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James Allen Males

Death of "Grandpa" James Allen Males
The Soper Democrat August 26, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    James Allen Males died at the family home near Nelson yesterday morning at 3 o’clock. His death was sudden and was attributed to heart failure. He had just returned the day before from a visit with relatives in Hopkins County, Texas.
    Funeral services were held at the Methodist Church at Nelson yesterday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock, followed by interment in the Sugar Creek Cemetery. Services were conducted by the Methodist pastor from Antlers.
    James Allen Males would have been 83 years old next September 10^th. He came to this country from Hopkins County, Texas, about 25 years ago, and has continuously lived near Nelson. He was a good man, loved and respected by all who knew him. He had been a member of the Methodist church for many years. Truly a good man has gone to his reward.
    A large crowd of old time friends from all over this section attended the funeral.
    Mr. Males is survived by his wife and children as follows, all of whom were at the funeral: Jno. Males, Soper; Norris and Jake Males, Antlers; Claud Males, Nelson; Mrs. Cas. Vandergriff, Nelson; Mrs. Emmit Wagoner, Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Adeen Dennis

Death of Little Miss Adeen Dennis
The Soper Democrat August 26, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Adeen, the 29 months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R.H. Dennis died at the family home in West Soper at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Soper Cemetery, conducted by Rev. Walter D. Thompson, pastor of the Baptist Church. Cause of death was given as whooping cough and dysentery. She had been sick about 10 days.

Valla Loafman Manley

Mrs. V.L. Manley Is Laid To Rest
The Soper Democrat September 30, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Valla Loafman Manley, aged 31, died at the family home on South Wesley street at 3:15 Sunday afternoon following an attack of typhoid fever. Funeral services were held at 2 o’clock this afternoon at the Church of Christ on South Johnson street with Rev. A.O. Colley officiating. Interment followed in Brigham cemetery near Campbell.
    Deceased was born at Ladonia in Fannin County, on June 12, 1895. She was united in marriage to Sam Manley Dec. 4^th, 1910. She is survived by her husband and three children, Veneta, Oletta and Glyn Loafman; also three sisters and four brothers: E.T. Loafman of Boyd, Texas; E.E. of Duncan, Okla.; E.H. and W.H. of Cumby; Mrs. T.G. Pope and Mrs. H.A. Armistead of this city and Mrs. C.C. Wilson of Soper, Okla.
    Mrs. Manley was a devout Christian, a loving wife and mother and one who commanded the respect and admiration of every friend and acquaintance. She was active in church and social work, having been a member of the Church of Christ for a number of years.
    The bereaved relatives have the sincere sympathy of their many friends in this hour of sadness.

Simmean Wiley Hammock

DEATH CLAIMS S.W. HAMMOCK
The Soper Democrat October 7, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    S.W. Hammock, aged 72 years, 10 months and 1 day, died at the family home in the Roebuck community, 2 miles north and 2 miles west of Soper, Monday afternoon at 1:50 o’clock. Cause of death was given as kidney trouble. Two weeks ago he fell and broke his arm. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Methodist church at Soper, conducted by Rev. N.T. Peak, pastor. Interment was in Soper Cemetery.
    Simmean Wiley Hammock was born in Polk County, Georgia, and moved to Bonham, Texas, in 1895. He moved to near Soper in 1911. He was twice married. One child is living from the first union, D.E. Hammock, who lives at Nachodoches, Texas. His widow and three children survive the second marriage, Mrs. W.W. Culberson and W.L. Hammock, of Soper, and Mrs. S.L. Biggerstaff, of Bonham. Two children died in infancy.
    Mr. Hammock during his fifteen years’ residence near Soper made many friends who say that he was a good man and neighbor, and deeply sympathize with the family in the loss of their husband and father.

