Oakie's Heart To Heart

17 March 2001, Vol. III, Iss. 11

Oklahoma County Ghostown...

Have you ever heard of a settlement in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma by the name of Gumbo Pit?

Scott sent me the following information earlier this week on just such a place.

I did a search on Google.com and found an Oklahoma County 1915 Atlas over at the OKGenWeb site that shows Gumbo Pit and all the little railway stations that are connected by the trolley and railroad lines in that area.

Scott says he found "Gumbo Pit" on a "1985 OK Railroad Map." It can be found in Oklahoma County, Council Grove Township 34-12N-4W, about 500 yards east of the intersection of NW 5th and Ann Arbor in Oklahoma City (OKC).

Scott says, "Just a couple of miles west along the track is the old site of Council, Oklahoma, just across the street from Melrose Park on Melrose Lane between Reno Avenue and NW 5th Street."

You can read about The community of "Gumbo Pit" in the next column over and look for the heading "The Gumbo Pit."

Did you know... The 20 square-mile area north of and between Council and Gumbo Pit, was formerly held by Fort El Reno (c. 1890's) as a timber preserve to supply the fort. That area now includes the towns of Bethany, Woodlawn Park, and NW Oklahoma City.

Oakie's Column...

Sometimes you receive emails that warm the soul. It humbles, overwhelms and leaves this writer speechless at times.

One friend wrote, "I am at peace because I choose to love them (friends), life and myself as well -- Knowing that I am evolving, learning, growing -- that today is all I have and tomorrow brings joys and challenges to be dealt with then."

One of my fellow writer friends says, "It is almost overwhelming what people write. They really do warm the soul. See, you are needed. You give so much. Life is good!"

Yes! Life is good and there are some great people (friends) out there. You never know how much or how you will touch others lives until you reach out with a kind word or gesture. It really generates a special, warm feeling inside the soul. Thank you all for learning, evolving and growing with me. You really are special!

Another reader wrote in and asked, "Just once I'd like to see your picture in here."

Well! Thanks to Raven, if you scroll down to the bottom of this newsletter you will find a five year old photo of me. Today, if you would happen to glance a sight of me, you might see me with shorter hair w/white streaks in front and maybe a red ca-boy hat tilted back on my head. AND... Me looking through my small, wire-frame bifocals. I am hoping to get an updated photo of me leading my stud colt with his halter one day soon.

Speaking of Okie Moon (my stud colt), we are learning a few new things this week in between the changing of the seasons. Pictured to the left, from back to front, Sugar, Aunt Filly, Moon and Star. They are just some of Moon's trainers this week. Hey! I need all the help I can get.

Myself (armed with horse treats bulging in my pockets) and Moon (getting used to a halter and lead rope) have had a great week of discoveries so far without any traumas to either of us.

As my friend would tell me, "You're going to have that horse so babied, he'll think he's a human. I know you love him.... and he's special.... so keep training him, or maybe he is training you."

Actually, we are training each other. It is a first for both of us. We are learning, growing & evoling together into one.

Can I just finish sharing a little more about my precious colt, Moon? Just watching him walking around the corral with his halter; dragging his lead rope around -- playing with the other colts -- trying to get my attention with the tapping of his left-front hoof on the ground as I stand next to him and stroke another colt -- AND... let me not forget about the roan colt (Sugar) that grabs the lead rope in her mouth as if to lead Moon around the corral. I really need a video camera to do this all justice.

Give me the Spring-like, sunny, calm & quiet countryside -- My horses -- My Friends -- My Family -- My computer and an online connection to the rest of the world... AND what you have is a part of my heaven on earth.

And... That brings us through the Ides of March and the blustery, cool, rainy weather blowing the rest of Winter out like a lion across the Mid-west.

Tuesday and Wednesday the temps registered in the 70s temperatures. Then by Thursday we took a 30 degree drop in temps with gusty winds, thundershowers and almost 3 inches of rain in the NW parts of Oklahoma.

Spring really is just around the corner and the confused geese are still trying to figure out which way to fly (north or south).

Friday, we woke to a sunny, calm, but cool day. Just the mildest of a northerly breeze. I was out of bed, ate breakfast and out to the country just to be around my horses. Oh! It was a beautiful day. I think Saturday is suppose to be the same, but with another front coming in from the west in the evening.

Is Winter coming to an end? Will the geese stay their northerly course or turn back north? Will I ever have any more sunny days for my colt and me? Yes! Yes! Yes!

They (the weathermen) promised the first half of the week would be a bit warmer and nice.

I love the change of seasons!

Happy St. Patricks Day &.....
Email Kathleen Gregory and wish her a Happy Birthday for March 17th!

-- Linda - "Oakie"

Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co
PO Box 619, Bayfield, CO 81122

Thanks! You can also view The OkieLegacy online. Copyrighted © 2008 by WWWPubCo & OkieLegacy. 
All Rights Reserved.

Mailbag & Links....

Conovers & The Illinois Cavalry...
"You never mentioned the Co. I 11th Cavalry in your last newsletter. It made me realize, I should have identified the four soldiers for those who aren't as familiar with the families as I am. (1.) John B. is the oldest son of Jonathan Coombs. (2.) John is the son of Dominicus John Garret (1812-1893). (3.)George is the son of John B. (4.) Coombes is the son of John B.
      David Kipp says he has most of my book on his computer. Do you know anyone who has information, that I could exchange concerning the Jonathan Coombs Conover family?" Eileen, eileenrk@casscomm.com

Co. I, 11th Cavalry, Mason Co., Il...
(from Eileen and "History of Mason County, Illinois" by Joseph Cockrane 1876)......
S.D. Poland, Havana - Oct. 7, 1861 - Promoted.
John Bell, Havana - Nov. 27, '61
John Allen, Havana - Nov. 20, '61
1) John B. Conover, Havana - Nov. 23, '61, died in Keokuk
F.M. Stuart, Havana - Nov. 19, '61
Michael J. Beck, Havana - Nov. 6, '61
John Bordie, Havana - Oct. 25, '61
2) John Conover, Havana - Nov. 23, '61
P. Carson, Havana - Nov. 15, '61
3) Geo. Conover, Havana - Nov. 23, '61
4) Combes Conover, Havana - Nov. 23, '61, died in St. Louis
Wm. Fisher, Havana - Dec. 9, '61, drowned Tenn. river
Caleb M. Frazer, Havana - Nov. 18, '61
James Garrison, Havana - Nov. 25, '61, died Jackson
Wm. Kiner, Havana - Nov. 28, '61
W.W. McIntyre, Havana - Nov. 20, '61
John Morris, Havana - Dec. 5, '61
Green Pelham, Havana - Nov. 28, '61
Philo Peck, Havana - Nov. 28, '61
Rob't Quigle, Havana - Oct. 25, '61, died Louisville
Wm. Rote, Havana - Dec. 7, '61, died Bolivar

"Linda, Hi! and thanks for all the research and work you do to produce the newsletters weekly. They are very good. The new format is excellent also!"

Evolving, Learning & Growing in New England...
      "I just wanted to let you know I always look forward to your wonderful newsletters. I am always uplifted by one or more of your comments or entries.
      As you know, I live in New England and here in north central Mass. we had about 30" in two days last week. In the last several hours tonight we just received about another 7 inches or more so far.
      As I look out in the back yard I see under my porch light beautiful sparkling snowflakes and we are covered in a winter wonderland. It is so beautiful! My 13 year old son who is emotionally about 10 due to his learning disability and touch of Asperger's Syndrome (a sub-type of autism) has a snowman he made two days ago standing in the backyard; all I can think of is Jack Frost, the movie.
      I'm learning that not only is Life so short as I count my recent losses of husbands in one year, but there truly must be spaces in our lives for plateaus of growth and sometimes just being alone even if just separated.
     I realize how important it is to 'love the one you're with' and to stay focused always on one's blessings and not one's 'have nots.' I am grateful for my time as a singular person (smile) now. However,..... I am re-learning how to find happiness, now that I am not being controlled or smothered.
      I realize that I alone am responsible for my own happiness as happiness is truly a choice. I enjoy the beauty of New England and what I still do have, my life, my talents, my heart, my beautiful children. My memories of good times with those I've known and have had the privilege of sharing my life with. My extended family, whether they choose to love me in return or not.
      I am at peace because I choose to love them, life and myself as well -- Knowing that I am evolving, learning, growing and that today is all I have -- tomorrow brings joys and challenges to be dealt with then.
      But for now, it is mid morning - in between yesterday and tomorrow - where we can live more easily in the present at times While many sleep here now about me in my beautiful part of the world. All is well as we have heat, shelter from the storm, food and water. It looks like we will have water to spare for the summer ahead.
      I am so thankful for all of this snow. I am thankful for you, Oakie, and your beautiful newsletter. You are a blessing to all of us who read it. I am sure your faithful readers will agree. God Bless you. From my heart." Grace/Elizabeth

The Gumbo Pit... Email Oakie your Photos!
      I found the 'Gumbo Pit' site from the '1985 OK Railroad Map' (Oklahoma County, Council Grove Township 34 12N, 4W) at about 500 yards east of the intersection of NW 5th and Ann Arbor in OKC.
      At that site there was a spur that came south from Warr Acres and curved eastward to meet the main east-west line. There are some trees there and one can see the old north rail spur grade coming down the hill.
      The site is now surrounded by manufacturers and warehouses. The north bound spur right-of-way can be traced running behind housing subdivisions and through an elementary school yard as far north as NW 23rd Street.
      I cannot locate any other info on this site and don't know if it ever became an actual settlement or not, but at least rail activity occurred there. Just a couple of miles west along the track is the old site of Council, Oklahoma, just across the street from Melrose Park on Melrose Lane between Reno Ave and NW 5th Street.
      The 20 square-mile area north of and between Council and Gumbo Pit, was formerly held by Fort El Reno (c. 1890's) as a timber preserve to supply the fort. That area now includes the towns of Bethany, Woodlawn Park, and NW Oklahoma City." Scott A Mahathey, scott.mahathey@farmersinsurance.com

The Illinois Civil War Project - Illinois in the Civil War. A Project to put Illinois Civl War Rosters and History on the Internet.