A Trip to Murray County - 1897 Style


Barbara Giddens submitted this partial trip diary of Buren Harris, a relative.  This is his account to visit his Cousins "Fate" and "Vic",  James L. Parks and Victoria Parks.  The Parks are Barbara's great grandparents.  The Parks and other family members lived in the community of Iona, about 8 miles north and 3 miles west of Sulphur.  All of this journal is interesting as to the hardships of travel in Indian Territory but our part of the story begins at the Nov. 6 entry.
 

Wagon Wheels...Winter 1896 Vol. 6 No. 4
Logan County Historical Society 

FROM THE DIARY OF M.V.B. HARRIS
Another Texas Trip


M.V. B. (Buren) Harris made a 36 day trip from Ellsworth, Arkansas, to the Dallas, Texas, area in a covered wagon drawn by mules in 1894 with his father, T.T. (Tom) Harris, Jim Knight and Bill Hixson. This is the account of his second trip to Texas in a mule-drawn covered wagon from Ellsworth with his Uncle Jim Harris (his father's brother) and family, during the period of 18 October-2 December 1897 (46 days).

Members of the party were: M.V. B. Harris age 21, Jim (James S.) and Sallie (Sallie Ann Hampton) Harris and their children, John B. age 20, James W. age 17, Elisha W. (Lish) age 15, Arch S. age 13, and Robert E. (Bob) age 10. Bessie age 4 and Alva W. age 2 are not mentioned in the account but must have been with them as the purpose of the trip was to settle in Texas. Their son Thomas and Isabel (or Isabella) Howard were married 13 Jan. 1893 in Logan county, Arkansas, and did not make the trip with them. According to the 1900 U.S. Census of Ellsworth township, Logan county, Ark., Sallie Harris was the mother of eleven children; nine were still living. A son named Oscar died 23 Nov. 1894.
(Words in Parenthesis have been added by the typist)

Mon. 18th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day but tolerable dusty and Uncle Jim folks and myself all started to Texas. Very hard indeed to leave all the our folks to be sure. We eat dinner near Mr. Cottons. We are well acquainted with this country. We camped near the bridge across Short Mt. Creed above Paris. As we came on this eve we met Mr. /ruff Hixons folks. We had lots of fun to be sure, throwing rocks, and acting a fool. I need not give a description of the country as we are well acquainted with this country.

Tues. 19th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant, but the dust was very bad indeed. We started from camp this morning at Paris or Short Mt. Creek, and came on our Journey. Crops are very poor where we traveled this morning but become better before we camped. The country was tolerable level all day, and not much rock. We eat dinner about 1 mile west of Chaulkville and had lots of fun. We came on and entered Franklin County at 3:50 O'clock P.M. and came on through Charleston Prairie and also the town of Charleston and on about 1 mile west and camped. Uncle Jim sold one of his cows this morning for $14 to Mr. Richie. All well at present and having lots of fun. Mules all standing it well, so far, but the cow is getting very tired, and worn out.

Wed. 20th Oct. 1897 was a very disagreeable day with us, and we are all on our 3rd days travel to Texas. We came from Charleston this morning to bout 5 miles of Ft. Smith where we camped. Corps, cotton good for the dry weather. Corn very, very bad. Country very rough and the dust very oh most miserable bad in fact the worst I ever saw in Arkansas. We crossed 3 creeks this morning and eat dinner at Big Vass Grass (Vache Grasse) Creek. Towns, 1st Bloomer, 2nd Central City which (is) in Sebastain county, 3rd SpringHill , and 4th a little burg by the name of Harrisonville. Uncle Jim and Mr. Ruth is talking now this 8:10 O'clock at night and tolerable cool. Uncle Jim sold Old Whitie his old cow this morning for $13 1/2. All well and having lots of fun to be sure. The wagon are going back and forth to Ft. Smith now in a hurry.

Thur. 21st Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day, but very dusty on us to sure, and we are on our 4th days travel to Texas. We came from about 5 miles east of Ft. Smith to about 12 1/2 miles southwest of Ft. Smith in Choctaw Nation. Towns, 1st Ft. Smith, we came there at 10:30 O'clock until 11:30 O'clock. John and I roamed around town some, and I saw Ruff Foster driving a street car. Also saw Rubin Laferry and strained our eyes looking at so many different objects in the city. We came on and eat dinner about 4 1/2 miles due south of Ft. Smith. We have a big time to be sure snuffin sand and acting a fool you bet. We saw (our) first steam cars on our trip this morning. "country", tolerable rough. Crops poor except in Poteau (Poteau) bottom this eve and corn wa 'ent so very good there but cotton is sure fine. A fellow from Missouri camped with us to night by the name of Nickleth. Stock water very scarce to be sure to night as they had to do like they do over the river "without". 

Fri. 22nd Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day (for) us to be sure and we are on our 5th days travel to Texas. The dust was exceeding bad today to be sure. We came through some pretty prairie country, but had some bitter along with the sweet throwed in with rocks, grub, stumps, and up and down hills. We came about 12 1/2 miles southwest of Fr. Smith to the little town by the name of Bakosha (BOKoshe) in the Chocktaw (Choctaw) Nation. Towns, 1st Skullaville (Sculleyville), 2nd Bakosha (or Shake Rag). We crossed the Santa Fe railroad this morning at 9:30 O'clock . We brought some corn from Mr. Dick Clark, the man Papa bought his McCormick reaper from, several years ago. He lives 3 miles east of BOKoshe in the Choctaw Nation. We saw several Indians to day and passed a very great number of wagons going to the market at Ft. Smith, "Crops" corn tolerable good and cotton very good, and weather very dry to be sure. All enjoying life well and having lots of fun.

Sat. 23rd Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day if the dust had not been so bad. We are on our 6th days travel to Texas. We traveled about 23 miles today and through some very rough country to be sure, but had some very pretty prairie roads along in places. We eat dinner in the northeast part of wild horse Prairie. This old prairie looks very natural to me as it has been a little over 3 years since I come over the road. We watered our mules at Mule Creek the very same place where Papa, Jim Knight, Will Hixon and I camped one night, and the same place where Papa killed 3 turkeys at one shot and Jim Knight killed one at tow shots. We came on through some very beautiful ball prairies this eve. We saw several Choctaws to day and some of them wanted us to stop and pick cotton for them. We camped about 20 yds. west of Sand Bois Creek in a very rugged looking place, also about 1/4 of a mile east of the town of San Bois.

Sun. 24th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 7th days travel toward Texas. We came through some very rough country this morning to be sure but we was in sight of a prairie nearly all morning. We eat dinner about 10 miles west of San Bois on a creek, the second creek west of San Bois. The town of San Bois has growed wonderfully since we came through there three years ago. Uncle Jim, Johnie and Lisha Harris has come to the place where they turned around and started back last fall, and I toOK the lead then. We came on through some level Prairie land as well as rough, rocky wooded land. We crossed several little creeks in to days travel. We camped on a little creek, the place where I killed my first crow 3 years ago about 25 miles eastward from McAlister, in a very rough rugged place to be sure. We saw several Choctaws today with their dogs and guns hunting as Sunday is their hunting day. 

Mon. 25th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day, and we are on our 8th days travel to Texas. We came through some very rough country today and some very pretty prairie land too. We passed several little creeks today, and eat dinner on a creek by the name of Gains Creek, about 15 miles northeast of South McAlister, where several lumber wagon stopped and eat dinner. We found a spring where we toOK on a large quantity of water as it was the best water we have struck up with since we started. So on we went on our journey through several Ball Prairies and passed some coal mines late this eve. We camped on al little creek by the name of Mud Creek, about 1 1/2 miles east of Krebs and about 7 1/2 east of South McAlister. As we was hunting a good place to camp we saw several coal miners going home from the mines, which was at Krebs, and heard every kind of a noise, from locomotive whistle to the hum of a mosquito (mosquito). There was a circus show at South McAlister to day and the roads were full of people going too and from the show, dust very bad to be sure, roads very rough, and crops very light what few there was. The cars are running fast now, coal whistles roaring loud, fox hounds chasing a fox near by, and Wild Indians yelling everywhere almost it seems from the racket they keep up. We have 2 more movers camped with us tonight which will stay with us until we get into Texas. One of them has a violin which played some very nice tunes. John and I wanted to go to the show tonight at McAlister, but we was to far away. All well and enjoying life and none of us home sick yet, if we are away out here in the middle (of) the Choctaw Nation, but you bet we have lots of fun to be sure. This 9:20 O'clock at night.

Tues. 26th Oct. 1897 was a very dusty day to be sure until dinner then it was very wet to be sure but no hard rains either. We came through some very rough country this morning. We was camped about 1 1/2 miles east of Krebs this morning and started on our 9th days travel to Texas. We came on & left Krebs to the left, but we could see the little mining town much better then if we were just in the center of it, because we was on a Prairie road north of the town. So on we went and crossed railroad track, saw plenty of locomotives, and now you bet we saw plenty of coal mines, and miners too. So on we come to Old McAlester, and this being my first time I was ever at that town. We saw several wonderful sights there and on the way from Krebs there. We met Mr. Jake Lake there, the man that Mr. Joe Low purchase his place from, below Ellsworth. So on we come from Old McAlester due south to South McAlester and when we got there we found a different looking place to what it was three years ago when I came through it. A large number of stone buildings has been erected since I come through, on the East, South & West, and has grown to be a very, very pretty little city. We stopped there and brought some hay, corn, potatoes and other tricks, and I went to the Post Office and received a letter from home, which I was indeed glad to get. Where we saw the Soldiers camped when we come out here before, now stands fine residences and everything turned round in general. We came on down the M.K. & T. R.R. and country along the lines does'ent look natural on account of so many settlements. We stopped and eat dinner near the first little creek from McAlester on the south which is about 4 1/2 miles from the city. It rained on us while we were watering our stock at dinner, but we got them watered and fed and eat our dinner and started again before it rained much. We come on through drizzling rain over some very rough country and dodged a toll gate and camped on the second creek from McAlester early in the eve but it was still drizzling rain. We had a disagreeable time at camp tonight to be sure. We eat dinner under the tent and kept out of the rain. We are about 1 mile from the R.R. and the cars are rustling fast this 9:30 at night.

