Oakie's Heart to Heart, Vol. 4, Iss. 43

	The Okie Legacy Inspiration... Light the Fire Within! Learn the Past! Live the Present!..... Like the Eagle... Be not afraid of the storm! Be as strong! Be smart enough to soar above it!

The Okie Legacy - http://okielegacy.org

October 26, 2002, Vol. IV, Iss. 43

Oakie's NW Corner...

Like the weathermen promised earlier this week, its been cool, wet with a couple of days of sunshine the first part of this week in NW Oklahoma. But... I love this kind of Fall weather. The tree's leaves are just now making the change to their Fall golden-reddish colors before they fall to the ground and the trees sleep this Winter.

The weathermen also promised partly cloudy, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s this Saturday (Oct. 26, 2002) -- just in time for Northwestern's Homecoming in downtown Alva, Oklahoma. BUT.... Another cold front is on its way for next week.

I have another horse story for you. You see -- I spent the first part of the week - when the sun was shining - out playing with my colt and broodmare Sunday and Monday. Cindy gave me the greatest present Monday afternoon. I had been walking out in the wheat/alfalfa pasture to get some pics of a new little colt. Just as I was walking back past the horses eating the hay (where Cindy was munching away), I gained a couple of followers. But... I didn't stop or acknowledge them right then! I just kept walking on past. As I turned around to acknowledge the followers, there was Cindy and our little colt, George. I held out my hand and arm for Cindy to sniff -- waiting for her to give me permission to pet her. She proceeded to let me pet her forehead, ears, neck and body.

Meanwhile, George was curiously standing beside her. So... I held out my arm and carrot stick towards him -- he did the sniffing, exploring thing -- inching closer towards me. While George was chewing and exploring my carrot stick, Cindy comes up behind me and uses her upper lip to nuzzle the back of my jacket. You know, kind of like she nuzzles the back of her colt sometimes. It is just the three of us. Cindy behind me... Me next to and facing George... Each touching the other. Then Cindy comes around to her li'l colt and nuzzles all over his back... As if showing me how to play and giving me permission to do the same with her colt. I barely got a picture of mother and son at the end of their nuzzling each other. After awhile Cindy turns away and walks to the hay as if to say... "Here! You take over George for awhile. I trust you." Or something to that affect.

It is as if... Cindy was showing me how to nuzzle her li'l colt. Then left us (George and me) alone to play while momma went off to eat hay with the other mares. It was fantastic!

Anyway... George and I are left there. I am stroking him with my carrot stick & savvy string and rubbing his head, ears and body. Cindy did look our way a few times as she munched on her hay. That is the warmest Cindy and her colt has been towards me without li'l bribery of treats. For the past few weeks I have been able to spend some quality time with my horses and some of Clarks horses. It was really a special Monday afternoon.

One question before I head out of here.... Is there anyone out there that remembers a six or seven inches high and eight or nine inches wide, plaster-of-paris type plaque of the Castle on the Hill (Northwestern Teachers' College) that was made and sold sometime after it burned in March, 1935? Rolan Cobb remembers his mother and dad had it hanging on their wall and his mother spoke fondly of the Castle on the Hill. Check out the Mailbag & Link Corner for more of Rolan's memories of family that lived around Alva and Hopeton area during the early 1900s in Northwest Oklahoma.

See Y'all next Weekend at the same time! Have a safe Halloween next week!

~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~

NW OK Marriages of 1938...

Strader-Ewing - 1938 -- Former Northwestern Student Is Wed In Homestead Nuptials - In services at the Methodist church of Homestead, Miss Gertrude Strader became the bride of Clyde Ewing, Isabella, Sunday evening at 6 o'clock.

Fisher-Carr - 1938 -- Nuptial Rites For Miss Fisher and Mr. Carr Set For Today - Home of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Jones Will Be Scene of Wedding Cceremony - At a pretty home ceremony at four o'clock this afternoon, Miss Ella Fisher, daughter of Mrs. Mary Fisher, Grand Junction, Colo., and R. B. Fisher, Corpus Christi, Tex., will become the bride of Russell Carr, Pampa, Tex., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Carr of Auckland, New Zealand.

