The Old Cemetery, Pauls Valley, OK. Garvin County

The legend has grown that Indians used the Old Cemetery as a burial ground before the coming of the whites. There is no proof of this idea and it is probably untrue. Before the Choctaws and Chickasaws were moved to this section, the plains Indians, the Comanches, Kiowas, Apaches, Wichitas and possibly some others, hunted in this area but had no permanent abode here. The plains Indians usually buried their dead near the place they died.

The first marked grave was dated in 1868, and the last known burial was in 1901.

Time has taken its toll. Located near turbulent Rush Creek, many floods have swept over the burial ground, tipping over and displacing some of the smaller stones. Domestic animals have been tethered to graze in the Old Cemetery and in many instances displaced the stones to which they were tied. Vandalism, too, has played its part. Members of the Paul family report that as late as 1937 vandals removed some of the stones which covered the grave of Jesse Paul. A restoration of the cemetery began in 1954. A fence was built around the cemetery, the grounds were mowed and cleared, and the gravestones were repaired when possible. Maintenance of the cemetery has been assumed by the City of Pauls Valley.

The types of graves reflect several influences. Several tribes of Indians such as Comanche's buried their dead on the ground and then covered the grave with stones to protect these dead from wolves and other animals. Some of the Southern Indians used a grave house, which was in actuality a small house that covered the grave. A few of the graves in the cemetery combine these methods of burying with the familiar way of burying beneath the ground. Some of the graves in the Old Cemetery were covered with symmetrically cut stones placed in a systematic pattern. They combine the white man's way of placing the body in a dug grave and improved the Indian's manner of covering the grave with a mound of rocks. The Old Cemetery contains the only known graves of this type.

The Old Cemetery is representative of life and times in Pauls Valley during the last half of the nineteenth century. Notable personalities that contributed to the growth and development of the area and laid the foundations for statehood are buried there.

In 1868, the Caddo Indians in Cherokee Town (north of Wynnewood) were suffering from a severe epidemic of small pox. They were over-crowded, poorly housed, and had little or no food and medical supplies. Smith Paul, moved by the unfortunate conditions of these Indians, wrote to the Office of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C., requesting aid for the Caddos. The office wrote back, appointing Paul as the Indian agent. He immediately moved the Caddo Indians to Pauls Valley so they could be properly cared for. The Indians who died from small pox were buried in unmarked graves on South Walnut (area of the Old Cemetery). Unfortunately Paul's grandson, at age eight months, caught the small pox from these Indians and died. His grave was the first marked grave in the cemetery.

The Paul family contributed much to the state of Oklahoma, and several members are buried in the Old Cemetery. Smith Paul was one of the earliest settlers in the area and is credited as the founder of Pauls Valley. He married Ellen McClure, a Chickasaw Indian woman, who arrived in Oklahoma on the "Trail of Tears". Ellen had two children, Tecumseh and Catherine, from her previous marriage. Smith and Ellen had four children of their own, Hogan, Sam, Sippie, and Jesse. All of the Pauls mentioned, except Sippie, are buried in the Old Cemetery.

The half brothers, Samuel Paul and Tecumseh McClure, were both active in the Chickasaw legislature, and both served as heads of the Senate. Tecumseh was a leader in the Nationalist Party, which wanted to halt the thrust of white civilization and prevent white domination of the Chickasaw Nation. The original settlement of Pauls Valley was on land controlled by Tecumseh. The railroad wanted to build a line through Pauls Valley, but Tecumseh refused to cooperate. Samuel Paul invited the railroad engineers to his land which was to the north of Tecumseh's and invited them to build their road there. The engineers accepted and Pauls Valley was eventually relocated. Samuel was a leader in the Progressive Party, which wanted to join with white civilization in developing the area. Samuel Paul was the first Indian to advocate the acceptance of Indian allotment in severalty in the Curtis Act of 1898. Samuel started the Pauls Valley Enterprise and later set up newspaper press in Ardmore.

