Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
Email: [email protected]
One T&T newsletter reader is Serena Heald Holder in New Mexico. Serena is the great granddaughter of Charles Hobart Heald who is the namesake of Healdton, Oklahoma. I remembered back to 1989 when the American National Bank of Ardmore was doing some advertising on the radio, Betty Carroll was employed by the bank and did the 1 minute recordings called “Once Upon A Time”. No matter what you were doing at the time the advertisement came over the radio back in 1989, you just had to stop everything and listen to Betty has she told about a piece of local history from bygone days. On March 17, 1989 Betty talked about Serena’s great grandfather:
“Once Upon A Time…. Charles Hobart Heald and Eliza Guy Heald, a Chickasaw, lived in Mill Creek where C.H. owned the hotel, post office and dry goods store. Eliza had 2 sisters, Serena, called Tina, and Anne. In 1882 Ben Carter, a Chickasaw and widower rode into Mill Creek with his 12 year old son, John Elliott Carter behind him. Ben soon fell in love with Serena Guy and married her in 1885. They had one son, Charles Carter. Ben was a judge in Ardmore for years. Charles Carter became a Congressman and remained with this elected position for many years. He did a great deal to help the Chickasaws while in Congress and Carter county was named for his family. Serena’s sister, Eliza Heald, died of pneumonia and her husband, Charles Hobart Heald, broken up over her death, sold all his interest in Mill Creek and moved on to establish the town of Healdton, Oklahoma.” -Recorded by Betty Carroll March 17, 1989
Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting more of Betty Carroll’s recordings.
I finally got started on the chicken coop after completing the shed. Like the shed, it will mostly be made from recycled wood pallets.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ChickenCoop.html
Jill spotted a hummingbird or two for the first time this week on our place south of Lone Grove. We have a hummingbird feeder, but she just got it hung up Wednesday.
4 weeks ago I changed to a new website host in Utah and held my breath that everything would go ok. Things did. There were a couple of hiccups, but I’ve been very happy with the new home for the 1.3 gigs that make up my website; photos, webpages, text files, audio files, video files and all. One unexpected surprise, hostmonster.com only allows me to send 750 emails a once, so on Thursday evening after the first 750 goes out, I have to wait an hour to send out another 750 newsletters to subscribers, and then wait another hour to send the remaining 200 emails. So it takes a coupe hours to send out all 1,600 emails to subscribers, but I can live with that for now. The reason for hostmonster.com’s 750 limit per hour is to keep people from spamming. But even with the 750 emails per hour limit, hostmonster.com with all the features now available to me has been a good place to host my website. And emailing? Unbelievable fast. I can send out 750 T&T newsletters in 2 minutes. Never had a service that fast in 13 years I’ve been publishing my T&T.
The Broadway Service Station at West Broadway and Q SW had been getting a lot of double takes this week. Parked in the front of the station is this most unusual “taxi cab”.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/TijuanaTaxi051309a.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/TijuanaTaxi051309b.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/TijuanaTaxi051309c.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/TijuanaTaxi051309d.jpg
The Lincoln Town Car is owned by The Cloverleaf at I-35 and Exit 31.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/Cloverleaf051409.jpg
Ten cheapest places to buy gas in the Ardmore area……
https://oklahomahistory.net/gasprices.html
Oklahoma History Boards!
http://oklahomaroots.proboards83.com/
Q. What did Oklahoma’s largest earthquake register on the Richter Scale?
A. The El Reno, Oklahoma on April 9, 1952 earthquake came in at 5.5 on the Richter Scale. It was felt from Des Moines, Iowa to Austin, Texas.
Q. What Cheyenne chief was killed by Custer?
A. (answer in next week’s T&T)
Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..“Butch– I encourage baseball enthusiasts and long time residents of Southern to come celebrate America’s favorite pastime at a “Doubleheader” in Ardmore, Ok. on Wednesday May 20th. I have attached a flyer on the upcoming events that day. Peter G. Pierce will be on hand to discuss and sign his new book ” Baseball in the Cross Timbers: the Story of the Sooner State League”. Also, Mike Wimmer, noted artist/illustrator, will have some of his Baseball Paintings on display. These events are free and open to the public. See you there!!” -Helen Peter Pierce Flyer
“Regarding the horse buried under train near Hardy Murphy Coliseum in last weeks T&T. I have pictures of that. My husband, Everett Scott, buried that while my son Karry watched. I will try to bring the pictures by soon.” -Mae Scott [email protected]
“Butch, I ran across these photos of the old Sinclair Tank Farm located on the west side of Ardmore just west of the railroad tracks at West Broadway and Rockford. In fact if you look close at one of the photos you can see two engines in the background passing behind the tanks. The Ardmore switcher was going out to the Uniroyal/Michelin Tire Plant in that photo. Also notice the gas prices at the Texaco station in the cropped/close-up photo. Looks like 88 cents a gallon for regular unleaded and that was near the Interstate. Prices were probably lower than that on the opposite side of town. Photos were dated January 1999.” -Dwane Stevens
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/SinclairTankFarmArdmore1999a.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/SinclairTankFarmArdmore1999b.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/SinclairTankFarmArdmore1999c.jpg
“I live and work in Warri, Nigeria working as Well Intervention Supervisor for Shell International and left the US in 1989 to start my overseas work, firstly to Lagos, Nigeria, then after 4 years to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in which I worked the entire Middle East, Pakistan, Afghanistan, North Africa (Egypt, Somalia, Kenya, Chad) and the Caspian Sea area and some of the FSU (Former Soviet Union) countries. In 1999, I came back to Midland/Odessa for 1 year and then back as a consultant for Shell on 2 projects here in Nigeria. When we completed the EA project in 2003, I was asked to stay on and take care of the EA Field as the equipment is one of a kind in Nigeria and I was the only one with the experience to keep it working so I stayed on and they hired me direct instead of contract which suits me. I have 1-1/2 more years on my contract here and more than likely I will move to Kazakhstan as we have a major project there and they are already asking what I think about Kazakhstan which I have no problem with. Also, we have a large project in Egypt that they have mentioned as well. Let’s see how it goes.” -Stephen
“Another great Oklahoma songwriter and entertainer, Billy Ross (Cushing, OK).”
http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/okiebillmusic.htm
56th Annual Crow Reunion June 27 & 28, 2009
The Crow Reunion at the Cotton County Expo Center at Walters, OK, will be Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th. It begins 6:30 Saturday evening with sandwiches, homemade ice cream and desert. Come to visit, share family history and photos. Sunday begins with a 10:30 a.m. morning worship service; 12:30 covered dish meal. After lunch, plans include games, activities for children, an auction and lots of fun.
The Daily Ardmoreite
Date: Sunday, July 8, 1928
Mrs. ELLEN GOLLEDGE, Pioneer Mother of Ardmore
Mrs. ELLEN GOLLEDGE, pioneer mother of Ardmore, died yesterday morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. E. ELLIS in Houston, Texas. Death resulted from an automobile accident in which both Mrs. Golledge and Mr. Ellis were injured. The body will be brought to Ardmore for burial. Mrs. MAE SCIVALLY of 823 D St. SW, who was with her mother, will accompany the body home, but Mrs. Ellis will be unable to attend due to her husband’s serious condition.This was the fourth serious accident in which she had been hurt since she was 74 years old. She was in her 82nd year. Mrs. Golledge was the wife of the foreman of the Ardmoreite for
many years.
Her husband, J. W. GOLLEDGE, died several years ago and was buried from St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in which he was a member. He was of English birth and came to America in his early manhood, first helped with the Galveston Morning News then volunteered for the Confederate Army, later with the Hillsboro Mirror at Hillsboro, Texas. ..came to Ardmore and started the Ardmore Courier which was destroyed in the 1895 fire, then associated with the Ardmoreite.
—————
2nd Obituary
Date: Tuesday, July 10, 1928Mrs. Ellen A. Golledge with photo From the Houston Post-Dispatch
Mrs. ELLEN A. GOLLEDGE, 83, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. W. E. ELLIS, 1421 Heights Blvd.
Her father, Capt. JAMES MONTGOMERY, was the skipper of a bayou sidewheeler… his vessel conveyed the first steam locomotive to Texas.
She was born at Galveston in 1846 and when two years old, her parents moved to Houston, a straggling town with few brick buildings and muddy streets.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. ELLIS and Mrs. MAE SCIVALLY of Ardmore; a sister Mrs. EMILY BERIETH of Houston; a brother JAMES MONTGOMERY; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
—————
Mrs. M. Georgie (Porter) Sammons
Ardmoreite, Ardmore, Oklahoma
date: Wednesday, January 26, 1910
Mrs. C. A. SAMMONS
Mrs. C. A. SAMMONS died this afternoon. Mrs. Sammons had lived in this portion of Oklahoma for a number of years. Her father, Dr. PORTER, formerly lived at Overbrook and Mrs. Sammons has been known here since the first home was built in this city. She was taken ill several years ago and spent the last two years in Colorado, where her husband hoped the climate and treatment of specialists in Denver would restore her to health, but she gradually grew worse and few weeks ago, Mr. Sammons was advised by her physicians in Colorado that the climate there was too severe for her to pass through the winter. She suffered an attack of pneumonia. Mrs. SAMMONS was a member of the Ladies of the Leaf. She was the wife of CHARLES A. SAMMONS, the pioneer lumberman of this city. Funeral arrangements have not been made but the remains will be laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery.
“I was wondering if anyone can tell me about my Cunningham/Miller family. My great-great grandfather was John G. Cunningham (1833-1918) His daughter, my great grandmother was Rebecah Cunningham (1868-1899) She married George Miller in 1887 in Nickel Hill. some time after the marriage they moved to Lehigh OK. I understand that Nickel Hill was where the town of Baum now stands. John has 2 daughters buried some where near Nickel Hill. They were Louella Cunningham Barnes and Ida Cunningham Brown. I would appreciate any help.” [email protected]
“This vehicle was in the Lone Grove area yesterday 5/08/2009 with the Discovery Channel doing a Documentary on Tornadoes. My Daughter Brandi just happened to run across this group and asked if she could take some pictures.” -Russell Martin
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/DiscoveryDocumentaryVehicle050809.jpg
Q. “How did the beautiful yellow flowers get seeded all over the Arbuckles along I35? Beautiful!” -Jerry
A. The Oklahoma Dept of Transportation plants the flowers, part of wildflower program in the state. But various organizations provides the funds to buy the seeds. I think the yellow flowers you see this year along I-35 and the Arbuckle Mountains are the Plains Coreopsis.
“Hey Cuz, Just thought I would let you know that the Hyundai Company is sending out a number of mechanics today from 1000 to 1400 to provide car care services to the occupants of our Apartment Complex and the one next to us as an American-Korean Friendship gesture prior to Mother’s Day tomorrow. They will be providing a number of services for the cars here in the complex regardless of origin, make, year, or model.” -Poss in Korea
Followup: All I can say about the Hyundai folks is that they came willing and ready to take on all the cars in our Apartment Complex. They have five cars full of mechanics and one expanding maintenance truck that is loaded with everything you could imagine to service one’s car. They replaced or topped off all the fluids in the cars, aired tires that were not up to the right air pressure, replaced faulty or dimming bulbs for the interior and exterior, replaced weather rotted wiper blades, and even did touch ups of scratches. You can only imagine how much this would all cost out of pocket especially for the number of cars they have serviced so far (over 20) with dozens more waiting in line. Wanted to give you an update as Kim drove off like a race-car driver when they finished with our Sonata.” -Poss in Korea
“Garth’s mystery bird #3 in last weeks newsletter is an Inca Dove. They are considerably smaller than the white-wing variety. We see them here in South Texas from about April until October. It was strange to see the picture, because I noticed one hanging out under the birdfeeder as I was reading about other birds in last week’s edition and wondered if these little guys made it as far north as Carter County. Question answered! By the way, they are very fond of black-oil sunflower seeds, as are the white-winged dove, cardinals and purple finches.” -Chuck
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MysteryBird3.jpg
“The bird is an INDIGO BUNTING. We have them come thru here in FL and I have ben seen in MI, as well. Their “brothers” are Indigo Buntings which are an incredible iridescent blue. also an incredible sight to behold! Needless to say that was a Male Painted Bunting in the feeder. The female is quite dull. What a VERY FORTUNATE person to have caught this shot of such an elusive bird!” -Licia Babb in FL [email protected]
“Latest update on my mystery birds here. I had a suspicion I had correctly ID’d that first one and it was confirmed today. The male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak made an appearance this afternoon. Here’s a couple of snaps along with a group shot and another of an usual visitor.” -Garth Hoard, SE Lone Grove
Group (ccw from top):
Painted Bunting – female,
Rose-Breasted Grosbeak – male,
Blue Jay,
White Winged Dove
Cardinal – female
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/BirdsGroupShot.jpg
“My name is Otis Ritch. A friend sent me a link to your website and shared a newsletter that was e-mailed to her. I looked at your website and found it very interesting. I would appreciate it very much if you would send me your newsletters as they come available. I am a Choctaw Indian born in Stigler Oklahoma and I write novels. I have an 8 book series of spiritual adventure novels I am currently publishing. In them I tried to write exciting adventure stories and also include throughout the books “grandfather teachings” that contain the most comprehensive and profound American Indian Spiritual Philosophy that has ever been written. My website is: www.SoaringEagleEnterprises.net Please check it out and read the first chapter of the first book which is posted on the website. I also have some leather artwork posted on the site. Thanks.” -Otis Ritch
“Butch, I know you are a burger eater, but there is a new Italian place here in Ardmore located on South Commerce across from the Veteran’s Home. It called JOHNNY PATOLI’S ITALIAN CAFE. It has some of the best Italian food I have ever eaten. You might want to check it out.” -Terry
“I just came across your old website about upside down tomatoes. I’m sorry that you didn’t have any success with them that year but I hope you have not given up. Flowers only turn into tomatoes if they are pollinated. What I do in my garden is take a q-tip and touch all of the flowers in my garden one after another until I return to my starting point. Since there aren’t many bees in my area (being the city and all) this allows my veggies to get pollinated. Before I started doing this my crop was 1/7th what it is these days! This works for all flowering fruits and veggies! If there weren’t any other flowering plants near you tomatoes then the bees may just not have come to visit them! Good luck!” -Micah
https://oklahomahistory.net/tomatos.html
“Butch here is a picture of the Berwyn , Oklahoma band I don’t know the year or if this was a town band or school band, any help from your readers would be helpful.” [email protected]
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/BerwynBand.jpg
“Butch can anyone tell me which schools these were they are probably from around the Gene Autry area.” [email protected]
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MysterySchool9a.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MysterySchool9b.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MysterySchool9c.jpg
“HI BUTCH, WONDERFUL TO TALK TO YOU. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING A LONG TIME FOR HARVEY WILKERSON, THIS WOULD BE MY GREAT GRAND FATHER. THIS IS WHAT I KNOW. BORN IN LINNEUS MO. 1855.
PARENTS JOEL AND JUDITH WILKERSON OF LINNEUS MO. HARVEY MARRIED ELLEN GRAY 1873 DEC. 27 IN LINNEUS MO. HARVEY IS IN THE 1880 CENSUS AFTER THAT I JUST LOST HIM. THEN ON THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION HARVEY AND ELLA M. WILKERSON OK. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IF ANY ONE CAN HELP WOULD SURE BE GREAT. AGAIN THANKS MUCH FOR ANYTHING. BYE FOR NOW LORAINE.” [email protected]
“Butch, I want someone to tell me if this is a woodpecker or what. I didn’t know they were so patriotic The picture doesn’t do it justice because it is really red, white and blue! Thanks.” -Melba
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MelbaBird1.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MelbaBird2.jpg
Melba, a quick visit into one of my bird books (All the Birds of North America: American Bird Conservancy’s Field Guide) shows it to be a male Red-Headed Woodpecker.” -Garth Hoard
Pics and more info here:
http://www.google.com/search?q=Red-Headed+WoodpeckerWell, I think my mystery bird #2 may be solved. Looks to be a female Orchard Oriole as the male has shown up yesterday & today (pics attached). He has more of a rust color versus the Baltimore’s bright orange. They’ve got the same body shape as the Baltimores but are a little smaller.
Been sort an unusual spring here for birding what with the orioles showing up in multiples and different species, a 1st time Indigo bunting and the multiples of the painted buntings. Has also been a big season for the normally scarce Pine Siskins. They’re about the size of the American Goldfinches (your ‘Mystery bird #4) but both the males & females have the streaks of the female finches. They’ve also got a yellow patch on their lower back and wings and small, sharply pointed bills.
Brigadier General Stand Watie Grave http://www.historicmarkers.com/ok/73481
WHAT WAS ELECTRIC PARK IN ARDMORE?
Butch… You, Jill and all the readers at www.oklahomahistory.com are cordially invited to attend a special ceremony, taking place at the Harvey Douglas Funeral Home and Crematory, Saturday, May 23rd at 10:00 o?clock a.m. In conjunction with George R. Anderson Post 65 of the American Legion and The Military Memorial Museum, we are sponsoring a dedication of our new flagpole and an Old Glory Flag Retirement Ceremony at the funeral home, 2118 South Commerce.
Our funeral home has installed a new flagpole and CWO/4 Frank L. Simpson, USN, retired and President of the Military Memorial Museum will conduct a service of dedication. Following the dedication all will move inside for the ?Old Glory Retirement Ceremony? directed by Kent M. Tucker, Commander of American Legion Post 65.
This will be an opportunity for residents of Ardmore and Southern Oklahoma to retire flags no longer fit for public display in a patriotic and highly dignified manner. An Old Glory collection box has been placed in the lobby of our funeral home to receive the tattered and worn flags.
We have planned a moving display of respect and patriotism suitable for people of all ages to attend.
Following the conclusion of the ceremony refreshments will be served.
Sincerely yours,
Steve Douglas
Steve Douglas, President
Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home & Crematory
Member, Post 65, American Legion Member, Military Memorial Museum
?Let it be borne on the flag under which we rally in every exigency, that we have one country, one constitution, one destiny? –Daniel Webster
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges