Mr. Dameron
Photo Trademark: Standard Photo Co., Hartshorne, Indian Territory
(Hartshorne now in Pittsburg, County)

On the back of this photo, bearing the trademark of Standard Photo Company, Hartshorne, I.T., is written, "Dameron, husband of grandmother's youngest sister". "Grandmother" was Nancy Caroline McGuire Jones, and her youngest sister's name was Tabitha.  On their marriage record, found in Stone County, MO, dated 20 Sep 1894, they were listed as A.B. Dameron and Bibetha McGuire.  Since Tabitha's name is mis-spelled, the accuracy of Mr. Dameron's initials cannot truly be depended upon, either. Doc and Tabitha have not yet been found on 1900 census.  By 1910, Tabitha, widowed, with four small children, are found living near Ochelata, OK in Washington County near two of her siblings, Samuel Thomas "Tom" Mcguire, and Nancy Caroline McGuire Jones.  A descendant of Tom McGuire has recently conveyed to me the following, narrated by Tom's daughter Roxie:

"Dad's sister, Tabitha, had quite a spectacular life.  When she was quite young, she married a man named Dameron.  He was a hypnotist.  In those days, they thought if anyone had the power to hypnotize you, they had sold their soul to the devil and he, Dameron, was quite a mean man.  He and Dad did not get along.  Dameron, through hypnotism, made quite a name for himself as a doctor, and was known as Doctor Dameron.  He walked into a meeting where there was a revival going on and Dad said it was so noisy and there were some Indians drinking fire water, as they called it.  He said Doc (Dameron) walked up to the pulpit, raised his hands and said "This meeting will come to order".  Dad said everyone quieted down except two of the braves standing in back of the tent.  Doc walked back and took their bottle and told them to sit down.  Then Doc told the young preacher "Now talk to them".  That took care of that.  Doc told Dad one time that he, Doc, could conquer anyone.  Dad said "Just try conquering me and see how far you get.  And if I ever see you mistreating my sister, you will answer to me."  She was scared to death of him.  Doc eventually killed someone and was sent to the pen.  While he was in the pen she divorced him and brought her two little girls to live near us, so when he got out of the pen, Dad could protect her.  We never saw Doc, so I guess he made other plans."

No one knows yet why he is wearing a badge, gun and billie club in this picture.  His name has not been found on any listings of sheriffs and deputies in Indian Territory to which I have had access.  Tabitha and/or her children have not been seen on census since 1910.  There is no record of a divorce in Washington County, OK.  I believe she may have remarried and the children took the new husband's last name.  There is a Washington County, OK marriage record between a Mrs. Anna Damron, age 30, to George W. Howard, age 36 on 12July1910, which may be Tabitha, as her middle name was Ann.  If anyone has any clues, I would certainly be interested in hearing from them.   --Ilene Jones