Jackson County in the News
(through 1907 - statehood and county formation)


These are articles from OK newspapers outside of Jackson, found on Newspaper Archive. The search was done by names of the various towns. Names of identifiable residents of Jackson are underlined.
Any explanatory comments of mine are in [straight brackets].

Return to Jackson County Records



21 Jun 1888 Indian Journal p.7 col 1 [This may be about another Mesquite, a section of Mangum]
Ends His Life
George W. Bounds, town marshal of Mesquite, committed suicide Tuesday evening about 6:30 by shooting himself in the right temple with a 38-calibre pistol. A few weeks since his brother C. C. Bounds, got killed accidentally at East Fork bridge on the railroad by swinging off the steps, and it is said this fact, coupled with the further fact that he had been drinking quite freely for the past few days, unbalanced his mind.

3 Oct 1889 Eufaula Indian Journal p.4 col 4 [Doesn't specify state, this is actually not likely Eldorado OK]
The President's Salary.
The Eldorado Ledger has been figuring on what it costs the government yearly to have one executive officer. Following are the figures: The president of the United States is allowed a salary of $50,000 a year and there may be those who suppose that he pays all the expenses connected with the white house family out of that $50,000. Besides a private secretary, the president is allowed an assistant secretary, six clerks, a telegraph operator, a steward, an usher, four messengers, five doorkeepers, a watchman, an engineer and seven policemen. The government makes an appropriation of $40,000 a year to pay these employes [sic], and an additional sum of $57,000 to meet contingent expenses. Thus it is seen that the expense of having a president is $147,000 a year. After all, the people take pretty good care of the chief ruler of the nation.

Wednesday 10 Jun 1891 The Galveston Daily News p.11 col 1
IN THE FLOOD'S WAKE.
THE HAVOC WROUGHT BY THE DEATH-DEALING TORRENT.
Three Lives Lost As Far as Known - An Entire Town Submerged - Houses and Barns Demolished - Women and Children in the Tree Tops.
Frazier, Greer County, via Vernon, Tex., Jun 9. - This county thursday evening was visited with the worst rain and windstorms in its history. For several days heavy rains had been falling, and Thursday night at 11 o'clock a waterspout bursted and in one hour the streets of the town were four feet deep in water and presented the appearance of an angry and turbulent river. Every house in the business part of town was flooded. The citizens secured buggies and ferried the women and children out of the town to places of safety. Frazer has been completely cut off from the outside world since then until to-day.
Reports are now coming in from various parts of the county. Turkey creek and Salt fork overflowed their banks and carried death and destruction in the wake of the flood. Three persons were drowned on Turkey creek, near Aaron. Mr. Poindexter's eldest son, Pomp, 21 years old, his infant sister and Albright, a young man visiting the family were drowned while attempting to escape from the angry flood. A great many other people up and down the creek had very narrow escapes. The family of Mr. Phillips came near being drowned. They were all in the house when it was struck by the flood wave. The house, a large one, was lifted from its foundations and carried a long distance. Then it was dashed against a tree and demolished. Mr. Phillips and his son's wife caught the floating debris and were washed ashore a half mile below where their house stood. Mrs. Phillilp [sic] and her little girl caught on to some planks and were washed against a large tree, in the branches of which they caught and remained till morning. The water was over twenty feet deep around the tree. A raft was made and they were finally brought to land.
Growing crops are greatly damaged. The wheat harvest had just commenced and nearly all the wheat shocked [sic] along the streams was washed away, while the wheat not harvested was washed down and almost completely ruined. Conservative estimates place the loss on the wheat crop at one-half; while it may be greater and certainly is not less. A large number of houses were blown from their foundations and some demolished, dug-outs caved in or were filled with water. The occupants are housed by their more fortunate neighbors or are camping on the open prairie, praying God to stop the rain or assuage the flood. Reports are coming in slowly on account of the high water. It is feared that a great many more lives are lost than have been reported. The loss sustained by the business men of the town is considerable, but not near so great as the loss through the country. Probably the entire loss sustained by the people of this county is not less than half a million dollars.
[followed by an account of what happened in Ardmore]

30 Aug 1901 Indian Journal (Eufaula) p.8 col 1
The Orient railroad company has completed its grade from Red river [sic] to Altus, Greer county.

25 Apr 1902 Stilwell Standard p.7 col 3 and 25 Apr 1902 Eufaula Indian Journal p.6 col 2
Fatalities in Oklahoma Storm
Guthrie, Ok., April 22--Numerous fatalities are reported from the recent storms that passed over southwestern Oklahoma. In the vicinity of Leger Mrs. James Johnson was killed by a house being blown against a tent she occupied and Contractor Reed and wife, of the Frisco corps, were suffocated by a tent falling on them. Three persons are reported killed at Mountain park and at Lone Wolf the lightning killed Adolph Foutz.

5 Sep 1902 Stilwell Standard p.6 col 3
Placed Arsenic in the Well
Guthrie, Ok., Sept. 2--An attempt to murder the entire family of Thomas Willoughby, a farmer near Leger, Ok., is reported. Arsenic poisoning was placed by unknown parties in the well from which the family used water. An investigation is being made and the officials believe they have the guilty parties under surveillance.

28 Oct 1902 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p. 1 col 5 and 30 Oct 1902 Muskogee Phoenix p.1 col 2
Labors Are Ended - M. E. Confercene [sic] Finished Its Work Last Night And Appointments Made
Was A Splendid Attendance
Full and Complete List of Appointments as Read by Bishop Hoss. Most of the Visitors Left Last Night for Their Respective Homes.
[description of meeting followed by district appointment information:]
Mangum District: W. S. P. McCullough, Presiding Elder; Mangum Station, W. H. Roper; Leger Station, R. A. Walker; Blair Circuit, F. E. Shanks; Yeldell Circuit, J. F. Bumpus; Olusta [sic] Circuit, M. L. Roberts; Eldorado Circuit, W. R. Backman; Deer Creek Circuit, G. M. Moon, supply; [next appointment illegible]; Hobart Station, W. A. Randle; Harrison, to be supplied; Cobb, to be supplied; [location illegible], to be supplied; Mountain Park, H. L. Mauldin; Gosnell, A. C. Briggs; Erick Mission, W. A. Derrick, supply.

17 Jun 1903 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.5 col 5
Hugo Ross, who was lately appointed manager of the United States signal service at Chickasha, has received the flags, signal code and other equipment from the government. The mill whistle, which will announce the signal, is a tripple [sic] chime of extraordinary force and can be heard ten miles. Mr. Ross has also been instructed to furnish the towns of Cement, Elgin, Cache, Lawton, Indiapoma, Hedrick, Leger, Olustee, Sibony, and ElDorado [sic], Okla., with the service daily by mail.

23 Jun 1903 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.8 col 1
G. W. Tolliver of Leger reports a lost girl in the Gyp hills, so wild that no one has been able to overtake her. She appears to be about 10 years old, with all the clothing torn from her body and very emaciated from exposure and hunger.

3 Jul 1903 The Sallisaw Star p.1 col 4
A Single State - Shawnee Convention Places Both Territories on Level
The Oklahoma democrats who participated in the single statehood convention were forced by Indian Territory to practice what the democrats had preached in the last Oklahoma campaign, and the coercion caused both amusement and unhappiness. [long article about the friction, ending with:]
Executive Committee
A new single statehood executive committee was elected as follows:
Oklahoma--[list of 10 includes:] Jas. E. Kelley, Eldorado
Indian Territory--[list of 10]

21 Jan 1904 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.2 col 2
Failed to Kill Her
Edgar Allen, After Trying to Murder His Wife, Cuts His Throat
Guthrie, Okla. Jan 28 For the purpose of killing his wife Edgar Allen, near Blair, in southwestern Oklahoma, took his razor to bed and waited until he thought Mrs. Allen was asleep. He made a downward slash across her neck and breast, producing a serious wound. She sprang out of bed. Evidently thinking his wife was dead Allen cut his throat. He cannot recover. The couple have three children. Allen is twenty-six years old.
[Note: Edgar did survive! The family stayed together, had more children, moved to Texas by 1910 and then to California by 1930. Edgar died in 1965 in Los Angeles.]

25 Feb 1904 Fort Gibson Post p.2 col 3
In the district court at Mangum, William Baysinger was declared guilty of the killing of Charles Williams at Olustee last summer and sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary.

9 Jun 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.10 col 1
Henry Black of Eldorado accidentally shot himself while out hunting, dying from the effects of the discharge of the gun. He was attempting to pass through a wire fence when the gun was caught, and in trying to disentangle it he caused it to be discharged.

15 Jun 1904 Fort Gibson Demophone p.2 col 2 and 16 Jun 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.10 col 2
Walter Nix, while swimming in a water tank at Leger, was drowned. His companions were unable to save him.
[Later article] Altus, formerly Leger, is to have a new oil mill. The contract has been let to Oklahoma City contractors and work will begin at once and pushed as rapidly as possible. The plant is to be first class in every particular.

4 Aug 1904 Fort Gibson Post p. 2 col 5 and 5 Aug 1904 Muldrow Press p.2 col 5
The dead body of a man named McCauley was found near Duke, Ok., by his brother with the neck broken. Deceased leaves a wife and two children.

6 Oct 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.10 col 1
Altus boasts that she led New York city itself in the price of cotton a week ago. Between 500 and 600 bales have been ginned at this Greer county town since the season opened.

4 Aug 1905 Sallisaw Star p.5 col 1 [N.B. There is a great probability this refers to Altus AR, not OK]
Mrs. M. F. Johnson of Altus spent Monday in the city.

25 Aug 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.10 col 1
A meeting of the business men of Altus (formerly Leger) and the farmers residing near that place was held last week to consider ways and means of securing help to handle the immense cotton crop this fall. Efforts will be made to get all the help possible.

16 Jun 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.10 col 2 and Fort Gibson Demophone p.2 col 2
Altus, formerly Leger, is to have a new oil mill. the contract has been let to Oklahoma City contractors and work will begin at once and pushed as rapidly as possible. The plant is to be first class in every particular.

17 Nov 1904 Muskogee Cimeter p.9 col 4
How the Votes Went - Returns from the Different Precincts So Far as Obtainable
We give herewith a statement of how the election went in the several precincts so far as we have been ablt to ascertain with any degree of accuracy: [This applies to Eldorado Precinct, several of these towns are in Harmon county]
Eldorado - Dryden gives Mathews 98; McGuire, 26. Francis gives Mathews 128; McGuire, 5. Looney, Mathews 128; McGuire 18. Hollis Mathews 72; McGuire 15.

11 Jan 1905 Muskogee Democrat p.1 col 2
Organize For Tonight
At the meeting of the statehood delegation yesterday the following executive committee was named: [including:] Jas. E. Kelley, Eldorado; [list continues]

11 Jan 1905 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.1 col 4
Statehood Fight is Getting Warm [Long article about single statehood delegates and amendments]
At the meeting today, committees were appointed and the plan of the campaign outlined. It was decided to make a personal canvass of the members of the senate and to urge upon them the desire of the people of the territories that congress speedily pass the statehood bill. The executive committe of the delegation includes [list includes] Jas. E. Kelley, Eldorado; . . .

4 Feb 1905 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.7 col 3
Editor Takes a Bride
Cards are out announcing the marriage of Horace W. Shepard to Miss Daisy Bonner at Lawton, Okla., next week. Miss Bonner is a popular young lady of Lawton and has many friends in Indian Territory. Mr. Shepard was formerly the enterprising editor of the Chickasha Express and is well known in Muskogee and throughout the Territory. Those who attended the Indian Territory Press Association banquet two years ago at the Katy, will remember him from his eloquent and humorous toast. He is now in business in Altus, Okla. Mr. And Mrs. Shepard will be at home to the friends in Altus, Okla., March 1st.

24 Mar 1905 Checotah Enquirer p.3 col 3
New Jurisdiction
Woodmen of the World of the Twin Territories Hold Meeting
Oklahoma City: A two days' session, in which the head camp composed of Oklahoma and Indian Territory, to be known as jurisdiction "P," of the Woodmen of the World, was held here. The following officers were elected and installed: Head consul, J. N. Morgan, Ardmore; head adviser, G. Page, Big Cabin; head banker, L. A. Shaw, Blackwell; head clerk, Marion Henderson, Pauls Falley; head escort, J. S. Goff, Bennington; head watchman, B. G. Jones, Tishomingo; head sentry, R. H. Scargall, Spiro; five members to compose the board of managers are: E. P. Mitchell, Caddo; J. A. Harris, Byers; R. J. Wheeler, Wynnewood; Charles P. Brown, Chickasha; Lee W. Smith, Altus, and John Fox, Norman for Oklahoma, and John Huber, Durant, for Indian Territory, were elected delegates to attend the sovereign camp convention to be held in Chattanooga in June. E. J. Simpson, El Reno, for Oklahoma, and J. A. Edwards, Mill Creek, for Indian Territory, were elected as organizers for head camp.

