The Wapanucka Press Apr 1903 - Johnston County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Mary Achterhof 2 Mar 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 Wapanucka Press, 2 April 1903 VIOLA ITEMS J. D. Parmlee found his horses which were run off two weeks ago. Our much esteemed friends J. H. Small, the head sawyer and mill man is going to leave us in a few days for his old home in Indiana. We regret very much to see Uncle Bud leave. Dr. Hardy was hauling shingles from the saw mill last week to cover his new home at Cope. Mrs. Sanders visited her son Mr. Parmlee last week. $50.00 REWARD One gray horse, 18 hands, 1400 lbs. foretop cut, barefooted, no brands, 9 years old. One brown mare, foretop cut, blazed face, dot in blaze, lame in one fore foot, 10 years old. The above stock were stolen from my stables near Garvin, I. T. March 20th, 1903. I will pay $50. reward for their recovery or for information leading thereto. Wire me at Garvin, I. T. R. D. Brooks. JESSE ITEMS Dr. Bradley returned Saturday from Pauls Valley, where he had been spending a few days. Miss Dora Holloway, the accomplished daughter of Dr. H. S. Holloway, is teaching a school for the people of Iron Mines. She has the assurance of good, patronage and will, no doubt, teach them a successful school. Lee Woods of Sherman, Texas, was here last week. He was looking after some land on which to pasture cattle. He has a thousand head in the Cherokee Nation and expects to bring as many here from Texas. Mrs. Pleas Rice died last Sunday. She leaves a husband and four little children. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of our whole settlement. Gale Statler was in Sherman last week. M. A. HARRIS IS DEAD W. J. Harris was in town Wednesday and from him we learn that his brother, M. A. Harris who sometime ago had the large tumor cut off his face, had died a few days ago in Texas. After the operation had been performed it was thought that Mr. Harris would recover but a cancer set in which caused his death. He was well known here and our people will be sorry to learn of his death. Fire totally destroyed the residence and contents of ex-United States Marshal Hammer at Ardmore. Loss $11,000, insurance $6,700. MAN AND WIFE KILLED Senator and Mrs. Hare Said to Have Been Shot While Standing in Their Yard Ardmore: Marshal Colbert informed of the assassination of Francis Hare and wife which occurred near Ravia, immediately sent deputy marshal to the scene of the crime. The particulars of the tragedy could not be obtained. Tishomingo: News reached Tyler of the murder of Frank Hare and wife at their home near Reagan. It seems that they were both shot while standing in their yard. Mr. Hare was a member of the Chickasaw Senate. Officers left at once for the scene of the murder. No clue to the murder has become known here. Senator Hare was know here and particulars are awaited with interest. SALT SPRING NEWS Henderson Sissom is the best pleased man on Salt Springs. It’s a fine girl. Mother and babe doing well. Mr. Parlee has found his horses which were stolen sometime ago. The hardware store of Bosley & Phillips and the general merchandise store of W. J. Bond were burglarized last Thursday night and several guns, razors, knives and some jewelery were taken away. Entrance was effected by breaking into the front doors. The marshals are on a hunt for the burglars but so far no clue has been found. Burglars broke into the hardware store Roberts, Jackson & Co., on Main Street Friday night and stole several guns, razors and pocket knives. This time entrance was effected by cutting the glass out of a window pane at the rear of the building. It is thought that it is the work of an organized gang of outlaws who are operating throughout this section of the Territory. LOCAL ITEMS G. C. Williams visited Coalgate Sunday. Jerry Millard is building a house on his lot at Milburn this week. J. W. Hale, of Boggy Depot was transacting business in the city Monday. Mrs. Turman and children were here last week visiting her mother, Mrs. A. J. Addington. E. A. Walton has returned from Oklahoma. He says that the Lone Wolf country is a good one. Fred Schnideer has quit the race for alderman. Fred’s many friends are sorry that he has withdrawn. Phillip Hogue and Charley Forester are at Jesse this week building a hours for Price Statler. C. D. Walden, one of the hustling and prosperous farmers of Viola, was in town Monday. He subscribed for the old reliable while here. Charles Laflore a prominent farmer living on Buffalo head was in Wapanucka trading Monday. Such men as Charley make a good country. G. W. Bradley who will be cashier of the new bank is in the city making preparations to open that institution for business in a few days. Bob O’Dom was down from Coalgate to spend the time with home folks. C. E. Hook, that hustling farmer of Salt Springs, was shaking hands with friends in the city Saturday. A fine baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Williams last week. Williams is nearly tickled to death. The young man who wears baby pins on his coat has not returned from Coalgate to Olney. Judge and Mrs. C. A. Skeen returned Friday from Kansas City where they spent a most pleasant week. S. J. Penson formerly of Wapanucaka but now living at Coalgate was here