Email: [email protected]

Phone: 580-490-6823

If you’re looking for a certain article I wrote in a past issue of “This & That” you might find it faster by doing a “search” with your browser. With Netscape just click your mouse at the top at EDIT and then FIND and type in the word or words you’re looking for. If you use Internet Explorer, just click on EDIT and then FIND ON THIS PAGE to do a search.

Below is July 3, 2004 to July 31, 2004.

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Saturday July 31, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 380

I received any interesting phone call this week from Elgin, Texas. One of his best friends is the grandson of B.B. Burrell. You dont remember that name? Well, lets go back to 1909. Ada, Oklahoma. B.B. Burrell was hanged with three other men when a lynch mob took them from the Ada jail in the early morning hours, and strung them up inside a barn. This great grandson is in his 70s, but sharp as a tack, and has many pieces of history of the Ada hanging that probably no one else knows outside his family. Burrell is the second man from the right in the photograph. B.B. Burrell is buried in Weatherford, Texas. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

There has been several mentions the past few years in T&T about the delicious cinnamon rolls that were baked in the cafeteria at the Ardmore High School back in the 50s and 60s. Several people mentioned they wish the could get their hands on the recipe. We have not actually came up with that particular recipe, but I have talked Nancy Porter out of the recipe she used to make cinnamon rolls for years at the Dickson Schools. The recipe she gave me is intended to make cinnamon rolls for 100s of students. I will see if Nancy can pare the recipe down for just a few cinnamon rolls. Nancy Porter is the kitchen supervisor at the Carter County Detention Center. Here is the recipe typed up using Wordpad. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

We’ve added another class roster, Ardmore High 1955, to the website! <—– Click Here

November 29, 1923. The Daily Ardmoreite. Bars Severed By Person On The Outside.
Vernon Stacy, Youth, Chalks Up Third Jail Break to His Credit in Big Delivery Today.
Prisoners were taking exercise. Frank Criner, One of the Men to Dash to Liberty, Had Been in Jail Since Sunday.
Thanksgiving in jail held no joys for five prisoners who made their getaway through one of the northeast windows between 9:30and 10 o’clock this morning. Those who made the break for freedom were: Frank Criner, arrested Sunday afternoon for alleged hijacking and who attempted to kill Deputy Sheriff John Ginn when arrested. Vernon Stacey, charged with car theft and who has two previous jail breaks to his credit. Charles Johnson, who was being held prior to starting a term at the state school at Granite. Jess Carpenter, charged with automobile theft. Pete Smith, charged with automobile theft.

“Following a proposition by Oklahoma’s Democratic Governor Haskell in 1910, who considered Guthrie to be a “Republican nest”, the voters approved Oklahoma City as the new capital. The state seal was removed from Guthrie on the night of June 11, 1910, and Governor Haskell declared Oklahoma City to be the capital on June 12th, where it remains today.” <—– Click Here

I tried to keep it quit and almost did, until an X-FRIEND named Sylvia Moore spilled the beans. She grew up near me in the northeast and just had to tell everyone my 55th birthday was July 18th. I have had so many Happy Birthday emails since Sylvia blabbed, it really is humbling. Thanks to all of you who sent emails. Does this mean I can get coffee free at McDonalds? lol

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“Hello Butch, I look forward to reading T&T every week. The article in this weeks edition referring to the 1960 robbery of Sooner Foods in Ardmore brought back some “cloudy” old memories. I was 16 years old at the time and being a teen I had to “hang out” somewhere and around Mannsville the Truck Stop was the place. The night of this event those robbers came in and gassed up their car and hung out for probably a couple of hours, one did most of the talking, two stayed in the car and slept. We of course asked him what they were doing and he made some comment about being in the “tool” business and commenting about having some “drilling equipment” in the trunk of the car on their way to a “job”, he was a real talker kept us entertained the whole time. I recall his taking a lot about guns and saying his favorite type was a .45. As I recall we didn’t really feel any specific alarm at their presence there, I was totally shocked the next day when I learned of the fatal events just a few hours after I had been in very close quarters with them. I don’t remember which ones actually spent the time talking with us but I don’t believe the one who was killed ever got out of the car, I do recall recognizing the photos in the Ardmoreite of a couple of them. Thanks for the memories.”
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“FYI, I may stand correction, but wasn’t the Lutz Cafe located where the Ardmore Cycle Shop is now located? The Cycle Shop used to be to the North of The Lutz Cafe, and North of the Ardmore Cycle Shop was G&G Music Co. All of these faced the East in the 100 Block of N. Washington, and across the street was KVSO and The Daily Ardmoreite Offices. At one time the Lutz Cafe could have been located in the block where the Hamburger Inn is located. There has always been a lot of changes around Ardmore, and so many more in the last 30 years for sure.”
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“Butch, I was thrilled to read in this week’s This and That about the old western magazine “Inside Detective”. My mother has been trying to remember the name of that magazine for years. She knew her father had been mentioned in the story you profiled. Her dad, my grandfather, was John Smithers – who passed away in 1977. I would love to give my mom a copy of that magazine, would you please ask your readers if they know where one can be obtained.” -Kristi Johnson Wedge
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“Butch, I really enjoyed reading the excerpts from “the Rambling Reporter” tonight. I don’t remember George Norris although he seems to have written in the 50s. I remember Mac McGalliard (he was the one who wrote it later, right?) though. Please run more of the 50s stuff and/or is there a book about Mac and the Rambling Reporter? Seems to me there is…if so and you know where I can find one, I appreciate you letting me know……..thanks again.”
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“The machine is mentioned in several locations, including Liberatorore’s “Helicopters Before Helicopters,” Kreiger Publishers 1998. There is a photograph here, but different to the one you sent. The inventor was Thomas O. Perry, a prolific inventor and holder of over 60 patents. His company, Chicago Helicopters Ltd. was formed in 1923, and the machine in the photo was built by Plamondon Manufacturing Co. of Chicago. Perry was to enter this machine in the British helicopter competition of 1923. It used a Le Rhone rotary engine, a common enough engine of the era. Of some significance was the use of cyclic blade pitch for control. As far as I can determine, which is confirmed by Liberatore, the machine did not fly. Like many machines of the era, the performance was greatly exaggerated, and the claims in the extract you sent from the newspaper are almost certainly untrue.” -Gordon <—– Click Here
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“Dear Sirs, The following link: <—– Click Here has an unidentified man on the back row, second from left. I believe this is James T. Staples, December 26, 1862 & died June 07, 1942. From notes of his descendant [ From notes of Robert W. Hunnicutt: Sometime in the late 1880’s, James Thomas Staples founded the city of Ardmore, Indian Territory and possibly had a brother whose name I do not know. There is a posting on a website someplace that states Mr. Staples founded the city of Ardmore by plowing Main Street. I believe that Mr. Staples was also involved with the Ardmore police at one time, and there is a photograph of an “unknown” person on a website that I believe is Mr. Staples. ] Also I am attaching a photograph of J. T. Staples. <—– Click Here
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“As promised, I have scanned some of the old Staples photographs and can send more of them over to you when and if you are ready. There are several photographs of James T. Staples at various times in his life, ranging from tintypes to cardboard photographs with “Ardmore I.T.” Two attached photographs show men on horseback. One man resembles Staples. One of them has “Ardmore I.T.” Both depict scenes of a small rural town, probably Ardmore. Wagon ruts are visible in one. The one photograph of a store front is probably of Porter Staples the “red headed grocer” with the slab of meat over his shoulder. This is probably one of the earliest photographs of Ardmore grocers and has a telephone number on the wagon that may date it to a certain era. There are more and various pictures of J. T. Staples, his wife and other family members in several photographs. Not all are known or identified.” -Robert W. Hunnicutt, Vail, AZ

Two attached photographs show men on horseback. One man resembles Staples. One of them has “Ardmore I.T.” Both depict scenes of a small rural town, probably Ardmore. Wagon ruts are visible in one. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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The Daily Ardmoreite
September 4, 1910
NEW MODERN APARTMENT HOUSE HANDSOME BUILDING ON N. CADDO Ardmore cannot yet boast the possession of a skyscraper, those aerial hives of humanity that the big joy-riding boom towns are so fond of pointing to with pride. But she has recently acquired something in the architectural line that marks an epoch in her growth and which stands as a significant monument to the enterprise of one of her citizens. A real, modern, up-to-date apartment house_flat, if you please to call it, with every appointment necessary to domestic comfort and even luxury, has just been completed on the NE corner of 2nd avenue and A or Caddo streets, NE and its erection marks a signal step forward in the way of giving the people of Ardmore what they want and imparting a metropolitan air to the city. To Charles E. Fraley, of the Smith Fraley Lumber Company, belongs the credit for the enterprise, the foresight, the courage and the tenacity of purpose that it took to project and put through a building of this character especially, during dull times succeeding, bad crop years. The site selected is one of the best on North A or Caddo street, and commands a beautiful outlook of the entire city, and from the top of the building, of the blue semi-circle of the Arbuckles to the north. Caddo street north, today, is one of the most promising business and residence streets in Ardmore. It is the main thorough-fare to the many centers of population lying north, northwest and northeast of the city and a steady traffic pours into Ardmore all day from the outlying country districts, making it one of the best trading streets of the entire city. Contracts for paving Caddo and Second avenue both, with asphalt, have been let and both streets will be paved in a very short while. The apartment house just completed by Mr. Fraley’s company is the first of its kind in Ardmore. It is an imposing buff brick, three stories high, having a frontage of 80 feet by 60 in depth, with three commodious store-rooms, splendidly lighted by plate-glass front windows, on the ground floor, two upon one side and one upon the other of the wide entrance, with swinging plate glass doors, that leads up to the apartments above. The upstairs living apartments are divided into suites of two, four, and five rooms, conveniently inter-connected for family purposes, each suite well segregated from the other, and each one equipped with a porcelain bath and modern toilet appointments. The building is lathed and plastered throughout and is the first house of its kind in Ardmore to be finished in this style. The color scheme varies in the different suites, but is distinguished by soft blending of terra cotta, pale blue, browns, greens, and pinks, the walls being treated with solid coloring, relieved by different hues for friezes and dadoes. These apartments, it is stated, will be rented at prices that will enable persons of ordinary incomes to enjoy hotel comforts and yet have all the snugness and privacy of a cottage home. One of the store rooms is already occupied by Tom Echols, as a grocery store, and Mr. Fraley states that he expects soon to have a well equipped drug store in one of the other store rooms and is now completing arrangements to that end. But perhaps the most important feature in connection with the new building is the fact that a new realty company with a capital stock of $100,000 which is now being organized by well known citizens of Ardmore, to handle city and farm property upon a new and different plan is to be located in one of the front suites or rooms upon the second floor. The suite which this company will occupy contains four rooms, in the SE corner of the building, and they will be fitted up for reception rooms, board room, business room and private rooms for the officers of the company. “We are going to give our people something else that’s up-to-date,” said Mr. Fraley. “We are going to build an annex to this building and in connection with it we will finish the top story for a roof garden, so that the occupiers of the apartments will have a cool place to sit of summer nights, as well as a unique and pleasant bond of social intercourse. These roof gardens are quite the thing now in the big towns”. Mr. Fraley continued, “As far as North Caddo street is concerned, this is only the beginning. I am not at liberty to enter into details at present, but I can say this much, that we are contemplating some big deals looking to the development of this portion of the town that will give Ardmore something to brag about pretty soon. Within the next twelve months there will be erected two, if not more business buildings on this street that will surpass any in the city. All we ask you to do is watch and wait. We haven’t been talking very loud over in our end of town, but we have been trying to produce results and we believe that we have produced some of them and have got the foundations laid for others. Dull times? Well we have been trying to make them not dull. Isn’t that the best way?” And the most remarkable thing about the erection of the big apartment house is that it was practically a kind of a side issue with Mr. Fraley. It was built by days labor, under the personal superintendence of Mr. Fraley, at the same time that he, as president of the East Side Realty Company, was putting up four or five of the prettiest cottages or bungalows in the city, laying miles of cement sidewalk, and attending to his lumber business and a good many other things besides. And yet no one ever saw Charley Fraley when he didn’t have time to stop and have a word for the good of Ardmore in general or for the weal of a neighbor in particular. A good citizen is Mr. Charles E. Fraley and he is setting a good example to the “croakers”.
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The Daily Ardmoreite
September 6, 1910
HOBBLE SKIRT ACCIDENT.
NY — Suffering with a concussion of the brain as the result of a fall while wearing a hobble skirt. Miss Marion Stone, a girl in her teens, is in a critical condition today in the Lincoln Hospital. Miss Stone stumbled while descending a flight of stairs leading from her dressing room in the theater last night and fell upon her head. <—– Click Here
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November 14, 1911
DAWSON BROS. SAFE LOOTED
Yeggmen got in their work in the city last night and the safe in the office of Dawson Brothers, wholesale fruit and produce dealers, was rifled of a small amount. Entrance was gained through a rear door, that was opened by the use of a “jimmy”, and the safe, which is never locked, was looted. The safe is used as a fire protection to the books of the concern and very little cash is ever placed in it. The small locked steel box was removed from the pigeon hole and $1.10 in cash secured by prying off the back. The yeggs evidently left the “jimmy: behind. This is the first burglary that has occurred in the city for some time, but newspaper reports state that there is a gang of crooks operating in the state and it behooves people to be on the lookout.

