PO Box 2, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
Email: [email protected]
Mindy Taylor at Wilson sent in a very interesting 1913 newspaper clipping this week:
The Daily Ardmoreite
October 22, 1913
Ardmore in Movies
Picture Man Here with his Camera – Scenes to be Made Friday.
O. A. Tannehill arrived in the city today and is making preparations to make moving pictures of Ardmore on Friday, October 24, following the street parade. The Royal Company of Sherman, Texas, will make the films, and the pictures will be put on the canvas at the Majestic in this city for three days and after that they will be turned over to the show circuit and will be shown in all three cities of the United States. Mr. Tannehill wants ten bright Ardmore girls to assist him in the work and asks the young ladies to meet him promptly at 10 o’clock at the Majestic Theater tomorrow morning. The Commercial Club has endorsed this work, says Mr. Tannehill.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could find where Mr. Tannehill’s film is located? I did a quick search and found no Tannehills listed in Sherman. But I have several T&T Readers who live in Sherman, maybe they could find out something on this movie man and his film whereabouts? hint hintAl Young in Houston sent in a 1932 obit on his grandfather, James Oxford. Oxford was on the Ardmore police force when Ardmore was in its beginnings. When I read the obit I recognized so many of the names mentioned which were common place around our house when I was a kid. The Oxfords and the Carmons were friends long before I was born, and I remember my grandparents, Stanley and Addie Carmon, mentioning them numerous times. The Oxfords were a well established family in Ardmore. James Oxford had just attended his brother-in-law’s funeral in 1932, was walking home, and stricken with a heart attack. He died at his home a few hours later.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/JamesOxford1932.jpgMarch 1999 T&T: “Butch, This is a picture of some of the dignitaries at the burial of Hardy Murphy’s horse (in Ardmore). Reading left to right they are: Floyd Randolph, Jim Askew Sr., Jim Askew Jr. Hardy Murphy, Mayor Iley Oxford, City Mgr. Emmet Brown, Ray Colvert, Unknown, Quintin Little, Carl Holden and Guy Harris.”
https://oklahomahistory.net/photos/hmhorse.jpg
More on the Oxfords of Ardmore in the Mailbag below.
September 18th, 19th and 20th is the big tractor show at Sulphur!
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/MurrayCountyTractorShow2009.jpg
Jill and I almost got rid of our TV at the beginning of the summer when we only had Letterman and that other guy to watch. But now that Jay Leno is back at 9pm every evening, we have a reason to keep it.
http://www.thejaylenoshow.com/
Ten cheapest places to buy gas in the Ardmore area……
https://oklahomahistory.net/gasprices.html
Q. Who was the first governor of Oklahoma?
A. Charles Haskell
Q. How many counties does Oklahoma have?
A. (answer in next week’s T&T)
Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..“Hey, Butch, does anyone have any photos of the old Ponders Super Dog on North Commerce? If so, I would love to see some of them on your T&T. My mom’s youngest sister worked there when she was a teenager. -Kathi G., Fayetteville, Ark.
“Butch, We used to go to the Charcoal Oven in OKC when we were going to Central State back in 1965-67. At that time it was close to the edge of Oklahoma City. We would eat there and then go to the drive-in theater which was just a little further out the Northwest Expressway.
The Split-T on Western in OKC was another favorite. It was on the west side of the street. They made a wonderful chili cheese burger. Them and the Boomerang in Norman were two of our favorites.. We discovered the Boomerang while in high school. I think the first time we were there was on a trip to bowl in Norman. Then there was Holly’s Drive In on Western, just north of I-40. Their bacon cheese burger was the best and their beer was the coldest.
For the 30 years l lived in Houston, I used to go to the Bellaire Broiler Burger. I suspect it was opened about the same time as the Charcoal Oven, 1950’s. I introduced a lot of friends to that style of hamburger over the years.
Talking about it makes me want to go cruising out on the Hamburger Highway.” -Monroe Cameron
“Store bought Hummingbird nectar contains sodium benzoate which is a preservative. It doesn’t get mold or mildew nearly as soon as just a sugar/water mixture. Do any of your readers know where sodium benzoate can be purchased?” -Ann
“Butch, your photo of the small man in the black jacket is my uncle, Ilex Oxford, they mention in the article. This is priceless. Thanks so much.” -Al Young, Houston
https://oklahomahistory.net/photos/hmhorse.jpg
Note: The above picture are some of the dignitaries at the burial of Hardy Murphy’s horse (in Ardmore). Left to right are: Floyd Randolph, Jim Askew Sr., Jim Askew Jr. Hardy Murphy, Mayor Iley Oxford, City Mgr. Emmet Brown, Ray Colvert, Unknown, Quintin Little, Carl Holden and Guy Harris.”
Iley E. Oxford
Published in The Daily Ardmoreite [Ardmore, Okla.], June 22, 1999
Graveside rites for Iley Erwin Oxford, 91, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Hillcrest Memorial Park with the Rev. Donny Custer officiating. Mr. Oxford died June 20, 1999, in Davis. Born Aug. 23, 1907, at Hewitt, Indian Territory, to James and Mollie Oxford, pioneer residents, he moved to Ardmore as an infant and lived here all his life. He married Mary Ethridge in Ardmore, Sept. 27, 1928. The couple had been married 70 years when Mary preceded him in death Dec. 13, 1998. He had been an Ardmore businessman for many years operating Oxford Service Station and Garage. After retiring from the station, he and his late son, James, established Val-Qua Manufacturing Co. He served as president until retiring in 1976. A former Ardmore City Commissioner, he served nine years on the council. He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees, the Building and Financial Committee and was a member of the Men’s Bible Class. He was a charter member of AARP. An avid fisherman, he was a member of the Dirty Dozen fishing club and worked on several committees promoting better fishing conditions in Southern Oklahoma. A loving husband, father and grandfather, he was loved by all. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Don and Sandra Oxford, Davis; two grandsons, Mike and Brent Oxford; five granddaughters, Tracy Drennan, Carol Edwards, Lyndi McCulloch, Donna Williams and Diane Long; eight great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by a son, James Oxford in 1964; and daughter, Nelda Long in 1997. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at Emmanuel Baptist Church. Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home will direct services.
“I sent the above obit for Iley Oxford in an earlier email. In Uncle Iley Oxford’s obituary was a statement about the “DIRTY DOZEN”. Would anyone in Ardmore have memories of that group. They were bass fisherman. Every year they would meet at the Lake Murray, along with their wives. Back then, as you might recall, there were just a few “shelters” (I do not recall cabins with beds, kitchens) just screened shelters. And, the men pitched a big tent. They would play domino’s, 42, the women just relaxed talking, etc—-did not do a thing. The guys caught the fish, cleaned & cooked. I was really small the only time I went with my Aunt and Uncle to the annual “DIRTY DOZEN” weekend. There surely must be some of the Dirty Dozen kids that recall this group.”
-Al Young, Houston TX [email protected]
“Hey Cuz, Wanted to chime in on the reader asking the question about Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. They would often stop in Davis on their road tour and play at the old “Barn Dance” the rock building on the west side of Davis where Highway 7 West intersects with old Highway 77 South. Their was a Ballard’s Dairy Queen there when we were kids. I can remember lying awake at night in our home just south of Main Street listening to their music. After a few years, the road-show bands stopped coming through Davis and the old rock building has now been converted into a some-what Antique store ran by the Busby’s.
Thanks to your Reader for a trip down memory lane. Can remember us kids use to sneak in and listen to the band and watch the OLD FOLKS cut a rug.” -Poss in Korea
“The little Priddy’s diner in OKC was on the SE corner of NW 12 and Hudson; it’s still there but is now a closed Mexican restaurant. I ate with Mr. Priddy almost every evening in 1957 and 1958, and at that time he was still in the little diner. He built the new place a block and a half south, on Hudson, in either late 1958 or early 1959. I only ate there a few times before moving to California in late 1959, and when I came back in February 1962 he was gone.
He had trademarked “The World’s Best Hamburger” but what he really excelled at was chili. I’ve never had anything like it before or since. He would make a huge batch each fall and serve it all winter.
I have a copy of a promotional postcard for his supper club, which was located in NE OKC near the state capitol building. The Branding Iron was several miles away from that area, on N Portland between NW 50 and NW 63 (almost across Portland from Deaconess Hospital). During Joe Cannon’s enforcement of the prohibition laws (that led to the repeal of prohibition in 1959) the Branding Iron was one of only two clubs in the state that was off-limits to Cannon’s Raiders (since it was where Gov. Edmondson went to relax). The other was the Oklahoma City Press Club! However the Petroleum Club and the Beacon Club were both raided at least once.
The last I heard of Louis Priddy was in the early 1980s, when a disastrous fire destroyed a number of costly homes in the Lakehurst addition of NW OKC near N May Avenue and Britton Road. It happened on a day with a strong south wind and the addition’s covenants required wooden shingle roofs. The blaze leapt from one roof to another and eventually covered portions of several blocks. His was one of the homes destroyed in the fire. That disaster led to the abolition of such covenants in our state.” -Jim Kyle [email protected]
“Hi Butch, Really, really enjoyed your articles this week. I am saddened at the death of Elmer Kelton. What a great western writer. I have most of his works in hardback. If you decide to read some of his books, I suggest you start with Badger Boy, because it has several sequels that cover a long period of the old west. I’m going to miss his stories.” -Jerry Landrum
“Hi Butch, I just saw an item in T&T about Priddy’s restaurant in the ’40s. Started me down memory lane about drive-in restaurants in the ’30s. If you preferred, all these drive-ins had “car hops” who took your order and delivered your food to your car. There was a special window tray about 12×15″ that hooked on the window with a prop that supported it against the outside of the door.