Saturday looking after his property. C. G. Cribbs, one of the finest old gentlemen that lives in the hospitable community of Viola was giving glad hand to friends in the city Saturday. He gave this office a pleasant call and said he could not keep house without the Great Religious Weekly. Tom Webb, while cleaning a 32 revolver last week, was accidentally shot in the leg. Mr. Webb lives about five miles east of Wapanucka. Doctors report the would as not serious. Albert Renegar and Walter Ducket bought out the Smith Livery stable last Monday. They will improve the stables and put in new rigs and make it one of the very best in the Territory. J. O. Bradford came up from Wapanucka Monday on the local. Mr. Bradford has disposed of his interest at Wapanucka and expects to go into business in the new town of Spokogee on the Fort Smith & Western Railroad. Tishomingo Capital The Wapanucka Press, 9 April 1903 THE CITY ELECTION The election Tuesday was full of interest, yet good order was maintained throughout the day. The Citizens ticket, the first place in the field, was elected with the exception of one alderman, Eli Roberts, whose name was on both the Peoples and Independent tickets. The following were elected: Mayor – W. N. Baker Recorder – John B. Enfield Marshal - B. O. Criswell Treasurer – E. O. Loomis Assessor – L. C. Ball Street Com. – Jack Ramsey Scavinger – F. J. McKeen Alderman – Frank N. Juhan, W. Z. Gibson, F. A. Riner, Eli Roberts and James B. Farris Following is the vote: For Mayor, Barker 97; Ball 46 Recorder, Enfield 85; Moore 56 For Marshal, Criswell 86; Richardson 57 Aldermen: W. J. Bond 71, J. B Farris 76, F. N. Fuhan 97, W. Z. Gibson 87, F. A. Finer 89, C. A. Skeen 52, Eli Roberts 78, J. G. Riley 66, L. B. Rutherford 41, A. W. Taylor 33. City Attorney, C. M. Crowell 116. Treasurer, E. O. Loomis 107; R. E. Wade, 26 Assessor, L. C. Ball, 112; R. E. Wade, 25 Scavinger, F. J. McKeen, 140 Mr. McKeen led the ticket he having no opposition and Messrs Barker and Juhan led all others with opposition. VIOLA ITEMS J. H. Small has purchased a gin and mill at Viola and will remain with us. Dr. Provine is very poorly at this writing. Sorry to learn of the death of our friend Sam Wilson. BOGGY DEPOT NEWS On the night of the third three good horses were stolen from J. F. Shipley at this place. George Jackson was shot last night about one and one half miles east of Boggy Depot. Not serious. Only one shot from a shot fun entering his hand. It is said a hog’s head was found near his house in a another man’s mark. STOLEN STOCK One yellow mare with black mane and tail, unbranded, about 8 years old, small blaze in face, harness mark, in fare condition, about 14 1/2 hands high. One gray mare, branded on shoulder JE connected, about 10 years old, about 14 1/2 hands high, harness marked, one eye out. Will pay liberal reward for return or information leading to the recovery of these animals. Fred Carpenter A party of young men went out on beautiful Blue last Sunday and spent the day fishing. Those in the party were: Don Sopwers, Mr. Berry, J. O. Salmon, Mr. Summerfield, H. W. Watson, Harry Byers, John C. Attaway and Mr. Casey. JESSE ITEMS C. A. Skeen and wife of Wapanucka were in our town Sunday. He has just returned from the north where he has been purchasing goods for his store at this place. Mr. Skeen is popular with our people. Col. Russell of Ardmore prosecuting attorney in the Drigger’s murder case, was here last week looking over the grounds where the killing took place. HUNTON ITMES Miss Dora Holloway is teaching our school now. Claud Nix has a new yard fence which adds greatly to the appearance of his property. Charley Holt has just returned from the western country. S. A. Whiteside wishes to inform the Trading Co. he did not hale from Arkansas but from old Tennessee, the home of intelligent men and tasty women. Jeff Howard secured the contract to carry the mail from here to Wapanucka for $600 per year. Lee Nun, a Chinese laundryman, of Chickasha and Lela Tolbert, a negro woman, were married last week at Chickasha, by United States District Clerk of Court Lee. MAY BE A DAY DREAM Ravia: Dick Sharp of this place claims to have found within three miles of Ravia a lead mine with a vein ten inches wide at the surface of the ground. Specimens of the ore were exhibited and pronounced by men who had worked in the mines at Joplin, Missouri, to be equal to the best galena taken from those mines, with probably more silver in it. One enthusiastic party is reported to have offered $1,000 to have it shown up. As the mines cannot be worked until after the land is allotted, it will probably remain concealed for a year or two. SHOT HIM THREE TIMES Paymaster of Ozark Route Shoots a Negro With Whom He Was Quarrelling Okmulgee: George Rarick, a paymaster on the O. and C. C. grade that is being built by the Kenefick Construction Company, shot and killed John Williams, a negro, at Okmulgee, Rarick according to the story, had allowed some of the men to go to a restaurant to get a meal and when the bill was presented, he was charged with a dollar for cigars. This dollar he refused to pay, and told Williams to collect his cigar money from the men, if he could. Williams grew insulting about the matter and, with some other negroes who were standing about started a row. Rarick fired them out and ran the rest of the negroes down the street. Williams struck at him and landed three blows on Rarick’s head with the but of his revolver. Rarick, who is a Kentuckian, whipped out a revolver and shot Williams three times before the negro could use his gun to shoot. At the present term of court in Comanche County there are ten murder cased docketed. Among them is the case of George Moran, charged with the murder of a son of Dr. Beanblossom near Rush Springs about the time of the opening of the new country. A. M. Brown, Dr. and Mrs. Allen, of Kiowa, are stopping at the Square Hotel. Mr. Brown and Allen are looking out a location for a Drug store in this or some other Territorial town. The remains of Sam Wilson, who died in Ardmore Wednesday, were brought here for burial Thursday. LOCAL ITEMS Mrs. Lon Edge visited homefolks the first of the week in Lehigh. Ed Crutchfield, of Sherman, Sundayed in our city. Clarence Elles, the tie man, was in Ray Monday. C. L. Witte was transacting business in Tishomingo Monday. Mrs. A. J. Addington is in Denison this week visiting friends. Mrs. W. N. Barker returned from Tecumseh Monday, where she had been visiting friends. A fine girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Rose Friday. Mother and babe getting along well. J. N. McWilliams was down from Coalgate Monday. L. C. Ball returned from Jesse Sunday where he has been building a house for J. O. Surrell. Mrs. A. I. McAlister is in Lehigh this week visiting relatives and friends. Dr. Enfield is in South McAlester this week before the Choctaw Medical Board. W. H. Ball is having his store house moved from old town to the lot just south of Jones livery stable, this week. C. A. Skeen, H. L. Hull, W. L. Richards and Mr. Davidson were transacting business in Stonewall the first of the week. Postmaster Sanders, of Viola, was in the city Saturday. He is an old gentleman and he has a host of friends in the city who are always glad to see him. Mr. Broaderick of Caddo, the hog buyer, is in town this week. Forbus Laflore of Buffalo Head was trading in town election day. J. M. Smith, of Hunt County, Texas, will open up a first class meat market in our city about the 20th. S. J. Shipley, one of the best farmers in this section, was in town Saturday for the first time in several days. He says he has most of his corn planted. If anybody makes anything this year Sam will be one of them that did. ARRESTED ON SUSPICION Six Young Men Charged with Setting Fire to a Barn Mangum: W. P. Price’s big barn on his farm near Bettina in the north part of the county, was destroyed by fire. The barn was a large one, being 50 x 100 in ground dimensions, and at the time of the fire contained twenty one hear of horses and mules. Nine horses and two mules were burned to death in their stalls, and three other horses were badly burned. The balance of the stock was saved. All the other contents of the barn were totally destroyed as the fire occurred at night and was well under way then discovered, and all the efforts of Mr. Price and family exerted to free the live stock from the firey furnace. Mr. Price estimates his loss at $5,500., with only $1,000. insurance. Besides the barn and live stock the property destroyed consisted of 3,000 bushels of husked corn, 4,000 bushels of two-year-old cotton seed, 60 bushels of sorghum seed, a lot of mile maize and oats, all threshed, and all kinds of farm implements. The authorities, after careful investigation of the facts and rumors in regard to the origin of the fire, found what they considered good reason for believing that the fire was deliberately set for spite work, and six young men of that neighborhood, between the ages of eighteen and twenty- four, were arrested and brought to Mangum. They were arrested before Justice McMillan and were each placed under $1,000, in default of which they all went to jail. MAYOR RAN AWAY Borrowed Money and Mortgaged Cattle Which He Did Not Own Ardmore: S. M. Taylor, who for the past two years has been mayor of Cumberland, a little town east of here, has departed to parts unknown. Warrants are out for his arrest on several charges. It is alleged that the missing mayor mortgaged several hundred head of cattle to one of the national banks at Denison, Texas; also executed a similar paper to the national bank at Durant, I. T. When collection was attempted it was found that his holdings of livestock were more visions of his imagination. It is reported at Cumberland that he was seen at his old home in Alabama, last week, but so far has not been apprehended. Edgar Tines, of Ravia, was visiting friends in the city Tuesday. Ridley Dilard took too much booze Tuesday night, in celebration of the result of the election and had to spend the night in the calaboose. Mrs. L. C. Bocker visited relatives in Caddo last week and her daughter, Miss Bessie, returned home with her. T. C. Wallace has a very sore hand. Mike Leonard who has been running the section between here and Ray Station south has moved in town and is funning the section north. J. L. Bayne went to Atoka yesterday to deliver the election returns. The Wapanucka Press, 16 April 1903 HUNTON ITEMS John Kirkpatrick and Henry Burrow were in Ada this week as witnesses in the Robert Shaw horse