Crouch-Rumbaugh - March 3, 1938 -- Former Alva Girl is Bride of Californian - Mrs. Grace Crouch Haltom, Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Alva, announces the marriage of her daughter, Miss Naomi Melba Crouch, to David G. Rumbaugh, Santa Barbara, Calif. The nuptial service took place on March 3 in Hollywood, Calif.

Stewart-Wishert - April 16, 1938 -- Miss Stewart's Betrothal Is Announced by Parents - Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Stewart, 1105 Center Street, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Meth Stewart, to T. Bryant Wishart (sic) of Kansas City, Mo.

Lynch-Ferguson - April 23, 1938 -- Lynch-Ferguson Nuptials Announced - Mrs. Bertha Ferguson, Alva, announces the marriage of her daughter, Miss Marie Ferguson, to John Lawrence Lynch. The wedding was solemnized on Saturday, April 23, at Arnett, Okla.

Barret-Anderson - June 28, ca. 1938 -- Barret-Anderson Marriage Announced in Alva - Mr. and Mrs. E. U. Anderson announce the marriage of their daughter, Gladys Braxton, to Walter E. Barrett of San Diego, Calif.

Ellis-Clark - June 1938 -- Miss Merna Lee Ellis Becomes Bride of Vernal D. Clark - Wedding Ceremony is Performed in Home of Bride's Parents - An early June Wedding of particular interest to friends here was that of Miss Merna Lee Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Ellis, 1026 Fourth street, and Vernal D. Clark, of Munday, Tex., son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Clark of Cherokee.

Certain-Deering - June 1938 -- Miss Certain Becomes Bride of Mr. Deering on Saturday - Bride Chooses Silver Anniversary of Parents As Date For Her Wedding - In a beautiful home setting Miss Mildred Certain, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Certain, 1115 Flynn, became the bride of Mr. Elvie Deering, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Elvie Deering, Higgins, Texas, at eleven o'clock Saturday morning.

Metcalf-Kent - July 31, 1938 -- Miss Metcalf's Engagement To Donald Kent Announced - Mr. and Mrs. Theo Metcalf, 124 Barnes Avenue, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Eunice Metcalf, to Donald Kent, of Berkeley, Calif. The wedding is scheduled for July 31.

Sharp-Kilmer - August 1938 -- Miss Sharp Becomes Bride of Harold Kilmer - At a quiet wedding Sunday morning Miss Luella Sharp, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Sharp, west of Alva, became the bride of Harold Kilmer, son of M. Kilmer, 318 Choctaw.

Chaffee-Catlin - August 1938 -- Miss Chaffee Becomes Bride of Mr. Catlin - In the presence of a few friends and relatives, Miss Gertrude Chaffee and Mr. James Catlin were married in the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Chaffee, northeast of Alva, Wednesday morning at ten o'clock. Mr. Catlin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Catlin, Elizabethtown, Indiana, and a nephew of Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Cox, Alva.

Clark-Veter & Woodson-Wagner - August 1938 -- Double Wedding Solemnized Here Friday - The home of Mr. and Mrs. John McKeever was the scene of an attractive double wedding Friday afternoon when Miss Thelma Clark of Buffalo became the bride of Mr. Bill Veter of Alva, and Miss Erma Woodson of Alva became the bride of Mr. Loyd Wagner of Buffalo.

Jones-Southall - August 5, 1938 -- Granddaughter of Alva Couple Marries - The Second Baptist church of Petersburg, Virginia was the sight of the wedding of Miss Helen Madera Jones and Joseph Harvie Southall, Friday, August 5. The bride is the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee Jones and is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Rowell of Alva.

Marsh-Hagaman - August 14, 1938 -- Hagaman-Marsh Engagement Announced - Mr. and Mrs. Earl Marsh, 1108 Sixth Street announce the approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Elaine Marsh, to Mr. Virgil E. Hagaman, Wichita, Kansas. The wedding is calendared for August 14th. Miss Marsh is a graduate of Northwestern State Teachers' college and has taught the past year in Beaver, Okla. Mr. Hagaman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Hagaman, Alamosa, Colorado.

