logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Indian Journal Stories from the past
news
December 20, 2023
Indian Journal Stories from the past
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

147 YEARS AGO

Thursday, August 17, 1876

Indians in Pursuit

Official from Gen. Crook, Aug. 4 communication with Terry is cut off by a movement of the Indians. Crook was to follow the Indians next day with 15 days rations. If he found the hostiles too strong, would swing around to Terry.

From Wichita Agency

Aug. 5, 1876 – A portion of the affiliated bands have suffered from heavy rains and overflow of the Washington River. Most of the wheat was damaged, rendering it unfit for breadstuff.

CAMP MEETING AT WEWOKA

I had the privilege of attending this meeting, near the widow Barnard’s, from the 4th to the 6th of August. It was estimated that 800 Indians were in attendance, and nowhere in my life have I witnessed belter order, or more profound attention to preaching.

I counted 32 two-horse wagons on the grounds, which circumstance is an index to the civilization and progress of the Creek people.

•••••

120 YEARS AGO

Friday, March 6, 1903

A New Enterprise

W. N. Edson informs a Journal representative that he has purchased a large tract of timber land near Eufaula and will open a wood yard here. This is something that has long been needed in Eufaula and we predict that the enterprise will prove a financial success.

Trains Delayed

Eufaula was shut off from the outside world Wednesday as far as mail was concerned. A spark from an engine ignited a trestle about a mile north of town, totally destroying it. All trains were held up until late Wednesday evening.

Thinks It’s “A Whale”

G. S. Kemble returned from Galveston Sunday where he visited his son, G.S. Kemble Jr., aboard the battleship Iowa of the North Atlantic squadron. Young Kemble is doing duty in the machinery department of that ship and has been in the naval service three years and it was the first time he had set foot on his native land during that time.

Mr. Kemble accompanied the reception committee sent out to welcome Admiral Higgins to Galveston. The ships were eight miles out at sea and the trip was made in a yawl which on account of the rough sea rocked so that the committee was stricken with sea sickness and was compelled to turn back. But the committee finally succeeded in reaching the ships.

•••••

100 YEARS AGO

Thursday, December 13, 1923

PREACHER, BRIDE OF 1 YEAR JAILED ON BIGAMY CHARGES Dallas, Texas, Nov. 29 – Charged with deserting his wife and two children and eloping with his choir leader, Miss Ollie Stephens, and later marrying her in Eufaula without being divorced from his legal wife, the Rev. F. W. Lynch, an evangelist, was jailed here on request of his wife, who makes her home in Wichita, Kan.

GETS 4 YEARS FOR STEALING TURKEY Jim Tennison was convicted and given four years in the state penitentiary for stealing a turkey in the district court here last Friday.

The day before his conviction of turkey stealing Tennison was convicted of shooting the owner of the turkey when the owner attempted to stop Tennison when he saw him leaving his place with the stolen turkey.

Sheriff Moore Sprinkled With Bird Shot While out hunting with friends the first of the week Sheriff M. B. Moore was accidently shot by P. R. Whitaker, one of his hunting companions, with bird shot Three of the shots struck Mr. Moore in the neck, one in the hand and one in the breast. He was treated by local physicians and is able to be up and about as usual, and while quite painful, the wounds are not considered serious.

•••••

80 YEARS AGO

Thursday, December 9, 1943

JOURNAL-DEMOCRAT SUBSCRIPTION LIST GROWING FAST Citizens Flock to Office to Get In On Christmas Prices The Journal’s and Democrat’s Christmas cut rate subscription drive is way out in front and hundreds of citizens have already taken advantage of the holiday sale to get in on the ground floor with their subscriptions to the two papers. Citizens living in McIntosh and adjoining counties, if they act soon, can get the Indian Journal from now until January 1945 for only $1.05. They can get the Democrat for only 95 cents, or they can get both the Journal of Eufaula and the Democrat of Checotah in this trade area for only $1.50.

SGT. JIM G. LUCAS GIVEN RECOGNITION ON CONGRESS FLOOR Washington, Dec. 7 – Recognition came in congress today to Master Tech. Sgt. Jim G. Lucas of Checotah, who wrote an eyewitness story of the landing of the marines at Tarawa.

Rep. Wesley E. Disney of Oklahoma told the house that Lucas’ story was “one of the most graphic accounts carried by the American press” and received permission to have it printed in the Congressional Record. Before joining the marines as a combat correspondent, Lucas was a reporter on the Muskogee Phoenix and Times-Democrat and the Tulsa Tribune.

MILITRY MEMORIAL MASS TO BE OFFERED FOR FRANK ECKELKAMP A military memorial Mass will be offered for Pfc. Frank Eckelkamp on Friday, Dec. 17 at 10 o’clock in the morning in the Most Precious Blood Catholic church here by Father Paul V. Brown, pastor of Wagoner and the Muskogee Catholic missions.

Eckelkamp, son of Mrs. Anna Eckelkamp, died in Italy on Nov. 17 according to word received from the war department.

•••••

75 YEARS AGO

Thursday, December 23, 1948

Neighboring Towns Air Hostile Views On Two-Dam Plan Here

Eufaula is On Record as Favoring Two-Dam Projects

Delegations from nine eastern Oklahoma cities and towns voiced their opposition to the two-dam Canadian river flood control project at the U.S. Army Engineers public hearing here Tuesday.

But Eufaula went on the record as favoring the Onapa-Canadian dams, while not opposing the one larger reservoir favored by most of the delegations.

Two Charged With Robbing Aged County Indian Two western McIntosh county farm men are free on bond after denying charges of robbing an aged Indian of $540.

The victim is Sam Thompson, who is recovering from a head injury received during the robbery.

Thompson, who speaks little English, was at his home seven miles southwest of Pierce, when the robbery occurred a week ago Monday night. Two men took the money out of a pocket in his clothing after clubbing him in the head with a heavy stick of wood.

Sheriff Says Safe Cracking Has Mark of Professionals

Sheriff Clarence Douglas described as “no amateur job,” the cracking of the Onapa School safe and theft of its $25 contents Tuesday night.

•••••

50 YEARS AGO

Thursday, January 3, 1974

Food Prices Rise Again in Survey

The old year ended with another round of price increases that pushed the family grocery bill to a level 13 percent higher than it was in March, an Associated Press market basket survey shows.

Seasons First Snow Hits Town

McIntosh County, along with most of Southeastern Oklahoma, closed out the year of 1973 with three inches of snow on the ground, this being the first snow of the season.

Temperatures dipped to the teens Sunday night and snow began falling in the early morning hours approximately an inch on the ground by daylight.

•••••

25 YEARS AGO

Thursday, December 24, 1998

Watts hailed as state civil rights pioneer Everyone from friends and colleagues of Rev. Wade Watts to Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating and State Sen. Gene Stipe stepped onstage at S. Arch Thompson Auditorium in McAlester Wednesday to pay tribute to the late civil rights leader.

Watts, a leader in the civil rights movement, died in McAlester Sunday at a local care center.

Among family members who gathered were Fourth District Congressman J.C. Watts.

New immunizations required for schools, day care The Oklahoma State Board of Health has approved changes to the immunization requirements for attending school and day care. Hepatitis A and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines were added to school requirements, and hepatitis A, hepatitis B and varicella were added to day care requirements.

Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
A: Main, news
Speed, spirit & shamrocks shine at the Eufaula Green Run
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
A little luck of the Irish and a lot of community spirit filled the air on Saturday, March 14, as the fifth annual Eufaula Green Run 5K brought runners, families and plenty of green to the Cove. Hoste...
Women’s History Month
A: Main, news
Women’s History Month
By ALMA HARPER GARDENIA ART FEDERATED CLUB 
March 18, 2026
National Theme: “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Substantial Future” March is Women’s History Month. Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. Before it w...
A: Main, news
McIntosh County Commissioners call Special Election on sales tax renewal
By Shauna Belyeu General Manager 
March 18, 2026
McIntosh County voters will head to the polls June 16 to decide whether to renew an existing county sales tax used to fund roads, bridges and county facilities. The McIntosh County Board of County Com...
A: Main, news
Chamber announces March General Meeting
March 18, 2026
The Eufaula Area Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly general meeting on Friday, March 20, at noon at the Chamber office, 301 N. Main Street in Eufaula. The guest speaker for the meeting will be ...
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
A: Main, news
City continues work on first comprehensive plan
March 18, 2026
On Saturday, March 14, the City of Eufaula continued its work on developing the community’s first comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan serves as a long-range policy document that guides how a city...
news
Wild Game Dinner & Potluck at Lake Eufaula State Park
March 18, 2026
Come join locals for a great evening at Pickens Lake Group Camp, Hwy 150, Lake Eufaula State Park, on March 21 at 5 p.m. as Friends of Lake Eufaula State Park host their Annual Wild Game Dinner & Potl...
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
news
Flat Stanley joined the Green Run
March 18, 2026
Eufaula Elementary School students are bringing a beloved storybook character to life, one adventure at a time. As part of an integrated learning project in Ms. Gilley’s class, students recently read ...
When the Wild Onions Return
news
When the Wild Onions Return
By MICHAEL BARNES CONTRIBUTING WRITER 
March 18, 2026
The scent of wild onions filled the kitchen before anything else. Earlier that morning, volunteers gathered at the Eufaula Indian Community Nutrition Center on Birkes Road to prepare the annual wild o...
news
House approves increased penalties for domestic violence by strangulation
March 18, 2026
Rep. John George, R-Newalla, this week unanimously passed a bill in the House that would add domestic violence by strangulation to the list of crimes requiring a person to serve 85% of a prison senten...
Long nights and legislative progress
commentary
Long nights and legislative progress
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 18, 2026
The past week at the Capitol has i n c luded some long nights as l awma k ers work to move legislation f o rwa rd. This stage of session can bring lively debates as members advocate for their ideas an...
Value what truly matters
commentary
Value what truly matters
March 18, 2026
In the past three months I have lost three valuable people in my life which makes you stop and value what truly matters. First I lost my editor, Jerry, who was a key contributor to our local newspaper...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy