Note: In 1941 Mittie recorded in her journal a traveling day of October 1887. In 1938 Congress authorized the construction of a dam and reservoir north of Denison, Texas, to control the flooding of the Red River, generate electrical power, and provide irrigation. Lake Texoma, the reservoir, with a shoreline of 1,250 miles, would be developed by the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. Oklahoma Governor Leon C. Phillips 1939-1943 objected to the Texoma plans and started litigation. On June 2, 1941 the Supreme Court ruled the project was constitutional and the federal government was not invading state rights.
While telling of it's glory and fame I shudder when thinking of what came near being my fate. The first year after our marriage we were moving and had to cross the Red River. One team was hitched to the front wagon which my husband was driving. I was laying on a mattress and springs and sick expecting to become a mother in a few months. The team stopped mid-way of Stream. They had struck a Bar of Quick Sand and the wagon was slowly sinking for the team couldn't pull the loaded wagon that sunk down to the Hubs.
Husband cut the lines of the harness loose then rode to landing. One of the drivers, an older man, was driving another wagon team. He had a gentler horse. He rode to our wagon, picked me up and placed me in front of him and rode for Shore where we spend the afternoon and night. The men worked laboriously at the stranded wagon until night, it was unloaded one article at a time until all things were out and empty wagon pulled by horse and lifted by men was then landed on the Bank.
All the household goods, bedding I used and three large trunks with fine quilts, blankets and coverlets and dresses were watersoaked with Red River stains that never left them. These highly treasured goods bearing memories of my dear deceased mother were ruined. I cried all afternoon from pain and heart sickness at loss. The three men were very kind and considerate. The bedding was dried by Campfire. They tried in every way to get me to eat something but my appetite was gone same as those treasures.
When morning come the Sun arose bright and clear, warming us up and putting Cheer and Courage into our hearts. I was asked if my aches and pains were over. We decided to begin loading up the wagon again as most things were dried out. My health remained delicate for two months until my baby boy was born in our new log house in Chickasaw Nation. There was no doctor to attend. I lay for three weeks before any strength returned to my body. The little Babe gave us much pleasure. We as parents worked hard and made many plans for improvements.
Journal, to be continued.
Rufus and Mittie Cobb with son, about 1888.
