The Ravia Tribune Oct 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 Tribune, 6 October 1904 ISSUE MISSING The Ravia Tribune, 13 OCTOBER 1904 TRUE STORIES OF THE FRONTIER By Rev. J. C. Scivally I suppose there would be no meeting as it was still snowing but Mrs. H. said "Howard hitch the team to the wagon we will go to church. I am bound to hear the preacher preach." So I caught my pony and we went to church. Their church house was new, no window sash, no door shutters and not stove but the whole neighborhood was there about forty people, old and young. I preached about forty minutes then said I would close it being so cold. Mrs. Howard spoke out very loud to preach on if any one was cold she let them have a quilt to go around them. Being a younger preacher than I now am it embarrassed me so I could not have preached any more had I wanted to. Just as I went to dismiss the congregation Mr. Howard asked if I would preach at his house that night, said he had plenty room to accommodate and could keep them comfortable. So I mad the announcement. I went home with Mr. Hatfield for dinner so I could be there at night. When preaching time came the people all came. I preached as best I could, when through I called them to prayer and ask sister Hatfield to lead the prayer. When she got done praying she got up rejoicing some other joined in the shout with her at this juneture a girl about ten years old got frightened and ran under the ed and stayed till meeting broke, then her mother had trouble to get her out. About twelve years after this I met this same girl, I was conducting a meeting on Little Washita River one mile below the Comanche line. I went home with a lady one day for dinner she reminded me of the girl going under the bed at Hatfield's and said she was the same girl. She said she was born in the Cherokee strip and her father had moved to the Chickasaw Nation about a week before she was at that meeting and that was the first time she was ever at church. (continued) Messrs Leonard Johnson and J. D. Rogers organized a Farmer's Union at Troy October 5 and at Reagan October 6 with good interest manifested at both places. Mrs. Rose, of Woodville came in Tuesday to visit relatives in Ravia. W. R. Benton won the watch in the drawing at W. A. McAlister's but his present whereabouts in not known. Miss Rilla Munroe came in Friday from Hickory and will visit friends a few days. Rev. D. Hudson was called at four o'clock Monday morning to perform the marriage ceremony for James Coffee and Miss Julia Griffiths, on Bullet Prairie. L. A. Ranke, the popular merchant Taylor of Tishomingo was in town Friday doing business with our people. DOUBLE WEDDING Married, Sunday October 9, 1904 at the residence of W. B. Yarborough, Mr. Walter Boone and Miss Minnie Yarborough, and Mr. Neal Clark and Miss Effie Boone, Rev. L. M. Chisholm officiating. A large crowd attended from the singing at the hall. The Tribune wishes them a happy life. The Ravia Tribune, 20 October 1904 TRUE STORIES OF THE FRONTIER By Rec. J. C. Scivally But when I took dinner with her on little Washita she was a member of the church, had a husband and two children. Now back to Bill Poe. He is at this writing about 50 years old. He was born in Franklin County, Texas. His father who died a few years ago near Cheek, I. T., was an honest honorable and generous hearted man was a member of the Separate Baptist Church. I have spent many a night pleasantly in his house. He lived for years near Burneyville, I. T. He grieved over the prodigality of his boys, but he has gone where the "wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest," Bill's mother is spending the last days of her old age near Cheek. Bill's life had been a checkered one. He spent his boyhood days till he was about 18 in Tennessee, then came with his parents to Fannin County, Texas. A few years afterward he went back to Tennessee, got into trouble of which I know not the nature, but he served a term in the pen, after which he came home. He remained with his father two years. During this time he married Mollie Poe, a relative of his. Bill worked hard while on the farm. I lost sight of him for some time. When the U.S, Marshal and posse run on to him and his pals near Woodford, I am told they all left him but Mollie his wife. She told me a few years ago while talking with her at her father's at Yukon, O. T., that she loaded for him and that he fought like a trojen. She said when he shot Rev. Perkins the marshal's force gave back and her and Bill got away. After they got away she went to her father's and Bill went another direction and in a few days was arrested and stood his trial and was convicted, so he served time in the pen. After getting out I saw him several times. The last time I saw him before he was arreste3d again I was at his mother's. She had sent for me to preach the funeral sermon of John Harrel, her son- in-law. Buy Bill's liberty was not to last long. A little over a year ago there was a man arrested north of Tishomingo at Charley Woodley's. I was at Tishomingo when the officers brought him in they said it was John Cody. I did not go to see him though lying in a wagon on the street. But it proved to be Bill Poe. He was taken to Ardmore, put in jail, stood his trial and was again convicted. The last time I saw him was in Ardmore. Billie Jones one of the guards told me the prisoners wanted me to preach to them. Billie came and took me by the hand and cried like a baby. Billie is a man that would die by his friends. When he was living on the farm I was at his house often. He was kind and courteous and made you feel at home. He was always honest to pay his debts. I trust that he may live to get back home again reform and make a useful man. We will now leave Mr. Poe in the hands of Him who directs the destiny of man. (continued) THE UNLOADED GUN Jasper Duncan, a youth of