PO Box 2, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
Email: butchbridges@oklahomahistory.net, Phone: 580-490-6823
Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Clinton
Thomas Jefferson Clinton was born April 1st 1848 in Marshall County Tennessee the oldest child born to John and Martha Clinton. He married Mary Jane Mayse on February 29th 1872 in Murray County Tennessee. In September of 1894 he moved his family to Indian Territory settled little settled near the community of Durwood in eastern Carter County, approximately 10 miles east of Ardmore. In 1909 the groundwork was laid for the township of Clinton which was to feature the Clinton School a one-room schoolhouse, and a grocery store. The township was located at the crossroads old Tishomingo Road six miles east of Ardmore. The schools serve the 1st through the 8th grades, and students who were promoted through the 8th grade we’re entitled to receive a State School Diploma. The school was managed from 1913 until it was destroyed by fire in 1924. Thomas Clinton served on the first grand jury summoned in Ardmore, Indian Territory, and would walk the five miles from his home to Ardmore and back again each day.
The Clintons celebrate their 50th anniversary in 1922 and in honor of the pioneer couple, a reception was held for them at the Carter County Courthouse.
Mary Jane Mayes Clinton died on June 3, 1927 at the home of her daughter, Vashie Clinton Bingham and shortly afterwards, Thomas made his home with his son, Adam in Hastings, Oklahoma. In November of 1935, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and on January 1, 1936 he died. Mary Jane Clinton was buried at the old Nelda Cemetery 10 miles east of Ardmore, and her husband was buried in Hastings. They had lived in the Durwood area for 30 years.
-Indian Territory and Carter County Pioneers book 1982
Photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clinton.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/ThomasAndMaryClinton.jpg
Q. Where is Oklahoma’s prairie chicken house?
A. Norman, Oklahoma.
https://kfor.com/2017/04/17/the-prairie-house-architect-comes-home-to-see-his-famous-structure-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-50-years/
Q. Do you live near a massive sink hole in Oklahoma? There are five of them.
A. Answer in next week’s newsletter
Below is from This and That newsletter archives of November 1, 2007
Herman Kirkwood in Oklahoma City called me this week to talk about last week’s T&T. He had been reading the part where Jill and I traveled over the old Norton Bridge north of Mannsville, Oklahoma. Herman asked if I know about a cemetery just east of the bridge, and an unbelievable story about three people buried there. This story takes place in 1898 near Maud, Oklahoma (north of Ada). Seems a terrible hanging took place at Maud, and the victims are from north of Mannsville, so they are buried in the cemetery just to the east of the Norton bridge. Herman told me there is only one marker on the east side of the cemetery, but on three sides are the names of the 3 Leard family members buried there, including a child. Julia Leard was murdered by a Seminole Indian, and the local people took up vengeance. I did a search in google and below are the only references I could find. At the close of our conversation, Herman said he would try to get us more detailed information on this 1898 incident.
