The Tahlequah Arrow. (Tahlequah, Indian Terr.), Vol. 15, No. 38, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 31, 1902 Page: 3 of 8
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Oklahoma Digital Newspaper Program and was provided to The Gateway to Oklahoma History by the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
*
THK ARttOW: TAHLEQUAH, INDIAN TKRUlTOttV-
$ Pioneer President of Tahlequah Union.
V
.* _ . . . _ . - — . . T«
Tlii- following tribute u) the "Pioneer I Itedman, and in 1H">4 took unto him
President of the \V . C. T. U.—Mrs. L I self the talented Indian maiden. Tlii*
.lane Stapler," was read at the ceme-i union was blessed with four children,
very on Decoration Day, May 22, by
Houston 13. Tehee:
This day has been proclaimed bv the
mayor of Tahlequah as a clay of ob
servanee In memory and honor of those
of our people whose labors and lives
were spent in the upbuilding of our
country. On such occasions the reflec
live portion of man's faculties is called
into activity—that which we call mem-
ory Memory is the repository in whose
vaults are treasured up the grand, the
noble, Ihe impressive and the emula
ti vc deeds and character? of history
Through the power of memory the
dead past is quickened into the living
present. It Is the mirror, the reflec
tor In which wt'see the pallid shades of
by-gone days appear resplendent in
glory, and rrperform their noble deeds
upou the stage of human activity, from
which is reflected such an effulgence of
light, making clear the pathway of
man We stop and wonder with ad-
miration and ask ourselves the ques-
tion, for what have they lived and
died?
Today we have gathered together to
pay tribute particularly to the memory
of those who laid the foundation of
temperance reform In Tahlequah, and
I Hin requested to deal more so with the
life of one of whom your minds need no
prompted contemplation—Mr*. L .1
Stapler, . i "ioneer presided , of the
Wor.iai .uristi* u Temperance Union
in the Indian ?errt*«ory.
Mrs, Stapler was born Aug. 20, 1825,
at New Echota, old Cherokee nation,
now the northwestern portion of Geor
gia She was a daughter of Chief
Elijah Hicks, grand daughter of Chief
Charles Hicks and neice of Chief John
Ross, all noted Cherokees. and famed
for their sagacity in state-craft. The
place of her nativity was nature's pic-
ture gallery. Lofty hills rose in sym-
metrical beauty whose pine decked
heads were bathed in the golden light
of the flerv orb, and kissed by gentle
sea breezes perfumed with spices of
the tropical zone; fertile valleys strech-
ed forth before the vision of many,
through which flowed streams whose
limpidity was the delight of theNaiads;
and overhead was hung the great em
blazonry of God. Here she learned
the first lessons of life and imbibed the
spirit of her invironments. Here she
learned to worship nature's God and
unconsciously, possibly, liid the foun
da ti on of her noble career.
At the age of about 12 years she
came to this country with her people
who were transported from the old
nation to the new by the United States
government. Of this removal, Edwin
Emerson, Jr., in his "History of the
Nineteenth Century," says: "In di-
rect violation of the federal treaties
with the Indians, the state troops of
Georgia forcibly removed 16,000 Cher-
okees from their lands in that state.
Nothing was done to alleviate the
sufferings of the Cherokees, who were
driven from their settlements in mid-
winter. The resulting1 death rate was
fearful.' More than 4500 Indians, or
one-fourth of the whole number per-
ished before they reached their desti-
nation in the distant Indian Territory."
Such is the record of history. 'Tis sad
but it is only supplemental evidence
that the torch of civilization had been
passed on from Europe to America,
and was moving westward with marvel-
ous rapidity. Only a few are alive to-
day who remember the perils and hard-
ships of this memorable journey.
Soon after the arrival of the Chero-
kees in this country, missionaries, mes-
sengers of God, penetrated the western
wilds and founded the old Dwight Mis
sion school in the Cnerokee nation.
At this place Mrs. Stapler received her
early education, and later went to
Lawrenceville, N. J., to further de-
veloped her faculties in the higher
courses of instruction.
While on a tour of the Eastern states
with her uncle, the much lamented
chief, John Ross, she met and formed
the acquaintance of John W. Stapler,
of Wilmington, Del. No doubt Cupid
played his great game; for from ac-
quaintance sprang friendship; from
friendship, love, with its natural con
sequence, union.
Soon after this meeting Mr. Stapler,
led by Cupid, came to the home of the
two girls and two boys.
When the great storm of the civil
war broke forth ill all its fury, Mr.
Stapler with his family removed to his
old home in Wilmington, Del., where
Mrs. Stapler and children were identi-
fied as followers of the meelr and lowly
Naz&rene, and began at ouce to plan
the upbuilding and christianizing of
her native land. After peace was de-
clared the family returned to the lu
dian country, which was left In a dls
traded slate by the civil war.
Life was begun anew, and Mr Stap-
ler—noble man that he was—heroically
labored in rebuilding the shattered
hopes of his red-skin .ed brothers, till
God claimed him as His own. For the
Cherokee people his life is a memorial
of piety; and for himself, a moutnent of
fame.
In the meantime Mrs. §tapler was by
no means idle in the Master's vineyard
She recognized the great truth in the
the pathway of man, enabling him to
w*lk with greater confidence toward
his eter nal botne. Mrs. Stapler lived
and died that the baneful tendencies of
man's citure might be eliminated
therefrom; that his home, the bulwark
of society, and that bis enviornment,
the world in which he moves, might be
purified and beautified; thus preparing
man for the ne plus ultra attainment of
uman existence. It is for these prin-
ciples that Mrs. Fuller aud Miss Wil
lard, the two heroines of temperance,
and a host of other noble women have
lived aud died.
We have examples of valor and
heroism upon the battlefield where the
interests of nations are at stake, where
there i Imminent danger to human
fe; but no where in the history of the
world are ti.ere such examples of valor
and heroism, undaunted by the thund
ers of public criticism; such devotion
to and faithfulness in the enunciation
and practice of principles as we find
n the lives of these who have labored
for the glorilleation of God through
the regeneration and r-alvation of man
kind. Is it any wonder then that they
are loved by all, that their lives are
cherished in our memories? Aye, let
us often visit these monuments of fame
that we see looming uo grandly in the
fast receding background. Let us re
count the deeds of these silent forms
for whose honor and labor these mus
sive, imposing structures have been
erected, and read with a critical mind
the epitaph attered in gold upon each
monument. Let us examine the mil
terial that compose their character; for
in the study of their lives we may be
stimulated to renewed activity and lind
an ample plentitude for our zeal.
MRS. L. JANE STAPLER.
old maxim, "Procrastination is the
thief of time," and even went farther
aud declared by her action that it
the cradle of slothfulness and the
murderer of opportunity.
Iu 1808, with the assistance of Mrs.
Wilson, Mrs. Adair and Mrs. Jane
Thompson, she organized a Sunday
school, the first of its kind in Tahle-
quah, and before the establishment of
any church in Tahlequah. Mrs. Stapler
remained superintendent of this school
up to the time of her death. The founda-
tion of her hopes was laid. The grand
luminary of her career had risen in
the eastern sky. In 1884 the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union was or
ganized with Mrs. Stapler as president.
With the institution of temperance
reform in this country, and the con-
ferring of territorial jurisdiction u|>on
the federal court at Fort Smith, much
has been accomplished in ameliorating
the moral conditions of this country,
the securing of respect for law, and
creating terror for those who attempted
to break down the barriers of justice
in the Indian Territory. Nor have
efforts ceased to maintain order thus
established.
On March 24, 1895, the sun of Mrs.
Stapler's life, with all the aggregation
of light accumulated in the pursuit of
its onward course, saak behind the
western hills In the midst of a halo of
glory. The spirit of life had departed
from its home of clay, and sorrow, as
darkness, had spread throughout the
land.
Of her four children, two survive
her, both now in the prime of manhood,
and in whose characters we see the
exemplification of Mrs. Stapler's life.
Such Is the history of one of the
most gifted Cherokee women. In all
of her career the sun of charity was
never eclipsed by the satellite of
favoritism, nor darkened by the clouds
of selfishness. Her personality was a
tower of christian fortitude, and her
life a beacon light shedding Its rays on
_ DrugfliU.
Genuine stamped C. C. C. Never sold In bulk.
Beware of the dealer who tries to cell
"something just as good."
CUT RATE DRUGS
No Rents, No Expense—(live Benefit to the People.
Three Cakes of the best Toilet Soap for 25c
International Poultry Food, sold elsewhere for not
less than 25c, we sell it for 20c
All Tinctures, 2 15c
Largest bottle Sweet Oil, Castor Oil or Turpen-
tine in town for 10c
Quinine, full weight, per oz 50c
■f^-Everything Else in Proportion.
B1TTINGX Prescription
BITTING "'"Mists...
TAHLEQUAH, I. T.
H Prescription Work a Specialty
The Knights of Pythias of Claremore
have elected the following officers: C.
C., W. E Helm; V. C , John Draper;
P., Joe M. LaHay; M of E., M. F.
Leonard; M. of F. and K. it- and S., It.
Lee Comer; M. of A , C. D. Ward; W.
of W. John W. Loach.
You Know What You Are TaktnK
When you take Grove's Tasteless
Chill Tonic because the formula is
plainly printed on every bottle show-
ing that It is simply iron and quinine
in a tasteless form. No cure, no
pay. 50 cents,
*8
I
I
I
I
4
Like a Drowning Man.
'•Five years ago a disease the doc-
tors called dyspepsia took such hold
of me that I could scarcely go," writes
Geo. S. Marsh, well known attorney
of Nocona, Tex. "I took quantities of
pepsin and other medicines but noth-
ing helped me. As a drowning man
grabs at a straw, I grabbed at Kodol.
I felt an improvement at once and
after a few bottles am sound and
well." Kodol is the only preparation
which exactly reproduces the natural
digestive juices and consequently is
the only one which digests any good
food and ciiiO.a any form of stomach
trouble.—Crew Bros.
$
COLLARS and CUFFS
CORLISS, COON & CO.
We are the exclusive agents for the Corliss-Coon
Collars and Cuffs in Tahlequah and you can buy
them at no other store in town at any price. These
goods are without a doubt the fiinest made today,
and the prices are,
Collars, 2 for 25c
Cuffs, per pair 25c
A man will go a considerable distance out of his
way to get a collar that exactly suits him. You
hear of people going out of their way to purchase
this qrand of Collars and Cuffs. Why? Because
they know these goods are the most satisfactory
made, regardless of price. They are backed by an
absolute guarantee which assures you the best
quality, most elegant finish, exact fit and honest
wear. Their name stamped on the inside of a collar
is as good as an insurance policy of satisfaction,
besides they are sold at a store that guarantees sat-
isfaction on everything they sell.
We carry a full line of Gents Furnishing Goods,
such as Ties, Shirts, Hose, Underwear, etc., the
goods cannot be surpassed in town in quality and
the prices will meet your approval. All we ask is
is for you to come and see—we have no catch-penny
schemes to work upon you; our inducements are,
honest and courteous dealings to rich and poor alike
and the BEST good lor the LEAST money.
RICHARDS & McSPADDEN.
Notk—Our large line of Summer Dress Goods is
in and every pattern is pretty. The ladies are cor-
dially invited to come and inspect our line of Lawns,
Dimities and Tissue dress patterns.
%
i
j
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Hudson, Waddie. The Tahlequah Arrow. (Tahlequah, Indian Terr.), Vol. 15, No. 38, Ed. 1 Saturday, May 31, 1902, newspaper, May 31, 1902; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc137513/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.