none of her virtues by the change to Leger. OLD TIMER To Kill Prairie Dogs: One teaspoonful oil of anise; 1 teaspoon of green coffee; white of three eggs; 1 ounce of strychnine; 1 quart of hot water; 1 quart of meal; half bushel of wheat. Soak coffee in whites of eggs 24 hours; dissolve cyanide of potassium and strychnine in hot water, add molasses, egg solution and oil of anise, pour over wheat and constantly stir while adding meal. Usually use about a teaspoonful of the preparation to the whole(hole). The new station on the Orient survey eleven miles south of Altus was laid off the first of the week and named Elmer, in honor of E. N. Slocum, one of the promoters of the road. The Hess post office has been moved to Cross Roads with Rev. W.E. Banks as postmaster. A Petition asked that a new post office be established at the residence of Mr. Yates about four miles below Hess. Champ Carter was married in the Methodist church at Mangum last week to Miss. Mary Belle Eaton. Rev. L.W. Cain, officiating. The bride is the daughter of T.B. Eaton; the groom is a well known young business man. House building in Altus is again becoming, the order of the day. John R. Irving, late of Millerville, Alabama, is having a two-story residence erected on one of his lots and will no doubt have residences erected on all his lots. An addition is being made to the hotel, and the new business house on the south side of the square is nearing completion. A few other buildings in the different portions of town are in course of construction. Grading on the road will soon commence. The Chief, the recently established paper of Navajoe is seeking some free advertising by deriding Altus. This shows bad breeding on the part of the editor of that paper, for the people of Navajoe and Altus are very near and dear to each other and there has been no animosity or rival feeling between the two towns. A number of our people have business interests in Navajoe and we wish them success, and it little becomes a hobo printer just drifted in from Nebraska, who has been so generously embraced by the good people of the place, to belittle the bright prospects of a neighbor town and to stir up a rivalry between the two places, the outgrowth of which can do neither place good. A Woodman Log Rolling: Altus Camp No 49. WOW will give a picnic at Gate's crossing on North Fork, June 29, 1901. Those named on the program: Prof. Luke Roberts, Prof. W.H. Dickey, Annie Kimbell, Pearlie Weir, Shirley Maupin, Bessie Trimble, Judge J. P Orr, E.R. Mc Daniel. Lemonade and cold drinks will b served on the ground. This place is thirteen miles due east of Altus and about seven miles southeast of Navajoe. C.C. Mansfield, Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Napier, Claud Miller, mother and sister visited Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Miller, J.H. Willis, Navajoe's hotel man, visited Navajoe. C. W. Cole is improving from his sickness.. Mrs. B. C. Bennett is on the sick list Prof. W.H. Dicky of Navajoe, Judge Dill, Ross Goodner and wife, Dr. Stovall and Garland Buck of Granite, Postmaster Smith of Yeldell, C.E. Pinnel of Navajoe, Dr. Hass & C.T. Fly of Mangum, visited in Altus. Ludric Johnson left for Vernon where he will join friends in a trip to the Pan American Exposition at Buffalo, N.Y. "Uncle Mack" Demonet put up a hat whilst in Vernon last week as a wager that trains would be running into Altus sooner than Vernon on the Southwestern road. Maggie Miller, of Mangum, was a guest of Mrs. Napier. She was accompanied by W.H. McDaniel. Marcus Aurillus Hanna Jr. left for his home in Stamford, Texas. Theodore O'Brien of Company K. Twenty-second Infantry, sent the Plain Dealer a very interesting bundle of newspapers from the Philippine Islands. Quite a number of young people Sundayed at Navajoe; Guy Gamble, Ella McMahan, E.R. McDaniel, Zula Rogers, Will McDaniel, Maggie Miller, Press Trimble, Clay McMahan. John D. Rogers, son of our merchant John J. Rogers, returned from Jackson, Tennessee where he graduated with honors from law school. Mr. and