Biographical Sketch of Mrs. J. G. Moore

Stonewall Jackson Rogers, born March 21, 1867, married Mary Kelly in July 1890. They had five children: Frances Leeper, born September 1, 1892, Robert Kelly, Mary Louisa, Henry Curtis, and Rebecca McNally. Frances married Joseph Garland Moore on November 4, 1916, and they welcomed two children: Eugenia Graeme and Joseph Garland Moore. Stonewall and Mary both passed away in September 1907. Their legacy continues through their descendants, whose educational pursuits and familial ties reflect the values of their time.

Slave Narrative of Anthony Dawson

In a detailed account, Anthony Dawson, a 105-year-old former slave, reflects on his experiences during slavery and the Civil War. He recounts the songs sung by enslaved children, his life on a plantation in North Carolina, and the complex dynamics between slaves and their masters. Dawson describes both benevolent and cruel overseers, the dangers of escape attempts, and the mixed behavior of white neighbors. He emphasizes the reliance of enslaved people on their masters for protection and expresses his belief in the interconnectedness of races, valuing spiritual unity over social divisions.

Slave Narrative of Andrew Simms

Andrew Simms, an 80-year-old man from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recounts his parents’ arrival in America as slaves. His mother was captured in Africa and sold in Florida, where she and his father met and had him. Simms reflects on his time on the William Driver plantation, noting the relative kindness of the master and his family. He discusses the hardships of slavery, the lack of education, and the cruelty of overseers. After the war, he married Angeline and raised a large family, emphasizing the importance of faith in his life.

Slave Narrative of Andrew Simms

Andrew Simms, an 80-year-old from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recounts his family’s history of enslavement beginning with his parents’ capture in Africa and their journey to the William Driver plantation in Florida. He describes the kindness of his master and his family, contrasting their treatment with the cruelty of overseers. Simms shares his memories of the Civil War, his eventual marriage to Angeline, and their large family of seventeen children. He emphasizes his faith, rejecting superstitions in favor of Biblical teachings.

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Joel Mayer

Mrs. Joel Mayer, born Maudine Mae Tyner on February 6, 1900, in Ramona, Oklahoma, is a notable resident of Oilton and Creek County. She is the daughter of prominent early Oklahoma settler Reuben Bartlett and Roxie Ann (Pierson) Tuner. Educated at St. Francis Convent in Nevada, Missouri, she married Joel Mayer on February 17, 1920, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, and is the mother of Joel B. Mayer, Jr. Mrs. Mayer has maintained strong ties to her home state throughout her life.

Biography of Roy L. Fruit

Roy L. Fruit, born February 20, 1888, in Wapella, Illinois, is a notable figure in the newspaper industry, serving as publisher and proprietor of the Sedan Times-Star, a prominent Republican journal. With nearly a decade in journalism, he played a key role in the paper’s evolution through numerous consolidations of local publications. Fruit, who holds strong Republican values, has upgraded the Times-Star’s equipment and is active in editorial associations. He married Yolande Dobson in 1913, and they have one daughter, Jeannette.