FRIGHTFUL DISASTER
New York June 16th
One thousand persons, mostly children, perished today by the burning of the steamer GENERAL SLOCUM near Hells Gate in East River. The Slocum, with an annual Sunday School excursion composed of men, women, and children was sailin up the river to one of the many summer resorts on Long Island sound, when she caught fire. A panic ensued on the boat almost instantly. The crowds on the forward deck began to jump overboard. The captain stuck to his post and ran the boat to the shore while she was burning all over.
Judge Gullet has fined seven men alleged to be inplicated in the Madill mob which ran the negroes out of town, $75. All paid except one man who was remanded to jail.
Drank Carbolic Acid
The three-months old baby of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Harris, who lives about three miles north of town, lost its life by a horrible accident the first of the week, being literally burned to death with carbolic acid poured in its mouth by it two year old sister. The mother was at work in the garden when the older child climbed up to the shelf and got the poison and poured it into the childs mouth as it had seen its mother do in giving medicine. Dr. Ralston was sent for but could not do the little sufferer any good. It died the next day. - Lindsay News.
A.C. Jenkins, living near Norton Kansas, while beating his wife was shot dead by his 11 year old daughter.
Shot By A Deputy
Muscogee, June 15 - Engineer J.T. Williams and Fireman Chas Young were shot and dangerously wounded tonight when a northbound M.K.&T. passenger train pulled out. Both men were shot by Deputy U.S. Marshal Frank Jones, who was trying to arrest a negro for selling whiskey. The negro was running down the platform when the officer shot at him, the same bullet striking both the engineer and fireman.
Thursday evening the barn of Ben N. Cates near Hoyt was struck by lightning. A Choctaw Indian, McDaniel and the little son of Mr. Cates were in the barn feeding stock at the time. McDaniels was instantly killed but the lad escaped with only a slight shock. He ran to the house and told his father what had happened and the two returned to the barn which was on fire, and succeeded in removing the dead man and some horses and cattle before the sructure was destroyed. A large quantity of hay, corn, etc. was lost. - Quinton Pioneer
McGee is not on a boom, but is steadly growing all the time
July 4th is the day of the big picnic here.
The prospects for a bank are much more favorable than ever before. There will be some parties here in a few days looking for a location for a bank. Now, don't turn this opportunity down, but get together and lets pull for an institution we need so bad.
PICNIC
The citizens of McGee met in mass meeting Monday to arrange a picnic on July 4th. On motion, W.W. Hyden was elected Chairman. He appointed the following committees:
On Arrangements:
Z.Y. Griffin
J.T. Eldridge
Sam Boaatwright
On Finance:
Sam Lee
F.R Laird
D.M. Hyden
On Programme:
A.L. Adams
J.J. Rotenberry
Dr. Cullum
What McGee needs is a new school house. What can we expect of our children if we don't give them the proper facilities to get an education. By a combined effort on the part of the citizens of McGee and community, we can build a school house in keeping with the dignity of our town. With a good school house, and the proper corps of teachers installed, we would not only have the attendance of our town children, but of children from the surrounding neighborhood. There is nothing that goes to commend a place better than her school advantages. Now folks, think this matter over, lets have a meeting and see what can be done to have a place to send our children to school.
CENTER
Dr. Austelle is suffering from a kick of a horse on the knee.
Prof. R.J.Brandon has returned from Durant where he was a delegate to the convention which met there last week.
The icecream supper Thurs. night was a success.
Born to the wife of Lewis Parker, a fine ten lb. boy.
Rev. Rowlin preached at the school house, Saturday and Sunday.
J.W. Wisdom is now driving the mail back on the Center end of the Pauls Valley line.
Will Marcum, after living here a number of years, decided he would seek his fortune in the west. He filed on 160 acres in Beaver Co. O.T. But alas! the wind blew long and strong, and sand so high and so dry; Will turned it loose, and came back to Center, and says the old Chickasaw is the best country he ever saw.
Tol Rigsby and family weere visiting Felix Deals family Sunday.
J.W. Wisdom and family enjoyed a pleasant drive over the Bebe country Sunday evening.
WALKER
Nothing strange or unusual has happened to any of the citizens of this community. The general health of the country is good at present.
[Wouldn't you love to see the above headline, if on only one wonderful day, in our 21st Century mw]
By the way, we had a wedding last Sunday week. Wm. Cobb and Miss Estella Ortwein of Wynnewood, came up and had Dr. Patrick to make them man and wife.
THE STICKS
We have Sunday School every Sunday aat McGuire school house. Pryaer meeting every Thursday night.
Bro. John Kelley, our Sunday School Supt. has been talkng with the boys in regard to building an arbor.
W.M. Stanfield is done chopping cotton.
Mr. Carlton had the misfortune to get four mules cut on the wire.
UNVEILING
The W.O.W. Unveiling, and Dedication ceremonies of the McGee Camp No. 2 Thursday, June 23rd, 1904, was well attended and a success in every partcular.
Quite a number of Sov's from other camps were in attendance. McGee Camp met in the Hall aat 1:30 p.m. where they were joined by Woodmen from Maxwell, Dolburg, Walker, and other neighboring Camps. Ruth and CenterGrove also present, and added much to the interest of the occasion. At 2:30 p.m. the procession was formed, and the march conducted to teh cemetery by the Master of cerimonies, Sov. D.M.Hyden, arriving at the Cemetery. The wedge was formed about the grave of Sov. Chas. Woods, The Circle forming the base of the wedge. The usual ritualstic cerimonies were fully carried out. Sov. Mrs. Vella Cullum appeared on the part of the Circle and with a degree of earnestness and eloquence, recited that beautiful poem so dear to Woodcraft, closing with "Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud". After scattering flowers and other memorial services at the graves of deceased Sov. the procession marched back to the Hall, where a well arranged program was carried out. Perry of the Roff Enterprise, was present and made a forcible talk, respecting the Lodge, all of which was well received. Sov Joe Edwards then proceeded with the dedication ceremony, closing with formal dedication of the Hall to Woodcraft.
Dick Gibson of Pauls Valley was in McGee Monday buying hogs.
Dr. J.N. Norris made a business trip to Pauls Valley Monday
Miss Maggie Griffin has about recovered from a severe case of chills.
Rev. P.A. Smith and daughter Miss Corda were visiting in Byars Monday.
C.L. Griffin made a flying trip to Ada Sunday, returning Monday.
Miss Mollie Bunch who has been visiting Miss Corda Smith has returned to her home at Johnson.
M.A. Heiner and wife of Ada, are visiting Mrs. Heiner's father C.L. Griffin at the Griffin Hotel.
Dr. T.P. Shi and family who have been living at Lindsay for the last year, have returned to McGee to live. Their many friends at this place are glad to have them back with us again.
The 12 year old boy of Jim Harper living near Byars, was kicked on the head Monday by a mule, and his skull fractured. While the wound is a bad one, the doctors don't think it wll prove fatal.
Miss Sarah Richards of Byars was visiting here Sunday.
We are pleased to learn that J.H. Cox is much better than he was last week.
Lewis Gibson and Miss Dulca Williams of Byars, were here Sunday.
Miss Mellie Bunch of Johnson, is visiting Miss Corda Smith at this place.
Rev. W.U. Goodwin had services at Chism, Sunday.
Prof Stroup has closed his school at this place till the first Monday in July.
Rev J.M. Caves of Roff, was in McGee Thursday and Friday, and in company with Prof Stroup, they left for Okra, where they will have services Saturday and Sunday.
Cecil Smith and wife, of Chickasha, Oscar Jackson and wife of Mill Creek, and Henry Pruitt and wife of near Ardmore, are here to see A.M. Jackson, wo is confined to his room with a severe case of rheumatism.
The infant son of W.L. Cunningham has been quite sick, but is better at this time.
Don't forget thet the Laundry basket goes off, each week. W.R. Payne barber.
S.J. Garvin and Dr. J.A. Young lef Sunday for Hot Springs, where they go to see C.J. Grant who is still in very serious condition. Dr Yound will hold a consultation with the physicians now in charge, and consider the advisibility of removing Mr. Grant to St Louis for treatment. - Pauls Valley Enterprise.
The base ball game pulled off here last Friday, between Wanette and Mcgee, was a very interesting affair. There were a large crowd present, and every body enjoyed it hugely. While our boys got beat, they put up some fine playing, and with some practice, will be as good team as can be found in this part of the country. The Wanette boys played them a fair game, and showed by their action that they are gentlemen of he best type. The score was 13 to 4 in favor of Wanette.