XXXVI

FARMERS INSTITUTES

1905-1912

FOREST CHURCH.—OAK HILL.—SHORT COURSE IN 1912.—ISAAC JOHNSON.—EMANCIPATION DAY.

"Agriculture is the most healthful, most useful and most noble employment of man."—George Washington.

The first meeting, conducted by the Choctaw Freedmen, it was the privilege of the author to attend was their annual Farmers Institute, held in Forest Presbyterian church on Monday, Jan. 1, 1905. Others had been held in other places during previous years but this was the second annual meeting in the Forest church, and it was called the county institute of Fort Towson county. It was their own original method of endeavoring to make a pleasant and profitable observance of Emancipation Day.

On this the first historic occasion the meeting was conducted by Johnson W. Shoals, president, in a very dignified manner. An interesting annual report was read by the secretary, James G. Shoals, Fidelia Murchison read an essay on gardening and Elsie Shoals-Arnold, one on making and marketing butter. The author indulged in a short address and other addresses were delivered by Simon Folsom, Lee V. Bibbs, Charles Bashears and Mitchell Stewart. The principal address however, was by Isaac Johnson, one of their number living along the north bank of Red river, who had learned the teacher's and speaker's art in Texas.

He seemed to be at his best and discussed good morals, agriculture and the destiny of the Choctaw Freedmen, with so much native wit and humor, we felt well repaid for the long, wearisome journey to the place of meeting.

The meeting consisted of one long session, called a forenoon meeting, and at its close, it fell to our lot to accept an unexpected invitation to enjoy an old-time picnic dinner, which was soon spread on the backless benches in the church. Isaac Johnson was chosen as the new president and he has continued to serve in that capacity.

The meeting the next year was held in this same place and commencing Jan. 1, 1907, they began to be held at Oak Hill Academy.

The meeting held at Oak Hill on Jan. 1, 1907, had some features worthy of special mention. It was the first occasion, when the meeting included the sessions of two days, or any effort was made to have an exhibit of the products of the garden and field. McCurtain county, though not yet organized had been established, and the officers took more pains than usual, to invite the farmers in all parts of the new county to participate in its discussions. It was the first time, that an effort was made to have a special lecturer from the Agricultural college and the young people at Oak Hill, trained to supply the needs of the occasion with vocal and instrumental music. It was very gratifying to note the increased attendance and interest.

For this occasion, Miss Eaton prepared an artistic design, with grains of corn of different colors, for the center of the decoration over the speaker's stand, that attracted the attention and called forth the admiration of all. It consisted of a large tablet having a representation of a large broadly branching oak tree on the summit of a little hill, having a canopy of bright stars over it and the words "Oak Hill" in the form of an arch near its lower branches. Over the tablet was the word "Welcome" and over the ends of it "Happy New Year."

The entire program had been previously arranged, so that all the addresses and discussions might form a part of the course of instruction, in agriculture and animal husbandry to the students. All the proceedings proved interesting and instructive to them. In furnishing the vocal and instrumental music, which formed a very pleasing feature of each session, they were enabled to participate in a way that was very profitable to them, and entertaining to others.

Among those who participated by addresses, on topics previously assigned, were Isaac Johnson, James G. Shoals, Rev. W. H. Carroll of Garvin, Rev. R. E. Flickinger, Adelia Eaton, Malinda A. Hall, Bertha L. Ahrens, who also served as organist, Solomon Buchanan, who also served as pianist, John Richards of Lukfata, Noah Alverson of Lehigh, whose lectures on raising corn and cotton were worthy of special commendation, Rev. Samuel Gladman of Parsons, Martha Folsom of Grant, R. H. Butler of Bokchito and Charles Bibbs.

Illness prevented the attendance of W. S. English, director of the state college.

One of the resolutions adopted was as follows:

"That we note with great pleasure the manifest increase of interest in this session of the Farmer's Institute, on the part of the superintendent, teachers and students of Oak Hill Academy and of the people generally, there being a good local attendance and a larger representation than ever before of interested farmers and speakers from other parts of the surrounding country."

At this meeting it was decided the annual membership fee shall be for men, twenty-five cents; and for women, ten cents.

SECOND OAK HILL INSTITUTE

The closing day of the second observance of Emancipation day by a two-day Farmer's institute at Oak Hill Academy occurred January 1, 1908. Among the new speakers were Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, Rev. William Butler of Eagletown and Jack A. Thomas. Isaac Johnson and James G. Shoals served as president and secretary and were again re-elected. Prof. C. A. McNabb of Guthrie, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, promised two addresses, but failed to arrive. The resolutions included a memorial to congress for the establishment of postal savings banks and a parcels post, both of which were established a few years (1912) later. They also included the following one in regard to the Mexican boll-weevil that during the previous four years had nearly ruined the cotton crop.

"In order that we may do something practical in the way of checking the ravages of the boll-weevil, we encourage every one raising cotton in this section, to plow up and burn as early as possible each fall, all the old cotton stalks, which principally furnish their fall and spring food supply; and as far as possible to avoid planting cotton in the same ground two years in succession."

The record of these two Farmer's institutes at Oak Hill Academy, and of three preceding ones at Forest church, by the Choctaw Freedmen during the period of the Territorial government, is of historic interest, since these annual institutes preceded any similar meetings, by the other folks, in that section of the country. This observation is true also of the three summer normals held at the Academy, during the months of October in 1905, 1906 and 1907; and of the first Oak Hill Chautauqua, held July 4, 1907.

SHORT COURSE IN 1912

For 1912 the institute was held on the last half day of a three day short course in agriculture and animal husbandry conducted by Prof. E. A. Porter and Mr. R. L. Scott, expert farmers at Hugo; assisted by Prof. J. W. Reynolds of Muskogee, the superintendent and Rev. W. H. Carroll.

In 1913, when the first opportunity was afforded ministers in California to attend a short course in agriculture, lasting one week, at the state university farm, it was attended by five hundred pastors of churches, representing twenty denominations. This fact, as an expression of the trend of public sentiment, is noted with a good deal of interest.

ISAAC JOHNSON

Isaac Johnson, (B. 1859) organizer and president of the Farmer's institute, 1905 to 1912, is a native of Hopkins county, Texas, and in 1865 located near Clarksville. In 1876 he married Anna Wilson of the Choctaw Nation, who died in 1880. He then went to school in Texas and, receiving a certificate in 1889, taught school there four years. In 1893, '94 and '95 he taught successively at Forest, Lukfata and Eagletown, I. T. In 1894 he married Winnie Durant and again located along Red river, south of Valliant, where he is widely known as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers.

The people of the community in which he lives, under his leadership, on January 1, 1897, began to observe Emancipation Day by holding a Farmer's institute, a kind of social meeting, that afforded an opportunity for a number of them to make short addresses, on any topic of public or general interest, and all to participate in the enjoyment of a picnic dinner. He enjoys the distinction of having served as president of this organization a number of years before any similar organization was effected in McCurtain county.

EMANCIPATION DAY

The reasons for the general observance of New Year's day as a legal holiday seem eminently appropriate, for the attention of the people is seldom directed to them. There are several good reasons worthy to be remembered.

It was on January 1, 1863, that President Lincoln issued the memorable proclamation, that emancipated the slaves in all the states, then at war against the general government. The number of the persons accorded freedom was about four millions.

This event, considered from the standpoint of the number of people affected, was even greater than the Declaration of Independence, for the latter resulted in the freedom of only a part of the people, and their number was one million less than the number set free in 1863. In 1790, when the first census was taken, fourteen years after the Declaration, the entire population was not quite four millions and of that number 697,624 were left in a state of slavery.

That "all men are created free and equal," is a fundamental principle of the Declaration, but, for more than four-score years, it was regarded as true of only a part of the people. It was not realized by the other part of the people, that was gradually increasing from one to four millions. For them there was but one law and it was, "Servants obey your masters." This was the only rule of conduct for the negro. Under it he became socially "a curiosity." He had no laws or ceremonies regulating marriage; and if such ties were formed, they were liable to be broken at any time, by their sale to other and different owners. This rule did not regulate his moral, economic or political life, for he was not recognized as a person or citizen, possessing these faculties and functions. It did not prevent him from worshipping his Creator, but this was done in an ignorant way, that served more for entertainment and amusement, than the development of morality and piety.

After the lapse of a half century, he has not yet been wholly emancipated from these illiterate and low social conditions; but he is approving and pursuing the better way, as he learns from the Bible, "what man is to believe concerning God and what duty God requires of man."

The Emancipation proclamation thus affected the destiny of more persons than the Declaration of Independence, and it marks the beginning of the era of universal freedom; when all the people could unite in saying, America is the "land of the free," as well as the "home of the brave." It also effected national unity, by completely removing the one great cause of previous political dissension. It prepared the way for America to be the home of a happy and united people, knowing no north or south, east or west. In these great facts of national importance there are found good reasons for the annual observance of Emancipation day, as a legal holiday, as well as the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.



XXXVII

THE APIARY

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; which gathereth her food in the harvest; consider her ways and be wise."—Solomon.

The Oak Hill apiary consists of twenty or more colonies, and their annual yield of comb honey ranges from 300 to 500 pounds. It was started with two colonies in the summer of 1905. These were obtained by the superintendent and H. C. Shoals, from two hollow trees in the timber near Red river, and were what are known as "wild bees." They and their comb were placed in movable comb Langstroth hives, and the native queens were soon afterwards replaced by two pretty yellow Italian queens, obtained by mail from Little Rock. By this means the two colonies of wild bees, in the fall of the year, had become golden Italians.

A DOUBLE SWARM

On a pretty warm day in March, 1910, when the locust trees in the campus were in full bloom, two swarms of bees left their hives about the same time, and both clustered on the low, branching limbs of a small plum tree. After taking a photo of this unusual sight, Miss Weimer and Clarence Peete, who is standing behind the tree, each using a tin cup, gently lifted the bees from the limbs of the tree and placed them in a hive so arranged, that instead of destroying one of the queens, the bees naturally separated into two clusters around their respective queens. On the following morning, the swarm intended for Clarence was lifted out by him and put in a separate hive. The operations of hiving and separating the swarms were very successfully performed, without either of them receiving a single sting, and in the fall both colonies had a good supply of surplus honey. As an inducement to the young people to learn to manage bees profitably, a colony was presented to those who undertook the responsibility of caring for them at the Academy.



The first frost in the fall of the year indicates the time to remove the surplus honey from the hives; and to cut a bee-tree merely for its supply of honey and wax. April and May however, are the months to transfer colonies from boxes and hollow trees to movable comb hives, so as to save the "bee."

A MODEL HOG HOUSE

The following description of the hog house is given for the benefit of students and patrons. It was intended to be a model in the arrangement of every part and it is yet unsurpassed in the number of its conveniences. It was built in 1906 and is 24 by 32 feet.

An entry, four feet wide, extends through the length of the building and the pens, with outlots, are arranged on each side. The drip boards of the troughs are arranged along each side of this entry making them easy to fill without wetting the stock or pen. The floors intended for litter are further protected from dampness, by being elevated one inch from the rear to a line parallel with the trough, and about two feet from it. The litter is held on this elevated part of the floor by a guard, 2x4 inches, around its edge. Hanging partitions separate the entry from the pens. Fat hogs are easily and quickly loaded, by merely lifting the partitions and driving them through the entry into the open end of a wagon box, placed at the rear end of the entry.

It has a floor over head for receiving the corn from the field; husking and sorting it. On this loft there is a bin for storing the good corn intended for meal, and mouse-proof boxes for preserving seed corn on the ear until planting time. There are two hatches, one on each side at the rear for passing the husks for litter to the pens below. At the right near the front, there is a shute that conveys the corn for the pigs to a crib at the right in the first apartment below, from which it is taken at feeding time, by raising a self-closing lid near the floor. In the corner of this open apartment there is a large box covered with a hinged lid for ground feed, and a set of steps to the loft. Under the stairs, there is an elevator and purifying pump, that brings up pure and cool water from a brick walled cistern, underneath the floor of the building, and it has never gone dry, when used only for the hogs.

OLD LOG HOUSE

The old log house, which remained until 1910 and in which the school was founded, was for a half century the largest and best building occupied by the Choctaws in the south eastern part of their large reservation. During the period previous to 1860, when it was occupied by Bazeel Leflore, chief of the Choctaw Nation, its halls and spacious porches were the favorite places of meetings for the administration of tribal affairs, social and religious gatherings.

An Indian graveyard was located a few rods from its southeast corner. A neat little marble monument still marks the grave of Narcissa LeFlore, wife of the chief Bazeel. She died at forty in 1854. Small marble tomb-stones, bearing the names of LeFlore and Wilson, mark a half dozen other graves. One long, unnamed grave is marked by a broad wall of common rock, three feet high, covered with one large flag stone.

Chief LeFlore, about the year 1860, located at Goodland, where he spent the remainder of his days. He left the log house to be occupied by John Wilson his nephew. About twenty years later Wilson left it to his son-in-law, Frank Locke, its last Choctaw occupant. He soon afterwards left it to Robin Clark, the Choctaw Freedman, from whom it was obtained in 1884, for the use of the school.

PAINTING

The pretty and attractive appearance of the premises at Oak Hill was due to a considerable extent to the good work of the boys that learned to use the brush in painting and white washing. The following facts are noted as an aid to them and others.

All the school buildings were painted cream and white. The materials used were white lead and flaxseed oil, mixed in the proportion of 15 to 20 pounds of lead to a gallon of oil. A gallon of the mixture is expected to cover 225 square feet of surface with two coats. The cream tint, a warm color, was obtained by mixing a little chrome yellow (and burnt sienna) with a pint or more of oil and adding as much of this mixture as was needed to produce the desired tint.

The red paint, used on the farm buildings and large gates, consisted of Venetian red, a dry paint, and oil, five to eight pounds of paint to the gallon of oil. A white trimmer was used on the face boards of the roof, doors and windows.

The white wash used on the board and pale fences consisted of quick lime slacked under water and gently stirred during this process. It should be allowed to stand a day or two before it is used. A pound of salt to the gallon of quicklime, the salt being first dissolved in water, improves its wearing quality. A little boiled rice flour improves its adhesiveness for indoor use.

Skimmed sweet milk, used the day it is mixed, is an inexpensive substitute for oil in applying Venetian red to old gates. One coat will make them look right well for one or more seasons. Milk however should never be used except to brighten up some old work for one or two years, and each gallon should contain three pounds of Portland cement, frequently stirred.

SEED CORN IMPROVED

Large yields of corn are secured only by planting seed that has vitality sufficient to produce a good ear as well as a stock. Careful and successful farmers raise and endeavor to improve their seed from year to year. This may be done on a small scale as follows:

Select ten good sized, straight rowed, deep-grained ears. Remove the tips and butts. Shell each ear separately and plant in separate rows, marked and numbered from one to ten. As soon as the corn in these rows begins to tassel go through them every few days and remove the tassel from every stalk that is not forming an ear; so that the pollen or tassel dust of the barren stalk may not fall on the silks of the corn-bearing stalks.

At husking time husk and weigh the yield from each row or ear of seed separately. Missing hills and barren stocks indicate a low vitality in the seed-ear and also in the crop. Select the seed for the next year from the rows that yield the largest crop.

The yield of the cotton crop can be increased two fold by gathering the seed at picking time from only the best fruited stocks.

HEALTH HINTS. Health means a sound mind in a sound body.

"Know thyself", and remember, that "self-preservation is the first law of nature."

An open window, day and night, is better than an open grave.

"Warm sleeping rooms have killed more people, than ever froze to death."

"A good iron pump, over a well protected well, costs less than a case of typhoid."

"Wire screens in the windows may keep crape from the door."

"A fly in the milk often means a member of the family in the grave."

Work when you work and rest outstretched, when you rest.



Avoid all sins of the flesh. Overeating and eating injurious foods or drinks are responsible for many ills of body and mind.

He who said, "I am the bread of life," said also, "He that eateth me shall live by me."

Cherish a cheerful, hopeful spirit by reading at least one promise from the Bible, for meditation, every day. Learn how to look pleasant, even when you may be feeling otherwise.

Fix the mind on the virtue to be cultivated rather than on the vice to be overcome.

If the heart action is sometimes weak, avoid all acts of over-exertion and sleep on the right side. Avoid snoring, by breathing through the nose.

Sleep is "nature's sweet restorer." Pure air, pure water and proper exercise are nature's healthful invigorators. Use them freely.

HEADACHE. Headaches are due to three causes, namely, eye-strain, indigestion, and exposures to dampness and cold.

To avoid eye-strain, bathe the eyes frequently with cool water, and avoid using them intently too long, when the light is not good, especially in the twilight after sun set. To avoid the sick headache eat slowly and temperately; and drink water frequently both at and between meals. The ache in the back of the head, caused by exposure to drafts of air, cold and dampness to the feet, may be relieved by the application of hot damp cloths to the parts affected, and warming the feet and limbs until the perspiration is started. Never use dopes or preparations for headache, pure sparkling water is always much better.

Hot water, sipped frequently, tends to relieve a cough, difficult breathing and a weak heart action. Pure air, inhaled by frequent daily deep breathings, and out-door exercise do more for weak lungs than medicines.

CHILLS. A chill is the protest of the liver or lungs after an exposure one or more days previous, that was not followed by a proper warming of the feet, especially in the evening. Sulphate of quinine, a tonic for the stomach, is a standard remedy for malarial troubles but its use should always be preceded or accompanied with a tonic for the liver.

SMALLPOX. A mixture consisting of one ounce of cream of tartar, and two ounces of sulphur flour, should be in every home, to be taken a little occasionally as an antidote, and kept as an approved remedy for smallpox.



XXXVIII

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY

AND OTHER CONTRIBUTING SOCIETIES AND INDIVIDUALS.

THE OAK HILL AID SOCIETY

On Oct. 30, 1904, during the period of vacancy, ten persons interested in its continuance met in the Academy and organized an aid society, to aid the Freedmen's Board in maintaining it. Solomon Buchanan and Samuel Harris took the lead in calling the meeting. James R. Crabtree served as chairman and Bertha L. Ahrens as secretary. The others present were Mitchell S. Stewart, Wilson Clark, S. S. Bibbs, Charles B. Harris and Mrs. J. A. Thomas. The organization was effected by the election of M. S. Stewart, president; J. A. Thomas, (absent) secretary; B. L. Ahrens, treasurer; and Samuel Harris, field secretary:

May 28, 1905, George Shoals was elected president and S. S. Bibbs, secretary. On June 25th, 1905 a constitution was adopted, in which its object was stated as follows:

"The aims and object of this society shall be: To help the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen; to raise the funds required to pay for the land on which the buildings are located; to devise ways and means by which the academy may be directly aided with supplies of food, live stock and other things, when money cannot be given; and, to do what we can, to enlarge its course of study and provide new departments of industry."

"It is understood, that all money raised shall be sent to the aforesaid Mission Board and be applied by it to the general needs of this institution, when no specific object has been named by this society. It is also understood, that this society shall not hinder the aforesaid Board, in its absolute control of the academy and farm."

The annual membership fee is twenty-five cents, other offerings being entirely voluntary, each giving, "as the Lord hath prospered him." The first week in October was designated, as the time for an annual public meeting, to give emphasis to the work of the society and solicit free-will offerings from everybody. Other congregations were requested to form similar organizations, to create a visible bond of union in the support of the academy.

