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Ft. Gibson Post
Vol III No 34
Thursday July 7, 1898 (Part 1)
Abstracted / Transcribed by Linda Haas Davenport
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CANDIDATES NOMINATED.
Two Tickets Now in the Field for Municipal Officers.
Proceedings in Detail of the Two Conventions
Election, July 14, Under the Arkansas Law
THE PROGRESSIVE TICKET:
For Mayor - C H Shaffer
For Recorder - H C Meigs
For Aldermen - Percy Hicks, W S Nash, J A Coleman, Jesse McLain, J B Young (col.)
The citizens mass-meeting for the nomination of candidates for the muncipal offices was held in the Opera House Monday night instead of in the Nash building, as advertised. A big crowd of the best citizens of the city was on hand, and the meeting progressed and terminated quietly and satisfactorily.
F H Nash called the meeting to order, stating its object, and was chosen as chairman. Fred E Holden was chosen as secretary.
The meeting then proceeded with the proceedings rapidly by some one placing C H Shaffer's name in nomination for the office of mayor. There was no other names proposed and Mr. Schaffer was nominated and then the nomination confirmed by acclimation.
Next in order was the nomination of recorder. Five names were presented for consideration by the voters, H C Meigs, W T Canup, T J Thornton, Herbert Kneeland and M D W Dowell. Several ballots were taken, dropping the hindmost candidate until Mr. Meigs was declared the nominee.
Then came the selection in a like manner of the five aldermen. The names of seventeen gentlemen were presented to the convention and ballotted upon. They were: Percy Hicks, J A Coleman, Jesse McLain, J B Young (col.), W A Scott, John T Drew, G A McBride, J S Fuller, W S Nash, Bud Buffington (col.), F J Boudinot, I D Burdick, Hubbard Ross, Harry Miller and R E Butler. [although 17 was the number mentioned only 15 names were printed] At the end of a long seige of balloting the following five were declared the choice of the meeting
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for alderman: Percy Hicks, J A Coleman, W S Nash, Jessie McLain and J B Young.
This ended the nominations and speeches were called for. Nominee Shaffer spoke briefly and pleasantly, thanking the meeting for the confidence and honor bestowed upon him and assuring the people that if he should be elected he would discharge every duty of the office to the best of his ability and to the interest of the whole town, showing partiality or favor to no one, clique or combination.
F J Boudinot was next called for and he spoke briefly of the town as now incorporated. He said he was glad this period had at last been reached, but lamented the fact that the business men and citizens of Fort Gibson are prone to fight each other instead of working together in harmony for the good of the town. He hoped, however, that they might see the deplorable mistake they were and have been making and turn from the error of their unprogressive way. Mr. Boudinot concluded with some explanations as to the election soon to be held and the manner of its holding under the new law extended over this country, recommending that everybody secure The Post and keep posted on such and other important matters.
Before adjourning it was announced that another mass meeting would be held the next night in the Opera House for the purpose of nominating an opposition ticket.
M D W Dowell was then given the floor, whereupon that gentleman announced himself with due brevity, as an independent candidate for the office of recorder.
Then the bung flew out and the meeting adjourned in excellent order.
THE OPPOSITION TICKET.
For Mayor - Harry Sisson
For Recorder - A R Matheson
For Aldermen - W V Benge, Frenchy Miller, John Berd, T W Collins, Prince Tyner (col.)
On Tuesday night, according to announcement, another mass meeting was called to order in the Opera House. They consisted principally of the opponents to the Progressive ticket placed in nomination at the previous meeting, although quite a number of Progressive men where on hand to see what was done.
F J Boudinot was elected chairman and A R Matheson secretary. Then after the usual preliminary discussion as to the methods of proced-
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ure, etc. Martin V Benge, in a neat and pleasing speech, placed the name of Harry Sisson before the convention as a candidate for the nomination as a candidate for the nomination of mayor. In his speech Mr. Benge said that we were all now entering upon a new regime; that there was no longer any difference between our various kinds of citizens in the matter of voting and holding office. All had the same rights and privileges under the law, and the interests of the so called non-citizen was alike the interests of the Cherokee citizen and the colored citizen. He exhorted all who took a hand in the proceedings to stand by the nominees, whoever they might be, regardless of their former status.
The naming of Mr. Sisson as a candidate for the nomination of mayor was followed by also placing the name of Thomas Berd before the house. Sisson was declared the nominee on the first ballot.
Next came the names of Alex R Matheson, John Berd, Herbert Kneeland and M D L Dowell to be voted on for recorder, and Mr. Matheson was nominated on the first ballot.
The nomination of aldermen then followed. The names of M V Benge, T W Collins, Frenchy Miller, John Berd, W J Mounts, Geo O Sanders, R L Taylor and R M Walker were voted on, resulting in the nomination of the first four named, Benge, Collins, Miller and Berd. The nomination of Prince Tyner; which was made at a previous caucus of the colored voters, was confirmed by the convention, completing the list of aldermen.
And then the meeting adjourned and the man in the moon winked his other eye.
The opposition ticket is considered weak, because it is made up for the most part of the old time ring, under the administration of which we have suffered in the past. This fact alone is sufficient to cause our people to vote solidly against it and for men who are progressive and who have never been mixed up in previous unexplained transactions.
MAY BE A DIVISION
It is Rumored that Fort Gibson May Be One.
For sometime there has been a rumor afloat to the effect that the head officials of the K & A V RR company were figuring very seriously of making Fort Gibson a division on the Iron Mountain system. Recently this rumor has been revived with additional vigor and it may not be surprising that steps in this direction be taken in the near future. The reason is obvious. The division between Van Buren and Coffeyville is too long, being nearly long enough for two. Fort Gibson has the water and the other natural advantages, and is situated about midway between Van Buren and Coffeyville. This being the case it can be relied upon that if the new division is made she will stand a better chance than Wagoner of securing it. If Agent Shaffer should be elected mayor of the town next week he will be in a position to help the town a great deal in this matter.
RECRUITS FOR THE PEN.
The following prisoners were sent last week from Muskogee to the United States penitentiary at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Josie Bell, larceny, 2 years
Jerry Carter, larceny, five years.
Legus Clark, larceny, 2 years.
Wash Downing, introducing and selling liquor, one year and one day, and $200 fine.
Thomas Foreman, assault to kill, one year and one month.
Ambose Lowery, introducing and selling, 1 year and 1 day and $100 fine.
James Marshal, introducing and selling, 3 years and 6 months and $500 fine.
Tom Nave, larceny, 3 years.
Swimmer Rossen, larceny, 3 years.
Dick Spaniard, larceny, 3 years.
Ute Sixkiller, introducing and selling, 1 year and 1 day, and $100 fine.
Cook Still, assault to kill, 1 year and 1 month.
John J Smith, introducing and selling, 1 year and 1 month, $100 fine
Thomas Taylor, assault to kill, 1 year and 1 month.
Moses Tiger, larceny, 2 years.
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HE PREFERRED THE PEN.
The old-time Cherokee "boot-legger" has a righteous contempt for Fort Smith, especially those who did service in the filthy old federal jail there several years agone, when the late Judge Parker reigned on the bench and the deputy marshals prospered on divers fees for sundry arrests and convictions. An example of their prejudice for the old hold-over was shown in Judge Thomas' court at Muskogee last week. Judge Thomas was hearing pleas of guilty and passing sentence on several persons, one man, a Cherokee by the name of Ute Sixkiller, who was under charge of introducing and selling whisky, plead guilty, and as the court was about to pass sentence for 60 days in the jail at Fort Smith, the prisoner begged of the court not to send him to Fort Smith, as he had learned that the jail was foul with vermin, therefore he would rather take one year and one day in the pen than 60 days in the Fort Smith jail. The court accordingly gave him one year and one day at Fort Leavenworth at hard labor.
MULDROW ITEMS
An Interesting Budget of News From a Special Reporter - Muldrow, I.T., July 5 -
W J Watts came in from Wagoner last Saturday and will remain in this vicinity several days fixing up matters and things among the intruders, in conformity with the Curtis Bill. He advises all late claimants to citizenship to sell all their improvements outside townsites, as provided for in the Curtis Bill.
