Each Christmas we receive a box of grapefruit from the Rio Grande Valley sent to us by Monroe and Trish Cameron in Montana. Monroe grew up on Stanley SW in Ardmore but his connection to Ardmore goes way back. Monroe’s father, Ossian Cameron, established the Cameron Refinery in August 1918 (now Valero) in Ardmore’s early years when it was located on Sam Noble Parkway and the railroad overpass. As Ardmore grew, I assume for safety reasons, it was later moved to where it is located today on Highway 142 in northeast Ardmore. There was even a Cameron Lake (later called Santa Fe Lake) located at the old location on the north side of Sam Noble Parkway and the RR used to supply water for cooling in those days. I think later this lake had another name like Santa Fe or something else. People would go to the lake and camp out over night and fish and swim. There wasn’t a Lake Murray back in those days. Some of you may know there is a Cameron Road at todays refinery in recognition of Monroe’s dad.
Cameron Refinery 1920 (Sam Noble Parkway and the railroad track.
We always smile when the box of grapefruit arrives at Christmas. This year I can tell south Texas had plenty of rain, the grapefruits are juicy and sweet! Perfecf.
Years ago I even bought a quality grapefruit knife (Pampered Chef, now discontinued) (see picture below).
“Friends make life woth living.”
Red Bird city hall, Oklahoma. Nextdoor on the right is the jail.
https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=RE014
We gave been busy this month searching out Oklahomans with unclaimed insurance at the State Treasurers office in OKC. We will finish this month with over 50 and probably a 3rd of those contacted and connected with their money or soon will be after the State processes their claim. Thanks to all who helped.
https://oklahomahistory.net/unclaimed-property-in-oklahoma/
HAM Talk by KC5JVT via Echolink
I received my Christmas present to me yesterday, Wednesday from eBay ($36.95 including the power supply and wireless USB Wifi adapter (that’s it plugged in) . A fellow HAM friend in Pennsylvania (Mike KB3KAV) will be helping me to configure Allstar on it. I’ll be able to communicated with 10s of thousands of HAMs worldwide just like with my EchoLink program on my PC. I’m a happy camper!
Below is the check-ins last Sunday at 8:00pm for the Arbuckle 97 Net
From this week’s Mailbag
Hey Butch, Vince here. Referring to the comments about Camp School in far NW Carter County. It is now in the Fox school district. Fox was and still might be, the largest Oklahoma school district by area. My good friend Dennis Camp still lives in that area. The Camp family dates back to the 1800s in that area. The family had many that came in during the early years and expanded. Now, not many people but many acres continue to be in the Camp name including the Camp Cemetery. -Vince Freeman, Healdton
Below is from my newsletter archives dated
December 13, 2007 – Issue 568
I guess owning a pocket knife is really a guy thing since few women carry one. I can remember back in the late 1960s Bob Miller of Lone Grove (retired Ardmore fireman) gave me a Schrade pocket knife for Christmas and I carried that knife for probably 20 years. I was sure sad when I lost it one day. Its just something a guy (or teenage boy) can really get attached to.
A few months ago I lost my Browning stainless steel “Folding” pocket knife and hunted my head off for it. County Assessor, Sam West, gave me the knife for Christmas in the early 2020s, so I hated losing it, but had given up ever finding it. And then last week Jill found it when she was packing our stuff for the big move to Lone Grove soon (2008)! This was a quality knife, Browning model 725 (discontinued), and was like a Christmas present all over again!
October 4, 1997 T&T:
Around 1971 a young couple was getting married about 25 miles east of Ardmore in Madill, Oklahoma. At that time the “new highway” between Madill and Ardmore only went about 5 miles west of Madill and abruptly came to an end. We in this area all called it “the highway to nowhere”. It was suppose to go on to Ardmore, but the money stopped and so did the highway, at the Carter county line. There were barricades and barrels to stop drivers from continuing on west. A car would have to almost come to a complete stop and turn south into a narrow, crooked county road to continue on to Ardmore. It was Friday night, the young bride and groom just repeated their wedding vows, left the Madill church, and headed out on their honeymoon and new life. They were traveling at a pretty fast clip (in 1971 the speed limit in Oklahoma was 70), probably sneaking a few kisses, traveling west toward the deadend highway, not realizing they were on the wrong highway. Wham. Crash. Bam. Highway signs, barricades, plastic barrels, and reflectors went everywhere. I happened to be on ambulance duty that night. Those newlyweds were in tears, scarred to death, and probably wondering if they made a big mistake getting married. But God was with them, they only had scrapes and scratches, treated at the E.R. and released. But one thing I’m sure of…. their honeymoon and night of wedding bliss was not going to take place that night. I never heard from them again. But I hope they stuck it out, loved each other more then ever, and are still together, looking back to that year and fateful night with great big laughs and smiles.
April 28, 2001 T&T:
“Hello Butch, I was just wondering if any of your Readers remember the old city hall building that was between Hinkle and 1st where the present one is. It was an old red brick that covered the whole block. When the demolition of the old building was going on, the north wall on Hinkle street fell on a man and killed him. His name was Ben Garnand (22 Oct 1883 to 6 Apr 1956). He was a brother to the other Garnands that had a saw and knife business in the basement of the old Martin/Fedler Drug Store at Main and Caddo streets. They later moved their business across the street because the basement had a problem with water when it would rain. Another of their brothers (James F. Garnand) had a truck and drayage business with his son Leo Garnand. They lived in the 800 blk. of G st. Northeast. Another of the brothers (John Garnand) lived on corner of 8th and A st. Northeast. Delt Garnand lived at the business address on Caddo St. John Garnand had a daughter Nell Musgrove who with her husband operated a Dry Cleaning business next to the Western Union Telegraph on A St. N.W. As you can see, this was a very big family of Ardmoreites. I haven’t even started to name them all. They are all related to me.” –Roy “Buddy” Garnand of Healdton
“I noticed the article regarding the Christmas programs at the Civic Auditorium back in the 1950’s maybe early 1960’s was the time these were held. I remember they were for the needy children of Ardmore especially, but all were invited. They were presented by The Salvation Army with Major Jack Key as the main speaker and director of the program. He was a very well known man in the community who worked to help anyone in any way he possibly could. I remember him well, and had the honor of being with Major Jack Key and his wife after their retirement when they would return to Ardmore for meetings at The Salvation Army. They were wonderful people and truly well loved in the community. Major Key was very outgoing, and could really build the excitement as well as keep everyone’s interest with all that was going on with the program which was well planned and organized.
In addition to their daughters, Major and Mrs. Key also raised Catherine Hill who later became a Salvation Army officer even attaining the rank of Major long before her retirement. She was a big assistant in these programs as well. We would talk about those programs and who were some of the people who assisted. Someone played the large concert grand piano, and other talents were presented as well. A big attraction was the visit from Santa Claus who was played by Mr. Sam McDaniel, and Major Key could really get the excitement going among the kiddos there in attendance regarding the visit from Santa. Those big bags did have a least a lb. of hard candy including the ribbon candy, assorted nuts, and a huge apple and an orange. This event always drew a large attendance because the program itself was well worth the visit. I can recall several humorous incidents that happened at these events.”
A Fruitless Chase
September 28, 1894— Ardmoreite— Sam Bartell and possee returned from a month’s chase after the Doolin gang in the western part of the Territory. The party consisted of Sam and Dan Bartell, Charles Cannon, William Henry, Can McCleery and John Thomas. They were assisted by friendly ranchmen and Indians. They came up with the Doolins about twenty-five miles west of Anadarko on Old Cobb Creek where the had a running fight with the outlaws. Bill Doolin and Bitter Creek were in the gang and strange to say, though a large number of shots were exchanged, the only one killed was the Indian guide Ekoniska, who received five bullets. The outlaws escaped and the pose pursued the lost gang into the Wichita Mountains. The posse on their return captured Tom Platts, who is accused of aiding and harboring the outlaws.
He Didn’t Scare
Two Men Try Their Hand on Deputy Charley Burns
Last Night Coming Out Losers.
September 6, 1894—Ardmoreite—Last night as Deputy Marshal Charley Burns was coming into town and when only a few miles out he met two men in a buggy. He started to ride out of the road for them when they wheeled their tem in front of him and with an opprobrious epithets commanded him to halt as he was the very man they wanted. No sooner this than Charley whipped out his pistol and throwing it full in one of their faces returned the complement by commanding them to alight. Recognizing the fact that he had the drop on them, they were not slow to obey. They were drunk and had with them a supply of Empire bitters and a Winchester. Mr. Burns broke their bottles and was in the act of doing the same with their gun, but their piteous pleas, profuse apologies at last reviled, and they were allowed to go on their way, fully realizing that they undertook a sandy on the wrong man. They refused to give their names but probably were some young men from southeast, who had tanked up on too much Empire and though it would be funny scare somebody. If they realized any fun out of this effort, it must have been in the anticipation instead of the result.
Killed a Horse Thief
August 28, 1894—Ardmoreite—Deputy Marshal Scrivener, of Paris Valley, came down this afternoon, bringing with him T. J. Noah charged with the murder of Alex Franklin, on the Canadian about five weeks ago. It seems that Franklin was a notorious Negro horse thief and that in trying to arrest him Noah had to kill him in self defense. The prisoner yesterday surrendered to Mr. Scrivener at Arbuckle and will be given a hearing before Commissioner Gibons as soon as the attendance of witnesses can be secured. He is a gentleman who stands high as a law abiding, honorable citizen, while the victim was a desperate and notorious thief, whose taking off was a blessing to the country in which he operated.
Susan & Charles Nances’ Roasted/Toasted Pecans
1 T. sugar
2 T. vinegar
2 c. pecan halves
1 T. butter
salt….optional…to taste
In a container, mix sugar, vinegar and pecans.
Shake together well to coat pecans. Spread on
aluminum foil lined shallow sheet/pan.
Bake in pre-heated 250-degree oven 45 minutes.
Add butter and sprinkle with salt. Stir well and
bake 20 minutes more.
**** We tend to increase the amount of butter & sugar. We do not use the salt. This is yummy. Susan does this so well….I cannot stay out of them.
Museum Memories- Contributed by Melinda Taylor
The Wilson News
7-14-1915 – Otto B. Bradford, of Ardmore, engineer for the new pipeline, and three of the contractors, registered Sunday night at the Woodrow.
7-14-1915 – Contractors for the laying of the new pipeline passed through Wilson the first of the week on their way to inspect the survey.
7-21-1915 – Messrs, Keiger and Lindsay, of Ponca City, head contractors on the Wilson-Gainesville pipeline, are in Wilson, guests at the New Wilson hotel.
7-21-1915 – About 100 teams are now employed in hauling pipe for the new pipe line. Two hundred men are employed in laying the pipe, nearly all of whom are citizens of Wilson and vicinity. A number of Italian laborers have been employed digging the ditches and more are expected. All of the piping for this section of the state has been unloaded here at Wilson, about 57 cars to date. The numerous camps connected with the laying of the pipeline are buying supplies of the Wilson merchants, and business here has improved wonderfully within the past thirty days.
8-4-1915 – “Oil Fields Humming” One Hundred Teams Hauling Pipe Daily. Half That Number Busy Transporting Timbers! Wilson Again Mecca for Oil Men aned Real Estate Investors – Old Days Coming Again.
The recent advances in crude oil prices has aided most materially in the Healdton oil fields.
As a consequence all lines of business in this city are feeling the stimulating effect and the congested condition of our streets remind old timers of the Wilson of a little over a year ago – the Wilson that, in 30 days time, sprung from a field of kaffir corn into a city of 2,000 inhabitants.
Over 100 teams are now making daily trips back and forth between Wilson and Wirt, hauling pipe for the Wilson-Gainesville pipe line, and pipe and miscellaneous supplies for the oil companies.
The three wholesale supply houses, the Frick-Reid, the National, and the Republic, located at Wilson, report a threefold increase in their business.
Wilson lumber companies are also doing a rushing business – fully fifty teams being busy each day transporting lumber from Wilson to the fields.
The Daily Ardmoreite 10-19-1922
Volume Records In Court House Speaks Volumes346 names appearing on pages of book tell story of convictions to pen since statehood. In the clerks office at the Carter county court house, is one volume of records, every page of which is a chapter in the life of 346 citizens whose names are inscribed therein. This volume is the record of convictions and sentences to the penitentiary passed in district court since statehood. Many of these chapters have been closed by death, and many more are still fresh in the minds of those living, who have paid the price for their transgressions toward society, and established law, and are once more useful citizens. The first name entered there was inscribed February 11th, 1908, while Judge Stillwell H. Russell was district judge, and the last was written October 6, 1922 when Judge Clyde Logsdon passed sentence upon the most recent conviction. During Judge Russell’s term of office as district judge, covering a period between 1908 and December 27, 1913, when he made the last signature to their record, 140 cases were passed upon and sentenced by him, he was followed by Judge A. Eddleman, who was called to pass upon 31 cases. Between February 2, 1915, to March 2, 1918, Judge W. F. Freeman signed the record for 87 cases convicted and sentenced before him, followed by Judge Thomas W. Champion and judge Clyde Logsdon, who have sentenced 88 during the period between February 25, 1918 and the present time. Sentences imposed run all the way from one year and one day to life imprisonment, but the extreme penalty of the law so far, has never been invoked in a Carter county court.
“Hi Butch, I wanted to thank you for all you have done and still do. What you do has brought so much joy to so many and you bring back to us the “old ways” and the reminders of how most of us grew up in closer communities. It was a time that most miss and to have a small fraction of it come into my home via computer is such a wonder and wonderful gift. Your gift us all with each and every issue and to all the people who contribute in pictures and stories..wow..thank you so much for sharing. I wish the Bridges and all the This & That community a most wonderful Christmas and New Year.” -Licia Babb in Michigan
Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas to everyone from our house to yours!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma
580-490-6823
