Bailey Springs

BAILEY SPRINGS SLEEPS WITH HIS INDIAN BROTHERS
The Indian Arrow-Goodland, Oklahoma, May-June, 1930 Vol. 5 – Number 5
transcribed & contributed by Doris Dykes iisixmillionii@1starnet.com

      At the top of the knoll upon which Springs Chapel Cemetery is located a new grave today marks the place where the body of Samuel Bailey Springs sleeps today. He sleeps near his own people.
     Nestling among the giant cedar and mighty oak trees this morning the great floral offerings, which came from practically all over the southwest, head their heads to the sun once again. They cover all that remains of Mr. Springs, a Indian.
     Never was a more cosmopolitan group of people assembled in Hugo than meet at Goodland Sunday afternoon to pay last respects to the great Indian leader who died last Thursday morning, and who was buried at Springs Chapel Cemetery, one which Mr. Springs once owned and at which many of his ancestors are resting, Sunday afternoon.
     Long before the funeral service was to begin the little Goodland church was filled, and by the time the  last rites was being said, hundreds of friends were standing grouped about the building. This little church was one which Mr. Springs dearly loved. It was built in 1852, although across the road from where it now stands. He had it moved to the orphanage property when he took charge of the school.
     Reverend Elijah Hotchkins, president of the Oklahoma Presbyterian College at Durant assisted by R.M. Firebaugh, pastor of Goodland, were in charge of the funeral services at the church.
     The Goodland boys and girls glee club sang songs which were Mr. Springs favorites, as the service began. As the friends of Mr. Springs sat in respect the glee club sang ??- And was followed by the Boys quartet singing “Crossing the Bar”.
     In a short eulogy, full of words of consolation for the p?? , Reverend Hotchkins told of the great works Mr. Springs had done during his life, of his character and faith. As he finished, many of the Indians, a race who boast of showing no emotions, wept bitterly at the passing of their friend.
     Nearly forty-five  ??? was required for those who attended the services to file by the casket and see for the last time their friend, councilor and coworker.
     For about two miles behind the hearse, as it winded its way to Spring Chapel cemetery, cars followed. Never was such a funeral procession seen in Hugo. As the hearse bearing the body of Mr. Springs reached the highway, the last few cars were just leaving the Goodland Orphanage.
     At the grave the Masonic Lodge of Hugo took charge. C. C. Sanders of Soper read the Masonic funeral service, assisted by Bryar  Blaylock and J.E. Harris. Twelve other Masons were in the group of Masonic brothers who said last tribute to their brother.
      Many persons, friends of Mr. Springs made long journeys to attend the funeral. Durant, Idabel, McAlester Oklahoma, points in Arkansas and Missouri were also noted in the funeral procession.
     Well known In Washington D.C. Mrs. Springs received 28 messages from high regional officials, Ben Dwight, principal chief of the Choctaw tribe, was unable to attend the funeral as he was at the national capitol.
     The funeral was under the personal direction of Charles Gee of the Senner Funeral Home.  -- Hugo Daily News, April 21.

THE PASSING OF OUR BELOVED SUPERINTENDENT

     Just as the day was breaking in the east Thursday morning, April 17, in a message was brought to Goodland from a sanitarium in Paris Texas, stating that “Mr. Springs passed away at three—thirty o’clock this morning.”
     Although Mr. Springs has been in failing health for several months the news of his passing came as a shock to the whole Goodland family. A sad, sorrowful shock that was, and still is hard to realize. All knew of the serious operation the day before, of how he rallied during the afternoon, but only the older ones knew that during the early part of the night his condition became more serious. Two of the employees went to Paris. Another rally was reported near midnight, hope returned again, but did not last long. A weakening of the heart continued, he went to sleep quietly without the twitching of a muscle, without a struggle the heart failed—he was gone. The message announcing his death was quietly passed from home to home where lived the employees. The children were still sleeping until the rising bell rang. The little ones coming from their rooms were told to be quiet, their loved superintendent had gone home: soon all knew it. Words cannot describe their grief, gathering in groups around the campus they gave vent to their grief, sobbing as if their hearts would break. They loved and were loved in return by Mr. Springs, who was almost as a father to them.
     On Easter Morning he was carried into the church at Goodland where as an infant he had been baptized, received as a member, later being ordained as a elder. He loved the church, reverenced it and it was fitting that the funeral service should be held in the church at this place. His body rest in the quiet peaceful cemetery at Springs Chapel a county cemetery situated four miles from Goodland on the old Springs ??
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     As editor-in-chief of the Indian Arrow our silent messenger, his love is keenly felt, his articles, counsel and encouragement meant much to what little success our paper has achieved.
     Later on at a more convenient time we hope to publish a more extended sketch of his life than we have in this issue

The Indian Arrow was a publication of  The Goodland Orphanage, it was started by Mr. Springs when he became Superintendent. The copy of this page found in the archives at Oklahoma City, is very hard to read, and unreadable in places. Editor in chief-S.B.Springs, Social-Religious-Elma Springs, Music-Art-Miss Voe, May-June 1930 Page 1, Cost for subscription-50 cents yearly. Published by Schooler  Printing Co. Hugo OK. Transcribed by Doris Dykes – iisixmillionii@1starnet.com