30 Mar 1905 Muskogee Phoenix p.4 col 1
Committee Called
Hon. C. G. Jones, chairman of the Single Statehood Executive committee, issued a call for a meeting to be held in Oklahoma City April 14. There are twenty members of the committee as follows: [list includes:] Jas. E. Kelly, Eldorado [followed by copy of his note to the members expressing disappointment that congress did not admit Oklahoma and Indian Territory to joint statehood.]

11 May 1905 Muskogee Democrat p.8 col 1
From Olustee
Fort Worth, May 11--A special from Vernon, Texas, says a tornado last night did frightful damage at Olustee, Oklahoma, a small station a few miles south of Snyder. [ Snyder is 23 miles east of Altus and 34 miles ENE of Olustee.] Only one house was left standing. It is reported that thirty persons were killed.
Oklahoma City, Okla., May 11--A special to the Times-Journal from Olustee, Okla., this afternoon, declares that nobody was killed at Olustee.

12 May 1905 Muskogee Democrat p.2 col 3-4
[Long article with lists of dead and injured.]
Snyder, Okla., May 12--The havoc wrought by the tornado is complete. Out of a town of 100 people not more than a score of houses are intact while two thirds of the buildings are totally wrecked. The storm formed south of Olustee, near the Texas line and took a northeastrly [sic] course through a well settled section. At 8 o'clock it was observed by the people of Snyder but the usual fulnel [sic] shaped formation was lacking and though the roar was plainly heard for some time before the storm broke many were of the opinion that it was a hail storm [followed by vivid description of ensuing tornado and storm].
List of Dead: [list of 44 surnames, many mentioning wife and children victims as well]
Hughes, Mr., wife and son; six miles west of Olustee.
Ralston family at Olustee
The Injured: [list of 40 names]
Where It Started
Guthrie, May 11 -- The storm formed near the Texas line and its path extends in a northeasterly direction for over fifty miles causing damage at Altus, Olustee, and other small towns in the country as well as at Snyder. Reports indicate that the casualties outside of Snyder will aggregate 26 and may go higher.

12 May 1905 Muskogee Phoenix p.1 col 104
Stricken Town of Snyder, Okla
Tornado Leaves Death and Destruction in Its Path
Buildings Torn To Pieces
Heart Rending Scenes Arranging for Burial Of The Dead---Governor Issues Proclamation---List of Dead Reaches Nearly One Hundred
[Another long vivid article about the tornado, list of dead and victims as above, and:]
Guthrie, May 11 - The storm formed near the Texas line and its path extnds in a northeasterly direction for over fifty miles causing damage at Altus, Olustee and other small towns in the country as well as at Snyder. Reports indicate that the casualties outside of Snyder will aggregate 25 and may go higher.

18 May 1905 Muskogee Phoenix p.3 col 1-4
[Article with more vivid descriptions of the devastation and death at Snyder. Lists of dead and injured as above, i.e. Hughes and Ralston, from or near Olustee.]

19 May 1905 Checotah Enquirer p.6 col 4
Tornado At Snyder - The Severest Storm Ever Known in Oklahoma -- [long article]
List of Storm Victims - The Dead:
-- Jones, Frank, and entire family, near Altus --

26 May 1905 Muskogee Democrat p.3 col 3
Who They Are - List of Bankers Here Attending the Big Territorial Association Convention
-- J. O. Henry, First National, Altus, O. T. --

4 Aug 1905 Sallisaw Star p.3 col 1
Officers of Indiahoma State Union - Headquarters, Durant, I.T.
. . . J. S. Moore, Hess, I. T. Sect'y-Tres. [sic]

4 Aug 1905 Sallisaw Star p.5 col 1 [N.B. There is a great probability this refers to Altus AR, not OK]
Mrs. M. F. Johnson of Altus spent Monday in the city.

28 Sep 1905 Council Hill Eagle p.2 col 1
Charles Wasson of Eldorado fell beneath the wheels of a wagon in which he was riding and was crushed to death.

11 Nov 1905 Muskogee Pioneer p.2 col 3
3,000 Bales Awaiting Shipment
Oklahoma City: On account of car shortage $120,000 worth of cotton in the bale is on the platform at the compress at Eldorado waiting to be moved. This represents nearly 3,000 bales and it is being brought in every day as rapidly as it can be picked.

8 Dec 1905 Muldrow Press p.6 col 3
Frisco Depot Robbed
Lawton, Okla. Nov. 30--The Frisco Depot at Eldorado was robbed of $100 while agent J. M. Todd was absent.

9 Dec 1905 Muskogee Pioneer p.2 col 1 and 14 Dec 1905 Council Hill Eagle p.2 col 1
The Money box and contents were stolen from the Frisco agent at Eldorado one day recently. The box and a few checks were later found near the track four miles from town. Four men were arrested at Quanah, Texas, and are being held on suspicion. The amount stolen and unrecovered will not exceed $100.

15 Dec 1905 Checotah Enquirer p.8 col 1
F. H. White, doing a general merchandise business at Duke, in Greer county, made a voluntary assignment in favor of his creditors. Mr. White states his assets are sufficient to cover all liabilities.

15 Dec 1905 Checotah Enquirer p.8 col 4 and 28 Dec 1905 Council Hill Eagle p.7 col 1
A bridge to cost $83,845 will be built across the Salt Fork of Red river at Olustee, Greer county.

25 Jan 1906 Muskogee Phoenix p.7 col 3
District Meeting of Knights of Pythias of Oklahoma Will Get Together
Oklahoma City, Jan 23--Harold C. Brunt, of Chandler, grand chancellor of the Order of Knights of Pythias in Oklahoma, has announced district meetings for the current year as follows: First District--At Shawnee, March 26, conducted by Deputy Grand Chancellor H. A. Basham; including Shawnee, Oklahoma City, Chandler, Stroud, Norman, Lexington, Yukon, El Reno, Fort Reno and Wanette lodges. Second District--At Ponca City, February 20; conducted by Deputy Grand Chancellor John Knox; including Perry, Newkirk, Guthrie, Orland, Ponca City, Mulhall, Pawnee, Cushing, Cleveland, Pawhuska and Morrison lodges. Third District--At Pond Cree, February 23; conducted by F. M. Hutcher, D. G. C.; including Blackwell, Enid, Tonkawa, Medford, Pond Creek, Wakita, Lamont, Nardin, Hennessey, Marshall and Billings lodges. Fourth District--Date and place to be selected later: conducted by John K. Young, D. G. C.; including Lawton, Anadarko, Temple, Gotebo, Lone Wolf, Mangum, Frederick, Altus, Headrick, Hobant and Snyder lodges. Fifth District--Place and date to be selected: conducted by David Rupert, D. G. C.; including Okeene, Weatherford, Thomas, Watonga, Homestead, Geary, Bridgeport, Elk City, Foss, Cordell, Custer, Sayer, Putnam and Ringwood lodges. Sixth District--At Woodward, February 27; conducted by D. R. Frazier, D. G. C.; including Woodward, Alva, Beaver, Carmen and Ingersoll lodges.

6 Mar 1904 Muskogee Daily Phoenix p.3 col 6
Three Perished - Property Loss About Five Hundred Thousand Dollars.
Oklahoma City, March 5. Three persons perished in Wednesday's prairie fire, and the financial loss is estimated at $500,000. The dead:
[victimes named]
Further reports of property loss by both fire and wind indicate that the first estimate was too low.
The damage by wind extends over seven counties in the southwest.
The total losses from fire and storm can as yet only be estimated, but it is the general opinion that they will reach $500,000. Hastings, Olustee, Leger [=Altus], Walter, Granite, Elk City, Cache, Temple, Snyder, Willow, Bloomington, Sayre and Mountain Park all report damage, both in town and surrounding country, by wind. Scores of people are suffering from borken [sic] limbs. [Article continues with other places and details.]

5 Apr 1906 Muskogee Phoenix p.8 col 2
Railroads - News and Notes
New Lines of Roads
The Railway Age enumerates the lines of railroads under construction in Oklahoma and Indian Territory, as follows:
[in list] St. Louis, El Reno & Western - Guthrie, Oklahoma, northeast to Peru Junction, Kansas, about 125 miles; El Reno, Oklahoma, southwest to Altus, about 100 miles, under survey.

6 Apr 1906 Eufaula Indian Journal p.2 col 1
Perry is planning to increase its trade among farmers by calling the first Monday of each month "Market Monday." Local merchants will offer special bargains on that day and auctioneers will be employed to sell anything from a pig to a thrashing machine. Perry evidently has heard what Altus is doing.

13 Apr 1906 Checotah Enquirer p.3 col 1 and 26 Apr 1906 Council HIll Eagle p.7 col 1 Imitated Wild West Show
Altus, Okla. -- Hansel Jahnson [sic], aged 6, living near Altus, organized a wild west show among the neighborhood boys during the past week. Young Johnson secured a shotgun, withdrew the shot from the shells, leaving only the powder and wads, and then invited Hatton McMahon, another boy to shoot him. This McMahon did, the load tearing a hole through Johnson's leg, an inch in diameter.
Note from transcriber: Hansel Barcus Johnson, son of Robert C. and Romina T. Johnson, was actually b. 21 Nov 1895 in TX (possibly in Vernon, Wilbarger Co); he graduated from Altus Senior High School in 1914. Hansel married Opal P. [LNU] and moved to Tulsa by 1930; he died there 24 Nov 1995.
Hatton B. McMahan, son of John R. and Margie (Parker) McMahon was b. 22 Feb 1899 in OK (probably in Altus). He registered for the WW1 draft in Altus, and married Adella Ivie Minor on 7 Aug 1926 in Jackson Co. He died 24 Jun 1955 in Los Angeles CA.

19 Apr 1906 Muskogee Phoenix p.2 col 3
Hansel Johnson, aged 6 living near Altus, Okla., organized a wild west show during the week. During the first performance he was shot through the leg, and the wound was very serious, being an inch in diameter.

16 May 1906 Ada Evening News p.3 col 2
J. B. Tolbert returned home from Eldorado, Oklahoma, last night where he has been for several days on a business matter.

29 Jun 1904 Fort Gibson Demophone p.8 col 1
The ninth annual session of the Greer county normal institute is to be held at Olustee beginning July 18 and closing August 13. The two last days will be examination days.

14 Jul 1906 New Era (Stilwell) p.5 col 1-2
Preacher Murders and Then Suicides
Mangum, Okla., July 10 -- Near here last night Rev. J. L. Ray, pastor of the Mangum Christian church, shot and instantly killed W. H. Stenphenson [sic] and then fled. He was pursued by a number of officers and surrounded early this morning a few miles north of Altus. Before he could be taken he cut his throat with a knife. The motive for killing Stephenson is unknown.

18 Jul 1906 Ada Evening News p.1 col 4
Delegates to Convention
Vigorous Campaign Decided Upon at Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Ok., July 16 -- At a meeting here today of the joint executive committee, which comprises members of the Oklahoma and Indian Territory Democratic committees, it was decided to institute a vigorous campaign at once for the election of delegates to the constitutional convention and general headquarters will be maintained here. The following officers were selected to take charge of the work: Jessie G. Dunn of Alva, chairman; J. S. Dabbs, Muskogee, vice chairman; C. D. Carter, Ardmore, secretary; J. E. Johnston, Alva, assistant secretary; James Menifee, Fort Cobb, treasurer; W. D. Cardwell, Ada, chairman of speakers' bureau; finance committee, M. L. Turner, Oklahoma City, J. L. Hightower, Altus; James McClelland, Pond Creek; Roy Hoffman, Chandler; W. W. Hastings, Tahlequah; D. M. Hilly, South McAlester; S. J. Garvin, Pauls Valley; J. W. Zeverley, Muskogee.

5 Sep 1906 New State Farmer (Sallisaw) p.1 col 4
The State Meeting - Report of Judge W. N. Littlejohn, Delegate From Sequoyah County Union No. 3
[description of various business of the State Union which had met in Shawnee, appears to be a group interested in the constitution, developing amendments, etc to submit to the convention. Article ends with:]
The following delegates and alternates were selected to the national convention, which convenes at Texarkana, Tex., Sept. 5.
. . .P. C. Estes, Olustee, Okla. . ..

27 Sep 1906 Ada Evening News p.3 col 1
V. A. Heringan went to Altus, Okla., on a business trip.
H. F. Abel and wife left Wednesday evening for Altus, Okla., where they will reside in the future.

28 Sep 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.2 col 4
Many Nominations of Candidates for Constitutional Delegates Have Been Named
Guthrie, Okla., Sept. 28--The following are the nominations made thus far throughout the new state by the various parties of candidates for the constitutional convention which will meet in Guthrie on November 26 [?20?], the election to be held on November 6:
. . .District 49 - Luke Roberts, democrat, of Olustee. . ..

28 Sep 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 3
Guthrie, Okla., Sept. 28--Governor Frantz has announced the following new members from Oklahoma of the national cotton congress the basis of representation being one man for every 100,000 bales of production: J. L. Montgomery, Anadarko; W. L. Fullerton, Olustee; A. M. DeBolt, Oklahoma City, and Cash M. Cade, Shawnee.

