The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-01-27
SUCCESS CAME
DESPITE LOSS
AND HARDSHIP
Ardmore Man Suffered Re-
verses but Doggedly Stuck
It Out and Kept Stiff Up
per Lip;on Easy Street.

Here is a story that, will encourage
the aged to fight. This man suffered
reverses after the spirit of youth had
fled, after he had reached that age
when he might expect a rest should
he desire il.
l. r. Best moved TO Indian Territory
in 1886 and moved into Ardmore when
the city had just celebrated its first
anniversary in 1883. He established n
grocery, run a wagon yard, owned real
estate, made money and moved along
nicely. In those days when there was
not much money and when the best
salaried fellows drew about $50 a
month it was not uncommon for Mr.
Best to make clear every month as
much as $500.
Reverses Came Along
After he has raised his children, and
they We're gone from home he suffer.
ed some reverses. Just how they came
he could scarcely explain today but one
loss after another overlook him until
ne had nothing left. He held deed 10
small piece Of property but it was
mortgaged for about all ii was worth.
he owed a note at the bank, he had
no business, he had no income from
any source. He suffered from his fail
ure and from embarrassment until he
became sick. So intense was the humil-
iation that he says many times he
would lean up against a telephone pole
and stand there for a minute until n
sick stomach would be relieved suf-
ficent for him to move on down the
street
But he did not give up. lie had 70
make his life over. From the proprie-
one else At his age 1t was not easy
to get a Job. But he found one as
collector. Every day he worked. Every
day he lived on less than he made
Every time he had few dollars ahead
he paid it out on his note at the bank.
Determined TO Pay
In the midst of this struggle he
went to the bank and asked about
a note for $1,000 which he knew he
owed there. The note was gone, it
never was found but Mr. Best did not
try to get behind any excuse. He
knew he owed 1t and he went to work
to ray il.
Within four years from the time
his reverses came he had paid what
be owed He was even with the world
but he did not have any ahead. So he
kept at his work. lie was fighting
against poverty in the years of 1911
and those following when crops had
failed and there y - 1ut little chance
to do anything.
Today he owes no man unless There
are some current bills TO be paid,
He has a nice home on G street north.
west, he has money in the bank and
he has an unusually good credit for
his banker knows he will stick and
work and sacrifice and pay.
Kept Stiff Upper Lip
Two things that stand out as being
the means of helping him to come
back. First he never told any man
of his condition, he kept all that TO
himself He never pleaded for human
sympathy. he did not want it. he
did not want his best friends to know
of his struggle and he hid his re.
verses from every one except those
who had to know il. and second he
was prompt with the bank. If he did
not have but few dollars he was
always on hand when his notes be.
came due and paid what he could and
his banker stuck TO him.
But the big thing in his life was that
he did not let the world know there
was tear in his eye or a pain in
his heart. He suffered in silence. II
he had gone about telling every man
OF his misfortune and seeking excuses
FOR wearing poor clothing and being
behind In his business he never could
have come back.
Mr.. Best has built up q nice real
estate and brokerage business. He Is
doing well and he owes this blessing
to the fact that he suffered in silence
and worked and dealt on the square
with men.