Seminole Indian Territory Installment XVI

The Story of Martha Jane Floyd

If you would like to know the entire story, and you should, it appears in the Seminole Producer, October 29, 2017. This will be the front page of another rather comprehensive piece on Seminole IT and my family history/ genealogy. That family history/ genealogy has been accepted and verified by the relevant authorities in Great Britain, British Museum in London, as documented, to the time of Lord Ithel Ddu, aka “The Gwaithfoed.” He reigned c. 900-1000 AD. I will go no further with this angle other than to say there is a book about it, published by yours truly, and will have a sequel. It is a world history, not just a family history. I suppose it can be said it is also Seminole history.

I should mention too that I have been tested to 67 Markers Y-DNA, HVR-1 and HVR-2 mtDNA and the autosomnal Family Finder Test which takes me as far as 6^th cousins. If you are not familiar with these tests, my 6^th cousins go back to the time of my 5^th G-Grandfather, James Matthews [b. about 1697], the immigrant. My DNA has been uploaded to some worldwide DNA projects, including the National Geographic Genographic Project; long story. DNA is science; it is not family folklore, lies and Family Bible novels, if you get my meaning.

When you read this story, you will see a fascinating piece on the history of Oklahoma Indian Territory [IT], Seminole IT and the transition from Tidmore IT to Seminole, Oklahoma. You will see how Martha Jane Floyd obviously had a constantly moving wagon back and forth from Arkansas to Oklahoma IT, to the Land Run in 1889 [One of 8 Land Runs] and back again to Arkansas and then to Tidmore, IT and finally Seminole, Oklahoma. Her first “hotel” was a tent in Wewoka, IT, then a wood and tin model in Tidmore and one in the new Seminole, Oklahoma and the final being a brick model [The Commercial Hotel] on Main and Oak, still extant today. It is now occupied by Dixie Finance Co. I would say that 95% of the residents here have not a clue of any of this story and history, generally. They largely tend to like nothing if it is not “new.”

The story mentions that Martha Jane was born in 1866, in “Izzard” Co., AR, 7 years after my G-G-Grandfather moved there from Benton Co., TN. She was born a Brinsfield, another family with a long history here in Seminole and that will be mentioned on Page 2, coming soon.

Firstly, it is Izard County, not Izzard. It was spawned by Arkansas Co., MO, in 1813. It was originally of the Cherokee Tract, prior to Arkansas Territory and Statehood. Izard became a county in 1825, as one of the original “Parent Counties” in Arkansas. From Izard County were spawned about 10 other counties which I will not name here but will name some of them later with a purpose. Ole “Doc” Grisso was sitting in his house on one day in Izard County and the next day he was in Baxter County, never having taken a step. It was not long before that, one would awaken in another state, never even getting on his horse. I had one G-G-Uncle who did not know where he was born. Different census records had him being born in 4 different states—Georgia, N Carolina, S Carolina and Alabama. That piece of land was where all those borders meet and you can also throw in Tennessee and Virginia. It was the “Black Hole” of genealogy.

The story mentions that Martha Jane lived on 400 N. Highland and that was directly across the street from Winford Fizer Matthews and his wife, Ara Della [Barnett] Matthews, my grandparents, also from Izard Co., AR, and some of the other original settlers here. It should be said that there were many others too who were from Izard Co., AR, who built this city. I will not go into detail here but that too will soon follow.

In the autumn of 1906, land in an Indian Nation could not be bought, so the white residents of Tidmore had to rely on the uncertain and extra-legal lease system. When restrictions were removed from Seminole freedmen (Before they were removed from the Indians), Tom Biggers, J.C. Matthews and Jacob VanBuskirk acquired eighty acres in what is now the center of Seminole from a freedman named Wallace Carter and marked off lots and streets.

Here are just a few of the other notables from there and went to Tidmore IT and finally to Seminole, Oklahoma: W.E. “Doc” Grisso of Grisso Mansion fame, Robert Hutton Chase, James Henry and his brother Jasper Newton Harber, Andrew Jackson Seay and two sons, Jasper Newton and Andrew Howell Seay; Franklin Randolph Noe, Bill McNeill, etc. All of the above married the daughters and granddaughters of my G-G-Grandfather, Robert Calvin Matthews, Izard Co., AR [1859], via Benton Co., TN. By the way, all of the above came to Arkansas from that same spot in Tennessee. They moved in packs from Boston Harbor in 1718, to Chester Co., PA, to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, to Southside Virginia on the Wagon Road, to Rowan Co., NC and to two locations in Tennessee—Maury and Stewart Counties. Other members of these families were original settlers of Pottawatomie and Pontotoc Counties.

As an aside, I will mention here that Booker T Noe, a cousin, was the Master Distiller for Jim Beam Brands and has a Single Barrel Bourbon in his name. I met Booker many years ago while I was a lobbyist for The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S., Inc. He is a rather rotund, jovial sort and looks like many of his descendants and cousins. We talked a bit about how we were cousins, a fascinating story. I got to taste his product out of a barrel before it actually hit the market. I know that will surprise many of you LOL. It is one of 4 single-barrel bourbons which are blended to make Jim Beam White Label. It is his son now that is the Master Distiller for Jim Beam Brands, Fred Noe.

J.C. Matthews was a descendant of James Calvin Matthews, named for his grandfather, oldest son of Robert Calvin Matthews, who was lost after the Civil War Battle of Peay Ridge, never to be seen again. My grandfather partnered with Mr. Harber in his first grocery and feed store and then Harber financed that one and 4 more owned by my grandfather. Mr. Harber learned early that groceries and feed was not his cup of tea and sold his interest to my grandfather. One of my grandfather’s brothers settled here too and had Mattie’s Café in Bowlegs, OK. For the old-timers in Seminole, the amazing stories of the others named here are mostly well known.

I do not know why Izard Co., AR settlers were also settlers of Tidmore IT, other than to say that is what they did, moved in packs. I have been to Izard County—Mt. Home, Pineville, Calico Rock, etc. I attended a Matthews Reunion in 2001. It is still a setting way back in time and is a beautiful, bucolic area, resting on the ill-famed White River of Clinton lore. There are so, so many stories and they will be added here over the next several days, weeks and months. For those in Seminole especially, it will be, in large part, the history you never knew.

I am pictured here at the front of Calico Rock Hardware Store, the location of G-G-Grandfather’s general store on the White River. It is rumored that he had a barrel of fine whiskey and sold it by various quantities, depending upon your level of interest. There are a number of fun family anecdotes that may have mentioned that, which I have in my possession. I can neither confirm nor deny the stories. He built the first school, Masonic Lodge, AME Church and more.

To be continued…

Pictured above: James Henry Harber and spouse, Nancy Jane Matthews

Seminole Indian Territory Installment XV

There are a number of things about this story that piqued my interest. If you have followed the work of my wife, Marsha Ann Matthews, and I, you know that we have been mapping, visiting and looking for all these ghost towns that were once thriving establishments all over Seminole County. It has been a massive undertaking but a labor of love and lots of laughs. I will just tell you; it is time to get out of the big city of Seminole and see the beauty that surrounds it. We have been absolutely stunned and sometimes overwhelmed at the raw, bucolic scenery in our travels. You had to be there!

This brings me to one of my points about this story. We have been all over the county in that area described in this story. What struck me is when I came across a former settlement by the name of Dindy. As many ghost towns and settlements as we have located, we continue to find others that are lost to history and where there is no historical record of their ever having been here. That is such a travesty. However, this is an ongoing project and we plan to find all that can be found. I may be found some day on stilts in an Indian grave, although all my DNA testing says that I do not have a drop of Indian blood in me. We need to find Dindy and any help in so doing would be most welcome. As much as I have tried, we have not come up with a credible Indian Territory Historian to provide us with the stories, even anecdotal, that we have sought. That too is a travesty! There has to be someone out there! Since I first wrote this, some have been suggested and I will get around to them at some point.
The story underpinning all of this is another chapter in the Seminole/ Creek Nation. I’ll bet not 1 in 10 in this county has any idea that, at one time, it was just Creek. It was not until later when that tribe split into two, creating the Seminole Nation. That is a whole ‘nother story. Marsha and I have been in and around that whole Indian Spring area. We also stopped at the site of the John Frippo Brown Cemetary. He was once the Principal Chief of the Seminole Tribe—1885 to 1901 and 1905 to 1906. His daughter was Mary Alice Brown, later the Principal Chief herself—1925 to 1932, appointed by President Warren G. Harding. She had land in the NE of the county, in what was and really still is to some of us, Arbeka, formerly a fairly large land area - Seminole Indian Territory [IT]; Red Mound Township. One of my recent acquaintances bought that parcel of land. I have been invited out to visit that area which still has visible wagon tracks for the wagon trains of yesteryear. There is a cave there where those waiting on their wagon would hold up while out of the inclement weather. It is just one of many such items on our Seminole IT Bucket List, which is quite lengthy and now growing. There is also a marker she told me about that has a rock hewed with arrows, pointing both east and west, with Arbeka on the East and Econtuchka Township on the west. Both extend to the eastern and western borders of the county.
Since you may be reading this on our website, you will find much more on all of the above as you wind your way down the page. It is loaded and will take some time if you want to see it all, but I believe it is so worth your time if you care anything about this very rich and fully loaded history of Seminole. Enjoy the story and ponder it all. There is so much more to come.

