09.24.05
Posted in History at 7:58 am by NW Okie
[taken from Renfrew’s Record, Friday, November 26, 1920, Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma. The Only Democratic Paper in Oklahoma.] — “Ross Frazier, a former Alva boy is visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. R. Frazier on Barnes Avenue, and will remain until after Thanksgiving. Ross has for several years been a valued employee of the New York Trust Co. The Company’s offices are located in the same block with those of J. P. Morgan & Co., and he was a witness to the terrible effects of the explosion on Broadway the past summer. He was just stepping out to lunch when the explosion occurred.
The effect was undescribable. It seemed as if the concussion drove a persons eyeballs back into their sockets. The shrieks and cries of the injured in the crowded streets. The crash of falling glass and other horrifying sights and sounds combined to make a scene never to be forgotten by one who witnessed it. Mr. Frazier says that every window in the immense buildings for blocks around were broken out as cleanly as if cut out of the sash with a knife, and all of the glass from top to bottom of the great 20 to 30 story buildings crashed down into the streets. He thinks that most of the deaths and injuries were caused by the falling glass. It has been some four years since Mr. Frazier’s last trip to Alva and he is enjoying his visit with his parents and old friends very much.”
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09.23.05
Posted in Obituaries at 6:49 pm by NW Okie
[taken from Renfrew’s Record, Friday, October 15, 1920, Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma. The Only Democratic Paper in Woods County.] — Senator S. L. Johnson of Okmulgee, Alva’s First Postmaster, Dies Suddenly Tuesday Morning — Telegrams received Tuesday morning by Mr. Louis Miller and W. F. Hatfield brought the startling news that Hon. S. L. Johnson, former leading citizen of Alva, had died suddenly at his home in Okmulgee. This will be sad news to all of Alva’s early day citizens among whom he lived for seven years, following the opening of the Cherokee Strip and the founding of this city. The following appreciative history of the important work performed by Senator Johnson while a citizen of our city we copy from the Alva Souvenir edition published in 1903, and was written by his old-time friend, W. F. Hatfield of this city, then editor of the Pioneer.
“Mr. Johnson was appointed postmaster of Alva on the establishment of the town and on the day of the Opening (Sept. 16, 1893.) had the post office in running order in a frame building on the government acre. During his incumbency of that position, he was ever active and foremost in the establishment of institutions that make for good government and law and order, and during the formative period of society his influence was most potent and of such a character as will be felt in this community as long as it exists. As postmaster he not only gave us excellent service, but on his recommendation the first post offices were established in Woods county (Which then comprised the present three counties of in Woods County) which at one time almost the entire county received the mail through the Alva post office. Elected to the position of school director at the time when our bond issue was limited to $2800 the board constructed Alva’s first school which on the night of its completion was burned to the ground; not appalled by this disaster, he boldly advocated the rebuilding with school warrants and before the ashes had cooled he called a school meeting and a new brick building was immediately constructed on the ruins of the first building and paid for with school warrants.
Alva lacked a church building and he arranged with the Board of Extension of the Congregational church of New York to move the large Congregational church now standing on College Avenue, from Wichita, Kansas, to its present location. It was a Hercluean undertaking for those days and for several years it was the finest church in Oklahoma and it was dedicated in May, 1895. Its presence made the location of the Normal School here, possible, for that institution was located in the church for the first two years of its infancy. In the establishing of the A.O.U.W Cemetery, Woods County Fair and infact every enterprise of a public character, he was foremost and tireless. In the location of the Northwestern Territorial Normal School, (now State Normal College.) he was as has been aptly termed “The Commodore Dewey” of the enterprise. Many of our good citizens labored faithfully in this great work, but the faith of S. L. Johnson never wavered or faltered from first to last. From the first time the matter was broached by him to the city council, until he negotiated and sold the first issue of bonds that made its opening possible, he was continually on the firing line, spending two winters almost constantly in Guthrie in its interests until success had crowned our efforts. In fact and briefly, it is not too much to say that the early history of Alva and Woods county is closely interwoven with the life of our former respected fellow citizen, S. L. Johnson. He has held many position of honor and trust in fraternal societies and on the territorial and state democratic committees, and while he has removed to the Indian Territory, we say that the coming State of Oklahoma and Indian Territory will need such citizens as ‘Sam Johnson’ in its building and that he will be one of the potent factors in directing its future.”
Although the above was written 17 years ago, Mr. Johnson’s subsequent life fully justified the predictions of his friend, W. F. Hatfield, who knew him well and was a coworker with him in all of his activities while a citizen of Alva. After retiring from the position of postmaster of Alva he organized and oil company composed of himself and Messrs. Louis Miller, E. Rall, and the late J. A. Stine, all at that time citizens of this city. The operations of this company were fairly successful and for nearly 15 years Mr. Johnson was engaged in oil and gas interests and other financial operations in which he achieved success. Mr. Johnson and his family moved to Okmulgee in 1900 and in 1902 he was elected the second mayor of that city. In 1910 he made the race for the democratic nomination for Congress from the Third Congressional district, but was defeated by James S. Davenport of Vinita who was elected in the following November. Mr. Johnson was grand secretary of the grand lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen for many years and in 1908 was elected grand master of the Order which office he filled at the time of his death. He was also prominent in the Masonic Order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church.
In 1914 Mr. Johnson was elected a member of the lower house of the Fifth Legislature from Okmulgee county where he took a prominent part, serving on several of the most important committees. In 1916 he was elected a member of the State Senate of which body he was a member at the time of his death.
Samuel L. Johnson was born in 1855 in Brooklyn, New York, a son of Samuel and Matilda Johnson, both natives of Ireland, who came to America when children. When the subject of this sketch was 12 years of age the family moved to Chillicothe in Perio County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. He finished his education in the common schools after which he entered the office of a lawyer of Chillicothe and taking up the study of law was ready for admission to the bar by the time he had attained his majority. In 1880 at Chillicothe, Illinois, Mr. Johnson married Miss Elizabeth Mead, whose father Hiram Mead, was one of the pioneers of that section of the state. Mr. Johnson practiced law in Illinois for several years and in 1899 he came to Oklahoma at the first opening of the territory. As previously stated he came to Alva in 1893 as postmaster of this city, receiving his appointment from President Grover Cleveland.
Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson: Hugh S., Mead S., and Alexander. Hugh is a graduate of West Point Military Academy, graduating and receiving his degree in 1900. He was the first Oklahoman to graduate at West Point. During the world war Lieutenant Johnson served in the office of General Crowder and is credited with being the author of the selective draft law, almost in its entirety. He rose to the rank of brigadier general during the war and at its close resigned his commission. He is at present chief attorney for the Moline Plow Works, Moline, Ill. Mead has for several years been president of the Oklahoma State School of Mines at Miami, and Alexander, who rose to the rank of major during the war is a leading attorney.
The state has lost one of its most influential citizens, in the death of S. L. Johnson, his family a kind and loving husband and father and his community a citizen who always stood four-square for its best interests. Louis Miller and W. F. Hatfield who were closer to Mr. Johnson socially or in business relations than any of our citizens declare that they never knew a man who was more conscientious or square in all his dealings than he was. All of our citizens who knew Mr. Johnson and his family extend their deepest sympathy to Mrs. Johnson and her sons in their suden bereavement.”
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09.22.05
Posted in Obituaries at 2:53 pm by NW Okie
[taken from Renfrew’s Record, dated Friday, August 27, 1920, Alva, Woods Co., Oklahoma. The Only Democratic Paper in Woods County.] –Was Once Mayor of Alva and Lived a Useful Life, Well Liked by Everybody — After suffering for months from a complication of diseases, T. M. Hess, a prominent and useful citizen breathed his last on Tuesday night at 11:40 at the age of 61 years.
He was an extremely practical man and believed that this town should be three times its present size and population. To that end he directed well aimed efforts and the general belief is that in his death this community has lost one of its most progressive citizens. He had long been handicapped by illness, but his fortitude was unboundless and he ever hoped for the best. The spirit of true manhood.
He leaves six children besides his devoted wife, namely; J. C., Sam, Frank, John Hess, Mrs. Blanche Devlin, Mrs. Irene Foster.
The loss of such a man is irreparable. The entire community deeply feels the severe loss and mingles tears with his berreaved family.
AS the time of arrival of relatives and friends from a distance has not been ascertained, it is not known this morning, when the funeral and burial will take place. Extended obituary will be printed in next issue.
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