2 Oct 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.4 col 4
Many Nominees Already Selected - continued from Page 1
. . .Luke Roberts, of Olustee, the Democratic nominee in the Forty-ninth district, is also an avowed prohibitionist, and won by a tremendous majority. The county division matter will also be an issue in some of the Greer county district. . .. [This is about delegates to the constitutional convention, but it never really says so.]

8 Oct 1906 Muskogee Times-Democrat p.2 col 5
Railroad Gets Charter
Guthrie, Okla., Oct. 8 -- (Spl) -- The Wichita Falls and Northwestern Railway company, with headquarters at Altus, which proposes to build a line 975 miles in length from a point on the Red river on the southern boundary of Comanche county to Englewood, Kas., was granted an Oklahoma charter today. The road as projected is to pass through Comanche, Kiowa, Greer, Roger Mills, Day and Woodward counties in Oklahoma. The capital stock is $1,000,000 and the incorporators are J. A. Heary[?], C. C. Hightower, John A. Chenoweth and William Hossack of Altus, J. A. Kemp, Frank Kell and R. E. Huff, of Wichita Falls, Texas.

11 Oct 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 1-2
Tardy Suits Against Trusts
Guthrie, Okla., Oct. 11--(Special)--The railroad investigation institued some months ago by Attorney Genral [sic] Cromwell, at the instance of Governor Frantz, has culminated in the bringing of suits in the district court of Garfield county which are to be the beginning of the legal battle in Oklahoma against exorbitant freight rates. The two petitions are identical except for the name of the roads and the towns affected. One is brought by the Territory of Oklahoma against the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway company, and the other against the St. Louis & San Francisco Railway company.
The suits as filed are in the nature of a petition for injunction against the defendants to prohibit the railroads from charging what is known as an "arbitrary rate." The arbitrary rate is a charge made by a common carrier where the two local rates do not amount to the export rate, and is used to keep shippers from taking advantage of low local rates in export shipments.
Wheat and corn are the only two articles specifically mentioned in these suits, and it is shown that the arbitrary rate at certain points is 33 1-2 percent of the export rate. In the Frisco case the towns of Mountain Park, Snyder, Sibony, Maniton, Frederick, Davidson, Vickers, Hedrick [sic], Hightower, Altus, Olustee, Creta. Gypsum and Eldorado are mentioned as stations where the arbitrary rate is in effect, and an injunction is asked to prevent the road from charging the arbitrary rate of 9 1-2 cents per hundred on corn and 11 1-2 cents per hundred on wheat. [Article continues about other suits in other areas.]

13 Nov 1906 Muskogee Times-Democrat p.2 col 3
New Concerns
Guthrie, Okla. Nov. 13 -- (Spl) Territorial charters were issued today to these corporations:
Greer County Farmers' Union Warehouse compay, of Mangum, capital stock $25000; incorporators, C. L. Kessler, of Altus; R. L. Munn, of McKnight; B. J. Colings, of Dryden, H. H. Wyman of Reed, and J. E. Taylor of Mangum.

22 Nov 1906 Times Democrat p.1 col 4
Preached to Empty Stand
Lawton Ok. Nov 22 John Pittman of Eldorado, Ok., was found by the police last night at the Fair park standing in the snow preaching to the empty grand stand. He was turned over to the county authorities.

23 Nov 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 3
[Article about constitutional convention business]
The Delegates, Democrats:. . .Banks, W. E., Hess District 51. . ..

23 Nov 1906 Checotah Times p.1 col 4 Ready For Business - Preliminary Work is Performed by Constitutional Convention
[article about a speech and resolution to include state rights.]
In the afternoon session A. Hollis, of Orland, was elected second vice president and E. R. Williams, of Altus, reading clerk.
[continues with listing of committees]

24 Nov 1906 Muskogee Times-Democrat p.3 col 2
R. L. Williams of Altus, who was elected reading clerk, was formerly on the lecture platform. He was with both the Old Southern and the New Dixie Lyceum bureaus. One of his lectures was "Visions of the Invisible" and other, "Heroes and Martyrs of the Civil War." After the convention he intends to start a paper at Altus.

29 Nov 1906 Council Hill Eagle p.2 col
Personnel of Oklahoma's Constitutional Convention
One Hundred Democrats to Eleven Republicans and One Independent
The constitutional convention assemble at Guthrie
Personnel of Delegates
Forty-ninth district - Luke Roberts (Dem.)
Fifty-first district - W. E. Banks, Hess (Dem.) 600

1 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.3 col 1
R. H. Gambill who has been bookkeeper at E. L. Steed's the past year has resigned and accepted a position with Miller Bros., large department store at Altus, Oklahoma, and left for that place this afternoon.
Note from transcriber: See 24 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.3 col 2 below

7 Dec 1906 Checotah Times p.6 col 1
County Boundary Lines - Hon. H. G. Turner is Appointed Memeber of the Most Important Committee
[Article about various constitutional business including:]
Guthrie, Okla. Dec. 4--The greatest interest of the constitutional convention has centered on prohibition and county boundary matters. These standing committees were appointed today by President Murray, the last to be named, and the release of the strain was indicated by the hearty applause from the delegates when President Murray made the announcement as follows:
County Boundaries--. . .Roberts of Olustee. . ..Banks of Hess. . .
Liquor Traffic: Roberts of Olustee, chairman;. . ..
Luke Roberts, chairman of the Liquor Traffic committee is a prohibitionist, elected as a democrat on a constitutional prohibition platform. [The next information is illegibly whited out.]

10 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.1 col 3
Nearly Half of the Delegates are Farmers
Guthrie, Ok., Dec. 10--Illinois stands out alone as the one northern state which has a substantial representation, in numbers in the Oklahoma constitutional convention. A great majority of the delegates in fact are southern born, and of such Texas furnishes the greatest number, seventeen. Missouri is tied with Illinois for second place, having 12 each.
A feature of the membership of the convention is the fact that nine of the delegates were born within the confines of the new state, being of Indian blood. In all, twenty-one states and two foreign countries, England and Scotland, are represented.
From the "Lone Star state" come Akers of Woodford, Chambers of Atoke, Graham of Marietta, Harrison of Sayre, Herring of Elk city, Lasater of Pauls Valley, Ledbetter of Ardmore, Leidkte of Eufaula, Roberts of Olustee, Savage of McKnight, Turner of Checotah, Weaver of Ada, Wyly of Tahlequah, President Murray of Tishomingo, Jones of Ryan and Hayes of Chickasha, seventen in all, all democrats.
Eight were "bred in old Kentucky," six in Tennessee, seven in Mississippi, five in Arkansas, four each from Indiana, Ohio, Alabama, Iowa and New York. Three are from Kansas; two each from West Virginia, Georgia and North Carolina.
The nine members, born within the new state, all of Indian blood, are Brewer of Webber Falls, Cloud of Wellston, Copeland of Fairland, Frye of Salisaw [sic], Harrison of Newburg, Parker of Bokchito, Rogers of Claremore, Edmundson of Mayesville and McClure of Eagletown; Cloud, Frye and McClure are republicans, the remainder being democrats.
The following states and foreign countries have one delegate each, all democrats: Wisconsin, James of Guymon; South Carolina, Littlejohn of Brushy; Pennsylvanis, Hausan of Coweta; England, Curl of Bartlesville; Scotland, Hanraty of South McAlester. The "Old Dominion" state has but one representative, and he is a republican - Cobb of Sapulpa.
The farmers are in a majority in the convention with 47 representatives, and the lawyers are next with 27, the merchants being third with 12.
The press has three representatives in McCance of Mutual, Haskell of Muskogee and Weaver of Ada. There are also three school teachers, Buchanan, Parker and Stowe.
Cobb and Cloud are Methodist preachers; Bilby and Newell doctors; Pittman and Dalton, investors; James a civil engineer; Cochran, a bookkeeper, and Hanraty, a miner and president of the Southwestern District Miners' union.
A poll of the convention shows C. V. Rogers of Claremore, aged 68, the oldest member of the convention; William C. Leidkte, aged 24, of Egfaula [sic for Eufaula], the youngest; and the average age of members to be 48.
[Another article on this page describes that the boundary committee worked yesterday hearing Greer, Comanche, Roger Mills and Kay county people. . ..]

10 Dec 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.8 col 5
Who They Are and Where They're From
Guthrie, Ok., Dec. 10--(Special)--Among the delegates to Oklahoma's constitutional convention are natives of twenty-two states and two foreign countries. It is noticeable however, that a very large majority of them are of Southern birth. Only one northern state, Illinois, has any large number of sons in the convention [continues with similar info as previous article]
Texas---. . .Roberts of Olustee. . .
An interesting study is also furnished by the occupation of the delegates. The farmers are very decidedly in the lead, having forty-seven delegates, while their closes competitors, the lawyers, have but twenty-seven. There are twelve merchants and the rest in the "scattering" column. The list is as follows:
[Farmers named, lawyers named, then:]
Merchants---. . .Roberts. . .
[Other occupations listed: Bankers; Insurance, abstractors, etc.; Editors; Teacher; Preachers; Doctors; Investors; Civil engineer; Bookkeeper; Miner.]

13 Dec 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 2
The Women Should Vote Says Mr. Cobb [long article about constitution business including:]
A gambling proposition, more stringent than any on record was introduced by Luke Roberts of Olustee. It provides that gambling of every kind shall be deemed a felony, punishable by a fine of not less than $500 and imprisonment in the penitentiary for not less that two years. Any person having knowledge of gambling and refusing to give testimony is to be punished in the same way. It is made the duty of sheriffs, constables, city or town marshals having information to make a search, seize and destroy gambling paraphernalia, and arrest all persons found in a gambling place. Neglect of duty means forfeiture of office and punishable as above. The provisions defining gambling follow. [definition given]

17 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.1 col 3
Lawton, Ok., Dec. 16--A two-inch snow visited Lawton today, melting rapidly. Tonight is the most disagreeable of the winter. Southwest Oklahoma is threatened with a coal famine. Cache and Headrick merchants are out of coal while Lawton, Mangum and Snyder have but a few cars. Farmers at Mangum have confiscated coal, emptying an entire car against the protest of the railroad agent, and deposited the money for it in bank. The situation is growing worse, as little coal is in transit.

19 Dec 1906 Muskogee Time-Democrat p.1 col - p.2 col 2
County Lines Are Finally Reported
The Plan Provides for Good County for Muskogee and Appears to Be Fair for the Whole State -- The Names
[after article] The following list gives the numbers of the counties, the name adopted and the principal towns in each:
49. Jackson county -- Olustee and Altus.

19 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.1 col 4
Forty Counties in I. T.; Thirty-Five in Oklahoma
Guthrie, Okla., Dec. 19 -- Late this afternoon the much looked for report came to the convention from the boundary committee designating the counties for the state. The report shows seventy=six subdivisions--forty in Indian Territory and thirty six in what is now Oklahoma. The committee has been in almost continuous session since Monday morning, a brief recess having been taken for breakfast Tuesday, but as soon as the report was announced and the convention adjourned there was a rush of lobbyists into the convention hall to see the result. As near as possible in division and name of counties the Sequoyah map was followed in Indian Territory.
Six Oklahoma counties, against the cutting of which there was strong opposition, were divided in the report.
Greer county is to be in three parts. The convention yesterday was deluged with telegrams regarding the new map.
[in list of descriptions]
Greer, Roger Mills and and [sic] Day counties are joined and then cut into Jackson county, with Altus as principal town; Greer county with Mangum[,] Roger Mills with Sayre, and the fourth not yet named, with Cheyenne as the central point.
[after list] The report does not mention county seats the idea being not to burden the division with too much opposition. This matter is to be left for local selection.
The average area of each county is 946 square miles and the average population 20,000.

20 Dec 1906 Fort Gibson Post p.2 col 4
Population of Cities - Secretary McNabb's Biennial Report Shows Interesting Figures
Advance proofs of the second biennial report of the Oklahoma board of agriculture, being prepared by A. C. McNabb, of Oklahoma City, secretary of the board, are full of interesting figures relating to population, railroads, assessed valuation, production of agriculture and other statistics of Oklahoma.
A table showing the rank of the various cities and towns over 500 is given, showing 56 cities. The table follows:
[#25 on the list] Altus, 1,512; [no other towns in Jackson are named]
The home county of Secretary McNabb, Oklahoma, also has a good lead in population among the counties. No figures are given on the negro population, and Logan is placed at the head in the number of negroes, having 7,278. The total population of Oklahoma is placed at 662,287. With the exception of Oklahoma county, the returns are from those of the assessors for the year ending 1906, which have been probably certified by the county clerks. Included in the total for Oklahoma county is the estimated population of Oklahoma City, 40,000, from the estamate based on school enumeration. The table also shows the area of the various counties, and will be of interest just now in view of the talk of county division.

20 Dec 1906 Fort Gibson Post p.6 col 2
Oklahoma To Start With Huge Deficiency [Article about various convention business including:]
The division of Greer county was the subject of a very acrimonious debate in the county boundary committee meeting Saturday afternoon.
Delegate Caudill of Hobart, whose district extends over into Greer county and who has been made the spokesman for Greer county anti-divisionists, made a speech in which he bitterly denounced the plan for the division of the county.
His right to speak for Greer county was questioned by Banks of Hess, who asked him how many votes he got in Greer county. Caudill refused to answer.
It is understood that a practical agreement has been reached in every district except the fifth, and the map makers are making great efforts to get that straightened up, so as to make a report on Monday.