First one I recall was “Puny’s” (Puny Sparger long in restaurants and later Justice of the Peace) located So. Commerce betweem Myall and the then Confederate Home about 1934. Disastrous fire ended it around 1936. My father owned the building. Some time later Puny’s relocated half mile North across Commerce just South of the railroad track.
Around 1940 The place to meet and eat became “Priddy’s” on Commerce just South of Broadway approx where Jack in the Box is now. As far as I ever heard it was operated by Louis Priddy only. We envied Louis Priddy for his spectacular 1941 Buick.
Those of us who were there then recall that South Commerce then was hiway 77 and was on what is now the East service lane. The part from Broadway to 12th Ave did not exist, with 77 going down E St NW, turning West on Main at Central Park. Hiway to also ran thru downtown then and by Priddy’s.
During the 1930s there was also the “Green Frog” drive-in located on Main Street about where Chamber of Commerce is now. In the T&T reference to Eden’s restaurant next the Tivoli (then Palace) theater, it was Earl’s Cafe in the ’30s. Been there – Done that! Best!” -Bob McCrory
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Contact: Betty Mathis /Judie Bright
580-479-5604 /580-479-5757
Grandfield, Oklahoma- The Grandfield Chamber of Commerce has announced plans for the annual Grandfield Western Days to be held Friday night, October 2, 2009 and Saturday, October 3rd downtown Grandfield, Oklahoma. Coordinators are now accepting reservations for food vendors, merchandise vendors and non-profits. Booth spaces are available at a cost of $15/20/25 which includes a generous space on downtown 2nd Street. Electricity is also available for an additional $5.00. Hours of the event are from 6:00am until after the street dance.
Friday night venue will include the children’s carnival of games and B-I-N-G-O.
Saturday?s events begin with the ever popular Pancake Breakfast from 6:00 until 10:00 cooked and served by members of Masonic Lodge #378 to benefit the Grandfield Senior Citizens Center.
Vendors setup will begin at 7:00 am selling wares from arts and crafts, fine jewelry, purses, souvenirs, books, pictures and food vendors boasting everything from buffalo burgers to roasted corn to to-die-for cinnamon rolls and thick rich pecan pies and other pecan treats. There will be a Doggie Costume Contest @ 9:00 and a continuous talent show on the main stage downtown from 10:00 am until 5pm.
The infamous Grandfield Chili-Cookoff begins @ 9:00 for judging, chili tasting and braggin’ rights. To enter your best – contact Orlando Leal or Jerry Josefy 580-305-0232 or email [email protected] .
The crowning of Miss Western Days will be at 11:30 sharp. Five young princesses will be selling tickets for some lucky ticket holder to win a 26″ flat screen TV. Pre-registration for the three mile long parade will be no later than 12:00 noon and will step off from the Grandfield High School Stadium at 1:00 pm Carnival games and B-I-N-G-O will be in session from 4:00 pm until 8:00 when the award winning “Tribute to Patsy Cline” starring Sherrill Douglas as Patsy Cline takes the main stage.
If you are interested in reserving booth space or for more information please contact Betty Mathis 580-479-5604 or via e-mail at [email protected] To pre-register a float or organizational unit contact James Jackson 940-632-0048. Entertainment and scheduling information contact is Ed Turlington 580-479-5237 (leave your name, talent and phone # with Ann)
Judie Bright, Publicity
Grandfield Chamber of Commerce
Big Pasture News
(580) 479-5757
[email protected]
God Save America
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/GrandfieldOKmap.jpg
“The Memorial Christian Church at 12th and A Street NW is the Chapel from the Ardmore Army Air Field, WWII. It was probably moved to its present location in 1946-47 or 48. It was the only building on the base that could not be sold or torn down but had to be used as a church either on the base or elsewhere. A picture of the Chapel on the base can be seen on the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base website http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons . The Base Chapel following the closing of the Ardmore Air Force Base, 1959, was used as the First Baptist Church of Gene Autry for a while. They later bought the building and used a lot of the material to construct their present building near the Gene Autry School, now the Gene Autry Oklahoma Museum.”
“Kiowa-Apache artist Dav-Law-Taine from Anadarko is also Darwin Cabaniss Tsoodle. Here are some web sites where you can check him out. There are several articles and some of them tell that this is the same person. Maybe this will be what you were looking for.” -Joh Gainey/Sulphur
“Those drive-Ins make think of a popular hamburger place in Henrietta, TX in the early 50’s. I can’t remember the name of the drive – In. I want to say Big Boy, but I am not sure. There were five of us kids and my dad would stop there every time we were going to see my aunt. We each got 2 burgers (about 50 cents each) at the time. I rat holed one of mine to eat later. About dark, I pulled out my burger (smelled good to a hungry Kid) and started to chow down. The other kids woke up and were hungry and my dad was furious with me for (see what you started) not eating all at the same time. I also remember a lot of the drive-ins on Route 66. I traveled that route twice all the way. I never knew that I was living a part of history. I only remember one Burma Shave sign that said: ‘There was a man named Frank that lit a match to test his tank and now they call him skinless Frank’ – Burma Shave. Oh well, so much for hamburger places. I guess that Charcoal Oven here is what made me think of that place in Texas years ago.” -Cecil
“I’ve scrolled down the monument photos of Ardmore’s Mount Zion cemetery and they bring back a lot of memories to me. Amazing how many Jewish citizens this little city has had over the years. Good work Butch.” -James
https://oklahomahistory.net/mtzion/
Q. Butch, do you know where a person can buy kerosene in Ardmore?
A. Allison Oil Co. at 218 Moore SW. $4.25 a gallon as of today
“Butch- look at attach photo I found made in summer 1958 – that was year of movie showing at Park Theater. The policeman walking across middle of street was my grand-dad Matt Alexander. Note all people on street walking and all business downtown. Also main street was two-way. My dad Burl Chadwell always said when a town the size of Ardmore makes main street one-way it dies, I believe there is some truth in that. Thought you would enjoy seeing this photo back in time.” -Creigh Chadwell
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/ArdmoreMainStreet_1958.jpg
“Yesterday (Tuesday, September 15, 2009) saw the opening of the Noble County Fair at Perry, Oklahoma and the beginning of our celebration of the 116th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land-run. It was also the day of the 25th annual FREE barbecue served by the Exchange Bank of Perry which took place in their Drive-Thru area with a fantastic meal catered by Sooners Corner Restaurant and with continuous music provided by The Country Travelers western swing band. This event is an annual ‘party’ provided by the directors and employees of the bank in appreciation of their customers of 113 continuous years.
Today (Wednesday Sept 16th) saw the opening of the carnival, located again this year just one block south of our historic courthouse square. It will be open through Saturday, September 19th; which is the BIG day of the annual Cherokee Strip Celebration. On that day there will be continuous entertainment in and around ‘the square’ beginning about 8 a.m. and lasting until after dark. The big parade should begin at 10 a.m. and usually lasts until about 11:30 a.m. just in time for folks to line up at the various food booths where we can find highly delectable ethnic foods of all kinds. The entertainment will continue throughout the afternoon with local and nearby talent performing at the band-stand. It’s capped by an annual rodeo that takes place at the rodeo grounds (just behind the football stadium) and usually a street dance near the Noble County Courthouse. Naturally, it’s all for fun and fun for all.” -Roy Kendrick
“I try to keep up with newsletter as much as possible. I find all the information very amazing. I had emailed in before about the Glider Room in the old Hotel Ardmore, and wasn’t sure if any Readers or you could possibly help. Dutch Wilson and my grandfather Jess “Mutt’” Wilson ran it I believe during and after WWII. I wasn’t sure if it was still in the basement or what ever became of it. Just would be interested to hear stories about it and if people are still allowed to look at it. Never really knew they ran it until after his death, so never got a chance to ask any questions. thanks.” -Cory David Wilson [email protected]
“Hi fellow T&T readers, my name is Lawanda Norris (punkin). My sister, Mona Blanton, in Ardmore, OK has a very bad lung cancer called Squamus Cell Carcinoma. She is very sick and taking very expensive chemotherapy because this cancer is inoperable. We have designed a web page for Mona, called Monas Recovery ( www.MonasRecovery.com ). Mona’s family faces many expenses, the chemo therapy being the most expensive. Radiation is not a viable option due to the severity of the cancer.
We will be holding a benefit on October 17, 2009 in Ardmore, OK. Please check next Thursday’s T&T for details. There will be dinner, music, and a silent auction. Any donations are appreciated. We are hoping to raise enough money to send her to a Cancer Center. Thank you and God Bless.”
“Blowing in the Wind” sung by Peter, Paul and Mary Travers (1936-2009)
How many years can a mountain exist,
before it is washed to the sea?
How many years can some people exist,
before they’re allowed to be free?
And how many times can a man turn his head,
and pretend that he just doesn’t see?
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW6NVcqcRVE
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore Oklahoma
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443https://oklahomahistory.net
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Oklahoma Bells: https://oklahomahistory.net/bellpage.html
American Flyers Memorial Fund – Administration Webpage
https://oklahomahistory.net/crash66.html
Official American Flyers Memorial Website
http://www.brightok.net/~wwwafm
Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
Mirror Site of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Website
https://oklahomahistory.net/airbase/
Carter county schools, past and present
http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory
Carter County Government Website
http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/
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