Memories of Early Kingfisher County Residents
submitted by Dawn Anderson

ALFRED WILCOX

From: [email protected] (A. D. and Amy Wilcox)
To: [email protected]

Before my dad passed away in 1992, he recorded some of his memories of growing up, etc. which I later transcribed. Based on what you said about the Alfred Wilcox who lived with Alice Whitney and the time frame, along with this excerpt from my dad's tapes, I'm pretty sure that that Alfred was my grandfather. Do you know how old he was at that time?

from "Lucky Wilcox":
"It might be apropro to mention a few more things about my dad. Both of my grandfathers homesteaded in western Oklahoma. Granddad Hill and Granddad Wilcox both. Granddad Wilcox [Alfred M. Wilcox] was a veteran of the Civil War, one of them damn Yankees, and I still have some of his papers, a discharge paper and a pension paper, and I've got some stuff from the government archives about his unit. In the battles, he was injured and got what they call shellshock back in those days. I gather that he went enough off his rocker that he wouldn't make a good soldier from then on.

Anyhow he had settled down out there in western Oklahoma and apparently mom and dad lived fairly close together and were acquainted after he came back from his wanderings. I'm not sure of the sequence, but I know either his mother or dad died when he was 8 years old and the other one died when he was 13, and he was on his own from then on. He wandered around and did some cowboying here and there and worked on different ranches and places. I always thought I'd inherited my "itchy foot" from my dad because he did quite a bit of travelling and it's amazing really considering the facilities for travelling back in those days.

I know that after World War I, he and mother lived in Olympia Washington for a while. We have some more relatives up there on dad's side by the way, and his half sister (or sister?) Lovina married a guy by the name of Will Whitney and they lived in that area; their kids still do. I never did hear an awful lot about my dad's kinfolks except for Aunt Rhoda and Uncle Este who were still in Comargo while I was growing up; we used to see them every once in a while while I was there.

When we lived in Oklahoma City and Wofford too, we used to visit some of my grandmother Hill's relatives. Her name was Barrackman before she was married, and there are several Barrackmans who lived around El Reno Oklahoma; I remember visiting them once or twice and once in a while they would visit us, even though it was quite a trip in those days from El Reno to Oklahoma City.

Alfred M. Wilcox

Residence Shell Rock IA; 27 years old.

Enlisted on 5/20/1861 as a Private.

On 6/10/1861 he mustered into "I" Co. IA 3rd Infantry
He was discharged for disability on 8/25/1862

He was listed as:
* Wounded 9/17/1861 Blue Mills Landing, MO (Wounded severely in leg)
* Wounded 4/6/1862 Shiloh, TN (Wounded severely in groin)

Other Information:
born in Illinois

Sources:
- Roster & Record of Iowa Soldiers in the War of Rebellion

VIOLA FITCHITT

Transcribed letter from a trip made from Olympia, Washington to Oklahoma.
Transcribed by: Dawn Anderson, January 6, 2001.

From:
MRS. W. WHITNEY
Camargo, Okla
Box #62

To:
MRS. VIOLA FITCHITT
Rt. #6
Olympia, Wash Box 15-7

Post mark: date unreadable. 3 cent stamp, Camargo, Ok

Camargo, Okla
Sept 23, 1946

Dearest Vi, Mary and my boys 2,

We rec'd your lovely letter Vi and was so glad to hear from you again. We are both real well and having a good time. It seems, though, as if we had been away from home a long time. So I imagine that we will not out stay our tickets. We have visited a little in Custer (OK) a couple of times and want to go there again when we can stay as long as we want to.

We drove Esty's (Van Horn, husband of Rhoda Wilcox) car the last time we went and could only stay one night as Esty had to have the car.

The first time of course was very short as Loren (William Loren Whitney) took us in the P.M. and we came back the same evening.

Dad went to the celebration of the opening of the Cherokee Strip at Enid and had a good time and met a number of old friends. I did'nt go as we had'nt made any plans for it and Dad had quite a time finding a place to sleep. He finally got a cot in a long hall in a hotel and slept there both night he was away.

We are going to Elk? City in the morning on the train and I think now that was my plan. I had'nt heard Dad say, but now he says we will go to Okla City in the morning to the State Fair.

And we have a special invitation to stay at Eddie Hendrix and another to stay with Burris Van Horns. So I guess we will stay there a week or so.

We drove over to Doves(?) yesterday to a picnic dinner with Esty's Bros. One came from Kingfisher (OK) and another from Okla City and there were four of the Bros and their families over 40 people and as we were finishing dinner in Perry's yard a grand old dirt storm came and we all fluttered to the house. The wind continued blowing and made it rather hard to drive home.

Well if I remember, I'll have a lot to tell when we get home. I am glad you have the burner installed in your range. Let us know how you like it. Did you put out some shells for the chickens? How are the folks getting along in our house. I got a nice letter from Blanche (Blanche Whitney Modes) and I told her to put up tomatoes for us if she has time and I'll pay her. If our tomatoes are no good. I do want tomatoes and I guess we must have fertilized ours to much. Did Gladys get some corn? I haven't heard from Gladys. Loren will start back day after tomorrow or Wed Sept 25. Love Mother

Note on top of page 1: I wrote to Billie (William Fitchitt) and got mixed up and addressed it to you. This is for all of you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To:
Mrs. A.E. FITCHITT
Olympia, Wash
Rt 6 -Box 58a

From:
LOVINA O. HULL WHITNEY

Postmark: Racine, MO May 1, 1935, 3 cent stamp

Dated: May 1, 1935
Dearest Vi and Family,
We came over to uncle Alfred's (this could be ALFRED WILCOX) yesterday. Aunt Rhoda (Rhoda Hull Van Horn) came with us. Alfred, Zella (most likely Zella Hill) and John and Lyndell are feeling pretty good and Mrs. Hill lives by herself in a house close to Zella that is within calling distance. Mrs. Hill will not live with any of the children and she does'nt want any of them to live with her. She will be 71 yrs old Saturday and Zella is giving her a surprise. She has invited all of Mrs. Hills children over here. So I suppose we will got to see them.

We had a lovely trip over here yesterday. It was cloudy all day and cool enough so I wore my sweater and coat nearly all day.

It is cloudy and cool today. We were glad to know that Art (Arthur Edward Fitchitt) landed a job. Hope he will like his work. Write to Camargo and I'll send a card once in a while until we back there. Mother. Ester and Esther are planning on coming over here Sunday or before and will bring me any mail that comes there before. Papa hasn't had a sick minute and he enjoyed his meals so much.

It is about 385 miles from Camargo. We left there at 7 o'clock and got in here at dark at 8 o'clock. We stopped several times and rested, ate and stretched.

I have several letters from you and two from Helen (maybe Helen Darragh Whitney, wife of Carl Sumner Whitney) and some from Blanche (Blanche Whitney Modes), Loren (William Loren Whitney) and Harold (Harold Grant Whitney) but have never heard a word yet from Alice (Alice Whitney Johnson) and only one short letter from Alfred (Alfred Whitney). I am worried about Alice. She said she would write.

Uncle Esty (Van Horn) was feeling pretty tough, when we left there. He had the flu when we came and took a relapse and he is poor as a crow. Has never fleshed up any since he went to Mayo's (?)

I Like it here. They have gardens and lots of fruit. Uncle Alfred has a quantity of home made sorghum. I will bring some home with me if I can.

Zella had radishes, and lettuce from here garden for supper last night. Let all the folks know that we are all right and I'll write as often as I can. I am wearing my pen out and don't have much time left to visit.

However I am glad to hear from all of you, and hope you will have some good news for us about the house. Yours lovingly, Mother, kiss jr. and Mary for Grandma.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To:
MRS. A.E. FITCHITT
Olympia, Wash
Rt #1, Box 5-8

From:
Mrs. W. WHITNEY (WILLIAM WHITNEY)
Camargo, Okla

Postmark: Camargo, Apr 22, 11am 1935, 3 cent stamp

Camargo, Okla
April 22, 1935

Dearest Viola, Art & Children,

It surely seemed good to have a letter waiting for us when we got here.

There was yours and one from Loren. We certainly had a wonderful trip. A wk ago today we ate dinner with Alfred and we had fine roads and after Mon P.M. we had the very best of weather all the way. Mon P.M. it rained and continued to rain until we were in Camp at Weiser(?) Ida. and it rained hard Mon. night. Our car was in the garage by the side of our cabin, and as they had just tarred the roof, Papa worried about the car. He was afraid the black water would ruin the looks of the car. But it didn't touch the car.

I know, darling it does seem hard to have so little coming in and need so many things for our comfort and the home. But lets thank God that we are permitted to live in the beautiful World and rear our children to help, give comfort to others.

If you could only see the devastation done in Southern Colo. And South Western Kansas (the states that have lent(?) so much to enliven and prosper the World, you would think that we wee truly blessed. For miles upon miles through that highly cultivated and improved country (rich in buildings and other improvements) there is not a green blade of anything. In most of the places the wheat was good & wks ago and there the wheat, soil and everything was plowed perfectly bare as far as it had ever been plowed. Here in Oklahoma the ground is covered with green stuff. They have had a few windy days, but nothing serious. The wheat looks good.

I do hope Art has got work.

I haven't heard from Alice yet since I left there. They were all pretty well and the children are developing so fast, I can hardly realize it.

Alfred and Irene and Richard are pretty well. All but Irene are fine. But her back bothers her a lot. She should have treatment for it, seems to be kind of nervous trouble. She has so much patience with Richard, tho, but sometimes I think he about wears her out. He is certainly a live wire if there was one. He has learned the most most. Mother George Raymers (sp) and then he will get out of patience with his mother and he'll say (Oh! You're a farmer!) he thinks that tells it all. He got mad at Alfred one non, because he kissed myself and Irene and did'nt kiss Papa and he made Alfred come back and then he says (why did'nt you kiss Daddy's Daddy) You ought to have seen him smile when Alfred took Pap's hand and said good by to him.

I don't really worry about home, but I'll be glad when the place is rented and bringing in a little.
Uncle Esty looks bad and Aunt Rhoda's health is very poor. The Dr. told Uncle Esty that he would have to a different climate with her. She has asthma awful bad and she is quite stooped. She doesn't look at all natural to me. I am glad we came when we did.

They have a perfectly lovely home. All finished and beautifully furnished.

Aunt Rhoda has a beautiful white enameled range for Kerosene. Six burners and they have a coal oil burner for the living room. ( I have it going now) for it seems quite cool to me today and they have a nice big isinglass. They buy coal oil by the barrel. Today Papa has gone with Esty to help terrace on of his newly acquired farms. He has just bought two of them this spring. Mother

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To:
MRS. A.E. FITCHITT
Olympia, Wash
Rt #1 Box 5-8a

From:
VIOLA WHITNEY FITCHITT

Postmark: Camargo, Jun(?) 10, 11am, 1935, 3 cent stamp

Camargo, Okla
June 10, 1935

Dear Vi & Family,

I just rec'd your letter of the 3th inst(?). It was forwarded from Racine. We did'nt stay long with Uncle Alfred after coming from Waterloo. They had company and it seemed to us the Uncle Alfred had too many depending on him for a living for us to stay any longer. He was bound to have us stay longer, but we did'nt. Was only there from Sunday evening til Tuesday morning. We have stayed here longer than we intended too. Tho we wee two days coming from Racine here. We stopped a while at Tulsa, then we stopped quite a while at Enid. We saw Faye Simmons Aunts and uncles & consins at Enid and also some of our old Kingfisher Co. neighbors.

We have written to you Vi about the clover. I hope you got the card all right. Papa wants all of the clover for feed next winter, if you can get Mr. Brown to cut it. We think you can and if not, Art can surely get someone else. Papa can pay when he gets home. I hope it will not cause you any trouble or at least, not too much. We are getting in a hurry to start home. Will go to our old place tomorrow and have picnic dinner. Wish all of my children and grandchildren and the companions could be there with us for the day. Then it would be perfect.

There Papa and I will go on to Kingfisher and to Oklahoma City. We expect to start home a week from today. We had to write for a little help and will wait til we have time for a letter. We have'nt been out much. Expenses on the car but we couldn't be out much because we din'nt have it. Barring all accidents we might have enough to get through with but Papa hates to start out without a little more money. We have washed today. I had lots to wash, but all I have done is to look after my own clothes. Aunt Rhoda and one of the neighbor girls is ironing now, but they don't want me to bother them. (Thank goodness!) it is too hot for me to sit in comfort. Yesterday the thermometer went to 92 and I'll bet it is not far from a hundred today. The air is stirring as unusual, if it did'nt I'd die.

Am sure enough giving to be glad to get started back to a cooler climate. I have to listen to find out if I am frying.

I suppose the children are all having big times since school is out. Well they had better be glad they are small and not too much to do.

Papa and Uncle Esty went to Taloga(?) this morning. That is the county Seat. Uncle Esty bought another 80 acres of land.

Well Esther is going to town and I'll send this letter, Lovingly, Mother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To:
MRS. VIOLA FITCHITT
Rt #6 Box 15-7
Olympia, Wash

From:
LOVINNA HULL WHITNEY
Camargo, Okla
Box #62

Postmark: Camargo, Okla, Oct, 15, 1946

Dearest Vi & Family,
I thought I had better write again to tell you we are still in Okla. We are both real well and I guess the rest is doing us good. Dad is helping Esty as much as he can to get the Alfalfa seed taken care of. There is a lot of work attached to it. They are going to take it to Wondward tomorrow to have it cleaned. They could'nt get the right kind of reseins(?) here to clean it.

Dad says Esty is not fit to be alone so he is going to Okla City as soon as possible and get the house trailer for Esty and Perry to take to Southern Texas. If it does Esty any good they will spend the winter there. Esty had to see about the conservation on his farm today too. Dad said he hated to see them plow up so much green wheat to fill the ditches.

Esty's place is into wheat and it is good pasture now. They say it is very pretty.

Rhoda and I want to go out and see it if we can.

Perry is coming here Sunday to help Esty fix the trailer up and we will get started to Waterloo probably not later than Tuesday a wk from today. Now that is what I thing today. I hope I'll not hear to change my plans. I want to get our Washing done (unreadable) and I'll be ready to go. It is getting along (unreadable) and our winter clothes (unreadable in Washington. What kind of a birthday did you have? A nice one I hope. (unreadable) very often or has (unreadable out to see your?

What are Bobby and Billy learning. Squeeze them for Grandma. Next Sat. is my boys birthday and I'd like to get dinner for them.

Perhaps I can later.

Well I hope Mary is having a good time at work. I'll ring off. Write, if Rhoda gets any mail for us. She can forward it . Lovingly, Mother

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pendleton, Oregon
Friday morning, Apr 11 1935

Dearest Vi and family

We are this far on our journey and feeling fairly good.

We drove from Kelso yesterday and got here about 6:30 P.M.

It is something over 300 miles. Papa got kind of tired. His right leg hurt from holding his foot in the same position so long when we had a little over fifty miles to drive, so we stopped a while and walked around and rested. Then came on without any difficulty.

He is feeling pretty good this morning. Is up town some where. They say there are lots of people coming into Wash. And Oregon from the stricken regions this spring with all they have left in the World piled on their car. I for one feel kind of sorry that we planned to go back there since finding out that the terrible dust storms are so extensive in their wake.

But we are still hoping that the portion of Oklahoma that we are bound for has not been so unfortunate.
I was glad to get such a nice newsy letter from you and it did us so much good to know that you were taking car of Buster. It worried me so to hear him without any definite arrangement for his living. I hope Junior will enjoy him for a pal. I think the rabbits will soon become accusted to him so they will not be scared.

The dry useless country we came thru yesterday along the Columbia in both Wash and Oregon made us think a lot of our home and land.

But we are still hoping that perhaps the terrible wind and dirt storms were thru the country west of the portion we are bound for. And I hope you will write another letter soon and address it to Camargo. We will be there by the 20th or 21st. We will leave here early Monday morning.

We will not drive so far again in a day. I can see that Dad is more tired today than he should be when taking a pleasure trip. And my feet have'nt got rested yet from being on them so steady the last few weeks. I am trying to rest them now. I am truly grateful to you and Art for staking and turning the grape vines, and putting out the glads and transplanting the shrubs.

And I am glad that Art got a little work to do. Perhaps the neighbors around on the Peninsula will have enough to keep him busy a while.

My things seem to be in such a mix up that I don't know where anything is. This is all the paper I can find and it was under my photos.

Be sure and meet us with a letter when we get to Camargo. It seemed so good to have one from you and one from Harold waiting for us when we came to Pendleton. Lovingly, Mother.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THESE ARE INCOMPLETE LETTERS.

Olympia, Wash
Oct 25 '31

Will Lovinna
I suppose you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I am rather surprised myself to be writing. There is nothing much to write about. It rains here now all the time or a little more. Have dug some on the basement got far enough along to make a good mack(?) hole. Had to frost yet. Would have had corn for dinner today if it had not been to wet to get out and pick it. I think every one here is feeling fine but it getting to be rather lonesome without you. I was down to the hall last night. Had a good time as well as a long time. Did not get home until after four o'clock. Mrs. Manair was able to be there. She came down from Seattle with Yootchins. Carl was down today and helped me wire the wood shed and barn. Used the lights tonight for the first. It seems a lot better than tacking the old lantern. Loren went to Tacoma tonight. Harold is home right now. He is fighting flies with the swatter. Well Lovinna I don't know of anything more to write & think. Vi


(starts in middle of letter)
is going to write some. Be sure and don't come home until you get ready but get ready as quick as you can. Good night. Will


Dearest Mother, Just a note on the end of Dad's letter. It is seeming like a long visit you are making. But we know you will do as you think best so wouldn't have you do otherwise. I went to town Sat, a.m. with Dad and when I got home Art had the whole house cleaned. They all help me. Loren dried the dishes after dinner today and Art after breakfast this morning.

It has rained and rained. The creek has swollen a lot the last couple days. Mr. Pinnering came got one fist to fry. But that is all anyone seen.

Carl 7 Harold were down to the creek 2 different times.

Got me a pair of "comfort" shoes yesterday. They are real comfortable too most of the time.

Art picked the rest of the grapes this evening. Think I'll make some juice tomorrow. Just a little & can a few more as we have a couple more jars. (end of document)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The above were letters, these are postcards.

Monday am.
Yuma, Arizona

We are all fine and on our way home. Let the folks know for I am a poor hand to write. It is too warm here for me to exert myself unnecessarily. We hear had temp. Up to 112. That is plenty for me. Seeing some wonderful sights. Mother


Sayre, Okla
June 19 '35
Dear Vi 7 Family
We are on our way home now. Will be in Amarillo Texas tonight I think. We are both feeling fine. Rec'd your letter at Camargo. Hope Loren is till there and will be there when we get home. Perhaps we can all be together again soon.

I wish the strike would soon be settled. It must be awful hard to get thru without something coming in, but we will soon be trying it. It is getting pretty warm here and we are rather anxious to get home. Lovingly, Mother.


Kingfisher, Okla
June 14 '35

Dear Vi,
We are having some typical Wash weather. Hope it will continue while we are moving along and out. It is raining some and quite cloudy. Wheat is ready to harvest so if it rains much, it will be damaging.

Rec'd your "air mail" letter and one from Gladys. Was glad to get them. Also the registered letter. Just sent out air mail letter to Loren. That is just like me, when he is at home again, Love Mother.


Pendleton, Oregon
Apr. 14 1935

Dear Vi & Family,
We are feeling fine and will leave here tomorrow. Expect to be in Camargo about next Friday. We hoped we would hear from Loren while here but have'nt heard yet. Was glad to get the letters here. Got one from Blanche too. The car runs fine and Dad says it does'nt tire him to drive. He attended an Encampment (?0 Friday night. They put on the Royal Purple & fed them oysters. Mother


Mon Apr. 8 '35

Dear Vi & Family,
We arrived all Butter side up carefully. Car runs fine. Found Alice & family all well and happy. We will stay a day or two. We saw Swanson as we came through Oly. Hope the washer got in the kitchen all right and the wash tub and board and hose that belong with the washer.

Dad has to borrow my glasses all the time and my pen has struck so I am kind of lost. Write to Pendleton to us. Mother and Dad.


Racine, MO
May 4 '35
Dear Folks
It seems as tho I do nothing but write. We have cold cloudy weather yet. We have not seen the sun shine yet since we came here.

Uncle Alfred is working and we drove to Charly Hills last evening.

It rained last night and is cold today. We have Hilda's 3/12 yr old boy here and he is a clipper. He says he is Uncle Wills boy. I'll probably give you another chance to write before I write any more. We are feeling fine. Love at all-Mother.


