The Late Sooner                           Study Guide for Teachers  -  Book Review

The Late Sooner is a historical fiction based on the author’s great-grandfather’s diary. Sanford Deering wrote one line a day and settled in the Oklahoma Territory on the Unclaimed Lands in 1889 with his wife, Lucy and two children.

Famine, prairie fires, tornadoes, death, and discouragement buffet this family while they attempt to carve out a life from the red clay of the Oklahoma prairie.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LATE SOONER

"Jadlow's story is a tale richly deserving a read by those of us now enjoying the opportunities and development of this state."

—The Daily Oklahoman (See the review online)

“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

Purchase The Late Sooner at these online stores:

AWOCBooks.com
Amazon.com

Or ask your local bookstore to order it for you.

CHAPTER 1

1. Identify three problems that are presented in this chapter.

2. Was owning land important to Sanford? Why?

3. Did Lucy have facts or projections about life in Oklahoma?

4. If you had been in Lucy’s position, what would your feelings have been?

5. What can you surmise about Lucy’s personality from the statement, “She could stare down a Diamondback Rattler”?

6. What clues does the author give to help you draw conclusions about the relationship between Lucy and Sanford?

CHAPTER 2

1. Why do you think Lucy believed that if Sanford hadn’t left, Frankie might not have died?

2. Did Sanford accept this belief?

CHAPTER 3

1. Compare and contrast the ways Lucy and Sanford handled their grief over Frankie’s death.

2. What is the significance of Sanford’s nickname for Lucy? List three images this name brings to mind.

CHAPTER 4

1. What conclusions can you reach about the spirituality of Lucy and Sanford?

2. Sanford was, once again, absent when Lucy needed him at the birth of their daughter. What was her attitude?

3. Describe Lucy’s relationship with her father, with Mary, and with Hannah.

CHAPTER 5

1. What was your reaction to Sanford’s request that Lucy’s dad put seeds on Frankie’s grave?

2. Why did Lucy want to move back to Walker from her hometown of Winston?

3. What evidence do you note of Lucy’s changing Christian relationship during the funeral of Molly’s baby and at Frankie’s grave?

4. What clue does the author give concerning H.W., Lucy’s father?

CHAPTER 6

1. Explain Sanford’s statement, “My bones tell me it’s going to be a good day tomorrow.”

2. What is a root cellar?

3. What personality type is Sanford? What synonyms could be given for his “itch”/

4. Melinda sees the other side of the coin that Lucy doesn’t see. How does the author reveal this?

5. Would you value a single homemade gift at Christmas? Give two pros and cons.

CHAPTER 7

1. What was the men’s attitude concerning women having the right to vote? Did Lucy consider the possibility of women voting?

2. Who was President of the U.S. at this time?

3. What means of travel did people use to arrive at the border of the territory?

CHAPTER 8

1. After reading this chapter, would you take for granted a piece of fried chicken? Why?

2. Lucy and Sanford’s new baby was a boy. Were boys more important than girls to a homesteading family?

CHAPTER 9

1. Did Sanford have doubts about moving to the new territory? What were his fears?

2. List reasons Lucy did not want to go. Do you identify with her or with Sanford?

3. What were Lucy’s feelings after Sanford boarded the train?

CHAPTER 10

1. When Sanford reached the Oklahoma Territory, he saw people living in dugouts. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the dugout.

2. What would be the equivalent of Rebekah’s quilting bee for today’s woman?

3. How did Sanford and Uriah (do you know the derivation of this name?) know where to dig water well?

4. Who is a water watcher?

CHAPTER 11

1. Sanford enjoyed a good meal of ham, milk and blackberry pie for two bits (25 cents). His filing fee was $14.00. In today’s economy, what would be the value of each of these expenses?

2. Sanford is many miles away and is consumed with staking a claim, yet is always thinking of his family. Tell how the author lets this be known.

3. What are some of the ways Sanford and Uriah depend on each other’s help?

CHAPTER 12

1. What caused Lucy to change her mind about moving to Oklahoma Territory?

2. List the preparations that needed to be made before the move.

3. There was some tension over the decision about what to take and what to sell. Each person had his or her own perspective. Explain each point of view.

4. What does “much obliged” mean?

CHAPTER 13

1. There were disputes over claims and “claim jumpers” in the territory. Lucy and Sanford had such an encounter. Retell the incident.

CHAPTER 14

1. Sanford’s diary entry simply states, “Nora got lost today”. Explain the panic and fears Lucy experienced. Were they valid?

CHAPTER 15

1. How is Sanford equipping his claim to become self-sufficient?

2. Explain how a sod buster works.

CHAPTER 16

1. Since timber was scarce, what was used for fuel for the stove?

2. Why did H.W. have a house built of lumber rather than sod?

3. What was your reaction to Lucy’s encounter with a snake and mice in the house?

CHAPTER 17

1. What was Nora’s “fuzzy bug”?

2. What does Lucy mean by a civilized home?

CHAPTER 18

1. Fire is always devastating. Why was it particularly hard on the homestead?

CHAPTER 19

1. How did Sanford prepare plaster for the house? Why did Lucy want this done?

2. Luther Peek offered a patch of his land for a burying place. This cemetery is still in use today. Do you know where it is located?

CHAPTER 20

1. Sanford was quick to help Sam in his time of need. What was their relationship?

2. Do you think being turned down for a loan was a sign that they should return to Missouri?

3. What statement causes Lucy to, once again, comment on Mary’s ability to see the positive sides of things? Does Lucy learn from Mary?

CHAPTER 21

1. Most of us have not experienced famine or the extreme lack Lucy and her family endured. How did this affect her health?

2. How does Mary make lye soap? What “necessities” of cleanliness and grooming are available today that would probably seem like miracles to Lucy?

CHAPTER 22

1. Is Lucy able to keep the household running smoothly by herself? How does H.W. help her? List the jobs that need to be done.

CHAPTER 23

1. Explain the cause of Lucy’s death.

CHAPTER 24

1. What are the signs that Sanford is grieving?

2. Is Sanford able to handle taking care of the children and the sod house? How did Lucy manage to do everything-often alone when Sanford was gone?

3. What does Lucy seem to say to him in his dream?

CHAPTER 25

1. What is seed money?

2. Why did the settlers petition Washington for seed money?

3. In what way do people today petition Washington for “seed money”?

CHAPTER 26

1. Mary has headaches and Freddie isn’t doing well. What help would be available to them today?

2. Name three things planting a peach orchard symbolize.

3. How did the neighbors help Susan?

4. Explain Ukiah’s avoidance of Sanford.

CHAPTER 27

1. Sanford states that his dream has been a long time coming and having the saw is one more step in getting it in place. Explain.

2. List the many accomplishments and improvements Sanford has made in his claim.

3. What does Sanford now cry out for?

CHAPTER 28

1. Why is Mary unable to continue to care for the children? To whom does Sanford turn for help?

2. Do you think Sanford loved Susan or just needed help?

3. In your opinion, who contributed more to building a homestead-men or women?

CHAPTER 29

1. After five hard years, Sanford was able to apply for a patent on his homestead. Do you think it was worth it?

2. What caused Freddie’s death?

3. How does the idea to return to Missouri come?

CHAPTER 30

1. How does Sam’s death in Missouri change the lives of Sanford and his family?

2. Does Sanford agree to move back just to help Nellie?

3. Name other reasons for moving.

4. What complications are to be overcome?

5. Does Sanford believe he is guided by “Providence”?

AFTERWARD

1. Do we have an ongoing obligation to pioneers to continue the betterment of Oklahoma?

2. How can this be accomplished by individual, group and government efforts?

Check out Sally Jadlow's Blog for more interesting facts about this era.