about 14 years old was playing with a gun Sunday night that he felt sure he had just taken the cartridges out of but it shot off the left joint of his left forefinger. He has the sympathy of the Tribune in his misfortune. Take warning boys and always point the unloaded gun where it will do no harm. Frank B. Healy, register of the United States land office at Woodward, died last week after a short illness. James Londry, an express messenger on the Santa Fe, was struck by the bridge over Sand Creek, near Batlesville last Thursday and instantly killed. W. T. Harris and Edward Johnson were held up one night recently between South McAlester and Chambers and relieved of $900 in money. Their horse and buggy were also taken, but these were recovered later. Sheriff W. W. Painter of Comanche County is defendant in a damage suit brought by Robert W. Sistrunk. It is alleged that the sheriff lost sixty five head of Sistrunk's cattle which they were in his possession pending the result of a law suit, and now the cattleman wishes to collect for what he term's the officer's negligence. P. E. Stoval of Ennis, came in on the train Saturday to visit his brother, J. F. Stovall. J. T. Stoval has moved to Ravia and will hold down a chair in W. L. Parker's barber shop. Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Drake left Tuesday for their new home in Kansas City. The good wishes of the Tribune go with them. S. E. Hodges the popular clerk at Lowrimore's left Tuesday for a visit with relatives in Oklahoma. Mr. McKinney of Cumberland, is visiting in Ravia this week, W. C. Holland is visiting old friends in Silo this week. J. H. Robinson who has been sick nearly three months is now able to be up but his wife and baby are now sick. For Sale - 4 room house in southwest Ravia and good outbuildings, 100 growing fruit trees and 800 blackberry vines, 4 lots scheduled with same. Price $350. D. F. Underwood, Ravia, I. T. W. M. Moore one of our most successful farmers tells us he has the best corn crop this year he ever raised. Off of 11 acres he gathered 550 bushels. Rev. H. M. Hollingsworth of Mannsville was in Ravia Saturday. He was surprised at the hustle and life on our streets. Born, Friday October 14 to Mr. and Mrs. Sam Toone of Bullet Prairie, a girl. H. A. Saxton of Norton, brought cotton to Ravia Friday and was taken quite sick on the road home. Mr. A. P. Pitts one of the solid citizens of Troy was in Ravia Saturday and ordered the Tribune sent to him. Drs. Cummings of Ravia, and M. M. Webster of Troy, left Saturday for St. Louis to attend the college of physicians and surgeons. Dr. J. H. Logan of Norton was taken to the sanitarium at Ardmore Sunday and operated on for appendicitis. He is reported as doing nicely now. Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Baker formerly of Troy but now of Hartshorne, were in town Friday on their return home by way of Durant. We regret to learn that ill health has compelled Mrs. Baker to take treatment for several months at the Durant sanitarium. Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Petty formerly of this vicinity but now of Boggy Depot, are here this week visiting relatives and friends. Mrs. Petty will remain some time with her sister and father. A. A. Chapman and Jack Darrell went to St. Louis Monday to meet Mrs. J. L. Eddy sister of Mrs. Chapman and Miss Eva Morse. The will take in the Fair while there. W. H. Pittman and John Settle took in the Fair last week. They are joshing John Settles about having to pay $2.50 for a shave at the fair. Ask him, W. L. Parker has bought out the H. D. Love barber shop. Mr. Love desires us to express his sincere thanks to his customers for their patronage. He may at some future time return to Ravia when he will be glad of their patronage again. Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Guptil retuned Monday from the World's Fair. Mr. Guptil says it is the biggest show on earth. He saw a squash that weighed 600 pounds and was as large around as the front wheel of a buggy and watermelon that weighted 170 lbs but Ravia had the largest sweet potato. D. S. Hopkins and old settler of Gonzales County, Texas is visiting his daughter, Mrs. M. Harrell. Mr. Hopkins' immediate descendants include about 300 direct descendants himself and wife just lately deceased Mrs. W. H. Pittman and Mrs. D. A. Petty are numbered among them. J. R. Sizemore starts this week for DeEverett, Kentucky, where he is talking Mrs. Sizemore, who is in bad health to visit her people. We hope the climate will soon restore her. He orders the Tribune sent to him. The Ravia Tribune, 27 October 1904 W. D. James of the Chickasaw townsite commission, came in Monday with the lot appraisement and is holding a levee of townspeople who are crowding around anxious to see their appraisements. $30,000 FIRE IN RAVIA In the small hours Sunday morning our people were again waked with the awe inspiring cry of fire. The main business portion of Ravia of which her people, however willing and anxious they might be, could not lift a finger to save her. They could only stand and sorrowfully watch their hopes go up in flames. When the holocaust was over, it was found that Banker James of Roff had lost three fine brick store rooms valued at $6,000; W. H. Pittman, $2,500 stock of drugs, inusred for $3,000; H. A. Lowrimore, $8,000 stock of general merchandise and all his books and accounts. The town will fill the loss of these business men keenly, especially just at this time, when the fall trade is only beginning. The Tribune sympathizes deeply with all of then in their great loss. We hope that all of them will again open up stocks of goods and begin again and build up their fortunes as well as our little town. G. W. Cole, a framer living near Fairmount, committee suicide by shooting himself. Financial losses caused by speculating is supposed to have driven him