The Story of Martha Jane Floyd
Seminole Indian Territory [IT]
If you would like to know the entire story, and you should, it appears in the Seminole Producer, October 29, 2017. I will post a piece on this story following this post. This will be the front page of another rather comprehensive piece on Seminole IT and my family history/ genealogy. That family history/ genealogy has been accepted and verified by the relevant authorities in Great Britain, as documented, to the time of Lord Ithel Ddu, aka “The Gwaithfoed.” He reigned c. 900-1000 AD. I will go no further with this angle other than to say there is a book about it, published by yours truly, and will have a sequel. It is a world history, not just a family history. I suppose it can be said it is also Seminole history.
I should mention too that I have been tested to 67 Markers Y-DNA, HVR-1 and HVR-2 mtDNA and the autosomal Family Finder Test which takes me as far as 6th cousins. If you are not familiar with these tests, my 6th cousins go back to the time of my 5th G-Grandfather, James Matthews [b. about 1697], the immigrant. My DNA has been uploaded to some worldwide DNA projects, including the National Geographic Genographic Project; long story. DNA is science; it is not family folklore, lies and Family Bible novels, if you get my meaning.
When you read this story, you will see a fascinating piece on the history of Oklahoma Indian Territory [IT], Seminole IT and the transition from Tidmore IT to Seminole, Oklahoma. You will see how Martha Jane Floyd obviously had a constantly moving wagon back and forth from Arkansas to Oklahoma IT, to the Land Run in 1889 [One of 8 Land Runs] and back again to Arkansas and then to Tidmore, IT and finally Seminole, Oklahoma. Her first “hotel” was a tent in Wewoka, IT, then a wood and tin model in Tidmore and one in the new Seminole, Oklahoma and the final being a brick model [The Commercial Hotel] on Main and Oak, still extant today. It is now occupied by Dixie Finance Co. [No comment] I would say that 95% of the residents here have not a clue of any of this story and history, generally. They largely tend to like nothing if it is not “new.”
The story mentions that Martha Jane was born in 1866, in “Izzard” Co., AR, 7 years after my G-G-Grandfather moved there from Benton Co., TN. She was born a Brinsfield, another family with a long history here in Seminole and that will be mentioned on Page 2, coming soon.
Firstly, it is Izard County, not Izzard. It was spawned by Arkansas Co., MO, in 1813. It was originally of the Cherokee Tract, prior to Arkansas Territory and Statehood. Izard became a county in 1825, as one of the original “Parent Counties” in Arkansas. From Izard County were spawned about 10 other counties which I will not name here but will name some of them later with a purpose. Ole “Doc” Grisso was sitting in his house on one day in Izard County and the next day he was in Baxter County, never having taken a step. It was not long before that, one would awaken in another state, never even getting on his horse. I had one G-G-Uncle who did not know where he was born. Different census records had him being born in 4 different states—Georgia, N Carolina, S Carolina and Alabama. That piece of land was where all those borders meet, and you can also throw in Tennessee and Virginia. It was the “Black Hole” of genealogy.
The story mentions that Martha Jane lived on 400 N. Highland and that was directly across the street from Winford Fizer Matthews and his wife, Ara Della [Barnett] Matthews, my grandparents, also from Izard Co., AR, and some of the other original settlers here. It should be said that there were many others too who were from Izard Co., AR, who built this city. I will not go into detail here but that too will soon follow.
In the autumn of 1906, land in an Indian Nation could not be bought, so the white residents of Tidmore had to rely on the uncertain and extra-legal lease system. When restrictions were removed from Seminole freedmen (Before they were removed from the Indians), Tom Biggers, J.C. Matthews and Jacob VanBuskirk acquired eighty acres in what is now the center of Seminole from a freedman named Wallace Carter and marked off lots and streets.
Here are just a few of the other notables from there and went to Tidmore IT and finally to Seminole, Oklahoma: W.E. “Doc” Grisso of Grisso Mansion fame, Robert Hutton Chase, James Henry and his brother Jasper Newton Harber, Andrew Jackson Seay and two sons, Jasper Newton and Andrew Howell Seay; Franklin Randolph Noe, Bill McNeill, etc. All of the above married the daughters and granddaughters of my G-G-Grandfather, Robert Calvin Matthews, Izard Co., AR [1859], via Benton Co., TN. By the way, all of the above came to Arkansas from that same spot in Tennessee. They moved in packs from Boston Harbor in 1718, to Chester Co., PA, to the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, to Southside Virginia on the Wagon Road, to Rowan Co., NC and to two locations in Tennessee—Maury and Stewart Counties. Other members of these families were original settlers of Pottawatomie and Pontotoc Counties.

To be continued…

Seminole Indian Territory Installment XIV

Bands of Seminole Indians, from Florida, first settled in what is now known as Seminole County, Oklahoma. Most of them came from about 1830 to 1840. Having fought to prevent removal from their ancestral homes in Florida against frontiersmen and U.S. Regular Army soldiers under Generals Scott and “Old Hickory” Andrew Jackson, for more than ten years, until their great chief, Osceola, was finally captured and imprisoned; yet, quite a few of these courageous Indians managed to evade the soldiers, hiding out in the deep fastnesses of the Everglades, where many of their descendants sill live today, and not many were forcibly evicted. Out of six or seven thousand Seminoles, perhaps, a few hundred were rounded up at the time, and set by boat and overland, by way of New Orleans and up the Mississippi; thence, across Arkansas, to the site chosen for them between the Canadian rivers in what is now known as Seminole County. Hundreds more emigrated, voluntarily, to join relatives here as the years went by; and there were a hundred or two hundred Negro slaves who came along, too. Population was less than 3,000.

