Ft. Gibson Post

Vol III No 43

Thursday September 8, 1898 (Part 3)

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 4, column 3

BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
           A Ride up Grand River - Magnificent
           Sights. Boat Swelling, etc.
     In company with W A Scott, a twenty five year resident of Ft. Gibson, and an old Federal soldier, on the first of the present week, the senior editor of The Post took a horseback ride up Grand river, and a most delightful trip it was. The route was by the old military road, which we struck on the hill near the old fort, running a good share of the way on high ground in sight of the river, in some places but little wider than a wagon track on the edge of the mountain that arose almost from the water of Grand river that flowed majestically along in crystal clearness.
     The scenery in places is grand and magnificent almost beyond description. There are perpendicular bluffs an hundred feet and more in height, near which the road passes, with rocks, and trees and earth hundreds of feet higher, presenting a grand and awe inspiring scene. The grand perpendicular rocks in places reminds one of ancient ruins of mighty walls and battlements still stupendeous but defaced by the hands of time. In places boulders about as large as small dwelling were seen near the road side, moss-covered and ivey-grown, evidently detached from the great mass above, but how many thousand years since perhaps none but the Great Author can tell.
     The road was shady a good deal of the way, trees and mountains shutting out warm rays of the sun. Just above the fort on the edge of the bluff we passed the old kilns where lime was burned by the US Government employees before the way of the rebellion. Further on we crossed a stone bridge over a deep gorge or canyon, also built by the same authority, and is there to stay. The road in places runs through the bottom lands where thousands of pecan trees are growing along the way. The river is mostly rapid, interspersed with islands, above which the water is in places quite deep. The banks are wooded on either side. Some of the islands are heavily wooded and several acres in extent.
UNIQUIE SIGHT ON THE RIVER
     Several miles up stream a unique sight was presented to our view - two large flat boats on the opposite side of the river, tied up to the shore. One appeared to be a dwelling and contained several windows. The river at this point is about two hundred yards wide, and ten or twelve feet deep, being at the head of an island. We rowed to the opposite side of the river in a small scow which was tied up at the bank. The large boat contained a family consisting of parents and five children, who make this their regular habitation. This board is 70 feet long by 21 feet in bredth, contains numerous seats, household effects, etc., and was built for Gospel services, being propelled from place to place by the other board, which contains a boiler, engine and propelling machinery besides a well equiped sawmill which is operated along the stream where logs can be got convenient. There was a nice pile of new sawed lumber on the bank. The name of the owner of these crafts we learned from his wife is C J Brose, then absent, who came here from Arkansas City, Kans., with these boats.
     I appears that Mr Brose is religiously inclined and got this boat in which to hold Gospel meetings as he moved his business from one point to another, thus looking out for men's future welfare as well as their present wants. It would be rather a queer sight to those unaccustomed to boat life to see little children creeping and toddling around on the edge of the boat without any railing, and the mother not afraid they might fall in the water. Such is the force of habit. The return trip was also pleasant, the magnificent scenery presenting new attractions.

Tahlequah may get a branch of the Pittsburg & Gulf railroad from Siloam Springs or Stillwell. If she does Fort Gibson will be this end of the line.

Page 5, column 1

Patronize home institutions.

Improvements on the streets still continue.

Prospectors are arriving in town almost daily.

Phin Blackmore, constable of the Vian court was in town on business last Friday.

A fine party, largely attended at the residence of R M Walker, on Garrison hill, oldtown, last Thursday night.

W A Scott brought in a Russian sunflower stalk 2 1/2 inches in diameter and a stem of Bermuda grass attached, 12 feet in length.

Stuart Cox, the genial First Street restaurant keeper, now keeps fresh oysters, as will be seen from his adv. elsewhere in The Post.

W W Ross jr., and W R Sartain, two prominent citizens of Tahlequah, were in the Future Great Tuesday. They couldn't understand why we were booming so.

The pecan and walnut crop in this vicinity promise to be very large. There are thousands of pecan trees along Grand river north of town, and all over the Arkansas river bottoms.

Page 5, column 2

Town Marshal George Perry is proving himself an efficient and satisfactory officer by the suppression of rowdyism and lawlessness. His family has arrived in town and taken up their permanent residence here.

Tom Miller, now sole proprietor of the Depot Lunch stand, is making some changes in the premises for the convenience of his numerous customers. His refreshment and lunch counters are to be separated, giving better satisfaction to all classes.

Perhaps the finest shade tree in the whole country around may be seen near the road to Muskogee about half mile south of town. It is an elm tree, very thick foliage, extending 74 feet in diameter, the branches drooping about eight feet from the ground.

About 23 persons or more will be baptized by immersion in Grand river near the railroad bridge, next Sunday, by Elder Harris, colored, and Elder James Mitchell of Fort Smith.

Rev J H Messer who has been attending the camp meeting north of town, says that it was a success and that much good was accomplished.

Butler's gin steamed up on Tuesday. Cotton is coming in "right smart," and the supply is likely to be larger than last season.

Cotton starts out in this vicinity at 40 cents a 100 for picking - 10 cts cheaper than last year.

Page 5, column 3

Percy Kidd, the artistic painter, has finished a fine landscape painting which may be seen in Berd's drug store. The scene is a city near a beautiful lake, wharfs, shipping, beautiful landscape, with woodland shores and mountains in the distance. This picture is nice enough to hang up in the parlor. Mr. Kidd intends in the near future to paint some sketches of the grand and picturesque scenery along Grand river above the old fort.

FORT GIBSON ACADEMY
     Prof Bird will commence his educational labors here next Monday. See double column advertisement headed "Fort Gibson Academy." He brings the best credentials from good and well-known men. Here is an opportunity at our doors which has long been needed here.
     "Education forms the common mind; As twig is bent the tree's inclined."
     Persons enter the Fort Gibson Academy will please bring the books heretofore used, and not purchase new books until classification has been made.

Tom Cunningham will try another term at Bacone college, to start next Monday.

Flo Nash and Gyp Scott, Tahlequah Sunday, but "further deponent saith not."

COMMENDABLE ENTERPRISE
     The people of Wagoner, with comparatively few natural advantages, are enterprising and energetic, which even under adverse circumstances often wins success. Having no fine building rock near that place, they are hauling the same from a point about four miles from Muskogee and shipping to Wagoner by rail. The same kind of yellow sand rock abounds here in abundance within half mile of railroad track, with down hill pull all the way. Come to Fort Gibson for your rock and river sand out of Grand river, where your water must also be had, or Wagoner go busted. Yes, you are welcome to share Fort Gibson's great natural advantages.

Page 4, column 3

FARMERS MEET (continued from page 1)
     J Sangester said he raised fine potatoes on bayou land. Believes in a diversity of crop. Raises wheat, oats, corn, cotton, sweet potatoes and meat.
     S J Hart spoke about raising clover which grows on bottom land. Connell Rogers said that hundreds of acres of strawberries should be raised here near Fort Gibson, and that many acres of fine peaches should also be planted - knows there is money in it.
     Mr Waddell spoke about the importance of raising good stock, and that razorback hogs don't pay. Mr Hart was of the same opinion and related some of his experience. Mr Mounts spoke about grapes, how they can be grown on the hills around here.
     T J Ayers, about a mile south-east of town, appears to be a prosperous farmer. He has a young orchard of 1,500 trees, mostly peaches, fair share being Elberta - plants between rows and makes it profitable. Raises diversity of crops, among others about 1,000 bushels of sweet potatoes each season, and found it profitable. Believes in raising lots of corn. Never knew a farmer to be hard up who had cribs filled with corn.
     John Waddell talked about raising cane. From 1 1/2 acres got 198 gallons of molasse which sold for 35 cts. a gallon. Said it paid well. Cane grows well on same land for years, - seem to grow better - had raised it for seven years. Cane sown thick makes best kind of feed.
     All agreed that less cotton should be raised and more other crops, not forgetting wheat. At the closing Chairman Rogers made a good hit when he said that farmers of this section should work less land, and work it better. It was voted that another meeting be held two weeks from date, Saturday, Sep 17. The place of the meeting will be the Council room over the post office. The next meeting should be largely attended.