The Ravia Herald Dec 1908 - Johnston County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Mary Achterhof 18 May 2008 Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== The Ravia Herald, 5 December 1908 BOY BYSTANDER IS KILLED IN ARDMORE STREET DUEL Ardmore, Oklahoma, December 1 - Luther Ford, 12 years old, was instantly killed, William Ballew, a gambler, was fatally injured, and Smith Redmon, a policemen, received serious wounds as a result to two shots fired by John Foshee at William Ballew in front of Foshee's store early this evening. Ballew has 30 buckshot in his body. Both barrels of a shot gun were emptied. The Ford boy was sanding near by and was killed accidentally. Redmon was a half block away. Foshee, who fired in full settlement of an old grudge, surrendered to the authorities. His intended victim fell on the exact spot where Foshee's brother, Irl, fell mortally wounded at the hands of Ballew in March, 1907. The Ford boy was the son of J. E. Ford, a farmer and prominent citizen. The boy had come to town with his brother, 14 years old, to sell milk. A pitiful scene followed when the elder brother drove home with a broken heart to bear the news to his parents. FORGERY AND POISONING County Attorney Ratliff was at Wapanucka Monday investigating some serious charges made against one N. T. Epison by John C. Burris, who is engaged in a mercantile business at Springbrook in this county. The matter is somewhat mixed, but according to Burris' story he had been in Wapanucka for some time on a protracted spree, the liquor being furnished him by Epison. Epison went to Burris' place of business at Springbrook, which was in charge of a man named Shields, and presented an order purporting to be signed by Burris for all the money he had in his possession and authorizing him to close the store and turn the key over to Epison. Shields gave Epison $35 but refused to close the store or turn key over till he say Burris and had a settlement with him. After this it is claimed, Epison returned to Wapanucka and, while Burris was drunk, gave him a dose of poison. Some of Burris' friends discovered him, called in a doctor and succeeded in saving his life. It will probably take a judicial investigation to straighten out the matter. Tishomingo Capital LOCALS AND PERSONALS Mrs. Bud Norton was taken quite sick while in town with her husband Thursday evening. Mrs. E. A. Harrell of Ravia, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Herrin, returned home Saturday. Bud Moore moved his family to Tishomingo Wednesday. Mrs. Helen Regan is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Kingston, at Denison, Texas. John W. Leeper and Charles Parham left Thursday night for Hillsboro, Texas, they having bought the clothes pin right for Hill County. Charles French, of Bellmont, Illinois, and old friend and acquaintance of R. T. Wilkinson, is here prospecting. Mr. French is a cattle and grain dealer and we trust he will find it to his interest to locate in Ravia. Ed. Grey, who left here in the spring for Colorado and other States and Territories he had not visited, blew in with the norther the other morning from Ohio. Maxey Harrell has gone to Gouldbuck, Texas, where his parents reside. Maxey is a fine young man and we wish him abundant success in the Lone Stare State. The Herald will keep him posted on Ravia happenings. We learn that Ben James accidentally shot himself in the groin Thursday evening. He was at Norton. He is said to be pretty badly wounded, but as no physician had been to see him up to yesterday morning we could not learn how seriously he was hurt. Miss Fleeta, Dr. Caperton's daughter, we learn met with quite a painful accident last week while crossing the railroad. She fell and struck her knee on the rail or tie, causing a very painful wound. R. Garner is teaching school north of the village of Mill Creek. Mr. Garner has had experience in this line before, is a thorough gentleman, and The Herald congratulates the trustees of that district on having secured his services. Two weeks ago The Herald made mention that E. A. Harrell was called to the bedside of his sister, Mrs. Dixon, at Coleman City, Texas, who died November 21, 1908. Mrs. Dixie Dixon was the wife of J. K. Dixon and the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. Harrell. Until two years ago Ravia had been Mrs. Dixon's home for almost from childhood. She had been married three years and two years ago with her husband and parents moved to Coleman, Texas. She was a member of the Christian church. The Herald joins the many friends here in extending sympathy to the bereaved family and parents. The Ravia Herald, 12 December 1908 Tishomingo Capital We regret to announce the death of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Roberts, which occurred last Friday. Judge Wolfe was all smiles Monday morning last when he was called upon to unite in the holy bonds of matrimony Mr. W. Hart and Miss Elsie Jones, both of Tishomingo. H. L. Muldrow returned from Oklahoma City Saturday where in his official capacity as grand master of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. he attended a meeting of the committee on constitution for the consolidated Grand Lodge A. F. & A.M., of the State of Oklahoma. Many of the details of consolidation were threshed out so as to save time when the meeting of the grand lodge takes place. The grand master of Oklahoma Territory and many prominent Masons of the State were present. Wapanucka Press A baby of J. H. Clark died at the home of J. M. Fairchild Saturday evening. The body of Mrs. E. O. Loomis, who died in Kansas City, was brought to Wapanucka and laid in final resting place at Rose Hill Cemetery Friday evening. At the home of the groom's father 2 miles south of town yesterday evening, occurred the marriage of J. T. Pitman to Miss Willie Osbrook, Judge T. C. Keller, officiating. In the case of Tom Epperson, charged with attempting to kill J. C. Burris with poison, set for hearing in Justice Keller's court Monday last, examination was waived and defendant bound over to the grand jury in a bond of $500. During the progress of a terrific electric storm and down pour of rain at 12 o'clock Saturday a shed containing 160 tons of choice hay belonging to S. L. Taylor, was struck by lightning and quickly burned, entailing a loss of $1,500 with $700 insurance. Mannsville News Dr. H. R. Bailey of this city was married Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock to Miss Minnie B. Caldwell, formerly of Detriot, Texas, at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Jackson, at Hugo, Oklahoma. Mrs. Katie O'Brien was here from Russett last Saturday and purchased a nice bunch of eleven mules from J. B. Wall. Aunt Katie is quite a business manager and gives her large landed interest her personal attention. James Hitchock, Jr. and family, from Walnut Grove, Tennessee, came in last week with a chartered car, bringing two spans of mules, wagon, buggy and farming utensils galore. Mr. Hitchock is a cousin to our townsman C. C. Hitchcock. He has rented the Newman farm, where the new house was recently built and is already at home preparing for farming another year. DENNIS LAWSON KILLED In the early hours of last Friday morning, at Mulkey, just over in Carter County, John Mulkey, a prominent citizen of that town, shot and killed his friend and guest, Dennis Lawson, whose home was at or near Mill Creek. It seems that Lawson was in Carter County buying cattle and went to Mulkey's farm to look at some cattle. Mrs. Mulkey was away from home. Mulkey invited Lawson to spend the night with him. They got two neighbors, some boot-let whiskey and were drinking and shooting crops when a quarrel arose. Lawson left the room and went into the yard. Mulkey followed and emptied both barrels of a shot fun into Lawson, without uttering a word of warning or why he did it, was Lawson's dying statement. Mulkey claims that Lawson was advancing on him with a knife and trying to cut him. The shooting took place about one o'clock in the morning and Lawson died that evening. His remains were carried to Troy for burial. Mulkey is in jail awaiting the action of the Carter County grand jury, which is now in session. Thus is added two more victims as the result of boot-leg whiskey. THIRTY DAYS IN JAIL E. R. Bryant of Woodford who was arrested for transporting liquor entered a plea of guilty before Judge Mason this morning and was fined $50 and costs and given a jail sentence of thirty days. Mr. Bryant is a hard working farmer, his neighbors state, his only fault being drinking too much. The liquor he had was the property of another. Mr. Bryant says he will cut out the drinking from this on. Ardmoreite LOCAL AND PERSONALS G. W. Lowry, Johnston County's efficient County Court Clerk, was here for a short time last Sunday. Dr. F. J. Baum and family are visiting the Doctor's parents near Leonard, Texas, where they will remain ten days or two weeks. Mrs. Joe T. Green and little son Joe. T., Jr. are in Dallas visiting her mother and sister. M. E. Robertson has sold his