W.L. Jones

W.L. Jones Found Dead East of Forney
The Soper Democrat October 7, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    The body of W.L. Jones, farmer, was found on state highway No. 5, about one-half mile east of Forney, Wednesday morning. He had been shot once through the head and a .38 caliber pistol was lying by his side. He was found by a man named Hayes, a tie hauler.
    Suicide was the only theory officers had to advance and they knew of no possible motive except that Jones had been in ill health.
    Jones was at a store at Forney at 8 o’clock in the morning. His movements after that had not been learned by officers.
    Jones had lived on a farm east of Forney, owned by J.P. Houser, of Hugo, for five years. A daughter kept house for him. His wife is dead. He is survived by three other children, two daugthers, Mrs. Robert Ratliff, of Forman, Ark., and Mrs. Albert Downs, of Chicota, Texas, and a son, who also lives at Chicota.

S.L. Oakes

FUNERAL FOR S.L. OAKES IS HELD MONDAY
The Soper Democrat November 11, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Funeral services for S.L. Oakes, 72 years old and pioneer resident of Choctaw county, who died Sunday morning at 9:45 o’clock at his home at Frogville, were held at the Oakes family cemetery Monday afternoon at one o’clock. The Rev. Mr. White, Methodist minister of Grant, delivered the funeral sermon, which was followed by the Odd Fellows burial ceremony at the grave, carried out by members of Fort Townson [sic] and Hugo lodges. Mr. Oakes had been in bad health for some time. He would have been 73 years old next month.
    Mr. Oakes was a native of Oklahoma. He was born at Goodwater, southeast of the present site of Hugo. The cemetery which he was buried was on his father’s old homestead. Mr. Oakes was at one time County judge of what before statehood was Kiamichi county, comprising the area now designated as Choctaw county.
    Besides his wife Mr. Oakes leaves three children, Jim Oakes, of Frogville, and Misses Liza and Tommie Oakes; and four brothers, who are L.W. Oakes and J.E. Oakes, of Hugo and Tom Oakes, of Atlas, and two sisters, Mrs. J.B. Jeter of Atlas, and Mrs. Tom Hibbin, of Ervin. – Fort Townson [sic] News

Jim Thomas Cooksey

Jim Thomas Cooksey Buried Here Sunday
The Soper Democrat November 18, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Jim Thomas Cooksey, age 26 years, died at Beaumont, Texas, last Friday morning at 12:30 o’clock, after few days’ illness. The body was shipped to Soper where the funeral was held at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock, funeral services being conducted by Rev. Thorp, Baptist minister of Hugo. Interment was had in the Soper cemetery.
    Mr. Cooksey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Cooksey, of the Forney community. Besides his parents he is survived by three brothers and three sisters. They are: Mrs. Bessie Parker, of Port Arthur, Texas; Mrs. Johnnie Harlom, of Port Arthur, and Miss Mabel Cooksey, Rufus, Jack and Ernest Cooksey, who live at Forney.
    Deceased was a member of the Baptist church and was said to have been a fine young man. He lived in this section for many years and had many friends who regret to lean of his untimely death.

Bob Fletcher

Bob Fletcher Dies At Home at Sugar Creek
The Soper Democrat December 30, 1926 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Bob Fletcher, aged about 55 years, died at the family home near Sugar Creek community last Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, after a ten days’ attack of pneumonia.
    Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock, at the Methodist church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. A.W. Blackford, followed by interment in the Soper cemetery. Services at the grave were conducted by the Masonic order, of which he was a valued member.
    Mr. Fletcher was well and favorably known in this section where he has lived for eight or ten years, mov- [sic] here from near Roxton, Texas.
    He leaves a wife and several small children, besides numerous friends to mourn his loss.

