Email: [email protected]

Phone: 580-490-6823

If you’re looking for a certain article I wrote in a past issue of “This & That” you might find it faster by doing a “search” with your browser. With Netscape just click your mouse at the top at EDIT and then FIND and type in the word or words you’re looking for. If you use Internet Explorer, just click on EDIT and then FIND ON THIS PAGE to do a search.

Below is June 4, 2004 to June 26, 2004.

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Saturday June 26, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 375

James Holmes Akers (who was known as Holmes) was born January 9, 1857 in Cooke County, Texas. He had eleven brothers and sisters, and several of them settled in Pickens County, Indian Territory. The majority lived in the Woodford area, at the edge of the Arbuckle Mountains. Some of the siblings who lived in Pickens County were: George, Lafayette, (these two brothers ran a grocery store in Woodford, Joe and John Dempsey. John was also in the grocery business and lived around Woodford. John’s wife was Jackie, and their children were: H.H., Nona Akers Duncan, J.D., Eupha Lee Akers Speakes, and Euna Akers. Eupha and Euna were twins. The Woodford Cemetery contains many Akers from this family. Holmes came to Ardmore before statehood in the Chickasaw Nation days. He was in the furniture business and operated a store in Ardmore. After statehood, he was elected the first Sheriff of Carter County, which was a most challenging job, considering the lawlessness of the area. He married Leora Steed, and they had the following children: Effie, Jess, Ray, Yula, and Amilee. Yula is the only living child at this writing. Holmes died in May, 1934. He and Leora are buried in Woodford Cemetery. -From the 1983 ‘Indian Territory and Carter County Pioneers’ book <—– Click Here

I ran across an old postcard on eBay the other day that I just couldn’t live without. Have you ever had that experience? Well, the reason I couldn’t live without it was not because of the main object of the photo, the Carter County Court House in 1915, but the building next too it on the east side of the courthouse. In the photo was the no longer in existance Carter County Jail. I remember Ernest Martin telling me a few years ago how when he was a wee lad, around 1940, he delivered newspapers for The Daily Ardmoreite in the downtown area. He remembered the old jail, and he “walked down into the jail to deliver the newspapers” to the jailer. You can see in the postcard their is a lower level basement and the entrance and steps Ernest took is that south entrance in the picture. By the way, I did win the auction on eBay and the postcard was mine for $4 which included postage. Pretty good deal of such an almost never before seen piece of history. <—– Click Here

We have had a lot of rain the past couple of weeks and all the farm ponds, creeks and rivers in this area are full. It would be a great time to take a 10 mile canoe trip down the Washita River right now. I’m talking about the one offered by Rose Grocery store 2 miles south of Davis, Oklahoma on Highway 77. Rose Grocery was built the natural rock store in 1982 and opened for business March 3, 1983 by Neal and Charlene Rose. Neal Rose was born less than a mile south of the store, he’s deceased now, but Charlene still runs the old fashioned kind of a convenience store. Last weekend I stopped by there and talked with Charlene’s nephews, Hugh and Kevin Rose, about their canoe trips down the Washita. After they explained it all, it sure made me want to take that $20 trip down that ever winding and changing Washita River! My grandmother Addie Carmon called it the “wash your toe” river. If you’re ever in the area and want to have some canoeing fun, now would be the best time, before the dry season gets here and the Washita River’s flow is down. Call Rose Grocery ahead of time to check out the details and make reservations. The phone number is 580-369-2223. And if your in the area of Rose Grocery, stop and meet Charlene and her nephews, get a sodie pop and something to eat, and I’m sure they have some interesting stories to tell about some canoe trips! Hugh and Kevin are the most cordial, hospitable and safety minded guys you’ll ever want to meet. Tell them I sent you! <—– Click Here

Speaking of the Turner Falls area, I noticed when I was up there last weekend you can now go horse back riding. The sign was located by the entrance of Turner Falls in front of Blue Hole swimming area. The trail rides are offered by Dark Water Outfitters and gave the number 405-409-3157. I did a search on google.com and this is the only mention I could find of Dark Water Outfitters. I haven’t rode a horse in 25 years, but it sure was fun! Of course the main thing I remember is how the next day my hips and butt was sore. lol <—– Click Here

Here is a pic of Blue Hole at the entrance of Turner Falls. <—– Click Here

While at Turner Falls I couldnt resist taking a picture of those beautiful Falls. I doubt very seriously if there is anything more breath-taking in Oklahoma. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

I picked up this brochure and admission, camping prices for Turner Falls at the Tourist Office located at the top of Turner Falls Lookout. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

Here is a pic of Ardmore’s George Ramsey historical marker next to the Tourist Office. The phone number on the sign in front of the Tourist and Souvenir shop was 580-369-2240. <—– Click Here

The new class roster webpage is growing very nicely. If you know of any other websites dedicated to high school graduation classes, let me know. I will put a link to them on the ‘classmate website”. So far we have 7 classes online!! It was interesting to see how the search engine on my website worked with the class rosters. I typed in a couple of names and, Viola! The Pico search engine points to the classmate’s webpage and roster. <—– Click Here

Speaking of classes, the Ardmore High Class of 1959 has built an impressive website. <—– Click Here

The new owners of old Ardmore’s Temple Emeth took me inside the building this week and for the first time I got a glimpse of the inside even though have lived right down the street from it since 1972. We talked about some things it could be used for, I even mentioned I might ask my cousins back to sing some saturday night inside the now empty building. There are 119 fold-up movie theater style seats on the main floor. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

No way jay. A Reader posed a question to me this week of why is there no “J” Streets in Ardmore. (Washington DC has no “J” Streets either.) When I was a teen on 3rd NE I had noticed there was no “J” street marker on 3rd NE just two blocks east of my house, and wondered that same question. It goes from “I” street to “K” Street NE. Back in my teen years we did not have street signs on poles. They were solid concrete (painted white) markers with the street names painted on them in black letters. There are still a few around town. Anyway, his question really got the wheels to turning, and I made a call to the City of Ardmore street department. They didn’t really know either. After some research, below is the best answer I found:

“The most plausible explanation is that J Street was omitted because the letters I and J were often indistinguishable from each other (especially when handwritten), and in 18th century English they were still largely interchangeable. (The 1740 “New General English Dictionary” published in London had a single section for I and J, and the standard identification Thomas Jefferson used on his personal possessions was “T.I.”) Having both an “I” and a “J” street would have been redundant at best and confusing at worst, so “J” ended up as the odd man out.” <—– Click Here

Speaking of the City of Ardmore, when I had them on the phone asking about “J” Streets, they told me the City Council approved the marking of Ardmore’s famous Paradise Alley NE with historical street signs. It was approved in the June 21st meeting. They are going to put up 3 street signs: at North Washington, at Mill, and at Caddo streets. Now that is good news!

I found or should I say, didnt find, an item that seems scarce as hen’s teeth in Ardmore. I’ve looked high and low for 2 or 3 tall ice teaspoons and there doesnt seem to be any for sale in this town. A friend told me there is a restaurant equipment business in Pauls Valley that probably has tall teaspoons (7 1/2 inches tall). You’d think some merchant in Ardmore would stock tall icetea spoons. Don’t you just hate to stir a tall glass of ice tea using those shorty teaspoons? I do.

Something that’s been brought up to me several times the last couple of years is how can we get a sign out by Exit 42 of I-35 that reads: Airpark Remembrance Memorial Park 8 miles ——> (or some wording like) that so people can find the memorial at the Ardmore Airpark. There is already state highway signs at that location, the Memorial Park sign just needs to be hung below those that are already in place. I was told the other day the memorial site had a lot of visitors on May 31st. Hardly a day goes by that someone doesnt sign the guest registry located at the memorial. Any suggestions or help anyone on getting those signs up? <—– Click Here

Paul “P.A.” Russell and his son Dusty, and Paul’s brother, Bryon Russell who I worked with when he was an orderly at Memorial Hospital in the 70s, came over and cut down a tree for me this week. I hate like the dickens to cut down trees, but when the tree is half dead with even some ready to fall limbs, you dont have much choice. The 3 of them started at 7am and by 9am they had the tree completely down to the ground and loaded in Paul’s trailer to haul off. This tree was in the front right next to the curb, so that helped. If I had been 20 years younger, I’d cut it down myself, oh well, such is life. Paul only charged $150 which was very reasonable if you’ve ever had a tree cut down. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

Norma Robinson with the Carter County Assessors Office brought over from Healdton one of Bill Morgan’s fried pies this week. She said Bill’s pineapple fried pies might just be the tastiest of them all, and wanted me to try one. Well, Norma sure didn’t have to twist my arm to eat one! lol. Norma said here lately you can find Bill Morgan camping on the weekends at Healdton Lake, frying those pies, and making everyone’s mouth water. They are sure worth a buck! <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“Butch – thanks so much for your inclusion of my dad, Bob Farrington, in this week’s T&T. We do so appreciate your thoughtfulness and caring. I hadn’t read this week’s T&T yet so it took me a few minutes to figure out what all the extra e-mails were for. Luckily I didn’t delete them but started reading them. Your readers have been wonderful. I received at least 15 e-mails from your readers and have even heard from someone my dad worked with in Ardmore many many many years ago. That will be a real treat for him. I will make sure we read all the e-mails to him and I know it will lift his spirits. In fact yesterday when I was in visiting he was glad to know I had saved your T&T’s from the last 3 weeks and had printed them out for him when he’s able to read them. He gave me the thumbs up sign for that. He is getting better – they had him out of bed for a little while on Thursday and that’s a huge step. He tires easily and is still uncomfortable however that’s to be expected. We pray he will continue to improve as much as he has already. Again, thanks for your support and prayers.” -Marilyn Roder in Ohio

6/23/04 “This is Marilyn (Bob’s daughter) – he is continuing to make improvement. He has been moved to the stepdown unit which is a positive move. We are thankful for the progress he’s made so far.”
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“Does anyone have any information on the whereabouts of Howard or Jimmie Woodruff?” [email protected]
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“Maggie Lake Sullivan was the wife of my great-uncle: Bloomer Sullivan: famed basketball coach at Southeastern. Maggie Lake’s father was the architect who designed the old High School, on Washington. My grandmother, Arkie Sullivan, was Bloomer’s sister. Arkie’s daughter, my mother, Carol Baucom is well and living at the Suites at Elmbrook here in Ardmore. She would love to hear from old friends. So good to hear about one’s family.” -Susan Nance, Ardmore
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“Hello Butch Bridges! You probably don’t remember me, but we met a number of years back at a computer repair nite class at Vo-tech. We worked mostly on 286’s and 386’s and somebody suggested we start a computer club. Now, some years later I have started a public service list and I wonder if you have any ideas on how to promote it. There are about 2000 cities now that have a freecycle list ( www.freecycle.org ). The purpose is to keep down landfill space and encourage the “simple life”. People who have something to give away post it, and people looking for something post their needs and hopefully they get together. Is there any kind of a community site where I could encourage more people to sign up for the Ardmore freecycle list? Thanks (and good memories).” -Don Loving http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ardmorefreecycle/
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on the back of these Butch……it says…….THE BATES STUDIO 423-425 D AVE. LAWTON, OKLA. <—– Click Here

