Oklahoma and Texas continues to
receive more and more rain, almost daily. If you've been watching our local, or
the national news, you know flooding has been wide spread in both states. Lake
Texoma went over the spillway a of couple days ago for the 4th time since building
started in 1939. The link below is KTEN television's bird's eye view of the
flooding at Texoma.
http://www.kten.com/story/29174864/birds-eye-view-of-flooding-across-texoma
A first took place today with the
closing of the Roosevelt Bridge west of Durant Oklahoma because of flooding near
the east end of the bridge (water over Highway 70).
http://www.kxii.com/home/headlines/ODOT-closes-Roosevelt-Bridge-305377811.html
I received the following email the
other day, seeking info on any descendants of Mr. and Mrs. Settles:
The following are graves on private
property near Madill, Oklahoma. The property owners were wondering if there are
any descendants of these people still around.
M.C. Dau. Of
J. F. Settles
Born Oct 1885
Died Dec. 23 1887
Gone to a bright place where grief cannot come
The small markers goes to this child
The broken one is
Mary E.
Wife of
A. J. Jones
Died
Jan. 13 1888
She was kind and affectionate wife fondly remembered and a friend to all
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/MCSettlesGrave.jpg
If anyone knows descendants of the
Settle family above, please send me an email.
This statue in Foyil, Oklahoma commemorates
Andy Payne, winner of the Bunion Derby, a transcontinental footrace from Los
Angeles to New York. His story is the quintessential American tale of a life
from hard scrabble beginnings to one of respect and considerable authority. He
was the underdog in the race and used his winnings to pay off the family farm.
And that's just the start. Frankly, it's astonishing that no one has made a
movie based on his life.
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/AndyPayneFoyilOK.jpg
National Guard Armory in Konawa built
in 1938.
For the first 15 years of its existence, members of the 45th Infantry Division
proudly wore on their left shoulders an ancient American Indian symbol of good
luck, most commonly referred to as the swastika.
A similar symbol was adopted by the Nazi party in the late 1920?s, and as the
N.S.D.A.P. rose to power in 1933 the symbol became so closely associated with
German National socialism that it had to be abandoned as the insignia of the
45th Infantry Division.
For many months division members wore no insignia, while the design for a new
emblem was being explored. The 45th Infantry Division held a contest to assist
in selection of the new insignia and many designs were submitted. The contest
was overseen by a board of officers who eventually determined the Thunderbird
would become the new insignia of the 45th Infantry Division. In keeping with the
tradition formerly established, it was also decided to maintain the same colors
and design of the original insignia.
In 1939 after approval of the Commanding General, Eighth Corps Area, and the
Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the Thunderbird design was officially
approved by the War Department and authorized for manufacture and wear. The
document approving the design, which was to become famous in World War II and
the Korean War, stated that, the Thunderbird was a Native American symbol
signifying "sacred bearer of happiness unlimited." -Stephanie Johnson
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/KonawaNationalGuard1938.jpg
May 1987
Troy Loard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Buford Loard, received a diploma recently from
Greer Technical Institute, Braidwood, Illinois. The school specializes in
operation of earth moving equipment. Loard, a 1963 graduate of Lone Grove High
School, specialized in operation of trucks, bulldozers, end loaders and self-propelled scrapers.
May 1964
Dundee High School will not operate next year, according to Supt. Shelby
Sherrill, due to lack of operating funds. At present there are 29 students in
grades 9-12 including valedictorian of 1964 class, John DeLano and salutatorian
Mari Clayton.
May 1955
Ardmore druggist Ernest Martin, polled 7,322 votes to unseat incumbent Tom Tipps,
who drew 5,826.
May 1931
Law enforcement authorities are warning all parents that children under the age
of 16 are not allowed to drive a car.
Below is an email I received this
week. Does anyone know about any painted horse statues around the state?
"My sisters and I were staying in
Shawnee OK for a couple of weeks taking care of some family business, and we so
much admired their painted horses. I picked up a brochure that said there were
also some in Midwest City but never did find them. Are there any other painted statue ponies around the state? Everything was
so pretty and green while we were there. But we got out just before all the rain
hit the area. I fall in love with OK every time I get to go back, which isn't
often enough."
