ii. T, (MHS.) BITSB'/IilV /4468

Transcription

1 ii. T, (MHS.) BITSB'/IilV /4468

2 Form A-(S-149). /. Indian-Pioneer Tlisbor,/ Project for Oklahoma GARNSLS, E. T. (MRS.) INTERVIEW. * 4468 ~ 46 Field.Worker's name Yelraa Hance ' This report made- on (date) June 14^ 1., N^me Mrs.-33.'T.. Post office Address Sayre, Oklahoma * 3. Residence address ('or location) East Main Street ( 4. ' DATE 0? 1IHTH:.i'onth ; \_ Day Year '5. Place of bir$l Leon, Iowa. 6. ' Tame of Father J. M. Brown Place of birth 1> eon > Iowa Other inf^""8iia'.i''n abi;ut father 7. ; Tame^of Either i_^ Place of birth Taon ' Tnw» Other information at jut nother Notes or complete nar^alivo'cy V.:= rival! Worker doaiiri^. with the life..and story of tho ->i?$s?. Intorvio.jeci. ReTer t~ I.'.inual for ' suggested subjects a^ri quv?tions. ' Continue <-n blank sheets if necessary and attach-firmly to tnis fern. Nuniber_ of sheets at-t ached 3.

3 GABHEIS, E. T. (MRS.) INTEHVlEfo Velma Hance, Interviewer June 14, 1937 *> Interview with Mrs. E. T. Camels. Sayre, Oklahoma. Mrs. S. T. Camels.was born in Iowa and came to Oklahome, with, her father on account of her mother's health* They came to Outhrie in 1902 and filed on some land, then went to locate the claim which they found to be ten miles- northwest of Cheyenne, about thirty-five miles from Sayre. This «was in in 1902, the day following the last day of school. Then Mrs. Camels and her father and mother were settled in the place where she has lived all her life. The trip was a long tiresome one; they changed trains at Kansas City, Missouri; Newton,.Kansas; SI Reno, and Bridgeport anct'afc each change there were many long hours of waiting, Frdm Kansas to SI Heno they came on what seemed to be a freight tra-ih, it was so j5low and rough. western Oklahoma had some heavy rair.s about that time and the Canadian &iver had been out of its banks and the brakeman walked ahead of the train in the low places where the tracks were covered with water to insure safety. The slow travel with a stop and a jerk every few moments was no t pleasure to any one on the train excepting the children.-

4 7 _ 48 CARTELS, E. T. (MRS.) INTERVIEW., Z Mrs. Garnel with her parents finally arrived in Sayre where heavy rains had left their effects.,there was ho bridge between the town^and the depot so they were compelled to cross the creek on the railroad track on foot, all loaded with baggage. They-came from an old settled country that prided itself on its big trees, blue grass and fine homes. quite a shock to r f ind themselves in the town of Sayre It was which was very small but had thirteen saloons, two general stores and*a few other business places.dotted along the main street r to supply the needs t>f the country, ilost of the buildings were made of 1 x 12 foot lumber with the roof of 'the same size and with stilts and with one or. more goods boxes for the aoor steps. < Since this was a cattle country, most people traveled on horseback, sane in wagons and when they went any distancethey always went in covered wagons. --Then the Spaulding Company : " «I ' began to fill the. country with buggies. The saddle horses were well-trained in those days, ' ieoples r horaes were- mostly one-room, shacks built of 1 x 12 inch boards for the sides and roof. Some people lived in tents and some in dugouts. The water was -hauled in barrels

5 ~ 49 CAHNELS, E. T. (i U&.) ' INTERVIEW.', ^46.8 covered with large squares of canvas held down with several staves. They kept the water on the north side'of the house to keep it cool for drinking. "The United States mail was carried on horses from Gheyinne to aiangum. They changed horses about halfway as the horses would give out,. There were no fences nor bridges along the Way and the roads followed no certain route with the object of avoiodng as many rough -places as possible across the prairie. Mrs. n.t. Camels attended the first school here for a few weeks'but the school only had grades up to the eighth and.she had finished the Eighth Grade and so had to go back - to Iowa for.more schooling. 'Sayre was rapidly making history' and beconung^a town. About the only provisions people kept on' hand were flour, sugar, ctfffee, beans, side meat and syrup. Most people,.kept a few chickens and would milk one cow of their herd once a day. * * The first woman's organization was,the "As You Like It" club vthich was organized in 1904 and -is in existence today.'..-.'.i&irs. Camels becane a member of the club the month after she movea to-sayrei-