21 Dec 1906 Checotah Times p.1 col 3
From the Seat of War
Constitutional Convention Delegates Are Having a Struggle Over County Lines--Checotah in McIntosh County.
[article of updates about the convention, nothing specific to Jackson County]
The average size of the counties is 46 square miles, and the average population 20,000.
The following list gives number of counties, names adopted and the principal towns in each [list is not numbered]:
Jackson--Olustee and Altus

24 Dec 1906 Ada Evening News p.3 col 2
Mr. Robert Gambill and Miss Fannie McKoy Sunday morning stole a march not only on their friends but on their relatives, as well. They quietly repaired to the court house and were married by Deputy U.S. Clerk Constant. Mr. Gambill had just returned from Altus, Oklahoma, where he was employed for a time. Finding the prospective marriage had leaked out among their friends, they suddenly determined to fool everybody by bringing off the happy event at once.
Both the bride and groom are favorites in Ada society and their multitude of friends wish them every joy.

24 Dec 1906 Muskogee Times Democrat p.6 col4
Many New Churches For the New State
Guthrie, Ok., Dec 24--(Special)--Seven new Methodist churches have either been recently completed or are now nearing completion in Greater Oklahoma, and other denominations are showing almost as great activity along the line of church building [long article about many new churches including:]
. . .A new $5,000 church has just been completed at Port. and a $1,300 parsonage at Olustee.

3 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.7 col 1
County Boundaries Committee Reports Out 76 Subdivisions
New State Will Be Divided Into Seventy-Six Subdivisions, It Seems
Creates Forty Counties Out of Indian Territory and Thirty-Six Out of Oklahoma - Convention Will Likely Adopt Unanimous Report
Guthrie: The following gives the numbers of the counties, the names adopted and the principal towns in each:
49.--Jackson county, Olustee and Altus.

3 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.7 col 4
Take a Vacation - Delegates Go Home for the Holidays - Session Half Over
Friday, December 21
Guthrie: Following a two hours' session Thursday morning, delegates to the constitutional convention took a recess until January 3, after which they will have 30 days in which to complete the work of framing a constitution.
During the morning session, Acting Territorial Secretary "Jim" McConnell paid the members their salary for the first month's services, thus giving the delegates money for Christmas and their passage home. Secretary Filson was out of the city, and the matter was attended to, therefore, by McConnell.
The only matter of importance up this morning, in addition to the final adoption of the county boundary committee's report, was an attempt made to consider in committee of the whole the report of the legislative department on the initiative and referendum. Seven members were called before one was secured to sit as chairman of the whole. Johnston of Perry, as chairman of the legislative department, did not want to preside, nor did Hayes of Chickasha, for the reason that he was personally interested in the committee's report on this matter. He presided for a few minutes and then gave way. Humphrey of Nowate, Kin of Newkirk, and Roberts of Olustee, were all called. President Murray, however, at last landed a chairman in Majors of Majors county.
[Article continues with more business of the committee.]

3 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.7 col 2
Falls Into Cistern
ALTUS: the young daughter of John A. Howell, a local grocer, plunged foremost into a cistern, sustaining a broken leg and a badly bruised body. She fell to a depth of 18 feet, and only the high water in the well saved her life.
The young lady was in the rear of her home and accidentally stepped on a board beneath which the cistern was located. The board gave way with her weight and she was precipitated below.

4 Jan 1907 The Cherokee Republican (Sallisaw) p.1 col 3
Investigation Demanded - Corruption and Bribery Charged In Constitutional Convention - Should be Proven or Members Exhonerated [sic]
Hon. W. H. Murray, President Constitutional Convention, Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Sir:--
Grave charges have been made, seriously reflecting upon your body. The integrity and personal honesty of certain members has been brought into doubt, nor has the honorable position you hold exempted you from the imputation of having participated therein. Some weeks ago it was charged that a million dollars could, would or had been raised by ambitious would-be county seat towns, to corrupt enough members of the convention to control the county seat situation. Col. Clarence B. Douglas of Muskogee, lawyer and newspaper man, charged in a speech before the joint bar association banquet at Oklahoma City Friday night December 21, that $5000 had been demanded and received of his city to get their county boundries [sic] as they wanted them. He charged, also, that another county to the south had been held up for a like sum and in addition, stated he had been offered $2000 to use his influence to "fix" another.
His charges reflect peculiarly upon Mr. Haskell, Muskogee being his home and he being the majority leader with power to fix his hom county as he saw fit[.]
The statement has been made that the town of Altus paid $5000 to secure the zig-zag line--as though lightning had struck us--to the east of Mangum.
A general statement was made to a citizen of this city to the effect that Mr. Haskell would clean up a million dollars in this connection. Another man stated that he would prevent the division of Greer county for $1000 and made an appointment with a Mangum gentleman to meet Mr. Haskell and pay the money to him, which appointment was rejected by the gentleman aforesaid.
Considering these charges in the light of the action of the convention with reference to "county seats" one is constrained to give them some credit. To say the least, the action of the convention was extraordinary and it must have been actuated by extraordinary incentives.
It is not charged nor believed that any considerable number of the body are guilty, fewer than one dozen perhaps, being responsible for what has been done.
The idea! A body of men elected to make [the] constitution and 30 days of the time devoted to making counties! And this is in vioalation [sic] of every principle which has made democracy famous; the principle of majority rule, the principle of local self government and the principle of inititave [sic] and referendum, all of which were ignored and trampled under foot in the wholesale butchery of counties - in the interests of would-be county seat towns - without any sort of reference to the people - who pay the taxes.
The arrogance and insolence of the members of the boundries [sic] committee was beyond conception. They assumed to have a "Divine rgiht [sic] and could do no wrong. They propose to "GIVE" Greer county twelve townships on the north, when they already belonged to Greer and had for almost one hundred years. They assumed ownership of the territories and made a virtue of their liberal disposition of the same - when only one man, W. E. Banks of Hess, was elected on a county division platform. The question was in no sence [sic] an issue in the campaign and the people were not represented in the matter in the convention - none but a few townsite boosters, who are charged with having bought the leaders of the convention to do their will.
Such a condition is a disgrace to the fair name of the new state - especially so since the democracy had promised, and had every chance to give the people the best constitution the world had ever seen. The people of the commonwealth, especially the democracy are insulted and outraged! If we enter the Union at all under such circumstances, we are discredited and disgraced to start with, our party disrupted and proven unworthy to rule - all, we are forced to conclude, because of the cupidity of a few men.
Therefore, Mr. President, I, as a representative citizen of 18 years residence in Oklahoma and a life long democratic worker, speaking for 40,000 insulted and outraged citizens of Greer county, demand an investigation of the charges referred to and request that you immediately appoint a committee for the purpose of such investigation to the end, that the fair name and interest of our state be protected; that if the men responsible for the present condition are innocent they may be exhonerated [sic], if guilty that they may be held up to the scorn of all hones men and their punishment commensurate with their crime.
Further: - Since notice was given on the day of adjournment to the effect that a motion would be made to reconsider the said boundries [sic] report, upon the next legislative day; the object of said motion being to confirm the work already done and to defeat any future attempt to reconsided [sic], I demand that said reconsideration be deferred until after investigation has been made. Sincerely,
R. C. Echols. Mangum, Okla., Dec 27, 1906.

9 Jan 1907 Ada Evening News p.2 col 4
A Cogent Reason Why
Note the following from an exchange:
"W. P. Lain of Davis who has been buying cotton in Altus this season was here Monday on business. He says the Davis people are greatly displeased with the location of county lines and that they would much prefer being in Garvin county. [article continues with more about the displeasure re various other county lines.]

9 Jan 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p. 8 col 5
Some New Ideas Go In The Record
Guthrie, Ok., Jan. 9--(Special)--Under a suspension of the rules by which constitutional provisions were to be introduced only on Mondays and Saturdays, twelve propositions for the constitution were introduced as follows: [propositions numbered 381-392]
387.---Roberts of Olustee, extending Indian Territory prohibition provisions over Oklahoma; (liquor traffic.)

10 Jan 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.1 col 2 and 17 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.5 col 3
County Seat Fight Ended Last Night
Guthrie, Ok., Jan. 10--The county boundaries committee last night completed the work of locating county seats in the new state. The fight was very warm between Sapulpa and Bristow in Norman county, Wagoner and Coweta in Wagoner county, and Checotah and Eufaula in McIntosh county.
Additional temporary county seats were located as follows:
. . .Jackson, Altus. . .

10 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 3
[Long article about constitutional convention business. Friday's session about the printing contract, accusations of graft about it. . .]
. . .The subject was warmly debated. Haskell and others defending the contract. Banks of Hess expressed himself as fearing that by restricting the bids as it had, the convention might have established a monopoly. . ..

10 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 4
Appointed Major General - Dr. John Threadgill Succeeds the Late S. J. Wilkins
Oklahoma City: Dr. John Threadgill of this city has received the appointment of major general commanding the Oklahoma department U. C. V., to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Major General S. J. Wilkins of Norman. Dr. Threadgil was a member of the upper house of the last territorial legislature.
He has announced his staff officers as follows:
. . .aide de camps [list includes:] Claude Miller, Altus. . .

10 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.5 col 1
The postoffice and store at Louis were robbed by burglars who forced open the door of the building and broke open the till. About $8 in money and stamps were secured, besides other valuable articles in the store. The proprietor of the store and postmaster is A. M. Clark. Louis is located about twelve miles northwest of Eldorado. The authorities have no clue to the robbers.
[N.B. Louis is in Harmon county.]

11 Jan 1907 Checotah Times p.6 col
County Boundaries Unalterably Fixed
Constitutional Convention Reopens for Business After Holiday Recess---
[Long article about various business at the convention, including:]
Petitions were offered by Roberts of Olustee, Carr of Frederick and Latimer of Wilburton from citizens of Brittain, Davis and other places for state-wide prohibition.

17 Jan 1907 New State Tribune p.2 col 5-6
Temporary County Seats
The following is a list of the towns which have been designated as the temporary county seats of the new counties created in the New State. The county seats of the old counties in Oklahoma remain undisturbed.
. . .Jackson county, Altus. . .

17 Jan 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col 5-6
Official Report of Convention [Long article on business conducted]
Monday, January 7, 1907.
Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
Mr. Roberts [surely Luke Roberts of Olustee] presented, by request, petition No. 97, from citizens of Blue Jacket, asking for state wide prohibition, which was referred to the committee on liquor traffic.
[later action] Mr. Tener, chairman of the committee on convention accounts and expenses, filed report, which was read.
Mr. Henshaw moved the adoption of the report, which motion was duly seconded.
Mr. Henshaw moved the previous question, the question being, "Shall the main question be now put?" Roll call was demanded by Messrs. Kornegay, eWeaver [sic], Caudill and Baker, and the vote resulted as follows:
Ayes: . . .Roberts. . .
[later action] Mr. Roberts presented, by request, petition No. 101, being a petition of 188 citizens of Olustee and Hedrick for state wide prohibition, which was referred to the committee on liquor traffic.

18 Jan 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 3
New Officers of the Oklahoma B. of A. Elected at Guthrie
and
24 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 5
Want Alfalfa Named - Oklahoma Board Desires It for State Emblem
Guthrie: The Oklahoma board of agriculture, in session here yesterday, adopted resolutions asking the constitutional convention to name alfalfa as the floral emblem of the new state, also to provide for a non-partisan board of agriculture. Secretary McNabb was re-elected for another term, and J. A. Woodworth was re-elected statistician secretary.
The new officers named are: D. L. Aikens, president; W. L. Fullerton, of Olustee, vice president; George L. Bishop, of Cordell, treasurer; G. L. Bishop and William Garrison, of Pond Creek, were elected new members of the board to fill vacancies.

24 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.5 col 2
All But Five County Seats Settled.
Guthrie, Okla.--The county seats in all but five counties in the new states [sic] have been located by the committee of the whole and the report has been referred back to the committee on county boundaries. Counties in which the shire towns have not yet been located are Wagoner, Moman, Beckham, Seminole and Harper.
When the matter had again been referred back to the county boundaries committee the convention took up the subject of initiative and referendum.
Through the herculean efforts of Delegate Liedtke, of Eufaula, the location of the county seat of McIntosh county was again switched from Checotah and given to Eufaula. The Democratic caucus will be held this afternoon. The following county seats have been adopted:
. . .Jackson county, Altus. . .

24 Jan 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 6
Convention Acts on County Seats
. . .The following county seats thus far have been definitely established: . . .Jackson, Altus. . .

6 Feb 1907 Ada Evening News p.8 col 3
Mrs. J. E. Bills returned today from a stay with Mr. Bills who is temporarily at Altus, Oklahoma.

14 Feb 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.7 col 4
To Build Opera Houses
Lawton, Okla., Feb 13--Representatives of what is to be known as the Rock Island Theatrical circuit are visiting several towns of southwest Oklahoma for the purpose of considering plans for building opera houses. Among the towns that have been selected are Temple, Frederick and Altus.
[later article:]
Mail Carriers Appointed.
Rural letter carriers appointed: Oklahoma, Altus, Will R. Kimbell, substitute, ; Frederick, John C. Bellah, substitute, John W. Alexander; Hitchcock, Geo. H. Loy, substitute, M. Alice Loy.

14 Feb 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 5
Postmasters Appointed
Nominations Sent to the Senate by President Roosevelt
Washington, D. C., Feb. 13--The following nominations were sent to the senate by the president today:
Postmasters [list of four, I.T., KS, MO, and:] Oklahoma--R. D. Barnes, Eldorado

14 Feb 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.2 col 1
The attorneys of Jackson have met at Altus and formed a county bar association.

16 Feb 1907 Ada Evening News p.3 col 1
Local News - Tell Or Telephone It
J. E. Bills arrived back in Ada this morning after several weeks at Altus, Ok., in cotton business.

22 Feb 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.4 col 4 and 28 Feb 1907 Stillwell Standard p.6 col 2
New State Topics
Altus is suffering from a plague of rats. R. C. Johnson of that place caught 26 at one time in one trap.

7 Mar 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.2 col 5
Boy Kicked by a Horse
Altus, Ok., Mar. 7--While attempting to catch a horse in the wagon yard here, Clifford Scott, a ten year old boy, was kicked in the head with such force that his skull was crushed. He was unconscious for hours, but his skull was successfully trepaned, and he may recover.

7 Mar 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col
A Big Loss - Cotton Plowed Under to Make Room for Spring Planting
Altus, Okla., Mar. 6--It is safe to say that the farmers of Greer county are practically throwing away $300,000. The crop of cotton in this county this year was late and owing to excessive rains in the fall of the year the crop kept growing and after the farmers had quit picking it opened out and is opening now.
They realize that they must prepare the land for this year's crop but can't get help at any wages to pick or gather the crop in the field so that a large majority of them are cutting the stalks and then plowing them under.
On many of the farms there is as much as seventy acres in cotton that will average from one-third to one-half bale per acre and would be worth $50 per bale if it could only be saved. It is a conservative estimate that there will be all of from 5,000 to 7,500 bales of cotton absolutely thrown away in this county this year on account of scarcity of labor.

11 Mar 1907 Ada Evening News p.3 col 2
Hon H M Furman
Hereunder speaking itinerary of Hon. Henry M Furman one of two[? not "the"] next United States senators two weeks ending Saturday March 23d. Chickasha Monday night March 11, Duncan Tuesday 12 [March 12, all are in March], Ryan Wednesday 13, Lawton Thursday 14, Snyder Friday 15, Frederick Saturday 16, Hobart Monday 18, Mangum Tuesday 19, Altus Wed 20, Olustee Thursday 21, Eldorado Friday 22, Hollis Saturday 23.

14 Mar 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.1 col 1 and 2
Big Meeting of Woodmen On
Hundreds of Delegates From All Over New State in Muskogee--Election of Head Camp Officers and Other Important Matters
[Article followed by various lists including:]
Managers: C. P. Brown, chairman, Chickasha, I.T.; R. J. Wheeler, Clerk, Wynnewood, I.T.; E. P. Mitchell, Caddo, I.T.; Lee W. Smith, Altus, Okla. J. A. Harris, of Byers, I.T., one of the managers, was the only one reported absent on roll call.
Oklahoma Delegates:
69---W. M. Harvick, Eldorado
111---T. B. Eaton and Wm. A. Riley, Altus.

21 Mar 1907 Ada Evening News p.7 col 2
Furman in Oklahoma
Judge Furman is invading the prairies of southwest Oklahoma this week. He is at Olustee tonight, at Eldorado Friday night and Frederick Saturday night. His audiences are large and enthusiastic at every appointment.

22 Mar 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.4 col 6
New State Topics
If Altus, Ok., is not kept on the map it will be no fault of the enterprising newspaper correspondent sending out smallpox stories from that little city.

28 Mar 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 5
Too Much Pepper
George Maher, a painter of Altus, Oklahoma, is the victim of a peculiar accident. One day last week the little girls of the house at which he was boarding were "skipping the rope" in the yard. Maher joined them and announced that he could beat any of them. The children called upon him to jump "hot pepper." He did so, but soon tripped on the rope and fell, breaking both of the bones of his left leg.

29 Mar 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.4 col 4 and 4 Apr 1907 Council Hill Eagle
New State Topics
The Cherokee Warrior, a Republican paper published at Altus, Ok., is going to support the constitution.

5 April 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.2 col 1
[Headline:] Altus -- Over in Oklahoma Whoops Them Up for Democratic Heroes
and
11 Apr 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 2
[Headline:] Big Democratic Meeting - President Murray Speaks at Altus, Oklahoma
[article]
Altus, Ok., April 5--(Special)--One of the largest attended meetings ever held in the southwestern part of the new state was held here today, the occasion being the fact that the Hon. William H. Murray (Alfalfa Bill), president of the constitutional convention, was advertised with others of state wide prominence, to address the people of Jackson county on behalf of the constitution and Democracy.
Mr. Murray and the other guests were met at the train this morning with a brass band and by a large crowd of citizens of all classes, all of whom were decorated with large boquets of alfalfa, and escorted to the public square, where Mr. Murray was presented with a fine gold-headed cane by the people of Jackson county, the presentation being made by the Hon. Claude Miller, and was accepted by Mr. Murray in a few well chosen and feeling remarks.
At 2 o'clock p. m. Mr. Murray addressed about two thousand people, the larger part of whom were farmers, in the public square, his address being one of the best ever delivered here, both i point of eloquence and logic, and was well received by all. He defended the constitution, explaining its several provisions, and asked the npeople [sic] to adopt it. He praised all of the delegates to the constitutional convention for their work in behalf of the people and said among other things that we needed men for the first legislature and for the first governor who were thoroughly in accord with the letter and the spirit of the consitution, and created great applause in announcing C. N. Haskell for the first governor of the new state. A great demonstration followed for Haskell, and the slogan is here now---"For Haskell and the Constitution." Following Mr. Murray were the Hon. Chas. H. Pitman, Hon. Robert Dunlap, Hon. E. W. McAdams and Senator Gore, all of whom delivered splendid addresses characteristic of the men, especially so of Senator Gore and Mr. McAdams.

4 Apr 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.2 col 1 and 5 Apr 1907 Eufala Indian Journal p.4 col 1
Rural carriers appointed: Oklahoma-Parkham, Charles McCoy, substitute, William Brandon; Olustee, Edgar Carter, substitute, Joseph Carter.

4 Apr 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 6 and 4 Apr 1907 New State Tribune p.5 col 3 and 5 Apr 1907 Eufala Indian Journal p.4 col 5 and 30 Mar 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 2
Medics Secure License - Oklahoma Board of Health Gives Out List of the Successful [and other headlines in other issues]
Guthrie: Sixteen new doctors were licensed by the Oklahoma board of health as a result of the examination just completed here. Twenty-five took the examination. The successful ones were: L. J. Williams, Duke, Okla.; C. H. Vincent, Dover; F. K. Station, Helena; G. L. Moody, Moody, Tex.; Carl Lafforge, Springer, N. M.; J. R. Dale, Hobart, Okla.; A. S. Nickols, Ponca City; P. N. Waltrip, Owasso; M. Fitzgerald, El Reno; C. A. See, Frederick; S. M. Landrum, Olustee; J. A. Kennedy, Keokuk Falls; H. McKinney, Fort Worth, Tex.; F. L. Wilhite, Oklahoma City.
The next examination will be held here June 13-14.

5 Apr 1907 Checotah Enquirer p.8 col 6
New State Notes
The Cherokee Warrior, a Republican paper published at Altus, Ok., is going to support the constitution.

10 Apr 1907 Ada Evening News p.1 col 5
New Counties Organize to Protect Convention's Work
Guthrie, Ok,. April 10--Citizens of the new counties created in Oklahoma territory by the constitutional convention perfected an organization here yesterday for the purpose of opposing in the courts any attempts made to prevent the creation of these counties.
W. T. McConnell, of Altus, Jackson county, was elected president; George C. Whitehurst, Sayre, Beckham county, vice-president; W. B. Newman, Beaver City, Beaver county, second vice president; A. J. Litus, Cherokee, Alfalfa county, secretary; John Garnett, Fairview, Majors county, treasurer.
Delegate George Wood, of the constitutional convention, who called the meeting here, says there is plenty of money behind the organization, including all the banks in the newly created counties.
It develops that former Assistant Attorney General Fred Elkin will file a suit for Beaver county against the constitutional convention, attacking division of the county.

11 Apr 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.3 col 1 and 25 Apr 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.5 col 6
Fight Will Be Put Up for Rights of Constitutional Convention by Oklahoma Counties
Guthrie, Ok., April 10--Representatives of all the new counties on the Oklahoma side met at the Royal hotel today and effected an organization for the purpose of furnishing the finances to fight the suits that have been brought against the constitutional convention and any that may hereafter [be] brought. The organization is non-partisan, and will be perpetuated through the session of the first legislature for the purpose of keeping that body from changing the lines established by the convention.
The officers of the organization are: W. T. McConnell, of Altus, Jackson county, president; George C. Whitehurst, Sayre, Beckham county, vice president; W. B. Newman, Beaver City, secon vice president; John Garnett, Fairview, Major county, treasurer; A. J. Titus, Cherokee, Alfalfa county, secretary.
Delegate George Wood, who fostered the organization, says that practically all the banks of the new counties of Oklahoma have promised to lend financial support to the organization.
The convention attorneys are busy trying to determine what course to pursue with reference to the decision of Judge Burford yesterday in restraining the supreme election board from preparing the ballots and canvassing the returns of the first election. President Murray today intimated that the injunction is ineffective in that the convention and its president were not enjoined.
Asked what attitude he would advise the convention to take toward the injunction when it reassembles, Murray replied:
I am not talking for publication on that point. It seems strange, however," he added, "why the injunction was directed only at the supreme election board."
"Do you think the injunction will affect the board?"
"It will have about the same effect as it would on a Kansas cyclone."
He refused, however, to state whether or not he would advise that the convention ignore the injunction.

18 Apr 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.8 col 5
To Fight Suits - Organization Formed to Furnish Financial Assistance.
Guthrie, Okla., April 17 -- Representatives of all the new counties on the Oklahoma side met at the Royal hotel last week and effected an organization for the purpose of furnishing the finances to fight the suits that have been brought against the constitutional convention and any that may hereafter be brought. The organization is non-partisan, and will be perpetuated through the session of the first legislature for the purpose of keeping that body from changing the lines established by the conventions.
The officers of the organization are: W. T. McConnell, of Altus, Jackson county, president; George C. Whitehurst, Sayre, Beckham county, vice president; W. B. Newman, Beaver City, second vice president; John Garnett, Fiarview, Major county, treasurer; A. J. Titus, Cherokee, Alfalfa county, secretary.
Delegate George Wood, who fostered the organization, says that practically all the banks of the new counties of Oklahoma have promised to lend financial support to the organization.
The convention attorneys are busy trying to determine what course to pursue with reference to the decision of Judge Burford in restraining the supreme election board from preparing the ballots and canvassing the returns of the first election. President Hurray [sic] intimated that the injunction is ineffective in that the convention and its president were not enjoined.
Asked what attitude he would advise the convention to take toward the injunction when it reassembled, Murray replied:
"I am not talking for publication on that point. It seems strange, however," he added, "why the injunction was directed only at the supreme election board."
"Do you think the injunction will affect the board?"
"It will have about the same effect as it would on a Kansas cyclone."
H refused, however, to state whether or not he would advise that the convention ignore the injunction.
---[later in this column]
Oklahoma Democrat
The Oklahoma Democrat is the name of the new publication edited by Bob Williams, of Altus, Okla. It is a good, up-to-date paper and a loyal supporter of Democracy.

25 Apr 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.14 col 5 and 7 Jun 1907 Checotah Enquirer p.3 col 2
Constitution of Oklahoma [article quoting county boundaries, etc.]
Jackson County:--Beginning on the range line between ranges nineteen (19) and twenty (20) West, at its intersection with the center line on the North Fork of Red River; thence down along the center line of said river to the state line between Texas and Oklahoma; thence westwardly along said state line to its intersection with the base line; thence east along said base line to its intersection with the range line between ranges twenty=three (23) and twenty-four (24) West; thence north along said range line to its intersection with the east and west center section line of township three (3) North; thence east along said center section line to its intersection with the center line of Salt Fork of Red River; thence up along the center line of said river to its intersection with the township line between townships three (3) and four (4) North; thence east along said township line to the southeast corner of section thirty-three (33), township four (4) North, range twenty-one (21) West; thence north to the southwest corner of sectin fifteen (15) of said township and range; thence east along the section line to its intersection with the range line between ranges nineteen (19) and twenty (20) West; thence north along said range line to the point of beginning. Altus is hereby designated the County Seat of Jackson County.

