SIVELLS BEND

By Grace Dodd, Gainesville High School Senior--1915

Sivells Bend is a stretch of land, lying eighteen miles northwest of Gainesville. The country with its sandy loam is adapted to farming and cattle raising.

About 1850, Simon Sivells set up a small grocery store here and from him the place got its name. Mr. Sivells was forced to vacate this locality, however, on account of the Indians. In 1859, U. M. Midkiff, three (men) Mr. Calis, Dillard and Cohall came to Sivells Bend. Mr. Midkiff was made Justice of the Peace. He married quite a number of couples, both black and white, and none have been known to be divorced.

Quite an interesting case was brought to the Justice. A Mr. Jackson and a Mr. Wright came to court on account of a colt, worth about $30. Judges Lindsay and Potter were the opposing lawyers. Mr. Jackson obtained the colt, but the suit cost over one hundred dollars beside the lawyer’s fee.

Mr. Midkiff was postmaster of the post office established in his residence. Several wealthy Gunters came from a town of that name & settled in Sivells Bend. A fine church and school house was built with a Masonic Lodge hall above, about 1862. This building was later burned.

The country enjoyed peace & prosperity, balls, picnics & barbecues furnished continual diversion for all, men, women & children.

Then in 1868 came the Indian raid. Sixty head of horses were stolen from one man alone, more than one hundred being carried off all together. A posse was formed with Capt. Midkiff at the head and pursued the raiders to Wichita Mt... No Indians were capture however, nor horses regained.

The Indians always came at the light of the moon. One night a man tied his best team of work horses beside his open window and attempted to stay awake all night, but the next morning the animals were gone. The man didn’t think he had slept at all but the Indians were too sly for him.

At one time the school at Sivells Bend was the best in the whole county. The principal received $75 per month, and the assistant $40. Some of the teachers were Professors W. P. Petty and Joe Barnett and Miss Mary Bennett.

Mr. W. M. Robbins was the first preacher and Mr. J. M. Binkley one of the first presiding elders.

The population increased rapidly but the old settlers have most all moved away. Land sells for $40 per acre now that sold for $3 in 1860.