Everyone loves an interesting story and Bryan County history is filled with them. Each month we'll share one from our newspaper archives. Remember to check your family tree and see if your ancestor  might have read about or participated in the event, trial, or tragedy reported. 

            

Lifestyles of the Wealthy and Weary

“Manitou, like every other place, has many snobs- shoddy aristocracy- but it also has many open-hearted, refined people who help to make the place what it is- a restful, pleasant resort.” The Lance (KS) 1886

The restful resort enjoyed by thousands of citizens from neighboring states, was founded in 1872 by General William Jackson Palmer and Dr. William Abraham Bell and quickly became so popular that Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Kansas visitors established Manitou colonies. In 1909 the Colorado Springs Gazette reported that the 400 Oklahoma families, comprising 1,500 members, who were annual visitors were considering the purchase of a piece of land “just two blocks from Ruxton Avenue and a little below Iron Springs”. It was situated near water and sewer connections, ready for homes to be constructed. One of the visitors mentioned was Mrs. D. W. Barton from McAlester. She stayed at the Navajo Hotel. Some visitors spent a week in Manitou, while others spent up to four months.

Manitou had much to offer winter-weary visitors and those seeking to escape the scorching heat of the prairie in favor of the cool grandeur of the mountains. In addition to the scenery, hiking, and social life, there were the local healing waters touted by the Ute Indians. And of course, fishing and hunting were quite popular. In 1904 Miss Tennessee Dosler of St. Louis became “the envy of the Manitou Colony” by killing a female black bear and her two cubs.

Abner England of Durant visited Manitou in 1910, as did Judge John Olliphant of Tulsa, a dozen couples from Altus, Helen Dudley of Tishomingo, and ten people from Muskogee. The newspapers are filled with the names of those escaping the summer heat.

In 1910 there are numerous reports of real estate purchased by local investors and cabins being constructed as quickly as possible. R. D. Weir and T. J. Sandford had 60 rustic cottages planned, as well as a reservoir to meet their water needs. Tony Abbott purchased eight acres to add to the 22 lots he already owned. There were already several grand hotels serving tourists, with more planned. Jeanette E. Bromley, James G. Kezeler, Mrs. Ardilla Hughes, and Mrs. Inez Taylor also invested in property and hoped to make the summer of 1911 the most profitable ever.

It was. William Bliss wrote a lengthy article about the Manitou colonies for the August 5, 1911 issue of the Denver Post. He seemed particularly impressed by the “Oklahoma Club of Manitou” which boasted 2,350 registered members. “These people are the wealthiest and most influential in the cities from which they come. There are many millionaires among them and their combined fortunes would amount to several hundred millions of dollars.” As proof of that…Oklahoma City was in danger of losing a new terminal for two railroads because they couldn’t raise the bonus money required by the railroads. Lacking $25,000 they sent Frank A. Stone and George B. Stone to the colony to ask for help. They quickly and easily procured the money and assured the OKC Chamber of Commerce that the funds were on the way.  

Mr. Bliss also made the point that the colony residents were a hard-working group and great boosters of the reputations of their home states. They socialized together, almost to the exclusion of others. They attended the carnival, entered the parade, and enjoyed the many attractions of the area. It was estimated that there were 200 Oklahoma automobiles in the 1911 colony and 162 of them participated in the opening day parade. C. M. Crawford of Shawnee, president of the Oklahoma Club, was happy to accept the gold cup for the “largest state representation”. Pryor Adkins, Norman, was awarded “best car” honors. Other members of the Oklahoma committee were Thomas Tracy of OKC, E. J. Mitchell of Wynnewood, C. E. Taylor of OKC, and W. B. Crump of Wynnewood. The group leaders met at the Soda Springs pavilion every Tuesday to discuss activities.

Frank Stone commented that the “nearly perfect” condition of the roads between Oklahoma and Colorado was a major factor in the great number of Oklahomans making Manitou their summer home. “They like to bring their cars along and the trip by road is not a hard journey.” He drove the 645 miles from Oklahoma City in three days, without having to “use a wrench for repairs at any time.”

Mr. Bliss claimed there were fifteen Oklahoma bankers, including A. B. Dunlap, president of the Lawton National Bank, who resided in Manitou four months out of the year. His list of other “more prominent” Oklahomans registered in 1911 certainly includes significant businessmen, socialites, and influencers of their time:

H. F. Roberts, Oklahoma City.

W. W. Kendall, G. B. Stone, F. A. Stone, Mrs. George C. Naden, Mrs. H. L. Stronah, Oklahoma City.

S. C. Blessing, Mrs. S. D. Blessing and Mrs. Warfield Parks, Muskogee.

Mrs. Pike Baker, Shawnee.

Miss Kate Tacy, T. H. Rogers, Oklahoma City.

Mary Mitchell, Lexington.

 Miss Irene Sharp, Purcell.

Miss Aloysius Larch-Miller, Shawnee.

Miss Mary Simpson, Purcell.

Maud Dunlap, Myrtle Judson, Lawton.

J. W. Harreld, Mrs. J. W. Harreld, Ardmore.

Miss Helen L. Crawford, Miss Ruth L. Crawford, Miss Mary C. Crawford, Shawnee.

J. D. Scott, M. H. Scott, H. R. Saum and wife, Muskogee.

Mrs. W. B. Dennis, Pauls’ Valley

Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Sharkey, Enid.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tracy, Miss Kate Tracy, H. F. Roberts, Oklahoma City.

Miss Kate Knight, Ada.

Other Oklahoma visitors mentioned in 1911 articles included:

Miss Cora Jensen, Oklahoma City.

Mr. T. B. Bliss, Tulsa.

Mr. L. K. Wease, Muskogee.

W. T. Donahue, Red Rock.

D. R. Deal, Mangum.

O. B. Delaney, Vinita.

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Waller, Shawnee.

J. O. Surrell and J. W. Skeen of Wapanucka, who made the Pike’s Peak trip.

For comparison purposes:

Kansas had 1,500 registered residents. Missouri had 1,000. Texas had 300 registered, although it was claimed they had about 700 more who were not registered.

Our Collections page will tell you about the many newspapers that are available for your research. You might be surprised by the stories YOU find.