2 May 1907 New State Tribune p.9 col 3
Personal Politics and Political Monopolies---By Henry M. Furman, of Ada, Democratic Candidate for the U. S. Senate
To the Democracy of Oklahoma: [long editorial by Furman, includes some biographical material:] . . .In 1872 I came to Texas a deck passenger on a steam boat. Mr. George Burkett, of Altus, Ok., came with me. . .

2 May 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.1 col 2
Cruce Manager Confers With G.O.P.
Moman Preuitt Spends Two Hours With the Republican Chairman
The Non-Partisan Agents of the Trusts and Railroads Get Together on Plan to Fight Haskell---Preuitt Refuses to Talk---Haskell Sentiment Growing
[long article including:]
W. T. McConnell, of Altus, one of the most prominent Democratic leaders of Oklahoma says that Jackson county will be carried for Haskell and that eighty per cent of the votes polled will be for the Muskogee man.

7 May 1907 Muskogee Times-Democrat p.3 col 2
Will the Oklahoman Support a Republican Candidate for Gov.
Oklahoma City, May 7 -- (Special) -- The following letter was sent from Altus, Ok., to Roy Stafford, editor of the Oklahoman, several days ago and so far has not been answered.
The first letter explains itself:
Mr. Ed O. Cassidy, Shawnee, Ok.
Dear Sir--We herewith enclose you a copy of a letter that we have addressed to Mr. Roy Stafford, editor of the Oklahoman, and you may use it for publication if you desire. We think the Democracy of Oklahoma has a right to know were the Oklahoman will stand after the nomination.
Very truly yours,
J. E. Fowler, Claude Miller, J. R. McMahan, C. C. Hightower, And Others.
----[followed by the letter below]
Altus Ok., April 29, 1907.
Editor Oklahoman:
The majority of the Democrats of this section favor the nomination of C. N. Haskell for governor, believing that his fidelity to the party, and proven loyalty to the interests of the toiling masses make him an acceptable candidate for the people, furthermore that he is better equipped to protect and enforce the spirit, the letter and the intent of the constitution than any candidate now seeking the nomination at the hands of the Democratic party, therefore we consider him the logical candidate. You say he is not.
We believe that the Democratic papers who owe their allegiance to the party by reason of being accepted as party organs, should have adopted a neutral position in this primary campaign, and for this reason Democrats generally, condemn the Oklahoman for taking the initiative.
The question arises, how can you and your paper consistently defend the constitution and advocate its adoption and at the same time viciously assail the honesty and integrity of Mr. Haskell who is generally accredited by the people with being the leading spirit in its creation, and with being one of the leading factors in causing to be incorporated therein the numberous wise and protective provisions which make it possible for the new state of Oklahoma to be a government by the people, and for the people, and who is accepted as its first and foremost champion and defender?
Democrats resent the policy you are pursuing by your attacks on Mr. Haskell, as do all fair minded people. Your charges are not founded on fact.
Now when Mr. Haskell's nominated, where will you and your paper be found? Supporting Haskell and advocating the adoption of the constitution, or will you remain silent or do worse?
Democracy has a right to know where you stand.
J. E. FOWLER, CLAUDE MILLER, J. P. ORR, C. C. HIGHTOWER, E. R. McDANIEL, E. E. RUSSELL, A. C. FAGIN, W. B. WRIGT [sic], H. T. KIMBELL, J. R. McMAHAN.

9 May 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.1 col 1
What They Say.
Prominent Democrats Report Haskell In the Lead.
Oklahoma City, May 8--W. T. McConnell, of Altus, one of the most prominent Democratic leaders in Oklahoma, was in the city last week and gave it as his opinion that Jackson county will be carried for Haskell and that eighty per cent of the votes polled will be for the Muskogee man.

9 May 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.5 col 5
Knights of Pythias - Amalgamation and Election at Shawnee During Grand Lodge
Shawnee: An amalgamation of the Knights of Pythias grand lodges of Oklahoma and Indian Territory was affected here and the officers of the new organization chosen. Grand chancellor Barnes of Jacksonville, Ill., presided over the different sessions.
Sulphur was chosen as the place of meeting for the grand lodge next year. Enid was the only other candidate for this honor and the vote was practically unanimous for Sulphur.
The following officers were elected for the grand lodge of the two territories:
Grand chancellor, Henry S. Johnson, Perry; grand vice chancellor, S. M. Hillingoss, Muskogee; grand prelate, F. M. Butcher, Blackwell; grand keeper of records and seal, H. L. Sanders, Webber Falls; grand master of exchequer, Joe Stout, Perry; grand master at arms, S. R. Jordan, Marietta; grand inner guard, S. R. Romine, Marietta; grand outer guard, R. S. Parrell, Stigler, grand trustees, W. S. Lewis, Davis; W. N. Baughman, Roff; H. S. Shilling, Oklahoma City; supreme representative, J. D. Lydick, Shawnee; J. B. Morrow, Muskogee.
A lively contest over the election of grand chancellor was precipitated when Robert Williams of Altus, one of the candidates, gave out a published interview in which he charged that a slate had been prepared for the election of the officers. The conven[tion] resented his statements and he was defeated soon after the article became public.
During the sessions the convention was addressed by H. B. Brown, vice grand chancellor of Cleburne, Texas, and C. F. S. Neal of the endowment rank of Chicago.

11 May 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.1 col 6
One Fatality on the Frisco Road at Altus, Okla., is the Day's Record
Altus, Ok. -- An extra freight train on the San Francisco railroad ran into the open switch here this morning and was wrecked. J. E. Connor, a brakeman, was killed and Engineer Spence and Fireman Sewall were fatally injured. An hour before the werck [sic] happened, J. P. Reed, a brakeman, was fatally injured while this train was passing Eldorado, being struck by a bridge expander, and suffering a fractured skull.

16 May 1907 Council Hill Eagle p.4 col 4
Fatality on Frisco Road at Altus, Ok.
Altus, Ok. -- An extra freight train on the San Francisco railroad ran into the open switch here this morning and was wrecked. J. E. Connor, a brakeman, was killed and Engineer Spence and Fireman Sewall were fatally injured. An hour before the werck [sic] happened, J. P. Reed, a brakeman, was fatally injured while this train was passing Eldorado, being struck by a bridge expander, and suffering a fractured skull.

17 May 1907 Checotah Enquirer p.4 col 1
Fatality on Frisco Road at Altus, Ok
Altus, Ok.--An extra freight train on the San Francisco railroad ran into the open switch here this morning and was wrecked. J. E. Connor, a brakeman, was killed and Engineer Spence and Fireman Sewall were fatally injured. An hour before the werck [sic] happened, J. P. Reed, a brakeman, was fatally injured while this train was passing Eldorado, being struck by a bridge expander, and suffering a fractured skull.

23 May 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 3
Eligibles in the Territory
The Democratic Central Committee Issues a Roster of Candidates
Oklahoma City, Ok., May 21--The state Demecratic [sic] central committee has issued a roster of candidates eligible for a place on the state ticket at the primaries June 8. Twenty-seven of the candidates live on the Oklahoma side and eighteen in the Indian Territory. The official list follows:
. . .State Examiner and Inspecor [sic]--Luke Roberts, Olustee, I.T.; Charles A. Taylor, Pond Creek; Ok.; Charles Daugherty, Oklahoma City; J. S. Murray, Emet, I. T. [punctuation sic]

24 May 1907 Muskogee Times-Democrat p.3 col 1
Greer Co. Farmers Speak Out In Meeting
The people of Greer county are waking up on the county line fight and at a recent mass meeting held at Altus and attended by hundreds of farmers of Greer county, the following resolutions were adopted:
Altus, Ok., May 21, 1907 -- The citizens of Altus in public meting [sic] assembled, passed the following resolutions:
"Resolved, First, that the division of our county by the constitutional convention is a benefit to the citizens and we do heartily approve of such.
"Second, We do condemn as unwarranted by the facts, the assertion of such towns as Alva and Mangum that the division of the counties in Oklahoma is unpopular with the people in the country, and no burden on any one except the politician in the towns named above and they are only hurt in a political way.
"Third, That we condemn the actions of the corporation lawyers and federal officeholders and "ring" [of] politicians in their unfair and unwarranted attack on the constitution and statehood for Oklahoma. That it is their purpose to influence the administration adversely, to inflame public opinion by untrue and unjustifiable utterances, to the end that the territorial government may be sustained and their corporate interests and political influences not crippled.
"Fourth, We appeal to the people to arise and assert themselves and break away from under the yoke of those scheming "political bosses" and their "corporation interests" and hold up for a constitution that will help us more than any constitution ever written to curb the corporation power.
["]Fifth, We are opposed to the federal officeholders and courts preventing our election of the constitution and accord our hearty sympathy and support, morally and financially to Hon. Wm. Murray in his efforts to getting an election on the constitution. C. C. HIGHTOWER, Chairman. J. C. McCLAY Secretary.

25 May 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.5 col 2
Cotton Warehouses.
Henry Dial, general manager of Oklahoma and Indian Territories for the Farmers & Bankers' Warehouse Building assosiation, was here last week for a short while enroute north. Mr. Dial was in the city to look after the matter of closing a contract with the local board of the Commercial club with a view of erecting the warehouses in this city. Mr. Dial remarked a great many were being erected in Oklahoma and that within the past ten days he had closed contracts for the erection of buildings at Altus, Temple, Marlow, Rush Springs, and several other places. The Altus building will cost $5,000.--The Ardmoreite.

25 May 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.5 col 4
Threshing Machine Engines - Haul Full Grown Church Down the Street.
Altus, Okla., May 22 -- The sight of a full grown church, raised on house movers wheels and drawn by three threshing machine engines under a full head of steam, coming down the main street of a town is an unusual sight, but that was the scene which met the gaze of the citizens of Altus this morning. Members of the Southern Presbyterian church have recently organized a congregation here, and Rev. J. M. Barrow [sic, Burrow later] of Texas has been called to watch over the flock. The congregation is small and had no house of worship, but the Rev. Mr. Burrow [sic] is an enterprising gentleman, full of twentieth century ideas, and he has been very busy since his arrival. He started a subbscription [sic] list and purchased Shiloh church, an unused Presbyterian church five and one-half mile northeast of Altus. More hustling by the enterprising minister soon brought forth the donation of a suitable lot, and then all hands, members and the friends of the cause generally were called upon to lend a hand in moving the structure to town. An interested farmer donated the services of his threshing engine, while business men of the town secured two more. A house mover was employed and the procession which passed through the town this morning was the result of the preacher's activity. The church will be in position for Sunday services, Mr. Burrow says.

30 May 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.3 col 3
Strong Resolution - Jackson County Democrats Strong For Constitution.
Altus, Okla., May 21-- [The same set of resolutions and signaures as in 24 May 1907 above, but followed by:]
Duncan. - A like resolution has been adopted by the citizens of Duncan over the signatures of J. S. McClure, chairman, and R. A. Edwards, secretary.
[N. B. Duncan is not in the usual lists of extinct or lesser populated settlements in Jackson. If you know where it was please let us know. In the 1900 census the surname Duncan was located only in Duke.]
Hess. - The citizens of Hess, Oklahoma, have adopted a similar resolution, signed by T. S. Moody, chairman, and W. W. Schrimpshire, secretary.
Alfalfa. - The citizens of Alfalfa have adopted a like resolutions, signed by J. B. Phillips, chairman, and W. S. James, secretary.

6 Jun 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.1 col 2
Haskell Will Sweep State - Reports From Every County in the State Signed By Prominent Men in Each Indicate That Haskell Will Be Nominated Saturday By a Tremendous Majority--Only Complete Resume of the Situation That has Been Published.
The Tribune, working in connection with the campaign managers for C. H. Haskell, has endeavored to get an unbiased report from every county in the state as to the political situation relative to the nomination for governor. We asked for three reports from every county in the state, signed by men of good standing who are in touch with the political situation. We give the reports as they came in. Reports from some localities have not reached us in time for publication this week.
Every reader of the Tribune, is asked to read these reports for himself and make his own deductions. There is every indication that Haskell will sweep the state. This information comes from the reports from early every county in the state. We believe they are reliable. Read them.
This is not a pre-election report sent out by campaign managers. Every report is signed by the man who sent it, and he was asked to send a correct report as he found it, and if his locality was for Cruce or any other candidates to say so, and how strong it was.
Cruce campaign managers have put out the report that Cruce would carry the state by 40,000. This is not true. It only proves that they do not know anything about the situation. Communications from practically all of the leading Democratic newspapers of the state tonight verify the reports that the Tribune herewith presents. [followed by 4 columns of reports, including:]
Altus.
Altus, Okla., June 1 -- You will carry this county 5 to 1. (Signed) CLAUDE MILLER, Of Miller Bros. & Co., Merchants.

7 Jun 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.5 col 2
An Importan Office
The office of state examiner and inspector is one of the most important to be filled at the coming election. This officer shall without notice to such treasurer, examine the state and county treasurer's books, accounts and cash on hand or in bank at least twice each year.
Luke Roberts, of Olustee, is eminetly [sic] qualified for this office, both by education and by experience. His Democracy, his honesty and his ability are unquestioned. As delegate to the constitutional convention he made an enviable record and his name will add strength to the stat ticket if placed upon it.

