Oklahoma County News

February 13, 1920

Susan BRIDGES-Negro Woman 104 - a negro woman who lives here with her granddaughter, Mrs. O. MINNIS, is probably the oldest woman in the state-She is 104 yrs. old, having been born in North Carolina in 1816. She was sold when about 20 years old and taken to Louisiana, and came to Oklahoma several years ago. "Mamy" BRIDGES as she is called was a girl of 17 years old when the "Shower of Stars" occurred in 1833 and she remembered the incident.

February 20, 1920

Spencer, Feb. 18-Funeral services for Mrs. Leatha CRAWFORD, wife of Marcus CRAWFORD, who died at her home in Spencer, February 10, were held Wednesday afternoon. A large number of deceased's friends were in attendance. Burial was made at the Kolb cemetery, and the services were in charge of Rev. Bond. Mrs. CRAWFORD has lived in our neighborhood for a number of years, having come to this country in the year of 1889, and she leaves many friends to mourn her loss. Leatha FOWLER was born in Jackson Co. KY, on December 22, 1847, and was 72 years, 1 month and 17 days old at the time of her death. She was united in marriage to Marcus CRAWFORD 56 years ago. To this union eight children were born, three girls and five boys, all of whom are living, as follows: Mrs A.W. ANDERSON, Fairview, OK, Albert CRAWFORD of Jones, OK, Joe CRAWFORD of Oklahoma City, John CRAWFORD of Wichita, Kansas, Elmer CRAWFORD of Spencer, OK., Leonard CRAWFORD of Earlsboro, OK., Mrs. J.P. HIVICK of Ardmore, OK and Mrs. George STROUSS of Shawnee, OK. She also leaves her husband, Marcus CRAWFORD, of this place, who will make his home with his daughter at Ardmore. The surviving relatives have the sympathy of many friends in their sorrow.

Mrs. DOBBS Is Dead At Home In Hinton
Mrs. Walter VINYARD and sisters and brother, Mittie, Beatrice and Marion GOYER, were called to Hinton a few days ago by a message announcing the death of their grandmother, Mrs. Mary DOBBS, who died quite suddenly of appendicitis. The DOBBSES formerly lived down in the Choctaw community and will be remembered by many of the older residents who extend their sympathies to the relatives.

Mr. MOREY visited with his children in Yukon last week.

The infant son of Mr. McDANIEL died Monday, Feb. 16.

Mr. HUGHES is moving into the house vacated by Mr. CRAWFORD.

Mrs. Orville LEGG has as a visitor this week her father, Mr. DOYLE.

Mike KRINGLIN has returned from a visit with his mother in Iowa.

Henry BEVERIDGE has opened up his store in the hall over the bank.

W.E. WHITE and family have moved into their new home.

December 22, 1922

Marcus CRAWFORD-
passed away Dec. 14,1922 at the home of his son Albert Crawford southwest of Jones, OK. He was born in Wesley Co. Kentucky, 1846, being 76 years and 2 months of age at the time of death. He was a union soldier having served in company C. 14th regiment, Kentucky Cavalry. He came to Oklahoma in 1879 and settled near Pauls Valley and made the run into Oklahoma April 22, 1889 and settled on a farm near Spencer. He was united in marriage August 29, 1865 to Letha FOWLER in Owelsy Co. Kentucky, and to this union 10 children were born of whom 8 are living and were at his bedside during his illness. His wife having passed away February, 1920. They were members of the Baptist church since 1868. He leaves to mourn his death 8 children, 27 grandchildren and 7 great grand children and 2 brothers and a host of friends. Pallbearers were six of his grandsons, Elbert, Marcus, Joe, Leo, Harvey, Chester CRAWFORD and Bert CRAWFORD.
CARD OF THANKS-We wish to thank our many friends and Odd Fellows for their kindness and beautiful floral offerings at the death of our father, - Mrs. A.W. ANDERSON, Albert CRAWFORD, Joe CRAWFORD, Mary STROUSS, John CRAWFORD, Leonard CRAWFORD, Mrs. J.T. HIVICK and Elmer CRAWFORD.

Moman PRUIETT, Oklahoma City attorney, who underwent a second operation at a Dallas, Texas hospital Thursday is recovering slowly. He may not be able to be home for the New Year's

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. McMULLEN spent Sunday in Oklahoma City visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. VAN WINTER

Robert MARTIN is working at Rice's store this week.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim McEWEN of Lexington spent the week end with Bob McEWEN and family.

Friday, January 27, 1933

Marshall CRAWFORD 86, Passed Away
Marshall Crawford, aged 86, a pioneer of Oklahoma County, died Sunday at his home in the Star district south of Spencer. Funeral services were held on Tuesday at Star school house, followed by burial in the Kobl cemetery near Spencer. The Beveridge funeral home was in charge of the burial. Deceased was an uncle of Albert CRAWFORD of the Harmony district. In 1889 CRAWFORD homesteaded the farm south of Spencer, where he had lived since. He was a Union veteran having entered the service at the age of 15 and fought in 85 battles and was with General SHERMAN in the famous march from Atlanta to the sea. He was never wounded. After the war he was a freight carrier for the government, and was engaged in numerous fights with the Indians, but he always came out of the fray without a scratch. He could tell by the hour his experiences in the war and as a government freighter. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Mae PERRY; two grandsons, Philip and Theodore PERRY, and a grand daughter, Mrs. George DUNHAM, all of the home address.

STANLEY
Grant Stanley, 67 years old, pioneer attorney, who several years ago owned and lived on a farm west of Luther, died Monday afternoon at his home in Oklahoma City, following a paralytic stroke. Funeral services were held at the City Wednesday; burial was in Fairlawn cemetery. Stanley first located at Guthrie in 1889, coming from Kansas. Later he located in Oklahoma county and began the practice of law. He was the promoter of the first drainage district in the state, the Deep Fork district between Arcadia and Luther. He was active in Republican politics. Stanley is survived by two daughters, Mrs. F.O. ALEXANDER of Philadelphia, PA, whose husband is cartoonist of the "Hairbreadth Harry" comic strip, and Mrs. Earl BREWER of Oklahoma City.

CONNER Withdraws Bill
Leslie L. CONNER, Oklahoma county representative, has withdrawn the bill to shorten the residential requirements for divorce from a year to 90 days.

WILKERSON Gets Life Sentence For Murder Of HEMMINGWAY
Sam WILKERSON, age 50, accused of the murder of Isaac E. HEMMINGWAY, 73, former Choctaw City banker. He was forced by WILKERSON to sign a mortgage release before being slain.

Negro Leader Dies
Mrs. Forrest ANDERSON, 38, prominent Negro educator and wife of one of the wealthiest Negroes in Oklahoma, died at her home this morning following a year's illness. She once taught at Douglas High School.

August 5, 1971

Arcadia News
By Ruby GUNN
Gertrude CRABB came to Oklahoma in February of 1912 from Missouri. She was born in Arkansas. She grew up at Luther, graduated from Luther High School and attended Central State University when it was Central Normal School.
Gertrude's father was the late T. A. Sasser of Luther.
Gertrude was postmaster at Arcadia for 27 years. She was commissioned postmaster September 25, 1939 and retired December 30, 1966, "A fun job." She said .
When she took the postmasters job, first class postage stamps were two cents. Her wages were $980.OO for one year. She advanced to $7800.00 at retirement. The base pay was figured on the value of canceled stamps sold each day. Fifteen percent went for rent on the building and utilities.
In 1939, the post office was located where the Enos Grocery now Stands. The present post office was built by Gertrude, in 1948. It has been remodeled since, in 1969. Gertrude told me Tuesday that she went to a contractor to have him figure the cost of the 1940 building. When she found how much he wanted for his part, Above the cost, she decided to be contractor herself. She hired the labor was the overseer. She had learned to build from her father who was a carpenter. The present post office was remodeled in 1
The present post office was remodeled in 1969, at a cost of $5300.00. It was re-roofed. A well and septic tank was added. Central air and heat were also installed.
Gertrude was on the first basketball team ever organized in Oklahoma County. It was at Luther High School. She lettered in basketball in Luther school.
She taught school for ten years at Soldier Creek, Mt. Lion and Arcadia. Then worked in a bank before becoming postmaster. When she retired from the Post Masters job, she had accumulated 2360 hours of sick leave for which she was riot paid. She received pay for 89 days. She took only five days off in 27 years for sickness. That is some record. Her working hours were 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week, seven to nine on Sunday.
When Gertrude first worked for the Postal Department, the mail was dispatched by train {MK&T) 7 a.rn., 11 A.M., and 5 P.M. A lot of the mail for Arcadia was mistakenly sent. to Ardmore and Arcandia. Oklahoma. The mail was later dispatched by bus twice a day, morning and afternoon. Now it is dispatched once a day. The hours for work are now 9 A.M. to 12 noon. 1 P.M. to 4 five days a week. An assistant Works Saturday.
Gertrude is married to a wonderful man. How do I know? A man would have to be wonderful to stay in the background while a woman does all the things Gertrude has done. Like the old saying, "Behind "very great man stands a great woman". The reverse can be said for Floyd M. CRABB.
The Crabb’s have celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. They have no children of their own, but have helped eight young people gain a good education. Even now, well past retirement age, they are assisting one student through college.
Gertrude has been president of many organizations, and has held many other offices, She served more than 15 years as state secretary of the National League of Postman. She is a member of Arcadia Methodist Church, superintendent of the Sunday School and a Sunday School teacher for many years. She still is.
Gertrude is a charter member of Arcadia Rebekah Lodge, now serving as secretary, also a past district deputy president. She has been a leader in the American Legion Auxiliary, locally and statewide A member and office holder in PTA., Arcadia Homemakers Extension group and county group. She has been a member of Home Demonstration Club for 52 years arid has held every office In it, parliamentarian of Oklahoma County extension homemakers group, president of Civil Service Retired in Edmond.
Only last week, she was elected president of the American Legion Auxiliary and vice president Rebekah Circle District 21.

Submitted by Sharon McAlister

Thursday May 20, 1976

Wellston--
Services for Curtis Clayton SACKETT, 62 of Oklahoma City, a former Wellston resident, are set for 2 p.m. today in the Wellston Church of Chirst with Lynn MCWHORTER, minister, officiating. Interment will be in Wellston Cemetery.
Mr. SACKETT died Monday May 17th 1976 in an Oklahoma City Hospital.  
Born July 27, 1913, in Winthrop, Ark., he was married to Minnie GOGGIN in Wellston. The family had lived in Oklahoma City for the past 33 years, having moved there from Wellston. Mr. SACKETT worked for the B.S. & B. Co. of Oklahoma City.
Curry Funeral Home, Chandler, is in chare of arrangements.

Submitted and Researched by Birdie (Totty) McNutt

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