The above picture of the Carter County Courthouse was taken by a drone Doug Williams owns. Doug has a Mini Camera Drone Combo with 4K UHD Camera with Axis Gimbal Stabilixation he’s been using to take video footage all of the county. On 7/13/25 Doug made a video of downtown Ardmore and posted on his Facebook. If you have FB the link below will take you to that video.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ExguHrCWt
When I see all those videos Doug has taken with his drone the past few weeks, sure makes me want one!
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 Deputy Sheriff 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.
Talking about the prohibition wars around 1930…. the assessor’s office at the courthouse here, in a room with windows next to the Hinkle Street, is a piece of the past. Back in those days, when drive by shootings with Thompson submachine guns were common in the big cities, I guess being afraid it might happen here in Ardmore, they installed a heavy duty roll down metal curtain. This “metal curtain” rolls up into a large round holder where it is kept out of the way. I guess if a shooting was suspected, they’d quickly pull down the metal curtain, complete covering the window to the street.
Some mail from this week’s MAILBAG…..
Your T&T on 3 July caught my attention with comments from Bill Johns and Jim Renfo on Arthur Oakley, the Springer Airport, and first airplane rides; indeed, “back when I was a wee boy in the early 90’s” I too got my first airplane ride and have attached page 53 from my Web site showing this splendid sentiment. -Gary Hart www.gheart.net
Q. Where was No Mans Land in Oklahoma?
A. The Oklahoma Panhandle
There is something I was thinking about today, it may be kind of an odd question but I thought I would ask you to see what you think. Do you or any of your Readers know someone that has pictures of Lone Grove elementary School back in like the ’80s and ’90s? Like inside the school and the old elementary playground? It would be really neat to see that. Obviously that’s where I went to school. -Roy
Today at the Ardmore Nutrition/Senior Citizens Center we served up a great meal with chicken spaghetti using penne pasta, seasoned green beans, homemade pea salad, garlic bread and chocolate delight for dessert. If you know anyone who is 60+ let them know these meals are free otherwise it’s only $7 per plate.
UPDATE: CURRENTLY they are not able to approve any more FREE meals. We have 110 free meals and that is the max we can do HOWEVER you may come enjoy a home-cooked meal for just $7
For more information about reserving a plate, arranging a meal picked up or delivered give Heather a call at (580)224-1970
220 13th street SE, Ardmore OK -Pam Garrett Nichols
HAM Talk By Butch Bridges KC5JVT – Allstar node # 58735 – Echolink # 101960
For a couple years I have been a member of HamShackHotline.com (2018-2025). They announced on their website last week they will be shutting down the last day of August. Soon I will be using HAMSoverIP which is a very similair service using the internet to talk to HAMs worldwide. I’ve put in a ticket to start the switch but HAMSoverIP is being swamped right now with HAMs making the switch from HamShackHotline, it may be a week or so before I am approved. Once I’m approved I will be setting HAMS over IP on my Cisco IP phone.
Our local HAM group has check-in every Sunday night at 8:00p. Hope to hear some more HAMs checking in!
Below is from my newsletter archives dated
August 14, 2008 – Issue 603
A reader wrote in this week asking if I had any info on where in the Carter county courthouse the county attorney’s office was located back around 1910 to 1920. We know from even some of you out there sending in comments that some offices in the courthouse were located in different locations then they are today. Around 1945 the Court Clerk was located on the first floor where the County Clerk is today, at least that room in the SE corner of the first floor is where people got their marriage licenses. I remember back several years ago I had a clipping from The Daily Ardmoreite dated 1911 when the courthouse opened, describing where many of the offices were located.
The reason for the reader’s inquiry this week as to the location of the county attorney’s office, he remembered as a young lad his dad taking him to the 2nd floor and showing him the bullet holes in the door facing at the DAs office. I had to sadly inform him that, yes, the second floor is where the county attorney’s office was located and has been in that same location since 1911. But the door facing with bullet holes is no more. During some remodeling a couple years ago, that door facing was replaced with a new piece of wood, and unbeknownst to the maintenance crew, the door facing held historical memories for many. But I did snap a picture back in 2001 of the bullet hole, so not all was lost during the remodeling.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos8a/BulletHoleDAoffice.jpg
So in answer of Mike’s question about the location of offices around 1910, below is that article from a 2001 T&T.