The first visible result of this lowly organization, founded as a forlorn hope, appeared on the 15th of April 1905, when at the close of the eloquent appeal of Samuel Harris, its field secretary, before the Presbytery at Grant, Rev. F. W. Hawley, the Synodical Missionary of Indian Territory, challenged all present to unite with him in making a pledge of support toward the purchase of the land. Heading the list with a pledge of $10.00, all were surprised to find it increased, in a few minutes, to $210.00. Two weeks later Mr. Harris made a similar appeal at Oak Hill, and $45.00 more were pledged. He visited Forest church and received pledges to the amount of $45.00. George Shoals visited Bethany church at Parsons, and $15.00 more were pledged, making the amount pledged, $315.00.

Sam Harris, in the fall of 1905, voluntarily went to Atoka and had forty-five acres of land allotted to his wife and four of his children, in order that they might later be added to the Oak Hill farm; and the education of his children be provided for, at that institution. His death occurred the next year, and in 1912, the last of these lands were added to the Oak Hill farm. His children are now enjoying the privileges of the institution.

He belonged to a generation that could neither read nor write, and that which he accomplished for Oak Hill and his needy children during the short period of his co-operation with the superintendent, is but another beautiful illustration of what may be done for a needy and worthy cause, by one, however unlearned, whose sincere and burning interest leads him to lend a helping hand and to use the power of his voice in its behalf.

He had come to appreciate and, before the Presbytery, emphasized the importance of these three vital facts:

1. The need of a good christian education for all the members of his own rapidly growing family.

2. The great value of the educational and religious privileges, and the facilities for industrial training, afforded the young people of the colored race at Oak Hill Academy, located in the very midst of them.

3. The great meaning of the changes, that were taking place in the country around them since the building of the railroad, the transition to statehood, the allotment of the lands to them individually, and the incoming of large numbers of white folks from Arkansas, Texas and other sections; who were founding and building towns, leasing and occupying the farm lands, gaining control of the business interests of the community; and thus making it ten fold more necessary for the young people of the colored race to have sufficient intelligence to enable them to do their own thinking and manage successfully their own business interests, in order to avoid the impending doom, of being soon crowded out of their present homes and possessions.

His burning desire as he often expressed it, was to bring it to pass, that their children and the generations to come might rise up and be able to say, "Our Fathers, in grateful acknowledgement of the inestimable value of the educational, moral and religious privileges, that the Presbyterian Board of Missions had established and so long maintained, for the benefit of the colored people of that section, had contributed the funds, paid for and donated the lands occupied by the buildings of Oak Hill Industrial Academy."

The members of his family, in whose names the allotments for Oak Hill were secured, were Catherine, his wife; Roland (died Nov. 24, 1911), John, Margie and Ellen.

LAND FUNDS CONTRIBUTED

The following is a brief summary of the funds contributed for the purchase of the land at Oak Hill.

Rev. F. W. Hawley, Sam Harris, Bertha L. Ahrens, Adelia M. Eaton, Wiley Homer, William Butler, R. D. Colbert, Malinda A. Hall, Noah S. Alverson, R. E. Flickinger and Jo Lu Wolcott, each $10.00; Samuel Gladman, W. J. Starks, S. H. Buchanan, John Richards and Finley Union Sunday school, Lehigh, per Isabella Monroe, each $5.00; Virginia Williams, and Matt Brown, each $3.00; Simon Folsom and Alonza Lewis, $2.50; specials from churches in Oklahoma, as follows: Anadarko, Bartlesville, Perry and Vinita, each $2.00; Chelsea, $2.50; Muskogee and Wagoner, each $3.00; Oklahoma First, $5.00; Oak Hill $10.00; and Alva $50.00.

The Oak Hill Aid Society in 1906 gave $39.00; in 1907 $46.00; in 1908, $16.00 and in 1910 to 1912, $19.00; making for it $120.00, and altogether $335.00.

This amount covers the cost of the forty acre allotment of Samuel A. Folsom, on which the Academy and Boy's Hall are located. This was the first tract purchased, and it was obtained August 30, 1908, a few days after the Choctaw Freedmen were legally authorized to execute warranty deeds.

These facts are worthy of note, since to that extent they indicate the achievement of that object, for which Sam Harris plead so earnestly and effectively at Presbytery.

A lady at San Jose, California, gave $200 in 1909, for an annuity bond to cover tract No. 5, on the Oak Hill plat, containing twenty acres and allotted to Caroline Prince. Bertha L. Ahrens in 1908 purchased the three fourths inheritance of three of the heirs of William Shoals, in tract No. 8, containing thirty acres, that in course of time, it might be included; and in 1909 and 1913, R. E. Flickinger donated tract number 4, containing twenty acres north of the buildings. These three specials include and cover the 70 acres on section 20, north of the public road, north of the buildings.

The Oak Hill Women's Missionary society was organized in October 1906, and at the end of its first year contributed to Home Missions, Gunnison, Utah, $5.00; and to the Board of Freedmen, $15.00.

LOCALITY OF DONORS

The following exhibit shows the location of the generous contributors, who united in furnishing the general expense funds for the support of the students and furnishing the Temporary Boy's Hall, as it appeared in the report for July 1, 1909.

Expense Furnishing Fund Boy's Hall Total

California $444.20 $13.41 $457.61 Illinois 55.00 55.00 Iowa 96.75 5.00 101.75 Kansas 19.23 12.25 31.48 Ohio 105.00 105.00 Oklahoma 117.00 80.49 197.49 New York 5.00 5.00 Pennsylvania 329.00 5.00 334.00 Total $1166.18 $121.15 $1287.33

DONORS TO THE GENERAL SUPPORT

A record has already been made of those who contributed toward the purchase of the farm in response to the appeal through the Oak Hill Aid society. A grateful mention of the Women's and Young People's societies and individual donors, who contributed to the support and extension of the general work of the institution, seems eminently appropriate. They include the following list:

ALABAMA: The Negro in Business by Booker T. Washington, Tuskeegee.

CALIFORNIA: Alhambra, Dinuba, Rev. H. J. Frothingham, Elsinore; Eureka, Lampoc, Long Beach, Mrs. O. L. Mason; Los Gatos, Los Angeles, First; Mrs. Margaret Daniels, Mrs. Archibald; Central, Mrs. Hiram Leithead; Highland Park, Mrs. Kate C. Moody M. D.; Third, Mary A. Clark, Boyle Heights, Hollywood, Immanuel, Spanish Mission, Carrie E. Crowe, Westminster; Nordhoff, Margaret Daniels; North Ontario, New Monterey, Monte Cito, Oakland, Mattie Hunter; Orange, Red Bluff, San Diego First, Mrs. A. W. Crawford; San Jose First and Second, Mrs. Frances Palmer, Mrs. G. H. Start, Mrs. Mary Langdon; Lebanon of San Francisco, San Martin, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Paula, San Louis Obispo; Upland Ventura, Watsonville.

COLORADO: Fort Morgan, Gunnison, Timnath.

CONNECTICUT: Miss A. C. Benedict, Waterbury.

ILLINOIS: Cairo; Chicago, Bethany, J. H. Jones, Leslie Music Company; Fairbury, Mrs. J. J. Pence; Mason City, Springfield Second.

INDIANA: William Elliot, Lafayette $5,000 for Elliott Hall; Greensburg, Winona Lake.

IOWA: Alta, Lucy M. Haywood; Boone, Burlington First, Clarinda, Corning, Corning Presbytery, Crawfordsville, Creston, Des Moines Central, Fonda, M. E. Church, Mrs. A. S. Wood, Adele Curkeet, Adelia M. Eaton, Mrs. R. E. Flickinger, Geo. Sanborn, Mrs. J. B. Weaver, Mrs. John E. Jordan, Clark Perry; Fort Dodge, Gilmore City, Mrs. Bert C. McGinnis, Clarence M. Patterson; Grimes, Hamburg, Knoxville, Lenox, Malvern, Manchester, Nodaway, Princeton, Red Oak, Rockwell City, Ella T. Smith, Elmer E. Johnson, John H. Mattison; Sanborn, Sigourney, Shenandoah, State Center, Storm Lake, Washington, Bethel, Winfield, Walnut.

KANSAS: Auburn, Burlington, Clay Center, Derby, Edgerton, Herrington, Halstead, Highland, Humboldt, Junction City, Kansas City, First, Grand View Park, Western Highland; Lincoln Center, Lawrence, Lyons, Manhattan, Morganville, Mulberry Creek, Neodesha, Oakland, Osawatomie, Oswego, Phillipsburg, Roxbury, Stanley, Sterling, Syracuse, Topeka, First, Second, Third and Westminster, M. B. True; Waverly, Wichita, First.

MASSACHUSETTS: Marblehead, Mrs. J. J. Gregory.

MICHIGAN: Coldwater, Harrington.

MISSOURI: Kansas City, Montgomery Ward & Co., Maryville, Prof, J. C. Speckerman; St. Louis, Majestic Range Co.

NEBRASKA: Beatrice.

NEW YORK: Mexico, Mrs. Mary O. Becker, Mrs. Mamie G. Richardson; Plattsburg, Mrs. M. D. Edwards; Honoye, Anna M. Bowerman; New York, Am. Bible Society, Oliver Swet Marden.

OHIO: Bellefontaine, Mrs. D. O. Spade; Columbiana, Mrs. Mattie C. Flickinger; Dayton Lorenz Music Co.; Denison, College Hill, Miss H. M. Wilson; East Liverpool First, Mansfield, Springfield First, Wellsville First.

