Duchess of Weaselskin

Bayfield, Colorado - NW Okie wanted me to share this old photograph on the left showing Gene M. McGill and his younger brother Robert Lee McGill. Gene is standing on the back row, left, and Robert is on the front row, left. Next to Robert, we think, is Don Wilton. But as to the other two boys on the back row, we have no clue. Maybe someone from Northwest Oklahoma has come across or seen this photograph stored within their ancestor's photo albums?

The Devine's sent us a couple of old photos they had found in their dad's belongings. The picture on the right says, Elko on the picture border, but Wes Devine says, "I am fairly sure it was taken at Fairvalley. The picture had to be taken somewhere between 1938 to 1945. Aunt Naomi was born in May of 1933. The second photo (on the left) is my Grandmother in 1917, in Freedom, Oklahoma."

This last weekend, Saturday, we hear that a tornado struck west of Harper, Kansas, about 5 miles, taking an entire farm, house and farm equipment and other farm houses, before moving onto Wichita, Kansas. Did the edge of this storm pass through or go just North of Alva, Oklahoma?

Let's move Forward NOT Backwards!
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100 Years Ago Today - 21 May 1912

America - In The Washington Times, dated 21 May 1912, had the following front page headlines, Student Aviator Killed At Wright Experiment Field. "It was May 21, 1912, Dayton, Ohio, After having forced the lock on the Wright brothers airplane hangar and, against the advice of a mechanician, attempting his first flight unaided, Fred J. Southard, twenty-eight, a student aviator of Minneapolis, Minn., was instantly killed this morning on the Wright Aviation Field, at Simms station, near here."

Southard was a member of a wealthy family of Minneapolis. He had been a student at the Wright Aviation School for several weeks and had not completed his course of instructions. A few days ago he purchased the machine in which he was killed. His ambition to fly alone caused him to go to the aviation field, eight miles from here, early today, accompanied by a mechanical, F. J. Burns. Southard pried the doors open in order to get out the airplane. Against the advice of the mechanician, Southard stared this engine and undertook to ascend. The accident occurred within six minutes after he first set the engine going. Orvile Wright announced his belief that Southard attempted to rise too swiftly, which stalled his motor.

Minneapolis, Minn., May 21, 1912 -- Fred J. Southard, the student aviator killed at Dayton, was well known in the tea estate field here, having offices in the downtown district. He became interested in aviation eighteen months ago and recently went to Dayton to take instructions from the Wrights. He planned to establish an aviation field in Minnesapolis. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Okie's Corner

Bayfield, Colorado - We found this little booklet about Alva, O.T., which is transcribed in this week's newsletter, and also some information concerning some business and attorneys at the time. I believe the booklet may date back to the latter part of the 19th century shortly after Alva was born, 16 September 1893.

The image on the left is an announcement of some sort for the largest "Elephant barn" in Alva, O.T. The proprietor was M. A. Newland, and Campbell and Truelock were the managers. It was the largest barn in Alva and advertised with the finest rigs in "M" county, in Oklahoma Territory. Farmers would stop there and feed.

Why did they call it an elephant barn, though, when it was used for the livestock of the farmers? Has anyone heard of this early "Elephant Barn" in Northwest Oklahoma Territory?

The image on the right concerns an attorney, L. A. Salter. Salter's office had a branch office at Cleo, O.T. His Alva law office was located on the Southeast corner of the downtown square.

Meanwhile, on the Main Streets of Durango, Colorado, we were enjoying the "Taste of Durango" Sunday, 20 May 2012, from 11:00a.m. through 3:00p.m. David and I only lasted until 2p.m., roaming the main streets that were blocked off to foot traffic only. Durango has some great restaurants that took part in Manna Soup Kitchen, Taste of Durango.

Tell the GOP, "Stop the War On Women"
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Highland County Virginia - Negroes In Highland

Highland, Virginia - This week we mention a bit about slavery in Highland, values of slaves, slavery regulations, slaveholders in 1800, Manumission, and free negroes.

