We are just waiting on two or three more pledges to come in, and we are ready to order the memorial marker in memory of Healdton police officer Jim Hutchison. Police officer Hutchison was shot in 1930 in a gun battle at Healdton and died days later from those wounds. The granite marker Wilson Monuments in Lone Grove will be ordering is similar to the one in the picture. It will be mounted on a concrete slab.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos8a/GraniteMarker012208a.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/hutchison.html
Received an update email on 10/31/14 from Brad and Nellie in Australia about their cross country trip.
"Butch, still traveling east. We crossed the Nullabor Plain, 1200 km from Norseman, a town of about 100 in Western Australia to Ceduna, much larger in South Australia. Plain it was. Apart from the last 200 km we did not see a sheep, a cow, or a house and we did travel through the largest sheep station, ranch to you, in the southern hemisphere. I drive at about 90kph, trying to save a bit of fuel, and the speed limit is 110. The road was so flat and straight that you could see cars for half an hour after they had over taken me. Any way since then we spent a couple of nights on the coast and a few nights in the Gawler Ranges, a very dry and stark but very interesting place. We are only 300 km west of Broken Hill in New South Wales at the moment so probably less than a week from home, very disappointing. Cheers for now." -Brad and Nellie
"As a Geographic Information Systems Specialist for the Chickasaw Nation, Brian McCurdy works to capture, manage, analyze and display geographic information in the form of maps, globes, reports, charts, databases and websites. Currently, Brian is working toward discovering all 64 of the Chic-Choc markers that date back to the 1870s ? these stones were used by 19th century surveyors as mile markers for the boundary between the Chickasaw and Choctaw nations. Here, learn how the Chickasaw Nation is able to use advanced mapping techniques to pinpoint and identify these markers." CLICK HERE
Last Sunday I took this photo of the Vendome Well at Sulphur, Oklahoma. Nearly every time I am in Sulphur I have to stop by the well and drink that smelly rotten egg water. lol
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/VendomeSulphur110214a.jpg
I took this video of the Vendome gushing its water into the air.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSAnXmpiMZE
Here is a good website with history of the Vendome Well.
http://www.asla.org/ppn/Article.aspx?id=32052
Below is a paver I sandblasted the past week.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bricks/SugarZekeShadowPaver.jpg
Q. John Steinbeck's 1939 novel "The Grapes
of Wrath", begins its story in what Oklahoma town?
A. Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Q. What town in Oklahoma is the
home of the world's largest deposit of alabaster?
A. (answer in next week's T&T)
From This and That newsletter archives of October 28, 2000:
"Hi Butch, We really enjoyed your visit this
past Sat... Funny how things work out. I just had a visit from a cousin and she
brought me some old pictures and one of them (the one I am sending to you) is a
picture of the Mannsville School with the "BELL". It isn't a very large picture
but just before you get to the building and to the right, by the three large
trees is the bell. This picture was taken in the 40's. I don't know if you can
enlarge the photo to see the bell more clear or not. I would venture to say the
bell is deep in the rivers silt and mud, waiting for someone to rediscover it.
Maybe we should put together some kind of search party someday?"
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellphotos/MannsvilleHighSchoolBell.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
A reader wrote in a couple weeks ago about
a factory years ago in Ardmore that manufactured guns. I can tell you the owner
was Joe Dubiel (July 18, 1920 to October 16, 1996).
----------------------------------------------------
"I was born in 1921 at Hugo, Okla.- We
moved to Ardmore about 1926. I personally knew Joe Dubiel and he and I both were
still in rompers when the old Gun Factory was located exactly where Lumbermans
Mill is now. In fact, I believe the Gun Factory building was old & likely vacant
even then. It is true that Joe was an excellent gunsmith and he may have had a
gun shop but the "old gun factory" I think you are seeking predated Joe, a
bunch." -Ernest Martin
----------------------------------------------------
Twenty five miles east of Ardmore is
Madill, Oklahoma. On the north edge of Madill lives Mable Wallace. She has a
neat little store at her house.... where she sells turquoise.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/MableWallace2.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
"I remember all those great places! I had
a blast with the talking parrot as a kid at the drive in on So. Washington. It
was where a little bbq place is now. They also had a gum machine out front that
if you got a certain color gum you got a free ice cream. My Grandpa spent I
don't know how much money one afternoon until I got the gum for the free ice
cream! I'm sure he could have bought several ice creams for the price of the
gum...LOL! My Grandfather is Denver Lewis, and he ran the Avalon Supper Club
from before I was born until it burned the second time in the late 60's. I
remember when the Superdog came out with the Icees too! We thought it was so
neat to have a drink that didn't spill easily....(sure, but we were just kids!).