Personals
Hugh Jones, who has charge of the gin at Mannsville was in the city last night on business.
E.A. Cochran of Wynnewood was in the city today on business.
R.J. Ridpath, who was the superintendent of construction on the Carter county court house, is down from Oklahoma City a few days. Mrs. F.B. Conred and Mrs. F. M. Culwell of Marietta were in the city shopping yesterday afternoon. Sam Noble, who has been attending business matters in Love county returned today. W.F. Warren went to Berwyn to look after his farming interests today.
E.D. Slough left today on a business trip to Madill.
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November 19, 1911
BEST BRICK SHALE IN STATE is found in Oil City, according to E. Danals, the brick manufacturer of Shawnee, who recently visited Oil City to look into advisability of locating a large brick manufacturing plant there. With the best brick shale in the state, surrounded by gas wells, and having railroad transportation, it is bound to become noted as a brick manufacturing town.
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Yesterday afternoon while the Woodmen were parading main street, a team of mules hitched in front of A.C. Young’s furniture store became frightened at the band and dashed the wagon against a telephone pole, breaking the coupling pole in two. No one was in the wagon at the time. The team belonged to Roberts, who lives a few miles south of the city.
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November 21, 1923
Advertisement: SHINOLA
America’s Home Shoe Polish
All children should get a shinola home set to use with SHINOLA. A genuine bristle dauber and big lamb’s wool polisher give quick, easy, and economical shines! The polish to choose for family shoes—Shinola improves the appearance and makes the shoes wear longer. Fifty shines in handy key opening box! “THE SHINE FOR MINE” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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November 26, 1923
THREE MEN HELD IN COUNTY JAIL BY AUTHORITIES
Frank, Joe and Buck Criner are in the county jail while deputy sheriffs continue their investigation into the hi-jacking of J.L. Barham, Oklahoma City auto salesman at midnight Saturday, near Hotel Ardmore. Barham was struck by what is thought to be either a brick or a sandbag, near the old Vernon homestead, between C and D streets, on West Main, as he was returning to the hotel from the Tom Cooper Garage. He was rendered unconscious but at Hardy sanitarium this morning he was resting nicely and doctors believe that he will recover. He was semi-conscious for a short while last night and this morning. In arresting the Criner brothers, Frank thrice threatened to kill Deputy Sheriff John Ginn, while he had him covered with a revolver. One shot from the gun, whistled past Ginn’s head during a fight. Another Man Sought: Joe Nichols, said to be a member of the Criner gang made his getaway late Sunday afternoon, but is being sought throughout southern Oklahoma today. An automobile “with a queer squeaky fender” was confiscated by the officers when the three men were arrested. In a number of recent hold-ups the victims have described the car and laid special emphasis on the peculiar squeak of the fender. Thus, it is believed that the men can be connected with the robbing of two farmers on the Provence road Friday night, of the robbery of six men near Plainview a week ago, and other similar deals in the county during the past month. Death Trap Laid, Belief: Officers are of the belief that a death trap was laid for the officers who went to arrest the Criners, Sunday, Deputies Ginn, Carl Holden and Con Kiersey formed the squad that went to the Criner home on Third avenue, NW, near the city limits to arrest Frank. Holden and Kiersey skirted the house while Ginn went inside. In the front room he met Joe and Buck. Ginn asked the whereabouts of Frank and was told that he “might be back there,” one member pointing to a back room. Ginn walked in and saw Frank wiping a revolver. The door swung closed at about the time Ginn spoke to Frank. There was little cordiality in Frank’s voice as he commanded Ginn to “stick ’em up.” The command was prefaced with oaths. And Ginn Obeyed: Ginn raised his hands to his shoulders. Frank then cursed him roundly and told him to raise them higher. “Stick ’em higher you __,” Frank commanded. “I’m going to kill you this time, you __.” This command and threat was repeated three times, Ginn said. Slowly Ginn moved toward Criner and was within four feet of him, looking into the muzzle of Frank’s gun, when the third threat was made. Like a flash Ginn struck Frank’s gun from the underside, throwing it upward, just as Frank pressed the trigger. The bullet grazed the officers head without touching the skin. “Movie” Fight Followed: The fight for possession of the gun and Ginn’s life was like unto the scenes in moving picture thrillers. Tables, chairs, and furniture were overturned and smashed. The men rolled over the debris and over the floor, each grappling for a death hold. Ginn forced the grip; on Frank’s gun, just as Kiersey and Holden broke into the house. During the fight the other Criner boys did not enter the room, the officers said. A piece of skin was torn from Ginn’s left hand, between the first finger and the thumb and he is stiff and sore in the joints today.

Barham Known Here: Barham is known to auto dealers in this county and is a personal friend of Tom Cooper who is host to Mrs. Barham and her two small children while the wounded man is in the hospital. Barham’s father, who lives in Floyd-?, TX, arrived last night to be at the bedside of his son. Address of the man’s relatives was obtained from letters in his handbag at the hotel. He was employed by the Earl Saxon Motor company of Oklahoma City, where he had lived but a short time. A short time ago, he was in Ardmore with a string of cars which he was taking to Fort Worth and is believed to have been returning to his home when he stopped off in Ardmore to attend to some business. Was Going Home: Barham had been registered at Hotel Ardmore and late Saturday evening checked out, stating that he was going home on the midnight train. He told men in the lobby that he was going to the Tom Cooper Garage, just one block away. He went to the garage, officers have determined, and was returning to the hotel, when, it is believed, he was stopped and struck down in the shade of trees about the middle of the block. There are street lamps on each corner, with one in the center, but it is shaded by the tall trees. Body Found in Lot: At midnight, the body was found in a vacant lot, between the hotel and the old Vernon homestead, about 40 feet from the sidewalk. The flood of lights from the street lamps and the hotel fell over the body. It had been there but a few minutes, it was determined. Barham’s pockets had been turned inside out, and a diamond had been pried from a ring. Some papers were found in his pockets, but it appeared that these had been looked at. It could not be determined whether Barham carried a large sum of money.
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June 28, 1925
Miss Obed Gaunt, accompanied by her mother, is leaving here today by motor on a trip to Amarillo and points in NM and CO. Miss Gaunt is with Hotel Ardmore and during her absence, Miss Fay Franklin will take her place at the hotel.
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“I like the Buffalos that have been put up in Ardmore, helps remind people of their roots.”
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“hello, read your inquiry on butch bridges newsletter. you might find the above links interesting.” -john lashbrook, stonewall, ok. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“I wanted to let you know the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Wynnewood has a bell at there church also. It is located on Robberson Street, 706 or 708 North.”
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“Butch, I was listening to some good sounds this evening and one song that was about a cafe, sparked memories Smiths Cafe in Lone Grove in the 50’s and 60’s. Now this was the in place in Lone Grove. the place where you went for birthday parties, to eat out, and you knew everybody in town, I think the whole population then in Lone Grove was about 500. As I became a teenager, in 1964 we would all sneak down there at lunch (cafeteria food was bad ya know) and eat, besides you could listen to the jukebox, dance during lunch. Of course if you were late getting back to school, you either got detention or had to write essays. Either way you were in trouble. I’m sure we have Readers out there who remember this place. so let us know.”
————————————————————————- “there use to be a newspaper my mom use to buy. I am trying to think of what the name of it was. a young boy use to sell it maybe weekly or monthly.” <—– Click Here
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“I was out — in the rain — Wednesday with a couple of buddies looking at old cemeteries and was taken to the Norton Cemetery, north of Mannsville. What I didn’t know until I got there is that we were going to cross the Washita and the bridge was going to be ooooooold. Anyway got this picture I wanted to share that I thought you’d enjoy. The only sign was “Limit 3 tons.” <—– Click Here
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A Genealogist’s Nightmare

Susie Lee done fell in love, She planned to marry Joe.
She was so happy ’bout it all, she told her Pappy so.

Pappy told her, “Susie gal, you’ll have to find another.
I’d just as soon your maw don’t know, but Joe is your half-brother.”

So Susie put aside her Joe, and planned to marry Will.
But, after telling Pappy this, he said, “there’s trouble still.

You can’t marry Will, my gal, and please don’t tell your mother,
but Will and Joe and several more I know is your half-brother.”

But Mama knew and said “My Child, just do what makes you happy.
Marry Will or marry Joe, …you ain’t no kin to Pappy.”

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday July 24, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 379

Ernest Martin lives out southeast of Ardmore on Springdale Road. This week Ernest used his digital camera to take pics of something very unusual, something I had never heard of. He called them “oak tree galls.” I thought, what in the world is that? Ernest said he found these on the ground under his red oak tree. After doing some searching on google.com for ‘oak tree galls’ it seems like this little balls originate from the underside of the oak tree leaf starting out as some kind of deformity and eventually being infested with bugs. Anyway, they were used years ago, among other things, for the tannic acid in them to cure leather. <—– Click Here

Ernest D. Martin was an Oklahoma State Senator from 1964-1982. When I am around him, I love to pick his brain on southern Oklahoma’s history, he has a ton of it stored away in his brain. He would never claim it, but Ernest is a walking history book. Thanks for all you share Ernest. <—– Click Here Speaking of trees, I’ve talked about how tall my Empress Tree has grown in little over a year, reaching 15 ft, but the leaves are also big. Over 18 inches across. With the hot part of summer still ahead of us, I want this tree to provide as much shade as it can. lol <—– Click Here

A Reader sent in a photo from an old western magazine (April 1960 issue of Inside Detective) of Sheriff Gerald Cobb and his deputy Pete Fair. Pete Fair was the first deputy on the scene when three thugs were caught burglarizing the old Sooner Food Store in the 1200 block of North Washington in 1960. “First to arrive was Deputy Pete Fair who poured 40 rounds of fire from a carbine into the unlighted room. Fair then opened up with a .45 caliber Thompson sub-machine gun”. Twenty-nine year old Ardmore Police officer Bobby Rudisill lost his life that night in the hail of bullets. It would be Pete Fair and another deputy, John Smithers, who would apprehend one of the burglars east of Ardmore. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

I received an email this week (see Mailbag) telling about a 300 pound bell in Coalgate, Oklahoma. Now where in the world can it be today? Is it still in Coalgate? Maybe someone knows. A bell that big can not just disappear.

I received the following email on January 12, 2002: “Good morning Butch, Here are some pictures of an old bell if you are interested. Monday, My son James & I were visiting with our former pastor Claud Williams and some of the Church Members, who were getting things out of the building before it was to be dozed down to make ready for a new one. Here are some pictures I took of the First Baptist Church`s 100 Year old bell, as it was removed, Monday, January 7th to be placed in the new Church building, when it is completed, at Mill Creek, Oklahoma.” -Bill Landrum <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

I had an email this week from someone asking where the old Millcreek bell is, at the new church? Maybe a T&T Reader can fill us in.

We have several ornamental buffalo located around Ardmore, I took a pic this week of the one located on the east side of City Hall. <—– Click Here

A Glimpse Into The Past
The Daily Ardmoreite, November 27, 1923.
Former Ardmore Girl Dreams of Fortunes Here,
Old Timers Contradict Stories Heralded by Newspapers of the North. Miss Leona Coyle is 16 and pretty. She lives with relatives in Indianapolis, Indian, but looks to Ardmore as her home town. Recently Miss Leona quit a perfectly good job in a tire factory and announced that wealth had begun to pour in on her from producing oil wells in Carter county. So productive are the wells she receives $30,000 a year as her share. To make the story more alluring, she has an estate valued in her figures at $250,000. Her father was murdered 10 years ago in Ardmore and the young lady will spend her time and fortune in hunting down the slayer, she told newspapermen. Her hopes and ambitions are set out in well-worded stories accompanied by her picture which has been broadcast over the nation. Now, old timers in Ardmore remember that Miss Coyle’s father was stabbed to death on North A Street, and the W.E. Warden, a relative, was charged with the crime but when tried before District Judge Stilwell H. Russell, he was found not guilty. Warden died a number of years later and was buried in this county. The old-timers also say that the fabulous estate is comprised of 90 acres of land, 10 acres of which is three miles from production and the remaining is prairie land. Shortly after the death of her father, the bulk of the estate was sold, at which time Miss Leona received $11,000 as her share.

November 23, 1923, The Daily Ardmoreite
Ed Cummings Held on Charges of Murder
Ed Cummings who lives six miles southwest of Wilson, was bound over to district court without bond on a charge of murder at the preliminary hearing held at Wilson Friday afternoon by County Judge A.J. Hardy. John L. Hodge, county attorney, and Miss Lorene Haynie, reporter, accompanied Judge Hardy. Cummings is alleged to have shot Jess Moore, a former employee, from ambush, near his home two weeks ago from a quarrel long standing. When Cummings was questioned here he admitted the shooting, saying that Moore had threatened to kill him.

I ran across a photo in the November 25, 1923 Daily Ardmoreite of a flying machine called the “Perry helicopter”. I did a search in google for those exact 2 words, and found nothing. By the way, to do an exact words/phrase search in google.com put the words or phrase in quotations. Anyway, maybe some aviation buffs out there knows this flying contraption as another name?

