PO Box 2, Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

Email: [email protected], Phone: 580-490-6823

A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST

In the early morning hours of Monday, July 2, 1962 J.C. Boone was performing his night watchman duties for the city of Wilson, Oklahoma as he had been doing for over a year. Wilson resident and service station owner Leo Welch and his wife pulled up and stopped the car in the street in front of the bank, and called for Boone, who was walking on the sidewalk. When Boone started toward Welch’s automobile, Welch opened fire with a .380 caliber pistol, striking Boone in the stomach. As he fell to the ground, Boone drew his pistol and emptied it into the driver’s door of Welch’s car. Welch, with his wife in the car with him, left for a couple of minutes and returned again, to fire more bullets at Boone. Welch then left and went to his D-X service station at the highway west entrance of Wilson, and barricaded himself inside. Sheriff Gerald Cobb along with Deputies Elmer Fitzsimmons, Bud Hunt, Pete Fair and John Smithers surrounded the service station. Just when officers were about to hurl tear gas into the building, Welch surrendered. J.C. Boone was critically wounded requiring the removal of part of his stomach and intestine. But he would survive the shooting and continued to live in Wilson another 15 years.

J. C. Boone is buried in the Hewett cemetery near Wilson, Oklahoma. June, 15 1915 – Dec 28, 1982

Interesting note: J.C.’s wife, Clara C. Allen Boone, died 6 days before J.C.

Q.  Where in Oklahoma is a place with a road like a roller coaster that will blow your mind?
A.  The roller coaster road is one mile west of Old Highway 56, and about 1.5 miles west of State Highway 56, just north of Wewoka, Oklahoma.  CLICK HERE

Q.  In 1968 a small plane carrying two passengers en route to Las Vegas crashed in southern Oklahoma. An extraordinary hike can be taken to the site and still see debris left behind from the crash. Where is this crash site located?
A.  Answer in next week’s newsletter

Below is from This and That newsletter archives of December 13, 2007

I guess owning a pocket knife is really a guy thing since very few women carry one. I can remember back in the late 1960s Bob Miller of Lone Grove (retired Ardmore fireman) gave me a Schrade pocket knife for Christmas and I carried that knife for probably 20 years. I was sure sad when I lost it one day. Its just something a guy (or teenage boy) can really get attached to.

A few months ago I “lost” a Winchester stainless steel “Folder” pocket knife and hunted my head off for it.  Sam West, Carter County Assessor, gave me that knife for Christmas, about 10 years, so I hated losing it, but had given up ever finding it. And then last week Jill found it when she was packing our stuff for the big move to Lone Grove soon! This was a quality knife, Winchester brand, and was like a Christmas present all over again!  Note: I still have the knife Sam gave me (see below).
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/WinchesterKnife.jpg
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If you’re still looking for that special Christmas gift for a man or son, just travel on down to 715 Grand Avenue here in Ardmore and get a pocket knife. Jerry’s Gun Shop has the largest selection of quality pocket knives in southern Oklahoma, and I’m sure there is one there your guy will treasure a lifetime.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/JerrysGunShop07.jpg
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A couple weeks ago I mentioned about a 1966 Ardmoreite a Reader gave me. It was the Sunday issue just after that terrible plane crash at Gene Autry on April 22nd. All through the newspaper are articles and photos of that crash. One photo I had not seen was of stewardess, Dyana Duncan. The other stewardess who died that night was Wanda Stonecipher.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos7a/StonecipherDuncanPhoto.jpg
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October 4, 1997 T&T: Around 1971 a young couple was getting married about 25 miles east of Ardmore in Madill, Oklahoma. At that time the “new highway” between Madill and Ardmore only went about 5 miles west of Madill and abruptly came to an end. We in this area all called it “the highway to nowhere”. It was suppose to go on to Ardmore, but the money stopped and so did the highway, at the Carter county line. There were barricades and barrels to stop drivers from continuing on west. A car would have to almost come to a complete stop and turn south into a narrow, crooked county road to continue on to Ardmore. It was Friday night, the young bride and groom just repeated their wedding vows, left the Madill church, and headed out on their honeymoon and new life. They were traveling at a pretty fast clip (in 1971 the speed limit in Oklahoma was 70), probably sneaking a few kisses, traveling west toward the dead end highway, not realizing they were on the wrong highway. Wham. Crash. Bam. Highway signs, barricades, plastic barrels, and reflectors went everywhere. I happened to be on ambulance duty that night. Those newlyweds were in tears, scarred to death, and probably wondering if they made a big mistake getting married. But God was with them, they only had scrapes and scratches, treated at the E.R. and released. But one thing I’m sure of…. their honeymoon and night of wedding bliss was not going to take place that night. I never heard from them again. But I hope they stuck it out, loved each other more then ever, and are still together, looking back to that year and fateful night with big laughs and smiles.
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April 28, 2001 T&T: “Hello Butch, I was just wondering if any of your Readers remember the old city hall building that was between Hinkle and 1st where the present one is. It was an old red brick that covered the whole block. When the demolition of the old building was going on, the north wall on Hinkle street fell on a man and killed him. His name was Ben Garnand (22 Oct 1883 to 6 Apr 1956). He was a brother to the other Garnands that had a saw and knife business in the basement of the old Martin/Fedler Drug Store at Main and Caddo streets. They later moved their business across the street because the basement had a problem with water when it would rain. Another of their brothers (James F. Garnand) had a truck and drayage business with his son Leo Garnand. They lived in the 800 block of G Street Northeast. Another of the brothers (John Garnand) lived on corner of 8th and A Street Northeast. Delt Garnand lived at the business address on Caddo Street. John Garnand had a daughter Nell Musgrove who with her husband operated a Dry Cleaning business next to the Western Union Telegraph on A Street N.W. As you can see, this was a very big family of Ardmoreites. I haven’t even started to name them all. They are all related to me.” -Roy “Buddy” Garnand
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“Recently, on a couple of forums I mentioned my family’s experiences with native pecans as being very useful in dealing with crippling forms of arthritis. I talked about Mother’s quick relief of stiffened hands and a neighbor’s ability to rise from her wheelchair after her painfully stiff knees began to recover. Our family doctor had stipulated eating a handful of natives every day. Many people expressed interest but some inquired if scientific research has established the basis for these results. Others wanted to know why natives and not papershells. Well, I’ve Google’d extensively and found loads of information but nothing specifically pertaining to arthritis. Can anyone offer any leads? No question about it – this delicious food is a powerhouse of healthy treasures. As one slogan put it:
Eat pecans ~~~ 10,000,000 squirrels can’t be wrong!” -Elizabeth Dyer

