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Alice Dyer

Mrs. Alice Dyer Died Last Monday
The Fort Towson News July 11, 1929 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Alice Dyer died at the home of her baughter [sic], Mrs. O.D. Smith at Foulke, Ark., Mon- [sic] afternoon at 5:00 o’clock.
    Mrs. Dyer was 77 years of age and had been a member of the Baptist church since she was 16 years of age. She was well known in Ft. Towson where she had made her home with Mrs. Gus Wafer for the past 16 years.
    She leaves to mourn her death two daughter [sic], Mrs. O.D. Smith of Faulke, Ark. And Mrs. Gus Wafer of Fort Towson and one son, A.G. Dyer, who lives in Mississippi and Mrs. E.D. Dyer, a daughter-in-law of Weirgate, Texas.
    The remains were brought here from Foulke for interment which was made in the Doaksville cemetery Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 o’clock. The Rev. C.E. Guttery, pastor of Fort Towson preaching the funeral services.
    The News joins the many friends in extending sympathy to the members of her family.

Z.T. Petty

Z.T. Petty is Dead
The Fort Towson News June 20, 1929 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Z.T. Petty of Swink passed away at Vinita, Okla. June 14^th, Snow’s Funeral Home took charge of body and conveyed it to Swink, where funeral services were held at the deceased’s home Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock. Services were conducted by Rev. W.S. Lee pastor of Methodist Church, after which interment was made at Swink cemetery.
    Mr. Petty was born in Alabama Feb. 17, 1856. He is survived by his wife and six daughters; Mrs. George Sanger and Roy Kew of Hugo, Mrs. Tom Sanger of Sawyer, Mrs. Alva Baugh of Sulphur Springs, Texas, Mrs. H. E. Thomas of Wichita Falls, Texas, Mrs. Zeak Herd of Swink, and two sisters, Mrs. W.A. Stafford of Broken Bow and Mr. [sic] Effie Emmett of Gordon, Ark., all of whom attended the funeral.
    Mr. Petty has been a resident of Swink for many years, and was known by all as a good friend and neighbor, and leaves a host of friends who sympathize with the bereaved loved ones, and mourn the passing of this true friend.
    The floral offerings were many and beautiful.

Joe Key

Ft. Towson Man Killed in Louisiana
The Fort Towson News May 16, 1929 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Joe Key, well known Ft. Towson man was killed in Louisiana Sunday, and the body shipped here and burial made in the cemetery at Sawyer Wednesday.
    The story as we get it is as follows. Key was touring the state with a Wild West show and was playing at some point in Louisiana. "Cockle Burr Bill" an employe [sic] of the Key show had gotten into a fight with a party and Key went in to separate them. This party then drew his gun and shot Key four times, resulting in instant death.
    The deceased is a son of W. [2^nd initial unreadable] Key, is part Indian and was reared in this community.

James Hise

The Fort Towson Enterprise April 30, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    The remains of Mr. James Hise of Huntington, Ark., were shipped here Tuesday and after services at the Baptist church were laid to rest in Doakesville [sic] Cemetery. Mr. Hise was formerly an employee at the mill.

B.F. Blankenship

The Fort Towson Enterprise Supplement February 27, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    B.F. Blankenship was born in Alabama, August 17^th, 1849, departed this life January 19^th, 1920. He was converted and joined the Baptist church at the age of 18, and has been an active member every since. He also was a Deacon and served in that capacity for a number of years.
    At the age of [unreadable, possibly 16 or 18] he was married to Miss Mary Jane Woodham. To this union was born 14 children, 9 of which are still living – 6 girls and 3 boys. He had 38 grand children and 8 great grand children. His three boys were with him at his death. -- W.L. of Virgil, Oscar of Apple and Manson of Spencerville. All of his children belong to the Baptist church, and quites [sic] number of his grand children.
    Grandma, his wife, is almost 71 years of age. May the Lord bless and comfort her in this trying hour, and may she realize that it will not be long until she too will go where there is no parting, and no heart ache.
    She has lost a devoted husband, the children a loving and faithful father, the Church a strong member and the community a good citizen.
    The remains were laid to rest in Doakesville cemetery January 20^th. Yes, we will meet him when our Lord comes again.
    May the Lord bless his wife, his children and grand children, is the prayer of his pastor,
    R.E.L. Anderson Fort Towson

James Mayfield

The Fort Towson Enterprise February 6, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    James Mayfield died at the home of his son, Mr. Tuck Mayfield, January 29^th. His body body [sic] was buried at the Doakesville cemetery, January 30^th after a short funeral service conducted by Rev. L.C. Craig. Mr. Mayfield was born in Kentucky, Sept. 1^st, 1832. He professed religion in early life, and joined the M.E. Church South. He was conscious to the last hour and left the testimony that "all was well."