Jesse Paul served as a scout for Custer during the raid on Black Kettle. When he returned to Pauls Valley, there was a great victory celebration called the 'scalp dance'. Jesse died at the age of twenty-three and was buried with his sleigh bells. His funeral was put off a month after the burial because his spirit was believed to be restless. His sister Sippie, took food to his grave everyday until the funeral.

Among other interesting people buried in the cemetery is Chisholm Barnett. He was a lawyer and one of the early settlers. At one time he intended to write a history of Pauls Valley. John Burks was the first lawyer to practice in the area. His mother was instrumental in starting the Methodist Church in Pauls Valley. F.T. Waite was Speaker of the House in the Chickasaw legislature in 1889 and was a candidate for the Senate of the Progressive ticket in 1890. Earlier he had been a member of the Indian Police and from some accounts also rode with Billy the Kid and was in the Lincoln County Wars.

One man buried in the cemetery rode with Quantrill's Raiders and was visited by Jesse James.

No plots of land were set aside in the cemetery. The Indians did not conceive of individual land ownership, and then the Curtis Act of 1898 set aside certain lands for public use, including the cemetery. People were buried where one could find room. The cemetery ceased to be used because there was no space left. The last person to be buried there was Myrtle Thrasher in 1901. She died at the age of nineteen and it was said she was very beautiful. She was engaged at the time of her death to the later well-known lawyer, Moman Pruitt.

There are many infant graves in the cemetery. Many of these children died in their second summer. T.A. and Mary McClure had five children buried there, with at least four of them being under two years of age.

Some of the tombstones bear the Masonic emblem. Masonry was introduced to this area by Albert Pike when he was recruiting for the Confederacy. Father Morrow was also influential in spreading Masonry.

The old Cemetery contains a variety of types of people. The West was wild, not only in terms of violence, but also in the combination of people who came together and contributed their part to the settling of the frontier. The Old Cemetery contains both Indians and white men. Of the Indians, some welcomed the advance of the white men and others opposed this advance. Lawmakers and law enforcement officers are buried with outlaws. There are both lawyers and farmers. There are people that came to Indian Territory voluntarily and those that came on the "Trail of Tears". Many were born in Pauls Valley. Confederate and Union soldiers are side by side. Men who were involved in building newspapers, churches, and businesses are in the Old Cemetery. Each of these persons had a contribution which helped to mold the character of the West.

Founded about 1870 by Russ Mitchell and Hill. Abandoned 1902 due to growth of city. Pesent owner - City of Pauls Valley. Original owners--Russ Mitchell and John Hill. (see above information)

Approximate number of graves - 250. Approximate number of marked graves - 95. General condition of headstones, including inscription - Fair (Feb. 3, 1937). Condition of premises well kept and fenced.

NAME	BIRTH	DEATH	COMMENTS
Unreadable		July 13, 1883(?)	broken & unreadable
Baker, Gertey	Nov 11, 1886	Oct 16, 1900	dau of Z. and L. Baker, Tread softly by the grave of one, our hearts had learned to love
Barnett, Chisholm W.	Oct 28, 1859	Feb 19, 1899	"Mason" They who knew him best will Bless his name, And to keep his memory dear while life shall last
Bradberry, Frank	Aug 09, 1873	Sep 28, 1898	Weep not he is at rest
Brooks, Charles M.B.	Mar 06, 1868	Sep 24, 1894	Tis hard to break the tender cord When love has bound the heart Tis hard so hard to speek the word we must forever part. Dearest Loved one we have laid thee In the peaceful grave's embrace But thy memory will be cherished Till we see thy heavenly face.
Brown, John G.	Jun 16, 1817	Dec 21, 1888	-
Burks, John W.		April 6, 1892	aged 33 yrs 11 mos 23 ds, In Memory of
Burks, Zuleika	Oct 6, 1884	April 28, 1898	Thou aren't gone but not forgotten
Campbell, Infant	-	-	Little infant son of J.Y. and S.J. Campbell, Asleep in Jesus
Campbell, James W.	Apr 09, 1881	May 15, 1881	Asleep in Jesus, Infant son of J. Y. and S. J. Campbell
Campbell, Jessey	Sep 13, 1883	Oct 20, 1883	Asleep in Jesus, Infant son of J. Y. and S. J. Campbell
Campbell, Sallie R. Houston & twins	May 10, 1870	July 16, 1900	Mother, buried with twin infants
Cecil, Emma A.	Sep 04, 1871	Sep 04, 1892	dau of Miles and Annie L. Cecil, Gone but not forgotten
Cecil, Louisa Anne	July 14, 1864	July 1, 1893
Chiles, D.B.	Nov 24, 1826	Aug 22, 1899	How sweet to the soul are the breathing of peace when the still voice of pardon bids sorrow to cease when the welcome of mercy falls softly on the ear. Come hither ye laden. Ye weary, draw near. Double stone
Chiles, H.T	Aug 11, 1825	Aug 15, 1898	How sweet to the soul are the breathing of peace when the still voice of pardon bids sorrow to cease when the welcome of mercy falls softly on the ear. Come hither ye laden. Ye weary, draw near. Double stone
Cochet(Gochet?), Nancy
Copeland, Searcy	Jan 10, 1878	Aug 18, 1883	son of J.F. Copeland
Copeland, Van	May 09, 1859	May 09, 1901	Woodsmen of the world memorial
Couch, J.F.	-	-	Rock marked grave
Craig, Sarah	-	Dec 07, 1892	Age 41 years, wife of G.W. Craig, To forget is vain endeavor loves remembrance last forever.
Crawford, Clemmie
Crawford, Edward M.	-	May 17, 1890	son of J.H. and L.P. Crawford, age 13 days old, Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest God called thee home, He thought it best.
Crawford, Kate & Will			Williams Military Headstone
Crookshanks(?), E.B.			unreadable
Dobbs, N.J.(?)	18??	Feb 14, 1884	dau(?) of J.?. & Nancy Dobbs
Dunn, W.S.	Aug 04, 1871	Apr 26, 1899	Those who knew him best loved him most.
Edwards, H.A.	Dec 08, 1838	Oct 31, 1895	Dear Wife and Child weep not for me from you a husband and father Christ doth call
England, Sallie E.	Jan 18, 1862	May 02, 1892	wife of E.T. Emgland, A fairer bud of promise never blossomed
Forgey, A. Fay	Jun 02, 1890	Dec 02, 1892	son of A. and A.L. Foregey, He was the sunshine of our home, an angel to us given but when we learned to love him most, God called him home to heaven
Frederick, Russell	Sep 17, 1870	Jul 01, 1891	son of R.H. and A. Frederick, Forever with Christ.
Galt, Roy H.	Oct 16, 1897	Jan 02, 1899	son of G.E. and A.V. Galt
Gardner, Ellen	Jul 16, 1871	Sep 14, 1877	dau of J. and E. Gardner At rest earths broken buds bloom in Heaven.
Gardner, Elzira	Jul 16, 1871	Sep 26, 1877	dau of J. and E. Gardner , At rest earths broken buds bloom in Heaven.
Gardner, George(?) E.		Setp 6, 1872(?)
Gibson, Liddia Ann	1846	May 30, 1894	Consort of Geo. Gibson, born in Marshal Co. Miss., died in Pauls Valley - In Memory of
Giddings, F.	-	Jul 31, 1892	Age 27 years, 5 months, 16 days, No pains, no griefs, no anxious fear can reach our loved one sleeping here.
Gogswell, David H.	Feb 04, 1832	Jul 06, 1872	To the Memory of
Henderson, Rev. J.T.	Sep 16, 1842	Jan 08, 1900	-
Hewitt, Levina	Dec 16, 1856	Jun 06, 1896	wife of Samuel L. Hewitt, As a wife devoted, as a mother affectionate, as a friend ever kind and true.
Hewitt, Nora Ellen	May 17, 1885	Mar 10, 1900	Tread Softly by the grave of one our hearts had learned to love.
Hewitt, S. L.	Mar 3?, 1847	Sep 29, 1887	Samuel L.
Hill, Mary M.	March 7, 1861	??	?? of J.T. Hill
Hoggard, A.J.	May 30, 1868	Dec 04, 1883	-
Holford, Amanda	Apr 01, 1862	Dec 07, 1879	wife of D.B. Holford
Howell, Sarah F.	-	-	wife of A.C. Howell
Hunter, Willie May	Jul 02, 1897	Jun 11, 1899	Beautiful, lovely, she was but given a fair bud to earth to blossom in Heaven.
Jackson, James M.	Oct 25, 1881	Sep 23, 1884	son of R.H. and Lille Jackson, A little bud of love to bloom with God above
Janeway(?), John			son of William & Rhody
Janeway, Rhody	-	Oct 13, 1892	Age 62 yrs. 7 months, wife of Wm. Janeway, Here I lay my burden down change the cross into the Crown
Janeway, Vesty	-	Sep 13, 1883	age, 2 years, dau of M.E. Janeway, Budded on earth to bloom in Heaven
Jett, Infant	Feb(?) 3, 1899	Feb 5, 1899	Son of J.B. and M.B. Jett
Jett, James B.	Oct 11, 1896	Apr 22, 1898	-
Jones, Earl Palmer	1872	1898
Jones, Elisha Ann	1849	1899
Jones, F.J.	1844	1900
Jones, F.J.			Second stone? Or a different F.J. Jones? Or family stone?
Jones(?), William H.		Feb 22, 1876(?)	aged 5 mos
Kimberlin, Saley G.	Sep 12, 1879	Jul 08, 1883	dau of Grant and Elizabeth Kimberlin
Kukuk, Bertha	Sep 24, 186?	Jul 15, 1890	wife of J.W. Kukuk, Since thou canst no longer stay to cheer me with thy love. I hope to meet with thee again in yon bright world above.
Lambert, Emily	Jan 20, 1830	Oct 27, 1885	In memory of, Age 54 years and 10 months, wife of H. Lambert
Lambert, H.	Jan 24, 1818	Jun 10, 1883	To the memory of, Weep not for me
Langdon, D.W.	Dec 19, 1858
Langdon, Floyd(?)	July 30, 1891	Mar 23, 1898(?)	son of ? & M.E. Langdon
Langdon, Joseph	Dec 14, 1854(?)	Jan 12, 1886
Langdon, Samuel
Langdon, W.H.	July 4, 1864	Aug ??, 1888	Son of S. & Amanda Langdon
Leewright, B.T.	Feb 15, 1824	Feb 25, 1895	Age 71 years and 11 days, In memory of
Malchon, Fred	-	Oct 04, 1898	Age 53 year, Odd Fellow., May the souls of the departed. Through the Mercy of God. Rest in Peace
