143 YEARS AGO
The robbery of stage passengers on their way to the Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, was by two men who explained that they were not ordinary mercenary rascals, but were moonshiners who required money with which to escape from Government prosecution.
“Come out of the stage, please,” said the spokesman.
THE FAIR
The time is at hand for the anniversary of the Indian International Fair, at the city of Muskogee, Creek Nation. A larger attendance is anticipated this year than at any previous time.
Progress is not only the word for the times, but the times demand that everything necessary to the elevation of society shall be progressive.
ROBBING THEIR OWN CHILDREN
This is what it really amounts to – The Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws and Chickasaws have made ample provision for the education of all their children, but there are too many parents who are deliberately robbing their own children of the only means left them by which they will be enabled in the future to take care of and preserve not only their political but their property rights.
These children are heirs to a large estate, and already that estate is seriously threatened. Unless these children are educated, how can they hope to retain possession against the hosts of scheming invaders who are even now setting the United States authorities at defiance?
It is useless to say you rely on that government for protection in fulfilling its sacred treaty obligations. The government of the United States, like your own instituted authorities, is powerless to enforce a law unless sustained by the moral force of the people, which for just now seems to be directed toward invasion – toward repeating the history of 1832 east of the Mississippi, and the Black Hills of five years ago.
You have valuable property collateral, sufficient to secure you and the able defenders in Congress, before the courts, and at the bar of public opinion to employ men of talent sufficient to enlighten the moral sentiment and repel the forces seeking their own aggrandizement at your expense.
But what value all this wealth if your children are to grow up in ignorance, not knowing how to use it wisely. It is a more serious wrong than you had thought, to allow your children to grow up in ignorance.
Stop robbing your children for the petty benefit to you of a few days’ labor in the field, and see that every child of seven years old and upwards attends school every day possible.
117 YEARS AGO
Friday, September 14, 1906
AN ASSAULT WAS CHARGED
On August 17 Joe Tate fired a shot at Bob Newson, a neighbor, for which he was fined $10 and cost by Commissioner Schofield, who was holding court in the absence of H.I. Marshall, Monday.
Tate and Newson are neighbors upon farms about eight miles west of Eufaula. One of them said something about the other’s wife and this was the cause of the ill-feeling, the result being that as Newson was passing Tate’s house the former threatened to shoot the latter, who asked his young brother, a lad about 14, to go into the house and get his gun.
The boy returned with a pistol, as it was claimed by the defense, was fired with intent to frighten and not to kill.
No arrests were made at the time as Tate promised the authorities to appear for examination when wanted.
PREMIUM BALE HERE MONDAY
Cotton this year is late in coming to Eufaula as it makes its first appearance generally about August 25 and continues till along in January. This year the first crop to make its appearance to the local market was on Monday when two loads were offered, one from near Fame and the other from just west of town.
On account of the unusually heavy rains a short time ago it was thought the cotton crop would be greatly injured, but these rains in the past have not materially affected it and the prospects are considered good.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
– Here’s a prophecy that’s worth something. The Durant News says the democrats will carry the new state by just 27,800 majority. We had it figured out a little different, making the returns 27,803, but the Indian Journal is not disposed to growl about it, and on second thought we are inclined to believe that the News is correct.
– The Okmulgee Chieftain, speaking of the way the constitutional districts are laid out, and of the dissatisfaction of the Democrats concerning them, says: This is not strange, as it was a Republican board that did the business.” Bear in mind, that the Chieftain is a Republican paper, and the truth sometimes drops out unconsciously. A Republican board did the business.
– The Wewoka Democrat is the name of the new democratic paper established in the town named. It is attractive in appearance, full of all kinds of newsy matter; sensibly edited, and will no doubt be looked upon with pride by the community and properly supported, as it deserves to be. The Journal wishes it success.
100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, September 6, 1923
EUFAULA SURE OF GAS SHORTAGE THIS FALL AND WINTER
A reporter for the Journal, in a conversation with Mayor Mullins Wednesday, was informed that Eufaula was sure to have a gas shortage this fall and winter.
Mr. Mullins said the school board had already put in their supply of coal, and that the city had ordered coal and were making all preparations to use coal all together at the pump station; that they could no longer rely on the gas supply.
Mr. Mullins also said it would be well for the public to understand that there would be a gas shortage and that everyone should place wood or coal stoves in their homes and put in a supply either of wood or coal.
JAMERSON IS OUT AS SWEDE COACH The Eufaula “Swedes” are “Swedeless” as a result of a salary dispute between the Eufaula board of education and last year’s coach, Charles Jamerson.
Jamerson held out for a salary of $2,600 and the Eufaula board of education refused to meet his demands. The “Swede” refused to arbitrate and packed his trunk and left.
It was said Monday night that Jamerson had accepted a position with the Central High School of Memphis, Tenn.
Sign New Coach
Harry Hansard, who last year played end for the Arkansas University “Razorbacks,” signed a contract last night to coach the Eufaula team for the coming season. Hansard was placed on the allsouthwestern eleven by some critics.
• ••••
75 YEARS AGO
Thursday, September 9, 1948
371 County Men Sign for Draft
Registration of McIntosh county men subject to the first peace-time draft reached a total of 371 by Tuesday, Wash Grayson, draft board clerk, reported yesterday. This figure includes registrants at all three county offices, Checotah, Hanna and Eufaula.
Disregarding the national plan of registration by birthdays on specified dates, the local board has been completing the formalities for all boys as fast as they appear, regardless of age.
Ironheads Work Under Lights
With the first football weather of the season, the Eufaula high school Ironheads had their initial workout under the lights Wednesday night at Foley Stadium.
Coach Orville Matthews pitted his tentative first and second string lineups against each other, for about an hour of hard scrimmage, that turned up some pretty promising prospects both in the line and in the backfield.
Indian Boarding Schools Open
Students in seven Indian boarding schools in eastern Oklahoma started to class Wednesday, and students in two more will go to school September 13, it was announced Wednesday by A.B. Caldwell, schools superintendent at the agency of the Five Civilized Tribes.
The nine schools will have an enrollment of about 2,000, he said, with five boarding schools operated directly by the agency accounting for about 1,000 of the total.
50 YEARS AGO
Thursday, September 6, 1973
Council Hires Mayor As City Council
The Eufaula City Council voted to hire a City Manager and set the salary in the amount of $450 a month. A motion was made to appoint Mayor Tully O’Reilly City Manager, at a salary of $450 a month along with his mayor’s salary of $150 monthly with expenses to remain the same.
The Other Brothers
It seems that the sports fans of Eufaula have been so proud of the Selmon brothers and their accomplishments at the University of Oklahoma, that another group of three brothers have been overlooked.
Without intending to belittle the Selmons, we should also look at the Fishers.
The three sons of Roy and Elizabeth Fisher are also showing their wares on the field of intercollegiate competition, as well.
David, a junior at Oklahoma State University, is on a baseball scholarship; Chris, is at Rice on a football scholarship, and Gary recently received a grant from Kansas State University for baseball.
All three men were lettermen in football, baseball and basketball in their high school days.
• ••••
25 YEARS AGO
Thursday, September 3, 1998
Jury Convicts Mayor On 10 Felony Counts
Stunned supporters sat quietly controlling emotions as McIntosh County Court Clerk Jane Johnson read the jury’s verdicts in the trial of Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson last week. The first ten counts were announced with guilty verdicts, with the final four as not guilty.
Each conviction brought a one year sentence recommendation by the jury with a $1,000 fine on all but one count that carried a $15,000 fine.
The charges were a combination of the now defunct Mega Star Project and two water companies that were purchased by the City of Eufaula in 1994.
Joe Says Farewell
Eufaula Mayor Joe Johnson said farewell to city employees and friends last week at City Hall. Much of Thursday, Friday and Saturday were spent cleaning out and vacating his office, 23 years of good times and bad were packed up and stored away.
“I believe I have accomplished numerous good things for our city that hopefully over-shadow any of the current distractions,” the former mayor said.
Council Addressing Leadership Crisis
City officials are facing a crisis with the conviction of Mayor Joe Johnson and the resignation of Vice Mayor Glenn Pittman.
A special city council meeting was set for Tuesday, Sept. 1. The outcome of that session wasn’t available at press time.
Bill Day To Run For Mayor’s Post
“I have been approached by many of the townspeople to run for mayor. After careful consideration and deep soul searching, I have decided to do so.
I have lived in and around Eufaula all my life. I served 10 years in the military and 19 years for the Eufaula Police Department. I attended Connors State College where I obtained an Associates Degree in Police Science.
I have served my county and my hometown, both certainly being an honor.
