recounted the lives and times of the Ragsdale pioneer family
living in Hollis, Oklahoma, from 1900 on.
In this final essay, Martha tells about her mother and father's
wedding!
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One day, Papa Ragsdale told Maude that he was planning to sell chicken
sandwiches in a few days at a new land opening, just across the Texas border in its
panhandle. It was just a few miles from Hollis. The government was opening land for
a new town to be named Dodsonville, Texas. These types of land openings were
very popular at that time. Overnight, a tent city would be devloped where families
filed claims for land. After claims were filed, various entrepeneurs would start
businesses needed for a town. Soon a bank and land office, a drygoods store and
hotel would be built. A few houses and a church would be built for the business
people’s families, and a town grew up almost overnight.
Papa Ragsdale planned to make a little money from selling chicken sandwiches and
lemonade in the new town of Dodsonville, so he asked Maude if she would help sell
these things at a stand that he would set up there. It was an exciting idea for Maude
who was now about seventeen years old and quite a pretty young woman. There
would be lots of people there, lots of hungry people. So Maude busied herself in
cooking chicken and making them into sandwiches.
Papa, Buddy, and Floyd set up a makeshift stand with a counter, and painted a sign
overhead that advertised their sandwiches. Maude brought the sandwiches in
several picnic baskets and began making the lemonade in large glass jars. She
placed several glasses under the counter, to be ready for any customers coming by.
A train track already ran through the area, so the railroad agreed to stop at the new
location of Dodsonville and let off people who wished to file a claim. A fairly large
crowd began to gather rather quickly that day. They came by train or horseback or
buggy, each person lining up at the hastily constructed land office.
Owen Mitchell Mead and his dad, Bill Mead were two of those people interested in
filing a claim. They came in by train. As Bill and Owen stepped off the train, it was
almost noon and both were hungry. Owen spotted the chicken stand and suggested
that they get something to eat. Bill wanted to get in the claims line before it got any
longer, so he suggested that he get in line while Owen bought them a couple of
sandwiches, and bring them to Bill where he waited in line. Owen agreed and they
wandered away to their destinations.
man, he lived a lot of Western
history. Owen Mead helped to build
Capitol High School in Oklahoma
City, drove on cattle trails,
homesteaded, helped build a dam
by Hollis to control flooding, and
lived through the Great Depression
on the Oklahoma Plains.
done some cattle wrangling out there, but decided to return to his family in Oklahoma. They lived a few miles from Hollis in a
town named Blair. Owen and his dad heard about the Dodsonville land claims, just across the border from Oklahoma, and
decided it would be a good opportunity for both of them to gain some more free land. So, they took the train into the area.
That day, Owen dressed in a black suit with a white pleated shirt and string tie. He topped off the ensemble with a black
Boler hat, which was quite fashionable at that time. He cocked the hat on the back of his head so that his beautiful black hair
could be seen easily, which was parted down the middle.
He wanted to look the part of a business man rather than a cowboy, but his swagger and tough demeanor gave him more of
the look of a dandy instead. Actually, he was quite a handsome young man with a firm jaw, full lips and green eyes set over a
narrow nose. His Cherokee mother gave him dark skin and Indian features, and his father’s English blood mixed with hers
to produce a very handsome fellow.
As Owen walked toward the food stand where Maude stood, his heart skipped a beat. Before him was a tiny, beautiful young
woman with long brown hair swept up in the latest Gibson Girl hairdo. She wore a large bow on the back of her head. As
Owen walked closer, he saw that she had a tiny waist no bigger than his hat band. She wore a full, long skirt and a white
blouse with full sleeves that waved gently in the breeze. As he rounded the corner and she looked up into his face, he saw
the sweetest face and green eyes he had ever seen.
She smiled, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and said, “May I help you?” He was smitten. While his heart raced up into
his mouth, he quickly removed his hat and bowed to her. He straightened from his bow and stared into the pools of her green
eyes. After a long pause, he said, “Why, yes, ma’m,” gulping out the words.
Maude seemed somewhat struck, too. Standing before her was an incredibly handsome man, looking at her as if he had
been hit by a train. She blushed and quickly looked away, then stole another glance or two. They both stood in silence, he,
gazing upon an angel, and she, trembling with excitement. It was a long moment before either of them could find words to
talk.
“W-would you like a chicken?----sandwich?” Long pause. “We are selling chicken sandwiches.” Long pause. “And
lemonade.” She blushed again.
