This spot on the prairie, Kiowa County, OK, the former home of the
Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache, has produced some notable people among the pioneer
families. This page is dedicated to those families and their offspring that
are in the Hall of Fame. Some information for this page was exerpted from Vol.
I, Pioneering on Kiowa County, Library of Congress (books)and various individuals.
Please let me introduce you to:
Kiowa County Authors and
Artists
Louise Dale was born October 7, 1905 at Mountain Park,
Oklahoma Territory. She grew up in Mountain Park, attending school there, until
her Junior year, when she finished school at Snyder. She graduated from High
School in 1924, with a first grade elementry certificate to teach. She taught
5th and 6th grades at Con 8, 1924-1925, and moved to Friendship school, Jackson
County for 5th and 6th grade at Friendship School. Louise married George Nelson,
the Principal in 1926 at Mountain Park. The Nelsons had three children, Patsy
Ruth, Vaughn Dale and Naomi Louise.
Louise always had a love of poetry. Through her poems, she became a member of
the National League of Pen Women. Her first book was "When the Heart Speaks,"
which went into a fifth printing, and a copy was requested by the museum at
the Oklahoma Historical Society. She became a member of the Southwest Oklahoma
Branch of Pen Women, the Great Plains Writers of Oklahoma Writers Federation.
Published Works by Louise Dale Nelson:
When the Heart Speaks
Fall Crop
Poetry
Mary Neely Capps was born in Granger, Texas, December 25, 1999 to
Walter Lee and Emma Neely. In 1925 she married John Gilmer Capps. Their children
are Mary Sue, (Senator) Gilmer N., and John W.
Mary became involved in many activities; Red Cross, WWII, American Legion Auxiliary,
4-H clubs, PTA, United Methodist Church, youth groups, Sunday school teacher,
various women's clubs, Oklahoma Retired Teachers, Oklahoma Poetry Society, the
list goes on. She conducted poetry workshops at the Oklahoma University Writer's
conference, NLAPW Writer's workshop and Abilene Writer's Guild., writing courses
for Senior Citizens of the area and lectured with slides and poetry for folk-lore
programs.
Published works are: "When God Made Texas", "For Such A Time As This", Songs
Of The Sagebrush". Poetry published in the Denver Post, Poetry and Music, Oklahoma's
Poet's Scroll, World Outlook, Oklahoma Farmer-Stockman, Progressive Farmer,
Abington Press, Oklahoma Club Women, Heathways and Writers Digest Year Book..
Mrs Capps was presented an award as Outstanding citizen of Syder in 1972, listed
in "Who's Who in Oklahoma", "Who's Who in American Education", and "Who's Who
in American Women".
Published works by Mary Neely Capps:
When God Made Texas; San Antonio, Naylor Co. [c1955]
For Such a Time as This
Songs of the Sage Brush
Poetry
Clyde Lee, son of Ottis and Annie Jewel Lee was born in 1893, at Markley,
TX. He came to the Green Valley Community in 1900. He was the only graduate
from Mountain View High School in 1912. In 1915 he married Bessie Bell Rushton
and had 6 children. He was a rural mail carrier when WWI came along, resigned,
and joined the Armed Forces. Clyde was a farmer and rancher in Kiowa County
for most of his 75 years.
Clyde became well known for his writings of original poetry. One poem, "The
Northern Wichitas" was written as a tribute to area ranchers. Other poems, are:
"Ode To A Killing Frost" a humerous poem in memory of hay fever suffers, which
won him the title of "Big Sneeze". He wrote many poems about the area he lived
in.
N. Scott Momaday is a member of the Kiowa Tribe, born and raised near
Mountain View. He has written several books, including "The Way To Rainey Mountain"
and "House Made Of Dawn", a pulitzer Prize winner. He is an associate professor
of English at the University of California, Berkley. He is also editor of "The
Complete Poems of Frederick Goddard Tuckerman".