restaurant and confectionery to Orbie Sharp and Charlie Webster. Boys, The Herald wishes you unbounded success. Mrs. Franks, a widow, and blind, was pounded by some of our good people Tuesday night. We understand the pounding was pretty substantial, with the comforts and necessities of life. Late last Friday evening the alarm of fire was given by the numerous firing of pistols. The fire proved to be at T. A. Gogan's in west Ravia. The damage was a hole burned in the roof around the stove pipe. Rev. Oakes, Clyde Wilkinson and ye editor took a little outing on the river and lakes Tuesday evening. Each killed a duck, and the preacher got a good wetting that he was not looking for. He can tell you how cold and deep the Washita was at the point where he fell in. Last Saturday evening Arthur Gamble, a man who has stood well in this community, was arrested charged with shop-lifting. It is said that he and his wife had stolen numerous articles from Wilkinson & Son's store, including a fifteen dollar suit of clothes, valuable ladies' back combs, several pairs of ladies' and children's shoes and a lady's belt. Some of the goods were found in their buggy here in town that evening and the remainder that evening at their home when the arrest was made. He was put under a bond of $250. He will have an examining trial before Justice Chitwood today. (Saturday) Sidney Green, The Herald's efficient foreman, will leave tonight (Saturday) to help his brother, who is the publisher of the Leonard (Texas) Graphic, throu' the Christmas rush. Sidney will probably remain in Leonard until after the first of the New Year. The editor will have the entire load to carry and after this week The Herald will use a patent inside. M. E. (Dick) Robertson and family left Wednesday evening for Nashville, Arkansas, where Mr. Robertson has purchased a restaurant, confectionery and meat market, which place they will make their future home. They are good people and we wish them well in their new home. The Herald will keep them posted on the happenings in and around Ravia. Last week, while at work at the school building, Carl Drake met with a very painful accident that kept him from work for several days. He and Clifford Barnes were pitching brick upon the building, one on the ground and the other up on the scaffold, when some brick pitched by Barnes struck an obstruction and fell back, one of them striking Drake on the back of the head, giving him a knock-out blow as above stated. Carl reported for duty again last Monday but is not stopping any more brick with his head. The Marshall County Grand Jury, in their report last week, reported that the recent jail fire at Madill, in which one Indian lost his life and tow others badly burned, was caused by one of the Indians starting the fire to gain his liberty. The day guard, who locked the jail and went to his home a short time before the fire, was exonerated from all blame, as it was not his duty to be at the jail except in day time. Gilbert Sealey, one of the Indians that was badly burned, lives near Troy and R. T. Wilkinson, of this place, is his guardian. Tom Green, who left here some time since to cast his lot in a better country, is back again after prospecting in Western Oklahoma and New Mexico, well satisfied that this country is hard to beat. If the farm houses in this country, as well as the rent houses in Ravia, were build for comfort, and would shelter one's family from cold and rain, the best class of tenant farmers would come here to live. The kind of houses and shelter for stock that this county has is what is hurting it today worse than the panic did. Build good houses and you will get good citizens and tenants. James Williams, who has been at work in R. T. Wilkinson's goldmine, met with a very painful accident last Saturday. He was down in the shaft at work when the mud spoon accidentally fell into the shaft, striking Mr. Williams on the right arm below the elbow and pierced his arm throu' to the skin on the other side. The wound was dressed by Dr. Webster and Mr. Williams is getting along nicely. Had the spoon struck him in a vital part it would have killed him, as the shaft is 47 feet deep and the spoon fell from the top. Mr. Fisher was just getting ready to let the spoon and other tools down the shaft when the spoon slipped from the looped rope with results as above stated. The Ravia Herald, 19 December 1908 MISS CAMPBELL'S DEATH A telegram yesterday morning (Friday) from Dallas announced the death of Miss Bessie Campbell from the effects of an operation performed Thursday for appendicitis. A card received yesterday morning from Mrs. Joe T. Green announced that the operation had been performed and that the physicians thought it would prove successful. O, how we sympathize with the aged mother in this sad affliction. The foreman of the rock blasting force came in Wednesday and went out to the quarry yesterday with a force of hands to begin getting out rock for the new school building. The work has begun and will be pushed through as fast as possible. J. A. Coe, who lives out north of town, was taken ill some time ago at the home of his brother, W. A. Coe, of this city. He managed to get home but his illness developed into a bad case of pneumonia and for several days he was critically ill but is getting better now. Rev. W. A. Lowry and family left Tuesday morning for Velma, in Stephens County, where Bro. Lowry goes as pastor of the Methodist churches on that charge. We regret to lose this estimable family from our town, but our loss is Velma's gain, and the best wishes of many friends go with them for the pleasant home and profitable year's work in their new field. Wapanucka News W. J. Jennings and son, H. L., father and brother of our townsman, H. J. and Dr. Jennings came Friday from Georgia and will make their home here. Following ill health and general breakdown, Enoch Shipley was operated upon Tuesday morning for appendicitis. The operation was successful and was performed by Drs. Stamps and Haberly of Wapanucka and Haberly of Wapanucka and Hardy of Ardmore. In a difficulty Sunday morning four miles west of town, Pink Barden shot and severely wounded L. Fountain. The difficulty arose over the possession of a house that belonged to Fountain, but which Barden had come into tenant possession by buying out a renter who had made a crop on the place in question. In the melee it was shown that Fountain fired four shots at Barden with a piston but missed. Barden shot Fountain in the left hand at the wrist. In the examining trial Barden was discharged. Mrs. Jennings, wife of Bud Jennings, a well know citizen living in Wells Valley, died Saturday night after having been ill a short time. Tishomingo Capital The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Person died Sunday night. The funeral took place Monday. Vane Ashlock, a well known young man, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Ashlock, died last week from pneumonia resulting from a cold taken while duck hunting. The three-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bennett, that had been quite ill for some time, passed away Sunday night. The remains were taken to Troy for interment. The county commissioners met in regular session Monday and Tuesday. A good deal of routine business was transacted the most important, probably, was the granting of a petition of William H. Murray and others asking for the creation of a drainage district to be known as the Deepwater Valley Drainage District No. 1 of Johnston County, Oklahoma, and appointing W. W. Poyner, B. F. Blount and R. F. French as viewers and H. A. Hatcher as assistant, to report on the practicability and necessity for the district. LOCALS AND PERSONALS Col. James, the Roff banker and capitalist, was here this week on business. Little Bessie Johnson, who was quite sick the first of the week, is improving. Lon Beard's five room residence is about ready for the finishing touches. Mrs. W. E. Adams, daughter of Mrs. W. A. Rainey, and Mrs. Rainey's mother are quite sick. Mrs. R. E. Neal of Salisaw, Oklahoma, is here visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Martin. Mr. Coe, manager of the Farmers' Union Warehouse, shipped 104 turkes to Denison Wednesday. Dr. Baum and family returned yesterday morning from Leonard, Texas, where they visited the Doctor's father. Town Marshal Garner has had hands out this week working the streets and especially the culverts and holes, where worse needed. R. O. Ragan, father of our clever Frisco agent, left Monday to join his wife at Denison, where they will remain until after the first of the year with their daughter, Mrs. Kingston. Mrs. C. B. Alford and children came in from Colorado City, Texas, last Saturday. Mrs. Alford is the daughter of our townsman, T. J. Burns. Mr. Alford is coming through in a wagon with the live stock and household goods. They will make their home in this community. We extend to them a hearty welcome. Arthur Gamble, who was charged in two cases with petty larceny, (the goods stolen from Wilkinson & Sons' Store), was tried before Justice