This is Jack

You thought you had BIG ears! Check out Jack's ears. Who has the biggest ears... NOW?

Happy 32nd Birthday, Michael!

    It was 26 October 1970, early morning hours before dawn in Alva, Oklahoma. David and I were awaken with the wet feel of a gush of water breaking on the bed.
     It was not the waterbed, either. After waiting until daybreak, we head for the hospital... Not knowing what to expect, but anxious to meet our firstborn, Michael, as he makes his debut into the world and into our family. But... it wasn't until around Noon time that he took his first breathe of air to meet his parents, grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.
     Of course I did not make my classes that I was enrolled in at Northwestern State College that day or the next few days.
    AND... It was just the day before, October 25th, 1970, that Michael's eight-year-old cousin, Rene', had to have stitches in her belly after she fell through the glass part of the storm door at grandma & grandpa's home on Skyline Drive.

Happy Birthday, Mike!

Mailbag & Links Corner....

NW Oklahoma Old Timers... "Yea, I remember Mom talking about the Haltoms and the General store. Bet she knew your Grandmother (Mary Paris) who you said worked there at one time.
      "My Mom and Dad ran the telephone office at Hopeton when they were first married. That would have been about 1926. It was farmer owned if I remember right. I don't know how many years they did that. Grandma used to come up to the telephone office and stay with the switchboard when Mom and Dad wanted to go somewhere. That is Dora Hufford I am speaking of.
      "Doctor Enser lived with my Grandmother and Grandfather there on the place just South of Hopeton. He was a real prince of a fellow, had office in downtown Hopeton at that time. That would have been in the 1920's. I met him one time later at his home in Alva where he had moved. Trying to think of his wife's name. They had one child -- a little girl. He didn't marry until late in life, everyone thought he was going to be a bachelor forever.
      "I can remember being in bed there at the place South of Hopeton when I was a kid in the cold weather and the wind from the North and hear the Steam engines whistle for the crossing at Hopeton in the night when they went through town. If I remember right the track was right there at the South end of town. The whistle sounded mournful and cold.
      "Uncle Bruce Hufford worked in the roundhouse at Waynoka. Think the railroad was the Sante Fe at the time. He worked there for years and years.
      "Another Uncle, on the Hendricks side of the family was an engineer. I remember my Mother taking me down to the Union Station, there in Wichita, during the war (WWII) when his train came in and he was the engineer. I thought that had to be the greatest job in the world, him standing up there in the cab of that big steam engine with the wheels 8 feet high, and he could pull on the throttle and make her snort off down the track with all those cars behind him. Uncle Clarence was his name. Uncle Clarence Hendricks wife's name was Zatha. Got a letter from their Granddaughter-in-law the other day. She is working on family genealogy. She lives in Emporia, Kansas and is 80 years old now.
     "Wanted to tell you about Grandma Hufford down at Hopeton. Her name was Dora Viola Hendricks Hufford. They lived for part of their lives in a house on the West side of the road just South of Hopeton. Grandpa Ben F. Hufford did custom threshing work and had a big crew that traveled around the area with his big steam engine that ran the separator. I can remember him letting me blow the whistle on it when I was just a little guy (sixty years ago).
      "Grandma was a midwife to half of the Mothers in the area for twenty years or so, from about 1915 or 1920. My Mother told me that whenever she heard that someone was going to have a baby that she would cry, because she knew her Mother would be gone and Grandpa was such a terrible cook. She tells about him accidentally breaking the eggs and then just stirring them all together with anything else he was frying in the pan. She just couldn't stand that. She missed her Mother so much when she was gone. Grandma would go live with someone who was expecting until the baby was born and all was going well and then come back home. She was a wonderful Christian lady, went to church at Hopeton.