His writings are centered on four main themes; His Kiowa heritage, his Kiowa
County landscape, a time that is gone forever and the human spirit that endures.
He is also a poet and his poems center on his heritage.
Published works by N. Scott Momaday:
Way to Rainy Mountain: Tucson : University of Arizona Press, [1996] ISBN; 0816517053
House Made of Dawn; New York, Harper & Row [1968]
The Gourd Dancer : [poems] / N. Scott Momaday ; drawings by the author. ISBN;
0060129824 : 0060129832. New York : Harper & Row, c1976.
Momaday also has written 38 other books/items, listed in Library of Congress
Jenie L. Burke, Jr was born at Hobart, November 28, 1902. He attended
Hobart High School, Oklahoma University, Ohio State University, West Texas State
University, Texas Tech and Burton College. This gave him a Bachelor of Science,
a Master's and a Doctor's Degree in Education.
Jenie received many honors in education. He taught at Amarillo College of Music,
Educational director, teacher and principal at Hobbs, NM Schools, Superintendent
Jal Public Schools, President of College of the Southwest, Poetry Editor Southwest
Heritage.
Published works by Jenie Lee Burke, Jr.
War Echoes; Boston, The Christopher publishing house [1945]
Verse of Twenty years
Poetry
Isabel Crawford was born in Canada in 1865, the daughter of a Baptist
minister and grew up near Manitoba Canada. After graduating from the Missionary
Training School in 1893, she was appointed by the Women's American Baptist Home
Mission Society to field work among the Kiowa Indians at Elk Creek, near Hobart.
In 1896, she began missionary work at Saddle Mountain in the southeast part
of Kiowa County. She was called "Little Jesus Women". After 14 years at Saddle
Mountain she returned to Canada and the Northern United States to travel and
lecture. After her death in 1961, at age 96, her body was returned to be buried
near Saddle Mountain Church, as she had promised the Kiowa, that she might be
near the Indians she loved. Isabel wrote two books, "Kiowa- A story of a Blanket
Indian Mission" and "Joyful Journey".
Published works by Isabel Crawford:
Jolly journal, New York [etc.] Fleming H. Revell company [c1932]
Joyful journey, highlights on the high way; an autobiography., Philadelphia,
Judson Press [1951]
Kiowa : a woman missionary in Indian Territory / Isabel Crawford ; introduction
to the Bison Books edition by Clyde Ellis.; Lincoln, Neb. : University of Nebraska
Press, 1998., ISBN: 0803263872
Kiowa; the history of a blanket Indian mission,, New York, Chicago [etc.] Fleming
H. Revell company [c1915]
Published works by Florence C. Brillhart
Worshipping With Women in the Bible: [Westwood, N.J.] Revell [1958]
Together, We Praise Him
Bill Hancock
Riding With the Blue Moth, Sports Publishing (October
15, 2006) ISBN-10: 1596701633 also available thru http://www.ridingwiththebluemoth.com/
This One Day in Hobart, available thru Kiowa County Museum, . ShortgrassPublishing.com
Dr. Neil Kreiger:
The Resurrection of Ojinaga, Brown Books Pub (November 2001); ISBN-10: 0970835507; ISBN-13: 978-0970835505;
Ethel Crisp Taylor:
Dust in the Wind; The Civil War in Indian Territory, ISBN 0788432761;
Heritage Books, 2005
Shifting Winds of War: Indian Territory 1861-1865, Heritage Books, Available
Soon, 2010
Cole, Burna.
Shortgrass country : the story of Southwest Oklahoma
Altus , Okl. : Altus Printing Co., 2002, Western Trails Historical Society
Florence Knight Wallace came to Lone Wolf with her parents, William and Edith Knight in 1902. She spent her adult life, primarily as a librarian and science teacher. She received her BA from OCW in 1922, and a graduate degree from Colorado State Teachers College. She was editor of the Earth Sun, Earth, TX for 3 years and was very active in many organizations in Kiowa County. She wrote for the Mangum Star and SouthWest News and authored a western serial "Rainbows above the Dust" which appeared in three Texas papers.
Published works by Florence Knight Wallace:
Rainbows over the Dust
Deanne Durrett
Deanne Durrett has written many books and is considered a successful author. She currently resides in Duncan, but she grew up attending Mtn. Park schools and graduated from Roosevelt, Oklahoma. She has a web site deannedurrett.com. She writes childrens books and for adults. Her great grandfather was David A. Grantham, who came to the territory and lived with the Comanche. He was adopted into the tribe, and Deanne grew up on her great grandfathers land alltoment he received as a member of the Comanche. Today that land lies under Tom Steed Lake.
UNSUNG HEROES OR WORLD WAR II: THE STORY OF THE NAVAJO CODE TALKERS (Hardback - Facts On File, 1998; Paperback - University of Nebraska Press, 2009)
Some "read aloud" Children's books, Cowboy Dad, The Small and Tall of It
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Arthur W. Hall was born in Bowie, Texas in 1899 and later
moved to Hobart where he lived until about 1915. He studied at the Art Institue
of Chicago, then went to England and Scotland where he entered the studio of
a master of etching, E. S. Lumsden of Edinburgh. Since then, all his serious
work was in this media which demands a rigid descipline of point and acid. He
spent two years of study and sketching in the mountain villages of Southern
France. When he returned to the US, he sketched on trips though various states.
He received many honors for his work. Hall's prints are found in the Library
of Congress, Art Institute of Chicago, Bibliotheque National, Paris, Newark
Public Library, NJ, Smithsonian Institute, Kansas City Art Institute and numerous
public and private collections, in the U.S. and Canada.
Jeff Spotted Bird
Jeff Spotted Bird is an artist that is making his place among the outstanding
people of the profession. He is the grandson of Yale Spotted Bird and a descendent
of the famous Kiowas, Lone Wolf and Spotted Bird. Jeff started doing Indian
paintings in 1972, mainly Indian scenes, in acrylic, water color and tempera.
He has a wealth of Kiowa heritage to draw on, having been taught his heritage
and traditions since birth.
As he is Kiowa, he uses vivid colors, and as an artist, knows how to instinctivly
blend with the rest of his painting. His paintings show the muscle movement
and the feeling of freedom from life on the plains.
Mike Willhoite was raised in Hobart and graduate from Hobart Schools. He joined the Navy and eventually became a part of the art school, illustrating for the Medical Corps, with illustrations of body structures. He does free lance work on the side, including a book of Mother Goose Rhymes illustrated by him. He designed a shoulder patch for the Navy that was accepted, that is used on cups, plaques, and gifts for some visitors. He has received an award for his outstanding work as a Navy artist.
Published works by Mike Willhoite
Daddys’ Roommate: Alyson Publications (December 1991) ISBN-10: 1555831184;
Musicians and Actors
James D. Murphy came to Hobart with his father and brothers, and set up a brick
plant. James was a graduate of the Chicago Conservatory of music and was more
interested in music than bricks. In 1904 he joined the Sells-Floto circus as
a solo cornet caliope player and stayed though 1908. During that time he composed
the "Frisco March" which was played by the band at every preformance.
Upon his return to Hobart, he organized the Hobart Band in 1910 which gained
for Hobart the the reputation of being the musical center of southwest Oklahoma.
He taught over 2,000 students, composed about 200 musical numbers, 50 of which
has been published. His composition of 1907, "Rain Clouds" is still popular
with band directors and is often heard on national radio programs.
Lawrence Swanson
Medical and Scientist
Dr. Emma Woodrow Davidson
Dr. Emma Woodrow was born September 26, 1859 in Iowa and came to Hobart
in 1901 to start a medical career that lasted many years. At that time, a woman
doctor was practically unheard of. She started her training at Drake University
and Medical school and studied there until they barred women students. She then
entered Kansas City Medical School where she finished and did her internship.
Her first maternity case occurred in a packing box that had contained a piano.
She immediately named the child "Baby Grand".
During her career in Hobart, Dr. Davidson delivered more than 1,500 babies and
never lost a mother. He hobby was writing poetry One of her poems was set to
music by James D. Murphy, a music instrutor in Hobart. This was later sung at
the Presbyterian Church by Mrs. W. W. Turner upon the 89th birthday of Dr. Davidson.
She retired from active practice at the age of 80 and lived to be 90 years old.
Hers was a life of service, strting with the rough and challenging life as a
pioneer during the opening of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache country. She fought
typhoid fever, often treating 40 patients a day, as far away as Lone Wolf. Laura
Taylor now owns the small secretary desk that Dr. Woodrow owned.
Dr. William McElwain came to Lone Wolf in 1901 and filed on land south of town.
When he was 60 years old, much to everyone's surprise, he joined the Army as
a Lieutenant in the Medical Corp. How he was admitted at his age is still a
mystry. He served with the 77th Division and the 308th Infantry which rescued
the "lost Battalion" in France. He was awarded the Distiguished Service Cross.
On his return from the Army he was influential in erecting a memorial bridge
on the North Fork of Red River. He was buried with full military honors.
Dr. Joyce Stearns
Joyce Stearns, a Kiowa County farm boy became a key figure in providing the knowledge that led America to victory in WWII, and the knowledge to lead the world out of the energy crisis. Born in Snyder, Dr. Stearns worked for the peaceful use of the atom. He graduated from Kingfisher College in 1917, and went on to direct the laboratory research for the Manhattan Project. It was this crash project that developed the atomic bomb ahead of America's adversaries and brought an abrupt end to WWII.Sports
Virgil Liles, son of Mr. And Mrs. Albert Liles, pioneer residents of Cooperton,
broke the county and state records for the mile run in 1935 while attending
high school at Cooperton. His state record of 4:32.2 stood for 16 years. He
also set the 880 yard record, but it is not definite how long he kept it. Virgil's
track coach was Henry White .
Military
Wayne Liles was born at Cold Springs, June 17, 1914 to Mr. And Mrs. Tom Liles.
He graduated from Cooperton High School in 1933 and went to Oklahoma A &
M (State) and received a bachelor of science in agriculture. He was county agent
for Custer county 1937-1940, Tilman County 1946-1954. He was Farm Director,
KWTV, Channel 9( in Oklahoma City from 1954 on.
Liles entered the U. S. Army Aug. 10, 1940 at Fort Benning, GA and was sent
overseas in September 1941, training the Phillipine Army. He commanded a Phillipine
army battallion in combat in Northern Luzon, Central Luzon and in defence of
Bataan. He made the "Bataan Death March " out of Bataan after surrender April
9-23, 1942. He was awarded the American and Phillipine defense medals, Asiatic-Pacific
medal with 3 stars and the Presidential Unit Citation with 2 oak leaf clusters
Louis Sims was born and raised in Hobart, the son of Mr. And Mrs. Byran Sims
and married Gwen Jones, daughter of Mr. And Mrs John Jones of Hobart. The Sims
have 5 children, Carol, Bill, Janice, Joy, and Ann.
Louise graduated from Panhandle State College with a B.S. in science in 1956.
He served later with the U.S. Army in military intelligence. In April, 1961,
he was appointed special agent with the US Secret Service and assigned to the
Chicago office. He went to Washington D.C. field office and on the Presidential
Protective Division. In 1965 he was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in charge
of the Secret Service Intelligence Division and in 1969 Special Agent in charge
of the Liason Division. In 1972 he served as Special Agent in Charge of Techinal
Security. During his time in the Secret Service, he received several honors.
He then became Chief of the International Police Organization ( INTERPOL). In
this position he administers the office of INTERPOL for the United States. The
purpose of INTERPOL is to enable law enforcement agencies in different countries
to coordinate their work effectively in the aim of law enforcement and crime
prevention.
Earl McCandless
Business