The Forgotten Man
by Ed Foster

A forgotten page of Choctaw history was brought to light by the surveyors of the farm-to-market road down the Kiamichi Valley when their trail passed through an old Choctaw cemetery near Whitesboro, disclosing the graves of the first white man and woman to live and die between the verdent walls of the Winding Stair and Kiamichi mountains.

A Presbyterian minister, the Rev. S. L. Hobbs and his wife, Mary C. left their home in the confines of the beautiful little town of Lennox, Mass., nestled in the Berkshire hills and moved into the rugged wilderness of the Kiamichi Valley to establish a mission among the Choctaws. 

In 1868, during the second term of Choctaw Gov. All White, Hobbs, the only white man in the valley, set to work, with the help of the Indians, to errect [sic] a home and church. In true New England fashion a cellar was excavated and rock lined and a modest house built over it.

The location of the house was a ridge facing the Kiamichi mountains with a broad sweep of fertile farm land cultivated by the Indians below it. A quarter mile further north the church was erected and across a ravine to the west, with the same outlook at the home, a burying ground was selected. These people had dedicated their lives to the Indians.

At that time there was no Talihina and Hobbs came regularly to the Rock Creek church, within a quarter of a mile of where Joe Dukes was born and still lives. Dukes remembers Hobbs ministering to his brother, when he was dying, as both doctor and preacher.

Boxes of clothes were sent to Hobbs by Eastern friends and he distributed them over the valley where they were needed.

One day a box was brought into the Rock Creek Church for distribution. The top of the box was pried and out of it, among other things was taken a tall silk hat. The question immediately arose as to what to do with it. It was a novelty and many gathered around to marvel at it. One in particular, a large boy for his age and considered "unusual" by the Indians, stood admiring this masterpiece in head-dress. The missionary explained to him that it was a fine had and asked him if he would wear it. Dukes laughs to this day at the appearance of the boy in the silk topper which he wore for years with dignity.

The happy helpful years ended with the death of his wife, August 12, 1883. The body was buried in the little cemetery on the ridge as the Reverend Hobbs conducted the simple ceremony himself. Three weeks later he died and the Indians buried him beside his wife. It is said that he died of grief.

The mission and home have rotted away and disappeared except for the cellar which is periodically searched by hunters of relics and hidden treasurer. The gravestone alone mark the passage of two persons who influenced the lives of thousands of Indians and the Indians' tribute on the monuments, which they furnished show their respect for Hobbs and his wife:

  "Our father, Rev. S. L. Hobbs, born  April 24, 1813, died Sept. 1, 1883. For 15 years a missionary among the Choctaw Indians. His chief aim was the spiritual welfare of the "Dear Choctaws".

  "Our mother, Mary C. Hobbs, born Aug. 22, 1828; died Aug. 12, 1883. Her best years were spend for the good of the Indians. She waits above."

The two companion stones bear the above inscriptions.

The new highway will not pass over the graves but close to them and it is hoped that the Choctaw will perpetuate their memorial to their first white neighbor.

[Newspaper donated by: Lorene]