The negro appeared in Highland within ten years from the settlement, if one or more members of the race did not come with the first pioneers on the Bullpasture. The first known individual was a girl or young woman who was purchased for Ann Jane Usher by her guardian before the Indian War. It was very possible that she was the one whom Mrs. Loftus Pullin (nee Usher) set free by her Will in 1805.

In 1801, Loftus Pullin owned nine slaves. In 1802, John Peebles also had nine, while his neighbors, Robert and James Carlile, had seven and three, respectively. The Bensons, the Lockridges, and the Wilsons on Bolar Run were also considerable slave owners. The better agricultural lands of Highland which had been reduced to tillage were mainly the fertile river bottoms. These were held in tracts of considerable size, and thus caused the plantation system to gain a foothold. Consequently the slaves were held almost exclusively by the well-to-do river farmers.

The slave population was not evenly distributed. Pendleton never owned slaves in anything like the same degree as Bath, and the number in Highland North of the central divide seems always to have been much less than to he southward. Here again, the laws of physical geography come into play. The northern half of Highland was a much smaller proportion of river bottom than the southern. Furthermore, the people of that section were largely of German origin, and this element was never inclined to make much us of slavery.

The limestone belt which runs the whole length of the Bluegrass Valley was a fine substitute for river bottom, yet it was esteemed better suited to grazing than tillage, and slavery was never much in vogue where field agriculture was not largely followed. Accordingly it had a small representation in their valley. It was on the Bullpasture and on the lower courses of Jackson's River and the Cowpasture in Highland that the most slaves were to be found.

The slave had but one name, which was often borrowed front he celebrities of old Rome or from its mythology. Thus Lancelot Graham had a slave named Neptune. The woman whom Mrs. Pullin freed was Daphne. The field hands were lodged in small log cabins. But few indeed are the visible relics of slavery in Highland at this date, and while here and there a slave cabin still existed, it was never, perhaps, as a dwelling, but only as a truck room, hardly suggestive of its former use.

In the earlier days of our local history, slaves were less valuable than in in the period before the great war. The ten slaves of David Gwin in 1822 were valued at $250 to $400 each. The fourteen of George Benson in 1816 were rated at $2,895. The nine of Loftus Pullin in 1801 were worth $2,070. An infant would be worth but $50, while an old man or woman had scarcely any value at all. At the William Sitlington sale in 1825, the boys and girls from three to thirteen years old sold tat $100 to $300 each, according to age. A man of twenty-four sold at $450, while another of fifty-five brought but $150. A woman of forty years was still reed at $200, but the value of one of fifty a had significantly dropped to $100. A woman of seventy and a demented man of thirty found no bidders.

In 1840 slaves were worth $250 to $600, and in the decade of the 50's they became still more valuable. It was this enhancement of value which made the South so tenacious in its support of the institution. Slavery was not voluntarily abandoned so long as slaves rise in value. Had the tendency been the other way in America the emancipation bill which came before the Virginia Legislature of 1832 would probably have carried. But it was lost by only one vote. Had it become a law, the border slave states would have followed the example of Virginia, and the war of 1861 might not have occurred.

While slavery continued, repressive laws and regulations were found necessary. If a slave gave a poisonous drug with intent to oil, the penalty was death without benefit of clergy. It was a misdemeanor with a penalty of not more than thirty-nine lashes for a slave to prepare to administer any medicines, unless by permission of the master.

Slave districts were regularly patrolled. Highland was divided into patrol districts, each with a captain and his party of five to seven men. It was the duty of such patrol party to visit all negro quarters at stated intervals, usually weekly or bi-weekly, and all other places which might fall under suspicion of unlawful assembly. Negroes were whipped by the patrol when found string away without permission.

Although, under slavery repressive rules toward the black people were unavoidable, the institution was not the pitiless tyrant it was represented to be by uninformed Northern Abolitionists. An occasional master was harsh toward his slaves, but in the main the relations between master and slave was kindly. When a man was hired out, as was often done, he was permitted to be at home from Saturday noon till Monday morning. A master on the Bullpasture required a man slave to perform work on Sunday, which the latter objected to doing, he as well as his master being a member of church. The master had his man "churched" for disobedient behavior, yet the latter was acquitted by a jury of slaveholders.

