A Kiowa County Pioneer Family

tn perryjones
Perry Silas Jones

“The Jones Family”

Perry Silas Jones was born in Hunt County, Texas in 1858 to Calvin Wade and Dicey L. (Whetstone)Jones. He began working as a Cowboy as soon as he was old enough.

Perry moved to Indian Territory and worked for Jim Knox on his ranch. In 1889, he returned toTexas and married Rebecca E. “Becky” Riley and they returned to the Territory in 1890. They livedin Duncan until 1901 when they then moved to their claim in Kiowa County.

Perry & Becky settled on Sec. 12, Township 4, Range 20 at the mouth of Devils Canyon. Theylived there for 25 years.

Perry grew up in Northwest Texas “…in the counties between Hunt Co. and the present Oklahoma southern boundary…” (SOURCE: Bicentenial Feature, 1937). He went to Indian Territory in 1886 and worked on the ranch of Jim Knox. Perry worked as a cattle driver, driving them along the “Great Western Cattle Trail”. In 1887, he was working for the Edlemond Brothers who owned the Cross S Cattle. He tells us that their headquarters were located in a dugout close to the mouth of Turkey Creek near present day Altus, OK. He also worked under U.S. Marshals Bob Ketchner, Tom Lillie, and John Climmons (possibly “Clemmons”) in tracking outlaws who were running rampant in the territory stealing stock and other goods, as well as using the Territory as a hideout. Perry was appointed to help chase down rustlers. In the 1937 interview, this is what Perry had to say: “I remember the capture of the Crow boys….We had quite a fight with them, they had stolen horses and cattle and killed an officer. We finally got them and they were taken to Paris, Texas, for trial; one of them was wounded but not badly.” Perry returned to Texas in 1888 and in 1889, he married Miss Becky Riley, returning to the Territory in 1889.

tn jones
Perry & Becky Jones

Perry and Becky settled in Indian Territory in 1889, 25 miles east of Duncan, OK. When the Territory was opened up for settlers in 1907, Perry and Becky settled in Kiowa County, making them Pioneers. Perry and Becky had four children: Ica Dora JONES b.28 Sept 1890 m. Leonard (Len) PERRY. She d. 27 Jun 1975 in Kiowa County. (my gr.gr.Grandparents); 2. Arthur McDonald JONES b. 8 Dec. 1891 d. 24 Jan 1962; 3. Bertha Lee JONES b. 26 May 1893; and 4. Dollie Pearl b. 6 Nov 1909 d. 27 Mar 1911. 4. Dollie died of a rattlesnake bite, dying the same day.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Scroll to Top