PO Box 2, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402
Email: butchbridges@oklahomahistory.net, Phone: 580-490-6823
Simon Gooden
Simon Gooden was born in 1917 in Burneyville, Oklahoma the son of Steve and Zadie Brown Gooden. The family lived in Marietta for a time then came to Ardmore in 1926. Steve Gooden died in Ardmore a year later in 1927. As a young boy Simon work for Mr. Snyder at the Guaranty Shoe Shop, shining shoes. He later worked for the WPA, then in 1941 he went to work for Solomon’s Bakery. He worked there for almost 40 years, operating it himself for a few years. In 1935 Simon was working at Martin Fedler’s Drug Store at the Northwest corner of Caddo and Main Streets. He felt uneasy and asked go home but the boss needed him. Shortly, two men came in with large guns, ordered everyone behind the counter, and took their money and valuables. Customers kept coming in and would undergo the same treatment. Finally, they left without harming anyone and the men were later caught. This experience has stayed in Simon’s mind indelibly.
Simon was first married to Helen Bowles Gooden. Their children are, Charles W, Loretta, Hulean, Joyce, and Helen. Most of these children are Ardmoreites and some work at Uniroyal (now Michelin). Simon’s present wife is Virginia Owens Gooden, they have two children Sammy Lee and Simon Jr. Simon is mostly retired, but he does have a small shop behind his home where he can spend some of his leisure hours.
-Indian Territory and Carter County Pioneers book 1982
October 1994
Rumors are rife among county employees that Carter County will run out of money before the present physical year is over. However Stephen Sanders, the county’s auditor, says the county will be okay this year. It’s next year that will present problems. They are using next year’s money, now.
Below is a picture of Anvil Rock over in Johnston county. Local legend has it there is gold there. Now don’t all of you run over there with picks and shovels and wake up the dead at nearby Anvil Rock cemetery.Directions to Anvil Rock: FROM TISHOMINGO ( THE INTERSECTION ON THE WEST SIDE OF TOWN ) ( JUNCTION 99 & 1 ). GO WEST 1 MILE. TURN NORTH. GO NORTH ABOUT 2 ˝ MILES TILL THE ROAD “T”S. TURN WEST. GO WEST ABOUT ˝ MILE AND ROAD TURNS BACK NORTH AGAIN. GO NORTH ABOUT 3 MILES TO WHERE THE ROAD TURNS BACK RIGHT / EAST. THE GATE IS ON THE WEST SIDE. GARRETT TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 5 EAST, SECTION 1.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/anvilrock3.jpg
Q. Where in Oklahoma is the red neck capital of the world and the quirkiest curio shop with nothing for sale?
A. Erick, Oklahoma, the redneck capital of the world at the Sandhills Curiosity Shop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NzPSyWgjlE
Q. Where in Oklahoma is a place with a road like a roller coaster that will blow your mind?
A. Answer in next week’s newsletter
Below is from This and That newsletter archives of December 6, 2007
“The drive-in that was south of the first miniature golf on South Washington was Mean’s Drive-In owned by Homer and Lena Means. I was a carhop there for two years. Does anyone remember: going to the Civic Auditorium just before Christmas and getting bags filled with hard candy, an apple and usually an orange; cars that had names painted on the back fender; drag racing at Springer on Sunday afternoon? Boy those were the simpler days and kids could really have fun running around town at night on $1.00 of gas.
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————————————————————————-Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..
I was wondering if you or any of your readers ever heard of a man named Catfish Charlie that lived in the woods of Lake Murray north of the first loading ramp back in the late 60’s . There used to be a dirt road on the left side that went to the lake just after you rounded the curve past the pond by the park headquarters. I remember my dad bringing Catfish Charlie some food to eat when dad went to fish at that area of the lake. Catfish had a wood and cardboard structure set up and he was a friendly and nice man. -Robert Hensley
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———————————————–Everything that is done in this world is done by hope. –Martin Luther
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