C. Osterdock

C. Osterdock Commits Suicide At Hugo Hotel
The Soper Democrat April 30, 1925 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Burial services for C. Osterdock, about 50 years old, who ended his life about 5 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the Foster hotel, by sending a bullet into his brain, will be held at Valliant where Osterdock formerly lived. The body was taken to Valliant Sunday night.
    Osterdock was found in a dying condition, with a bullet wound in his head, by City Officer C.A. Pitts and Oscar Bearden, when officers were notified of the tragedy by the hotel management.
    The man was lying across the bed in his room with a revolver in his hand. He died about 15 minutes later without gaining consciousness.
    Osterdock is believed to have ended his life as a result of the marriage of his daughter, Mrs. Rose Osterdock Stafford, 17 years old, after he had objected to the marriage. He was heard to remark two days before that he would "as soon be dead as to see my daughter marry into that family."
    The daughter was in the room with him when the tragedy occurred. She had come to her father to try and reconcile him to the marriage, it was said. It is believed that he took his life after he had unsuccessfully tried to persuade his daughter to remain with him.
    Mrs. Stafford was questioned by Sheriff A.M. Spear and Hal Welch, assistant county attorney, and released after authorities were convinced that Osterdock took his own life.
    Only one shot was fired, that one entering the head back of the right ear and coming out above the left eye.
    Osterdock had been living in Hugo about two months. He was employed as a gravel hauler, coming here from Valliant when work of resurfacing county highways was started. - Hugo News.

Jim Vandergriff

Jim Vandergriff Dies Near Vernon, Texas
The Soper Democrat January 27, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Soper citizens were shocked last Friday when the new came that Jim Vandergriff, for many years a Soper citizen, had died suddenly. Cause of his death was supposed to have been ptoemaine [sic] poisoning, as he was in good health until Thursday night. At supper he ate some canned kraut and a few hours later he was seized with cramping, of which he never recovered. He was taken to a hospital at Vernon where medical attention was given him but to no avail. He died at 1 o’clock Friday afternoon.
    The remains were shipped to Soper and burial was had in the Soper cemetery Sunday afternoon at 3:30. The funeral services were held at the home of his sister, Mrs. Ed McQueen, conducted by Rev. A.W. Blackford, pastor of the Methodist church. Services at the grave were conducted by the Odd Fellows, of which he had long been a member.
    James I. Vandergriff was born in Texas and was 43 years, 6 months and 7 days old. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Vandergriff of Soper, and had lived here since the early days of the town. He went to Vernon, Texas about six months ago to work. He is survived by his parents, wife, two children, Duard and Beatrice, and two sisters, Mrs. Ed McQueen of Soper, and Mrs. Ben Cook, of Lamesa, Texas.
    Mr. Vandergriff was a good man, well liked by all, and will be greatly missed by a large circle of relatives and friends.

Lee Loftin

Heart Attact [sic] Proves Fatal to Lee Loftin
The Soper Democrat February 10, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Lee Loftin, 58 years old, twice sheriff of Choctaw county and twice a member of the city council of Hugo, dropped dead of heart failure at Hugo Wednesday morning at 10:15 o’clock, just as he had started to enter an automobile behind the Tom Lain Motor company on East Duke avenue.
    Mr. Loftin was elected sheriff of Choctaw county in 1910 and again in 1914. From 1907 to 1911 he was a member of the city council of Hugo from the second ward. He had lived in Choctaw county 22 years and had been prominent in the business and political life of the county. For a number of years Mr. Loftin has been in the automobile business, as proprietor of the Loftin Motor company. He recently retired from active management of the firm and was succeeded in that capacity by a son, lee Loftin Jr.
    Mr. Loftin was born in South Carolina. His parents moved to Missouri and later to Lamar county, Texas, where they located eight miles west of Paris. He came to Hugo from Lamar county.
    Mr. Loftin is survived by his wife and ten children, who are, Mrs. W.R. pippin, of Weeletka, Oklahoma; Therln [?] H. Loftin, of Ardmore; Fletcher Loftin, of Okmulgee; and Lee Jr., Warden, Carrol, Ralph, Dean, Eva and Ruby Loftin, of Hugo.
    On account of his business and political activities Mr. Loftin made many friends during his residence in Hugo and was widely acquainted over southeastern Oklahoma.
    Mr. Loftin complained Tuesday that he was not feeling well. Just before he collapsed he remarked to a companion that he "felt hot." - Hugo News

