Firemen’s Convention at City Hall and Fire Department, Ardmore, Oklahoma; “Welcome Firemen” banner stretched across street above crowds. Horses hitched to wagonloads of men. Women posed in windows of building decorated with bunting, 1908-1909.
September 15, 1949
The Ardmore Democrat Newspaper
Four churches, Junior high School invaded by would be safe crackers
Safe crackers without tools or skills broke into four churches and the junior high school during Tuesday night. The net profit of the series of rage was apparently only $16, which was taken from the First Presbyterian Church. Here the amateur crackers made no effort it seemed to break into the safe. In all of the other cases identical methods were employed. Entrance to the First Baptist, First Methodist, First Presbyterian and First Christian Church, as well as the junior high, was gained by forcing windows.
Coal mine 5 miles south of Ardmore. Operated by Henry Kimbel and Edward F. Ensworth. Original photographer credited as Henry Kimbel and A. M. Hartung. circa 1900
Paul’s Place convenience store was located at Highway 70 and Carter Road (3120 Carter Rd). Paul McEntire was the owner who passed away in 2020. Paul’s first store was in 1967 at Marietta. The store property has since sold snce Paul’s death to the Chickasaw Nation and the store was bulldozed last week and is no longer. Below is a pictue of the remaining store sign.
Every year we get a box of 12 grapefruit for Christmas, compliments our friends Monroe & Trish Cameron of Big Sky, Montana. These are Rio Grande Valley grapefruit from south Texas, the best there is. And like this year’s pecans, this a great year for grapefruit, sweet and delicious! Of course when it comes to eating grapefruit, one HAS to have a grapefruit knife. Mine is a Pampered Chef knife. These grapefruit reminds me of the 1960s in Northeast Ardmore when my 1st cousin, Howard Heath and his wife Irene, of McAllen, Texas would come up to see us on Christmas and bring a big box of grapefruits with them. I sure miss those days. Hardly anyone knows nowadays, but Cameron Road on the north side of the refinery is named after Monroe Cameron’s father when it was called Cameron Refinery.
The prognosticators are predicted a harsh winter is ahead for us. I got my propane heater out this week and ready for the COLD. I use it in my workshop.
November 10th 1949
The Daily Ardmoreite
Speech deficiencies are being detected and corrected for the first time this year in the Ardmore City Schools. The new speech therapy program introduced this fall is in charge of Mrs Rose Kahn Solomon, speech correctionalist. About 800 pupils have had their first group test in the elementary schools and 94 are now rolled in speech correction classes. This is one of the special education services provided by the schools. A machine such as the one being used here to make group hearing tests cost $496. It tests 10 at a time.
My friend Donna Follis Crosslin posted this morning her delight with Norton Jewelrys at Marietta. and her purchase there. My mind flashed back 20 years. Ronnie Norton is one of the bravest men I know and even though he does not call himself a hero, to me is is a true red blooded American and deserves an Award. He saved himself and his wife that terrible day at his store. If I ever need to buy jewelry, I am going to Marietta, Oklahoma and shake Mr. Norton’s hand.
Below is a link to what went down that day 20 years ago in July 2002………
From the Mailbag
Great Newsletter last week as always, Butch. Your article about Camp Simpson reminded me of my Great Grandfather, Louis C, Cooper, who ran a sawmill at the site that later became Camp Simpson when he first moved to Indian Territory back in the late 1800s. The site that was called “Shaky Hill” by the Scouts was actually the remains of the old sawdust pile from the sawmill. -Edward Martin
The citizens of the new town of Dundee in the Healdton oil fields have joined hands with the people of the school district in which it is located and voted bonds in the sum of $18,000 for the building of a brick school building in the new town. Out of a total of 134 votes cast in the town 133 were in favor of the issue. The bonds will be sold at once and work on the new building commenced. The district has plenty of wealth and the building is in no way an extravagance.
The Ringling News July 9, 1915. -submitted by Larry Paul
HAM Talk KC5JVT via Echolink
The Arbuckle 97 Net is held every Sunday evening at 8:00pm from the HAM Repeater 146.970 in the Arbucke Mountains. Hope some of my HAM friends can join us on Sunday evenings.
When I am called to duty, God, whenever flames may rage; Give me the strength to save some life, whatever be its age. Or save an older person from the horror of that fate. Enable me to be alert and hear the weakest shout, And quickly and efficiently to put the fire out. -Firemens prayer
Why do firefighters use the Maltese cross?
The Maltese Cross is the symbol of protection. It means that the Fire Fighter who wears this cross is willing to lay down his life for you just as the crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow man so many years ago.
See everyone next Thursday!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore, OK
580-490-6823
