Driving Mrs. Coleman
Note to reader: I started writing this story in the first day or two of January 2023. It’s a story that I first heard my father-in-law tell shortly before he passed away. It intrigued me and I began researching and writing the story right away. I’ve been sitting on the story longer than I intended and now it’s time to release it. As many of you know, we lost Bart’s dad in March of 2023. I’d like to thank my guest blogger Rae CONNER for helping me finish this story. I was unable to make much headway in my initial research so I reached out to her for help since the subject of the post is her family.
The nugget of the story that I started with was that Louis KIRK was a chauffer for George and Jessie (CARR) COLEMAN who owned the historic Coleman Theater in Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma. My father-in-law was young and one of things about Louis KIRK that intrigued him was Louis’ prowess in performing rope tricks.
I’m keeping the original story as I wrote it in January, 2023, which is what you’ll see starting in the next section. I’ll add in Rae’s story as well which was also written in January of 2023. Please be kind and courteous with copying the information. I’m fine with my portion being copied but please give credit to my blog. If you wish to re-post or copy Rae’s portion, please contact her before doing that. I hope you enjoy one of my father-in-law’s last stories. I’m grateful for the opportunity to tell it.
Louis KIRK, Chauffer
We took my husband’s parents on a road trip today (note: this was on the 1st or 2nd of January, 2023) because I needed information. We took them back to a place my father-in-law lived when he was young. There wasn’t much he could tell me. However, he did tell an interesting story as we were driving through Miami, Oklahoma. I’d like to relay that story to you.
Coleman Theater
In downtown Miami is a nice, historic building where the Coleman Theater is located. The Coleman Theater was built about 1929 for George COLEMAN (husband of Jessie COLEMAN), who was a “local mining magnate” . It’s been beautifully restored inside and out. I encourage you to go look at the pictures on the website. As we were passing by it, my father-in-law said that his aunt Ina’s husband used to chauffer Mrs. Jessie COLEMAN around. The husband/chauffer was Louis KIRK and he liked to do tricks with a lariat. When Mrs. COLEMAN was ready to go to Colorado, Louis would chauffer her there and when she was ready to return to Oklahoma, he would go pick her up again and bring her back. Some of Ina’s and Louis’ kids also worked at the Coleman when they were young. My father-in-law said all three of the girls worked there but he wasn’t sure about the boys.
Here’s What I Found
Ina Virginia PAGE was born in 1925 in Hartville, Wright County, Missouri, to George Benjamin and Ina Jane (CAWYER) PAGE. Ina was my father-in-law’s maternal aunt.
Beautiful, isn’t she? She married Louis KIRK around 1943. They lived in Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma. According to the 1950 US Federal Census, at least one of the sons, Louis Dean, did work at the Coleman Theater. He was a ticket taker at the Coleman at age 15. 1950 is the most recent census released so it is doubtful that other records could be found at this point.
In all my searching, I haven’t found anything that officially declares Louis to be the chauffer of Mrs. Jessie COLEMAN. It’s possible this information was never recorded publicly. It’s also possible that it’s in a later census record that hasn’t been released yet or in records that have long since been destroyed. I did note that, like Mrs. COLEMAN, Louis made trips to and from Colorado, so there’s that.
Because I couldn’t find a lot of information, I reached out to a relative (Rae) and asked her for information. The next section is the story she sent me.
Rae’s Story
Thanks for reminding me about dad’s lariat roping tricks. I truly forgot about them. Dad could rope anything. He did try his best to teach me but I am afraid I could not catch on to anything. My rope would go flat. I just remember he could make perfect circles and large ones at that! It is unfortunate that I do not remember how he learned. I know he lived in Colorado for a while with his first wife, Ollie, and his three boys. Dad also ran the trains as a hobo in his very young and early days. Wish I could say more. Dad’s life almost seems secretive and has many missing pages. He was married prior to Ollie; however, it did not last but a few weeks due to the woman’s character and immoral habits.
Dad worked for Mrs. GL Coleman (her name, Jessie). He was her full-time gardener and chauffeur. Due to his dark colored skin (mostly due to being in the sun all day and being part native Indian) some people thought he was a black man. He supervised several men during his 30 plus years working for the Colemans at their home in Miami Oklahoma. I remember going with dad and Mrs. Coleman to the Tulsa airport together. I was sitting in the back with her as dad drove quietly to Tulsa. He looked so handsome in his Chauffeur’s uniform and cap.
Two of my brothers helped him at times in the yard, working side-by-side with dad. My eldest brother also had his son help on occasions. Mom worked as a housekeeper for quite a while, helping the aging maids do their work. When I turned 14, I lived in the home as a companion to Mrs. Coleman. When she came home from vacation, she found me sleeping in the maids’ quarters and asked them to move me to Ann’s room (her daughter’s room). It was a surprise to us all. This lasted about six months while she was there. We would play Chinese checkers at night in her bedroom sunroom. I took breakfast with her before dad would take me to school. After Mrs. Coleman left for the summer, I was asked to stay with the maid and help her out. I will never forget the yellow cakes she made with creamed topping.
Dad told stories about Bing Crosby and Bob Hope staying with the Colemans. He would drive them to and from the airports. Dad worked hard, keeping the grounds up, the horse stalls and the pool kept in good condition. His gardens were outstanding. Dad would work from early morning until late every day. His pay was just enough to pay the bills and provide food on the table. When Mrs. Coleman passed a few months prior to dad, we discovered dad was in the Will. Unfortunately, before the Will could settle, dad passed away June 1979. Mother did receive a small amount of money from the Will in dad’s place. It was not much, but it helped mom out at the time.
I must say even after Jessie passed; we remembered in the Coleman’s Christmas Card list. I only knew them as good people that never treated us like we were less than they were.
Dad bought a couple of their cars from them, making payments, of course. So, we had nice cars for a while. The Cadillac was a black beast of a thing. We liked it.
I believe both my sisters worked at the Coleman Theater in reception and concession. I know sis Dian did. I do not remember how long and they are no longer here to ask. In fact, I am the only one left from our joined family. My niece worked for Jessie’s daughter for a while, but I do not know that story.
Seriously wish I had listened more to my parents when I was young. I know my dad loved his job and was loyal and faithful to his employers.
Bonus
My father-in-law lived in the Picher-Cardin area when he was young. I snapped a couple of photos of him while we were on our trip. They’re your bonus for today.
Final Thoughts
I highly recommend gathering up your people and taking a road trip. I ended up getting road trips with both my in-laws and my parents this weekend. It was good. Wishing you a wonderful week.
Lisa @ Days of Our Lives blog
Resources Used
- Ancestry.com
- Newspapers.com
- Miami, Oklahoma website
- Coleman Theater website
- Wikipedia, Coleman Theater entry
- Wikitree, Jessie CARR COLEMAN entry
- Contact with relative of Louis Kirk on Ancestry
