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 June 1, 2006 to 29, 2006.
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June 22, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 491
With temperatures hovering at around 100 degrees the past few days, and southern Oklahoma being almost as dry as the Sahara desert in northern Africa (3.5 million square miles), a cool drink of water in Ardmore almost priceless. And that's exactly what a T&T reader who lives a couple miles SW of Lone Grove brought me this week, a cool refreshing glass of well water. You see, about a month ago they had a water well drilled and the result is a clear, great tasting water. I havent drink a glass of well water in many years..... and this new well of theirs is producing great water. By comparing with another water well on the adjoining property, they thought they would hit water at about 75 feet. But it turned out the driller had to go down to 145 feet. But in the end, I know its worth it. What great tasting, absolutely perfectly clear water they have now!
Now that your lips dry and wanting a taste of that water from south of Lone Grove, here's a picture I took of that wonderful stuff. It was good to the last drop. Suffer. Click Here
By the way, the world's driest desert is in South America in the country of Chile. Click Here - Click Here
Just a foot note, my water this month cost me .004 cents a gallon ($24.01). I guess that ain't too bad considering my friends south of Lone Grove paid about $22 a foot to have their well drilled....... over $3,000. But even at the high cost of drilling a water well, I still wish I had one.
I hope someone out there can help me find my cousin, Samuel Robert Murphree's date of birth. He one of 9,000 Americans soldiers buried in Europe during WWII. He as wounded twice and was killed about a week into the Normandy Invasion. He loved the French people so much, and had so many friends there, he told his kin if he died there, it was his wish to be buried in France. And that's what his two sisters, Edith Vojtek and Christine Prevatt did, let him be buried in France in one of the American cemeteries like 9,000 other U.S. soldiers. He's buried at the Brittany American Cemetery at St James (Manche), France. He was awarded the Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters. I have his death date, but not his DOB.
This link will take you to a view of the Brittany American Cemetery.... what a beautiful place. 4,410 Americans are buried there. Click Here
And this is my cousin, Samuel Robert Murphree, taken when he was a teenager. Gave his life for his country at 28 years old. He died 5 years before I was born, but I'm so proud of him. Click Here
Here is a pic I took of my cousin's name inscribed on the new War Memorial across the street from Central Park here in Ardmore. Click Here - Click Here
Samuel Murphree is also listed on the WWII memorial at Washington DC. Click Here
I been working the names along with pictures of every person buried in the Confederate section at Rose Hill cemetery. One by one I'm getting there. I did find one interesting marker.... it says James Parker (1835 - 1915) was the body guard of Albert Sidney Johnston. Click Here
Info on General Albert Sidney Johnston (spelled Johnson on the marker at Rose Hill) Click Here
Below are links to the names/photos of rows 1 through 6. Click Here - Click Here
Someone told me about a school called Pruitt School that existed in the 20s and 30s. It was located on Gene Autry Road just a few feet south of the Pruitt Cemetery. There is no mention of it in the 1923 school book by Kate Galt Zaneis. So I assume it did not exist at that time. Maybe someone can remember and tell us more... and maybe even have a photo of the yellow brick school?
Frances Dunlap wrote in this week, asking if anyone out there knows if the Ardmore High School class of 1981 is having a 25th reunion? Anyone know?
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
Quoting your May 25, 2006 issue, near the bottom: Who is the Woody in the photo with the "Red Aces" at a KVSO Radio performance in 1939 in Ardmore OK?
The Red Aces, of the B.F. Bourland family, were reared in the Willis OK and performed all over the southwest. Benjamin Franklin Bourland Sr. (1889-1958), m-1907 Willis IT to Maude Eliz Sizemore [1890 Sadler, Grayson Co TX-1962 Phoenix, Maricopa Co AZ, part Cherokee], dau of Minnie Carter [d-1902] and John Sizemore [d-1942 OK, John m,2-Maude's sis Rachel Sizemore, had 6 ch, m,3-Maude's sis Alice Sizemore, had 3 ch]. In 1929 lived Seward, Logan Co OK. Issue, 5 ch born Willis OK: John Henry Bourland, 1909-1985 Riverside Co CA and m-1936 to Virginia Watson; Ethel May Bourland, 1911 Marshall Co OK-1967 Tucson AZ and m. Raymond Corder; Herbert James Bourland, 1913 Willis OK-1995 Seattle, King Co WA and m-1941 to Lora Mae Ross, 6 ch; Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Bourland Jr, b-1920 Guthrie, Logan Co OK and m-1940 in Blyth, Imperial Co CA to Lola Joyce Bagley, 8 ch. Click Here
Patricia Adkins-Rochette
www.bourlandcivilwar.com
[email protected]
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"Wonder if anyone out there might have a picture of the old Duston Rooming House that was at 205 West Broadway in Ardmore in the same block at the Presbyterian Church in the early 1900s. That house was later moved to 1601 Stanley. I grew up in that house and would love to see a picture of it before it was moved to Stanley. Would the Church have any old pictures of that block?" -Laura J. Lamb Atchley [email protected]
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"My name is James Grandfield and I live in Ireland. I was just wondering if you could help me out in finding out the history of Grandfield city, OK. My surname is not a popular one, and as far as I know, we're the only grandfield's in Ireland, including our relations. I'm just trying to find out the history of the name, geneology and if Grandfield City has any links/connections to my family anywhere down the line. I was also trying to find a website for Grandfield's police dept, but can't find any details. I would be interested in getting a patch from the police or fire dept to add to my collection. Anyway, I would be very grateful for any help or advice you could give me." -James Grandfield [email protected]
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"I am looking in to the true facts and the urban legends on Tucker's Tower in Ardmore, Oklahoma Lake Murray. I was told that in early times there were Indians that lived near there and that there are cave underneath where animals and even robbers were hidden. Do you have any info about any if this true or otherwise?" Click Here
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"Butch, FYI the quail raised at the OSU Extension office are bobwhite quail. The picture of the quail from Arizona I believe are blue quail." Click Here
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"Those ziploc omelets are really good! We've used them for many years with Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts. Easy prep and clean-up for camping. And kids are more likely to eat something that they help in preparing!"
