The Late Sooner

By Sally Jadlow

Sanford Deering wants to make his claim in the Oklahoma Territory on April 22, 1889. His wife, Lucy, expecting their third child, is determined to stay in Missouri. She refuses to let him go. Soon after the birth, Sanford learns land is still available.The Late Sooner shows the struggles, heartaches, and trials of the Deering family as they face claim-jumpers, prairie fires, and famine during the years following the first land run in Oklahoma. This account is based on Sanford's one line a day diary. Author Sally Jadlow is his great-granddaughter. "Sally Jadlow took her great-grandfather's diary and wove it into an incredibly beautiful story of hope, passion, adventure, trust and faith. This is one book that will always be near to my heart."-Nelda Brown, Past President, Logan County, Oklahoma Genealogical Society""After the bugle sounded on April 22, 1889, there were still pockets of free land available. The Late Sooner is the story of one family of homesteaders who claimed some of that land despite extreme hardships, trials, and grief. It is important to record stories for future generations. Sally Jadlow has accomplished this very well."-Don Odom, Junior High School History Teacher (retired), Guthrie, Oklahoma

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1542976960
• ISBN13: 9781542976961
• Release Date: February 2017
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A tribute to the brave prioneers of western history

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (1/07) On April 22, 1889 Congress opened the Unassigned Lands of almost three million acres in the Oklahoma Territory for homesteading. The unassigned lands were laid out in 160-acre homesteads. Guthrie, Oklahoma was designated as the temporary capital. Award winning author Sally Jadlow has taken the simple entries of her great grandfather's diary and crafted a gripping memoir of the life of Sanford Deering into a tribute to the pioneers who paid a high price to settle the Oklahoma Territory. Jadlow has captured the dreams, hope, bravery, and sacrifice of those pioneer homesteaders settling in Okalahoma in the years 1889 and 1890. Sanford's dream was to have his own land and to join in the "run" to file for farm lands in the Oklahoma Territory. Unspoken words created a mounting tension and compromise between Sanford and Lucy. Lucy determined, "If I didn't love him so much, I'd just let him run off and rot there." Weeks later, in wake of the new baby's arrival, Sanford succumbed, "He made one more last resolution to kiss his dream good-bye." However, within a month, a letter from Uriah, a friend who had staked a homestead claim, told of land still available. Sanford left to check it out and filed his claim. While Sanford was filing his claim in Oklahoma, Lucy, who had remained at home, was struggling with her wedding vows, those vows of being Sanford's life partner and helper. Receiving inner strength from her Bible reading Lucy's heart changed. The family moved to make a home on their homestead claim. The following words sum up Sanford's feelings. "If Sanford could have put this moment in a jar to save it forever, he would have. This longing that had rested in his heart for so long was finally a reality. If he didn't know better, he would have sworn he was dreaming." The ensuing chapters deal with the struggles the family went though during the five years of building and establishing their family and their homestead. Jadlow has a remarkable ability to endear her characters to the reader. She builds a sense of empathy and rapport. I soon felt I was an interactive member of the family as the story moved from crisis to tragedy full circle to another round of hope and promise. "The Late Sooner" is a book that should be in the classrooms and libraries of every school and family in the state of Oklahoma and on the reading lists of every curriculum of the history of Western United States. The story is rich in drama, inspiration, and historical insight.

Learning from those who went before us

In this day and age the hardship that confronted those who settled this great land is non-existent. It is really refreshing to read about those hardy pioneers who lived, loved and died fulfilling their dream. Mrs. Jadlow's portrayal of her family history is both entertaining and relevant for us all. We all need to have our memories refreshed by reading about perseverence, hard work, sorrow and fulfillment written in a folksy style that charms. Judy Smith

A voice that talks to you.

Ms. Jadlow has given us a rare treasure in this book. The story is based on a diary written by her great-grandfather, Sanford Deering. He tells about his adventures, and misadventures, trying to tame a homestead following the land rush to Indian Territory, Oklahoma, in the late 1800's. The voice is so clear, I felt I was sitting at the table listening in on the conversations, wiping tears during hard times, and laughing during the joyful times. The amount of research done becomes obvious as the book unfolds. Anyone can learn something from the experiences of this family and their friends. I came away appreciating my ancestors even more.

Great read

The Late Sooner by Sally Jadlow catches you with the introduction. Based on an actual diary from an Oklahoma plains settler Ms. Jadlow has woven a story we can all relate to and at the same time learn from. It's an easy quick read filled with information about the hardships, and hopes of the early settlers. Even if you have no interest in the history of Oklahoma you will enjoy this book.