     "Mom told me about the prayer sessions they would hold at the church during the Second World War for the young men who were fighting oversea's. Mom said that not a one of those boys was killed that they were praying for during that time.
     "I remember Ruth Quinn, a friend of the family who had two boys fighting overseas. She used to pray by the hour for her 'boys' during that time. I stayed with them for a while during that time. Ruth found it comforting to have me staying with them so she didn't sorry so much about her two boys. Her husbands name was Herbert and he ran a gas station later in Alva. The most wonderful people you would ever hope to call friends!
     "Then there was Slim and Ethel who Grandma and Grandpa set up with some old furniture when they got married. Slim worked at the bakery in Alva for years and years, never had an ounce of fat on him, skinny as a rail. Trying to think of their last name. Isn't that terrible that it leaves me when I go to write it? Henry, that was their last name. Slim and Ethel Henry. They had three kids if I remember right, two boys and a girl. One of the boys lived in Winfield or Wellington, Kansas the last I knew and the girl lived at Beloit, Kansas -- I think it was. Worked in the home up there for Girls that were detained for various misbehavior. Lila, I think her name was. She finally married some fellow up there so her name would be different now. I think he worked there too.
     "We lived in Alva for some time. My Dad worked at OG&E, if that is what it was called then, but during the depression things got so bad that they let him go. Mom and Dad didn't have any kids then and they let the men go with no children to support.
     "My Uncle Walter Hufford worked there all his life and retired out of there about 1980 or before. His wife was Esther, think her maiden name was maybe Beacher. She worked at one of the banks in Alva for years and years, over on the Northwest corner of the square, if I remember right.
     "Mom had two brothers, the one lived at Waynoka, his son still lives there, was the postmaster for several years and carried mail for a long time. Grandkid and his family lived down there somewhere now. That brother name was Bruce. His son's name is Arbon. Arbon married the nicest German girl, Doris, who has been a real blessing to the family. She worked in the lumber yard in Waynoke with their son for many years. Haven't heard from them in quite a while now. I'm getting behind, but lot's of good memories.
     "My Mom gave piano lessons as a young girl all over the Hopeton area. Bruce used to have to drive her to her students before she was old enough to drive. He got terribly bored with that. They even went over to Avard for some lessons.
     "Mom learned to crawl on the dirt floor of a dug out as I remember her telling it. Grandma was something else, a fantastic Christian person. When Grandma died, Grandpa just quit living. She was everything to him. They were married more than 50 years -- ended up living in Alva their last years. He didn't live long after Grandma died -- lost his mind, etc. It used to be my job when I was in high school to watch him to make sure he didn't stray away. He got away a few times and like to drove Mom nuts. He just wanted to go 'home.' Bless him anyway. He was a real gem.
      "Guess I had better quit for this time. Cold night up here, the electricity was off for a while this morning. Hasn't frozen hard yet, but it is sure close. Had an inch of rain or a little more in the last 24 hours. Sure didn't need that. We had 6 inches in two days a few weeks ago and it came hard. Would sure have been nice if we had got that six months ago or a year ago when it was so terribly dry, now everything is a mess. Farmers can't get in their fields to drill wheat because of all the mud. Some of the wheat that was already drilled will have to be replanted.
     "Maybe some of these comments will give you some worthwhile information. Lot's more, but I'll quit for now before I run 'out of paper.'
     "Bless you in your work to allow some of the good people a chance to share their memories. I was born in Tulsa, in case I didn't tell you, so I am an Okie too." -- Rolan Cobb - on the farm South of Sterling, Ks.