http://genealogytrails.com/oka/territorydeaths.html
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I was looking through a box of old items I had saved the other day and ran across a 1979 issue of Memorial Hospital’s Mediprose. Boy, you talk about bringing back memories of my ambulance days. This issue was a real blast from the past for me. A few of the people mentioned along with pictures in the newsletter are: Marjorie Whipple, David Moser, Marla Weldon, Shirley Anderson, Dee Clark, Ann Willis, Peggy Parker, Sallie Walker, Linda Darling, Diana Fox and many others. And I will give you 3 guesses who is behind the set of mystery eyes on page 3. lol
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/Mediprose1979a.jpghttps://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/Mediprose1979b.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/Mediprose1979c.jpg
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/Mediprose1979d.jpg
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We had over 100 kidos come by Halloween night, and almost ran out of candy. It was a lot of fun. I remember one little kid was so excited he ran up to our front porch, tripped, spilling most of his candy all over the porch. But he didn’t waste a second picking it all up. lol Here’s a photo I took of 4 courthouse employees all dressed up for Halloween. I think there was a ton of kids who came through the courthouse that afternoon trick or treating. In the pic from left to right is: Jammey Howard of the Assessors Office, and Treasurers Office employees Lori Cain, Jane Cummins and Janice Robertson.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/CarterCountyHalloween2007.jpg
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“Back many years ago there was a delightful bakery on Main Street, in the middle of the same block shared with Ida’s and Strasmick Jewelers. That bakery had some of the best pastries imaginable, along with hard-to-find breads. One of my favorite in the breadlines was their Salt-Rising Bread. Toasted, it was a taste-treat when slathered with butter. Alas, the bakery is gone and seemingly so is any other place that makes Salt-Rising Bread. For years I’ve tried to find a replacement bakery to no avail. There are a couple listed on the internet, and I did order loaves in hopes it would be similar — but it wasn’t. I’ve tried a few of the recipes I’ve found, but they’re tedious and quite disappointing. How I’d love to have Solomon’s recipe! Might anyone know of a place where this bread can be found… or a recipe that would be similar? Thanks.” -Mae Davenport Cox
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“Hi Butch, Although I live in California now I really enjoy your weekly news about Oklahoma. I was born in Baum in 1930 and recently you have had some articles that really brought back memories. I lived just west of the old Baum grocery store in 1936. It was owned by Jock Gibbs. I started school in the old one room school at Baum. It went to the eight grade. Amos Wolf was the teacher. He taught all eight grades. We all sit around a big wood stove in little groups around an old wood stove. It also served as a church at night I was back there about eight years ago and was really sad to see the old building used as a hay barn. Then we were transferred to Dickson before they had the rock around the school building. We traveled in an old wooden body bus. When the Washita river was running high the driver would park the bus and let us all off. Then drive the bus across and we had to walk across the bridge. Sure was scary looking through the big cracks at the rolling water. When it got too high we had to go around through Berwyn (now Gene Autry).
I also remember when they changed the name of Berwyn to Gene Autry. They had a big parade in Ardmore. Gene rode his horse Champion down main street. Was a lot of people at that parade. Also you had a picture of the old Norton bridge. I don’t know if that is the bridge between Mannsville and Greasy Bend or not but looks like it. I drove my motor home across it and barely had room.I was back there a couple years ago for a high school reunion. Was surprised to see six of us there that went to school together in 1937. Even our second grade teacher was there. Had a great time meeting the kids (well they were when I left in 1943) that were my classmates.
Used to go to the fox theater there for a dime every Saturday. We moved closer to Ardmore and went to town with our wagon and team. Oh the good old days. I saw the old building was still there although it was empty when I was there.
My dad was working cleaning out brush and trees for Lake Murray when we came to California. Quite a difference in then and now. Keep up the good work i really enjoy the history that you present. Will be waiting for more.” -Orie Edwards
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“Butch, I was so saddened to hear Doug Williams’ news about the Skyview Drive-In being bulldozed. Please tell him thanks for the photos as I intend to add them to my Ardmore scrapbook. I’ve got so many memories of that place and I’m sure if my parents were still alive they’d share their memories as well. I know my mom & her sisters went to the Skyview quite often when they were growing up in the 50’s. And I remember going there in the 60’s with my parents & my brother. We would take our station wagon (when the weather was nice) and daddy would back in to the speaker, fold down the tailgate and my brother & I would watch the movies while lying on a pallet in the car while momma & daddy sat in their lawn chairs. In the 70’s I went with friends from school and had several dates there with my ex. Even in the 80’s before it was closed, I’d take my young son & a group of his friends and we’d go to the drive-in and sit in the chairs in front of the concession stand. Gosh, I can’t even begin to tell you how many movies we watched out there. Everything from John Wayne & Clint Eastwood (yes, I remember seeing the “man with no name” movies of his there) to Star Wars and tons of Disney movies. It’s truly sad that this town landmark was never purchased by someone with a vision, restored and allowed to be enjoyed by new generations. We have an awesome drive-in theater here in Fayetteville and it’s quite popular & very well kept and I am just counting the days until my 3 grandchildren are old enough (because of the late start times) to take so they can know the joy & fun of going to a drive-in movie. Once again, Butch (& Doug) you have stirred up long forgotten memories and have put a smile on this old girl’s face. Thanks, guys. Have a good weekend.” -Kathi G., Fayetteville, Arkansas-transplanted Okie!!!
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“Butch this is one of the earliest televised Golden glove fights in Okla. Although I won the fight with a 40 sec knockout and won the district championship that story is only secondary! One of Oklahoma’s really true heroes was the referee, Ernest “Red” Andrews! Red started feeding the poor and providing for those in need in 1928 and moved to Oklahoma City 1945 and spent his whole life providing for those in need! Red served his country in two wars as a Marine, but has always had his Christmas Dinners even after his death. Red died in 1977 but his widow and his nieces and nephews have kept his legacy alive and well! Red turned down no one at dinners, he said if they are here they need something! If they are wearing a fur coat or barefooted makes no difference! Bless Reds Family of the good work. Red told them to never let anyone change his dinners and they haven’t. They feed thousands every year at Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City on Christmas day! The Very Best to all!” -Hoot Gilbert , Healdton
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/HootGilbertBoxing.jpg
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The Wilson News submitted by Mindy Taylor
7-21-1915
The railroad people are tearing up the Y tracks at Wilson. This piece of trackage was put down here when Wilson was the terminal station and was a necessity at that time, but now that Wilson is no longer the terminal point, the Y is no longer needed.
7-28-1915
Rev. J. C. Harris, colporteur for the American Bible Society, will be in the city for a few days and will have a stand on the streets. He will furnish Bibles at actual cost of the books.
9-23-1915
C. P. Hall was in Wilson the first of the week looking after his business. After staying here all day he left for Wirt where he has another store. Mr. Hall owns three stores now, one at Ardmore, Wirt , and one at Wilson.
9-23-1915
We will take anything you have on subscription except “chickens” and Ford cars. Cordwood, watermelons and cantaloupe preferred, however, payments made in butter must be deferred until cold weather or delivered in a hole-prooof tin can.
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————————————————————————-Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..
You had a picture in the last newsletter with the title Texoma’s Coney Island. Could you provide more information on this? -Peggy Bailey
https://www.heralddemocrat.com/lifestyle/20180918/texoma8217s-coney-island-once-thrived-hereBurn’s Run – Early 1950’s – Lake Texoma’s Coney Island
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw0afBB7Qy8&fbclid=IwAR2p3t4gmPLMwn4tXuDKYyGZzUlPc95o_3caGr6QKDKD3ijtkFOuB1TkUeE#t=64https://oklahomahistory.net/maps/BurnsRunLakeTexhomaMap.jpg
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1967? The newest car in the parking lot might be 1954.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/LakeTexomaConeyIsland1967.jpgButcher Pen lake east of Tishomingo is breached by the Washita River
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/ButcherPenLakeBreached.jpghttps://oklahomahistory.net/maps/ButcherPenLakeBreachedMap.jpg
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Q. My brother went across the Dam at Lake Murray and on the west side going towards the spillway he said all the trees are gone from the edge of the road to down in the valley. Someone had went in and cut them down for some reason. You now can see the remains of the old concrete fish hatchery that was in use when Lake Murray was finished. -Robert HensleyA. Engineers with the state decided to have all the trees removed from both sides of the dam to prevent them from damaging the integrity of the dam as they grew bigger. That’s was directly from the guy who got hired to do all the dozer work and clean it up. -Kory Roberts
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Seen a friend’s, Jason Bryant’s post about Washita River breaching Butcher Pen Lake and I had to go take pictures for myself…. sad sight to see!! -Georgina Quirey
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/ButcherPenLakeBreached.jpghttps://oklahomahistory.net/maps/ButcherPenLakeBreachedMap.jpg
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———————————————–When the Okies left Oklahoma and moved to California, it raised the I.Q. of both states. –Will Rogers
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
“Friends Make Life Worth Living”PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
Vicious Dog Attacks in Oklahoma
https://oklahomahistory.net/viciousdogs.html
Oklahoma Bells: https://oklahomahistory.net/bellpage.html
Bill Hamm’s Cemetery Database
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/carter/cartercm.htm
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 Government Website