Income Taxes

1916

Ninety-nine full-blood restricted Indians in the Five Tribes of Oklahoma are paying Federal Income tax, according to an announcement made in Muskogee, Ok.

Displays His "Happy Family"

1915

Printing Firm's "Zoo" Proves Real Attraction

PERRY, Oklahoma, Dec. 16. — In the front show window of the Southern Printing Company's office here is a "Happy Family" that attracts the attention of hundreds of people. Living happily together and eating from the same dishes are many beautiful canary birds, guinea pigs of different kinds, squirrels, white and spotted rats, horny toads, and a pair of beautiful Persian kittens. It is a sight worth looking at.

Back of the office is a garden of beautiful flowers, and cages in which are tame possums, pet coons that will follow visitors around like dogs, over a hundred guinea pigs of many kinds, pigeons and other birds and animals. "Wish you could all enjoy them with us," is the company's message to Blade readers.

—Saturday Blade, Chicago, Dec. 18, 1915, p. 7.


1910

A Funeral in Japan

Tokyo, Japan. — In Japan a funeral procession is supposed never to go out of the front gate of a house, the back gate being generally used, and if there is no back gate an arch or ring of bamboo is held by two men within the front gate and the bier passes through that. After a funeral salt is sprinkled on the threshold and the house is swept out.


Natural Antipathy

Work kills a few men, but that isn't why so many are afraid of it.

Girls Travel On "Nerve"

Oct. 1910

Two Oklahoma Young Women Start Out Without Money on a Three-Years' Trip

Chicago. — "We are going around the world on our own endeavors and nerve for educational purposes and to see if two women can work their way in such an undertaking," said Miss Olive Adair and Miss Oralee List, two young women from Tulsa, Okla., who arrived at the Congress hotel, Chicago, from St. Louis, on the first part of their long journey.

They wore broad white satin sashes, with the words, in black letters, "Around-the-World Girls From Tulsa, Oklahoma," and their suitcases and traveling bags were decorated in similar manner. They wore light tan traveling gowns and black turbans. "We are going to make a tour of the world," they said, "and will earn our passage."

Miss List is a composer of music, and Miss Adair is a singer and a writer of short stories. "We started without one cent of money, earning our fare to Kansas City by singing on the streets and selling papers."

Rides to His Death in Locomotive Cab

1920

Engineer Stakes His Life in Effort to Save Train

MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma — Joe Lambert of Denison, Texas, engineer on Missouri, Kansas & Texas southbound passenger train No. 7, was killed when his train crashed into the rear of a southbound freight which had been forced to stop when it struck a company motor car in a heavy fog one and a quarter miles south of Muskogee.

Lambert stayed with his engine when he saw the caboose of the freight loom up out of the fog and was crushed between the tender and dock of the engine, as the cab crumpled up in the impact. His fireman jumped and was uninjured.

No one else was injured, but passengers on the passenger train, a thru fast train from Kansas City to Dallas, were severely jolted.


1915

Self-Control

One valuable way of practicing self-control is in checking grumbling, and in unnecessary display of vexation at petty inconveniences.

A workman has fulfilled his task imperfectly, some order is wrongly executed, some one keeps you waiting unreasonably; people are careless or forgetful, or do what they have in hand badly. Try not to be disturbed, be just, and show the persons to blame where they are wrong, even (if it be needful) make them do the thing over again properly; but refrain from diffuse or vehement expressions of displeasure.

A naturally quick, impetuous person will find that to cultivate a calm external habit is a great help towards gaining the inward even spirit he needs. — H. Sidney Lear.

Mountain Lions and Wolves Annoy Stockmen

1906

Cattle and Sheep Destroyed in Oklahoma by Animals from Game Preserve

Washington. — The Wichita reserve in Oklahoma, which President Roosevelt set apart as a refuge for game, is overrun with wolves and mountain lions, and many complaints have been received from cattle and sheep raisers.

John Goff, the hunter who acted as the president's guide on his hunting trip of a year ago, even with his skill, has not been able to exterminate the lions, and cattlemen and sheep raisers are hoping that the president will make another trip to that section and that he will bring with him all his friends capable of handling a rifle.