Clifford L. Loper

Clifford L. Loper Dies Suddenly Last Friday
The Soper Democrat March 31, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Clifford L. Loper died at the family home two miles west of Soper last Friday evening at 6:30 o’clock, following a three days’ illness with pernicious malaria.
    Funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock, conducted by Rev. A.W. Balckford, followed by interment in the Soper cemetery.
    Mr. Loper was born near Athens, Texas, March 27^th, 1897, and lacked one day being 31 years old. In 1920 [?] he was married to Miss Catherine Walker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Walker, of Soper, and to this union two children were born, Pauline age 5 and Archie Lee, aged 3 years. Besides his wife he is survived by his father, A.L. Loper, of Durant and three sisters, Mrs. Lola Canada, Altus; Mrs. Winnie Miller, Erick; Miss Mabel Loper, Wichita Falls, Texas, and a brother, Laurice Loper, Erick.
    Mr. Loper was gassed in the world war and had not been in good health since being mustered out of the service. He was a good man, well liked by all, and his sudden demise was a shock to all.

Ella Fletcher

DEATH OF MRS. ELLA FLETCHER
The Soper Democrat April 14, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Ella Fletcher died at the family home at Sugar Creek last Friday morning at 12:30, after a short illness of pneumonia. The remains were buried in the Soper cemetery Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock, funeral services being held at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Claude Blackford.
    Mrs. Fletcher was buried beside her husband, Robt. Fletcher, who died of pneumonia December 26^th, last year. She leaves her mother, Mrs. Burris; a brother, Lasco Burris, and four children, Jewell, Melvin, and Misses Ruby and Ina, all of near Soper.

Eva Downs

Mrs. Eva Downs Dies Sunday
The Soper Democrat April 21, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Eva Down, aged about 24 years, wife of Carl Downs, died at the sanitarium at Chickasha, Okla., last Sunday morning at 3:30 o’clock, after an illnes [sic] with pneumonia and appendicitis. An operation was planned but she was too ill to undergo the ordeal.
    Burial was had at Chicota, Texas, Tuesday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
    Mrs. Downs was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Darnell, who live near Soper, and lived here many years. She was married to Carl Downs five or six years ago. To this union four children were born, three of them surviving.
    Besides her husband and children, she leaves her parents, three sisters and four brothers.
    The many friends of the family deeply sympathize with them in the loss of their dear one.

Benjamin Franklin Roebuck

PIONEER INDIAN DIED HERE LAST NIGHT
The Soper Democrat January 26, 1928 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Ben Roebuck died at the family family [sic] home in the Roebuck community last night at 8:10, following a ten days’ illness with pneumonia. Burial was had in the Soper cemetery this afternoon at 4 o’clock, funeral services being conducted at the grave by L.A. Bateman.
    Benjamin Franklin Roebuck was born near Soper 68 years ago and lived within a few miles of his birthplace all his life. He was married to Miss Nancy Taylor and to this union nine children were born. She with seven of the children survive. They are: Ed Roebuck, Vernon, Texas; Oscar Roebuck, Soper; Mrs. Tobe Fails, Jester, Okla.; Mrs. J.R. Riggs, Soper; U.G. Roebuck, Soper; Mrs. Earl Riggs, Soper, Mrs. Luther Wilson, Waurika, Okla.
    Mr. Roebuck was well known and liked by all who knew him. He was honorable in all his dealings, and the family and community have lost a good man.

