The Okie Legacy
Oakie's Heart To Heart

23 June 2001, Vol. III, Iss. 25

The Eklund Hotel, Clayton, NM...

On our journey home to Oklahoma from the mountains, June 11th, we semi-followed some motorcycle enthusiasts headed for the motorcycle rally roundup in South Dakota.

We got ahead of the motorcyclists and made Clayton, NM around 1:30pm. We stopped for a bite to eat at this unique old hotel, "Eklund Dining Room & Saloon", located at 15 Main Street, in downtown Clayton, New Mexico.

The History of Eklund Hotel... The historic Eklund Hotel has been a landmark for travelers of the SW since the 1890s. On the Eklund menu it says, "It began as a two-story rock building in 1892 (the west side of the present building). The ground floor was occupied as a store until 1894 when Carl Eklund brought in his elaborately carved bar which is still in use in the saloon. Mr. Eklund and his wife, Gerda, purchased the property in December 1897, and the east two stories were built in 1898. They added the third floor and the "opera balcony" or porch in 1905."

The history on the back of the menu also says, "The Eklund kept the hotel as modern as possible with the addition of plumbing, steam heat, electricity, and telephones as they became available. The Eklund was the only first-class hotel between Trinidad, Colorado, and Fort Worth, Texas for many years, and has long had a reputation for good food and drink."

In 1992, the Eklund Hotel's centennial, the establishment was purchased by a group of local folks, known as the Eklund Association, Incorporated, for the purpose of preserving the Eklund for the town and for the future.

The hotel rooms on the upper two floors are not open to the public at this time, BUT... renovatiing the hotel rooms is a goal of the Eklund Association, which will happen in the not too distant future.

If you are ever driving through Clayton, New Mexico, on the Santa Fe Trail, stop in and see the old magnificent, elaborate carved bar in the saloon. Fantastic bit of history & old photos also adorn the walls. They have a regular dining room for those fine diners. Don't forget Clayton Lake State Park.

Readers Opinions...

Opinion on OKC Bomber's Book... The woman in this story worked the bombing site. She recently received an excerpt of McVeigh's book, and this is Donna Prather's response. If you would like to share your thoughts, just Email Oakie and I will stick it in the next newsletters.

It Starts Out -- Donna Prather's Letter...
    Dear Friends, I will not forward the excerpt from the book that has been written by two reporters and a couple of shrinks about Tim McVeigh. I fully expected to read this book. I wanted to know a lot of things. And, I believe that the book is an accurate account of what Tim McVeigh has said. I wanted to know why he picked Oklahoma City. I wanted to know if he implicated anyone else. I wanted to know if he took responsibility.
     But, I won't read the book. After reading the excerpt, I know that it doesn't matter. It won't change a thing. I have to address this. So, buckle up, because here goes. And, before I start this tirade, I want to say that what follows I know to be fact, because I saw it. My husband set up a tent across the street from the building, right next to Little Caesar's pizza, who also set up a tent and made pizzas on the spot. Jim's company donated all the coffee and tea and equipment, and we funneled the water and cokes and other supplies that were donated through that little blue tent and to the rescuers, and the workers. So, we saw what happened, and we know.
     Tim McVeigh says, and this is the only quote from the man you'll get from me, "It was my choice and my control to hit that building when it was full.... I understand what they felt in Oklahoma City. I have no sympathy for them."
     First of all, I don't think Tim McVeigh feels at all, and second, no one in Oklahoma City asked for any sympathy of any kind. Least of all Tim McVeigh's. While he was cowering away from the scene, with ear plugs in his ears,
the people of my town were running toward the mess he had created. There were not just 168 bodies to be recovered.
There were almost 1000 injured people to be triaged and helped. That was done. And, it was done with a speed and an accuracy that stunned the people who came later to help us.
     Our construction companies had cranes in place within the first hour. Our hardware companies turned their shelves
over to the effort. Vets came to help with the rescue animals. Doctors came and worked along side construction workers, lay people. Engineers kept that wreck standing until all but three bodies were recovered. When the wind blew, even a little, that building swayed and groaned so loud, it was
audible for blocks.
     When other States sent rescue units to help us, my town fed them, clothed them, held their heads when they vomited at the carnage and comforted them when they cried. Being close to that building wasn't easy during those 19 days. It was bloody, it stank, and it was dangerous. And, in spite of this, we had trouble getting people to stand down and take a rest.
     Thank you, New York, Phoenix, Fairfax, Dade County, Denver, and Everyone else who came. You showed up on our door step like a good neighbor, with your equipment, and tears in your eyes, and we will forever be in your debt. You are the heroes to the person, and always in my prayers. Saint Michael's heart beats in you all.
     Buildings around the site stood wide open. Their foundations sprung to the extent that their doors wouldn't lock. But, locking the doors wouldn't have mattered anyway, since the windows were all gone... There was not one incident of looting. Not one. And, Joe Q. American did everything else.
     By midnight, that first day, we had an ample supply of blood for all. I saw people lined up around the Oklahoma Blood Institute. Hundreds of people lined up, waiting for hours, to donate their blood. Businessmen in suits talked casually to homeless people who felt the blast and came.
     And, the rescuers didn't just exist on dry andwiches.Oh no! Little Caesar's, the Outback, Subway, the local Barbecue and Steak houses, Hooter's, Taco Bell, Sonic, and others too numerous to mention, some from Texas and Kansas fed
everyone well. And for free. This wasn't easy. Food had to be labeled as to date & time of arrival, and kept clean and cold in a very inhospitable environment. And, this was done. Everyone at the site was sick, but it was never because of the food.
     While we tended to the needs of the rescuers, the FBI, the ATF, FEMA, and the Oklahoma City Police Department worked around us, and under our feet, sometimes with tweezers,and plastic bags, picking up minute pieces of the barrels that held the explosives, and pieces as big as the axle of the Ryder Rental truck. They were professionals all, and sensitive to our feelings.

     PLEASE, DON'T BUY THE BOOK... Send the $20 to the Memorial, or to the Red Cross, or to the Education fund for the children of the victims, or to the Oklahoma City Fire Department, or the Phoenix Fire Department, or Dade County, or to Feed the Children.
     When the authors wanted to donate a portion of the proceeds from the book to our Memorial, the Memorial committee quietly said 'no thank you.'
     I am so glad, and so proud of them. No sympathy, or no money needed here. We'll handle it, thank you. This is not about Tim McVeigh. It's about the human spirit. And, it's here, and it thrives, and it asks no sympathy. Love to All,"

Remember.... "If you judge people, you have no time to love them." -- Mother Teresa

And.... "Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."

Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co

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

Mailbag & Links....

Oklahoma Ghost towns.... "Out of the mist and shadows of the almost forgotten past, most of the characters have been resurrected that once made up the little town of "McGee, I.T. (Indian Territory) -- McGee, Oklahoma, Garvin County. 2 miles north of Stratford. See my web site McGee - Indian Territory." -- Mike Webb, Oklahoma City

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Photos - Roadside Flowers....
Day Lillies and Turmpet Vines, taken June 15, 2001 near Atwood, Oklahoma and sent in by Lu Ann.

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'Hi, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your newsletter each week. I love my old home town and can't wait to get back." -- Johnette

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"I'm looking for my g-grandfather Joseph Allen Guinn b. 1863/64, married a Mary Adams. He was born in TN (Tennessee). I am gonna look thru your site but if you happen to have any info I would appreciate it and try to help you in anyway I can with my Guinns. Thank you." -- Melody

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Thought of the Day sent in by Angel.... "Wednesday, June 20, 200, One of the questions posed in Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is, 'Will this matter a year from now?' Some things will, of course. But so many others -- perhaps most things -- won’t. There is something very comforting in knowing this. When the computer crashes, the keys are misplaced, the house is a mess or the call isn’t returned, it is annoying, but it’s not the end the world."

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More information on German POW's... "The following sites are contain informations of POW's in Camp Farragut, Idaho, USA and the fate of German POW's in America in general. The goal of these sites is to tell the hardly documented history of German prisoners in American custody." -- Rainer

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"Father's Day just past, I received a card with the following history of Father's Day inscribed on it.On the back page of the card it had the following, 'It takes a special man to make a difference on our lives.'

