A Hennessey reader, Kelly Walterscheidt, brought us a “letter to the editor” that ran 100 years ago in the Hennessey Clipper.

The letter was written April 1, 1920, by Walterscheidt’s great-great-grandfather J.W. House, who took part in the Land Run.

House was responding to an article in the Clipper that was seeking “89ers,” a term for people who took part in the Land Run of April 22, 1889.

Below are some of House’s memories of that time.

The author of the letter was the grandfather to the late Eddie House, formerly of Dover.

He is the great-great-great-grandfather of Teresa (Choate) Fletcher and the great-great-great-great-grandfather of Lily and Dexter Fletcher, all of Kingfisher:

Editor Hennessey Clipper:

In answer to your “Attention 89ers” article, will say I made the “run” from South Haven, Kansas, and crossed the line where Bison stands now, at noon on April 22, 1889.

I crossed the Cimarron River at Red Wing, where Dover is now, and made my first stop at Kingfisher.

I staked some lots and went out three miles south of Kingfisher and staked a claim on Uncle John Creek, but another fellow beat me in the land office, and as I did not want to go to law, I located eleven miles southwest of Hennessey (section 13-18-8) where I resided with my family until August, 1911, when I removed to Texas City, Texas, and engaged in the mercantile business and where I am still so engaged.

I would love to be in Hennessey on the 22nd of April and shake hands with the old pioneers that are left.

I’ve been a reader of the Clipper for over twenty years and sure enjoy it very much, and will take this opportunity of sending my regards and best wishes to my Oklahoma friends. Yours respectfully,

Yours respectfully,

J.W. House