Oakie's NW Corner...
All this week has been a steady rush of adrenaline and sleuthing.
Following up on one lead that lead me to another. From the College
library -- to the Woods County archives in the basement of the courthouse
-- which led me to the Woodward County archives at the Woodward
courthouse -- Finally, weaving a path to the Oklahoma Supreme Court
archives.
I even sent out feelers to some of my Oklahoma readers to see
what info I could find there. My email box has been full to overflowing
with responses. Some of those I have put in the Mailbag section
below.
It was an exhilarating journey to find a new piece of this puzzle
-- finding each new piece was like a shot of adrenaline that got
me hooked, involved with the discovery of what happened to this
young lady whose 'female purity' was stolen from her only 4 to 5
months before she became a victim of the 'First Homicide'
in Alva, Oklahoma, 9 November 1910, in the "Old Opera House."
Where do I begin? I know that it will take some time to digest
all the material. We would like to share this fascinating story
in weekly installments as we sift through and digest the information
that we have found. Putting it into context with other things happening
in the
year of 1910.
There are still some unanswered questions and holes to fill. Like
who was N. L. Miller? We know that he was a Justice of the Peace
for the City of Alva. In reading the news clippings it does not
mention who the wife and children are... only how the newspaper
accounts have so quickly and adamantly proclaimed how wonderful
and innocent are the wife and children of this man. There was one
article that said Justice Miller was fearful for his life? Was someone
using his affair with Mabel to setup Judge Miller?
I could hardly wait for Monday to arrive so I could stake out the
"Time Machine" at Northwestern's college library where
they keep all the old newspapers on microfilm. I'm speaking of the
"Microfilm Time Portals" that they have in the Libraries
to view the old newspapers.
Before I get to far into our mystery, let me add some things here
about what living back in 1910 was like. I can only conjecture...
There was prohibition, bootleggers, and the 'female purity' was
a virtue well guarded. It was a time when Society dressed according
to what was excepted in society and morally correct.
As to the 1910 fashions... the woman's hair was worn up
in buns and hats. The hemline of their fashionable skirt became
higher and rose above the ankles. The skirts of women also became
narrower. The fashion for men stayed quite the same as in the 1900's.
Black suits were quite popular. Also, on a more casual day, they
would wear trousers with suspenders. A look they often wore were
arrow collars, but they didn't have any special way to fix their
hair.
Back to our Mystery & Poor Mabel's demise... After choosing
the local newspapers with the date range of 1910, I set my time
portal machine to March, 1910, The Alva Review Courier as
my first stop. I couldn't resist stopping around this time, because
23 March 1910 was the date that my Grandpa Will McGill "Joined
in wedlock" with my Grandma Constance Warwick (age 26-27
years). I found some other great things around 31 March 1910
that I thought you might be interested in... BUT... I will stick
those in the Mailbag section so we can get into your search
for Alva's First Murder & Mabel's Demise.
My next stop was 10 November 1910... This is where I read
about how "An
Awful Tragedy" shocked this small community the afternoon
of 9 November 1910. A 23 year-old young lady had been found dead
in an anteroom of the Old Opera House around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
The newspaper had stated, "This is one of the worst tragedies
that has happened in the history of our city."
On 11
November 1910... Renfrew's Record stated, "The blackest
page in the history of Alva, will be written in the circumstances
surrounding the death of Miss Mabel Oakes (age 23 years)"
Mabel was the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. George Oakes and the older
sister of Clarence Oakes (age 15 or 16 years). The article
goes on to read, ".....Whose lifeless form was found about
three o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the southeast dressing room
in Justice N. L. Miller's old opera house. Mr. Miller was the first
to notify the father of the unfortunate girl, where her remains
lay."
The Renfrew Record goes onto report... "This is the
first homicide to blacken the fame of our fair young city, but it
should be a lesson to our citizenship that should cause them to
wipe out such dens of iniquity as the place where this crime occurred."
Some of the news articles during this time had the suspect charged,
guilty and chastised for his crimes against this young lady's 'female
purity' and her demise. Such as, "The
Woods County Socialist", dated 11 November 1910... "N.
L. Miller, a justice of the peace of the city of Alva, the husband
of as noble a woman, the father of as fine a family of children
as any place can boast of -- deep suspicion rests upon the head
of this monstrous preverter of justice, this unfaithful husband
and unnatural father, that he was criminally intimate with unfortunate
Mabel Oakes and that she met her death at his hands."
Questions... When did Miller get married? Who was this noble
woman that he married? How old were the children? Did Miller's wife
know about his infidelities? Did she refused to give Judge Miller
a divorce?
Actually, this little time travel to 1910 via Northwestern's Time
Portal took me only 5 or 6 hours -- BUT -- it really only seemed
like a couple of hours. Whew! How time does fly sometimes. I was
not sure if I would make it "Back to the Future" to even
get out this week's newsletter. AND... It's late as it is!
