A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST
In 1930 there was an all out war being waged in Ardmore, Oklahoma on slot machines. Parents were mad that their children were using lunch money on the slot machines in local eating establishments. Ouster proceedings had been brought earlier against former sheriff Ewing London of Carter County, mainly because he would not enforce prohibition laws and do something about the slot machines operating within the county. Here is the complete story:
The Daily Ardmoreite
Monday, January 27, 1930
Ardmore, Oklahoma
War Renewed on Slot Machines Eight Ardmore Places Raided by Con Keirsey
Operators Arrested on Warrants Sworn Out by John L. Hodge, County Attorney
HODGE PROMISES PROMPT ACTION
Charges Filed in Court of Fount Duston, Justice of the Peace
Renewal of the war on the operators of slot machines was started Monday morning big league style when Con Keirsey, constable for Ardmore township, armed with warrants issued by the county attorney, raided eight places in Ardmore, seized the machines and arrested the operators.
Keirsey explained that insistent demands from citizens of Ardmore that something be done to eliminate the practice of operating the devices have been pouring in for some time. He mapped out a careful campaign, he explained, working up a case of each machine in detail. The operators of the machines have been formally charged with operation of a slot machine in violation of the law.
Charges have been filed in the court of Fount Duston, justice of the peace, for preliminary hearing. Six of the eight machines were brought to the county attorney’s office by Keirsey before noon Monday. Others will be picked up, the officer stated.
Warrants Issued
Operators of the machines who were served with warrants and told to post bond at once were Jake Williams, J.B. Ponder, J.W. Berry, F.H. Clark, Emmett Goode, Bill Kirby, Jack Gray, and Mrs. Press Roberts. The defendants are operators of small cafes and newsstands.
Keirsey said the defendants will be prosecuted to the fullest, in an effort to settle the long argument over the devices for once and for all. Several attempts in the past, each terminating abruptly through issuance of court orders or for other causes.
The law, according to John L. Hodge, county attorney, is specific as to operation of the machines, and it will be the intention of his office to handle the cases with thoroughness to sift this troublesome matter to its bottom.
Keirsey explained that many minors were playing the machines and the parents were worried over the practice.
Wasted Lunch Money
“One mother,” said Keirsey, “reported that she gave her son lunch money and that the boy oftentimes wasted the money on the slot machines and that parents were worried over the practice.”
“I have also evidence that the tokens taken from the machines were used for trade and thus have value and being value come under the provisions of the state law.
Slot machines have long been a bone of much attention in Carter county. They featured in one of the attempted ouster actions against former sheriff E.C. London in a major way. Two or three grand juries have been specifically instructed to delve into the matter. Several peace officers have tried to handle the situation and in each case some obstacle has forestalled a definite final solution of the problem.
This is the first wholesale filing of charges in connection with the practice.
The Ardmore Statesman
November 7, 1918
Nabor Issacs, a Choctaw Indian soldier, buried Sunday afternoon with full military honors
On last Sunday afternoon a very large number of people gathered at Rose Hill cemetery to witness the first military funeral occurring at that burial place. The body of Nabor Issacs, a Choctaw Indian soldier, who died at Camp Fremont, California, arrived in Ardmore on Saturday, and on Sunday afternoon the Ardmore platoon of the Home Guards, in uniform and carrying their arms met the body at the Brown and Bridgman undertaker’s parlors and escorted it to the Rose Hill
THE DAVIS NEWS: 120 YEARS AGO:
The city council instructed Mr. Pegg and Mr. Turner to have a concrete watering trough made in place of the wooden one near the Oklahoma State Bank.
The city attorney was instructed to rewrite the automobile ordinance, limiting the speed to 10 mph in the city and requiring a number on each machine and lights after dark.
The Davis Bargain Store and grocery store of W.M. Ervin & Co. were burglarized the same night. Mr. Frary at the Bargain Store estimated the value of the stolen goods at $500 to $600. They included: four suits of clothes, six pairs of pants, seven watches, 18 rings, a lot of watch chains, shoes, suit cases and other goods. Ervin said a few sacks of flour and meal were taken.
Students were attending school for two months during the summer then would be back in session in November.
Mrs. Hicks moved her millinery store from East Sulphur to D.F. Ellis’ store in Davis. “Mrs. Hicks formerly had a store here and enjoyed a good patronage,” editor Fay Crossett wrote.
Editor Crossett was advocating the installation of a sewerage system.
Dr. W.W. Reese opened a dental practice on the second floor of the Freeman building.
D.O. Denton advertised a pound can of coffee for 15 cents; 3 pounds of California peaches or pears, 20 cents, and 17 pounds of sugar, $1.
Q. What was the hottest temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma?
A. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma is 120 degrees, reached on several days in 1936. The hottest U.S. temperature is also the hottest temperature ever recorded on the planet, 134 degrees in Death Valley, California in 1913. Every state in the nation has hit 100 degrees.
Q. Where in Oklahoma can one dig for one-of-a-kind selenite crystals?
A. Answer in next week’s newsletter
From my Vol 3, Issue 114 June 26, 1999 newsletter
“You mentioned Avery Senter as your neighbor (1960s) behind your house last week and while my wife…. was going through some old pictures today she found a certificate approving her advance to High School, from Mt. Washington School, and signed by Mr A. L. Senter. (his signature did not show an “s” on the end of his name). Also I have been copying all of the news about the train and keeping up with it. Even bought a magnet of the depot from the Ardmore Main Street Authority and anyone interested in the history of this depot would probably appreciate having one of these for their own. They are colorful.”
“A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” –Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
See everyone next Thursday!
Butch and Jill Bridges
236 Timber Road
Ardmore, Oklahoma
580-490-6823
butchbridges@oklahomahistory.net
https://oklahomahistory.net