While the Southern men were at the front during the war of 1861, it was in the power of the negroes to work immense harm both positive and negative. A general uprising on their part would at once have disbanded the Southern armies, yet nothing of the sort occurred. Free labor being much more general in Highland than slave labor, there was a division of sentiment with respect to the latter. Salves were every now and then set free by their owners, especially by will. The widow of Alexander Hamilton freed forty slaves. Barbara Wilson freed a number, and the following paper appears to relate to still another, an infant which did not come within the provisions of her will.

Barbara Wilson's Will of 1822:

"Know all men by these presents that I, Barbara Wilson, of the County of Bath and Commonwealth of Virginia, being upon principle opposed to holding any person in slavery, and for other good causes me thereunto moving, have liberated, emancipated, and forever quit claim, and by these presents liberate, emancipate, and forever quit claim to and discharge from my service my white child slave named Sarah Jane, aged about five months, and I do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators forever, to release and discharge from my own or their service the said white child slave, Sarah Jane and her future increase. In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal the fifth day of January in the Year of our Lord 1822. ~ Barbara Wilson."

The free negro's presence was not very welcome in communities where there were slaves, and he was very likely to lead an idle, worthless existence. If he became unable to work, the estate of the former master became responsible for his support. His sojourn in a given county of the state was dependent on the will of the county court. He had to be registered by the county clerk, a certificate there being given him for preservation. An objectionable freedman might be prohibited from entering a county, and a misbehaving freedman already in might be ordered out. If he were delinquent in his taxes he could be hired out by the county until the shortage was thus made good. The last mention of ante-bellum freedmen on the records of Highland was when, in the summer of 1864, Madison Douglas was allowed to remain.

During the war the small slave population of Highland became demoralized and scattered. some of the slaves were enticed away by Federal soldiers. At the close of the struggle the white people went to work without much reference to the help formerly derived from the colored race. Under freedom, the negro population of Highland was smaller than under slavery. In the Bluegrass District there was only one family. In Monterey District the representation was very slight in number and was wholly at the county. Stonewall District contains by far the largest share, the most of it being massed in the vicinity of McDowell, where, along the pike near the battlefield, there was a settlement called Stringtown.

For the year 1800, the following slaveholders were recorded in the Pendleton section of Highland:

1. Armstrong, Mary
2. Benson, Mathias
3. Bodkin, John
4. Chew Exekiel
5. Curry, James, Sr.
6. Devericks, John
7. Devericks, Thomas
8. Ervine, George
9. Ervine, William
10. Fleisher, CAtharine
11. Fleisher, William
12. Gum, Isaac
13. Hull, Adam, Jr.
14. Hull, Peter
15. Hull, Samuel B.
16. Malcomb, Robert
17. Rymer, George
18. Seybert, Jacob
19. Sims, Silas
20. Sitlington, John

National Women Party 1922

America - The New York Tribune, dated 19 November 1922, in the Graphic Section, had a photograph of women at the desk of Susan B. Anthony, signing a new "Declaration of Independence."

This picture, taken at Washington, shows Mrs. O. H. P. Belmont, president of the National Woman's party, with Miss Alice Paul at the left. The desk was the property of Susan B. Anthony. The women have just signed a document declaring themselves for "equal rights" legislation for women. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva (O.T.) 1893

Alva, Oklahoma - As we were going through some old boxes this week, we found this 4 page booklet that we believe dates back to 1893, or thereabouts. The pages have aged to a brownish, delicate condition.

The image on the left is an AD in the booklet. Did you know that R. A. Cameron & L. W. DeGeer were attorneys at law, having an office two doors south of the post office, in Alva, "M" county (Woods), Oklahoma Territory (O.T.)? Also mentioned in the AD was O. C. R. Randall, county attorney, with 20 years experience before the U.S. Land Office at Boonville, Mo.; Wichita, Kans.; Guthrie, O.T.; Oberlin, Kans and Alva, O.T.

The late 19th century booklet reads as follows: "Alva was born September 16, 1893, in "M" county, O.T., one of the liveliest infants ever seen in the world. Name, Alva. Weight, the combined avoirdupois of 2,200 people, as many horses and old mules, and a few wagons and tents thrown in. since then the youngster has been growing steadily day by day and increasing in size and good looks until it has become the pride and delight of the whole county.

"There has been no boom about Alva, and the people want none. Neither has there been any unseemly usable with rival towns as has been the case in other parts of the Strip. The settlers came for business and went about securing it in the very best manner. They established themselves in permanent buildings as soon as possible, put up dwelling houses for their families and settled down to making homes and money. That is the history of Alva in brief. There have been no wild schemes to boom the town. Every thing has been legitimate and as a consequence today Alva is in a good healthy condition while many other towns which tried different means are enjoying "that tired feeling" which always follows "boom."

"The county seat of "M" county was laid out around a public square of four acres which will give an admirable location for the court house and still leave room for a beautiful park. This has been enclosed by a neat and ornamental fence and trees and flowers will be growing in it within a few weeks. In time Alva will be noted for the beautiful park around which her business is transacted.

"The first rush was made for lots along the North and East sides of the square on account of the location of the land office and those sides were built up first. However, substantial frame houses have been erected all around so that the square presents a solid front in four directions. There are about seventy business firms in Orchards will do well and many trees are being planted.

"The soil is similar to that found immediately north in Kansas which is proverbially rich. It is chiefly a red loam, sandy along the water courses and heavier on the uplands.

"The surface is generally of a slightly rolling character except along the streams where it is broken and fit only for grazing. But this land fully makes up for its roughness by the valuable timber upon it Red cedar is found in great quantitates while black walnut and other trees indicate that "M" county, when fully developed may equal eastern lands in the production of timber.

"With regard to water, no county in the Strip is better supplied. The Salt Fork of the ARkansas flows across the northern part from west to east. The Cimarron takes a diagonal course from about the center of the western boundary line down to the extreme southeast corner. The Canadian also enters "M" county and crosses it in the southwestern part. Tributary to these, the three great rivers of the southwest, are a number of smaller streams, such as Eagle Chief, Driftwood and Turkey Creek, which water every township in the county.

"The records of the past show that this section of the Indian Territory has had a fair amount of rain. But should rain fail the land could be irrigated easily, and as is well known, irrigated land is far more valuable than any other. This whole country has an underflow which could be tapped at a small outlay and which would furnish an abundant water supply.

"M county is divided into ten townships, Fitzlen, Driftwood, STella, Alva, Waynoka, Cleo, Crowell and Cimarron. The principal towns are Alva, the county seat, Cleo, Waynoka, Erwin, Smithville, Manchester, Cherokee, campbell, Warren and Eagle Chief." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

History of the Sons of Veterans Band of Red Cloud, Nebraska

Red Cloud, Nebraska - In The Red Cloud Chief, dated 8 September 1893, Red Cloud, Webster Co., Nebraska, there was this following article about the history of the sons of veterans band, of Red Cloud, Nebraska. You ask, "What were the Sons of Veterans Band?"

This article was written in September, 1893, by Wm. W. Tulleys and the story of the "Sons of Veterans" goes something like this: "To begin at the beginning a Sons of Veterans camp was mustered in at Red Cloud, Nebraska, June 6th, 1891. After the camp was in good running order it was suggested by someone that we organize a Sons of Veterans band."

This is about the time that Mr. Oscar Patmor took the matter in hand and did his best to organize a band, but both his first and second attempts were unsuccessful, as no one could be found competent to lead a band. But having been at considerable expense and loss of time Patmor did not like to give it up. So another attempt was made which had been a grand success. The services of prof. Geo. E. Hendrick was rocured and on the 13th day of May, 1892, the boys met and elected officers as follows:

1. Prof. Geo Hendrick, leader;
2. Oscar patmor, president;
3. John dickerson, vice president;
4. Henry Clark, secretary;
5. Wm. West, Treasurer;
6. Oscar Patmor and John Dickerson, business managers;
7. Wm Tulleys, Wm. West and Harry Miller, board of trustees.

