FROM THE SOUTHWEST -- OLIVER FLUKE

FLUKE, SCHREIBER, HODGES, HAWLEY, MESSRS, VEIRS, HORRIGAN, SMITH, TAYLOR, FOSTER, BOROUGHS, ASTON, KAFFAR

Posted By: David (email)
Date: 12/13/2004 at 15:28:08

The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa
Thursday, April 11, 1907

Endee, New Mexico, april 7.

Ed. Leader, Greeting:

I send you an account of our travels from Sibony, Oklahoma to Endee, New
Mexico, and our short stay in Oklahoma. First I want to communicate to all
my friends in the north (if I have any) that Jesus, the Savior of Mankind
still saves me from all sin, sanctifies me wholly, and I am kept by the
power divine. Glory to God. We lived in the vicinity of Sibony for near
four years. The dear Lord prospered us both spiritually and financially.
We left Iowa about insolvent. What little money we had a gentleman without
the fear of the Lord before his eyes, cheated us out of. We entered a half
section of school land at a purchase price of $550.00. In about six monts I
sold one quarter for $450.00 and reserved the crop, which made the quarter
left us at a very small price. We had no failures in crop in Oklahoma. In
1905 our income was $1,000; in the year 1906, $800, with no hired help. We
accumulated some wealth out of which we tithed according to God's word. We
had the privilege of heralding the gospel of full salvation all over that
section. At first the churches utterly refused to hear the truth, but the
last year the gospel in its simplicity reached many souls until we were
invited in all public places to preach the unsearchable riches of our Christ
Baptists, Methodists and others came to hear the word of God. Some were
very anxious that we remain, while others were glad we were ready to leave
for other parts of the globe. Amen.

We left there on the 29th of January, at high noon. In crossing Red River
my team of mares mired but I with wife and two of the children, crossed
ahead with my young span of mules in our new canopy top spring wagon,
purchased of Wm. Schreiber, of Chariton, Iowa. At once I was off with my
coat and shoes and into the cold river. I went waist deep. By the aid of
our crowd we succeeded in pulling my team out without drowning. On we went
to Headrick and stayed all night, 8 miles from starting point. The weather
was much against us. Our crowd consisted of Hodges and family, Hawley and
family, B.B.B. and family, my son-in-law and daughter and his brother.
Other joined in on the way.

On we came through mud for three or four days. We struck high-land at
Wellington, Texas, on Saturday evening; stayed over Sunday but cold, Oh! so
cold. Our little coal heaters in our wagons helped out in a remarkable way.
Monday morning it cleared up; off we were. Weather nice and roads good.
Then two of the children took sick then wife and others until five were down
at once. Such a time, but the Lord was on our side. Soon they were all up.
The next Sunday we landed in Hereford, Texas, fifty-five miles from Endee.

Monday morning we purchased supplies for bodily use for both horse and man.
Then off for Endee. At sundown, Tuesday evening, we landed at our residence
a little new cottage I built in December last, size 26x26, when completed,
9 rooms, 5 down and 4 up stairs. Since we came here we met with friends
from Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kansas,
Nebraska, many from Oklahoma, Indian Territory and Texas. The northern
folks are delighted with this San Jaun Valley. Some of our Chariton boys
were down; Messrs. VEIRS, HORRIGAN, SMITH and TAYLOR. Also, ALBERT FOSTER,
of Olmitz, was here. Your humble servant located him on a beautiful quarter
section of land with water on same the year round. The water problem is one
to solve. Will say all do not strike good water. Some soda water, which is
extra fine for stock, but not so pleasant for house use. Occasionally a
well of salt water, which is very, very inferior. Some new wells which have
been dug lately are the finest of all; cool, soft and without tincture of
any kind.

The health of the country thus far, is pronounced, by those who are here,
good -- the best of any place we have lived. People who had not rugged
health are generally improving. The altitude is medium; not too high or too
low. Seems to suit the average man. We are 5 miles north of the Cap Rock
Mountains; 900 feet below the Beaumont of the Cap Rock, or better known as
the plains. We have access to all the cedar wood and posts free. In
Oklahoma we paid $8.00 per ton for coal. Some burn coal in our county seat,
Tucumcari, which is 35 miles northwest of us. Ere long we expect to be near
railroad points; Endee 7 miles, San Joh. 11 l/8. The Rock Island is now
preparing to build their line or extend it, from Amarilla, Texas to
Tucumcari, New Mexico, this summer. This road will only miss us 4 l/2 miles
We are located in section 2, township 9 N, range 35 east. Son LORAN filed
on the southeast quarter, son-in-law BOROUGHS on the southwest; daughter
LILLIAN on the northeast; myself on the northwest. We value this section,
when all under fence, with the four dwellings on it, 40 acres in cultivation
at $15,000. We have about two miles of post holes dug and posts in.

Some good land here yet. Come over here you 10, 20, 40 and 80 acre fellows,
and get your 160 acres of No. 1 good land free, where you can raise anything
you will plant in the ground if it rains. Mr. Aston, one of our near
neighbors, who has lived here eight years, saye he has raised seven good
crops. Amen. Corn on the sod made 40 bushels last year. Kaffar made about
the same. Pumpkins, melons and such like in abundance. Old orchards
planted out by Mexicans 15 to 20 years ago, but now growing up as a forest,
still bear good peaches and apples. Flour is $2.50 per hundred weight, best
Kansas flour; corn $1.35 per hundred weight, potatoes $1.75 per hundred
weight, beans $2.75 per bushel; retail at 5 cents per pound; best beefsteak
10 cents; cattle plenty, sheep and goats by the thousand. We folks mean an
emigration for some other people; cattlemen, sheep and goat fellows. Plenty
of moisture three inches down but dry on top at present.

I am yours in the Master's work.

-- O.C. FLUKE.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
December 12, 2004
iggy29@rnetinc.net