“St. Patrick’s Mission built in 1889 by F. Isidore Ricklin, was completely destroyed by fire, September 26th, 1909. The only Catholic Institution for 5,732 Indians on the reservation. Please help the poor missionary to build it up again by sending your alms or mass intentions to the address on the picture.” <—– Click Here

This one says THE MIDLAND HOTEL ON THE BACK. the doors on the building say Lawton. <—– Click Here

I believe this is my granddad… the pic was taken in Lawton… it says… i think….. Hiley or Hiles Hole? grandad was Joseph A. Ryan. back side is coming also…… <—– Click Here

I believe this is my granddad…back side is coming also…… <—– Click Here

this is the 1913 Elks Lodge ( BPOE ) float in a parade at Lawton <—– Click Here

-Tracy Ryan in Atlanta
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“I have a question and hope that you or some of your readers can help. I have an old picture of my fathers grandparents and their is writing on the back of the picture identifying the people. There is also a notation stating that the man in the picture is wearing a shoe fly. Can someone tell me what a Shoe Fly is? I have asked several people and no one seems to know but they all are interested in finding out. Would anyone have a picture of one? I would appreciate any help from anyone who can shed some light on this for me. Thanks.” -Pat
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“Hi Butch, Some people running Win XP might have trouble with auto running a CD. Microsoft has a fix for it. Also I will email it to you or anyone who can’t find it.” -Gene South [email protected]
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“Butch – Thanks for your good T & T every week. About the class rosters – I don’t have the 1931. I may be the only one left. Are there any more of you out there?” -Eliz. Kendrick Gunn, Arlington, Tx. [email protected]
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The Daily Ardmoreite August 28, 1910—BUILDING BROOM FACTORY Lonnie Woodward of Pulaski, TN, who has been here several weeks visiting with his sister, Mrs. Geo. Coffman of Provence has decided to locate in Ardmore. He and W. Newman will establish a broom factory in Ardmore. Their machinery has been purchased and is now en route. The factory will be put in on West Main street, where Mr. Newman conducts a store.
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August 11, 1925—ARDMORE PIONEER COMES TO SON FOR MEDICAL ADVICE Ruben Hardy, one of the pioneers of this city, is here from Portales, N.M. visiting with his children in Ardmore and nearby towns. Mr. Hardy is the father of Dr. Walter Hardy and came to receive medical treatment from his son. He is 80 years old but is remarkably well preserved in body and is in good health for a man of his years. He came to what is now Ardmore in February 1887. This was before Ardmore was established and prior to the time the Santa Fe railroad was built into this city. He was a native of Mississippi and came to Oklahoma from Bowie, TX. One of the first general merchandise stores to be opened here was operated by Ruben Hardy at the corner of Caddo and East Main street. He is one of the steady pioneers who helped to build the great west out of the wilderness. Ruben Hardy saw service in the Civil war on the Confederate side. A number of brick buildings and farms are owned by him and he is in a comfortable financial position. The children who live in this city are Dr. Walter Hardy, Judge Andy Hardy, and Mrs. A.B. Seay. A daughter, Mrs. J. Rush Goodlow, lives at Ringling, and another son, Dudley Hardy at Marietta.
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TRAPP DEFENDS ANTI-PRISON LABEL STAND —Shutting out prison work would mean 20 per cent hike in taxes; brick trust alone suffers— —-COULD NOT USE BRICKS FOR ROADS— Only 700 Workmen Affected and Not One a Union Man, He Says Governor M.E. Trapp strongly defended his anti-prison label law while in Ardmore Monday attending the sheriffs convention. You can figure it out for yourself explained the executive. The cost of the two penal institutions is something around $2,000,000 a year. The entire cost of running the state is $11,000,000. We hope to wipe out the complete cost of supporting these institutions by the employment of prison labor which does not affect but a small number of people in Oklahoma outside of the brick trust. If we are not permitted to do this, the $11,000,000 expense will be augmented by an additional $2,000,000 charge. That will mean an increase in state taxes of nearly 20 per cent which every taxpayer must assume and must pay or be subject to levy.
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June 11, 1926—MRS. SARAH FITTS IS 82 BUT SHE DOESN’T NEED ANY HELP IN RUNNING HOTEL AND ACTING AS A CAMPAIGN MANAGER In Burneyville, a small Love county village, a most remarkable old woman lives. This woman, who is 82 years old is the proprietor of the town’s only hostelry. Her name is Sarah Shirley Fitts and she boasts a father of 109 years and has a school girl of 15 for a sister. Mrs. Fitts does all the work required to maintain her business for she says she can’t be bothered with the “eternal servant problem” which deals so much misery to the flapper housekeeper. In addition to her household duties, she is campaign manager for Judge Asa E. Walden in the Burneyville district of Love county. She has raised 600 chickens this spring and they’re not incubator chicks either, she’ll inform you. Besides all this, she also has a good sized garden spot under cultivation. Mrs. Fitts can see nothing extraordinary about her long and useful life and says that anyone who works and leads the right kind of life will live a long time. She accounts for her father’s long life in that he has been careful of his habits, eaten the simplest of foods and spent a great portion of his life in the open, having followed the cattle trails in the days when the western states were cattle ranges. When questioned about the present generation, Mrs. Fitts just smiles and tells you that when she was “growing up” girls were taught to spend their time learning to make homes and not thumping ukuleles. When the Charleston is mentioned she raises her hands in awe but says she firmly believes “they’ll come out of it alright”.
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June 14, 1926—30 YEARS AGO TODAY, from files of June 14, 1896 Three men, Dick Moore, his son Allen Moore, and Henry Ross were arrested by Deputy Marshal S.T. Lindsey on Friday near Courtney Flats in the Mud Creek country, charged with murder of Dick Graham of that place.
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June 15, 1926—BRIEF INTERVIEWS R.B. Gilbert–It was 8 years ago today that the Penneys store in Ardmore opened its doors. The temperature that day was 112 degrees.
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June 16, 1926—30 YEARS AGO TODAY, from files of June 16, 1896 The bicycle craze, if such it may be called, has taken a strong hold upon the ladies of Ardmore. Last night there were about 50 of the fair sex practicing by moonlight.
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June 18, 1926—KIDS WILL BE GIVEN SHOWER BATHS SOON Hey fellers! Do you remember the good times you had last summer when at the end of a hot day the city provided you with a shower in the street by the city hall? When July 4 arrives City Manager Kirk Dyer will inaugurate the shower bath. One evening during the week showers will be arranged in the street and the water will be dammed by means of sand bags as it was a year ago and a wading pool made for the children.
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June 18, 1926—BUS OPERATORS TO STATION HERE Construction will start at once on a new Red Ball station in the Ellison building on Washington street, according to W.A. Green, bus operator, who has closed a five year lease on the structure. Other bus line operators who have signed up with Green to operate cars out of the station are Lewis and Lawson, Freeman and Freeman and Fields and White Operators of all motor lines out of Ardmore with the exception of those to Healdton and Duncan, will have headquarters at the new central location. These, it is believed will later run out of the new headquarters. It is said that the Red Ball lines handle as many as 500 passengers a day. The facilities on North Washington street will be ideal, said Green. The business men are fitting up the terminal station with benches and restrooms, and a man will be kept there at all times to give information to the traveling public. A book and news stand and cold drink stand will be installed in the station. Passenger traffic by motor car is the fastest growing industry here and has gone forward by leaps and bounds. The Red Ball gives the rural people a quick, safe, cheap, convenient, and comfortable way of getting around town, according to E.R.Butler of Butler’s Cafe on N. Washington street, where for two years these cars have been making their headquarters.
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June 20, 1926—BIG CHICKEN RANCH TO BE STARTED HERE Incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, one-half which already has been secured, a big chicken ranch and hatchery will be in operation here by fall, it was definitely announced Saturday by Miss Bertha Mathews. The poultry ranch will be operated on 160 acres of land on the Madill highway.
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“Dear Butch, The gentleman that mentioned George at the Randolph Saddle Shop was referring to George Baumann. He was one of the finest men you could hope to meet. He met Junior Eskew at a rodeo in New York. George came back to Oklahoma with Junior and lived at the Randolph’s home. He worked for Floyd and also went to American Flyers at the base at Gene Autry and got his pilots license and moved to Hershey, Pennsylvania. He later returned to this area as a pilot for Ace Pletcher and he also flew for Samedan, Noble and Goddards, among many others. He indeed was a great bulldogger. However, one of George’s greatest talents was story telling. Many times we asked him to record these stories or write a book but how sad, we don’t have anything but our wonderful memories. We miss George.”
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“Butch, The Neustadt family were very prominent in the Ardmore Community. Mrs. Walter Neustadt was the daughter of a Westheimer. I noticed in your picture of the tree you live across from the Neustadt house. Walter and Mrs. Neustadt had four children, Jo, a daughter and 3 sons Walter Jr., Gene and Alan. Walter and Alan have both moved to Dallas in the last few years. Gene Passed away several years ago and I believe he must have been the one the man asked about that he knew during WWII. Gene was the one that Lake Gene Neustadt was named for. He would be about 82 or 83 if he were alive. His widow Patsy still lives in Ardmore. I may be wrong but I believe the people that made dresses were the Fishman’s. Their daughter was Ida Yaffee and she told me one time that her parents manufactured little girl dresses in Ardmore at one time. Ida used to own a dress shop on Main.”
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“Butch…..I would like to share with your readers a technology based on glycobiology that MIT (Mass. Inst. of Technology) has profiled as one of the top 10 new technologies that will change the world. My mission here is not to sell products, but to educate the public and medical professionals about a newly discovered class of nutrients called glyconutrients; that have been scientifically researched, validated, and found to makeup the very words of life or cellular code in cell-to-cell communication. The greek word glyco means sugar. Most people think of sugar as being bad for you. However, there are actually two kinds of sugars sweet refined table sugars “extracellular” sugars. And the others “intracellular” sugars. All have one thing in common, they are all known as carbohydrates. What most people don’t know is that until recently all carbohydrates were thought to be used by the body just for energy and burned as fuel. Science has now discovered that within the body (8) “intracellular” simple sugars or monosacarides known as glyconutrients are not used as fuel for the body, but make up the very words of life or cellular code by which all 100+ trillion cells throughout the body communicate. When cell-to-cell communication breaks down, various degenerative conditions take hold and setup within the body. Over 80 autoimmune conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and lupus to name a few are thought by science to be a result of this break down in cell-to-cell communication. Healthy bodies are comprised of many components working together in sophisticated harmony, and must have accurate internal communication to function correctly. Scientist have discovered that these (8) simple sugars or monosacarides found upon and coating every cell surface throughout the body combine with other molecules to make up glycoforms, the keys to unlocking cell-to-cell communication. Today our modern diets have changed in response to the demands for quick, processed, and cheaper foods. Many of our fruits and vegetables no longer contain the level of nutrients they contained only 30-years ago. Consequently we are not getting but (2) of these (8) neccessary glyconutrients from our modern day food chain. While our bodies have the capacity to manufacture these missing (6) glyconutrients, the conversion process is complicated, requires huge amounts of energy, and a host of other micronutrients. If our bodies are sick or not healthy, any slowdown or miscommunication could cause major health problems with millions of cells regenerating each day. In addition to glyconutrients, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and amino acids are also important for optimal health. To find out more about this new emerging technology, please email me at [email protected] or visit my web site at <—– Click Here and input when asked referred to site by: “Ken Mills” Ardmore, “OK” : Once your into the site click on the glycoscience health and nutrition link, then from the next page choose Glycoscience.org Information is available for the public, doctors, and health care professionals. I suggest everyone view the site tutorial first before proceeding into this science site. They are the only nutraceutical company in the world that has glyconutrients and hosts a public toll free information call each Monday at 8:00PM cst with medical doctors explaining this new technology and the health benefits they are seeing. Call toll free Monday June 28th at 8:00PM and listen in to Dr. Blaine Purcell at 877-626-6246.” [email protected]
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“Butch, You cost me some money last week by discussing ‘them fried pies!’ (Exit 51 at Davis, Oklahoma). Was on my way to Norman to see my dad on Father’s Day and bought some pies for my brothers and sister – and dad – he likes coconut. Well, I had to eat a chocolate pie to get me on up the road, and then my kin ate every one that was left. However, I made the turn going back south and got three apricot pies to get me home…’them fried pies sure are good.’ Talked with Nancy, Bo, and Amanda at the shop and they say a lot of people are mentioning your name having seen the pie pictures on your site. They are open 7 to 7, seven days a week. Good southern Oklahoma people with a fine product. Have enclosed two pictures.” -Gary Heartsill <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“My friend Judi Elmore contacted me this morning and told me that late last night the Heartland Flyer hit a truck which had been abandoned on the tracks just south of Purcell with smoke and electrical damage, cow catcher is chained on (they had to cut it loose, then chain it back because it was dragging and touching the tracks). No one was injured and the train made its way on to OKC once the track was cleared. It was about 3 hours late. The crew timed out so Amtrak sent up a fresh crew this morning and 821 left OKC on time. We both were at the Ardmore Depot this morning to take some photos of the damage. I’ve uploaded a few shots to my webshots albums if you want to take a look.” -Dwane Stevens, Ardmore <—– Click Here
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We’re drawing 3 more names from the hopper for a free Gene South Patriotic CD. You only need to enter once for these special drawings, but if you havent emailed me, do so if you want in the hopper! If you were one of last week’s winners, send me an email with your mailing address. <—– Click Here

We will draw 3 names each week until July 4th. Here are three more winners:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” -anonymous

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday June 19, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 374

This week I’ve put together a webpage for Oklahoma high school class rosters. In the past week I’ve had three Ardmore High School rosters submitted to me- 1958, 1960, 1963, so we are just in the beginning stages! I think this is going to be a lot of fun just to see how many different colored buttons representing different high schools from across the state participate. Only very basic info is on the webpage: Name, City, State. And there is a link to the email address of the person maintaining the roster if more contact info is needed. If you or anyone you know maintains a class roster on computer, let me know! <—– Click Here

Boy, did I make a booboo in the last T&T issue. I said the aerial was of Lake Murray Lodge and Tipps Point. Tipps point is way north of the lodge near Elephant Rock. But this is a good bird’s eye view of Lake Murray Lodge area. <—– Click Here

Last week we had a write-up and photo of a Fulton Fried Pie of Davis, Oklahoma. Healdtonite Norma Robinson informed me this week there is a man in Healdton, Oklahoma that bakes delicious fried pies too. He is Bill Morgan. So Norma brought me one of Bill’s coconut cream fried pies and boy, I will admit it was good. She just didnt bring me enough of them! lol. I dont know where in Healdton Bill Morgan lives, but I’m sure Norma Robinson or Kenneth Eck either one can point you the way to Bill’s house. When I’m in Healdton you can be sure I’ll have a nose like a bloodhound when it comes to finding those pies! Bye the way, you have to place your order in advance. <—– Click Here

Some of you will remember me planting an empress tree in my front yard in June 2003. At planting time it was barely a foot high. he Empress Tree is the fastest growing tree in the world, and I’m glad my tree is over 7 feet exactly one year later. Shade come on! Here is a pic when I first planted the tree. <—– Click Here

And here is that same tree one year later topping 6 feet. <—– Click Here

The Ancient World Mapping Center is based out of the University of North Carolina and works to maintain the importance of cartography and geographic study within the field of Ancient History. The site has just been updated with over twenty new maps of Ancient Rome, and has plenty of other exhibits such as the Barrington Atlas and information about Hadrian’s Wall, as well a newsletter and links to related sites. History buffs should have their bookmarks ready. <—- Click Here

Need a free program that will zip and unzip files? This is an excellent program that will do the job, and unlike Braxio’s program, it does not have spyware hidden in it. <—- click here

Bob Farrington was one of my T&T subscribers when I first started 8 years ago. Even though he has lived in Northfield, Ohio he still comes back to Ardmore every once in a while. He has been a faithful T&T Reader all these years and contributes regularly to articles in the newsletter. I received word this week from his daughter that Bob is in serious condition in ICU at an Ohio hospital. He is a praying man, and I know it would lift his spirit to know there are T&T Readers praying for him, people he has never met, so if you believe in prayer, send him an email. His daughter will print it out and give it to her dad. [email protected]

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“I am the granddaughter of E. Alden Matthews and was searching the web for anything I could find about him this evening and ran across your article that mentions him.” -Susie Matthews Hipp, Lakewood, California

