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Ft. Gibson Post
Vol III No 37
Thursday July 28, 1898 (Part 1)
Abstracted / Transcribed by Linda Haas Davenport
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"THE BOYS" AT FORT RENO.
Territory Volunteers for the Phillipines on the Way.
Fort Reno, O.T., July 26.
Friend Canup, Ft. Gibson, I.T. -
By the faithful and untiring work of Dr. Fite and the recruiting officers, the full compliment of our company was completed last Saturday evening. We left Muskogee Monday morning on the south bound Katy train, arriving at South McAlister 10 a.m., when we were side tracked on the C.O.& D. road till 4 p.m., and arrived here at 1 a.m. today.
We are nicely located, have plenty to eat, and excellent water. Our Co makes the 4th here now. The boys all seem to be happy and are in fine health. We had quite an ovation at each little town we came to. At South McAlester the people appeared particularly patriotic and bade us God speed. While waiting here the boys "swiped" our mascots - a pig and a pup. We called the pig Dewey and the pup Clara Barton, and they seemed as well contented as if regularly enlisted.
We will leave here today for Fort Whipple, Arzaona, where we will rendesvous, be armed, equipped drilled and go to San Francisco from thence to Phillippians.
We elected our officers as follows: Captain, Earle Edmondson; First Lieutenant, Richard K Cravens; Second Lieutenant, Claude Thompson.
The Muskogee people presented our Co. with a very fine silk flag, which is the prettiest and most costly that ever waved here. Muskogee and her generous patriotic people will ever be remembered by our company of Territory boys. More anon. J J Turnham
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Those citizens of Wagoner who are interested in the location of the new jail and working to that end, argue that it would be cheaper for the government to send prisoners there. The citizens of Tahlequah have about come to the conclusion that the officials of the court care very little about expenses. It is unnecessary for us to comment further - the records speak for themselves. - Arrow
Whew! hasn't it been hot for the past few days? Seventeen standing colar heat in the shade, and ladie's fine starched-up dresses and things that "look so sweet," "slimsy as a rag" in less than no time. Oh, for a lodge in some vast wilderness ! Oh, for an ice-berg or two, at control ! - Oh, for an ice-house or two, to crawl under ! Oh, for a trip up to the North Pole !
A good work is being done on this line at Bluff siding east of Illinois station, in the way of solid masonry in several places which have heretofore caused trouble in times of heavy rains, by landslides and other causes.
Intelligence that outlaws were coming and to prepare for them, received here today, reminded people of the times only a few years ago when bandits and outlaws were hunted through this country like jack rabbits.
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A RAID AT CHECOTAH.
Robbers Attempt to Loot the Town But are Repulsed.
Meager details of a raid by robbers at Checotah Monday afternoon reached here yesterday. It appears that the plot to loot the town became known to the citizens in time for them to prepare for defense, and that when the outlaws appeared on the scene and attempted the robbery they were routed from the town in hot haste, some of them being wounded and one of their horses being killed.
Among the outlaws it is learned that Mose Miller, Tom Pettitt and one Greathouse, of near Braggs, were recognized. They were followed by officers, but escaped through the assistance of two friends Tuesday, who hauled them out of the vicinity concealed in a load of hay. The two friends were arrested and taken to Muskogee yesterday.
It was at first reported that Henry Starr and Clarence Goldsby were implicated in the attempted robbery, but this is now thought to be incorrect.
Later advices from Checotah says that there were but five of the outlaws in the raid. Three of these were captured, two of whom were severely wounded, and all taken to Muskogee and jailed.
The battle between the citizens and outlaws was desperate, but so far as can be learned none of the citizens were hurt.
The depot agent here received notice today (Thursday) to be on watch. Guards were put out, but no attempt at robbery was made. Several suspicious characters were seen at night, supposed to be Mose Miller and part of his gang of outlaws.
RAISE IRISH POTATOES.
Some Suggestions to the Farmers of this Section
on a Diversity of Crops, for Profit.
Fort Gibson and vicinity this year made a start in the Irish potato business, which is a healthy indication for the future if properly followed up. There should be at least 50,000 bushels of potatoes shipped from this station next year, and more than double that amount the ensuing year. When there is suitable land, it has been demonstrated that potatoes are the most profitable crop that can be raised in this country.
In the vicinity of Fort Smith and Muldrow there are several thousand acres of land devoted to potatoes that three or four years ago were used mostly for cotton. It is needless to say that the change has been highly beneficial to the entire community. Cotton raising in that section is not as popular as it was. Potato raising on a large scale in the vicinity of Ft. Smith commenced four years ago, and has brought many thousands of extra dollars to that city, employing several thousand extra hands. Among the most extensive potato raisers is J H Alexander, a white adopted Indian citizen, who owns several hundred acres of rich bottom lands on the Cherokee side of the Arkansas river, something like those south of Fort Gibson to the Arkansas river. Last February he planted about 3,500 bushels of seed potatoes. The crop was harvested in May and June, and notwithstanding that a portion was injured by high water, the profit was greater than a cotton crop from which it takes a greater part of a year to get returns. The same ground was again planted to potatoes the early part of July, next October he will harvest his second crop, which may net more than the first.
It requires good, rich soil to raise good crops of Irish potatoes, and there's thousands of acres of rich bottom lands here in the vicinity of Ft Gibson - along the Verdigris river - along the Grand river - thence along the Arkansas river, south, west and east of town - miles and miles in extent. Good potato land in the vicinity of Fort Smith have been leased this year from $6 to $ 8 dollars an acre, up to as high as $10, thus showing there must be good profit in the potato business.
The rich lands in the vicinity of Fort Gibson are at present mostly devoted to cotton growing, which needless to say is not a paying business,
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yet most people hang on to cotton raising because they know nothing else to do in the way raising means in an emergency by which to live, and with many people in this country in an emergency all the time, and will be as long as they keep "fooling" with cotton.
The farmers in this section must change their mode if they would be more successful financially, plant less cotton and more of other crops, among which may be mentioned wheat, for which the rolling prairie lands north of this place are so well adopted. We publish this brief article not for idle speculation but to arouse a sentiment for practical results and future benefit of this community. We shall publish more on this subject in the future.
BIG IRISH POTATOES.
The finest Irish potatoes we have seen this year were raised by our enterprising townsman, C L Bowden, some of which he presented us with yesterday. They are as large as the Colorado potato, shipped to this country for winter use. Mr. Bowden has the second crop now growing nicely on the same land.
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ITEMS FROM MULDROW
Muldrow, I.T., July 27 - The past week has been one of rather stiring events here. Merchant John Patillo has followed the late Ben Lossing, and his place of business is closed. It appears that John knew what was coming and made a bold attempt to save something from the wreck. Several wagon loads of goods were run off, but the other fellows were close on the war path, and most of the goods were captured, one lot being in a cornfield. Patillo is wild with rage and says his enemies have formed a combination to ruin him, but may get some of them yet. Patiollo was afterwards arested on charge of fraud, taken to Fort Smith, finally escaped from the officer, swam the Poteau river near the point, and escaped in the Choctaw nation.
Muldrow thus far furnished more volunteers than any other town on this line west of Fort Smith. Last Saturday, Charley Shermer, John Bailey, Hiram Payne and Clayton Faulkser enlisted to go to the front. Some of the partings were pathetic, there being two married men among the enlisted. Clayton Faulkser is a Cherokee. A notable thing here is this; although the Watts and relatives are more numerous here than any other people, up to date not one of the blood have enlisted, "not as anybody knows of," although some of them have made more "blow" over the business than anybody. About time of declaration of war last Spring Jess Watts sent a telegraph dispatch to President McKinley stating that he could furnish 500 men for the war in short order, to which he signed his name as mayor of Muldrow, which dispatch he had printed in the local papers with great flourish of trumpets. About time of the Watts reunion in May last, it was also heralded around what a large and patriotic family are the Watts in this Territory, number several hundred strong. No wonder Jess is loaded down with so many military titles - Major, Colonel, General, Commodore, Rear Admiral, &c. Such is fame !
Frank Shields expects to be running his paper again in a few days. Shields has been under the weather for the past two weeks. He is a good newspaper man and quite independent.
It is understood that mayor Watts has promised that he will shortly publish a financial statement showing how and for what purpose town money has been expended for the past year. The taxpayers have been asking this for some time.
Councilman C C Leach has been working for reform in town matters, and has accomplished some good, which is appreciated by the public.
Preparations are being made for the new order of things under the Curtis Bill. Muldrow has good natural advantages and from its position will be a county seat. Good inducements will be offered for live, progressive people to locate here, which is the great need. Then Muldrow will grow and prosper.
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"No hell for dogs," used to be an old saying among the boys, years ago, which sentiment seems to be reversed here in Fort Gibson according to recent ordinance. Henceforth the by-ways, alleys and sylvian retreats of oldtown may be free from nightly parades of peblian canines.
Pages 2 & 3 - Preprinted
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FORT GIBSON, JULY 28, 1898
TO THE PUBLIC
After an absence of several months or more from newspaper work we return again to Fort Gibson and The Post, owing to the enlistment of our son, Fred E Holden. There will be no change in this paper, at least for the present - Mr. Canup remaining as heretofore. We have faith in the future of Fort Gibson and promise while we are connected with this paper, it will never be behind the town. - J S Holden
News that the election is over and political matters settled, at least till about time for another election let
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all classes of our people work harmoniously together for future growth and prosperity of Fort Gibson, which is or should be the interest of all without regard to faction or party - There is work to do, and all should pull together.
Col. Bill Hallsell the cattle king of the Cherokee nation has just returned from New York and Washington city. He had an interview with Judge Thomas in New York. He will find Judge Thomas tracking the law regardless of the monopolistic desires of some of those people. He could do nothing else. Col. Own may go to Washington soon.
No town in this Territory has such fine building rock within its limits and immediate vicinity as Fort Gibson, which are of different shades, colors and texture. There is abundance of flagging stone of fine quality - enough to make sidewalks for a large city. Some of this fine flat rock should adorn the margin of our streets in regular order within the coming year.
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Progress and development is what has been promised under the new order of things by Mayor Shaffer and the progressive administration of Fort Gibson, which the entire community are interested in seeing carried out. Should any of the new officers be remis in their duties or obligations they lay themselves open to public criticism, and should receive it as they might deserve. Honest public officers are not offended to have their public acts honestly criticised, and we believe the new city officials are that kind of men.
Chief Mays has issued a proclamation convening the National Council on the 3rd of next month - Grave and important matters effecting the welfare of the Cherokees are at stake. The Delaware claim of 157,000 acres of land, the National prison and other matters are to be attended to. Then there is the $4,300,000 against the Cherokees that should be attended to at once.
A meeting of the monopolizers of the Cherokee nation is to be held at Nowatta on the 6th day of August next. The call is signed by Hon R L Owen and others.
The Dawes Commission will be at Muskogee from August 1st to 19th.
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Gulick of the McAlester Capital has thus another chance to get better acquainted with Mr. Tams Bixby.
City ordinances crowd out other matters this week and somewhat late owing to departure of Fred E Holden to the war. We shall miss Fred.
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