Oakie's Heart to Heart, Vol. 3-Iss. 20

	The Okie Legacy Oakie's Heart To Heart Home is where the heart is! Learn the Past! Live the Present!..... Soar into the Future with the FairValley Eagle!

Millennium Edition - http://OkieLegacy.org

19 May 2001, Vol. III, Iss. 20

O.T. School Updates...

Stella Friends Academy... Since last weekend's Issue #19, OHTH, we have found, corrected the "SPA 1904" photo that I found amongst my Grandpa McGill's possessions. After closer observation with a magnifying glass, the "P" turns out to be an "F".
The Stella Friends Academy was located 1.9 miles east of the hwy 64 & Oklahoma hwy 11 jct north of Cherokee, Oklahoma, in Alfalfa County (a part of M county during pre-statehood days).

Stella Friends Academy Marker... sets on the southside of hwy11, where a mobile home and farm now reside. The historical marker reads, "Buildings near here from 1897 under auspices of Friends Church, the academy was noted for high moral, spiritual and scholastic standards. Closed 1922. Named for teacher of 1st school (1893) in this vicinity, a sod house near Stella Church in Cherokee Strip."

I found this snapshot of the old Stella Friends Academy in the Alfalfa County Historical Society's book, "Our Alfalfa County Heritage, 1893-1976."
The book also mentioned, "The higher education problem was solved for the Riverside District when the Stella District, just east of Riverside, erected the "Stella Friends Academy."
The Stella Academy was a stringent 4 year High School education that required 3 years of latin. It had boys and girls dormitories. Charge for rooms per month was $1.25 and Board for a full week was $2.25 or $1.75 for a 5 day week.

Country School Dists., M County, O.T.

In all of the books I have been reading, it mentions that the children in the early, days of M County (Woods, Alfalfa, & Major) completed their 8th grade in the country schools that were scattered about every three mile square. Some of the books said 12 weeks was the school term for the country schools back then... and those 12 weeks were during the Fall & Winter.

Also in the Alfalfa County Historical history book, I found this map that was researched by Mildred Fisher, Minnie Dubbs and Louvisa Elliott. It shows a listing of country schools, churches, and towns on the eastside of M County, in what is now Alfalfa County.
I have marked a red rectangle around the two Riverside schools and the Stella Friends Academy that I have found. You can Click on the photo to view the bigger picture.
I still have no idea What-When the School District was with Grandpa and his students: Clair Smith, Effie Abbott, Tillie King, James Litton, Lena Fehier, Bertha Smith, Ida Benton, etc... I'm still looking. The "Pioneer Footprints" book puts some of these families 6 to 7 miles west of Alva.

Union Valley School District...

On the subject of O.T. Schools,... I love this old letter that Scott sent that his Great-Great Grandfather (Beeler Snyder) composed on an old typewriter. The letter was sent to the Union Valley School District. It is transcribed here word for word, letter for letter, error for error...
     "Alva Oklahoma
     June, 2-1912
     Hon Board Schoo Directors,
     Union Valley, Dist No --

Dear sir's
     I am Writeing you in regard to the Lease on that Acre of Ground where the School House stands, I am not willing to give you a Lease for that length of time, I will give you a lease on that Acre, if you will make it read as long as the land belongs, to me so long as it is used for school and as soon as it is not used for that peoppose it is to go back to me, those are the condition's I will Sign a Lease and no other, I don't understand why you want a Lease on that Ground for so long a time,as you have been useing it for some time and every thing has went well except one time when you voted to move the House and sold the House that you have there now, and purchased an Acre of ground elswhere, you will agree that that was the only time that I objected to the House being there, and told you to move it off, and I suposed at that time you intended to do so, I want to be fair in this and I want to be treated the same allso,but if you people are not satisfied to let well enough alone you can get a location some where Else, it will be agreable with me, I am willing to give you as lease on that as long as I own the Farm and I don't want to tie that Acre of Ground up for 99 Years and I don't intend to do that,if you can find any one that is willing to give you a Lease for that length of time he is the party for you to do Business with."

The Teacher, Constance Warwick...

Alva Third Graders, 1910, Westside school, Constance E. Warwick McGill (teacher)...
     Bottom row, reading from left to right: Ethel Melson; Jeanette Ashcraft; Bertha Edwards; Mabel Collier; Susie Edwards; Maurine Davis; Helen Eller; unknown; Russell Clark; Ethaa Walcott.
     Second row: Georgia Share; Ruth Greenlee; Frank Stone; Dick Lenhart; Gladys McHenry; Vivian Savage; Reuel Ashcraft; Tillie Campbell; Harry Blackford.
    Third Row: Pearle Marr; Marie Kerstetter; Everett Smith; O. Black; Ralph Beegle; Atlanta Davis; Ruth Miler; Esther Kerstetter; Ethel Sach Hachenberg.
     Back row: Joe Brown; Franc Wyatt; Chloe Wilks; Virgie Owen; Lela Holder; Ruth Hughes; Willie Stites. The teacher is Mrs. (Constance E. Warwick) McGill.

City School Faculty, 1907-08...

Here's the faculty of Alva City schools during the year 1907-08. And if you don't believe it here's their names, front row, left to right: Estella Stull, Lula Keith, Jessie Converse, Edna Kelly, Edith Norris, Jenny Monfort, Guy Lisk; second row: Connie Warwick McGill (my grandmother), ???, Mrs. Emma Stevens, Pearl Bickel, Stella???, ????? (Because of the tear in the newspaper article, I was not able to list some of the faculty.)

Oakie's NW Corner...

Do you remember when... In the 1930s & '40s when the only communication with the outside was the "crank & holler" telephones. Where there were 10 to 12 families on one line. The central office operator was the main source of information.
     Now days we have the fiber optics, satellites, cable, DSL, wireless phones, etc... to connect us to the outside world thousands of miles away without ever leaving our easy chair.
     BUT... Last week found me out of my easy chair combing through the countryside from north of Cherokee -- to Burlington, Oklahoma -- up to Kiowa, Kansas -- eventually ending my journey back at Alva.
     Besides looking for old country schools (Stella Friends Academy & Riverside Schools) that no longer exist, I was also helping friends with their horses while they were busy in the fields cutting their wheat and alfalfa hay.

The M'Gill Bros Pioneered...

In the same "1936 Progress Edition" of the Alva Review-Courier, this next article appeared describing the "M'Gill Boys" (Wm. J. & James A.). I wonder if my grandpa or great-uncle Jim McGill had a hand in writing this article for the paper back in the late 1930s?
In the article it mentions that Wm. J. McGill did some "heavy" farming, with a mixture of country school in the winter, until he was 21 years old. That's when he moved to Alva and attended the Normal school for a year or two and received a third grade teaching certificate. To read more of the story, click on the photo above.

This baseball photo of Bill (Wm. J.) McGill was taken off of an old 27 April 1909 postcard that Bill sent from Wichita, KS to his mother (Mrs. W.P. McGill) in Alva, Oklahoma.
Click on the photo to view and read more about Bill McGill and his baseball legacy.

Belles of 1900... This is a photo that my grandmother had of the "Belles of 1900."
    One of those photos that I received from a cousin last week was this Belles of 1900 as shown it appeared in an old, faded, newspaper clipping taken back for the "Progress Edition Alva Review-Courier."
    It reads, "Just three girls about town. Reading from left to right: Essie Nall, Grace Brooks, 'Tiny' McGill (my grandmother)."
    Why do you suppose they called my Grandmother "Tiny?"

Thought for the day... "A friend is a quiet angel that picks us up when our wings forget how to fly." unknown author

-- Linda - "Oakie"

Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co

Mailbag & Links....

Thanks from Margarete Leanhardt... "Hi Gents, the photo of my uncle's grave was given to my aunt last weekend. My cousine told me, that my aunt set down on a chair and didn't say nothing a minute. Then she said: 'It's unbelievable'. After my cousine had told her, how the last home of P. Kurt Leonhardt was found, my aunt said: 'It's great, that somenone, who don't know me, is giving me so much help'. I was asked again, to thank you for the great help." -- Kind regards, Alois

25-cent J. E. Bothwell Token... We do know that J. E. Bothwell Grocery Store was located in Dacoma (Oklahoma)... "I was pointed to an old site of yours when I was doing a search for: 'dacoma oklahoma bothwell.' I am looking for the history behind a '25-cent token' listed in the Oklahoma tokens guide. It came from Dacoma, Oklahoma and had the inscription of 'J.E. Bothwell' on the front. Any idea of the history behind this piece? Thanks for your help. Do you happen to know of a "Bothwell" business in the area's history?" -- Rob Bothwell

"Hi Linda, I know I write once in a while and from reading your column every week, I feel I kind of know you somehow. I want to share with you a family search. My Grandfather came from Sweden through Ellis Island. When the website opened up and I was able to get on, I found my Grandfather. To search in Sweden you need to know where they are born. We did not even know that. From the manifest, I was able to get a birthplace and research his birthplace. By accident I ended up in a google site 'Most wanted' -- low and behold was 2 1/2 year posting of my Swedish cousins looking for us. I emailed them and within 4 or 5 hours I had been reunited with over a 100 cousins in Sweden. Come to find out my Grandfather had 11 brother and sisters. We are going to try to visit sometime this summer. I just had to share. When I found your site a couple years back reading all the good stories kept interested in just keep at it. 'Things come to those who wait.' Thank you, Linda." -- Sharon R., Vancouver WA

"I have possession of the 'Journal of Carter County Schools' which was compiled and publishes by the County Superintendent, Kate Galt Zaneis. In 1923 there were 77 dependent schools in the county and today only one of those still exists, Ironically that school is the one which bears her name 'Zaneis Consolidated School - District number 72.' Yes, there was a Glenn school, it was located only 3 miles west of the town of Springer. Woodford was located 9 miles west of Springer & was named after a Mr. Woodford Smith in 1884, who was a local, intermarried Chickasaw. I can find no reference to Woodford having ever being known by another name. Do you have a method where you can search for a particular item in your website?

If you haven't noticed, I think Summertime has jumped on us. Have fun with your horses. I'm trying to train the Squirrel to take the pecan from my hand." -- See ya, Ernest

"Riverside School... School was held in the winter of 1893 i the home of Clifford McDaniel for children located in dugouts or sodhouses. Mr. McDaniel was the first teacher of Riverside District that Fall & Winter."

"Hi Linda, Thank you so much!! I'll let you know when I receive them. I appreciate you taking the time and effort for this project. Hopefully someone can help identify the schools and when/if they do, I'll let you know! Have a great evening!" -- Rhonda, Aunt Runner's Recipes

"George Shirk's book... 'Oklahoma Place Names' says 'Keith. In Alfalfa County, 7 miles northwest of Ingersoll. A post office from May 4, 1894 to October 15, 1904. No longer in existence, it was named for Charles G. Keith, first postmaster.' And the Alfalfa County Cemetery book shows 'Keith Cemetery - Section 35, Township, 28N, Range 12W. Keith Cemetery is located two miles west and two miles south of Burlington, OK. When the Cherokee Outlet opened for settlement and travel was slow, small towns were established every few miles. This was the case with Keith. There were the usual stores there such as a blacksmith shop, a post office, a Masonic Lodge and a store for groceries.
A meeting house was established by the Friends church and the cemetery soon followed. The church had a fence with yellow brick pillars for posts and they still remain. A brick entry way leads from the church yard into the cemetery.' Hope this information helps you out." -- Grace Wessels, Cherokee, OK

"Good Morning, Linda, Your prompt and enthusiastic response yesterday encouraged me to dig a little deeper last night. Although I didn't dig up anymore IT or OT school stuff, I did find some things you and your readers might enjoy."

Modern Woodmen of America??? "Attached is a scan of some memorabilia from Modern Woodmen of America, Alva. I'd love to know What MWA was. Besides these scanned items, all I can find is evidence of an MWA life insurance policy. Is MWA a fraternal organization (like Rotary or Kiwanis) or is it just a life insurance company? What relationship did it have (if any) to the Ancient Order of United Workmen (who also seemed to have issued life insurance policies in Guthrie?)" -- Scott :)

"Linda, These old old documents are hard to scan, and I'm sure you won't want all of them, and you probably can't read many of them, but I'll send them anyway so you can use what you want to use:
     1) AOUW... is a receipt for monies paid to my great-grandfather, Beeler Snyder, in 1925. It mentions 'Benefit Certificate?' So insurance perhaps?
    2) Avard State Bank... is a loan contract for $800 to my great-grandparents in 1921.
    3) BSnyder...is a picture of Beeler's original homestead from about 1896. Our family still owns the land, it's an Oklahoma Centennial Farm. The row of trees in the left of the picture is still a row of trees now, along the road, 9 miles south and 4 miles west of Alva.
     4) Hatfield... is a handwritten letter from W. F. Hatfield, Cemetery Association, Alva, to Beeler Snyder, 1925: 'Brother Snyder: Herewith is your new AOUW insurance policy. Sign your name with ink just above mine, and it will be complete to put away for safe keeping. It is all right as far as it goes, but I believe you have sacrificed $1000.00 unnecessarily. I am not going to change until I know more about it. Yours Fraternally, W.F.Hatfield'
     5) Homestead... is the O.T. 1895 Certificate showing where Beeler paid $14 for/towards the Homestead.
     6) Lawton Land District... is the 1901 Certificate qualifying Beeler to register as an applicant to make homestead entry from the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache ceded lands within the Lawton District.
    7) MWA Letter... is typed letter on MWA Stationery, Rock Island, IL, 1930, accompanied a check to Beeler for some type of insurance benefits.
     8) Hopeton... is a certificate of stock in the Hopeton Telephone Association. That's it for now!" - Scott

"My mother, Jessie (Sluder) Guffy attended Institute at Stella Friends Academy a few years later than your picture but I did not connect the SFA with it." -- Grace Wessels

Riverside Cemetery...

was the site of the Riverside church of christ from June 6, 1909 to April 15, 1962. The congregation moved into its new building in Burlington on April 15, 1962.

"Linda, the Riverside School was quite possibly in the Burlington area. There was a Riverside Church of Christ there when I was a child, and it is now in Burlington." -- Sandie

Riverside Cemetery, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma... Some burial stones that set under a shady, cedar tree on the westside of cemetery -- Willaim L. Williams - Ervin W.).
[Williams L. Williams, born - Jan. 4, 1860; died - Oct. 8, 1918. Ervin W., son of Mr. & Mrs. Williams, died-Apr. 1, 1899, aged-10M 12D.]

Riverside School, hwy 64 & hwy 11, Okla.

"There was a Riverside School at the intersection of Highway 64 and Oklahoma 11, 3 miles north of Cherokee but I don't know anymore than that. I am really enjoying your newsletter." -- Grace Wessels

"Carrier had an outstanding Academy during that period, also. Graduates qualified to go directly from Carrier Academy to Harvard. I'm finding out lots of interesting information about this area during that time period! talk to you later!" -- Rhonda

"Thank you for the info on Col. Bob Kirkbride. I've had a walking cane in my possession since my grandfather, O.E. Brown, passed away in the 80's. On the handle of the cane is stamped: 'Col. Bob Kirkbride.' I've never had a clue as to who that was! Hope you enjoy! I have lots more information/collectibles on early Woods County and early Alva, like Tax Receipts paid to Mr. Hatfield, Workmen's Club, etc. I'll try to dig more of it out and send some of it your way!" -- Scott :)

"Linda,... I found a naturalization record for Johann Hurt in Stearns, WI(?) on reel 13, code 29, vol F(2), pg 3298. This is supposed to be found on www.ironworld.com/ancestry but I could not find it there. I found the reference on Ancestry.com. Is this the same Johann Hurt that we are descended from?" -- Kathy

"Oakie, all I know for sure is that you made my day with your grandpa's Oklahoma school photos. About 1905 is my guess but the first one, (looking into the setting sun) might be even pre-1900. I have sent them all onto my webpage of 'Views of Oklahoma Indian Territory,' even though they probably post-date Statehood. They look so good next to that one I sent you awhile back, like they finally got themselves some friends. Man, I love your little newsletter. It's what this whole webdeal is all about." -- //eric

Oakie's Polls:
Electorial College Poll
Okla. 4th Judicial Dist., Assoc. Dist. Judge Poll

Holly Cochran's Gwins of Augusta/Bath/Highland Co VA

Hay (Wheat & Alfalfa) For Sale...

NW Oklahoma round bales of Wheat hay -- square bales of Alfalfa / Oats Hay for sale.

Contact Bud & Lovina Clark if you are interested in buyng good wheat or alfalfa hay. You can reach them at the following address & phone numbers:
     Bud or Lovina Clark
     PO Box 803
     Alva, Oklahoma 73717
     home phone: (580) 327-3529
     mobile phone: (580) 829-1325.

Tell the Clark's you saw the "Hay for Sale" in "Oakie's newsletter."

Thanks... To everyone who responded on the Oklahoma Territory Schools and all the Okie Legacies they sent this week. A Special Thanks to my cousin (Mary Erskine) for digging out these great old, news clippings & photos of the McGill family.

The Okie Legacy Oakie's Heart To Heart

O.T. School Updates...

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