News items from early Pottawatomie Co, OK

Pottawatomie News Items
Before Statehood 1889-1907
(Extracts)

1889 Jan 4, 1889, New York Times, pg. 3:
KANSAS CITY, Jan. 3.--A letter has been received at Arkansas City, Kan., from Springer, Pottawatomie County. Oklahoma, stating that the town was laid out Dec. 31, and Indian Territory cattlemen elected town officers. Dec. 16. 14 Oklahoma boomers were captured by Lieut.Macomb.

Mar 29, 1889, New York Times, front page:
BLOODSHED IS PROMISED.; OKLAHOMA TOO SMALL FOR THE RAPACIOUS "BOOMERS."
TOPEKA, Kan., March 28.--President Harrison's proclamation throwing open to settlement on April 22 a portion of the Indian Territory lands has caused the Oklahoma fever to break out afresh.

1890 June 25, 1890, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 4
Editorial: The surplus land which the tribe of Pottawatomie Indians has just agreed to sell to the Government is said to amount to 600,000 acres, which would be equal to one-third of the area of Oklahoma proper, on the southeast border of which it is situated. This, also, is the third such contract for purchase which the Cherokee Commission has concluded within a few weeks, the other two being with the Sacs and Foxes and with the Ionas.

1895 May 5, 1895, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 28:
TWO RESERVATIONS READY FOR OPENING; The Kickapoo and Wichita Lands Better Than the Cherokee Strip.
ARKANSAS CITY, Kan., May 1. -- The last Congress made provisions for the opening of the Kickapoo and Wichita countries to white settlers, but gave the President the privilege of issuing his opening proclamation any time within a year. The surplus lands in these two reservations will amount to about 927,000 acres, or about one-fourth the acreage of the Cherokee Strip, but the lands are of a better character.

May 24, 1895, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 16:
A COUNTRY GOOD FOR CROPS. Wheat, Cotton, and Timber Will Flourish in the Kickapoo Lands.
KICKAPOO, Oklahoma, May 23. -- The Kickapoo Reservation, which has just been opened for settlement, is almost triangular in shape. It is bounded on the east by the Sac and Fox Lands, on the north by the lands of the Iowas, the Deep Fork of the Canadian being the dividing line; on the west by Oklahoma proper, and on the south by the North Fork of the Canadian, which runs in a southwesterly direction.

May 24, 1895, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 16:
KICKAPOO LANDS OPENED; Horses and Bicycles Were Ahead in the Rush for Claims. BRISK WORK AHEAD FOR THE COURTS Twenty-five Claimants for Many Quarter-Sections --
BRITTON, Oklahoma, May 23. -- The much talked of opening of the Kickapoo Indian Reservation to settlement was, after all, a tame affair. Several causes combined to produce this effect. Several injured at Sweeny's Bridge across the North Canadian. No known fatalities. First filing in Guthrie was M.L. Carlisle, nephew of Sec. fo the Treasury. In Okla City widow, Mrs. F.M. Beall was first to file. A large number of settlers drove into quicksands at the S. Canadian, south of Guthrie and many lost wagons, horses and possessions. Three or four drowned.

1898

January 12, 1898, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 1:
PITCHED BATTLE WITH SETTLERS.; Women and Children Sent Out of Earlsborough by Train.
Shawnee, Okla Territory, Jan 11--All women and children brought to Shawnee from Earlsborough by train last night. Report of pitched battle between settlers and Indians near Maud Post office. Several families were killed. Special train taking 150 armed men going to the scene.

January 12, 1898, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 1:
ARMED MEN SENT BY TRAIN.; United States Troops Also May Be Called On for Help.
SOUTH McALESTER, I.T., Jan. 11. -- A telegram received here at 6:40 o'clock this evening by the train dispatcher of the Choctaw, Oklahoma and Gulf Railroad states that a band of 150 Seminole Indians is on the war path and is leaving behind it a trail of blood.

Jan 12, 1898, pg. 1, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 1
Dateline Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory, Jan 11--There is an uprising in the Seminole nation, and 100 armed Indians have killed twenty-five citizens of Pottawatomie County, this Territory.

Jan. 27, 1898, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 2:
THE INDIAN LYNCHING.; Wholesale Arrests Promised in the Case of the Two Seminoles Who Were Burned.
Guthrie, Okla, Jan. 26--Duputy US Marshal Tilghman returned from Pottawatomie County, where he investigated the recent burning of two Seminole Indians. Warrents to be issued at once and a score or more of the mob will be arrested.

