[Exaday]

Grace Kidd who I mentioned above was captain Reynolds daughter. She is the reason we know so much about the family as she spoke fondly and often of her father who would take her places like Mexico to show her where he once lived.

As I said she was the last of the Reynolds to live in that Castle but she decided she did not like it as there were to many snakes and scorpions for her liking. I asked my grandmother about their being another Castle built nearby that burned down. She says she is unaware of such a castle. My dad knew Mother grace pretty well I think and would know about things like that. He loves talking about the family history.

I know this has gotten a little off topic and that we also have a lot of history involving Poteau from the Kidd side. I know very little of the Kidd family though.

Reynolds Married Leflores daughter they had a daughter who married a Kidd and here we are today.

[Lily0fthevalley]

The local history/genealogy department of the Fort Smith Public Library has a fair amount of info on Poteau and the surrounding region, including lots of info on microfilm. If you haven't been there yet it's worth a look. Can't remember if they have the Poteau newspaper on microfilm, but if they don't the State Historical Society in OKC certainly does.

Arlene LeMaster of the Poteau Valley Genealogical Society has published a lot of local history booklets, most of which the FSPL owns.

Don't forget to learn about Skullyville, which was there first!

[Oklahoma_Traveler]

Originally Posted by Exaday

Grace Kidd who I mentioned above was captain Reynolds daughter....

Between you and your aunt, you two have given me an overwhelming amount of excellent information! It amazes me that such a prominent early citizen has not been mentioned more often. There's so much that I didn't know that now it's certain that I'm going to have to go back and revisit that article....and, in fact, if I can find the time I need to write more about the Captain. I really appreciate the help! You've been great!

As far as the second castle, I had a feeling that it was pure myth to begin with, but with the separate people who mentioned it I felt that there had to be something to it. More than likely, it's more of a modern rumor. I had hoped to find some truth to it, but it looks as if that'll never happen.

While I haven't been on this forum for long, I think it's typical that most topics go off discussion a bit - but then again, that's usually how the best information gets around.. With the information you two have given me, I see now that Captain Reynolds life could have easily been made into a movie. All of this just fascinates me, and from the number of hits I get on that one article, it seems a lot of people are interested in his life and his home.

I cannot thank you enough for all of the helpful information you've given me! I only hope that I do the family justice with what I write.

Originally Posted by Lily0fthevalley

The local history/genealogy department of the Fort Smith Public Library has a fair amount of info on Poteau and the surrounding region...

Lily,

I've been to the Fort Smith Library a few times, but haven't been able to make it back since I started research on this article. I did some research at the Poteau library but, and I hate to say this, was wildly unimpressed. I'll definitely have to make time to go back to the Fort Smith library soon.

I recall the LeMaster name from somewhere, but can't place it. If I can recall right, I believe the gentleman's name was Doug LeMaster, but I could be mistaken. They did seem to know quite a bit, but it was mostly stuff from after the old town was destroyed. Hopefully, Arlene has published some stuff telling about Poteau from the pre-statehood days.

Skullyville has been a completely different beast. Usually, when I do research, a good majority of the information is lacking. With Skullyville, there's so much information out there that it's hard to compress it into a readable article. Usually, I try to keep the articles around 1,000 to 1,500 words simply because that's about the extent most people will read online, but with the article on Skullyville that I've been working on, it's ran at around 5,000 words. It may end up being a several part article.

I find it interesting, though, that with the importance that Skullyville had in Oklahoma's history, only the cemetery remains. I would have thought that there would be some other sign that a great town once flourished there. I asked around in Spiro about the town, but very few people knew anything - those that did only mentioned the cemetery. Still, it was a fascinating town, and I've thoroughly enjoyed researching it.

[Exaday]

Make sure you write to my dad as well. I DM'd his email to you. He's not the type to write you first or come here but he would love to talk about it if you emailed him.

He's older than my Aunt and might remember more. I think he may know more about poteau as well.

He loves an audience and would certainly write you back. I think he was already getting excited about it when I mentioned that you might right him. His name is Henry btw.

[Oklahoma_Traveler]

Originally Posted by Exaday

Make sure you write to my dad as well. I DM'd his email to you. He's not the type to write you first or come here but he would love to talk about it if you emailed him.

He's older than my Aunt and might remember more. I think he may know more about poteau as well.

He loves an audience and would certainly write you back. I think he was already getting excited about it when I mentioned that you might right him. His name is Henry btw.

I meant to do that earlier today, but have had several different things going on so I simply didn't get the chance. I'll be headed out of town tomorrow, so if I get the chance I'll send him an email before I leave. He's not the only one who's excited - it's hard to find good, reliable information on a lot of these historic places, so meeting someone who has close ties to things always makes me excited. I can't wait to hear what he has to say!

Thanks for everything!