Chitwood last Friday and taxed $10 and cost in each case, making a total of $29.90. It would seem that Mr. Gamble got off very light for which he has doubtless congratulated himself many times. W. A. and T. B. Lesley, with their families have or will shortly move to Texas. They are mighty good citizens and we regret that they could not see it to their interest to remain here. The Ravia Herald, 26 December 1908 MISSING ISSUE The Ravia Herald, 2 January 1909 LOCAL AND PERSONALS Born, in Ravia, December 22,, 1908, to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Clark, a boy. Mrs. Shaw, of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, is here visiting her daughter, Mrs. Clyde Wilkinson. R. T. Wilkinson is able to be up again after a tussel of several days with lagrippe. Miss Lilly Belle Hopson enjoyed the Christma festivities with home folk and friends at Ardmore. C. E. Merrill stick a nail in his foot Christmas night, which came near putting him out of commission for a few days. Dr. Baum and family left last week for their new home at Walter, Oklahoma. An excellent family and physician is Ravia's loss but Walter's gain. J. A. Walling, who has been engineer at the Mansfield, Texas, oil mill, came home for the holidays. He reports times good down in Texas and says he will go back in a day or so. R. Garner, who had quite a time moving last Saturday, finally got located in the house recently vacated by Dr. Baum. W. H. Pittman moved into the house vacated by Mr. Garner. The following subscribers have paid since our last issue, for which they have our thanks: D. C. Smith, W. S. Kitchens, W. F. Ford, Newt. Fields for his son Elmer at Ardmore, Prof. Bower for his father at Borden, Indiana, and his father-in-law at Gad's Hill, Missouri. H. C. Williams, who has been farming in this county for the past nine years, has rented land near Plano, Texas, and has moved his and his son's family to their new home in Texas. These were excellent people and we regret very much to lose them, but many success crown their efforts in the Lone Star State. Miss Myrtle Vaden visited home folk at Sherman during the holidays. James Fields, of Gypsum, Texas, is here visiting his cousin Newt Fields. Miss Evear Davis is visiting her aunt, Mrs. Eiy, at Fort Worth, Texas. Miss Grace Merrill returned to Ardmore Wednesday, after a short visit to home folks. Lee Jones, of Kingston, one of Ravia's frequent visitors, came up Wednesday to see his best girl. On Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock, at the home of R. T. Wilkinson, Mr. Pete Miley was married to Miss Nannie Meadows, Rev. R. W. Oakes officiating. The bride has made her home with Mrs. Wilkins for some years and is well known to our people as a pleasant, social lady. Mr. Miley is a hard working, industrious man, well worthy the bride he has won. The best wishes of our people are extended this couple for a long and prosperous married life. Our townsman, W. A. Pittman, has had more fire experience than usually falls to the lot of one man. The fire Christmas day made the third one that he has passed through in Ravia, and each one worse than the preceding one. In the last one the residence he was living in, some distance from the fire caught from flying particles of fire, destroying most of his household goods. As Mr. Pittman is an excellent business man, had his goods and merchandises partly covered with insurance, we expect to see him rise Phoenix like from the ashes and push on to grander business achievements than ever before. $45,750 GOES UP IN SMOKE AND FLAMES An Entire Business Block, Lumber Yard, Residence, Three Storage Houses and a Barn Burn. SAD CHRISTMAS FOR RAVIA Christmas morning about 11:30 that terrible alarm of fire, which almost makes the blood in one's veins cease to circulate, was given and it only took a glance toward the business part of town to see that the business block on the west side of Grand Avenue was doomed. The fire, from some cause, originated in the ceiling over the stove in Mrs. Comstock's store, (The Sunflower), but for a few minutes was not located, which on account of the fierce northwest wind that was blowing at the time, put it beyond the control of those who were attempting to put it out. All efforts were then made to save the stocks of goods in the five buildings, but owing to the fierceness of the wind, the stifling smoke and rapidly increasing flames more than half of the goods and nearly all the fixtures were eaten up by the hungry flames, and in an hour and a half after the fire started