1901 July 1, 1901, pg. 1, NEW YORK TIMES:
FIRST DAY'S DRAWING IN BIG LAND LOTTERY; Claims to 1,000 Oklahoma Homesteads for Lucky Ones. MULTITUDE CHEERS WINNERS Wichita Woman Who Won a Capital Prize Advised to Marry Man Who Did the Same -- Another Woman Weds and Loses Claim.
EL RENO, Oklahoma Territory, July 29. -- Oklahoma's Government land lottery was begun here in earnest this morning, and when the Commissioners appointed by the Federal Government adjourned the drawing for the day, 1,000 of the choice of the 13,000 160-acre claims in the Kiowa-Comanche country had been awarded.

July 30, 1901, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 6:
OPENING OKLAHOMA--It must be said that the opening to settlement of the last Indian reservation so opened has been conducted in a much more civilized way than the openings which preceded it. The taking up of lands in a region suddenly and all at once opened to settlement is naturally a lottery.

1902

Jan 19, 1902, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Jack Sevils, age 40, shot and fatally wounded his friend B.B. Hunt at Sevil's home at 214 N. Oklahoma Avenue. Hunt had been drinking and went to Sevil's home. Sevils thought someone was trying to break in his home and shot through the door. Hunt had come to Shawnee from Huntsdale, Mo.

Mar 26, 1902, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
"Shot to Death"
Account of shooting of T.M. Martin in his home. Suspects: ? Coleman & Little Bear, an Indian from Lincoln County.

-------- Apr 13, 1902, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
"Shot A Playmate"
Account of shooting of John Harbrough, age 15 by Lewis Perlett age 12 with Smith & Wesson revolver. Probably accidental.

1903 Feb 3, 1903, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:

An Interurban Street Railway will Connect Towns of Shawnee and Tecumseh.
Drug Store Litigation between J.R. Wood and Dr. J.D. Freeman, practioner.
Public Library opened @ 9th and Bell
Building Railroad Culverts-Santa Fee RR has finished installation of culvert near 10th big enough to hold 15 tracks.
Enlarging Power Plant..3 times it's size
Epidemic of Marraige-marriage of banker, R.W. Blake to Miss Cleola Blackman in Weleetka, IT on Feb 11.

Feb 20, 1903, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
DEATH FROM GAS; FATHER AND SON DIED WHILE ASLEEP IN A ROOM AT SHAWNEE; MOTHER ALONE SURVIVED, Deadly Fumes From a Charcoal Burner Took Two Lives and Almost Added a Third Victim.
I.N. Stinson, of Ardmore and his 17 years old son, Littleton, died. Wife was Lydia. Accident occurred in one of the private rooms on the second floor of the Howard & Armistead livery barn on North Union Avenue. Two doctors were called (Dr. Goodwin and Dr. Mahr.) Coroner listed as Mr. Fleming of Fleming & Brown Undertaking rooms. Attorney H.A. Basham listed as a friend of the family.

July 28, 1903, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 1:
INDIAN CONSECRATED PRIEST.; First Red Man to Take Orders in Roman Catholic Church -- Ceremony Takes Place in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Territory, July 27--High mass said at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Oklahoma City by Father Albert, first full blooded Indian ever consecrated in a Catholic Church. He was born and raised in Pottawatomie County, Okla. Territory and is a Pottawatomie Indian. Sent to Carlisle Indian School by Mother Katherine Drexel, daughter of the millionaire Drexel of Philadelphia. Later he transferred to the Catholic College at Washington, D.C. He studied philosophy and theology in Rome for 4 years and received the blessing of Pope Leo XIII.

1904

Jan 23, 1904, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
"Indian School Burned Down." Disastrous Fire at Shawnee Indian Mission. Pupils rescued, but 30 year old building destroyed.

Feb 23, 1904 , extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Deaths:
1-Feb 22, Wm. Kieffer, a baker, employed at Boston bakery; died in his rooms above the city mission on E. Main

2-Feb 22, Chester O. Robinson, of Viola, Texas, age 17.

3-Earlsboro City Marshall going to State of Washington to bring back 17-yr-old daughter of J.H. Guinn. She had had her father arrested on attempted criminal assault charges. She was given $500 and "scared away."

May 5, 1904, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Ad for 100 good farms in south Pottawatomie county for $15 to $30 per acre. Prospect of 3 railroads which is opening up a previously remote area.

