When Lillie Lee graduated from high school in 1926, Rinda was determined that
she would attend college.   There being no institution of higher learning in Warner, Rinda
moved to Tahlequah so Lillie could continue her education.  While living in Tahlequah,
Rinda managed an apartment house to supplement her small pension and finance Lillie's
college expenses.
After Lillie's marriage, Rinda again moved back to Warner, where she lived until
1936.  Rinda's son in law, Roger Ghormley, had been employed as Superintendent of
Schools in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, and Lillie, now the mother of  two small
children, had reentered college to complete work toward a degree.  A baby-sitter was
needed who could be better for the job than "Granny Rinda".  So, again Rinda packed up
and moved back to Tahlequah to be near her daughter and grandchildren.  Speaking of
Rinda's relationship with her grandchildren, Lillie said "She did so much to form these
two lives into the persons they are today".
From what Rinda's granddaughter, Marilyn Nichols, told me, there must have
been a very strong bond between Granny Rinda and her grandchildren.  Apparently she
had a very strong love for children and was, in return, loved by them.  Marilyn stated that
she was a "Pushover for children".
By standards of the early 1900s, Oklahoma was a tremendous distance form
Elliott Co, KY.  One would have thought that once Rinda Horton Houghton was settled
down in that western state, her contact with the folks back home would have been
minimal.  But not so.  In 1910, when Lillie was barely a year old, Rinda made her first
trip back to Doctor's Branch to visit her folds.  Then again, when Lillie graduated from
high school in 1926, Rinda brought her to Elliott County for a visit.  Lillie said, "We
visited George and Emery (Horton) most every time we came".  About 1934, Rinda made
what was perhaps her last trip back to her childhood home, but her daughter has made a
few trips since that time.
Rinda continued to live in Tahlequah, Oklahoma until her death on May 21, 1956. 
She was laid to rest in the Tahlequah City Cemetery. 
Speaking of Rinda's death, Marilyn Nichols wrote: "In my heart I held her close
and invoked God's mercy and love as she began her final journey".
When I read Rinda Horton Houghton's story, I found  it so interesting I wanted to
share it with my readers.  I hope they find it just as interesting as I did.
For helping me with this, I must extend thanks to Lillie Ghormley and her
daughter, Marilyn Nichols.  Despite her 84 years, Lillie has made a special effort to make
this possible, and I truly appreciate it.



Aunt Annie's Saddle
From: John Stegall <jstegall@hotmai.com - Monday, January 24, 2000 

Anna Carter, a sister to the Carter brothers killed at Concord during the Civil War,
married John Brown and lived a bit farther up Brown Ridge than did the Carters.  After
the death of her husband, "Aunt Annie", as she was affectionately known to her
neighbors, made her home with her famous son, Dr. Wales Brown.
"Aunt Annie" had a prized sidesaddle that she kept hanging on the wall of the
front porch.  On more than one occasion, a man, who lived farther up Brown Ridge in the
direction of Rowan County, had tried to buy the saddle, but "Aunt Annie" refused to part
with her prized possession.
Now, to put the story in proper perspective, we must understand that the Barnett
family lived just a short distance up the ridge from the Browns, and were related through
the Carter family. Some of the elder Barnetts were highly superstitious, and scared to
death of "hants". 
On one particular summer night, and just before good dark, "Aunt Annie" had
called it a day and had gone to bed, dressed, of course, in her long, white nightgown.  She
was still awake when she heard a noise on the front porch, and fearing that someone
might be stealing her saddle, she immediately arose and went outside to see someone
with the saddle over his shoulders and heading up Brown Ridge in a run.  "Aunt Annie"
took off after him as fast as she could run.  Within a few minutes, one of the Barnett men
staggered into the Brown home, pale as death, just about scared to death, gasping for
breath, and speechless.  The Brown family kept inquiring of him what might his trouble
be, and it was only after several minutes that he began to speak:  "I just met the devil!  He
had two horns sticking up out of his head (sidesaddles had two horns).  He was running
up the ridge as fast as he could go, and right behind him was an angel dressed in white,
chasing him."
It should be made clear that the man "swiping" "Aunt Annie's" saddle was not one
of the Barnett men, but a member of another family that lived up near the Rowan County
line.  But, perhaps, it was one of the Barnetts that suffered the most serious consequence
of the entire theft. 
Oh yes!  "Aunt Annie" got her saddle back.