The Observer III (Lexington, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 1, Ed. 1 Monday, January 6, 2014 Page: 4 of 16
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Echoes
Mae D. Cox • mae@coxok.com • www.coxok.com • (405) 321-1617
Southern Cleveland County
Settlers, I89()s-early 19(X)s
The family featured in this issue lived only a short link- in MMithcrn
Cleveland County— mostly their Ines were spent just osci the river in
McClain County. We’ve included them in our stones since Garl was
well known in Cleveland County, and w as gixxi friends w uh Res I D
Holsonbake with whom he fought in the Civil War Garl and ho wife
were buried in Holsonbake Cemetery
We could find no descendants of the Vincents to help with this
story, and. instead, it is pieced together from items touixi online and
from Harreld K. and Hilda Patti Howell's great hook. « GwMi
nourished. The F.arlv Years. Quotes in the ston are from then Nv>k
The William Garland ‘Garl’ Vincent I amil\
By Mae Davenport Cox
William Garland ’Garl’ Vincent was bom No-
vembers. 1846. m Chanton Count). Missouri,
the son of James Vincent and Martha Maupin
He grew up in Chariton County and hi' fam-
ily is listed there m both the 1850 and I860
censuses.
Garl was eighteen when, in 1864. he
joined Shelby's Raiders in the Confederate
Army. He served until the end of the war At
one point he was injured in battle and seven
Union soldiers were dispatched to find him
These men tried to get Garl's younger
brother. Grant, age 9. to reveal where he
was concealed. He would not and they hung
him. A slave rescued the young lad and re-
vived him. After the war Garl learned the
identity of the seven men and hunted each
of them down killing them all. He inn
W Garland Garl' Vin-
cent believed to be in his
confederate Army uni-
form about the time he
joined Photo courtesy of
Cherry Spence-Schenck.
known to have killed a number of men m his lifetime
Following the war. Garl and his brother, along with several Mis-
souri families, moved to Cooke County. Texas, w hen they heard of open
land there. From here. Garl and his brother. Grant, made numerous
trips driving cattle from Texas into Indian Territory and beyond. They
were said to have been on the Eastern Trail and the Chisholm Trail.
In about 1869 or 1870 on one of his trips, he married Martha Gulley
in Trenton. Grundy County. Missouri. She was born December 20. 1852.
in Missouri, and was the third of six children born to Mason Gulley and
Betsy Ann ’Alice' Hamilton.
They made their home in Cooke County. Texas where, in 1884. a
blizzard wiped out Garl's herd dealing them a huge financial loss. By
1885, Garl had been deputized as a special deputy U.S.
Marshal, said to have worked under Marshal Heck
Thomas.
In 1889 or 1890. the Vincent brothers relocated
to Indian Territory. Garl and Martha had four chil-
dren. Five more were bom after reaching Indian
Territory:
I Charles Stewart ‘Charlie’ Vincent, b. February 11. 1871. Missouri;
d August 30. 1944. Texas; m. Lena Riddle. June I. 1893. Jackson
County. Choctaw Nation. Indian Territory. C harlie was appointed a
U.S. Marshal in late 1894. He had only served in that capacity a
couple of months when his father was shot down. Charlie, in turn,
fired killing the shooter
2. Martha Alice Vincent, b. September 6. 1873. Texas; d November
5. 1947. Oklahoma
t James Mason Vincent, b. December 5. 1876. Texas; d. November
16. 1953. Oklahoma
4 Eva/Evie Vincent, b. April 7. 1879. Indian Territory
5 Clabe M Vincent, b. October 23. 1881. Indian Territory; Died young
6 William Garland Vincent, b. February 18. 1884. Indian Territory;
J September 2. 1964. Bakersfield. Kern County. California
7 Jesse Sidney Vincent, b January 22.1887. Indian Territory; d. March
31.1893. Oklahoma
8 Elizabeth Betty Vincent, b. April
cember3. 1955. Oklahoma
Ruth Vincent, b. December 11.
1894. Indian Territory
Sometime in 1894. Garl’s son
was involved in a land dispute
w uh a fellow named James Swain.
The land commission ruled in fa-
vor of young Charlie Vincent
aw arding him legal possession of
the land in question. This ruling
created bad blood between the two
families.
In late 1894. Charlie became
a U.S. Deputy Marshal and had
only a couple months’ experience
when a gunfight ensued between
the families. The skirmish hap-
pened just across the river from the
Corbett area of southern Cleveland
County, less than three miles away.
The article at right best tells
the events leading up to and in-
cluding the death of Garl Vincent
on January 5, 1895. He was shot
to death by John Swain.
One source speculated that
Garl being the father of Charlie
with whom Swain was angry, was
being protective of his son when
he fired on Swain and attempted
to disarm him. Charlie was in-
18. 1891. Indian Territory; d. De-
Duel to the Death
On Wednesday evening about
fifteen miles south of Purcell near
John Swain’s farm. Swain and his
father-in-law. Mr. Ryan were pass-
ing along the highway on horse back,
when they met Garl Vincent and his
son Charlie, who were in a wagon.
There had been bad blood be-
tween the parties for some time;
Charles Vincent having brought a
lease for a place near Swain s which
was also claimed by some Negroes.
The Negroes at one time put
Vincent's goods from the house and
took forcible possession. When ar-
rested for this Swain went on the
bond of the Negroes and during the
course of the trial he and the
Vincent’s got into a quarrel, which
has since been kept up until it grew
into a bitter feud. The testimony of
all the eye witnesses to the affair is
substantially the same.
As John Swain passed the wagon
of the Vincent s he remarked to them
that they might as well file the sights
from their Winchesters, as they were
too cowardly to use them. He is also
said to have used other abusive lan-
guage. Garl Vincent told him to go
dieted for murder; however, he was acquitted on grounds ol sell de-
fense in a trial held in Paris. Texas.
W. Garland ‘Garl’ Vincent died January 5. 1895. His dear friend.
Rev. Holsonbake conducted the funeral services alter which Garl was
in southern Cleveland County, Okla-
buried in Holsonbake Cemetery,
homa Territory.
Following the death of
her husband. Martha, along
with son Charlie Vincent and
his family moved to an area
near Blanchard in McClain
County. Indian Territory. In
1916. she moved to Roswell.
New Mexico.
Martha Gulley Vincent
died August 16, 1923, in
Roswell. Chaves County,
New Mexico. She was re-
lumed to Oklahoma to be bur-
ied in the cemetery near her
husband. Her unmarked grave
is in Holsonbake Cemetery.
Cleveland County, Okla-
homa.
The Eagle Gazette
January 17. 1895
DIED WITH THEIR BOOTS 01
TWO PROMINKNT CHICKASAW*
SHOT DIAD.
HAD TROUBLE OVER A PIECE OP LAID
Kl-Dapat? ■>»■>•! •«»!■ u«
Milla Carl Viaweal a-e la la lava
KUlaa »» llaaaal'a «oa — twala
llu Sol.a far Hla Coaraga.
Ang lias Killed a Sa Ba-
ber af Deaperad one.
ri'ncKi.U Ind. Ter., Jen. It —E»-
l*c|iuty Marnhal Swain on hta farm
sixteen miles south of Purcell In an
altercation with Garl Vincent, a
deputy fur the Ardmore court, abot
and killed the latter and was himself
shot sod killed by Charley Vincent, a
son of Carl. The trouble Is supposed
to hare originated over a dispute In
regard to land Uwsln was a ChlulcK-
saw clliren by marr'-sge. and was
noted, while on the marshal's fores,
for his courage, haring In the course
of duty killed a number of desperate
characters Ills slayer Is also a Chiok-
ssaw eltlsen.
mi and let them alone, as he wanted
no trouble with him. Swain contin-
ues his remarks and the Vincents got
out of their wagon. Swain used an
insulting name in connection with the
Vincents and Garl told him he must
not call him that.
Swain then turned his horse and
started towards the Vincents with his
hand on his pistol to draw it. As he
neared him Garl Vincent fired his
Winchester and the bullet entered the
right side of Swain's stomach, pass-
ing out at the back and severing the
spinal cord. Swain’s horse reared and
he fell, his foot hanging in the stir-
rup and he being dragged for some
distance Garl Vincent at this time got
a shell caught in his Winchester so
that it would not work.
Swain, as s<x»n as released from
the stirrup, got up on his hands and
knees, with his pistol in his hand
Vincent clubbed his gun. rushed in
and attempted to knock the pistol
from Swain's hands, but missed.
Swain rose to his knees placed the
pistol against Vincent's breast and
fired. Vincent fell dead, the bullet
passing through his body and break-
ing the backbone. Swain then shot at
Charlie who returned the shot, each
missing Swain fired the second shot
at Charlie, also missing, and Charlie-
fired the second lime, his shot enter-
ing Swain's left breast just above the
heart. Swam then fell and died almost
instantly.
Vincent s remains were taken to
the home of Charlie Vincent and pre-
pared for interment On Thursday
they were taken to l lsiemond, a
church on Rev. Holsenbake’s place,
south of Lexington, where they were
interred. The services were con-
ducted by Rev. Holsenhake and Rev.
I.. Olmstead He leaves a wife and
six children in reduced circum-
stances, though al one lime he was
quite wealthy. ...
Charlie Vincent is about twenty
two years of age and is an inter-mar-
ried Chickasaw citizen He surren-
dered to the authorities immediately
after the shooting and has been un-
der guard ever since. He has a pre-
liminary examination before Com-
missioner Galer here Salurday.
Pi.ivell Register
McClain County. (Iklahoma
January II. 1X95
Wonderful roads, clean cemeteries
By Mae Davenport Cox
Just w ho is responsible for all those
great roads in southern Cleveland
County? I'm thinking the county
commissioners deserve credit for
the section line roads, but who
oversees the highways?
That stretch of old Highway 77
between Noble and Slaughterville
has got to be one of the nicest,
smoothest highways I’ve been on
in a while.
Most of the niral roads seem to
be well-kept too. It makes for a
most pleasant drive to have good
all-weather roads like these when
you're out wandering up and dow n
those old section lines.
My treks southward have taken
me to several area cemeteries: Box.
Lexington. Noble. Corbett, and
Chappel Hill Caretakers of these
cemeteries deserve a huge pat on
the back as each place was mowed,
trimmed, and pleasant to visit.
I was apprehensive about walk-
ing through these cemeteries not
knowing if they were tall with
weeds, or just what. So it was ex-
citing to discover my old tennis
shoes provided all the protection
that I needed.
I eonda Scott graciously accom-
panied me on a couple occasions
of going through these old cem-
eteries. She’s familiar with all the
rural cemeteries in this area and
guided me to each one.
Leonda has lived in this area for
many years and sure knows the
area well. She walked each cem-
etery with me as we searched for
specific headstones so I could get
pictures for my stories. Leonda is
the caretaker for Box Cemetery
and does a beautiful job of keep-
ing it so nice.
It’s heartwarming to know folks
are taking such wonderful care of
the final resting places of our old
pioneers and all the others. My
thanks go out to any and every one
involved in taking care of these
cemeteries
But then... there are cemeteries
that are neglected and overgrow n...
A monument in Holsonbake Cemetery where the grounds are overgrown and neglected. This particular
headstone relates to the Vincent story featured above. Photo by Mae D. Cox
MH 6.184$
S la >j
By
After three days of traipsing
through neatly trimmed cemeter-
ies we came to the Holsonbake
Cemetery. Oh my, it was so sad
Shocking, actually. The whole
area is thick with brush and weeds
that have about taken over the
place.
It was really a chore trying to
make our way through the dense
underbrush to take pictures. We
stomped on head-high weeds in
some places just to get a clear shot
of headstones.
Several really old headstones
have toppled over and are in need
of TLC There are some truly
beautiful monuments in this burial
ground and it's so sad to see the
place neglected and overgrown.
What we seem to need here
is a take-charge person to serve as
the caretaker of this quaint little
cemetery. T here are several people
who have said they would help
with the work, both physically and
financially, if someone would vol-
unteer to be the caretaker.
If you would he willing to take
charge of Holsonbake Cemetery,
or know someone who would,
please contact me and I'll give you
names and numbers of volunteers.
Or call if you would like to help
do the work or make a donation.
May 1895 You Alls Doins. Lexington, O.T.
The clinch bug eats up the farmer’s wheat
And moths eats up his honey.
The bed bug plays about his feet
And the banker gets his money.
Holsonbake Cemetery in dire need of volunteers
Mae D. Cox
From 1914,100 years ago
By Mae Davenport Cox
The following 1914 items are from the Lexington Leader. Each item
has the original spelling, wording, and grammar as was first printed
Friday January 2, 1914
In honor of his two daughters,
Estelle and Willomay, who arc-
home from Chickasha to spend the
holidays. J. M. Tuggle gave a
Christmas dinner Thursday after-
noon —a very enjoyable event.
Those invited were Misses Lois
and Maytne Perkins. Maud North-
cutt. Messrs. Fred Kemp. Nigel
Denison. Clarence Northcutt and
Emmett Tuggle.
Money found December 30 be-
tween Mr. Bots and John Galla-
ghers. Owner can recover by de-
scribing purse and contents to me.
-G W. McReynolds. Noble. Okla
W. R Chitwood and R. W. Pot-
ter living east of here together with
J. G Hart were in Lexington Tues-
day closing up their land deal
Dr. W. E. Walker has been en-
joying (?) the task of butchering
this week. He killed his two fine
hogs Wednesday and as a conse-
quence says he has been the one-
busy man in Lexington.
An event of interest Christmas
day was the wedding of Mr. Chas.
DeVorse of Norman and Miss Ehse
Kemp which was celebrated at (he
home of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin
Parnell. The bride is the daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Kemp, liv-
ing northeast of here.
Notice to the Public: Someone
has started the report that I have
raised my prices on my transfer
line from thirty cents for one way
to fifty cents. Such is not the case.
I am still making the trip for the
same old price —thirty cents for
one way—Lexington to Purcell
and will continue that way regard-
less of the mud. -T. M. Burk
W. C. Kemp and wife were the
guests Christmas day of M. R
Northcutt and wife.
Found. Pocketbook — Wednes-
day afternoon on streets of Lexing-
ton. Owner can have same by call-
ing and settling for this notice, de-
scribing pocket b<M>k and amount
of money it contained -The leader
Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Clark and
family have moved from Route 4
Ixxington.
A bountiful dinner was served
Christmas day at the home of Mr.
and Mrs. Millon Sherman south of
town. A house full of the Sherman
family enjoyed the day.
Friday January 9, 1914
Now is the time to get out and
drag those roads that have been
causing so much trouble of late
The mud and rains have worked
the roads up to a depth of from six
to fifteen inches and if a drag is
put on them now you will see some
good roads.
A very pretty wedding was cel-
ebrated |at | the Kingkade Hotel.
Oklahoma City. Christmas day.
1913, when Mr John Wright and
Miss Elizabeth McNamara were
united in marriage. The young
couple is now at home at Mr.
Wright’s pretty home in the north
part of town.
Mr. and Mrs. Claude Perkins
entertained Saturday evening hon-
oring Miss Lois Perkins. Progres-
sive pitch was the game of the
evening after which refreshments
were served.
On Friday of last week a deal
was closed whereby Ben Ferreter
purchased the interest of C. E.
Dunner in the Merchants Cafe, the
new owner taking charge at once.
A deal was closed Saturday
evening whereby Mr. Henry Dod-
son became the owner of the J. F.
Boydstun grocery.
Mr. Sam Gates of the Denton
district and Miss Christina Russell
of Colgate. Oklahoma, were hap-
pily united in marriage Wednesday
evening. December 31st at Nor-
man. They will make their home
on the Mike Suchy farm southeast
of Lexington.
John H. Asbury was a visitor to
Oklahoma City Friday. While there
he visited with Tom Critcher. who
has been in the hospital the past
six weeks. Mr. Critcher has im-
proved very noticeably.. He hopes
to return to Lexington before long.
We wish to express our heart-
felt thanks to our good kind neigh-
bors and friends lor their kindness
in coming in and cutting up sonic-
winter wood for us. Mrs M Hie
and children.
Dr. Lightfoot and Dr. Goodfel-
low stand high in the local medi
cal societies. Their ethics are as
clean as the character of a new
born babe. They are competent,
good. kind, sincere, noble doc-
tors— the ideals.
At the residence of the bride
Wednesday evening, December
24, Dr J C. Collier and Mrs Liz-
zie Stone were united in marriage.
Mrs. and Mrs I W. Northcutt and
family were present at the wed-
ding. Mr and Mrs Collier have
gone to housekeeping at the Stone
residence.
Work was commenced Wednes-
day morning, w ith Jay Sherman in
charge, pulling in a bridge over
Choteau Creek on the south side
of Broadway. The old one has been
an eye sore tor sometime.
Mr. and Mrs Robert M. Evans
entertained most delightfully New
Year’s eve at their pretty home in
the north part of the city honoring
Miss Estelle Tuggle. The home
looked especially inviting deco-
rated in holiday Howers
The G P. Anholt residence, six
miles west of Purcell, was com-
pletely destroyed by fire New
Year’s Day together with all the
household effects. Mr Anholt car-
ried some $800 insurance on the
house and estimated his loss at
something like $1500.00. Mr and
Mrs Anholt, who are both well on
towards eighty, have the sympathy
ol all in their disastrous misfortune.
Mr. Will Vandeaver of near
Noble and Miss Edna Rigg of
Pleasant Plains. Arkansas, were
married December 29. 1913. al the
home of the bride's parents.
Mrs. G H Brown and family are
moving this week to Blanchard
where her son. Jim, will farm this
year. Continued to Page 5
See 100 Years Ago
History of Two Communities
in Soulhem Cleveland County
Huckhead, O.T. (136pages)
$25.00 plus $4.00 shipping
Box O.T. (290 pages)
$32.00 plus $400 shipping
Mae D. Cox
P.O Box 262. Norman. OK 73070
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Murphy, Lou Ann. The Observer III (Lexington, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 1, Ed. 1 Monday, January 6, 2014, newspaper, January 6, 2014; Lexington, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1598686/m1/4/: accessed March 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.