Lizzie Pugh

DEATH CALLS MRS. LIZZIE PUGH
The Soper Democrat April 28, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Lizzie Pugh, aged 78 years, died at the home of her sister, Mrs. W.N. Ellis, in South Soper, last night at 11:30 o’clock. Funeral services will be held this afternoon at 4:00 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Walter D. Thompson, Baptist minister, followed by interment in the Soper cemetery.
    Mrs. Pugh sustained a fall nearly two years ago, breaking or crushing her hip, since which time she has been unable to get out. Cause of death is attributed to these injuries.
    She was born in Alabama, April 3, 1849, and moved to Texas in 1897, where she was married to W. Pugh, who died in 1913. For the past seven years she has lived with her sister, Mrs. W.N. Ellis. She leaves as immediate relatives, two brothers, Ben F. Rose, Eldorado, Okla., T. Rose, Acme, Texas; and a sister, Mrs. W.N. Ellis, of Soper.
    Mrs. Pugh was a member of the Church of Christ for many years and was prepared to meet her God. She was a good woman and was admired by all who knew her. During her many months of suffering she bore her pains with fortitude.
    A good woman has gone to her reward.

J.W. Willson

DEATH OF ELD. J.W. WILLSON
The Soper Democrat May 19, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Eld. J.W. Willson died at the family home 4 miles northwest of Nelson, Sunday night at 10 o’clock, after an illness of several weeks. He was laid to rest in the Sugar Creek Cemetery Tuesday, may 17^th. Funeral Services were conducted by Eld. Raymond Fite. Bro. Willson was 75 years two months and five days old. Sam Willson from DeQueen, Arkansas, arrived for the funeral Monday and the rest of the children arrived Monday night.
    Bro. Willson has host of relatives and friends to mourn his death. A good man has gone to his reward. May God’s richest blessings rest upon the beloved ones.

Lena Bryan

Lena Bryan Meets Accidental Death
The Soper Democrat May 26, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Soper people were shocked when the news came Tuesday morning that Miss Lena Bryan had been accidentally killed at her home at Boswell, the night before.
    According to the reports she and her younger sister were playing with a pistol when it was accidentally discharged, the bullet entering her head, killing her instantly.
    Burial was had in the Soper cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 4 o’clock.
    Miss Lena was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. [?] E. Bryan and formerly lived here. She moved to Boswell with her parents several months ago. She was about 13 [?] years old, and was practically reared here.
    This is the second tragic death in the family, a sister, Mary Bryan, meeting a sudden death several years ago when she was thrown from a wagon. The bereaved parents have the sympathy of all in their sad misfortune.

Lucille Hayes

DEATH OF LUCILLE HAYES
The Soper Democrat May 26, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Lucille, the 11 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hayes, died at Seminole, Tuesday afternoon at 6 o’clock. Cause of death was given as measles and congestion. She had only been sick a few days.
    The body was brought to Soper this afternoon where the funeral service was held at the Methodist church, Rev. A.W. Blackford conducting the service. Interment was in the Soper cemetery.
    Mr. and Mrs. Hayes lived in Soper for several years and have many friends who sympathize with them in their sad hour.

J.F. Cross

J.F. CROSS DIES AT BOSWELL
The Soper Democrat May 26, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    J.F. Cross, for a number of years a citizen of Soper, died at the family home at Boswell, Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock, following a prolonged illness of Bright’s Disease. Burial was had in Boswell cemetery Tuesday afternoon, the funeral services being conducted by Rev. T.S. Stration [?], pastor of the Methodist Church, of which Mr. Cross had long been a member.
    Mr. Cross lived in Soper several years ago, and made many warm friends who are grieved to learn of his passing.
    He was about 50 years old. Besides his wife he leaves four children to mourn his loss. They are Misses Lucy and Opal, Lennan [?] and Coe. Mr. Cross was a good man, well liked by all, and will be greatly missed.

Mary Elizabeth Greaves Cowan

Mrs. W.S. Cowan Is Called to Her Reward
The Soper Democrat June 2, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    The hearts of the citizens of Soper were bowed down with profound sorrow when the news of the death of Mrs. W.S. Cowan was made known. Her death occurred at the family home here Saturday morning at [?] o’clock, following a several weeks’ illness of jaundice.
    The funeral was held as the Methodist church Saturday afternoon at 6 o’clock and was conducted by Rev. A.W. Blackford. The church was filled to overflowing with neighbors and friends who gathered to pay tribute to this good woman. The floral offerings were many and quite beautiful. Interment was in the Soper cemetery.
    Mary Elizabeth Greaves was born near Cumby, Texas, in Hopkins County, on March 23^rd, 1850. She was married to Mr. W.S. Cowan on November 24^th, 1870 at Cumby, where they lived until May 15^th, 1912, when they moved to Soper. Unto this union eleven children were born, three dying in infancy. A son, John, died February 16, 1923. The others are: Mrs. J.P. Wilson, Boswell; Mrs. J.F. Cruez, Boswell; W.G. Cowan, Cumby; Mrs. C.F. Hensley, Emory, Texas; A.B. Cowan, Hugo; Weaver Cowan, Cumby; S.D. Cou[?], Ft. Worth, Texas. She also leaves three brothers and sisters: Mrs. Julia Yantis, San Antonia; Mrs. Lavenia Burns, Commerce, Texas, Mrs. E[?] Crow, Kansas; E.C. Gregves[?], and S.D. Greaves, Cumby. All of her children were here to attend the funeral.
    The passing of this good woman was a distinct shock to Soper people. She was truly a good woman, a loved neighbor, a true mother and wife. She had been a consistent member of the Methodist church for more than 60 years.
    The sorrow of the husband, children, sister and brothers is shared by the many friends and acquaintances of the deceased.

George Luther Herman

Luther Herman Dies At Muskogee
The Soper Democrat June 2, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    Luther Herman died at the Veterans’ hospital at Muskogee, Okla., Tuesday evening at 11:45 o’clock, following an illness of several years of Brights disease.
    The remains were shipped to Soper and the funeral was held at the Methodist church this (Thursday) afternoon at 1 o’clock, conducted by Rev. A.W. Blackford, followed by interment in the Soper cemetery.
    The local post of the American Legion met the body at the train and escorted it to the church. At the grave they also had charge, giving their comrade a military burial.
    George Luther Herman was born in Hopkins County Texas, and was 34 years, nine months and 4 days old. He came to this section with his parents more than 30 years ago. He entered the army service in July, 1918, and while serving contracted influenza, of which he never fully recovered. After returning from service he went to California where he lived for several years, returning to Oklahoma last Fall. He was married to Miss Bonnie Herring, and to this union one child was born, Floyd, aged 5 years.
    Besides his wife and son, he is survived by his mother, Mrs. B.F. Herman, Nelson; five sisters and seven brothers as follows: Mrs. Annie Green Cumby; Mrs. C.E. Vandergriff, Soper; Mrs. S.F. Nelson, Soper; Mrs. J.W. Harbuck, Lindsey, Calif.; Mrs. Sam Harbuck, Kent; Jim Herman, Lindsey, Calif.; R.F. Herman, Sand Bluff; Joe Herman, Ft. Thompson; Mace Herman, Darwin; B.P. Herman, Nelson; Price Herman, Choctaw; and D.G. Herman, Nelson.
    Mr. Herman was a good man, liked by all who knew him, and his death was a shock to all.
    The bereaved family have the sympathy of all in their deep sorrow.

G.W. Adams

Death of G.W. Adams
The Soper Democrat June 16, 1927 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    G.W. Adams, age 78 years, 6 months and 29 days, died at his home 7 miles Southeast of Soper in the Hall community Tuesday, June 14. Cause of death was given as malaria.
    The body was taken to his old home at Berwyn where it was interred Wednesday afternoon.
    Mr. Adams moved to this section last winter from Berwyn. He had lived in Oklahoma about 25 years. He is survived by a daughter and three sons. During his short stay near here he made many friends who are grieved to learn of his death.