Camargo, Okla
Apr 28 1935

Dear Viola & Family
Your Mother & Daddy went to Custer Co yesterday. I promised her I would send you a card. They are both feeling fine. I expect them back this evening and we are planning to go to Uncle Alfreds the first of the week. Your mother said she would write you while at Alfreds. She wants you to write her. Send your letter to Camargo, Bo 62 and we will see that she gets it. Lots of Love Auntie. (I thing this is from Rhoda Wilcox Van Horn)


Laramie, Wyo
Apr 18 1935

Dear Viola
We have made a big drive today and have reached a warmer climate than when in the Rockies. The days drive has been very monotonous. I would not like to have my home in Wyoming. This is a natural Gas City and I think quite wealthy. We have good Calrie (?) for 75 cents. There are no Shell Gas stations in Wyo and that has been rather hard on us. Will write from Camargo. I think we will go to Denver from here. Love to all. Mother.

WILLIAM WHITNEY

DAILY OLYMPIAN, OLYMPIA WASHINGTON

WILLIAM WHITNEY 2/26/1871-2/19/1949

William Whitney of Route 6, Box 261, died Saturday night in an Olympia hospital. Mr. Whitney was born February 26, 1871, in Saratoga, Iowa. he was married to Lovinna Hull in 1891 at Shell Rock, Iowa. Mrs. Whitney died in April of 1948. Mr. Whitney was a member of Odd Fellows Lodge. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Blanche Modes of Olympia, Mrs. Alice Johnson of Kelso, and Mrs. Viola Fitchett of Olympia; four sons, Loren and Alfred Whitney of Seattle and Carl and Harold Whitney of Olympia; also 22 grandchildren. The funeral service will be held this Wednesday afternoon in Warnica's chapel. The Reverend E.R. Scratch will conduct the service. Burial will take place in Odd Fellows Cemetery. The Odd Fellows Lodge will conduct the grave side service.

Witness's at William Whitney's and Lovinna Hull's wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Wilcox, Lucy Johnson. (written as Johnston).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTES FROM SUE SONJU:
Odd Fellows Memorial Park
100 Cleveland Ave.
Olympia, WA 98501

gravestone transcription...
WHITNEY
Mother Father
Lovinna William
1872-1948 1871-1949
I have map of cemetery...plot B-105, lots 33 & 34 William & Lovinna Whitney
I noted the following graves...
Alfred Edwin Whitney
Jane Whitney Ashbrook (Alfred's daughter)
Lovinna & Wm Whitney
Viola Fitchitt
Arthur Fitchitt
Lucy Johnson
per notes from visit to cemetery 5/7/1986...
also three remaining owned plots - all plots bought by Wm Whitney who was a member of ODD FELLOWS

----------------------------------------------------------

Probate File:
Index read:
Whitney, Wm & Lovinna O.
filing no. 9440
nature of action - "administration"
vol. 33-11
Olympia courthouse - read file on 5/7/1986
my notes summarizing file...
Wm left no will - 7 children agreed on separation of real estate
Loren Whitney, administrator
Warnica Funeral Home
Dr. H. Wilson Coulter - listed as creditor - $42. for medical services to Wm
Wm had stock in Washington Cooperative Farmers Association
Wm died 2/19/1949
Lovinna died 4/26/1948
probate published in newspaper - Daily Olympian
total estate value - $4, 500. ($3,500 in real estate, remaining $1,000 in savings accounts)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

newspaper clipping of weeding announcement - this probably was in the Shell Rock, IA paper...

"Married --- William Whitney and Lavina O. Hull on Saturday evening., October 24th, 1891 at the home of the bride, by Rev. J.A. Davis.

The wedding was a quiet one, there being present only the relatives of the bride and groom. Mr. Will Whitney is one of our prosperous young farmers, full of industry and economy, and a young man of excellent moral character and Christian integrity. Of the bride, Miss Hull, much can be said in her praise. A young lady of rare mental qualifications and unreproachable Christian worth. The Epworth League of which she has been such an active and helpful member can testify to the merit of her written articles in more than one instance. We wish for this young couple success in temporal and spiritual things."

also have a copy of a newspaper clipping of their golden anniversary which included their photograph...

"Mr. and Mrs. William Whitney, who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, October 24, are holding open house for their many friends from 2 to 4 p.m. this Sunday in the family home.

Mr. and Mrs. Whitney were married in Shell Rock, Iowa, joined the Cheyenne race and secures a homestead in Oklahoma, where they remained until they came to Washington in 1910.

They have lived in their present home in Butler's Cove district since 1911, where originally they possessed almost 90 acres, still have about 64 acres of land, which they farm only for their own use, although Mr. Whitney was "born and raised a farmer" and likes to get out on the land.

Sharing the celebration are seven children, Loren, Carl, Harold and Mrs. Viola Fitchitt in Olympia, Mrs. Alice Johnson, of Kelso, Mrs. Blanche Modes of Winlock and Alfred Whitney of Spokane. There are 14 grandchildren."

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COMMUNITY AGREEMENT
WILLIAM WHITNEY & LOVINNA O. WHITNEY
Transcribed by Dawn Anderson on September 9, 2000

WILLIAM WHITNEY

AND

LOVINNA O. WHITNEY

COMMUNITY AGREEMENT
File No. 159972. Filed Dec. 3, 1925 at 11:55 A.M. and recorded in Vol. 122 at page 148 of Deeds. Executed December 3, 1925

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That William Whitney and Lovinna O. Whitney, residing in Thurston County, Washington, are husband and wife, and living together as husband and wife, in Thurston County, Washington.

WHEREAS. THE SAID William Whitney and Lovinna O. Whitney, are the joint owners of certain and various parcels of real estate within the State of Washington, and certain personal property consisting of equities and other forms of personal property, all of which real estate and personal property is the community property of the said William Whitney and Lovina O. Whitney, husband and wife, and

WHEREAS, it is the desire of the said William Whitney and Lovinna O. Whitney to have all of said real estate and personal property pass at once to the survivor in the event of the death of either of said parties, said title to vest in the survivor in fee simple, absolutely and without delay or the intervention of the courts.

NOW THEREFORE, is is hereby mutually agreed by and between the said William Whitney and Lovinna O. whitney, husband and wife, that in the event of the death of the said William Whitney while his wife Lovinna O. Whitney is surviving, all of said property both real ad personal whreesoever the same may be situate that is owned by them jointly as community property, together with all real estate and personal property that may hereafter be acquired by them jointly shall at once pass to the said Lovinna O. Whitney, in fee simpel absolute, to be owned, held and administered by her as her own separate estate, and in the event that the said Lovinna O. Whitney shall die leaving real and personal wheresoever the same may be situate that is owned by them jointly as community property together with all property both real and personal that may hereafter be acquired by them, jointly shall at once pass to the said William Whitney in fee simple and absolute, to be owned by him and as his own separate estate.

Witness our hand and sealls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

August 30, 2000
Subject: Notes from William L. Whitney, Sr.
Origin: From the files of Mary Fitchett Anderson LeBeau Grant

Note: Notes are on a hand-typed document that is too faint to scan. Transcription exact as original, with any errors. Date of the original document is unknown.

William L. Whitney, Sr. Born 26 Jan. 1896 at
Kingfisher, Oklahoma

When 1 1/2 moved west 100 miles to Independence, Okla. Where I lived until 1910, Dec. 10 when we moved to Bellingham Wash. late in 1911, we moved to Olympia and I helped my Dad clear land. In 1912 I started to High School and graduated in 1916.

I worked at various short jobs at very low wages and finally got a job as bookkeeper for a sawmill near Auburn, Wash. at Black Diamond, and then as Paymaster and Bookkeeper for a Stevedoring Company thru most of the big Depression.

At this point, I met one of the best friends I will ever have. In fact, he recommended me for the paymaster job. He was promoting the Puget Sound Pulp and Timber Company at Ketchikan in which I now have stock. It later merged with Georgia Pacific and Louisiana Pacific. The sad thing is that just after it started paying dividends he died; even before I had my stock paid for.

There were still several years left of the depression so I tried mining in Canada and worked in sawmills and several years in the County Courthouse and built a house almost single handed when prices were at their lowest and then sold it when prices came up a little. It has changed owners several times since, each time at a higher price.

I started working for the Army Audit the 19th of June, 1944 and worked there until I had to retire at 70 years of age, the 26 of Jan. 1966. Times now are similar to what they were when Franklin D. Roosevelt was president in 1929 when the Stock Market crashed. I think it is even worse now. He had the New Deal, Fair deal, Fireside chats, F.H.A. W.P.A. and a dozen others I can't even remember. Defieit spending from which we are still suffering because of the way it affected the people. The President now is too stupid to doanything but promise first one thing and then the opposite. He doesn't seem even to be able to think straight. I could be mistaken about him as he doesn't even promise anything for the Vets of W.W.I. anymore which is just as well.

A little about my early life in Oklahoma, where I lived until I was almost fifteen. While those years (on a farm in Western Oklahoma seemed rough at the time, I now realize that they were the best years of my life, as no man could have had such self-scarifieing parents, to teach him the most important facts of life, like to work hard, long hours with no thought of money or the things one didn't have, but to be thankful for what one had, the power of Prayer and how to pray. I think my parents prayed for me before I was born until they died, and sometimes I think they still are. I did a lot for them too, but now realize that I could have done so much more if I had made a few sacrifices myself instead of just taking them along some place where I wanted to go.

William L. Whitney page 2

I will never forget this one incident one morning after World War I during the big depression. We were living near Olympia on some timber land and were intending to burn some brush when it got dryer. We had plenty of wood but not the kind that pay off immediately. I said to Dad "This would be a good time for you to learn to drive." He looked at me as if I had lost my mind and wondered if he could learn to drive. I told him it would be no problem and asked him how he learned to harness a horse and milk a cos. Of course, he couldn't remember but when I told him that learning to drive would not only be fun but would make his own life more interesting and it would be nice for mother and they could do more for others, A look of sheer gratitude came over his face and one that I won't forget. I can't understand why I waited for so long to tell him. But I will do better now. Of all the people I have helped learn to drive, Dad appreciated it the most and was the easiest to help.

As each day passes, I realize that I am not likely to have any big accomplishments, but I am proud to have kept busy, even in the Army where I worked in the woods on the Oregon Coast. I have never been on relief, and have always had money coming in from some place, even if delayed at times. However, I have had regular paydays since the big depression when I started working for the Government so I am satisfied to have my life end anytime now.

AFTER this page, there are two hand written pages with the following on it:

First page:

My father's parents - His mothers father

William Whitney - born in Rutland County New York in 1814. Died Dec. 12, 1875 in Saratoga, Howard County, Iowa. 61 years of age.

NOTE--Since there is no Rutland County in NY, am guessing that this is Rutland, in Jefferson County NY. Unproven as of August 30, 2000.

Dad's mother.

Lucy Bryant Whitney Johnson - born March 1 1826 in New York. Died September 26, 1915 in Olympia WA. 89 Yrs old.

NOTE: Have several different birth and death dates for Lucy. The Odd Fellows Cemetery Records of Tumwater, Washington verify the death date as September 26, 1915 as does the death certificate. Her death certificate states a birth date of March 3, 1930.


Mother's parents - her father in Civil War

Orin W. Hull died in St. Louis, MO 1872.

Note: His death has never been verified. Nor has his Civil War status been verified. My thoughts on this death date are that, William Whitney may have written down the wrong death date. Orin W. Hull's daughter, Lovinna O. Hull was born on December 31, 1872 so if his death date is correct, he would never have seen his daughter. William has Orin O. Hull born Dec. 31 and has crossed that all out. He then wrote Orin Hull - died- St. Louis, MO 1872.


Her Mother-

Amanda Morgan Hull Wilcox - born Oct. 12th, 1851 in Warsaw, Winnebago County, New York. Died Dec. 20, 1895 at Independence, Custer County, Okla age 44.

NOTE: The only Warsaw in NY is in Wyoming county and I'm using this as her birthplace. It is not verified. Not sure where the Winnebago came from.

My Mother - Lovinna O. Hull Whitney born Dec. 31, 1872 in Shellrock, Butler County, Iowa. Died Apr. 26, 1948 in Olympia, Wash. age 75 yrs.

My Father - William Whitney born Feb. 26, 1871 in Saratoga, Howard County, Iowa. Died Feb 19, 1949 at Olympia, Wash. Almost 78 years of age.

The second handwritten page has much of the same information as the first. The few differences are:

Amanda MELVINA Morgan. Gave us her middle name,

William Whitney & Lovinna O. Hull married Oct. 24, 1891 in Shellrock, Iowa.

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Page last updated January 29, 2001.