(Taken from the 1928 Meridian School News. O.K. Henson, Jr., Editor; Carl G. Clifft, Sponsor; Wade Anderson, Joke Editor; Ellen Peterman, News Editor; Alfred Barker, Activity Editor.)

Back in the eighties (1880s) this western country was nothing much except the home of the coyotes, cowboys, and Indians. It is marvelous to think of the great changes that have occured since this territory was thrown open for settlement, and more so to those who have been here and seen it developed from big pastures with thousands of cattle roaming its praires to small one man farms with nearly all the land under cultivation.

Perhaps three of three of the earliest settlers in western Roger Mills county, along Sweetwater Creek, were Geo. Puryear, Frank Bradley, and Frank Ragsdale. There was nothing in this region then except Indians and a few straggling cattle men. All the land around Meridian and Sweetwater was leased from the government by the Standard Land and Cattle Company. Thousands of cattle were grazed here for a time, in one spring 44,000 yearlings were branded, but the Indians began to steal and kill so many of the cattle, that the drift fence were taken up and the cattle were driven to a different range.

Buffalo were plentiful in those days. The little community of Buffalo, about six miles S.E. of Sweetwater, was named because of the great herds of buffaloes that ranged that section. At one time they were so numberous that they ate up every thing and left nothing but starvation in their wake. This particular region was later known as Starvation Flats. Buffalo Creek also got its name from the wild beast of the prairie. The settlers soon killed these animals out and later collected the bones and sold them at the nearest markets.

Sweetwater Creek was so named because of its sweet tasting water. In an early day this creek abounded in fish and beavers and is today the resort of many fisherman who delight in the small fish common to this stream. The beavers built dams everywhere and caused the stream to meander during an over flow and thus it has a very crooked and winding course. The Indians and other settlers made their camps and thus it has a very crooked and winding course. The Indians and other settlers made their camps close to this creek in order to be close to a fresh and plentiful source of water.

Before the first settlers came the Indians and Mexicans had a battle on Sweetwater Creek near the now Texas line. The Mexicans had come here to plunder and steal the furs and riches of the Indians. No one knows the exact date of this battle, probably during the early eighties (1880s), but the skeletons and other remains that are unearthed from time to time indicate that the Mexicans were over whelmingly defeated. To the old settlers this was known as the Battle of Meridian, since it was fought on the hundreth meridian.

At the head of Sweetwater Creek in the Texas Panhandle, Fort Elliott was built in 1889. The soldiers were used to keep peace among the Indians and protect the white people. Horse thieves were the most hated of all the criminals. The soldiers from Fort Eilliott were often called upon to stop the thieves of these hated criminals and many of them were killed. Several met their “Waterloo” near Meridian, on the Sweetwater Creek.

The first white man to cultivate any soil in the Sweetwater-Meridian country was Hughey McKay. He cultivated a small strip of land in what is now Geo. Puryear’s pasture. His products were mostly vegetables which were sold to the soldiers at Fort Elliott. Rain must have been scarce then because traces indicate that all his garden was irrigated. Not far from this garden is Freeze Out Creek, a tributary of Sweetwater Creek, and so named because two men froze to death there during one of Oklahoma’s blizzards. One of the men’s name was Bill Brewer, but the other name is not known. Geo. Puryear was one of the men who found Brewer after he was frozen.

In tracing the history of a region we learn of the many hardicaps and privations the early settlers had to undergo in making it a safe and peaceful place for the later comers to live. When we think of the many pleasures we now enjoy and the safety, we now feel, we should feel an appreciation for those early settlers who have made it possible for us to enjoy such a limitless freedom.

(Additional Meridian/Sweetwater News included in the 1928 Meridian School News.)

We feel it is impossible to have March weather without having high winds. This has undoubtedly been the most agreeably March in years.

The farmers are taking advantage of the pretty weather and are getting their fields prepared for spring planting.

Mr. J. Gid Anderson is now a railroad man. He was selected last week as one of three men to adjust all disputed land along the proposed railway line between Cheyenne, Oklahoma, and Pampa, Texas.

R. H. Fowler informs the writer that he has resigned his position with the Meridian Mercantile Company to enter the employ of the Badger Ice Company of Amarillo, Texas. Meridian regrets the loss of Mr. Fowler, but wish him success at his new job.

Grady Stewart purchased a Ford coupe from Charley Hardy the other day and asks permission for a share of the highway now.

The band boys met Thursday to re-organize. Several were present and the prospects for a fair sized band are in view.

J. L. Jennings is busy fencing a piece of land he recently broke out on his place.

Lois Sawyer, primary teacher at Meridian, was ill the first of the week. The high school girls substituted for her.

B. M. Porter made another trip to Oklahoma City last week and reports everything has been completed for drilling the oil test. It will be some make the survey and locate the well however.

Not many were present at prayer meeting Wednesday night. Bro W.J.J. Davis leds next time.

Kit Price from Mobeetie, Texas is moving back to take R. H. Fowler’s place as manager of the Meridian Mercantile Co.