Mrs. F.M.Trimble went to Mangum. Through the kindness of J.R. McMahan we sampled the first ripe peaches of the season brought to the Altus market. They were grown by W. R. Fox. Mark Roberts, J.A. Parson, E.R. Gamble, Dr. A.R. Hagen and Judge B.N. Woodson left on a prospecting tour of the mineral district of the Kiowa reservation. Besides staking off a number of valuable mineral claims they caught all the fish they could eat. Judge Woodson hung such a large fish that he went in with clothes on after it, but the Judge intimates that he "slid in". He Insulted The Mule Last Saturday night late a young man arrived in Mangum in company with a mule. The mule was a better mule than the man was a man, for the man was drunk or had been while the mule was sober and had never been anything else. Moreover the mule was a good mule in a common sense and would have brought $60 or $70. The mule was put in a livery stable but the young man was allowed to run loose on the streets. The man offered to sell the mule for $70, but told several persons confidentially that he would be making a good thing at that, as the animal cost him only $2.50. This statement came to the ears of Sheriff Overton's deputies, who, deeming such an insult to a good mule sufficient grounds for prosecution, arrested the man and locked him up. The man's name is Jim Sellars, and he has been living near Dot. The mule's name has not yet been learned but he is a good "critter", bay or brown in color and branded Z on the right thigh. The owner of the mule can get him or her, as the case may be, by paying charges at Henry's barn, but Sheriff Overton expects to board the man for a while. H.B. McCracken from Willowvale, Robert Snell, Bethel, George Jones, near Navajoe, Parson Terry, Mrs. W.C. Rogers, Mr and Mrs. Fred Minor, Lock, Mrs. Susie Barker and son Elmore from Bethel, A.C. Muncie and family of Yeldell, Ralph Hudson and wife, Mrs. R.H. Martin and sister Miss. Cox from Navajoe, were shopping in our stores in Altus. The Fisher Poet Our friend Frank Miller of the Mangum Star went fishing and has become quite poetic. I only wish, and wish and wish, That I could fish, and fish and fish; I'd like to sit the live-long day, Upon a bale of prairie hay, Down where the river sadly wails, And fish for suckers and for whales. 'Tis shameful that on this free soil, A man must toil, and toil and toil, And grunt and swear and strive and groan, And burst his martingale and moan; Grow old and bald before his time, In following the festive dime. Ah, life would be a pleasant dream. If one could sit beside a stream, With rod in hand at early dawn, No comrade but his demijohn. (The latter filled with lemonade)-- To sit there in the drowsy shade-- What higher bliss could mortals wish? Ah, let us go and fish and fish. JUNE 28, 1901 Miller Bros. Store offered a prize for the three prettiest sofa pillows in a contest. The whole side of his store is beautifully decorated with pretty pillows. Mrs. Dr. Fowler's is made of soft white silk and overlaid with white linen, drawn work worked with pink thread. Mrs. McDaniel made a light yellow velvet and over-laid with rich Battenburg work. Stella McMahan made a serge color interwoven with black in beautiful Brazillian points. Mrs. Foster made a soft white linen and embroidered rich red roses wreathed around the edge. Annie Allen made a pillow of canary color satin and worked over with Roman work. Mrs. Reid made a dainty pale green taffeta silk covered with beautiful Batenburg work. Others who entered the contest were Mrs. Collins, Bethel; Mrs. Clarence Johnson, Ella Allen, Laura Cox, Mattie Cox, Mrs. Miller, Mrs Napier, Mrs. Trimble, Mrs. Gassoway of Turkey Creek; Mrs. Spears, Mrs. Wimberly, Miss Mitchell of Dot; Mrs. J.C. Coen and Mrs. Ed. Coen. At eight o['clock yesterday morning the people of Altus assembled at the right of way on M.E.Kizziar's place in the western part of the city to witness the beginning of the grading on the Orient road. N.M. Crain, was the orator of the day and he waxed eloquently over the future greatness of Altus. He was followed