A paver I sandblasted this
week.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bricks/NoraHatcherMarker.jpg
Even though I have not lost any more
weight in 4 weeks since dropping down to 177 pounds, I'm still getting the
benefit of the extra energy and all. If anyone wants to try it
give me a holler. "I'll meet you at the
Walmart mailbox!" Join us and check
it all out at the link below.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/truvision.html
http://butch.truvisionhealth.com/
Hot days just around the
corner, my OKie Power Saver will help keep my electric bill as low
as possible when I crank up the air conditioning this summer. I'm ready to combat that sky high electric bill. I
have created a webpage to tell more about the OKie Power Saver at the link
below. You really have nothing to lose except a high electric bill to try the
power saver. I am guaranteeing the unit to save you money or your money back.
Give me a holler for more information.
http://www.OKiePowerSaver.com
Q. What year did written
history in Oklahoma begin?
A. In 1540 when Coronado crossed the plains with the conquistadors.
Q. Sometime after 1864 in
what Oklahoma town did outlaw "captain" William Coe build a "fortress? to
protect himself and his gang of some 30 to 50 members, who primarily rustled
cattle, horses, sheep, and mules?
A. (answer in next week's T&T)
From This and That
newsletter archives of May 26, 2001:
Last Tuesday the old 1926 Frisco steam
Locomotive rumbled into Ardmore. She was beautiful! And I imagine she was the
longest passenger train to come through Ardmore since the mid 70s when the last
one came through. She had 9 passenger cars behind the engines and water car!
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/locomotive1522a.jpg
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/locomotive1522b.jpg
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/locomotive1522c.jpg
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/locomotive1522w.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
There was a lot of good food in the month of May Heartland Share program. This
is a pic of the items I paid $17 for, and well worth. May's Share was made up of
the following: Schwan's Hoagie Burgers - 2 LBS. Schwan's BBQ Little Smokies - 1
1/2 LBS. Beef Steak Filets - 10 OZ. Tyson Chicken Drums - 1.8 LBS. Chicken
Fajitas Strips - 14 OZ. Lettuce - 1 Head. Potatoes. Vidalia Onions - 2 LB. Bag.
Red Peppers - 2. Slaw Mix - 1 LB. PKG. California Valencia Oranges - 4. Red
Delicious Apples - 4. Flour Tortilla - 10 Count. Swiss Miss Chocolate Pudding -
4 PK
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/HeartlandShare051801.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, Years ago there was a shop located in the NE corner of the Whittington
Hotel on East Main. The shop specialized in having an automatic photograph
machine located there where you could have your picture made and then wait a
couple of minutes to get the picture. Certainly the quality was not wonderful
and could not be compared to a professional photographic shop. I remember they
would hand color the black & white pictures by putting crape paper into water
and squeezing the color out. They would then take a cotton swab and simply rub
it onto the photograph to give it a color or colors."
----------------------------------------------------
"I was glad to see the picture of Johnny Newcomer. He was principal when I went
to Franklin School back in 1941- 47. He would visit each class and always give
several complicated arithmetic problems. I though he was the nicest of men."
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/JohnNewcomber1stWard.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
"Hello Butch, Yes I studied the picture of your Mother very close. I knew it was
a retouched photo but wondered more about the large beads she wore than
anything. Wondered if they had been painted on and why so big. She was a very
beautiful lady. Saw this morning that the untouched photo had the large beads as
well. That answered that question.
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/LouiseBridgesRetouched.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
The following material is extracted from the original thesis entitled " A
History of Ardmore, Okla. from the earliest beginning to 1907 by Paul A. Frame."
"In 1898, in company with Dr. F.P. von Keller, Dr. J.C. McNeese, and Dr. Robert
Henry, Dr. Walter Hardy opened the Ardmore Sanitarium above the Ramsey Drug
Store, which was located on the northwest corner of Main and Caddo. This
sanitarium, one of the first to be built between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth,
had twelve beds, an x-ray machine, and a small clinical laboratory. It served as
the only hospital in Ardmore until 1911, when the present Hardy Sanitarium was
built. Dr. von Keller did not build his hospital north of town until 1917"
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, I worked at Will Roger's ranch ( a Calif. state park ) for a little over
four years back in '75/79, and came across this picture of Will's favorite
horse, Soapsuds. Thought you and your subscribers might get a bang out of seeing
it. He was a very interesting man, and I became aware of a lot of little things
the general public didn't know about him and his family. How many people are
aware that he was the mayor (honorary) of Beverly Hills, and was among the elite
of Hollywood society in those days. But he was the "real McCoy "; a down to
earth guy and proud to be an Oklahoman. He said "When the Okies came to
California, it improved the population of both states". I've got to agree."