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"Butch, As an Ardmore native and lover of hamburgers, I mostly remember Hamburger Inn's onion burgers (originally owned and operated by Ernest Brown who was a member of First Orthodox Baptist Church on N. Washington Street). However, the first Hamburger Inn was in a tiny spot on the east side of Washington Street before it moved to the west side of the street. Secondly it was Eden's Restaurant and their "educated hamburger". One place for you folks driving through Norman to try is Red Horse Grill at 2205 W Main in Norman (at the east end of the shopping center on the north side of Main Street and just 2 blocks off I-35). They have a fixins bar so you build your own." -Jim Spearman
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"Enjoyed tonight's T&T. Butch, I hope you get to attend the celebration in Sulphur, and take some photos to share with us. We had some good times camping there in the 60's -70's when our kids were growing up. We could rent a tent, and cots etc. [even a refrig.] and have them delivered and set up at the camp ground. Later we had a trailer, but that was not as much fun. Of course, the food was always better when cooked outdoors. The evenings were nice as you could see folks sitting around the fires laughing and talking. It seemed safe then to let the kids roam around and explore. I'm sorry it is no longer safe."
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"Butch, Just located a church down south in LaPorte about two miles from me and I go on the 24th to get my food with the Angel Food Program. The amount I get for the $25 basic and I got one of the specials will last me a long time. I dont know who funds this, but its great. Will help offset the high cost of gas." -Shirley in Pasadena, TX Click Here
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Ardmore, Okla. Here is a (1928) photo of the Ritz, Reeds and Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company buildings on main street. Click Here
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The following was sent in my Jerry Brown:
Q: My computer takes longer to start than it used to. What are the possible causes of this, and what can I do about it?
A: In many cases, slow startup is a result of lots of programs automatically launching when you start your computer. They can include everything from antivirus software to instant messengers. A few of these programs may be in the Startup menu. To see what's there, click Start and point to Programs (or all Programs), then to Startup. You can delete an item from the menu by right-clicking it and choosing Delete. Don't worry, the program itself won't be deleted -- it just won't start automatically any more.
You also may have programs that start automatically from files in the Windows registry. Fortunately, you can take care of them as well. Go to Run in the Start menu, type "msconfig" and click OK. Then tab over to Startup. You'll see a list of everything that starts up when Window starts (including the Startup menu items mentioned above). To disable an item, uncheck the box next to it. But be careful: Under the Command heading, you'll notice that the list includes system files along with programs. Don't mess with the system files. In fact, if you don't recognize an entry as a program you're familiar with, I'd leave it alone.
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Fla. restaurant unveils $100 hamburger on Yahoo! News Photos Click Here
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"I have two Elvis stories that I love to tell. After I graduated from AHS I spent the summer & fall living with my dad's brother & his family in Memphis. My aunt was a nurse's aide at Baptist Hospital and while I was there Elvis was hospitalized for a couple of weeks (which later on everyone discovered that it was because of the "prescription" drugs he'd been taking). They cordoned off the entire floor that Elvis was on and only certain people were allowed on the floor. You had to have a special pass. I remember my aunt coming home and giving us updates on his condition, although she knew she wasn't supposed to. The information never left the house. Then in 1985 my son and I had come home (to Benton) to visit my dad and my grandmother. We were also going to Horn Lake, Mississippi to visit his godparents. Elvis owned a farm in Horn Lake, by the way. Anyway, on our way to visit them we stopped in Memphis to visit Graceland. Of course, it wasn't as built up around there like it is now. There was a simple building across the street that housed a souvenir shop and a cafe and the "Lisa Marie" (his plane) was parked outside then. Not sure if it still is or not. But we were coming out of the souvenir shop and were about to get into my car when I looked over towards the cafe and noticed Priscilla and Lisa getting into a really nice car. She must've overheard me telling Steven who they were because she looked over at us, smiled and waved. I guess she was appreciative of our not hounding them for autographs or such. I didn't have the nerve for one thing, but I was trying to respect their space, too. I just remember her looking very, very pretty and Lisa was just so cute as a teenager. But it tickled me very much. Those two stories are as close to Elvis as I'd ever gotten. My dad, on the other hand, had actually driven to Louisiana once with friends to go to the Louisiana Hayride. They saw Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and a couple of others who were trying to make it big back then, but hadn't quite broken into the big time yet. I think that was one of daddy's most favorite memories. He just idolized Elvis & Johnny Cash, too." -Kathi in AR
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"Hi Butch, The folk's of Gene Autry celebrated a birthday for a Grand Lady today. Her name is Mrs. Annie Conway who turned 95 yrs' young and is still getting around very good I hope if I ever reach that age I'm going as strong as she is. If you want some Oklahoma History you should pay a visit to this Grand Ole' Lady I'm sure she can tell you about the area in detail. We wished we could have been there to celebrate her Birthday, we saw her last year when we were at the Berwyn High Reunion, which will be held again July 1st of this year, you should try to make it out there, I'm sure there will be people you might know. Until next time." -Robert Cole, Bend, Oregon
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"Wanted to let you know where in Norman (when we all get together in July) we will be dining out. Of course the one first place on the list is a must for our first meeting. We could use it as the meeting place for our Turner Falls Coyotes reunions." -cousin Ralph Leon Bridges Ford AKA "Poss" in Korea [email protected]Louie's- (great hamburgers) at Brookhaven Square 36th & Robinson in Norman. Bob Stoops is part owner, but you probably won't see him there.