Weren't the Super Dogs fabulous?! I wish Ponders would come back with those! How
bout it Ponders?"
----------------------------------------------------
"For those of you who might be looking for
fitting Christmas presents for young folks (or ANYBODY else, for that matter),
our family friend Desiree Morrison Webber's new book "The Buffalo Train Ride" is
a detailed and well-told account of the reintroduction of American Bison into
the newly developed Wichita Game Preserve, near Lawton/Ft. Sill, Oklahoma (then
still "Oklahoma Territory") in 1907."
The Buffalo Train Ride By Desiree Morrison Webber
Published by Eakin Press, Austin Texas http://www.eakinpress.com
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, I am sorry to say that the person
that wrote this account of the original car wash last week is mistaken. I won't
go into the details of this, but please visit with Jack Thompson who is one of
the original inventors & patent holder of a "car wash" and yes, it was located
on North Washington Street. and the old HW 70 route, now known as Monroe street.
Not on P & 3rd Ave. N.E." -Ernest Martin
----------------------------------------------------
"Reference: 1st car wash. I think that if
you will ask Jack Thompson, you will find that the first coin operated car wash
was actually the brainchild of Travis Harris and Jack Thompson and was built on
the north side of the intersection of west Main and Broadway, across from Kerr &
Reavis Drug store (at that time Gravitt Drug Store). The second car wash was
what is now Coopers Corner.
Reference: Some time ago, you had someone ask about the "Little Big Stand" restaurant on Main Street. It was owned by Charles Priddy and was know as the "Little Big Place". It was located on the same site that the Neustadt Plaza is currently on. Henry Keith operated a service station on the corner next to it.
Reference: You have had several notes recently that mentioned "Super Dogs". I don't know just how many people realize that Joe Ben Ponder sold his franchise for the "Super Dogs" to Stan Baldwin and that they continue to make them at his "Burger Ranch" at 708 East Lake Murray Drive. They are just as tasty as they have always been. Take this from someone that has eaten them since the 50's.
Reference: The drive in on Lake Murray
Drive a block south of Colvert's was owned by Honest John Hubble. Thanks for you
newsletter. It is always a lot of fun to read each Saturday." Larry Smith
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, the little ice cream place
on the east corner on Lake Murray Dr. (that everyone has been writing about) was
owned by "Honest John Hubble" and was called Dairy Delight (or Delite). They
did, indeed, have a parrot hanging in a cage out front. In addition, their son
(might have been John Jr...can't remember), was a cheerleader at OU. This was
before it was the "in thing" for a guy to get involved in cheerleading. I
thought it was so neat. His parents had pictures of him in his uniform in the
window of the ice cream place and I always carefully scanned them, wishing I
could be a cheerleader. (I was in later years at Plainview). I remember that
this place had the best milkshakes and malts I'd ever tasted. One that was
unusual was a peanut butter flavor...my favorite was butter pecan. I lived in
So. Texas for a few years (early to mid 60's), and when I came back I remember
that you could buy a taco at the Dairy Delight. It was one of the few (maybe the
only) place in town that offered them. I'd become so used to eating them in TX,
that I frequented the DD and more than ate my share. I am writing a journal of
memoirs for my descendants and plan on including some of this info. A different
topic, but does anyone remember the scrumptious "punch" you could get at
Colvert's Dairy? You could get it in lime (green) and a red (maybe cherry or
strawberry). Anyway, whenever we had any kind of get together such as a shower
or birthday party, that gave us a good excuse to get some of it... our favorite
was the lime. It came in one gallon cartons and we would mix it with 7-up and
sometimes add some fruit cocktail for color. UMMMM! I can almost taste it. Don't
supposed it's even made anymore. By the way, are you planning another trip to
Brown Springs anytime soon? A lady I work with wants to go, but don't know if
I'm brave enough. I still remember the other time I went with you, never before
experienced anything like the feeling I had when I walked through it. Very
eerie!! Take care, Butch, and God bless." -Diane Armstrong
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, In reference to the "spoons
in the persimmon tree," my mother showed us children how there is a knife, fork
or spoon in the persimmon seed. You carefully open up the seed and you will see
a knife, fork or spoon-shaped growth inside. Until you check it yourself, it is
hard to believe! We had fun with this! I didn't care much for the persimmon
fruit, but I liked checking out the center seed! I don't remember her telling us
that you could forecast the weather with it though." The mentioning of Colvert's
Dairy also brings back memories to me. I lived in Durant for a few years and
there was a Colvert's Dairy there too. I still have some large cottage cheese
containers with the Colvert's info on the lids. And also I have a large, flat,
aluminum ice cream spoon with the Colvert's name on it. I think about the area
every time I use it - I've been gone about 35 years! Thanks for keeping us
informed about things in our area."