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/soapsuds.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
"Hi Butch, I'm amazed every Saturday at your terrific T&T articles, and the
memories they bring back. Every week I scan all the photos and read every email
from your subscribers, and they are all interesting. Thought you might like a
picture of the old Murray County Courthouse (attached). A few weeks ago I found
a site listing all the Murray County sheriffs since statehood. I remember my
grandparents speaking of Bird Williams, and Bose Johnson was sheriff when I
lived in Sulphur, but I was really astounded to read that John Henry Samples was
the sheriff in about 1950. When I was in the fourth grade at Washington
Elementary in Sulphur, I got into one of my weekly fights (sometimes daily) with
a little tough kid, one of two to ever actually "whup" me; he gave me a
beautiful shiner that lasted about two weeks. That kids name: John Henry
Samples. But the sheriff must have been his dad, because little John Henry would
have been about 19 years old when J.H. Sample was sheriff. Looks like I got out
of town just in time !!!"
Sheriffs of Murray County, 1890 - 2000
Sheriffs served 2 year terms until 1974 when 4 year terms began.
W. D. McCarty 1890 - 1900 - first lawman in area in I.T.
W. D. McCarty 1900 - 1906
T. A. Maxwell 1906 - 1910
M. S. Rowlings 1910 - 1916
B. B. Deel 1916 - 1918
C. H. Parks 1918 - 1924
Bird Williams 1924 - 1928
Ira Potes 1928 - 1930
Bose Johnson 1930 - 1940
Marvin Stevens 1940 - 1946
Marion Holland 1946 - 1948
John Henry Samples 1948 - 1952
Leonard Monger 1952 - 1958
Corbitt Higgins 1958 - 1964
John Harold Roady 1964 - 1972 - ousted during last term, Viles Collins
appointed.
Gary Fullerton 1972 - 1974 - resigned after 9 months, Johnny Day appointed.
Perry D. Frantz 1974 - 1980
Edwin M. Bristol 1980 - 1996
Marvin McCracken 1996 - 2000
----------------------------------------------------
"Butch, Noticed last week the name "Tiny" Sparger. I remember "Puny" Sparger,
justice of the peace, and his hamburger stand where he sold "Puny Burgers". Both
he and his burgers were anything but puny. His wife, Julia K. Sparger, was a
teacher at Ardmore HS in the fifties. I had her for two years of Latin and a
year of English Lit.. She was an knowledgeable, inspiring, demanding teacher -
one of the best. As a former Ardmoreite, I enjoy T&T, especially your photos of
the area."
----------------------------------------------------
"I was a patient in the Von Keller
Hospital several times between October 1952 and February 1953. My doctor was a
lady by the name of Dr. Walker. I don't remember her first name. While there as
a patient I was given very good medical treatment and cared for very well.
Brings back old memories."
----------------------------------------------------
"The Prairie Valley School is located
about five miles northwest of Ardmore in one of the most beautiful sections of
Carter County. The gradual rolling prairie gives an excellent view of the
country in almost every direction. Prairie Valley was one the first schools to
be established in this section of the county. The first building was erected
some 25 years ago. It was a one room unpainted structure, serving as a school
house, a church and public gathering place for the community. The present
building was erected in 1908, only a short distance for the site of the old
building. The valley is mostly prairie and the reason the school was called
Prairie Valley.... The school offers eight years of training and recently is
graduation a class of 19 students under the direction of Mr. G.C.Adams."
"In 1923: Plainview, district 27, is
located three miles southwest of Ardmore. The school received its name on
account of its high elevation which enables a person to see plainly for a radium
of several miles around. Plainview has sprung, in two years time, from an
unaffiliated rural school employing only three teachers to a three year
accredited high school employing five teachers. Plainview school consists of 125
pupils. The 1923 graduating class expects to find seven graduating from the
11th. grade; 12 from the 10th. grade; 4 from the ninth grade and 16 from the
eighth grade. The Plainview School is very progressive and is well served by the
teachers and supported by the patrons of the community."
"The Brock School is located 7 miles southwest of Ardmore, near the community of
Brock, which received its name from a Mr. Smith Brock, prominent Chickasaw. The
school has a census of 125 and offers eight grades of work. Miss Grace
Blankenship is principal of Brock and has been re-elected for next term. She has
been ably assisted in the school by Miss Ada Ferguson. Several pupils of Brock
District have received Common School Diplomas."
"Crinerville School is located near Brock
in the Amerada Oil Field. The school offers eight grades of work under the
supervision of two teachers. Charles Gilder is principal and teaches the 5th,
6th. and 8th. grades. Ester Lee is assistant teacher and teaches the 1st.,
second, third and 4th. grades."
