Growing-pains of a new town ...
Arapaho's pioneering business men,
the first storm, the first death, civil proceedings ...

Arapahoe ARROW, April 29, 1892. Vol. 1#1. Will C. Seaman & Frank Fillmore, Publishers. (Republican)

Page 1. Territorial Offices: Governor Abraham J. Seay, Secretary, Robt. Martin, Chief Justice Edward B. Green, Associate Justices, Jno. H. Burford, Jno. G. Clark. U. S. Marshal, Wm. Grimes. U. S. Attorney, Horace Speed. Attorney General, Charles Brown. County Officers. Judge, J. W. Clevinger. Clerk, E. E. McPeerton. Register of Deeds, J. J. Kennedy. Sheriff, C. F. Gorton. County Attorney, H. E. Van Trees. Treasurer, C. J. Dyer. Commissioners: J. D. Connelly, J. R. Coykendall, D. H. Upchurch.

Arapahoe. This is the name of our young city. Born on the 19th of this month and inhabited by men who have come here to stay; men of brains, of capital; of energy and business abilities; such as are needed to build up a new town. Improvements are being made through the city now that would open the eyes of the county seats of the other counties. Our county officials are all here with their families ... The probate judge and his clerk have been busy since the first day issuing certificates on lots. They hope to have all the lots filed on by the 1st of May so they can enter the land and commence issuing deeds as soon as possible. The judge expects to have all the lots deeded within sixty days.

The sheriff has nothing to do. He says the city is too orderly for him to make a living. There has not been a single street quarrel. Everybody is happy.

Steps have been taken toward the establishment of a U. S. land office here, owing to the central location and the distance from the offices at Kingfisher and Oklahoma City. This is a matter that should be attended to and pushed forward by every claim holder in this new country, as well as townsite settlers, and Arapahoe is the place to fight for. County G is by far the best county and Arapahoe the finest townsite.

Homestead settlers are on their claims and many of them are making garden and putting in crops. Nearly all kinds of business are represented here, but we need more to supply the trade that will soon come here. We need a good dry goods store; lumber yard and can accommodate several others of different branches. So come to Arapahoe, live in Arapahoe, stick to Arapahoe, build up Arapahoe and patronize and help build up the ARAPAHOE ARROW.

Quite a number of cattlemen are looking over the allotted lands with a view to leasing them from the Indians. These lands offer a splendid opening for stockmen and farmers wanting valuable leases.

Fish abound in all our streams and furnish fun and food for fishermen. "Johnnie get your line out!"

County G is the "Valley County," and Arapahoe is the "Gem City of the Valley."

We feel perfectly safe in predicting that Arapahoe will not only be free from malaria, but that it will be one of the most healthy cities in the territory.

If it wasn't for the fact that Sheriff Gorton is having lots of fun fishing as well as supporting himself by that means, he would have to create a disturbance and arrest himself to raise a fee.

Our Alliance friends preach and argue for money at 2 per cent, but the farmer who invests in the dirt of County G, will, by close attention to business, reap over 200 per cent on his investment.

We need a first class blacksmith, a lumber yard, and a dry goods and notions house. A live man in each of these lines will make money from the start. Come immediately and get in on the ground floor.

J. W. Scott of Oklahoma City killed a fourteen hand turkey out on Deer Creek Wednesday morning ...

A man by the name of Cook* proclaimed by circular the day of the opening that he would immediately begin the publication of the "Arapahoe Chieftain," but he has evidently folded his tent and silently stolen away. It is well he has, for if his intentions were serious he has had a narrow escape from being a Cooked goose.

*Frank T. Cook, became editor of Cloud Chief HERALD-SENTINEL, Washita County, Ok.

There are from fifty to seventy five Indians in town every day and they are proving very valuable patrons of our merchants, spending money liberally. The Indians of G county will receive about $75,000 in cash from the government in two or three weeks and the greater share of this money will go into the coffers of our merchants. Bring on your goods and get a part of this valuable trade.

As will be seen by the report of the proceedings of the county commissioners, their order for full county supplies foots up only $1,821. The orders from counties A, B and H averaged about $3,300 each. Thus by a close attention to detail by our worthy commissioners our county starts off to the amount of about $1,500 less expense than the other new counties.