7 Jun 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p. 1 col 1
Close Count Shows Haskell Victory [lists results by county:]
Jackson county, two to one for Haskell.

20 Jun 1907 New State Tribune p.2 col
Some Democratic County Tickets
Jackson County Ticket
Altus, Ok., June 17--(Special)--The primary on last Saturday resulted in the election of Bud Ashlock, county clerk; Dug Morrow, register of deeds; J. S. Moore, treasurer; Ned McDaniel district clerk; J. M. Dillard, county attorney; W. T. McConnell, county judge; J. M. Dale, county superintendent, and Geo. Hensley, sheriff. The campaign was the warmest ver known in Jackson county.

27 Jun 1907 New State Tribune p.7 col 5
Shirt Sleeve Ceremonial - India Temple of the Mystic Shrine Have Big Class
Oklahoma city, June 26--The "shirt sleeve" ceremonial session of the India Temple, Mystic Shrine, held here las week, was attended by 100 or more Novices and Nobles. The class membership was not as large as usual and about 65 took the degrees. In the afternoon the parade of the Novices throughout the downtown streets took place and tonight the ceremonial session was held in the lodge hall. Lunchon [sic] was served at noon and also at night. Among those who took the degrees were the following persons:
. . .Robert Kirksey, Altus;. . .

27 Jun 1907 New State Tribune p.6 col 6
Married in Wetumka
Charles Thatcher and Miss Susie Meng were united in marriage at the Methodist church in Wetumka Tuesday morning, Rev. Vick officiating. Mr. Thatcher has been with the Bank of Commerce here for some time, as assistant cashier, and has accepted a similar position with the Farmers bank at Olustee, Okla. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher left on the noon train for their future home in Olustee, Okla.

3 Jul 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.1 col 2
Willful Maiden Ends Her Life
Olustee, Ok., July 3--The 16 year-old daughter of John Morrell, living near Olustee, killed herself yesterday because her father would not allow her to go with the young man of her choice.
Her sweetheart had gone to her home to take her out driving, and when her father refused she went into the house and shot herself with a revolver.

13 Jul 1907 Ada Evening News p.2 col 3 and 13 Jul 1907 Ada Evening News p.6 col 3
Frantz Gets Them All - Practically All Counties Instruct for Him--Repudiates No Ticket Plan.
Guthrie, Okla July 12--At the political headquarters of Gov. Frantz reports from eleven additional counties were filed here today all endorsing Frantz and swelling his instructed delegation to 608, as against 62 delegates instructed for no state ticket and 28 entirely uninstructed. [. . ..] Lincoln county named Elmore Foster of Chandler for state committeeman; Custer, J. S. Houston of Thomas; Kay, George H. Brett of Ponca City; Jackson J. Ed Van Metre of Altus; Oklahoma, J. S. Vaught of Oklahoma city; Woods, J. W. French of Alva; Jefferson, T. R. Echols of Waurika. [transcriber's note: I inserted some punctuation to help clarify the list.]

18 Jul 1907 New State Tribune p.6 col 6
Oklahoma Irrigation
Within a very few years, the most thickly settled agricultural region in Oklahoma will be around Olustee in Greer county. Very few people in other parts of Oklahoma understand Greer county. A trip down there would be a liberal education to them. Popular notions about it would quickly be dispelled.
The natural tendency of Greer county is toward dry weather. It sometimes forgets to rain, forgets it for six months or more. In recent years, it has been raining too much and there are good people, entire rational on other subjects, who think that the climate has changed and that there will always be abundant rainfall there. Some of them are really mean about it.
After going worse than busted working day and night threshing Greer county wheat several years ago, one of the original "nesters" fell into a creek. The cowman called him a "nester" because he was rather insistent on homesteading a claim that they wanted to pasture. Arguments of various sorts were used. The cattlemen are gone now and the first "nester" has lots of company. It was bound to happen so.
It was a dry year when the first nester fell into the creek. Crops were poor, awful poor! The climate hadn't changed yet. That water flowing through his claim would be so useful on his land! But the bed of the creek was much below his land. He didn't know anything about irrigation. But chasing a threshing machine over the prairies had made him a first class tinker. So the nester, from a miscellaneous collection of broken machinery, built a water wheel, put in a pump, and fixed a little dam in the creek. He turned it loose. And the way that the fertile, loamy soil turned out pumpkin yams, turnips, and onions filled his soul with glee. He sold them for as high as two dollars and a half per bushel, "too much," he admits, and the cash started the debts to shrinking.
It is a long way, full of arduous toil and almost unending hardships, from that old collection of busted machinery that pumped water for a few acres, to the present system with a gravity flow and water enough to irrigate more than three thousand acres. There's a romance in it, but the Journal isn't much given to romancing.
This is what the visitor may see at Olustee today:
The truck farm of W. F. Fullerton, with more than two hundred acres under irrigation and one hundred and forty-seven acres of land adjoining, developed from less than nothing through the help of water properly applied to the fertile soil.
More than one thousand acres of similar soil, all under the gravity flow of the irrigation ditch, for sale with water right attached in lots of ten acres or more.
A thriving village that will soon be supplied with flowing irrigation water on every lot.
Alfalfa growing everywhere that it's had a chance, without irrigation.
A region unsurpassed in beauty, settled by northern people to a very large extent.
The possibilities of development of this section are practically unlimited. When one compares the original character of the soil there with that or [sic for "of"] Colorado and knows what irrigation has done for Colorado, a bigger word than "unlimited" is needed. When this project is developed, and it will be within a very few years, other parts of Oklahoma will begin to realize that they have missed by neglecting to develop possibilities for irrigation which they possess. Then they will realize the folly of the notion that a few insignificant individuals scratching over the surface of the earth modify the forces of nature and increase the rainfall. -- Oklahoma Farm Journal.

8 Aug 1907 New State Tribune p.5 col 6
Oklahoma Charters
The Max Hahn Packing company of Oklahoma City, with $200,000 capital stock. The directors are: Max Hahn, of Dallas, Texas; E. F. Sparrow, Andrew Goodholm and Curtis Branson, of Oklahoma City; Robert U. James, of Altus.

15 Aug 1907 New State Tribune p.12 col 5
How to Cool a Room
I have found that the temperature of a room can be greatly reduced by pinning over the windows towels wrung from water. In case of sickness, the sick room may be made more comfortable in this way. -- Western Subscriber, Altus, Okla.

15 Aug 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col 5
Republican Committee - Personnel of the State Campaign Committee
Oklahoma City, Aug. 14--The personnel of the new republican state committee follows: . . .Jackson, J. E. Van Master, Altus. . ..

29 Aug 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 1
Progress On The Orient Road
Work on the Line is Being Pushed in Western Oklahoma
Guthrie, Ok., Aug. 23--Rapid progress in the construction of the Kansas city, Mexico & Orient line in Western Oklahoma is again being made. With the rush of harvest over, the company is again able to get laborers, and several track laying crews are at work between Clinton and the Red river. One crew of more than forty men under George Youngblood is working twenty miles south of clinton, and eighty men under J. H. Smith are laying steel between the north and south forks of Red river, below Altus in Greer county.
Some delay is being experienced in the building of bridges over the two forks of the Red river, but Foreman McKea [McRea?] of the bridge building gang, now has both men and material to complete the construction. The track is completed to the north fork, sixteen miles north of Altus. As soon as the steel is laid to the south fork, Foreman Smith has orders to move his force to Diaz, Texas, and to work both ways from that point. A siding is being built by the company at Lone wolf, in Kiowa county, for the purpose of unloading material.
O. G. burrows, commercial agent of the Orient, reports rapid progress in construction all along the route in Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

29 Aug 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 1
Officers for U. C. V.
The Organization of the Two Divisions Are Unable to Unite Yet
McAlester, I.T., Aug. 28--The Oklahoma and Indian Territory divisions of the United Confederate Veterans, the Sons of Veterans and the Daughters of the Confederacy adjourned Friday after the election of officers. The Indian Territory division of the U. C. V. elected the following officers:
General D. M. Hailey, McAlester, commander General W. E. Gentry, Council Hill; General Charles McClellan, Claremore; General Phillips, Durant, and General Daniel Kendall, Sulphur, brigade commanders.
The Oklahoma division officers are:
General John M. Threadgill, Oklahoma City; re-elected commander; General Chinn, Oklahoma City; General T. B. Hogg, Shawnee, and General Taylor, Altus, brigade commanders.
General Brent H. Kirk, state commander of the Sons of Veterans and his ten brigade commanders were re-elected.
The U. C. V. and the U. D. C. found that the respective organizations of the two territories could not unite until after statehood is secured.

30 Aug 1907 Eufala Indian Journal p.12 col 1
Territory News
The Olustee Democrat wants people to spit over the curb so the wives and daughters will not accumulate tobacco juice while shopping. It seems fatr and Olustee males should practice long spitting.
[another in the list of news items]
Neighboring towns are complaining against Altus, saying its street fair was merely for the sake of advertising and getting the suckers' coin. Well, Altus is not to blame. What is a street fair anyhow? Did they expect a Sunday School convention?

10 Sep 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.2 col 1
[article giving various city and county statistics from federal census of the new state]
Jackson county, Ok, 16820, with its towns as follows: Altus 1,925, Eldorado 916, Hedrick [sic] 212, and Olustee 552.

12 Sep 1907 Fort Gibson Democrat p.2 col 6
[Title illegible, article is county statistics, including:]
Jackson county, Oklahoma, 16820, with its towns as follows: Altus, 1.937; Eldorado, 916; Headrick, 212, and Altus, 1,927; Eldorado, 916; Headrick, 212, and Olustee, 552. [sic on repetitions]

26 Sep 1907 New State Tribune p.7 col 4
Ninety-Six Towns In Oklahoma go Above One Thousand Mark
The special census of Oklahoma and Indian Territory, just completed, shows that there are ninety-six cities and towns in the new state with more than 1,000 population.
Of this number eighteen have more than 3,000 inhabitants, twenty-six between 2,000 and 3,000, and fifty-two between 1,000 and 2,000. Four of the five cities which lead the list are on the Oklahoma side, but, taking the list as a whole, fifty-four Indian Territory towns are included, as against forty-two on the Oklahoma side.
The last report of the Oklahoma board of agriculture gave thirty-five towns in the territory which ranked above the 1,000 mark.
Oklahoma City has an undsputed [sic] lead in both territories, while Muskogee easily distances all rivals on the Indian Territory side. Guthrie, Shawnee and Enid are very closely bunched, while on the other side of the line McAlester, Chickasha and Tulsa are very close together. The towns on the list, in the order of their population, are: . . . 46. Altus 1,927. . .

4 Oct 1907 Checotah Enquirer p.8 col 1 and 8 Oct 1907 Muskogee Times Democrat p.2 col 5-6
Personnel of Oklahoma's First Legislature
Guthrie, Ok., Oct. 8--The first Oklahoma legislature, which will convene at Guthrie, will be composed of 109 representatives and forty-four senators. From unofficial returns it appears that the Democrats will have ninety-one and the Republicans eighteen of the members of the lower house, and that the senate will be composed of thirty-seven Democrats and seven Republicans.
The list of the men elected to the first Oklahoma legislature, according to returns not yet canvassed by the Oklahoma election board, with a few districts omitted, as the result of the election in them is not yet definitely known, follows:
Lower house, Democrats - Jackson, W. E. Banks, Hess. . .
Senate, Democratic members: Fifth district, Thomas Moore, Olustee. . .

10 Oct 1907 New State Tribune p.11 col 3
Oklahoma Legislature - The Men Who Will Set the Wheels of Law in Motion
The first Oklahoma legislature, which will convene at Guthrie on January 7, will be composed of 109 representatives and forty-four senators. From unofficial returns it appears that the Democrats will have ninety-one and the republicans eighteen of the members of the lower house and that the senate will be composed of thiry-seven Democrats and seven Republicans.
A list of the men elected to the first Oklahoma legislature, according to returns not yet canvassed by the Oklahoma election board, with a few districts omitted, as the result of the election in them is not yet definitely known, follows:
Lower house, Democrats---Jackson, W. E. Banks, Hess;. . .
Republican members---[none from Jackson]
Senate Democratic members---Fifth district, Thomas Moore, Olustee;. . .

17 Oct 1907 Fort Gibson Democrat p.6 col 4 Protect New County - Precautions to Keep Texas Fever Out of Greer County, Okla.
Guthrie, Okla. - Secretary Morris of the Oklahoma live stock and sanitary board stated Tuesday that the board has placed a quarantine on the north and west of Jackson county in order to protect the new Greer county Texas fever, which is killing cattle in the first named county.
"New Greer county is comparatively free from the disease," said Secretary Morris, "while a number of cases have appeared in Jackson county."

24 Oct 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col 3
Oklahoma State Senators - The List is Complete With the Exception of Two Districts
Guthrie, Okla., Oct 23--The names of the state senators-elect, exclusive of the Twenty-seventh and Thirty-second districts, both of which may be republican, have been announced by the state canvassing board. Irregularities are charged in the two districts named, and the returns are being contested in court. Of the known senators four are republicans and the others are democrats, as follows:
. . .Fifth, Thomas Moore, democrat, Olustee;. . ..