Math, William E.	Sep 06, 1872	Dec 05, 1876	-
Mee(k?), Effie May	Nov 29, 1895(?)	??? 23, 1896(?)	Dau of G.W. & J.L. Mee(k?)
McClane, Mary J.	Dec ?, 1838	Sep 08, 1878	wife of H.H. McClane
McClure, Allin	-	Jul 15, 1872	son of T.A. McClure
McClure, Gink	Nov 09, 1884	Jun 04, 1887	son of T.A. and Mary McClure
McClure, T.A.	-	Mar 13, 1902	age about 67 years, As a father affectionate, as a friend ever kind and true.
McClure, Mary	-	Dec 25, 1897	Age about 55 years, wife of T.A. McClure
McClure, Peter	Nov 19, 1886	Jun 11, 1887	son of T.A. and Mary McClure
McClure, Silbia	Sep 19, 1882	Jun 25, 1887	-
McCracken, Authur	1883	1887	Double with Rebecca
McCracken, Rebecca	1885	1885	Double with Authur
McKee, Tamora	Aug ?, 1896	Feb ?, 1898	Peace
McHenry, Infant	Mar 23, 1892	Mar 26, 1892	Infant daughter of P.E. and Emma McHenry, Another little lamb has gone to swell with him who gave.
McKee, Tamora(?)	Aug 1893(?)	Feb 1898(?)
Miller, Zina E.	Aug 26, 1848	Oct 3, 1890	Mother
Mitchell, B.M.
Mitchell, George?	July 5(?), ????	June 5, 1895(?)	son of J.W. & S.?. Mitchell,
Moore, Robert	Nov 18, 1874(?)	Oct 9, 1898
Morris, Infant	March 7, 1889	March 7, 1889	son of W.F. & S.M. Morris(?)
Patchell, Lulu Cline	1897	1900
Paul, Ellen	-	1871	died in the year 1871, aged 74 years, wife of Smith Paul
Paul, Hogan	born A.D. 1868	-	age 8 mo, son of Sam and Lucy Paul, double with infant Paul
Paul, Infant	born A.D. 1875	-	died age about 2 mo, Infant son of Sam and Sarah Paul, double with Hogan Paul
Paul, Irene(?)	Jan 30, 1888	???	dau of Joe & ??? Oaul
Paul, Jessie	1850	1873
Paul, Joseph	Oct 31, 1869	April 8, 1895	"Joe", Weep not for me
Paul, Sammie(?)	Oct 28, 1885	????	son(?) of Samuel & ??? Paul
Paul, Samuel	-	Dec 19, 1891	aged 46 years, In the midst of life we are in death. In Memory of Ex-Senator
Paul, Samuel Garvin	Oct 24, 1899	Dec 15, 1899	Our little boy sleeps sweetly here.
Paul, Smith	May 27, 1809	???. 13, 1893	He was the first to make this valley yield of its wealth.
Paul, Victoria Sue(?)	July 2, 1905(?)	Feb 2, 1907
Pearson, J.A.	Jun 05, 1860	Feb 02, 1901	In God we Trust (Joseph Alexander Pearson)
Plemons, C.L.	Mar 24, 1868	Jan 04, 1888	son of H.C. and S.A. Plemons, Gone but not forgotten.
Rankin, W.F.	April :, 1881(?)	???
Ross, James	Jan 31, 1870	Nov 4, 1900
Rosser, Susan D. Lumkpin	Dec 23, 1825	Nov 10, 1900
Sercy, Alonso	Jul 24, 1876	Oct 2, 1877	-
Shannon , Viva B.	Jul 29, 1886	Apr 30, 1885	death date earlier than birth date? dau of J.M and M.J. Shannon
Shelton, Sadie Emma	Apr 04, 1883	Nov 27, 1883	dau of A.W. and A.B. Shelton
Shepherd, Rufus A.	Feb 27, 1857	Mar 05, 1892	Loving husband, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here
Simmons, R.F.	Mar 12, 1872	Apr 16, 1889	-
Smith, Thomas	1885	1903
Speed, Annie E.	Dec 29, 1867	Nov 17, 1900	wife of James L. Speed, As a wife devoted, as a mother affectionate, as a friend ever kind and true.
Speed, Baby	-	-	Infant of James L & Annie
Spicer, C.L.	Jun 10, 1880	Nov 18, 1884	Dau of Henry & Melvina
