The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-13
Eighth Grade Pupils of Jefferson School
Write Interesting Book on ArdmOre

n
Pupils Of the eighth grade class Of
jefferson school who received di-
plomas from the grammar school,
wrote a book in connection with their
English this year. work on THE
History and Growth of Ardmore,
the chapters being written by differ
ent members OF the class.
Believing that the subject matter
will be of interest to our readers, ana
that the childrena be commended and
receive recognition Of their work,
chapters of the book will be publish
ed in The Ardmoreite from time to
time The hook is dedicated to Sup
erintendent Richards.
The first two chapters on Ranch
Life in the Early Days" by Ruth
Holdman, and Pioneer Days in Ard
more, by Ruth Breedlove, are here
with published as written by the
young authors. The preface sets
forth its purpose and, plan.
Preface
"The authors for the past year
have been interested in the history
Of Ardmore, and its present growth
and development. We have attempt
ed to write a book on its past and
present. We have collected the ma
terial through interviews with the
old residents and listening TO their
accounts Of early days. Modern in
dustries have also been studied.
'The authors desire to acknowl-
edge gratefully the assistance re-
eeived from many persons in the
preparation of this manuscript
'ArdmUrcs Past and Present
Chapter !
"Ranch Life in the Early Days"
(By Ruth Holdman)
Ardmore was founded in 1887. Be
fore that time it was vast prairie
owned by the Chickasaw Indians.
Their capital was at Tishomingo.
Being Il civilized tribe they had a
governor and law-making bodies. Gov
ernor Wolfe was one of the last gov
ernors
Among the first peoples in this
country were the Irish for the Irish
were mixed with the Indians. The
Indians were of the Catholic denomi-
nation They were supposed TO be
taught by the Irish. some of which
were Catholic priests
The way the ranchmen began com
ing IN this territory was by paying
the Indians q tax Of one dollar on
each of their cattle every year, This
helped 10 support the Indian gov
ernment. If they refused to pay this
tax, the United States marshals from
Fort Smith, Arkansas, were sent for
and they either made them pay or
took them back across the Red river.
Other catuemen received permits
sometimes costing five dollars. from
the capitol at Tishomingo for GER
tain length of time.
Some of the first ranches here were
the Gipson, which ran from the road
10 the oil fields, to the crossing on
Hickory creek and the Hox Bar
ranch, which is south of Ardmore.
John Crner and Alva Rolf ran one
in the mountains not far away and
Dick McLish ran one out past Hick-
ory creek. The Washington ranch,
known as the old 1 S and the larg-
est ranch. was located between Mud
creek and Red river.
Every spring and fall chuck wag-
ons came through here from Fort
Smith. Ark, hunting for cattle
thieves. About four United States
marshals came together. Heck Thorn
as was one who usually came here.
They chained the thieves to a tree
or post at night, They took them
back to Fort Smith to be tried by
four United States judges Judge
Bryant was one of the judges who
caused so many 10 be hanged. The
chuck wagons had a box built in the
back for food and cooking utensils.
The door was taken down and used
for table. II had one leg which
was stood on the ground to support
it.
Imagine yourself spending a day
on the Washington ranch which was
one of the largest Suppose the ranch
house was near the mouth Of Mud
creek It is the place where the men
get their meals and d Chinaman
cocks for them or maybe the owner
and his wife live there. About 80
or rs yards is the bunk house where
the cowboys sleep. On the farthest
corners Of the drift line are dugouts
after riding the drift line all day.
There are about three of these huts.
Near one is corral where the cattle
are branded each year. Men start
riding from different points and meet
possibly at a dugout and next day
ride back over the line again for
there were no fences and men rode
the drift line to keep the cattle from
drifting into another mans lard.
Once year all the ranchmen OF
q certain community drive all their
cattle together and divide them ac-
cording TO the brand, so the drifted
cattle are returned home.
Also once a year the cattle start
from all parts Of Texas and are
driven up the Chism Trail TO Dodge
GUY. Kansas where they are shipped
to all parts Of the United States.
AZ each ranch more cattle and men
Join in for a small body couldn't 20
alone because the Comanche Indians,
which were in the northern part of
Oklahoma. would make raid on
the cattle. There also has to be a
great number of men foI some must
arrive in the daytime and some must
watch at night. What beautiful
scene it is--the moon climbing over
the hilltops the cattle resting quiet.
ly, and the cowboys riding TO and