From Oklahoma 1893

Alva, Oklahoma - The Western Kansas World dated 30 September 1893, had this to say as the birth of Alva, Oklahoma Territory, 16 September 1893.

Alva, O.T., September 23, 1893 -- "marvelous changes have been wrought in this territory since 12 o'clock on the 16th of SEptember. On the evening of September 16, Alva was a city of white tents and not a frame building on the townsite except the U.S. land office and postoffice. Sunday was generally respected and no work was done. On Monday but little was accomplished as there was a hitch in getting lumber upon the ground, but by Tuesday morning two large lumber yards were ready to accommodate all, and the work of building a new city began. Today, just one week front he grand opening nearly every lot on the principal street is covered with a frame building and some of them are large and substantial (sp). The only limit tot he work accomplished has been caused by the inability too secure all the labor retired, although there is a small army of carpenters on the ground.

Business of all kinds is well represented. There are a present a half a dozen grocery stores, several of general merchandise, a clothing house, drug store, three hardware stores, a dozen or more eating houses and restaurants, lemonade and peanut stands and land offices galore. As we write the lemonade venders are making more noise than they usually do at a country fair or a circus. Almost adjoining our tent is a strong lunged young man who deals in "fresh roasted popcorn and baled hay." Blair says, "Inform our wives that we are in no immediate danger of starvation so long as our neighbor continues in business."

Frank McKnight, a former well known real estate dealer in Wa-Keeney, is here. Frank was unfortunate in securing a lot a block or more from the land office, but being fertile in devising expedients he gives open air concerts every evening which are largely attended. He has employed a colored vocalist and violinist, and after each performance mounts a dry goods box and informs the crowd that he has had much experience int he land office business, in fact that he is the only attorney who can do anything and everything necessary to perfect a title to a homestead. His remarks are always vociferously applauded and the follows another song and some more instrumental music.

The filings here reach over 100 a day. Those waiting to file number 1,800. Tickets are given out format he land office which entitle the holder to his turn and he need not remain in the ranks.

The question of most vital importance - the water supply - has been settled most satisfactorily. A well about 30 feet deep was sank and an inexhaustible supply of pure, fresh water was obtained. The pump throws an inch stream and has been kept running day and night. It has until now been the only well in town and several thousand men and horses have been supplied daily. It is much in the nature of an artesian all the water rising almost to the top of the ground and cannot be lowered. The irrigation problem can easily be solved in this community. If Trego county had such a supply of water at such a reasonable depth it would be worth millions.

Alva is the only land office and count seat town in the strip where pure water in abundance can be obtained and it is very much in its favor. Several business men who had contemplated locating at Enid and Pond Creek were in this place this week and signified their intention of locating here principally on account of the water supply. The following concerning Alva is from the Chronicle, the first paper published in the city:

"Nature has surrounded the townsite of Alva with every natural advantage that goes to make a city great and prosperous. The townsite may truly be called beautiful. Groves of splendid trees are about us on every hand. We have secured an inexhaustible supply of pure sparkling water at the very reasonable depth of 30 feet. The rain age of the city can be made perfect at a trifling expense. In fact our embryo city is located in one of nature's beauty spots.

"M county, Oklahoma is situated midway between the eastern and western boundaries of the territory. It has a mean altitude of 1,500 feet, considerably less than that of Trego county. Those who can speak from personal knowledge assert that the climate is delightful, being neither excessively cold in winter nor excessively hot in summer and that the atmosphere is always pure and invigorating. There is but one doctor in this city and he makes his daily rounds inquiring from house to house and from tent to tent if anybody news his services. He has just left our office and stated that there was absolutely no sickness int eh city or county. The soil is rich, sandy loam and we have every reason for believing that it will prove very productive. Harper county, Kansas, immediately north is one of the finest wheat counties in the state. The soil here is porous and the subsoil is loose and we believe that trees can be grown with success.