The Indians had their own tribal form of government, with clans, and band-chiefs, setting up their capital in the early-day, small settlement of log-cabins, called from the creek by which they settled “We-wo-ca” in the Seminole tongue, but interpreted into English “Barking Water,” and spelled by the English “Wewoka.” Other small towns in Seminole county, first settled by the Indians, were called Konawa, or “Skunk-town,” in English; and Sasakwa, or “Goose-Town.”

The Indians established mission-schools, named Mekusukey and Emahaka, nicely built brick and stone structures, as time went on, located on the east and west sides of the Seminole Nation. Emahaka being south of Wewoka, and the Mekusukey Academy being maintained for many years after Emahaka had been abandoned. They hired white teachers of good name and well educated for that time. White people coming into the county, as time went on, first raised money for schools by subscription. But with the coming of statehood, money was provided for better schools by state provision. Some nice, two-story, brick and stone buildings were erected in towns like Seminole, Konawa and Wewoka. Frame buildings, some one-room schools, served the rural districts; and there was very little equipment. Grade-schools taught most of the subjects taught today, but no art or music. Later, high schools were added. Gradually, better instructors were obtained, and most of the high schools today will not employ instructors who do not have degrees.

Of course, there was much better and finer equipment for the teaching of sciences, and rooms and facilities for music and art instruction, all representing the investment of millions of dollars. Rural schools were among the best in the state. All were well-staffed, well-kept and carry on a program of extra-curricular activities and community-development.

Churches in Seminole county had a rude origin, indeed. Many were merely brush-arbors in the summertime, and services were held in schoolhouses on Sundays, or when not otherwise in use. But it wasn’t long after statehood, and after much mission-work, that good churches began to be constructed. Some had only part-time ministers, but early-day elders often preached; and singing schools were held on many occasions. Many churches had small organs. Today the fine churches seen in every Seminole county town, have beautiful furnishings, all the embellishments of church-architecture, and a musical and education program, along with the regular religious services.

Oil came to Seminole county in 1923, the discovery-well just south of Wewoka. The old Standard drilling-rigs had wooden walking-beams and slow, heavy drilling equipment, taking weeks for a well to be brought in. Sometimes gushers came in, wasting oil before the well could be capped; but the drilling went right on. In 1926, the first well in the great Seminole field was brought in. People came from everywhere, greatly increasing the population of Seminole and Wewoka; and boomtowns like Cromwell and St. Louis mushroomed into being in a matter of weeks. Many became wealthy overnight. Oil attracted the nation’s attention to Seminole county. It also brought about recognition for the need of better things money could buy. Oil companies and generous oil men donated large sums to schools, churches and for public parks, auditoriums, golf-courses, swimming pools, etc. Many newly rich men built fine homes and sent their sons away to college. Today, most oil-wells are drilled with Rotary rigs that can go down thousands of feet in a few days. Water-flooding has increased the production of many old wells and newer and more efficient engineering methods are producing more oil everywhere. Proration has caused the wealth from oil to last longer. But many other professions and businesses have profited from oil, immeasurably.

Seminole county has many small streams, running between low hills, and there is much good fertile farmland in Seminole county. There is, also good upland pasture and range land. Cotton, corn, oats, alfalfa and all kinds of truck-crops make for prosperity on the farm. The soil is generally sandy, clay or dark river-bottom land. It can be made to produce wonderfully.

Thomas Town Church Celebrates 150 Years
From Seminole Producer
Friday, August 25, 2017