Probate Judge Clevinger and his clerk, Mr. Briggs, are in exactly the right men in the right place. The judge has set his head to prove up the townsite of Arapahoe at a cost of from $1,500 to $2,000 less than it cost Chandler and Tecumseh for the same work, and at a less cost to lot holders than at any one of the six new county seats. We hope he will succeed and have faith to believe that he will.

Advertisements:

C. Asher Miner, Lawyer, Will practice in all the Courts of the Territory and the United States, Arapaho, Ok. Ter.

Lindsey Brothers, Practical Painters. Paper Hangers and Decorators, Glazing, Calcimining & Ornamental Sign Painting. Wm. Lindsey, Thos. Linsey, Arapaho, Okla. Ter.

Connelly & Brown, Real Estate Agents and Pension Attorneys. J. D. Connelly, U. S. Commissioner, Attorney at Law. K. G. Brown, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public., Arapaho, O. T.

J. W. Clevenger, Probate Judge of County G., Will practice in the District and U. S. Courts of Oklahoma Territory. Will also attend to Contests in the Oklahoma City and Kingfisher Land Districts. Arapahoe, Ok. Ter.

Howe & Miner (Formerly Howe & St. John), Land Lawyers. We are prepared to save you money and time in procuring your homestead entry at our office in Arapahoe, O. T. Years of experience in the Land Practice assures we can successfully attend to your contest. We receive daily reports from the Land Office of all filings, and are connected with the Cheyenne Law Company. Chester Howe, Oklahoma City. C. Asher Miner, Arapahoe.

Page 4 . L. G. Garrett, a fine blacksmith located near Minco, secured a fine claim and will probably soon open a shop in Arapahoe. He is much needed here right now and will make another ten strike by coming here immediately.

B. V. Hall, of Frisco, located a colony of veterans on a fine tract of land in the northeast party of the county. The boys were so well pleased with their claims that they met Tuesday night around a big camp fire and held a grand stag dance all night.

Richard Lowry and John Smith started out Tuesday to locate their claims west of town. Darkness overtook them when about three miles from town and a pack of wolves gathered and gave them a lively chase over the hills and canons, but they finally reached town safely, though terribly bruised and broken up.

D. N. Kelker , a druggist of Frisco, was in the city last week. He has purchased the lot on the northwest corner of Seventh and Main and will move his stock of drugs here as soon as his building is completed. Mr. K is a thorough druggist of many years experience and a pleasant gentleman and has one of the largest establishments of his kind in Oklahoma.

The well near the east end of Main street is down about thirty-five feet with strong indications of water, and the diggers think they will reach it by tonight. The one at the corner of Main and Broadway is progressing rapidly and we may expect to have at least two good wells in town in a few days.

Call Meeting. A meeting of the Republicans of county G is hereby called to meet at the office of the county commisioners., Friday eve, April 29, 1892 at 8 o'clock for the purpose of electing a member of the Territorial Republican Central Committee to represent county G at El Reno, May 4, 1892. C. Asher Miner, J. W. Clevinger, Russell Briggs, Chars. F. Gortan, C. A. Bannister, A. L. McPherson, J. R. Coykendall, Republicans.

Republican League. The Republican League held a meeting on Wednesday night. A. L. McPherson was made president and C. A. Miner, secretary pro tem. After adopting a constitution officers were elected as follows. President, A. L. McPherson. 1st vice, J. R. Coykendall; 2nd vice, Chas. Gortan; secretary, c. Asher Miner; treasurer, J. D. Connelly. Executive commitee, Frank Fillmore, L. H. Brown, J. W. Clevinger, Dr. Lowther and Mr. Elkhorn.

Fifty three republicans joined the club. Decided to have regular meetings every second and fourth Saturday in each month. All republicans are invited to attend the meetings and join the league.

Notice - Sealed bids will be received by the county commissioners for building and leasing a building for court room and offices for the county offices of county G, O. T. Bids closed May 6th. Contract to be awarded May 7th. The commissioners reserve the right to reject any or all bids. Plans and specifications to be seen at the office. J. D. Connelly, Chairman Board Co. Commissioners.

Commissioner's Proceedings. The Board of County Commissioners met April 20 with full board present. J. D. Connelly was made chairman and D. H. Upchurch, secretary pro tem. Board adjourned subject to call. Afternoon session - Board met and approved bond of S. J. Dyer, county treasurer. Two members present. The board met April 21st and approved the bond of C. E. Gordon, sheriff. Board met April 22nd in special session and approved the bond of E. E. McPherson, county clerk. Afternoon session - Board met at 1 p. m. and approved the bond of K. G. Brown, justice of peace. Board took under advisement the matter of purchasing records, books, stationery, blanks, etc., for county officers, which was given to the State Capital Printing company for $1,821 at 90 days or six months, payable in county scrip of county G at par. Goods to be delivered at the depot at El Reno and to be prepaid. J. D. Connelly, Chairman. E. E. McPherson, County Clerk

Advertisements:

Remedies and Treatment For the cure of Liquor and Opium Habits. Call or Address Keeley Institute of Indian Territory, Oklahoma City, O. T.

Oklahoma Produce Company, Main St., near Sixth, Arapahoe, Okla. Grocers and Seed Merchants. We will sell lower than any house in the city. Give Us A Call.

	Nicholas, Macomber & Nicholas - Real Estate Agents - Claims Bought And Sold - Improvements made for Non-Residents - City Property A Specialty - Homestead And Town Lot Filings - Surveying Correctly Done At Reasonable Figures - Office in Postoffice - Arapahoe, Oklahoma - J. B. Nicholas, W. F. Macomber, A. L. Nicholas
	Curry & Gibson. FLOUR AND FEED. Always keep on hand a full line of Corn, Oats, Bran, Chops, etc. Leading brands of Choice Family Flour. South side of Main, betw. 7th and 8th streets. Arapaho, Oklahoma.

Chandler House, Bakery and Restaurant, Seaman & Goodhue. Will serve you with Home-made Bread, Doughnuts, Pies, at reasonable rates. A GOOD SQUARE MEAL Consisting of Ham and Eggs, Hot Biscuits and Butter, Good Coffee, Fruit Pie, etc., Only 25 cents. Coffee and Doughnuts, 10 cts. Seventh St., one door south of Main, Arapahoe, Ok.

Joel Cokely, Choice Family Groceries, Restaurant and Lodging House. Keeps a full line of Groceries at living prices. Will furnish a Square Meal and Good Bed to all comers. Northeast Corner Sixth and Main Streets, Arapahoe, Oklahoma.

C. & A. Locating Agency, Surveying. Promptly and Accurately Executed. A General Real Estate Business Transacted, Choice Claims, Upland or Bottom. Inside City Property. Parties wanting anything in our line will save money by giving us a call. Correspondence Solicited. S. W. Corner Main and Broadway, Arapahoe, O. T.

McKee & Pultz, Paul Valley Restaurant and Family Grocery. A full line of Staple and Fancy Groceries constantly on hand at as low prices as can be had in the city. Southeast Cor. Sixth and Main Streets, Arapahoe, Okla.

Subscribe for the Weekly Arapahoe Arrow, The Official Paper of County G. The Aim of THE ARROW will be to promote the best interests of County G, and its chief city, Arapahoe; but at the same time we will give our readers the latest news from abroad, together with a choice selection of miscellaneous reading matter. Subscription, $1.50 per year.

ARROW, May 6, 1892. Vol. 1 #2.

Page 1. The first civil case in County G was disposed of today by Judge Clevinger, the plaintiff failed to appear and cause was dismissed for want of prosecution. The first criminal case before the U. S. Commissioner's Connolly was dismissed for want of evidence.

Page 4. Judge Clevinger went to Oklahoma City last Saturday to arrange for proving up our townsite.

L. H. Brown left us Saturday to settle up his affairs preparatory to permanently locating in Arapahoe.

Dr. Lowther has secured a splendid claim on Beaver creek near town and has concluded to permanently locate with us. Another excellent citizen secured.

W. C. Seaman, of the ARROW, left for Frisco, Tuesday, to arrange to bring over the job printing department of our office, when we will be able to do all kinds of job work with neatness and dispatch.

Fred, a mahogany bay stallion, Beshaw stock, roadster, 16 hands high, weight 1,100 lbs, will make the season at Arapaho. Terms, $7, for the season. L. A. Wells, owenr, Main st, near Broadway.

Hunt & Miller have sold the Arapahoe hotel to W. H. Pearson, from Lima, Ohio. This is a decided gain as both Mr Hunt and Mr. Miller will still remain with us. They each have excellent claims about one and a half miles from town and will immediately begin improving them.

Sheriff Gorton was elected a member of the Territorial Central Committee and left Monday to attend the meeting at El Reno on Wednesday. He will then go on to Norman on business and return the first of next week. Deputy Briggs will keep us straight during his absence.

At the opening E. M. Donaldson left his tent in charge of a Mrs. Brown and her two sons. Donaldson not calling for the tent she turned it over to Henry Jackson who refused to turn it over to Donaldson on demand. Donaldson then had a warrant sworn out and Sheriff Gorton brought him in Monday. He was tried before U. S. Commissioner Connelly, Monday, and turned loose as the evidence would not justify him in holding him for the charge of theft.

Publication Notice. U. S. Land Office, Oklahoma City, May 2d, 1892. Notice is hereby given that J. W. Clevinger, Probate Judge of "G" County, Oklahoma Territory, has this day filed his declaratory statement in this office to enter the North 1/2 Sec 25-Tp. 12n. R. 17 W. I. M. as a government townsite, in trust for the several use and benefit of the occupants thereof, according to their respective intersts, as provided by Section 2387, Revised Statutes of the United States. That said tract of land above described being the same tract that was reserved for the County Seat of "G" County, O. T., by the President's proclamation, dated April 12th, 1892, opening the Cheyenne and Arapahoe country to settlement, said town being named and designated, Arapahoe, and that the said Judge has this day filed his notice of his intention to make final proof in support of the settlement and occupancy of said Townsite, in trust of the several uses and benefit of the occupants thereof, and that said proof will be made before the Register and Receiver of the U. S. Land Office, at Oklahoma City, O. T. on the 11th day of Jun, 1892.

He names the following witnesses to prove the settlment and occupancy of said tract of land as a townsite for trade, business and residence, viz: Charles T. Gorton, Lon H. Brown, Edward E. McPherson, and Francis M. Rudolph.

Any person who desires to protest against the allowance of such proof or who knows any substantial reason under the law and the regulations of the Interior Department why such proof should not be allowed, will be given an opportunity at the above mentioned time and place to cross examine the witnesses of said Trustee, and to offer evidence in rebuttal of that submitted by said Probate Judge.

Now, therefore, I, J. W. Clevinger, Probate Judge of County "G", Oklahoma Territory, in pursuance of the above notice and statutes governing townsites, will on the 11th day of June, 1892, appoint three commissioners to assess and allot said above described townsite to the occupants thereof as their respective interests may appear. J. W. Clevinger, Probate Judge. The above notice issued by order of the Register and Receiver this 2d day of May, 1892. D. D. Leach, Register. J. C. Delaney, Receiver.

ARROW, May 13, 1892. Vol 1. #3.

Page 1.
"Same Old Howl" When the 4,000,000 acres of the Cheyenne and Arapaho country opened the dreamers were again on hand. They expected every claim to be a bottom one and that every town would have 2,000 or more permanent inhabitants from the jump and that riches would from the first day drop into the lap of everybody present at the bornin'. They did not stop to think that riches are the fruits of time and toil; that land has value only as it produces; that to produce it must be tilled and that time and labor only can bring in the harvest. But the dreamers again got left. They turned back howling like pirates. It was the same tune heard in the early days of old Oklahoma and in counties A and B. Liars and libelers again, as time and labor will demonstrate. These tenderfeet, as in older Oklahoma, were accompanied by a lot of sturdy Americans who reason and work, who have nerve and patience and energy, the sort of men and women who have made the "great western desert" teem with wealth-producing harvests. These men and women have gone to work to carve homes from the vast area added to Oklahoma. Await the years, ye howlers, and again be convinced that you were liars. You can't fool the people of this country. They do not heed the stories of the tender idealist. They will investigate, locate and till. Where agriculture is impracticable stock will be raised, and in the years to come civilization and enterprise and energy and grit will harvest wealth and happiness from that country as it has from every country of equal merit.

Our Blow-Out. Last Saturday about 4 o'clock a disasterous storm struck Arapahoe and shook up the town from center to circumference. It begun raining just before daylight Saturday morning and continued to shower all day; but toward evening heavy black clouds began gathering in the southwest; the wind commenced blowing and soon reached a perfect gale, and the rain and hail was driven before it like a mad fury. Soon every tent in town with two or three exceptions, was blown down, and the citizens driven helter-skelter at the mercy of the terrible storm. Some congregated in the smaller tents that were still left standing and helped to hold them up, and al rge number found shelter in the flour and feed building of Dryer & Co The Arrow's tent was blown to pieces and a double rack of body and display type blown down so we will be well supplied with pi* for some time to come. The county commissioner's tent was blown over and the table containing the county records was carried a half block when it struck a stable and went to pieces and spread the minutes of the proceedings over the eastern portion of the county.

*pi - type or type matter that is spilled, mixed, or incorrectly distributed.

The loss to the citizens will probably foot up $1,000, but no one was seriously hurt, though many were cut and bruised.

There was scarcely a dry shred in town, but the ardor of not a single citizen seemed dampened, and every one seemed to be looking for someone more unfortunate than himself toward whom to extend aid. If there is a better class of citizens anywhere than we have in Arapahoe that community is away up in virtue.

The editor and his family extend their heartiest thanks to the citizens for the sympathy and generosity. While it was physically impossible to distribute ourselves according to the many kind invitations, we feel none the less grateful. We were most kindly sheltered and entertained by Judge Clevinger and Mr. Briggs till the following Monday.

"We notice that our old friend, J. W. Clevinger was appointed Probate Judge of one of the new counties by the governor of Oklahoma. It was just the proper thing for the governor to do, and it is hard ot keep a Grant county man down. The Republican sends congratulations." Grant County, (Ind.) Republican.

The road leading to Arapaho will be literally strewn with lumber in the next week or two as orders are out for nine buildings now and more will be ordered before these all get in.

Major Elliott who was killed near Cheyenne, in County F, was a major in the 7th Indiana vol. Cavalry during the rebellion, and Probate Judge Clevinger was a member of Company E in that regiment. ...

Monday was a "read" letter day for Arapahoe. The first batch of mail for three weeks arrived that day and as everyone received from one to a dozen letters they were inclined to believe that Providence and Postmaster were synonymous.

Of all the vicious and uncalled for lies circulated to the detriment of this country those designed to create and Indian scare are the meanest. There is a large number on our streets every day and they are gladly welcomed as they are not only peaceably inclined but are valuable patrons of our merchants.

We now have a brickyard under way but there is just as crying a need for a lumber yard, and the man who brings in a stock of lumber is the man who will make a pile of money. A dry goods and notions man who knows how to trade with the Indians , or who will employ a man experienced in that line of trade will find a profitable location in Arapahoe. There is a need of a first class blacksmith right now and the right man will get all the work he can do.

Page 4. G. K. Brown secured the contract for the county court house and will immediate begin its erection.

The first and only death in the county was that of the 7 month old child of Mr. Bullard whose claim is on 25-15-18. The child died May 5th of cholera infantum, and was laid to rest on the claim.

G. V. Albertson and H. H. Shawhan, who are making a tour of the new county seats in the interest of the Presbyterian church, came up from Tacola, Tuesday, and held a good meeting in the commissioner's tent at night. The tent was crowded and a good sized audience stood outside during the entire services. The singing of Mr. Shawhan was a very interesting feature of the services.

Urias Cash charged with stealing $140 from Wm. Haynes. Haynes slept with the money in the pocket of his pants and the pants under his pillow in the tent of M. Abernathy & Co, Tuesday night. Urias Cash had the tent next east to Abernathy's.

Notice of Application, Be it known that R. C. McPherson has made application to the Board of County Commissioners for license to sell at retail spritiuous, malt and vinous liquors in the village of Arapahoe, County of G, Territory of Oklahoma. Any person or persons desiring to protest against the issuance of said license are hereby notified that such protestants must file such protest in the office of the County Clerk of said county withing two weeks from date hereof. Witness my hand this 2nd day of May, 1892. E. E. McPherson, county clerk.

Notice of Application. Be it known that D. N. Kelker has made application to the Board of County Commissioners for license to sell at retail spirituous, malt and vinous liquors in the village of Arapahoe, county of G, Territory of Oklahoma. ... this 12th day of May, 1892, E. E. McPherson, county clerk.