Panda Garden- (great Chinese buffet) at Brookhaven Square 36th & Robinson
Golden Corral- Just south of Wal-Mart off Main. If you want a good buffet of home style cookin
On the Border- South of the Mall on Ed Noble Parkway- if you want some Mexican
Van's Pig Stand- North of Main on Porter if you feel like a little BBQ
Misal of India- South of the mall on Ed Noble Parkway- if you need a little curry, rice, & chicken
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The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without. -Dwight D. Eisenhower
See everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
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June 15, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 490
Some of you may have walked the sidewalks of downtown Ardmore and happened across an impression in the sidewalk with the name L.R. Marston embedded in it. Last week the City of Ardmore finished installing a new sidewalk on all 3 sides of the courthouse. In this one section of sidewalk on the south side of the courthouse was this impression with "L.R. Marston, Contractor, Ardmore, I.T." in it. The City of Ardmore workers did a great job in saving this one piece from the backhoe demolition of the old sidewalk and it is now on display on the south side of the courthouse. Below is info on Mr. Marston taken from the "Pioneers Book".
"Lewis Robert Marston was born May 30, 1851, in Parsons Field, Maine. The Marstons migrated to Texas and it was here that he met Ida Buck and they were married in Austin. A stone mason, Marston worked on the Pecos bridge and the capitol of Texas at Austin. In 1901, Lewis and Ida moved from Cleburne, Texas, to Ardmore, Indian Territory. Lewis immediately went to work on a city project- the laying of the first concrete sidewalks in Ardmore. His nameplate "L.R. Marston� Ardmore, I.T." can still be found on some of the city's walkways. At the time of Marston's arrival, the Ardmore streets were still dirt and sand so that he built crossings of concrete which were slightly arched so that the water would not collect in them. The Marstons had four children: Lewis Robert Jr., Maybelle, Inez Brawley, Lorena. Mr. Marston died in 1930 at the age of 79. Ida lived until 1949 at the age of 93." -Indian Territory and Carter County Pioneers by Patty Norton and Layton Sutton, 1984
Here is a picture of Mr. Lewis Robert Marston. His granddaughter, Lorena Rose Lowenstein, still lives here in Ardmore. Click Here
And this is the piece of concrete that was saved on the south side of the courthouse. In a few days we will have a plaque made to attach to the display to tell about the man Mr. Marston and his work on the first sidewalks in Ardmore. Click Here
The south side of the courthouse was the last section of sidewalk to be finished. City workers did a great job.... carrying on a work originally started by Mr. Marston in 1902. Click Here
June the 24th is coming up in a little over a week, and thats the saturday those of you who are in the Angel Food Program can pick up your box of food. I took some pics last month when I went to the Trinity Baptist Church on North Washington to pick up my box of goodies. I saw a lot of friendly folks there I knew, some even dating back in high school days! Some really good fellowship for a saturday morning! Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
A T&T reader sent me an email this week telling about a website where you can make free long distance calls anywhere in the US and Canada, talk for as long as you want anytime day or night. I tried it several times and it works great. Michael Sanders in Walla Walla, Washington developed this most unusual webpage for placing those long distance calls. It will even work on a dial up modem but works best on broadband such as cable and DSL internet. All you do is enter the phone number where you are located in the first box, and the phone number you want to call in the second box. Click Submit and in a minute or two you'll be connected..... all free! Click Here
As a footnote to the above, I talked to Michael Sanders in Walla Walla, WA and he said he originally developed the technology so his parents could stay in contact with each other without long distance charges. He has put on hold his plans to commercialize the technology for corporations who might use the technology on their website so their employees can make long distance calls at no charge. Anyway, we as individuals will be able to take advantage of the free phone calls for many months to come according to Michael. I used it last night to call my cousin in Ft Worth and it worked great! Michael did say sometimes the equipment will drop your call in about 20 minutes, and then sometimes it doesnt. He will work on that bug when he gets time.
I have a very young, about 1 foot high, Empress tree I'll do some trading for other garden plants. If you have something of interest and want to trade, let me know.
I need to make a correction in last week's T&T. The owner of The Gene Autry Depot where that great hamburger can be found is Katherine McQuistion aka Bugger. Click Here
You know, I just noticed at the top of this T&T we are only 10 issues away from number 500. Boy, time sure flies with your having fun. I really appreciate all of you letting me come into your home every week, and for those of you who helped with this rag. Its really not my newsletter, it the contributions of all the people the past 9 years that has made it possible. Thanks.
And now on to one of the best parts.... the Mailbag!
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"Hey, Butch, Just wanted to tell you that I'd finally found some of my dad's old photos from when he was stationed there at the Ardmore Air Force Base. He was with the 463rd Squadron. There are even a couple of him taken in downtown Ardmore and with a buddy at the old Central Park. These were taken about 1953 or so. Here's one of those old photos of my father, Raymond Pritchard, when he was stationed at the old Ardmore Air Force Base. This would be somewhere around 1955 to 1956, as I was born there in '56. I'm sorry the photo is fuzzy, but it was a tiny little 2 inch square photo. As you can see, he is standing in front of a sign of his unit, the 463rd Troop Carrier Wing." -Kathi in AR Click Here
"Here is one of the train tracks and sign in Gene Autry. This was taken sometime in the 80's. I don't know what that building in the back is, though. Just thought you'd be interested in it." Click Here
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"Here is a surprise at the Chickasaw National Park, here in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Their first new baby buffalo. The park ranger said it is about 4 weeks old." -Doug Click Here
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"The following note caught my attention, and I was wondering if you or any of your readers might know more about this Mrs. Griffin and or her ancestors or descendents. I believe this must be a daughter to J.O.A. Whaley. He owned the Whaley flour mill in Gainesville, Texas. His full name is James Oscar Andrew, he was a brother to my gr-gr-grandfather, Thomas F. Whaley of Gainesville. Tom and his second wife, Rachel Jane (Howell) Whaley sold J.O.A. the land that he built the mill on. I am wondering what her given name might be, and if anything else is known there about this family. Also do any of the readers know anything about Milo, Okla. Akers township, Carter Co., My grandmother Maudie Lee Beck was married to JH Mills in Milo, Ok. on June 16,1910. I also found her in the 1910 census still living at home with her father TJ Beck and his second wife, Ollie (Pettit) Richardson, so she must have married soon after they came there from Bosque Co., Texas. f any of your readers can help me find out more bout these places and people, I would be most grateful." [email protected]--Mrs. L.H. GRIFFIN at 111 C street southwest has lived in her pretty brick home for nearly a half century. She and her husband, LEE GRIFFIN, came here from Gainesville. He came as an official of the flour mill. Mrs. Griffin's father, Mr. WHALEY, established the mill and was its head all his life. Mr. Griffin retired from the active mill work some years ago but he went right to the farm and kept just as busy as when he was a mill man. There never was a finer family than the Griffin family.
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"Mr. Bridges. Appears you like trivia as much as I do. I cut this from the Montgomery Advertiser some years back. Thought you might just like to have a copy for your collection." -Taylor Crowe in Alabama [email protected] Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Hi Butch, I saw your note about the baby quail. I just took the attached picture in the park where I live. We have quail each summer -- and this time we've only seen one family. It's not a very good picture, so I'll try to get a better one in the coming days -- they are so cute. Hard to show scale. Parents are so protective. Daddy and one more baby are off to the right out of frame." -Claire Hamilton in Arizona Click Here
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Sulphur, Oklahoma: Singers, Bands, Miss Oklahoma To Highlight Park Centennial. Day-Long Festivities Begin Saturday Morning. A birthday celebration 100 years in the making will be held Saturday, June 17, 2006 as the Centennial Celebration of Platt National Park and Chickasaw National Recreation Area gets underway. CNRA Superintendent Connie Rudd said the day-long event, which will be held in the Bromide Area of the park, will focus on the park's commitment to preserving the resources for the next 100 years. The Bromide Area is located at the south end of West 12th Street in Sulphur. Click HereChickasaw National Recreation Area park guides Walter Allen, left and Nancy Binderim, pictured at the park's historic Lincoln Bridge, are dressed in their finest 1906 regalia in preparation of the park's 100th birthday celebration, set to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17 in the Bromide Pavilion area. Click Here
Sulphur Times Article
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"You mentioned the Paul family from up this way (Pauls Valley). You might also find of interest a book recently published by another of the Paul family. I heard Bill and Cindy telling about their book last year at a Kiwanis meeting. I see them at all kinds of local events promoting the story. I found it on Amazon, but have also seen it available in our local walmart." Click Here
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ZIPLOC OMELET (Great for family get-together's; the best part is that no one has to wait for their special omelet !!!) Have guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker. Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them. Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc. Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shakes bag. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up. Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water. Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed. Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved in the process and a great conversation piece. Imagine having these ready the night before, and putting the bag in boiling water while you get ready. And in 13 minutes, you have a nice omelette for a quick breakfast!!! Sides in this omelette included tomatoes, ham, green onions, cheddar cheese and mushrooms in this one! MMMMMMMM. MMMMMMM good!!!
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"Hi Butch, I caught an unusual sunrise yesterday. Took several photos on Flag Day and they all turned out pretty good. Wanted to share them with you." -Ken Updike [email protected] Click Here
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Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children. -Indian Proverb
See everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
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June 8, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 489
Last week we had pictures and info on the Confederate cemetery memorial service at Rose Hill at 2pm on Memorial Day. I ran out of time and space to mention everything I wanted to tell about in last week's T&T. But I can not close that afternoon's memorial service with telling a remarkable man I met that afternoon by the name of Mr. Thomas Paul of Belene, New Mexico. You see, Tom drove himself all the way from New Mexico to be at the 2pm service and see the new marker of his great grandfather, James R. Rosser who is buried in the Confederate section. What made his trip so extraordinary was Tom is 87 years old and on oxygen. This is a picture I took of Mr. Paul standing beside the new marker of his great grandfather, James Rosser. Click Here
After the ceremony I asked Mr. Paul if he was driving back to New Mexico that afternoon, a 10 hour trip, and he said no, he was going to spend a couple of days with kinfolk in Pauls Valley. Boy, you talk about bells going off. I asked if he was kin to the Pauls who started Pauls Valley. He said they are one in the same and his father was Judge Haskell Paul. I found the following info about Tom's dad on the www.Chickasaw.net website:
"Judge Haskell Paul was referred to as a "walking history book" and an authority on the Chickasaw people. He served for many years on the Chickasaw Cultural Committee and represented his people on the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes for 20 years. He also served as a judge for the Chickasaw Tribal Court. His vision and commitment resulted in the construction of a monument to honor the people he served all his life. That monument, "Chickasaw Warrior", stands today on the grounds of the Chickasaw Nation Headquarters complex in Ada, Oklahoma. His efforts led the way in preserving the history and culture of the Chickasaw people."
A striking pose by one of the confederate re-enactors that was emailed to me. Click Here
A great site when looking for Garvin county and Pauls Valley historical information. Click Here
A couple of T&T Readers told me The Depot in Gene Autry had a new owner and she really cooked a good hamburger, so I stopped by and got me one. Yep, its a hamburger just like you'd make a home, delicious for sure. The place may not look like much from the outside, but Katherine McQuistion aka Bugger does make a great $2.79 hamburger! Click Here Click Here
David Cathey ( [email protected] ) of Pauls Valley has a new motorcycle and was out this week touring the countryside north of PV around Rosedale and Byars, Oklahoma. Of course David always has his digital camera handy to snap pics anything interesting he finds along the highways and byways. Here's some pictures Dave sent in of some interesting pieces of history he found this week.
This first 2 are pic of a couple of old buildings in Byars, the old Chevrolet dealership and the Byars drygoods store. Click Here - Click Here
These are a couple of pics of the old Rosedale bank. Click Here - Click Here
And these are two pics of the old one lane bridge near Byars. Man, this bridge looks so narrow I dont know if I would even want to drive a motorcycle across it. Thanks for the pics Dave and I'm know everyone will be looking for more pics from you as you travel down the Oklahoma highways! Click Here - Click Here
The the most interesting piece of history Dave ran across to me was the old bell at the Byars Baptist Church in McClain county. Click Here
Here's a pic of that same bell someone sent in to me in February 1999. Click Here
Most of you remember the Empress Tree I planted back in June 2003 and how small it was, only about 6 inches high. Here's the way it looked back then. Click Here
Here's the same tree 3 years later to the day....as it looks now, taller than my house. Click Here
Last week I decided to trim two or three limbs to make it look better, and I found that the limbs I cut were hollow. The piece of limb in the next pic is about the size of a quarter, and the hole the size of a ball point pen. I would think this hollow core is one of the reasons its the fastest growing tree in the world. The bark is beautiful. Click Here
I was in the OSU Extension office this week and they had these darling little baby quail, about 16 of them that were born this week in an incubator. They were adorable. Click Here
I was glad to hear this week about google inplementing their online spreadsheet webpage. You can start from scratch and do all the basics, including changing the number format, sorting by columns, and adding formulas. Upload your spreadsheet files. Upload spreadsheets or worksheets from CSV or XLS format - all your formulas and formatting will come across intact. Choose who can access your spreadsheets. Just enter the email addresses of the people you want to share a given document, and then send them a message. Share documents instantly. People with whom you share a given spreadsheet can access it as soon as they sign in. Edit with others in real time. Multiple people can edit or view your spreadsheet at the same time as you - their names will appear in an on-screen chat window. So if you do spreadsheets, you should check this out..... take the google tour. I have already signed up and got my access. Click Here
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"Anyone in Indian Territory a Methodist. Here is a hint regarding how to research. Hope it helps someone" Click Here
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Butch, I'll get it right yet! The state flower is now the rose variety Oklahoma (see link). The state wildflower, as you reported, is the gallardia type known as Indian Blanket. Mistletoe is now known as the state's floral emblem. The Oklahoma rose is truly beautiful. I've grown it for many years and enjoy it immensely." -Elizabeth Dyer Click Here
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"Butch, To the person whose correction about mistletoe being the state flower, not Indian Blanket. That's true, however most folks mistakenly believe that the Indian Paintbrush they see on many highways is Indian Blanket. Not true. Indian Blanket has a flower shaped like a wheel. And mistletoe is not a true parasite. It has evergreen leaves and carries out it own photosynthesis. It is actually a beneficial plant and should not be disparaged. While historically often considered a pest that kills trees and devalues natural habitats, mistletoe has recently become recognized as an ecological keystone, an organism that has a disproportionately pervasive influence over its community. A broad array of animals depend on mistletoe for food, consuming the leaves and young shoots as well as transferring pollen between plants and dispersing the sticky fruits. The dense evergreen clumps also make excellent locations for roosting and nesting, with species ranging from Northern Spotted Owls, Marbled Murrelets, Diamond Firetails and Painted Honeyeaters recorded nesting in different mistletoes. This behavior is probably far more widespread that currently recognized; more than 240 species of birds that nest in foliage in Australia have been recorded nesting in mistletoe, representing more than 75% of the resident avifauna. These interactions lead to dramatic influences on diversity, as areas with greater mistletoe densities support higher diversities of animals. Thus, rather than being a pest, mistletoe can have a positive effect on biodiversity, providing high quality food and habitat for a broad range of animals in forests and woodlands worldwide." -Larry
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"thought you might be interested, the old Nebo store, north on hwy 177, and a house just north of it were totally taken out and it is now an empty lot. believe they are going to widen the highway and that might be the reason, don't know for sure, just know it's gone."
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"Hi Butch thought I would share with every one a the Dennis Family Reunion I attended this week end at Bray Oklahoma, a little place just East of Marlow Oklahoma and some info and pictures of a local out law gang there HA! HA! They put on a old west shoot out show in a lot of local Rodeos and other events all over, here lately they have been ask to mingle around in the Casino there in Duncan Oklahoma on Thursday nights in there old west getups. The link shows pictures of an old town erected by some of the gang "the leader of the gang" he has made it up real nice, we make a lot of reunions there, big Ester egg hunts, and a lot of just get togethers of various local singers to play, one of which yawl may have heard of "Katrina Elam" she has been on CMT with here song she sings and wrote Hills of Oklahoma I think that is the correct name of the song may be Rolling Hills of Oklahoma? Here is a link to some pictures I took this week end of the old west town." Click HereThis one is of Katrina Elam that I took a few years ago while attending a fan club meeting there at the old west town just before they started all the building of it. Click Here
This is CMT's stuff on her Click Here
We had a grand old time in the old west town with lots of kin folk and friends. and LOTS to eat "LOL" and lots of singing and even some dance show this time! And of course The Snake River Gang put on their shoot out show!!!!" -Phillip from Ardmore
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Wynnewood Honors Four-star Army General Tommy Franks Click Here
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"Been watchin your reviews on various hamburgers for the past several years and just could not let this pass. Out here there is a place that has been making this hamburger for about 50 years. It can be found at the Maverick Truck Stop Cafe. It weighs one pound (meat) with a bun the size of a dinner plate has every thing on it and comes with a steak platter full of fries. Pan fried to your taste. The only thing I would complain about would be the kosher dill pickles. I would prefer the real dill pickles. Fried onions but can get it with raw onions. I like fried because it reminds me of the Hamburger Inn back home. If you are ever out this way the treat is on me." -Gerald Cobb in Las Vegas [email protected] Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Good Day Mr. Bridges, I understand that the Jamaican Government has indeed purchase some new fire trucks so hopefully what you saw on I-35 are the new fire trucks. As soon as they arrive in Jamaica, we will notify you. Thanks very much for the information. Best regards." PNCC
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"Thanks for the info on your site. I painted this bucket black and cut a 2 1/2 " hole. I placed a thin layer of pressed peat moss and then a thin layer of coconut fiber liner on the bottom. I fed the young plant through the hole then filled bucket with organic soil. There is a few inchs of space at the top for water to collect and a small dill planted on top. I am hoping for a large crop." -Perry Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch.-- The Choctaws after the removal lived all over the state of Alabama, They could apply for citizenship and remain-- if it was granted--- Georgia refused to allow this--- So I have read. Like unto Will Rogers "All I know is what I read and someone tells me." I live in north Alabama and spend a lot of time on ancestors." -Taylor Crowe
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"If you have not already done so, don't miss the chance to purchase a copy of "Territory Town: the Ardmore story" by Sally Gray. It is excellent. If you read just a couple of pages a day, you will learn a lot about Ardmore each day. You may order the book below." -Mark CoeThe Bookseller
614 West Main
Ardmore
(580) 223-8642
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"I know of no pursuit in which more real and important services can be rendered to any country than by improving its agriculture, its breed of useful animals, and other branches of a husbandman's cares." -George Washington
See everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
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June 1, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 488
If you missed attending the 2pm Confederate Memorial program at Rose Hill last monday, you missed out on a great history lesson. 40 or 50 people were gathered there to honor the lives and deaths of the almost forgotten soldiers of the Civil War period. Many of those buried there lived at the old Confederate Home on South Commerce (now the Veteran Center). The speakers almost seemed to bring back to life those souls as we sat and listen and watched the re-enactment dressed in the uniform attire just as they did back around 1865.
This a scan I done of the program given to those who attended the memorial service. Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
More pictures of the memorial service. Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
As I mentioned above, I felt like I was on the receiving end of a wonderful history lesson and a glimpse into the Civil War area and how it effected Oklahoma. While at the service I had the privilege of sitting by Mrs Juanita Tate. She shared with me some early Ardmore history of how our local Rose Hill cemetery came to be. Mrs Tate with her 90 plus years and keen mind is a wealth of history of this area, and I could have listen to her tell her first hand knowledge of Ardmore's history in its early beginnings. Here is a picture of Mrs Tate taken an an award ceremony held recently in her honor. Click Here
The history Mrs Tate shared with me last monday afternoon was where most of the land came from that makes up today's Rose Hill cemetery. The land comes from the Indian land allotment for the family of Lutie Hailey Walcott (1872-1962) before statehood. Lutie gave the land so the people of Ardmore could have a cemetery on the south edge of Ardmore. (Before 1904 it was located near Central Park on McLish street.) The people of Ardmore are so indebted to Mrs Walcott for her generosity. Mrs Walcott owned hundreds of acres in the southeast and southwest part of Ardmore. There is an addition named in her honor called the Walcott Addition just off South Commerce. You will find it on the county maps and history books. I have marked in yellow the area in SW Ardmore that is designated the Walcott Addition. Click Here
The area is bordered on the north by Moore SW, and on the east by C Street SW and on the south by Myall street and on the west by South Commerce.
Lutie Walcott passed away July 5, 1961. The follow is the obit from The Ardmoreite:
Last rites for Mrs. Lutie Hailey Walcott, one of the first members of the Oklahoma Historical Society, were conducted Saturday in the St Philip's Episcopal Church while flags at the Ardmore Veterans Home, formerly a home for Confederate veterans, flew at half mast.
Here to conduct the services was the rector of the church, Edwin A. Morton, who is serving as chaplain at Camp Chaffee, Ark.
A charter member and president of St Philip's Guild, the Ladies of the Leaf and the Ryonis CLub, Mrs. Walcott had spent most of her life in Ardmore, and was widely known throughout the state. She was married to Arthur Walcott Dec 12, 1894, and had lived in Ardmore since.
Always active in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, she served as its president of the national organization, and held many local and state offices.
She is survived by one son, Hailey, Cleveland, Ohio; and four daughters, Mrs. Helen Wood, 225 Stanley Blvd.; Mrs. Mitchell Jones, 15151 7th ave SW; Mrs. Robert Bell, McAlester; and Mrs. Clem Johnston, Roanoke, VA. Also one sister, Mrs. Hattie Little, McAlester; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Mrs Lutie Walcott is buried just south of the main gate at "B and 3rd" in Rose Hill Cemetery. Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
Mrs Walcott's granddaughter, Guilda Davis of Ardmore, has shared a couple photos of her grandmother. I wish I could have known this wonderful lady who gave so much to Ardmore. Her gift will benefit the people here as long as the world turns. Since I have so many of my kinfolk buried at Rose Hill, this is for you Mrs Walcott.... "Thank you". Click Here - Click Here
Guilda also sent in the following written by Lutie in 1961:
"Miss Lutie Hailey's marriage in Savanna to Arthur Walcott was an early-day event with a special train from McAlester to carry the large number of friends to attend the wedding. The Walcotts lived in Haileyville, east of McAlester, when the town was built and the first mayor was Arthur Walcott, the son-in-law of Dr. Daniel M. Hailey, for whom the town was named. The mining town just east of Wilburton was named Lutie in honor of Mrs. Walcott, daughter of Dr. Hailey. They later moved to Ardmore where Lutie Walcott donated the land for the Confederate Home, now the Veterans Home & Hospital. The land was a part of her Indian Allotment. Those who knew her said she was "extremely proud" of her Choctaw blood. Mrs. Lutie Walcott was President of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. On November 16, 1940 she was inducted into the Oklahoma State Hall of Fame. She attended every nation convention of the U.D.C. until the time of her death at age 89. Lutie Hailey Walcott had a mission in the world and that mission was doing good for her fellowman. She brightened the lives of others."
Last week we talked about the book fresh from the printer by Ardmoreite Sally Gray. If you dont have a copy yet, your missing out, that's all I can say. Sally sent me the Index from her book Territory Town - The Ardmore story, so here it is as a text file. Note: Its around 30 pages or more when printed out. By the way, Sally mentions Lutie Walcott in several places through out her book. Click Here
Here is the picture again of this great book of Ardmore history. Click Here
Dont forget the book signing by Sally June 3rd starting at 1pm at the Bookseller here in Ardmore. Click Here
Taylor Crowe in Alabama sent me an interesting magazine printed a few years ago and dedicated to the Cherokee Indian. I can hardly wait to get into reading it. Taylor is very close to finding info on my great great grandfather Murphree who lived in Murphree's Valley there in northern part of that state. Click Here
Dianne Rankin came through this week with a wonderful picture of Cedar Falls. Cedar Falls is on private property just a couple miles NW of the Ardmore Airpark at Gene Autry. Now to get a pic of Henry House Falls and Hickory Creek Falls by Milo, Oklahoma. Click Here
Speaking of books, Ardmoreite Allen Young brought by a book on Mill Creek, Oklahoma this week. I spoke about this book in March of 2000, but I enjoyed looking again at this book and glad Allen brought it by. Mill Creek is about 30 miles east of Ardmore and Mill Creek resident Harold Garrison wrote a very informative book on Mill Creek history in 1995. As I was reading through the book, I noticed several interesting things. In 1921 Mill Creek schools started their football team. But in 1924, their star football player, Curtis Williams, broke his neck in a game against Ada. He died from the injury several days later. It was then Mill Creek closed down their popular football team, never to start it again. Also in 1932 Mill Creek had a very bad shootout with bank robbers. The bank robbers were eventually caught and sent to prison. I don't know if the book's author, Harold Garrison, still has any copies of this most unique book, but if you're interested, give him a call at 580-384-5415. The book is nearly 300 pages with over 50 rare photos in it. If it's Mill Creek, Oklahoma history you want, this is a great book! Click Here
By the way, the Mill Creek book was printed in 1995 by Windmill Publications, Inc., 6628 Uebelhack Rd., Vernon, IN 47620.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"Butch- An estimated crowd of 300 or more attended the Memorial Day program at the Oklahoma Veteran's Center, Ardmore. Brigadier General Marshall Scantlin, Commanding General, Medical Reserve Corps, Texas Guard, was the guest speaker. The 345th Support Battalion, Oklahoma Army National Guard, presented and retired the colors. The 910th Quartermaster Company Rifle Squad, U. S. Army Reserve, fired the 21-Gun salute to honor those who gave their lives to preserve our freedoms. The Gold Star Mothers of the area were recognized and Carmeleta Addington laid the Memorial Wreath accompanied by MSG Kent Tucker and MSG Pam Nelson (each U. S. Army, Retired). Justin and Mary Yearby, parents of Lance Cpl. Hatak Yuka Keyu M.Yearby, Overbrook, and his widow, Lindsey, were special guests. Marine Yearby recently gave his life in Iraq and is the area's most recent casualty. Wesley Hull, (Rear Admiral, NOAA, Retired), was Master of Ceremonies. State Senator Johnnie Crutchfield and State Representatives Greg Piatt and Terry Hyman were present as were other past and present county and state officials. Crutchfield and Piatt were instrumental in proposing and passage of a resolution naming the circle drive at the Veteran's Center as Enoch Watterson Circle. Watterson, a decorated WWII veteran, was actively involved for many years in visiting and assisting veterans at the center." [email protected] Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch, what a beautiful display and recognition of true artist of yesteryear and today. These are beautiful quilts. These women are true artist, Thanks again." -Jean Farrar, Ontario, California
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"Around the early 1900's there was an all Indian Baseball team. They played all over the south but were from around the Ardmore area. A few of my uncles and some cousins played for the team. Is there anyone who know's the name of the team. My uncles were Issac and Dawes Lavers. Some Keels boy also played on the team." -Kathleen Stoner [email protected]