“Why, yes. I’ll take a chicken sandwich---and a glass of lemonade, thank you.” His mouth was open. She hurriedly found a
sandwich, put it on a plate, and poured him a glass of lemonade. Her hands were trembling. She set it before him and
smiled, then blushed. He bowed, accepted the food, and put a silver dollar on the counter. He took a small bite of the
sandwich, chewed it up quickly and said, “This is delicious.” Actually, it was quite dry and he took a quick drink of the
lemonade to wash it down.
He kept his eyes on her, smiling and said, “Did you make this? It’s very good!” She blushed again and shook her head in the
affirmative. Then a flood of words came out of her mouth. “My papa and I are selling chicken sandwiches today. He built
this stand. I don’t know where he went. My two brothers are with him. I don’t know where they went.” She looked around
as if it were the most important thing in the world to find him.
Owen recovered a little and took another small bite of the sandwich and a drink of lemonade, listening intently to every word
she said. “Permit me to introduce myself. My name is Owen Mead,” and he bowed again. She curtsied and managed
another beautiful smile, “Pleased to meet you.”
“Do you live around here?” he asked, hoping she would invite him to spend the rest of his life with her. “Why, yes, we live
just outside of Hollis. My name is Maude Ragsdale,” and she curtsied again and he bowed, smiling back at her.
Clearly, both of these two met, locked eyes and fell in love immediately. Neither could hardly breathe but they managed to
carry on a rather long conversation, being sure to know as much as possible about each other in a short time and where
their homes were located. Owen made sure he knew the way to Maude’s house before very many minutes passed. And he
asked if he could see her again at her home. She said she would have to ask her papa about that when he came back. They
chatted and laughed and Owen ate two or three more sandwiches.
After about a half hour, Owen heard someone clear his throat behind him, and he turned to see his father, looking a little
disgruntled. “So, here you are, still!” Bill said. “Oh, Dad! I forgo—I’m sorry. Did you file your claim already?” He nodded and
removed his hat, looking at Maude.
“Excuse me, Miss Ragsdale. This is my father, Mr. Mead,” Owen said, blushing. Bill bowed and said, “How do you do?”
Maude blushed again and went through the exchange of introductions. They had no sooner met than Maude’s father
appeared. She introduced her papa to Mr. Mead and his son, Owen, and once again introductions were made all around,
with Owen and Maude blushing and smiling at one another. Papa Ragsdale asked Mr. Mead several questions about his
claim, and they were soon discussing farming and their farms. Maude and Owen were content to listen quietly while finding
every opportunity to gaze at each other.
Mr. Mead ordered a chicken sandwich and Owen ordered another. They chatted politely for awhile. Mr. Ragsdale
discovered that Bill was also from the South, had been badly hurt by the Civil War, and they found another common bond for
friendship. Time wore on and then Bill reminded Owen that they needed to catch the incoming train back to Blair. As they
were saying their goodbyes, Owen asked politely of Mr. Ragsdale if he could come to see Maude. Papa was a little
nonplussed but agreed to it after looking into his daughter’s face and seeing her excitement over this young man. They
waved goodbyes and parted.
that's dating in style!
cut from his mother’s garden. He knocked on the door and was greeted by Mrs. Ragsdale. Owen removed his hat and bowed
deeply. Then, he introduced himself and asked if Maude was there. Inside the back rooms of the house, a lot of commotion
was going on since they had seen Owen approaching in his buggy from some distance. Mrs. Ragsdale invited Owen into the
parlor and excused herself to find Maude. In a few minutes, Maude appeared, somewhat breathless from having changed
clothes in a very big hurry and brushed her hair anew.
They sat together in the parlor while about six pairs of ears were listening intently behind the parlor door. Owen offered up the
flowers and chatted politely a few minutes before Maude retired to the kitchen to get a vase for the flowers. People scurried
away quickly, behind closed doors when Maude rose from the sofa in the parlor. In a few moments, Maude returned with the
vase of flowers. They chatted a bit longer and a knock at the parlor door was heard. Mrs. Ragsdale entered with two glasses
of lemonade and a tray of cookies. Maude and Bill ate politely and quietly drank their lemonade. After a short time, Owen
asked if Maude would accompany him to church on Sunday and she agreed. He said he hoped he would be able to meet the
rest of the family at that time. Maude excused herself for a moment, then returned and asked if Owen would join them for
Sunday dinner after church. He agreed. Then he departed, bowing his way out of the door.
Sunday came and Owen reappeared in the same hug-me-tight buggy. He took Maude to church, met the family and returned
with them for Sunday dinner. Papa and Mama Ragsdale were rather quiet during the meal but Papa did manage to ask Owen
several questions about his family in Blair, what he did for a living, and a little of his history. The rest of the family ate in
silence. Owen wanted to make a good impression, so he was quite open about his travels to Colorado as a cowboy and his
work on the trail drive. He also spoke of his family’s farm in Blair, their crops, and his intention to begin farming in the near
future and settle down. Owen threw in several compliments about the rest of the girls in the family which made them all blush
and giggle. Papa was not impressed.
The Ragsdales saw a lot of Owen in the next few weeks and it became very apparent that Owen was seriously courting
Maude. In the meantime, John Branum had heard all about this guy from out of town and he was rather disappointed in Maude.
He had a few dates with her but mostly between her dates with Owen. Buddy and Papa were not too fond of Owen since they
had already decided Maude would some day marry John. They were put off by some of his bragging ways and brashness.
However, Owen was always the very essence of a gentleman around Maude.
One night after Bill’s visit to see Maude, he started for his evening ride back to Blair and was confronted by Buddy, John
Branum and another friend of John’s. They asked Owen to stop his horse and talk to them a moment. Owen did so and stood
before the three young men. Buddy introduced John and his friend to Owen and Owen shook hands with John. John returned
the handshake reluctantly. Then Buddy broached the reason for their stopping Owen.
“Owen, Maude has known John most all of her life. John
is very fond of Maudie and plans some day to marry her. I
think that you have unknowingly entered into Maude and
John’s relationship without knowing how serious John is
about Maude.” Owen looked at John for a moment. Their
eyes met and there was no friendliness between their looks.
“I beg to differ, Buddy. I know all about John since Maude
has told me herself that she has dated John for a long time.
However, she didn’t say anything about any engagement.”
Owen continued looking into John’s eyes. Then, John spoke.
“Well, I haven’t proposed to her yet but I intend to some
time,” and he returned Owen’s look.
“I see,” Owen said. “Well, that is your business with Maude.
However, Maude has always been receptive to seeing me.
She hasn’t turned me down for any dates we’ve had. I think
very highly of Maude. If she tells me that she doesn’t
want to see me any more, then I won’t see her anymore.
But until then ,I intend to keep seeing her.”
John looked grim. “Well, I don’t want you to see her anymore.
I think you should stop seeing her—right now—from now on.” John clinched his fists and stepped closer to Owen’s face.
Owen returned the look but he softened. “Look. I don’t have any grudge against you. I don’t even know you. But I do know
Maude and I am going to see her anytime she will see me.” Owen stood his ground and looked hard into John’s face.
With that, John said, “Well, we’ll see about that!” and he swung at Owen. Owen dodged John’s punch and hit John full in the
face, knocking him to the ground. At that, Buddy and John’s friend jumped on Owen and wrestled him to the ground. Owen
was as strong as a bull and he proceeded to fight off all three of the young men and knocked them all flying. When they had
had enough, Owen, picked up his hat, slammed it on his head and got onto his horse. He looked at them a moment, turned his
horse and rode away, leaving them to look after him in amazement.
John and Buddy and the friend didn’t bother Owen any more where it involved Maude. However, Buddy was very sour toward
Owen from that point on. And somehow, Papa and the rest of the family seemed to have gotten the word that Buddy and John
were not too successful in warding off Owen. They all took a rather dim view of Owen as well. Nevertheless, Owen persisted
in dating Maude and seeing her often. Maude made it clear to her sisters and brothers and her parents that she was in love
with Owen, and that nothing was going to stop her from seeing him—not John Branum, not Buddy, not Papa, not anyone.
As the months wore on, it became more and more apparent that Owen and Maude were deeply in love and intended to marry.
Papa was still opposed to the idea since Owen had no means of supporting Maude. The rest of the family had gotten used to
seeing Owen at their house and decided it was pointless to oppose Maude in her intentions to marry Owen. Only Papa stood
his ground with Maude, pointing out to her that Owen seemed to be penniless. He was wasting his breath on Maude.
Just four years after Oklahoma had been declared a state, Maude
married Owen. On September 24, 1911, on a warm, windy day, the
wedding took place at Maude’s home. The family gathered inside
except for Papa, who was so angry at Maude that he refused to give
her away. He sat on the front porch and sulked as the family
members prepared for the wedding.
Meanwhile, Owen had to drive from Blair and was late in getting
started. He gave the horse a good smack of the whip and the buggy
fired off in high speed. The horse seemed as nervous as Owen and
before long, he was in full gallop and out of control. Owen was a
good horseman, but not today. He had to wrestle hard to get the
horse to stop. By the time he did, he was sweaty and dirty and
decided to turn around and go back to his house to change clothes.
This made him even more late.
At Maude’s, things were tense enough already what with Papa
sulking on the porch and Buddy being hesitant to give away his
sister. As the clock ticked by, it seemed to slow everyone down to
slow motion. Maude’s flowers were beginning to wilt and so was
she. The house became more and more subdued. Buddy stood on
the front porch with Papa, gazing down the road in search of a sign
of Owen. All the sisters gathered into Maude’s room and tried to
console her. “He’ll be here, Maudie. You know he will,” said Lillie.
Tears welled up into Maude’s eyes. “I just know something has
happened,” she wailed.
good!
Maude began to cry softly. Viola fussed over Maude’s dress and finally turned to Maude, taking her chin in Viola’s hand. “Listen to
me, girl. He will be here and you will marry this man. We don’t know much about him and his ways, but he will be your husband
and we will accept him as yours. He will be a new part of our family—you and he together. He will be here soon,” she smiled into
Maude’s eyes and put her arms around Maude, being careful not to crush her beautiful dress.
As if to prove her point, Buddy knocked softly and entered the room. “I see Owen coming down the road.” He kissed Maude
lightly on the cheek. “You best get ready.”
Maude quickly brushed away her tears and began straightening herself for the proudest moment in her life. She was barely
eighteen years of age, but she was ready to be a wife. She heard Lily and Nettie playing on their guitars and singing in the next
room, while Maggie, now married herself, helped Maude with her veil. Viola helped little Gracie with the flowers she was to carry
before Maude. When all was ready, Maggie and Viola kissed Maude and excused themselves from the room. Maggie would be
Maude’s matron of honor. She helped little Gracie out the door with the flowers and disappeared.
A few moments later, Buddy knocked and appeared again. “Are you ready?” he smiled. She nodded and he kissed her again.
“Listen, Maudie. You know you are my sis and I would do anything for you. I’m giving you away today because you asked me to
take Papa’s place. You have to understand Papa’s strong belief.” Maude turned her face away as if to say she didn’t want to hear
any more about Papa’s bull headedness. Buddy continued, “All right. I won’t argue with you anymore, but if you ever need me, you
know I’ll be at your side on a moment’s notice.” He looked down into his sister’s eyes that were now smiling up at him.
“Thanks, Buddy. I love you!” she said softly.
Buddy held out his arm and Maude placed her arm in his. He opened the door and they walked into the parlor together. Owen
stood in front of a large basket of flowers that served as the place where they would take their vows. He looked very nervous but
smiled widely when he saw Maude.
The minister stood next to Owen and Owen’s brother, Mack, his best man. Maggie stood alone on the other side of the flowers.
They took their vows quietly and turned to greet the family and guests. Owen lifted Maude’s veil and kissed her lightly. Everyone
applauded. They formed a line of greeting then and shook hands or hugged all the guests. After a short visit with friends and
family, wedding cake and drinks, Maude excused herself to the next room and changed into traveling clothes. The guests, in the
meantime gathered outside while Owen readied the horse and buggy. Someone had decorated the buggy with flowers and tin
cans tied to the back.
Owen went back inside the house and retrieved Maude who was now ready to leave. They hugged all the family members
goodbye (except Papa) and opened the front door to a shower of rice and flowers. They hopped in their buggy and headed for
their new home a few miles away.
That night, Owen and Maude heard horses galloping up into the front yard and a lot of whooping and hollering going on. Owen
opened the door and was met by a whole horde of his friends who were all a little tipsy. “Owen! You are about to be shiveried!”
They grabbed Owen, threw him into a wheel barrel and tied him down. Owen could have easily fought them off but he let them
have their fun with him. They wheeled him down the road for almost a mile before they let him go. In the meantime, some of the
girls in the group had invaded the house and forced Maude to put her hair up in rags and covered her face with cold cream.
Owen had to walk all the way back home while the boys rode their horses round and round him and taunted him with provocative
questions and gags. “Hey, Owen, whatcha’ gonna do tonight? Hmmm? Ha ha ha! Hey, Owen, how about goin’ in to town with us
for a drink or two, huh? Ha ha ha ha!” When Owen got back to the house, the boys and girls that had taunted him and Maude
decided that they had been mean enough. Maude and Owen gave them some of their leftover wedding cake and they all sang
songs with them for another half hour before departing in a happy mood.
The wedding was over and honeymoon begun. Maude was very happy except for her Papa’s behavior. She decided that he would
get over it and that he would eventually accept her new husband. She had a new man in her life now and she was sublimely
happy.
Highs School in Oklahoma City and a dam
near Hollis.