THE HISTORY OF FATHER’S DAY...
"In 1909, Mrs. Sonora Louise Dodd decided there should be a special day for recognizing fathers. She wanted a way to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised his six children by himself after his wife died. Father’s Day was first observed in Spokane, Washington, Mrs. Dodd’s hometown, in 1910. But it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon made Father’s Day an official national holiday, celebrated each year on the third Sunday in June." * Taken from Gibson Greetings, Inc. Cleveland, OH 444144-2398 U.S.A.

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"Linda: When I lived in Yukon (Oklahoma), I had a pond and many trees in the backyard. Therefore, I had lots of different kinds of birds, squirrels, possum, and yes, raccoons. I was able to discourage the possum and squirrels with inverted cones hung a couple of feet above the feeder. However, I never defeated the raccoon! He would simply work his little paws (which were nearly as effective as human hands) on the wire holding the feeder to the tree, until he had knocked it to the ground. I tried noise makers and automatic lighting, but he feasted whenever he wanted to!" -- Scott :)

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Another Opinion of an OKC Fireman.... FWD to me this week. I'm putting it here in the newsletter this week to give voice to other opinions (not my own) concerning the OKC Bomber's Book. Whether it is right or wrong, you can be the judge. I would love to hear your response.

FWD Message... "I hope that Tuesday when Tim McVeigh's Book hits the newsstands, that NO ONE WILL BUY THIS BOOK. This man is being given too much publicity and shows NO REMORSE for the Horrible Crime that he committed. He has admitted he is guilty. He refers to the precious 19 children he murdered as 'collateral Damage' and his only regret is that 'their deaths proved to be a public relations nightmare that undercut his cause'... The Pictures of these children and the adults will always be in our minds... 168 innocent people died that day. This man murdered them... please do not make him some sort of hero. He wants part of the proceeds to go to the Oklahoma City Memorial... The OKC MEMORIAL Declines the money... Send the Money to the Memorial.... but PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK....!!!!!! Thank you.... and remember the precious children. so innocent...."

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What kind of wildflower is this....
"Linda, I have the Roadside Flowers of Oklahomaby Doyle McCoy - copyright 1976 and also the Volume Two Roadside Flowers of Oklahoma by Doyle McCoy - copyright 1978. Your flower is not pictured in either book. My uneducated guess is that it belongs to the composite family but that is a guess that rates right along with my guess that Moons color will be roan."

Wanta see a pretty Day Lilly? Here is one that grows unattended by our outer yard fence. This is another example of a plant that Nita did not have room for and it was relegated to the outer limits." -- Ernest

Oakie's NW Corner...

The roads in NW Oklahoma slowed down quite a bit with the finishing of harvest. Local papers in the area say, "The farmin' begins!" The alfalfa farmers were working feverishly to get their cutting, raking & baling of their 2nd crop of alfalfa hay before Mother Nature sent in the thunderstorms in mid-week.

Besides getting reaquainted with my horse (OkieMoon, a.k.a. Moon), I was learning the process the farmers go through to cut, rake & bale the alfalfa hay. The moisture and the time of day (or night) has got to be just right. The Cutter stays one step ahead of the raker; The raker stays one step a head of the baler. Very interesting stuff. Some farmers were up and in the fields by 5:30am and didn't quit until 11:00pm that night. Mother Nature did cooperate, almost. It did rain towards the middle of the week creating a delay in finishing some alfalfa cutting, etc.

As to my horse... Moon is changing colors again. They say after the second year is when they achieve their real true coloring. I caught this snap shot in the evening (June 19) when I took out some oats & sweet feed to him. As you can see... He was in the midst of stomping a few pesty flies with his right hind leg. So... Do any of you have any educated/uneducated guesses as to what coloring he will end up? Is that the roan color in him coming out? Will he be a Bay? Or What?

Have you noticed that June is almost 3/4 gone and July is just around the corner? That means 3rd & 4th of July Blowouts are underway with firework displays being planned for areas in our neck of the woods (NW Oklahoma).

If your in NW Oklahoma and the proximity of Dacoma around the 3rd of July, make plans to attend the Dacoma Volunteer Fire Department's 3rd of July Blowout, 6:00pm, in Dacoma Town Park. They are planning a real evening of fun, prizes, games, food & drinks, auction, T-shirts, Recycling Arts Project, and more besides a Fantastic Fireworks display that out does any in this area. For More Info Call - (580) 871-2250.

-- Linda - "Oakie"