Friday, February 11, 2011

Territorial Births


Column sent to Frederick Leader and Frederick Press
May 11, 2010


Early Newspapers Documented
Territorial Births


Last week this column referred to pre-statehood death notices from the Frederick Enterprise (which later became the Frederick Press). Life was hard for the people who came to the newly opened Oklahoma Territory. Disease and accidents killed many, including children.
Just as the newspaper reported deaths and bad news, though, every newspaper issue also reported births, marriages, and joyful occasions.
In contrast with last week’s look at early-day death notices, the following are birth announcements from the same time. Newspaper editors seldom wrote simply that a child had been born, but often found creative ways to convey the news.
Following is a sampling of birth reports from the Frederick Enterprise and the Frederick Free Press as documented by Linda Norman Garrison in abstract briefs from 1902-1911 Frederick newspapers (see ordering information below):
June 25, 1902: Born to Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harper, a 10 pound boy. Dr. Cox officiated.
February 20, 1903: Dr. Kirkpatrick reports a late addition to the family of George Lowery.
April 3, 1903: Dr. Hays was called suddenly last week to the home of J.H. Newton. Results – a son.
April 18, 1903: A charming young lady arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Felix Arnold last Tuesday evening.
April 25, 1903: G.R. Henry informed us that his wife had presented him with a 10-pound Democrat.
April 25, 1903: Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Stephens, who live five miles east of town, are the proud possessors of a new baby.
July 24, 1903: Mr. and Mrs. Garrison near Tesca are the proud parents of a baby daughter, which came to brighten their home Thursday, July 17.
July 31, 1903: Two bright little girls made their appearance at the May home in Hackberry Flats Wednesday of last week.
August 14, 1903: A tiny girl boarder made her appearance at the Duke home, six miles northwest, on last Saturday.
July 15, 1904: A bouncing baby girl made her appearance at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.O. Newlin Saturday night.
October 28, 1904: A young man made his appearance last Monday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Harper. This is the sixth time that the stork has left a son at the Harper home.
December 2, 1904: The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Moss was gladdened lately by the appearance of a baby girl.
January 27, 1905: Several little strangers made their appearance in Frederick and vicinity the past few days. A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Boyd, west of town, Sunday before last. A 10 pound girl arrived at the home of Pearl Little and wife Wednesday of last week. A 10 pound girl gladdened the home of Dr. Gillis and wife on last Saturday noon.
February 17, 1905: Lee Jamison of Davidson is the proud papa of a new baby boy that arrived at his house last Saturday.
March 3, 1905: A 13 pound girl made her arrival at D.B. Pearson’s Sunday, Feb. 19.
July 7, 1905: A young heir made his appearance at the household of Mr. and Mrs. F.F. Brooks on May 30.
December 28, 1905: On Christmas Eve Stanley E. Patton and wife received a Christmas present in the shape of a bouncing baby boy.
May 19, 1906: Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Worrell have a visit from the stork last Thursday. This is the ninth visit of this kind in their home and all of them are boys except eight.
September 13, 1906: Frederick’s population was increased by the arrival of three young voters the fore part of the week. Monday a boy was born to C.D. Vaughn and wife, and also to A.L. McAfee and wife. On Wednesday an eleven pound boy was born to Eli McConnell and wife.
November 15, 1906: Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Williams are receiving congratulations over the arrival of a little daughter on the 9th. The little Miss has been christened Bert-Charles.
January 24, 1907: Born on the 22nd, to Mr. and Mrs. George Jones of the Alpian community, a bonny lass.
October 10, 1907: A beautiful little girl, their first child, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong five miles south of town. They have named her Anna May.
November 21, 1907: Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Phipps are entertaining a baby girl since Saturday, November 16 (The child was born on Oklahoma statehood day, November 16, 1907).

NOTE: The book Tillman County Personals: Abstracts from Frederick, OK Newspapers May 1902-June 1911 can be ordered from the SWOGS, P.O. Box 148, Lawton, OK 73502. Cost is $25 plus $3 postage.
A copy of the book is also part of the Frederick Carnegie Library’s permanent on-site research collection.
The book contains many references to births and deaths in Tillman County during the years of 1902 to 1911, as well as brief items of school news, visitors, travels, etc. The book does include an index of names for easy reference.

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