"The hardships incident to the opening and envelopment of a new country will be here reduced to a minimum. The erection of school houses and churches will begin at once. Railroad facilities are good and we might add incidentally that twenty-five or thirty car loads of merchandise of all kinds are daily unloaded at this point and the passenger trains come in loaded every day. This is distinctively a Kansas county. Nine percent of our entire population are Kansans and, in an incredibly short time, western enterprise and western grit will have transformed a desert into a garden spot, a wilderness into a land of plenty. We have been west too long to become unduly enthusiastic or excited but,having just returned from a trip to the country, we are thoroughly convinced that this vicinity has a bright future before it." View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Susan B. Anthony, The Woman

America - Why did Susan B. Anthony take up the cause of "Woman's Suffrage?" Why did she give her private, personal women's life to it? Susan B. Anthony was interviewed by Helen Dare for an article on, Susan B. Anthony, The Woman, that appeared in San Francisco Call, 30 July 1905, when Anthony was turning 85 years of age.

Here, in a paragraph or two, is the whole story of Susan B. Anthony, Suffragist. Once having set her foot on the road that seemed the right road to her there has been no turning back. Always the goal has been just a little farther ahead, and always she has set her face to it. For over half a century it has kept just out of reach, it has eluded the grasp. Disappointment has folioed disappointment. Yet, the Toledo blade, so fine, so true, so strong, never snaps nor breaks. Each defeat to Susan B Anthony was a victory!

Susan B. Anthony responded in The San Francisco Call, 30 July 1905, "I had taught school for fifteen years, from the time I was fifteen until I was thirty. I got a dollar and a half a week, six dollars a month, for the same work that a man got thirty for, just because he was a man. I taught during the summer term, giving my place up to a man during the winter term, because at theta time a woman was not considered capable of going through the snow, and keeping the fire in the school going, as a man -- and the children who attended the school -- had to do."

"The man who filled my place during the winter term was staying at our house. Somebody asked him how he was getting along with the school.

"'Oh,' said he, "I ain't looked the barn over yet. I'll know better when I look it over!"

"This was the answer of the man who took my place, and who was paid $30 a month against my $6. Naturally I gave it some thought. I wondered why it was that he should have the advantage."

Anthony also stated, "Just about this time Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton came to our town to speak on Woman's rights. I was told about Lucretia Mott and her pretty Quaker kerchief and sweet face, and about Mrs. Stanton and her black curls and fresh color and ready wit, and urged to go to hear them. I laughed at the idea. But I did go to hear them, and I did come to understand why the man who was not so competent as I was got my place and $30 a month to my $6."

Anthony said the upshot of it was that she saw the importance of the ballot to women., and she started out to do what she could to get it for them. She gave up teaching in 1859, and she had been working for this one thing ever since.

When the suffrage movement was begun women had no right to their children, no right to their wages, no right to their property. They could not get an education because the institutions of learning were closed to them. They could not earn a living, except by doing housework, or teaching, or working in factories.

Back in 1905, Women had marriage rights. They had rights in their children. They had a right tot he wages they earned, to the property they inherited. The high schools, the colleges, the universities were open to them; the avocations. There was not a place back then where woman went to earn a dollar, or to fit herself for the earning of the dollar, that she was not indebted to woman's suffragists.

There was one time when Susan B. Anthony related, "We worked for ten years getting laws passed protecting woman's property rights and her rights in her children. It took us from 1851 to 1861, and then in the next session at Albany, they were annulled because it was claimed they would interfere with the adjudicating on estates. And ten years effort wasted."

There was one little word which occurs three times in the second section of the fourteenth amendment which Susan B. Anthony has petitioned every Congress since the Congress of 1865 to remove. It is the word "male." It is this word that stood between her and the achievement of her lifelong purpose. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe