Below is April 7, 2001 to June 30, 2001.
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Saturday June 30, 2001 T&T Weekly Vol 5 Issue 219
This week my grandfather Stanley Carmon’s old lumber yard was put up for sale by my cousin. I spent the first 21 years of my life at that house and yard on 3rd NE here in Ardmore. Lots of memories. I remember my grandfather telling me it took him 2 years to build the house back in the early 30s. A Depression was going on and he’d build on it until he ran out of money, wait a while, then build on it some more when he had more money to buy materials. I’ll miss that lumber yard and house when it changes ownership.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lbryard2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lbryard3.jpgSince I mentioned a couple a weeks ago about the free virus scanning websites that are online, a number of you have written to tell about the viruses you’ve found. One Reader said she had 23 viruses on her computer and did not know it. Since I have changed to AVG anti-virus system http://www.grisoft.com I feel a lot safer knowing my incoming and outgoing emails are being checked. As to the online scanning services, http://housecall.antivirus.com seems to work very good. I know of several people here in Ardmore that used that service the past week and found a virus, not to mention the computers at the courthouse that have been struck by viruses the past few months. The past month I’ve seen more viruses on computers then in my 19 years with computers.
I received in the mail this week an issue of The Cowboy Storyteller Association of the Western Plains, which is published in Norman, Oklahoma. It was chocked full of good stories about cowboys from the past. Here is a scan of the front page of the newsletter I received this week. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/csassoc.jpg
What caught my attention in this issue was its mention of rodeo bull rider Freckles Brown. I remember seeing Freckles Brown at the rodeo here in Ardmore back in the early 70s. Freckles is most remembered as the first to ride the “unrideable bull Tornado” back in 1962 at Oklahoma City. Tornado had seen 220 professional rides, and bucked off every bull rider before the horn blew… that is until Freckles Brown rode him. Freckles died in 1987 and is buried in Hugo, Oklahoma.
http://www.lanefrost.com/frecklesbrown.htm
http://www.findagrave.com/pictures/11793.htmlThe Heartland Share program rolled into Ardmore at 9:30am Saturday June 23rd right on schedule. The semi trailer was loaded with all kinds of good things to eat, all at $17.15 per share. I had paid my Share at the May distribution and was ready for some vettels. And I wasn’t disappointed either, let’s see, there was….. 1 lb of Farmland Deli Turkey Breast, a 19 oz package of Ortega Beef Taco Filling, a 1 pound package of Oscar Meyer Smoked Sausage, a 1 pound package of Chicken McNuggets, a 1 pound package of sliced Bacon, a head of Lettuce, 6 Potatoes, 2 Red Italian Sweet Onions, Brocco-Slaw Mix, 4 Red Delicious Apples, 4 Peaches, 4 Nectarines, 1 delicious Cantaloupe, and 12 slices of individually wrapped American Cheese. Here’s a pic of all that good food.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/share601.jpgRemember if you eat, you qualify for the Heartland Share Program! Give Carol a call at 223-5287 to find out the details and next registration date. Also if you know a boy scout group or organization would like to help unload the truck that Saturday morning, let Carol know! We are always looking for a few good hands!
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Dear Butch, My brother, Paul J. Fronterhouse , is doing some research on our family history. Our Grandmother Louvenia Fronterhouse taught at the Woodworth School which was amalgamated with Healdton. We believe that this may have occurred in the 1920’s but we’re not sure of the exact date. Later, Grandmother taught in the Healdton school. Since you have such expertise on Carter County Schools, I thought you might know, or, could give us a clue where to find this information.” [email protected]
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“Butch this letter was very informative and I would suggest only one additional fact. Originally the tax was voted in by a vote of the people and it was a one percent sales tax. Also originally, on the One mill there was imprinted on one side “FOR OLD AGE ASSISTANCE” & on the other side was “Consumer’s Tax” – The One mill denomination was made of an aluminum type metal and the 5 mill coin appeared to be of a brass type of metal.”
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“I still have a small box of the “mills” that were designated for old age pensions in OK. Some are of metal and some paper. I have searched the numismatic web sites for information about them, but have struck out, so I keep hanging on to them. Just nostalgic, I guess.” ————————————————————–
“Regarding the “mills” used in Oklahoma. I have several which my mom and dad saved many years ago. I can remember using them when I was little at the old Kress store there on Main Street.”
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“Picture of currency from the Ardmore National Bank, the third bank established 1901 in Ardmore. Currency signed by P.D. Maxwell and C.M. Campbell. This currency note is part of the H.S. Pittman collection of Ardmore National Currency Notes.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/ardnbmax.jpg
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“HI BUTCH, NEAT ARTICLE ON THE GOLF COURSE!!ALL THE HISTORY OF CARTER AND LOVE CO IS NEAT, BUT WE JUST HAD THE US OPEN IN TULSA WHO PERRY ALSO DESIGNED AND IT IS REAL SPECIAL TO READ ON HIM FROM BANKING TO GOLF COURSE DESIGNING. THEN, HIS KIDS GOT INVOLVED,HE LOST A LEG AND HIS BOY CARRIED ON WITH THE LEG WORK AND PERRY MAXWELL WAS A LEGEND FOR OKLAHOMA AND OUR AREA. REALLY ENJOY THIS AND THAT.” -Muskogee, Oklahoma
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“Butch: I am looking for a photo of Charles M. Campbell, the banker that signed currency in Ardmore. He was also a well known judge in earlyday Ardmore. Does the courthouse have a photo gallery or file of judges and if the answer is yes, is his photo among them? He came to Ardmore in 1890 and died in 1911. Thanks!”
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“go to that brown springs pic.. since it appears everyone is looking for faces, etc…go straight up from the word “tour”..see where the sun is brighter on the leaves at the top? ok.. that “split” in the trees. what’s that in the middle? ok..go to the RIGHT side of whatever that is…the white part..looks like a pic of a lady from the late 1800’s or early 1900’s. ACROSS of that pic, to the left, in the other white part…look closely & appears to be another (solid white) image of another lady looking towards that man standing on the ground.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bstour06.jpg
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“Enjoyed the T&T this week, My Senior Prom was at Dornick Hills County Club in 1956. I remember the Von Keller Hospital too. I really enjoy all the old history about Ardmore, brings back things I’ve forgotten.”
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“This is a picture of the Harmony, Oklahoma Baptist Church Bell. It stand in the yard at the church. The church is still active.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/harmbell.jpg
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“This is a picture of the Bell in front of Lane, Oklahoma grade school.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lanebell.jpg
————————————————————– “I downloaded the AVG virus protection you mentioned in This & That. It found and removed about 25 infected files! However, I don’t think it is putting any information on the e-mails I send out. Didn’t you say that it would indicate to recipients that the e-mail message had been checked and found virus free? What did I do wrong?”Note: in the lower right hand corner of the Desktop, right click on the AVG icon and “RUN AVG CONTROL CENTER”. Next click on the “EMAIL SCANNER” and you will see the part about “Outlook Express 5 Plugin”. Put a check mark in the box.
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“Butch, I’ve received your newsletter from a cousin of mine. I think it’s a very interesting site. I have something I’d like to ask. My husband’s grandmother, Clutchene Tupin Jordan was 90 years old when we lost her She was raised south of Reck OK, and she went to school named “Old Savoir.” Have you ever heard of that school? Please let me know, possibly it may have been in Love County or Jefferson County. Thanks.”
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“Here’s the Kingfisher County, Oklahoma bell that graces the the westside of the Kingfisher Courthouse, Kingfisher. The marker said it was the Bell from the old Lacy School. I’m attaching a close up of the historic marker that reads….Kingfisher County
1776 Bicentennial 1976
Memorial monumentDedicated to all generations
A past to remember
A future to hold
and God to glorify.Memoralizing:
Those who gave their lives
For Our freedomThe Farmer
He feeds the worldThe Bell
Proclaiming freedom throughout the land”
(Leviticus XXV:10)
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/kingsign.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/kingbell.jpg
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(year 1923) “Poolville School had its beginning in 1886 with teacher Prof. Kemper, with student body of twenty. The present day history began in 1914 and now in 1923 is under the supervision of W.H. Sosebee. Mrs. B P. Williams and Miss Gladys Dennis. Township 2 south and 1 south with range 3 west and 2 west. Valuation of $179,933.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/poolsch.jpg(Yr. 1923) “Graham School is located in Northwestern Carter County, thirty miles from Ardmore, twelve miles from Wilson and ten and one-half miles from Healdton. The district has an area thirteen and one-half miles. The taxable wealth is increasing rapidly owing to the development of the Graham Oil Fields. Graham has six teachers as residents. The Principal is Mr. H.P. Killian. The Graham area school census is presently 144. Six grades of school work is offered.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/grahsch.jpg[Year 1923] “Round Up School District 47 Approved in 1909 with a school district census of 144. The Valuation is $90,893. The school offers 8 grades of school work. The two teachers are Mrs.Edna Smith and Miss Falbie Smith. There is a likelihood of the school being centralized with other schools in the northern part of Carter County. Located 3 south , Range 2 west.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/roundsch.jpg
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I also have a deck of these cards and am trying to date them. I’m not sure if you have “all” the cards, but my deck had an Internation Contract Bridge Score as of April 1, 1943, so I’m guessing these were made “after” that date. Also, I have the little booklet that gives the detail on each card. My father-in-law worked for the railroad and gave them to me, and they are like brand new. They are one of my most treasured items.
http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/playcard.html
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“This bell at the Confederate Memorial Museum north of Atoka, Oklahoma. If you haven’t visited the Museum and the grounds; you have missed some history.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/atokbell.jpg
“This bell at the Double Springs Presbyterian Church (Indian church). This church sits in front of the Double Springs Cemetery in Lane, Oklahoma. The church is still active to my knowledge, and the cemetery is still in use.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/dspbell.jpg
Ruth Atteberry Adams…. Raytown, MO….. Atoka County Genealogy Coordinator Note: If you want to use the above photos, contact Ruth at [email protected]
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“I’ve attached some railroad shots I took recently that I thought you might enjoy. I’ve got lots more if anyone is interested. Some shots are of the Frisco 1522 steam train that came through recently and some of BNSF freights. All taken either in Big Canyon or around Ardmore.” [email protected]
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/canyon2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/canyon3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/canyon4.jpg
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“Butch -A former serviceman who got his combat crew training at Ardmore Army Air Field, dropped by the field June 17, 01 to revive old memories. He said he arrived at the base shortly after Christmas of 1944. It had been 56 years since he was here training as a 19 year-old waist gunner. He said he stood on the flight ramp Monday looking across the field and remembered once again the tremendous sound the B-17s made as they started their engines prior to a training flight. When the war in Europe ended, his B-17 crew was dissolved at Ardmore and were shipped elsewhere to train as B-29 crew members. By the time he was retrained as a B-29 gunner, Japan had surrendered. Our visitor, John E. Peterson, retired from the AF in 1970. He was appreciative of the help of the Air Park ambassadors, Doug Williams, Air Park Fire Chief and Air Park Manager, Roy Givens. After arriving home in Illinois, he looked at the Ardmore Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base website and sent this picture of his crew which will be used soon on the webpage.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/aafpet2.jpg
Ardmore Army Airfield Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons/
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==============================================================One Reader of my T&T is Jane Hale of Buffalo, Missouri. She celebrates the Fourth of July in a big way. She has 350 firecracker stands acrosss 5 states. I hope we all remember what Independence Day really represents. Freedom.
http://www.americanprofile.com/issues/20010624/20010624mid_987.asp“I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.” -Nathan Hale
http://www.lihistory.com/4/hs413a.htmSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday June 23, 2001 T&T Weekly Vol 5 Issue 218
A piece of history came down in Lone Grove this week. Around statehood, 1907, there was a school north of Lone Grove by the name of Deese school. Many years ago it was moved, or part of it was moved to the south side of the highway just east of Brock Road and Highway 70 in Lone Grove. The present owners built a new log home just on the west side of this 100 year old piece of history and this week bulldozed the old school building down. Here’s a pic of the old Deese school. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/deesesch.jpg
I snapped this pic just before the demolition began this week. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/deese6.jpg
The strange thing is prior tenants in this building turned-into-a-house claimed to hear strange noises in the night, along with other strange phenomenon. The people who lived just to the east of the house, said years ago they saw the then owner dig a big hole behind the house. Nothing strange about that, except they owner did the digging during the nighttime, then turned right around and covered it up. Something strange there. Oh well, its all history now.
At the north edge of Ardmore is Dornick Hills Country Club. It was built by the late Perry Maxwell, an Ardmore banker. Dornick Hills Country Club was formally dedicated June 17, 1915 with a big gala affair that went into the night. Mr. Maxwell is buried along with some other family members at the north edge of the Country Club Golf Course (just north of Hole 7) in a private cemetery known as the Maxwell-Woods Cemetery. Here are several photos I took this week of the grave marker of Mr. Maxwell and the cemetery itself. My “tour guide” who graciously took me to the area, did a wonderful job telling me some history of the cemetery and getting me to and back the distance in a golf cart. I could tell in our discussions she loved history. These days a young person who likes history is a rarity.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell5.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell6.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell7.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell8.jpgThe day I decided to go to the Maxwell-Wood cemetery I had a couple of strange things happen. I was beginning to think someone or something didn’t want me to go. First, just before I travelled out there, I was eating some saltine crackers. I got to looking and every one one of those saltine crackers had 13 holes in them. hahaha http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/crack13.jpg
Then after arriving at the Country Club, and enroute to the cemetery in the golf cart, we came upon an obstruction in our path. Almost like a sign from the other side… STOP. Just a few hundred yards from the cemetery entrance was a big tree limb across the path, so we had to walk to rest of the way in. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell9.jpg
Here is a photo a Reader in California sent me of Perry Maxwell. Some of you will remember reading last May in an issue of T&T “…Perry Maxwell leading out in raising $30,000 for the project. The Von Keller hospital opened in 1917.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/maxwell3.jpg
Here is a token for merchandise from the L.R. Anglin Company of Antlers, Oklahoma
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/anglina.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/anglinb.jpgIn Johnston county, about 8 miles east of Tishomingo is Milburn, Oklahoma. The Milburn Baptist Church has a beautiful bell! A Reader snapped this photo for me! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/milbell.jpg
In November 1913 the swinging bridge was dedicated in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. I remember going over it in the 1970s and by pushing on and off the brakes, I will able to rock the bridge. Boy, the dumb things when we’re young, risking our very lives. The swinging bridge became only a memory on October 13, 1981 when water from torrential rains washed it away. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/tbswing.jpg
Here is an unusual piece of history, a printed invitation to the Masonic Ball on New Year’s Eve, 1894-1895 at Ardmore, Indian Territory. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/masonicb.jpg
Recently the state capital in Oklahoma City started construction on a dome for the building. Because of money shortages our capital never had a dome. In a couple years we should have a capital with a dome as it was originally intended when it was first built. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/capdome.jpg
Here is a link to photos of every courthouse in Kansas. Plus a link to Florida courthouses. http://www.midusa.net/~ggsoldan/Court2.htm
I had a couple of visitors this week, a Jim and Mary Skipworth of Kentucky. They were on their way to a Skipworth reunion in Texas, and stopped in Ardmore looking for some Skipworth decendants buried here. They are researching George Washington Skipworth and son John. If anyone knows about Ardmore’s Skipworth families, please write them at [email protected]
A couple weeks ago I told about several Free virus checking done via the internet. Since then I’ve tried about 4 different sites, and the free virus checking system by AVG is the best. It checks every incoming and outgoing email for viruses, in addition to files on your hard drive. You will need to register with your name and email address in order to complete the installation after you download the 4 meg file from their website. You’ll receive your required registration number by email after you start the download. The program will automatically update the DAT file for new viruses, so you don’t have to remember to do that from time to time. And one feature I like is the email you send out, is certified at the bottom of the email with the following signature:
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system http://www.grisoft.com.
Version: 6.0.262 / Virus Database: 132 – Release Date: 6/12/01If you want to protect yourself and the friends you email from viruses, check out AVG’s website at the following URL: http://www.grisoft.com/ And its all FREE!
One last thing, does anyone have a photo of the inside view of the old Ardmore train depot?
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, did you pick up on the recent mention that the PGA golf tournament at Tulsa is at a golf course designed by Ardmore’s own Perry Maxwell. He designed Dornick Hills and is buried there. I became interested in him in that he was also an early Ardmore banker.”
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“Oklahoma was the last state to use tax tokens; until 1963. I am writing about them in my book of Carter County bankers/money.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/tokens2.jpg
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“I remember those electric blade razors. Haven’t heard of one in a long time. I notice however that about Christmas time every year Panasonic runs adds on TV about their Electric blade razor, watch for it or e-mail them.Now, do you want to know the secret to a really close shave and not have to have a nervous gadget vibrating around on your face and especially with a hang-over. I may not have the spelling right but that you can find out. Wally World in the Women’s department has the Nuetragena Soap (check spelling). Next pick up the latest Schick Chromium double blades. Now search around until you find Old Spice Shaving lather in the instant can type thing. Wash your face as normal but with the soap described earlier but DO NOT RINSE OFF. Put on the Old Spice shave cream and get a shave that is good for 12 hours or more and will leave your face as smooth as a fresh picked watermelon. You follow how I told you too and you will not find a better shave, guaranteed.”
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“Butch, I have a Lektro Blade and you can’t have it. It’s everything you said it is. I don’t use it very often, but keep it as a reserve.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lektro.jpg
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“I remember when Perry Como had his own show on television (very popular it was, too) there was sometimes a skit in which he shaved someone. (He had been a barber before he became a star.) In the TV skits he always used shaving cream out of an aerosol can…a brand made by his long-time sponsor (I don’t recall now who the sponsor was). I can’t imagine when he was a practicing barber that he ever used lather out of a spray can.”
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“I would like to introduce our new web site to you. This is the first real agricultural search engine (not a searchable directory site).” http://www.web-agri.com/
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“Butch, here is a link to some equipment for sale by Western Iron Works, of San Angelo, TX….could this be the one referenced in your “This and That” Vo. 5, issue 127? I enjoy your publication. Thanks.” http://www.angelfire.com/sk/nelliespantry/el.html
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“Western Iron Works closed it’s foundry operations on it’s 75th anniversary, Sept. 1998. The product line was sold to East Jordan Iron Works, Inc. of Michigan.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/westwat.jpg
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“Hi Butch. If you can, I would appreciate it if you would mention the upcoming national convention of the Western Outlaw and Lawman Historical Association scheduled for Guthrie, July 18-21. You can get further information from the WOLA site at: http://home.flash.net/~pggreen/WOLA/enter.htm, and click on convention. For information, Roy Young, President, at [email protected], or me here in Guthrie.” [email protected]
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“I just had to write you on this one… several things. They now make battery operated toothbrushes (like that razor of yours) so I betcha’ they come around again!! “Jefferson Tx, eh? Nice place to visit… tons of historical homes, but that’s about all. I have a favorite B&B there which brings me to my last observation. I watch the travel channel alot and they were covering a B&B in San Antonio that I’d like to visit, then a show came on about haunted places and right in the middle of a story about a woman that haunts a hotel, the tv shut off. My daughter was watching with me and we both looked at each and started to laugh!! The repairman says it’s probably just a power supply. whoooooo knows :o) I’m not real good at seeing images, so I pulled that picture out and rotated it I thought I saw a cocker spaniel’s face!! :o) http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bstour06.jpg
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“It was not called the Mill Tax. It was the beginning of the sales tax in Oklahoma. Prices were very low during the depression, and the sales tax rate was also very low, so mills were provided so you wouldn’t be drastically overcharged by having to pay a penny on the purchase of a five-cent candy bar, or alternatively so the state wouldn’t lose all the tax on small purchases.”“As the tax rate rose, and prices rose, the need for one-mill and five-mill pieces (a tenth of a cent and half a cent) became kind of silly and most people and merchants stopped fooling with them; they more or less died a natural death, although I don’t know when or if they ever officially were removed from the law.”
“The sales tax did not have anything to do with Social Security, which was a federal program. The sales tax (originally only the state could levy the sales tax) was earmarked for “Old Age Pensions,” and other welfare-type functions. It was common to speak of paying the mills “for the old folks.””
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“Butch- Here is a restored picture of Hotel Ardmore during early construction (early 1900s) with an inset of the completed building from a postcard of the early 1940s. The construction picture is probably from the McGalliard collection.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/hotelard1.jpg
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“Butch, I really enjoyed that poem a few weeks ago by Lou Harper about Brown Springs. Both for it’s subject and as a poem. I read as much poetry as time allows, it soothes my mind. I also write poetry at times, when just reading it doesn’t calm my mind. I keep reading about Brown Springs in your newsletters and I am starting to get to the point where I must see this place. I am going to be in Ardmore for about a week starting on Independence Day, and I am going to have to make my way over to see you and then down to these springs. Hope to talk at you soon Butch.”
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“This week we are dealing with the District 43 school District which is comprised of not only the Wilson Schools of the City of Wilson but also reveals the other schools which now have become a part of the same district as Wilson District # 43 – Carter County – 1923. The Individual schools will be pictured as their names are mentioned in this writing. Wilson High School, Wilson South Ward School, Carter Humble School near Dillard, Hewett Ward School, Strawn School and Wheeler School. A complete history can be found in the “Journal of CARTER COUNTY SCHOOLS…1923″”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/wilson23.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/wilsonso.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/carter23.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/hewitt3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/strawn23.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/wheeler3.jpg
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“Butch, do you know anything about the cemetery on the Airpark. I have no idea about it. It is in need of some work around it. I was wondering if there is some who knows about it and if someone might be able to restore the head stones. I really enjoy your columns that you put out. I have learned more then when I was in school.”
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“I live in the San Joaquin Valley of California. My great-grandfather is buried at the Tribbey, OK cemetery. His grave is unmarked – however I was on vacation last October and went to find it if I could but couldn’t. I saw in your newsletter something about Tribbey. My Dad was really familiar with the surrounding area. He grew up in the Stratford area and my Mom was born and grew up in Byars. My Dad passed away in 1995, but he would always talk about how things were in OK back when he was growing up. I really enjoyed hearing about the “HOMELAND”.”>\
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==============================================================A friend who lives in the adjoining county just south of Ardmore… Love County… told me this week they have been invaded by giant grasshoppers, millions of them. She said it only took those hungry grasshoppers two days to completely strip their garden. I guess the grasshoppers will be in the Ardmore area in a few days.
Eight of the ten top billionaires in the world are Americans. Every hour of every day people leave their homelands and risk everything just to come here to enjoy freedom and everything it gives. Many who are born here, takes freedom for granted.
“…Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the Earth.”
-Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
Saturday, June 16, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 217
I got to thinking the other day how my grandfather shaved every morning using a razor and soap. He’d boil his water on the gas stove until it was piping hot and then pour a little in his coffee cup shaving mug which in the bottom had a cake of soap. If the water wasn’t boiling, it wasn’t hot enough.
When I was a teen and also in my early 20s, I tried using an electric shaver. But I soon came to the conclusion that the closest shave, came from a razor blade. For the past 25 or more years, I’ve used a razor blade and shaving mug, just like my grandfather did. When I used an electric shaver, I had to shave twice a day. I will admit, a year or so ago, I gave up the shaving mug with the cake soap in it, and started using the instant shaving cream in an aerosol can.
The reason for telling all this is a few years ago a friend gave me a razor blade that had a built-in electric motor which ran on a AA battery, that made it vibrate. I looked at it, turned it on, and thought how silly this contraption seemed to me. So I never used it. Well, about two weeks ago I decided to get it out again and try it. Boy, I have never had a closer shave, be it an electric shaver or blade and soap. And for some strange reason, I’ve never got a nick either!
I sent email to the Remington company who made the LekTro Blade VB1, and guess what? They discontinued making the Lektro Blade. Now wouldn’t you know a good, reasonably priced razor like that, would be discontinued! Here’s a pic of that Lektro Blade. Guess its a collectors item now. If anyone knows where to get a razor like this, let me know. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lektro.jpg
Does anyone remember the old washboard? Here is a pic of one that belonged to a distant relative of mine in Jefferson, Texas. She passed away in 1973. I remember rushing down there that year, and I got a ticket from the Texas Highway Patrol for speeding. This particular wash board was made in St Louis, Missouri by a company named Shapleigh’s. Shapleigh’s was established in 1843. Since I got a ticket going down there in ’73, I feel like I have $30 invested in this washboard! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/washbrd.jpg
The Carter County Treasurer’s Office a much needed piece of office equipment this week from Citizens National Bank here in Ardmore. The Treasurer’s office prints tax statements from computer fed form paper. Before, employees had to manually tear each form/statement at the perforation, so they could place them in envelopes. Now, thanks to Citizens Bank’s donation, they have a “paper burster” that does that arduous work! As the fan-fold paper is pulled into the machine from the front, it comes out the back, separated and torn at the perforation and ready to be placed in envelopes. Here’s a pic of Bob Sperry with Citizens Bank showing the girls how it works. It’s sure going to make their work a lot easier at statement time! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/treaspap.jpg
This week County Commissioner Kevin Robinson drove his 1939 GMC Panel Wagon to the courthouse. He has been working on it for several years, and just got it painted. It’s even got air conditioning! Now you talk about a glimpse into the past! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/gmc1939.jpg
A Reader wrote me this week asking about the WPA. We’ve talked about the WPA and the work it did in Oklahoma during the 30s. There are older sidewalks around Ardmore that were poured by the WPA. But some of the remaining old sidewalks around the courthouse were not done by the WPA. They were poured by a company before statehood (1907) by the name of the L.R. Marston Company of Indian Territory. Here is a view of their logo stamped in the sidewalk on the south side of the courthouse. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/marssign.jpg
I have been noticing that mostly cheaper, plastic water meter covers are being used around town in the installation of water meters. On Main Street we have several older iron meter covers, one remarkable preserved meter cover is in front of Stolfa Hardware on East Main. This particular meter cover was made by the Gainesville Iron Works in Gainesville, Texas. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/gainwat.jpg
Just to the west of the Gainesville Iron works meter cover is one made by the Western Iron Works. I do know know where that company was located. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/westwat.jpg
This is an example of the cheaper plastic water meter covers being installed around town. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/watermet.jpg
Since those photos of the Brown Springs tour has been placed on webshots.com for viewing, several Readers have wrote telling of strange imagines and the like, they see on several of the photos. You will read in an email below of one such observation. I noticed an image of a face in the lower right corner of the photo immediately after pulling it up. Here is one photo, when I pulled it up, I immediately notice a white face in the water in the lower right hand corner. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bstour06.jpg
Maybe whatever evil is at Brown Springs has lost its power of the area down through the years. Many years ago Ardmoreite reporter and column writer Mac MacGallaird went to Brown Springs to do a write up. He later received a death threat, and told him never to return to the Springs. He never went back. Maybe I been lucky. If there is anything down there, he knows I’m not afraid of him. I’ve looked death in the face thousands of times over a 14 year period.
The Carter County Assessor’s Website this week passed the 9,000 mark for available online photos of Carter County properties (plus 9,000 thumbnails). More are being added daily. A lot of the work in gathering those photos his being done by the Assessor’s two Field Appraisers, Jim Rozzell and Eric Dellinger. Here is a photo of them in front of their pickup truck, just before they head out to take more photos with their digital cameras. They are presently working the eastern part of Carter county. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/ccatwo.jpg
This is a direct link to Assessor Sam West’s searchable website. http://www.cartercountyassessor.org
Carter County Sheriff Harvey has an email address. Also available on his website. So send him some email and get acquainted with the new sheriff. [email protected]
Ardmore Kiwanis Club Website. http://ardmorekiwanis.homestead.com/
Old photo of Main Street Chandler, Oklahoma probably right after statehood. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/chanview.jpg
Two 1943 hand written letters on Ardmore Air Base stationary.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/aablet.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/aabletb.jpg1950s picture of Fleet Cooper Motor Company which was located at 712 West Broadway in Ardmore http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/fleetc.jpg
If you have entirely too many passwords to keep up with (and who doesn’t), try the free service and store them. http://www.passwordsafe.com
Here is a good place to find drivers. They have a free program to download and run, and it will tell you if any of your drivers need updated. Now that’s service after the sale! http://www.drivershq.com/main_home.html
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“I am just getting around to reading your T&T. You talk about InoculateIT Anti Virus Program being sold out. They will keep updating the virus programs to those that have the original Inoculate program. You do not have to update to the new one. Thought you should know. I am keeping three copies of it in for my computers. It has saved me several times lately. My latest was the Snow White one again.” http://antivirus.cai.com/
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“I wanted to ask you, do you know where I could get an Oklahoma flag and a price estimate? A friend of mine in California is needing one and I told her I would check into it. Thanks.” [email protected]
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“Here is the picture I was telling you about that I had, of the Dew Drop Inn at Caddo and Main street, as you can tell it is quite old.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/dewinn.jpg
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“Butch, I hoped that you’d see the “hanging man”. Did you? That was you on the right, wasn’t it? But who was the other man who appears to be hanging from that tree?” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bstour06.jpg
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“HI BUTCH; JUST A NOTE TO LET YOU KNOW I JUST RECEIVED AND READ ‘THIS AND THAT’ FOR THE FIRST TIME. I FIND IT TO BE VERY INTERESTING. HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU HAVE TIME TO DO ALL THE THINGS YOU DO???? IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, I UNDERSTAND IT, THE WOOD OF OUR FIREPLACE IS FROM THE FIRST WATER TOWER THAT WAS BUILT IN ARDMORE. DO YOU HAVE A CLUE AS TO HOW TO VERIFY IT? KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!”
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“Hi Butch, Do you have anything on Hewitt, I.T.? I was given a negative picture of the map of it before, but can’t scan it to go to positive. We’ve tried to get as many old photos of Hewitt and shops, etc. Our Wilson Historical Society and Museum are coming along fairly good. A soft opening will happen in July..! Anything that you know about that history, we would appreciate.” [email protected]
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“Mornin Butch, Just finished today’s T&T and it’s terrific as usual. Thought the picture of Marvin “Smokey” Montgomery was most timely, as I just read via e.news that Mr. Montgomery had passed away. He was 88 years old and played with the Doughboys until a couple months ago. Smokey joined the band in 1935. I recall the Light Crust Doughboys playing in front of the Platte Theater in Sulphur about 1938. They were part of a publicity preview of the movie “Stagecoach”, I believe. I also remember one time when Gene Autry and Froggie Milhous did a show at the same theater. I got in deep yogurt for tripping Froggie as he came running down the aisle, but instead of throwing me out, as I deserved, he just knelt down by me and gave me a quick but stern lecture. I have never felt so little in my life. He gave me one of my most important lessons of my life. (Geeeez, I was only about ten at the time). On another more somber note: My U.S. Flag will be flying on Monday morning also, and my prayers will be with the families of the victims.”
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“Butch, the newsletter is too wide for my screen so, I am no longer getting all the information you are sending. This has just happened in the last three weeks!! Has there been some changes made in your format that I am not aware of? Have you heard from anyone else concerning this? I enjoy the newsletter so much and look forward to reading it every Saturday morning. Thanks for your time and please let me know if there is something I need to do with my computer.”
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“Hi my Aunt forwards me your articles and reading them this time made me sad, I commissioned that mural and didn’t know it was gone, I had the antique shop there at the time and part of the deal was to be a landlord, the part I wasn’t to good at 🙂 I had a artist from Lone Grove in the bottom apt and since artist are poor he couldn’t pay his rent 🙂 his name was Keith, I gave him a old magazine with that Fisher picture in it and told him to get to work, I also thought there was something magical in her eyes, glad to finally know someone else saw it too, it went up in 1989 so it lasted over 10 years 🙂 a record in the neighborhood! keep up the articles more people see them than you know.”
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“(Yr. 1923) Blue Ribbon School is located a few miles northwest of Lone Grove. Mrs. Paul Mitchell is Principal of the school and Miss Etta Ward is assistant teacher. Under the careful management of these two teachers eight grades of work is taught. School census in the district is 112 – valuation is $115,150 – approved 1910.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bluesch.jpg“[Year 1923] Bryant School is located southwest of Wilson. This a two teacher school offering eight grades of work. Mr.E.A. Murchison is principal and is assisted by his wife, Mrs. Eula Murchison. This school is one of several schools in Carter County that will possibly solve a better school condition by joining neighboring districts to form a union graded or consolidated district. The district has a school census of 147 and a valuation of 149,061 – organized in 1909.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bryantsc.jpg
“[year 1923] Black Jack School was organized in 1909 and has a census in the school district of 103 – Valuation is $111,248 located: township 5 south – range 2 west …..”On the hill just beyond the creek in the midst of the wood lay a small plat of land which was chosen for a school. This became the forty-second district and the school was named Black Jack in memory of the wonderful trees of nature which surrounded it.” The school offered 8 grades of work and taught under the direction of Mr. Fred T. Holland, Principal and his assistant Gladys Whitehall. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bjacksch.jpg
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“i enjoyed the photos from your bell page. my favorite adventure would be to get permission to go up in the dark old belfrys all around and views. theres nothing like going up a trap door and steeple latter to find these beautiful bells. i had the chance as a boy to climb up a deserted church tower and view a beautiful st louis made bell here Later it was stolen in the night. i sometimes wonder where it is now. its wheel was a spiral spooked and embossed with flowers and vines. the bell, i think was bronze and had a wonderful sound. It was about 36 inches at the lip.”
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“I looked on the Electronic encyclopedia for Oklahoma Mill Tax and not much there. Basically it began in 1937 when the social security law went into affect. I will look further on the web, and may go to the public library one day soon and see if there is any history on the Oklahoma Mill tax. I do remember it took ten mills to make a penny. And the place that hold the most memories for me concerning the mills was the old J. C. Penny store in Ardmore. They still had the mills in 1952.The way the store made change was put in a container, and sent up stairs, and the change was made in an office, and sent back to the lower level and given to the customer by the sales person. Often my Mom would get back change, plus X number of many Mills. The store was that way when I was in it in 1952. I don’t know what year the State did away with the Mills. I would like to know?” http://users.pullman.com/fjstevens/tokens/taxinfo.html
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“I had a second cousin Kenneth Williams, who was born and raised in Ardmore, but enlisted in California during the Korean War. He died there. I found this website http://www.koreanwar.org There is a project to collect DNA from the families of the 6,000 MIA and POW’s in order to identify the men. There are two men listed in the Carter County area. Cecil MCCauley Willis born 1920 white in the 8 ENG Bn (C) 1 Cav Div. Date of loss 11/02/1950 North Korea. Hostile,Died while Missing. MED DET 8th ENGR. And Jimmie Debord born 1924 white in the 9 Inf RGT 2 Inf Div Army, Date of Loss 11/30/1950 North Korea Hostile, Died while Missing. There is one from Jefferson County, Tommy Joe Cain 9 Inf Rgt 2 Inf Div, Army born in 1930, white, date of loss 8/31/1950 Republic of Korea Hostile Died while missing . And another from Marshall, Kenneth Earl Walker 32 Inf Rgt 7 Inf Div Army, born 1930, white, Hostile died while missing North Korea. This project is to collect DNA from families in order to identify our servicemen. If you know any of the families of these men, the website listed above explains all the details.”
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==============================================================“History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.” -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
Saturday, June 9, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 216
Sneed, Oklahoma is a town that no longer exists in Carter county. It was located northwest of Lone Grove, Oklahoma in Section 25 Township 3S Range 2W. Sneed was bordered on the north by Oil City Road, on the east by Powers Road, on the south by RL Murray Road, and on the west by Doc Battle Road. You will see in the Platt it had a proposed Main Street, 1st Street, A Street and B Street. So it was well thought out by someone back before statehood. I see about three water wells in the drawing along with some buildings scattered around. The platt was filed with the US Department of the Interior in 1902. I wonder why the town died, becoming a ghost town? There are several towns in Carter county, just like Sneed, that do not exist today. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/sneedpa.jpg http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/sneedpb.jpg
My cousin Laura in Ft Worth is always going to garage sales looking for a piece of history at a bargains. This week she went to one garage sale and found 2 autographed 1985 prints by the artist Huey Theus. She bought both prints for 25 cents. I looked on the Net and found them selling for $45 each at several places! Laura gave me the print titled “School Days” (in the original narrative cover). She kept the other one. See, there are bargains to be found at garage sales!
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/theus2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/theus3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/theus4.jpg
http://www.westol.com/~telecom/After_eBay_Pages/theus.html
http://pages.tias.com/3036/PictPage/901236.html
By the way, the complete set of 4 Huey Theus prints, ‘The Past Remembered’, sells for $150!Twenty two of us made it through the Brown Springs tour (south of Thackerville) last Saturday alive. It was terribly hot and muggy, but everyone had a lot of fun and some good experiences. Jayson Pruitt had his digital camera with him, and took lots of photos. He’s put them on webshots.com for viewing. Now don’t go looking for dark spirits in those photos. I have already seen some in a couple, so who knows what’s hiding in them. http://community.webshots.com/user/sosuzguy
Speaking of webshots.com I’ve upload all the photos of Oklahoma courthouses to webshots. They are in 3 Albums and you can see the thumbnails of all 77 courthouses on your screen, and then click on any particular one to see it full size. http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory
The Honorable Charles Tate at the Carter county courthouse has a new addition this week to the decor in his courtroom. Its a beautiful hardwood plaque with the Seal of Oklahoma made Unique Hardwoods of Lone Grove, Oklahoma. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/sealtate.jpg
This past week I received a virus in an email, the first virus in several years. I used InoculateIT to remove the virus with no damage or problems. So if your not using a virus checker program, then you are playing russian roulette. Below is the results of my anti virus software:
Started scanning: 9:43:33 PM, 6/2/01
Major dat file v1000
Minor dat file v1235
Macro dat file May 31 2001 (VMD Ver 1.6)
Scanning memory…
Scanning boot sectors…
C:\ Master Boot Record matches template, is OK: standard Win95 OSR2.
C:\ Partition Boot Record matches template, is OK: standard MSWIN 4.1 FAT32.
Scanning file(s)…
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERN32.EXE – Win32.Badtrans.21882 trojan. Deleted.
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\hksdll.dll – Win32.PSW.Hooker trojan. Deleted.
C:\WINDOWS\INETD.EXE – Win32.Badtrans.13312 worm. Deleted.
Finished scanning: 10:08:49 PM, 6/2/01
Number of files scanned: 57328.
Number of infections: 3
Number of infected files deleted: 3Here is an email I received from a friend who uses another FREE anti virus software: “I did a scan with my AVG by Grisoft (also FREE!) and I am clean. I got an alert on one e-mail last week and I deleted it…. no telling where it came from, send warnings to those 6 and let them know.” http://www.grisoft.com/html/us_index.cfm
Here is another great FREE virus scanning website. I tried it this week, and it works fine. http://housecall.antivirus.com/
I haven’t tried this FREE virus scanning website, but it looks good too. http://www.jrwhipple.com/freeviruschk.html
I have been using the FREE InoculateIT Anti Virus Program for several years. They sold out this week to eTrust.com and they now charge $20 for the program, plus $10 a year thereafter. http://my-etrust.com/products/info/Antivirus/2
HARDWARE INFO UTILITY. Residing within Windows 98 is a nice reporting feature known as the Hardware Info Utility. Get to it with Start|Run and enter “hwinfo /ui” (without the quotes, and be sure the space is entered before the /). The system summary and a list of the hardware, registry keys, and drivers are displayed. Of particular interest, errors are displayed in red, making it easy to identify and isolate any problems.
In September of this year Walmart is scheduled to open the biggest store its ever built at Gainesville, Texas (population 15,000). Ground preparation has begun just north and east from the present Walmart on the north side of Highway 82. I wonder why Walmart would build it’s biggest store ever in little Gainesville, Texas just five miles from the Oklahoma border? Hello?
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, I can hardly wait from one volume of “This and That” to the next. This is the most versatile and interesting newsletter I have read. I grew up in Oklahoma near Comanche, but the newsletter dealing mainly with the Ardmore area brings back so many wonderful memories of home. I have spent some time in the Ardmore and Healdton areas; I used to go to Falls Creek Baptist Camp every summer. You are bringing back happy memories for me of my youth in Oklahoma. The ONLY thing I do not miss about Oklahoma, now that I live in Arizona, are the violent thunderstorms and the tornadoes! Thanks for the newsletter. You are doing a terrific job with it!” -AZ
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“Hello I have the pictures loaded up on webshots now. Please go to the url below on my signature line. There are 3 different albums with a total of 96 pictures in it. I had a blast, but feel a bit sun glitzed! If anyone wants a specific picture then just email me and tell me what the file name is and I will send it to you or I can zip them all up and email them the zip file is 33,881 kb (However big that is) You two feel free to use any of my pictures you want.” [email protected] http://community.webshots.com/user/sosuzguy
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“Your right, that was one heck of a storm. You know me, I picked that night to go fishing on Lake Texoma. It sure was a rough ride home, but I was in a ford truck, so I felt safe. GRIN Do you remember the F4 I drove a F150 through and came out the other side with a F146? That was how I knew it was an F4 tornado. :)”
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“Mr. Richie taught me in Tishomingo in the 7, 8th and 9th grade. He was our history teacher, and he was, in my opinion, the most wonderful teacher that ever taught. His wife taught typing and shorthand, and she was my instructor in the 10th and 11th grade. She instilled the two skills that help me perform my jobs for 25 years. One question? Did Mr. Richie tell your class the story of how he smuggled a child home from Europe? The story is fascinating.”“Here is the group graduation picture. Mr. Richie is the man with the tie. I am on the end next to the girl standing. I have on a light colored dress and dark shoes. The girl to my right is the lady that became Mrs. Ward and taught school in Ardmore for many years.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/tish1951.jpg
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“Butch: A serious question!!!! Have you ever written anything about the Christmas Display that the Daubes Dept store had during the 1940 and 1950 era??? Or do you remember it at all?”
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“Butch, It’s the strangest thing – both of the links last week to Brown Springs locked up my computer. Today I decided to try the one in this week’s T&T. It locked up again. That tells me to “leave the Brown Springs” site alone. 🙂 Hope you all have a good tour today.”
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“My wife’s grandfather (IRA WOODS) is the one that (blew ARDMORE UP) from a train explosion of 1915. Her grandmother and great grandmother homesteaded there in Ardmore. thank you for your site, i know i will enjoy the newsletter.”
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“I appreciate the information about the Heartland Share program. I called and got the information and am enrolling next Tuesday! I plan on doing my volunteer work for the Habitat for Humanity. They are presently building a home on West Main in Ardmore. I thought anyone on your mail list that is interested in that type of work might be interested in the contact for this work. My dad is the site manager for the project, and he is always needing volunteers! So give him a call – Cole Tidwell 580-223-0629! Thanks, and keep those great newsletters coming!”
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“Comments: about the murals on Washington of people on the park bench..someone has done graffiti on it. A shame, it’s such a lovely picture. I’ve always enjoyed the lady looking at me as I drive by. Another comment: a friend could not remember when I 35 was finished. Must have been 1970 via your comments. It’s great and only appreciated by us who had to drive the old road twice a week for years.” NOTE: The mural has now been removed
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“Butch, The Oil Patch Genealogy Society of Healdton, Ok. has published another Cemetery book. It contains the Graham, Milo, Pooleville, Ratliff City, and Oil Springs cemeteries. The Pooleville cemetery holds about 46 or so Confederate Soldiers. Others have some very unusual Head Stones. This book is $20. It can be found in Healdton, Fox, Graham, & Ratliff City. Or can be ordered by contacting, Hazel Reeves, HC 63, Box 8400, Healdton, Ok. 73438, Ph. 580 229 2447 Or Charlene Wilson, Ph. 580 229 0688. I enjoy your T&T.”
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“Oilpatch genealogy society of Healdton has a new cemetery book that includes: Graham, Ratliff City, Oil Springs, Pooleville, and Milo. It is $20.00 plus $l.25 if mailed. The books are at Winston Drug, Eck Drug, The Healdton Hearld and Chamber of Commerce. Their are displayed at Ratliff City City Hall, Hairloom Beauty Shop and at Fox Deli Que. Our MT. Olive cemetery books are still selling well and it is also 20.00 plus l.25. And it is on display with the Cemetery book of North West Carter County at the above businesses. Or write to:Charlene Wilson, 319 W. Magnolia if you want one mailed to you.”
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“Butch- If your readers want to know more about the Light Crust Doughboys, this article gives the complete history of the well-known Texas band.” http://www.lightcrustdoughboys.com/history/highways.asp
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“Butch, I’m attaching a winzip file with the pics I took 5-23-01, Hennessey schools (1927 & 1941). I even got a shot of the stone plaque on both. You can see the demolished part in between the 1927 school and the Gymnasium on the other end.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/hennschc.jpg
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“Board Tree School was Laid Out and Organized – May 1913, 1923 with a census of 97 – Township 6 south & Township 5 south – range 2 west – Range 1 west. valuation $53, 900 Board Tree School House is located in a very beautiful locality. It stands on a small hill overlooking Board Tree Creek. The School house is a white two room structure with almost two acres of good play ground. On the outskirts of the school ground are found some very beautiful shade trees, which in the springtime greatly increase the beauty of the school. The school boasts of a good concrete cellar and a well containing some of the best water to be found in the country. Eight grades of work is managed by two teachers. Although Board Tree has not yet brought itself in any prominent way before the public it intends to do great things in the future. Jewell Steward, Principal and Eileen Keys, Assistant.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/boardsch.jpg“Woodford School was laid out and organized March 1909 – Township 3 south, Township 2 south – Range 1 west – range 1 east census 235. After bonds were voted and enlargement and repairs were made the school term for 1921-1922 was begun September 19 with a high school organized. Five teachers were required to do the work. Woodford has seen its high school grow from and initial enrollment of 14 to an enrollment of 39 in 1922-1923. The school has grown from the grades in 1921 to a high school offering 13 units of accredited work in 1922. R.R.Covey, Principal.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/woodsch.jpg
In 1923: The Milo school is located about three miles west of Woodford. This two teacher school offers eight grades of work supervised by Miss Ozelle Parker assisted by Miss Mabel Dyer. The high school pupils of Milo attend Woodford School and it is probable that Milo District and Woodford District will sometime for a union graded school. Under such a plan Milo would remain a ward school where the first through sixth grade would be taught. Pupils above the sixth grade, including high school pupils would then have the privilege of attending Woodford without paying tuition or transfer fees.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/milosch.jpg
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“Here is the history of Washita Farm in Johnston county, the school, the lake and Dension Dam. I have a seven page letter for documentation of the story if you need it. The letter was written by a lady that was in the first graduating class from Washita farm in 1930, later she became a teacher and taught me at Nida in the 6th grade.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/washitaf.jpg
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“Hey where’s Marshall County’s courthouse? Oh well here’s one for you if you don’t have one.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/marshco4.jpg
————————————————————– “Please see tha attached file regarding the Oklahoma Railroad Museum Open House Saturday. Hope you can come! ” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/rrmuse.jpg
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Butch: A short note, I printed off the picture of the old Hardy Hospital and sent it to my sister in Texas. It stirred old dead memories of yesteryear. She has sent me several emails wanting dates of events that she doesn’t remember. Thanks for the picture on your T&T. It brought back memories for many of my siblings and their children.”
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“Hello Butch, This is a photo of Marvin”Smokey”Montgomery. Mr. Light Crust Doughboy.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/marvboy.jpg“I first went to the Burrus Mills to see the Light Crust Doughboys play on radio at the studio at the flour mills when I was in the 6th grade of school in Ardmore,Ok.1937 you can see, I’ve been a fan from the beginning.”
“Other Light Crust Doughboys info is at”
www.artgreenhaw.com
www.rockabillyhall.com
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==============================================================I was watching the nightly news a couple of days ago, it showed McVeigh’s father taking down the American flag in front of his house. Well, I have a brand new flag, and I’m going to raise it in front of my house Monday morning before 7am Central time. I’ll let her fly there all day Monday. Oklahomans have waited a long time. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/wewill.jpg
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, June 2, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 215
Last Sunday evening, May 27th, about 11pm, probably the worst storm I’ve ever been in, came roaring through southern Oklahoma and Ardmore. The straight line winds were clocked at 92 miles per hour. Resulted in power and water outages all over the area. Damage from the strong winds could be seen everywhere. Thankfully no one was killed. My part of Ardmore was without water for two days and electricity for three days. I pray we don’t ever have another storm of that intensity again.
In southeastern Oklahoma is Pushmataha county. The county seat is Antlers. Antlers has one claim to fame that probably not other county in the state of Oklahoma has….. I’ve been told The City of Antlers has the one and only traffic light in the entire county. Rumor had it during the past few years that Clayton, Oklahoma in the northern part of Pushmataha county was going to get a signal light, but that has not happened according to my sources. I wonder if there is any other county in Oklahoma with only one traffic light? Here is a photo of the famous and lonely traffic light in Antlers! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/antlight.jpg
A friend brought up an interesting question this week. Remember the nursery rhyme, “Picking up paw paws, put ’em in your basket?” (Okies said, “put ’em in your pocket.”) What is a paw paw and why would anyone want to pick them up? Well, come to find out they really do exist in the real world, and the fruit taste like vanilla custard. Now I could eat that everyday! http://www.raintreenursery.com/how_to/PAW.html
The 4pm tour of Brown Springs today (6/02/01) is still on. Thackerville, Oklahoma resident Lou Harper tells me she’s received lots of emails about the tour, and many say they are planning to attend. All I ask is if you do attend, be careful. The history of Brown Springs has been one of mystery and death and the unexplainable.
Speaking of Lou Harper, she has written a poem about Brown Springs. See if this little glimpse into the past doesn’t conjure up one’s imagination…..
Springs of Brown – by Lou Harper
A barren land in many ways
Our Oklahoma state,
And there are times when she portrays
Her outlaws for a trait.
In border town, old Browns springs plays
A fascinating bait.
A fool who wanders later lays
Stone dead; that is his fate.Now, dont go roaming off the path
That others marked before
Lest you incur the spirits wrath;
(More than you bargained for.)For sometimes when a body strays
Into Browns springs to wait
Until discovered, there it lays,
With mystery its fate.
Events so strange become a craze
That cheapens real estate.
It happens frequently these days
Whenever we debate.
Men spit and whittle on most days
While trying to think straight.
This legend of our springs may faze
Land buyers near our gate.Now, dont go roaming off the path
That others marked before
Lest you incur the spirits wrath;
(More than you bargained for.)The spirits rising from the haze
Scare strangers, who wont wait,
To know the reasons locals praise
That graveyards ancient date.
Weve seen within the nighttime blaze
A witch or two create
A brew they often mix from maize
When they officiate.Now, dont go roaming off the path
That others marked before
Lest you incur the spirits wrath;
(More than you bargained for.)Our legend lives because its true,
For none of us would lie.
Lets take a tour, just me and you
Our bravery apply.
If, by sundown, we disappear
No trace of us is found,
Theyll say that we were never here
Once buried neath the ground.Now, dont go roaming off the path
That others marked before
Lest you incur the spiritswrath;
(More than you bargained for.)A legend told, and who knows why
The Old wives tale endures?
Yet through the years these stories fly
And boredom surely cures.Here is that link again to my Brown Springs info http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/brownspr.html
The Carter County OSU Extension Office in Ardmore has a Website! Office secretary Kathy Speaks has been real busy the past few weeks building the website, and she’s turned it into a masterpiece. I wish I had her artistic talent! http://countyext.okstate.edu/carter/
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Dear Butch, I read about Brown’s Springs in this week’s issue of T&T. I am curious if any of your readers know the origin of the name “Brown’s Springs”. My Brown family ancestors lived in that area starting around 1894, and I wondered if there might be a connection.”
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“Hi Butch. Really enjoyed this week’s newsletter. Especially the picture of the Murray County courthouse, since I lived just across the street as a kid. My husband lived just around the corner and down about half a block. There was a vacant lot just west of the building and all the kids in the neighborhood would play softball there. What wonderful memories! Also, because of your letter, I was contacted by a schoolmate of some 57 years ago. What a great surprise!! Keep up the good work.”
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“The instant she saw the old Von Keller hospital, she said, “I remember that place, and can remember the street it was on.” I was surprised, since she doesn’t have a lot of memories of Oklahoma stored in her brain as I do. She has been an RN and worked for the same doctor for 40 years here in CA, and the fact that she has stayed in the medical field all these years, that is why that place stood out in her mind for so long. She was happy and impressed to see your work and the old building.”
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“Butch~ thanks for another interesting installment of This n That. What do you know about the history of the Chickasaw Lake Club that is east of Ardmore. I know a great deal about it because my grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. (Ott) Chambers were the hosts and caretakers there for many years and as I child, I spent many wonderful days and nights there. It broke my heart when the house burned a few years back. I would love to hear of any particular events or memories from anyone concerning this most wonderful place, especially back from the time it was built until about the late 1950’s.”
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“Butch, I enjoyed your pictures of the steam engine but I noticed there is a diesel engine behind it also. Was it a backup? I was living in Claremore in the 80’s when a big steam engine came through and I got to see it. They are really impressive.”
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“Interesting site of historical maps — see Oklahoma Indian Territory and more!” http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/histus.html
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“Thank you so much for the wonderful old pictures of the schools in your last issue. My husband and I spent a lot of time just looking through those photos and bringing up memories of the past. His parents and mine went to those schools and a couple of them we also attended in our early years. Thanks so much for such a great glimpse into the past. We love your paper and pass it on to others who enjoy it as well. Keep up the good work!” –Two readers in Vegas
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“You had something awhile back about Juanita Conway and I wondered if she used to be Juanita Milliken if so, I went to school with her. Still enjoy T & T thanks for sending it, enjoyed the Brock school, that is where I went to elementary school only my teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Freeman. Thank again.”
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“Butch: attached is a picture of a bridge we called the “Iron Banister Bridge.” Is was in the Murray 23 area, on Oklahoma’s Highway 22 (SE of Tishomingo in Johnston county). The bridge is no longer there. But I scanned the entire page, and you can get a general idea of how I have written my memories with the pictures of yesterday. They will be left for my children or grandsons or who ever.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/murrays.jpg“This is all that is left in the area of the Murray 23 school house site.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/murrayc.jpgButch: Here is the only documentation I have that once there was a school called Murray 23. And it is not a picture as per say, it is a photo copy of one made on a copy machine. I don’t recall who sent it to me or even the year. But I think someone found it at the Museum in Tishomingo or in the Historical building in Oklahoma City. But I have had it for a long time, but would like to find a better one. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/murr23.jpg
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“Butch- Mr. Sparger (Tiny?, Puny) and according to an item in the Daily Ardmoreite, March 29, 1943, “Cousin Puny” Sparger had opened the Buckhorn Bar at 113 W. Main St., Ardmore. A man of several names and many talents!”
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“Staunton is a two room school about five miles northwest of Healdton and was built about 15 or 16 years ago. This school year we have purchased for one of the rooms, new seats and a teacher’s desk and chair and blackboards for each room. On the playground we have two basketball courts for boys and girls. A comfortable home is provided for the teachers on the school site. A community Sunday School is held in the school each Sunday. The primary section consists of the first four grades, all of which are doing splendid work, and the interest they are taking my be noticed by their perfect attendance. The fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades compose the intermediate section. There are nineteen pupils enrolled and 990 percent are present ever day. C.A.Sullivan is Principal and Lois Moody is assistant. The school census is 64.”
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“Dear Butch, I need help. Can you or do you know where I can get information on the history of our Carter county courthouse? I would like to develop some lesson plans revolving around our courthouse. If you could help me I would greatly appreciate it.”
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“Hi Butch: Thanks for the “heads up” on the Frisco 1522 steam locomotive. My wife did a web search and came up with their home page, http//:www.frisco1522.org, which had a link to the schedule, as well as various photos of the old steam engine. My wife printed an information sheet, a photo and the schedule which she then gave to the local newspaper. They ran a story on it two days ago. The Frisco 1522 came through Brenham, Texas, today about noon time where it stopped for about half an hour to take on water. We and a lot of other people with kids got to see the old steam engine and hear the wail of that old steam whistle which is unlike any other sound in the world. Almost everyone had a camera or camcorder and were taking pictures. Some of us chased it by car thirty miles south on Highway #36 to Bellville where the track runs parallel to the highway a good part of the way. What fun! Thanks again. Your ‘This and That’ provides more of a service on more things than you probably realize.”
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“The Cheek School in District 30, is located in the extreme south central portion of Carter County. Eight grades of school work is offered in this school under the direction of two teachers. Thomas Overstreet, principal of Cheek School, has taught sixteen consecutive years. The assistant teacher is Mrs. Mattie Barker, formally Miss Overstreet. The little village of Cheek, just south of the school house is the center of a farming community. The census for the school is 161.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/cheek23.jpg“Bunker Hill is a two teacher school located a few miles south of Lone Grove. The eight grades of school work in the district are taught by D.T.Stiles, principal, and Mattie Cypert, assistant. The principal industry in the community is farming. Many of the patrons of the district are interested in forming a consolidated school with Lone Grove District.” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/bunker23.jpg
“In 1923 the Lone Grove School had a census of 254. The Lone Grove School is one whose standard is constantly being raised with the firm belief that the pupils of the district are entitled to as great educational advantages as those of any other district in the state or nation. During the past three years it has advanced from a non-accredited school to one which is now accredited to the extent of three full years of high school work. This has necessarily raise the standard of teachers employed…….” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/lgsch23.jpg
“Enterprise School District 33, was organized in 1909. Previous to this date, Enterprise School was a one room log building very crudely built. Two years after statehood the present building was erected and a two teacher school established, which has ever since been striving to meet the needs of the community. The second story accommodates the district as a community hall when not in use by the school. This year the faculty added the first year of high school to the curriculum in order to accomodate those who were graduated from the eight grade in previous years. Herbert A. James is Principal of the school. he Enterprise district has a census of 88. Location: Township 4 south, range 1 west, 1 east” http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/enter23.jpg
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“Hello Butch, Just wanted to let you know that I was looking at your Home Page and I clicked on the Memorial Hospital (Coaster). There to my surprise was a photo of my youngest sister Jean Wages.(now deceased) If you find another of this coasters, please get it for me.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/mem1975.jpg
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“My Mother also told me the story of the young boy who was taken to the Von Keller hospital in a farm wagon. I was born in July of 1932 and this young boy was my older brother. He was 12 years old at the time and his appendix had burst. The doctor told my father that he was almost certain that my brother would die. After waiting four days they operated. The doctor told my father he could stay with my brother while the operated. He just couldn’t do it so my uncle stayed with him. One month later he went home healed. I know the point of the story was about the good health care received even back then. Amazing how we are all connected. That brother is now 81 years old and still plays tennis in Florida. Really enjoy T&T and am a faithful reader.”
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==============================================================“For every time it rains,
It rains pennies from heaven.
Dont you know each cloud contains
Pennies from heaven.
Youll find your fortune
Falling all over town.
Be sure that your umbrella
Is upside down.”Lyrics by Johnny Burke, music by Arthur Johnston – 1936
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, May 26, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 214
On Thursday May 24, 2001 the first wedding was performed under the new pavilion in front of the Carter county courthouse in Ardmore, Oklahoma. The Honorable Charles Tate performed the ceremony. The bride was Jessica Poss and the groom Phil Caro, both of Ardmore. I’m predicting this is the first wedding of many to be held under this magnificent pavilion in the months and years ahead! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/firstwed.jpg
Last Tuesday the old 1926 Frisco steam Locomotive rumbled into Ardmore. She was beautiful! And I imagine she was the longest passenger train to come through Ardmore since the mid 70s when the last one came through. She had 9 passenger cars behind the engines and water car!
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/f1522a.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/f1522b.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/f1522c.jpgAnd here she is getting water from a fire hose ran to a fire plug in front of the old Crystal Ice Plant at 1st Street Southeast and the railroad track.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/f1522w.jpghttp://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/r1522tx2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/r1522tx3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/r1522tx4.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/r1522tx5.jpgA Reader who lives in Thackerville, Oklahoma has setup a webpage about the infamous Browns Springs just south of Thackerville. Its an erie place, and stories abound.
http://mytwinoaks.homestead.com/mytwinoaks2index.htmlSpeaking of Browns Springs, its been a long time since we’ve had a tour of that 150 year old place of mystery, diggings, unsolved deaths, and unexplainable images. So, on Saturday June 2, 2001 we’ll conduct our 3rd tour of Browns Springs. If your interested, be at the Springs at 4pm on June 2nd. If you attend, please respect that place and keep in mind strange things have happened there, and be careful. And do not leave the cemetery with any items or objects, not even a pebble or rock. There is a map of the Browns Springs area at the bottom of the following webpage, along with the other info I posted several years ago.
http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/brownspr.htmlThere was a lot of good food in May’s Heartland Share program. This is a pic of the items I paid $17 for, and well worth. May’s Share was made up of the following: Schwans Hoagie Burgers – 2 LBS. Schwans BBQ Little Smokies – 1 1/2 LBS. Beef Steak Filets – 10 OZ. Tyson Chicken Drums – 1.8 LBS. Chicken Fajitas Strips – 14 OZ. Lettuce – 1 Head. Potatoes. Vidalia Onions – 2 LB. Bag. Red Peppers – 2. Slaw Mix – 1 LB. PKG. California Valencia Oranges – 4. Red Delicious Apples – 4. Flour Tortilla – 10 Count. Swiss Miss Chocolate Pudding – 4 PK.
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/hs051801.jpgFor more info on a Share Program near you….
http://www.heartlandshare.comI purchased a new video camera this week for my computer. It’s made by Intel and was so easy to install, uses a HUB port. Works great! And with the $40 rebate, I only end up paying $10 bucks for it (plus tax). Now to learn how to using it over the Net. Anyone got a camera and wants to test with me?
http://www.intel.com/pccamera/easy.htmFor some good info and instructions on computers and how to fix them, etc.
http://www.ehow.com/Center/Center/0,1005,8,00.htmlSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, Years ago there was a shop located in the NE corner of the Whittington Hotel. The shop specialized in having a automatic photograph machine located there where you could have your picture made and then wait a couple of minutes to get the picture. Certainly the quality was not wonderful and could not be compared to a professional Photographic shop. I remember they would hand color the black & white pictures by putting crape paper into water and squeezing the color out. They would then take a cotton swab and simply rub it onto the photograph to give it a color or colors.”
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“Dear Butch, I have used some of your courthouse photos on pages that I maintain for USGenWeb:
See the following pages:
Atoka County, OK. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ok/atoka/atoka.html
Pushmataha Co, OK. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ok/pushmataha/pushmataha.html
I want to thank you very much for being so generous!! Someone (can’t recall who, maybe David Morgan) on the OK Genweb said it was all right with you if we use the photos. The photos make the plain old pages much, more interesting. I copied a photo of old courthouse from Atoka book, and placed it beside the one you have. I am from Atoka, many years ago and the photos brings back fond memories. Again, Thanks so much!” CA
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“I was glad to see the picture of Johnny Newcomer. He was principal when I went to Franklin School back in 1941- 47. He would visit each class and always give several complicated arithmetic problems. I though he was the nicest of men.”
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“Hello Yes I studied the picture of your Mother very close. I knew it was a retouched photo but wondered more about the large beads she wore than anything. Wondered if they had been painted on and why so big. She was a very beautiful lady. Saw this morning that the untouched photo had the large beads as well. That answered that question. She is just as beautiful in the black and white photo as in the colorized version. Noticed also a note from my sister that lives in Missouri now in your last weeks edition. I had sent her the edition with the Turner Falls photo taken on April the 15th. She always visited Turner Falls when she and her family would come from California. There was no name but the description was her to a Tee. I know she will enjoy getting your weekly mailings. We all sure do. Keep up the good work. Don’t know how everyone else feels but your mailings and pictures are the bright spot of our Saturday mornings. Or Friday nights if it comes early enough. Best wishes to you.”
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“In case my son, Don, did not let you know, he takes after R.V., your old man. D, Jr learned the guitar and has written several hundred kid songs. Check him out.”
http://www.donbridgesongs.com
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“Thank you so much for finding out that Elk and Pooleville are one and the same. I wonder if you would ask if they have the Pooleville Cemetery online or if they are selling copies? I would love to have a surname index.”
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“Butch: My in laws are from Switzerland, and when they would go visit, they brought back Swiss bells, I mean many, I have two that I would like to send to you. It is my way of saying thank you for your wonderful web site. One is about an inch high and the other one is perhaps four inches high, but definitely signs of Switzerland.”
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“Butch, My Mother told me that about l932 or so she was “sitting” with a friend at the old VonKeller Hospital. A young boy was brought in by a farm family some miles west of Ardmore, in a farm wagon. He had a ruptured appendix and after nearly a month, he went home by the same transportation a healed child. So without today’s medicines, some good practice was carried out in that hospital. I DO ENJOY your column.”
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The following material is extracted from the original thesis entitled ” A History of Ardmore,Okla. from the earliest beginning to 1907 by Paul A. Frame.” “In 1898, in company with Dr. F.P.von Keller, Dr. J.C.McNeese, and Dr. Robert Henry, Dr. Walter Hardy opened the Ardmore Sanitarium above the Ramsey Drug Store, which was located on the northwest corner of Main and Caddo. This sanitarium, one of the first to be built between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, had twelve beds, an x-ray machine, and a small clinical laboratory. It served as the only hospital in Ardmore until 1911, when the present Hardy Sanitarium was built. Dr. von Keller did not build his hospital north of town until 1917”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/hardsan4.jpg
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“Butch, I worked at Will Roger’s ranch ( a Calif.state park ) for a little over four years back in ’75/79, and came across this picture of Will’s favorite horse, Soapsuds. Thought you and your subscribers might get a bang out of seeing it. He was a very interesting man, and I became aware of a lot of little things the general public didn’t know about him and his family. How many people are aware that he was the mayor (honorary) of Beverly Hills,and was among the elite of Hollywood society in those days. But he was the “real McCoy “; a down to earth guy and proud to be an Oklahoman. He said “When the Okies came to California, it improved the population of both states”. I’ve got to agree.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/soapsuds.jpg
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“Hi Butch, I’m amazed every Saturday at your terrific T&T articles, and the memories they bring back. Every week I scan all the photos and read every e.mail from your subscribers, and they are all interesting. Thought you might like a picture of the old Murray County Courthouse (attached). A few weeks ago I found a site listing all the Murray County sheriffs since statehood. I remember my grandparents speaking of Bird Williams, and Bose Johnson was sheriff when I lived in Sulphur, but I was really astounded to read that John Henry Sample was the sheriff in about 1950. When I was in the fourth grade at Washington Elem. in Sulphur, I got into one of my weekly fights (sometimes daily) with a little tough kid, one of two to ever actually “whup” me; he gave me a beautiful shiner that lasted about two weeks. That kids name: John Henry Sample. But the sheriff must have been his dad, because little John Henry would have been about 19 years old when J.H. Sample was sheriff. Looks like I got out of town just in time !!!”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/murraych.jpg
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“Butch, Noticed last week the name “Tiny” Sparger. I remember “Puny” Sparger, justice of the peace, and his hamburger stand where he sold “Puny Burgers”. Both he and his burgers were anything but puny. His wife, Julia K. Sparger, was a teacher at Ardmore HS in the fifties. I had her for two years of Latin and a year of English Lit.. She was an knowledgeable, inspiring, demanding teacher – one of the best. As a former Ardmoreite, I enjoy T&T, especially your photos of the area.”
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“Butch, you mentioned Dr. VonKeller in your last article but I am more interested in the Pennington Building on the Southeast corner of Caddo and Main? Never knew one existed! Do you have any other information on it or know someone who does?”
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“Butch I ran across this old picture of Akron Tire Company. Information says the plant was North of Ardmore. I am wondering if this smoke stack is the same one in the picture I sent you some time back of the smoke stack behind Day Concrete, just East of Refinery Road.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/atireco.jpg
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“I was a patient in the Von Keller Hospital several times between October 1952 and February 1953. My doctor was a lady by the name of Dr. Walker. I dont remember her first name. While there as a patient I was given very good medical treatment and cared for very well. Brings back old memories.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/vkhosp2.jpg
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“hi butch, i have a small antique shop in durant. we know a lady who wants to sell her old dining room set. on a small plate on the chairs it says sneed furniture of ardmore, oklahoma. have you ever heard of this company & would you have any information about when they were in business? i dont think we will be buying the set as it needs work but we told her we would try to find out some information that may help her sell it. thanks.”
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“The Prairie Valley School is located about five miles northwest of Ardmore in one of the most beautiful sections of Carter County. The gradual rolling prairie gives an excellent view of the country in almost every direction. Prairie Valley was one the first schools to be established in this section of the county. The first building was erected some 25 years ago. It was a one room unpainted structure, serving as a school house, a church and public gathering place for the community. The present building was erected in 1908, only a short distance for the site of the old building. The valley is mostly prairie and the reason the school was called Prairie Valley…. The school offers eight years of training and recently is graduation a class of 19 students under the direction of Mr. G.C.Adams.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/pravsch.jpg“In 1923: Plainview, district 27, is located three miles southwest of Ardmore. The school received its name on account of its high elevation which enables a person to see plainly for a radium of several miles around. Plainview has sprung, in two years time, from an unaffiliated rural school employing only three teachers to a three year accredited high school employing five teachers. Plainview school consists of 125 pupils. The 1923 graduating class expects to find seven graduating from the 11th. grade; 12 from the 10th. grade; 4 from the ninth grade and 16 from the eighth grade. The Plainview School is very progressive and is well served by the teachers and supported by the patrons of the community.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/pvsch23.jpg“The Brock School is located 7 miles southwest of Ardmore, near the community of Brock, which received its name from a Mr. Smith Brock, prominent Chickasaw. The school has a census of 125 and offers eight grades of work. Miss Grace Blankenship is principal of Brock and has been re-elected for next term. She has been ably assisted in the school by Miss Ada Ferguson. Several pupils of Brock District have received Common School Diplomas.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/brosch23.jpg“Crinerville School is located near Brock in the Amarado Oil Field. The school offers eight grades of work under the supervision of two teachers. Charles Gilder is principal and teaches the 5th, 6th. and 8th. grades. Ester Lee is assistant teacher and teaches the 1st., second, third and 4th. grades.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/crinsch.jpg“The Staunton School northwest of Healdton, Oklahoma.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/staunsch.jpg
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“Butch, here are pictures of a bell I took in Verden, Okla. It is the bell in front of the Verden Methodist Church.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/vermeth.jpg
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“Butch I have posted some newer pictures to our Knights of Columbus site. The link should take you to the first page about the bell. Then, there are three more pages of pictures.”
http://kofccoucil916.homestead.com/TheBellOfSaintMarys.html
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“Hello Butch, I went by the Santa Fe yards in Haslet and old 1522 was running late. I had other things to do so I came by Saginaw, Texas and got this photo of The Light Crust Flour mill. Business must be slow because, as you can see, the sign and building both need some paint.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/litcrust.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/litcrusb.jpg
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“Butch: Here is an old Church bell which was used in early day of Perry, Oklahoma. It was in the Bill Munger family in Perry for many, many years as was stored in their barn when I was a kid, about 65 years ago. One of the early day Munger’s was a preacher and the bell was used at his Church. The bell now stands in front of the First Baptist Church in Perry.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/perrbell.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/perrbela.jpg
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“I have some pictures with this information WallPole’s Tent Studio on the back. My question, have you ever heard of the Tent Studio. The pictures are made during the 1900 and 1901. Is there a WallPole’s studio in Oklahoma any where now?”
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“Long story, try to make it short. We were on our way today to Idabel, Oklahoma to visit cemetery. Went thru Ft. Towson, Oklahoma and my wife saw a good friend of hers on Main St. planting flowers near Fire Dept. We stopped and they chatted. I looked up and lo and behold there was a bell, which used to be for calling the volunteer fireman, So I got my digital out and here you are… some more bell pictures. Enjoy.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/ftowbela.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/ftowbelb.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/ftowbelc.jpg
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“Here is the information I am searching for: Mary Vaughn, Hendrix, Rochester, Peterson, Roberts had four children that survived. I have found two, other than my dad, Jessie Roberts. There is one daughter Lizzie born In the Indian Territory. She is on the 1900 Census as living with Bill and Mary Roberts near Davis. On the 1910 Census she has married a man by the name of Jessie Perce or Pierce unsure just the correct spelling. She has a step son 16 years old name William, a son of her on named Henry 7 years old and Jessie who is 6. The family is living in or around Milburn, OK. On the 1920 Census, the family lives near Milburn and Emet. and William is not listed, but Henry I is 18 years old and Jessie L. is listed as 15? and the grandmother Julian A. Pierce is living with them. Mary Roberts died in1918 is buried at Emet Cemetery. If anyone has any information on her two biological sons or their children or grandchildren or great grand children, I would enjoy hearing from them.”
http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/scheuber.htm
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==============================================================“Down their ditches for a thousand years the waters grew Ira’s people’s crops, Till the white man stole their water rights and their sparkling water stopped. Now Ira’s folks grew hungry and their land grew crops and weeds, When war came Ira volunteered and forgot the white man’s greed. Well they battled up Iwo Jima Hill – two hundred and fifty men, But only twenty seven lived to walk back down again; When the fight was over and Old Glory raised, Among the men who held it high was the Indian – Ira Hayes.”
— Performed by Johnny Cash, 1964
http://www.thegoldweb.com/voices/irahayes.htmSee everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, May 19, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 213
From the Indian Territory and Carter County Pioneers Book – Printed 1983
Founder of the first hospital in Ardmore, known as Ardmore Sanitarium, was Dr. Frederick P. Von Keller. He was born in Strassburg, Germany, but came in his youth with his parents to Missouri where they were pioneers. They later moved to Western Kansas. Frederick returned to Germany (Heidelberg) for his undergraduate and medical work, receiving a degree in electrical engineering as well as his M.D. degree. He took further medical training at Rush Medical College in Chicago.
He first practiced in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he also married his wife. They next moved to Vernon, Texas, then came to Ardmore, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, in 1894. His first office was in the old Pennington building, on the southeast corner of Main and Caddo. He was remembered as usually wearing a goatee, which gave him a distinguished look. In 1898, he established the first hospital in Ardmore, Ardmore Sanitarium, on the northwest corner of Main and Caddo. He had to assemble the x-ray machine himself. Dr. Walter Hardy and Dr. R.H. Henry were also on staff. At some later date, he moved back to the Pennington building which was destroyed with the Great Explosion of 1915. He then built the Von Keller Hospital at the corner of 12th Northwest and Commerce. The community was active in support of the institution, with Perry Maxwell leading out in raising $30,000 for the project. The hospital opened in 1917. Dr. Von Keller was the medical director for many years, until 1941.
Dr. and Mrs. Von Keller had two daughters, Beatrice and Helen. He had a niece, Jeanne Michael, who worked in the business area of the hospital for many years. She was a philatelist and died in the 1970s in Little Rock. Dr. Von Keller lived a very busy life and was a leader of early day medicine. He died in 1941.
This is a photo of Dr. Frederick Von Keller http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/vonkella.jpg
Here is a photo of the Von Keller Hospital. He was located just to the west of the Adventist Hospital at 12th and North Commerce. The stone at the top reads, “Von Keller Hospital Assn”. http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/vkhosp2.jpg
I saw in the Ardmoreite this week where a 1926 mint condition Frisco 1522 locomotive will be coming through Ardmore (southbound). A real piece of history. It is to arrive at 11am on May 22nd and come back through on June 2 around noon (northbound).
http://ardmoreite.com/stories/051501/new_locomotive.shtml
This is a link to their schedule
http://www.frisco1522.org/eas/schedule.htm
And this is their Main Website
http://www.frisco1522.org/Last week I gave everyone a peek at my mother thinking someone might write back asking how her 1930 photo can be in color. No one did. Back in those days all photos were black and white of course. But local artist would take that 8×7 photo or whatever size it may be, and paint over it in color. Kinda of a trick so to speak. Here is the color photo again….
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/louise6.jpg
and here is the original photo, as a black and white, before an artist painted over it in color
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/louisebw.jpgThe National Sandbass Festival (Madill, Oklahoma) now has a website http://www.sandbassfestival.com/
There is now a national website to monitor gasoline prices across the country. Want to know where the nearest gas station is with the best price on gasoline? http://www.gaspricewatch.com/
Wilson, Oklahoma will soon have a historical museum. Its right on Main Street, just south and next door to the Fire Department. So if you have anything to put on display in the new museum, now is the time to contact them! http://members.nbci.com/OklahomaPast/photos/wlshist.jpg
I finally updated the Carter County Sheriffs website for those of you who have asked for a photo of the new sheriff. Harvey Burkhart took office on January 1, 2001 as the chief law enforcement officer for this county. http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/sheriff.html
In SE Ardmore is Whittington Park. Years ago, the present park included a lot more land to the south, the land where the Hardy Murphy Coliseum is located. Whittington Park was boarded on the south by Springdale Road (Fair Grounds Road to old timers), on the east by Park Street SE, on the north by 4th street SE and on the west by “G” Street SE. On February 5, 1927 the Governors of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations sold this large piece of land to the City of Ardmore. Maybe someone knows how this piece of land came to be known as Whittington Park?
In NW Carter county is Pooleville, Oklahoma. Before statehood, and as late as 1902, Pooleville was known as Elk, Oklahoma.
Have you ever tried to find some little part to fix something, and couldnt? Like maybe a connector or switch or pulley? A friend told me about a site that have over 360,000 items in stock and ready to ship. If they don’t’ have it, then its probably not available anywhere. http://www.mcmaster.com/
“Hey Butch, warn your readers who are apt to go out and see the places described in T&T. I stopped in at that old Ladd school a few weeks ago and was nearly eaten alive by a pit bull. I wasn’t bitten, but only for being fast enough on my feet to get inside the business that is on the same property as the school house.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/laddsch.jpg
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“Hi Butch. I enjoy your T&T. My Genealogy Society have been cataloging Cemeterys in the County in the vecenty of Healdton just recently we did the One at Poolville, Ok. There is a number of Confederate Veteran Markers in this Cemetery do you are any of your readers know why there are so many in one Cemetery? Was there a camp some where close to this place?”
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“I knew “Puny” Sparger …. he and his wife were the parents of Rex Sparger. I knew him well, but I did not know that Puny was ever called “Tiny”.”
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“Butch: A reader wrote in reference to a Tiny Sparger, wonder if they could have the wrong name and it should be PUNY Sparger who in the late 50s was a justice of the peace, he lived on B st SW just down from Mack Fraser a county commissioner.”
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“Healdton school colors have always been blue and white. As I said before, I don’t know why they picked the beautiful red uniforms,in the ’60s but it was OK, as everyone loved them and the hats also. . However I was in the band in 1929 and we had blue sweaters and white trousers, the sweaters had a lyre in the front, and white collars and cuffs. Had to be reasonable because of the depression. My sister graduated in 1926, and the stories in her days all referred to the blue and white, I have some of the stories written back, then. Her memory books etc. One called Golden school days. I also had a miniature football with blue and white ribbons attached, that belonged to her. The Healdton Boys Band uniforms about 1924 or 25 were all white, and were very pretty also. In those days they rarely played or marched at athletic events. I do remember that in 1929, our bandmaster, Fred Culver, would select only about a dozen of his band members, for what he called the booster band and they would play at football games, but did not march.”
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“Hello. I am the greatgranddaughter of FREDERICK VON KELLER, founder of the VON KELLER HOSPITAL in Ardmore Indian Territory! You cannot imagine how happy I was to find your ‘nostalgia/old timers” page on the net which mentioned my greatgrandfather! I would appreciate any information you can provide to me. This is a new computer and I am just learning how to search and know that God brought me to your sight.” -From California
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“The Deese School is located nine miles northwest of the city of Ardmore. A graded and gravel road leads from the school to the city. Deese is a country with many small ranches and dairy farms. The solid is well adapted to the growing of vegetables and orchards. The Deese School consists of two departments each controlled by one teacher. Although a two teacher school, Deese does work that will rank with larger schools. The present enrollment is 102 which shows a gain of 27 percent over that of last year. W.H. Owens, Principal.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/deesesch.jpg“Glen School is a village school located about three miles west of Springer. The school offers eight grades of work under direction of B.A.Mayes, principal.Miss Grace Dyer, intermediate teacher, and Miss Salibeth Freeman, primary teacher. For some time Glenn has been interested in forming a Union Graded district with Springer and it is very likely that this desire will materialize in some kind of centralized school that will afford the children of Glenn District high school advantages.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/glennsch.jpg
“In 1923 there were 77 schools within Carter County. Thurston Grove School was designated District number 22. The district has a census of 80. Thurston Grove School is located northwest of Newport. This is a one teacher school offering eight grades of work under the efficient management of Mrs. M.C.Rogers. The school is planning to install on the school house a large bell that can be heard all over the district.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/thursch.jpg
In 1923 : The Rose Chapel School is located southwest of Springer in a very beautiful place near the foot of the Arbuckle Mountains. Near the back of the school grounds is a high bluff with many different kinds of moss and ferns hanging from the damp rocks. On the east side of the school ground is Henry House Creek that is fed by mountain springs. The many oak trees on the playground afford pleasant shade for pupils and complete the setting of one of the prettiest one-teacher schools in the county. The enrollment is about thirty but the attendance is splendid. Eight grades of work is offered. The teacher is Mrs. Effie Terry. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/rosesch.jpg
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“Hello Butch, I thought some of your readers would like to see an old photo of the City Drug Store. This was on the northeast corner of Main and Washington. That’s me in the white apron. I worked at the Steele Drug Store (Soda Fountain) no.1 west main street. 1940.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/cdrug.jpg
Note: see pull down fire alarm box at left in photo
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“Hello Butch, I thought some readers would remember this photo of John Newcomer –Principal of 1st.Ward School–Franklin Elementary School–This was made by Webb Studios in 1937.” [email protected] http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/1wardpri.jpg
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“Someone wrote and asked if anyone remembered Tiny Sparger. I remember him, he was a friend of my father’s and the restaurant was across the street from my father’s electrical business. I believe that he and J.B. Ponder were partners in the Restaurant. Tiny was a very large man with a big heart.” [email protected]
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“Butch, We moved here to Abilene, Texas last October after living in Ardmore for 44 years in the same house on Locust. I really do enjoy your publication. Someone mentioned the Lightcrust Doughboys: Just for information, they are still going and played here in the Civic Center last Saturday night. Got a lot of publicity. Keep up the good work.”
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“Butch: After seeing the pictures of the courthouses, I thought you might want to add this one somewhere in your pictures. It’s the old Pawnee Court House. I feel sure this was not standing when our family returned to Oklahoma from California in 1940. And I have no idea when it was built.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/chouses/pawnee3.jpg
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“Hello Butch, This is the sixth grade class photo at Franklin Elementary School and I believe it was 1937.” http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/frank37.jpg
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==============================================================Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like this world’s gone crazy
And Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn’t seem so hazyDid lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other, come what may?
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say?
Did families really bow their heads to pray
Did daddies really never go away?
Oh, Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old daysGrandpa, everything is changing fast
We call it progress, but I just don’t know
And Grandpa, let’s wander back into the past
And paint me the picture of long agoDid lovers really fall in love to stay
And stand beside each other, come what may?
Was a promise really something people kept
Not just something they would say?
Did families really bow their heads to pray
Did daddies really never go away?
Oh, Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old days Oh, Grandpa, tell me ’bout the good old daysThe Judds – 1988
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~
Saturday, May 12, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 212
Months ago I wrote about Wilson, Oklahoma resident Dillard Robbins and his wife travelling to every courthouse in Oklahoma and taking a photo. This all happened in about a three month period starting in April 2000. Dillard told me one of the most exquisite courthouses he visited was Texas county courthouse in the panhandle of Oklahoma. The county seat is Guymon. The first courthouse in Texas county was built in 1910, the present one in 1926. Here’s a photo of the present courthouse. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/chouses/texasco.jpg
To look at all the courthouses in Oklahoma, 77 of them, visit the website below. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/chouses.html
Let the weddings begin! Well almost. The new pavilion in front of the Carter county courthouse is nearing completion. Here’s photo with Earl Harper laying the last column of rock at the pavilion. Last Fall I was driving by the courthouse on a Sunday afternoon, and there was a man and his wife walking around looking at the courthouse. Curiosity got the best of me, so I stopped, introduced myself and asked what they were doing. He said they were married at the courthouse back in 1932, and have lived in Dallas ever since, never returning to Ardmore til that Sunday. But they decided after all those years, they’d travel back here, and see where they were married. The pavilion would be a nice place be to hold weddings. Earl Harper can be reached at phone 580-226-0622. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/harpere.jpg
Babelfish will translate a word or paragraph or entire webpage into any of ten languages. http://world.altavista.com/
I had an unexpected visitor this week. His name is Emil Muegge and he was a 1945 graduate of Ardmore High School. He let me scan the Graduation Exercises Program from his graduation in 1945. Emil now lives in Burkburnett, Texas. Besides seeing Emil’s name in the list, I saw a number of other Ardmoreites whose name I recognized from that year. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/ahs45a.jpg http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/ahs45b.jpg
A couple weeks ago I told about the bell that was originally located at the Ladd School in McClain county. The bell is presently in front of a house just south of Washington, Oklahoma. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/laddbell.jpg
Here is the old Ladd School, which closed down in the early 1950s. The building is still standing on Ladd Road and I-35 (Exit 101). http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/laddsch.jpg
In Murray county at the Davis, Oklahoma Exit, and three miles to the west, is the Lazy S Ranch. Near the front gate on top of the hill is a very nice looking bell. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/lazy1.jpg
And back in Carter county north of Springer, Oklahoma is also the Lasy S Ranch and there are two bells on that property.
http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/lazy3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/lazy4.jpgThe Daily Ardmoreite had in interesting article in their May 8, 2001 issue. Carter County Assessor, Sam West, was interviewed on a plan to added county mapping to his Internet website for public access. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/photos/mapwest.jpg
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, the picture you took of the Artesian well at Sulphur sure made me want a drink of water!! First thing I do when we get into town is get a drink of Sulphur water!! It smells like home to me!! Thanks for the picture.”
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“good morning Butch, Since I grew up in Milburn, 7 miles east of Tishomingo, I sure enjoyed todays T&T, for the trip down memory lane. The ole’ swimming hole on Pennington was a popular gathering place for all ages. There were picnics, parties, and loads of fun. I’m glad you got a pix while there was lots of water. I haven’t seen that much water over the dam in a long time. And the sulphur water at Sulphur. We would go to the vendome plunge in Sulphur occasionally for a swim party. Talk about stink,Ha. Keep up the good work.”
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“Dear Butch, on March 11, 2001 my Dad passed away here in Broken Bow OK. He worked many, many years at the Skelly station on north commerce. The station was located just north of the old Corral restaurant and motel.. My Dad is Bennie Ricketts I would like to hear from anyone who knew him. He was one of those rare people that nobody has ever had anything bad to say about. He called Ardmore his home for many, many years and loved it. He later went to work for Groendyke Transport from which he retired. My email address is [email protected] and I say thanks in advance.”
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“Butch, I read all of the information about the bells over these past few weeks and then I read in the last issue where you went to Tishomingo and took some pictures of some bells there. I can no longer resist sharing the following. At one time there was one more bell in Tishomingo. In 1961 while attending the college I and three of my friends decided we needed a bell to ring at the football games. We drove to an old closed school house west of Ardmore, I am not sure where, as it has been 40 years, and moved the bell to Tishomingo. We mounted it between to wagon wheels and pulled it around at football games. The last time I saw it was behind the old building where we stored our ROTC uniforms during the summer months. It sounds a little silly 40 years later, but I’m sure it must have been great fun at the time. I would be interested in what ever happened to the bell.”
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I would like to be added to your mailing list please: I was born in ardmore 60 years ago july 8th. I still have some family there in the area . I love to see and catch up on all the area news and pictures, Loved you picture of Turner Falls as that is my favorite place for pictures still to this day, and I have seen a lot, lived in the San Francisco Bay area for 45 yrs. Still love Okla. now in Missouri. Thank you!”
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“Really enjoyed your pages on the Ardmore-Ada area. I have been trying to find out what happened to my uncle, Ben Hunt, last heard from in 1938 from Ada, OK. He is “thought” to have married a native american lady. Do you ever see the Hunt name in your old records?” [email protected]
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“Butch-The last of the Confederate Civil War widows died at the Oklahoma Veteran’s Home, Ardmore, December 29, 1954. Fannie D. Murphy, 88, was born in North Carolina, March 12, 1886. She was the widow of her fourth husband, N. G. Murphy, a Confederate soldier. Her second husband was Confederate General L. J. Bailey. She married two of her husbands after coming to the home April 12, 1915, where she worked as a cook and seamstress.” Source: The Daily Ardmoreite
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“This is a picture of the Jefferson County Court House. This is a picture of the Corner Stone on the Jefferson County Court House. This is a close up of an inscription above the doors of the Jefferson County Court House.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jeffcoa.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jeffcob.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jeffcoc.jpg
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“Butch this is a picture of a huge church bell I saw recently while chasing storms in Waurika, Oklahoma. It was in front of the Chisholm Trail Museum going into Waurika on HW 70.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/cthmusec.jpg“Butch this is sign for the Chisholm Trail Museum in Waurika and the last picture is of the hours for the museum.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/cthmusea.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/cthmuseb.jpg“Butch this is a picture of an old hotel that now serves as a Tea House and Antique Shop just across the rail road tracks on HW 70, Waurika. You can enjoy a light lunch with tea and hear the owner tell stories of ghosts, killings, and robberies that took place in the old hotel during the heyday of the Chisholm Trail. Later you can visit the Antiques in the old hotel and visit the huge Antique warehouse next door.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/teahouse.jpg
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“Hello Butch, A lot of people wrote to you about “The Lightcrust Doughboys.” For the last several years of their program, it was “Parker Wilson and The Lightcrust Doughboys.” I’m surprised that no one mentioned this because they gained much more popularity with Parker Wilson. They Broadcast the program from their studio in “The Burris Mill and Elevator Co.” located in the Fort Worth suburb of Saginaw. In the early 40’s “W.Lee O’Daniel” was in Washington D.C.as the Senator from Texas. His son Pat O’Daniel would also perform on special show in Washington D.C. The Senator’s Daughter, Mollie was also a good singer. If my memory is correct, Pat O’Daniel played the Banjo in band. It was “W. Lee O’Daniel and The Hillbilly Boys.” They also made “Hillbilly Flour.” Parker Wilson and the Lightcrust Doughboys played at the Central Park in Ardmore on at least one occasion.”
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“Hello Butch, I was wondering if any of your readers remember “Tiny Sparger”? He was a very nice man who called everyone “Cousin.” At one time many years ago, he had a Night Club on So. Hwy.77 . After WWll started, he had a good restaurant just west of Martin/Fedler Drug on East Main St.. Mrs. Sparger, his wife, taught at Ardmore High School. I believe that Tiny passed away several
years ago. He and Mrs. Sparger were two very nice Ardmoreites.”
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“Several of us who are counting years are wondering what to do with our collection of Ardmore School memorabilia and pictures that our kids don’t want. The school? The Museum? The library? Anyone?”
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“Butch, When I was at the Southern Oklahoma Greater Museum the other day I acquired a copy of this article that dealt with schools across the region. I thought the information was timely since we are running picture of schools for the early days. This article comes from the McGallaird collection.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/vaughnd.jpg
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“Butch, My wife was in the Healdton High School band until she graduated in 1963. She said they had at some time earlier changed the school colors to blue and white, but couldn’t afford to buy new band uniforms till several years. This explains the dual colors for several years.”
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“I just came across this old photo of the Zoo at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum, Ardmore.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/jczoo.jpg
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“Springer, Oklahoma school in 1923”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/spring23.jpg“In 1923 The Pleasant Hill School was situated about five miles southwest of Ardmore on the *Stapleton Highway. Its location is accessible to all parts of the district as all streams are bridged and the roads are kept dragged. The school was also reported to be about 3 miles south of Plainview. The district school census was 101. A farming community comprises dist. 18. The land is above average in fertility and farmers and stockmen rank among the best in the country. Four or five dairys are in the district. The district lies near the Amerada Oil Field. There are rich deposits of asphalt which is worked and the asphalt is used on the city streets of Ardmore. There was a school house in the neighborhood before statehood . Soon after statehood the present school district was organized. Mrs. Lennie Carpenter is primary teacher and Mr. J.E.Steel is the principal of the school at present. *[today, does anyone know where the Stapleton Highway was located, or its route???]”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/pleas23.jpg“In 1923: The Mount Washington School is located three miles due north of the city limits of Ardmore in school district 20. This district is one of the largest and wealthiest Common School Districts in Carter County, with a comprising area of about 20 square miles. This district joins Ardmore School District and has nearly 2 million dollars in valuation. There are 4 refining plants located in the Refinery Addition within the district. The scholastic enumeration of the district is 182. Four teachers are employed at present in the administration of the school and with the organization and with the organization of High School and other courses, contemplated the coming year, additional instructors will be added to the facility. Present staff members are: Charles L Parker, Superintendent, and teachers are, Miss Jennie Heartsill, Miss Molly Cox and Miss Jewell Simmons [a detailed analysis of this district can be found in the Journal of Carter County Schools, of 1923, compiled and published by County Superintendent of schools, Mrs. Kate Galt Zanies]”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mwash23.jpg
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“Hi Butch, Here is the bell picture of the bell that came from Oklahoma about 25 years ago and was donated to the Echo Ranch Bible Camp here in Alaska. There was a bigger one but I never got over to it. I will be going back out there one of these days and I will get a picture of it again if you would like it. I do not know where it came from but I believe it came from Oklahoma also from what I had heard.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/echobell.jpg
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“Butch, Courthouses are the most interesting piece of history of each county. I really do appreciate your dedication to include all 77 counties of the State of Oklahoma, especially the three counties in the Oklahoma Panhandle.”
http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/chouses.html
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==============================================================M is for the million things she gave me
O means only that she’s growing old
T is for the tears were shed to save me
H is for her heart of pure gold
E is for her eyes, with love-light shining
R means right and right she’ll always be
Put them all together they spell “Mother”
A word that means the world to me.– Words to the song by Theodore Morse and Howard Johnson, 1915.
Sometimes I wish so much my mother was still here. This is a photo of her about 1930.
http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/louise6.jpgIf you still have your mother, tell her you love her on Mother’s Day.
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, May 5, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 211
Some time back I took a pic of the bell in front of the Chickasaw Nation’s old Capitol building in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/chicbela.jpg
But here is a bell I almost forgot about, the original bell from the belfry of that building. Its on display behind the capitol building in Tish. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/chibell.jpg
And this is a photo of that old historical Chickasaw Nation Capitol building in Tishomingo. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/chicnatc.jpg
Here’s a photo of that once popular swimming hole on Pennington Creek in Tish. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/penncrk.jpg
This is a photo I took last weekend of the artesian well (sulphur water) springing up out of the ground in Sulphur, Oklahoma. A person can smell that sulphur odor when you drive up. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/sulwater.jpg
I was in the Turner Falls area north of Ardmore in the Arbuckle Mts last weekend. The big grass fire last fall must have destroyed the three crosses on top of the mountain there. The crosses were in memorial of the Boy Scout master and two Boy Scouts who fell to their deaths back in the 50s climbing that mountain side. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/3cross.jpg
At the south edge of Healdton, Oklahoma is an unusual oil field contraption. Its on display at the Southerland Well Service and was used somehow to drill oil wells many many years ago. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/sutdrill.jpg
Here’s a photo of City Hall in Hennessey, Oklahoma (south of Enid, Oklahoma). The building was originally the Hennessey High School built by my grandfather, Stanley Carmon, in 1927. School board members were: A.D. Stetler, W.M Jones, Dr. A. Dixon. Tonini & Bramble – Architects. S. Carmon, BLDR. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/henne3.jpg
This is the cornerstone of the school. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/henne4.jpg
The Carter County Assessors Office here in Ardmore received some new desks this week. The desks are made/assembled by the inmates in the Oklahoma Department of Corrections. The desks are wood and very good quality. Government and non-profit organizations are eligible to buy the desks at a reasonable price. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ccadesks.jpg
For a complete list of products and services available from the DOC, visit their website. http://www.state.ok.us/~oci/ This is another bell I almost forgot about right here in Ardmore. Thousands drive be it and not even notice… Engine 1108 on display at the Hardy Murphy Coliseum. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/engibell.jpg
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“I was surprised to see this mural in Your T&T. My Son Jeff painted this about five years ago. He also painted the one on the building wall on north Washington of the people on the park bench. There are several others around the state but I don’t know where they are. Your doing good, Ken Keith” [email protected]
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“Bob Wills…as I recall it was Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys; but it was W. Lee O’Daniel and the Light Crust Doughboys as someone wrote in T&T of April 27. Sorta gives away my age, doesn’t it? Or perhaps that fact that my memory is failing.”
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“One of the article’s was about the Garnand’s of Ardmore. Well, I’m a Garnand from Ardmore and I would greatly appreciate Knowing who sent the article to you. A couple of weeks ago you printed an article I sent to you about my Grandpa, Delt Garnand, who lived on Caddo and made knives, saws and sharpened them. The other brothers were my Great Uncle’s. Also, the man killed demolishing the old court house was my second cousin. His name was James (Jim) Garnand son of James F Garnand. Ben Garnand was the youngest of the Garnand brothers and lived for many years on 12th st. NW. Please print my e-mail address so that I might make contact with whoever wrote the article and any friends that I might still have in or around Ardmore. Thanks.” Roy (Buddy) Garnand. [email protected]
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“You mentioned Purcell so much in your Newsletter of the 27th, you sure got me hungry. I grew up (mostly) in Wilson, joined the US Air Force in 1961, and traveled to a few places after that. I’ve not lived in OK since. I visited often until my mother died about 10 years ago, and always made it a point to stop at the DQ in Purcell when I was traveling in that direction. I knew I could get a real old fashioned ‘Okie Burger’ there. I sometimes think I would drive to OK just to get a hamburger. After the freeway went in though, it wasn’t long before that source dried up. I’d have to wait a couple of more hours to get my fix at the “Eagle’s Nest” in Wilson. As far as the uniforms go, I recall Healdton (I was born there) as being blue and white and I believe Fox (went to the 6th grade there) had the red uniforms ? ? ? But that was all a long time ago.”
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“Dear Butch. Someone inquired about the colors of the HHS Band: for years, the band’s colors were maroon and grey with gold trim, but the school colors were blue/white. Don’t know why they were different but I graduated in 1952 and the colors of the band were like that then. Hope this info helps your subscriber.”
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“I can’t explain the reason for the change, yes the Bulldog Band always had white and blue uniforms. For some reason they bought beautiful maroon uniforms in the 60’s and wore them for several years. I had a son that wore one, and it was really well made of heavy material. The next uniforms they bought were blue and white.”
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“I was in the HHS band l958 -1961 and our uniforms were maroon then.”
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“Both of my parents passed away when i was very young so i dont know much about my family at all. But i have some information given to me by an aunt. My great grandmothers parents lived and were buried in ardmore can you believe it. because you know i am from up around Claremore, oklahoma. Well i know my grandmother was indian but i dont know anything else about her or her family. I was just really curious about where i come from and what they might have been like. Well i know it is a long shot but there names were Parker. I know my great grandmother worked in denton in a cotton mill then was moved from there to Sandsprings to teach the people there to run the machines. well i know it is not much to go on but if anyone could give me a start or tell me how to find out more info i would greatly appreciate it.” [email protected]
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“Scanned from the “Journal of Carter Counties Schools” 1923 Published by Mrs. Kate Galt Zanies, County Superintendent. This was taken from a very small photograph of the Equal Rights School – District #14. “The school is located about 8 miles north of Ardmore, just west of the Springer Road. The school maintains eight grades of work under the supervision of Mrs. Myrtle Hooven. There is already an interest manifested toward the working out of a centralized school at Springer and one at Mt. Washington. Equal Rights School district joins both of these districts…….There is a store located on the Springer Road” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/equalsch.jpg“1923 Rocky Point School was organized in 1909. Prior to that time pupils of this locality went to the Cisco School. At the time of organizing school district 16, only one teacher was necessary and the original building contained only one room. Last year bonds were voted and an additional room was added to this school……Rocky Point School offers eight grades of work taught by C.H.Hatfield, Principal, and Miss Ithoma Darling, assistant.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/rocksch.jpg
“1923 Cisco School District #17 is located near the County line between Carter & Love Counties in the southeastern part of Carter County. The school maintains eight grades of work under the direction of Mrs. Eula Galt. School census is 40 – organized in 1909.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ciscosch.jpg
“In the year of 1923, County Superintendent Mrs.Kate Galt Zanies compiled and published the Journal of Carter County Schools. At that time the duties of the County Superintendent were many and varied. The State was still young and many schools dotted the countryside. In perusing the Journal of 1923 there will appear a total of 77 schools across the county. It is interesting to note that the office of County Superintendent no longer exists, yet the lone dependent school to survive today is none other than the school that bears her name, Zanies Consolidated – District #72” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/zaneisk.jpg
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“Butch, I have another NW Okie Bell for you…. This time it takes us to the Town of Waynoka, on the NE corner of Church St. & Waynoka St., on the corner is the Christian Church where this bell can be found.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/waynob.jpg
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“Butch, Whitebead is just a little settlement now, located on HY 19 just west of Pauls Valley.In the 1800’s it was an important landmark for wagon trains heading to California. It happened to be the highest point in Garvin County, (the big hill on your left as you pass through the Pauls Valley exit on I-35 heading North).”“It was also on the old stage coach route from Fort Sill to Alex, to Lindsay, on to Maysville, Whitebead, and then to Pauls Valley (Washita Crossing) to Sulphur (Sulphur Springs) where the trail split; one trail went to Fort Arbuckle and the other on to Mill Creek and Tishomingo and finally Fort Washita. Wagon trains following the Old Chisom Trail passed through Fort Washita, you can still see the wagon ruts there. Note: Washita Crossing was actually a point on the Washita River where wagon trains, horseman, and cattle crossed the river just a few miles “South and East of present day Pauls Valley.”
“Butch, here is an interesting bit of Ardmore History I found at the Whitebead Cemetery recently. It is a tombstone that reads: JM Powers, Born Dec 4, 1824, Died Nov 29, 1892. At the very bottom right of the Tombstone it reads: Ardmore Marble Works. You must open the picture with some photo software and Magnify the image to really read the inscription.” ————————————————————–
==============================================================“To please everybody is impossible, were I to undertake it I should probably please nobody.”
–George Washington.See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 28, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 210
Last weekend when I was in the bustling little town of Purcell, Oklahoma a couple of things came to my mind. First was an incident that happened in 1925 here in Ardmore. Sheriff Ewing London was removed from office by a judge for corruption among other things, and a Sheriff Pro Tem was appointed. Appointed was dairy farmer James Cruce who lived out north of Ardmore on Mt Washington Road. Cruce removed nearly everyone in his office of London’s employees, and hired in their place his supporters, creating his own law enforcement machine. But Cruce’s reign would be short lived, only 30 days, when a judge in Purcell would overturn London’s removal from office, and reinstated Ewing London as sheriff. http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/cruce.html
As I travelled around Purcell, I came by the Wadley Ambulance Service. It is one of the few remaining private ambulance services in the state. I remember it well in the early 70s when I worked for the ambulance service here in Ardmore. We had a hightop Cadillac ambulance and a hightop Pontiac ambulance during that time period. I forget which brand ambulance kept throwing tread but one did, and we bought the best tires Montgomery Wards sold to run on it. But for unknown reason, we kept throwing tread off those tires, usually around the Purcell area when we transported patients to Oklahoma City. After going through 6 or 7 sets of tires, the Montgomery Ward tire department manager told us we would have to buy tires somewhere else. Since the tires were under warranty, he replaced those 6 or 7 sets free, but finally had to admit he didn’t have any tires that that hightop ambulance would not throw off the tread. After trying several other brands of tires, we finally found that the only tires whose tread would not come off at high speed on that particular ambulance was General Tire. Why I’m telling all this, is that we employees at the ambulance office kinda of had a bet among ourselves, whether we’d make it to Purcell before throwing off the tread on that hightop ambulance. Wadley Ambulance Service many times had to come out on Interstate 35 and take our patient on to Oklahoma City. The two ambulance services became good friends during that trying time. Here’s a pic I took of our ambulance office back around 1970. You can see that hightop ambulance in the photo. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/3amb.jpg
In 1978 we had that same Cadillac ambulance catch fire while enroute to Oklahoma City with a patient. Luckily no one was hurt. It all happened at the Purcell exit, and Wadley Ambulance service came to our rescue again, taking the patient on to OKC. Mr. Wadley even let us parked that burned out ambulance at his ambulance office a couple days, until our local wrecker driver, “Broadway Bill”, was sent to get it and haul it back to Ardmore. Here’s a pic I took of that burned ambulance at Wadley’s office. http://www.brightok.net/~bridges/ambburn.jpg
Main Street in Purcell, Oklahoma looks like a lot of small town main streets. It has some beautiful old historic buildings. When I was there a week ago, I noticed their main street is still two-way and allows diagonal parking like Ardmore did years ago. Also the east end of Purcell’s Main Street looks like roller blade heaven to me. One block before reaching the railroad tracks, main street makes a very steep dive downward toward the tracks. At the bottom of that steep dive sits their new depot. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/purdepot.jpg
Also on Purcell’s Main street is a beautifully restored Santa Fe caboose. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/purcab.jpg
One more thing I noticed in Purcell. When I was there on Good Friday April 13th, the McClain County courthouse was in full operation. Our courthouse was closed that day. This is a pic of the McClain county courthouse. http://members.nbci.com/oklahomapast/chouses/mcclainc.jpg
Just a mile east of Purcell across the Canadian bridge is Lexington, Oklahoma. These are a couple of beautiful murals painted the sides of buildings in Lexington.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/lextown2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/lextown3.jpgHere is the old bank building in downtown Lexington… the Little Building. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/lextown4.jpg
And one rarity for Oklahoma is this covered bridge just a block south of Main Street in Lexington. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/lextown5.jpg
I found another bell in Noble, Oklahoma too. Its built into the signboard for Bell Creek Apartments in the south part of town by Bell Creek. http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/nobleck.jpg
Here’s a photo of all the good food that came in the Share Program Saturday April 21st. Total cost for all this was $17.15 plus 2 hours of community service. So call Carole if you want more info on the May 19th distribution. 580-223-5287. Last day for May sign up is Tuesday May 1st, 9 tp 12 noon.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/share21.jpg
http:/www.heartlandshare.comThanks to Ardmoreite Charles Champion II I’m now the owner of a beautiful beveled mirror. It is like the ones he sells at his store across the street from the Hamburger Inn.. I wish I had talent like that, making one-of-a-kind Western Americana art.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch; In the latest T&T, the Hales talked about when they were putting lakes in around Davis. I have been looking for a cemetery where my gg-grandmother is buried that seems to have disappeared. Wondering if any of your readers might recollect where it may have gone. Mary Ann WILLIAMS COURTNEY died 1911 and her obit in the Davis News says she was buried in Walnut Cemetery. She lived around Davis, Fort Arbuckle, Sorghum Flats and Courtney Flats, so I am guess it is or was somewhere around those places. This cemetery has either got to be under one of these lakes or changed names. Any ideas?”
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“I was looking for a book when I stumbled upon a program for the 1972 Shriner’s Rodeo. Brought back a lot of memories. People featured include John Frazier, Gene Coxsey, Carl Albert, Cora Bailey, Muncy Rece, Clarence Sebastian, Kate Galt Zaneis, and a bunch of other Ardmore notables. Looking at the ads is a real trip through a time machine too – there’s one of my step-father (Bill Frazier) and Ardmore Tire – back when he not only had a head of hair but it was black (grin). There’s an article about I-35 (it was only two years old at the time!).”
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“Just one wee small corrects on your comments about the Light Crust Doughboys it was W. Lee ODaniel and his Light Crust Doughboys instead of Bob Wills. ODaniel, know affectionately as Pappy took advantage of his publicity with the band and was elected Governor of Texas.”
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“Dear Butch, We are still loving your newsletter out west here in Vegas. It makes my Saturday mornings to get up and read all the hometown news. I was just wondering if anyone near my age, over the hill, would remember when the Ardmore Airport near Springer had the big airshow back @ 1938 or 1939? I read the recent article by the person recalling the Ardmore Airport. I was very young then, but I remember falling in love with airplanes at that airshow. We had a dirigible (blimp) visiting that day and I was fascinated! They were selling rides on bi-planes and I wanted to go up, much to my Mother’s surprise. I remember what a wonderful day it was and wonder if anyone else remembers those times? Thank you for making my Saturday mornings so great!”
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“Hello Butch, I was just wondering if any of your readers remember the old city hall building that was between Hinkle and 1st where the present one is. It was an old red brick that covered the whole block. When the demolition of the old building was going on, the north wall on Hinkle st. fell on a man and killed him. His name was Ben Garnand. He was a brother to the other Garnands that had a saw and knife business in the basement of the old Martin/Fedler Drug Store at Main and Caddo streets. They later moved their business across the street because the basement had a problem with water when it would rain. Another of their brothers (James F. Garnand) had a truck and drayage business with his son Leo Garnand. They lived in the 800 blk. of G st. no.east. Another of the brothers (John Garnand) lived on corner of 8th and A st. no.east. Delt Garnand lived at the business address on Caddo St. John Garnand had a daughter Nell Musgrove who with her husband operated a Dry Cleaning business next to the Western Union Telegraph on A St. N.W. As you can see, this was a very big family of Ardmoreites. I haven’t even started to name them all. They are all related to me.”
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“Hi Butch~~ Just enjoyed reading the latest T &T. Talking about the Ardmore Air Force Base reminded me well of when in time of the War, my daddy, Don Lamb and Uncle Harold Parker were fireman at the base. They had other jobs, too and alternated days at the base. That was quite a place to a little girl. I remember being leery of the German prisoners of war up there and the fire trucks seemed so big. Seems like other fireman were, Jimmy Landers, Jess Mayrant, maybe Joe Volino. Wonder what some of your members remember about those days? Also, I am curious what ever happened to the well that was in back of Daube’s in the parking lot where the people who used to come to town in the wagon would stay. Daube’s is another wonderful place in my memory of growing up in Ardmore.”
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“Hi Butch, I love getting these issues of T&T from you. Sometimes they make me a little homesick but on the other hand the information and photos are so interesting that I love seeing them and hearing about them. I especially love the pic of Turner Falls that you sent. It is one of my favorite places in the whole world. When I come home to visit it is always #1 on my list of places to visit. Seeing the pic you sent made me smile and really made my day. Up here in N.Y. we have some really neat bells. I’ll have to take some pictures and send them off to you.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/tfalls15.jpg
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“I saw an item in this week’s T&T that caught my eye: “…what happened to the old Whittington Hotel?” … Was this the hotel with the elevator??? Mother remembers her mother and aunt worked as operators on what was then the only elevator in Ardmore – must have been late 1920’s to 1930’s. If anyone knew Faye or Estell Boston, I’d love to hear from them! They also had a brother named Jack and three other sisters.” [email protected]
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“I think you will enjoy this site. lots of local history.”
http://marti.rootsweb.com/law/law.htm
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“Butch, found this web site with genealogy and pictures of people from the Ardmore are. Some of your readers might enjoy this site. Some of the surnames are, Watkins, Burton, Johnson, Perkins, Mayo and Pruitt.” http://Peggysue5.homestead.com/index.html
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“Butch. I really enjoy reading what you write. I’m a native Oklahoman and the past stories of history being mentioned by people that was actually there makes it come alive for me. I would like to be added to your mailing list.”
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“Butch I just found your page. There was some discussion about Dr. Moxley and the alligators. Dr. Moxley’s hobby was working his place in Love County and he had a beautiful pecan orchard and a large pond that he had built. He also had a neighbor who raised (ran) hogs and he could not seem to keep the fence up between him and this neighbor. The hogs ate his pecans, rooted up his fields and muddied up the water in his pond. After the alligators were introduced , the hog problem sort of took care of itself. Unfortunately, some of the alligators got away.”
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“Good Morning Butch, A couple weeks ago at Easter time, I was remembering the great Easter pageants they used to put on at Platte Nat’l Park in Sulphur. I recall the one in 1940, when my cousin and I sat in his dad’s ’34 Chevy and listened on the radio as we watched it ( the narrative was broadcast ). People came from all over the state to see the pre-dawn event, which depicted the stations of the cross, and as the cross was carried up the mountain trail, lights would illuminate the action. It was all very touching and beautiful, even to a couple of twelve year old boys. I understand the pageant was stopped when the war broke out, but I would hope the good citizens of Sulphur would have resumed the event after 1945. It was a big deal then, and it could be again. By the way, that 34 Chevy was state of the art – – – it not only had a radio, it also had a heater. My uncle thought he was a real dude. Wrong!” Regards, Bob Elliston
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“Smyrna School Dist 5 – Carter County 1923. This 1923 publication of The Journal of Carter County Schools does not give the location of the school. The land description is shown that the school was located in Sec. 17, Township 5 south, Range 3 east Census of the district was 77 Arthur Pinkard was Principal.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/smyrna23.jpg“The Journal of Carter County Schools in 1923 states the following: Out on the Tishomingo road 6 miles east of Ardmore stands a little school house called Clinton in District 7. There has been a school at this place for about 10 years, but the first building was burned and the present building has been built here only about three years. Until this year the school has been managed by one teacher. – Presently the school has two teachers. Census for the school is 149. (note: Today, does anyone know where the Tishomingo road was located?)” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/clint23.jpg
“Provence School Dist. # 8 1923. Provence is seven miles east of Ardmore on the Rock Island and Frisco Railroads. This is the group center for the eastern part of Carter county. Provence offers eight grades of school work under the direction of three teachers. The children in this district being of splendid average weight according to their age. {note: Today, Provence community can be found by traveling east on Springdale Road for about seven miles – the school no longer exists.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/prov23.jpg
NORRIS CHAPEL SCHOOL 1923. From the Journal of Carter County schools 1923. “People might mistake the little white cottage but the roadside, where children are taught to read, write and cipher, for a dwelling. And those that do so are almost right, for really the present school house was at one time a teacherage. The beautiful white school building which some time ago adorned the center of district 9 was destroyed by fire in 1920. The teacherage is has been substituted until a new building can be erected. Norris Chapel is 4 miles northeast of Ardmore in Carter County. The district joins the Ardmore district on the northeast side. The main highway coming from Oklahoma City into Ardmore borders the playground on the east.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/norris23.jpg
“Barrett School (district #12, 1923) is located northwest of Berwyn and northeast of Springer. This is a one teacher school where all grades are taught are under Mrs. Ora Mae Gable. Sometime in the future it is possible that the district will petition to become a part of the Berwyn Consolidated District or the Springer School because of its location. The census of the Barrett schools is 54.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/barr23.jpg
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“I wonder how many T&T readers remember this photo of Fire Station #2 on E. Main.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/fireeast.jpg
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“Hello Butch- We almost met at Turner Falls. I was there on April 9,2001 and you were there on April 15, 2001–Your photos are best.”
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“I am doing some research for my brother. He has been working with a fellow from Germany. The fellow from Germany said that he had an uncle who was a POW at FT. McAlester, OK during WWII. He said that his uncle died in the POW camp. His uncle’s name: Paul Kurt Leonhardt born 9 Apr 1908 died 14 Feb 1945 in FT. McAlester, OK. This fellow from Germany wanted to see if he can locate his grave and take a picture. He wanted to give the picture to his aunt (86 years old) back in Germany. I see from your information on the Internet that after the war, (WWII) all dead pow’s (66 total) in the OK area and near by states were relocated to Post Cemetery at FT. Reno. I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions? I hope you don’t mind. Where is FT. Reno? Do you have a list of the 66 pow’s buried in the Post Cemetery? Is Paul Kurt Leonhardt in that list? Many thanks for any information that you can provide. If you do not have the information, can you tell me where I can find that information? All help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.” Vernon Dennis – [email protected]
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“Butch, I was reading a story you had in your mailbag a couple of weeks ago about someone wanting information about a little girl that was the lone survivor of a plane crash by the last name of Arnold, still strapped to her seat, found in a farmers field. If memory serves me correctly, there was a girl by the name of Virginia Arnold that went to school at Fox, and her parents were killed in a plane crash. She was raised by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Ritter of Pinto. They are both deceased now, but they have a son, which would be the girls uncle, that lives in Ringling, OK. His name is Rayburn Ritter, and is listed in the phone book as RJ Ritter. Maybe this information would help the person who sent you the letter to find out if this is their lost family member, if you could forward it on to them, there wasn’t an e-mail attached to the letter. They can e-mail me at [email protected]… Thanks Butch for all you do.”
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==============================================================A couple of issues ago there was a 1960s photo of the Healdton, Oklahoma band and their uniforms were white and red in the photo. A reader said she always remember their uniforms being white and blue. Does anyone have the answer to this mystery?
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hhsband.jpgJuanita Conway has been the cleaning supervisor for the courthouse for over 17 years. She is a member of the Mattie Bruce Eastern Star. Once a year that oranization has a spagetti supper to raise money, but Juanita could not attend the event this year, even though she had a ticket already bought. She gave the ticket to me and I went to the supper last Saturday. Boy, that five dollar ticket was enough food for me to eat on for three days! There was meat sauce and spagetti, salad, garlic bread, peach cobbler and rasberry cobbler, and plenty of fellowship with lots of people I knew. I’d encourage anyone to buy a ticket next year and pig out on all that wonderful food! And the money goes to a good cause.
“Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace.” -Amelia Earhart
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 21, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 209
Last week I spoke of Scrapper in Purcell, Oklahoma. Scrapper was a police dog in Purcell and when he died, they buried him just inside the entrance of the Hillside cemetery on Highway 39 West in Purcell. Scrapper’s marker reads, “Badge No 61 June 1985 – June 1993 Here lies Scrapper, Purcell police dog, first narcotic detector dog in service with the police department for five years, during which time he was responsible for over two million dollars in drug and property seizures, Scrapper, a gentle eight year old golden retriever earned the respect of law enforcement agencies and criminals alike, he was a valuable asset in the war on drugs in Purcell and surrounding areas, Scrapper will always be remembered for his friendly face and wagging tale, he will be sorely missed by all those who’s hearts he touched, especially the dog handlers of the Purcell police department.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/scrapper.jpgBuried next to Scrapper is Purcell’s two fire horses from back around 1910.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/purfire.jpgEven though I did not find a bell in Purcell, I did find a huge bell 10 miles north of Purcell at the United Methodist Church (Main and Ash) in Noble, Oklahoma.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/noblebel.jpgI found a nice big school bell on a farm south of Washington, Oklahoma. The bell was used to call the students to class at the old Ladd school (which closed around 1952) in McClain county.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/laddbell.jpgHere’s the bell above the entrance of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association building at 23rd and N Lincoln in Oklahoma City. There is also another bell in a belfry type structure on the north side of the building, facing Lincoln street.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ossba.jpgThis huge and very beautiful brass bell is located in front of the Oklahoma Historical Society building next the State Capitol in Oklahoma City. It’s a replica of a bell in France.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ohsbell.jpgA GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST……
From the archives of The Daily Ardmoreite, Ardmore, Oklahoma, Monday November 8, 1943
Curious Coincidence Marks Tragic Deaths of Two Men Killed in Sunday Accidents
Air Base Sergeant Dies in Car-Truck Crash; Transient Texan Plunges to Death From Third Floor of County Courthouse
Two deaths by violence, each independent of the other and yet both connected by a curious circumstance of coincidence, occurred Sunday morning and officers were kept busy with investigations most of the day.
The dead: T/Sgt. John P. Clark, 36, Ardmore army air base, killed when his car and a huge meat truck collided near the Avalon club south of town at 1:30am Sunday.
Otis Berry, 1224 North Akard, Dallas, about 40, who was killed when he either jumped or fell from the narrow corner window of the witness room on the third floor of the county courthouse. Berry was killed sometime early Sunday morning.
Connecting Link
The connecting coincidence hinged on the fact that a jacket found on the body of Berry was identified as one having been stolen early Saturday evening from Clark. Clark had reported theft of a quantity of clothing from his car.
Clark, in company with two other soldiers, T/Sgt. Leonard Gill and Sgt. Hugh G. Gwaltney, also of the air base, and Beatrice Scearce, Ardmore, was driving out of the parkway at the Avalon in Clark’s car. Clark was driving.
A large truck, owned by the Strickling truck lines, driven by Melvin Born, 516 Southwest 9th, Oklahoma City, was traveling south on U.S. highway 77. With Born was a sailor, T.W. Roberts, Norman, who was riding with the truck as a passenger.
The two vehicles crashed, demolishing the Parkard, and seriously damaging the truck which ground on for a distance and turned over.
Clark was caught in the wreckage and mangled. None of the others was seriously injured. Gill was bruised and slightly cut but was not sufficiently injured to require more then temporary first aid.
Clark had been acting as assistant to the billeting officer at the chamber of commerce for some weeks. His home address is given as 504 South Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles. His wife, Mrs. Janette Gray Clark, is postmistress at Wilton, N.D. They have two daughters, 11 and 9 years of age. His mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Clark, live in Jacksonville, Texas. He had been at the Ardmore base for some months.
The body was taken in charge by Bettes funeral home and was dispatched by the army to his parents’ home for burial.
Fall Is Fatal
The case of Berry is concealed in uncertainty. Berry, who was identified only by a social security card found in his pocket, is not known locally. John Smithers, deputy sheriff, said he saw the man late Saturday and apparently intoxicated on Main street. The officer was trapped in traffic and by the time he had extricated himself, the man had disappeared.
Clark reported theft of clothing from his car to police and said a man roughly fitting Berry’s description had been seen about the vehicle.
Sunday morning at 8am a passerby on the south side of the courthouse saw the crumpled body at the edge of the southwest corner of the building and notified police.
Officers investigated and Berry, his head crushed by impact with a concrete curbing around the shrubbery was found. He had been dead at least five hours, doctors said.
He was in his stocking fee, had a small sum of money on his person, wore Clark’s blouse and the social security card was only papers.
Through Narrow Window
A narrow window, less than a foot in width and the sash only two and a half feet tall, on the third floor of the courtroom was broken.
The window opens into a small room used as a witness chamber off the district court. In the room, officers found a pair of shoes, two hats, cigarette butts and a few capsules of some drug. A large coat rack had been turned over but a number of chairs were still erect and there was no other sign than the overturned rack of any disturbance. Fragments of the shattered glass were largely inside the building and on the floor of the room.
Tom Kyle, police chief, Gerald Tebbe, assistant county attorney, and sheriff’s officers sent a call to Oklahoma City and three state investigators were called in.
After considering all the apparent facts, the officers came to the conclusion that Berry had entered the courthouse through the first floor lobby, which is never locked, had made his way into the district courthouse and into the witness room.
For some reason, not known, they believe he then raised the narrow window sash and either leaped out or fell out. As he cleared the sill, the sash fell with sufficient force to shatter the glass. Berry plunged about 40 feet, his head striking full on the low concrete curbstone.
There are three other sizable windows in the small room, which for a number of years was used as a private office for visiting district judges. How it happened the man picked the narrow window is not known.
His body was also taken in charge by Bettes and was being held pending decision on what to do with it.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Hi Butch. Thought you might like this photo of the Healdton High School Band from the early or mid 60’s. I am with the trombone in the top right corner.” -Jon Lofton http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hhsband.jpg
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“Butch: I want to make a correction to my contribution in a previous This and That concerning the location of Hoxbar. I had said Red Holt owned and operated the old stone store at Hoxbar. I was mistaken. Red Holt was a park ranger. The store was operated for years by Red Everett. I got the two Reds confused. I’m 72 years old and I guess I had another one of those “senior moments”. Don Davidson, GRAND RANCH, Brenham, Texas.
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“Oh my goodness, you do stir up memories. One of my earliest–rather vague, is of attending the ceremony when the little town changed its name to Gene Autry. As I recall, it was formerly Berwin–or some such? Thanks for the weekly nostalgia trip.”
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“Thanks Butch for the “T&T News Letter”. You do a wonderful service to all. I just wanted to comment on the old Ardmore Airport one mile south of Springer,Ok. on Hwy 77– I was passing through and turned over to the location that was once a busy little Airport after WWII. — It was operated by W.R.(Bob) Goddard Flying Service. The head mechanic was a very qualified young man named Adrian Broughton. Mr.Adair and L.L.Wages were also aircraft mechanics there. A lot of the area people took their flight instructions for Pilot License at this location. We also did aerial spraying all over the state and Texas. Bob Goddard’s father was Charles Goddard who had a ranch and Game Preserve northeast of there. We also restored WWII aircraft to meet CAA standards for resale. I stopped by the airport site which is now a county maintenance facility and just by chance met a man who took flight instruction there too. I hope this hasn’t been too boring but I’m sure a lot of Ardmore pilots are still there.” [email protected]
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“Butch, my husband and I do enjoy the T&T so much. Have especially enjoyed recent bits about the little train between Davis and Sulphur. We both were raised in Sulphur and remember so much that has been written about the town. We both went to Washington Elementary and Sulphur Hi. Also have fond memories of Archies Cafe that Bob Elliston talked about. Also we believe Bob Wills also had a band called ‘Bob Wills and his Lightcrust Doughboys’ referring to a flour that was popular during that time when my husband’s father R.W.Hale had a grocery store on the west side of town. They would park a covered wagon in front of the store and bake biscuits and give them away for advertisement of the flour while they played western music. Mr. Hale used to sell cantaloupes for 3 for a dime and at one time would give them away by the truckload The Platte theater brings some really fond memories since we used to go there for the Preview on Saturday night. We remember the train tracks going across Guy Sandy creek and going East by where WalMart is now and on North of the Belleview Pool (not the Vendome Plunge) And where the tracks ran where the Hi School is now, Mr. Hale had 4 or 5 houses in the West side of 9th street.(They are no longer there) The Vendome Plunge was just east of the Rock Creek bridge between the east and west sides of town. Bill Uhles apparently lives somewhere near where Mrs. Hale lived just prior to her death.(on Oklahoma Ave. Bob Elliston would also be interested in knowing that my father Memphis Stanford also worked on the Veterans Lake when it was being built. I remember it was such hot work, my dad had a severe heat stroke and was in bed with ice packs on his head for about 2 weeks. Was never able to stand the sun after that. The water fountain in the alley on 11th street was only a block from where my husband & I lived before we were married. We used to go there and fill pitchers with the ice cold water in the summer. What a treat!! I must admit that it does SMELL a little like rotten eggs now when I visit. I wonder if anyone remembers the Black Sulphur springs in the end of Tishomingo Ave. just inside the Park? People used to go there and cover themselves with the wet black mud. It was supposed to heal them of many illnesses. I don’t if it worked. Who knows? My husband has a sister and brother-in-law still living between Davis and Sulphur on his old homeplace. I have two sisters still living in Sulphur. We, too, would like to hear from anyone from Sulphur or Ardmore. Thanks, again, Butch, for all you do.” The Hale’s [email protected]
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“In some of the past issues of T&T it was mentioned that some subscribers had worked many years ago building dams at Lake Murray and elsewhere. I can remember when Veterans Lake was built south of Sulphur as a W.P.A. project., We were living in Davis at that time (1936) and my Father, Rudolph “Red” Uhles worked on the W.P.A. crew which built Veterans’s Lake. His job in that crew was as “Powder Monkey”, a term used back then for the person who responsible for the explosives and setting off the dynamite charges to move large rocks. The citizens of the county seined farm ponds, creeks and rivers for fish to stock the Lake. Fishing was not permitted for a period of three years. The lake was officially opened in the summer of 1939. I know, I was there before daylight and had a minnow on my hook waiting for the un shot signal to start fishing. There were more than one hundred fishermen lined up all around the banks of the lake that day, The next day, I had the lake almost to myself. I also remember the Frye Bath House at the entrance of Platt National Park. There was a flowing Sulphur well in front of the building and a nice swimming pool in the rear. Dr. Frye ran the place until after the Korean War. It was sold to Dr. Lewis who maintained his office and a Pharmacy there. After Dr. Lewis passed away, the buildings were torn down Dr. Frye had four sons, Tom, Dick, Harry and Bruce. I didn’t know Tom or Harry. They were older and gone from home, Living in the Dallas area, I think. Dick and Bruce became dentists. Dick had his practice in Sulphur and my old friend Bruce had his practice in Lindsay Ok. The City of Sulphur deeded the Veterans’s Lake and surrounding property to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area several years ago. The new owners have made a lot of improvements in the lake property. Building a nice Pavilion, rest rooms, parking, fishing dock, extensive repair to the Dam and Spillway and a hiking trails around the lake. because I spent so many happy hours of my youth at Veterans Lake, it is just about my most favorite place in this world. I enjoy your weekly news letter……. it usually brings back personal memories of this part of our great state.” -Bill Uhles
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“I don’t know if you are familiar with the old Indian saying about when it thunders in February, there will be a cold spell around that time in April? Well, it thundered on the 15, 16, 17 and 18th of February and again on the 22, 23, & 24th. We may still have another cold spell around the last of April!!!! Remember old Thompson Tubby that predicted the weather here many years ago? Wonder what he would say about this? I never heard him give that old saying. Don’t put your long-handles away yet!!!!!”
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“Hello Butch. I was just wandering how many of your T&T readers remember the old wagon yard that was just east of Central Park. You could drive in to Ardmore and leave the horse and wagon at the yard while you shop. In the later years, there was a lumber yard at this location.”
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“Butch, How about doing an article on Dillard, Oklahoma. In it’s day it was a booming town. Surely someone out there has some pictures tucked away somewhere.”
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“Hi Butch: The Duncan Banner has archives going back to the 50’s and if someone wanted to do some research, this would be the place to start.”
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“Butch, I’m attaching a picture of the high school in the south part of town and a picture of the bell that is near the east/west main street through the business district. I will attach a picture of the corner of the bldg with the tennis court behind it so you can get a view of where it is located. I don’t know if the bell was ever located at the school at one time, or not. The bell was located near a tennis court that was south of an old business bldg. on the southwest corner on the east part of town. I forgot to get the name of the street. On the plaque underneath the bell it had a picture of the high school & the bell. The years down below the bell are 1907 to 1995. As I said earlier, Nash is in Grant County and east of Jet, Oklahoma. I think the hwy. is 64 that runs through there.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/nashbel2.jpg
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“Before statehood there were two schools in the territory now comprised of District 1. These schools were known as Young and Lane College and both schools were maintained after statehood until 1921 at that time the material from the two schools was used to build the existing Young school building which we have in 1923. Young school is located in the Northwest part of the county on the Ardmore-Sulphur road. Butch the location shown here as Northwest part of the county may be in error, because I think the Ardmore-Sulphur road was in the Northeast part of the county…..you may want to check this out.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/youngsc.jpg
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“Baum School is located in the northeast part of the county. The principle industry in this school district is farming. Baum school maintains eight grades. The school census is 115 . The average daily attendance in the school is better than 90%.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/baumsch.jpg
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“Mulkey School as pictured in 1923 Mulkey School District is located in the east part of Carter county. Before statehood the school in the community was known as “Buttermilk” school. After statehood a one-room cottonwood school house was provided. Later the present two-room school was located near the center of the district. The school provides eight grades.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mulkeysc.jpg
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“Nellda School as pictured in 1923. Nellda School District # 4 is located in the eastern part of Carter county. The school district employs two teachers and maintains eight grades of work. It is said that every member of the Nellda school district is a Sunday School member. The farm women of this district are known as Nellda Happy Club The census of the school is 87.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/nelldasc.jpg
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“Hello again Butch. I was talking about the Bridges’ boys and forgot my real reason for writing. I was in Ardmore about a week ago and was wondering what happened to the old “Whittington Hotel”? This was across from the Martin/Fedler Drug Store at East Main and A st. So.East. Also the Central Rooms were located at 114 1/2 East main and operated by Mrs. C.V.Jones. These depended a lot on the train depot and tourist. Also I noticed that the Champion Bldg. was gone.This was on southwest corner Main & Washington. Also the Steele Drug Store at no.1 West Main in the old Masonic Temple was gone. This also had the Ardmore Business College upstairs. Across the street to the east was the old City Drug Store.(gone too) I saw so many things that have been removed I’ll have too write another time.”
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“Dear Butch, Thanks so much for sending me your weekly newsletter, it is so much fun to read and look at the photos you include. The Carter County Government Website Geographical Map is wonderful too! It is a great tool to e-mail to visitors and new residents moving to town! Along with the Assessor’s Web Site and your newsletter, anyone can see why Ardmore is such a great town to move to and live in! Thank again Butch! Your Friendly Realtor, Vicki Stratton Patrick, Plainview Class of ’77. Also fellow classmates, our 25 year reunion is coming up, can’t wait to see all of you! You can e-mail me at [email protected], let’s make plans!”
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“HEALDTON, CARTER COUNTY, OKLAHOMA: Visit this web page for some early day photos around Healdton, http://home.rmci.net/farrar/healdton.htm . Then visit the next web page for a “roster” of Healdton residents and/or past residents of Healdton, and vicinity. http://home.rmci.net/farrar/names.htm . Thank you, [email protected] “
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“Butch, you can go here and check out the Dawes rolls. You can also search by State. Hope this helps.” http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/
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==============================================================Sunday afternoon April 15, 2001 I stopped at Turner Falls in the Arbuckle mountains north of Ardmore to snap a pic of maybe the most beautiful nature scene in Oklahoma.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/tfalls15.jpg“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow brave by reflection. ‘Tis the business of little minds to shrink; but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death.” -Thomas Paine
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 14, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 208
This past weekend I was out looking at the American Flyers Memorial at the Gene Autry Airpark and decided to go about one mile north to the old Buck Hale Saw Mill. Its located on Buck Hale Road in NE Carter county. Buck Hale has ran that saw mill for over 25 years, I’ve been told. He’s around 90 years old now and has decided to retire, but wants to sell the saw mill to anyone interested. In the following photos you will see the mill is powered by an old truck transmission parked in the side of the building. A sign on the wall reads reads, “All lumber 50 cents a board foot”.
This is where the lumber rolls out of the mill after being cut.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hale3.jpgI didnt measure this saw blade, but its big!
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hale4.jpgThis is Elmer “Buck” Hale standing in front of his saw mill.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hale5.jpgThis photo show the old truck used to power the mill.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hale6.jpgSpeaking of saw mills, I visited a saw mill on the east side of Durant, Oklahoma a few years ago. I assume it is still in business. Maybe someone over that way can take some photos of it and send them in. “Ma and Pa” type Saw mills are probably slowly disappearing one by one, at least in Oklahoma.
Here is a photo of Ardmore taken in the 1960s when Main Street was two way. You can see the old Monkey Wards on the right, and Doug’s Grill on the left.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ard1960.jpgPurcell, Oklahoma is just a few miles south of Norman. I was in that fair city Friday and looked far and wide for a bell, nary a one did I find. Even the local historical society did not even know where a bell could be found in Purcell. Seems like some unscrupulous Purcell High School students thought they’d try to remedy the problem three weeks ago. They travel north up old Highway 77 to Noble, Oklahoma and stole the Victory Bell from the new Noble High School Stadium. Their victory was not long lived. The long arm of the law in Purcell found the bell and returned it to Noble High School. The bell has not been re-mounted at the stadium yet, when it is, I’ll try to get a pic of it.
Speaking of Purcell, about ten years ago a resident of that city named Scrapper died, and he’s buried where everyone else is buried. But where he’s buried is what makes his story so different. I’ll tell more about it next week, along with photos.
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Butch, At Christmas time, in or near 1955, a private plane (rented) was flying back to the Duncan area from Florida. It contained members of a family by the name of Arnold and others. The plane broke up in the air and all were killed except for one passenger, a young girl. She landed, still strapped in her seat in a field outside a small town in a southern state. A farmer saw her. She was too injured to even be transported to another town for many months and the small town “adopted” her during that time. Eventually, she returned home, now orphaned, to live with an aunt in Duncan. In your searches, if you run across this, please let me know; I’ve been trying to find newspaper articles about this story for years; these folks were my grandfather’s aunts/uncles/cousins.”
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“Hi Butch. may be you can help me for years I have search for the death of A J Sissney in the IT. after 1867, or/and the remarriage of his widow Lucinda to J R Meek Also I have seen what was reported to be Cole Younger’s boot gun a small 32 caliber revolver. I may can get a picture of the gun. It did belong to a lady in IT.” Irma Sanders [email protected]
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“My adoptive name is Kelli Marie Farquhar. From what I’ve been told, my birth mother’s maiden name was Ellsworth and my birth father’s name was Reynolds. I had a searcher in California that supposedly looked it up and according to her, those were the names on my original birth certificate. I tend to want to believe her because she sent me some numbers and asked if that’s what was on my amended birth certificate and lo and behold they were a match.”I am searching for my birth family. I am hoping you can help me. I was born in California. I was born 03-26-63 in Vallejo, California at Vallejo General Hospital at 6:04am. My mother was 22, born in Iowa, and had been divorced from my father approximately 7 months when I was born. She had two other children (boys) ages 2 & 3 who were living with my father. My father was 24, born in California, was a surveyor and was married to another woman when I was born. My parents had been married approximately 3 years. My fathers’ father was a retired naval officer and my mothers’ father was a truck driver. Any information that anyone could give me would be greatly appreciated. I have non-identifying information but I can’t seem to get anywhere with it. Thanks to anyone who can help me and thank you, Butch, for offering to help by putting this in your newsletter.” [email protected]
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“This Bell is atop the Morning Star Church located 6 or 7 miles north of Waynoka, Oklahoma, off of hwy 14 and west a few miles on a country road. I will get you some more information on Morning Star church later. This photo was taken Sunday, 8 April 2001.”
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“I have a new email address and would like to start getting this and that again, I really enjoy reading it although it does make me homesick.”
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“Thanks so much. I’m a displaced Okie, homesick for Carter and Garvin County. Just skimmed one of your newsletters and read about Price’s Falls which I’d forgotten about–sat here bawling at the computer. Look forward to your newsletter.”
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“1923 – Mary Niblack School building. The school was located about 7 miles SE of Ardmore and was named for the first county superintendent of Carter County, Mrs. Mary V. Niblack. The school no longer exists, but today you may find where it was located by going south on Dogwood Road to Blevins road. The location of the school was on the SW corner of that intersection. The road we call Mary Niblack today, is one mile west of where the school once was.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mnsch23.jpg“1923, Springdale School was located two & a half miles east of the fair grounds. Springdale began its existence as a part of the Mary Niblack School District, in 1912. In 1918, Springdale began as a new district 70 and remained a viable school district until recent years when the patrons of the district voted to join the Dickson School district with the understanding that the Springdale School would continue as an elementary school facility. However; recently the Dickson School officials closed the Springdale school and no longer utilize the facility as a part of the Dickson school.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/spdsch23.jpg“In 1923 the Hoxbar School was situated twelve miles SE of Ardmore. The school offered 8 grades with an enrollment of 70. After graduating from the 8th grade, many students attended the Ardmore Schools. The school no longer exists.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/hoxsch23.jpg
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“Hello, Mrs. Giddens, Nice to hear from you regarding the old neighborhood of Fairview School. It’s been a very long time since I was there, but as you might know, there remain some very fond memories. My grandparents, Billy and Lula Price, lived two miles south of the highway on the northwest corner, about 40 acres. They are both buried in the Greenwood? cemetery in Davis. My dad’s parents, Joe and Lue Elliston, lived one mile south and 1/4 mile east of the highway, which would be about 3/4 mile east of the old Fairview school. They are both buried in a Sulphur cemetery. When we lived there, hardly anyone had a car, except some of the younger boys, and most of the farmers went to town in wagons. I remember there would be a dozen to twenty teams & wagons “parked” behind the Piggly Wiggly store in Sulphur on Saturdays, and as many in Davis. My mother and dad, Oscar and Ruth Elliston, and I lived on an 80 acre farm for a year, just north of Sulphur. We had 13 head of cows, and would take cream to town every Saturday, for about $10. or $12. and go home with a whole wagon load of groceries. We always had a Coke and hamburger at Archies, went to the matinee at the Platte theater, and went home broke. We had a car, but it was up on blocks, because Dad couldn’t buy gas for it. (gas was about .13 cents a gallon). Now I can joke about it, I tell friends that we were so poor that I had to have a tumbleweed for a pet. But we all survived, and most of us did very well later on, including my parents. Please give me your thoughts about Fairview , and anything else that comes to mind. I would be very interested in any of the people who once lived in that area, and their present circumstances.” Best Regards, Bob Elliston [email protected]
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“Hi Butch! I am writing to ask about the little drive-in eating place that was located at the intersection of SH-199 and North Washington up until the mid-80’s which was called Carroll’s Drive-In. I know it has gone through several different owners since then but was wondering about the owner at that time, Carroll Franks. His wife who worked with him there was Mildred Franks. Our family enjoyed many good meals from there for I don’t know how many years. They had some of the most delicious barbecued pork which they made sandwiches out of called “pig” sandwiches. I have never ate any B-B-Q pork since then as good as Carroll’s was. I talked to Mildred a few years after Carroll had passed about if she knew his recipe and how he prepared it. She laughingly told me that he never even told her the recipe but that she knew one of his ingredients was liquid smoke. I was wondering if anyone might know Mr. Frank’s recipe because I would just like to try to make some to enjoy. I’m sure it would remind me and my family of the good ole’ days. Keep up your good work on This & That.” [email protected]
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“Butch, Kenneth Eck forgot to mention that the book is $20.00 and by mail $21.25. The books are also on display at Winston and Eck drugstores on main street of Healdton. Phone numbers of two Oilpatch Genealogy Society members are: Charlene Wilson 229-0688 and Betty Walker 229-1369 We would love to sell this area a truly beautiful informative cemetery book. Thank you.” Charlene Wilson, Healdton, Ok
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“Butch- In late July, 1954, GC&SF railroad officials presented a bell from one of their locomotives for use by a Seventh-day Adventist mission in Nairobi, Kenya Colony, East Africa. Reverend H. C. Klement, President of the Oklahoma Conference of Seventh-day Adventist received the gift at the Santa Fe freight depot in Ardmore. Thought you might want to go get a picture for your bell page.” Gary Simmons
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==============================================================I noticed in the Ardmoreite Thursday where the our local Genealogy Library at the LDS church as increased the hours of operation. They now are open from 9am to 9pm on Tuesday and 9am to 5pm on Thursdays. They have over 1,000 microfiche of census, all the Pickens County marriages before statehood, Indian WES Records, Field cards on the Five Civilized Tribes and much much more. Those with questions may call (580) 226-2134.
http://www.ardmoreite.com/stories/041201/new_genealogy.shtmlIf anyone has the Dawes Rolls on CD, I’d like to borrow it for a few days. Just send me email if you can help.
“There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from.” -Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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Saturday, April 7, 2001 Vol 5 Issue 207
In October 1916 the city of Healdton, Oklahoma was visited by a young movie star by the name of Ernest L. Roberson. Raised in Healdton, Roberson’s mother and father lived at Healdton and Ernest stopped by to see them on his way to Los Angeles. Robertson played cowboy roles, and could ride anything with hair on it, so it was said. As a young lad in Healdton, he learned to speak eloquently by reciting to his mule, Old Beck. His father, Robertson and Old Beck plowed cotton fields in the Healdton area with most of the cotton being sold at $100 a bale to a mill in Wilson.
I did some searching on the internet for Ernest L. Roberson, but found nothing on a movie star by that name. Maybe someone has heard of this Healdtonite?
I have tried a number of Search Engines the past five years. Some seem to work better then others. For the past couple years, it seemed that metacrawler.com worked best for me when I was search for something particular on the Net. But the past few months google.com seems to work better then all the other Search Engines I’ve tried. I did a search for “angels of the Arbuckles” and google.com did the best. But I must admit yahoo.com found it too. Test it yourself. Go to http://www.google.com and search for “angels of the Arbuckles”.
1904 when Oklahoma was Indian Territory….
April 13, 1904 Andrew Hanush hit by train at Durwood, IT
April 20, 1904 Joseph Suddeth of Coweta, IT blown to atoms by bomb planted in field.
April 22, 1904 John See of Healdton, Oklahoma killed by lightning
April 24, 1904 6 killed by cyclone at Prior Creek, IT and 3 Killed at Fairland, IT
May 5, 1904 William Sheffield, wife and two children slain at Valliant, IT
May 10, 1904 Contract let to Fraley Bros for $9,985 to construct a new Ardmore City Hall of brickLast week I told about storing Favorites at http://www.favoritesanywhere.com and for me, it was none to soon. I had a hard drive go out Thursday night, and lost everything. It was my “second computer” so I didnt lose anything important. But because I had just exported my favorites to favoritesanywhere.com I was able to restore them in less then a minute.
Last week I listed the Distribution day for the Heartland Share program here in Ardmore incorrectly. The day of pickup is Saturday April 21st behind the Catholic Church. If you want in the program, remember to sign up on Monday April 9th and pay your $17.25. 580-223-5287
Someone asked me to tell where Charles Champion II creates his work of art in Western accessories. His shop is inside the McPhersons Company Store at 521 W. Broadway. Here is a couple of pics.
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http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mcpher2.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mcpher3.jpg
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mcpher4.jpgSOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG
“Hi Butch! I’ve enjoyed reading your this and that! I’m writing to ask you if you or any of your readers might be able to help me out with some genealogy ? I’d sure love to find these two attorneys-well, I know that they have passed on by now, but i’d love to know where their files might be! The Attorneys were named Potter and Bowman and they were the attorneys representing my gggg-aunt in her quest for Cherokee citizenship in the late 1899-1900’s. I’m sure they also helped other folks, I’m having difficulty in finding these records! thanks Butch and keep the issues comin!” Cheryl [email protected]
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“Butch: In the last T&T Dennis Lippe asked where Hoxbar is located. Hoxbar was located on the Love-Carter County Line in Love County, T6N R3E Sec 6 NE 1/4. My in-laws, Bert and Mabel Paschall, owned and operated the country store and camp cabins at the SE corner of Lake Murray State Park from 1946 to 1972. Bert had a championship bird dog and boarded and trained bird dogs among other things. He and I hunted quail all over the NE corner of Love County (T6N R3E) for years. There was an old rock store on the south side of the county line in Love County which for years was owned and operated by Red Everett. It has been years since I was in that area, so the old store may not be there anymore or it may be just a pile of rocks. One way to get there is to go out the Lake Murray Drive to the extreme SE corner of the park property as though going to Enville. Only turn left, not right to Enville, and go three miles north to the county line. Turn right and go one-half mile east. The old rock store was on the right hand side in Love County. Across the road is in Carter County. The Kennedy, Harris, Chapman, Ricketts, and B.L. Owens Families all owned property in that immediate area. B.L. Owens owned a furniture store in Ardmore. I doubt that any of them are living today, though some of their heirs may be. At one time the post office operated the Hoxbar Star Route from Ardmore to Marietta which serviced the people in that area along the route. It seems I remember there was a small country post office in Red Holt’s old rock store at Hoxbar, or at least they sold stamps and would hold your mail there for the Star Route carrier to come by and pick it up. I knew that area very well thirty to fifty years ago when I was a young man. It holds a lot of good memories and good times for me. In the winter time when the tourist season was slow we spent many an evening sitting around the stove in Bert’s and Mabel’s store with the surrounding neighbors jawing about all manner of things. In the summer and fall it was work, work and more work just taking care of all the needs of the people who came to that area to boat, fish and hunt. My wife and I enjoy reading T&T especially about those things which pertain to what was our little neck of the woods back in them thar days. Thanks.” Don Davidson GRAND RANCH Brenham, Texas
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“Butch you had a letter from a Laura Sue Sullivan Milner-(Saturday T&T 3/31/2001)-wherin she states that she would like to have a picture of the old 2nd. Ward School Bldg. * See attachment for a picture of that school, scanned from the “Journal of Carter County Schools” compiled and published by Mrs Kate Galt Zanies – County Superintendent 1923.” http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/2wardsch.jpg
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“Roads of Oklahoma” shows Hoxbar on the Carter-Love county line about 1/2 mile east of the eastern boundary of Lake Murray State Park, about 3/4 mile east of Scenic-77 road on the east side of the park. In the 1950s when I had the newspaper in Konawa, Oklahoma, we had a subscriber whose mailing address was “Hoxbar Route, Ardmore, Oklahoma.” Presumably lived somewhere between Ardmore and Hoxbar on a star route that provided delivery service to patrons along the route.”
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“Thanks Butch for helping to promote the share program, Some of those guys in the pictures were my Vol. from Wilson. We have about 50 people that participate in the Heartland Share. We have lots of fun sacking and sorting and the food is great. In Wilson my phone # is 668-2248 and we will get them signed up. Let’s not keep this the best kept secret. Thanks for your help.” Anna Y. Heath, Coordinator. [email protected]
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“Russell’s Guide for January, 1931, shows two mixed trains daily on the Santa Fe between Davis and Sulphur.
No. 305 No. 303 No. 304 No. 306
4:00 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Davis 10:00 a.m. 3:40 p.m.
4:35 p.m. 1:05 p.m. Sulphur 9:25 a.m. 3:05 p.m.
(In those days Russell’s Guide showed train schedules as well as bus schedules.)”
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“Hi Butch! I wanted to ask you a question about the graveyard down the road from the old Maggies Warehouse, Overbrook area. Back in 1980, I was a Junior at Ardmore High. I will admit I did skip school and one time 3 of us went under I-35 going west from the warehouse. There is a graveyard on the right hand side of the road and on one of the graves there were kitchen utensils on the top of it. The grave is under a large tree facing the west on a corner in the lot itself. Pots, pans, cups, saucers and forks. I always wondered what the meaning of this was, can you help me? I love your stories! Ive been in Denver since graduation, and its nice to understand all the things I saw driving around in southern Okla. makes the o’l light go on because of your articles! Thank you for all of your researching that you do for all of us.”
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“More on rail service between Davis and Sulphur. “Railroads of Oklahoma,” by Preston George and Sylvan Wood, shows the line, 9.3 miles, was built in 1906.”
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“According to OKLAHOMA PLACE NAMES by George H. Shirk: HOXBAR. In Carter County, 7 miles southeast of Ardmore. A post office from October 4, 1895, to November 30, 1926. Took its name from ‘HOX,’ the cattle brand of John Washington, local rancher.”
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“I read you inquiry in Butch Bridges This ‘n That wanting to know where Hoxbar was located. Hoxbar was located on the Love-Carter County Line in Love County, T6N R3E Sec 6 NE 1/4. My in-laws, Bert and Mabel Paschall, owned and operated the country store and camp cabins at the SE corner of Lake Murray State Park from 1946 to 1972. Bert had a championship bird dog and boarded and trained bird dogs. He and I hunted quail all over T6N R3E (NE corner of Love County) for years. There is an old rock store on the south side of the county line which for years was owned and operated by Red Everett. It has been years since I have been in that area, so the old store may not be there or it may be just a ruins consisting of a pile of rocks.”
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“Hi Butch old friend, I was pleased to see the bit about the little train that shuttled between Davis and Sulphur in the “Thirtys”. My family moved to Davis in mid winter of 1931 and operated a cafe on the south side of Main Street just 30 yards east of the “Santa Fe” Depot. The “Depression” was in full swing.and times were very hard, our family of four lived in one large room in the back of the cafe. When the fast freights came thru at night, our building would shake and rattle, but we grew accustomed to the noise and would sleep right on thru.. The railroads at that time were very busy, many freight and passenger trains passed thru Davis each day. The train crews would come into our cafe to eat at all hours of the day and night. Most of these nice train people were family men and they enjoyed teasing a small boy like myself. On one occasion, one special crew took me with them on the Sulphur run. Boy! what a thrill for a five year old boy. The engineer would lift me up so that I could reach the bell cord to ring the bell and pull the whistle lever to blow the whistle at the crossings. The rails crossed Guy Sandy Creek somewhere about where the Silver Turtle is now, and ran along the south side of highway 7 into Sulphur where it crossed the highway on a elevated crossing and ran East by Wal-mart, passing just north of the of the old “Vendome Plunge” swimming pool and on east between west Tahlequah and West Oklahoma Ave.which is only 1/2 block north of my present home. The tracks then slowly turned south and crossed Oklahoma Ave. in the West 800 block of Oklahoma Ave. Across what is now the Sulphur High School ‘s Football Field. the tracks at Broadway between Rock Creek at West Broadway Ave where the Sulphur High Schjool now stands. I am unsure of the year that this rail service was discontinued. but it was after 1938. Most probably in 1940 when the curve in Hiway 7. ( which crossed under the railroad trestle) was straightened and rerouted. That would mean the tracks were no longer there. Thanks for your weekly edition of T & T.. we enjoy it very much.” Bill Uhles
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“In some of the past issues of T&T it was mentioned that some subscribers had worked many years ago building dams at Lake Murray and elsewhere. My dad , Oscar, was part of the crew that built Veterans Lake just south of Sulphur in the late thirties. He drove a team of mules dragging a Fresno scrapper. He also worked at Turner Falls on some of the road projects, manhandling huge rocks, as one of your friends had ; most likely the same crew. Later both my dad and mother, Ruth, (nee Price) worked at Doc Fry’s sanitarium, at the end of 12th St. in Sulphur. People came from all over the country to take the healing mineral baths, arriving in wheel chairs and after a couple weeks treatment, they would WALK out. There was a flowing well fountain in the alley behind the store on Main and 11th , and every day after school, I would have a big drink of bromide water; we kids all loved it. Years later, while on a vacation trip, my wife and I stopped to quench our thirst and we both about gagged. It does take some getting-used-to!!! But I still miss that town and the good people there. Some of your aero-buddies may be interested to know that Doc Fry’s brother was Jack Fry, who was the first C.E.O. of TWA airlines, when it was first formed as a merger between Trans-World and Western Airlines, pre W W ll. Jack’s two sons, named Eddie and Vernon if my memory serves me right, went to Washington Elem. School in Sulphur when I did.” Regards, Bob Elliston [email protected]
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“1923 First Ward School in NW section of Ardmore, Oklahoma – This school is known as Franklin School. I started to school in this old building.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/1ward23.jpg“Second Ward school at G street NE and 5th.”
http://members.xoom.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/2ndward.jpg“This is the Third Ward School which is known as the Lincoln School. In 1923, Ardmore was divided into four Wards which were located as follows: The NW part of town had First Ward (Franklin School), the Second Ward was located in the NE part of Ardmore and was known as Washington School. Third Ward served the SW part of Ardmore and was known as Lincoln School. Fourth Ward – Jefferson School served the SE part of Ardmore.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/3ward23.jpg“In 1923, This is Fourth Ward School Building which is known as Jefferson School and it served the SE part of Ardmore. This old building has been replace twice with one story design buildings. The first replacement of the old building was burned by arson but is now housed in a newer updated building.”
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/4ward23.jpg“In 1923 we have the Ardmore High school and the Ardmore Junior high schools. The Junior Highschool provided education for the 7th through 9th grades & enrolled students from the four Ward schools of Ardmore. The Ardmore High school provided classes for the 10th. through 12 grades. After graduation from High school they were presumed prepared for acceptance to College.” -Ernest Martin
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/ahs23.jpg
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“Butch: This is a picture of the front of the Mount Olive Cemetery Book that the Oilpatch Genalogy Assoc. is selling. They have done a ton of work on it, blocked the cemetery off, and have an index so one can find their loved one’s grave. It is great for genealogy searchers. I was wondering if you could put the picture in T&T….it would give them a little advertising on its availability. It is a great piece of work. It is a pretty good sized picture, but it is a good pic of the gate and there is a tombstone on one edge.” [email protected]
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/mtolive.jpg
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==============================================================The PVC pipe holder that displayed the copy of the April 23, 1966 issue of the Daily Ardmoreite at the American Flyers Memorial deteriorated during the icy winter months. The Airpark Fire Department saw to it this week that a new one was installed. Its made of Red Cedar, beautiful, and should last many years.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/newsign3.jpgAlso the Airpark Fire Departments new building is nearly completion. Its located across the street south from the Tower. The building will house several other offices including the Runway Cafe. I know those firefighters are looking forward to moving into the new quarters.
http://members.nbci.com/_XOOM/OklahomaPast/photos/newfd2.jpg“The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true.” -James Branch Cabell
See everyone next Saturday!
Butch Bridges
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