Wed. 27th Oct. 1897 was a very very pleasant day and we are on our 10th days travel to Texas. The rain made everything very pleasant but most to cool. The road was muddy except in the sandy places. We came from about 10 miles south of McAlester where we camped last night to about 12 or 15 miles north of Springtown to a little creek where we camped. We eat dinner at Kiowa, or just a little ways south of it. We come through some very pretty country this morning but we had some very, oh very rough road this eve when come to the forks in the road. Mr. Perkins went to leheigh (Lehigh) road which is the right hand road about 2 1/2 miles south of Kiowa, and I have been the Springtown road which was the left hand, and we didn't know which one to take, but finally decided to go the Springtown road , and then I toOK the lead again, Mr. Perkins & weakley who are traveling with us come on after me. We are in 20 yds. Of the R.R. and cars make a big racket as they pass, but out teams are getting used to them, and don't scare as bad as they did at first. Tolerable cool now this about 9:30 O'clock at night. We saw a flock of about 8 or 10 prairie chickens this eve on a little bush way out on a ball knob in one of those Ball Prairie's as we call them. Our teams are standing the trip all right, and we are all well in this dark, gloomy looking place on a creek so close by the R. R.

Thurs. 28th Oct 1897 was a very pleasant day, but tolerable cool. The road was in fine shape for traveling. We came from 3 miles north of Limestone gap to AtOKa "Town" & Station on the R.R. as we come down the M.K. & T. R.R. all day. 1st Limestone Gap Town, 2nd Chickiechockie Station, 3rd Chili Station, 4th Stringtown , town 5th AtOKa, town. This morning as we come through Limestone gap we had to pay 25 cts to the wagon as Toll money but we saw 3 black bears, two little ones tied in the yard to a tree, and a large one in a pen covered over with logs. We come through the finest grass this morning between Limestone gap and Stringtown that we have seen on our trip thus far. We eat dinner on Muddy Boggy Creek, 1 1/2 miles south of Stringtown. We came on down the M.K. & T. R.R. through a very extensive ball Prairie to AtOKa, or just a little northwest of it, on a hill about 1 hundred yards north of the road and camped. We had to pay 25 cts toll at AtOKa to the wagon and John had to pay 10 cts for his horse. We are all well and enjoying life now to night, this 9:30 O'clock at night. The road that (we) have come over today (is) nearly like to use to (be) 3 years ago when I came over them.


Fri. 29th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 12th days travel to Texas. We came from AtOKa to about 3 miles north of Caddo and camped on a branch some timber on each and run down through a very, very large Prairie north of Caddo. We came across several little creeks this morning and through some rough sandy, wooded country. We eat dinner on clear Boggy Creek, about 10 miles north of Caddo. We toOK the wrong road this morning. We first went from the west side of the R.R. under it, then went down the other side about 3 or 4 miles where we ought to have gone under the R.R. again or toOK the left hand way back up the road, but as it was we toOK the left hand where we could have toOK the right and went under the R.R. we came on and had to pay 23 cts toll to cross Clear Boggy. We had to double team up the steep bank on account of being so heavy loaded. We came through some fine grass this eve, and late this we come into Caddo, Black Land Prairie's. The country looks very natural to me in this old Prairie. Water is very scarce here in this part of t he world, to be sure. We will be two days longer going into Texas I guess if we have no bad luck.

Sat. 30th Oct. 1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 13th days travel to Texas. We came from 3 miles north of Caddo to a little creek about two hundred yards south of Durant which is about 18 miles north of the Red River, on the M.K.&T. R.R. We came through some very beautiful Prairie land just due south of Caddo this morning. Several cars passed us while we were very close to the R.R. and our teams never scared at them much, as they are getting use to them pass. We eat dinner south of Blue Creek about 20 yds. And it afforded us the best water we have used on our trip so far. We came on through some very deep sand, in the hilly country between Caddo & Durant this eve. The town of Caddo looked natural to me but I didn't hardly know the town of Durant, as it is about twice as large now as it was when came through it 3 years ago. The streets are lit up with Electric lights now, and in fact a business town. It was about 4 O'clock when we camped this (eve) . We camped early on account of it looking so much like rain. John , Mr. Perkins & Will Dickie, our two partners, and I went back into town and toOK the whole thing in. Saw lots of gambling rooms, rough people, Auctioneer's on the streets, and (in) fact every thing a person wanted to see. We met Mr. Howard Council on the streets late this eve and talked with him a while. He has removed (from) Caddo here, and still in the watch tinker's trade. Crops are fine in this country. Several men come to camp to night to get us to pick cotton for them in around Durant. But we are going to Texas now to be sure if nothing happens to keep us away. The cars are rustling, whistling, puffing, and making a big fuss now to be sure, this 9:30 O'clock at night and I am feeling just like I wanted to be near old Ellsworth just now. Hush, Hush, Hush so much fuss I can hardly hear anything for those old cars. The track is about 20 yard from here. To bed, to bed I must go to be sure.

Sun. 31st Oct. 1897 was a rainy day nearly all day, but we still continued on our travel. We are on our 14th days travel to Texas. We crossed into Texas this eve at 2:10 O'clock P.M. and drove 2 1/2 miles in Texas and camped on account of rain at 4 O'clock. We came from Durant on through some very beautiful Prairie land to a little town by the name of Cale then on through another Prairie to Colbert another pretty little town, and come about a half a mile south of it and camped for dinner, and it rained on us while we were eating dinner. Then we came on through some fine farming country and very deep sand, but it was raining and it was'ent so bad. So on the last day of Oct. 1897, I set my foot for the second time on Texas soil, and now we are camped near a little creek about midway between the bridge across Red River & Denison in the Lone Star State. We met about 25 or 30 wagons moving back from Texas to day. Crops good here in Grayson County this season.

Mon. 1st Nov. 1897 was a cool day. The wind blew cold and tolerable swift, but we are in Texas you know. We are on our 15th days travel in Texas. We came from 3 mile west of Denison to about one mile west of Sherman. We come through some very fine land this eve, the best land of our travels between Denison & Sherman. We eat dinner about 3 miles south of Denison and the country was no account at all, at that spot of Grayson. As we camped there was about 20 or 30 wagons passed us on their way home out of west of Sherman and several of them wanted us to pick cotton for them. We saw several wonders and sights in Denison & Sherman to day.

Tues. 2nd Nov. 1897 was a very cool day and we are on our 16th days travel in Texas. We traveled all day in Grayson what little time we traveled. We stopped at Mr. J.B. Harris's and eat dinner which is about 14 miles west of Sherman, and 6 miles south of Southmayd a little town in Grayson. We walked over Mr. Harris's farm and looked at his land and cotton. We were thinking of stopping and picking some cotton for him, but we cant get any house to go in and we will pull for CoOKe Co. in the morning. We saw some Mule eared Rabbits to day on this very extensive prairie. Country very pretty here, and all prairie land. We camped at the same place we eat dinner. Us boys picked 81 lbs of cotton this eve for the first in Texas.

Wed. 3rd Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 17th days travel in Texas. We came from about 14 miles west of Sherman to about 11 mile southeast of Gainesville. We crossed into CoOK Co. this eve at 4 O'clock P.M. we traveled in the timber all eve. We eat dinner near a little creek about 5 miles east of Collinsville in Grayson Co. we come through a little town this morning by the name of Etheal. Crops are poor here in the lower cross timbers, but back in the Prairie's cotton is good but corn is no good much anywhere in Texas last year. John, James, Lish, Arch & I went in the house at Mr. J.B. Harris last night and head some excellent music made with a Violin and Organ, and saw a little 5 year old girl dance to the charming music. Aunt Sallie is getting worried on this trip and we are almost obliged to come to a stopping place pretty soon. The wind has blew tolerable swift to day from the south. We saw some mule eared Rabbits to day, also.

Thur. 4th Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 18th days travel in Texas. We came from the eastern part of CoOKe Co. to 3 miles east of Valley View just 8 miles south of Gainesville. We camped at dinner on a very beautiful creek 3 miles east of Valley View. And stayed there the rest of the day and all night. Uncle Jim and I went out to Valley View to see if we could get some land for another year, but land is all rented, and the remaining part sowed wheat. Valley View is in the Prairie's about 3 1/2 miles west of the lower cross timbers. You can stand at Valley View and see just as far west as the eve sight will permit. crops good in this part of CoOKe County. This is the place where I am going to make my future home if nothing happens any more than I know now. We will leave it now for the Chickiesaw (Chickasaw) Nation to morrow, but I am coming back some day I think, about next summer I guess.

Fri. 5th Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day but the wind blew very cool this morning from the northern region. We are on our 19th day travel. We came north from 11 miles south of Gainesville through some very pretty Prairie, well in fact prairie all the way. We eat dinner 2 1/2 miles south of that place near a creek. After dinner we came on up to Gainesville and I am here to tell you it is a growing, business town, it was when we came through it 3 years ago. We come on due north from there. Now you bet we saw some pretty country out west of us it was all prairie and level too just as far as you could see. We saw on a large cattle ranch north of Gainesville about one thousand head of cattle and I am here to tell you it was a big sight to me to see all those cow boys in among such a vast herd (of) cattle on that beautiful CoOKe Co. prairie land. Just before we come to Red River, we come off a high prairie down some rugged steep hills to the river. The name of the Ferry is Browns Ferry but we forded the river and didn't pay any Ferryage. It was 4:30 O'clock when we crossed into the Chickiesaw Nation for the first time. We had some very deep sand to pull through up the north bank. We camped about 1000 yds. North of the river in a little open space where several drunk men passed after dark coming from Gainesville home in the Nation. We used some fine water from a spring near by.

Sat. 6th Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day we are on our 20th days travel from Texas. We had some desperate sandy road to come over this day, for the first days travel in the Chickiesaw Nation. We travel in the timber all day and only come about 11miles, as we struck camp about 3 O'clock P.M. at a little place by the name of Bob a little station on the Santa Fee R.R. We eat dinner in a little town by the name of Thackerville (Thackerville) on the R.R. We payed 5 cts. for stock water here. We camped at a little town on the R.R. just at the south edge of the Prairies and 4 more moving wagons camped with us. We saw some rough people since we come into the Chickiesaw Nation. We are camped about 20 steps west of the R.R. and the cars make a terrible racket at they pass by and plenty of drunk horse jockie pass by swiftly to be sure but not very quiet about it you know. We are hailed on every corner by men wanting us to pick cotton for them, but we are going to Cousin Tate (Fate) Parks now I guess before we stop.

Sun. 7th Nov. 1897 was a very, very pleasant day, and we are on our 21st days travel from Texas. We come through some very rough country and some very good country fine crops and good water and plenty of wood but not much good health. We come from our camping place to Marietta and thence north to a little creek about 3 miles north of that place and eat dinner, and found plenty of Pecans too you bet. We came on through timbered country all eve, and camped near a creek with very steep banks by the name of Hickory Creek, and near by a little store by the name of Ludville. The same 4 wagons camped with us to night that did last night and some of that crew and all us boys went out to the store and stayed awhile and had lots of fun to be sure talking about the old Texans and Arkansawers. I saw a man trying to catch a mule on a prairie this morning, 
and his horse fell in a hole and throwed him tumbling on the ground but I saw him at the tank in Marietta and he was all right.

Mon. 8th Nov. 1897 was a very, very pleasant day and we are on our 22nd days travel from Texas. We came through some beautiful country to day and but very little poor land. We saw some fine crops to day in around Ardmore, especially cotton and young wheat, but corn nothing extra. We came near and through the following towns. First one we left to the left about 1/4 mile but could see the whole thing as it was in a low place in a Prairie, it was OverbroOK. 2nd Ardmore and fritterer place I never saw. That town & Gainesville is the only towns I would like to stop in, out of the 42 that we have passed through since we started, up to this place. And Ardmore we came via Springer a little town about 8 miles west of the Santa Fe R.R. and we camped just at the west edge of the town on a little creek. We eat dinner about 2 1/2 miles north of Ardmore on a little branch heavenly wooded that run down through a very large and beautiful Ardmore Prairie. The old gin is now making such a racket that we can sleep I don't think, this 8:11 O'clock at night.

Tue. 9th Nov.1897 was a very, very, pleasant day and we are on our 23rd days travel from Texas, in the Dear old Chickasaw Nation. We traveled all day through brOKen limestone, rolling, rough Prairies but crops are fine, cotton especially and little young wheat looks fine to be sure. Cotton is selling here at 4:75/100 cts and we was offered .60 cts per hundred this eve to pick in cotton that was making nearly one bale per acre, but we are going to Mr. Fate Parks before we stop. We came from Springer the town we camped in last night to Washita (Washita) River and eat dinner, the distance of 11 miles, and sure saw some fine crops near that River as the land is all black sand on each side for some distance. We came (to) the town of Berwyn before noon and there we crossed the Santa Fee R.R. again and toOK a north east direction and crossed several creeks in this limestone country, and then halted for camp about 6 miles south of Sulper (Sulphur) Springs near an even flowing crystal creek, and a beautiful timbered country all around. We are about 4 1/2 miles east of the R.R. to night this 8:23 O'clock.

Wed. 10th Nov.1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 24th days travel from Texas. We came from Rock Creek to Iona about 10 miles west of Wynnewood, I.T. We came by Buckhorn, Sulphur Springs, through some very rough limestone prairie land to day and saw the best country in the Chickasaw Nation between here and Red River. We eat dinner at Sulpher Springs, and they are Sulpher sure enough. We could smell them before we come near them, and we crossed several every flowing streams to day. We camped at Cousin Fate Parks to night and we all had a big time to be sure. John & I went to church here, as we was camped in 20 yds of the church house, and herd Rev.----. Freewill Baptist, and his text was Faith, and he was just a tolerable good preacher. We are most assuredly in a very, very tough, rough country now, here in the middle of the Chickasaw Nation. I didn't know Cousin Vick, but knew Fate just the same you know.

Thur. 11th Nov.1897 was a very pleasant day and we are on our 25th days journey, but we did not travel any. We helped Cousin Fate move some hogs and house plunder about 2 1/2 miles north of Iona on his 200 acre farm, and in the eve John and I looked over the farm to see how we would like to cultivate the land. This is a very tough, rough country here to be sure. You can hear firing of pocket guns at all times in the day and night. The land is spotted some limestone prairie land and some creek bottom black land. The dwellings are very poor, they are made mostly of logs, mug, grass and clabboard (clapboard). Cousin Fate has been closed out in business here at Iona and is now moving on the farm again. There was a show come through town this eve and stopped just below town a peace and John, Jim, cousin & Garnite and Lathe his boys, and I all went and saw the wonderful sight for only 10 cts. It was only a peep show as it was called. Showed war pictures, famous buildings, men & some famous outlaws, and there justice.

Fri. 12th Nov.1897 was a very pleasant day and we are still at Cousin Fates yet. Uncle Jim and Jimmie helped him finish moving to day and we all occupied the house where he lived at Iona. John , Lish & I all picked cotton for cousin Fate all day, and I picked 130 lbs. I say all day from 9 O'clock A.M. to 4 P.M. We eat dinner at a tank at cousin Fates pasture, and I can say I worked one day in the wild Chickasaw Nation. Arch & Bob, who has been sick for several days, are better now, but don't think they are taking the chills or fever. This is surely the wildest, roughest country we have traveled in on our trip. On last night there was a great deal of shooting here at Iona. Cousin Fate dunning a fellow. They were several yds. Apart and in the moonshine too, and the other fellow was on his horse, starting home when he fired first. Uncle Jim & Aunt Sallie are very much dissatisfied with this part of the Nation and we are going to stay here until Arch and Bob gets better, and then Uncle Jim says he is going to pull for the old home in Arkansas again. We will pick cotton I guess as long as we stay here. The old gin is making big fuss now which is about 150 yds. From the house, and I am up stairs laying flat on the floor with my chin resting on my hand this 10 O'clock at night. Hush I here so much racket now, rumbling of wagons, puffing of the engine, sing of the gin, whistling of the wind, barking of dogs, & firing of pistols, and keeps me very uneasy all the while. I am uncomfortably situated for writing, sure.

Sat. 13th Nov. 1897 was a very warm day and I, John, Lish, and Jim picked 600 lbs of cotton for Cousin Fate. The wind blew very swift from the south east. Arch and Bob, is still improving slowly. We are all getting worse dissatisfied every day we stay. Us mean boys sure had lots of fun to day trying to pick cotton. I led the field you know, just as I do in all the cotton patches.

Sun. 13th Nov.1897 was a very rainy day and it has been 28 days since we left Ellsworth, and we are still in the Chickasaw Nation. I sit in the house and wrote letters all day nearly. The wind and rain come very swiftly from the southwest but not very cold. This old sticky mud is very bad to be sure, but not half as bad as Texas black mud. John , Jim, Lish & I all went over to George Thrasher our cousin by marriage, he married Jocie Parks and they have only one child and he is a bad ague you bet, and listened to him pick on the banjo, and talked and laughed, and had a good time until 9:30 O'clock at night and then came home through the mud, the distance of about 250 yds. Cousin Fate eat dinner with us to day.

Mon. 15th Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day, until abut two hours before sundown, then the wind changed from the North west and then it turned cold very fast indeed, in fact a northern is coming and the wind is blowing very swift now and turning cold very fast. I picked 213 lbs of cotton to day and lead the field of 16 in third picking. 29 days since we left home with to day.

Tues. 16th Nov. 1897 was a very cold day to be sure and it has been 29 days since we left home and we are still in the Chickasaw Nation and we have not rented any land yet. John , Jim, Lish & I all went over to cousin Fates to pick cotton, and in a hurry to be sure, and the north wind blew very cold and swift to be sure. I picked 121 lbs in the cold, and done well to do that, you bet. Uncle Jim has got him a job of carpenter work for George Thrasher at .75 to $1.00 a day. I never saw as rough people anywhere as their is around this place. Couisn Fate sold 3 bales if cotton at the town of Davis just 11 miles west from her for 4,75/100 cts per pound. We all have a tough old time to be sure.

Wed. 17th Nov.1897 was a very cool day, and a very heavy frost fell last night. It has been 30 days are one month since we left home and I am still in the Chickasaw Nation picking cotton for cousin J.F. Parks and John , Jim, Lish hauled a load of cotton to the gin after we quit work and we went down to the gin, and watched them work awhile. Some very industrious men owns that gin. There names are cousin George Thrasher and his Bro. Billie.

Thurs. 18th Nov.1897 a very pleasant day and we are still in Chickasaw Nation and I picked 240 lbs of cotton and John picked 236 lbs. John and I pick very close together. I beat him a few lbs every day, not over ten no time. Uncle Jim has regular work, from the gin men, and others. I am very tired to night, and I will stay at it for 2 or 3 days yet I guess. Cousin Fate is drunk as he can be to night.

Fri. 19th Nov.1897 was a very, very pleasant day and I still continued to pick cotton for cousin Fate. My old sore thumb and fingers are not in a good shape for picking either on account of picking so hard. The cotton has (been) picked twice and is not good at all to pick in. Cousin Fate is drunk as he can be this eve, and very impatient to be sure.

Sat. 20th Nov.1897 was a very pleasant day, to be sure, and John and I went to the town Davis about 8 miles southwest of Iona, and about 5 or 6 miles south from the town of Wynnewood on the Santa fee R.R. Cousin Fate also went and toOK 3 bales of cotton for the market and got 4-1/4 cts for them, very cheap indeed. We arrived there about 11 O'clock A.M. Davis is a very beautiful little town about the size of Paris Ark and situated in brOKen Limestone Prairies, near the foot of the beautiful ball Arbuckle Mts. On the Santa fee R.R. We roamed all through town and eat dinner, which was good to be sure, but cost you bet. We watched the cars switch around and also watched them load about 350 head of cattle, which was going to the market at Kansas City Kansas, which was a big sight to both of us. We started back about 2:30 O'clock P.M. with cousin Fate, but we stopped on the way you know to take some refreshments as cousin Fate called it. We arrived at Iona at about 1/2 hour before sundown and at night Uncle Jim, John, Jim and I all went to church, as the church house was only about 20 yds. From our house, or the place we stay at least. Rev. Huckaby Freewill Baptist, preached a very interesting sermon. 

Sun. 21st Nov. 1897 was a very pleasant day, and I wrote 3 letters this morning, sitting in Uncle Jim covered wagon. John and I put on our Sunday every day go to meeting close this morning for the first time in five weeks are more. There was a very large crowd assembled at Iona to day at the 11, 12, 1, and 2 services. You know those old Freewill Baptist preach 3 hours on a stretch, but Rev. Huckaby is a very interesting preacher and a fine spOKesman. At night George & Jocie came over and stayed until bed time. We enjoyed our selves well to be sure. 

Mon. 22nd Nov.1897 was a very cool day and we are on our 34 days travel from Texas going strait back to Ark again. We left Iona to day at 12 O'clock for Arkansas as this country does not suit Uncle Jim. I would like to stay here one year anyway with cousin George Thrasher & Cousin Fate. So we started toward home after dinner, and we traveled about 12 or 15 miles this eve through some beautiful Prairie country, a very good farming country. Little young wheat looks fine in this country, and tolerably thickly settled with white people, and no Indians that we saw. We passed two towns this eve, first a town of one store by the name of Dolberg and the other Roff, a tolerable good size town. Just 20 miles east of Wynnewood we camped on a little slew are branch, with some very small vegetation on each side of it, and run through a very extensive Prairie, about 1-1/4 miles east of Roff. Very cool now to be sure, but we are in a low place and the sharp whistling wind dos'ent strike us fair this 8:45 O'clock at night.

Tues. 23rd Nov.1897 was a very, very cold windy day and we are still on the road going toward Ark. We traveled through some very rough country indeed this day. The most of it was Prairie and they were all limestone rocks nearly. Very rolling indeed, in fact, ball hills one just in front and beside the other. We eat dinner at a little town by the name of Frank near an ever flowing crystal creek which come in through those lofty ball limestone hills. The country is not settled up much, where we have traveled today. We came on and crossed several small creeks and by and by we come to the town of Stonewall a very beautiful little town of 8 or 10 business stores. We went on passed Stonewall through a Prairie about 3 miles to a creek and camped in a very beautiful spot for the business to be sure but water was very unhandy. It is just 62 miles from here to Old McAlester. Uncle Jim is nearly down sick with a hurting in his breast and lungs. All the rest doing well and getting very mean to be sure.

Wed. 24th Nov.1897 was a very cold day until along about night and then it clouded up and become warm again, and looks very much like rain to be sure. We come through some very rough country, but not near as rough as yesterday. We come through some very thinly settled country to day and passed one little store and a blacksmith shop, through some good farming country, and crops are good through this part of the old Chickasaw Territory. We have along with us another family in one wagon going with us as far as Ft. Smith. We eat dinner near a sandy creek about 45 miles west of McAlester, and about 15 miles east of Stonewall, in fact about an hundred miles from nowhere. We met a man by the name of McMullen with a drove of about 125 head of cattle, in a Prairie this eve, who is just from McLeans Bottom Ark going from Aklahoma, the land of milk & honey, with all the people living here in the Chickasaw Territory. I am not feeling as well as common to night, and it seems rather strange as I haven't been feeling anyways bad since we started on this trip. looks like rain to be sure 7:10 O'clock and wind blowing swiftly.

Thurs. 25th Nov.1897 was a very cloudy day but no rain much and this day makes 36 days since we left Ellsworth and now on our way back again. We travel all day in the Choctaw Nation. We crossed the line between the Chickasaw & the Choctaw just 8 miles east of Stonewall yesterday morning. We traveled all day in the sandy country, and came through some very beautiful sandy Prairies & they had fine grass. We came by a very large pasture this eve, that was twenty eight around it and it had fine grass to be sure. We camped last night on Mudy Bogy (Muddy Boggy) & eat dinner today near Caney Bogy ( Boggy), the same creeks e crossed on our way out to Texas, and we camped at the west edge of a large prairie about 14 miles west of McAlester. That large pasture belongs to Jim J. McAlester, a millionaire who lives at South McAlester I.T. Our man Mr. Corzine is still with us and a tolerable well to do man. This country is very dry to be sure and stock is very scarce, and what there is, is just thick with mud. Very warm this so warm that you can go in your shirt sleeves, and may be by morning you will wear an overcoat and gloves.

Fri. 26th Nov.1897 was a very cold day. When we camped last night, it was very warm and clear too, and at 12 O'clock at night John & I was awaken by rain and wind blowing very cold & swift from the northwest to be sure, and it was freezing cold by this time. I guess that could be called a northern. We came from 15 miles west of Old McAlester through some hilly brOKen prairie country and crossed the Choctaw R.R. at 9:30 O'clock which runs from South McAlester to Oklahoma City, and eat dinner about 4 miles west of McAlester near a little creek. We came on to Old McAlester the same place we was at just one month ago to a day. I found a drovers whip out in the west of town and put it in the wagon you bet mighty quick. We came a different road this time. It was a much nearer route then the other but some rougher. As we went from Ft. Smith to McAlester one month ago to day we toOK a left hand road bout 8 or 9 miles from McAlester at a little groceries store on the right of the road, a little old contraption that a man had added to his dwelling house. So on we come over the same road that we had traveled over one month ago, and then we was bound for Texas, and now we are bound for home or Arkansas in fact. We camped near Gains Creek, the same one we stopped eat dinner by as we went on. Very cool now to be sure, but we are in a delightful place for camping, and 12 other wagons camped near by, this 9 O'clock at night, and cold wind whistling loud to be sure. 

Sat. 27th Nov.1897 was a very cold day. Mud holes were all froze over solid this morning when we first started from camp. We came over the same rough country to day that we come over just a month past. We eat dinner in the bed of a little creek just at the west edge of the highest Prairie between San Bois & McAlester, and came on down a very rough hill or Mt. It is called out here. We came on and camped near San Bois Creek just 10 miles west of San Bois. Panthers and wolves hollows and creams here they say, or that is what a man and two girls told us at camp a few minutes gone and one of the girls was real good looking too you bet. They want to rent us their place here for another year, but I don't like this country at all and I don't think Uncle Jim does. Mr. Corzine is still with us. We had lots of fun after supper to night, talking with a man and his pretty sister, you know, to be sure. And this 9:15 O'clock at night and very cool too. But there is'ent any wind stirring at all.

Sun. 28th Nov.1897 was a very cool day, and it has been 39 days since we left home. A man by the name of Forte is going to travel with us the rest of the time, thus making 5 wagons with Mr. Corzine. We came over the same road we came over about 34 days ago. We eat dinner at San Bois Creek and came on through several prairies to Wild Horse Prairie and camped at the west edge of it near Mule Creek the place I camped 3 years ago last summer. 

Mon. 29th Nov. 1897 was a very cold day and we are still on our way home. We came on from the west edge of Wild Horse Prairie and saw some fine looking country. The prairies have been burned off since we went on. We eat dinner about 1 mile west of Shake Rag. Then came on through to about 6 miles of Oak Lodge and camped and water & wood was very scare to be sure, very cold you bet.

Tues. 30th Nov.1897 was a very cool day but not so cold as yesterday was. We came from 6 miles west of Sculleyville (Sculleyville) to Ft. Smith which is just 16 miles from Sculleyville. We came through a large prairie of 6 miles across early this morning and the beautiful crystal frost glittered as the early morning sun in his brilliancy shone forth in glorious rays. We came on and camped in Ft. Smith , and we arrived at the town at 4:30 O'clock, and I walked my legs off nearly trying to find the Post Office, but at last I found it near the U.S. Court House and I got a letter from home, which I was very glad indeed to receive. John and I eat supper at the restaurant after that we toOK in the town, and saw several sights to be sure. We brought a Mackintosh overcoat apiece at an occion store and then rode two miles on the Electric Street car, that being my first one to mount. We then came on back to the wagon yard ,and on our way we stopped at a saloon tanked a little you know. I am very cool now, and the racket is still going on in the street.

Wed. 1st Dec.1897 was a cool day and it has been 41 days since we left home. We came from Ft. Smith to about one mile west of Charleston. We crossed the new R.R. just above big Vass Grass I mean the dump. None of the track has been laid yet and the ground is very dry for work too they say. We saw several hands and teams and scrapers and etc. at Central City this eve. We eat dinner 3/4 mile from where they were at work. We also meet several people from Logan County going to Ft. Smith to trade this morning. It was dark when we struck camp to night. In fact the latest we have camped since we started. There is several moving wagons camped near by us to night and we are all camped near the place a man was killed a few weeks ago by the Sheriffs.

Thurs. 2nd Dec.1897 was a very cold, rainy day, and we are on the 42nd days travel from Texas. We came through rain, and misting fog. We came from one mile west of Charleston on through the town thence on through the Franklin Co. Prairies on and crossed several creeks. We eat dinner near Six Mile Creek just this side of Caulksville and then we came on through mist and rain to Paris, and it was then sun down but we drove in home at 8:20 O'clock at night. And I camped at T.T. Harris, Uncle Jim folks camped at their old home place near Ellsworth. Very dark to be sure and this made the longest time, for me never to see Papa or Mamma in life and found that some of the folks at home were sick and T.T.J. Harris & wife has had a very severe spell of pneumonia & Typhoid fever. Very cold weather now.

Fri. 3rd Dec.1897 was a very indeed a very cold day, the coldest so far this winter. I stayed in the house the most of the time, and I helped cut and haul some wood for ourselves and Tomie also. Uncle Jim and Jimmie helped us. Papa and I set with Isabelle till 2 O'clock, at night and then came home in the cold and toOK two rows at a time to be sure.

Sat. 4th Dec.1897 was a very indeed a very cold day, and this is the coldest day this winter beyond all doubt. I set by the fire all morning and in the eve we cut some wood for hog killing purposes, tom and Virgie set up with Isabelle. Uncle Jim went to the bottom to see about getting some land for another year. Shifting snow fell oft and on all day but never covered the ground any.

Submitted by Barbara Giddens, Nov. 22, 2000.