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Joel Spring - Father of Hugo - part 2

The Hugo Husonian February 27, 1908 - transcribed by Ron Henson

    As a character, Joel Spring was of the most manly and lofty type. He enjoyed the full confidence and trust of his fellowman, and in the early days of this country handled thousands of dollars which belonged to others; but we have yet to hear of the man who claimed that Joel Spring ever beat him out of a cent, or that in any instance did violate that sacred honor which exists between man and man. He was systematic in his work and was successful in every undertaking and had he entered other fields of labor other than that of business would probably have reached the goal of his ambition with the same measure of success as in business.
    He was born three miles from where Hugo now stands on Feb. 2, 1863, and was at the time of his death was forty five years of age. His father, Samuel Spring, being a confederate soldier, dying the same year under arms and never seeing his son. His mother also died leaving him at an early age an orphan. He was taken into the home of his uncle, the late Uncle Billie Springs, who when the lad was about twelve years of age sent him to Old Spencer Academy. young Joel, being of a restless active disposition soon tiring of the dull daily routine of school life, ran away. For fear that his uncle would again send him back to the school he went to Texas, where he wandered for several weeks, tramp fashion, many times sleeping by the road side and subsisting on parched corn which he would gather from surrounding fields.
    His aimless wanderings finally carried him to the vicinity of Whitewright, where he met M.E. Savage, a kindly farmer who took an interest in the boy and in whom Joel soon recognized a friend and for whom he soon formed a warm and loyal attachment, and here showed one of his characteristics which was noticeable in later life - it is said he was slow to form a friendship but when once formed was indesolvable and lasted indestructible. Mr.. Savage's influence was so great that he induced him to become a member of his household and to quit his drifting. He remained at this place for more than two years, making an acceptable farm hand and acquired habits of industry that remained with him throughout his life. Starting back to the Territory, the parting with Savage family was of a most affectionate nature and was often spoken of very tenderly in later years.
    On coming back to this vicinity, he worked one year for his uncle, James and later as a farm hand for his uncles, Billie and Levi Spring. He resided in the Chickasaw nation for several months and on returning began clerking for V.M. Locke, who ran a business near Antlers. Here he received his first experience in the mercantile business which probably decided his vocation for life.
    His first business adventure was when he bought a small store on Roebuck Lake after leaving the employ of Mr. Locke. After running this enterprise for a few months he formed a partnership with his uncle Billie Spring and the business was moved to the old Rock Wall place a short distance south of the present city limits.
    A short time after the above and on Sept 20, 1883, he was married to Miss Winnie Gooding daughter of B.L. Gooding of Old Goodland. At this time the subject of our sketch was only nineteen years of age and his bride only fifteen. The wife brought as a dower a small herd of cattle which were sold and Uncle Bill's interest in the business acquired. Then it was as he often remarked, that he and his wife went into business. The store was then moved to Roebuck Lake where the youthful couple began housekeeping in a one room log cabin. A traveling photographer made a tin type picture of this structure showing Mr. Spring standing in the yard and Mrs. Spring in the doorway. This picture, after they became wealthy, was sent away and enlarged. This reproduction now hangs in the hallway of the Spring residence and is one of the family's most prized possessions. That his early business life was characterized by thorough and carefully systematic methods, is evidenced by the fact that the book showing the invoice made at the time buying Uncle Billy's interest, and of the amount owened by himself, and the sum invested by his wife has been carefully preserved to this day. A perusal of these old records disclose neatness and clearness of detail and is evidence to the observer that Mr. Spring early discovered the secret of business success and that his fortune was build by strict adherence to business principles.
    He was afterwards in business at the Clear Springs Court Ground, about two miles west of town, and then the seat of Kiamichi county. After the building of the Frisco railway through this section, he moved to Goodland where he for years conducted on of the largest mercantile establishments in the Indian Territory.
    When Hugo started six years ago, he immediately moved his business here, erected a fine residence and his history has since been identified with that of Hugo and is too well known to need comment. Of his life, hundreds of pages could be written that would not only be interesting but would be highly instructive to the youth of this country.

continue to part 3 / go back to part 1