OKLAHOMA: Alva, Mrs. H. E. Mason, Anadarko, Atoka, Annie Osborne, Ardmore, Rev. Charles C. Weith, Bartlesville, Blackwell; Mrs. Emma F. McBride, Coalgate; Cement, Central, Cimmaron Presbyterial; Chickasha, Edmond, Elk City, El Reno, Mrs. F. R. Farrand, Enid, Eagletown, Kiamichi Presbyterial; Garvin, Rev. and Mrs. W. H. and Emma A. Carroll; Hobart, Mrs. Geo. D. Willingham; Frederick, Griffin, Charity Glover; Granite, Grant, Susan Seats, Kaw, Kingfisher, MacAlester, Millerton, Rance Cherry, Joseph Garner; Muskogee First, Mulhall, Norman, Prof. Geo. N. Gould; Oklahoma First, Phil C. Baird D. D., Mrs. W. A. Knott; Okmulgee, Perry, Ponca, Shawnee, Stroud, Tulsa, Tonkawa, Oak Hill, Valliant, Solomon H. Buchanan, Dining Table and Chairs, Samuel Folsom, Front Door of Elliot Hall, Lucretia C. Brown Communion Service, Bertha L. Ahrens, Adelia M. Eaton, John Claypool, Malinda A. Hall, R. E. and Mary A. Flickinger; Vinita, Wagoner, Watonga.

NORTH DAKOTA: Fillmore, Mary I. Weimer.

PENNSYLVANIA: Armagh, Bakerstown, Black Lick, Blairsville First, Blairsville Presbyterial, Braddock, First and Calvary; Buelah, Coatesville, E. Lilley; Cresson, Congruity, Derry, Doe Run, Easton, College Hill, Brainard and South Side; East Liberty, Ebensburg, Greensburg, First and Westminster; Anna B. Hazleton, Irwin, Jeanette, Latrobe, Ligonier, Johnstown, First, Second and Laurel Avenue; Lewistown, Manor, McGinnis, Murraysville, Philadelphia, Lena D. Fieber and Prof, H. W. Flickinger; Pittsburgh, First and Second, Ellen M. Watson, Mary R. Scott; Port Royal, Parnassus, Pleasant Grove, Poke Run, Plum Creek, New Alexandria, New Kensington, South Danville, Mrs. W. A. Reagel; Turtle Creek, Westmont Chapel, Wilkinsburg, Martha Graham, Mrs. J. J. Campbell, Williamsburg, Windber and Windsor.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Volga, Hartford, Mrs. M. E. Crowe.

TEXAS: Bushy Creek, Mary A. Pierson, Crockett, Mrs. John B. Smith.



XXXIX

TRIBUTES TO THE WORKERS

AHRENS.—EATON.—CLAYPOOL.—WEIMER.—WOLCOTT.—HALL.—DONALDSON.—BUCHANAN.

"Our lives are songs, God writes the words, And we set them to music at pleasure; And the song grows glad, sweet, or sad As we choose to fashion the measure."

MARY A. FLICKINGER

Mrs. Flickinger is gratefully remembered for five years of untiring service as assistant superintendent.

The sphere of her observation and suggestion included all the women's work in the buildings, occupied by the students, and the special care of the garden and Boy's Hall. In connection with this daily oversight, there was always manifested a feeling of personal responsibility, to carry to completion at the end of the day, any unfinished work, that would otherwise prevent some of the larger girls from enjoying the privileges of the school, during the evening study hour.

Trained in her youth to execute speedily all the kinds of work, usually required on a well arranged farm, and also as a sewer and nurse, one proved a very valuable helper. She became the home physician, administering the medicines and caring for the sick. Her method of treatment included the prevention of some of the milder, but common forms of disease, by the regular administration of some inexpensive antidotes. These two principles were frequently expressed: "Self-preservation is the first law of nature," and "Prevention is better than cure." The young people were also encouraged to learn, how to keep and intelligently use, a few simple remedies in the home.

She and her husband are both natives of Port Royal, Juniata county, Pa., and their marriage occurred there, June 20, 1878. They have filled pastorates at Doe Run, Pa., Walnut, and Fonda, Iowa. They raised the funds and secured the erection of churches at Marne, Fonda, Pomeroy and Varina, Iowa; and a commodious parsonage at Fonda. He has served as a trustee of Corning Academy, Buena Vista college and of the Presbytery of Fort Dodge; stated clerk and treasurer of the latter twelve and a half years, and as Moderator of the Synod of Iowa, at Washington in 1901; and by special request, as author of the Pioneer History of Pocahontas county, Iowa, in 1904. Mrs. Flickinger in her youth became a teacher in the Sunday school, and during all the years that have followed, has been an efficient and aggressive solicitor and teacher of the children, in that important department of the work of the church.

She has ever manifested an unusual degree of energy, always preferring to do all her own home work, rather than have it done by others. One who enjoyed the privilege of witnessing her unflagging energy and enthusiastic devotion to her work, rising early and working late, at a time when she was supposed to be unable to do more than take care of herself, paid to her this friendly compliment: "You work with the untiring industry of a bee, the patient perseverance of a beaver, the overcoming strength of a lion, and the double quickness of a deer."

Her liberal responses to the calls of the needy have been limited only by her ability to work, save and give.

BERTHA LOUISE AHRENS

"I'll praise my Maker with my breath; And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler powers." —The Psalmist.

Bertha Louise Ahrens (B. Feb. 26, 1857), missionary teacher among the Choctaw Freedmen of Indian Territory since 1885, and principal teacher at Oak Hill Academy, 1905-1911, is a native of Berlin, Prussia. Her parents, Otto and Augusta Ahrens, in 1865, when she was 8, and a brother Otto 5, came to America and located on a farm near Sigourney, Iowa, after one year at Bellville, Ill.; and four, at Harper, Iowa. The schools and churches first attended used the German language. Her first studies in English were in the graded schools at Sigourney and here at seventeen, she became a member of the Presbyterian church under the pastorate of Rev. S. G. Hair. He loaned her some missionary literature to read and it awakened a desire on her part to become a missionary. This desire was expressed to the Women's Missionary society of the church and she was encouraged to attend the Western Female Seminary, now college, at Oxford, Ohio. After a course of study at this institution she enjoyed a year's training in the Bible school connected with Moody's Chicago Avenue church, Chicago.

During the next year, after hearing in her home town an appeal in behalf of a Negro school in the south, she was led to offer her services to the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen. In December 1885, she received a commission with request to locate among the Choctaw Freedmen at Lukfata, in the southeast part of Indian Territory. The route at that early date was quite circuitous. Going south through Kansas City over the M. K. T. Ry., to Denison, Texas, she passed eastward by rail to Bells, through Paris to Clarksville, Texas; and thence northward forty miles to Wheelock and Lukfata. Clarksville, south of Red river continued to be the nearest town and station during the next ten years.

She has now completed twenty-eight years of continuous and faithful service as a missionary teacher among the Freedmen. During these years she has served the following communities and churches.

Lukfata, Mount Gilead 11 years 1885-1896. Fowlerville, Forest 3 years 1896-1899. Goodland, Hebron 1 year 1899-1900. Grant, Beaver Dam 4 years 1900-1904. Valliant, Oak Hill Academy 6-1/2 years 1904-1911. Beaver Dam 1 year 1911-1912. Wynnewood, Bethesda Mission 2 years 1912-1914.

She is now serving as principal teacher in the Bethesda Home and School, located three miles northeast of Wynnewood in the Chickasaw Nation. This school was opened Nov. 1, 1899. It was founded by Carrie and Clara Boles and others; and its object is to provide a home and christian education to the orphan and homeless youth of the colored people.

Miss Ahrens has been a life long and conscientious Christian worker, among the Freedmen of the Choctaw Nation. Her name is a household word to all of them. She found it necessary from the first to locate as a lonely teacher among them in territorial days, and share with them the unusual privations, incident to a life of such seclusion and unselfish devotion. During the first fifteen years, she had to live alone in little, rudely constructed huts in a sparsely settled timber country, where quarrels and murders, among both the Indians and colored people, were events of common and almost annual occurrence; yet she never thought of leaving her work or forsaking her mission on account of personal danger.

The following is an accurate description of the little hut she occupied three years while at Forest church. It was built of saplings, eight feet square and chinked with mud. It had a fire place, an opening eighteen inches square for light, and another one for entrance, that was about three inches lower than her height. The chimney was built of mud, so small and crooked that only a part of the smoke could be induced to go up it, on a windy day. The blind for closing the window opening was so open, it merely broke the force of the wind, it could not keep it out, nor the lamp from blowing out. The little door left similar openings above and below it. On windy days the smoke found its way out through these and other openings overhead. These conditions after a while were relieved, by the insertion of a window in the opening, and covering the walls of the room with sheets.

The floor space was fully occupied, when it was supplied with a bed, trunk, sewing machine, book case, table and one chair. It lacked room for the organ, which had to be kept in the chapel.

There was no porch, and into this little room the children on Sabbath afternoons would crowd to sing, standing until they grew weary, and then sitting on the floor. This rude and lonely hut was located about one fourth of a mile from the church. Near it was another and larger one-room cabin, having a porch, that was occupied by a good elder of the church, his wife and a family of six children.

The school rooms, that she had to occupy, in order to fulfil her mission, though the best the colored people could afford, were also of the rudest sort. It was a difficult task, to make them look within like tidy temples of knowledge.

Her work was also very elementary. As the pupils would advance and their work become interesting, they would drop out of school. Yet it never occurred to her the work was wearisome, because it was monotonous and often disappointing. If experiences were disappointing, or the day, gloomy, there remained to her the Bible, with its precious and unchanging promises; and the organ, responsive as ever to the touch of her hand. These were home comforts, that enabled her to forget the trials and burdens of each day, before its close.

Her work as a teacher has been increasingly attractive. The secret of this unflagging and ever increasing interest, is found in the large place, given the Bible in all her teaching work. It has been a daily text book in the school room. On the Sabbath, her opportunity to read and explain it to all the people of the community, as superintendent of the Sunday school, has been even greater than that of some of the ministers in charge, when the latter was only a monthly visitor, while she served faithfully every Sabbath.

The world is needing the light of Bible truth. It is life giving. "Go teach," is as urgent as the commission, "Go preach." The opportunity to supply the world's great need, with the life giving Word of God, is an inspiration to the consecrated christian teacher.

She has felt this inspiration, and has become a very capable interpreter and practical expositor of the Bible. She has been well equipped to lead the people in song, and has received many evidences of the highest appreciation of her work, as a Bible instructor.

Though not possessing what might be termed a rugged constitution, she has never lost a week, at any one time, from the school room on account of illness. She has been free to express the desire to continue to labor, as a faithful and efficient teacher, among the Freedmen as long as her strength will permit. Ruth expressed her sentiments, when she said to Naomi:

"Entreat me not to leave thee; where thou lodgest I will lodge; Thy people shall be my people and thy God my God."

She has been a true missionary hero. She has been willing to work in one of the most solitary places, for the lowliest of people, without the ordinary comforts of home and friends. Whilst her Bible work has been continued through the entire years, with but two exceptions, her income—a mere pittance—has been limited to the terms of school. This has made necessary very close economy in personal expenses, but has not prevented liberal offerings to promote the work of the church. Her seclusion, privations and dangers, during the first fifteen years, were as great as of many of those, who have gone to the remote parts of the earth. The heroic spirit of Martin Luther, translator of the German Bible she learned to read in youth, has always proved a source of great inspiration, to be faithful and courageous. When he was warned of the danger of martyrdom at Worms, where he had been summoned for trial for declaring the plain words of the Bible, he bravely said, "Were they to make a fire that would extend from Worms to Wittemberg, and reach even to the sky, I would walk across it, in the name of the Lord, I would appear before them and confess the Lord Jesus Christ." And a little later, "Were there as many devils (cardinals) in Worms, as there are tiles upon the roofs, I would enter," for the Elector had promised him a safe conduct. When he arrived at Worms and stood before his accusers, he finally said: "Here I am, I neither can, nor will retract anything. I cannot do otherwise; God help me." These noble and courageous words of Luther are well adapted, to prove an inspiration to every one that reads them.

Her courage has led and kept her in the place of privilege and duty. Her faithfulness and devotion have enabled her to win the confidence and esteem of all who have come within the sphere of her acquaintance and friendship. She continues to pursue her chosen and loved employment, of serving as a missionary teacher among the Freedmen of Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, in the spirit of the Psalmist.

"My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures."

ADELIA M. EATON

The superintendent, teachers, students and friends of Oak Hill were called upon to sustain a great loss and experience a deep sorrow, as the sun was setting, on June 5, 1908, when Adelia M. Eaton, our highly esteemed matron, after three and one half years of unusually efficient service, and a brief illness of one week after the end of the term, peacefully and trustfully passed from the scene of her faithful missionary labors, to the enjoyment of her eternal reward. Her illness, which terminated with heart failure, seemed to be the outcome of a weariness that ensued after rendering some voluntary but needed services for the comfort of others.

She was the second daughter of Harvey Eaton, one of the hardy, prosperous pioneer farmers of Pocahontas county, Iowa, She grew to womanhood on the farm, where she learned to be industrious and earnest.

She early became identified with the work in the Presbyterian church and Sunday school at Fonda where she received her first training in christian work. After enjoying a four years' course at Buena Vista college, Storm Lake, associated with her elder sister, she spent four years in mercantile pursuits in Sioux City and Fonda. All of these previous employments and experiences seemed to be parts of a varied training, to fit her most fully, for the position she filled as a missionary teacher at the Academy. In the management of the affairs of this institution, her responsibilities and duties made her the executive helper of the superintendent. Here she found responsibilities and opportunities, that called forth all her noblest powers, and enabled her to make it the most highly useful and crowning period of her life.

She naturally possessed an attractive personality. She was tall, slender and erect in form, very prompt, dignified and graceful in movement. Her countenance indicated intelligence, energy and culture. She had a good voice for public address, possessed rare executive ability and was so gentle in manner that obedience to her commands was accorded with pleasure and delight. Though never unmindful of her resources, she never manifested any pride, save that which every truly noble soul manifests in the quality of its work, by putting forth a constant effort to perform every duty in the most thorough and efficient manner.

She was a happy, willing worker. The key note of her work as a teacher seemed to be the one expressed in the words: "My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish his work." John 4, 34. Although she had many other important duties on that day, she was always present at the services on the Sabbath. The memory of the living will not soon forget the personal interest she manifested in the spiritual welfare of every member of her large class of older students in the Sunday school, her tender and affectionate appeals to the young people at the Endeavor meetings, her interesting and instructive addresses at institutes and conventions, and how she voluntarily lingered to extend friendly greetings at the close of the church services.

The call, to engage in this educational work among the Freedmen in Indian Territory, came to her at an unexpected, but opportune time. When the need for her services and desire for her co-operation were stated, she immediately gave her assent to make a trial of the work for a term of three months. As the work progressed her interest in it increased, and she became more firmly attached to it. Her affections, interest and ambitions seemed to be transferred to the people and work at the Academy. Her attachment and devotion to this work was as remarkable as it was unexpected. This was the secret of the unusual merit of the service rendered. In this new sphere of usefulness, she found a field of opportunity that afforded full scope for the exercise of all her intellectual, moral and spiritual powers, and, engaging in this work with all the enthusiasm of her noble nature, she rendered a continuous service so faithful and efficient, as to call forth heartfelt appreciation and words of highest commendation.

MRS. JOHN CLAYPOOL

Mrs. John Claypool, matron 1908-9, the successor of Adelia Eaton, came from membership in the class of Mrs. A. W. Crawford of the First Presbyterian church of San Diego, California. Her work is gratefully remembered for its uniform faithfulness and efficiency, and the sweet beneficent influence exerted by the noble womanhood and manhood of herself and husband, previously employed in a bank, who also came and remained with her at the institution. Through the aid of the latter, the profit on the poultry was greater that year, than in any other. The garden that year was greatly enlarged and surrounded with a new fence. He nailed the pales on the panels and they remain as a memento of his interest and handiwork. The fact that she represented one of the churches giving most loyal and liberal support to the Academy, and was thus a living link connecting the work of the institution with the many friends, supporting it on the Pacific Coast, gave to her work an additional charm that was greatly appreciated. They are now living in Texas.

MARY I. WEIMER

Mary I. Weimer, who served as matron 1909 to 1911, a native of Port Royal, Pa., came to Oak Hill from Knox, in the Devils Lake Region of North Dakota; where, after a course of preparation at the state teachers college at Fargo, she achieved an unusual degree of success, both as a teacher and manager of affairs on the farm. These interests prevented her from coming the previous year when first solicited.

At the Academy she rendered a service so efficient and faithful as to merit the gratitude of all. After the loss of the Girls' Hall, which occurred during her first year, when all of its occupants were deprived of comfortable quarters, the fear was entertained she would want to be excused from further service. Instead of pursuing this course she became one of our best counselors and helpers in the effort to provide for the comfort of herself and the girls, and keep the latter from returning home at that critical period.

The superintendent will never cease to be grateful for her favorable decision at this trying hour, and the self-denial she voluntarily proposed to undergo, in order to make it possible, to continue the work of the institution. It was the period when Mrs. Flickinger was a helpless invalid at Fonda, patiently awaiting the return of her husband, with daily anxiety. He could not leave, however, until the cellar excavation and concrete walls of the building had been completed. This done, Samuel Folsom was ready to serve as foreman of the carpenters, in the erection of the new building, and it fell to the lot of Miss Weimer, to serve as general manager, in the absence of the superintendent. The situation was one, that required unusual courage, as well as prudence and self-control. Her heroism was equal to the call to duty. Loyalty and faithfulness were her constant watchwords.

At the end of the next term in 1911, she found it necessary to give her personal attention anew to the interests of her own home and farm. She enjoys the distinction of having served as matron, the last year in the Girls' Hall and the first one in Elliott Hall. She is gratefully remembered by all, who became the subjects of her daily care and domestic training.

MISS JO LU WOLCOTT

Miss Jo Lu Wolcott, matron, February to June, 1912, was a daughter of the late Dr. Wolcott of Chandler, Okla. She has had considerable experience as a teacher in the public schools of Kansas and Oklahoma, and in the government school for the Indians at Navajo Falls, Colorado. She is now serving as a teacher in an Indian school in South Dakota.

MALINDA A. HALL

Malinda A. Hall rendered six years of faithful and efficient service as assistant matron, and teacher. Having completed the grammar course at Oak Hill in 1900, and then a four years course at Ingleside Seminary in Virginia, she was well prepared for the work at the Academy, and proved a very reliable and valuable helper. She was capable and always willing, when requested, to supply any vacancy occurring among the other helpers. She enjoyed good health, and never lost a day from illness. Her strength and energy enabled her to execute promptly and efficiently, every work entrusted to her. Her work throughout was characterized by a never failing promptness, faithfulness and energy. She was familiar with the needs and traits of her people, was thoroughly devoted to the promotion of their best interests, and her suggestions were always gratefully received. The ability and enthusiasm of her work, as the teacher of a large class in the Sunday school and leader of the young people in their Endeavor meetings, will never be forgotten by those, who came within the sphere of her voice and influence.

Since her marriage in 1911 to William Stewart she has been devoting her time and attention to the improvement of their home on the farm near Valliant. She is needed on the farm, but the thought lingers, that there continues to be a great need for her services in the educational work among her people.

Miss Hall's exploits, as a sharpshooter with her own gun, during her first year as a teacher at Oak Hill, indicate her responsiveness to the spirit of chivalry, that prevailed among the people during the period of her youth.

One day in the spring of the year, while hunting eggs in the second story of the old log house, she discovered a large snake on one of the rafters over her head. Hastening quietly to her own room for a gun, she brought the snake to the floor with the first shot. It measured over four feet in length, was dark in color and was of the kind, that eats eggs and chicks, commonly called a chicken snake. She also, at the request of Mrs. Flickinger, stunned a small beef, that they together butchered, at a time the superintendent was absent.

MARY A DONALDSON

When Carrie E. Crowe was called away in January 1906, the place was rather reluctantly assumed but very acceptably filled by Mrs. Sarah L. Wallace of Fairhope, Alabama. After two months she also was called away. The place was then filled by Mary A. Donaldson of Paris, Texas. She had been an attendant at the first Oak Hill Normal, in 1905, and then became a missionary teacher at Grant. Attendance at the Normal led to her recognition, both at Grant and Oak Hill. After teaching several years she pursued another course of training at New Orleans and has become a professional nurse.

SOLOMON H. BUCHANAN

"He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful."

Solomon H. Buchanan is a native of Glen Rose, Somervell Co., Texas. At the age of eight he was bereft of both of his parents, and those, into whose care he drifted, were not willing he should learn a letter. By some means he attracted the favorable notice of Miss Mary A. Pearson, a missionary of our Home Mission Board. Furnishing him the funds for the trip, she sent him at the age of 18 in 1903, to Oak Hill Academy with request to become an earnest Christian teacher. At the Academy Mrs. Mary R. Scott of Pittsburgh became his teacher. She taught him his letters and first lessons in spelling and reading, giving him considerable time and attention, while the other boys were playing. Perceiving his special fondness for music, she taught him the chords on the piano, and thus gave him a start on that noble instrument, which has ever since been his favorite.

He has always found the study of books a rather difficult task, owing to the lack of early training in them; but he has proved a good student and a very valuable helper at the Academy. The longing desire to become a capable and successful teacher, has kept him there, amid all the changes that have occurred since his arrival in 1903. He has now acquired an unusual degree of skill as a performer on the piano and his enthusiastic accompaniments on that noble instrument contributed greatly to the pleasure and delight of the work at the Academy. He has become an earnest worker in the Sunday school and endeavor meetings. He has a strong voice for song or public address, and has become an excellent leader of religious meetings. He served one year as an assistant teacher at the Academy. He has proved himself a very efficient and valuable helper at the Academy, always looking after the entertainment of visitors.

In 1912 he was ordained an elder of the Oak Hill church and in May of that year was sent as one of the commissioners of the Presbytery of Kiamichi, to the general assembly at Louisville, Ky. Through the courtesy of Rev. E. G. Haymaker, he spent the summer of 1903 at Winona Lake, Ind. He is now serving, as superintendent of the farm work and musical instructor, at the Bethesda Home and school at Wynnewood, Okla.

The boy who wins is,

"Not the one who says, 'I can't'; Nor the one who says, 'Don't care;' Not the boy who shirks his work, Nor the one who plays unfair. But the one who says, I can', And the one who says, 'I will;' He shall be the noble man, He the place of trust will fill."

STUDENT WORKERS

These tributes to worthy workers seem incomplete, without some reference to the faithful co-operation of some of the young people, who, making rapid progress in their studies and industrial training, during the later years of this period, and serving efficiently as workers, foremen and occasional teachers, made possible the large amount of improvement work necessary to overcome the losses sustained. The memory recalls the names of the following students, whose responsible and efficient co-operation was thus worthy of grateful mention.

Occasional Teachers and Leaders: Paul Thornton, Vina Jones, Delia Clark[*], Isabella Monroe, Ruby Moore[*], Virginia Wofford, Sarah Milton, Celestine Seats, Solomon Buchanan, Riley Flournoy, Clarence and Herbert Peete.

Carpenters and Cement Workers: David Folsom [*], Solomon Burris, Louis and Alvin Pitchlin, Isaiah Nelson, Clarence Peete, Noah Alverson, Riley Flournoy, Fred and Percy McFarland, Thomas Wilson, George Hollingsworth, Frank Dickson, Ashley and Alonza McLellan and Brown Gaffony.[*]

Painters: Solomon Buchanan, Frank Dickson, John Black, Eugene Perry, Wesley Lewis, Herbert Peete and Cornell Smith.

Farmers and Trustworthy Teamsters: James Stewart, James Burris. James Richards, Dee McFarland, Robert Johnson, Robert Maxie, S. S. Bibbs, and Everett Richards.

[*] Deceased.



XL

CLOSING DAY, 1912

ELLIOTT HALL DEDICATED.—CONCERT.—RESOLUTIONS.—STUDENTS AFFECTION.—FAREWELL NOTE.

The following account, of the closing day of our last term of school, is taken from the last issue of the Oak Hill Freedman's Friend, a news-letter, intended to promote the interests of the Academy, and sent to its patrons and friends as a quarterly at first, but later as an annual, from February 1905, to September 1912.

CLOSING DAY, 1912

June 13, 1912, was a day of unusual interest. It was the last day of the last term of school, under the management of the superintendent, and the contemplation of this fact frequently suggested a thought of sadness, since it meant the last meeting with many friends and co-workers.

It was also the second day set for the dedication of Elliott Hall, and the third day announced for a visit and address by Rev. Phil C. Baird, D. D., pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Oklahoma City. His leading and unusually happy participation in the events of the day, made his visit and services on this occasion thrice welcome and valuable.

At 2:00 p.m. Dr. Baird delivered the principal address to a large and very appreciative audience in the Academy. He chose for his theme, The Essentials of Success; and emphasized these three, namely "Labor, purpose and perseverance."

ELLIOTT HALL DEDICATED

At the close of the address of Dr. Baird, the meeting was transferred to the cozy and spacious front porch of Elliott Hall.

The story of the Hall as a grateful and permanently useful memorial of the late Alice Lee Elliott, and the generous gift of $5,000.00 on the part of her surviving husband, David Elliott of Lafayette, Indiana, now at Minneapolis, Minn., was briefly related by the superintendent. Rev. W. H. Carroll reported that voluntary offerings to the amount of $29.48 had that day been donated toward the expense of furnishing the two bath rooms. The prayer of dedication was offered by Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, who has been a faithful annual visitor and constant guardian of the good name and welfare of the institution ever since it was founded in 1886. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. P. S. Meadows of Shawneetown, moderator of the Presbytery of Kiamichi.

CLOSING CONCERT

The program provided for the evening consisted of a vocal and instrumental concert by the students, such as had been given, with one exception, at the close of each term. Several of the selections, rendered as full choruses, were from Leslie's Ideal Class, the music book most frequently used by the superintendent in the training work of note reading and vocal culture. They included the anthems, "Break forth into Joy," "I was Glad," by I. B. Woodbury, "Before Jehovah's Throne," and patriotic Glees, "Hail to the Flag," "Now a Mighty Nation," and "Unfurl the Sail."

When the time arrived to announce the closing chorus, the superintendent, after expressing appreciation of the fact there were present so many ministers of the Presbytery, patrons and friends; and gratitude for their constant co-operation, then made known to them, for the first time, the fact that several months previous he had tendered his resignation to the Board of Missions for Freedmen, and that in due season, Rev. W. H. Carroll, the principal, would be promoted to fill the vacancy, when it occurred.

After hearing these announcements, every minister present manifested a desire to participate in the meeting, by bearing voluntary testimony to the good work that had been done at the Academy under the leadership of the superintendent. Rev. Dr. Baird was the first speaker, and he acted as a leader or chairman during this temporary interruption of the program. He bore testimony to his previous knowledge of the faithfulness and administrative ability of the superintendent, and his pleasant surprise at the results achieved at this institution. Grateful tributes to the efficiency of his work, as superintendent of the Academy, were then expressed by Rev. Wiley Homer of Grant, Rev. T. K. Bridges of Lukfata, Rev. P. S. Meadows and Rev. W. H. Carroll.

Rev. W. J. Starks of Frogville read and presented for adoption the appreciative resolutions that follow:

Their unanimous adoption by a rising vote was immediately followed by a general waving of handkerchiefs, a touching expression of good wishes and parting cheer.

RESOLUTIONS

Whereas the Rev. R. E. Flickinger, our beloved superintendent and friend, has announced his resignation as superintendent of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, now Alice Lee Elliott School; and whereas such resignation has come to us at a very unexpected time; We, citizens of the neighborhood, patrons, students and teachers of the Academy, and members present of the Presbytery of Kiamichi, do hereby unite in adopting the following resolutions:

First. That the announcement of his resignation brings to us profound grief and disappointment, as it takes from among us a friend and brother bound to us by many unusual and lasting ties.

Second. That we lose in Rev. R. E. Flickinger, the founder of the new and the real Oak Hill Industrial Institution, through the accomplishment of the following achievements, during his administration:

When he re-opened the doors of this academy seven and a half years ago, it had been closed for the year, and for months there seemed to be but little prospect it would be opened again. The evidences of neglect, decay and desertion were manifest on every hand. Under his magic hand the school was re-opened, only a few students were enrolled the first term, but the piles of rubbish in every corner, and underbrush began to disappear, and one of the buildings was neatly painted by the boys. At this time the Board did not own the land on which the buildings were located. After the removal of the restrictions in 1908, the title to one small tract was promptly secured by purchase. A dozen other adjoining little tracts have since been added to this first one, as their purchase became possible and at their virgin price; so that now there belongs to this school, as a means of promoting its local support, the magnificent domain of 270 acres of beautiful and valuable tillable lands of which about one-third is now cleared, enclosed and under cultivation.

"Enlargement and Permanent Improvement," became the watchwords of progress, when the title to the second tract was secured. Upon this stable material basis there has been systematically organized and developed an important Industrial institution, where boys and girls are trained not only in the great fundamentals of the best intellectual and moral culture, but also in the essential industrial arts of life.

The accomplishment of these results has cost the superintendent an indescribable amount of toil and labor. His great staying powers and ingenuity were taxed to their utmost, when, in quick succession, the two largest buildings were suddenly destroyed by unexpected fires, that left nothing but ashes and discouraged friends. The testimony that he has proved himself capable of overcoming these staggering losses appears in the temporary Boys Hall, an addition to the Academy building after the first fire in 1908, and in the large and commodious new building, bearing the name "Elliott Hall" of which he enjoys the honor of having been its architect and builder, through the labors of the students and the teachers of the academy; and, in this creditable student body of well trained young people.

Third. In grateful recognition of his unusual patience and perseverance, his unceasing toil and never failing interest, his self denying generosity and for his noble, manly exemplary christian life, we tender to him our heartfelt lasting gratitude; and, enrolling his name among the worthy founders of Oak Hill Industrial Academy, shall enshrine it as one to be given to children's children, as the educator and organizer, who infused new life into this institution and greatly enlarged the scope of its work.

Fourth. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the Board of Freedmen, to the Interior, The Valliant Tribune and the Times, Fonda, Iowa.

PHIL. C. BAIRD, Chairman of Meeting.

A TOKEN OF AFFECTION AND REGARD FROM THE STUDENTS

Dear Superintendent:

I have been requested by the boys of this institution, to offer you a slight token of our affection and regard. I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be the means of conveying to you this expression of our united love. What we offer you is a poor symbol of our feelings, but we know you will receive it kindly as a simple indication of the attachment, which each one of us cherishes for you in our hearts.

You have made our days and months pleasant to us. We know that we have often tried your patience and forbearance, but you have dealt gently with us in all our waywardness; teaching us by example as well as precept, the advantages of magnanimity and self control.

We will never forget you. We shall look back to this institution in after life; and, whenever memory recalls our school days, our hearts will warm toward you as they do today.

I have been requested by my school mates, not to address you formally, but as a beloved and respected friend. In that light, Dear Superintendent, we will regard you.

Please accept our good wishes. May you always be as happy as you have endeavored to make your pupils; and may they—nothing better could be wished them—be always as faithful to their duties to others, as you have been in your duties to them.

Very truly yours, W. RILEY FLOURNOY.

In behalf of the boys of Oak Hill Academy.

An expression of gratitude from Simon Folsom, an elder of the Forest church, who gave us very cordial co-operation, and whose voice, ringing with pleading eloquence and words of glad encouragement to the students, was frequently heard at the Endeavor meetings or morning services, by the young people during term time:

Dear Sir: I want to thank you for your interest, help and work among my people. I feel that you have done us a great service here. It is my prayer that God will reward you in time for all your services in labor, thought and interest. This is the plea of one whom you have been serving.

July 21,1912.

A Friend, SIMON FOLSOM.

FRUIT BULLETIN

The superintendent continued to have charge of the improvement and other work of the Academy and farm, until the first of October; publishing in the mean time the last issue of the Freedman's Friend in September; and, remaining during the month of October, prepared and published a bulletin entitled, "Approved Fruits for Southern Oklahoma."

The aim of the author, in preparing and publishing this fruit bulletin, was to furnish a short and reliable text book on horticulture, for use in the Academy; and to supply the patrons of the institution, the information they were needing, to enable them to secure, when making their first investments, profitable early, medium and late, fruit-bearing varieties of trees for a small home orchard on their respective allotments.

FAREWELL

The farewell words of the superintendent, briefly summarized, appeared as follows in the last issue of the Freedman's Friend:

With the sending forth of this issue of the Oak Hill Freedman's Friend, Rev. R. E. Flickinger lays aside the mantle of service, as superintendent of the Academy and Farm, and cordially commends Rev. W. H. Carroll, his successor, to the confidence and esteem of all the patrons and friends of the institution.

The opportunity afforded here during the last eight years, to engage in the educational work among the colored people of our beloved land, has been the realization of an earnest desire awakened in the early part of our ministry, but not expressed until the opening occurred at this place. The silent but deeply impressive cry of need, the golden opportunity to lay the foundation for the organization and development of an important Industrial Educational Institution in this new section of country, and the cordial co-operation of local ministers, teachers, patrons and friends, have combined to make this work throughout, intensely interesting.

It has enlisted our noblest and best powers of mind, heart and hand. The constant probability that our term of service would at best be brief, and the desire to accomplish the greatest possible results, have proved an incentive to incessant industry. When difficulties increased, they served as a signal to go forward more earnestly.

We have done what we could to add our mite, most, effectively, to the great educational work needed in this south land. That which has been done, has been due to the constant and cordial co-operation of our Board of Missions for Freedmen, and of the immediate patrons and friends of the institution. It remains, that we express to you all our lasting gratitude, for your cordial co-operation, and for the present, say, Farewell!

"God bless you, till we meet again."

Very truly,

R. E. FLICKINGER.



PART III

HISTORY ... OF THE ...

PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI ... AND THE ...

SYNOD OF CANADIAN

"My church is the place, where the Word of God is preached, the power of God is felt, the Spirit of God is manifested and the unity of God is perceived."

"There, I am to meet my Saviour, to meditate on his redemption, to listen to his commands, to bow in reverence before him, to pray for his guidance, to sing his praise, to ask for his help, and to sit quietly in his house."

"It is the home of my soul, the altar of my devotion, the hearth of my faith, the center of my affections and the foretaste of heaven."

"I have united with it in solemn covenant, pledging myself to attend its services, to pray for its members, to give to its support, to obey its laws, to protect its name, to reverence its building, to honor its officers and to maintain its permanence."

"It claims the principal place in my activities, and its unity, peace and progress, concern my life in this world and that which is to come."—F. Hyatt Smith.



XLI

THE PRESBYTERY OF KIAMICHI

CONSTITUTED IN 1896.—ORGANIZED AT GRANT.—BOUNDARY ENLARGED IN 1907.—REPORT IN 1913.—GROWTH, 1868 TO 1913.—DEARTH OF MINISTERS.—FAVORITE SONS.—NEW ERA.

"Neglect not the gift which was given thee, with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery."—Paul.

The ministers and group of churches, that first formed the Presbytery of Kiamichi, belonged originally to the Presbytery of Choctaw; which included the territory allotted in 1832 to the Choctaw Nation, comprising the southeast one-fourth of Indian Territory, after the establishment of Oklahoma Territory in 1890.

CONSTITUTED BY SYNOD

The Synod of Indian Territory, at the meeting held at South McAlester, Oct. 22-25, 1896, in response to an overture for division from the Presbytery of Choctaw, established the new Presbytery by the adoption of the following resolutions:

1st. That the Choctaw Presbytery be divided into two Presbyteries, according to the following geographical boundaries: First, beginning at Durant on the M. K. & T. Railroad, east on the 34th parallel to the Arkansas line, thence South to the Texas line, thence west with the Texas line (Red river) to the M. K. & T. Railroad, thence north with the M. K. & T. Railroad to Durant, the starting point; this Presbytery to be known as the Presbytery of Tuskaloosa, and to embrace the following churches now within its bounds: St. Paul, Oak Hill, Bethany, Forest, Beaver Dam, Hebron, Sandy Branch, New Hope, Oak Grove and Mt. Gilead—10; and to embrace the following ministers, now members of the Presbytery of Choctaw: Rev. E. G. Haymaker, (white) Rev. E. B. Evans, (white) Rev. Wiley Homer, Rev. J. H. Sleeper, and Rev. Samuel Gladman—5.

2nd. That the Presbytery of Tuskaloosa meet at Beaver Dam (Grant) on the Saturday before the third Sabbath in November, 1896, at 11 o'clock a.m. and be opened with a sermon by Rev. E. G. Haymaker, or in his absence, by the oldest minister present, who shall preside until a new Moderator is elected.

ORGANIZED AT GRANT

The first meeting of this new Presbytery was held at Grant, in the Beaver Dam church of which Rev. Wiley Homer was pastor, Nov. 14-16, 1896, seven months after the death of Parson Stewart, who had organized and developed all these churches. The meeting was opened with a sermon by Rev. Edward G. Haymaker, superintendent of Oak Hill Academy, Clear Creek; and he was chosen to serve as the first stated clerk. The first annual report, April 1, 1897, showed an enrollment of 5 ministers, 11 churches and 292 communicant members. The name of the Choctaw church at Wheelock, Garvin, P. O. was included in this report, and Richard D. Colbert was enrolled as a licentiate and appointed stated supply of New Hope and Sandy Branch churches.

The name given this new Presbytery, which was the name of a county and county seat town in Alabama, was not entirely satisfactory to those, who were included in it; and in making their first report to synod in the fall of 1897, they requested the name be changed to Mountain Fork, the name of a branch of Little river, that flows from the east end of Kiamichi mountain. While this matter was under discussion at synod the name of the principal river flowing through the bounds of the Presbytery, "Kiamichi," (Ki a mish ee) signifying "Where you going," was suggested by Rev. Wiley Homer; and it was approved both by the Synod and Presbytery.

The roll of the Presbytery, at the time of its first report in the spring of 1897, included two Choctaw churches, namely, Oak Grove at Grant, and Wheelock, having 5 and 70 members respectively. During this year Oak Grove was disbanded and dropped; and Wheelock, becoming vacant, was transferred to the Presbytery of Choctaw; Rev. Evan B. Evans, its last pastor, having gone to Mulhall, in the Presbytery of Oklahoma. Bethany, a colored church previously reported as having 9 members was also dropped. These changes reduced the Presbytery to one consisting entirely of colored churches and of colored ministers, with the single exception of Rev. E. G. Haymaker, superintendent of Oak Hill Academy, who was engaged in the educational work among them.

The annual report for 1898, the first one under the new name, "Kiamichi" that included only colored churches, shows that the Presbytery then consisted of 4 ministers, E. G. Haymaker, Wiley Homer, John H. Sleeper and Samuel Gladman; 2 licentiates, William Butler and R. D. Colbert; and 8 churches, Oak Hill, 40; Mount Gilead, 25; Saint Paul, 14; Beaver Dam, 34; Hebron, 13; New Hope, 25; Sandy Branch, 16; and Forest, 20; having 187 members and 248 Sunday school members.

BOUNDARY ENLARGED

In May 1907, when the General Assembly at Columbus, Ohio, united and rearranged the synods and Presbyteries of the Presbyterian and Cumberland churches, after the union of their Assemblies at Des Moines the previous year, the boundary of the Presbytery of Kiamichi was defined as follows:

The Presbytery of Kiamichi shall consist of all ministers and churches of the Negro race in that part of the synod of Oklahoma, lying south of the south Canadian river, and south of the Arkansas river, below the point of confluence of these two rivers.—Min. G. A., 1907, 214.

The north half of Oklahoma was included in the Presbytery of Rendall, then established and two men Rev. Burr Williams and Rev. David J. Wallace, who had been members of Kiamichi, since 1899 were transferred to it.

In 1910 the colored Presbyterian ministers and churches in east Texas were added to the Presbytery of Kiamichi. These included Rev. J. A. Loving, M. D., and the Mount Zion church, at Jacksonville, Texas; and Rev. J. M. McKellar and the Mount Olivet church at Rusk, Texas.

ANNUAL REPORT IN 1913

In 1913, the Presbytery included 14 ministers and 16 churches as follows:

S. M S. i O s f M M s f S E e e i e u l m m o r S p d b b n i e p Minister Address Church e e e a n l o r r r r g f r s s s y s t Wiley Homer, H. R. Grant, Okla. Robert E. Flickinger, H. R. Rockwell City, Iowa [2]Samuel Gladman, Ev. Eufaula, Okla. Thomas K. Bridges Lukfata, Okla. Mt. Gilead 2 26 25 $13 $25 William Butler Eagletown, Okla. St. Paul 4 27 38 8 98 Millerton, Okla. Forest 3 13 17 3 25 Lukfata, Okla. Pleasant Valley 2 27 37 8 15 Richard D. Colbert Grant, Okla. Hebron 2 19 15 8 12 William J. Starks Garvin, Okla. Garvin 3 30 57 11 190 William H. Carroll Valliant, Okla. Oak Hill 3 69 85 55 78 Noah S. Alverson Griffin, Okla. Ebenezer 1 12 13 4 Plant S. Meadows Shawneetown, Okla. Mt. Pleasant 2 8 10 3 Millerton, Okla. Bethany 3 23 30 10 10 Samuel J. Onque Grant, Okla. Beaver Dam 4 41 55 10 53 Julius W. Mallard Frogville, Okla. New Hope 8 26 59 11 24 Frogville, Okla. Sandy Branch 2 29 87 6 30 Pleasant Hill, v 4 J. A. Loving Jacksonville, Texas Mt. Zion 3 28 45 14 J. M. KcKeller—14 Rusk, Texas Mt. Olivet—16 1 18 60 6 ——————————- 38 400 583 $170 $560

These churches now represent 38 elders; 400 members, and 583 Sunday school members. They contributed $180.00 to our Missionary Boards and $560.00, towards self-support.

At the next meeting of the synod in the fall of 1913, the two ministers and churches in Texas were transferred to the Presbytery of White River, Arkansas.

Other ministers and churches, that have been enrolled as members or a part of this Presbytery, and their names have not yet been mentioned, were as follows:

Rev. Thomas C. Ogburn, who in 1890 and 1891 served Beaver Dam, New Hope and Hebron.

Rev. William G. Ogburn, who in 1890, served Saint Paul and Mount Gilead.

Rev. Burr Williams, who from 1899 to 1902 served Conwell chapel at Springvale, and from 1902 to 1903, served Mount Zion at Monger, O. T.

Rev. David J. Wallace, Langston, in 1899, and in 1906 at Okmulgee, Ok. Ter.

Rev. Hugh L. Harry, New Hope at Frogville in 1904 and 1905.

SUCCESSION OF STATED CLERKS

Edward G. Haymaker, Clear Creek, Nov. 14, 1896-1903. John H. Sleeper, Frogville, 1903-1904. Thompson K. Bridges, Lukfata, 1904-1906. Samuel Gladman, Millerton 1906-1910. William J. Starks, Garvin, 1910-1914.

EXHIBIT OF GROWTH, 1868 TO 1913

The following exhibit shows the comparative growth of the work among the colored people of the Choctaw nation in Indian Territory, the summaries commencing with the results of the work as left by Parson Charles W. Stewart, when he was honorably retired from further active service among the churches, on account of the infirmities of age, in 1890, from Beaver Dam, New Hope, Hebron, St. Paul, and Mount Gilead, and in 1893, from Oak Hill and Forest. The report for 1898 is the first one of the new Presbytery of Kiamichi to include only colored churches.

Church Address Stewart Date of Members in began organi- 1890 1893 1898 1913 services zation Beaver Dam Grant 1874 1881 15 34 41 Hebron Messer 1868 1872 12 13 19 New Hope Frogville 1869 1872 38 25 26 St. Paul Eagletown 1877 1878 18 14 27 Mt. Gilead Lukfata 1883 1885 25 25 26 Oak Hill Valliant 1868 1869 30 40 69 Forest Millerton 1885 1887 7 20 13 Sandy Branch Sawyer 1895 16 29 Ebenezer Griffin 1903 12 Bethany Millerton 1904 23 Garvin Garvin 1905 30 Pleasant Valley Lukfata 1906 27 Mount Pleasant Shawneetown 1906 8 Pleasant Hill 4 ———————————— Total in Oklahoma 108(145) 37 187 354

Mount Zion Jacksonville, Texas 28 Mount Olivet Rusk, Texas 18 —— Total in Presbytery 400

DEARTH OF MINISTERS

This exhibit shows that the membership of the 7 churches, when relinquished by Parson Stewart in 1890 and 1893, numbered 145, and in 1898, when the Presbytery under the name "Kiamichi" made its first report, including only colored churches, the number was 187; suggesting a gain of 42 members by his successors in 8 years. If, however, the 16 members at Sandy Branch be taken from the 1898 column, it shows the 7 churches served by Stewart, gained only 26 members during all those eight years.

This lack of growth, during this important period, was in great measure due to the fact most of the churches were left vacant, during a considerable part of that period. Thirty years had passed since the people had been accorded their freedom, but so great had been the lack of educational facilities, a sufficient number of acceptable men, that could read and expound the scriptures profitably to others, could not be found. Other communities throughout the south were experiencing the same need, and had no young men to spare for these needy fields.

FAVORITE SONS BECOME MINISTERS

It devolved upon each community to solve this problem, relating to the supply of ministers, by encouraging their own brightest and best boys to train for the ministry. That was the way this problem had to be solved by the Choctaw Freedmen in the south part of Indian Territory.

While the native young men were under training, and the churches were vacant, the services had to be maintained by the elders and most capable women; and they deserve great credit for their faithfulness and efficiency in maintaining them from year to year.

The church, that during this period made the greatest gain—13 members—was Beaver Dam, the one that was first to furnish from its own membership, an acceptable and capable minister for its own pulpit, by commending Wiley Homer for licensure in 1894, when he was appointed the stated supply for that church and Hebron.

In 1897 the same church presented Richard D. Colbert, another of its sons for licensure that he might take charge of the church at Frogville and Sandy Branch.

Eagletown presented William Butler, as their favorite son, for licensure; and beginning then, he is still serving that church and Forest.

In 1905, Ebenezer church at Griffin presented Noah S. Alverson for licensure, and beginning then, he is still faithfully serving that field.

In 1905, Mount Gilead church at Lukfata presented for licensure John Richards, a youth of considerable promise, who died at 25, in June 1907, while pursuing his studies under the superintendent of Oak Hill Academy.

Under the ministry of these native youth, aided by several others who have joined them, the membership of the Presbytery was increased from 187 to 350; or, nearly doubled, during the period from 1898 to 1913, and five new churches have been organized.

Parson Stewart, serving all his seven churches life-long periods, and these favorite sons, following loyally and faithfully in his footsteps, have greatly honored the permanent pastorate, though none of them have ever been installed. In this matter of long pastorates, these ministers and people have made a record, worthy of the emulation of the church at large; especially those congregations that seem to take pride in having "itching ears" and the consequent doom of standing vacant and idle half the time, and those perambulating ministers, who remind one of the proverb of the "rolling stone that gathers no moss."

NEW ERA REQUIRES THAT PREACHERS BE TEACHERS

On the other hand it is proper to note, that, commencing with Parson Stewart all of these worthy men were licensed and ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, after taking a very "short course" of educational training. This was due to the fact they were needed to meet an emergency, an unexpected and unusual condition, that called for immediate action. The extraordinary call, these men were encouraged to accept, came to them during the Territorial days, when there was no adequate provision for public education. They were then abreast of their times, and the very best their several communities could furnish.

Now the times are different. The change came with the allotment of lands in 1904 and 1905, followed by statehood in 1907 and the establishment of a public school system immediately afterwards. Public schools are now found in every community, where there are a sufficient number of pupils to justify the employment of a teacher. The demand for good teachers is now greater than the supply, and with passing years the call will be for better ones. There are many reasons now, why every candidate for licensure should first prove himself to be an acceptable and successful teacher, as well as a good speaker. Teaching is now, and for many years will continue to be, the secondary employment of the colored minister in the rural districts. Recognizing that fact, every future candidate for the ministry should be animated with the noble ambition, to stand at the front in the teacher's profession, in order that there may be a constant demand for his services as a teacher, in the community he serves as a preacher.