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 April 1, 2000 to June 24, 2000.
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Saturday, June 24, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 166
I live 100 miles south of Oklahoma City, and until a couple of Saturdays ago, I had not visited the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. It was a moving experience. But the one thing that held me in awe was the Reflecting Pool. It is level with the sidewalk, and looks like it has about a 1/4 inch layer of water covering it, causing the reflection effect. With all its beauty and unity, it is one of the most visited sites in the United States….. a “must see” if you’re in the area.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/refpool.jpgBack in the 60s my great grandmother made lye soap every Fall. She had a fire under this big iron pot and put Red Devil Lye in the mixture to make the soap. She used the store bought lye. But many old timers had to make their own lye using wood ash. Basically its the solution that is left after letting water seep slowly through a big container of wood ash. Fay Douthit here in Ardmore loaned me a 1942 photo of an ash hopper they had in Arkansas. It was made of wood. I did a search using several Internet search engines looking for ash hopper or potash hopper and found none. So, this is truly a one-in-a-million photo!
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ashhopp.jpgMrs Douthit also had a photo taken in February 1946 when a tornado came through Ardmore. It’s the same tornado that damaged the cupola on top of our courthouse. This particular photo was taken at 1126 Douglas Street Southeast in ’46.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/torn46.jpgIf you live in this area, mark your calendars. Saturday July the 8th, 2pm to 7pm. That is when you can get a Catfish Dinner at the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum. Your meal includes fresh catfish, hush puppies, slaw, beans, dessert and a drink. No where are you going to beat that for $5 bucks? And all the proceeds goes to benefit the Festival 2000 Fund. If you haven’t seen the Gene Autry Museum lately, you’re missing out. So, come on by the 8th, sit in the air conditioned auditorium, see the museum and watch movies! See you on July the 8th! http://www.cow-boy.com/museum.htm
Virgina. I have tried to send email and my T&T to you several times, but it keeps bouncing back to me. Something is wrong with the email address you are giving me.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Hello Butch. I thought I would tell you about the new Horseshoe Courts. Located at the new Ardmore Base ball – Soft ball park! Ardmore Horseshoe Club meets every Tuesday at 7:00Pm. This is a new site which never would have been possible with out donations from Noble, and Two Frogs Grill and our other fine sponsors. Recently Oklahoma took on Texas in the Oklahoma / Texas shoot out. A little over 200 people were there, and I am proud to say, we sent Texas back home as the losers. For 3 out of the last 4 years Oklahoma has been able retain the traveling trophy. The final score was Oklahoma 74 games won to Texas 69 games won.”
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“I was a police officer here late ’60’s, early ’70’s. and I remember the tail section and some of the fuselage from the crashed AFA plane out at OK Iron on P St. Sure makes you think. Wish I had thought to mention this to you earlier, as there might be piece(s) of it still over there somewhere. That would be a miracle if there was. Keep up the good work buddy.”
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“Butch, Whoever sent in the Sulphur Days pictures gave a thrill to a lot of us l955-l956 Sulphur High School graduates who were in town for our reunion and were caught in the pictures of the street dance. I have forwarded them out all over the U. S. Thanks to whoever took the pictures.”
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“I belong to a group of railfans with a bulletin board called RailSpot. Recently there has been much discussion about a one lane bridge over Red River near Carpenters Bluff (on the Texas side). Many years ago this bridge carried rail traffic as well as automobiles as you can read about from one railfan’s description in the letter below. When I saw the photos on your web page about a one lane bridge crossing the Red south of Durant I thought that this might be the bridge in question and I forwarded the information about your web page to the RailSpot group for them to check out. Well it appears that it is the bridge in question as I have received several replies to that effect from Rail fans that remember it from when it still carried rail traffic. They were pleased to see some actual photos of the bridge on you web page. So once again your web page and all your hard work has paid off for others. On behalf of the RailSpot group I say “thank you”.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/hendrix1.jpg
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/hendrix2.jpg
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“I’m just now reading my e-copy of This & That. Reference the name change from Civic Center to Heritage Hall, the Ardmore Tourism Authority recently acquired it and made the name change. Chris Cowlbeck or Patti Harris would be THE source to talk to. (You can reach Patti at the Ardmore Chamber 223-7765). Chris & others have done an EXCEPTIONAL JOB of renovating it. The air conditioner works now, the ceiling has be renovated, the stage area has a new coat of paint, the men’s & ladies room are in much better shape & more is coming. As far as the name change, I’m neutral but I LOVE what they’re doing down there. It has long been overlooked at the valuable asset it is to our city & community. Have you seen it lately? Check it out…LOVE “THIS & THAT”.”
http://www.ardmore.com/~sunny
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“I just read your letter in T&T about the ice plants in Ardmore. The one that I remember was on D Street Northwest just north of Broadway. This is now the entrance to the First National Bank Drive-in. The building set real close to the street, there was enough room to parallel park a car in front of the dock. I can remember the men working there bringing out blocks of ice and putting them in a crusher. A large paper bag was used to catch the crushed ice as it came out of the crusher. This is the only other ice plant that I can remember.”
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“The following website of the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System lists information on all the recorded battles in the US during the Civil War. We don’t hear of many skirmishes in Oklahoma except the Battle of Honey Springs, however there is a listing for seven major battles in our State.”
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/index.html
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“My friend, Lovina gave me this newspaper (Daily Oklahoman, Sunday, 12 June 1949) that was in an old wooden crate she had bought at a garage sale. On page 15-A of the 1949 paper dated 12th June was an article titled…Ardmore Woman’s Son To Lecture at Harvard
Ardmore, June 11 (1949) — (Special) — H. A. Gibbons, son of Mr. & Mrs. L. C. Gibbons, Ardmore, has been selected to lecture on world trade and economics during a 14-week course this summer at Harvard University. Gibbons has charge of the Netherlands East Indies area for Standard Vacuum of New York, with headquarters in Palembang, Sumatra. He will visit his mother here before taking up this work at Harvard. He will remain in this country until December.”
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“Hi, Found your site interesting, informative and full of information. Request that you place a link to the RIFE 2000 International Conference on your site http://www.rifeconference.com to be held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on October 6-8, 2000. Thanks & best regards,Hank Kalke, Rife Conference Committee”
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“Butch, for years what was left of the electra was at the salvage yard on the east side of town, I think it was OK iron and metal or something like that, I was working for Jerry Kingery at the downtown airport around 1970 and I remember seeing the hunk of wreckage sitting at the back of the yard every time I was out there.”
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============================================Over 300 people attended the American Flyers Memorial Dedication Saturday June 17th. The rain held off until the very last minute before the program ended. Many who attended came by and told me how much they appreciated everything that had been done. There were several family members of Flight 280/D in attendance. They stated how proud they were of the memorial and after 34 years, it brought some kind of closure. I remember the father of one of the victims saying how those who died in Vietnam were inscribed on a Wall in DC. But these 76 young men never made it to Vietnam. He felt relief after all these years, knowing his son and the others are now on a memorial. His son was Leo R. Burnett. This is a photo of his father who attended the ceremony, Leo Burnett, of Freeport, TX. The man in Army fatigues is Luis F.Vazquez, brother of Jose Vazquez from Puerto Rico who died in the 1966 aircrash.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/burnett.jpgI have a number of things I want to share with everyone about the Dedication Ceremony of June 17th over the next few weeks. But first I want to thank those who made it all possible. Like I told a lot of people, I may have got it started, but it took a lot of people working together in so many ways, to finish it. Here is a link to a file thanking all those who helped.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/thanktwo.txtAlso we need to thank Wes Stucky and the Ardmore Airpark Development Authority for providing a water meter. Its now in place next to the site, and the guys at the Airpark Fire Department will make sure the new bermuda grass, shrubs, and flowers gets water. A couple nights ago we had a good rain, and it sure has made that new bermuda grass green up!
Oh, and before I forget…. Doug Williams put in place at the site a copy of the Saturday April 22, 1966 Daily Ardmoreite (Special Addition) for visitors to read. Its between two sheets of plexiglas mounted on two poles. Over ten visitors a day have visited the memorial site since the 17th.
Check out the official American Flyers Memorial Website.
http://www.americanflyersmemorial.orgAmerican Flyers Memorial Fund – Administration Webpage
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlNow that you’ve heard all the good news, here is an unpleasant experience I had Friday of this week. I went out to the memorial site to take some pics with my three month old digital camera. I wasn’t watching and drove off leaving it sitting on top of the Visitors Register. When I returned an hour later, it was gone. It was not an expensive camera, but keep a look out for it. Here’s what it looks like.
http://www.acpress.com/ixla.htm
http://www.ixla.com/products/superpro.htm“Some people weave burlap into the fabric of our lives, and some weave gold thread. Both contribute to make the whole picture beautiful and unique.” -Anonymous
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, June 17, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 165
You know, like most of you, I get a lot of junk email. But I received one this week that cracked me up…..
“This virus works on the honor system. (do-it-yourself service) Please delete all the files on your hard disk, then forward this message to everyone you know. Thank you for your cooperation”
Now is that original or is that original?
I been busy this week trying to tie up loose ends for the American Flyers Memorial dedication June 17th at 1pm. I hope to see a lot of you there. The weather forecast is for rain Saturday. I was thinking, if it rains, that will be okay. Those 76 young men and 6 crew members died in the rain that night in 1966. It would be fitting.
I’ve had so many people help with the memorial site this week. But I do want to mention one in particular…. Tuck Wilkinson. Tuck owns Wilkinson Nursery here in Ardmore, and he has done an unbelievable job at making the memorial site the most beautiful spot of earth one can imagine. I have a couple of pics on the Memorial website so you can see just how beautiful he has made it. They are photos Number 1 and Number 2.
My friends at Brightnet of Oklahoma has come through again. They have set up webspace on their server to keep the memorial website. My friend Larra called this week to tell me she would set up a website over the next few weeks on this new website. She has just started it, but here is the URL…. so be watching its progress! http://www.americanflyersmemorial.org
Doug Gray, son of Flight Engineer Charles Gray, let me scan an actual photo of the deathship. Doug said he only knows of two of these photos in existence.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/photos/afplaneb.jpgI’ve also added six photos I took this week of the memorial site. They are listed as Number 1 through Number 6.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlLearn how to right correctly.
http://www.drgrammar.org/Modem Monitor Graph displays a real-time plot of data sent and received through your modem. A graph showing CPU usage can also be displayed. Plus some other neat Freeware programs.
http://www.geocities.com/WestHollywood/Heights/7980/akprog.htmThis week I learned about a neat place in Gainesville, Texas that I know I’m going to have to visit soon. Its called Big Bear’s. If its Native American, then you will find it at Big Bear’s. I may just have to go down there and buy me one of those new Sacagawea Gold Dollars. Big Bear’s is located in the Prime Outlet Mall on Interstate 35. Their phone number is 940-668-6956
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch: Just a quick note to let you know that I have written an article with photos about railroading in the Ardmore area (BNSF’s Red Rock Subdivision) that will be published in the July 2000 issue of Trains Magazine. I have received some advanced copies and it looks to have turned out pretty well. Although they didn’t include my photo of the Ardmore Depot for some reason, very disappointing, at least I got in a good plug for Ardmore itself. If you would like I’ll scan it and send it to you. Enjoy your newsletter every week, keep up the good work.” [email protected]
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“Hi Butch, Wherever I travel T&T has become a part of my weekly enjoyment. I have a favor I would like to ask of your readers. An old hobby of mine is to visit and map out old Ghost Towns and aviation graveyards. Though I have visited several throughout the U.S., I have not discovered any in Oklahoma where I now reside. I was wondering if any T&T readers would know of any and if so, would they share them with me. Thank you, Butch, and keep up the great service you generously give to us all.” [email protected]
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“I AM SEARCHING FOR DESCENDANTS OF ATTORNEYS POTTER AND BOWMAN THAT WERE IN PRACTICE IN THE 1880s-1920s. THEY PRACTICED IN ARDEMORE AND WERE ATTORNEYS FOR A LOT OF NATIVE AMERICANS FOR THEIR CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS.” [email protected]
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“Butch, Take a look a some photos from the Sulphur Days Spring Water Festival that I took on Friday June 9th”
http://members.xoom.com/enclose/MainStreet/060900
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“Wow–the date is just around the corner and I know a lot of people will be there for the dedication next Saturday. Butch you seem to get things done before most of us here in Ardmore even think about doing something, would you please put in a good word for some pretty weather next Saturday. Had a chance to visit with some folks from Ardmore this past week-end over in Madill at the Sand Bass Festival and the subject of ice plants came up. My Grandfather (Tate Glenn) worked at the one located by the railroad tracks in Ardmore and I seem to remember 2 others but I don’t remember where they were located–can anyone out there help me out. One other thing from the festival–I won a Marlin 30/30 deer rifle with scope over there and have no use at all for it and it is for sale if you know of anyone, have them give me a shout. Butch, thank’s again for just being Butch, we’ll see you next Saturday at the Air Park.” [email protected]
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“Could help me in finding out some information on the Hugo, OK Smallpox Epidemic. My great grandmother died and was buried in a mass grave there. I am trying to find newspaper articles, or any information at that time period. The smallpox epidemic would be around the year 1912 in Hugo, Okla. Thank you for any help you can give me.” [email protected]
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“Butch…I totally agree with the lady who talked about the Civic Auditorium name change…Who was the one with THAT bright idea?
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“I have been receiving your This and That for 2 years now and love it!! I work at the Airpark and have watched the workers every day on the memorial. It is such a lovely piece of work and can not wait til Saturday the 17th for the service. You are such a special person to start the ball rolling on this memorial and deserve a lot of credit. Thank you for all your hard work and hope to see you Saturday.”
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“Butch, Lately I have had a problem. This problem should be simple, but it’s not. This problem is so big in Carter county that even I had not realized how bad it was. What I am needing is help from parents, students, grandparents, uncles, aunts, every person able to talk. I need them to question why we have such a problem with underage drinking. I have called and asked many people for help. I have asked what I can do to help. I have talked to some of the kids. I know there has to be someway we can make a change. I do not have any easy answers. I do not have a perfect answer. The one thing I have is concern for these kids I see driving up and down my road at 70+ mph. Some sober most not. I have seen wrecks. I have seen such irresponsible behavior from kids and adults that I am ashamed. I would like to have any help I can get. I have spent sleepless nights listening to the traffic waiting to hear the sounds of broken dreams, broken hearts, broken lives. Can we please try to do something now before it’s too late for even 1 person. Thank You.” [email protected]
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“Butch, this picture of Rick reminded me of the web site he is building on the Ardmore Veterans Center. Although not complete, it still has some interesting information on it.”
http://www.geocities.com/rickw_123
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============================================“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learn about life. It goes on.” – Robert Frost
http://www.pro-net.co.uk/home/catalyst/RF/rfcover.htmlSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, June 10, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 164
This week they poured the concrete base for the monument that’s being place at the Ardmore Airpark. We knew it was dry here in southern Oklahoma, but they guys that dug that base out in the ground found out how hard it is. It was soft dirt down about 4 or 5 inches. Then after that, a shovel or post hole digger wouldn’t even dent it. They finished the job with a backhoe digger.
I snapped this picture of “my dog”. I call her my dog but she is really my next door neighbor’s dog. But she stays over my house half the time….. she knows where to find a free meal and milk. Milk is her favorite. She is almost ten years old and just a doll. She never barks at anyone or causes any trouble in the neighborhood. I think you will love this pic of her, it’s one in a million!
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mydog2.jpgWordReference Unabridged English Dictionary for Internet Explorer is an Internet Explorer add-in which allows you to quickly display a definition of any word or phrase in any Web page. You simply highlight (or double-click) a word or a phrase, right-click it, select the “Definition” item from the menu, and a small, resizable window opens with numerous definitions. It only takes a few seconds to download and install in Internet Explorer and it’s Freeware! http://wordreference.com/
I posted the Program Itinerary for the June 17th ceremony. You will note the Choctaw Nation Honor Guard will Post the Colors and give the 21 Gun Salute. They are out of Hugo, Oklahoma. Here’s a pic of the Choctaw Nation Honor Guard.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/cguard.jpg
Here is a link to the Program Itinerary for June 17th.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/program.txt
I’ve been told that Wednesday morning June 14th at 6:30am our KTEN TV channel 10 here in Ardmore, will be having a special telecast on the Dedication ceremony. I hope some of you can see it.A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST
Leon, Indian Territory July 5, 1902: About 25 miles Southwest of Marietta, Oklahoma along the Red River is Leon, Oklahoma. Before Oklahoma became a state (1907) a former Ardmoreite, Dave Putty, had moved to Leon to operate a barber shop there in Leon. This particular afternoon there happened to be a picnic going on in town and Dave Putty, being intoxicated, decided to crash the party. Deputy Marshal W.E. McLemore out of Ardmore was attempting to arrest Putty, he resisted arrest, and was shot once in the head by Marshal McLemore. Dave Puddy died instantly.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“This tornado (in Ardmore) was on Feb. 13, 1946 and happened on the first night I was home after WW-2 and being discharged from the Army Air Corps. I slept through this storm although it missed my parents house by only two or three blocks. I was almost 25 years old at the time.”
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“I notice another of your readers seems annoyed that Ardmore’s Civic Auditorium has been renamed “Heritage Hall”. I try to keep up with local news and events, but I was totally unaware of the name change until I attended a graduation ceremony there recently. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the doors and saw a big “HH” etched into them! Who, in their infinite wisdom, was the decision maker behind this? I think your next poll question should be if your readers like the new name or not? If enough folks don’t like it, maybe we can send the results to our city leaders and get it changed back. I don’t want to sound like a complaining old hag, and I’m all for change and progress, but some things (especially landmarks like this one) need to be left alone!!!!!”
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“This is a good site, you probably have it….Native Indians.”
http://www.hanksville.org/NAresources/indices/NAgenealogy.html
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“KeeBoo has created an innovative, free software product that enables users to easily create intelligent, virtual books, personalized with compelling content from the Internet and their desktops.” http://www.keeboo.com/ENU/index.html
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“Thanks to the person who sent the URL for the poetry page. What a good page to use to stretch the mind in discussion!”
http://www.emule.com/poetry/index.cgi
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“Net pioneer Davies dies: Donald Davies, who was instrumental in developing the “packet switching” method of data transmission used today on the Internet, died at age 75. Read about Davies’
work.” http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-1987332.html
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“Howdy Butch, Thought you might like to see Foster and me (Dave) at work making our lye soap. Channel 8 in Dallas thought it was interesting enough to do a short clip on our soap story. Go to http://www.wfaa.com and select Archives. Then go to May 20 and select the evening news at 10:00 PM. Don’t waste your time looking at all the news just drag the box at the top almost all the way to the right. We are on the last two minutes of the news.”
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============================================Remember, next Saturday, June 17 at 1pm is the Dedication.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.html“Live every day as if it were your last, because one of these days, it will be.” -Jeremy Schwartz
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, June 3, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 163
This week I was driving out 3rd NE here in Ardmore and just before I reached Mary Niblack Road on the north side….. was this beautiful bell. I had to stop and take a pic!
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jbmeans.jpgSecureIt Pro is a versatile security application for your desktop. Use SecureIt Pro to lock your Windows desktop when you’re not there, or to prevent users from accessing your computer. Simply enter a name, and a password, click the Lock button, and you’re set. http://go.to/quantrix
Can’t find a word in a file on your computer? http://www.textfind.com/
Yahoo! Player lets you find and listen to MP3s and radio stations on the Internet, and play video clips and audio CDs. http://player.broadcast.com/
Here’s a website that will scan your computer for viruses. I didnt have much luck getting their program to check mine, but maybe you will. We need all the virus scanning we can get. http://www.pcpitstop.com/
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“I would like to post a thank you on your T&T. A couple of weeks ago I inquired about Microsoft’s “Power Toys.” Right away I got a response and started a dialog with a very nice gentleman from Ardmore. After several emails and exchanges of ideas he provided me with the information that I needed. The gentleman’s name is Gene South whom many of you must know. A great BIG THANK YOU to Gene South. From Ted Edwards (tebear) As for you Butch, keep up the good work. An additional BIG THANK YOU to Butch”
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“Butch, This is for the lady that wanted Rawleigh products”
http://www.rawleighman.com.au/catalogue.html#back
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“I don’t know how many tornados have been in Ardmore but I remember on in about 1945 or 46. I was in the 6th grade at Franklin Elementary School. It was quite a storm, my dad came and got me out of bed and told me to be careful there was glass on my floor. The wind had blown a 50 gal barrel against the double windows of my room. We were lucky just that year they had cut down a big Cottonwood tree that was just outside the window because of my brother’s allergies. Our house wasn’t hurt much, we found later it had been moved off the foundation just a couple of inches. The chicken house in back was blown down. Workers were cleaning up a week later and an old chicken came from under the rubble squaking. Hungry but ok. The yard at the school where we still had school that morning was pretty messy and some big old trees were blown down. Many houses were damaged and blown away in our neighborhood, but it skipped whole streets and hit others with tremendous force. Those were days to remember in my home town.”
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“Butch I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your site. You see I have been away from Ardmore about 10 years and this site lets me come back Home, even if it is for a short time. Since leaving I have lived in LA. and now I live in TX. I can go online at anytime and check into things back HOME. I want you to know that we (everyone that gets your mailing) would never be able to show you how much we appreciate you taking the time to put this site together for us. Thank you again.”
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“Butch, I noticed in the Ardmoreite yesterday that the Civic auditorium is now being called Heritage Hall, do you know when and why the name was changed….I believe the people of Ardmore needed a say if the city fathers decided to change the name.”
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“I noticed the poetry link in the last T&T. I was able to find a poem that I have been in search of for many years. This inspired me to try one more time to find another…I found this website and all I had to do was type in a word from the poem and voila~ The bright point of my day today… finding these two poems.”
http://www.emule.com/poetry/index.cgi
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“Here is a program to remove Internet Explorer from Win95, Win98 or the new Windows coming out. It might be handy for someone who doesn’t have an internet connection or if someone who doesn’t use IE. The program is called IEradicator and is free. I have used it on my computer and it works fine.”
http://www.98lite.net/ieradicator.html
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“This is the news web page that I told you about. Seems to be a good source of in-depth news.” http://www.newsmax.com/index.shtml
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============================================Plans for the American Flyers Dedication is shaping up very nicely. I’m looking forward to seeing those of you who can make it June 17th. I need someone to volunteer to take a VHS recording of the ceremony. Also anyone who plans to attend have a good tape recorder to tape the audio of the ceremony? If we get a good sound recording, I can take the cassette tape, record it as a WAV file, then convert it to a RealPlayer file on the computer. In the RealPlayer format, I can put it on the Internet so those who could not attend the 17th, may listen to the dedication over the Net using the program RealPlayer. And I need someone who can pick up about 75 or so stackable chairs on the Friday before and take them to the Airpark that Saturday morning. Let me know if you can help with any of the above. I’m sure there will be some other things to do before that Saturday that I havn’t planned on… so let me know if you can help.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.html“He who has a thousand friends, Has not a friend to spare, While he who has one enemy, Shall meet him everywhere.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
http://www.rwe.org/See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, May 27, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 162
Plans for the American Flyers monument are moving ahead. The monument company is planning to pour the concrete slab for the granite stone and the two granite benches next week. If you made a donation to the cause, please go to the link below and see if your name is listed the way you want it. Example: if it reads John Smith, Oakland, CA 25.00 and you want it to read John and Mary Smith, please let me know immediately. In a week or so, it will be too late to make any changes in the listing. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/pledgesp.txt
I’ve been working on a mirror site for the American Flyers Memorial webpage. Hopefully the Page will be there for as long as the world turns. http://www.dreamwater.com/1966memorial
This week I was honored to have a visitor to my office from Ventura County, California. Hal Pittman was born in Ardmore. But since 1988 Hal has been the Treasurer/Tax Collector for Ventura County. Hal has also published a book on Ventura county’s banks and the money they were able to issue (before 1930). I think the next project he’s working on is to publish a book on the banks of Ardmore and their money issued before 1930. http://www.ventura.org/tax_coll/pittman.htm
I received a call this week from Ardmoreite Beth Randolph. Beth worked at the Adventist Hospital here in Ardmore a long time ago. Adventist Hospital is no more….. it was sold to the Memorial Hospital. Now a group of employees of the old hospital are going to have a “reunion” in July, a get together of ex-employees of the old Adventist Hospital. The date is Sunday July 9th, 10am to 4pm. The location will be the Otey Johnson estate at Dornick Hills. If you know any one who worked for Adventist Hospital years ago, please let them know about the event. Beth Randolph can be reached at 580-226-2913. Or Nancy Spelling at 580-369-5227. Beth or Nancy needs to hear from those planning to attend, so they can make preparations. Right now Beth is footing most of the up front money to get this off the ground. If you can help her with a donation….. please call her.
Last week I had another honored guest come by….. the great grand daughter of Deputy Sheriff Bud Ballew. Ann Ballew is from Natchez, Mississippi. She and her husband had a lot of tales to tell about her infamous great grand dad, the right arm of the most famous sheriff of Carter County, Buck Garrett. Buck Garrett and Bud Ballew were enforcing the laws of this state when the meanest, roughest people lived in this county during the early 1900s. Oil had just been discovered in Carter county and the roughest, meanest people in the U.S. were coming here to work in the old fields. Yes, Buck and Bud were rough, mean, and fast on the draw. But they had to be, or they’d never been able to arrest one of those guys and make it back to Ardmore alive.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
From: Manataka American Indian Council [email protected] “Artists, Craftspeople and Vendors, We invite you to participate in the FULL CIRCLE Celebration of Native America and the Great American Indian Craft Exposition scheduled for June 30th at the Hot Springs Civic and Convention Center. FULL CIRCLE will be the largest Native American Indian event of its kind ever to take place in Arkansas. Over 65 of the country’s top American Indian performers will tell the story of Manataka in song, dance and story in one of the most colorful and exciting extravaganzas of the year. We are expecting a crowd of 4,000 to 6,000 people for all events. Our staff are experienced professionals will strive to make the Craft Exposition exciting for our guests, educational for everyone and profitable for you.”
http://members.aol.com/sharkeyesa/manataka.html
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“Last Saturday…. 5/20/2000 the Founder and CEO of Herbalife International, Mark R. Hughes was found dead at his California beach front mansion. Mark died in his sleep of natural causes. We will greatly miss Mark Hughes. A great leader and dear friend to millions around the world.”
http://members.aol.com/marksmemory/html/memory.htm
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“I was wondering if you might know a Johnny Bryant there in Ardmore? Was going thru the http://www.iwon.com winners list and found that one of your citizens had won $10,000.00 from that website. Thought that might be interesting to you if you didn’t already know about it.” http://www.iwon.com/home/winning/Daily_Winners/daily_winners_overview/0, 2164,05_15_2000,00.html
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“Hi Butch. I would like to thank Mr Cavins for the information on Camp School. Also let you know there is a bell in the front yard of a farm house located 1 1/2 miles south of Pinto Corner or 9 miles north of Ringling, on Highway #89, on the west side of the road.”
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“I have been trying to find a way to purchase Rawleigh salve for my in-laws but I am not having any luck. They used to buy it from a gentleman here in town but both he and his wife have passed away. There is nothing on the internet that I can find or I just don’t know how to find it. If there is anyone who could help me I would appreciate it. I will read about it on T&T if you will let me know that way.”
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“Hello Butch, While reading your latest t&t, I read where you had to find a Spanish translator. Next time you get a foreign language email, just cut and paste to get your translation at the following site.” http://babelfish.altavista.com/translate.dyn
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“RealPopup is a free utility that lets you send and receive instant messages over your local network.”
http://members.tripod.com/Matro/realpopup.html
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============================================We had a pretty bad storm come through Ardmore at 6:15am Friday. My part of town was without electricity for 11 hours because of downed power lines. The pic in the link below is not far from my house. You can click on the pic to enlarge it.
http://www.ardmoreite.com/stories/052600/new_storms.shtml“Hope is the thing with feathers that Perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all”.
– Emily Dickinson
http://userweb.interactive.net/~krisxlee/emily/Enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend, see everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, May 20, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 161
The Dedication of the American Flyers Memorial has been set. The date is Saturday June 17, 2000. Starting time is 1:00pm The Memorial will be located 500 feet east of the entrance of the Ardmore Airpark NE of Ardmore. The Honorable Thomas S. Walker will be Master of Ceremonies.
Reaching the Memorial site is easy. From I-35 north of Ardmore, take Exit 40 and go east 8 miles to the entrance of the Airpark. Do not confuse the Airpark with the Ardmore Downtown Airport located on the south edge of Ardmore. Bring your lawn chairs, and an extra one or two if you have them. There may be some elderly people attending and they do not have a chair to sit in.
The Airpark has a restaurant located in the Control Tower. Restrooms are also at the Tower. There is a convenience store at the Airpark, along with gasoline.
I went to Wilson Monuments in Lone Grovee last week and looked at the Autumn Rose granite. Here’s a peek…..
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/granslab.jpgHere’s a view where the Monument will be located, in front of some beautiful trees…… with the mountains in the distance. If one looks between two areas of trees on the right, you can see the area where the plane went down in 1966.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/memsite2.jpgLast week I had to make a change in where the monument would be located. For weeks the ODOT in Duncan has thought the right of way on Highway 177 by Goddard Ranch, went back 35 feet from the edge of the pavement. After they checked the original platt, they said the right of way goes back 62 feet… all the way to Goddard’s property fence. So, this meant filling out legal agreements and months of waiting for approval that may not happen. Airpark Manager Mr. Roy Givens graciously extended an invitation to place the monument at the Ardmore Airpark. He picked out this most beautiful corner, right at the front gate, to let us set the monument. The plot of land has lighting, water, security, and maintenance (they keep it mowed and trimmed and trash kept from accumulating). None of this was available at the site by Goddards Ranch on Highway 177. My main concern at the Highway 177 location, was vandals painting, shooting, or whatever at the monument. I am relieved knowing the memorial site will be kept beautiful for generations to come. Thank you Mr. Givens.
Emails, phone calls, letters, and even faxes keep coming in concerning the Memorial and Dedication Day. I received a letter this week from Puerto Rico, written in Spanish. I had a friend at the courthouse interpet the letter for me. It said they were kinfolk of one of the victims, and planned to come to the Dedication. A call last Sunday night was from Puerto Rico too. They will be in Oklahoma in June and are planning to attend the 17th. All of this outpouring has been a humbling experience. I can not put in words how proud I am to be a part of this. But none of this would have happened without everyone’s help and support. Thank you.
I’ll keep the Memorial website with updates as the Dedication Day grows closer. Remember, its Saturday June 17th at 1pm.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlThe Oklahoma Association of County Commissioners has a new website. http://www.okacco.com
Here’s a view of the west side of the courthouse under construction for the new Pavilion.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/pavsite.jpgI got a good URL for those Pioneer Indian Papers. http://www.rootsweb.com/~okgenweb/
Here a good article about firewalls. Looks like we are all going to be dependant on one, as time goes by.
http://computingcentral.msn.com/topics/safecomputing/newsletter0500.aspI learned something last week about a place in the western part of Carter county I didnt know. There is a neat little place five miles north and then 4 miles west of Healdton, Oklahoma were people can enjoy a nature trail. A friend in Texas and an x-Healdtonite sent me email about it. Then Frank Eck in Healdton mailed me the May 11th issue of the Healdon Hearld Newspaper in which there was an article about this little secret known only to those in that part of the county. It seems that the property owners, Dell and Sondra Jennings, opened up the nature trail in memory of the late Oscar Ruth. The trail has been named the Walking Tree Trail and is open to the public. They ask you to bring a old pair of cowboy boots to hang on the “Cowboy Fence”. I havnt wore a pair in 25 years, but I’ll look around for a pair when I go out there. Maybe we should set up a meetin date and all go? Dell or Sondra can be reached at 580-673-2552. Yep, set around a fire some evening, roast some winnies and marshmellows, and tell some big stories….. might be fun!
This week I had a couch that needed cleaning. I called my friends at Kelley’s Carpet Cleaning here in Ardmore. I am still amazed at the excellent job their 240 degree steam-heat equipment does.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/kelley.jpgSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Just a reminder for anyone planning a trip down to Browns Springs, Be on the watch for rattle snakes, the area is getting overgrown with brush and while down at the springs this past weekend, we found one rattle snake skin shed on the trail in the cemetary and heard one rattling not far away in the heavy brush. Looks like this place would be better to visit in the winter months.”
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“I have always had a memory of stopping at a plane crash in a field. I know it was while we were on a trip and I remember it was devastating. We stopped just as the crew had begun cleanup. I remember men with black bags walking around scooping things up. The more I read about this tragic plane crash, the more I am think this is my memory. It fits with what I remember. We traveled to Ok at least once a month when I was a child, so that would explain it. I asked my dad about it once but he didn’t want to talk about it. (He was a WWII vet).”
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“Great Web site! Both my parents are from the Ardmore/Sulphur area and my grandmother lives in Sulphur. I fetch Sulphur water for my Dad everytime I go see my grandmother! I’m doing a project on Lake Texoma and having a heck of a time finding out the geographical info. You know like how long, how wide, etc. Do you happen to have these stats or maybe a website that does?”
[email protected]
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“Hey Butch, Thanks for making the picture of the “old” hospital available! I can remember passing it often as a kid in the late ’60’s & early ’70’s. There were a lot of stories about it being “haunted” back then, and it was the subject of many of our childhood “spooky” stories.”
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“At one time I could access your Photo Album with my Web TV . Do you know why I can’t now. I was never able to get XZOOM and was so glad when you added the Album. Enjoy your This & That very much!!!!! Would loved to have seen pictures of your mother and Irma Bailey,etc. My family knew Baileys and Dishmans.”
[email protected]
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“I used to have Microsoft’s Power Toys and then I had a major problem. After restoring my backup information the Power Toys will not work. I didn’t think that was a problem because I will just go to Microsoft and download the program again. The Power Toys download from Microsoft will no longer install with a right click on “Install.inf” and selecting “Install” A dialog window now shows that a disk labeled “Power Toys Collection” is now required and your computer manufacture can supply you with a copy. My computer manufacture is a local private house, SLT Custom Computers, and they don’t know any thing about Power Toys Collection. Can any of your faithful readers help.” Ted Edwards
[email protected]
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“WE HAD OUR AUCTION AT OUR OLD HOME PLACE LAST SATURDAY. THE BELL SOLD FOR $575.00” -Emporia, KS
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/emporiab.jpg
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“The girls are Erma Lee James, and her sister, Susie. (My piano books they gave me has her name Mary Louise, but we all called her Susie, she is the shorter sister, both in the back row. They lived across the street from the Church Manse… The boy on the front left end you didn’t know Al says was Charlie Milner.”
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bbgroup1.jpg
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“You are correct in that the Ardmore Hotel had the revolving front door.”
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“I read where you were asking about the revolving doors that were at the Ardmore Hotel….Well, they are now in my storage building, at least two of them are along with the curved glass out of the other. Oh yes, they were curved and very thick and heavy. They were thrown away when they were converting to the Lincoln Building. I had intended to make a great china cabinet out of one for my dining room, but somehow other things came first.”
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============================================“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
– Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, May 13, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 160
There’s been a lot of humid days in Oklahoma this week, sure makes things miserable. I went to Wally World and bought a cushion for my lounge chair, so I can sit outside some of these summer evenings. I love the outdoors. And Friday evening a cool front came through Okahoma, so that lounge chair is sure going to come in handy!
I talked to a lady here in Ardmore that worked for a private carnival in the summer of 1955. The carnival operated on the south side of the Hardy Murphy coliseum for 2 or 3 years when there was a city zoo located there. She was wondering if anyone had a photo of the carnival, especially the carosel that operated. If you have a pic, let me know. Or give her a call at 580-223-1529.
An ex-Ardmoreite sent me a photo for scanning of the old Von Keller Hospital here in Ardmore. It was located on the west side of the Adventist Hospital. I remember it being all boarded up when I went to work for the Ambulance Service in 1970.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/vkhosp2.jpgIn the 1950s the courthouse here in Ardmore employed a janitor by the name of James Harris “Harry” Gaines. A reader sent me his photo this week to share with everyone.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jhgaines.jpgA friend from my past and the northeast part of Ardmore where I grew up, gave me a photo this week to scan. It was taken about 1960 I think. The people in the pic on the bottom row, left to right are: (unknown), Irma Bailey, her son “Jug” Bailey, Tommy Lakey and Jimmy Brooks. On the back row from left to right are a Dishman, Marion Hansen Sadler, (unknown), (unknown), my mother Louise Carmon Bridges, and then little ole me on the very far end on the right.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bbgroup1.jpgWhy I’m showing this photo is I wanted to share something. Irma Bailey was a fullblood Native American Indian and lived at 1313 3rd NE here in Ardmore. She and my mother were the best of friends and we went to Irma’s house a lot. My mother had an alcohol problem back in the 50s and early 60s. Through the friendship and encouragement of Irma Bailey my mother was able to stop drinking, and Irma probably saved my mother’s life. I wish Irma was still alive, I’d thank her for what she did in my mother’s life. Friends can be priceless. My mother died in 1990 and I’ll go to the cemetery to put flowers on her grave on Mothers Day. If your mother is still alive, tell her you love her, and do something nice for her on Mothers Day.
Cash Flow is a simple application that keeps track of all kinds of payments. The application holds lists of income and expenses along with their due dates and other information. To check it out, visit the URL below and look under Products.
http://www.calcom.de/If you want some really cool stationary to use when you send email using Outlook or Outlook Express, then join Tom and April’s webring. Each day you’ll get by email a new and different stationary file to use with your email. Very nice… and the music is beautiful.
http://stationeryhevn.freeservers.com/ICQ just released ICQ 2000. Time to upgrade! http://www.icq.com
With Cute Media eXchange installed, you can join an Internet-based file sharing community. CuteMX lets you search for and download all types of media files, including digital audio, video and graphics. To share files, just specify a folder you want to make publicly available to other CuteMX members. Only files in this folder are made public. You can also specify a maximum number of users and a maximum number of connections per user. CuteMX includes chat features, and even lets you maintain lists of “friends” and “enemies.”
http://www.globalscape.com/products/cutemx/SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“I found a website called U.S. Rootsweb that lists information for each state for those of us who are interested in finding our roots. The one thing I found on the Okla site was a listing for what is called Indian Pioneer papers. These are short interviews that the government paid someone to do during the depression and the people are not necessarily Indians. I scrolled the list of citizens who were interviewed and found the name of my Paternal grandfather in Sulphur, OK and my maternal great grandmother. We then went to Okla City to the Historical Society and made copies of the interviews. I sent copies to all of my family and also copied them to put on the Okla page. There were many people from the Ardmore area listed. It would be quite time consuming and expensive to do the whole county but thought it might be your next project.”
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“Butch I go through Idabel, OK about 3 times a year and I think they paint new murals about every year. They are really some pretty drawings and the artist does a great job.”
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“Dear Sir. How odd. Not too long ago I found a picture of my father in Homecoming at Vanoss High School. Teasing him about it, he replied he was king two years in a row “thank you very much”! I asked about the young lady and he said her name and that she died in a plane crash, and had been a stewardess. Then he said she was a really nice person. Something stuck with me and while browsing the AZ boards (I grew up in AZ) on GenForum I saw reference to a crash. I called my mother and asked the woman’s name and she said “Wanda Stonecipher”. Then I found her name on your page.”
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“The person who said the revolving door was at the Ardmore Hotel was definitely correct. I remember as a child going there just to go through those doors. It was hardly a trip to town if we didn’t walk up there and go through those doors, maybe several times. Weren’t there some at the office building that was next to the old Exchange National Bank too? Seems like I remember them there too. Boy you could get a good “Cherry Phosphate” at the fountain there. Those were the simple days when a kid could go to town and be safe.”
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“I have been kinda on a mission..We have set up a web page for our class of 67, class reunion..35th comming up. We have some time to go but I am trying to locate classmates and pass the word about the web site on. Rick Wise who lives in California is the administrator of the site. We want everyone we can find from our class to sign in on the web page so we can contact everyone, when it is time for the reunion. We haven’t started the planning yet. But it does take time to locate and inform everyone.”
http://www.cyberflux-solutions.com/ahsreunion/ahs.htm
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“Hi Butch, and thank you very, very much for helping. I’ve been very busy lately, and only got around to downloading my email tonight for the first time since I emailed you. Wow, 12 replies to date. What a response!! I gather you posted my plea on a bulletin board, or something. I’m still looking through the responses, and I’m overwhelmed with the help offered. I’ll be in touch again, when I’ve had a chance to digest all the messages.” Ron McFarlane, model railroader living in Berwick, Victoria, Australia. [email protected]
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“Hi Butch: You are correct in that the Ardmore Hotel had the revolving front door.”
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============================================I was sadden last week when I heard about the death of Ardmoreite L.T. “Red” Kitchens. When I asked in my T&T February 26th for donations to the American Flyers Memorial, L.T. Kitchens was the fourth person to respond with a donation. I’d like to share with everyone the email Mr. Kitchens sent me that Saturday:
“Please put us on your list for $25.00 contribution. I was foreman for American Flyers Airline meeting the airplane on a through flight from California. I heard the airplane as it was making an approach. The ceiling was low and I heard an explosion. I called the tower to find out if they still had contact with the airplane, which they didn’t. I called and notified my boss and told him that I thought the airplane had gone down. He came out and we went by car to the sight. We were the first car there. At which time we looked for the aircraft form 1 and also the flight data recorder. Death and destruction was everywhere. The airplane had hit in a herd of cattle and people and cattle were scattered and burning. It’s not a sight you would EVER forget. Also, I personally knew the flight crew as well. It was unbelievable. My name is L.T. Kitchens, 1950 Hawkins St. Ardmore, OK. 73401”
I never met Mr. Kitchens. But through the power of email and a tragedy that took place 33 years ago, our paths crossed. He did not live to see the memorial to completion. But I know on the day the dedication ceremony is held, Mr. Kitchens will be there with us. You can scroll down the page, and find a photo of Mr. Kitchens in his obituary using the link below. In behalf of two stewardesses, four crew members and 77 young boys, thank you Mr. Kitchens.
http://www.ardmoreite.com/stories/050300/obi_obi1.shtmlI talked to Wilson Monuments in Lone Grove Thursday, and the rubber matte with all the names of those who died is finished. They will use it when sandblasting the names on the granite monument. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.html
“Shall I ask the brave soldier who fights by my side in the course of mankind if our creeds agree?” –Thomas Moore (1779-1852)
http://www.writepage.com/others/mooret.htmSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Saturday, May 6, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 159
Last week I told about going to Hot Springs, Arkansas. I had a couple rolls of film I took. Thought I’d share some of the pics with everyone over the next few weeks.
Here is the 216 ft Mountain Tower that cost $4 to ride the elevator to the top and look out over Hot Springs. http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hstower.jpg
This is looking out over downtown Hot Springs from the top of Mountain Tower http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hsview.jpg
Here is Manataka down on bath house row. http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/manat1.jpg
This is a closeup of the one month old Totem Pole at the Manataka Cherokee Longhouse. http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/manat2.jpg
Here is an inside view of the Manataka Longhouse http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/manat3.jpg
On the way over from Ardmore to Hot Springs I went through Idabel, Oklahoma. One thing that stood out to me in that small town was the several murals painted on some of the buildings downtown. Here are a four I snapped pics of.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/idabel2.jpg http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/idabel3.jpg http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/idabel4.jpg http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/idabel5.jpgSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Bells, chimes, etc. can be heard at the UofA campus in Fayetteville, AR. My husband built the Cafe Santa Fe in Hot Springs, AR. Due to that, we were there within the last 2 years and took a wonderful boat tour.”
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“Butch: I still have one of my WWII ration books that was issued in Ardmore in 1943. The front says book 3 and still has sheets of gray coupons inside. Does anyone remember which coupons went with which rationed items? This one may have been for sugar?”
[email protected]
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“In your newsletter today, you mentioned a revolving door that you had seen in Ardmore but couldn’t remember where. I think I can help you on that. I believe the revolving door was in front of the Ardmore Hotel. As children, I remember walking down the street and going around the door a couple of times before going on down the street. Sound familiar?”
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“There are several revolving doors at the entrance to the International Building at the state fairgrounds in Oklahoma City. However, they are needed because they also serve as airlocks; this is the building that is kept erect by positive air pressure. There is a newer one (installed in the last few months, perhaps last few weeks) on the south side of the Market Square shopping center (outlet mall) on Northwest Highway between Countyline and Council Roads in Oklahoma City. So presumably they are still made. The mall has been undergoing such extensive renovations or remodeling that very little of the original structure is being reused.”
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“Hey Butch, I lived in Hot Springs from June 83 to June 85. That picture of the Water company…on the left there was a place called Buckley’s. I think it was some kind of auction for estate sales. All those light poles you see downtown were installed then as well, they did a major makeover to the downtown area during that time. One more tidbit. Revolving doors are very common in the Netherlands (probably all over Europe) I think the reason they are still in use there and not here in the states is the ‘lawsuit’ factor. There are alot of what we consider safety hazards, because people cannot sue for things like that over there. The revolving door into my office building there was huge. About 7 people could fit into each ‘section’. One more thing the ‘Second Baptist Church’ on the main road in Hot Springs (across from the racetrack) played their bells everyday while we lived there. You could hear them all across town.”
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“There is a town close to here called Jefferson TX, very historical. Wonderful Bed and Breakfasts and I’m sure there are bells too…but what made me mention it, was I visited this weekend and saw Grapette bottles waiting to be picked up.”
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“FREE ONLINE EYE TESTS! VisionRx.com”
http://www.VisionRx.com/ea1
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“just wanted to let all of you know that we have our own Web Page on the Internet now. Please check out the Legislative News areas and the ALC (Attorney Package) and if you press on the FOP Star you can read about the meaning of the Symbol. Also we have a Memorial Page that looks great. We would also like to encourage you to look at the State Lodge Web page as well as the other local Lodges. We are coming into the computer age! I have seen some fantastic Web Pages and it makes me proud to be a part of this Organization!” http://www.AZFOP5.COM
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“Since you seem to know a lot about bells, maybe you can help me find information about Angelus Mamias motors used to control the mechanism that rings the hammer on the bells. My brother is presently restauring the church bells mechanism in his local church and one of the motor is beyond repair. I have been surching the Net for information on Church Bells motor and have not bee successful. Any info would help. Thanks, Paula Roy (New Brunswick, Canada)”[email protected]
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“My name is Ron McFarlane, and I’m a 49 year old model railroader living in Berwick, Victoria, Australia. These days Berwick is an outer suburb of Melbourne, but its history is that of a small country town that the suburbs recently caught up with. My interest in Carter County is that I am building a model railroad loosely based on the AT&SF (or rather, GC&SF) railroad between Pauls Valley and Ardmore, as it might have been in 1960. I stumbled across your site whilst searching the ‘net for useful information. To that end, I am in need of whatever information (and photos) I can get my hands on about this area, particularly the railroad served towns and industries, around 1960. My most immediate need is for info about Ardmore and Gene Autry, as that is where I am starting construction. I will therefore be very grateful if you would pass this message on to anyone who might be willing to assist me with my search. I expect to be working on this model railroad for many years to come, so I don’t require or expect a heavy commitment from anyone who might care to help.” [email protected]
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“I have information on the Camp School for the reader who asked about it, last week. Camp School is located in the Northwestern part of Carter County. (Beginning at the West Cen. line of Sec. 15, 2 south and 3 west, thence west to the Stephens county line, thence north to west cen. line of sec. 31, thence east to the west cen. line of sec. 34, then south to west cen. line of sec. 15, point of beginning. The first building was a one room log structure, built by some of those hardy pioneers in territorial days.Some few years after, a small box building was erected. This was not going to meet the need of the growing community, so the good settlers with an ideal leader, Mrs. Kate Galt Zaneis, realized what Camp needed was ample room and equipment and capable teachers as the children in other districts enjoyed. Thus another room was annexed, offering one year of high school work. The Camp community has organized a Sunday School and Literary Society. Ball teams have been organized to develop the boys and girls physically as well as mentally and morally. I believe I can say upon authority that there is not another school in Carter County in our class that can defeat us in athletics, debating and spelling. /s/ Robert Cecil Cavins, Principal.”
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“If you need information about Peru and South America, visit this page.” http://209.58.67.69/peru/index.htm
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============================================Regarding the American Flyers Memorial monument, we are waiting on the stone from the granite quarry near Mill Creek, Oklahoma. This week we went over $2,800 in donations received. Soon everything will fall into place. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.html
“True and False are attributes of speech, not of things. And where speech is not, there is neither Truth nor Falsehood.” -Thomas Hobbes
http://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/nature/hobbes-bio.htmlSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 29, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 158
The past few days I have been in Hot Springs, Arkansas on a little spring break of my own. I have sure enjoyed it too. Hot Springs is a resort town, founded on the 47 springs that are in the area. One of the biggest attractions is bath house row where all the bath houses are located in historic downtown Hot Springs. Its all nestled in the beautiful green pine trees and mountains. There was so much to do and see. http://www.hotsprings.org/
One of the bath houses is ran by the U.S. Parks Service and free to tour. I went inside and it was like a step back into time. When you stand in those marbled walled rooms, one area for males, another for females, you can imagine people coming from all over the country to take baths in those hot therapeutic waters that come from deep inside the earth. These bath houses date back way before 1900.
Other sites I visited in Hot Springs, AR that stand out in my mind:
The mountain tower. It is a 216 ft tall tower on top of the mountain overlooking Hot Springs. It cost $4 bucks to ride the elevator to the top where the view is awesome. One can easily see 10 miles…. and maybe 20 or more.
One of the most unique places I visited was Manataka. It is the Cherokee Longhouse and is just one block south of the bath houses. Manataka means Place of Peace. It is a museum, herbs, music, books, gifts, and place of learning about the American Indian culture. This Place of Peace was taken away from the Indians by the government in 1832 making it the first federal reservation in the nation. This federal reservation was the forerunner of the national park system.
One more thing before we leave this Place of Peace. Just a month ago a Hot Springs artist, using a chain saw made a beautiful totem pole that stands out in front of the longhouse. You can write the Manataka American Indian Council at mailto:[email protected] This is a pic I snapped of Manataka in Hot Springs.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/manataka.jpgAnother place I visited that might not seem all that interesting to many people, was Mountain Spring Water Company. It’s right across the street from the bath houses, a beautiful multi-storied building. You walk in the front door and there at the end of the room is a large fountain of cold flowing spring water. I’ve bought their water in small bottles at the convenience stores here in Ardmore, but never gave it much thought where it came from. This bottling company started right in this same spot in 1871 and is still bottling water there to quench the thirst. http://www.mountainvalleyspring.com/
Here’s a picture of Mountain Spring Water Company on bath house row.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/waterco.jpgI will mention there are several springs spurting up in the bath house row area but the water is not cold… but over 100 degrees! There was a steady stream of people coming to these public springs to gather water in whatever they could, but I particularly didnt like drinking the “hot water”. Here’s a pic I snapped of people drawing water at the tap there next to the bath houses.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/pubwater.jpgAt the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs I saw something that is almost a thing of the past. The revolving door. I remember the Three Stooges getting trapped in one. hahaha. Seems like I saw one somewhere at a store in Ardmore in the 60s, but for the life of me I can’t remember where.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/revdoor.jpgThe only disappointment was I never saw or heard one bell in Hot Springs. With over 30,000 population you’d think they have a bell or two. I asked several people there and they didn’t know of any in town. If any of you ever come to Ardmore, you’ll hear bells downtown….. beautiful bells! Lately I’ve heard our bells ringing at midnight from the First Presbyterian Church. It’s a beautiful sound.