This is one of those stories that just fires my rockets. Oklahoma, and Seminole specifically, has forgotten more history than it recalls and that is sad. This story began just post-Civil War, and the same length of time following the freeing of the slaves of the “Civilized Tribes”, called Freedmen. Just that fact alone has escaped all but a few. It is fair to say that all the black folks I grew up with, at school and at play, are descendants of Freedmen. This history has some rather tender feelings for so many and both sides tend to avoid the subject.
While it may give some pause, it is most certainly our history—the story of the Trail of Tears, the story of the Tribes in the Civil War, the story of Stand Watie, a Cherokee Indian, made a Brigadier General by none other than the President of the Confederacy, Jefferson “Jeff” Davis. It is a story that must be understood to know about Indian Territory and the finally the story of Oklahoma, admitted to the Union just 40 years following the beginning of this story, 1867. In short, it was the punishment of the Tribes for opting for the Confederacy, although understandable under the circumstances. You see, those who were made to walk the Trail of Tears had never forgiven the USA for their removal and resettlement. Can you blame them?
Following the Civil War, many Union Veterans were provided their 100 acres along the northern border of Oklahoma Indian Territory in return for their service. That was not well accepted. That was the beginning of the end of Indian Territory, as they knew it. The Federal Government was going to take their land in punishment for their service to Jeff Davis.
Another crucial fact to point out here is that in the agreement between General US Grant and Robert E. “Marse” Lee, as an attachment to the Articles of Surrender was made plain, that these Articles were not fully effective unless and until “Captain” Stand Watie cease and desist aka stand down in Indian Territory. He did not and never did; part of his war continued, largely in attacking the Union Veterans in their new Settlements in their territory. Thus, when you hear that the Civil War never ended, technically and in reality, never did. It was not just some idle cliché.
On June 23, 1865, General Stand Watie, a member of the Cherokee Nation and Brigadier general of the First Indian Brigade of the Army of the Trans-Mississippi, surrendered to Union forces at Doaksville in the Choctaw Nation. With his signature upon the cease-fire treaty, Watie became the last Confederate general in the field to “surrender” during the Civil War. Oh, he clearly signed what was known as the Stand Watie Treaty, but it was done with a wink and a nod. The “hostilities” continued unabated. Thus, what was signed was not worth the paper on which it was written. If I had been Stand Watie, I would have done the same thing, period!
So, now that you know a wee bit about Freedmen, when you read the story, you will have a little of perspective of the times. I should point out that lawsuits have been filed, heard, settled, filed again and heard in the US Supreme Court regarding the rights of Freedmen vis-à-vis their former owners and tribal rights. Thus far, the Freedmen have been unsuccessful in achieving full tribal status. I’m pretty sure the issue is not dead but that is just my own editorial comment. As Yogi Berra would say, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over”, and “I ain’t heard the fat lady sing.”

Coming Home Part IV - The Final Act

I arrived here in Seminole in May, 1915. Unfortunately, I arrived without my little buddy, Marsha Ann Mills. I was supposed to pick her up in S Louisiana, enroute from Knoxville, TN to Seminole. She had had a major crash due to her COPD and she was in the Intensive Care Unit in Westlake, LA. I was absolutely scared to death. I had known that little girl since she was just a tyke. I was 8 years her senior. We were all in the same neighborhood. It was almost by accident that she was to come home with me. We communicated by various means when I was in Knoxville and she was in S Louisiana. She was not being treated well by those who were supposed to be caring for her. In finality, I told her I was going home and that I was going to retrieve her; no discussion, no debate. It was about 2 weeks before she was well enough to travel. I had gotten a house, suitable for her needs, a new truck and got it ready for her arrival.

When I got to her, she was very weak. I took care of her there for 3 days, feeding her, etc., getting her ready to travel. We finally pushed off and it was a very hard trip on her. I had planned to take a nurse with me for the trip up here but those plans fell through. We finally arrived here about 4 am in the morning and carted her medical supplies—O2, O2 machine, etc. and got her settled. We were both exhausted. I did everything for her, and I mean everything. Almost 2 years later, she told me it was time to make her an “honest woman”. Thus, on May 6, 2017, we were married. It was providential, especially for those of you who know us and know our story. I cannot describe just how much we meant to each other. EVERY DAY was just another fun day and a BLESSING! We were HOME! We both grew up here. This was it!

We did everything together but for the errands, etc. Her COPD had her largely confined. We did however run all over Seminole Indian Territory [IT] to put together the 10,000 year-old history of this very spot. We packed all of her stuff, medical and otherwise and drove and walked this county. That girl was the happiest she had ever been and that is no exaggeration. It was the best of my life too. THAT is no exaggeration. We put together our FB Website:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/SeminoleITGhostTownsandHistory/

Everything is documented there; our travels and travails. It was/ is a massive undertaking. It remains a Work in Progress and will take the rest of my life to finish it. I shall!

I lost my wife on September 24, 2017. That was the worst day of my life. The COPD and an emergency gall bladder surgery was just too much for her frail body. I am still lost. I lost my heart. She took it with her. You must visit our website. Here you will find this:

Marsha Mills Matthews and I created this group for those in Seminole, Oklahoma, past and present, who have interest in their history. This history is not complete without the complete history of the Seminole Nation Indian Territory [IT], following their removal on the "Trail of Tears"--this was the "End of Trail". This will cover Seminole Lighthorsemen, the Civil War, Famous Lawmen and Outlaws, Ghost Towns, etc. This is an ongoing and quite massive project and it will culminate in presentations in various venues. We hope you enjoy the product as much as we enjoy putting it all together. The earliest posts begin at the bottom of the page. I should say too that some of this goes beyond just Seminole IT and includes Oklahoma history generally. Marsha, the Love of my Life, passed into the Lord's Hands on September 24, 2017. She loved working with me on this as well as other sites we developed together. I miss her. I will always miss her. This site is dedicated to her memory and what a memory it is. The background photo above is the old Mekusukey Mission. This site remains a Work in Progress.

