The Okie Legacy
Oakie's Heart To Heart

America the Beautiful... by Kathryn Bates

The "T-Bone" Baker Story...

According to "Cherokee's Early Years", February 9, 1901 - February 9, 2001, page 14, C. H. Baker - 1883-1967,... the following information about one Charles Howard Baker. (Alias C.H., Cash, Charlie or T-Bone) can be found.

T-Bone & Mary (Clarke) Baker opened their store in Cherokee in 1909 in the building now occupied by Royce Flaming's offices, or what at one timed housed the Ritz Theater. Later the Baker's moved their store to the next block and called it the Cherokee Mercantile and were in business until January 1, 1946 when he sold the hardware store to Howard and Belva Parker. The building still stands today with the north part used as the Law offices of Hadwiger. Alfalfa Electric Coop bought the south building. It has been remodeled and the Senior Citizens/Wheatheart Nutrition site occupies the back half while a community building is in the front half. It is still known as the Baker Building.

Charles Howard Baker was born August 7, 1883, Dunham, Quebec, Canada, 60 miles from Montreal. Charles was the son of Charles Edward Baker and Helen Catherine Ford. In his early 20s... C.H. came to Oklahoma and worked for D. C. Clements opening new stores. Charlie "T-Bone" was also interested in ranching and spent lots of time at the famous 101 ranch with the Miller Brothers (George, Joe & Zack).

On August 7, 1906, in Tonkawa, Charles married Mary Clarke (born in Isleamont, NY near Rosses Point). Mary came to Newkirk, Oklahoma with her grandfather and grandmother in the early 1900s. Charles and Mary made their home at the Arcade Hotel, in Ponca City. The Baker's managed a store in Ponca City, also. They later moved to Horton, Kansas then to Las Animas, Colorado, opening new stores for Mr. Clements.

May 20, 1909... The Bakers came to Ingersol, Oklahoma while waiting for their building in Cherokee to be completed. When their new building was ready they moved their merchandise to Cherokee using large hayracks. As reported earlier, their first location was on Grande Avenue where the old Ritz Theatre was located. The store moved to the NE corner of Second and Grand in 1911, across Grand Ave. to the northwest corner in 1924, and back to the site it would occupy for another 58 years in 1934 (present location of the Senior Center). Besides selling clothing, notions, shoes and other items... It was expanded into furniture and hardware and it was said to have sold caskets at one time. A balcony ran around two sides of the furniture store. Baker's Store continued selling both men's and women's apparel until Mr. Baker's death in 1967.

This interesting story about the Baker's Mercantile Store caught my attention... It was a time when money was scarce in the early days. Customers would pay their bills with a horse, cow or calf and Mr. Baker would move the stock to land he leased east of the Great Salt Plains near the home of a friend, Dick Wilson.

It was one of T-Bone Baker's ambitions to have a ranch of his own. Through the years he leased and purchased over 2000 acres, 15 miles NE of Cherokee (T-Bone Ranch). His land was originally part of the historical Major Drumm Ranch.

Y'all know about the Bryon State Fish Hatchery near old Boiling Springs... Mr. Baker also helped build that hatchery. Charles Baker had the foresight to see the possibilities of hunting and recreation in the springs, rivers and the Great Salt Plains. If you ever get over the the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, check out the plaque of Charles Baker that a few of his friends put up in remembrance to this NW Oklahoma Pioneer.

Charles Baker passed away April 21, 1967. His wife (Mary Clarke Baker) died December 16, 1973. Most of the above information came from "Our Alfalfa County Heritage."

Oakie's NW Corner...

It seems like every week I drive by this Jct. sign and each time I tell myself, "I need to take a picture of that rural cemetery with NO Name on the SE corner." This week I finally did just that. Got out my camera, that is.

The Jct. of hwy 8 & 45 come together in Alfalfa County, in northwest Oklahoma. If you head North on hwy 8, you will end up in Cherokee or Carmen... depending which turn you take afterwards. If you turn East onto hwy 45, you will head towards McWillie, Helena, Carrier, Goltry and eventually, Enid. If you head South on hwy 8, you will head towards Cleo Springs.

As to Cooprider Cemetery... There is a cemetery marker for Jonathan (1827-1919) & Sarah (1832-1909) Cooprider. Marty Myers sent me the following information concerning this small rural cemetery... "In looking in my cemetery book I find that the name of this cemetery is Cooprider and it use to be referred to as the Livingston Cemetery. It is 9 miles west of Helena. Copied from the Alfalfa County Cemetery book... The first family living on this land was named Flanagan. With the help of their neighbors a sod house was built. That night there was a rain and wind storm. The following day when neighbors came to check on them they found that ridge pole had collapsed under th weight of the sod and the couple with their child had suffocated. Thus the starting of the cemetery. The story was related by Ralph Solf and Ann Wallenstein Nannah. Anna wrote of her father and a friend finding the family that morning."

Anyway, I put the photos of these rural cemetery markers up at Oakie's Webshots. Just scroll down the list of albums until you reach "Rural Cemeteries." If anyone out there knows the name or has some history information concerning this small, NW Oklahoma, rural cemetery, please Email Oakie so we can share it with everyone out there. Thanks!

NW Oklahoma History Quiz... Do you know what NW Oklahoma town was once named Drumm after Major Andrew Drumm, a prominent rancher? It's post office was established June 6, 1906. It changed it's name in August 21, 1907. In 1907 there were plans formulated to change the name to Wheaton but plans were not completed. If you guessed Burlington, then congratulations!

As to the Drumm Ranch... The Drumm Ranch Marker is located 3 miles southeast of Driftwood. The marker marks the headquarters of the Drumm Ranch, one of the largest ranches in Alfalfa County. The Marker erected in 1936 by Mrs. Drumm in remembrance of her deceased husband (Major Andrew Drumm).

Which Witch Is it?... This is just for the fun of it -- To bring a few smiles to some faces out there after what we all have been through in the past few weeks. I took this self-photo of the Good Witch of the Mid-West (Oakie, of course) as she was sitting in front of her computer, Wednesday evening, October 31, 2001. I'm happy to report that NO goblins, terrorists, etc... could get pass the curse of this Good Witch of the West. Sometimes we need a good laugh, smile to help us make it through the tough times. Did y'all survive Halloween, October 31, 2001?

Next weekend is Veterans Day!... Send me your pictures of your veterans with some history about them so we can honor them on a special Veterans of Foreigh Wars page. Thanks to those who have sent in info to share. It really is appreciated! Thanks for everything and for letting me come into your life each weekend. Have you noticed the NEW formate? Is it easy reading? Let me know what you think.

Meanwhile... Let me leave you with this question to ponder, "Does Patience, Respect & Knowledge breed Understanding?"

Linda - "Oakie"

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Linda K McGill Wagner
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