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
January 4, 2003, Vol. V, Iss. 1

Oakie's NW Corner...

The beginning of another year. OU (Oklahoma University) Sooners brought home the Rose Bowl trophy to Norman and Oklahoma with a 34-14 win over Washington State. 2003 gives us another year to gather more Okie Legacies and hear more of your memory jogging histories.

Someone wrote and inquired about, "How many Pro-Baseball leagues there were in 1904." I do not have the answer to this and thought maybe some of you out there could help find the answer.

Another reader wrote in concerning his GG-Grandfather, Wiley Cowan. It seems that Tom Dyer wrote a poem about Wiley Cowan that appeared in the obit in the Alva paper in November of 1935. If anyone has a copy of that 1935 Obituary to share, send it this way. Also, Wiley Cowan was a superintendant of the Eagle Chief Pool Ranch - foreman of the Schlupp Balinger Ranch; and the first whiteman to travel the Old Cantonment Trail. I was looking back at some of my "Fairvalley Legacies" and found the following little tidbit that I had gotten from Wilma Terrill that she compiled in 1997...

".....Mart Benson was an old timer who worked for Wiley Cowan and followed the trail a long time. At one time he wintered on Anderson Creek, then he homesteaded where Iva and Virgil Murrow lived....."

Before I end here and send you to explore some more NW OK Marriages dating from 1940-41, I have to mention here that the beginning of this week brought sad news the morning we left Colorado Rockies to head back home to Oklahoma.

It was early Monday morning, 30th of December 2002, that we received a call that my two-year-old black gelding (Moon) was found dead in his stall at a trainer's near Shawnee, Oklahoma. We haven't heard the results of the autopsy yet, but we are told that Moon was a bit nervous. I have to tell you this, though... He wasn't use to being confined in a stall and has had the pasture to roam in most of his almost three years.

Some may say he was just another animal, but to me he was like a member of the family. We took our first steps into learning about horses with each other. He sent me to Parelli's horse camp in Pagosa Springs, Colorado the first week in May, 2002 for a week so I could learn his language.

To me he was a priceless family member that greeted me everytime I walked into his pasture. I will not forget him or the first time I put a halter on him and lead him around the corral. I will not forget the first time I put a saddle on him and had to get me a stepping stool to reach the stirrups to set in the saddle. Then there was the time I was riding him in the pasture and he stopped short and flipped me off his back and I landed on my backside out in front of him -- still holding on to the reins. He just stood there while I caught my breathe -- stood up and walked him back to the corrall.

To leave you on a happier note... May your hopes, dreams become reality - May they be everything you want them to be for 2003. See you all next weekend around the same time... or earlier!

~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~

NW OK Marrigage 1940-'41...

Farrell-Irons - Thursday, 1940 - Miss Lucille Farrell Wed to Perry Irons In Impressive Ceremony Thursday - Uniting two well-known Alva families was the marriage of Miss Claudia Lucille Farrell and Perry Irons at 7 o'clock Thursday evening. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Farrell while Mr. Irons is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Irons.

Sims-Rush - Saturday, June 8, 1940, Enid, Okla. - Marriage of June 8 Is Announced - Miss Modean Sims was married to Donald Rush Saturday evening, June 8, in Enid at the Study of Rev. James Sours, Central Christian church. Mrs. Rush is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sims of Waurika, Okla. Mr. Rush is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Rush, Alva, Okla.

Keys-Torn - June 22, 1940, Oklahoma City, OK - Second Member of Quadruplets To Marry June 22 - Hollie, Okla. May 31 (1940) - The Keys quadruplets are about to lose a second member of their famous quartet via the wedding route. Announcement has been made here that Roberta Keys will marry Roland S. Torn of Canton, Tex., June 22 in the First Baptist church in Oklahoma City. Mrs. Fowler; Miss Leota Keys, speech instructor at Baptist Academy, San Marcos, Tex.; and Miss Mary Keys, teacher in the Edmond high school, will be members of Roberta's bridal party. The quads are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Flake M. Keys of Oklahoma City, former residents of Hollis. Robert's husband-to-be is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Torn of Taylor, Tex.

Sanders-Shaefer - Thursday, June 26, 1940, Alva, Okla. - Gloria Sanders, Oscar Schaefer Wed Thursday - A wedding of interest to their many friends is that of Miss Gloria Lee Sanders, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. L. Sanders, of San Diego, California, and Oscar W. Schaefer, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Schaefer, Alva. The wedding vows were exchanged Thursday morning, June 26 at the Lutheran church of Alva. Rev. Otto Hoyer officiated, with members of the immediate family present.

McConnell-Thomas, Jr. - July 16, 1940, Anniston, Ala. - Florence McConnell, Arthur Thomas, Jr. Exchange Vows - Married, July 16, in Anniston, Ala., were Miss Florence McConnell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ira E. McConnell of Topeka, and Arthur Thomas, Jr. Mrs. Thomas is a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Bowling of Capron, Okla.

May-Garvin - Thursday, 1941 - Jean May and Loyd Garvin Are Wed In Simple Marriage Ceremony Thursday - In an impressive ceremony at 9 o'clock Thursday morning Miss Jean Kathryn May and Loyd Clinton Garvin were married in the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stanley W. May, 908 Seventh Street. The bride is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Miller, pioneer residents of Alva, while Mr. Garvin is the son of Mrs. Mamie Duel, Carmen.

McClure-Davey - June 3, 1941 - Engagement Announcement of Miss Linnie Lee McClure and Frank Vincent Davey - Interesting to Alva is announcement of the engagement and approaching marriage of Linnie Lee McClure, former Alva girl, to Frank Vincent Davey of Los Angeles, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. George Lowry McClure, Alva, announce the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Miss Linnie Lee McClure, to Frank Vincent Davey, son of Mrs. Joseph A. Davey of Los Angeles, Calif., formerly of Buffalo, N.Y. The wedding will follow Miss McClure's graduation from Mount St. Mary's college in California in June.

Quigley-Reeves - August 1, 1941 - Former College Student Weds Friday Evening - Married Friday evening, August 1, at the home of Rev. and Mrs. A. Ray Vaughan, were Miss Vuren Quigley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Quigley, Elkhart, Kans., and Marvin Reeves of Guymon.

Blumberg-Barkley - October 12, 1941 - Miss Blumberg and Mr. Barkley Are Married October 12 - A marriage of interest to their many friends in Alva is that of Miss Marian Blumberg, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neil Blumberg, and J. D. Barkley, son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Barkley. The marriage vows were read October 12, in Enid, Oklahoma, by W. J. Gettel.

Bryson-McJunkin - November, 1941 - In an early November wedding, Miss Lena Bryson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Bryson, Alva, became the bride of Lloyd A. McJunkin, Wichita. The wedding vows were read in Newton, Kansas, with Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hobbs as the only attendants. Mrs. McJunkin is a graduate of Alva High School and attended Northwestern State college where she was president-elect of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority for the year 1941-42. During the term of 1940-41 she was elected queen of the Ranger yearbook. Mr. McJunkin is the son of O. J. McJunkin, Wichita, and a graduate of Wellington high school.

Lehl-Staake - November 24, ca. 1941 - Miss Freida Lehl, Fred W. Staake Are Married November 24 - In a simple ceremony, November 24, Miss Freida Lehl became the bride of Fred W. Staake, at Medford, Oklahoma. The bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Lehl, Alva, wore a blue-green tweed suit with black accessories.

Green-Peebles - December 14, ca. 1941 - Miss Bertha Alice Green Becomes the Bride of Francis Marion Peebles - In an impressive ceremony Sunday afternoon, December 14, Miss Bertha Alice Green, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Green, Alva, became the bride of Mr. Francis Marion Peebles, Mutual, Oklahoma. The single ring ceremony was performed before an improvised altar of ferns and flowers with Rev. M. F. Langley, of the First Baptist church, officiating.

Schooley-Farrell - December 21, ca. 1941 - Approaching Marriage of Couple announced - Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Schooley have announced the engagement and approaching marriage of their daughter, Bernice, to Mr. Kenneth Farrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson D. Farrell of Alva. The ceremony will take place in the home of Miss Schooley's parents, 1330 Flynn, December 21, at 2:30 p.m. Rev. M. F. Langley, pastor of the First Baptist church, will officiate. Mr. Farrell is now director of music in the Mooreland, Oklahoma, schools.

Rev. A. Anthony Isenbart
To Sing Mass - 1940
Rev. Isenbart, Alva, Okla., 1941

Seats Reserved For 300 Members - Father A. Anthony Isenbart, the first man in this parish to be ordained to priesthood in the Catholic church, will sing his first solemn high mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, 1940, in the Sacred Heart church here.... Click HERE for the 1940 News Article

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Linda K McGill Wagner
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PO Box 619, Bayfield, CO 81122

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Mailbag & Links Corner....