insane. John Howard, a farmer living near Shawnee, was struck by lightning while on his way to town. He was instantly killed. Howard was riding upon a load of cotton, which he was taking to market. Russell Bolling, a white man was found lying unconscious near the railroad track at South McAlester. He died a few hours after being found. The body was shipped to Jackson, Mississippi for burial. C. G. Jones, president of the Oklahoma City & Southwestern Railway, has brought suit against the city of Lawton for $12,000, the bonus which the citizens of that town agreed to pay when the road was projected, and for which warrants were issued. Roy Swofford, nineteen years old, was sentenced to five years in the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth upon the charge of horse stealing. The theft is said to have been committed near Tishomingo. While out hunting last week John Youst, Jr., of Stillwater was fatally injured by the accidental discharge of a shotgun. I L. Kimbrell and family from Kimbrell's sawmill across the river were in Ravia Monday. Rev. J. C. Scivally has moved back to the parsonage in Ravia. Marion Waddill got in from Ardmore just in time to get his drummer's outfit, valued at $500, burned up in Jake Wilson's store. J. L. Griffin of Troy was in town Saturday. W. C. Williamson of Troy, was here Monday after a coffin for he little child of Mr. Vickers of that place who died Sunday. W. T. Brady returned from Arkansas where he went for the health of himself and family. He did not bring Mrs. Brady and the children from Arkansas and will return there shortly himself. A A. Chapman and Master Jack Darrell accompanied by Mrs. J. L. Eddy of New York, returned from the World's Fair Sunday. J. E. Hoskins of Oklahoma City, has been filling J. W. Kemp's place in the railroad office at this place for a few days. Mr. Hoskins tells us he has been in the newspaper business in the past, and the Tribune scarcely thinks he will stay out of that avocation very long. J. E. Moore of Mesquite, Texas, is visiting his brother W. M. Moore. Mr. U. A. Lowrimore who had the misfortune of being burned out Sunday morning has just returned from Ardmore and informs us that he has made arrangements to meet with his creditors there on November 3 to adjust his debts and arrange for a new stock of goods, provided he can raise a certain amount of money, 20 or 25 per cent of his indebtedness by that time. This he can do if the parties who owe him will come in and pay him at once. And he earnestly requests them to do this by November 2. Mr. Lowrimore lost by the fire all he had except these debts and this is his only change to resume business and to make a living, and every consideration of justice and friendship demands of those whom he has assisted in the past that they come forward now in his hour of need and pay up promptly what they owe him. One dollar now is worth more to him than five would be later on. The Tribune joins in this request because the town and country needs Mr. Lowrimore back in business. He was one of our most public spirited business for his support at one time in the past the Tribune would probably have suspended publication. NORTON The death angel visited the home of Joe Renfro, father of J. W. Renfro who lives near Ravia and took the old man from his suffering. Kind wishes we friendly grant to his bereaved family. The body was interred in the Norton Cemetery Sunday. Many good thanks to the Tribune. Jake Love TRUE STORIES OF THE FRONTIER By Rev. J. C. Scivally We will now leave Mr. Hatfields where we preached the night of the snow and where the girl ran under the bed. We found Mr. Hatfield to be a nice man and well informed on most all that was of interest to the country; but the most beautiful lives sometime find a bad ending. About a year after this Mr. Hatfield go into some trouble with a Dutchman whose name I have forgotten, their trouble increased till one morning Hatfield went over to the Dutchman's and after passing some words shot the Dutchman as he was hauling boards on top of his barn. The last I knew of Hatfield was a wreck financially and morally. So after preaching at his house the next morning we went our way up Wild Horse Creek till we got several miles then went out on the prairie and made our way to the hear of Coon Creek to preach at William Duncan's from whom the town of Duncan took its name. Mr. Duncan had been brought up under the faith of the Roman Catholics but was kind and generous to all; opened his doors for preaching and gave liberally to the cause of our Lord. After preaching then spent the night with him. Next morning we started south following the Old Chisholm Trail making our way to Sugg's Ranch on Cow Creek just above where it enters into Beaver. I found plenty to eat at the ranch. Mrs. Suggs treated me nicely and arranged for preaching. Their father was very religious. I spent many pleasant hours at that ranch. I left the ranch, followed Bean Creek down to where it runs into Red River. I found a good large settlement west of Bean Creek and joining the Comanche country. There were about ten families between the creek and Comanche line then on the east side of the creek were several families. Here on the east bank of Bean Creek was an old and substantial building having been the stage stand years ago on the stage line running from Red River station to Fort Sill. Mr. Ryan was the citizen who was having the country improved. He was a nice gentleman. He now lives at the town, if I have been rightly informed, that bears his name. Now kind reader don't get wearied will get back home soon aw we can; if you remember we left home Monday and we have been on the go till now it is Monday again. We leave Beane Creek and start…(continued) B. M. Sharrock moved Wednesday into the Reagan residence lately bought by him. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html