n 1905, 1906 and 1907; and of the first Oak Hill Chautauqua,
held July 4, 1907.

SHORT COURSE IN 1912

For 1912 the institute was held on the last half day of a three day
short course in agriculture and animal husbandry conducted by Prof. E.
A. Porter and Mr. R. L. Scott, expert farmers at Hugo; assisted by Prof.
J. W. Reynolds of Muskogee, the superintendent and Rev. W. H. Carroll.

In 1913, when the first opportunity was afforded ministers in California
to attend a short course in agriculture, lasting one week, at the state
university farm, it was attended by five hundred pastors of churches,
representing twenty denominations. This fact, as an expression of the
trend of public sentiment, is noted with a good deal of interest.

ISAAC JOHNSON

Isaac Johnson, (B. 1859) organizer and president of the Farmer's
institute, 1905 to 1912, is a native of Hopkins county, Texas, and in
1865 located near Clarksville. In 1876 he married Anna Wilson of the
Choctaw Nation, who died in 1880. He then went to school in Texas and,
receiving a certificate in 1889, taught school there four years. In
1893, '94 and '95 he taught successively at Forest, Lukfata and
Eagletown, I. T. In 1894 he married Winnie Durant and again located
along Red river, south of Valliant, where he is widely known as one of
the leading farmers and stock raisers.

The people of the community in which he lives, under his leadership, on
January 1, 1897, began to observe Emancipation Day by holding a Farmer's
institute, a kind of social meeting, that afforded an opportunity for a
number of them to make short addresses, on any topic of public or
general interest, and all to participate in the enjoyment of a picnic
dinner. He enjoys the distinction of having served as president of this
organization a number of years before any similar organization was
effected in McCurtain county.

EMANCIPATION DAY

The reasons for the general observance of New Year's day as a legal
holiday seem eminently appropriate, for the attention of the people is
seldom directed to them. There are several good reasons worthy to be
remembered.

It was on January 1, 1863, that President Lincoln issued the memorable
proclamation, that emancipated the slaves in all the states, then at
war against the general government. The number of the persons accorded
freedom was about four millions.

This event, considered from the standpoint of the number of people
affected, was even greater tha