“Here is the Perry helicopter, recently completed at Lombard, Illinois. During a recent flight it lifted 350 pounds dead weight directly off the ground straight up into the air. It has two pairs of wings superimposed above the other and revolving in opposite directions. The wings have a spread of 44 feet. It is said the craft can land in a ground space of 100 feet and can fly sideways or hover in the air like a bird.” <—– Click Here

How about another blast from the past? The Candy Wrapper Museum website has pics of many of the old candy bars from years ago. I was browsing through them and had forgotten about some of them. “What this country needs is a good 5 cent bar.” <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“Found your email on line and wondered if you could help me? Would like to know about the Catholic church at an Indian Cemetery in Konawa, Oklahoma. It is an old one it had something to do with the Benetinte Monks St. Gregory, Scared Heart of Oklahoma I got this from a marker by the church most of the building are gone from the old site of the church but there is a baby cemetery with a large Jesus on the cross in it. I believe it was the Pottawatome Indian that were here. Would appreciate any info you can give me.” -Jessie Hiltibidal [email protected]
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“My cousin sent me one of your mailing where you were discussing Roy and Dale’s wedding. My father-in-law (John Lewis) was one of the men who took Roy and Dale coon hunting. It brought back a lot of memories.” [email protected]
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“If my memory serves me correctly, the cafe next door to the Mulkey hotel was called the Mulkey hotel coffee shop. The Lutz cafe was located on N. Washington St on the south side of Paradise Alley. Parks bakery was north of Paradise Alley On Washington St next door to the old Smoker Pool room and domino parlor. Basically across the street from the now Hamburger Inn. Parks Bakery later moved to 12th St. and N Commerce In the building housing Tommy Anastasio EZY Shop convince store. Jack opened a real estate business there after closing the bakery. This also was the area which included the English Village Motel. American National Bank is now located in that area.”
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“The Red Ball Cafe was caty-corner to AHS, across the street from the Mulkey Hotel.” -Mark Coe
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“While reading, I thought your readers might be able to help me locate some yearbooks to replace mine that were destroyed by fire while in storage. I am looking for yearbooks from Silo Schools (in Bryan County) from 1970-1982. If anyone has any yearbooks for sale, please contact me.” [email protected]

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“Butch, a couple weeks back someone mentioned the movie “Dillinger”, which had been filmed (in part) in the Carter County Courthouse in Ardmore (1973). The writer mentioned that a local boy, David Bacon, had a part in that movie and was seen in a couple of the courthouse scenes. In actuality, it wasn’t David, but his younger brother, John Bacon, who played that part. He was first seen coming down a set of the courthouse stairs playing “shoot-um-up” with another boy…he was an Ardmore resident as well but I can’t recall his name. John’s dad, Ray Bacon, was an employee (VP, I think) of the 1st Nat. Bank at that time. His mother is Mary Lou Scott Bacon, an Ardmore native. David, their other son, became a law enforcement officer in Ardmore and later moved to Texas. Ray has a brother, Kenneth Bacon, who was a Chief Judge of the OK State Court of Appeals, presiding at one time in Carter County and, I think, Love County. Kenneth wrote a book called “Red River Prosecutor” who retells ‘true cases of Oklahoma crime’, with most of the stories about incidents in Carter and Love Counties. It’s very interesting and while some of the names have been changed (to protect the identify of family members, as well as victims), those of us from around the area will recognize most of the people described, or at least know who Kenneth was referring to. He was in Ardmore at the Hastings Store a few years back and I bought an autographed copy from him. I treasure that book. If you haven’t read it, you need to. It’s very enlightening as to the way life was back in the 40’s and 50’s in our town. You’ll understand why Caddo St. was referred to as “bloody Caddo” or “little Chicago” during that time period.”
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“Actually, eagles do not sing. They squawk rather loudly at each other and very shrill when there is danger. (at least they do here in this part of Washington state.) The eagles winter near here. Actually at Banks Lake, which is about 30 mi south of Grand Coulee Dam, the largest power dam in the U.S. They absolutely love the snow and ice. In the summer, they nest in the rocks high up on the Coulee walls around the lakes. Recently, we had an eagle fly over the house just higher than the tree tops with a huge rattle snake in its talons, held by it’s tail. The snake kept trying to crawl back up to get the eagle, but the eagle kept climbing in circles until he disappeared into the clouds. When the birds get so high, they catch a thermal and can fly easily on up to Canada, (or south in the fall). Anyway, the higher the eagle went, the limper the snake was until it did not move anymore. We just hoped he didn’t drop it in our yard. In the spring, the sky gets alive with the sand hill cranes coming north toward Canada. They stop here in the basin because we have water and corn fields still fallow, and they can eat then go on to Canada and the far north. Also the geese migrate the same way. They catch a thermal and float into the clouds. Another interesting thing, the hummingbirds “catch” a ride with the geese- in their neck feathers. The game dept warns people that when they shoot a goose or find a dead one, to ruffle the feathers and let the hummingbirds out. I know it sounds fantastic, but it is true. If you haven’t been to the desert of Eastern Washington, you should plan a trip. It is an irrigated basin and grows just about anything. Very rich soil too. Prior to 1960’s it was so dry it was powder. Then the water was turned on and it blossomed. The water runs in canals that are the size of small rivers.
And it does get hot here. It has been 100+ degrees for about 3 weeks, but we have very little humidity. Not like Oklahoma! Anyway, I thought you might like to know about this country. We are about 50 miles to the mountains where it is cool and can ski all winter. Iceskate also. Good fishing and camping. Of course, I have camped in Platt National Park and it is beautiful also. Best regards. I enjoy your newsletter very much. All my gr grandparents and grandparents plus uncles and cousins are buried at Ardmore.” -Juanita <—– Click Here
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“Butch–the picture of the two eagles in a tree–one appears to be singing–made me cry–then I went on and saw the picture of the young man named Gallegos—He was a fine looking boy and I am sure his family have missed him all these years. I shed a few tears for him too!—-first time you have made me cry! usually find lots to smile about!”
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“Butch, I don’t know if it makes any difference, but that’s Yanush, Oklahoma not Lanush.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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The Daily Ardmoreite September 2, 1910
Supt. Chas. Evans of the city schools is interested in farm life and owns one of the best plantations in the county just west of Ardmore. Adv—New Dill Pickles in Barrels. New Barrel and Keg Kraut. New Ribbon Cane Sorghum at W. J. Lane’s
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September 4, 1910
Joe Atkinson, who was familiarly known here as “Buckskin Joe” died at the sanitarium Friday.

The picture, “Ranch Life in the Great Southwest” that was shown at the Majestic on Friday was decidedly the biggest hit of the year. The picture was made in Oklahoma and the scenes were familiar to many who attended. This film was secured at an expensive price, but was appreciated by the patrons of the show.

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November 27, 1911
ADMITS ATTEMPT TO WRECK COURT HOUSE
R.S. Francis, a former deputy sheriff of Sulphur, has confessed to County Attorney Fagan that he and about a half dozen others of West Sulphur attempted to blow up the Murray county courthouse last September. His confession is surrounded with deep mystery. Those implicated declare him crazy while others believe his story. He described how the guilty parties stood guard to warn those engaged in the dastardly work and gives the names of those directly concerned.

County Attorney Fagan declined to give out a copy of the confession, but admitted it was true that Francis spent several hours in his office Sunday and told the whole story. He is locked up as a safeguard against possible bodily harm. A prominent citizen of West Sulphur said Sunday that Francis recanted on Saturday to those implicated. He is said to have requested the officers to protect him against the irate mob.

Repeated questions asked over the telephone Sunday afternoon were met with evasion and the reply from the county attorney was only an admission that Francis had confessed and implicated a half dozen prominent business men. Detectives have been quietly working on the case several weeks and recently one of the conspirators wrote a letter that gave them a clue.

It is believed that Francis will be able to save himself a long term in prison by implicating his fellow conspirators. He stated at a public meeting in West Sulphur Sunday afternoon that he was paid $500 by two prominent East Sulphur business men to make confession implicating certain West Sulphur parties, and assured his auditors that he was only making the confession for the money there was in it. For fear of mob violence he is said to be anxious to remain in the county jail.
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November 28, 1911
DYNAMITE FUSE SENT TO SHERIFF
Sheriff Buck Garrett received yesterday afternoon from a Pinkerton detective a piece of fuse and dynamite cap known as the “eighties.” It takes the fuse just fifteen seconds to burn to the cap and the explosion of the cap creates a force of eighty pounds–hence the name.

This fuse was left by the bank robbers at McComb in Pottawatomie county a few months ago when the safe of the bank in that town was looted. The detectives have not only found the fuse, but they have made a number of arrests, some of the money has been recovered and the chauffeur who drove the robbers to the bank, it is said, has told the story of who committed the crime.

In explaining how the fuse is used Sheriff Garrett said that nitroglycerine was poured around the safe door in the small crevice. Soap is then made into a small biscuit size, pressed against the safe at the lower crevice and the center of the soap biscuit is intended to make a cup. The soap biscuit is used to hold the dynamite cap to which the fuse is attached. When the watchmen outside gives the signal the cracker applies the torch to the fuse and within fifteen seconds it explodes, the door of the safe drops out, the contents of the drawers are grabbed and the robber is out of the way before officers have time to locate even where the explosion is.
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RAMBLING REPORTER- George Norris
June 2, 1954
In the year 1889 a federal court was established in Muskogee and a federal court was established at Ardmore with Hosea Townsend of Colorado as judge. There never was a finer man than Judge Townsend but he had it said of him that he was not a profound (unreadable?) and there were times when prominent persons were given too much power in the courts.
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Joe McMillan was down from Oklahoma City to the McMillan homecoming last Saturday–an occasion that is not complete without him, as the town was named for his dad.
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June 3, 1954
Mrs. Bob Bryan called about Fort Arbuckle. Said Bob, the youngsters and she were interested in historical spots and noticed where I mentioned the old fort in this column. Instructed her to follow 77 until she hit the curve that turns into Davis–and turn west for about 10 miles. The Ardmore DARs have a marker down on the highway that gives some data about the fort. Then there is a book in the Ardmore library giving the history of all forts, including Fort Arbuckle. About all that is left of the fort is the old basement that was used as a wine cellar. Several members of the Grant family live around what once was the parade grounds of the fort. Mrs. Tom Grant, who lives south of the ruins, wrote a story about Fort Arbuckle and sold it to the Sunday Oklahoman a few years ago–interesting history.
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Julian and Lillian Ball, owners of the new cookie factory at Marietta, are really nice folks–friendly and everything. Their son, Larry, 12, was making a hand around the shiny new factory that is now turning out cookies. However, it will be a month or more before they get into full production. Julian says he has more than $100,000 invested in the building and equipment and more yet to come.
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Dr. Alfred Gardner, 91, of Marietta is probably the oldest actively practicing doctor in the state. If he can hold out until August of this year he will have rounded out 64 years–what a record of service to his fellow-man.
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June 4, 1954
Joyce Shoffner Lyon is back on the job operating her confectionery at the courthouse, following several weeks’ honeymoon with her husband, Martin–not to mention the big seeing-eye dog, Major.
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Bill Giles and Darrell Young might be the only male car hops in town–claim they get as many tips as Grace and Shelby Pelton, gal hops on the same job.
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June 14, 1954
Marie Antoinette lost her head on the guillotine over in France about 150 years ago, but a pair of chairs on which she used to sit live on now in Ardmore, and still quite serviceable. And they have her initials on them. The Gordon Love’s brought them here after they were found among other antiques in an eastern estate that was being liquidated. The beautiful chairs are reputed to have once been in the Russian Embassy–a fact that would make most Americans see “Red.”
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Central School, between Woodford and Milo, is to stage a pie supper Friday, June 18 according to Marzee Douglas, athletic coach.
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Beverly Jones of Ardmore and Billie Hill of Thackerville were looking their smartest the other day as Calvin Smith was giving them tests for driving licenses. The gals looked pretty and intelligent so haven’t a doubt but what they passed.
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Mont Kern, Clemscot merchant, was here the other day with an idea that might help to speed up traffic. He suggested two lanes each side of Main street, one for cars going straight ahead and another for motorists intending to make right turns–Mont might have something there.
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Jim Howe and Mace Williams just opened a super-duper grocery in Sulphur, June 4. Harold Flood of Ardmore designed the 75×100′ building. Jim and Mace made most of the fixtures themselves.
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“I was driving around today northeast of Ardmore and came across this church that had a nice bell in front. You may already have pictures of this one but I thought I would send you the ones I took today just in case you did not have them and wanted to use them on your web-site. The church has a really nice new building too. The church is located 1.6 miles east on Pleasant Road off of Gene Autry Road. I really enjoy getting your This&That every week.” -William P. Landrum <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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Coalgate Nonpareil (Indian Territory). February 23, 1894.
The Baptist people have received their new bell which was ordered sometime ago. A tower will be erected on the church where it is to hang. It is a beauty, and weighs, with attachments, 300 pounds. The Baptist church are to be congratulated on this handsome acquisition to their enterprise and prosperity.
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Hi Butch: The lyrics to the song written by Governor Turner reminds me that in 1950 when I attended Girls’ State at Chickasha, he wrote a song for us girls. I still have an autographed copy. It was written for us to sing to the boys from Boys’ State at Norman when they came over for the dance. There was construction being done on a bridge between Norman and Chickasha – was closed to through traffic, but we girls petitioned the Governor to open the bridge just so the bus could bring the boys over for the dance – and he did!! Talk about trivia—-

WE’RE LIVING IN CLOVER
GIRLS STATE SONG
BY ROY J. TURNER
Copyright 1950

We all are fair maidens of Girls State fame
Comely and clever but shy
We’re proud of our Country and proud of the name
That it got on the Fourth of July.