Spicer, Henry L.	Jul 07, 1850	Feb 08, 1883	Farewell my wife, and children all from you a father Christ did call mourn not for me. It is in vain to call me to your sight again.
Stallcup, John	Mar 26, 1844	Feb 01, 1900	-
Sutterfield, James M.	Mar 05, 1839	Nov 17, 1891	We will meet again
Taylor , E.G.	Oct 31, 1859	Jan 02, 1884	-
Terry, Georgia Grace	Aug 5, 1897	Aug 4, 1898
Thomas, Nettie?	1803(?)	Aug 27, 1883(?)
Thompson(?), ?????		Oct 8, 1874	aged 3 yrs 9 mos & 12 ds
Thompson, Andrew V.	Oct 25, 1829	Jul 19, 1872	Age 42 yrs, 8 mo, 24 days
Thompson, Elgie A.	Jan 16, 1880	April 8, 1898	Double with Thomas J.
Thompson, Infant		Feb 10, 1874	dau of J.G. & Nancy J. Thompson
Thompson, Infant			dau of J.G. & Nancy J. Thompson
Thompson, Infant		Dec 26, 1879	son of J.G. & Nancy Thompson
Thompson, Infant	Oct 15, 1888		dau of J.G. & N.J. Thompson, Budded on earth to bloom in Heaven
Thompson, James W.	Sep 27, 1874	Nov 01, 1874	son of W.H.G. Thompson, For such is the Kingdom of Heaven
Thompson, Thomas J.	Mar 03, 1841	Sep 15, 1897	Double with Elgie A. Image
Thompson, William H.	Sep 02, 1827	Oct 18, 1878	Gone Home
Traylor, N.C.(?)	Oct 31, 1839(?)	Jan 2, 1894(?)
Vanderford, Sylvester	Jul 21, 1832	May 01, 1885	Gone but not forgotten.
Waite, Catherine	-	Jul 24, 1895	Age 64 years, wife of T.F. Waite
Waite, Ellen	Dec ?, 1895	Mar ?, 1889	Gone to Rest
Waite, F.T.	Sep 23, 1853	Sep 24, 1895	Gone but not forgotten
Waite, T.F.	Feb 21, 1827	Apr 28, 1874	One of the first settlers in Pauls Valley .
Warlick, Chalmers	Mar 29, 1888	Jan 02, 1889	Our Darling one has gone before To greet us on the Blissful Shore, double with infant .
Warlick, Infant	Oct 26, 1894	Oct 26, 1894	dau of J.W. and A.C. Warlick, Budded on earth to bloom in Heaven. Double with Chalmers
Worlick, Sanford	Jan 07, 1884	Nov 17, 1895	Weep not father and mother for me. For I am waiting in glory for thee.
West, Cyrus Owen	Jul 09, 1888	Sep 05, 1888	son of G.L. and B.M. West
White, Samuel	-	Jan 09, 1892	Age 46 years, 2 mos. 12 days, Close me they sweet eyes, from this world of pain, But we trust in God, To meet thee again
Whitefield, Linaro P.	Jan 20, 1897	Feb 14, 1901	son of J.B and R.A. Whitefield, Tread softly by, The grave of one, Our hearts had Learned to love
Williams, Essie B.	-	Oct 02, 1893	Age 1 month 23 days. dau of F. and M.E. Williams, Just when we learned to love her most, God called her back to heave
Williams, Frank	Feb 11, 1849	Mar 29, 1900	born in Kentucky
Williams, Ida Mary (May?)	-	Feb 21, 1891	Daughter of F. and M.E. Williams, age 3 Mo. 28 days, Her spirit smiles from that Bright Shore and whispers weep no more
Williams, Mary	Jan 18, 1847	Feb 28, 1891	wife of Frank Williams, Dearest wife and mother thou art gone. Tis God that hath bereft us. He can all our sorrows heal

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Garvin County Coordinator: Rebecca Maloney

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The Old Cemetery Pauls Valley, 1868 - 1901

The Old Cemetery
Pauls Valley, 1868 - 1901