From December 4, 2002 T&T: “The first FBI agent assigned to Carter county was E. Alden Matthews in 1944. In 1963 the FBI office was at the Adams Building, 314 West Main.”
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“Great news letter last week! As you can tell I love the history of Route 66 and here is a website that has some history and good photos of old 66 in Oklahoma. I just thought I would sharing that with you and all the cyber space readers out there. Thanks.” Scott, Fort Worth, Tx <—- Click Here
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“In George Washington’s days, there were no cameras. One’s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are “limbs,” therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, “Okay, but it’ll cost you an arm and a leg.”
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“Butch, the person that asked about the name Neustadt, There was a small garment factor above the City Drug Store many years ago 1940’s. A man and wife who did custom fit dresses and probably men’s too. I can’t remember much about them but I used to go there sometimes when my mother got tired of making dresses for me. They made a costume for me for a dance recital with Betty Brown I believe she was the teacher.” -Jo Evelyn Barton [email protected]
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“Well you folks around Ardmore made the news with your 3.7 earthquake a few days ago. I guess Missouri could not stand it so we had a whole 23 acre lake disappear LOL just outside St Louis, how about them beans? They say the water finally dissolved a limestone layer beneath the lake, many high dollar condo owners will have to foot the bill to repair the lake.”
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“Just read your T&T for this week and read where you mentioned Bea Kennedy. She’s now in a nursing home in Amarillo TX where her son, Pat Kennedy, is pastor of the First Methodist Church. In case you’d like to write to her, her address is: Heritage Convalescent Home 1009 Clyde Amarillo, TX 79106
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“Here’s one more tidbit about the PrintScreen button, at least for Windows users. If you press the ALT key at the same time as the PrintScreen key then the image copied is only of the active window you are in at that time rather than the whole display screen. That can make the file size a bit smaller.”
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>From ConnectOklahoma Listserver: “talk about memories,lol, a close friend (unnamed) and i decided to raise and sell pigeons. We, mike and i, found a ready supply of them on top of the old park theater. I am sure we made a really smelly and hilarious pic as we walked up north washington to the Maxwell residence with towsacks full of them. Seems some animal found a way into the garage and ate our business adventure. To be honest, i was pleased to see that plan end.”
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“Here’s some progress I’ve made down here in Davis, preserving our WWII veteran’s stories. These are housed at the library for all to check out and view. This way future generations will hear how small town folks went up against the AXIS and came out victorious.” -Bryan Pullen <—– Click Here
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“Do you remember – at one time Tucker’s Tower was condemned, because some diver was messing around the base of it and discovered it sat over A CAVE!!! Later they decided it wasn’t a danger after all, and made it into what it is today. This was back in the 50’s I believe, as I’ve been gone from there since 53! My dad, and relatives ran cattle in that area back before the lake was built.Miserable place to chase them, full of blackjack oak trees, — they don’t give when you hit a limb! Also, that was the local place to go on picnic’s when my parents were growing up ….known as “Devil’s Kitchen.”
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“Just a quick note… about the print screen thing. You don’t have to hold down the ctrl key.. just hit the print screen button. And also, I don’t think that Paint comes on Mac computers or Linux etc.. so maybe say that it comes on all Windows computers. I think it is neat that you stick little computer tips in here and there.” -Paula
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“Hi Butch, This is the download page where you can download Print Key free. It will activate the print key and you can save, print, edit any part of your desktop picture. This page has other programs that have been discontinued or gone commercial.” -Gene South <—– Click Here
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“I’m trying to unload a stitching project, but it needs winzip which costs $29. That’s not going to break me, but it makes me mad because I wasn’t told before I ordered the project that I would need this program. Do you know of another program – free or cheaper – that does the same thing?” <—– Click Here
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The Daily Ardmoreite Sept. 12, 1895 OLD RELICS FOUND A Spaniard with two old timers from Tussy has recently been exploring the mountains to the Northwest of us in search of hidden treasure. In there perambulations, and on one of the highest peaks of the Arbuckle mountains they came to an old fortification, the walls of which had crumbled down, large logs lay rotted, and everything presented the appearance of an old fort. Among the ruins they picked up the rusty blade of an old sword and the barrel of an old horse pistol, the handle of which had long since rotted off. These relics they brought back with them. An exploring party is now being formed to more thoroughly investigate the ruins.
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August 21, 1910 ARDMORE TO HAVE 83 BLOCKS OF PAVING Twenty two blocks now in course of construction–cost is cheaper. At the present figures the pavement is being laid at $1.85 per square yard.
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PRISONER HITS OFFICER As the result of a fist fight on Caddo street last night, George Burns was knocked through a glass window and painfully but not seriously cut and bruised. Virge Austin and Burns were arrested, charged with fighting. Fred Ford was fined $10 in police court yesterday on a charge of fighting. Ford, it is said, had a fight with Will Thompson, and after being taken into the police station by Policeman Boucker, “reared up” and hit the officer in the eye, causing that member to swell and rapidly turn dark. He paid his fine.
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June 21, 1929 Adv.–Zippin Good uh Huh That’s what they say about REEDER’S. Reeder’s Pop is a thirst quencher. Reeder Bottling Works, 205 South Washington, Ardmore.
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May 2, 1954 GARRETT’S OLD GUN IS PRIZED MUSEUM PIECE The Remington revolver used by Buck Garrett, famous early-day sheriff of Carter county, has been acquired by a collector of antique and western firearms in Cedarhurst, New York. The collector is Paul J. Doniger, wrote in a letter to The Daily Ardmoreite explaining that he had obtained Buck Garrett’s revolver from Mrs. Elsie Jackson of Dallas Texas. He had traced the history of the gun and had learned of the work of Garrett and his most famous deputy, Bud Ballew. Mr. Doniger is interested in obtaining a rifle and also a badge with the five pointed star worn by either one of the lawmen. Any information on the life and death of Buck Garrett for his historical collection would be a real plus.
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FLOYD RANDOLPH ANNOUNCES AS CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY SHERIFF other candidates: Walter Day, Billy Hensley, N.J. Craighead, Houston Cox, Enoch Watterson
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HARDY SANITARIUM’S FUTURE IS SPECIFIED IN FOUNDER’S WILL Dr. Walter Hardy, pioneer Oklahoma physician, provided in his will that the hospital was to continue to operate one year after his death. This was revealed by the executors of the estate, Milton K. Hardy, a son, and James Bivens, business manager of the Hardy sanitarium. According to this paper, it is said that Hardy Sanitarium is the only hospital in this section of the state accredited by the American College of Surgeons and has carried this recognition since 1930. The first wing of the hospital was built in 1911 and Bivens has been associated with the institution since 1920.
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May 6, 1954 RAMBLING REPORTER Ratliff City will soon have a clover leaf four-lane highway going through the town. A blacktop road will run out of Ratliff City north into Garvin county, with the bridge contract already let. Two service stations have been condemned and will have to move to make way for the four lane. Velma folks are considering incorporating the town, probably the biggest burg in the state that hasn’t ever been incorporated. Augusta Medcalfe, 73, from Durham, Oklahoma, was about the most interesting out-of-town exhibitor at the Art Festival. She never had a lesson in drawing or painting in her life, but does such good work that she was once mentioned in Life Magazine—sort of a western Oklahoma Grandma Moses. Jess Phipps, Fox merchant, oil producer, and several other interests says his first love is stock raising–says you can’t beat it. Forty one years ago Jess’ dad, Doc Phipps, was at Ragtown and was a butcher boy. Jerry Newton and Joe Dudal were a handsome pair of M.P.’s out to the baseball game the other night. Ardmore has gained more than 5,000 and has over 23,000 population. Quintin Little, President of the Chamber of Commerce; Moss Patterson, Vice Pres.’ and Les James, executive manager; made the front page of the paper with their pictures. Ardmore started as a loading chute for the Roff Brothers 700 ranch in 1887 alongside the newly-laid Santa Fe railroad tracks and has gone far from that lowly beginning despite a destructive fire and a terrible explosion, the town has continued to grow. Bob Michaels, postal clerk, neighbor and baseball fan is the ticket seller out at Cardinal Park succeeding Buddy Miller—mighty lively with the paste-boards. Evan Roberts and Shirley McGee of Springer were in applying for drivers licenses the other day with Evan’s dad, Cortrell sort of coaching them. Despite his feminine sounding name, Shirley is a very lucky boy. John Taylor, bell hop at the Hotel Ardmore, has been bragging about his boy, John Jr. for some time so last Saturday he proudly displayed him, husky little chap. John and his wife, Ula, own their own home at 311 First Avenue SE. He was raised at the Mulkey community and has been around Ardmore all his life except five years in the Army.
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“butch: i have been reading through past t&t’s and have wondered about the lack of mention of some true craftsmen/women…for example: ben dye…bootmaker.. he had boot lasts (?) for most everyone special for each foot.. built a fine pair of boots. he had a boot club. joined for $2.00 a week. had a drawing each week and winner got a pair of boots made. at the end of the time period even if you didn’t win before you still got a pair of boots. he was/is the one who made enoch watterson’s signature square toed boots. i was lucky enough to have owned a couple of pair even tho i never won any drawings. truman gilstrap. boatmaker. had a shop on south washington right where that spur track crossed. made it easy for him to ship boats (???) freight boats all over. i used to stop in on my way from school and “help” john dubiel (sp?) custom gun maker.. mostly rifles.. works of art.. the stocks were hand made also from exotic woods. never owned one but sure wanted to. there was a young man worked at randolph’s saddle shop. a real craftsman. also a good bull dogger. he made me a custom seat for my harley. his name evades me. want to say george johnson. of course lena beth murphy. ralph wall. he did the sketches for our ’50 criterion. i did find alot about fred beaver. also bobby ray france was very good at cartoons. he had a series that looked more like the simpson family than the simpson family. he should claim infringement on whoever.”
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“Hi Butch! The request has been passed by the Historic Preservation Board, gone through the Street Dept, and is on the City Commission Agenda for their approval for an exception to current policy of not putting signs in alleys. I took the liberty of copying 2 paragraphs from your newsletter (on police radio 60s & 70s and the 1910 fire) and attaching to the HP Board’s request. Specifically, our request is for 3 brown “historic” signs to read: North Washington & Paradise Alley, Mill Street & Paradise Alley and Caddo & Paradise Alley.”
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“My grandfather was also the owner of the City Shoe Shop, probably purchasing it from the Kennedys. His name was Carl Scholz and his wife Emma Lee lives at the Ardmore Village after retiring with over 50 years at Carter County Courthouse and their present day location on Broadway. I’m sure you being around the courthouse have knowledge of Emma Lee if you have been there long.” -Robert Zink
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“This was sung at my grandmother’s funeral in 1978. It’s a beautiful song and was one of her favorites. We found, after her funeral, that she had written the titles of the songs she wanted sung at her funeral on the bottom of a kleenex box by her bed. “Beyond The Sunset” was the first one on the list. Thanks for sharing the words.”
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“The play we wrote, “The Buttermilk Conspiracy” will be presented to the public for the very first time on July 2, 2004 at the Goddard Center, Ardmore, OK. at 8:00 p.m. Our play can also be seen in regional competition in Norman, OK. on Saturday, July 10th…it begins at 8:00 p.m. in the Rupal Jones Theater, located in the OU Fine Arts Center, on the corner of Boyd and Elm. From an article in the Ardmoreite; ALT to have auditions for OCTAFEST competition show. Ardmore Little Theatre is taking a little trip to Buttermilk, Oklahoma, and is looking for 13 colorful characters to come along for the ride. ALT has decided to enter a play in the Oklahoma Community Theatre Association Festival this year and has chosen the light-hearted original comedy, “The Buttermilk Conspiracy,” written by four area authors, Janita Black, Carl Clark, Louise Harper, and Mike Jones. A synopsis of the play follows: “The social center of this remote country crossroads community is Delphine’s Diner, where a crowd of colorful characters manages to stir up mischief and misunderstanding, cooking up all kinds of confusion. The town’s favorite ex-husband disappears amid rumors of a big drug deal, and a ‘citified’ female stranger comes to town looking for him. That’s when the folks decide there’s a big conspiracy afoot. The mystery lady is found dead along with ‘a whole lot of cash money’ but then her body disappears and some townsfolk end up with all that money. Buttermilk’s own bumbling deputy inadvertently helps solve one mystery, then he sniffs around for the solution to another crime but the evidence has disappeared at Delphine’s. Still, everything turns out all right in the end.” -Louise Harper
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“Just to let everyone know that the AHS Class of 1967 (and anyone else interested) will be having dinner June 26th at Lake Murray Lodge restaurant. Our last dinner had the largest turnout to date!! Please come & bring a friend, it’s fun, interesting & it’s amazing how differently someone might remember something that happened all those years ago!!!! Dress is very casual, jeans or shorts, sneakers & top (required). We just go through the buffet, so you don’t have to make reservations, or you can order off the menu. Hope to see you there!” -Nancy (Wages) Chadwell
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“Hey you would never have guessed what I watched today, made me pay attention, I watched Reality TV today and it was some police programme set in Oklahoma. Whats more not far from where you live it was about Highway cops, you may know the story some Sheriff broke down by the roadside in Ardmore, 2 men pulled in supposedly to help him out but they ended up beating him up !!! Stealing his gun, and then went on to rob some bank in the middle of nowhere ? and I mean nowhere… Anyway to cut the story short, a cop going the opposite way caught these guys speeding pulled them in, I cant remember the Highway exactly maybe 70 or 77, and sussed they had no license ! So he phoned Ardmore police I hope!! and then got aid from Ardmore ambulance…. they all got shot at not a good ending.. At all but the police thankfully lived and the Ardmore ambulance got called in…. Hey Small world…….. Phew gun toting people……. Ohhhhhh you worry me them guns……you know that That gun Ohhhhh.” -England
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The Daily Ardmoreite August 12, 1910 REMODEL BUILDING FOR FIRST STATE BANK Jones Brothers who own the building at the corner of Main and B streets, northwest, at present occupied by the Whitehurst grocery store, have let the contract to Lee Cathey and T.L. Wilkes for the remodeling of the building. A new front of stone and fire-proof brick will be put in and large plate glass windows at the front and west side at the entrance. The interior of the building will also be remodeled and made one of the nicest buildings in the city. When the work is completed the building will be occupied by the First State Bank. The building is being arranged for that special purpose. The work will probably be finished by September 1st and the bank will be in the new quarters not later than September 15th.
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KRESS COMPANY TO OPEN BRANCH HERE A deal was closed yesterday, by which the Kress company of New York becomes owners of the Holder property on West Main street. Agents for the company have been here a number of times looking over Ardmore with a view to putting in a store and a few months past made an offer on the above property that was finally accepted. The Kress company have 119 stores in 17 states in the United States and also has stores in Cuba. They will open for business here as soon as the building can be remodeled, another story will be added to the building and they will occupy the entire building. The building has a 63′ front and the lot is 190′ deep. While the exact plans for the building are not known it is expected that they will extend the building to the length of the lot. The deal for the building was made through Byron Drew of this city, the consideration being $16,800.
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August 19, 1910 Hills Sanitarium has been moved from the former Carter home in the Southeast portion of the city to the Wheeler property on West Main street owned by J.T. Smith of Kansas City. The Wheeler property is a handsome two-story, well built home and is an ideal location for a sanitarium.
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August 21, 1910 ANOTHER ARREST IN DEESE TROUBLE Lying in a large cool room at the Ardmore Sanitarium with his left arm bandaged entirely and his back and body covered with bandages, Will Wyont, victim of a shooting affray at Deese, made his first public statement since the incident, to a representative of the Ardmoreite yesterday. Wyont is a youth hardly yet reached maturity. He seems to take his trouble philosophically. “No, I don’t mind talking,” he said, “Oscar Payne shot me and his brother, Edward, told him to do it. We had been neighbors and friends and I didn’t expect any trouble. Oscar shot at me three times. The first bullet struck me when I had my side towards him, the second struck me after I wheeled. He shot again but it missed. The report of the gun sounded like a 32 calibre.” “Yes, I will tell you the story just as I know it. Myself and several others had left the hay field. We stopped at the tabernacle and sat in a surrey until services broke up, we joined the Payne boys, Tindle, John, Cheney and others who were talking. Alonzo Payne and John Cheney it seemed had both been keeping company with the same girl, Miss Austin Cheney was sitting beside her in church. Afterwards these two boys began quarreling about her. They started to go off to fight and I said, “if more than one of you jump on Cheney, I will pull you off. I had been whittling and had my knife in my hand. When I said this, I saw Edward Payne reach to his hip pocket and draw out something, I think it was a gun, but cannot say exactly. Edward Payne then said to Oscar, (some of the following is covered by a sticker here) “Shoot him, he has a knife.” Then Oscar shot me.” Dr. Henry who attended the boy at the sanitarium, in a statement yesterday said:” The first bullet entered the left arm, shattering the arm completely and might cause loss of the member. The other bullet entered the back just below the shoulder blade and 1″ from the spinal column, entering the pleura and the lung.” In connection with the shooting Alonzo Payne, brother of Edward, and Oscar, was arrested and placed in jail. This makes four arrests in connection with the shooting. Alonzo is the youngest of the Payne boys, being only eighteen. Others arrested were out on bail included, Oscar Payne, Edward Payne and Floyd Tindle, all charged with assault with the intent to kill.
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August 17, 1910 TAXES HERE THREE DOLLARS ON HUNDRED Taxes in Ardmore will be three dollars on the hundred, if the state assessment is two and a half mills, which is the amount it is thought will be assessed by the state. Deputy County Clerk B.W. Duke is working on the county tax books and expects this to be the amount assessed. This increase of fifteen cents over last year was brought about by the increased assessment for school purposes.
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“Butch, This bell is at the grand canyon south rim at a place called Hermits Rest in AZ.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“The annual Berwyn School Reunion at Gene Autry is scheduled for July 3, 2004.” [email protected]
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“I’m trying to find out the wife of Zeke Putnam. In reading about the “lynchings”, I see that the gun was borrowed from Mr. Reeves. My gg grandfather lived around Atoka in the 1890 census and I have pictures of (as my great grandpa wrote) Jamie Putman, mulelike!!! I have another picture identifying her as James Ernest Reeves ? sister. I’ve also got an obit that was from their father, Henry Cyfon stating one daughter from Ada, Jamie Putman. Henry died in 1932. I’m trying to find out if Zeke’s wife was Jamie – or Jane. If the gun borrowed was from Henry Reeves’s home. Obviously my great grandpa didn’t like his sister Ms. Putman – but if the gun were borrowed from their father – this could explain a rift in the family. Jamie was probably be born around 1881. She is listed as Jane in the 1890 Chickasaw Nation, Pontotoc Co. OK. Any clues are appreciated.” [email protected]
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“Butch, I know how much the folks enjoy some of the old train engines, so I thought that I would pass these along. There was no information at the site, so you will have to figure it out. The engine is at the HI 259 & HI 3 & HI 70 intersections in Broken Bow, OK.” [email protected] <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“I am searching for an Alfred Monroe Carman whose parents are Stephen and Harriet Vreeland Carman. These Carmans are from northern NJ. I have his birth date as 1859 or 1860, even though there is some questions on this. If anyone has any information on this family I would love to share what I have. His wife was Marchien Voss Roehrs Carman. He was married twice and this would be his second wife. Thanks and hope to hear from someone soon!” -Tim and Jeannette Haynie [email protected]
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We are still drawing 3 names from the hopper for a free Gene South Patriotic CD. You only need to enter once for these special drawings, but if you havent emailed me, then do so if you want in the hopper! If you were one of last week’s winners, send me an email with your mailing address. <—– Click Here

We will draw 3 names each week until July 4th. Here are three more winners:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

In Memory of Ray Charles, 1930-2004

Oh beautiful, for heroes proved,
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, our country loved,
And mercy more than life,

America, America, may God thy gold refine,
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain devined.

And you know when I was in school,
We used to sing it something like this, listen here:

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties,
Above the fruited plain,

But now wait a minute, I’m talking about
America, sweet America,
You know, God done shed his grace on thee,
He crowned thy good, yes he did, in a brotherhood,
>From sea to shining sea.

You know, I wish I had somebody to help me sing this
(America, America, God shed his grace on thee)
America, I love you America, you see,
My God he done shed his grace on thee,
And you oughta love him for it,
Cause he, he, he, he, crowned thy good,
He told me he would, with brotherhood,
(From sea to shining sea).
Oh Lord, oh Lord, I thank you Lord
(Shining sea).

Ray Charles singing, takes a few minutes to load, but worth the wait. http://www.brownielocks.com/americathebeautifulWAVE.html

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday June 12, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 373

The hot topic this week in Ardmore was the 3.7 earthquake that took place around 7:15pm Monday evening (June 7th) with the epicenter near Lone Grove. It shook my house, causing me to run outside and look for something wrong. I even looked at the skies thinking it might have been a jet breaking the sound barrier. I did not learn until the 10pm news it was an earthquake. What really surprised everyone was the boom that proceeded the shake. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

It is amazing how we see something close up, and then how different it can be when we see it from a bird’s eye view. Here is a 1950 aerial photo of Lake Murray Lodge and Tips Point. Except for a small piece of land connection, they are almost an island. I wish the State would dredge it out, making the Lodge and Tips Points into an island by themselves, and have a nice bridge, maybe call it the Reagan Memorial Bridge, connecting the newly created island to the mainland. <—– Click Here

This is a 1950 something pic of Main Street Ardmore near Doug’s Grill in the 200 block of West Main. You can see the old Monkey Wards store on the right…… it burned back in the 60s. Just behind the Doug’s Grill shingle is City Shoe Shop. It’s owner was Sid Kennedy. His wife always called him Sidney. I see Bea Kennedy month or two, she is doing pretty good and is a real friend, always one of the first to show compassion to you during the time of a relative’s death. And of course the old parking meters that used to be on Main Street, they are clearly visible in the pic. I remember the ones at the end of the blocks with the yellow boxes attached to them so you could just drop your parking fine off and not have to go to City Hall. Back when this picture was taken Main Street was 2-way. Most people I talk to wishes Main Street was 2-way again. <—– Click Here

This is a pic of the old Edens Restaurant next door to the Tivoli. <—– Click Here

We talked a couple of weeks ago about the closing of the Temple Emeth here in Ardmore and about that Sunday afternoon I saw a U-Haul truck backup up to the building removing furniture, etc. I found out this week the items they removed were mostly items of a historical nature and they were taken to a newly opened Sherwin Williams Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa. The two memorial plaques that hung by inside the front doors was taken to the temple in Oklahoma City where they will be on display. Inscribed on the two metal plaques were the names of members of the temple. When a member died, the death date was inscribed next to his or her name. The building has been sold to a local businessman. I wont disclose his name since I am not privy to the details. <—– Click Here

Here is a photograph of the Temple Emeth at “E” and Stanley SW. <—– Click Here

Speaking of downtown Ardmore, about 5 or 10 years ago there used to have a lot of pigeons in downtown Ardmore. You could even look up at the courthouse dome and see plenty scattered around resting on the ledges. But the last 3 or 4 years I haven’t notice one pigeon in downtown Ardmore. Wonder what happened to them?

A Reader brought me one of those delicious Fulton Fried Pies from Davis, Oklahoma this week. Both were chocolate, boy, they sure would go. You will see in the photo, how large these fried pies are, and they sure make those Hostess Pie look pathetic. <—– Click Here

If your ever near the Davis, Oklahoma I-35 Exit 51, stop by and get one of those pies! <—– Click Here

If you’ve looked at the very top row of keys on your keyboard, and saw a key on the right that said, Print Screen, and wondered what is this, its really a neat little key. Lets say you are on the internet and at this webpage you would like to take a picture of. Just hold down the CTRL key and hit that Print Screen key and that entire page/screen will be copied in to your computer’s memory. Now go to Accessories and open the program Paint that comes on all computers, and then click Paste from the pulldown menu at the top. That should paste the screen you just captured into the Paint program. You can now click on the Save As option from the pulldown menus, give it a file name and save it as a bmp file. Keep in mind it will be a large bmp file (not jpg) of about 1 meg. Once it is one your hard drive in a Folder, you can use other programs to manipulate the file, reduce its size, save it as a jpg file, etc.

A Reader asked me if I knew of any available lots for sale around Lake Murray. They just want to park a camper on it for the weekends sometime. If anyone knows of anything along these lines, send me an email.

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“I am not from Ardmore, I am from born in Claremore and love Inola and lived in Tulsa until I was about 13 then came to California. But Trev Patton, here in Ontario, CA got me hooked on your newsletter, she is from Ardmore and the pictures this morning were beautiful. I do not know of them personally but seems I know them all. Such beautiful people, a view of America, especially Oklahoma, their faces of beauty and hope and fun was the right thing for today or anytime. Wado, Wado, (thank you in Cherokee) even tho Choctaw is more in your area. Sorry for this book, but just wanted to tell you how fun your newsletter is.” -Jean Farrar, Ontario, CA
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“I was wondering if you had any more information on the old school or old Alma town… I heard the whole town used to be in that same area. If you go behind the house a ways there is a five by nine foot jail cell I believe. Thanks.” [email protected]
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“I wonder if you knew any of my family. Grandparents: Walter and Cora Cross, mother: Laverne, her brothers: Raymond and Norman Cross, her sister: June Cross. My mother’s children are my sister Betty and I, Phyllis. I attended Jefferson Elementary and a year in Junior High before moving to California. Is that picture on your webpage from Turner Falls?” [email protected]
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“Your article about the two men who were charged with blowing the safes May 13, 1926 were driving a Rickenbacker car, I was wondering what type of car it was. Here is a site to check one out. I had never heard of the auto.” <—– Click Here
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“Butch–as always, enjoyed tonites This and That. I think I mentioned once that my husband was stationed at the Ardmore Airbase–in the 40s. We were discussing this—after watching the Memorial Day programs and he mentioned that, before going to Ardmore he had been out at UCLA and that the assistant squadron commander was from Ardmore. I asked his name and my husband said the last name was Neustadt–he didnt remember the first name. I asked if he went back to Ardmore with the squadron and he didnt he went to another assignment.–Does this name ring a bell? He would,probably be in his 80’s. I just wondered if he might still be around.Sometimes I think the world is just a little town(in the eyes of God?) but I did find it interesting that Ardmore had played a role in my husbands life long before I met him. During the war(WW2) I was still in school and,while I would have loved to date a man in uniform, my parents were determined that I was too young.–ah the trials of a teenager in the 40s.–anyway, I thought perhaps you or some of your many readers might know a soldier(airman) named Neustadt from Ardmore. If he is still kickin’–I know my husband would be thrilled to hear about it.” -Sammie Binkley, San Antonio, Tx
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“When I was a young girl, I would go to caddo street with my Mother once in a while, on a Saturday morning. She would shop in a couple of stores there. My favorite character on Caddo was an older man,{I could call his name, but i won’t}, that always stopped on the sidewalks to preach hell fire and brimstone to whoever would listen. After his sermon he would take an offering in his old hat. People often said he would take the money and buy a bottle of booze, but I was too young to remember that part. Anyway one morning he was preaching his message and all at once he looked up and said, “Folks, here comes someone a lot more powerful than the good Lord, Gotta Go”, and he took off. Of course it was the law.”
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“The Story of Cimarron Territory.” <—– Click Here
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“Is that picture on your web page from Turner Falls? I remember it bigger. That half circle looks like a containment of some kind. I don’t remember that either. Do people swim there? I remember my mother talking about water moccasins and a boy she knew being killed there.” <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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>From the ConnectOklahoma Listserver: “For those of you at the concert who heard Becky Garrett hope you got her CD. Got mine in the mail today. We thought she was good singing by herself, the CD is even better. This young lady has one heck of a voice. We should be hearing more from both her and Don. Excellent singers.” -Shirley Acosta <—– Click Here
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Question: “On my trips up Oklahoma 69 North there is a small bridge that is name for PFC Lawrence A. Edge which is located between mile markers 65 North and 66 North (Atoka county). I have tried to identify PFC Edge as to who he is/was and why the bridge was named for him. Can you help me with the info. Thanks.”

Reply from DOT: “Private First Class Lawrence A Edge was a Member of Company C of the 309th Engineer Combat Battalion, 84th Infantry Division of the United States Army. He was killed serving his country in World War II during the Battle of the Bulge on January 21, 1945, The Oklahoma State Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 37 in 1994, and received approval from the Oklahoma Transportation Commission on May 2, 1994 (Commission Item 100A). The resolution was authored by Senator Gene Stipe and Representatives Tommy Thomas and Flake Todd.” <—– Click Here
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>From ConnectOklahoma Listserver: “Butch, we were at the Plainview-Lone Grove baseball game in Lone Grove. I was sitting in one of those canvas-type chairs, and it began to shake. I looked around to see who was shaking my chair – there was nobody there. My daughter had a stunned look on her face, and said, “Mom, did you feel that? My whole chair just shook.” My other daughter and her husband were saying that their chairs shook,also. She called the Daily Ardmoreite, and they said that there had been an earthquake, and that the police, etc. had received many, many calls.” -Anna Marie in Lone Grove
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“You told of the family of George B. Douglas in your last newsletter. His daughter Ellen Lake Douglas married my great-grandfather, Wiley R. Wood. It was a second marriage for both of them. My mother, Margaret (Maggie) Lake White Sullivan, was named for her. I have heard her tell many remembrances of “Miss Ella” whom she called Sally because she could not say Ella.” -June Maxey
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“Well, Kim and the kids and I are in our final planning stages for our visit with Jennifer back there in Oklahoma during the period of 10 – 23 July. We will be staying with Jennifer at her apartment in Shawnee during our visit. We will try to schedule our time back home to see as many of our friends and relatives as we can. If any of you have changed your telephone numbers lately, please provide me with your new numbers so we can call and set up some meeting times with you while we are there. Or, if you have changed them (because you know we are coming), that is okay as well. We are hoping to have a very nice and well needed visit with our family – part of the closing process for me and our children as they were not able to be there last year for Mom’s funeral. We will be traveling down to Davis and Ardmore on Saturday the 17th of July to visit the cemeteries there and see relatives in that area. Hope to see or at least hear from as many of you as possible. Believe it or not, I do miss my family back home and feel a need to be with them as often as possible.” -Ralph Leon “Bridges” Ford in Korea
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“Liked the short article about the Hardy Sanitarium there in Ardmore. That is where your Cousin Ed was born – might explain a lot of things about him (SMILE). Not too many folks recall it being a hospital and the name (from what I was told when I was very young) had a tendency to keep folks from going there. For us that knew it for being a very fine small hospital, they could find no better care than there. Always appreciate your articles – especially those that bring to mind the great younger years of my life and those I grew up with and loved so dearly. Hope our other cousins band will be a big hit there today.” -Cousin Poss in Korea [email protected]
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“Could you put names with those that came to the music fest?” <—– Click Here
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“The town of Tussy in far northwest Carter county has their cemetary across the base line road and 1/ 4 mile west. This places it in Garvin County so anyone looking up their family tree may want to check Garvin County records.”
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“Its an interesting read on the history of the laying out and building of Lake Murray.” <—– Click Here
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The Daily Ardmoreite, October 10, 1910 WASHMOOD CASE IN DISTRICT COURT A case of unusual importance was called to trial in the district court today. It is a case of the United States vs. A. Washmood, Henry Pruitt, Clint Pruitt, Dan Sie and J.B. Miller, charged with the assassination of Ben Collins, a former United States marshal at his home near Emet in what is now Johnson county, on August 1, 1906 at night time. J.B. Miller, one of the defendants in this case was hung at Ada by a mob together with three other men for the assassination of Gus Bobbitt, also a former United States deputy marshal. Clint Pruitt was shot and killed this summer on the streets of Cornish. Dan Sie is also dead, leaving only the defendants Henry Pruitt and A. Washmood. These men were indicted by the grand jury at Ada in September 1906, they each got a change of venue from Ada and also from the town of Tishomingo, bringing the case to Ardmore before statehood. The county attorney of Carter county upon the advent of statehood sent this case back to Johnston county, where the crime occurred, for trial. The district judge at Tishomingo transferred the case to Ardmore again upon the ground that a change of venue from Tishomingo had been legally grabbed? and therefore his court had no jurisdiction. The defendant Henry Pruitt has been out on bond and is now on bond. It is alleged that he had no direct connection with the killing, but that he furnished and paid Washmood and Miller to do the killing. The motive of the crime is thought to be that Ben Collins while attempting to arrest Port Pruitt in 1904 shot Port Pruitt, from the effects of which he never recovered. A. Washmood forfeited his bond and has been a fugitive from justice until apprehended recently in southern Texas and he is now in jail. Judge Russell was employed to prosecute this case long before statehood and he will probably conduct the prosecution. Judge A.H. Huston of Guthrie has been assigned by the supreme court to hear said case. Many of the witnesses to the case are dead or have moved away. This promises to be a hotly contested legal battle.
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FIRST NATIONAL BANK MOVED The First National Bank, which has the distinction of being the first bank ever organized in former Indian Territory, has moved back to its old stand on the corner of Main and North Washington.
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ARDMORE STATE BANK MOVED We wish to announce that the Ardmore State Bank has moved from its banking rooms opposite the district court to the building formerly occupied by the City National Bank, at the corner of South Washington and Main streets. C.T. Barringer, Pres.; Harold Wallace, Cashier; Fred Carr, Asst. Cashier
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OLD NUISANCE MAKES GOOD Early Sunday morning, police officers Emerson and Lathrop were attracted by a commotion in the yard in the rear of the Ditzler Dry Goods Co. and upon investigation found a party who gave his name as Martin in the yard inspecting the building. He had his shoes off, and had them in his coat pockets, and upon the approach of the officers started to run. He paid no attention to a command to halt, and the officers took a shot at him in hopes that he would surrender. He had no such idea and continued his course, when “Old Nuisance”, the white bulldog of the police department, butted in and took the case out of the hands of the officers. She pursued the fugitive and fastened her teeth in a convenient portion of his trousers and brought him to a halt. Chief Garrett came up about that time and as there was scarcely a case against the party, asked him just how many minutes he required to leave the town. He replied that he thought thirty minutes would be enough and Chief Garrett escorted him to the city limits and headed him south. He was evidently about to force an entrance into the Ditzler store, as one of the screens was found to have been tampered with. “Old Nuisance” has proven herself to be a very efficient peace officer on more than one occasion, and her latest exploit is not the least of her triumphs.
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October 12, 1910 DAYLIGHT ROBBERY ON MAIN STREET Main street was the scene of a bold daylight robbery today. This noon while the office force of the Ardmore Heat and Light company were at lunch, burglars forced an entrance to the building through the rear doors and rifled the cash drawer of about fifteen dollars. The burglar/s after gaining entrance to the office had the foresight to draw the curtain of the front window, and then proceeded to pry the cash drawer from its fastenings underneath the counter, an attempt was made to gain access to another drawer but the burglar was evidently frightened away before he was able to accomplish his end. Mr. A.C. Reichelderfer, the manager of the company, together with an officer tracked the party from the rear of the building to Main street and stated from the appearance of the tracks that who ever did the deed had on a new pair of shoes as the tracks were clean cut. The police are at work on the case and hope to land the guilty party.
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December 11, 1910 NEW CREAMERY FOR ARDMORE The creamery for Ardmore is an assured fact. Yesterday the final arrangements were perfected and work on the building will begin at once. The building will be located in Southeast Ardmore, north of the ice plant. This will be the third creamery owned in the state by these people. Mr. Liebmann and his two sons operate one at Sulphur, one at El Reno, the largest one in the state. The one that is to be erected here will be in charge of the younger son, who has just graduated from the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Stillwater.
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Adv. HATS MADE TO YOUR MEASURE, MADE IN ARDMORE BY FARTHING BROS. RINGERS FOR KODAKS FOR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS HOT HOUSE LETTUCE, FRESH DAILY AT SHUMAN’S FLOWER SHOP 315 WEST MAIN ST. LADIES BOOTS With CRAVENETTE TOPS, Exclusive Agents for the ORIGINAL HOLEPROOF HOSE, Lynn, the Shoe Man See Marble for dolls, he has the largest assortment in town.
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Happy Jack Wright, traveling passenger agent of the Santa Fe was in the city Friday dispensing sunshine.
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December 17, 1911 GOING AFTER OIL AT DAVIS Raising $20,000 in twenty minutes to drill for oil was accomplished here last night at an enthusiastic mass meeting called by a large number of land owners who have probable oil and gas lands near here. Oil prospectors from the Texas and northern Oklahoma fields have been quietly taking leases west of town for several weeks and one large, standard oil drilling rig shipped here, but not until a few days ago did the land owners decide to secure local capital to develop their holdings with. Matt Wolf, a near-millionaire banker and stockman, who owns several thousand acres, and Dr. T.P. Howell, one of the wealthiest Indian bankers and land owners in southern Oklahoma are interested in the new company to drill near here at once. “It is purely a business proposition and we propose to see what the Lord has placed underneath our lands of value,” declared Colonel Wolf today. “Oil has been running out into the Washita river near my house for ages and gas escaping through a small crevice on some of my land and I decided to get a number of friends to share in my good fortune, or misfortune, as the case might be, by drilling some deep wells in this vicinity. If we get, which I confidently hope and believe we will, it means ease and comfort to many of our citizens, and if we don’t get it no one is crippled financially. You may assure the public that we are going down deep into the earth on a tour of investigation, oil or no oil.” declared the veteran stockman.
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December 18, 1911 WEALTH FOUND IN A BUSTLE Hogdon Mills, Maine Ten thousand dollars in currency, so faded and worn that it will be sent to Washington for redemption, has been found in a bustle that was worn for many years by Mrs. Mary Bassett, who died suddenly at her home in the town a few days ago. None of the bills is of a more recent issue than 1886. Mrs. Bassett distrusted modern banking institutions and always wore a bustle when away from home. In search of her house after death relatives had found about $7,000 hidden in a hundred places, one of the searchers picked up the bustle and was about to throw it away when his attention was attracted by a rustling of paper.
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We spoke last week about drawing 3 names from the hopper for a free 2004 Patriotic CD by Gene South. This is a slide show of patriotic songs and poems and Americana scenes. Really an awesome CD Gene has put together in celebration of July 4th and the freedoms we have this country. If you havnt sent your name in yet, just send me an email. <—– Click Here

We will draw 3 names each week until July 4th. Here are the first three winners:
[email protected]
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[email protected]

Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning.
When with our Saviour heaven’s begun.
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning
Beyond the sunset when day is done.

Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather.
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy.
O day of gladness, O day unending.
Beyond the sunset eternal joy.

Beyond The Sunset was written by Blanche Kerr Brock with lyrics by Virgil P. Brock. Originally copyrighted by Rodeheaver Publishing in 1936 and renewed in 1964. Virgil and Blanche Kerr Brock, a husband-and-wife team, wrote many gospel songs. She was educated at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois. They wrote “Beyond the Sunset” in response to witnessing a spectacular sunset while staying as guests of the Rodeheaver School of Music at Winona Lake, Indiana. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/b/r/o/brock_bk.htm

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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Saturday June 5, 2004 T&T Weekly – Circulation over 4,000 Vol 8 Issue 372

A couple of weeks ago we announced Mr. Bill Hamm’s cemetery records were available for download from the OklahomaHistory.net website. A number of you have downloaded the files already, but just this week we discovered that Rosehill records were not included in the databases. Since the oversight, Steve Hamm has updated the files to include the Rosehill records too. So to have a complete database of all Mr. Hamm’s cemetery records, please download them again. With the addition of the Rosehill Cemetery records (about 13,000), there is a total of 66,500 individuals in the database. <—– Click Here

For those of you who can not download the huge files from my website because of a slow modem or whatever, I do have the database on CD. Send me a couple of bucks and I will snailmail you the records on a Bill Hamm Memorial CD. <—– Click Here

Last Saturday was the music fest and we had about 30 people from all over attend and the music flowed like milk and honey all afternoon and evening. With 3 singers that afternoon, and five that evening it seemed like the songs were never ending. And food, we had food galore. I’m still eating on some of it. I want to thank everyone who helped make it possible, whether it was by a donation of some sort or helping at the concerts. Everyone had a great time, old friendships renewed and new friendships were made. Several people had their cameras and here are some pics Karla Johnson took with her digital camera. <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here <—– Click Here

I hope we can do it again someday, I know don bridges and his band are receptive to the idea of coming again to Ardmore! A big thank you to Becky Garrett, Trudy Reasoner, Taylor Murray and don bridges and band, they all did a fantastic job! Taylor Murray is the daughter of John and Kim Murray of Davis, Oklahoma and a student of Trudy’s. If you’ve travelled along old Highway 77 by Turner Falls Lookout Point, just south of Horseshoe Curve, you’ve seen the Murray’s place of business. Its that old filling station from the 1930s that is now a curio and tourist business. Today it’s called The Trader Place.

If you didn’t make don’s concert and hear his songs, you can hear clips of all of the songs from don’s newly released “An Ardmore Afternoon” CD at the following webpage. If you dont have his CD you are missing out on some really great music! <—– Click Here

If you want one of don’s music CDs, just drop by my friend Jerry Royall’s JET Computer Services business here in Ardmore and pick up one. Jerry has some extras CDs of Don. There is more details on Jerry’s offer about this in the Mailbag below.

Jeddie Harrison found another painting the other day at a garage sale, it was hidden behind a framed painting. He removed the first painting to find another by famed Ardmoreite Phleat Boyd. Across the bottom of the painting reads, “Commissioned Exclusively for Exchange National Bank 60th Anniversary 1977”. <—– Click Here

If your Windows XP doesn’t shut down as fast as you’d like, one alternative might help. Right click a blank area on your desktop, click New|Shortcut and in the Create Shortcut Wizard’s Type the Location of the Item box, type the following exactly without quotes: “shutdown -s -t 0”. Make sure there is a space before each hyphen and that is a numeric character at the end. Click Next and in the Type a Name for This Shortcut box, enter “shutdown” or some descriptive title and click Finish. You may now use that shortcut on your desktop for a fast shut down, made even faster of course if you don’t have any programs running when you click on it.

If you like maps and aerial photos and the like, then you need to visit the City of Ardmore’s GIS webpage. Charles Brady has done an excellent job developing the GIS maps with all kinds of overlays, etc. You will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the maps properly. <—– Click Here

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK’S MAILBAG

“Dear Butch, I attended the McMillan Community Homecoming, Sunday May 23, to raise funds for the upkeep of the McMillan Cemetery, where my Parents are buried. Last year, I had talked with J.A. Saxon about getting the old School Bell put on Railroad Crossties in front of the Community Center (formerly the School House). To my surprise, when I got there this year, there it was. I was elated & owe a debt of gratitude to J.A. The Bell had been laying out in the pasture behind Arvel Saxon’s house, (J.A.’s Dad) since the School was made into a Community Center. Arvel was in charge of taking care of the Cemetery. Arvel is deceased & J.A. is now in charge. Knowing your interest in Bells, thought you might be interested in getting a picture. I do not know when the school was established, but my Dad & Mother, Melvin & Iva (Harrell) Gardner, & J.A’s, Dad & Mother all started school there in about 1915. I have two pictures of the school Children & Teacher, that was made in 1918 & 1920. The original floor is still in the building. Thought you might enjoy this bit of History. Thanks for all you do to keep us informed.” -Tawana (Gardner) Fleming, Byers, TX
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“Butch, a few months ago I visited a website (Jefferson County I think), but I believe you had a picture of some children at the Cornish Orphanage around 1900. My grandmother, Izora Pearl Hileman, was a resident of that home at one time. I don’t have any information about her so I have no idea at what age she went into the home or what age she left. I do know that at some point a family named Bonifield took her into their home and raised her. She later married Joseph (Joe) Lockwood. I have tried to locate records for the Cornish Orphanage, but have hit a brick wall. Do you have any idea where I might locate the records? I believe she was born about 1876 and she died in 1938. I believe she married in 1899. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.” Carolyn Fox [email protected]
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“Hi Butch, My family built and owned the only fast food place in Healdton ‘Dairyland’ back in the late 1950’s. It was the favorite hangout as you can imagine. My brothers and sister grew up around there but I was 8 years old when we moved. Now that building is gone. I would appreciate any stories, photos and memories people might have of Dairyland. They may send them to me personally if they prefer. Thanks for your help.” -Cindy Lewis Paul [email protected]
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“I am looking for a car that used to be in the Madill area. I’ve not seen it in about a year and half. It was last seen at the used car lot across from BancFirst. The car is a Riviera XX. It is two tone creme and tan. I’ve attached two pictures of what one should look like. Keep in mind that this one somewhere in Marshall county probably wouldn’t be in as good shape as the one in the pictures. Please pass this onto your other friends who live in Marshall county or the surrounding area. Thanks.” -Jayson Pruitt <—– Click Here
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“STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS: Born in Jefferson City, Missouri, October 31, 1862. He was one of six children born to George B. Douglas and his wife Margaret Douglas, nee Pendleton. His paternal grandfather was Mathew Douglas, the family consisting of George B. Douglas, Robert Douglas, Noah Douglas and Daniel Douglas. His maternal grandfather was Benjamin Pendleton, whose wife was Betsy Ann Pendleton, nee Kincaid, the Pendletons and Kincaids coming from Pennsylvania and Virginia. The children of George B. and Margaret Ann Douglas were Ella Lake Douglas, Stephen A. Douglas, Clarence B. Douglas, Ashley W. Douglas, Frank S. Douglas and Betsy Ann Douglas, of whom Clarence B., Frank S. and Betsy Ann McDonald, nee Douglas, are now living in Oklahoma. Stephen A. Douglas went to Texas with his father’s family in 1876, making a part of the trip by covered wagon, settling in Colin County near the interior town of Weston. The family later moved to Whitesboro, then to Gainesville, Texas, where he learned the blacksmith trade and married Maud S. Carnal in 1888. With his father he put in a ranch at what is now South Ardmore and opened a blacksmith shop, the first place of business opened at the latter named townsite of Ardmore. His first work was tool dressing for the Sante Fe construction gang grading the roadbed into Ardmore from Texas. He lived at Ardmore until the time of his death and was one of the five organizers of the Republican Party in Indian Territory about 1890. He served six years as Deputy U. S. Clerk under C.M. Campbell and for nine years was Postmaster at Ardmore. In the latter part of Governor Cruce’s administration he was elected Republican member of the State Capitol Commission and following the inauguration of Governor R. L. Williams was named by him as an assistant supervisor in the construction of the Capitol, moving his home temporarily to Oklahoma City and for such time giving his entire attention to such supervision. He died at his home in Ardmore, Sunday, June 1, 1919 and is buried at Ardmore.” -Chronicles of Oklahoma <—– Click Here
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“Butch, The article on the Dinkey made me remember back some sixty years ago. My family and I lived in Durant next to the railroad tracks that the Dinkey ran on. It would come by the house at 10:30 in the morning and 4:30 in the afternoon, always on time for you could sit your clock by it’s passing. Also, I remember riding it as a small child to visit my Aunt Dude West that was living in Ardmore at the time. Many happy memories related to the Dinkey.” -Jeri Holt
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“Sorry, I just couldn’t resist sending a couple more pictures, courtesy of tonight’s (Sat nite) Night Hawk Show! They were really thick and got really close to us. Very beautiful birds.” -Dwane [email protected] <—– Click Here <—– Click Here
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“Here is a bit more information about Caddo. Maybe it can be used and maybe not. I do remember Caddo so very well and walking down the sidewalk from Main to Broadway was a full story in itself. There were numerous sights to behold indeed which were as fascinating as a carnival. People would be dressed in all sorts of clothing some very filthy, some just so so. You could put your five senses to work easily down there even smelling the beer as it drafted out of the numerous bars along the way. By now I would guess the left standing walls still retain that odor. Often one would have to walk around several drunks laying on the sidewalk where they had fallen even to the point of passed out, and also hear plenty of cussing as well as cuss fight over who bought the last bottle of booze to pass around to the others. Juke boxes would blare their honky tonk blues in almost every beer joint as they were called, and often you could smell a faint smell of hamburgers being fried in some greasy spoon cafe. I have been told numerous times about the lady who owned and operated the Caddo Variety Store sold Bay Rum often called Bay Hoss to many who drank that instead of beer and/or whiskey. It was sold either there or by one of the barber shops as in the area a little past the one block of Caddo one could see the empty Bay Rum bottles as well as other bottles too. Behind the Pratt’s Grocery store on Caddo you could find almost any kind of bottle some broken to bits yet with many labels of what they had contained.

Also, a number of churches would have rummage sales very early on a Saturday AM at the Frisco docks. Usually they were completely sold out early. There would always be numerous wagons when home grown produce was in season, and many horses and loaded wagons were parked all along the east side of Caddo. It was a big Farmer’s MKT to say the least. Quality produce could be purchased for very little during those days. One thing for sure about walking down Caddo, it took TIME to walk that one city block as it was always very crowded along the sidewalk as well as in the street itself, cars go only go very slowly. Yes, a full education could be had I am sure on what was also known as “Bloody Caddo.” I guess some of the saddest faces I could ever have seen were children who were somewhat neglected among all of what was going on around them. It didn’t matter what time of the year even hot or cold it was always about the same old seven and six.

One more tidbit about the Frisco’s dinkey which left its station on Caddo each AM except Sunday was that it promised it riders that it would be in Hugo, Oklahoma by noon or shortly thereafter. Hugo, Ok was a division point on the Frisco and the station contained one of the Famous Harvey House Restaurants which were so popular in many towns along the route of the Frisco and Santa Fe railroads.

I just wonder if any other readers have any special information about their experiences down on Caddo. Yes, it is a fascinating chapter in Ardmore’s history.”
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>From ConnectOklahoma Listserver: “An interesting article in this month’s Museum News (Greater Southwest Historical Museum) by Merle Maxwell describes the construction of the Armory building at 35 Sunset Drive. A project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936, it was the 35th of 51 such armories dedicated in Oklahoma. The limestone walls in parts of the 30,000 sq. ft. building are two feet thick. The stone came from the Millard D. Wisdom Ranch in the Arbuckle Mountains. Construction required 164,170 hours of labor, for which $58,532.41 was paid in wages (36 cents per hour). Materials and supplies required another $36,341.32, bringing the total cost to $94,873.73. What do suppose it would cost to build today?” -Elizabeth Dyer
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The Daily Ardmoreite June 23, 1925 MANY VISIT NEW SWIMMING POOL A new summer resort and swimming pool has been opened near Madill called Pettyjohn’s Springs. It is owned by G.E. Stevens and his brother, whose father is Dr. C. Stevens of Madill. The place abounds in scenic beauty. Every tree that is grown in Oklahoma grows there in its natural spheres, making a shade over the pool. A spring of water testing 99.95% pure feeds the pool pouring 900 gallons per hour. Pipelines from the spring have been set to furnish water for the city of Madill, and the owners are now drilling for an artesian well. A new road runs within 100 feet of the pool. Pettyjohn’s Springs has proved quite popular as witnessed by the large crowds entering the pool. Saturday night 1400 checked through the gate and 400 were in the pool on Sunday afternoon.

OLD FASHIONED PICNIC FOR GRAHAM FRIDAY Laying aside the care and troubles, the people of the Graham community are planning one of the grandest old-fashioned all day picnics ever staged in Graham, to be held Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27 of this week. Dancing, swimming, ball games and horse races will be special features of the entertainment. An old fashioned square dance played by veteran fiddlers will be held. A gala event of merriment and good times is planned. Will Evans, Frank Jones, and Ed Gaunoh, who comprise the committee in charge, extend a cordial invitation to all Ardmore people who can possibly attend. A large crowd is expected.

June 25, 1925 SHOCKED BY WIRE; ASKS $100 DAMAGE Edward James, through his next friend, Jessie James, has filed suit in district court against the Consumers Light and Power company asking damages in the sum of $100 for alleged injuries sustained when the plaintiff, seven years of age, came in contact with a live wire. It is alleged in the petition that the boy climbed a tree near his home on Burch street, northwest, and placed his hand on a wire from which the insulation had been worn in coming in contact with the tree, and in doing so, was shocked and burned.

June 26, 1925 STOP! $25 FINE FOR CROSSING TRACKS ON HIGH Beginning today it will be unlawful for any person to cross a railroad track with an automobile without first stopping, looking, and listening, and it will be well for all to take warning because it may be an officer will be concealed in the bushes near every railroad crossing in the county. The enforcement of this law will be up to the sheriffs of the counties, according to information obtained from the state highway department. The law does not provide that the state enforce it, therefore it is up to each county sheriff to see that it is observed. Violation of the law which requires that all motorists come to a complete stop before crossing interurban or rail road tracks except within the city limits of an incorporated town having traffic ordinances is made a misdeameaner punishable by a fine of from $5-$25.

July 3, 1925 BLOCK SIGNALS AT SANTA FE CROSSINGS Block crossing signals which have just been installed on the Santa Fe railroad between Ardmore and Gainesville consist of regular alarms and swing arms on all of the principal intersections, according to E.L. Evans, general agent. Inside the corporate limits of Ardmore almost a dozen of the signals have been put into operation. They extend all the way to Gainesville, with each dangerous crossing given special attention. Workmen have been employed for about six weeks in making the installation and expect to have all of the work completed within another week.

July 5, 1925 HONEST ABE RELISHED BUCKWHEAT CAKES THIS ARDMORE WOMAN MADE “What would you give to have know Abraham Lincoln?” There is a woman living in Ardmore who has had the privilege. She is Mrs. Annie Brannigan and she lives at 520 C Street, Southeast. Mrs. Brannigan was born in Iowa in 1855 and knew Lincoln when she was about nine or ten years old. “My father, Wesley Robyn, knew Abraham Lincoln when they were boys together.” Mrs. Brannigan said. “When our family moved to Iowa, Mr. Lincoln often came there to visit with us. One night during his second presidential campaign in 1864, he came to our house with five political friends for dinner. Mr. Lincoln was very fond of buckwheat cakes, so I would always make those for him. This particular night he had finished his dinner, but just to please me he ate some of the cakes that I had baked for him. “You’re a fine girl, Annie”, he told me as a he patted my hair. “I will always remember him as the kindest, best natured man I ever knew,” she continued. “Most people thought he was a homely man, but as a girl 10 years old, I thought he was the most handsome man I ever saw.”

July 13, 1925 SAM YAFFE PAYS $40,000 FOR STORE BUILDING One of the largest real estate deals that has taken place in the city in some time was consummated last week when Sam Yaffe, proprietor of the Reliable store on North Washington street, became owner of the building on the corner of West Main and Washington now occupied by the City Drug store and other tenants. The building was purchased from Hinkle and Fitzgerald and the consideration is reported to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $40,000. Mr. Yaffe states there will be no change in the tenants now occupying the building for a long time as some of the leases have quite a period to run. The property was purchased purely as an investment, it was reported.

May 11, 1926 SAFE BLOWERS GET OVER $300 IN EARLY JOB Yeggs blew the safe in the office of the Baker Nelson Floral company, 214 West Main street, some time Sunday night and made away with the proceeds of Mother’s Day floral sales. The job was evidently performed by experts as the door was blown completely off in a manner that would indicate the yeggs knew their business. A complete check of the cash could not be made this morning but C.J. Baker, a member of the firm, stated it would be between $300 and $400. Police headquarters and the sheriff’s department were notified and Deputy F.C. Carson, expert in the sheriff’s office, made pictures of finger marks on the safe and rear door of the store through which entrance was gained. The robbery was not discovered until some time after the store was opened as clerks had no occasion to enter the office where the safe was located.

VISITORS ALERT A couple of suspicious characters were recalled who entered the store Sunday to purchase flowers and while one was doing so the other seemed to be taking stock of the surroundings. A description of these men was furnished officers who are hoping to be able to establish a clue. The safe, a small steel affair, was completely wrecked by the force of the explosive used in getting the door opened. The party that broke into the safe evidently tried to work the same plan at the Davis floral show at 221 West Main Street. Entrance was gained by forcing a rear door and the combination on the safe broken off with a heavy sledge. Had they succeeded in their purpose they would have added quite an amount to the sum taken from the Baker-Nelson company, as the proceeds of Saturday’s and Sunday’s sales were in the safe. Sheriff London stated Monday afternoon that he had a clue that he believed would lead to arrests within the next few days.

200 ACRES OF CANTALOUPES IS NEW ESTIMATE Over 200 acres have been planted in cantaloupes in the section, according to a statement of George Dyer, today. The crop is up and looking fine with prospects bright for a record breaking yield. With perfect conditions two acres of well cultivated cantaloupes will make a car load, but the ideal is seldom reached in farming. Dyer, however looks for more cantaloupes to be grown and shipped from this point than ever before.

May 12, 1926 ARRESTS SUSPECTS FOR SAFE BLOWING A telephone message from Chief of Police Jess Kirby who went with the Deputy Sheriff Con Kiersey to Wichita Falls to locate two men wanted here for burglary in connection with the robbery of Baker-Nelson floral shop and attempted burglary of Davis flower store Sunday night, stated they had the two suspects and their wives under arrest.

May 13, 1926 BROKEN BIT MAY CONVICT TEXAS GANG OF BLOWING LOCAL SAFES; CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST TWO Chief of Police Jess Kirby, Deputy Sheriff Con Kiersey, and B.B. Nelson of the Baker-Nelson Floral company arrived Tuesday night from Wichita Falls with two men suspected of having blown the safe in the Baker Nelson establishment and of attempting to rob a safe in the Davis floral shop Sunday night. The men were registered at the county jail as T.R. Gordon and E.H. Ames. They were arrested in a fashionable apartment where they were living in Wichita Falls. Ames wife and another woman, who told Kirby she was going to marry Gordon, also were arrested and returned to Ardmore. A search of the apartment revealed many yegg tools, some nitroglycerine, caps and fuse, and in one of the grips was found a drill with the point broken off. The piece of drill point left behind when the attempted robbery of the Davis safe was made, exactly fits the drill found in their possession, Chief Kirby said. They also found $400 in currency on the persons arrested. B.B. Nelson positively identified one of the men as one who was in his store Sunday and made a purchase. Chief Kirby states that several jobs have been pulled in Texas recently and since the arrest of the two men officers at Wichita Falls are of the opinion that they are the ones who did the work. The party was living in fine style in Wichita Falls, Kirby said. They were driving a Rickenbacker car and were in most comfortable quarters. Gordon, he says, claims to be in the show business, while Ames says he recently went to Wichita Falls from Ponca City to engage in the lease business.
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“Butch, I know you don’t want any commercial ads on this site but I hope you will allow this one to go through because there are many things here that are close to home for a lot of us. Besides I am not making anything on it and will pay for postage for people out of town. With this said if you want a Don Bridges CD and either weren’t here or have just decided you would like one now, I bought 7 extras. (Some of you have not a clue about this since you aren’t on ConnectOklahoma however, it is worth your time.) The cost is $15.00 and I will pay the postage for any out of towners because I think we will be hearing more from this young man and his band. It is well worth the price they are asking. The booklet that comes with the CD is also excellent. One of his original partner/writer/singers (Colonel David M. Scales) was killed in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. So, if you would like to have a CD and are OUT OF TOWN further away than 50 miles, send a check, money order or pay with Pay Pal and your CD will be in the mail the same day. Be sure to include your complete address.” [email protected] Jerry Royall JET Computer Services #15 Sam Noble Pkwy Ardmore, OK 73401 (580) 223-0432
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“I’m really sorry I didn’t get to hear Don. As always, I look forward to the newsletter Saturday morning. I wonder if you’ll pass a message on to Sweetpea for me — I’m hoping she will discourage political type letters. It’s an election year and I know that will be hard to keep a lid on — but it’s nice to know your letter is free of that stuff.”
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Many of you will remember last summer about this time we had drawings every weekend for several of Gene South’s Patriotic Slideshow CDs. This year we are going to do it again, so if you want in the drawing just send me an email and we’ll put your name/email addy in the hopper! We’ll draw 3 names every weekend until July 4th! So watch right there for the 3 winners next weekend!

There is a locked room at the entrance of the courthouse here in Ardmore where a large black granite plaque has been hanging on the wall since the courthouse was built in 1910. Inscribed on the granite in Latin is the following:

Hae tibi erunt artes (These virtues will be for you)
Pacisque inponere morem (To impose the custom of law)
Parcere Subjectis (To spare those who have been subjected)
Et debellare superbos (And to subdue the haughty)
-Virgil
http://www.gradesaver.com/ClassicNotes/Authors/about_virgil.html

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges

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