The Depew Independent February 20, 1920 History of Depew Editor Independent: A few weeks ago a historical writeup of the early settlers of Depew appeared in your paper signed "Contributed." As that writeup is not historically correct I did not think it would be a proper history of the early settlers of Depew to turn over to the historical society of Creek county for future reference. It is just as important to society that the history of a small place like Depew be true as that of Philadelphia or any large place-for that reason I have prepared this sketch of the settlers of that early day period, that cannot be refuted by any living person. If those who attempt to write history don’t know the truth about a locality or what ever subject they may intend to write about in the interests of truth and the locality and their reputation as scholars they should get the facts in the case before starting the work because people do not like to have their names and deeds misrepresented in the press, especially when there is no politics in it. The writer said that ‘‘in 1899 a man named Morris was doing some work here. I arrived here on January 15th, 1901 and looked in vain for Morris or anyone else. I built the first house and established the post office, May 17th, 1901. In August 1901 Morris arrived and in October built a little southeast of where the depot now stands. In May, 1902 Mr. Morris sold out to Mr. Gibbs, of Bristow. Mr. Gibbs sold out the same year to L.N. Cothern. After nearly two years or in 1904 Mr. Cothern sold out to Mr. Collier. That writer makes it appear that just about that date Pate & Malley arrived on the scene. Mr. Pate arrived in December, 1901. The mail crane was built in 1901 and remained until July, 1908. On February 3rd 1908 I took up the depot question with the Corporation Commission in Guthrie and had a depot put in here and an agent which was opened July, 1908. When I arrived in January 1901 there was less or about 10 people living within a radius of 5 miles of Depew and they were located on leases under the old Indian law as follows: G.W. Jobe and wife, 2 miles east of here, Fred C. Knapp ¾ of a mile east, A.F. Hale 2 ½ miles northwest, J.B. Sloane and wife. Mr. Sloane was section boss then. A man cannot establish a

post office on ten names so I drafted about 40 names from various parts of the earth including Bristow. In 1907 Henry Clay King put in a freight car for a depot. That was because we all voted for him for Sheriff. It is true Rev. Atteberry whittled some, but while doing so he comitted to memory some able sermons and studied Darwin, Huxley and Hugo, armed with that powerful artillery he started out to christianize the world but soon ran up against a stubborn resistance for his labor a few nickels would be turned in while the man selling choc would receive dollars for his work. Becoming disheartened he soon surrendered the field to Satan. Briefly expressed these are the facts in regard to the first settlers here. W.F. MALLEY --------- Last Sunday night our church was filled to overflowing, we don’t think. There were 18 people out to church, 3 grown people counting the preacher and the writer. This is a burning shame in an enlightened town the size of Depew. Our preacher has an intesting message to deliver and it is not right the folks do not turn out and attend church. There used to be large crowds turn out when we did not have a REAL preacher and the folks do not know what they are missing by not attending the church. We can imagine what a howl would be put up if we had no church or preacher. --------- Miss Ruth Vines is at home recuperating from her recent illness. Her many friends are pleased to learn that she is on the road to recovery. --------- Marion Pate is fencing in a quarter of a block near his fine home and says he will farm some this year. He has eight lots where he lives and has one of the nicest places in town. He raises all kinds of fruit and flowers and has a "homey home." --------- Tom Hankins, we understand, has sold his teeth and has been laying around the house this week lamenting the fact. --------- August King has quit his job at Shamrock and is going down on the farm for this year. --------- Ivan Ford has been layed up with erysipelis for a week. (continued on page 2)

********************************************* The Depew Independent February 20, 1920 (Continued from page 1) John White Prospering We received a long and interesting letter from our old townsmen, John White, this week. He is located in San Diago, California, and has a hotel with 44 rooms, and he says "he is full every night." Now we take it for granted that he refers to his hotel, but as he is only 14 miles from the Mezican border, where the meaning of prohibition is unknown to the natives, we may be misconstruing his meaning. At any rate he says that he likes the country, and that he won’t be back in Depew until we get to bringing in big gushers in our back yard. ----- J. W. Black has had a sale and has purchased a farm in the eastern part of the state where he will move shortly. We regret to see them leave this part of the country. ----- Professors Baldwin and Henshaw of Shamrock passed through Depew Wednesday on their way to the Teacher’s Meeting at Oklahoma City. ----- A friend asks that we "get after the drivers for leaving their cars on the sidewalks" that it interfers with folks going to and from church. Without going into details we are with him. If there is anything we can do to make it easier for the folks to attend church we will do it. ----- Elder Cates is holding a protracted meeting at Milfay this week. ----- According to the Bristow Record there are 14 big gangs of men at work on the railroad running out of Bristow to Okmulgee. Some 600 men and more than half that many teams are making the grade. ----- Will Sexton has purchased the big Buick Automobile of Saab Elias and has been trying it out to see whether it would go over the roads at 75 per hour clip or not. We understand that he is satisfied it will make it.

****************************************** Herbert Merryman was called to Wagoner Saturday by the illness of his wife and one of the children. He reports them better. ----- The editor of the Independent was in Milfay Tuesday, and was agreeably surprised to note the progress being made by our sister city on the west. At the rate Milfay is growing and with the big boom that we are expecting in Depew, it will not be long until we hallo across the imaginary line that will separate Depew and Milfay. ----- J. P. Cornell, of the County Assessor’s office was at the Ford Hardware Store Wednesday, Thursday and today assessing the personal property. He is at Bennett’s barn Saturday. ----- The many cases of flu keeps Doctor Coppedge on the go about 23 hours out of 24. ----- Mr. Desha has moved to Hill Camp and Theodore Workman has moved into the residence made vacant by his moving. ----- Born to Mr. and Mrs. B. W. Smith, Tuesday, February 17th, a baby boy. ----- Born to Mr. and Mrs. Harley Ailey Sunday February 15 a baby boy. ----- Nelson Pond has moved to town. ----- Miss Martha McElroy, the poplar clerk at the Harrington Pettegrew store, is layed up with the flu this week. ----- There is an old saying that "a bad penny will return" and we believe in it stronger every day. Harve Madewell sold out some time ago and left the country but came back to Depew this week to make his home. They all flop sooner or later. ----- Ray Powers, Principal of Shamrock public schools was a welcome visitor at the Independent office Wednesday evening. ----- R. L. Pilkinton was transacting business in Sapulpa Wednesday.