Here are a couple of Oklahoma newspaper articles from around 1906.
I had to ask myself; what would become of these folks in today's socio-political and moral climate?
A 13 year old that "r-u-n-n-o-f-t" with an older male:
Or a police official whose service revolver "accidentally discharged" as he stumbled in a scuffle with a drunk:
My, my...haven't times changed.
Tweren't even a State yet!
For those from the more civilized corners of the U.S. a bit of explanation is in order. Oklahoma became a State in 1907. O.T. in the first newspaper clipping does not refer to the Old Testament. It means Oklahoma Territory, as opposed to I.T. later in the clipping which referred to Indian Territory. Put them together and add No Man's Land and you kinda sorta get what is now known as Oklahoma. Plus or minus some dispute over which branch of the Red River was intended in the so-called agreement with Texas.
Reading old newspapers should be required for high school students today. They can be an excellent reflection of how things once were as opposed to what seems to be the norm today. Then discussions could be held on how did we get from there to here and why.
The second item reminded me of the primary community center in a county seat town not far from here. It is named after the small creek that passes through the center part of the big city. It was not named after male deer frequenting the area in the early days when the military fort was established. It is Buck Run Community Center.