the block of bricks occupied by W. H. Pittman & Co., Mrs. Comstock, W. C. Hooser and Clark Bros. Pharmacy, Merrill-Houston Lumber Co.'s. lumber sheds, most of their lumber and office building, three old frame store houses used as warehouses, one residence and one barn were smoldering ruins. The following are the losses as we have been able to gather them: W. H. Pittman & co., druggist, stock valued at $2,300, insured for $1,650. Some goods and a few fixtures saved. The building was owned by W. A. Payton, was valued at $1,800 and insured for $1,200. Mrs. L. D. Comstock, stock valued at $9,500 and insured for $6,500. Some goods and a few fixtures saved. Building belonged to Mrs. L. D. Lindsey and was valued at $1,200 and insured for $800. W. C. Hooser, stock just invoiced and was a little the rise of $6,500 on stock and fixtures, was insured for $3,000. The buildings, two, were the property of Mrs. F. H. Delzell and were valued at $1,800 insured for $1,000. Clark Bros. Pharmacy, stock and fixtures valued at $2,200; no insurance. This loss was about $1,600. The building was either owned or controlled by Col. James at Roff and the insurance carried, if any, could not be learned. It was valued at $1,400. The three storage houses were occupied by W. H. Pittman, undertaking goods, Wilkinson & Sons, corn, hay and implements, and Dan Ward, oil and gasoline. W. H. Pittman carried $150 insurance and lost about a hundred dollars worth of goods. The building was owned by W. A Payton, valued at $600 and insured for $400. Wilkinson & Sons had $500 insurance on $800 worth of corn, hay and implements. No insurance on building. Dan Ward saved his oil and gasoline; no insurance on building. Merrill-Houston Lumber Co. carried $9,000 insurance; their stock, buildings, sheds, fence, etc, were valued at $13,000. Part of their stock, some lumber, the implements and cement houses were saved. The corn crib, which was on the east side of their yard and contained 3,800 bushels of corn, was fully insured. The corn was the property of a grain firm in Tulsa. The residence occupied by W. H. Pittman was the property of Mrs. A. A. Chapman and was insured for $200. The house was valued at $600. Mr. Pittman had $250 insurance on household goods, part of which were burned. The barn of Mrs. M. J. Pate, with its contents, valued at $200 was a total loss, as she carried no insurance. The fire developed the fact that the Ravia has some workers, men women and children, and it was their heroic work that saved the residence occupied by R. Garner, which was only a few feet distant from the roaring flames, as was also the case with the lumber and two buildings belonging to Merrill-Houston Lumber Co. Too much praise cannot be given Ravia's brave fire fighters, We understand the burned block will be rebuilt. All of the firms, unless it be W. C. Hooser, who will probably carry what goods were saved to Troy as soon as the losses are adjusted, will re-enter business here as soon as proper building accommodations can be had. Clark Bros. are doing business in the building west of the post office. W. H. Pittmam & Co. have their goods and fixtures stored in the Anderson building, while Mrs. Comstock has her's at Jack Wilson's store. W. C. Hooser has his at the Farmers' Union Warehouse. Merrill-Houston Lumber Co. have fixed up temporary office quarters in their implement house until they can rebuild. Several residences, barns and outhouses in the path of the flames, but some distance away, caught fire but by prompt work were saved. The residence occupied by W. H. Pittman was tow or three blocks from the fire, but on account of the high wind and exceeding dryness of everything, was beyond control before assistance could get to it. CHIEF PARKER'S SON MARRIES Daughter of Rev. A. Clark, Missionary to Indians, is Wedded to Carlisle Graduate. Lawton, Oklahoma, December 25 - With the coming of Yuletide, Chief Quanah Parker of the Comanche Indians realized one of the greatest ambitions of his life when his young son, Quanah Jr., a Carlisle graduate, was married to Miss Laura Clark, a graduate of the Lawton High School last year, and the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. A. Clark, Indian missionaries. This is the first time in the history of the Indians of this section where an Indian has been married to a girl of white blood. The young people have taken up their temporary abode with the old Chief at his mountain mansion, near Cache, in the foothills of the Wichitas. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html