May 17, 1904, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Deaths: May 16th, Shawnee--M.e. Vinnedge, died at his home on the corner of Center & 10th, after a long illness. Born in Hamilton County, Ohio in 1832. One of the oldest residents of Shawnee. Former grocer.

Sept 17, 1904, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
SHAWNEE GAMBLER FATALLY STABBED, Flossie Braun (Brown?) at the Point of death from a wound inflicted by Top Wilson. F.M. Perry, alias Top Wilson, stabbed and mortally wounded Flossie Brown in Bud Betts' saloon on Main street. Article states both men were gamblers. Their fight was apprently over a dollar which Brown claimed Wilson owed him. Both men were married. "It is only a question of hours until death ensues."

October 14, 1904, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
JORDON IN JAIL; SHAWNEE COOK WHO KILLED MARSHAL SMITH HELD FOR MURDER. He Will Plead Self Defense. Jack Jordon was a cook at the English Kitchen when he threw a cleaver at City Marshall Jim Smith of Wynnewood. Smith died from a fractured skull and "jarred brain" which broke arteries.

1905 May 10, 1905, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
Died of Apoplexy: Jerome McGinnis, age about 55, was a well known painter. He died while seated on a dry goods box on the Bell street side of the Mammoth Department store, talking about religious matters with a companion, J.C. Cullison. Other people mentioned: a son, James McGinnis, about 17; Dr. Anderson; it also says he was survived by his wife, another son and two daughters.

May 10, 1905, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
Report of the death of Mrs. Morton Estes, wife of the superintendent of waterworks. Survived by her husband and several children.

August 9, 1905, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
"SHAWNEE VISITED BY ANOTHER FIRE"
Shawnee Hat and Cleaning Business--Shawnee Hotel Damaged.
Aug 8--Hotel at Bell, a half a block north of Main caught fire in the south room facing Bell street. Occupant was T.O. Cash's Shawnee Hat & Cleaning Works. Fire caused by explosion of gas stove in a work room at the rear of the store. The fire department was able to save the wooden structure with little loss to the building although Mr. Cash's stock was mostly ruined. Irl Day, brother of Mrs. Cash, was burned by burning gasoline but not seriously. Mr. Cash received head and neck burns as he re-entered the burning building several times trying to save items from his business. The Shawnee Hotel had some smoke and water damage in the dining room and office.

1906 April 13, 1906, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
THE PRESS GANG. Editors of Two Territories Will Hold Pow-Wow at Shawnee next Month.
Are confidnet of Statehood and will plan campaign to secure a good constitution and Better Code of Laws for New State--Want More Liberal Libel Law. Oklahoma and Indian Territory Press associations to meet May 17 and 18. R.E. Stafford, president of the association.

July 17, 1906, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
A FREAK DEATH, Farmer is Killed on Front Porch with Daughter Sitting in His Lap.
Five others were stunned. Child was slightly burned from the current which passed through her father's body. July 16--Newton Troboy, aged 27, a farmer residing 9 miles east of Shawnee in the Seminole district, was instantly killed by lightning. He was holding his 4-year-old daughter and reading a book. Child was burned and shocked but will recover. Other's involved were Mrs. Troboy and 3 children and a young farm hand.

August 26, 1906, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
Death notice for Mrs. Minnie C. Critz who died at age 21 at her home in Aydelotte. Her husband is listed as J.W. Critz, former manager of the Pioneer Telephone company of Shawnee. Minnie's father was S.H. Benahm. Funeral at Grace M.E. church on the 27th.

November 5, 1906, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
Death notice for Mrs. Jacob Mohrbacher who died at age 63 at the family home on North Beard Street. Listed as the mother of 14 sons.

November 17, 1906, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN
Death notice for "Uncle Joe" Merrick, one of the best-known citizens of Tecumseh. Described as an old Union veteran and exceeding popular in Tecumseh. One son is mentioned (no name given.)

1907 Jan 6, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Obit of Mrs. Arthur Dimmers who died at her home on South McKinley just moments before her husband arrived home.. Dimmers was councilman for the 4th Ward and Santa Fe passenger engineer.

Feb 23, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
Obit of James Whittaker. Had come to Oklahoma in 1889 and was a real estate investor. Survivors: 2 sons and a daughter: Mrs. C.B. Bradford. Buried in Fairlawn cemetery.

Feb 23, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
SHAWNEE BIDS FOR FOUNTAIN. Anxious to secure gift of Humane Society that was Slighted here. Local Society Wrought up. Will make strong effort to Prevent Fountain Being Taken From Oklahoma City.
Handsome $1500 marble and bronze fountain donated by National Humane Association offered to Oklahoma City but there was some trouble in locating the fountain. Shawnee wrote the national society officers and offered to permit the location of the fountain at the intersection of any of the prominent street of Shawnee. "The cooperation of Mayor Aydelotte and the Shawnee chamber of commerce was secured and apparently an effectual campaign has been carried on to secure the gift from Oklahoma City."

March 15, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
"Oldest Resident of Oklahoma In Shawanee". Ninety-seven year old Shawnee resident, Mrs. Jane Jacobs, mother of former democratic national committeeman, J.R. Jacobs is listed as "the oldest resident of Oklahoma and the oldest Baptist now living." Birthdate listed as April 2. Born in Trigg county, Georgia in 1910. She settled in Oklahoma county in 1890 and lived with Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties with her son James.

March 27, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
APPEALS TAKEN TO SUPREME COURT; Wesley Yandells Attacks Legality of Pottawatomie Grand Jury.
Wesley Yandells was convicted of manslaughter in the first degree in Pottawatomie county and was sentenced to serve 8 years in the penitentiary for the killing of L.R. Ginn on December 24, 1904. He appealed to the Oklahoma supreme court. Other information: Ginn was a justice of the peace at McComb, Pottawatomie county and Yandells was a constable with a deputy named Benjamin Mitchell. The article also reports an appeal to the supreme court by J.P. Price, who was convicted in Pottawatomie county district court on a charge of assault with intent to kill his 15 year old wife, Annie, on March 9, 1906.

April 5, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
CONTRACT GIVEN TO A LOCAL MAN. Charles T. Derr will install sewer system at Shawnee. Mr. Derr had the contract for constructing the main storm sewer in Oklahoma City which was under construction at this time. The storm and sanitary sewer system in Shawnee bid was for $103,277.95 by Derr. The Shawnee sewer system to be built from proceeds of a bond issue of $171,000 recently voted by the people. Present sewer system privately owned and inadequate. Cooke & son of Muskogee were awarded the contract for waterworks extension for $18, 152.80, leaving Shawnee with a surplus of $43,451 for further extensions.

June 26, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
BRAKEMAN IS KILLED BY ENGINE, Wedded two weeks ago, Meets Horrible Death.
Robert R. Whittan of Shawnee was the head brakeman on a Rock Island freight train was instantly killed beneath the wheels of his engine after being thrown by a settling of the tracks over the new storm sewer on Hudson street in Oklahoma City. Other members of the crew mentioned all lived in Shawnee also: Conductor Cowell, Engineer W.M. Lambert, Fireman Al Kelley and Brakeman Jas. L. Sibley. Robert Whittan was 30 years old and had married 2 weeks earlier. Only relative living in Shawnee was his wife.

August 18, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
ALEXANDER JESTER'S DEATH RECALLS THE PROSECUTION OF SENSATIONAL MURDER CASE
Article reports that A.J. Jester was tried in 1897 for the murder 30 years early of William Gates. The main prosecutor was John W. Gates, a multi-millionaire. Jester was about 90 years old at the time of his death. He was a veteran of the Civil war and rew a $20 per month pension. In the early 1870s as a resident of Wichita, Kans, secured possession of a freak buffalo calf and made a business of traveling over the country exhibiting the buffalo. A former wife, Mrs. M.A. Hill, is mentioned.

Sept 11, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
YEAR OLD GIRL BURNED TO DEATH IN SHAWNEE HOME
Four year old daughter of William Doss died with her dress caught fire from a stove.

Oct 22, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMAN:
FORLORN LOVE LEADS TO DEATH. This Is No Accident Says Note Left by Suicide
Earlsboro, Okla. Oct. 21--Suicide note of Levi Barrett, age 19, son of H. Barrett. Levi shot himself on the morning of Oct 21 in his room. He had been despondent for several days about a love affair.

Nov 6, 1907, extracted from THE OKLAHOMA:
STOP HIS FUNERAL AND ARREST HIM. "Corpse" is charged with bigamy--been married three times.
McLoud, Okla., Nov 5--Thomas Stevens, formerly of McLoud arrived, alive and well, by train and was immediately arrested by City Marshall, C.H. McCoy, on a bigamy charge. US Marshall John Jones of Marlow, IT came to take him into custody on bigamy charge sworn to by J.N. Arnett of Marlow. Marlow alleges that Stevens has been married three times and is now engaged to be married a fourth time. There was a reward of $50 offered to Marshall McCoy.

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