We come here together to learn and play
Gee what a wonderful time
We’re living in clover, so boys look us over
A four leaf you surely will find.
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“found a very good little freeware utility that scans your system 24/7 and looks for problems to fix and patches windows 98-XP.’ <—– Click Here
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“Where’s the Pigeons (in downtown Ardmore)? Saw 40+ that were visible on this building and more up the street on High School and others on the way to HS. Guess they are still around.” <—– Click Here
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“I would like to read about the shooting of Mark Stephens at a dance across the Washita River near Dougherty. In the 20’s I believe. Slim Guess was implicated in some way and a deputized William O. Akers. Would you write something about this happening?”
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In the by-gone days, baths consisted of a big tub filled with hot water. The man of the house had the privilege of the nice clean water, then all the other sons and men, then the women and finally the children-last of all the babies. By then the water was so dirty you could actually lose someone in it – hence the saying….

“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.”

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday July 17, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 378

That Empress tree I planted in my front yard 14 months ago, it was only a foot high then, is now 15 feet high or more! That is a yardstick in the photo I stood up in front of the tree for comparison. It has really turned into a beautiful tree. You can see the brown spots in my grass to where I sprayed the crabgrass killer a couple of weeks ago too. <—– Click Here

Here is a pic of it just four weeks ago when it was a little over 6 feet. <—– Click Here

The Ardmore Post Office had a some facelift the past couple of weeks. And you will read in the link to the newspaper article there is still several more things planned to beautify the front of the post office. The concrete work was done by David Wolfe, Planet Concrete of Lone Grove, phone 580-657-4007. He sure did a fantastic job. An absolute work of art! <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

This is the link to the write-up by The Daily Ardmoreite on the post office makeover in front. <—– Click Here

While I was taking pics of Paradise Alley’s new street signs last week, I took a picture of the mural at the entrance of Cafe Alley (107 East Main). The actual main entrance to the eatery is behind Wall’s Department Store. The painting was done by Josh Boyd. <—– Click Here

Here is a pic a friend emailed me this week. He obtained it from a friend of his in Washington state who saw three eagles singing in a tree outside his house. I can only see two in the pic, but you can see the one eagle singing in the upper left hand corner near the edge of the tree. <—– Click Here

I received a touching phone call this week from the sister of a young Army soldier who was killed in that American Flyers plane crash near the Airpark northeast of Ardmore in 1966. She had stumbled across the website and found her brother’s name listed. She said she and her mother cried for two days, before she could regain her composure enough to call and say thank you for placing a memorial in remembrance of her brother, Lucas Gallegos, and the other 83 who died. It is calls like the one from that sister in New Mexico that makes it all worth while. Here is a photo she email me of her brother in his uniform. <—– Click Here

Speaking of that 1966 air crash in the Arbuckle Mountains, one of the stewardesses who died was named Wanda Stonecipher from Stratford. Wanda’s sister is Verna Fuller and is an artist in her own right. If you your interested in Verna’s beautiful artwork, this is her business card. <—– Click Here

I received another phone call last week from up around Tulsa. The man was wondering if I knew if that bell at Yanush, Oklahoma (Latimer County) is still for sale. It was in a lady’s yard a couple of years ago, but I dont know if its still there or for sale. Maybe someone out there knows??? <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

Gene South told me some people with Windows XP could not get the Independence Day CD to start automatically when placed in the CDROM. He found a patch that hopefully will fix that. Here is the URL where you can download the short EXE file that will correct XP Autorun problems. Normally I would put a link to the patch, but the URL is so long, it wont click and go within an email. So just go to http://www.microsoft.com and do a search for ‘xp autorun problem’ and it will be the first one on the list.

I’ve had the agony the past few months of having to remove or maybe said trying to remove a popup spyware nuisance called “Home Search Assistant”. It is a real bear to remove, everything you try seems useless. I have found a removal tool that is suppose to remove that nasty Home Search Assistant. This computer hijack has spread rapidly and is not removable by any of the known tools including Hijack This!, Ad-Aware, Spybot, CSWhredder, and so on. This tool may solve the problem. Symptoms include an odd home page similar to res://.dll/index.html#37049 and popup ads as well as certain words on Web sites linking to their search engine. <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“Just to set the record straight. The recent information said that immediately after the filming of Home in Oklahoma Roy and Dale were married on the Liken ranch. In fact it did not happen quite that quickly. They filmed that Republic Pictures movie in July of 1946. Roy, Dale , Gabby and the Sons of the Pioneers stayed at the Aldridge Hotel in Ada and while they were in town, performed at the auditorium at East Central in a concert.

But it was New Years Eve 1947 about a year and a half after the filming when they were married at the Liken Ranch. The train station with Dale and Gabby was the Davis train station and of course the scenes at Turner Falls are obvious. The action scenes, so well directed by William Witney, were on the tracks south of Davis.

Just did not want history revised to think that they married immediately after the shoot. Roy tells the story about some local yokel who cut off part of Trigger’s tail for a souvenir while they were shooting Home in Oklahoma. Roy got very angry over that.”
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“Butch, I think I can answer the question about Roy Rogers wedding. I was producing a television show here in west Texas in 1993 and travelled to Victorville, California to do a human interest interview with Roy. He told me (and I have it on tape in his words) that they were married December 31, 1947 in the den of Bill and Alice Liken’s ranch house at the Flying L Ranch. You will probably know the location of that better than I. It snowed so deep that day that the man who married them had to come into the ranch on horseback since the roads were closed. He also told me that on New Years Day or the day after, he took Dale on a coon hunt with several other people. He grinned and said she really didn’t appreciate that part of her honeymoon.” -Rusty Hudelson, Levelland, Texas
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“Hi Cuz, we are at the airport waiting for our plane back to Oklahoma. Took the time to check my mail and this is for the writer asking about Dale and Roy being married in Davis. Licoln’s Ranch (spelling may be wrong. Mom and Dad had a cleaners (Ford’s) and they cleaned Roy, Dale, and the Son’s of the Pioneer’s wedding clothes before the marriage and after. Roy took the time to sign about 30 of my Roy Rogers and Trigger Comic books. Also got to sit on Trigger at the Ranch. The Ranch was sold later and now is Healy Brothers Ranch. Also was privileged enough to have been able to sit on Roy’s lap at the old Buckhorn Cafe in Davis before they left the area. Roy and Dale also made a movie in the Davis area and there a lot of good scenes of Turner Falls in the movie. This is the good news – the bad news; I left the house without your bell (again) and looked at it twice before we left. Sorry, will get it to you one of these years. Am looking forward to our visit a week from today.” -Ralph Leon Bridges Ford
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“The AHS Class of 1955 is having their 50th reunion on weekend of April 10, 2005? If they haven’t been contacted, it’s because they are on the unlocated list or have moved since last reunion. Maybe someone reading T&T is on our unlocated list and this way we can find them.”
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“Butch, if you or any of your readers happen to run across any mention of James Ashby Boyd, aka Ashby Boyd, aka J. A. Boyd, as you are doing your research for tidbits of past papers to put in This & That, would you please put that in your newsletter? He worked in Pauls Valley, Marietta, and later in Ardmore in 1900, where he married that year. I am also looking for any mentions of violin recitals or concerts given by a Juanita Allen during that same time period. It would mean so much to me to find any references, especially to James Ashby Boyd, during the 1890-1900 period. thanks. I’m glad you got hold of your iced tea spoons; I was about ready to mail you some of mine!” -Donna Boyd
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“Butch, Thanks so much for the photo’s of Paradise Alley. Those pictures bring back memories. As a retired Police Officer there in Ardmore, you could find just about anything there in the Alley. We would go in there sometimes and round up the poor souls that had had a little to much to drink that day and we haul off to the jail house. But, sometimes it was rewarding, because sometimes it would save some body from freezing to death or get a meal in their bellies that they haven’t had for several days. I do recall a time though that we had got a call, that a person was supposedly passed out on the back steps of the Main Street Lounge. Upon our arrival, the person was dead. He had been shot. I also remember fights that went on in Paradise Alley. As you know there, working for the Ambulance Service, you guys had the job of picking up the pieces some time. I never did get to thank you guys, for being there for us, So, to all the people who served on the Ambulance Service between the years 1977 and 1994, Thanks.” -Dennis Adams
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“Butch, thank you for the wonderful description of the Carter County Courthouse. The philosophy for how public officials should proceed for building public buildings can still be used today. Sadly, many do not.” -Linda Milam Broadbent (born and raised in Ardmore)
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The Daily Ardmoreite August 25, 1910 LONE GROVE CONTROVERSY The supreme court of the state has upheld the decision of District Judge Stillwell H. Russell, of this judicial district in the school election case relative to locating the school in Lone Grove. At an election held over a year ago the Lone Grove school district voted to issue bonds for $8,000 with which to erect a school building in the district. After the bonds had carried argument arose concerning the location of the building. Some of the citizens of the district wanted it outside the town of Lone Grove. Residents of that town contended that it had been voted to locate the building in the town at the time the bonds were voted. The matter was taken into the courts and Judge Russell decided the voters had signified their intention of having the building in the town, when they voted the bonds. The case was appealed and the supreme court has just sustained Judge Russell’s decision. Commissioner O.K. Darden, who resides at Lone Grove and who is greatly interested in the case, was here yesterday, and was greatly elated at the outcome. “I feel just like going home and shooting anvils,” said the county commissioner.
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August 26, 1910 Willie Wyont, the young man who was shot by Oscar Payne at Deese on last Thursday night, is improving rapidly and if no complications arise will be able to leave the sanitarium in a few days. Wyont states that he holds no malice towards Payne and does not understand why he was shot.
***
To date there has been 182 dog taxes sold and all of these have been paid from the first ward, as the officer notified the dog owners of that ward first to pay the taxes. If the other wards compare favorably with the first in the number of dogs they have, there will be no scarcity of dogs in Ardmore. If the taxes are not paid the owners of the dogs will be fined.
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August 28, 1910 JAKE LEWIS ALLOWED BAIL Jake Lewis, the man who shot Country Clements on the streets of Ardmore on the night of July 30 and who refused to escape from the county jail a few nights ago when some of the prisoners had sawed the iron bars in two, has been granted bail in the sum of $5,000. The hearing was held yesterday and as a result bail was granted. Several witnesses were taken from here. The prisoner was in the custody of Sheriff Akers and Deputy Boucher.
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September 7, 1910 NEW SANITARIUM PLANS BEING MADE Plans are being made in the office of Architect John B. White for Dr. Hardy who owns the property where the new sanitarium will be located at the corner of First Avenue and B southwest.
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November 19, 1911 NEW “OKLAHOMA” SONG A new song, descriptive of Oklahoma, has been written by a Carter county teacher and is being sold at Luke’s music store. The price is five cents per copy. Henry Hostetter, who taught at Hoxbar the past summer, has written three songs, the first of which was published in 1907. This new “Oklahoma” song is being mailed to teachers over the state and 200 copies were sold in Oklahoma county the first day. The music is lively and the words express Oklahoma sentiment.
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November 21, 1911 WOUNDED WHILE HUNTING Chickasha–Judge Askew, the first game warden of Oklahoma, was hunting for quails with a party when a gun was accidently discharged. The load of short range struck Askew just above the hip joint. The wound will not be fatal unless blood poisoning develops. Askew was game warden for three years under Governor Haskell.

COOKE COUNTY COURT HOUSE Gainesville–Cooke county’s new $150,000 court house was formally opened to the public today when Judge C.B. Potter convened district court in the new court room. All the members of the Gainesville bar were present on the occasion and short addresses were made by J.M. Lindsay, J.H. Garnett, W.O. Davis, C.C. Potter, R.V. Bell, W.E. Murphy, and C.R. Pearman. Hon. Cecil Smith of Sherman also made a short address. All the county officials expect to get moved into the new building this week.
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November 22, 1911 PURCELL BRIDGE COMPLETED Purcell–The last pin was placed Tuesday morning completing the longest wagon bridge in the state of Oklahoma. It is the new steel bridge spanning the Canadian river between Purcell and Lexington. Its total length is 3357′ 7 1/2″ and construction on it began early in July, when the contract was awarded to the Central States Bridge company.
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November 24, 1911 A GHOST STORY FROM TURNER FALLS Davis–The mysterious disappearance of Thomas Howell several years ago and the recent “ghost stories” have brought to light a perplexing question for the farmers seven miles west of here to solve. The great cavern near the farm house of W.N. Moore, where Howell was last seen, is believed to be the rendezvous of one or more “departed spirits” which periodically make their appearance in that locality. Mr. Moore emphatically declares that “spooks” appear and when followed closely return to the cavern. Matt Wolf, ex-president of the First National Bank, of this city, and one of the wealthiest men in Murray county, stated today that Howell was seen in a big thicket just at the entrance to the cavern and from that day to this his departed spirit can be seen almost any night. He declares that more men have been murdered along Whiskey creek, near the farm house of Mr. Moore, than at any spot in the old Indian Territory, and that the cave is bound to be the home of all such ghosts. He assures the public who are interested in such strange phenomena that they can find the real article there any dark night. It may sound rather “fishy”, he says, but they are there just the same. A party of high school pupils are going to the Moore farm Saturday night to watch for the mysterious visitor and several of the more venturesome boys expect to enter the cave prepared to meet the ghost. George Wilson, one of the party said today that he hoped to meet the ghost face to face and if possible he hoped to capture it, dead or alive. Lanterns and rope ladders will be used by the young men to explore the depths of the great cavern.
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June 25, 1925 DANGER SIGNS Agreement has been made between the Automobile Club of Southern Oklahoma and the city authorities to arrange for the placing of danger signs at various places over the city warning the approaching motorist. The standard club sign and colors will be used and the signs will be placed in such a place that it will demand attention when approaching a dangerous crossing or turn. In this way the club hopes to assist in reducing the hazard to pedestrians, children and motorists by using these signs at places where more than ordinary caution should be exercised by the driver of an automobile. During the days of the “safe driving” campaign, the club will endeavor to discourage jay-walking by using large signs painted on the street intersections.
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June 23, 1926 Thirty years ago…June 23, 1896 J.H. Akers a prominent merchant of Woodford, was among the visitors of the city today. Former Governor William Guy and family returned from Washington yesterday and left today for their home at Davis.
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“Butch: You might be interested in the words of a song written by Oklahoma Governor Roy J. Turner (1947-1951).

Hereford Heaven

There’s a land in Oklahoma where nature made it grand
Placed the soil on limestone and then made it grassy land
And then came the whitefaced cattle, a dream was realized
And they called it Hereford Heaven
Its a hereford paradise

Chorus

The pretty whitefaces roam in the land of Hereford Heaven
and the bluesteims green in Hereford Heaven too
Come down just any old time to the heart of Hereford Heaven
Its a paradise in old O-K-L-A
Tag Line H-O-M-A

Someone said the song was in the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans movie “Home in Oklahoma” which was filmed on the Bill Likens Flying L. Ranch south east of Davis. The ranch now owned by the Healy family. Ray and Dale were married in the ranchhouse at the Flying L. Just a little more historical trivia that might be of interest. Best wishes.” -Roy L. Miller, Oklahoma City [email protected]
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“New website of the Greater Southwest Historical Museum in Ardmore, including a section for the Military Memorial Museum annex. The overall site is about 90% complete, and a source of pride for all of us.” -Elizabeth Dyer <—– Click Here
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“Butch-A first for Texas happened this week at Stephen F. Austin College. It caused a big “stench” but people said it was worth the wait and the smell. Former Ardmoreite Bonnie Craighead Hammett was there.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“Butch, I got a call today from S. M. Bussel. He lives in California but he used to live in Ardmore, in fact, all of his folks did. He would like to get hold of a book called “the Men and Women in World War 11 from Carter County, Ardmore, Oklahoma” compiled and published by Vanguard Publishers at 129 N.W. 3rd Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He thought, perhaps, someone there would would be willing to sell it. If you can publish this in your paper, it would be greatly appreciated. I enjoy your letters so very much. I have learned a lot of Ardmore History from your letters. Thank you.” -Georgia Spurgeon Carpenter [email protected]
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Its really been hot the past week or so. Hoovering nearly 100. I stopped at the farmer’s market at the depot last Saturday morning and bought a small watermelon for $2.00 (grown west of Marietta) and let it get cold in the fridge. I would have taken a pic of it with my digital camera, but the weather has been so hot, I ate it all up and I dont really like watermelon. I’ll get another one and try to make it last long enough to get a pic for the next T&T. lol I just make sure it is locally grown and not from Mexico, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey or Croatia, who knows what (or how much) has been sprayed on them.

I’m reminded of the joke about the kids who kept sneaking into this farmer’s watermelon patch at night and stealing watermelons. So he put up a sign that read: “Notice, this watermelon patch has 1 poison watermelon in it.” The next night the kids put up their own sign. When the farmer went out the next morning, a sign read: “Notice, this watermelon patch now has 2 poison watermelons in it.”

“The days come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant friendly party, but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday July 10, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 377

Two or three weeks ago we talked about the almost forgotten Paradise Alley as it was called even as far back in Ardmore’s history in 1910. We were proud to report last week the City Commissioners approved putting up streets signs designating the alley behind the old Daubes Department Store as Paradise Alley. And this week a Reader notified me the signs are up! A big Thank You is in order to Ardmore’s Historic Preservation Board for submitting the proposal to the City Commissioners. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

Last week I had two pics of Main Street Ardmore during Hobo Day 1924. The second link was suppose to take you to a more detailed view, but I had a typo so it didn’t work. This is a large pic of the same photo, about 900k, so it will take a few minutes to download if your on a slow dial up modem. But the detail is worth the wait. I see the old Ritz Theater! <—– Click Here

I see in the above closeup picture the old Ritz Theater (117 West Main) and the name on the marquee is Clara Bow. I can not tell which movie of her’s was showing back then but she only starred in two in 1922. On the link below a little over half way down the webpage there is a link you can go and hear Clara Bow singing (must have Realplayer installed). <—– Click Here

Speaking of Clara Bow, I asked T&T Reader Bill Bow in Texas if he was kin to the roaring twenties movie star, and he sent the following email:

“Your question about Clara Bow. The “IT” girl was a very distant cousin of my Dad. There is an interesting story about him meeting her by accident. Dad was in the Army at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas in 1927. He was on a work detail and heard someone call out “Bow”! He answered. However, they were calling Clara to the set where they were filming the movie “Wings”. The story ends that he met Clara and she invited him to dinner. At this meeting I believe they came to the conclusion that they were very distantly related.” -Bill Bow

The following 2 advertisements were in the Ardmore High School Criterion of 1922. The first one is an ad for the Hardy Sanitarium, located where the post office is now:

“This institution has complete staff and is strictly private. Each department modern and fully equipped. Nurses’ Training School, Aerial Ambulance Service, Trained Nurses in Attendance, Rates Reasonable, No patient with contagious disease received. Walter Hardy, M.D., F.A.C.S., Chief Surgeon; A.G. Cowles, M.D., Resident and Ass’t Surgeon; E.J. Evans, X-Ray and Anesthesia; W.B. Lane, Internist. Phone 36 and 122. 212 First Ave, S.W. Ardmore, Oklahoma.” <—– Click Here

The second advertisement from the AHS 1922 criterion is by an automobile salesman here by the name of Fronterhouse.

“Joe Fronterhouse says, if it is a Paige or Marmon you want, see him at– Ardmore Motor Company, 22 ‘A’ Street N.W.” <—– Click Here

Jo Fronterhouse Long used to subscribe to T&T but a year or two ago she notified me she was moving from Ardmore to, I think west Texas. I have not heard from her since. The above photo may be her father. Maybe some of you knows where Jo moved. It would be nice if she had a copy of the advertisement.

An email in the Mailbag below talks about Henry B. Berry (1910-1993). He operated the confectionery stand at the Carter county courthouse between about 1962 and 1981. He was blind, but the story goes that he would always know if you laid the correct change on the counter. His stand was located on the first floor just north from the elevator where the vending machines are located today. In the 1973 movie Dillinger, Henry Berry’s concession stand at the courthouse was almost in the picture. The shoe shine stand next to it is where Melvin Purvis sits getting a shine and talks to the young boy (John Bacon) about the need to attend school. By the way, a mystery still exists as to whether G-Man Purvis killed John Dillinger in front of the Biograph Theater in Chicago that night in 1934.

Thursday morning July 7th I guess we had a bigger storm come though Ardmore then I realized. A big tree in front of the Catholic church became a victim of the storm. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

Another piece of our grandparents and great grand parents Americana has gone the way of progress. The old metal Folgers coffee cans were recently replaced with plastic ones, which are now showing up on grocery store shelves. In the photo below the original tin can is in the middle, the one on the right is a special edition can, and of course the plastic replacement is on the left. Boy, do I remember so many things we used the metal coffee cans for when I was growing up, especially in my grandfather Carmon’s lumber yard. <—– Click Here

On Thursday July 7th the Oscar Mayer big Hotdog was parked by the courthouse. The Ardmoreite reported the unusual driving machine had been at the Homeland Grocery that day. <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“I’m sending you a picture of Kents Drive-In that was on Commerce St. in 1950. I thought some of your readers would remember it. It was sitting where you went in to the drive-In Theater (77 North Theater). In 1949 and 1950 it was a very important place for the young folks to hang out.” -Dorotha Phillips <—– Click Here
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“I wandered if you knew of any book that has been published on Ardmore’s history, or should I just go to the library and start digging. I’ve seen a lot of change in the 30 years that I’ve lived in Ardmore and found that my student’s are very interested in how things used to be. I read some to them last year from my buddy, Sid Gilstrap’s book, and they really liked it.” [email protected]
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“I can see the old Kress store, the Ritz, and is that Reavis Drugs in the foreground? They used to be about in that place. Also, that IS two people dressed as an elephant in the center of the picture, isn’t it??????? Look forward to seeing the other one next week.”
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“Mr. Bridges, You or someone may be able to give me some historical information relating to Murray county. In late 40s Roy Rogers and Dale Evans got married in Murray county between Sulphur and Davis, Okla. and I need some details on the rancher with whom they were staying and were guests. I also recall the wedding took place on that ranch. The ranch is presently owned and operated by the Healy family. Any detail that you might offer and/or website that I could go to for information would assist me. Earlier discussion today started my looking for this information. I found your website and if any information you might have on this subject would be useful. By the way, I grew up in Sulphur, OK, but have not resided in Murray county since mid 50s. Bill Williams, Peoria, IL. I should have more direct recall on this subject as my dad was foreman at the Chatman ranch near Roff, Ok and also resided on the ranch site between Ardmore and Davis. Thanks.”
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ARDMORE TRAIN DEPOT. In the 1880’s, the first settlement of Ardmore was a tent city construction camp for the Santa Fe Railroad. Ardmore was actually named by the Santa Fe Railroad officials, naming it after a community in Ardmore, Pennsylvania which was on their Santa Fe line. Ardmore’s official birthdate is July 28, 1887, when the first train rolled into Ardmore. The first depot in Ardmore was a tent located on an enclosed yard of a local merchant. As were many other buildings, the first original depot building was destroyed in the explosion in 1915, when a tank car exploded. The current depot was built on this same original location. For many years the railroad was the lifeline of the community for both passengers and commerce. Thus, the depot was a very well known landmark in Ardmore.
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December 10, 1911
THE PRINCIPLES OF JOHN RUSKIN AS APPLIED TO CARTER COUNTY COURT HOUSE Ruskin defines architecture as the art that so disposes and adorns the edifices raised by man, of whatsoever uses that the sight of them contributes to his health, power and pleasure.
Architecture is a combination of both science and art, and as distinguished from building exists when there is infused into building this subtle elusive element imagination.
“The architect is one who solves his problems in terms of beauty. Inundating a building with ornament does not make architecture. A building may be all but destitute of ornament and be a masterpiece. As in music there is as much art in knowing when to restrain the vibration of the strings as in calling forth the melody. No true art is possible, whether in the realm of music, painting, sculpture, or architecture, which does not express a dominate idea and expressive with the conformity of the broad law of harmony, balance and rhyme.” V.F. Theuband
Taken the first question is what are the possible virtues of architecture in the main we require of buildings as of man, two kinds of goodness. First the doing of their practical duty well, then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it, which last in another form of duty. The practical duty divides itself into two branches, acting and talking, acting as to defend us from the weather or violence; talking treated as books of history. To tell such history clearly and forcibly, then we have three great branches of architecture virtue, and we require of any building that it act well and do the things it was intended to do in the best way, and that it speak well and say the things it was intended to say in the best words, and please us by its presence, whatever it has to do or say. -Ruskin
First then as to its practical duty upon approaching the building from the west, north or south, where three entrances are located, the visitor is immediately impressed with the solidity and strength of the building, with the great thickness of the walls as indicated by the deep reveals of the windows and doors, the enduring quality of the material of which they are constructed, resting upon heavy Tishomingo gray granite base and continuing to the copper covered dome, of Bedford Oolithic limestone.
The entrances are all protected by the same gray granite. No material is exposed to the weather, except granite, stone, and copper, material that will stand for ages without deterioration. Upon entering the building through massive copper doors, from any one of the three sides, you find yourself in the spacious vestibule lined to the ceiling with beautiful veined Vermont marble in three colors. The floors of the vestibules, corridors, and public spaces are all laid with beautiful white tile with black borders. passing through the vestibule you enter into wide corridors which are veneered, light and on’half feet high with beautiful polished Vermont marble, specially selected in three colors. The corridors are in the shape of a cross and standing in the center you are under the beautiful art glass dome, which is forty five feet above your head.
The corridors lead to the grand stairway, which is constructed of the same Vermont marble, with large marble newel posts, surmounted by beautiful bronze electrical fixtures.
On the first floor will be found the ladies rest and toilet rooms and a large airy room located in the southeast corner of the building which is given over exclusively to the use of the women and babies of Carter County. Across the hall will be found the rooms of the superintendent of public instruction. In the northwest corner is located an assembly room for public meetings and across the hall is the county surveyor and county coroner, with both public and private offices.
In the basement is located a large store room. A tunnel leads from the courthouse to the jail, so that the prisoners may be taken through the tunnel to an elevator, which carries them to the third floor, where held-over cells are located back of the district court room. This tunnel serves a couple purposes of permitting the passage of the prisoners and of carrying the steam pipes. The steam boiler for the heating plant of both the jail and the courthouse are located in the jail, which is an advantage for many reasons. The building is heated by a vacuum heating system, which is the best money can buy, and the installation of both the heating and plumbing are the best in the state.
The visitor will be struck by the beauty of the grand stairway and its easy ascent. Upon reaching the second floor, which is the main office floor, you find yourself in the corridor, which is finished with marble to the same height as below and of the same beautiful marble. Upon this floor is found the treasurers office, with his private office and a large two story vault fitted up with metal fixtures. All vaults of the building being lighted from the outside through wire glass windows and these windows are protected by metal shutters on the inside, making them record rooms indeed and giving perfect protection to all county records. The vaults are fitted with the latest and best metal furniture, designed with special care for books and the filing of papers. The treasurers office as are all others, are provided with private toilets. On the southeast corner is located the county clerk’s office with the same vault space, private office and toilet as the county treasurers office. Between the two is located the county commissioners court room, and is so arranged that the public may pass through the corridor. In the northeast corner is located the register of deed’s office, complete with vault, and private office. In the northwest corner is located the county attorneys office and the grand jury room. In the center of the west side is a large room for the bar library.
The third floor is reached by the second flight of marble stairs, with the same easy ascent. To the left on the south side is the district court room of beautiful proportions and perfect acoustic properties. Behind this court room is located the judge’s chamber, and next to this chamber is the district clerk’s public, private office and vault.
The jury box is so located that the jury in passing out do not come in contact with the public, but file from the jury box to private stairs, which lead to the fourth floor. The jury rooms are accessible from the corridor by private stairs, and also from the county court room. They consist of three large rooms fitted with every modern convenience, such as bath and toilet. With these jury rooms there is another large room to be used as a jury room but is not yet finished. The north side of the third floor is given up to the county court room, with the clerk’s and judge’s offices and large vault. On the east, beside the court room, is a ladies witness room.
The interior of the corridors and court rooms are decorated in pleasing colors. Special attention has been given to the arrangement of the offices to facilitate the work of the officers, and to have time to the public. The furniture is of beautiful plain design of extra heavy constructed quarter-sawed oak, and has been pronounced by the officials as a model of convenience and comfort.
The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and steel and is absolutely fireproof, and a visitor is impressed with the perfect lighting and ventilation of the building.
As to the second branch of its practical duty, which is to teach and record. It is intended to teach honesty and truthfulness; for in this building will be found no shams, no cheap imitations, such as painted iron to imitate stone, or plaster to imitate marble.
In the main lobby will be found a memorial to one of the deceased citizens of this county. In no other building in this state and in few building in the United States, will you find a memorial of this character. It teaches us to remember our neighbors, and draws us closer together. It is one of the most touching and beautiful lessons the commissioners had us record.
The instructions of your county commissioners to the architects being to build of the best materials, and in the strongest manner, and of the best workmanship, that could be secured at a reasonable cost, teaches us that all public improvements should be built with an idea of permanency, that no money shall be wasted on cheap, temporary work, and that what is done at all should be built for all time. It is a principle that is too little understood by most public officials, and for that reason buildings, bridges, and other public improvements are constructed with so little thought and care that they usually do not last until the bonds that were voted have been paid.
Therefore when we build let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for the present delight, nor for present use alone, let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, “See this our fathers did for us”. For indeed, the greatest glory is not in its stones, nor in its gold. Its glory is in its age, and in that deep sense of voicefulness, of stern watching of mysterious sympathy, nay, even of approval or condemnation, which we feel have long been washed by the passing waves of humanity. And now as to its third virtue.
It is designed in the Doric style of architecture, perfect in its proportions, beautiful in outline, mass and composition. It is especially adapted to public buildings, because of its plain and simple lines, from which it gets its dignity and noble presence. One has but to see it to pleased by its presence.
And last, it is a rare thing to find such implicit faith and trustfulness as has been manifested by the people of Carter county in their officials. And this faith was not misplaced and out of it grew this magnificent building, for men do not do the best work in the world for money, but for the love of the work, and their best efforts are always called forth to this faith and trustfulness.
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The Daily Ardmoreite June 20, 1954 by George Norris
Ardmore firemen and policeman were suggested to me as the logical boys to move the steam locomotive secured by Roy Johnson to its last stand at Raum or Whittington Park. Chief of Police Hubert Bartlett and this writer went so far as to figure out the best route from the Santa Fe tracks to the fair ground. Hubert thought the engine might run on a dirt road without harm but we couldn’t figure how to get it across paved streets like C SW or Lake Murray Drive. Maxie Gordon, fire chief, was rather non-committal and the firemen were not overly enthusiastic about the move but this “power of suggestion thought” might eventually get them into action. “Anybody else got any ideas?”
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Butch here is a picture I found on a Fort Gibson Gibson city website. Not very good of the bell but thought you might like it. Muskogee County was not in white on your map but also did not list having a bell from there. Here is the caption for the bell:

The bell located adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church was originally used in the church at Fort Gibson when it was acquired in 1832. North Lee and Blackjack Streets <—– Click Here
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“Butch– As I recall, the gentleman who had the courthouse concession stand was Henry Berry. His wife’s name was Holly. They were indeed fine people.”
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“Thanks for the account of W.B. Frame’s coming to Ardmore in this week’s T&T. It brought back memories of when I lived in a girls’ boarding house kept by his daughter Sue Frame Smith. The time was the mid- 1940’s and I worked at KVSO on the mezzanine of the Hotel Ardmore. Mrs. Smith had no children of her own and mothered all of us, making sure we had a good breakfast and that we got in safely at night. Mr. Frame, who lived with her at the house on Stanley, was not in very good health but was always polite and kind to everyone.” -Carolyn Jones Frei, Idaho
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This on-screen team, Dale Evans and Roy Rogers, became an off-screen team on New Year’s Eve, 1947. They were married on the Flying L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma, where they had just completed filming Home in Oklahoma. The owner of the ranch, when he learned they were to be married, offered the ranch as a wedding site. <—– Click Here

They were married on the Flying L Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma, where they had just completed filming Home in Oklahoma. The owner of the ranch, when he learned they were to be married, offered the ranch as a wedding site. http://www.royrogers.com/dale_evans_bio.html

(Editor’s note: The records of the American Quarter Horse Association show that (One Eyed) Waggoner was sold to Duwain E Hughes of San Angelo, Texas, who in turn sold him to Bill and Alice Likins’ Flying L Ranch, Davis, Oklahoma. The Likins then sold him to Denny Livestock Company, Prescott, Arizona.) <—– Click Here

Mr. Witney told me that he did not specifically recall a great deal about this 1946 movie, except that it was all filmed on location at the Bill Likens ranch at Davis. This was one of the 47 Roy Rogers movies he directed. It was the first directing effort following his return from World War II, where he served as a Marine combat photographer. He remembers that the area was infested with chiggers and that he never wanted to return there again. There is a photograph of the stars with Mrs. Likens taken at the ranch during the filming. It appears in Mr. Witney’s book, Trigger Remembered. When I received my copy of the video I was able to identify both the motorcar and the trailer coach using information from Dr. John McCall’s book, The Doodlebugs. Mail/baggage motorcar M.155, and trailer coach/smoker/baggage car #2682 were assigned to the Arkansas City Shawnee Lindsay route from 1934 through at least 1947. The car passed through Pauls Valley on this route. It is only about 9 miles north of Davis. I borrowed Jim Vicars’ Santa Fe depot books but was unsuccessful in identifying the station. It is possible that a second unit crew was sent to Pauls Valley to make this 5 second shot, which included only “Gabby” Hayes and Dale Evans. <—– Click Here
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“Butch, I think your reader that ask about the Rockin Horse Daycare is correct. In the mid 40’s and into the 50’s I think it was operated by Mr. C.E. ( Sheriff ) Paschal. Sheriff was a nick name friends called him by. I was a teenager at the time but I do believe this is correct information.”
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“Hello Butch, I am designing a logo for some corrections officers. I did a search and all I could find for a Folger-Adams key was the (missing) photo from your website would it be possible to repost the picture on your site or to email it to me directly?” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?”
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The Daily Ardmoreite August 31, 1910 NEW DINING ROOM OPENS TOMORROW The dining-room of the New Randol hotel on West Main street opens with a six o’clock dinner tomorrow evening, Sept. 1. Mrs. A.C. Bell is to have charge of the dining room. Mrs. Bell has conducted a boarding house in this city for some time. It is said of her that she feeds better than any other.
CARTER COUNTY ASPHALT
The Woodford mines are giving up one hundred tons of refined asphalt that is being shipped to New York, where it will be manufactured into paints, varnish, rubber compound, stains, insulating material, etc. Cars of the Rock Island tracks are being loaded now. This asphalt sells in New York for $8 a ton more than any other asphalt.
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December 11, 1910—ATTEMPT MADE TO WRECK TRAIN
The prompt action of the engineer of the south bound Santa Fe passenger train No.17, which leaves this city at 4:20 p.m., averted a serious accident Thursday afternoon. The train left this place on time, and while making its usual schedule was brought to a stop just this side of Hickory creek by the engineer, who discovered a cross-tie lying across the track, placed there no doubt by some persons bent on wrecking the train. Had they succeeded, or had the tie been placed across the track to intercept the night train, there is no telling what the result would have been. The authorities are working on the case and hope to land the perpetrators of this dastardly deed, and if successful he, or they, as the case may be, will be made examples of.
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December 18, 1910—HARDY WINS HIS SUIT AGAINST CITY
The suit of Reuben Hardy vs. City of Ardmore was tried in the district court Friday and consumed the entire day. The jury returned a verdict of $200 damages. This suit was brought by Mr. Hardy for damages to four buildings situated on Caddo street and the basement, on account of overflows that occurred in 1908. He claimed that the city had negligently and carelessly graded the streets and closed up the sewer at the intersection of Paradise alley and Caddo street. He asked for $1,500 for permanent injury and about the same amount for loss of rents and repairs.
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November 5, 1911
Now Open — Hotel Rosse New Three Story Brick Marietta, Oklahoma Rates $2 Louis Rosse Owner and Prop.
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The Daily Ardmoreite November 10, 1911
ORVILLE FRALEY IS FRIGHTENED
Orville W. Fraley, writing from Wapanucka, gives his experiences one night recently and tells how badly he was frightened. He resides in this town and has work on the new home of R.L. Ream. His letter follows:
Dear Sirs: The following experience happened to me last night about 9 o’clock. It has been reported around Wapanucka that there is a wild woman roving the mountains west of town. About 7 o’clock I went to town and Will Johnson was to come after me at 9 o’clock from the camp, about two miles west of town. The camp is near R.L. Ream’s new residence which I am lathing.
Johnson came on time with Mr. Taliaferra’s automatic shotgun with one shell in the gun and several in his pocket. The road runs right along the foot of the mountain. We had to travel the road, for we couldn’t travel over the ridge of the mountain at night. We were about half way when Johnson said, “What is that?” and I heard someone coming about half way down the side of the mountain. Just about that time Johnson said the woman, or whoever it was, howled and came running after us. Johnson shot his gun, thinking he might scare her off. But she came on just the same. “We commenced running, for we didn’t have the gun loaded, and it didn’t do us any good. We left the road and ran along side of the hill and she followed us until we got to the door of the camp house.
I will say that I never had a scare like that before in all my life and don’t want to have any worse. I don’t see why the citizens of Wapanucka don’t “bunch up” and go out and capture that woman, for anybody’s life is in danger that trys to travel that way at night, either on foot or riding.
Yours truly, O.W. Fraley, of Ardmore.
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December 10, 1911—Does a hen set or sit? This problem long a topic of heated discussion in rural debating societies, has been settled by Prof. Marsh, of the New York schools, who holds that thirteen eggs constitute a setting, and that when fewer than the unlucky number of eggs are in a nest the hen sits instead of sets. In other words, twelve or less eggs constitute a sitting, while thirteen or more are a setting.
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The Daily Ardmoreite May 4, 1926– Ten Years Ago —from the files of May 3, 1916
The planing mill on West Main street opposite the Randol hotel that has been in operation for some time was condemned by the board of city commissioners last night and orders issued to dismantle the building.
— from the files of May 4, 1916 R.W. Dick, warden of the state penitentiary and one of the real builders of Ardmore, is here mingling with friends. Bob says the city should adopt the managerial form of government and conduct its affairs on a business basis. Thirty Years Ago
—from the files of May 3, 1896 Mrs. Judge Hinkle is visiting her daughter, Mrs. J.J. Chandler, at Shawnee. She will be away from the city several days.
— from the files of May 4, 1896 Mr. and Mrs. C.E. Troutman left for Lebanon today where they will remain until Mr. Troutman has completed his contract on the orphans home. He is building an addition onto the home.
—from the files of May 5, 1896 J.W. Harper will leave in a few days for Sulphur Springs, where he is planning to erect a big bath house and swimming pool.
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June 23, 1926 NO PLANS YET MADE BY LYNCH
No definite plans have been made by Dr. Charles S. Lynch, appointed receiver for the Hoffman Arms company, in regard to taking over the affairs of the company. Lynch will probably visit the plant in a day or two and look over the plant in a general way and will announce what he will do to liquidate the debts of the concern, he stated today.
Lynch was appointed receiver by Judge Robert L. Williams in Federal court at Pauls Valley Monday to answer to a petition filed here by F.E. Watson a contractor asking that the receiver be appointed when the corporation failed to pay for a building that Watson had constructed at the plant site north of the city.
In the petition filed Watson alleged that fictitious debts had been made by the company and that a mortgage executed for the purpose of covering the debt was about to be foreclosed and that this would make a lien held by him on the building void. The mortgage was made by Harry Snydor, president, of the company, and was held by L.H. Vilas of Chicago. Watson said that the company owed him (approx.) $14,500 for building material and labor furnished under a contract with the firm.

ARDMORE SINGER HONORED Miss Tessie Mobley, talented young Ardmore Indian musician, will be heard at the Sesqui-Centennial exposition at Philadelphia during the month of August. She will sing with the former Carlisle Indian school band under the direction of Major J. Wheelock, for that period and will feature Indian music exclusively.
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June 23, 1926 PIONEER PHYSICIAN HERE
Dr. J.T. Barnwell of Graham is an Ardmore visitor today. He says he will be here at the pioneer reunion during the Southern Oklahoma State Fair. It was December 1, 1898 he arrived in Ardmore and six days later he hung out his shingle in Overbrook and practiced there many years. He now is in the oil field region of the county where he still has a practice.
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A GHOST STORY FROM TURNER FALLS Nov 14, 1911 Davis, OK — The Daily Ardmoreite
Ghost stories are usually taken with a grain of salt but here is one that is vouched for by men whose reputation for truth and veracity has never been questioned. They are willing to make oath to it and their word should be accepted in this instance.
Col. S.W. Wood, manager of the Scott Braden mines, two miles southwest of Turner Falls, has been assuring his Davis friends that a real live ghost makes its appearance every night about 11 o’clock. The Colonel has not been well of late and a few friends decided to stay with him Sunday night and watch for the mysterious visitor. His tents are situated about 300 feet from an old tumbled down cabin and from this cabin the ghost would walk out according to the old miner. On Sunday night E.A. Hill, C.B. Ramsey and Joe Morris waited for the ghost. Promptly at 11 o’clock a great white figure slowly emerged from under the ruins of the cabin and walked directly toward the camp. Mr. Hill picked up a shotgun and was ready to shoot when Col. Wood grabbed it from his hands. The ghost slowly passed the camp and meandered up a small stream and disappeared behind some trees. Col. Woods urged the men to accompany him. When they reached a point about 500 feet above the camp they again saw the white figure bending down as if to pick up something. Col. Woods told his visitors that there was a grave there and the ghost would always go there and then disappear from view. He said one time he stood within 10 feet of the grave and watched the ghost when all of a sudden it disappeared from site. He expressed it is his belief that this is the departed spirit of a woman who was said to have been murdered in the cabin some 40 years ago. Her child was buried where she disappears nightly. That it was a ghost and not a mere joke there can be no doubt. The gentlemen who vouch for it can be relied upon to tell the truth and nothing but the truth about it.
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“I guess nothing new has happened at the well? I wonder if it is still scary at night. I live in Arlington, Texas but grew up in Caney, Oklahoma. I found your site while looking for information about Oklahoma hauntings. I lived for a while, as a kid, in Konawa, and there is Hart cemetery, which is supposed to be guarded by demon horses. I love a good ghost story! Thanks for letting me see the pictures. Let me know if you decide to take some at night.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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If you were a winner of the Gene South Independence Day CD and have not received your CD yet, send me an email along with your address. I will get it promply in the mail.

“He works hard to give her all he thinks she wants,
A three car garage, her own credit cards,
He pulls in late to wake her up with a kiss good night,
If he could only read her mind, she’d say:

Buy me a rose, call me from work,
Open a door for me, what would it hurt,
Show me you love me by the look in your eyes,
These are the little things I need the most in my life.”
-Kenny Rogers last No 1 Hit song in 1999

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday July 3, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 376

This week several Ardmore High School Criterions from the early 1920s came to be in my possession. Needless to say I was thrilled to see these pieces of Ardmore history. I have not had time to go over them closely, but I have to share with everyone a couple of photos from that collection. This first one is Ardmore High School’s first Hobo Day parade on Main Street on April 1, 1924. <—– Click Here

This photo is the 1924 AHS King and Queen, Alvie Bruce and Jewell Parker. Attendants are Frances Marshal and Mollie Joe Holloway. <—– Click Here

This is a large pic of the same photo, about 900k, so it will take a few mintues to download if your on a slow dial up modem. But the detail is worth the wait. I see the old Ritz Theater! <—– Click Here

About 30 days ago Hickory House BBQ at 2200 South Commerce in Ardmore closed. Kenneth Walker first started catering and serving BBQ about 1974 or 1975 at this location. That’s a long time. <—– Click Here

I dont know when I ‘lost’ this webpage, but I’m sure its been ‘gone’ 2 or 3 years. When I created it in 1997 I called it my “Glimpse Into the Past” webpage. I received an email from someone this week asking about the pics that were on the webpage and if they could still be viewed. So I resurrected the webpage and put back the photos. <—– Click Here

Our webpages continue to grow in Hits per day with each passing month. A year ago my OklahomaHistory.net website received less than 20,000 Hits a month. We closed out June with over 54,000 Hits! On June 19th we lack only 30 Hits going over 5,000 for one day. The “bell page” continues to get the most Hits. Thanks to all of you who make it possible! <—– Click Here

Speaking of that ‘bell page’ I still lack 10 counties having at least one bell photo from every county in Oklahoma. Those counties are all in the far NE part of Oklahoma: Nowata, Craig, Ottawa, Delaware, Cherokee, Adair, Sequoyah, McIntosh, Okmulgee and Pawnee counties. If anyone can help me get some pics from bells in the above counties, it would be muchly appreciated! <—– Click Here

A few weeks ago I mentioned the newly formed Oklahoma Outlaws Lawman History Association. My friend Herman Kirkwood on Oklahoma City is the President of the Association. I have been working with Herman to put on CD their first Journal, Volume 1 Number 1 (published quarterly). Its pretty much ready and the purchase price is going to be $7.00 which includes postage to your mailbox. If you or anyone you know might be interested in purchasing this “first” CD, let me know. Of course better yet, I would encourage you to join and get the Journal as a benefit of being a member. Dues are $25 a year. <—– Click Here

Here is the Cover page of their first 24 page Journal. <—– Click Here

I noticed a nice little peach tree proudly displaying her peaches to passerbys at 409 Stanley SW (2 story house behind the Temple Emeth). I cant wait til until they’re ready to pick, so I can try one! I’ve known the owner of this peach tree since our childhood days when we both lived on 3rd NE, maybe he’ll give me one of those peaches. lol <—– Click Here

A couple of weeks ago I was over a Jerry Royall’s computer repair store just east of North Washington and Highway 199 East. Jerry was showing me his dad’s handywork, putting together puzzles and then framing them. I have tried to make picture frames before, and if you’ve never tried, there is really an art to making those corners come out right. In some of my frame making the corners didn’t align up to each other without gaps. His dad, James Royall, has a complete shop setup in the back with wood working tools, miter saws, and all kinds of wood stock. It reminded of my years at the lumber yard, made me want to just ask if I could run a few pieces of wood through the miter saw for old times sake. lol. I love working with wood.

Anyway, while I was there I said something about I wish I had a little bitty frame with my pic in in it. Low and behold about a week later they said come on over, James has made you a little frame and it has your pic in it. Was I surprised with I got there, the frame was only 5″ by 5″ and the picture was 2″ by 2″. James gave me the framed picture as a keepsake, but what I didnt tell him is I would have paid good money for it, just so I could get my ugly mug off their store’s wall! Oh, by the way, James Royall is 86 years young! <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

After I mentioned in last week’s T&T I could not find those extra long teaspoons in Ardmore, several people have brought me those little handy dandy instruments. And I was really surprised when an overstuffed envelope arrived in the mail this week from T&T Reader Mrs. Beth Gunn in Richardson, Texas. Inside was, you guessed it, a long teaspoon! Friends, they make life worth living! <—– Click Here

On April 29th I paid an Ardmore lawn care service $45 to spray my yard for crabgrass. My yard was looking a little ‘crappy’ so that was the main reason for having it sprayed, and I told the lawn care service owner that. Well, whatever he used did not kill the crabgrass, it didnt kill anything, not even one blade of grass died. And he’s never called me or came by to see how things worked out. Where is that old fashioned “service after the sale” I remember so well in the 60s? So, I have decided to take matters in my own hands, I have declared war on that crabgrass. After talking to a couple of T&T Readers, they both told me if all I want to do is kill crabgrass, buy a quart of MSMA. This week I went out to Agri Products at 712 P NE and paid $12.95 for a quart. You only mix 4 tablespoons in a 2 quart sprayer. I’ll let eveyone know in a few weeks how MSMA works on the crabgrass on my lawn.

I remember in April 1985 when Jim Guess of Davis, Oklahoma started Agri Products here in Ardmore in one small building on P Street NE. His daughter Malinda Guess worked as a lab technician at Memorial Hospital and she’d tell me how her daddy’s business was growing with leaps and bounds, and how proud she was of him. Jim Guess and Agri Products is truly one of those American success stories, how a little man starts out on a shoe string and makes good. Jim is retired now, and there are new owners, but when I was at Agri Products this week the employees were great, extremely knowledgable in the business, answered all my questions, gave me their recommendation, and sold me only the product I needed. It reminded me of the 1960s when a small business owner sold you something, his reputation was on the line. <—– Click Here

Every once in a while I run across a freeware program that to me is just the cat’s meow. I found one made in Denmark this week that even works on a network, meaning every workstation on the network can run the program from a ‘server’ and access the same info. Ajour is an easy-to-use personal information manager (PIM). Use it as a combined calendar, diary, organizer, and reminder. Keep track of dates, appointments, annual events like birthdays, todo items, and notes. <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“After reading the J street article, I had to look at mapquest and sure enough, there is a J street in Duncan as I recalled.”
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“surely alot of your readers in the Ardmore area have eaten at Ernie’s meat market on South Washington at least once in the past few months. Some of them that go in there often know the young lady that has been there for quiet sometime by the name of Veronica. What they may not know is that this past Monday night she lost her husband unexpectedly. He was only 30 years old..& they have 4 boys ranging from 16 months to 8years, I am not asking for handouts for her and her family, just for everyone to keep her and her boys in their prayers. She is the type of person who will always give you that smile & if she knows you well she’ll give you a hard time just to bring a smile to your face. I also know that if she ever knew of someone else that was in her situation, she’d remember them when she’s counting her blessings.”
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“Sorry you had to lose a tree. I have had to cut several because they were too close to my house and damaged my roof. You probably already know but in case you don’t Jerry Eubanks does a great job of grinding stumps. He has done 10 or 11 at my house and you can’t tell a tree was ever there.”
————————————————————————- “I live in Pauls Valley & the restaurant supply place is called Central Fixtures & it’s located on Hwy. 19 almost across from Walmart. It’s right next to a used car lot. A very nice lady, Zetta Warden, owns & runs it & even if you’re not looking for anything special, it’s a neat place to go & look around.”
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“Once again, on the 3rd and 4th of July, Medicine Park is celebrating its 96th birthday. It’s our 96th one to be exact! In preparation for this big event, we have planned many exciting things to take place at each of the business’s. We have a horse drawn carriage for rides, a magician, ventriloquist, medicine show, duck races, a camel, pot bellied pigs and speaking of pigs, the Seth Wright Gang is still trying to get away from the sheriff’s twin brother who is avenging his brother’s (the sheriff)death.The whole gang is running from the sheriff’s twin brother. There’s more shootin’ going on in this town than at an arcade shootin’ gallery. The story is getting better all the time! There are several women-folk (like myself) involved that seem to butt in where they’re not wanted……but other than that. There will also be a long-horned steer lettin’ people on his back for the Polaroid moment. I hear tell that Bonnie and Clyde will also be here for picture taking, and even bringing their old car that got all shot up. The fireworks are always spectacular on the 4th! We sure hope the audience will come and appreciate the fun and folly…..Bring the cameras! Joy (at the “Purple Parrot Art Gallery” Medicine Park, Oklahoma)”
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“As a history buff, you may wish to add to the “class rosters” information something about the first high school established before statehood. It was called “Oklahoma High School” and later “Central High School” in Oklahoma City. The football team in one of their first games defeated the University of Oklahoma! Those who won letters in sports wear an “O” instead of a “C” on their jackets, even though the beautiful building was sold to Southwestern Bell Telephone about 15 years ago. Bell Telephone donated the school original entrance on North Robinson between 8th and 9th Streets, and a museum for the school is there displaying all sorts of memorabilia. I send this because I am a 1946 graduate of that famed school. I like to say that everyone in my class became famous except me.” -Donald Bridges
————————————————————————- “Folks, I finally got around to adding System #9 to the antique oil field equipment album and an updated photo of system #1 and yes they are both still operating even though the grass is tall! Hope you are doing well. My oil field video project is comming along well albeit slow.” -Dwane Stevens http://cards.webshots.com/c81978431danvnq
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“You may already be aware of this, but I ran across this in the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture. The entry for “Roadhouses” contains the following:

In reference to honky-tonks… “The etymology of this curious word is unknown, but ‘honky-tonk’ first appeared in print in 1894, when a correspondent for the Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.) wrote the following: ‘The honk-a-tonk last night was well attended by ball-heads, bachelors, and leading citizens.’ Whatever its origins, the term honky-tonk was applied to the roadside taverns that dotted the outskirts of oil boom towns in Oklahoma and Texas.”
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“Butch, when reading your comment about the fried pies of Bo and Nancy at exit 51 on highway 35, I filed that thought in the back of my memory knowing that on the weekend of June 25-27 we would be traveling up that way from Garland, Tx. for our family reunion. Also knowing my husbands love of fried pies , I knew that would be one of our stops on our trip. What a surprise!! not only were those pies the best we had ever tasted, but the gentleman asked where we were from when we told him, he told us that they had lived in our city in 1974, and named the street they had lived on. My husband and I looked in total surprise at each other and and then we asked them what their street number had been. When they told us, all things began to click. Thirty years ago they had been our neighbors. One house being between where they lived and we live. Not only did we come away with the most wonderful bag of fried pies a person could want, but a reunion with old friends and a fresh knowledge of What a Small World We Live In !!! Thanks Butch for your newsletter as you can see it brought a renewed friendship back into our lives.” -Pat
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“Butch. My father, Clint Holt worked many years ago for OG&E, the electric company there in Carter County, Oklahoma. Probably back in the very late 1920’s and early 30’s. I was wondering if any of your readers may by chance have any old photos of the company and it’s workers. Hoping everyone may have a great and safe 4th of July. Thank you.” -Jeri Holt B. [email protected]
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The Daily Ardmoreite, Dec 7, 1911. “The clock in the steeple will soon strike. Mechanics from the factory are at work installing another clock in the tower of the court house in place of the one that refused to run and it will be tolling the hours within a few days.”
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The Daily Ardmoreite, December 1, 1911 TURNER FALLS SEEKS CAPITOL Davis, OK- Hon. Lon M. Frame, chairman of the state board of affairs, also chairman of the state capitol board, returned today from Turner Falls, seven miles southwest of here, where a large tract of land has been offered by the citizens of Davis for the state house. Mr. Frame declined to state just what steps would be taken in the matter of locating the state capitol at Turner Falls, but said it was a most desirable spot for it, perfectly drained and an unlimited supply of pure water. He said the capital location was a perplexing question, but expressed the hope that in a short time it would be definitely settled. “By the completion of the electric line from Davis to Turner Falls it will provide ample facilities, and if the state accepts the land proposed I see no reason why this should not make a most delightful location for the seat of government,” declared Mr. Frame. At a mass meeting this morning a large sum was subscribed by the bankers and business men of Davis and it is believed the sale of lots along Honey Creek within the radius of Turner Falls enough cash can be raised to insure the finest state capitol building in the Southwest. The line of road, promoted some years ago and graded to a point within a mile of Turner Falls, could be built immediately, which would insure ample transportation facilities. A large spring just above the seventy-five foot cataract could be used for an everlasting supply for a large population out there. The site proposed and which will probably be accepted by the board is no doubt the most desirable in the entire country. It is an altitude above sea-level of 1,449 feet and cold be seen for many miles. It is the highest plateau in Oklahoma. “A million dollars can be raised for the building.” declared the Mayor of Turner Falls today.
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Stop at the MAXEY HOUSE when in Kingston, OK. Best Hotel on Frisco R.R.
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December 7, 1911 The clock in the steeple will soon strike. Mechanics from the factory are at work installing another clock in the tower of the court house in place of the one that refused to run and it will be telling the hours within a few days.
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December 11, 1911 GEOLOGICAL FREAK AT TURNER FALLS Davis, OK, Dec. 9–A geological puzzle has been discovered by a railroad gang while blasting down the side of a high limestone cliff on Honey Creek, near Turner Falls. At the point where the men were drilling into the solid rock formation it was observed that a great cavity existed, which appeared to run far back underneath the mountain. A large charge of dynamite was used. When the smoke cleared away a cavern was exposed to view. John Emery, one of the workmen, was lowered down into the yawning chasm by a long rope. By the aid of a candle he could see big crevices leading off in every direction. He could hear falling water at a distance, which he declares must be in great volumes, for the roar could be plainly heard at the entrance of the cavern. “That old cave is certainly an eye-opener,” declared Mr. Emory, “and if it is ever explored I predict it will outrival the Mammoth cave of Kentucky. I could hear a great roar from falling water, which appeared to be several hundred feet below me. I believe a stream much larger than Honey Creek flows down there. I will go down there with one or more parties if they have the nerve to pry around down there.” A peculiar geological feature appears in the fact that where this large opening was found the limestone ledge dips upstream at an angle of about 70 degrees, and the formation directly at the opening slips down stream, or in other words, directly opposite the other. The caves mouth is between the two ledges and according to Mr. Emory, it widens out as depth is reached. The promoters of the new road to Turner Falls declare today that they would make a careful investigation of the new cavern and if found to be a big one as reported by the workmen, they would arrange to have visitors go down there next summer when the road is completed. It is believed it is only one of the great many geological freaks that will be found in the heart of the Arbuckle mountains near the famous resort.
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June 23, 1926 NEW GROCERY STORE A new mercantile enterprise has been established in the Amerada oil fields eight miles southeast of the city, and a very modern and up to date grocery and meat market will supply the wants of the oil field workers and farmers in that locality. The new store is known as Crescent grocery and market No. 2 and is owned by R.H. Ploense, who operates the Crescent grocery store in Ardmore. A new building has been erected, attractively arranged and decorated, equipped with refrigerators for handling fresh meats, and the same class of goods will be offered there that are sold to Ardmore customers, it is said. The store opened for business Monday and is in charge of A.J. Sullivan with one clerk to assist him.
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“Butch, I wonder if any of your readers know the history of The Rockin Horse Daycare? I think at one time it was called The Stonewood Motel? It is made from petrified wood and fossils. I have included pictures. It is a very unusual structure! It is located at 1600 S. Commerce across from the Veterans Center.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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September 4, 1930—The Healdton Herald WIRT BUSINESS DIRECTORY Service grocery and market ROBERSON & FERGUSON, PROP. D.L. Dennis Groceries Phone 176 Phipps Grocery and Market A real Drug Store with a Snappy, Efficient Service WIRT DRUG CO. WIRT STATE BANK The Best in Bank Service AMERICAN TAILORS Dry Cleaning and Pressing
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July 23, 1947—The Daily Ardmoreite FRAME CAME TO ARDMORE IN 1888 It was in the spring of 1888 that I first came to Ardmore from Dexter, Texas by way of Love’s crossing on the Red River. I bought William Green’s store about where Daube’s is now and went into the drug business. My wife and three children, Sue, Jim and Tom followed on the Fourth of July 1888. The family home has always been at 210 Stanley boulevard since that time. In those days the house was in a cotton patch and was considered out of town. The business district scarcely extended any farther west than Main and Washington streets. There were wooden sidewalks on different levels in front of some of the stores, and there was a water well in the middle of Main street just opposite Daube’s. William Green, Sam Robertson, J.T. Alexander, A. Kloski, and A.D. Chase were all here when I came. Nelse Coleman arrived a short time afterwards, and Joe F. Robinson and W.F. Whitington came up from Dexter. I have seen Ardmore expand from a couple of plank stores and a frontier wagon yard to a small, busy metropolis, and I sincerely hope that Ardmore’s future will continue to be as interesting as its past. W.B. Frame
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September 2, 1910 The Daily Ardmoreite REAL ESTATE ACTIVE TWO DEALS TODAY The city realty deals aggregating $17,500 were made yesterday. The realty market is better than it has been during the past three years, activity prevails on every hand and tenant houses are getting very scarce. The former Love Hotel, the two-story stone building on East Main street has been purchased from Jesse L. Jordon and Mollie Jordon by George E. Clark. The H.T. Sims building on West Main street was sold today to William Green and Paul Jones. The price was $7,500. This building is a brick, two stories in height, and faces Main street and runs back to First avenue and fronts the court house square. It is a valuable piece of property.
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Advertisement: Twenty varieties of Campbell Celebrated Soups at W.J. LANE’S
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Joe Weiss has returned from New York where he purchased a big stock of goods for the BANKRUPT STORE.
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Chas. A. Stevens samples and plates of women’s and misses, suits and dresses made to measure, are now ready for your inspection at 511 North Washington. Mrs. J.G. Abernethy.
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>From this date on our business will be conducted on strictly cash basis BUDD HOARD CO.
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The Ardmore Concrete and Construction Co. has been awarded the contract for putting up a new smoke stack at the city pumping plant. The old one has worn out and the new one is being installed today. It will be sixty feet high the same height as the old one. The smoke stack and the whole steam pumping plant is being kept intact merely as a precaution. By this means two systems of pumping water are retained, on by electricity and the other by steam.
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The Labor Day dance at Lorena park will be largely attended. Young people from surrounding towns as well as Ardmore people will take advantage of the occasion to spend a merry evening.
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Material for nine steel bridges have been unloaded at Provence. The wood portions have been unloaded here. A car of oak lumber and a car of bois d’arc were among the timbers. All nine bridges are to be located on the east side of the county.
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November 19, 1911 The Daily Ardmoreite FIRST TAX ASSESSOR T.J. Pollock, who has the honor of being the first tax assessor of Carter County, will move from his country home to Ardmore this week. He has purchased a home at the corner of 5th Avenue and A street Northeast, and will occupy it. He has also bought other Ardmore property. Mr. Pollock will assume the duties of his office on the first of the year and on the fifteenth of January will be assessing the property of the county for taxes. Mr. Pollock says he will be in the field every day and will do the greater portion of the work himself. He will need one man in the field and one office man and intimated that he had already selected his help.

HE WAS FROM MISSOURI AND HAD TO BE SHOWN Oil City before he could be convinced that Oil City lots are a good investment. His name was G.W. Replogle of Joplin, Missouri. After visiting Oil City, Mr Replogle stated that he was much impressed with the place and the surrounding country and he had invested in some lots and would recommend Oil City as an investment to his friends upon his return.

ATTRACTED BY CHEAP LANDS Hugh Blount, member of the board of county commissioners of Johnston county and one of the leading merchants of the best little towns in Oklahoma–Milburn–arrived at the city last night. Mr. Blount is here to invest in Carter county lands that are selling so cheap now.
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“Hi Butch, Quite some time ago you mentioned Oklahoma POW camps. I found a great site which has them all listed.” http://okielegacy.org/WWIIpowcamps/index.html
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“when I was a youngster, in the late sixties, my grandmother used to take me to the Carter Co. Courthouse. In the corner of the W entryway was a snack stand and the man running the stand was an old (old to me at least), blind man who could give you change by the feel of the coins he handled. He was so kind and patient to us kids who always give him a quarter just so we could watch him make change. I used to know this man’s name, but can no longer remember it. I was wondering if you or anyone on the list might remember his name.” -melinda taylor
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“A bit of good Luck right after i emailed you for the court document of Canty’s transcript with walter’s death bed account of what happened, wish i could find some more pictures of him. As always thank you for your quick reply and always indebted to you for the memorial help. wanted to thank you for all your efforts on his behalf and the families. was wondering if you had those pictures of him and his head stone still. would really like a copy of anything you have on him. since we meet in ardmore my home has burned and we lost my research on him. and if you found anything else on him would like that too if you would. By the way got another mystery for you my walter tate was a boarder in 1900 census love county with a judge Ingram, cant find a judge ingram there.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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We’re drawing the last 3 names from the hopper for a free Gene South Patriotic CD. If you were one of last week’s winners, send me an email with your mailing address. <—– Click Here

Here are the last 3 winners of the Gene South Patriotic CD giveaway:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

“This is a poem that I wrote for my grandchildren in 1967. I dedicate this poem to my three children, ten grandchildren and 17 g-grandchildren. I still do The Pledge of Allegiance!” -Tweed Stonum Machock, born 1915 in Ardmore, Oklahoma now living in Richardson, Texas.

OUR FLAG

This flag, our flag, is red, white and blue
I love it very dearly and I know you love it too
It stands for oh! so many things
For sadness and for tears
For many died to keep it proud
Through out its long-lived years
And yet it stands for joy too
For it brings peace to all
Its rescued many nations who –
Were just about to fall
By defending it you’re showing
How you love your country too
So take pride my dears, in knowing,
This Flag belongs to You

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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