Memories of Castle on the Hill... "I remember my Mother talking about the Castle on the Hill many years ago. She also talked of the fire. She had a plaque (plaster of paris) hanging on the wall of Mom & Dad's home of the building. She spoke very fondly of it. Dad's Father, Isom Lee Cobb, lived West of Alva on a farm. Dad, D. Monroe Cobb, went to high school there about 80 years ago. Loved the town and especially the people. There were eleven kids if I remember right, all became successful and honest citizens. Dad was the second from the oldest, he passed away in 1986. He was 82 years old. He died at Alva on a trip that we had taken down there. Never cease to miss him. Mom, Zona Susan Hufford Cobb, passed away at the age of 92 in February of 2002. She lived on a farm near Hopeton, South of Alva. Mom and Dad had two children, myself and my brother Bill. I was the oldest by two-half years. Bill lives in Wichita, Kansas.
      "Don't recall Mom saying anything much more about the Castle on the Hill. Sorry, but it's been a long time. I know it was around the house somewhere before we cleaned it out after we had to put Mom in a nursing home. Sort of like a 'plaster of Paris' type thing about six or seven inches high and eight or nine inches wide, a beautiful thing, sure hope we can find it. It must be a real classic. Don't know whether you have ever seen one of not.
      "I sure hope we can find that 'Castle on the Hill' plaque I was telling you about. Someone must have made a whole bunch of them and sold them in town somewhere. I think that was after the fire. Everyone wanted to remember how it looked before the fire.
      "You can use anything I say anywhere you want, no problem. Maybe it will bring someone some happiness. Good memories are worth a lot to all of us old timers.
      "Hope they have a good homecoming this weekend. Our weather is terrible up here in Kansas, electricity has been off, rain, sleet, and snow West of us. Sure makes it hard to take care of the cattle." -- Rolan Lee Cobb - w0hls@aol.com - Sterling, Kansas

How did We Survive... "Looking back, it's hard to believe that we have lived as long as we have.
      As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags. Riding in the back of a pickup truck on a warm day was always a special treat.
      Our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paint. We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets, and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets. (Not to mention hitchhiking to town as a young kid!)
      We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle. We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then rode down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times we learned to solve the problem.
      We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. We played dodge ball and sometimes the ball would really hurt. We ate cupcakes, bread and butter, and drank sugar soda but we were never overweight.... we were always outside playing.
      Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment.....
      Some students weren't as smart as others so they failed a grade and were held back to repeat the same grade.....
      That generation produced some of the best risk-takers and problem solvers. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.
      And you're one of them. Congratulations." -- Bud L.

Hurt Genealogy... "I read your Hurt genealogy and it was interesting. I am a Hurt but not related to you. The Hurts that I am related to come from Tennesee to Missouri and then to Kansas where I was born. But I just had to check out your site to see what it was. You have done a very thorough job of tracing your family." -- Wanda Hurt - wandahurt@comcast.net

Home Comfort Electric Range... "I have and old Home Comfort Stove and was trying to find out some information about the stove. It is A Home Comfort Automatic Electric Range Model E-1. I would like to know how old it is and what it is worth. Any info is appreciated greatly. Thanks." -- Lisa Burnham – Sunset3601@aol.com

Paris Genealogy... "I am a British Paris living in Sydney Australia. My family are an old British family and I was wondering whether we had dark distant relatives. There are Paris's in the UK and Australia!" -- Alexander Paris - alexander.paris@vignette.com

Searching An Old Friend... "I haven't received your wonderful newsletter the last 2 weeks. Please re-include me on your weekly mailings. They bring back many happy memories of Alva where I had some great times back in 1944 and a very lovely girlfriend, Mary Holten, whom I hope to be able to trace down one of these days. I hope you are OK and, if so, please put me back on to your weekly mailing. Thanks." -- Tom - Ttmc21@aol.com

Stewart-Wishert - April 16, 1938...

Miss Stewart's Betrothal Is Announced by Parents - Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Stewart, 1105 Center Street, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Meth Stewart, to T. Bryant Wishart (sic) of Kansas City, Mo.

Metcalf-Kent - July 31, 1938...

Miss Metcalf's Engagement To Donald Kent Announced - Mr. and Mrs. Theo Metcalf, 124 Barnes Avenue, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Eunice Metcalf, to Donald Kent, of Berkeley, Calif. The wedding is scheduled for July 31.

Ellis-Clark - June 1938...

Miss Merna Lee Ellis Becomes Bride of Vernal D. Clark - Wedding Ceremony is Performed in Home of Bride's Parents - An early June Wedding of particular interest to friends here was that of Miss Merna Lee Ellis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Ellis, 1026 Fourth street, and Vernal D. Clark, of Munday, Tex., son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Clark of Cherokee.

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