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch ..... We look forward to
Saturday mornings to read your latest T&T and always enjoy them. Since I was
raised in Ardmore and apparently somewhat older than some of those who write you
I may be able to answer some of their questions. First, there was a question
about the community of Glenn. It was located in the SW corner of sec 3 T3s R1e.
That is three miles west of the intersection of US hwy 77 on Springer Road.
Next, there was a question of the killing of a lawman by Wiley Lynn. I believe
the lawman's name was Crockett Long. The story goes that he was shot four times
by Lynn but managed to shoot Lynn who died 12 hours later. The widow and
children of Lynn became highly respected citizens of Ardmore and some of them
are buried in Ardmore. Next someone wrote about the gun factory north of
Ardmore. There was such a factory and I believe Lumberman's Mill occupied the
property. The gun factory was called Hoffman Arms and made some of the best
rifles ever. The man who ran the factory was named Dubiel. The factory was
closed about he beginning of the great depression. I believe some of the Dubiel
family still lives in Ardmore. I had two older brothers who worked there Keep up
the good work and keep those interesting letters coming."
----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Gas prices today in the Ardmore area......
http://www.oklahomagasprices.com/index.aspx?mss=152754
Non-ethanol gas (pure gas) stations in the Ardmore area.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/puregas.html
Some mail from this week's MAILBAG.....
Carter Brothers Rock Crushing Plant in Crusher, Murray County, Oklahoma. An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad train cargo car is on the right. I.W. Sanders, photographer, Davis, Oklahomahttp://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/CarterBrosRockCrusher1.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14b/CarterBrosRockCrusher2.jpg
A Decadent Deal for You: Christmas in the Barn - Nov 14th and 15th. 3015 Olen Road, Marietta, Oklahoma 580-812-1408
http://chickasawcountry.com/events/view/christmas-in-the-barn
Map to Olen Road east of Marietta, Oklahoma.
http://binged.it/110jGsP
"Would anyone have information or photos for E. B. Pugh or Marcus Pugh from Ardmore, OK? They had a feed and seed store, downtown, I believe Caddo and Broadway area. E. B. had a small store at his house 1007 C Northwest back around 1905 or so. Any information or sources would be appreciated." -Byron Pugh [email protected]
"Hey Butch, every time I go back home, I take 4 gallon jugs and fill them at the Vendome in Sulphur. I don't think that the water is as strong as it used to be but I still like it anyway. One day a lady was saying how bad it tastes and I told her that it would cure anything that was wrong with you and added that when I came to Sulphur, I couldn't even walk and look at me now. I had to tell her later that I was born here and new babies can't walk." -Roy Miller
"Butch, When the first car wash opened in Ardmore, you got 5 minutes for 25 cents. If you were quick enough, you could wash and rinse your car for one quarter." -Monroe Cameron
"Butch, I remember Walden's Hospital on West Broadway very well. My aunt had my cousin there in 1938. Dr. Walden's brother, Judge Asa Walden, lived across the street from me in Marietta. Waldens Hospital was still in operation when I moved to Ardmore in 1942 and for a few years after that." -Frances Dunlap
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos14a/WaldenHospital1939.jpg
Several in the Ardmore area have opened up a persimmon tree seed and found a spoon inside. The spoon is a prediction of wet, heavy snow. (I predict a cut finger trying to cut the seed in half.) The seed is extremely hard to get open. Anyway, keep your shovel, tire chains, and deicer handy.
http://www.almanac.com/content/predicting-weather-using-persimmon-seed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRhHUeGJ9fU
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
Vicious Dog Attacks in Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/viciousdogs.html
Bells of Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellpage.html
Carter County Courthouse Paver Project
http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/pavers
Ardmore High School Criterions Online
http://www.ArdmoreCriterion.com/
Oklahoma Bells:
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/bellpage.html
Bill Hamm's Cemetery Database
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/carter/cartercm.htm
American Flyers Memorial
Fund - Administration Webpage
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/crash66.html
Official American Flyers
Memorial Website
http://www.brightok.net/~wwwafm
Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force
Base Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
Mirror Site of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Website
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/airbase/
Carter county schools, past and
present
http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory
Carter County
Government Website
http://cartercountyOK.us/
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