I saw on the news last week where railway passenger service is suppose to open up from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. I really enjoyed riding the train when I was young, even if it was only a few times. Even before my teenage years my grandfather would load me up in the pickup and we'd go "meet the 4:05pm train" at the Ardmore depot. He would give me some pennies to put in the gum machine inside the depot and I really thought I had something then. Our neighbor adjoining our property on the north was Mr. A.L. Senter. Three times during a 24 hour period he would start his old truck and meet the train to get the mail off, and then take the mail to the old post office at North Washington and West Broadway. I remember as a kid we'd sometimes place a penny on the track and let the train run over it. The crazy things we did back in those days. Of course the locomotive was the favorite part of the train to see, but second was the caboose. I always enjoyed watching the caboose go back at the end, and wondered what was in it. You don't see cabooses any more.
December 7, 2002 Newsletter: "Cabooses were phased out toward the end of the 1980's and early 1990's. The BNSF was one of the first railroads to begin using the "Rear End Detector" in place of the caboose. If you look closely at the end of a train now days you will see a small electronic device usually mounted on the coupler at the end of the last car. This device measures air pressure, train operations, and communicates with several wayside (track side) devices that look for bad axles, bearings, etc, commonly referred to as "hot box" detectors. As you can imagine, this electronic device is more precise than the original human interaction used to help monitor these activities and readings. Consequently, the need for a brakeman or other personnel at the end of the train is no longer crucial and there is no longer the need for a caboose. Eliminating a non cargo carrying rail car was an economic benefit to the railroad. I enjoy your newsletters, keep up the good work."
Cecil Elliott lives in Oklahoma City and this week a hot air balloon floated over his house. I see on the balloon they are advertising their service. 405-698-2900 Cecil took this photo as the hot air balloon floated by.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/OKCHotAirBalloonRides121014.jpg
My neighbor, Greg Bates (Bates Roofing and Construction) was doing some work at the very top of the First Baptist Church this week. Best I could tell he was repairing the cap stone at the top. Greg and his partner were waaaaay up there!
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/1stBaptistChurchBates.jpg
It's been a while since I've spoke of Steve Hamm's website of Ardmore Criterions and other old publications. There is not another website in the United States like it. When you visit, plan on sitting a spell, there are ton's of information on it.
http://www.ArdmoreCriterion.com/
September 1986
Carter County Commissioners accepted the resignation of Henry Sampley, County
Assessor, to be effective December 31. Betty Watterson, his opponent in the last
election, will be sworn in as his successor on January 1.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos11a/HenrySampley.jpg
October 1954
Completion of Highway 70 is nearing on the extension of 4-lane through Lone
Grove and westward to the Bayou. The 4-lane divided roadway, fist such segment
of raod to be constructed on Highway 70, will incorporate the present slab as
the north side of the new construction. The south side will be all new highway.
September 1930
Ed Cook, City Marshal of Woodville, in Marshall County, was shot and instantly
killed Friday night, and George Morrison, Constable of Woodville, is in the
county jail on a charge or murder as the result of a disturbance over whiskey.
According to reports Cook was trying to search Morrison for liquor when Morison
drew a gun and shot the marshal. The shooting took place at the Woodville school
while a basketball games was in progress. A large crowd of spectators witnessed
the affair. Cook, who had been Woodville Marshal for only a few months, was
married and had three young children.
September 1930
Funeral services for Mrs. Ruby Hardy, 30, were presided over by Rev. J. Rush
Goodlow. Pallbearers were attorneys J.Hodge, S.A George, Ezra Dyer, H.H. Brown
and John Hodge. Mrs. Hardy was accidently killed late Wednesday when a shotgun
discharged. She and her husband, A.J. Hardy, had been hunting on their ranch
near Woodford. She is survived by her husband and a small daughter, Gloris
Jacqueline.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/hardymrs.html
I know some of you Ardmoreites
remember teacher Charles Dabbert. Mr. Dabbert is requesting help from his
former students. He is starting to write a book and would like any info from his
former students as to how his class and teaching methods helped in their later
education and in fulfilling their life's goals. He does not do email, so you can
mail him your story at 1108 Harmony Dr, Ardmore, OK 73401 or fax your story to
him at 580-223-4818. Any help is appreciated.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/CharlesDabbert1966.jpg
On Friday December 12th a retirement
reception will be held for Carter County Associate Judge Lee Card on the 3rd floor
of the courthouse. Time will be from 2pm to 4pm.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/LeeCardRetirement121214.jpg
A couple pavers I sandblasted this week.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bricks/GarrettPaver.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bricks/LeeCardPlaque.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bricks/DaleOttPaver.jpg
From time to time I talk about a good utility I use to keep the computer running good. I've mentioned in the past about a anti-spyware program called SUPERantispyware. Everybody gets spyware from just normal day to day surfing on the internet. And once in a while even a Trojan virus will attack a computer, and that's bad, really bad. I've tried several free anti-spyware programs through the years, like Malwarebytes, and none of them are a magic bullet. Each has their own shortcomings. For example, I've ran one program and caught 18 pieces of spyware. 5 minutes later run another program, and it caught 2 or 3 the other program missed. So no program is the perfect spyware catcher. But overall, SUPERantispyware seems to do a good job and still not a memory hog trying to take over your computer. It has a small footprint. The free version of Malwarebytes is a good program, but it does have a large footprint and seems to use a lot more memory than SUPERantispyware.
http://www.superantispyware.com/
Q. The songwriter of many
famous Christian Gospel songs known around the world, such as "I'll Fly Away"
and "Turn You Radio On", Albert E. Brumley, was born in what Oklahoma town?
A. Albert
Brumley was born near Spiro, Oklahoma in 1905.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5659883
Q. Dr. Phil, an American
television personality, author, psychologist, and the host of the television
show was born in what Oklahoma town?
A. (answer in next week's T&T)
From This and That newsletter archives of December 2, 2000:
Just 10 miles south of Norman, Oklahoma is the little town of Goldsby. There's not a lot there, a City Hall, a volunteer fire department, the First Baptist Church, several tree nurseries, and a lot of signs that read "Hay for Sale" at the horse ranches that are everywhere. But one little known secret they have is called Libby's Restaurant. It's just a mile or so west I-35 and the food is great! But if it's noontime, you may have to wait in line. http://www.libbyscafe.com/
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/LibbysGoldsby.jpg
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A couple of issues ago I spoke about
Bromide, Oklahoma and the touted healing waters that supposedly were drawing
large number of visitors there back in the 20s. Bromide is about 15 miles NE of
Tishomingo, Oklahoma and I was over there visiting the other day. I found some
interesting things of long ago, and also visited Camp Simpson just two miles to
the west of Bromide down a dirt road. Here is a pic of what the local residents
call "Bromide Hill". The word Bromide is written into the side of that hill with
white rocks (above the pavilion in the photo).
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/BromideHill.jpg
As you start into town at the first curve,
there in the front yard of a residence a are couple of odd pieces of history.
One is some kind of railroad crane. To the left of it is even an odder piece of
equipment. It is a little car used by railroad workmen to travel the rails. I'm
sure some of you railroad buffs out there can shed more light on this strange
contraption.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/BromideRailroad.jpg
At that same curve where the above two pieces of railroad equipment sit is the dirt road that thousands of Boy Scouts have travelled down on their way to Camp Simpson. Camp Simpson is just a couple of miles west and then back into those rugged mountains. The Camp consist of about 2,000 acres of rugged land in pristine condition. There is a small, beautiful 200 acre lake nestled in the 2,000 acres camp, fed by several springs. As I travelled around the Camp I noticed a number of springs running through it.... across the roads. Animals abound. Nature everywhere.
Bell in front of the Camp Simpson Mess
Hall, Bromide, Oklahoma.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellphotos/CampSimpsonBell2000.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellpage
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Gas prices today in the Ardmore area......
http://www.oklahomagasprices.com/index.aspx?mss=152754
Non-ethanol gas (pure gas) stations in the Ardmore area.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/puregas.html
Some mail from this week's MAILBAG.....
"Butch, I shot a few pics of Tucker Tower, Lake Murray last month. One view is from the boat dock, the others are from the top of the tower. The panoramic view is from 9 overlapping shots stitched together." -C. Dwane Stevenshttp://www.oklahomahistory.net/lakemurray/AtopTuckerTower112814.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/lakemurray/LakeMurray112814a.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/lakemurray/TuckerTower112814.jpg
"I only recently read about the legend of the sand dollar and thought it was so interesting. The story is an old one and has been handed down through the years and I thought the T & T readers would find it interesting also. The sand dollar represents Jesus. There are four holes around the sides and one bigger one toward the middle. The four little holes represent the nail holes where Jesus was nailed to the cross, and the one in the middle is where the spear pierced His side. Also etched on the face of the sand dollar is a star that stands for the Star of Bethlehem that led the shepherds to the manger where Jesus was born. Should you break it open in the middle, there are five white porcelain dove-shaped pieces that are a symbol of praise that will fall free. The person telling this legend lived in Florida where sand dollars are found along the coast. There is also an etching of a poinsettia on the back side. If you would like to read more about it, you can bring it up on your computer under legend of the sand dollar." -Elisabeth/Tulsa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HC3jTswJoc
"Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bridges, reading your weekly Newsletter made me feel younger again and transport myself to those beautiful years that I had in Ardmore. In your last edition they mention about a pharmacy that was in the corner of Washington St. and Main St. In the early fifties when I was there, the owners were Eddie and Virginia Latz (I don't know if I spell it right) and they were very nice and beautiful people, good fans of the Ardmore Indians Baseball and always with an smile in their faces. I loved them very much . In your editorial they mention that somebody else were the owners, so I am a little confused and maybe I am mistaken about that, anyway thanks very much for your weekly Newsletter Mr. Bridges and hope your wife and you have a Great Year, love always, Ernesto (Ernie W. Klein)
"Lots of good discussion about old drugstores. Here's my 2 cents worth. Martin-Fedler Drugstore was on the corner of Main and Caddo. Angie Simmons, my next door neighbor and mother to one of my oldest friends, George (deceased), use to make sandwiches in her kitchen, single handedly and sold them at the counter in Martin-Fedler Drugstore. Later, Clarence Fedler located Fedler Drug on Washington street approximately 1/2 block north of Main. I purchased a house around 1965, next door to Clarence on Davis street N. W.. The Jaycees had a membership drive that involved a goat. I had to care for that goat until I obtained a new member. The goat got out and Clarence Fedler helped my wife corral that goat back into my backyard. That goat ate the roof off my doghouse, bullied my dog, attempted to come into the house. My wife quickly shut the sliding glass door on the goat's neck to stop him. No damage to goat or door. Grissom Drug was at the southeast corner of the old Ardmore Hotel building. Don't recall it being Grisson-Key but, maybe before my time. Emmet Key had a drugstore on east Main, east of Daubes' Department store, later it became Lutz Drugstore, owned by Eddie Lutz. Emmet Key had a beautiful farm on the corner of old highway 70 east and Gene Autry road. I was a grade school friend of his son, James and spent some time at that farm. That would have had to been 1946 or 47. He also had a daughter, Charlsie who was a cheerleader. Really enjoy all the history bantering that takes place in your T and T." -Dale Young
"Mr. Bill Grant has donated the old Rock Hill School bell to Cowboy Crossing Church located on Highway 70 East (Hugo, Oklahoma) as of 11-28-2014." -JoLynn Self
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellphotos/hugobel2.jpg
"I only recently read about the legend of the sand dollar and thought it was so interesting. The story is an old one and has been handed down through the years and I thought the T & T readers would find it interesting also. The sand dollar represents Jesus. There are four holes around the sides and one bigger one toward the middle. The four little holes represent the nail holes where Jesus was nailed to the cross, and the one in the middle is where the spear pierced His side. Also etched on the face of the sand dollar is a star that stands for the Star of Bethlehem that led the shepherds to the manger where Jesus was born. Should you break it open in the middle, there are five white porcelain dove-shaped pieces that are a symbol of praise that will fall free. The person telling this legend lived in Florida where sand dollars are found along the coast. There is also an etching of a poinsettia on the back side. If you would like to read more about it, you can bring it up on your computer under legend of the sand dollar." -Elisabeth/Tulsa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJ7oD8bc5Mk
The Ardmore Elks Lodge will host a First Responders Appreciation Breakfast Saturday December 13th from 7:30am to 10:30am.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/FirstResponderBreakfast121314.jpg
Garlic Rubbed Roasted Cabbage Steaks
If you love cabbage, you are going to freak out about how good this is. Now, if
you are on the fence about cabbage, you need to try this because this might be
the recipe that converts you to a cabbage lover.
This is a simple side dish worthy of a dinner party and couldn?t be easier to
make. Four ingredients, a couple of minutes to prepare and toss in the oven for
an hour.
Ingredients
1 (approx 2lb) head of organic green cabbage, cut into 1″ thick slices
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
2 to 3 large garlic cloves, smashed
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
spray olive oil OR non-stick cooking spray
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400F and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
Pull outer leaf off cabbage (it?s usually dirty and nasty looking), cut cabbage
from top to bottom (bottom being root) into 1″ thick slices.
2. Rub both sides of cabbage with smashed garlic.
3. Use a pastry brush to evenly spread the olive oil over both sides of the
cabbage slices.
4. Finally, sprinkle each side with a bit of kosher salt and freshly cracked
black pepper.
5. Roast on the middle rack for 30 minutes. Carefully flip the cabbage steaks
and roast for an additional 30 minutes until edges are brown and crispy. Serve
hot and Enjoy!
Christmas Past (written by Carice Williams)
Each Christmas I remember
The ones of long ago;
I see our mantelpiece adorned
With stockings in a row.
Each Christmas finds me dreaming
Of days that used to be,
When we hid presents here and there,
For all the family.
Each Christmas I remember
The fragrance in the air,
Of roasting turkey and mince pies
And cookies everywhere.
Each Christmas finds me longing
For Christmases now past,
And I am back in childhood
As long as memories last.
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
Vicious Dog Attacks in Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/viciousdogs.html
Bells of Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellpage.html
Carter County Courthouse Paver Project
http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/pavers
Ardmore High School Criterions Online
http://www.ArdmoreCriterion.com/
Oklahoma Bells:
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/bellpage.html
Bill Hamm's Cemetery Database
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/carter/cartercm.htm
American Flyers Memorial
Fund - Administration Webpage
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/crash66.html
Official American Flyers
Memorial Website
http://www.brightok.net/~wwwafm
Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force
Base Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
Mirror Site of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Website
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/airbase/
Carter county schools, past and
present
http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory
Carter County
Government Website
http://cartercountyOK.us/
All previous issues of This & That can be found on my
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