The press and material on which the late "Muldrow Press" was published was removed from town last week and once more Muldrow is without a newspaper. F P Shields the late editor is to teach school, and perhaps later on will put in another outfit. He is a good newspaper man and got out a good sheet here.
The late meeting to organize a stock company and put in a new newspaper office, did not appear to "pan out" well. The meeting was held, but no money was raised. The business men of Muldrow do not appear to appreciate the value of a good newspaper to a town and community.
Village taxes are being paid in and the people seem to be quite prompt in "coming up to the mark." There will be an increased tax list this year, and it is talked around quite freely that the taxpayers shall demand that the town officials shall render and publish an account this year of how and in what manner monies were expended. There is a right and a wrong way of doing public business. When the people pay their money in taxation they have a right to know how it is expended and what becomes of it. This rule shall be insisted on by the taxpayers of Muldrow this year.
The potato business has been quite extensive at this place the present season, there being 130 car loads shipped up to date, which makes Muldrow the largest potato shipping point in the Territory.
Mayor Watts has accepted a position as clerk in Payne's store, and is making himself useful - giving better general satisfaction as clerk than mayor. A useful and honorable calling well filled is no discredit to any person.
Fred Holden of Fort Gibson was in town over Sunday to see his folks.
The wife of Mr. Richard Leach, sister of J W Breedlove, died last week. This makes three sisters that Mr. Breedlove has lost by death within two years. An infant child of J T Blaylock was burried the same day.
W D Shallenberger is soon to start in the real estate business in selling claimants improvements on commission. He is a hustler. He has written a poem entitled "The Last Nation," which will appear in The Post next week.
EMBARRASSING SITUATION
Is that of the Cherokee Officials at Tahlequah
No Money or Authority to Continue the National
Penitentiary and the Convicts Will be Released.
The provisions of the Curtis bill, which went into effect last Friday, brought about a very embarrassing state of affairs over at the Cherokee capital at Tahlequah. As all the nation's various funds are greatly overdrawn, the school teachers cannot cash their due bills from the nation. The board of education is befudled as to whether or not it has the right to continue its duties and appoint new teachers for another term.
The most perplexing part of the situation perhaps is that of the Cherokee national prison. This institution contains from 50 to 75 convicts, some under sentence of death, while others have long terms to serve yet. According to the Curtis Bill the prison officials authority to longer hold them and their salary for doing so ceased on July 1. This being the case the Tahlequah merchants, who have heretofore furnished provisions for the prison from time to time, now refuse to carry on the account, and there being no available money for the purpose it seems the only thing that can be done is to release the convicts and abandon the prison. This course, it is learned, will be followed within the next few days, unless something is done inside of that length of time by the United States authorities to relieve the peculiar situation. In fact, this is all that can be done by the Cherokees, now that they have been divested of authority to do otherwise, and it is freely advised by all except Chief Mayes, who thinks it best to continue to hold the convicts as long as possible.
As to what the final outcome of the matter will be cannot be said positively, but it is thought that all that can be done under provisions of the new Curtis law will be to unlock the prison doors and quit. This is expected to be done within a few days. Already the prison guards have abandoned their places, leaving ex-High Sheriff Jno. E Duncan in charge - without authority and without compensation.
DO YOU KNOW HIM?
The Post has received a letter from G K Driskill, of Pzaroo, Texas, inquiring of a brother, John Driskill, who he has lost track of. He says that his brother when last heard from, was living near Fort Gibson, and that since the report has reached Texas that he had been killed in a storm. The Post knows nothing of any such person being killed by a storm or anything else recently. If any of our readers know the said John Driskill they will please ask him to answer his brother's letters.
THE BRAVE ROUGH RIDERS
All honor to Roosevelt's Rough Riders. Cowboys or "dudes," they have set a shining example to the vast army of volunteers and added new glories to the record of the citizen soldiery of the United States. - St Louis Republic
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