The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-02-16
WRITES OLE OKLAHOMA.
Carroll COuntian Tells Interesting
Facts About His Western Trip.
Lenora, Okla,
February 6, 1912.
To the Advocate

February 6, 1912.
To the Advocate
Many months have elapsed since n
last wrote an article for our beloved
Democratic Advocate. i have pass
ed through many experiences and
travelled thousands OF miles since
last visited the Advocate office and
mingled with my friends who are
readers of this paper.
On July rs, last 4 left my home
near NIT Airy, Md, TO- Thomas, Okla,
to visit an aunt, whom I had never
seen until this trip, and travelled
approximately two thousand miles.
| It was my intention 10 journey from
the Atlantic Coast, to the Pacific, but
while in Thomas, heard Of the Con-
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Oklahoma, which convened
in Guthrie, Okla, ca October 1S- A
attended the conference, presided
over by our beloved Bishop William
A. Quayle. While in Guthrie, 7 met
several Of the District Superinten-
dents. One Of them, Rev y. M.
Strong, offered me d charge in his
district. After much elaboration, /
decided to accept the courtesy. 4 am
now serving three churches, or a.
average OF eight miles apart, with a
salary Of $500.
/ find the job interesting and am
progressing nicely with my work
\ In September, 1912, anticipate en-
tering the New Oklahoma Methodist
University, now under construction
\ in Guthrie, Okla, to complete my ed
ucation "a new Methodist Hospital
\ il also located in Guthrie, OF which
DR.. Fred Y. Cronk, a graduate Of St
Johns College at Annapolis, Md, and
Johns Hopkins University, Of Balti-
more, IL an assistant surgeon. NO
doubt many Of the readers Of this
paper are acquainted with young
DIR. Cronk, a. his home il in Winfield
Nd n had the pleasure OF being en-
v tertained by him, for three days. He
was granted the use of friends car
SO showed me the town of Guthrie
by means of that comfortable con
Of tennis, too. He is extremely pop
uIar in the hospital and town.
4 am glad to state that the entire
v State Of Oklahoma il dry, al well as
Kansas, and many other western
states. Oklahoma was opened %
years ago and became a state three
years ago. Two Governors have fill
ed the executive chair in Oklahoma
City, the capitol and largest city Of
this State, having 64,205 population
tn November, 1910, the great ques.
ton of whether this state was To bt
dry came up and was decided by The
voters Of the state; an overwhelming
majority was given against the sa
loon. Soon after, hundreds of "hel
holes" were converted into differen
kinds Of mercantile houses. Pros
perity is blessing the people Of Okla
homa who brought about the defea
of the saloon, and they are enjoying
manifold blessings now. The ques
ton is settled once for all, it will
never come up again.
TIT Maryland would do a. the West
and annihilate the saloon, it WOulC
be better for the State.
Very little drunkenness is seer
here, though some boot-legging, *
called, il done But the boot-legget
is on the run, and very little is done
anymore This state is subject tt
droughts long and destructive, which
cause much dissatisfaction among
the settlers Outside of this the
people of this State seem to be per
fectly satisfied. In travelling over
land lit is a common occurrence TX
See towns a. large a. Westminster
Md, fifty miles, from the nearest
railroad station. The towns here
are more wide-aWake than Eastern
towns of the same proportions. z
town Of one thousand people will
have an ice plant. electric plant
water works, etc.
The streets are all paved with asp
halt Never does one see the hor'
rible cobble stones like the eastern
cities have. Every town of four hun
dred or more has a weekly paper
some have two. Guthrie has daily
also Oklahoma City. The latter cit!
has only been the capitol for shor
while; Guthrie used to be. The Higl
schools are far more advanced thar
the High schools Of the east. AL
towns Of two thousand or more have
a High school Consolidated school:
are taking the place Of the rura
schools now. Much snow has falleT
this winter in this state, which
causes the farmers to look forward
10 the pest season III years.
The State is becoming thickly set,
tied and il not In such wild state
as it used to be. Many Indians are
to be seen, but they are very much
civilized, 80 are not dangerous
Wolves and deer are to BE- found, but
not in abundance. The jack-rabbit
is very plentiful here, and is being
hunted for the eastern market. IT'S
said that they are sold for $1-OC
apiece in New York. Here they are
never eaten.
At this writing fine warm weather
prevails Cold weather never lasts
long here The farmers are ready tc
SOW oats, they will begin the 18th OF
this month.
E. ROY BUCKINGHAM.