by Judge J.P. Orr, who told some of the benefits that would be derived from building the road. Rev. R.T. Williams followed him with thanks to the Orient Company. At about 9:23 Miss. Ella McMahan dumped the first scraper of dirt upon the roadbed, covering a horseshoe that had been driven in ground by John A. Blair of the Orient Company. A happy shout of the people announced the beginning of work on one of the greatest railroads in the world--a road that will make Altus great. In the Kiowa-Comanche reservation there are 1,500 Comanches, 1,139 Kiowas, 172 Apaches and 298 Arizona Apaches, who are held as prisoner of war at Fort Sill. In the Wichita country there are about 650 Wichita and their affiliate tribes. Wm. Stewart of Altus was in Granite. Prof. Cooksey, Mangum, who has been roaming the green field of batchlor hood for the past 20 years, three of which were spent in this county with pupils of Mangum high school, married one of Texas' fairest daughters last week. Martin Wilson and Geo. Maze became involved in a fight. During the fight Maze was struck on the side of the head with a soda water bottle and died from the effects Tuesday morning. Prof. Dickey of Navajoe has accepted a position at Granite for this next year. Claud Kimball, Altus, married Mrs. Jane Sexton, formerly of near Navajoe, at the Boone Hotel in North Mangum, June 18, 1901. Uncle John McClaren, pioneer of old Frazier, came to Mangum to visit his daughter, Mrs. P.H. Holt. Advertisement: J.M. Julian buys your chickens and eggs. James Thorton and Pete Askey, Bethel, J.N. Thomas, Dunbar, John Bynum, farmer near Navajoe, Rev. Leonard W. Cain, John J. Land, T.W. Bush from Victory, John Fitzgerald, Hess, Dr. Johnson of Martha, in Altus. Mrs. Robert E. Dunlap is visiting relatives in Vernon. M.E. Kizziar moved in town last week from his ranch near Victory. Pres Trimble and Herman Maupin were out driving with their best girls. R.N. Weir, Harrison, Ark., is visiting his brother, J.A. Weir. Advertisement: Geo. Pendleton's soda fountain has cold drinks. C.A. Boger has commenced work on his new residence in the northeast part of town. C.C. Hightower, W.C. Jarboe, S. P. Foster with their families and R.L. Chism family went fishing on Turkey Creek, A.H. Smith, a barber from Canadian, Tx, prospecting, in Altus. Lillie Maupin returned from visiting relatives in Texas and brought back her cousin Alma Baker. R.C. Johnson and Judge B.N. Woodson were prospecting in the gold fields of Comanche county. Z.E. West and S.A. Crain, near Navajoe, came after a coffin for the little daughter of Will Elmer who died that morning. C.C. Mansfield is a pleasant politician. W.P. Derr, few miles north of town, has harvested and threshed his wheat crop and made 1340 bushels off ninety acres. Mrs. Jarboe returned from a Texas visit. Cam Russell, from Belle Fonte, Ark., brother of E.E. Russell, is visiting in Altus. N.V. White, farmer, who lives a few miles out, was in town. Col. D.E. DuBose, old war horse of Navajoe in town. Jake Kirby and family, and Mesdames J.G. Bickley and Geo. Langsdale all of Texarkana arrived to visit and attend the Stroud-Kirby nuptials. John J. Rogers made a run into Kiowa-Comanche country. C.O. Newlin and family of Hardeman County, Texas in town and will locate here. Rev. J.M. Setser has just returned from a prospecting tour in Kiowa-Comanche county and reports assays of $29-$30 to the ton on ore taken from within two feet of the top of the ground. Dr. A.R. Hagen and W.D. Baird performed a surgical operation on George Hamton. Dr. Hagan has decided to locate in Altus. John R. Irving has returned from the Territory. George E. Stroud, Dunbar will marry Mary E. Kirby at the bride's brother's home, D. J. Kirby, next Sunday. Miss Kirby is one of our popular lady school teachers. Preacher's Meeting At Vernon. Those attending were Rev. R.A. Walker, Altus, J.D. Terry of Bethel, W.A. Derrick of Duke; J.F. Tyson of Olustee; L.R. J. Morgan, W.E. Banks, ? Martin of Hess; W.C. Benson, Altus; L.W. Abernathy and L.W. Cain of Mangum. Our young friend Lee Frasier, assistant postmaster, returned from his boyhood home in Alabama, bringing a bride home. He married Stella McCord in Albertville, Ala, June 18, 1901. Fishing Trip to Otter Creek. Those attending were Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Napier and children. Mrs. Mc Daniel, Stella and Ella McMahan, Alice and Daisy Aycock, Zula Rogers, Delle Kimberlan, Johnnie McDaniel, Messrs Harris, J.A. Parsons, J.E. Coen, Guy Gamble, Ned McDaniel, J.H. Copass, and Herman Maupin, Dr. Black and Miss. Annie Allen. The following were trading in our store. Mrs. Planer, L. Berry and his brother, Will Mc Cloud and wife from Bethel, Arthur Willoughby, Dick Kizziar of Horse Branch, Mrs. Yeldell and sister from Yeldell, Miss. Hawkins and Miss. Williams from Navajoe. JULY 5, 1910 Interesting article from Sweetwater, Texas on the Kansas City, Mexican and Orient Railroad operations. Mangum will have electric light and an ice factory within two months. Maj. Henry D. McKnight, of Mangum, ex-register of the land office has been appointed receiver at the newly created land office at El Reno. Live stock of Greer county is valued at over a million and a half dollars. (Chief) Lone Wolf is much disappointed in not getting the opening of the reservation postponed. Statue of Oklahoma 1893, Section 5767. It is an offence for any person to leave unhitched or unattended any vehicle whatever on any road or public highway. The driver and his employer are both held liable for all damage. Editor Horbeck, Minco, I.T., states that he and others will make the run into the reservation, claiming that the lottery plan will be illegal and then they will contest and beat the hold of the claim drawn. It is our opinion that it would be foolish for him to buck against Uncle Sam. The law empowers the president with authority to declare the manner and adopt the method of opening. They say Uncle Dick Blain travels the new road to Mangum now. It is about six feet under the old one. Mr. Dale, Mr. and Mrs. O.L. Williams and Mark Hanna were in Mangum this week. Stewart Miller and bride, of Navajo were visiting. Young Southerland who was snake bitten and lost his middle finger is well and able to be at work. Better Stay Out Of The Reservation Until Time To Open: Congress passed a law governing the settling of the land and in the manner in which these lands may be settled on, occupied and entered and prohibiting any violation. Anyone who attempts to settle will be precluded from obtaining any of the lands and prosecuted. The clerical work will be completed soon. An old resident in this county, in commenting on those 13-inch jack rabbit ears that we made mention of last week, said that was nothing, that they were really small sized ears in his vicinity. But, he said, in speaking of rabbits, that an occurrence came under his vision last week that was a little unusual and might have been dangerous. He said that he was on the proposed line of railroad between Independence and Arapaho, when the fast mail and express came along at a high rate of speed. Just before it got to him, for some reason not explained, a big "jack rabbit" got on the track in from of the engine. It stood for a second or two looking at the fast approaching train, which scared the engineer so that he blew the danger whistle several times, when the rabbit turned and started down the track ahead of the train digging up the ballast and throwing stones behind it in such a reckless manner that it broke out the headlight and window in the cab. It was a steep down grade and the train could not slack, so the mad race was kept up clear to Independence, greatly to the terror of the engineer, who expected to be ditched any minute. As they neared Independence, the engineer blew the whistle in such a terrific manner that it attracted the section boss near by, who seeing the train and the danger it was in promptly turned the switch and side-tracked the rabbit, letting the train pass on in safety, thereby averting a horrible accident. We don't believe this story, and only tell it as it was told to us, so don't blame us"