stealing case. George Adam’s mail line from Stonewall to this place has been discontinued. S. A. Whiteside and wife were in Wapanucka Wednesday. SALT SPRINGS BRIEFS P. M. Hobbs and family were visiting Mr. Cafer and family Saturday and Sunday. We are proud to know that Mrs. Sissom who has been very sick is improving. LOCAL ITEMS C. A. Hancock was in the city from Byrne yesterday. Fred Schnider is making preparation to open a tombstone yard in Wapanucka. Dr. H. A. Ellis, the leading physician of Hunton was here yesterday. Mr. Hulsey will move into the new residence of Bud Johnson’s in east end, this week. Col. Charles M. Crowell has moved his law office from the M. P. Skeen building over to the First National Bank. Dr. B. C. Cunningham made a trip to Haileyville last evening where he met his mother who is visiting him this week. R. C. Tate returned from Oklahoma City, yesterday, where he had been for several days with home folks. W. J. Foster, one of the prominent and prosperous farmers of Viola, was in town Wednesday on business. M. A. Hensley, aged 49 years, residing near Cheek was internally injured by falling under a wagon and died in a few hours. At South McAlester, Henry Snider, said to be from Phillips, attempted to take his own life by cutting his throat with a pen knife. The knife being dull his injury is not thought to be fatal. PROMINENT POLITICIAN DEAD Ardmore: Capt. John S. Hammer, United States Deputy Clerk at Ada, succumbed to Bright’s Disease and heart failure. He was postmaster at Ardmore under Harrison, and United States Marshal of the southern district under McKinley. He had many government commissions, among them captain in the Federal Army. His family lives here and has a son in the United States Army in the Philippines. He leaves a wife and three children. ON TRIAL FOR MURDER Ardmore: Dudley Slaughter of Ardmore, charged with the murder of William Watson, is on trial at the Pauls Valley Federal Court. On the night of December 14, 1900, while slaughter and Watson were en route by private conveyance from Sulphur to Davis, Slaughter shot and killed Watson, placed the dead body in the buggy hauled it to Davis and surrendered to the deputy United States marshal. Slaughter pleads self defense and is defended by the best legal talent of the country. He is the son of L. C. Slaughter, chief of the Ardmore fire department and a prominent citizen of the town. LOCAL ITEMS Mrs. J. P. Henegar is visiting her son at Haileyville this week. W. O. Salmon and A. G. Summerfield Sundayed in Sherman, Texas, R. E. Wade transacted business in South McAlester Tuesday. D. A. Jackson of Oconee, was in the city on business Saturday. Dr. and Mrs. Branham have a fine girl baby at their home. Dr. Wright was down from Olney Saturday. Born to Mrs. and Mr. Ed Barton a girl baby Sunday night. Benson and Hightower were in Atoka last Saturday looking for one of Mr. Benson’s horses. J. T. Taylor, one of the hustling farmers of Viola country, was in the city on business Saturday. H. A Crowell, one of the enterprising farmers, of Boggy Depot, was doing business in the city Saturday. George Swaffer, of near Lehigh visited friends in the city Saturday and Sunday. Rev. P. G. McGarth, of Charles City, Iowa, visited friends in our city the first of the week. Mrs. John Burns, of Charles City, Iowa, is visiting Mrs. R. E. Wade this week. Mrs. Mullens of Ardmore is visiting friends and relatives in the city this week. Prof. Whitten, of the Ardmore High School, was in the city the first of the week. W. W. Patten has moved into the Cobb property on North Choctaw Avenue. Rev. J. F. McKinnon, of Lebanon occupies the pulpit at the Presbyterian Church Sunday. George Armstrong, a prominent railroad man of Arkansas, was in the city Tuesday on business. T. C. Wallace went to Atoka yesterday to be present at the opening of the Choctaw land office. Mr. Jeff Officer of Bradley County, Tennessee, arrived here last Saturday and is visiting S. J. Shipley and other old friends. He came out to look at the country. J. E. Besnon, our popular drayman, has bought a fine dray wagon which will be in in a few days. Rev. J. Edward T. Clark, editor of the Free Baptist Visitor, of Coalgate, was in the city between trains last Thursday. Hogs broke into W. M. Wade’s field out east of town, last Friday night and destroyed about seven acres of corn which was just out of the ground. The remains of Mrs. R. F. Patterson, mother of Sam Wilson late deceased, who died at Ardmore was brought in on the north bound train Saturday evening, being accompanied by Mr. T. H. Hale. The body was quietly laid to rest in the Wells Valley Cemetery Sunday morning. J. C. Fahrney, one of the prominent farmers of Boggy Depot, was in the city Saturday on business. Mrs. Al. McAlester of Wapanucka, was visiting her parents in Lehigh Tuesday. Capt. W. N. Baker requested that we publish his thanks to the citizens of Wapanucka for their support in electing him Mayor. He not only wants to pay the people in thanks but says its his intention to do more later in the way of services to the town. H. C. Pearrigen has been employed by the business men as night watchman. He entered upon the duties the first of the month. Mr. Perrigen is a fine man, trustworthy and will certainly make a faithful night watchman. John Burns who has been visiting his sister, Mrs. R. E. Wade, the past few days left Monday for Hot Springs, Arkansas. E. J. Gill, one of the proprietors of the Gill Hotel, at Milburn, was in the city Monday and Tuesday, the guest of Dr. O. J. Stamps. Mrs. M. E. Keller and Mrs. Rosa Barker, both of Ada, are here this week visiting their parents, Capt. and Mrs. W. N. Barker. Ed Hendricks, who was arrested two weeks ago for embezzlement, carrying a gun, introducing whiskey and divers other things have been released on as $400.00 cash bond. He offered several personal bonds but all were turned down; but after laying in jail about two weeks was released upon putting up the cash to cover the bond. It is on an average of about every month that Ed Hendricks is arrested for horse stealing, or various other charge, but it happens that he beats every case. Dr. Loomis and daughters, Ada and Edith went to Milburn Saturday. W. C. McCulie and son Duke, of Caddo, were the guests of W. T. Booker this week. J. D. Slade of Magazine, Arkansas was in the city this week, prospecting for a mill and gin. T. J. Chamberlin received the sad news Tuesday announcing the death of his sister, Mrs. Alexander at Jackson, Tennessee. Walter Skeen and sister, Miss Cora, who are attending Hargrove College, at Ard,pre, spent Sunday with home folks. Cashier Clem White of the Wapanucka Banking & Trust Co. was in Shawnee the first of the week on business. Miss Ethel Booker, of White Wright College, and George McCulley, of Caddo, visited the family of W. P. Booker last Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday night Misses Loomis entertained a number of their friends at their home on Choctaw Avenue t an informal dance. A most delightful evening was spent in dancing. Those present were: Misses Jenkins, Addington, O’Neal, Ralph; Messrs. Walton, Cunningham, Ball, Sowers, Summerfield, Enfield, Bradley and Dr. Skeen; Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Robertson. The Wapanucka Press, 23 April 1903 KINNEY – FAHRNEY C. M. Kinney, of Wapanucka, and Miss Gracie Fahrney, of Boggy Depot, were married at the Moore school house Sunday morning. It was a case of parental objection, so we are told, and the couple so anxious to get over the ordeal were joined together in the holy bonds while sitting in the buggy by Rev. R. F. Kirkpatrick. The couple have many friends here and at Boggy Depot who wish them a happy life together. JESSE NEWS NOTES Miss Dona Holloway, the accomplished teacher of the Iron mines school spent Saturday and Sunday with homefolks. Some one cut a mile or more of Gale Statler’s pasture fence east of Boggy last week, also considerable partnership fence between him and Sudge Winn. Dr. Seaborn from Texas was here last week looking for a place to locate. We understand that he was favorably impressed with this place. SALT SPRINGS BRIEFS Mr. Jackson is getting his land under good fence. He will soon have his farm in good shape. Mr. Howard branded a lot of nice yearlings Monday. They escaped the disease and hard winger and are looking fine. Dr. Roach was riding over in our part the first of the week looking for some lost stock. We are very proud to hear that Ed. Hargrove is improving from a severe spell of sickness. EGO ITEMS J. C. Kelly is reported quite sick, William Sims has been on the sick list for some days but is better. The other day a gentleman stopped at H. N. Morgan’s home and inquired if he had any bailed hay for sale. Hiram stepped to the door his face wreathed in smiles and answered with all the empasis at his command that it was a girl. The man thought that he had misunderstood and repeated his inquiry in regard to the hay, and immediately came the response, “she weighs nine pounds.” The gentleman finally got himself together enough to realize Mr. Morgan had a brand new babe. Mother and child are doing well. Hiram is terribly rattled. N. E. Davidson who moved to Durant some time ago has moved back to Ego. Nath is a good fellow and we are glad to have him with us again. BOGGY DEPOT NEWS On the night of the 18th while quite a number of people were enjoying themselves in music at Prof. Shipley’s, some one broke a trace chain with which Lee Shipley’s horse was fastened, (one of the 3 that were stolen on the 3rd) taking it away in a northwest direction some four or five miles and tying it in a rough out of the way place. Lee Shipley and Register Robinson tracked the horse and found him about seven o’clock. Some shooting took place in which Robinson got a hole through his coat, but no other damage was done so far as known. We are proud of our brave boys and intend to furnish you with a sheriff when Uncle Samuel allows us to vote. It is reported that some little boys found a human skull about four miles northwest of here on Rock Creek, near what is generally known as Rock Creek Church. LIST OF LETTERS Remaining in the post office uncalled for: J. E. Brookshire Mesdames Nellie Beasley L. Curry Sallie Dillard Kietchler Henrietta Howell Cope Hooks E. J. Johnson P. M. Reed Effie Ray Ed Brown J. C. Cotton Joseph G. Douglass Charles G. Davis Esi Edwood W. F. Gaston F. E. Melugin James Smith J. D. McKinley E. M. McCarty Postal Cards: William Byrd J. W. Bradshaw T. Singlefield A G. Taylor Dr. John W. Rollins of Duncan, I. T. has been arrested for starting the fire that caused a loss of $65,000 in Duncan March 28. The jury in the case of the Territory vs William Smiley and E. M. Dixon, charged with killing Ed Winn at Lawton, returned a verdict of manslaughter in the second degree. LOCAL ITEMS Dr. Loomis went over to Milburn Friday. Harry Byers spent Sunday with relatives and friends in Lehigh. R. C. Tate is transacting business in Mannsville today. Charles McLendon was here from Pontotoc Tuesday on business. Mrs. O. J. Stamps visited friends in Milburn Monday. Elbert Stamps, brother to our townsman, Dr. O. J. Stamps, was here Monday. J. D. Ray, manager of the Tishomingo Oil Mill, was in town Friday looking after fall business. R. C. Tate, J. B. Enfield and Edgar Walton spent Saturday night and Sunday on Blue River fishing. M. C. Michaels, one of the many prosperous farmers of Ego, was in town Saturday on business. T. N. Nichols, a prominent farmer of the Ego community, was transacting business in town Saturday. N. Adams, one of the best farmers living in the Viola country, was in town Saturday on business. Mr. Pearce and wife, two aged people who recently came in from Tennessee, have moved on the Sam Shipley place. J. N. Walton is visiting friends and relatives at points in Arkansas. Dr. B. L. Applewhite, of Tecumseh, O. T., was here several days of this and last week the guest of Clem White. J. D. Slade has purchased one half interest in the Williamson & Line gin, and will move his family here from Magazine, Arkansas. Dr. Renegar and wife and Walter Ducket and wife, spent three days on Blue last week fishing and hunting. They caught lots of nice fish, killed some ducks and squirrels and had a nice time in general. Last Sunday week J. H. Hill and Miss Anna Wilder were married at the home of G. W. Johnson in Wells Valley. Burr Wells and family were present and helped to make away with the turkey which had been prepared for the occasion. Four fine mules were stolen from Mr. Castleberry who lives between this city and Wiley one night last week. No trace of the thieves has been found. Dr. A. Stephenson has returned from Memphis, Tennessee, where he has been for the past five months attending medical college. He does not know where he will locate. Eli Roberts was in Tishomingo the latter part of last week on a search for the thieves that broke into his store. He recovered a part of the stolen property but failed to locate the thief. The three horses which were stolen from Mr. Shipley at Boggy Depot a few weeks ago where recovered at Paris, Texas, last week. Officers had a shooting scrape with the thieves but did not arrest them. Later - these same horses were stolen Saturday night. Miss Jenkins left Monday for Dallas, Texas, where she will spend the summer with relatives. Quite an excitement occurred on Choctaw Avenue yesterday morning when C. L. Witte came down to open his store. It is said that he was so badly rattled over it that he mistook another store for his and the inhabitants in the neighborhood thought he was suffering from an attack of insanity. But they soon found out the trouble. Witte was just rattled over a new citizen who arrived in town the evening before. It’s a boy and a fine one. Mother and babe getting along well, but Mr. Witte is in a very serious condition and friends have grave doubts as to his soon recovery. Miss Russell, a Christian lady at Atoka, has been inducted into the Jewish church in or to marry Augustus Haas. – South McAlester News. T. T. Knight and wife spent Sunday very pleasantly among the flowers and birds on Boggy River. Mrs. G. S. Cunningham, of Dardanelle, Arkansas, is here this week visiting her son, Dr. B. C. Cunningham. R. E. Wade was looking after business interests at Milburn Tuesday. H. R. Allen, one of the enterprising farmers of the Ego community was in the city yesterday. H. C. Sissom, one of the hustling farmers of Viola country, was transacting business in tow yesterday. Mrs. Addington and family and several friends of hers from Denison and Sherman have spent the week fishing on Blue River. Jerry Millard has returned from an extended trip to points on the Frisco. He says that Wapanucka is not the only dull town in the country. C. E. Hook, of Salt Springs, was in town yesterday giving the glad hand to friends. He is our appreciated correspondent at Salt Springs and gave us a pleasant call and took a look at the new presses and machinery. The Wapanucka Press, 30 April 1903 CITY COUNCIL DOINGS The council met in regular meeting last Thursday night in the new city hall in Ellis building on Choctaw Avenue, all the legislative branch being present. After reading minutes of previous meeting reports of several committees were called for. The sanitary committee handed in its report on work to secure a dumping ground for scavenger. W. P. Booker had offered to furnish a dumping ground on the north side of his place east of railroad for $20 per year. The committee was authorized to close a contract with Mr. Booker at that price. A contract was closed by the committee the next day for the place mentioned. The following allowances were made: Wapanucka Trading Co., for goods to furnish jail. $7.50. W. W. Scott, for making table for city hall, $4.50. A bill of E. J. Fannin $3.25 for issuing election certificates to offices was allowed. Mr. Riner moved that the first meeting in each month be designated as the time for presenting and considering claims and account, which was agreed to. City attorney reported that he had failed to find a satisfactory law under which the city could proceed in leaving a tax for public improvement. A committee, consisting of city attorney Crowell, Roberts and Farris was appointed to look up the law further on the subject and draw up an ordinance in accordance there with an present same for consideration of council at next meeting. Farris then made a motion which was seconded by Juhan to proceed to discuss the points in regard to said tax ordinance. Messrs Riner and Gibson did not think the council could well discuss an ordinance without knowing something about the law bearing on the subject and as other urgent business were needing attention the motion was withdrawn. Riner presented a 20 year franchise of W. J. Brown, and associates, of Ardmore, to construct and operate, in the city of Wapanucka, an electric light and power plant. Motion that Recorder be instructed to correspond with Mr. Burton, of Tishomingo, relative to electric light plant, carried. Motion by Farris and carried that the city council is now ready to consider franchises of electric light and power companies desiring same in the city of Wapanucka. The question of the city engineer and the work done by that official under the old administration was brought up and discussed. Mr. J. B. Wright who was appointed by the mayor of the old council had done considerable work on the grave yard and for which he had not been compensated. As Mr. Wright is not and has not been working under the authority of the present council the council dropped the subject until investigation. A motion carried that a committee of three, the mayor to be chairman, be appointed to see Mr. Wright and get an estimate of cost of work necessary. Motion was carried and the chair appointed Riner and Juhan. Mr. Riner moved that the council take up the Brown franchise bill, which were carried. The first paragraphs was adopted after a lot of discussion and bill laid over to next meeting as unfinished business. JESSE NEWS NOTES – April 27th Mr. and Mrs. Ed Thompson were in Roff last week trading. As they returned home they lost a hot they had bought for their little daughter. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Kelso, the teachers at this place, went to Emit last Friday to visit Mrs. Kelso’s brother. They returned Sunday. Dr. Orchard of Stonewall has been here several days doing dental work for some of our citizens. Dr. Cunningham, of Wapanucka, is also here looking after troublesome teeth and others. Price Statler is feasting these days on strawberries and cream. He has a fine bed of this delicious fruit now ripening. Ed Kerr is down in Texas this week on business. Sid Addaway, of Wapanucka, was here last week looking after his interests at this place. Mr. Bell has been making some substantial improvements at his place lately. VIOLA ITEMS – April 28th J. H. Long has moved to near Franks. Small & Richardson are running the saw mill and shingle machine, and doing a lively business. Dr. Provine is very low and is at the residence of Mr. Miles and brother. Mr. Provine, a brother of the Doctor, from Whitewright, Texas, was with him last week. C. L. Waterson and family of Ego, were visiting the old folks at Viola Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Burch and family were visiting Mr. Dickson’s family Sunday. W. J. Foster has been on the sick list for several days, but is better. Bro. Owens has also been sick but is better. EGO ITEMS – April 28th Willie Jones has been quite sick but is reported better. Mrs. Copeland, after an extended visit among relatives and friends at various places, has returned to the home of her son, W. T. Copeland. There was a new comer at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Al Neighbors the 25th inst. It is a boy, of course, for “jolly Al” was always said to be lucky. K. A. Drain, of Boggy Deport, was in our village Monday. Mrs. R. T. Jones, of Wapanucka, is visiting among her children near Ego. Dr. Morgan who located at this place some weeks ago is getting an enormous practice. George Davidson and family visited relatives near Wapanucka last Saturday. Jim Colbert was in Ego Monday. HUNTON ITEMS H. E. Jones has moved here from Leon. Arthur Whiteside has a new bicycle and is very proud of it. N. C. Nix has quit his crop and gone to the railroad to work. George O’Dom is moving back to Stonewall today. We regret to loose so good a citizen. Mrs. M. A. Whiteside and daughter, Ethel, are trading in Wapanucka today. LOCAL ITEMS J. C. Fahrney and daughter were over from Boggy Depot Tuesday. S. A. Whiteside was down from Hunton Tuesday. D. O. Nail and “Skeet” Willis of Nail visited relatives and friends in the city the first of the week. W. M. Howard was in from Salt Springs Tuesday transacting business. Postmaster B. A. Sanders was in the city from Viola Tuesday attending to business. Miss Ella Nixon is now assisting cashier White at the Wapanucka Banking and Trust Co. J. L. Bayne returned Tuesday evening from Shawnee and other points north. He ways that Shawnee and Ada are on a building boom on the strength of the M. K. & T. Railroad building into the two towns. Rev. G. T. Black and wife were in town Friday. They came as guests of Rev. Martin. Mr. Black is Cor. Sec. Of Indian Territory board of Mission. E. N. Walton has bought the J. J. Ricahrdson property in the north west part of town. Mr. Richardson will move to Texas, we understand. Judge C. A. Skeen returned from Milburn last evening where he attended the banquet given by the Gill Hotel at that place Tuesday night. Judge Skeen says that the banquet was a grand affair and much enjoyed by those present. Mrs. O. W. Myers, of Shreveport, Louisiana, is visiting her sister, Mrs. J. B. Farris. Mrs. C. Newton Martin is visiting her parents at Citra, this week. C. Newton Martin, pastor of the First Christian Church, has been called to Haileyville and will not fill his regular appointment next Sunday. Miss Hattie Goben is visiting in the city this week from Lehigh. Luther Fountain left Tuesday for Kansas City, where he will visit friends and relatives. Dr. Stamps and family at Ladonia, Texas this week visiting relatives. Mr. Chapman came in from Viola Tuesday and took the train for Ardmore, where he goes to attend court. E. Ludlow and wife , of Los Esperauzas, Mexico, were in Wapanucka this week, accompanied by Allen Wright of South McAlester, looking after their land holdings in the valley. R. C. Tate left yesterday for Oklahoma City where he goes to reside in future. Mr. Tate has many friends in Wapanucka who wish him success. Mrs. John Burns who has been visiting Mrs. R. E. Wade for several days left Tuesday fr her home at Wataloo, Iowa. R. Long caught a cat fish in Delaware River at Taylor’s mill Monday which weighed 32 pounds. R. Long is up from Taylors mill this week assisting in the work on the Presbyterian Church. Dick Smith and another small boy, students in the Indian Rock Academy, ran away Monday night. R. L. Branstetter and wife and others spent Sunday on Blue River, the guest of our former townsman, P. K. Wall. Tom Hammond, a prominent stockman of Hunton was in town Tuesday on business. J. D. Epperson, one of the leading melon growers of Ego community, was transacting business in the city Tuesday. A fine young horse of W. A. McAlester & Co. which was being trained to work to a delivery wagon fell and broke its neck Monday evening. B. F. Hargrove, one of the prosperous farmers of Viola, was transacting business in town Monday. Last Sunday morning while on her way to visit relatives Mrs. C. J. Carter fell from a buggy and has been in a serious condition since. She did not receive any outward apparent injury but seems to have been affected internally from the fall. Her husband and children were with her and the accident occurred some distance north of the city. W. E. Little and wife were over from Coalgate several days last week taking advantage of the spring opening sales of our big dry goods stores. Mrs. Little is quite an accomplished lady and has a winning way to make friends. Mr. Little and wife left for Coalgate Monday evening. R. F. Keys, a prominent farmer of Ego, was in town Tuesday on business. C. C. Beene, a prominent planter of Boggy Depot settlement, was transacting business in town today. S. L. Barnes, Wapanucka’s genial insurance man was down this week on business. – Milburn Hearld. E. L. Bruce of Kansas City, who is interested in the Wapanucka Lumber Co., spent the first of the week in our city. E. J. Ball, manager of the Wapanucka Trading Co., was out over the country Sunday and says that the crop prospects are rather gloomy. He ways that wheat and oats are almost gone beyond redemption for want of rain. J. W. Clark, representative of the A. G. Elliot Paper Co., of Dallas, spent Sunday in the city. He gave this office a pleasant call Monday morning. Mr. Clark says that the Press is one of the best equipped offices in the Territory. There was great excitement down the street last Saturday morning and it looked for awhile as though the militia would have to be called out. Dr. French and Dr. Skillern were arguing religion on the north side of the drug store, and W. H. Williams and Dr. Loomis were having a set to on free silver on the other side of the house. The Herald man started in to get a wart burned off his hand, but could not stand such a hellablew and sought the quiet of his sanctum sanctorum until the storm passed. Lee Milburn was pacing up the center of the store pulling his hair and gnashing his teeth, and praying for relief. Milburn Herald Deputy Criswell arrested Tom Shepperd, a ducky gentleman, 15 miles east of Durant last week as on accomplice in horse stealing. He found a gun on the negro’s person and also made a charge against him for toting’ a gun. The prisoner was carried to Durant and in a trial before the commissioner the horse stealing case was dismissed but he was sent to jail for carrying the gun. A party of ladies and gentlemen left the city late Saturday evening and spent the night and Sunday on Blue River. Those in the party were: R. E. Wade and wife W. W. Patten and wife, Mrs. John Burns, Don J. Sowers, A. G. Summerfield, O. J. Salmon and J. E. Benson. They report a pleasant outing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Johnston County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/johnston/johnston.html