Ft. Gibson Post

Vol III No 41

Thursday August 25, 1898 (Part 2)

Abstracted / Transcribed by Linda Haas Davenport

When the print is so faded that it cannot be read <.....> will be used . All transcription will be as found in the paper, misspellings and all

Page 1, column 5

GRADING OUR STREETS
     Dirt Now Flying in Fort Gibson at an Encouraging Rate
           Street Commission Stair; Doing His Work Well -
           Signs of the Big Boom are Plentiful
     The Spirit of progress has at last struck Fort Gibson and the rapidity with which the dirt is beginning to fly is enough to gladden the hearts of the most sanguine and allay the doubts of the pessimists. Those who have for years admired the grand natural advantages of Fort Gibson as a townsite are just now beginning to see the good work of laying the foundation of the Future Great of Indian Territory commenced. Street grading and building sewers according to metropolitian methods is now in full blast. The magic hand of Nineteenth Century Progress is cutting a wide swath on all the principal thoroughfares of this historic old town by the Beautiful Grand. Mule teams, scrapers, plows, shovels and a small army of industrious workmen are tearing up the earth in great chunks, piling it up in the center, putting in sewers, regulating the sidewalks and otherwise pushing public improvement all along the line. A great transformation will have been wrought at this rate within a very short time and the pluck and enterprise of our citizens will become a source of admiration to the world at large, while our unrivalled and unparalelled natural location, advantages and resources will carry Fort Gibson onward and upward to the acme of commercial greatness.
     For more than two weeks Street Commissioner Stair with quite a large force of men and teams has been at work, and the magnificent showing he has made is evidence enough that he is the right man in the right place. The grading of the three principal streets running east from Front street is almost complete, besides several sewers are being put in across Front to the railroad right of way. This work is being done in so substantial a manner as to make it lasting.
     Mayor Shaffer and all the other municipal officials are working harmoniously together for the good of the town and all, our leading business men included, are enthusiastic over the present outlook.
     One of the most encouraging signs of Fort Gibson's boom is the fact that several enterprises which will involve thousands and thousands of dollars of capital are now seeking a location here, some of which are already assured and will be established just as soon as the necessary details can be completed.

INSPECTOR WRIGHT ARRIVES
     J George Wright, a special inspector from the interior department at Washington, arrived at Muskogee Monday, where he has established headquarter and look after secretary of the interior business in enforcing the various provisions of the Curtis law. Mr. Wright is a young gentleman of affiable appearance and will no doubt perform his duties to the satisfaction of all concerned, although the task is in nowise an easy one.

Page 2 & 3 - preprinted

Page 4, column 1

"HIT 'EM AGAIN"
     The Muldrow Press, not long since, made some comment on the baneful effects of sham or dress parade Christianity on the community in which it is practiced, which appears to have hit certain ones pretty hard, who cried out that Christianity has been assailed, that the editor is an infidel, if not a bad man, and should be "sat down on" by the Christian community. It is to be hoped that those people are not like the class mentioned by Rev Sam Jones, as follows: "When you throw a stone into a crowd of dogs, you may be sure the one who howls is the one that's hit."
     The person who would assail the genuine doctrine of Jesus Christ must be a knave or a fool. The principles taught and practiced by Christ while on earth are correct and good - the grandest ever promulgated to man. Why the so called Christian world is no better today is because Christ's principals have been ignored or neglected by so many who have assumed the name of Christian - "assuming the form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof" - creeds, forms, ceremonies, dogmas and not the genuine substance - in short churchanity, not Christianity.
     The Bible says a Christian is known by his fruits - not his profession, creed, nor dogmatic belief - and is just as good and pious every day in the week as on Sunday - as true and honest when measuring onions as when shouting hallelujah in church or camp meeting - in short, an honest man - "the noblest work of God." This is true Christianity, which stands the test. It is the sham kind that good people condemn and which hypocrits shield and foster. You are all right on this question Brother Shields. "Hit 'em again."

 [rest of the page is political news from around the Territory]

Page 5, column 1

Patronize home institutions.

Small shower of rain last night.

R E Butler went to Muskogee on business yesterday.

Butler's cotton gin is being over-hauled and fixed up.

J D Miller and wife returned from Tennessee today.

B P Rasmus of Tahlequah was here Tuesday and Wednesday.

Plant a diversity of crops - "a little of everything," and you will be sure to hit.

W W Bridges and wife departed Saturday to spend several months at Gainesville, Tex.

The best flour on the market is to be had at F H Nash's at $2.50 per hundred.

Invitations are out for a ball to be given by the young men of Fort Gibson at the home of Mr and Mrs R M Walker on the evening of Sept 1, next Thursday.

The Post is requested to announce that Rev Stevenson, pastor of the M E church in Tahlequah, will preach at the M E church here on next Sunday at 11 and at night.

Mrs R C Adams and the children, who have spent a year in New York, Washington and other north-eastern cities, have returned to their home in Fort Gibson. Mr Adams is still abroad attending to important business.