T.L. Gulley

The Fort Towson Enterprise February 6, 1920 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mr. T.L. Gulley who has been a resident of Fort Towson for the past twelve years, died at his home here last Saturday evening after many months suffering with paralysis. Mr. Gully [sic] was recognized as a good man – an upright christian [sic] gentleman, having been a consistent member of the Baptist church for many years.
    He leaves a wife and two daughters – Mrs. Leonard Ingram and [?] Gulley who should feel that he is at peace, and where there is no suffering.
    Funeral services were conducted Monday by Rev. A.J. Shelton in the Baptist church. After which, the body was laid to rest in Doakesville cemetery with Odd Fellow ceremonies.

Clyde Welborne

Clyde Welborne Died at Paris
The Fort Towson News July 18, 1929 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Last Monday morning at 4:00 o’clock Clyde Welborne, son of Mrs. J.B. Welborne died at the Sanitarium of Paris following an operation for apendicitis [sic] from complications that arose after the operation.
    Welborne was 21 years of age and had spent his entire life in Fort Towson where he has many friends who will regret to learn of his death. His father J.B. Welborne passed away only a few months ago. Besides his mother he leaves three brothers, Carl and Luther Welborne of Chickasha and John Welborne of Frogville and three sisters, Mrs. Stella Rowe of Lindsay, Mrs. Annie Bryant of Okemah and Mrs. Willie Chappel of Lubbock.
    Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock at the Baptist church, Rev. C.E. Guttery, pastor of the Baptist church of Fort Towson, conducting the last rites. Interment was made at the Doaksville cemetery.
    The News joins the friends in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved ones.

John H. Sullivan

Sudden Death of J.H. Sullivan
The Boswell News August 27, 1937 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Our town was shrouded with gloom Monday morning when the news reached here that one of its oldest citizens had lost his life in a car wreck near Hugo about 8 o’clock. The body was taken at once to the Senner funeral home, Hugo, where it was prepared for burial and later brought to his home in east Boswell.
    Jno. H. Sullivan was born in Lexington, Tennessee, November 15, 1854 and died August 24, 1937, aged 82 years, 9 months and 8 days.
    He was married to Miss Susie Eades about 62 years ago, and to this union was born 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls, the mother passing away some 25 years ago, ad to a later marriage one son was born.
    The deceased is survived by five sons and three daughters as follows: William Sullivan, McKinney, Texas; Ollie Sullivan, Dallas, Texas; Luther, Ackery and Warren G. Sullivan, Boswell; three daughters, Mrs. Martha Massey, Durant, Oklahoma; Mrs. Mattie Knox, Boswell; Mrs. Francis Bryant, Fort Towson, Oklahoma; 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and a number of friends to mourn his going.
    He professed religion and united with the Baptist church when a young man, and a few years ago united with the Baptist church of Boswell and said he wanted to live and do right that he might be prepared when the end came. It seems that here of late he talked quite a bit with his family and friends saying "It pays to live and do right because the end is coming and no one knows when." What a great truth he uttered.
    As has already been said by many "The old Brother will be missed on our streets because of his jolly good nature." Yes, he liked to joke and have his fun and enjoyed jokes and fun by others. He seemed unusally [sic] in a in a [sic] happy mood for the past several months. He was a man of conviction, and was firm in them, but was always willing to retract if he found those convictions wrong.

Mrs. Frank Braden

Mrs. Frank Braden Dies at Paris
The Fort Towson News July 25, 1925 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mr. [sic] Frank Braden, aged 53 years died at Dr. Leverett’s Sanitarium at Paris, Texas, last Tuesday and was buried at the Doaksville cemetery here Wednesday.
    The deceased had been in bad health for several years but her death came as a shock to her family and friends. She was the wife of Frank Braden of Frogville.
    Besides her husband she is survived by two children, Mrs. John Snead of Boswell and a son Rodie Braden of Fort Towson. Two sisters, Mrs. Rena Crump, of Talco, Texas, and Mrs. Riley Miller of this city, and her father, George Stephens also of Fort Towson.

Infant Mitchell

The Fort Towson News July 25, 1929 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    The three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Mat Mitchell died at the family home near here last Tuesday from a congestive chill and was buried at the Doaksville cemetery. The boy was taken with the chill and died in a short time.

Abbie Elzey

Mrs. Abbie Elzey Passes
The Fort Towson News January 10, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    The death of Mrs. Abbie Elzey came unexpectedly and suddenly Sunday evening at her home here following a brief illness of less than 24 hours from congestive chills.
    Mrs. [sic] had been employed at Thomas’ City Café, and was well respected by all who knew her. She leaves three children, Thad, 11, Eugene 13, and Joyce 5 years old, a sister living here and other relatives elsewhere. Interment was made Monday afternoon in the Doakesville cemetery.