Note: Many nuts and seeds are a good source of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which lower cholesterol and reduce the heart disease risks that are high in people with certain types of arthritis. … Some nuts are rich in magnesium, l-arginine and vitamin E, which may play a role in keeping inflammation under control.
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“I noticed the article regarding the Christmas programs at the Civic Auditorium back in the 1950’s maybe early 1960’s was the time these were held. I remember they were for the needy children of Ardmore especially, but all were invited. They were presented by The Salvation Army with Major Jack Key as the main speaker and director of the program. He was a very well known man in the community who worked to help anyone in any way he possibly could. I remember him well, and had the honor of being with Major Jack Key and his wife after their retirement when they would return to Ardmore for meetings at The Salvation Army. They were wonderful people and truly well loved in the community. Major Key was very outgoing, and could really build the excitement as well as keep everyone’s interest with all that was going on with the program which was well planned and organized.
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In addition to their daughters, Major and Mrs. Key also raised Catherine Hill who later became a Salvation Army officer even attaining the rank of Major long before her retirement. She was a big assistant in these programs as well. We would talk about those programs and who were some of the people who assisted. Someone played the large concert grand piano, and other talents were presented as well. A big attraction was the visit from Santa Claus who was played by Mr. Sam McDaniel, and Major Key could really get the excitement going among the kiddos there in attendance regarding the visit from Santa. Those big bags did have a least a lb. of hard candy including the ribbon candy, assorted nuts, and a huge apple and an orange. This event always drew a large attendance because the program itself was well worth the visit. I can recall several humorous incidents that happened at these events.”
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Susan & Charles Nances’ Roasted/Toasted Pecans

1 T. sugar
2 T. vinegar
2 c. pecan halves
1 T. butter
salt….optional…to taste
In a container, mix sugar, vinegar and pecans.
Shake together well to coat pecans. Spread on
aluminum foil lined shallow sheet/pan.
Bake in pre-heated 250-degree oven 45 minutes.
Add butter and sprinkle with salt. Stir well and
bake 20 minutes more.
**** We tend to increase the amount of butter & sugar. We do not use the salt. This is yummy. Susan does this so well….I cannot stay out of them.
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Museum Memories- Contributed by Melinda Taylor
The Wilson News
7-14-1915 – Otto B. Bradford, of Ardmore, engineer for the new pipeline, and three of the contractors, registered Sunday night at the Woodrow.
7-14-1915 – Contractors for the laying of the new pipeline passed through Wilson the first of the week on their way to inspect the survey.
7-21-1915 – Messrs, Keiger and Lindsay, of Ponca City, head contractors on the Wilson-Gainesville pipeline, are in Wilson, guests at the New Wilson hotel.
7-21-1915 – About 100 teams are now employed in hauling pipe for the new pipe line. Two hundred men are employed in laying the pipe, nearly all of whom are citizens of Wilson and vicinity. A number of Italian laborers have been employed digging the ditches and more are expected. All of the piping for this section of the state has been unloaded here at Wilson, about 57 cars to date. The numerous camps connected with the laying of the pipeline are buying supplies of the Wilson merchants, and business here has improved wonderfully within the past thirty days.
8-4-1915 – “Oil Fields Humming” One Hundred Teams Hauling Pipe Daily. Half That Number Busy Transporting Timbers! Wilson Again Mecca for Oil Men and Real Estate Investors – Old Days Coming Again.
The recent advances in crude oil prices has aided most materially in the Healdton oil fields.
As a consequence all lines of business in this city are feeling the stimulating effect and the congested condition of our streets remind old timers of the Wilson of a little over a year ago – the Wilson that, in 30 days time, sprung from a field of kaffir corn into a city of 2,000 inhabitants.
Over 100 teams are now making daily trips back and forth between Wilson and Wirt, hauling pipe for the Wilson-Gainesville pipe line, and pipe and miscellaneous supplies for the oil companies.
The three wholesale supply houses, the Frick-Reid, the National, and the Republic, located at Wilson, report a threefold increase in their business.
Wilson lumber companies are also doing a rushing business – fully fifty teams being busy each day transporting lumber from Wilson to the fields.
Wilson Historical Museum. Hours – Tues., Thurs., Fri., Sat., 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
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The Daily Ardmoreite 10-19-1922
Volume Records In Carter County Court House Speaks Volumes. 346 names in volume is the record of convictions and sentences to the penitentiary passed in district court since statehood. Many of these chapters have been closed by death, and many more are still fresh in the minds of those living, who have paid the price for their transgressions toward society, and established law, and are once more useful citizens. The first name entered there was inscribed February 11th, 1908, while Judge Stillwell H. Russell was district judge, and the last was written October 6, 1922 when Judge Clyde Logsdon passed sentence upon the most recent conviction. During Judge Russell’s term of office as district judge, covering a period between 1908 and December 27, 1913, when he made the last signature to their record, 140 cases were passed upon and sentenced by him, he was followed by Judge A. Eddleman, who was called to pass upon 31 cases. Between February 2, 1915, to March 2, 1918, Judge W. F. Freeman signed the record for 87 cases convicted and sentenced before him, followed by Judge Thomas W. Champion and judge Clyde Logsdon, who have sentenced 88 during the period between February 25, 1918 and the present time. Sentences imposed run all the way from one year and one day to life imprisonment, but the extreme penalty of the law so far, has never been invoked in a Carter county court.
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“Hi Butch, I wanted to thank you for all you have done and still do. What you do has brought so much joy to so many and you bring back to us the “old ways” and the reminders of how most of us grew up in closer communities. It was a time that most miss and to have a small fraction of it come into my home via computer is such a wonder and wonderful gift. Your gift us all with each and every issue and to all the people who contribute in pictures and stories.. wow.. thank you so much for sharing. I wish the Bridges and all the This & That community a most wonderful Christmas and New Year.” -Licia Babb in FL [email protected]
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Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..

Anyone know where I can find info on the Ada, Oklahoma Pottery Company of years ago?
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/AdaPottery1.jpg

https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos19b/AdaPottery2.jpg
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Butch, In reference to who remembers Catfish Charlie in last week’s This and That, that is the wrong name for the guy who lived at Lake Murry. His name was Virgil Thompson, and went just by Catfish. I knew Virgil well and was good friends with one of his nephews, Sam ( Corky ) Thompson. That guy had a secret formula for catfish bait that would really draw them in. Enjoy your letter each week. May you and the Mrs. have a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year. -Bill Holder
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Retirement

Dear Friends,

Martha and I send our best wishes to all our friends and fans. We wish for you a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

After finishing college, I spent almost 40 years in a career dealing with computers, as a programmer, manager and consultant. Then I embarked on a career of almost 25 years in country, cowboy and western swing music. And along the way, Martha spent almost 25 years in the classroom teaching Home Economics to Junior High students. Martha retired several years ago and has spent many years helping me with our music business. But now we have come to the end of our music career.

On October 18, 2019, I had my 85th birthday and decided to retire.

As an old cowboy would say, it has been a great ride. We have made many friends along the way and we treasure our memories of these past 25 years. We thank you for your friendship and support. So until we see you somewhere along the trail, we wish for you God’s richest blessings.

Les Gilliam

“The Oklahoma Balladeer”
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Its never too cold for ice cream.

See everyone next week!

Butch and Jill Bridges

“Friends Make Life Worth Living”PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443

https://oklahomahistory.net

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

http://cartercountyok.us