The colored Baptists of this place still continue their meetings and seem to be terribly in earnest. The house has been crowded nightly besides a crowd outside. Elder Harris has been assisted this week by Elder Solamon of Muskogee. The citidel of sin and the devil never got such a storming here since the time of the Crusaders.

Page 5, column 2

Henry Efifert at the farmer's meeting last Saturday told how J H Alexander of Fort Smith raises Irish potatoes, which is interesting, and will be published next week.

Onions are one of the crops that can be grown here with great success and profit. H M Langston, on Tom Cunningham's place adjoining town, has raised this season from the seed about 70 bushels of fine onions, grown on a small spot of ground. This is the best paying crop according to size of ground that has been raised in this vicinity. What's the matter with raising onions?

Some one asked at the farmer's meeting if navy beans will grow in this county. French Miller promptly answered: "No, He don't grow in this country when you don't plan him." Then Mr Miller told what a fine crop of navy beans he raised this season, how fine they grew and how easily raised, when some say they won't grow here. He showed that there is no need of shipping navy beans into this country, when they can be raised to ship out, but says they won't grow if you fail to plant them. Just so with other crops that have not been tried here.

If there is a patch of clover in Ft. Gibson, or within miles, we haven't heard of it. That is another product that won't grow in this country unless it is sowed or planted. That it will grow well in this county there is no doubt, for clover may be seen growing about 50 miles east of here on land not so well adapted to its growth as here. Clover is a fine thing for hogs and other stock. Try clover.

Mr Frank Mack Keen and wife of Cauro, Ill, were in town this week. Mr Mack Keen is an old newspaper man, formerly on the Cinccinnati Commercial, and has traveled in Europe for the New York Herald. He and his wife looked over Garrison Hill and old historic "oldtown" which will be written up.

Miss Beuna Harris of Tahlequah, who has been quite ill at the home of the Misses Eifferts of this city, is now improving. Miss Harris is a daughter of ex-chief Harris and one of the most charming and accomplished Cherokee young ladies.

W A Scott has a fine field of corn just silking out. The stalks in size and appearance is hard to beat. He has also a large crop of sunflowers, planted for feed for his bees. Mr Scott believes in a diviversity of crops.

A large paper mill at Fort Gibson in the near future is now almost assured. A representative of a large paper company was here this week looking over locations, and says Grand river water is just the thing.

Page 5, column 3

IN MEMORIAL
     The oldest member of our Missionary Society has just laid down her work, at the call of the Master, for rest in His presence.
     Mrs Mary Scott, who belonged to this organization for years, was 86 years of age. She was a faithful member of this society, using her time, influence and means for the work of her Lord, which she loved so well - being indeed a cheerful giver. She has gone to her reward, and who can tell how far this loving service in the Lord's vineyard will reach. Ladies Missionary Society, Presbyterian Church, Ft. Gibson, I.T., Aug 17, '98

Page 6 & 7 - preprinted

Page 8, column 1 & 2

The Press laboring to convince the people of Muldrow the importance of good schools, good streets, general improvements and good morals which appears to be bearing fruit. Among other things the town council recently passed an ordinance against lewdness and bawdy resorts, which it is hoped will be enforced. Lewdness even among those who ought to set an example, has been a great curse and evil to this town.

Among the enterprising and energetic citizens of Muldrow is W J Smith, the liveryman, who has an establishment that would credit to a larger town, a good residence, flowers, shrubs, walks and other evidence of taste and enterprise.

The Press appears to be hard onto the racket of certain ones who it says work themselves into good society, when their secret companionship and practice would entitle them to places in the slums.

Joe Shermer has bought the Patillo stock of goods at 60 cents on the dollar.

Mrs and Mrs Towns Clayton of Eufaula former residents, are here for a visit.

W W Payne intends to put in a large stock of goods in the new rock building of Dr Turnham.

Gideon Patton having removed from town and his place in the council has been filled by Thos Watts. Only two of the family appointed to fill vacancies, thus far.

All kinds of crops in this vicinity look extra good. Second potato crop coming on nicely.

The Press could furnish some very interesting sensational reading if it cared to enter into family affairs of others, however, we'll endeavor to keep our own dooryard clean and kindly ask our friends to do the same and thereby not force an obnoxious dose on us. As you are aware it is our duty to tell how it happened regardless of whom it effects, or no matter how unpleasant - Press

W J Smith and J M Railey have gone to Missouri for a car load of horses, which will be sold cheap.

Methodist quarterly meeting was held here Saturday and Sunday, Presiding Elder Lovett being present.

J M Raley is about to add another

story to his stone building. Mr Raley is an enterprising and honorable citizen, desirable in any town.

The Watts' didn't go to fight the Spanirds, thinking, perhaps, it might be more dangerous than to fight Holden, whose son Fred enlisted in Uncle Sam's service. Now that the old man is alone they think they can handle him.

- - -

No town or community can prosper without manufactures of some kind. Good opening here in Fort Gibson for different kinds of manufacturies, among which might be mentioned a flouring mill, hoop mill, box mill, barrel works and others. Lots of fine timber and the finest stream in the Territory to float in the timber. Millions of feet of ash, oak, elm, cottonwood and other timber that can be run down Grand river. A good deal of pine and walnut can also be had.