Practically similar conditions exist in the Gila reservation in New Mexico. Stockmen complain that because of the establishment of these reserves where wolves and mountain lions take refuge and cannot be hunted, they have increased to such an extent as seriously to threaten their business. Before the establishment of game refuges, stockmen by offering bounties for the scalps of wolves and mountain lions managed to keep them down.

Stockmen say that unless the government takes some action looking toward the extermination of these beasts it will not be possible for them to continue grazing their herds in or near the reserves.

Now That We Have Caught Your Eye

Advertisement, 1913

NOW
that we have caught your eye

We want to tell you about that new
Electric Iron

Just the thing for hot weather,
no red hot stove on a red hot
day — no walking, no lifting,
easy to regulate. Try one.

ADA ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANY
Phone No. 78 — 209 W. Main

—The Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, July 17, 1913, p. 3.

Unsuccessful Suicide Attempt, Drinking Listerine

Missouri, 1922

MAN TRIES TO COMMIT SUICIDE

Police Say Dwight Tannehill Drank Listerine in Unsuccessful Attempt to End Life

An unsuccessful attempt to commit suicide is thought to have been made last night by Dwight Tannehill, when he drank a small quantity of Listerine.

According to the police, Tannehill came in late last night from Quincy, where he has been working, and told the police that there was an automobile here which belonged to him. Later, according to the police, he called Emerson Roberts and told him that he was Doctor Clapp and that Dwight Tannehill had shot himself and taken poison and for him to come at once.

When Roberts and his wife entered the Tannehill home, the police say that Tannehill attacked Roberts. Doctors were called and Tannehill was quieted. Later the police found a bottle labeled "Listerine" outside the window. The man is supposed to have attempted to end his life by drinking the contents of the bottle. He will recover.

—Moberly Monitor-Index, Moberly, Missouri, November 27, 1922, page 1.


Fire Destroys Barn and Peanut Roaster

Oklahoma, 1915

Fire destroyed a barn and corn and peanut roaster belonging to Mr. Hopgood early Sunday morning. He has for some months operated this roaster on West Main street and as it was a valuable piece of property, he kept it in his barn on East 8th street at night. The fire, which was discovered about 4:30 was of unknown origin. Mr. Hopgood stated that the roaster cost him $1,000.

—The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, December 13, 1915, page 4.

Brother Oliver Preaches Great Sermon on Noah's Flood

Ada, Oklahoma, 1906
---------
OLIVER PREACHED GRAND SERMON TUESDAY NIGHT

Bro. Oliver was at his best at the Tuesday night service, and his sermon was one of the best that we have ever heard in Ada. His text, "And the Lord said unto Noah, 'Come thou and all thy family into the ark'" is found in Gen., vii, 1.

Mr. Oliver began by reviewing the results of scientific investigation as to the age of the earth and the date of the creation. He concluded this by saying that no two scientists agree upon the age of the earth. The estimates vary from a few thousands to many hundreds of millions of years. We must, therefore, reach the inevitable conclusion that we only know that man was created and not when. Mr. Oliver gave a brief review of man's history from the day of his creation to his destruction by the flood. The basic thought of the sermon was that as God called Noah into the ark before the great flood, He is now calling all into the ark of salvation.

"People made fun of Noah when he responded to the command of his God to build an ark. Perhaps his family was snubbed by the social leaders of his neighborhood. People called him an old stogy, and mocked and scoffed at him. But Noah said, 'God will send plenty of water.' He will always flood the soul when his children obey his commands. You will not get a blessing while you are playing the hypocrite." Mr. Oliver quit his line of thought just here long enough to condemn hypocrisy in the local church. He said that those who drive to Byrd's mill or any other mill on Sunday ought to be turned out of the churches. "There are hypocrites right here in Ada who are dragging men and women to hell." Mr. Oliver asked, "Are you fulfilling the command God has made of you?"

"Just as the people were indifferent and reveling in sin while Noah was building the ark, people are today turning an indifferent ear to the warning that God will again destroy this old world and all with it who do not take heed now and make their eternity secure in the ark of the blood of Jesus Christ."

Mr. Oliver attacked the theory of the Universalists, who say that God is too good to punish his people. "The same devil who told Eve to eat of the forbidden fruit, that no harm would come to her, tells the Universalists that God is too good to punish those who disobey Him."

Mr. Oliver's description of the filling of the ark with birds, beast and man; the dastardly work of the uncompromising waters and the awful end that befell all living creatures was eloquent, graphic and picturesque. He painted a lifelike picture, which will always be remembered by those who heard him.

Mr. Oliver pleaded that the families of Ada let God shut them in the ark of salvation just as He shut Noah and his family in the literal ark. "It means eternity security. I pray God that He save you from the storm of judgment."


Announcements.
Mr. Oliver will preach a farewell sermon to the Christian people Sunday morning at 11 o'clock on the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit."

On Sunday afternoon he will preach to men only. Subject, "Manhood."

--The Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, August 8, 1906, page 1.

Comment: This is a great article. I like how Mr. Oliver dispenses with the whole issue of the age of the earth. Then the mocking that Noah must have received is a nice part. As for Byrd's mill, I don't know what that is, but apparently some worldly behavior went on there, dancing, maybe drinking, I'd guess. Finally, the article writer's review of the sermon, one of the best ever heard and to be remembered always, is classic. I love it.

Pastor Marries Couple In Bathing Suit, May or May Not Have Involved a Mud-Hole

Lawton, Oklahoma, 1922
----------
["Saturday" was April 29, 1922]

ABDUCTION OF LAWTON MINISTER STILL UNEXPLAINED; VICTIM FOUND BOUND AND GAGGED IN MUD-HOLE, BUT IS NOT HURT

Associated Press Dispatch.

LAWTON, Ok., May 1. - Both factions of his congregation here today were discussing the abduction Saturday night of Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, who was found lying in a mud-filled ditch twelve miles east of here shortly after midnight Saturday, bound and gagged and in a semi-conscious condition. There was much speculation as to what action Rev. Mr. Irwin would take in the matter, for beyond saying that he recognized none of the three men who felled with a blow on the head on a street here and then took him in an automobile to the place where he was found, the pastor has not made a statement as to what he intended doing about it.

Faction Sought His Removal

Rev. Mr. Irwin, whose removal is being sought by a portion of his flock because he married a couple in a public bathing pool, exhibited moving pictures in his church and preached the funeral sermon over Jake L. Hamon more than a year ago, is to be tried by his presbytery on charges of conduct unbecoming of a minister on May 9. Recently he announced that certain persons were trying to intimidate him and force him to leave town.

Threatened Once Before

Saturday night was the second time within two months that he has been approached by three men. The first time, he said, he was confronted by a trio as he was leaving his church one Sunday night and at the point of guns warned to leave town.

Rev. Mr. Irwin lay in the mud-hole approximately three and a half hours before five persons in an automobile bound for Medicine Park, a resort near here, picked him up and took him to the residence of Senator J. E. Thomas nearby, where first aid was administered.

Escaped Uninjured

Irwin today reiterated his belief that the men had chloroformed him after rendering him unconscious. He was not injured by the men, he said, and today appeared none the worse for his experience.


Associated Press Dispatch.

LAWTON, Ok., May 1. -Resignation of the session, the executive body of the First Presbyterian church here, with the announcement that it would complain to the Oklahoma Synod against what it termed the "persecution" of the pastor, the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, and a statement by the minister that members of a church faction were responsible for his abduction by three unidentified men late Saturday night, were developments today in the attempt of a part of the church membership to have Irwin removed. The judicial commission of the governing presbytery will hear on May 3 charges against Irwin, alleged misconduct unbecoming a minister.

Charges Against Presbytery

The session, which has supported Irwin thruout unanimously adopted a resolution, before resigning, declaring that the El Reno Presbytery, which has jurisdiction over the local church has "been unfair, unchristian, unpresbyterian and irregular in all its proceedings against the pastor and the session." The resolution further charged that the action of the Presbytery constituted "the darkest chapter in the annals of Presbyterianism in the United States, more cruel than the Spanish inquisition."

--Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton, Texas, May 1, 1922, page 1.



STARTS PROBE OF LAWTON KIDNAPING

Abduction of Minister Outside Hands of Church — County Steps In.

(Associated Press.)

LAWTON, Okla., May 2.—The Lawton Presbyterian church controversy got outside the confines of the church today, when county authorities took a hand.

A civil court of inquiry was under way, directed by County Attorney Riley who has undertaken to determine the identity of three men who last Saturday night abducted the pastor, the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin and threw him into a ditch outside Lawton, half conscious and tied and gagged.

Filing of criminal charges, the county attorney said, would depend on the outcome of the investigation. The county attorney today prepared subpoenaes for about thirty persons who had been ousted from Pastor Irwin's church by the church session or executive board, with the sanction of Mr. Irwin and who have joined the movement to have him expelled from the Lawton pulpit.

Mr. Riley said all the suspended members or anti-Irwin factionists would be interrogated about abduction and asked to explain their whereabouts on the night the alleged slugging and kidnapping took place.

Pastor Irwin and three members of the church session were called in last night and questioned at length when the county attorney decided to convene the Inquiry court.

--The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2, 1922, page 7.



LAWTON PASTOR CALLED BEFORE PROBERS TODAY

Scandalized Minister Will Explain Conduct To Judicial Board.

RESIGNATION HINTED

Irwin Announces He May Quit Church That Put Fire On His Head.

(By the Associated Press)

LAWTON, May 9. -The judicial commission of the El Reno Presbytery, which has jurisdiction in this territory, met here this morning to hear charges of "conduct unbecoming a minister of the Presbyterian church" against the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Lawton.

Mr. Irwin announced recently that he would resign from the church and his request for dissolution of his pastoral relations with the local church was to be presented to the commission this morning. This action, in the opinion of the Presbytery, will eliminate the necessity of a trial.

When Jake L. Hamon was buried at Ardmore more than two years ago, the Rev. Mr. Irwin preached the funeral services, eulogizing the former republican national committeeman. The pastor had been a constant supporter of Hamon and this with the funeral service brought dismay to his congregation, split the church, and resulted in part of the congregation leaving. Then last summer the minister married a couple in a bathing pool at a summer resort here, and more withdrawals from the church followed.

Who Fired Church?

Recent fires were discovered in that portion of the church built by Mr. Hamon and arrangements were made to destroy the motion picture booth placed in the church by Hamon. Then later, on Saturday night, the pastor was abducted by three unidentified persons, and he was found several hours later in a mud-hole near a summer resort near this place.

An investigation by county authorities followed, the result being that charges of arson were filed against the pastor and a member of the church board of session, which had resigned. Arraignment on this charge is scheduled for tomorrow. The county attorney announced that his investigation of the alleged abduction led him to believe that it had been arranged and the matter was dropped.

--The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, May 9, 1922, page 1.



MINISTER'S FROCK TORN FROM IRWIN

LAWTON PASTOR HELD GUILTY IN THREE CHARGES

Rigid Secrecy Is Followed in Hearing Before Presbytery.

IS DENIED COUNSEL

Defendant Is Silent On Trial But Announces He Will Appeal.

LAWTON, July 28.—By his conviction at the secret trial on the widely heralded bathing suit charge, and allegations of perjury and high handed discipline of members of his flock, the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin former pastor of the Lawton Presbyterian church, was unfrocked as a minister of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America early today by the judiciary commission of the El Reno presbytery. "You are indefinitely suspended as a minister of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America and may the Lord have mercy upon you," read the verdict of the trial body.

The expulsion of Irwin from the ministry came as a close of the episode growing out of the bitter controversy in the Lawton church. The convicted minister gave notice to the trial commission of an appeal to the synod of Oklahoma, the next highest body in the church. The synod is scheduled to meet in October.

Mr. Irwin was found guilty of conduct unbecoming a minister in performing a marriage ceremony last summer in Medicine Park, a resort near here, in which the principals, including the minister, wore bathing suits. It is alleged that the wedding was conducted in a spirit of revelry, bringing disrepute upon the church.

He was convicted of having sworn a false affidavit to obtain a district court injunction restraining interference with his conduct of the affairs of the Lawton church.

Undue Discipline Charged

The third count upon which the jury voted guilty was disciplining of members of his congregation without due process provided by church regulations.

Rigid secrecy was maintained as to the trial procedure although it was known that a number of members and former members of the Lawton church were called to testify.

Mr. Irwin refused to comment on the verdict. He had previously announced, however, that he would carry the issue even to the general assembly of the Presbyterian church if the outcome of the trial should be adverse.

Mr. Irwin conducted his own defense at the trial having been denied the right of counsel.

It was announced that he filed a motion during the proceedings asking disqualification of two members of the commission, J. E. McQueen and J. H. Webb, alleging bias and unfairness. The motion was overruled.

Weight to Represent Irwin in Appeal

OKLAHOMA CITY, July 28. — Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, former pastor of the first Presbyterian church at Lawton, today suspended as a minister, will be represented by Rev. C. C. Weigh of Ardmore in his appeal to the Oklahoma synod from his conviction yesterday at his secret trial before the El Reno presbytery on three counts of ecclesiastical charges.

This announcement was made here by the Eugene Hamilton of Chickasha, Irwin's attorney, who arrived today from Lawton after a conference with the former pastor. Hamilton was not allowed to appear in Irwin's behalf at the trial and the minister conducted his own defense.

In a statement to newspaper men Attorney Hamilton emphasized that Irwin was suspended from the ministry and not from the church, and that he can be reinstated at any time the presbytery sees fit.

--The Ada Evening News, Ada, Oklahoma, July 28, 1922, page 1.



PASTOR LOSES SYNOD APPEAL

Bathing Pool Marriage Ceremony Origin of Rev. Irwin's Troubles

TULSA, Okla., Oct. 13.—The conviction of the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, of Lawton, on charges of conduct unbecoming to a minister, and his indefinite suspension from the ministry was upheld early today by the judicial commission of the Presbyterian synod of Oklahoma, after a review of the findings of the El Reno presbytery before which Mr. Irwin was recently tried.

Counsel for the suspended minister gave notice that the case would be appealed to the general assembly or the Presbyterian church which meets next May in Indianapolis.

THREE CHARGES ADVANCED.

The Rev. Irwin was convicted on three counts. He was found guilty of having brought disrepute on the church by marrying a couple in a bathing pool at a summer resort near Lawton. The bride and groom and the minister wore bathing suits. The other charges were that he swore to a false affidavit to obtain an injunction in district court to prevent members of his congregation in Lawton from interfering with his conduct of the affairs of the church, and that he had disciplined members of the congregation without due process.

Mr. Irwin faces trial in district court at Lawton on a charge of arson in connection with an alleged incendiary fire at his former church.

"ATTACKS" DISCREDITED.

The fire occurred while he was still pastor. The minister was found outside Lawton on two occasions, this summer suffering from attacks he attributed to men who, he charged were trying to drive him out of Lawton.

The county attorney, after an investigation, declared that the abductions were "framed by the minister himself."

Charges have been made repeatedly by friends and counsel for Mr. Irwin that the whole controversy at Lawton grew out of the pastor's friendship for the late Jake Hamon, Republican national committeeman of Oklahoma, for whose death Clara Smith Hamon. was tried at Ardmore for murder.

The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, October 13, 1922, page 7.



From an account of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America's general assembly, May 24, 1923:

The only case of wide importance reviewed was the appeal of the Rev. Thomas J. Irwin, of Lawton, Okla., from the verdict of the El Reno Presbytery and the Oklahoma Presbytery, indefinitely suspending him from the ministry on charges of conduct unbecoming a minister, violation of his ordination vows and violation of church laws. The Rev. Mr. Irwin came into prominence when he preached a sermon defending the private life of one of his former parishoners, the late Jake Hamon, former Republican national committeeman, who was shot to death by a woman relative. Later he was charged with having married a couple while he and the other principals were dressed in bathing suits, and his troubles with the Presbytery growing out of that affair included civil and criminal court actions, an attempt to burn his church, charges that he had set the fire, two assaults in which he was badly beaten by masked men, and other occurrences.

The judicial commission found that the sentence of indefinite suspension which, the report said "is the ecclesiastical capital punishment," was too severe, and that a reprimand or very limited suspension would have been sufficient. It therefore, recommended, and the Assembly approved, that Mr. Irwin should be restored to membership in the El Reno Presbytery and given a letter to any Presbytery to which he might choose to transfer.

--The Landmark, Statesville, North Carolina, May 28, 1923, page 2.

"The Town of Hate" Is Dead

Oklahoma, 1920
----------
"THE TOWN OF HATE" IS DEAD; TOO MANY FEUDS, NO CHURCHES

WATONGA, Okla., May 20. -- Hate killed Ferguson, Blaine County, Oklahoma.

Fifteen years ago, a town of 1,000 people, having a large salt factory, a gypsum plant, and shipping facilities. Ferguson today is dead. By order of the Postoffice Department, the office has been closed and soon the railroad will be discontinued, with trains running only to Hitchcock.

Ferguson is said to have died fighting as it had lived. People were supposed to have hated each other, and main street fights were common. West of town, alleged outlaws "Yeager" and "Black" had their rendezvous, from where in early morning, they are said to have stolen horses and cattle of farmers and citizens, and then sought safety among the canyons and hills.

The Cyclone saloon still flares out its sign, but its proprietor has set up business in another city. The building is used as a barn, the Cyclone was the scene of many brawls.

The song "Oklahoma" was written at Ferguson. Mrs. Guy Camden, the author, frequented the city and the mountainous vicinity. Other poets and composers once lived in Ferguson.

Inhabitants claim that there never was a good thing done for Ferguson, alleging that strife, hatred, and opposition led to its downfall. Ferguson never had a church, nor talk of a church. The only schoolhouse in its history would not seat more than twenty-five children.

Wrongs were not punished, it is said, and people were permitted to run rampant.

The town of hate is dead.

--The Saturday Blade, Chicago, May 22, 1920, page 1.

Socialist Agitator Tarred and Feathered

Elk City, Okla., April 9. - William Madison Hicks, erstwhile minister and socialist lecturer, whose most recent bid for notoriety, the promotion of "World Peace League," propaganda, won for him an indictment in the United States district court, is hurrying along the road east of Elk City tonight carrying upon his bare back and legs a generous coat of tar and feathers, unless he has braved the dangers of a bath in an open brook or scratched off a part of his burden upon some friendly fence post. His midnight journey of doubtful destination afoot, was undertaken upon the advice of 100 members of the Elk City council of defense who applied the coat of tar and feathers. "Any place outside Beckham County," was the counsel the council members gave him. He didn't wait for further instructions.

Hicks' latest trouble arose from the fact that for the past several days he has been working and talking against the purchase of Third Liberty loan bonds in the Ural neighborhood, a socialist stronghold, ten miles southwest of Elk City. At the instance of members of the council of defense, Hicks was: arrested by local officers and lodged in jail. Rumors of some impending difficulty at 10 o'clock tonight induced the officers to take Hicks from the jail and start with him for Clinton. They had not got far from town when they were overtaken by one-hundred citizens, most of them, it is understood, members of the local council of defense. The officers were gently separated from their prisoner and marched down the road a few rods, while the coat of tar and feathers was being applied. Hicks was released and told to leave the county. The last seen of him he was rapidly walking eastward.

--The Ada Weekly News, Ada, Oklahoma, April 11, 1918, page 1

New Species of Food Hoarder is Discovered

Oklahoma City, March 30. - What the county food administrator's office this morning termed "the most picayune way of helping the kaiser and hurting Uncle Sam" it had heard of in the course of all the food conservation campaign, was contained in these reports this morning:

A considerable number of unpatriotic persons who think the six pounds of flour per month per person is going to be too much of a hardship for them would be flour hoarders, in other words, are making a practice of going among farmers and buying one or two bushels of wheat.

They are usually persons having the use of an auto and after they have bought the wheat, they hunt up some country miller and pay him 25 cents a bushel for milling their wheat. Then, according, to the food administrator's office, thinking they have "beat the barrier," they return home with their flour and add it to whatever other flour they have been able to accumulate.

--The Ada Weekly News, Ada, Oklahoma, April 4, 1918, page 9.