| from newspaper clippings in the 1930s . |
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Not sure if this is the Tulsa Tribune...which eventually was absorbed by The Tulsa World. |
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And Fifth May Take Place in Cushing Dairy |
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(Special to the Tribune) Possibly around 1931 CUSHING, OK. Oct 10.--Back to 1922, Floyd Griffeth, a well-to-do diversified farmer and land owner living near Cushing, started into the dairy business with eight grade Red Polled cows purchased from the Stockyards in Oklahoma City, in addition to a horse and buggy used for delivering 40 to 50 quarts daily. Today, four sons have consolidated in dairying with their father and the herd of milk cows numbers 80, with only tow grade stock in the milkers, the remainder being pure-bred Jerseys, and Holsteins. Over 450 quarts of high grade raw milk are distributed in this city and 135 quarts in Drumright, nine miles east of Cushing, besides about 10 gallons of sweet cream. Occasionally calls are received for pure Holstein milk and the demand is always filled. MODERN SYSTEM Instead of the small creaky building, which house the dairy nine years ago, a cement-floored structure 100 feet by 26 feet of accommodates 66 cows at each milking. All milk is triple strained, before it enters the electric cooling system which drops the temperature form 110 degrees to 38. After two relative had been in partnership with him Dave Griffeth, eldest son of Floyd Griffeth, became the first of the present four "junior" partners and the dairy became "Griffeth and Son." That was in 1925. In 1926, John two years younger, came in, then came in Lee, in 1928, and Wilbur, younger of the two-years-apart brothers, in 1930. All are Cushing High School and business college trained. 1700 ACRE FARM Dave and Lee attend the farming of 900 acres, with sharecrop help, while John and Wilbur keep the dairy on a paying basis. Their father is seldom seen about the dairy now. Over 1200 acres compose this Griffeth farm about six miles southeast of Cushing with about 80 acres in pasture. A large brick modern home now tops the hill homestead, with nice accommodations for John and David, both of whom are married. Lee and Wilbur live on the home place. One thousand pounds of feed are mixed at once in the farm/granaries, which are furnished with tractor-powered grinders. Two parts of oats, one part bran and 50 pounds of oil meal furnish the bulk of the mixture with 10 pounds of limestone, 20 pounds of salt, and 10 pounds of bone meal supplying mineral content. One pound of feed is furnished to each cow for every three pounds of milk. Ground alfalfa and corn and cane silage compose the roughage fed during all months. Over two-thirds of the cattle now in the Griffeth milk stalls have been bred and grown to maturity on their own farm. In addition to the 80 producing milk, about 75 heifers, purebred Jersey and Holstein, about 50 of which will be fresh next spring are in the pastures. KEEP GOOD SIRES "A dairy cannot be made be made efficient over night," John Griffeth said, "it has taken several years for us to obtain high producing cows and this can only be done through a good, purebred sire." A purebred Holstein sire was purchased from Houston Holland's dairy herd of Tulsa by the Griffeth brothers three years ago. The herds Jersey sire is a product of the herd of Dr. H.C. Groff, Cushing veterinarian and Jersey cattle breeder. The mother of the Griffeth sire produced 523 pounds of butterfat as a two-year-old, a state record which still stands. Electric lights have be3en installed throughout the milking house and cleaning and bottling plant. The closed top milk pails which are used by the four men who commence milking each evening and morning at 2 o'clock; the snow-white slacked lime floors; and the high pressure steaming process are strict enemies of bacteria in the Griffeth and Sons dairy. The younger brother, Charles, now a sophomore in high school has not decided whether he will enter the family co-operative franchise or not. He does however, assist in driving the trucks occasionally or helps deliver This same article later ran in the Cushing paper on October 28th under the heading FATHER, SONS ARE PARTNERS ON THE DAIRY. It started out with Floyd Griffeth, and Sons Living Southeast of City, Have Large, Modern Dairy....Cushing Dairyman Started with Grade Milkers in 1922; Uses Modern System
 With THE FARMERS by Uncle Jim The Traveling Correspondent Things Seen and Heard on the Roads and By-roads Among Our Rural Friends It's still a trifle wet, but the farmers are getting into the fields again and my, how the stuff has grown the past few days, especially corn. I passed several fields Tuesday where the corn was more than knee high. No sir, it wasn't because Mrs. Floyd Griffeth (nee Eva McLaury) came from near my old stomping ground and knew a lot of the same folks I did back in old Missouri. I'd have fallen just as hard for the Griffeth family had none of 'em ever heard of the "show me" state. I insist that I'm broadminded, absolutely free from prejudice as to location. W'y look at Floyd. Though he was born in Iowa where it's time to laugh whenever the word Missouri is uttered-- I don't hold it agin him--but please take notice when he got ready to marry he went right into the heart of Missouri to get her. Good ones to be found in "Ioway" of course, but why run any risk, sez Floyd, so he trots over into Missouri thus proving his wisdom and good taste. Fact is, I felt a little afraid before I met him but pshaw! Floyd Griffeth is just as friendly and unassuming as if he and Mrs. Griffeth were still living in that little old log hut, and hoped the hens would lay while he was milkin' old Bossey, so they could have an egg for breakfast. They now live in a 10 room brick "hut" with a panorama of beauty stretching for miles and miles and plenty of other conveniences and every member of the household including guests can have two eggs if desired. But the dreamy wistfulness in the eyes of the host and hostess as they spoke of pioneer privations and struggles told me that the little log hut held a lot of happiness for both of them. We talked of various things, but both Mr. and Mrs. Griffeth were especially voluable upon the subject of neighbors. Seems like all the neighbors for miles around "ain't nothin' else but good." So I judged the Griffeth's weren't bad neighbors themselves, which judgment was enthusiastically confirmed by their neighbors. Mr. Griffeth says the dairy was really the boys' idea, he being essentially a farmer and stockman, but the boys say Dad's is the directing mind, and anyhow the fact that it has grown to such noble proportions and ranks among the best in the state proves the idea was as good as the milk produced--the good, clean healthful milk that transforms puny babes if not healthy, happy, rollicking kids, and because of this head expanded the little family affair to a big family affair--ninety cow powerstrong, and gives employment to more than twenty efficient helpers. Mr. Griffeth owns some 1200 acres and leases something like 800 more to that with tenants, hired men, etc. his faming keeps him pretty well occupied. Then he is constantly buying and selling beef and milk stock. Has some 350 head, all told now, 150 of which are beef cattle, the balance pure bred Holstein and Jersey milk cows and heifers, besides 150 sheep and 80 lambs. Mr. Griffeth started as a stockman with one calf purchased with money saved up while working for 50 cents per day.
FLOYD GRIFFETH INJURED AS CAR JUMPS HIGHWAY (1935) Extend of Injuries Not Fully Determined; Little Boy Escapes Serious Injury Floyd Griffeth, pioneer Cushing cattleman and farmer, who lives six miles southeast of Cushing, was severely injured this morning about 9 o'clock when the Pontiac coach he was driving left the highway and plunged over a deep embankment a mile north and a mile west of the Schlegel vicinity. Riding with Griffeth was 7 year old Billy Archer whose father, Jim Archer works for Griffeth. Young Billy escaped serious injury, although he was cut and bruised in the crash. Injuries sustained by Mr. Griffeth had not been completely determined at press time this afternoon but the attending physician said he had received a broken right arm, at the elbow joint, and facial cuts and bruises. He also had bruises about the body. It has not been determined if he suffered internal injuries. He was unconscious and could not relate details of the accident. No one except the boy that was riding with him, saw the accident. The car was badly damaged and late this afternoon had not been brought to town. It was almost impossible to see the car from the highway, so steep was the embankment over which it plunged. The machine, though not overturning, left the highway just before it approached a bridge over a small creek. It followed the drainage ditch and plunged to the bed of the creek. Billy came out of the machine when it came to a halt and rushed to a famer's house nearby to get help. Griffeth, whose head struck the windshield, was stunned and remained in the machine until help arrived. It was some time before Billy could return with his father and G.L. Moore, who lives in the vicinity of the wreck scene. They managed to pull Griffeth up the embankment and place him in their car. He was brought to the hospital about an hour after the accident occurred. Griffeth had been in the Schlegel vicinity looking after cattle interests and was en route to meet Mr. Archer, when the accident occurred. GRIFFETH REPORTED SLIGHTLY IMPROVED Floyd Griffeth, who suffered a fracture of the nose and hemorrhage of the brain, as the result of an automobile accident Tuesday morning, was resting fairly well this afternoon at the hospital. He was in a semiconscious state this morning and recognized relative, however, the condition of his heart is considered serious. He has suffered heart trouble for sometime, according to the attending physician. Floyd Griffeth, prominent cattleman, who was seriously injured yesterday morning when his automobile plunged over an embankment northeast of the city, was reported somewhat improved today by relatives. He was reported to have spent a restful night despite his serious injuries. He has been in a semi-conscious condition ever since the accident in which a seven-year-old boy, Billy Archer, escaped with only minor injuries. Griffeth is reported by relatives to have suffered a concussion of the brain, He is reported to have recognized some of his children last night. F.L. GRIFFETH DIES; SERVICE AT 2:30 TODAY Pioneer Was Active Farmer, Business Man and Civic Leader RITES AT CHURCH Services at the Presbyterian Church for Well Known Resident Floyd Lawrence Griffeth, one of this community's pioneer businessmen and farmers, died at 7:30 o-clock Friday evening at the Payne County Masonic Hospital. He would have been sixty-one years old on November 8th of this year (1935). Death resulted from injuries received in an automobile accident last Tuesday. Funeral services are to be held at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon with the pastor, Reverend S. Graham Fraser conducting the service. The C.C. Walters Funeral directors are in charge of arrangements. Born 08 Nov 1874 Mr. Griffeth came to Oklahoma in 1889, settling first at Guthrie but moving southeast of Cushing in 1891 and residing there until the time of his death. The present home is six miles southeast of the city. Prominent Citizen Since earliest days Mr. Griffeth has been identified with the business, civic and church life of this community in the capacity of a leader. He was an early day cattle dealer. At various times he engaged n the feed, automobile, real estate and insurance business. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers National Bank of this and the First National Bank of Drumright. He was a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the First Presbyterian church of this city. He was also active in the church and school affairs of the Harmony rural community community in which his farm home is located. For many years he served as a member of the Harmony School Board. The deceased was born November 8, 1874 at Fort Dodge, Iowa. His parents were Henry S. Griffeth and Martha Jane (Adams) Griffeth. Both of his parents and all of his brothers and sisters have preceded him in death. NINE CHILDREN He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Floyd Griffeth (nee Eva McLaury) and four daughters, Mrs. T.R Johnston (Vesta), Mrs. George Ritter (Edith), Nell and Kathyrn Griffeth, and five sons, David H., John L., Lee R.. Wilbur F., and Charles U. Griffeth. There are also 12 surviving granchildren. Widely known in this section of the country, the passing of this highly respected pioneer brought hundreds of messages and calls to the bereaved family, today from those whom he had befriended and served. The pall bearers selected are: Charles Carpenter, Jacob Puckett, George Harlow, S. A Bryant, Tom Cook, T. A Higgins and W.W. Copple. TRIBUTE IS PAID TO FLOYD L. GRIFFETH Both Rural and Town People Attend Funeral of Pioneer Resident Sunday People from the rural and town communities attended the funeral at the First Presbyterian church Sunday to pay tribute to Floyd L. Griffeth, 60, one of the communities pioneer business men and farmers, who died Friday evening 31 May 1935. Many were unable to find seats and standing room This was one of the largest funeral held at the church in several years. Griffeth died as the result of injuries suffered in an automobile accident on Tuesday. "Be of good cheer. It is I, be not afraid," was the text chosen from the 14th chapter of Matthew by the Rev. S. Graham Fraser, pastor, for the funeral sermon. the sermon was a tribute to the deceased who was a leader in business, civic and church life of this community. Mr. Griffeth was active in the church and school work in the Harmony rural community where he made his home. The mixed quartet composed of Mrs. L. C. Walters, Mrs. Marion Hughes, C.F. Blankenship and L.C. Garman, sang "My Faith Looks Up to Thee" and "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Nearer My God to Thee" with Miss Mary Garman as the organist. The deceased is survived by his wife, and four daughters, Mrs. T.R Johnston (Vesta Ruth Griffeth 16 Aug 1900 - 1983), Mrs. George Ritter (Edith), Nell and Kathryn Griffeth, and five sons, David H., John L., Lee Richard Griffeth (20 Feb 1906 - 05 Jan 1980) Wilbur Floyd Griffeth (13 Dec 1908 - 24 May 1996) and Charles U. Griffeth. Grandchildren include the daughters of Lee and his wife Babe (Opal Audine Testerman Griffeth) Betty Louise and Dorothy Carol 25 April 1934-28 December 2007, Virginia Ann Griffeth 01 Oct 1936 - 04 Feb 1992. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank our many friends and neighbors for their acts of kindness, sympathy and the beautiful floral offering, during the recent death of our beloved husband and father, Floyd Griffeth. -Mrs. Floyd Griffeth and family Facts about Floyd Griffeth's family-
(1936) After Floyd L. Griffeth's Death The Supreme Court Overturned Earlier Judgment Made in Mr. Griffeth's Favor against Deep Rock Oil Company Deep Rock Oil Company admitted they did in fact pollute Floyd L. Griffeth was engaged in the business of farming, stock raising, and dairying, and was the owner or lessee of certain pasture lands; Deep Rock Oil Company permitted salt water, oil, and other refuse and deleterious substances to escape from its operations and flow into Wild Horse creek, which emptied into Euchee creek, and that both of said creeks traversed the lands of plaintiff and constituted his water supply for his cattle; that said cattle drank the poisoned and polluted water and by reason thereof five cows lost their calves and became sick and deteriorated in value; two heifers died, and certain other cattle were injured and damaged; that it became necessary to move the cattle to other pastures and to procure other water; that all of said damage was caused by the acts of defendant in permitting the escape of the pollutive substances into Wild Horse creek. Plaintiff testified that as a result of drinking the salt water five cows lost their calves, and in regard to the value of the calves and the damage thereby sustained to the cows, plaintiff was permitted to testify as follows: "For whatever damage and injury plaintiff necessarily suffered from pollution of Euchee creek and the waters thereof by salt water or other deleterious substances in January and February, 1932, such cost and expenditures as were reasonably and necessarily required to be expended and were reasonably and necessarily expended for such purposes in building a dam and impounding suitable water for the stock used by him at said time, in this case, however, not exceeding $1,000." See Who is now
discharging into Cushing's water! Henry S. Griffeth, father of Floyd
L. Griffeth
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