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Just a quick correction to Elizabeth Dyer's mention of Indian Blanket flowers. The Indian Blanket is our state WILDFLOWER, not our state flower. Unfortunately, our state flower is still Mistletoe. We are the only state in the union with a parasite for a state flower! *L*
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"Thanks so much for the quilt pictures. With gas being so high it is hard to get to all the shows I would like to attend, so I appreciate seeing the beautiful quilts. Have a good day." -Mary Whatley
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"Butch, The class of 1976 Lone Grove Longhorns will be having their 30th reunion on July 29th, 2006. Letters are being mailed out now. We are still having trouble locating the following people. If anyone has any information as to their whereabouts, please e-mail Brenda Hassell Pool at [email protected] or Darla Vines Hill at [email protected] "Janie Adams
Ricky Chapman
Kenetta McCage Denham
Betty Ferguson
Lynn Kuhn
Richard Thomas McLean
Jenolyn Ozment
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"Hello Butch, and all your readers: My heartfelt thanks for the link listed below found in your latest posting. Numerous searches for my cousin's (WWII personnel in Europe) burial location & death date have provided very limited information to date. However, THIS LINK was a great success, and my questions are now answered. Thanks again for you & your T&T & it's postings." -Benjean Rogers in Arizona Nationwide Grave Locator Click Here
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"Hi Butch, I enjoy your letter every week, The wood pile north of Kingston belongs to K.C. Parks and he still cuts his own wood. He sells all of it every winter." -Colleen Click Here
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Re: The Quilters Show, Durant, Oklahoma in the "This and That, Volume 10, Issue 487, May 25, 2006." The comments and pictures of the Quilters Show reminded me of my boyhood days learning how to convert patches of many colors into colorful quilts during the wintry days that was taught to us children by our mother/grandmother Jodie E. Gore of Gainesville, Texas during the early 40's. Yep, boys were included.A Quilting Tale
"Each winter our grandmother, usually in the month of January, would retrieve her quilt rack from the closet, fetch the pieces of cloth she had saved throughout the spring, summer and fall of the past year, and announce to us kids "It's quilt making time of the year." We children helped our mother/grandmother set up the quilt rack in the large front/dining combination room of our home. She provided both girls and boys large needles, and thread and showed us how to "baste." Later she handsewed the patches using small, neat stitches. We produced several colorful quilts each winter of which many were given as presents the following Christmas to our growing families scattered about Texas,and Oklahoma."
Re: The Joe Leonard Family of Gainesville, Texas. I do not personally know any members of the Leonard Family, but I am sure some of them were acquainted with my Uncle James Miller, who worked in the city post office as a counter clerk. Practically everybody in Gainesville who visited the post office to buy stamps knew him. He always had a big, friendly smile for everyone he met in the post office." -Grant West
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"Butch, Thought you might like to see an old brochure from New State Hardware store. The store was located west of what is currently Stephanie's Boutique. (the parking lot on main street) New State carried hardware supplies as well as housewares. They even sold dynamite. My great uncle, Lance Crosby, was head of the paint department. My mother was assistant bookkeeper/secretary at the store from 1952-until the store closed around 1954 (not sure of exact date). She purchased her crystal (the Navarre pattern in the brochure) while working there. Also, Joe Ben Ponder, who was a college student at the time, worked upstairs in the toy department during Christmas. J. Dewey Clemens, father of Frances Ponder, was the owner." Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch, I receive your "This and That" email every week, and I wanted to let you know about a man I met a couple of weeks ago. He was doing a book signing at Hastings in Ardmore, and his name is Jerry W. Engler. He has written a book entitled "Just Folks (Earthy Tales of the Prairie Heartland)". Although it's about life in Kansas and not Oklahoma, I thought you might want to mention it in your newsletter. There may be some folks out there from Kansas who are interested in this kind of thing and can check out his website below." -Ryan Jennings Click Here
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"Butch, this site is pretty full of info for some that need mapping etc. thought you'd lke it." Click Here
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Quoting your May 25, 2006 issue, near the bottom: Who is the Woody in the photo with the "Red Aces" at a KVSO Radio performance in 1939 in Ardmore OK? The Red Aces, of the B.F. Bourland family, were reared in the Willis OK and performed all over the southwest.Benjamin Franklin Bourland Sr. (1889-1958), m-1907 Willis IT to Maude Eliz Sizemore [1890 Sadler, Grayson Co TX-1962 Phoenix, Maricopa Co AZ, part Cherokee], dau of Minnie Carter [d-1902] and John Sizemore [d-1942 OK, John m,2-Maude's sis Rachel Sizemore, had 6 ch, m,3-Maudes sis Alice Sizemore, had 3 ch]. In 1929 lived Seward, Logan Co OK. Issue, 5 ch born Willis OK: John Henry Bourland, 1909-1985 Riverside Co CA and m-1936 to Virginia Watson; Ethel May Bourland, 1911 Marshall Co OK-1967 Tucson AZ and m. Raymond Corder; Herbert James Bourland, 1913 Willis OK-1995 Seattle, King Co WA and m-1941 to Lora Mae Ross, 6 ch; Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Bourland Jr, b-1920 Guthrie, Logan Co OK and m-1940 in Blyth, Imperial Co CA to Lola Joyce Bagley, 8 ch.
Patricia Adkins-Rochette
www.bourlandcivilwar.com
[email protected]
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"Butch, Thought you might like to see a picture of a new gate on Kings Road." -Grover Well Click Here
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"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you caqn, as long as ever you can." -John Wesley Click HereSee everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