"The Staunton School was northwest of
Healdton, Oklahoma."
----------------------------------------------------
"Long story, try to make it short. We were
on our way today to Idabel, Oklahoma to visit cemetery. Went thru Ft. Towson,
Oklahoma and my wife saw a good friend of hers on Main St. planting flowers near
Fire Dept. We stopped and they chatted. I looked up and lo and behold there was
a bell, which used to be for calling the volunteer fireman, So I got my digital
out and here you are... some more bell pictures. Enjoy."
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/FtTowsonBell.jpg
----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
Some mail from this week's MAILBAG.....
"Butch, When I was growing up in Healdton during the 30's and
40's, there was an old swimming pool filled with oil. Does anyone know the
history of that pool? -Tommie Jenkins
Been busy the past couple of months?. Looks like you guys are
having quite some weather down there. Here in Denver it?s been rain, rain, rain,
which is unusual given the long term drought we?ve been in. A few small tornados
on the eastern plains, but nothing like Oklahoma weather!
I ran across this article about chicken eggs and a ?double? egg ?
one inside the other (
http://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/hen-laid-egg-within-egg-find-out-how
)which took me right back to my days on the farm, raising chickens and culling,
grading, and packaging eggs for sell in all the local supermarkets in Madill,
OK. I saw many a double-yoked egg but never a full egg inside another one.
Here?s a pic of the chicken barn, my mother, brother and
myself that I included in my book Growing up Stories.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/ChaffinChickenHouse.jpg
-Kenny Chaffin
http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Stories-True-Brown-ebook/dp/B00GBLRKU0/
Digging Selenite Crystals in The Oklahoma Salt Plains.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMztmTkss70
Q. "Butch, My brother, George Davenport sent me this wonderful and
delightful ad. He found it while digging through an old garage on their
property and became interested in learning its history. I've tried to research
it, but couldn't come up with anyone named Ed Aston, nor a salvage yard by that
name.
Just love how the old fellow is really ogling the cute girl at the car. The ad
is really old and I'm just guessing it came out of the 1920s or early 1930s. My
guess is based on that old gas pump and the design of the car. It's such a neat
ad and we'd sure like to see if any of your Readers could shed some light on who
Ed Aston was and just when he was in business in Ardmore." -Mae Cox
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos15a/EdAstonSalvage.jpg
A. In 1924 Ed Aston owned Aston Trucking Company at 302 East Main
in Ardmore. Ed and his wife, Mary, resided at 402 3rd Ave SE. There was a James
and Rose Aston who owned Aston Sewing Center at 815 4th NE back in the 1960s
just a block north of where I grew up on 3rd NE. I do not know if Ed and James
were kin.
"Thank you so much for all you do in putting together your This
and That. We enjoy reading it, there's always something new we didn't know. haha
Appreciate it!
Just to clarify the spelling:
Texhoma is a town in Texas County, Oklahoma
Texoma is the lake"
"I remember well the drought in 1956 because we opened Will
Rogers School in August that summer with NO air condition. The lady teachers
would take their students out for recess (they all wore dresses then) and come
in after recess with sweat & mud running down their legs. The playground was
freshly graded." -Edgar Wallace
"We once had a running talk about Osage oranges (horse
apples). Recalling back I
believe I sent you some of the oranges or seed. I was curious if they ever come
up? I stuck about 10 oranges in the ground last fall and I think every seed
sprouted. I have enjoyed giving the little baby seedlings to folks. I then tell
them to contact you as you are the expert. HA. I also have a unique pear tree.
If I don't forget I will take a photo of it and send you this fall. The Old
folks says it is a Christmas pear. I have tried to plant them, sprouting young
limbs with no luck. They have a strong pear taste but draw your mouth like a
green persimmon. The pears hang like grapes from the limbs, cattle and deer love
them. I wish I had one growing every 100 ft. apart in the pastures. I
believe no cow would ever get out in the fall of the year, up till after
Christmas." -Taylor Crowe
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maclura_pomifera
Down the ditches for a thousand years
the waters grew Ira's people's crops,
Till the white man stole their water rights and their sparkling water stopped.
Now Ira's folks grew hungry and their land grew crops of weeds,
When war came Ira volunteered and forgot the white
man's greed.
Well they battled up Iwo Jima Hill - two hundred and fifty men,
But
only twenty seven lived to walk back down again;
When the fight was over and Old
Glory raised,
Among the men who held it high was the Indian - Ira Hayes."
Johnny Cash, 1964
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaFRa2XAmYE
See everyone next
week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