This is my final chapter[s]. Here I will remain. I grew up here in an idyllic time and place. I will be going nowhere. My name is at Maple Grove on her memorial. We will be there forever and a day. That is the one request she had that stood out – “I want to be with you forever and a day.” There it will be…we will be comingled.

This book that follows is her book, as well as mine. As stated, it is dedicated to her; her life, her smile, her loving heart; her very being is more than I can convey. She is my life, my love, my heart…

The book follows, dedicated to that most wonderful of human beings. I was honored that she asked me to make her an “honest woman.”

Vaya con Dios

Coming Home III

I recall clearly coming home to take care of mom following her massive stroke in 2005. I was on vacation with my Greek American Princess [GAP] in La Crescenta, CA, with my friend and his wife, Danny and Marja Webster. Danny is another Seminole boy, son of Bob and Mary Jo Webster. We were in a seaside inn north of Santa Barbara when I got the call. We had to cut the trip short, re-book our flights and fly back to DC.

We had flown American Airlines and I requested a family emergency relief on our tickets. Long story short, AA gave me a ration of shite and charged us an additional $150 per ticket. I requested to speak to her supervisor and there was no help there. I told the nitwit to write my name down because he would be hearing from me. Being a lobbyist on the hill, I knew the AA cadre of lobbyists. I had contacted then US Senator George Allen R-VA. I told him the story about the AA debacle and asked him if he would file a piece of legislation for me. He loved the idea and got Representative Frank Wolf R-VA to file it on the House side. They got to work and had a passel of bill sponsors and the legislation got legs, so to speak. Since I was still in Oklahoma, taking care of mom, I could not hand deliver the legislation, so I called the AA chief lobbyist and referenced the bill and why I had gotten the ball rolling. At that time, I gave him the names of the culprits that had put the screws to me. He went ballistic! Not at me but at the situation I had endured. He begged me to relent but I reminded him that they would be hearing me and besides that, airline policy had to change.

When such a bill is filed like this one, it kicks in a lot of machinations. AA had to hire what are termed, “Hired Guns”, private lawyer/ lobbyists. Not only that but the Airlines trade association had to take the lead on the issue since all airlines were thrown into the same boiling water. The trade association had to employ some hired guns. The die was cast. Just a few days following our conversation, I received a check in the amount of $300 US Dollars. The trade association dude pleaded with me to pull the bill. I did not relent, the bill flew, and it is now law. There is a saying, F with the bull and you get the horn. It applied in this instance. FYI, a bill like this costs $millions to play. It cost the airline industry $multi-millions.

In order to get to OK, we flew to DC so I could pack and take my car, knowing I would be here for a while. That was the longest drive to OK I had ever taken. I drove straight through, 1,350 miles. Just as I was crossing the AR/ OK line, I was almost nailed by a staginny! That sumbiatch had a wingspan the width of my car. I was in my Cobra, top down on a beautiful September evening. I had my summer tan on so I guess he thought I was an Indian. Believe me when I tell you, I had that Cobra on afterburners. It is a small wonder I did not end up in the ditch. I pulled over at the first gas station that would take me all the way to Seminole. I was still shaken by that damned owl. In addition to gas, I got a 6-pack which would also get me to Seminole. I pulled into the house I had bought for mom at about 10:30 pm. The house was an oven so I kicked in the AC and went outside to inspect things. The lawn was a wreck so I had to get someone to mow it the next day. I was also a wreck and I had to drive to Integris Baptist in OKC the next day. I spoke to the doctor and he told me that 2 things saved her life. The stroke occurred while she was at the Senior Center rather than at home. Everyone kicked it into high gear and got her on Medi-Flight. That saved her life. Her stroke was massive. I stopped in Shawnee to buy some things I would be needing due to her condition. She could not chew/ swallow like normal so I had to run her food through a food processor. No lumps! I remained in Seminole for 6 months, feeding her, monitoring her meds etc. Her sister came down from S Illinois to retrieve her. Mom had 3 sisters there, other family and friends so she would be better served there. This was an assisted facility in Flora, IL. Martha and her daughter Stacy had cleaned out the 4-horse trailer and we loaded that up for the trip. I remained there a few more days and ended up selling the house. That is another fun story altogether. I did get in some Crappie fishing during this time, beginning in January. and I actually got a tan, fishing in shorts and tank tops. Barb took one look at me when I got back and said, you son of a …. :-). We both got a good laugh out of that.

I took the route to DC whereby I could go to Flora on the way back. We got her sister the Power of Attorney and other affairs in order and then I was on my way back to DC. This was one of my 6 months living in Seminole affairs. The next one was to be in 2012, when I was in the process of retiring. That too is another fun story altogether. My final landing was here in May, 2015…long story.

Isn’t this fun? You are getting to read parts of my book and little bit at a time. To be continued…

Coming Home Part II

In January 1977, I moved to OKC to work for then Governor David Boren. I was back in Seminole quite often. I played tennis at Twin Lakes with some of our local yahoos. I still play tennis here but with a Tennis Tutor ball machine. I took the Seminole Producer by mail so I could keep up and I have always loved what is now named 85 Years Ago. Back then, I believe it was 45 Years Ago. Growing up here, I knew the players. I did that all the time I was in OKC and when I moved to Washington, DC, following my 20-year SHS Reunion, 1987. That continued until the Producer went digital and I opted for that instead of mail delivery. I was back here quite often even while in DC. All that time away, I had several friends and family keep me abreast of all the scoop of what was going on in Seminole. In so many ways, I was never really “gone”.

When I returned here in May 2015, I was at the bus station for breakfast. One of my friends was there and we talked a bit. He asked me if I was going to be able to acclimate, having been gone for 38 years. He stated further that I had been living in the fast lane and the Seminole pace might bore me. I said not at all. I was done with the fast lane and I was back HOME, where I belonged. I guess one could say this red dirt is in my veins. Throughout my professional career, half of my life had been in airplanes, hotels, restaurants, etc. I loved every minute of it, but I was done, stick a fork in it. The last thing I want to do now is board a plane or check into a hotel. I am afraid to leave town now, fearing I would get lost and not find my way back home. Crossing the state line is not even in the cards but for one trip I must take to finish business. I dread that!

I was not born in Oklahoma; I was born in Effingham, IL, land of my mother. We moved here when I was 3, in time for my sister’s birth. This was the land of my father and his father. I suppose than makes me a naturalized Okie. That notwithstanding, Oklahoma is all that I recall of my youth. I am back home. I could live anywhere I wish. I will be going nowhere; this is where I belong.

Coming Home Part I

Well Lucy, it is 4:30 am. I just thought you should know that. Why are we up? This is the time of day my alarm would go off to deliver the Daily OK when I was just a tyke here in Seminole America. I also had an afternoon route which was the Seminole Producer. Usually I would see the stack of newspapers drop out front by about 2:30 pm, that is unless it was baseball season and then I would bike my way to the Producer, fold my papers, deliver them and then bike to summer league baseball practice. Since dad was coach, I would toss the bicycle in his pickup and we would go to supper. Dinner btw was what we now call lunch. Back then, Milt Phillips was head of the Producer. They lived one block north and half a block west. Joe Mills, Marsha's dad, was a few doors east of Milt. That was when Milt Phillips Avenue was 1st Street. Those were heady times in Seminole. Growing up here was not hard to do. I had a schedule even then as I do now. It seems that I have always had a schedule. Thus, I had a reason to be up at 4:30 am. I do not now. Why then am I up now. I guess I will go get the paper and see what's what in Seminole America.

My paper routes were south of Strothers, from Lincoln on the West to Highland on the east, to Broadway on the south. I knew every house by the name of its occupants. Since I was raised at the First Baptist Church, by a Deacon, I was in church when the doors were open. So, with school, summer baseball, paper routes, church, etc. I knew most everyone and they knew me, for good or for bad. If I acted out, mom would know within seconds, simply by dialing 291. I still remember 3-digit phone numbers to this day. Later, it was 2911 and finally, EVergreen 2-2911. Back then, a sign on the corner of Strothers and 1st street read Seminole Population 13,000. Like a lot of things now, that is no longer. There was never a time when I considered anything but returning here to retire. Like a lot of things, I have come full circle; back where my grandfather came 113 years ago, when this was Tidmore, Indian Territory [IT].

This is the runup to my book to be published later. Coming Home for me came in segments. I will present two more following this one and later, another part or two will follow.

More to come...

Seminole Indian Territory Installment XIII

Seminole IT Ghost Towns Trek October 7 2016

Our trek began just north of I-40 on SH 56 at Irene Seminole IT Ghost Town which later became Schoolton.
IRENE – Six miles south of Boley, A post office from October 31, 1903 to November 28, 1907. Named for Irene Davis, the late Mrs. W. S. Key of Oklahoma City, daughter of Chief Alice Brown Davis, Seminole leader. On December 19, 1907 a post office named Schoolton was established at approximately this same site. Sect 27 11N 8E.
SCHOOLTON – Six miles south of Boley. A post office from December 19, 1907 to June 30, 1917. Until November 28, 1907, a post office named Irene had been located at this same proximate location. The name was selected by William P. Weston, local educator, in recognition of plans for a fine school system. ODOT places it in Sect 27 11N 8E. GNIS: 35 23 30 N, 96 27 30 W.
As with previous treks, we found some things on purpose and many other things quite by accident, but pleasantly thus. One such accident was in finding Sandcreek Cemetery. There you will see some very old headstones. See:
http://www.okcemeteries.net/seminole/sandcreek/sandcreek.htm
For further information on Sandcreek as well as Schoolton Cemeteries, see this:
http://www.travelok.com/…/seminole-county-genealogy-resourc…
The above gives a plethora of information other than just cemeteries.
Our overall objective was to begin in Irene/ Schoolton and work our way up to Arbeka, on NS 368, beginning at EW 112, points in between and other spots, time permitted. You will be able to see on the maps provided the county roads, both NS and EW, in case you would like to explore further. We ended up as far north as just above EW 108. Many of these county roads just end with no warning.
We worked our way around the Irene/ Schoolton Twp and went on to locate the Schoolton Cemetery, on EW 111, which we located but did not drive into it. It is privately maintained, with no help from any government sources. A sign gave you a heads up if you wished to make donations for upkeep. You will find there some very old headstones as well.
From there, we went to see some spots on EW 110 that I had interest in seeing. It was on that road, as far as one could go west, where it ends up at a farm/ ranch. That is where you will find, among other things, a heard of Llama—photos at https://www.facebook.com/groups/SeminoleITGhostTownsandHistory/. We were both blown away! You had to be there, pictures just won’t do.
Following that big surprise, we went to Arbeka. ARBEKA aka Arveka…
in extreme northeastern corner of Seminole County. A post office from September 10, 1883, to December 14, 1907. Taken from Abi' h' ka, meaning 'peace town' or 'a place where justice was received.' The topo map shows Arbeka Church in the NE corner of that section at 35 26 58 lat. N And 96 27 33 long. W  ODOT list places it in 9-11 N 6E.
SEE also: Arbeka, Vytauto gatvė, Vilnius, Lithuania [Map at same website]
Arbeka is in the rather large Red Mound Seminole IT Township. We drove all over this area, including trying to locate the Arbeka Church and cemetery. As with many of these places, some of this is so overgrown that finding anything will require some exploring on foot. That was not the objective of this trek—that will come later. Since we had some time available, we decided to head a little south and a little west and see if we could locate Haney Church, cemetery and Twp. We found the area but finding said cemetery and church was about with the above, overgrown, requiring some foot traffic. See HANEY on website maps.
Ten miles northeast of Seminole. A post office from February 17, 1908, to November 30, 1916. Named for Reverend Willie Haney, prominent Seminole. Sect. 22 10N 7E. I believe however it is Sect 24 10N 6E, although the extent of the boundaries is not known in most cases. Just below Haney Church is Heliswa, which we will visit on the next trip.
Two very unexpected things occurred next which also were a pleasant surprise. One was finding the ruins of the Excelsior School. Neither of us had ever heard of such. Photos are provided of the ruins in what became the Butner/ Cromwell School District. We believe you will find the photos to be a surprise and informative. We just do not know our own history; that much is quite clear. We have provided some of that for you here. There is also a website referenced that will provide a photo of the school intact, as well as some history on the school.
Following this, we meandered all over the general area. I should say we will return to Arbeka for what will be an expected, at least to Marsha and I, very big revelation that you will find fascinating and a very large part of the history of Seminole County. What we found on our way back to the big city was also a blast—a graveyard of some very old farming implements. Another big surprise was finding, in Seminole County, a Creek Stomp Grounds—see photo of the sign. We assume this may have been here before the boundaries were drawn in finality.
This is an ongoing and a massive project that will culminate at a point certain in time; or should I say times. We will fill in many blanks as this unfolds. One of the most important facets of this is that we are having more fun than at any time of my travels south of the border, north of the border, the Far East, Britain, W. Europe, etc. Being with Marsha Mills Frank throughout and seeing the smiles and hearing the comments is worth more than gold. I know that many of you will understand that. This is a labor of love and I was lucky to share it all with one that I love. Our own history is a fun thing in itself. All of this will be made available in time, at a time of our choosing, as well as the venue. Eat your hearts out LOL.

A Creek Stomp Dance Grounds in Seminole IT. The Seminole Nation split from the Creek Nation and present day Seminole County became its own Seminole IT. On EW 112 just west of 367 NS.

Farm equipment grave yard on NS 359 between EW 117-118

Excelsior School
This history was taken from the "The Lions Roar Again" Newsletter
Established during the rich oil boom of the 20's and fed by revenues from major oil companies, Excelsior became one of the richest school districts in the state, The district first included three "wing" grade schools located at Goodwill, Struggleville, and Forty Nine which were all moved to the main school site in 1937.The total community was united in providing a quality educational curriculum as well as student involvement in successful, competitive athletics, vocational agriculture, home-economics, and extracurricular activities such as school plays, glee clubs, and operetta. The first class graduated in 1926. The last class graduated in 1960 after which Excelsior consolidated with Butner at
Cromwell.
Brief History Of Excelsior
(From John Hopper's Article)
See this:
http://www.butneralumni.com/butner-history.html
Something of note on the former boundaries of Seminole/ Hughes counties:
First Butner School: 1898:
The very first Butner (Oklahoma) schoolhouse was built in 1898, nine years before Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, became the 46th State of the Union of The United States of America in 1907. The main street of Butner was the county line between Seminole and Hughes Counties. The school was located nine miles northeast of Wewoka. The first Butner School was actually located just inside Hughes County. The Hughes-Seminole County line was moved east after statehood to its present location.

To be continued…