7 Nov 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.5 col 1
Buildink [sic] in Southwest - Much Home and Foreign Capital Being Invested.
Lawton, Okla., Nov. 6 -- H. G. Bradford, president of the First National bank at El Reno, and general superintendent of the Busch Ice company, recently secured a building site at Altus on which a large ice and cold storage plant will soon be constructed. The Busch Ice company operates forty ice plants in the new state at present, having invested more than a million dollars.
Lumber has been placed on the ground at Altus for the construction of a depot by the Orient Railway company, which is nearing that city from both the north and south in the laying of track. The North Fork bridge, which was recently swept away by high waters, has been rebuilt on a stronger base. The track-laying crew on the north is within two miles of the town of Elmer, where it is believed a freight division will be established.

7 Nov 1907 New State Tribune p.10 col 1
With The Women of the New State - A Page Devoted to the Things of Interest to Them - A Medium Through Which They May Keep in Touch With the Social World - The Club News and Various Other Items of General Interest
Cultus Club
Mrs. Irwin and her accomplished daughter Francis [sic}, were the charming hostess of the Cultus club of Altus Friday. The attendance was good and the lesson well enjoyed. Current events were given and discussed. The guests of the afternoon were Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Williams, of Boston.

7 Nov 1907 New State Tribune p.1 col 2
Cotton Gins Sold
Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 6--The Oriental Cotton Gin company of Thomas has sold its property consisting of five gins to the Orient Cotton Products company of Kansas City, for $86,000. The gins involved are located at Jones City in the county, Thomas, Altus, Lugert and Clinton.

14 Nov 1907 New State Tribune p. 5 col 1
Oklahoma Charters Which Have Been Issued During the Past Week.
The Blair Baptist church of Blair, Okla., with the following trustees: J. W. Thorn, J. Kamenzid, W. S. Allen and I. P. White, all of Blair.

28 Nov 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col 2
Methodist Appointments
The following appointments of pastors were made at the Durant meeting of the Methodist conference of Oklahoma: [several districts including:]
Mangum District [punctuation difficult]
Presiding Elder, L. L. Johnson -- Mangum station, J. S. Lamar; Mangum circuit, J. C. Scriveley; Willow circuit, W. H. Davis, supplied: Granite asd [sic] Gotebo, W. D. Sasser, Lone Wolf and Lugert, W. P. M. Miken; Hobart station, M. C. Hayes[;] Mountain View station, J. J. Crow; Snyder circuit, C H. Armstrong; Mountain Park, W. T. Lee, supply; Frederick station J. T. Thornton; Frederick circuit, G. B. Carter supply; Davidson circuit to be supplied; Headerick [sic] circuit, W. W. Rolison; Altus station, Robt. Halison; Elmer circuit, W. V. Taylor; Glustree [sic for Olustee] and Eldorado, O. W. Stewart; Duke circuit, W. O. Tylor; Kelly circuit, G. M. Moon; Read circuit, to be supplied; Martha and Blair, R. P. White; Vinson and Deer Creek R. L. Reese.

28 Nov 1907 New State Tribune p.6 col 3
Western Commissioners - Have Been Appointed by Judge Cotterl - Their Pay
At a special session of the Federal court Judge Cotteral names the following as United States commissioners for the Western district of Oklahoma:
The remunerative feature of the commissioner's position varies from one hundred to a thousand dollars per year. An average compensation is seven hundred dollars.
. . .Horace W. Shepherd, Altus. . .Jas. E. Kelley, El Dorado. . .

29 Nov 1907 Checotah Enquirer p.3 col 6
Six Inspectors
Guthrie, Ok.--The Oklahoma board of agriculture at its session last Friday selected six inspectors: W. S. Axline of Anadarko, C. S. Owen fo [sic] Altus, Henry Perry of Norman, James H. Hightower of El Reno, L. L. Spencer of Vinita and Dr. W. H. Callicotte of Oklahoma City. The board went to Stillwater Friday night to view the state school there.

5 Dec 1907 New State Tribune p.8 col 1
Cattle Inspectors Chosen - Dr. W. H. Callicotte State Veterinarian Pro Tem of Oklahoma
Guthrie, Okla., Dec 4--The board of agriculture has completed its work of organization by the selection of six cattle inspectors. They are: W. S. Axline, of Anadarko; C. S. Owens, of Altus; Henry Perry of Norman; James H. Hightower of El Reno; J. J. Spencer of Vinita and Doctor W. H. Callicotte of Oklahoma City.
Doctor Callicotte is the member of the inspection staff required by law to be a graduate veterinarian and will act as state veterinarian.
All appointments are temporary to serve until the meeting of the legislature, when provition will be made for the permanent organization of the board.

19 Dec 1907 New State Tribune p.3 col 3
Okla. Newspaper Changes.
W. K. Barrett, who has been publishing the Olustee Democrat, sold a half interest in the paper to W. A. Rylander.

26 Dec 1907 New State Tribune (Muskogee) p.2 col 2
Hanraty Makes Appointments - Names County Oil Inspectors to Serve in Various Counties.
State Mine Inspector Pete Hanraty has announced the following appointments as county oil inspectors in Oklahoma, with T. D. Kelly as chief inspector with headquarters in Guthrie: . . .Bob Williams, of Altus, for Jackson county. . .

9 Apr 1908 New-State Tribune (Successor to the Muskogee Weekly Times and the Muskogee Weekly Democrat) p.1 col 1
Work Begins on A. R. & E. P.
Altus, Okla., April 8 -- Work on the constructin of the Altus, Roswell & El Paso railroad to run from Altus to Hollis, Okla., was actually commenced Saturday when dirt was broken west of this city.
The force at work consists of fifty men and teams in charge of W. T. Hines, a well known railroad contractor.

17 Jul 1908 Checotah Enquirer p.7 col 6
New Southwestern Railroad is Being Welcomed by Towns
Altus: President Edward Kennedy, of the Altus, Roswell & El Paso railway company, has closed contracts with Roswell, N. M., and Lubbock, Texas, whereby the former is to give a bonus of $200,000, and the latter $100,000. President Kennedy believes that he will get $500,000 along the proposed route. Between Altus and Hollis 125 teams are at work on the road and the grade to Hollis will be complete within 30 days. Work on the Salt Fork bridge will begin within a month. Grading outfits are soon to be placed at Roswell and Lubbock.

1 Oct 1908 New-State Tribune p.7 col 1
Loud, But Not Reliable
Real Estate Man Met With a Surprise to close his Fancy Arguments
A very amusing scene was enacted at the local post office last night when a gentleman with the air of "one who knows" proceeded to tell local citizens of the badness of our governor, and how it did wrap, wrinkle and shrink his democracy (?) to have such a leader. He warmed up to his subject until many were disgusted. Finally he launched off on the prohibition question. Stated that he could buy all the whisky he wanted any time here, and finally stated that he had bought whisky in Altus. Judge McConnell, who was present, informed the gentleman that he seemed to know the very things that our officials were trying to find out. The judge went to his office and issued a subpoena which was served on him at the Frederick hotel. He refused to go. The judge then issued an attachment and sent Deputy Hemphill after the gentleman.
He proved to be a Mr. D. A. Wallace, real estate man of Oklahoma city, and was very repentant when he found he was "up against it." The fact was, he had never bought any whisky in Altus, but was accustomed of going about the country telling the people things they didn't know in a way they never cared to hear again. He admitted he had been taught a lesson in Altus. -- Daily Oklahoma Democrat, Altus, Okla.

6 May 1909 Fort Gibson Post p.2 col 2 and 7 May 1909 Checotah Times p.2 col 4
Election at Altus
The city election passed off quietly at Altus resulting as follows: Mayor, J. P. Orr; clerk, Henry C. Gilliland; police judge, Horace W. Shepard; city treasurer, W. A. Chisum; city attorney, Guy P. Horton; city marshal, James Turney; city assessor, J. H. Jackson. Eight aldermen were elected. By the vote of the citizens Altus was declared a city of the first-class by an overwhelming majority.

19 Oct 1909 The Evening News (Ada) p.4 col 1
Would Serve Without Pay
E. K. Stimson of Altus, Expert Engineer Offers Service.
Would Relieve Agricultural Board "Temporarily" Without Charge
As a result of the publicity given to the need for a state engineer and the difficulties experienced by the secretary of the state board of agriculture, who is now ex-officio state engineer, in attending to the work of the office, Secretary Charles F. Barrett has received a letter from E. K. Stimson of Altus, an expert irrigation engineer, who says that he might consider the proposition of doing the work without pay until the next session fo the legislature if there seemed to be a good prospect of reimbursement at that time, and wants further information of the subject.
Mr. Stimson was the first state engineer of Colorado, appointed to that office in 1887 and serving for two years, had spent fifteen years in various sorts of engineering work in Texas and is now engineer of drainage district N. 1 in Jackson county. He came to Oklahoma as chief engineer of the Altus, Roswell and New Mexico railroad company, against which receivership proceedings are now pending in the state courts, but left that company about a year ago -- State Capital

21 Mar 1910 The Evening News (Ada) p.4 col 3
Masonic School of Instructin
Altus Ok March 21 -- Mr. Cook assistant State lecturer, has opened a school of instruction for the Masonic Lodge in Altus, with representatives from the various lodges in the county in attendance. The adoption of the new work by the last grand lodge makes attendance at the school very important. The school will continue for one week.
--
Boys' Corn Club Organized
Altus Ok March 21-- County Superintendent J. M. Dale, with the assistance of B. M. Johnson of the department of agriculture have organized a boys corn club for Jack [sic] county. The various merchants and business men of Altus have offered prizes to encourage the enterprise.

22 Apr 1910 Checotah Times p.6 col 6
Anti-Tuberculosis Society
A meeting has been called for Saturday, April 1, at Altus, for the purpose of organizing an anti tuberlisos [sic] society for Jackson County. The movement is one that is state-wide, and much interest is being taken in the matter by local physicians, teacher and ministers of Altus.

29 Apr 1910 Checotah Times p.8 col 3
Altus Bonds Sold
The City Council of Altus sold to S. R. J. Edwards of Oklahoma City the water, light and sewer extension bonds amounting to $200,000, the bonds bringing par and accrued interest to date of delivery. The purchasers state that they will be able to turn over the money on the bonds in thirty days, and the four banks of the town have agreed to advance the city $20,000 to start the work at once. Plans of the J. W. Maxey Construction Company of Houston, Tex., have been accepted and they will superintend the work. Contract for the building of the county court house at Altus to cost $100,000 will be let on April 27.

2 May 1910 The Evening News (Ada) p.7 col 4
Hon. F. E. Herring at Frederick and Altus
Makes Only Short Speeches With The Attempt to Deal at Length on State Issues.
Altus, Ok., April 30 -- A special train from Elk City, carrying Hon. F. E. Herring, democratic candidate for governor; some 150 friends and admirers from Elk City, the Elk City band and about 100 followers picked up between Elk City and Altus, passed through Altus about 11 o'clock this morning, bound for Frederick, over the Wichita Falls and Northwestern road, where Mr. Herring spoke. The special returned to Altus at 4:15 p m. and Mr. Herring delivered a speech from a platform on the public square to a crowd of several hundred. Mr. Herring explained that he was not a politician and therefore not a speechmaker. His talk was short and in it he did not attempt to take up at length the various political questions at issue in the state campaign.

9 Jun 1910 Muskogee Co. Republican and Ft. Gibson Post p.4 col 5
Hot Wave Sweeps Over State
Crops in Many Sections Are Considerably Damaged
Oklahoma City -- Hot winds, accompanied by unprecedented heat, swept over Oklahoma last week. From many points, and especially the southwest, come reports that the thermometer had risen as high as one hundred and ten degrees in the shade. The hot winds have done a great deal of damage to the corn, wheat and oat crops and will cause them to be harvested early. Fruit and garden products have felt the hot winds, and in many places are drying up.
A general survey of the state shows that the following sections are suffering most: Durant, Altus, Lawton, Ardmore, and the entire south and southwest. It is stated that if the hot winds continue they will practically kill all the crops, except cotton. Cotton at this time is in need of hot weather. There has been too much rain for cotton this spring.
The fact that the hot winds are principally in the south and southwestern section of Oklahoma is encouraging because of the large cotton crop grown in that section of the state. Corn, oats and wheat are the principal crops in eastern and northern Oklahoma, the sketch that is least visited by the much dreaded hot winds.

1 Dec 1910 Fort Gibson New Era p.3 col 2 and 2 Dec 1910 The Muldrow Press p.2 col 4
Altus Wants Commission Government
Altus, Okla. -- A mass meeting was called by the Altus Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night to discuss the commission form of government and a committee was appointed to prepare a petition and secure signers for the calling of an election on the subject. The vote at the mass meeting was unanimous for the commission form.




Updated 17 Dec 2012.

Return to Jackson County Records


Free Web Counters
The Smurfs Movie
21 Nov 2012