Edward L. Foster

The Fort Towson News February 7, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Edward Livingston Foster was born November 5^th 1861, at Springfield, Mo. Died Tuesday, January 28^th 1930, at Fort Towson, Oklahoma. Was married to Mary Elizabeth Bedford of Hamburg, Miss. Sept 12, 1887. To this union was born two boys and four girls: mrs. Bernice Barnett, Blossom, Texas; lafayette, who died at the age of eighteen; Mrs. Myrtle Freeman, Okmulgee, Oklahoma; Mrs. Elizabeth Chessir, Fort Towson; A.L. Foster, Corpus Christi, Texas. Three brother and one sister are yet living: Will Foster, Knoxville, Tenn; J.A. Foster, Dennison [sic], Texas; Charles Foster, Yokohoma, Washington; Mrs. Annie Montgomery, Kansas City, Mo.
    The body was laid to rest Wednesday, January 29^th in the Doakesville cemetery.

Infant Smith

Child Dies from Effects of Burns
The Fort Towson News February 14, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    The three year old son of Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Smith of this city died about 9:30 Wednesday morning from the effects of burns received Friday afternoon, January 31^st. It was at first thought that the child was in no particular danger, but later developments weakened the resistance of the suffering patient and proved superior to medical aid, in constant attendance.
    Funeral services were held at 10 o’clock Thursday morning, at the Baptist church and interment made in the Doakesville cemetery.

Powell Grantham

Powell Grantham Dies Tues. Night
The Fort Towson News October 17, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Word was received here Wednesday morning of the death of Powell Grantham Tuesday night at Vinita, Okla in the hospital for nervous diseases. Powell was the oldest son of S.P. Grantham of this city. He had been ill for some time and his death was not unexpected.
    Deceased was laid to rest at Vinita.

John Reason

Man Fatally Shot at Country Dance
John Reason Killed; Claude Key Considered Guilty
The Fort Towson News October 17, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    John Reason, of this city, was fatally shot Tuesday night near the midnight hour while at a dance given in the home Leonard White, about 3 ½ miles northeast of town. Claude Key, of Fort Towson, is considered, by weight of circumstantial evidence, to be the man who fired the shot. The story as we are able to get it bears out the following facts:
    Weese Key, brother of Claude, and Leonard White were having trouble which soon became the center of attention. Claude Key and John Reason were on the porch engaged in friendly conversation when the trouble started. Then, Claude went in to take the part of his brother, John going along to see the show. Claude immediately pulled a gun on Leonard and fired. Leonard was opposite John Reason at the time and John received the bullet intended for the other party. The bullet went thru his left breast, penetrating the hear. The man was dead when he was brought to Dr. Boyer’s home here in town.
    (This version of the affair may or may not stand investigation. Many conflicting statements have been made and we do not presume to voice a personal opinion.)
    Claude has fled to parts unknown and up to Wednesday nite [sic] no word has been received as to his whereabouts.
    Mr. Reason was buried in Idabel Thursday afternoon.

Jake Rosenthal

Jake Rosenthal Buried Here Monday
The Fort Towson News October 3, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Jake Rosenthal, 47 of Rattan, Okla was buried in the Doakesville cemetery here Monday afternoon. Mr. Rosenthal was killed in an accident near Seminole last Friday afternoon. He stepped from a car in which he was riding into the path of a heavy truck and was instantly killed. He is survived by his wife, four daughters and two sons.
    Mr. Rosenthal was the son of George Rosenthal who was in business at Doakesville and Goodland in the early days and later in Fort Towson. He had been a cattle raiser on a large scale and led a very active life up until the time of his death. Many friends and acquaintances of the deceased live in this community.
    The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Davidson, Baptist pastor at Spencerville.

Dog Buried in Cemetery

The Fort Towson News October 3, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    On Sunday, Sept 28^th, a poodle dog was laid to rest in the Doakesville Cemetery here in a specially constructed casket and box, in a grave made to measure. Moreover, the dog was brought all the way from St. Petersburg, Fla. For interment in the cemetery here. Mr. Albert Coffman, formerly a residen [sic] here, purchased the dog during the war in the heat of a local Red Cross drive. So, the pet was brought back to its native town for burial.
    But, on Monday following the burial the citizens of this city became individually and collectively indignant and signed a petition to have the canine removed. As a result the remains were taken up Tuesday morning and re-buried in a nearby pasture.

Mrs. F. Hooks

Mrs. F. Hooks Dies at Her Home here
The Fort Towson News May 16, 1930 – transcribed by Ron Henson

    Mrs. Frank Hooks, 60, of Fort Towson, passed away at her home here Monday evening at 7:30 o’clock. Death was due to congestion. Mrs. Hooks had been in bad health for more than a year and her death at this time was not altogether unexpected. She leaves a son, Mr. Jim Dick, of Hugo and her husband, Mr. Frank Hooks, of Fort Towson to mourn her departure.
    The funeral services were held in the Gee Funeral Home at Hugo Tuesday morning at 11:30. The body was then carried to Emery, Texas where it was laid to rest with other relatives who have passed on, at 5:00 o’clock.
    Mr. and Mrs. Hooks came to this territory more than twenty-five years ago and watched a disorganized territory flourish into a great state. Soon after moving into this section they were married, at Antlers, and have lived in this section since that date. There were no children from this union.
    The News joins the many friends in extending heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved.