Oakie's Heart to Heart, Vol. 4, Iss. 47

	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

November 23, 2002, Vol. IV, Iss. 47

Oakie's NW Corner...

Sometimes in your life for some reason or another, you put off viewing some historical moment in person to watch it on the television. Later you wish you had been there in person... only to mentally kick yourself afterwards for not showing up in person.

That happened to me this last weekend, Saturday, when the Oklahoma had the dedication of Oklahoma's Capitol Dome in OKC with entertainment, fireworks. The capitol dome has been 83-years in the making -- after the capitol construction -- The Capitol building finally got it's Dome. AND.... I watched from the easy chair of my living as the Dome Dedication unfolded on our local television station last Saturday, November 16, 2002. Now... I am mentally kicking myself for not viewing this historical moment live and in person. As I told a friend, "Que sera sera! (What will be will be!)"

I also slept through the meteor showers during early part of week. Does anyone out there have any great shots of the OKC Dome or Meteor showers to share with us? Guess I will have to wait another 30-some years to catch that next meteor shower, huh?

John f. Kennedy Portrait Where and What were you and your family doing on November 22, 1963? This Friday, November 22, 2002, will mark 39 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in the streets of Dallas, Texas by a snipers bullet? Do you remember where, what you (or your parents) were doing back to that date?

I would have been about 15 years of age. I was sitting in an Economics (or was it bookkeeping) class taught by Mr. Kendricks at Alva High School. Shortly after the afternoon school session had begun classes were interrupted and released for the rest of the day. Stunned, Shocked... not believing, realizing the impact the sniper's bullets would have on the citizens of this small, NW Oklahoma rural community -- only a stunned silence was heard while we gathered around the television for more news of Why and What had happened in Dallas earlier that day. What do you remember? Thanks for letting me jog your memories concerning November 22, 1963.

To change the subject... It has been in the 60s weather-wise this week. Sunny during the day but the nights get a bit chilly here in Oklahoma with even colder, Winter weather heading this direction this weekend. AND... in SW Colorado there is Peace & Victory in the Valley once again... And some are building snowmen already. Check out Quinton and the Snowman from Southwest Colorado.

Before I forget... One reader wrote in and mentioned that her husband was a police officer during 1954 when Monforts Drugstore burned down. So... now we know what year it burned in Alva, Oklahoma. Thanks to you all for your input and memories! Have a fabulous Thanksgiving next Thursday, November 28, 2002, with family, friends. See you next weekend around the same time.

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~

Ernest...

written by - Bill Barker (printed with permission from the author, Bill Barker -- "Splashes From the Past")

As a small boy growing up in Oklahoma, one of your first exposures is to country music. To paraphrase Ray Stevens, "It's everywhere."

My exposure started in the Forties during World War II. One of the most popular stars was Ernest Tubb. His deep, gravelly voice just seemed suited for sad songs about the war. "A Soldier's Last Letter" and "Rainbow At Midnight" captured the poignant feelings one had about the war.

After the war, while in high school, I had an experience that bonded me to Ernest even more. One of the rites of passage in my section of Oklahoma was working in the wheat harvest. A great time! Long hours, but usually the first real substantial wages a young boy earned. .... MORE

NW OK Marriages - 1939...

Fox-Yoder - Saturday, March 9, 1939, Lake Worth, Florida - Florida Marriage Is Announced here - An afternoon ceremony in the First Presbyterian church at Lake Worth, Fla., marked the marriage of Miss Dorothy Fox, daughter of H. E. Fox of Alva, to Kent Yoder. The marriage was solemnized at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, with the Rev. Fred A. Kullmar officiating.

Stambaugh-Dunning - April 13, 1939, Newton, Kansas - Gerna Lee Stambaugh and Harry H. Dunning Wed - Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Stambaugh of Kiowa, Kans., announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Gerna Lee Stambaugh, to Harry H. Dunning, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry H. Dunning of Wichita, Kans. The wedding was solemnized in the Methodist parsonage in Newton, Kans., on April 13 with the Rev. Mr. Coppladge officiating.

Whitzel-Templin -Saturday, December 23, 1939 - Chapel Vows Unite Couple - In the presence of immediate families and intimate friends, Miss Ruth Whitzel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Whitzel, Wakita, and Warne Templin, son of Dr. and Mrs. O. E. Templin, Alva, were united in marriage on December 23 at 4:00 o'clock p.m.

Sturdevant-Bois Smith -- Sunday December 24, 1939, Baltimore, MD - Coila Sturdevant Weds New York Man - Of interest to her many friends in Alva is the announcement of the marriage of Miss Coila Sturdevant of New York City, daughter of C. F. Sturdevant, to E. S. Bois-Smith, also of New York City. The afternoon nuptials were read by the Rev. B. I. McGowon, pastor of the Methodist church of Baltimore, in his home at 2:30 p.m. on December 24.

Torrance-Ensminger - Sunday, December 24, 1939, Alva, Oklahoma - Yule Wedding Joins Couple - A simple morning ceremony in the Torrance home near buffalo marked the marriage of Miss Agnes Torrance, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Torrance, and C. Elmore Ensminger, Alva, son of Mrs. Martha Ensminger, Dodge City, Kans.

White-Harrover - December 24, 1939 - Marriage Vows Are Exchanged - In a pretty and simple home wedding at 9 o'clock Sunday morning, Mrs. Leota White daughter of Mrs. Eva Eakin, Cherokee, became the bride of Ben Harrover, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Harrover. The ceremony took place in the B. F.Hharrover home 728 Church Street, with the Rev. W. A. Keller pastor of the Christian church in Cherokee, officiating.

Tuenge-Waggoner - Monday, December 25, 1939 - Private Church Wedding Held - An early morning wedding on Monday, December 25th, marked the marriage of Miss Charlotte Anne Tuenge, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Tuenge of St. Louis, and Marion A. Waggoner, son of Dr. and Mrs. E. E. Waggoner of Tonkawa.

Morrison-Hada - Wednesday, December 27, 1939 - Church Vows Exchanged Wednesday evening - At an evening church wedding Wednesday, Miss Laura Morrison became the bride of John Hada. Mrs. Hada is from Seiling and Mr. Hada is an Alva resident. They plan to make their home in Nevada, Mo.

George & Buddies Nibbling Hay

George (a.k.a. Doc's Big Al) is the one on the left with his nose in the alfalfa hay bale. Click photo to experience the larger view of the George and his buddies.

Quinton and the Snowman
Southwest Colorado

(Click Photo to see larger view.)

Mailbag & Links Corner....

Remembering Nov. 22, 1963... The day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by unknown gunmen in Dallas, Texas. Do we know the whole story? Are there still unknowns out there? Was it a domestic conspiracy? Where were you on Nov. 22, 1963? - A Century of News: Nov. 22, 1963 -- JFK Resources Online

22 November 1963... "We were celebrating our 16 wedding anniversary. We were watching TV when the news told of it. We had 9 children by then. My daddy had died three years before in November and my mother had move to a small town. At first I could not believe it was true. The rest of the day, we watched the event unfold and the old facts broadcast over and over. There was much anxiety as to why, and who did this terrible thing.
We are Republicans, but that mattered not. Our president had been shot. We have visited the site where Kennedy was shot and the warehouse room and window where Oswald stood as he did his dastardly deed.
It gives one a cold and eerie feeling to be where Oswald stood and look out the window where Kennedy was riding by when all happened. To this day we still feel there are many hidden facts about the event." -- Lois

22 November 1963... "November 22, 1963! 550 Strategic Missile Squadron, Schilling AFB, KS. Had just come off a 28 hour shift at an Atlas Missile site and gone into Salina to do the laundry. The TV was on, and I had just dumped the soap into the machine, the soap-opera was interrupted with the news that President Kennedy had been shot. Was not quite as much of an 'Alert' for the squadron as the Cuban Missile Crisis had been, but did cause a bit of tightening of work schedules. Thirty-nine years later, it is our 30th wedding anniversary. All things considered, and not to take anything away from the 1963 day, the 1972 day has probably impacted my life much more dramatically." -- Marvin

22 November 1963… "I was 42 years of age and had been practicing pharmacy in the neighborhood Drug Store which I owned in the Broadlawn Shopping Center at Ardmore, Oklahoma. I was having a cup of coffee with a customer at one of the fountain booths and listing to the radio as we visited.
      We had just been discussing the fact that President Kennedy was to be in Dallas that day and were looking forward to a full television report of that occasion by that evening.
      The particular FM station I was tuned to strictly provided easy-listening music and had nothing but music on its format. Suddenly the music was overcome by an announcer that simply stated 'From Dallas it has just been reported that President Kennedy has been shot - future details will be reported when received.'
      I quickly tuned to another radio station eager to learn the details. The elementary school which was located just across the school quickly closed down and people were arriving from everywhere to pick up their children. It seems that the world simply came to a sudden halt. Businesses closed early, people appeared to be in shock and were crying and praying that President Kennedy would not be seriously injured.
      There were not to be any details for quite sometime and as bits of information came in, the news was not good. Soon it was known that President Kennedy had died It was a terrible day and our country was in a state of bewilderment and grief for a very long time. Today it seems that many questions remain unanswered concerning this tragic event." -- Ernest

1954 - Monfort Drugs Store Burning... "I read in your Okie Legacy this week that you are wondering about when Monfort Drug burned. My husband, Frank Cummins, was a policeman in Alva at the time and he says that it was in 1954. He was not working at the time the fire started; but went to work early to direct traffic. Also, I noticed that you lived at 7th & Church St. Do you remember Pearl (Tidwell) Cummins Smith? She lived at 714 Church St. After she died in 1955, her son and wife, Scott & Minnie (Sharp) Cummins lived there off and on when not living at the farm NW of Camp Houston. Pearl was Frank's grandmother and Scott was Frank's father." -- Jan Cummins

Waynoka's Branch of Monfort Drug Store...

In the Pioneer Footprints Across Woods County history book, pg. 237, there is a picture of the J. W. Monfort Drug Store in Waynoka. (Click photo to see larger view.) .... MORE brief history of J. W. Monfort's Drug Stores in Northwest Oklahoma

Monfort Memories... "I had thought that Monfort Drug had burned down about 1958 as I remember going over after the fire and rescuing 1 book. It still smelled of smoke in the 60's when I got married and moved in 1967. I guess it wasn't 1958 by the pictures and yearbook, though. I guess we may have been visiting someone in town before we moved in and that's when I got the book off the pile of burned books and such. The book is almost gone (you can't read anything out of them as they are about 1/2 to 2/3 gone.) It just seemed such a shame not having something of the past, even though it was almost burnt up. I do remember they had root beers at the soda fountain inside and gazing longingly at the penny candy in the jars and trying to choose which candy to buy. There were so many to choose from. I also remember how nice the workers were in the Drug Store. It was as if I was their main customer for the day. Keep the great columns coming. I love to read it all." -- Jenni

Don't Forget the Old Folks... "Don`t forget the old folks on this Happy Thanksgiving Turkey Day, Try to keep in mind one year you might be this very vision yourself someday....

Old folks may have hair the color of snow on their mountaintops and they may also move at the pace of a snail, But a bit of compassion goes a long way for a disabled from a neighbor or cared one putting joy vision in a persons heart making them feel pure happiness if only for a short spell.

Now, most folks cook enough for an army on the day All Gather Together for their Blessings "Giving The Father In Heaven Thanks." Give a thought if you will to those with no family and just maybe consider adopting a few lonely folks to family ranks.

For what Holiday Is Ever More Lovely than one missing Love and Harmony, and sharing haring what you have with others while in process building ones own Life`s Profound Heart Warming Memories?" -- by - Sherry Kersey

Appreciation from a Friend... "I've been reading your newsletter, and you do a lot of work on it. I know a lot of people appreciate it."

22 November 1963... "On that date I was thirty two years old. I was in New York City idly wandering around in Times Square waiting to board a bus for the airport to take me to my home in South Carolina.I had attended a business meeting at my Company's headquarters on Madison Ave. Suddenly I heard screams and moans and observed people walking about shaking their heads and crying extremely agitated. I stopped in the door of a cafe that had a television and learned the terrible news the President was dead. Shot and killed by a then unknown gun man,
I was stunned and wandered aimlessly about the street and found my self at the entrance to the New York Times. They had on display in the window of the entrance copper facsimiles of all their most famous stories down through the years. I remember seeing the front pages for the assassinations of Presidents Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley. I remember thinking that another page would soon be added
I then went to the airport. My main memory was how silent every one was as if this tragic event had suddenly muted the entire country. When the plane was taking off the sky looked very gray and somber. I saw a flight of large birds heading out to sea. I took that as an omen of losing something that we desperately wanted to hold onto." -- Bill

Splashes From the Past... Attached is a coming of age story that happened to me when I lived in Alva in the Summer of 1948 that turned out to have some legs as you will see. I had spent the Summer scooping wheat out of boxcars at the big elevator and I was up for anything with a pocket full of cash burning a hole in my pocket. This is one of the stories in Splashes From the Past.. You have my permission to put it on your site if you like." -- Splashes... Ernest by Bill Barker

Scenery & Animals... "As I mentioned before only seen Tahlequah (searching from a book image) and Tulsa, but my heart loves scenery and animals... Was enthralled by your pics of horses, but more so by the yard scenery... Oh... Was so pretty. Enjoyed bits and pieces of family views. Thanks for sharing online those things that keep memories alive! For many elders, this a reason for rising in the mornings... Hugs." -- Sherry

Thanks & Genealogy Links... "It's been a long time since I have thanked you for your Okie Legacy. I really do appreciate them and will probably wear out the Genealogy links, searching for my father. I did find my favorite aunt this morning, and have possibly linked my father's marriage to my mother, who was this aunt's sister. I want you to know that I appreciate all of your letters. Boy! Howdie! Moon has really grown. He is a pretty, nice formed horse. I don't have horses anymore since my Gypsy died at 34 of congestive heart failure August 13, 2001. I've had horses since the early 60's, but Gypsy and Snostar (her son) were the last two that I had. I used to go to the Stockyards to listen to the music, but the herd rides right past there, and I was more into petting the horses than I was into the music. I really do love them. You do a wonderful job on all of your journals and they are thoroughly enjoyed." -- Ann

Pawhuska 1906 Photos Inquiry... "I had thought at one point you had a photo of Pawhuska on your site somewhere. I thought I had saved the photograph and now that I need it, of course, I can't find it! Appreciate your help." -- Susan in NH at lang@mcttelecom.com

Taylors, Duels & Cherokee... "My Brother and I are just starting to look for all our Okie Roots. I was born in Cherokee and it would seem our family, Taylor & Duels were in around Woods County, Woodward, Carmen and Cherokee area's. Also My Step Grandfather had been a part of the Cherokee Land Rush he was a DeFever. So far have found a Reunion Newsletter 1985 for the Taylors. Reunions held in Woodward up 'till 1985. You have a great site and I will be checking it in greater detail." -- Cathy at ctaylor@kci-com.com

Whizbang (a.k.a. Denoya)... "I Was just reading about Whizbang, aka DeNoya. An obituary notice in the Houston paper attracted quite a bit of notice as it said the deceased man was born in Whizbang. Having grown up in Bartlesville, where my dad sold clothes for 60 years, I knew where it was, as we always used the term "up in the Osage." I now live in Sugar Land, Texas, on the southwest side of Houston, and have attained 88 years. My dad was always involved with professional baseball teams in Bartlesville and was business manager of the Bartlesville Broncos in 1932, when they were in the Western Association, which was a Class C league. One of the funniest stories occurred late in th at season. The league was down to four teams - Bartlesville, Muskogee, Hutchinson, Kansas, and Springfield, Missouri. Things were so bad financially at Muskogee that for their last home game against Hutchinson, they didn't even have any baseballs for the game. Hence."

Great American Foot Race in 1928... Oklahoma Cherokee Indian, Andy Payne (20-year-old, shy son of an Oklahoma farmer who entered the race because "I just thought I could do it."). Andy Payne, born in Foyil, Oklahoma wins the top price of $25,000 in the 1928 foot race from Los Angeles, California to New York City along Route 66. The foot race began March 4th, 1928 at 3:30 p.m. at Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles. 55 runners out of 199 finished on May 26th, 1928 in Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Foot Race was dubbed "The Bunion Derby."

Sherman, Oklahoma… "I grew up north of Chester in the Sherman area. Sherman, North of Chester, had a post office and store that I know of. There was more but was before my time. The old timers said it was once a busy little town." -- Jeanene Newman Bonicelli at jjbonicelli@aol.com

Sports Spasms Revived... "You have a great site! I am deeply interested in Alva and was born there in 1939. I am currently living in Alva, having returned eight years ago after teaching school for 32 years. My father was the E.M. Barker who wrote often about Bill McGill and also penned the article in the 1943 Review Courier anniversary edition about early baseball in Alva. He also wrote a daily column entitled Sports Spasms. One of my dreams was to someday take over that article. I didn't take it over, but I did revive it after about a 35-year hiatus. I am currently writing the column under the same Sports Spasms heading, and often write about Alva's early days, early athletics, etc. I would greatly appreciate receiving your online newsletter. Thank you very much and keep up your wonderful work!" -- Jim at jpbarker39@aol.com

Snopes Website Story... "I thought this entry from the Urban Legends Reference Pages might interest you. Might want to take a good look at this one!! (According to the SNOPES website, this is TRUE about dialing #77 on your cellular pone! Make sure to pass this on! This is the link to SNOPES to read the variations in this story but it IS apparently TRUE!" -- Karel

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