Before these dry, sleepy, tired eyes blink off for the night...
One last question before I let you go enjoy your Easter weekend.
What was and Who constituted the Law Enforcement League?
Don't forget... You can catch a list of the cast of characters
in "Alva's First Murder - 9 November 1910" (or Old
Opera House Murder) over in my NW
Oklahoma Mysteries Section. See you all next week with another
installment of the "Old Opera House Murder" (Alva's First
Murder - 9 November 1910).
~~ Linda "OaKie" ~~
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New Opera House Postcard
One of my readers sent me this little
tidbit concerning the New & Old Opera Houses
locations in Alva.
In Glimpses of the Past-Early
Postcard Views of Alva, Oklahoma, complied by the publication
committee and the permanent archive Committeee of the Alva
Centennial Commission l987, there is a postcard of the New
Opera House located at 612-614 Flynn Street, Alva.
The "New Opera House"
replaced the Old Opera House located in the 400 block on
Barnes Street.
The New Opera House was built by
William H. Wiggins and James Hunter. Construction of this building
was started in l906 and completed in l907 at the cost of twenty
thousand dollars.
The Opera House originally featured
live entertainment but later became a movie theatre.
It is listed in the l9ll-l2 City
Directory as the Grand Theatre and sometimes later was
renamed The Liberty.
All but the brick shell of this
building was destroyed by a "spectacular fire" the night
of June 22, l933.
The owner, A.P. Crandall, chose
not to rebuild and sold the building to W. W. Starr, who tore
down the original facade when he rebuilt the building."
Menu:
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.
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Mailbag & Links....
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Ashley & Short Springs... "I
am researching the town of Ashley and Short Springs in late l880's
Woods county and when they divided, it became Alfalfa County.
I have been trying to get pictures
and stories to put together. There is some information around but
nobody that I have found has put it together in a story form.
I was born 1/2 mile north and 1/2
mile east of Ashley. My maiden name was Marlatt. I have several
articles about Ashley and Short Springs school. The only pictures
I have is the Baptist church on the Rudy farm south of Ashley and
the elevator in Ashley. I have about l0 pictures of the Short Springs
school and the Community church that met in the school.
According to a family history written
by Claude Hadwiger (place next to Short Springs cemetery), who was
a cousin, the town of Ashley was l l/2 blocks long with about l5
businesses and houses. This town was named after Frank Ashley. The
Short Springs school and cemetery were named after the Short Brothers.
I would like for you to ask in your
Okie Legacy for help in getting information. Then when I get it
completed, I will be glad to share it with you.
I am at presently copying the school
records. Since this is for 55 years (l894-l949) this is taking some
time.
I also am collecting family stories
of pioneer families in the Ashley area and who went to Short Springs
school." -- Contact: Ila
Wessels
New
Opera House Postcard.... "Linda, the
card was mailed Feb. 23, 1916 at Alva to Mr. Oscar Stern, Adell, Wis
or Mis R.F.D. #19. c/o B. C. Stichen. I suppose the Opera House is
the bldg on Flynn with the big rounded entry. I'll be interested in
reading your story about the murder!" -- Sandie
"I had been subscribed under another email and
didn't get the change to you in time. I have enjoyed your newsletter,
especially the old photos and stories about the early days of Alva.
BTW, if you ever hear of a "100 Years..." book for
sale, please let me know." -- Linda
Alva's First Murder...
"LK, this is a great story, more provocative than any of the
last few mysteries I've been reading. I love the descriptions of Mabel's
condition and the fact that Mabel's father kept track of her menstrual
periods and the condition of Mabel's neck (NECK!?!). No wonder Mabel
wore a "fascinator" if her neck revealed so much about her.
I can't wait for the next installment in the Mystery of Mabel.
And please find more details about the state of the room which revealed
its readiness for 'midnight revelries.' This is great, fascinating.
I think you ought to serialize the whole story for your weekly. More
More More!"
Thanks... "Linda, Many thanks for the plug
of my Summer Vacations and the Joys of Indian creek. It is
a favorite of mine. What would we do without you for being so faithful
to your calling of writing, and being a writer of the heart."
-- Written From The Heart, Ron
Cromwell, Oklahoma... "Looking for info
on Cromwell, Oklahoma. In the early days my grandmother ran a cafe
there in the '20 and '30. I would like to talk too any one that has
has picture or stories of early day Cromwell (the oil boom days) thank
you." -- Ray S.
Backside
of old McAlester Postcard..."Have
you checked to see if there was a railroad line from Kansas City to
Denison, Texas? Perhaps a railroad co. named KC & Denison? If
there was, then maybe the RPO stood for Railway Post Office."
Another reader says... "Linda, RPO stands
for "Railroad Post Office." The Waynoka Historical Society
has a terrific picture of a group of children at Easter time in
the early 1900's. I'm anxious to share your Scott Cummins info with
my 91-yr-old mother. She's mentioned him from time to time through
the years. At Waynoka, we used to have track-side mailboxes, one
for east-bound and one for west-bound. We could actually mail a
letter to Alva, and it would get there very soon! I am not sure,
but I think there were mail trains, and that also passenger trains
might have had mail cars." -- Sandie
Newspaper
Microfilm Inventory... List of Microfilm
Inventory held by the Oklahoma Historical Society. *indicates no
issues are currently available
?indicates that year of publication is unknown.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Newspaper Archives
2100 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-4997
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Opera Houses in Alva...
"Dear Linda, In Glimpses of the Past-Early Postcard Views of
Alva, Oklahoma complied by the Publication committee and the Permanent
Archive Committeee of the Alva Centennial Commission l987 there is
a postcard of the new Opera House (612-614 Flynn Street) in Alva.
The "New Opera House" replaced an older Opera House located
in the 400 block on Barnes Street. The New Opera House was built by
William H. Wiggins and James Hunter. Construction of this building
was started in l906 and completed in l907 at the cost of twenty thousand
dollars. The Opera House originally featured live entertainment but
later became a movie theatre. It is listed in the l9ll-l2 City Directory
as the Grand Theatre and sometimes later was renamed The Liberty.
All but the brick shell of this building was destroyed by a "spectacular
fire" the night of June 22, l933. The owner, A.P. Crandall, chose
not to rebuild and sold the building to W. W. Starr, who tore down
the original facade when he rebuilt the building." -- Ila
N. L. Miller... "Woods County Genealogists
Vol.IV no.2 page 75 -- Miller, N.L. in Fall of l897 built first
steam roller mill in Alva or Woods Co. It changed owners 2 or 3 times
until it burned Feb.23, l900, it then belonged to Rowland and Son.
Fire way mysterious and they never got any insurance. Located 200
feet south of Santa Fe Depot. In l901 with R. G. Hanford, built a
skating rink, 50 X 50 ft, and afterwards added a stage, curtains,
lobby and office. On Fe. l8, l901 the Curtiss Comedy Co., opened it
as an Opera House and played a week. The House was the only amusement
hall in Alva which in l903 was said to have outgrown the present house
and Manager Miller promises a bigger and better one for next season."
-- Ila
 "Linda,
I have a clue for you that might be helpful in your search for what
that building is you asked about in the last issue. I remember as
a child seeing a building built in very much the same style here locally,
just a couple of blocks from where I live now (Glens Falls, NY).
It had a large, full cellar like the one in this picture, and the
same arched facade in front. At that time you could barely read the
handpainted lettering in the arch. It was a feed and grain store.
My mother said it had the large cellar, which was uncommon in houses
of the era, (they were short and rarely under the whole building),
because they stored root vegetables like potatoes, yams, beets, etc
in the cellar for the winter in huge barrels. The building no longer
exists; it was torn down decades ago, but there is another old building,
just a few lots down from where that was that is still intact at the
back of someone's house lot. My mother said it was a smithy shop when
she was young, and she used to ride by there every day on the trolley
from Lake George, (about 8 miles north of the city) where she
lived then, to the Glens Falls Academy. (She was one of just a
few girls who were allowed to attend that academy at that time. The
rest went to "normal" school in their hometowns.) Anyhoot,
I don't know if your building is also a feed and grain store, but
it sure looks very much like the one that was on Ridge St. here. I
hope this info is helpful to you."
Cherokee's Microfilm Readers... "The Cherokee
library has a microfilm reader for those want to check the old newspaper.
The Alfalfa county museum has a new microfilm reader and printer."
31
March 1910 - Burned to Death... Mrs.
Joel Miller, wife of prominent Aline farmer, burns to death when dress
catches fire.
31
March 1910 - Forest Fire in Missouri...
31
March 1910 - Death Doings... List of deaths in the area.
31 March 1910
- First National Bank Ad...
31 March 1910 - Marriage Announcements...
History
of Central National Bank... "The
opening of the Cherokee Strip in 1893 brought a boom of
numerous businesses and banks. One of the institutions that survived
from that time is The Central National Bank of Alva, in Oklahoma,
owned and operated by the Myers family since 1919. Only after several
mergers in the early years did the bank take the name it has today.
The Alva National Bank was established in 1899."
Editor's Note... If you know of someone who
might have information concerning the murder at the "Old Opera
House" or the cast of characters, feel free to forward this newsletter
or print it out and give them a copy. I would love to hear from them.
If you are visiting any Microfilm Time Portals, Check the '1910' newspaper
for any mention of Alva' First Murder - 9 November 1910. Send me a
copy by way of Email to Linda
Wagner
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