On the way back from Hot Springs, AR I came down Talimena Drive. It’s in eastern Oklahoma near Talihina, Oklahoma. Some of the views are breath-taking! Here’s one pic I snapped.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/taliscen.jpg
One photo I didn’t take, and I could kick myself for not doing it, was of the old locomotive on display at the top of the mountains on Highway 1 just 13 miles west of Mena, Arkansas at Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The steam locomotive reads “Dierks” on its sides. My grandfather, Stanley Carmon, ordered a lot of lumber from the Dierks Lumber Mills in Dierks, Arkansas back in the ’60s. I can still see the word “DIERKS” burned on the ends of each one of those 2X4s that I unloaded from the boxcars at the railroad yard.Back 20 years ago when I bought my first XT computer we used a little program called PKZIP and PKUNZIP to compress files. On April 22nd the creator of PKZIP/PKUNZIP, Phillip Katz, died at age 37 in Wisconsin. His death was sad, given the circumstances surrounding his death. A brilliant man, a sad way to end life.
http://www.jsonline.com/wi/042200/wi%2D%2Dsoftwarepioneer04220015412.aspSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, in this weeks T&T there is a question about a “Camp” school. According to the “Journal of CARTER COUNTY SCHOOLS” 1923 -Page 297 Compiled and Published by Mrs Kate Galt Zaneis County Superintendent I find the following: District No. 60 Descriptive Boundary & Official Record of School District No. 60 Beginning at the West cen.line of Sec. 15, 2 South & 3 west, thence West, to Stephens County Line, thence North to West cen. line of Sec. 31, Thence East to the West cen. line of Sec. 34, thence South to West cen. line of section 15, point of beginning. School Board – J.P.Martin, Director G.W. Burnett, Clerk G.N. Timlinson, member.”
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/campsch.jpg
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“Just a note to tell you that you and your readers are the greatest. I have had a couple of replies to my plea for help on finding descendents of Bryant Daniel, killed in the 1927 oil well fire in Sanford, TX. They contacted me within a few hours of your last issue of This & That arriving in my email. They have been most helpful and informative and of course most friendly. Kudos to you and your newsletter. I look forward to each issue.”
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“Just a thought in regard to your question about an Office Machine Shop in Ardmore around the 20’s or 30″s. According to your e-mail address, I can presume that you are not too far from Ardmore. Some time ago I discovered that the Ardmore Municipal Public Library has a limited number of Ardmore City Directories that are kept for reference. I go there often when a question similar to your comes up – an answer is usually found there. Good luck.”
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“Dear Butch: “This and That” is such a pleasure. My grandmother told me that when automobiles were very new, Dr. Walter Hardy owned the first one in Ardmore. She also told me about a contest that the Daily Ardmoreite had in which a Model T Ford was offered as a prize. Anybody know anything about that?”
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“The lady who went with me to Claremore, OK stopped at a Git and Go convenient store/gas station to get something cold to drink. I found GRAPETTE sodas! They were in the 8 oz bottles with an old-fashioned type pop-off lid. I bought 4 of them to bring home so my grandchildren could taste them, and one for me. (haha).”
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============================================This week Tuck Wilkinson of Wilkinson Nursery & Landscape and I went to looked at the site for the memorial stone on Highway 177 north of Dickson, OK. Tuck was most helpful in suggesting how to beautify the area. He’s going to have a sketch drawn showing how it will look when he is through landscaping. As soon as I get a copy of the sketch, I’ll scan it and give everyone a glimpse. Using Tuck’s expertise I know everyone is going to be very proud when the landscaping is finished. I will mention that we need a backhoe for a few hours to load the big rocks across the highway that we’ll need to use to protect the memorial site. Does anyone have a backhoe they don’t need for a little while? Tuck’s got a dump truck and flatbed trailer we can use, but no backhoe.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlIf any of you happen by the courthouse here in Ardmore over the next week or so, they’ve tore out the walk on the west side in preparation for the coming Pavilion soon to be built. This is a pic of the area just tore out Monday.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/pavil.jpg“May the Spirit of Manataka walk with you in peace and honor. May the days of your life be balanced with all creation. May we once again dance, sing, and pray in remembrance of our ancestors in this Place of Peace. May one day we gather again in the Valley of Vapors, holding each others hands and perform the scared ceremonies in Manataka.”
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 22, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 157
I had a special visitor this week. Bruce Joseph, Field Coordinator with the Oklahoma Historical Society came to Ardmore, to talk about the memorial. Bruce was so helpful, and we talked about several ideas for the memorial and dedication service. I know everyone is going to like the suggestions and help that Bruce as passed along to us. I’ll tell much more in a week or two.
We have also placed the order for two granite benches to go next to the monument. These are not going to be just “plain” granite benches, I know everyone is going to be proud of them! Thanks to everyone who helped make the memorial possible. We are finalizing details right now….. so in two or three weeks everything should be in place!
I want to thank everyone who made a donation to the memorial. At the beginning I set a time frame of 2 months to get the money we’d need to purchase a granite memorial stone. The 2 months has now been reached and we have over $3,000. The money will allow the purchase of a massive beautiful stone, a couple of heavy granite benches, do some landscaping, and place an announcement in the local newspaper for the soon coming dedication ceremony at the site. Again, thanks to those of you who made this all possible. (We are no longer asking for donations.)
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlA friend told me about three bells located in Lone Grove city limits, just a mile south of Highway 70 on Brock Road. It just so happened the day I went out to snap a pic of one, they were having a garage sale. So I stopped, looked around for a minute then asked the owners if I could take a picture of the bell in their front yard. He probably thought I was crazy at first, but agree and said to ahead. That house was a Howard Road and Myall Road, just a few feed west of Brock and Myall Roads.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/brocka.jpg
This next bell was in a yard at the NW corner of Brock Road and Myall… way up a driveway, near the house.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/brockb.jpg
And this last bell was about halfway between Highway 70 and Brock Road South. The owner of this bell didnt even know there were two other bells within a few hundred feet of his!
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/brockc.jpgIf you do not have an anti-virus scan program on your computer, I’d urge you to get one. Especially if you send and receive a lot of email with attachments. If your computer has never been scanned for virus, you very possibly could have one. I recommend InnoculateIT AntiVirus Program. They just updated their program too. Those of you who have an older version of InnoculateIT, you need to go to their website and d/l the latest version.
http://antivirus.cai.com/SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, Will you ask your many readers if they have any knowledge about a photography studio that was back in Oklahoma Territory & Indian Territory called Walpole’s Studio? Have an old photo of a relative taken by them…and Walpole’s Studio is stamped on the back of it. Just wondered if it was a permanent studio, or maybe one of the traveling kind. Thanks for your wonderful column each Saturday…it is a joy to see on the Mail list every Saturday morning…like getting a letter from an old friend.”
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“The legend, or so it is told, of the “Mad Stone” which is in my possession, has many years behind it. Over 100 years ago, Clifton Elmer Winter, my great-grandfather, as a child, was playing under a covered wagon. While under the wagon, a dog, supposedly mad, bit him on the nose. The wound that was inflicted on this child, ran the length of his nose. In those days, there was no such thing as a rabies shot, so his folks took this stone and soaked it in milk. It was then placed on the wound, where it was held for a couple of days (by itself, so I am told). It released itself only after all the poison was extracted from the wound. These mad stones were used in this manner to keep children from going “mad” when bitten by a rabid dog. Clifton Elmer Winter, (my great-grandfather), kept this stone until shortly before his death in 1956, when he gave it to C.T. Winter (my grandfather). C.T. Winter in turn gave it to Bennie Winter, (my father), about 1965. When my grandfather gave this stone to Bennie, he told him to pass it on down to me, Scheryl Winter Williams, which was passed on to me in October of 1989. This stone and the legend behind it, has great sentimental value to me.”
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“Butch, my grandmother told a story to me once about a man bitten by a rabid dog. She did not really say where they got this “stone”, but said it was a smooth, round, white stone, and it was put on the wound, where it stuck for some time before falling off. The man did not develop rabies. It was interesting to hear that there were other similar stories , and maybe I shouldn’t have been so skeptical of her story. I’d say it definatly sounds more believable than the one about the snake that could roll like a bike tire, fall into pieces, and put itself back together again.”
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“Hi Butch, I just got through reading your weekly T & T and I found the picture of the tree across the Doughtery road interesting. Did they say when it was took? I remember going to Doughtery to check on my daughter and her son in law when the tornado stuck at Uniroyal and cross over Doughtery and a tree was in the way. After alot of work from several people it was cut up and removed. I am trying to think what year that was…do you remember? It was May and about the time the movie “Twister” came out.”
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“I am also a granddaughter of Harris (Harry) Gaines, who was the janitor at the old Carter County Court House, where he had is first heart attack. The times we climbed those stairs and listened to the echo of our shoes hitting the steps and the voice of Granddad saying, “Be careful.” Looking up at what seemed the most beautiful sight–the rotunda. As a child of the fifties, that building and the old viaduct on fifth street northeast, which has burned since then, were my favorite places to walk with him.”
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“On May 27, 1927, several young Carter County men were killed in an oil well explosion and fire in Sanford, TX. My great uncle Bryant Daniel, age 29, was one of those killed and my grandfather Claud Daniel was burned badly but he recovered. Most of the men came from Rexroat, Graham, Healdton, and they worked for the Blacky East Casing Crew out of Borger, TX. One newspaper report said that Bryant was married and had four children. He lived in Rexroat. I am asking for help in finding any of his descendents since I have never met any of them. There were six Daniel brothers in the county and there were three sisters who lived elsewhere. All of them are deceased now and I would love to find some new cousins to share info and stories. If any of your readers know of any of the Daniel ancestors please have them contact me.” Del Daniel, grandson of Claud Daniel. [email protected]
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“On Friday, March 3, General Robert E. Lee’s Boyhood Home was CLOSED to the public after 30 years as a museum. The Lee-Jackson Foundation SOLD it to a multimillionaire couple as their private home, NOT open to the public. The sale was totally secret until it was a “done deal”. The house was never publicly on the market, and the millionaire buyer asked the Foundation to keep the sale confidential.”
http://www.leeshome.com
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“Hi Butch, man i had forgotten about the fifty cent coin rings. I made one of those in 1949 while in the navy. I do remember how sore my fingers got while holding that coin and pounding on it with the spoon. Someone asked me the other day if I knew when the water tower on north commerce was built, I didn’t. I’m sure you have written about this before but maybe you can refresh my memory.”
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“Just a note to tell you how much I enjoy your newsletter. Always enjoy reading it with my coffee on Saturday morning. I’m hoping some of your readers can help me. I’m trying to find the name of a business and the owner of an office machine shop. This business operated in Ardmore, Ok. in the 1920’s and 30’s. Sure hope someone can help. Thanks in advance.” [email protected]
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“I am a student at Plainview High School, and I am doing at research paper over the Ardmore Fire in 1895. I was wondering if you had any information that will help me. I haven’t found very many sources on this subject. So please if you have any information it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.”
[email protected]
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“Hi Butch. You are doing a heck of a job. I stumbled onto your website. Nice to find something on the web from near Home. I was raised at Loco, Oklahoma. In your search for places that are no longer, Where is Camp School? The only directions I can get are west of Pruit City, OK or North of Pinto Store. No miles given in either case. Hope someone knows.”
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============================================“A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines.” – Frank Lloyd Wright (1868-1959)
http://www.pbs.org/flw/See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 15, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 156
Our memorial fund is now up to $2,455 and I am happy to tell everyone the monument order has been placed! It will be 2 or 3 weeks before the granite stone is cut and ready to place the names on. The next thing I want to do is look at some landscaping of the site. Tuck Wilkinson and I will do that the first part of next week. It won’t be long now until all the work we’ve done the past two months will culminate into a beautiful and lasting memorial for the 83 souls lost that dreadful night April 22, 1966.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlI’ve received several more leads on victim’s families, thanks to the efforts of a lot of you out there. I received a call yesterday from the mother of one of the victims who lives in California. She wants to come to the dedication ceremony. The exact date for the dedication ceremony has not been set, but it should be in about 4 weeks or so. More next week.
This week I had my first experience using Paypal.com and it was a most interesting concept. A reader emailed me $25 to go on the memorial stone using PayPal. Once you have money deposited in your account, preferable using a credit card, you can send it to anyone else in the U.S. who has an email address. Once they’ve receive it, they can Direct Deposit it right into their bank account. Pretty neat. Here’s where to learn more about PayPal. If you use http://www.eBay.com then PayPal is a must!
https://secure.paypal.com/refer/pal=bridges%40brightok.netThe Fastest Search Utility For Price Comparison! FREE!! Best Price is the fastest, easiest, skin changeable search utility available for price comparison on the Net. Best Price queries popular shopping sites, quickly locating items the user is looking for and locates the best price. Best Price not link you to a website to input keywords for price comparison, it is running on your local computer, data is streamed straight to your desktop.
http://www.winshare.com/This week I got my hands on a musical CD produced by some friends of mine. I learned about Rusty and Schahara’s CDs some time back but until this week my ears had never heard the music. I had no way of knowing the beauty that Rusty produced as he tickled those ivories. His music is the kind the soul needs after a long day’s work in this push and shove world….. so soothing and relaxing. On Rusty Hudelson’s “Romancing the Tones” Vol 1 there are some beautiful renditions….. Summertime, Westfalia Waltz, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, and one of my favorites… Unchained Melody, plus several more. You got to hear it to believe the beauty Rusty produces as he runs those fingers across the piano keys. They have a website where you can learn more.
http://www.musicmessage.comThis week I was talking to some friends and they mentioned something about a “mad stone”. I had never heard of such a thing. They told me it was in their family for 80 or so years. When someone was bitten by a rabid dog, the “mad stone” was soaked in milk and held against the bite. It was suppose to some how render harmless the bites from the rabid dog. Using http://www.metacrawler.com I did find some information about the Mad Stone and its powers used by the Indians before 1900.
http://www.angelfire.com/in/cjt/bits.htmlA reader wrote in asking about info on Wirt and Dundee, Oklahoma. Wirt/Dundee is one of those no-longer-exist towns in western Carter county. In the April 6, 2000 edition of The Healdton Herald there was a nice write up with lots of photos about Dundee school holding their 48th reunion. If any one wants a copy write: The Healdton Herald PO Box 250 in Healdton, OK 73438 or email:
mailto:[email protected]
Their phone number is 580-229-0147SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Bill Huntley was the person who ran the Treasure Store in Ft. Gibson. I bought many maps from Bill, who closed the store three or fours years ago. He lived in Tulsa and continued to sell the maps, however, Bill passed away about the middle of 1999. I have heard that his wife or son is still selling the maps out of their home, but do not know for certain.”
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“Re. the location of Augusta, Okla. according to the book, OKLAHOMA PLACE NAMES by George H. Shirk, Augusta was located in Alfalfa County, one mile west of Carmen. There was a post office there from July 13, 1985 to December 15, 1912.”
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“Butch: Augusta, Oklahoma is one mile west of Carmen, Oklahoma on the Eagle Chief Creek. My husband also had family there.”
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“I thought you might like to know about another airplane crash involving soldiers that was in the area. I remember being told years ago about an airplane that was also carrying troops, that crashed in Love County between Enville and Lebanon. As I recall, the crashsite was located on the Boog Lemons farm between Highway 32 and Lake Texhoma. I was told that Boog occasionally found items while farming at the crashsite and that many years later, an older couple came to visit the site because their son had died in the crash. And, thats when Boog showed the couple the things that he had found, they discovered their son’s class ring was in the box of things found. Sheriff Clyde McGill told me that very touching story during one of our many fishing trips together in the area.”
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“I love your web page – one of the best I have visited. I am particularly interested in the history of Ardmore since my husband’s mother grew up there and I am currently researching her side of the family. Her mother was Zella Orr who was killed in the tornado of 1946. Of particular interest to me is Zella Orr’s father – John Williamson. He apparently owned a saddle and harness shop in the early days of Ardmore – do you have any idea of where I might obtain a picture of John Williamson or if anything has been written about him?”
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“I am writing you to ask if the County Court House is still the original one with the rotunda. If so my grandfather, Harris (Harry) Gaines, was the janitor for many years until his death in 1959. I remember in the 1950’s as a little boy climbing the banister to the second floor and looking over. Additionally, a cousin by marriage, John Keith, retired from the Ardmore Police Department in the 1970’s.”
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“Dear Butch, I spoke to my husband Peter about our phone conversation a few weeks ago. The accident is not something we think about that often after all these years but it definitely was a life altering experience for us. Peter’s dad and I flew to Ardmore immediately upon hearing of the crash only to find he was already moved to the burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. He spent the next year recuperating there. We met other survivors and their families and many wonderful people during this time. We actually were married in the hospital chapel that August (survivor Nick Leone’s mother stood up for me). You can imagine how excited we were to finally go home and start our new life together. We really never looked back although we often wondered about various people we had met along the way. Our life has been blessed – we have three grown children and five grandchildren. Our children gave us a 30th wedding anniversary celebration in 1996 where we renewed our vows in front of all our friends and family who were not present the first time. It really meant alot to us. We support your kind efforts and have sent a donation in rememberence of those who were not as fortunate as Peter.” Best regards, Gail Scaramuzzo
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“Hi Butch, a friend was here today and wanted me to scan this picture that he took recently, and send it to you. It is a large tree that fell across the highway leading into Dougherty, OK.”
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bigftree.jpg
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“The new website is up, I liked the old one better I think. To check it out go to http://www.southernokies.com and our website is the second one down on the bar. Hope ya like it.”
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“Do you have pictures of the bicycle built for 5, i remember when you came down and we rode on it. I’d love to see a picture of it.”
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“hi, i am looking for information on a circus train that crashed around Tahlequah , OK in the 1930’s. do you have any knowledge of this or know where i might look ?? thank you for your time.”
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“Our 9th grade students are doing their research papers over people or events in Oklahoma history. One student wants to find out about a murder which took place in 1912 in Willis, Oklahoma. According to the story he was told, a man murdered men on the school board after his child was not allowed to go to school. We have tried to find information about this but have had no luck. Do you or your readers know anything about it? We would appreciate any info we can get. Thanks!”
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“If you are ever or know of anyone in need of a Website I am in the hosting business. My address is http://www.one4all.net and my business is located in Marietta, Oklahoma.”
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“Do to the continued request to bring shrimp and crayfish back from the Gulf of Mexico to Ardmore, I have finally decided to listen. I have done a great deal of research and now after a year or so have decided to go ahead and honor this request. Jumbo Shrimp (36-40) tails sell for over $18.00 per pound at WalMart in Ardmore. Too expensive…..I agree. Our/your price is $8.00 per pound for the same Jumbo 36-40 tails. Only this shrimp is right off the boat and you will have it the next day. To keep things simple, minimum order is 5 lb. please and must be paid in advance. Deadline for this month’s shrimp is Monday April 18th. If you don’t want shrimp now but perhaps in the future, please let me know. If you place your order…. you will have it Friday, April 21st in the morning. Send me an email and let me know… Let me know if you have any questions.”
Gerry Stanton, Ardmore, Oklahoma. [email protected]
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“In answer to one of your email letters, I am not a medium but I am able to pick up spiritual/psychic energy and I personally did not experience anything at Brown Springs. However, if anyone is looking for local “hot spots” Ft. Washita is the most “energetic” place I have found so far. The Ft. Sill/ Mount Scott area is a close second. I have also experienced energy spots in Gainesville, The Alamo, The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe and St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Co.”
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============================================“When you give away a little piece of your heart, you’re giving away the only thing you can give away, which, after you do, you got more left than you had before you gave some of it away.”
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 8, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 155
This week I received a call from the sister, Ms. Margie Edwards, of one of the victims in the 1966 plane crash north of Ardmore. Her brother lived in Pencil Bluff, Arkansas. She said she was very close to him. She broke down crying twice during our conversation. She said they have waited all these years for a memorial out there.
A few days passed, and a letter arrived postmarked Hot Springs, Arkansas. It was from Ms. Margie Edwards. She and her sister had sent $80 to go on the memorial. Also in that letter was a photo of her brother, and a copy of a letter written one year after that 1966 crash. The letter was written by Peter Scaramuzzo, a survivor of the crash. I want to share that letter from Peter to Ms. Edwards with everyone. Keep in mind this letter was written 33 years ago.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/peterltr.txtThis is a photo of Ms Edwards brother, Pvt James D. Edwards of Pencil Bluff, Arkansas. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/photos/edwards.jpg
I am pleased to report we now have $2,190 in the special memorial fund account. We will continue taking donations until April 22nd. A bench made of the same Autumn Rose granite that the memorial is made, will cost $325 each. If all the pledges come in, I truly believe we’ll be able to purchase a heavier, thicker, more massive memorial stone, add a granite bench or two, and do some landscaping. We are going to put in place a memorial everyone will be proud of. We couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlAbout 20 miles north of here is Dougherty, Oklahoma located in the Arbuckle Mts. It’s a small town….. but at one time long ago, they did have a jail. Here is a pic sent to me by a reader of that little jail.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jaildoug.jpgThis week I received email from a reader who asked about an infamous Ardmoreite from long ago by the name of Otto Powell. Otto Powell was famous in this county for his many runs for the office of sheriff. He never won an election, but in 1958 he only lost to Theo Cobb and Robert Pierce by 24 votes. Many citizens at that time believes he lost that election by unscrupulous tactics. On Otto Powell’s campaign posters was a photo of him plowing a field behind a horse. On the posters it read: “A country boy plowed his way to town”. Otto lived in western Carter county at Wilson. Otto could not read or write. But he could sing like a song bird. A friend told me Otto would call them collect at 3 in the morning to sing to them over the phone. His favorite song to sing was, “riding old Paul, leading old Ball.” Here’s the photo from his famous campaign posters:
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/powella.jpg
Here is a close up of the almost sheriff Otto Powell:
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/powellb.jpgAnother question passed along to me was about a man who traveled all around the county behind a team of mules. One source said this is probably Oscar Camp who was always behind a team of mules as he traveled the roads around here. Oscar Camp was seen on the roads in the 50s.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, I asked my dad about L.D.Rickey and the horse, Little Joe. He said Rickey was a game warden and good friend of old man Goddard. Mr Goddard gave permission for him to be buried there. Dad said Little Joe was one of Mr. Goddard’s favorite horses.”
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“I tried the phone # listed for Treasure Traders out of Ft. Gibson and the person who answered the phone didn’t know anything about old maps. I am interested in finding pre-statehood maps of Carter and Love Counties. Trying to locate Pleasant Mound and Jolly Knob which supposedly were near Hoxbar. Pleasant Mound was also near [Old] Wilson, east of Ardmore. One set of my ancestors was married there in Wilson in 1898. I believe Pleasant Mound may have been the earlier name of Legate.”
And here is the answer:
“We have had these maps for quite a while, so it is possible the number has changed. The address we have on the same map is PO Box 878 101 North Lee Fort Gibson, OK 74434. Hope that helps her. We ordered these that we have out of Oklahoma Treasure Traders magazine.”
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“Keep up the great work. Look forward to seeing the memorial when I come back for a reunion in June.”
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“Butch: I have an uncle who was born in Augusta, Okla. I can’t find it any where on the map. He was born in 1903. I would be so thankful to know where it is located.”
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“One very powerful way that we, as parents, can pray for our children is by “praying the word of God” over them. I have been praying this way for years. Then a couple of years ago, I put together a Scripture Prayer Calendar for parents. I passed it along to friends of mine; along with a letter to encourage them as they pray. Last year I began mailing the Calendar and letter to friends across the United States and Canada. Recently, people have been asking me to put the letter and Calendar on our website–so I did. You can check out the PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT parents page by clicking….”
http://www.brightok.net/~dmw/precious.html
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“Bryan County Courthouse with Confederate soldier showing. He’s been there a long time, since the 1930s, I think. At one time had a bayonet on his gun but it got broken off. This is a last-shot-on-the-roll thing that a buddy took yesterday afternoon to see what it would look like. Building faces east so we’ll try again during morning hours one of these days. The Bryan Courthouse photo you have is fairly old, but those things don’t change. There’s now a four or five-year-old concert-in-the-park type gazebo on the lawn.”
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bryanco2.jpg
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“If junior has to do a report about your state, whatever you do, don’t let him find out about this site! The poor tyke will end up dragging a 100-page manuscript to school. From Alabama to Wyoming, 50states.com is packed with information and links about all 50 states and capitals.”
http://www.50states.comNote: I visited this site, and question the value of all the info they list. In Oklahoma they listed under Economy- wheat, cows, chickens, among other things, but not a mention of the word oil in Oklahoma. hahahaha
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“Here is a web site for the Oklahoma Fisherman with local hot spots and brush pile locations around many state lakes.”
http://www.hitsunlimited.com/fish/maps.html
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“I was wondering if you were planning on going back to Brown Springs. I have some family around Madill and have been needing a good reason to come down. I’ve been needing a good adventure so if you’re planning on going I’d appreciate knowing a couple of weeks in advance. Maybe some of my kin know a little about some of the things that have gone on there. Thanks a lot!”
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“Thanks a bushel for sending me the newsletter, I enjoyed it immensely. Say, I had not even thought of ole Whiskers, had forgotten all about him ever being around. Thanks to the fellow that reminded us. I don’t remember his name now, but did know it at one time as I filled a prescription for him, and had to have his name. Whiskers would not work, in that case. I am sure that pricked many a memory about Whiskers. He was a legend.”
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“Butch, I can see the demon’s face alright but I don’t see a lamb – I see a young girl’s face…. Perhaps our imagination is just going a bit too far…….but you never know, it would be very interesting if a medium looked at the picture though. Do any of your readers have a friend who is gifted???”
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“I love your website. It is so interesting and a friendly read. I just want to thank you for the story on the hanging. I have had the picture of the four men for three years now but had no idea what had transpired. My grandma grew up in Ada, Ok. and lived in Ardmore on and off. The picture was among her things and passed to me when she died. I am not sure if she knew the people or if they are any relation. At least I know why they were hanged now!” http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/adalynch.html
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“Butch, I have enjoyed your weekly T&T for over 2 years now, and I can say there is something in it for everyone. For me its the music, you always inspire me to get the CD or the tape you talk about in your T&T… this last week you wrote out some of the words of “Endless Love.” I must tell you, that was my favorite song for so long, but as time goes on we forget the joy that music brings to us, I want to thank you for bringing music back into my life. Thanks to you, once again I can feel the music that I need so very much. I hope you are aware of what a great thing you are doing with the Memorial of the crash victims, I know the parents and siblings are so thankful that this is being done. You have a great heart for doing good, the world needs more people like you.”
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“As many of you know Fort Worth was hit by a tornado this past tuesday. The Fort Worth Public Library did sustain damage. At this time the library is closed both to the public and staff. All the glass in the building was blown out; the air conditioning system was destroyed and there is water damage. The rare books section of the Genealogy/Local History/City Archives has had water damage. We have not been able to get back into the library to see if there is structural damage.”
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============================================This week Fox News had a Poll on the website for people to vote on the Elian Gonzales Return to Cuba issue. I decided to go vote, and found their poll had a major flaw. I could vote over and over again, which I did, and each time raising the count by another vote. I’ve had my Elian Poll since January 5, 2000 and right now its 70% “Yes” to return him and 30% “No” to let him stay.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/thepolls.htmlLast week I told about the ring I made in the 60s from a fifty cent piece and a tablespoon. Here is a pic of the ring.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/myring.jpgAlso this week I had a special visitor to my office. Mr. Alfred Miller came by, he is the driving force behind keeping the tower clock in the dome of the Washita county Courthouse at Cordell, Oklahoma working everyday. Alfred is a retired county commissioner from Washita county after serving the people there over 30 years. All three courthouses in Oklahoma that have tower clocks in them are now working. Ours here in Ardmore, the one at Cordell and the one in the dome of the Marietta, Oklahoma courthouse in Love county.
“Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward.” –Vernon Law
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 1, 2000 Vol 4 Issue 154
This week we surpassed the minimum about of money needed to purchase a monument large enough to inscribe all 83 names on it. To date $1,635 has been deposited in the special American Flyers Memorial Fund at the Citizens Bank. Thanks to everyone who has so far helped make the memorial possible. I promise it will be nice, and the biggest we can buy, along with some kind of seating. How big the stone will be now depends on pledge fullfillment. If you are one of those who still have not sent in your pledge, please do, and lets make this memorial the best we can. We plan to continue to accept donations until April 22nd, the anniversary date of the crash. This will give those of you who asked for the extra time to send yours in, plus give us the time needed to finalize everything. Again, thanks to everyone who helped, and also for your patience.
I’ve had several of you ask if there is going to be a dedication ceremony for the memorial. I certainly hope so. I’ve talked with several survivors and also some relatives of those who died in the crash, and they would like to see a dedication ceremony too. Let’s hear your thoughts.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/crash66.htmlHere’s a pretty neat place to learn some money saving tricks
http://www.tightwad.comAbout 50 miles east of Ardmore is Coalgate, Oklahoma. For many years there was one thing that Coalgate was noted for.. the home of Hudson’s Big Country Store. When I was a teen I drove all the way over there to buy some cowboy boots. But one thing I didn’t have with me was one of those Hudson’s tokens.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hudson.jpgI was digging around in a chest of drawer the other day and found a ring I handmade when I was a teen. I would take a fifty cent piece (they were silver in those days) and a spoon, to create a ring. It would take me about a month of beating on that ring, round and round and round, before I had it down to the size to fit my finger. I’d then take a drill bit and carefully drill it out. You could see the date and some of the wording on the inside. A person could use a present day fifty cent piece, but remember it has copper in the center. I used a tablespoon and by the time I had the ring made, the bottom of that spoon looked like it had been through a war.
Here is an email I received this week about the courthouse in Durant Oklahoma:
“I notice that your courthouse photo collection doesn’t have one from Bryan County, so I’m in low-speed pursuit. Ours is a little bit unique – out in front there’s a statue of a Confederate solder, with his musket, at parade rest. It was a contribution many years ago of the DAR. When I ask people if they have one I get an almost universal “No I don’t–but I wish I had one.” We got side tracked a little the other day when someone came up with an old color photo of Durant’s now-gone Tom Tom Tavern. Don’t suppose you’d be interested in starting a page of famous Oklahoma beer joints.”
When the above reader noted I didn’t have a photo of the Bryan County Courthouse in Durant, I remembered another reader sending me a pic sometime back of that courthouse. So I dug it out. He sent it in February 1999. Durant is 50 miles east of Ardmore. But in this pic I don’t see the statue? Could the pic been taken before the statue was installed??
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bryancrt.jpgSo you’re looking for a car? Here are four of the best places:
CarsDirect—- http://carsdirect.com
Carclub——- http://www.carclub.com
CarOrder—— http://carorder.com
Used Cars—– http://autotrader.comAnd here is some other good ones…….
http://carmax.com
http://autoweb.com
http://carpoint.com
http://cars.comSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Hi Butch. There used to be an old feller that rode a mule, and behind him trailed a train of horses. This feller also had a white beard, and was seen riding the roads of carter, love, jefferson, and countless other countys. If I remember correctly he was called whiskers,and was a horse trader. Not many people knew anything about whiskers. He reminded me of the bearded man riding the bike in ardmore.”
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“hi, Butch, I started a fan page on the actor Soon Teck Ho. http://www.pam.potter.homepage.homepage.com/main,html do you know anything about him, or any memories of his work you like, thank you.”
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============================================This week I had an unusual visit with a man who may have stumbled across some more Brown Springs mystery. We have had lots of comments and eye brow raising on the photo from Brown Springs and its “image’ of a child’s face. He printed out the photo this week using a black and white printer and found something astonishing. When I held this picture he printed, one could easily see a large dark, sinister looking face on the right hand side of the stone. On the left hand side was the face of a lamb. He said his belief is the sinister face was that of the killer of the child. And the face of the lamb was the a message from the child telling us he or she was okay and in a better place. I found it all interesting so I took the color photo and save it as a B&W pic. Here, you be the judge, see if you see anything. I will tell you I can see the sinister image much better printed out.
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/bschildb.jpgEndless Love
by Diana Ross and Lionel Richie – 1981“My love, there’s only you in my life
The only thing that’s bright
My first love, you’re every breath that I take
You’re every step I make
And I want to share
All my love with you.”“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it” – David Henry Thoreau (1817-1862)
http://libws66.lib.niu.edu/thoreau/bexhibit.htmSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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