The Daily Ardmoreite, December 10, 1911
……upon approaching the building from the west, north or south, where three entrances are located, the visitor is immediately impressed with the solidity and strength of the building, with the great thickness of the walls as indicated by the deep reveals of the windows and doors, the enduring quality of the material of which they are constructed, resting upon heavy Tishomingo gray granite base and continuing to the copper covered dome, of Bedford Oolithic limestone.
The entrances are all protected by the same gray granite. No material is exposed to the weather, except granite, stone, and copper, material that will stand for ages without deterioration. Upon entering the building through massive copper doors, from any one of the three sides, you find yourself in the spacious vestibule lined to the ceiling with beautiful veined Vermont marble in three colors. The floors of the vestibules, corridors, and public spaces are all laid with beautiful white tile with black borders. passing through the vestibule you enter into wide corridors which are veneered, light and on’half feet high with beautiful polished Vermont marble, specially selected in three colors. The corridors are in the shape of a cross and standing in the center you are under the beautiful art glass dome, which is forty five feet above your head.
The corridors lead to the grand stairway, which is constructed of the same Vermont marble, with large marble newel posts, surmounted by beautiful bronze electrical fixtures.
On the first floor will be found the ladies rest and toilet rooms and a large airy room located in the southeast corner of the building which is given over exclusively to the use of the women and babies of Carter County. Across the hall will be found the rooms of the superintendent of public instruction. In the northwest corner is located an assembly room for public meetings and across the hall is the county surveyor and county coroner, with both public and private offices.
In the basement is located a large store room. A tunnel leads from the courthouse to the jail, so that the prisoners may be taken through the tunnel to an elevator, which carries them to the third floor, where held-over cells are located back of the district court room. This tunnel serves a couple purposes of permitting the passage of the prisoners and of carrying the steam pipes. The steam boiler for the heating plant of both the jail and the courthouse are located in the jail, which is an advantage for many reasons. The building is heated by a vacuum heating system, which is the best money can buy, and the installation of both the heating and plumbing are the best in the state.
The visitor will be struck by the beauty of the grand stairway and its easy ascent. Upon reaching the second floor, which is the main office floor, you find yourself in the corridor, which is finished with marble to the same height as below and of the same beautiful marble. Upon this floor is found the treasurers office, with his private office and a large two story vault fitted up with metal fixtures. All vaults of the building being lighted from the outside through wire glass windows and these windows are protected by metal shutters on the inside, making them record rooms indeed and giving perfect protection to all county records. The vaults are fitted with the latest and best metal furniture, designed with special care for books and the filing of papers. The treasurers office as are all others, are provided with private toilets. On the southeast corner is located the county clerk’s office with the same vault space, private office and toilet as the county treasurers office. Between the two is located the county commissioners court room, and is so arranged that the public may pass through the corridor. In the northeast corner is located the register of deed’s office, complete with vault, and private office. In the northwest corner is located the county attorneys office and the grand jury room. In the center of the west side is a large room for the bar library.
The third floor is reached by the second flight of marble stairs, with the same easy ascent. To the left on the south side is the district court room of beautiful proportions and perfect acoustic properties. Behind this court room is located the judge’s chamber, and next to this chamber is the district clerk’s public, private office and vault.
The jury box is so located that the jury in passing out do not come in contact with the public, but file from the jury box to private stairs, which lead to the fourth floor. The jury rooms are accessible from the corridor by private stairs, and also from the county court room. They consist of three large rooms fitted with every modern convenience, such as bath and toilet. With these jury rooms there is another large room to be used as a jury room but is not yet finished. The north side of the third floor is given up to the county court room, with the clerk’s and judge’s offices and large vault. On the east, beside the court room, is a ladies witness room.
The interior of the corridors and court rooms are decorated in pleasing colors. Special attention has been given to the arrangement of the offices to facilitate the work of the officers, and to have time to the public. The furniture is of beautiful plain design of extra heavy constructed quarter-sawed oak, and has been pronounced by the officials as a model of convenience and comfort.
The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and steel and is absolutely fireproof, and a visitor is impressed with the perfect lighting and ventilation of the building.
As to the second branch of its practical duty, which is to teach and record. It is intended to teach honesty and truthfulness; for in this building will be found no shams, no cheap imitations, such as painted iron to imitate stone, or plaster to imitate marble.
In the main lobby will be found a memorial to one of the deceased citizens of this county. In no other building in this state and in few building in the United States, will you find a memorial of this character. It teaches us to remember our neighbors, and draws us closer together. It is one of the most touching and beautiful lessons the commissioners had us record.
June 17, 1865 – August 17, 1948 Walter Colbert, the only Republican ever to be elected sheriff of Carter County, died of a heart attack at his home. He was 84. Widely known throughout Southern Oklahoma area, Colbert spent a useful, active life dominated by his interest in Indian affairs of which he was a leader for years.
https://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/ColbertWalter2.jpg
“Before Fort Arbuckle there was Camp Arbuckle established by Randolf Marcey 2 miles south of Picket Store Pontotoc Co. on Sandy Creek where the California Road 1849, and Black Beavers Delawares were camped. It has been excavated and documented by East Central University.”
“Butch, I’m trying to collect some information on the Linn, Oklahoma area, near Marshall/Bryan Counties. I’m researching information on Linn and the oil field that came on in that area in 1939 which I believe ended up making changes to how Lake Texoma was built to keep the oil field from flooding. This would be the area also known as Pure Camp where there was a Toronado that destroyed a lot of houses in the 1950’s, I’m looking for some pictures of Pure camp or the oil field area after the oil field came in & before it was over grown with trees and brush.” -Jayson Pruitt JHP@airmail.net Madill, OK/Dallas, TX
“Greetings Butch. We have lots of bumblebees this year. Had honey bees & “butterflies earlier in the year working the garden. Bumblebees are busy on our cannas, mint, and wisteria. Interesting watching red wasp either kill or paralyze spiders larger than they are, then while moving backwards, pull the spider up our patio wall into their nest. Hummingbirds plentiful again. Found one with her wing caught down in the feeder. Released her and away she flew. Enjoying 3 light colored dove & 2 dark smaller ones eating corn under the bird feeders. Dread Sept 2 when dove season begins in Texas. Wonderful rain blessing us this morning. Looking forward to a wet weekend. Cooke County is in a no burn mode. Hopefully this will end the fires & replenish the ponds. Keep up the good work.” -Carol Kiesel, Gainesville, Texas
“Who recalls the jingle: “Pepsi-Cola hits the spot. 12 full ounces, that’s a lot. Twice as much for a NICKEL, too. Pepsi-Cola is the drink for you. Nickel, nickel, nickel, nickel; trickle, trickle, trickle, trickle.”
“Dear Butch, This past weekend I bought a copy of the McInnes book about Bud Ballew. I have read it through a couple of times and it is a great book but I did notice an error. Since you are listed as having contributed to the book, I thought you could let the authors know about the error. On page 10 second paragraph, “His abode must have been at least…he was able to accommodate a boarder by the name of William J. Clowdus.” Butch, if you will check the Federal Census 1900 for the Chickasaw Nation, you will find the exact opposite. Ballew was the boarder and Mr. William Clowdus was the head of household. I realize that this error will not radically change the outcome of the book but I thought the authors would like to know.”
“Butch: Yes I believe you and I have discussed the tunnel under Main Street I went into a few days before the old Whittington Hotel was demolished. At the time I went into it, I remember going a few hundred feet in darkness due to lack of and illumination caused me to go back to the starting point with every intention of returning with a flashlight. Of course things came up and I never returned. I do remember gathering up a few items which had been thrown on the floor, one was a ticket to the 1892 Columbian exposition in Chicago and other items such as receipts for items that had been bought and sold all of which have been lost through the years. There were 2 pairs of men’s western jeans brand new which I left thinking they had just been left there and would be picked up later by their owner. I often regret never returning with the flashlight but at the time it seemed unimportant as far as the history concerning the tunnels. About 6 doors west of the hotel was a drugstore, we discovered that under the staircase leading upstairs was parts of an old whiskey still, I wonder now if booze could have been made there and transported to the hotel and the tunnels. Even if there could have been a trap door leading down to the tunnels. Oh to be able to go back in time and redo our mistakes.” -Rick Feiler
Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor – Lonnie Donegan 1961
Does your chewing gum lose its flavor
On the bedpost overnight
If your mother says don’t chew it
Do you swallow it in spite
Can you catch it on your tonsils
Can you heave it left and right
Does your chewing gum lose its flavor
On the bedpost overnight
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
Ardmore, Oklahoma
580-490-6823
https://oklahomahistory.net