1940 Obituary of Orthorena Thonsgard, Alva, Oklahoma... City Woman Dies Sunday - Mrs. Othorena Thonsgard, 61, died at 10:35 Sunday morning at 900 Choctaw. Funeral services will be held from the Baptist church here at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon with Rev. A. F. Wasson officiating. Burial will be in the AOUW cemetery. Surviving Mrs. Thonsgard, other than the widow, A. P. Thonsgard, are: four sons, W. J. Spencer, Elkhart, Kans.; Charles Spencer, Dover; and Albert and Carl Spencer, Hennessey; Two daughters, Mrs. Mary Rebel and Mrs. Edna Fullerton, both of Alva. She is also survived by two sisters and one brother. The sisters are Mrs. Edna Morehead and Mrs. Julia Roberts, both of Beloit, Kans. One brother, William Boyd, lives at Barnhard, Kansas.
New mexico Pre-Christmas snow - Dec. 2002New Mexico Snow... "While I miss the snow at times, and enjoy the brief contacts we have here in southern New Mexico, in the long run it wears thin rather quickly. It began to snow here about 8pm on Monday evening, and when I went out to get the paper on Tuesday morning everything was blanketed. Unfortunately for those who were hoping for a White Christmas, it has mostly melted by Christmas morning. There is still a dusting on the mountains, and from what they are reporting, Ski Apache at Ruidoso has some excellent skiing. Forgot to mention our thankfulness for the snow being received in Colorado. While it greatly helps with the dryness we are experiencing, the 2003 irrigation season here is looking rather bleak unless the snows in Colorado continue. Hope your New Years is a happy one, and look forward to Okie Legacy in 2003. God bless." -- M. Henry
Wiley Cowan Inquiry... "I am very interested in your website. Recently, I began research into my GGGrandfathers life and legacy. Wiley Cowan was, according to his Obit of 11/11/35 the cowboy that 'Out pioneered them all.' Tom Dyer wrote a poem about Wiley Cowan that appeared in the obit in the Alva paper in November of 1935. Among other things, Wiley was credited with being the first white man on the Old Cantonment Trail. Superintendent of the Eagle Chief Pool Ranch, and foreman of the Schlupp Balinger Ranch. He drove cattle and horses 7 times on the Chisholm trail. Information is that he was in the 'area' around 1863. The family still has land from the original ranch in Harper County. I have researched many of the Chronicles of Oklahoma at the Historical Society in OKC. Question -- Do you have any suggestions of other sources of info on Wiley Cowan." -- Marvin Wiebener @ Mwiebenerintulsa@aol.com
Black, Salwaechter, Lovellette & Stebens of Carmen, Oklahoma... "You have a wonderful web site. I am searching for information on my family. My grandmother Floriene Salwaechter was born in 1914 in Carmen, Oklahoma. I am trying to find out more about her parents and grandparents. The surnames include Black, Salwaechter, Lovellette. Thanks for your site and any other information you might have. I am interested in family history and find that my roots go to Carmen, OK. I am trying to find out more about my GGG-Grandfather George Black. He married Sarah Lovellette in 1864 in Illinois. His daughter Gillian Caroline Black married George Salwaechter. Gillian passed on in 1874 and is buried in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Carmen. I have several pictures and items that lead me to beleive that they lived in Carmen. If any of these names ring a bell please let me know. I am researching my wife's genealogy and find that her Great-Great-Grandmother passed away 3 May 1925 in Carmen, Oklahoma. She immigrated from Russia. Her husband was John Stebens who passed away 27 December 1929 in Carmen. Any information would be helpful. Thanks." -- Stan Mills @ stan.mills@emiservices.com - phone: (208) 528-7527
A 1904 Baseball Fan... "My Great-Grandpa played back in 1904 when he started to play professional, can't seem to find any information. Only this, A Hans Mangold lived in San Antonio, Texas. Jackob Mangold was my Great-Grandpa's Name. What I know is... he was 18 and started to play Professional Baseball in Kearny County / Larkin Kansas. He lived in Kearny County, Kansas. Nothing much. How many baseball teams were there in 1904? If you can help me let me know." -- Javan @ jdunken5@bluevalley.net
WWII POW Camp Personnel in Alva, Oklahoma... " I enjoy your website very much. I do have question concerning army personnel (guards) at the Alva camp. My biological father, James E. Kern, was stationed at the Alva Camp. I have been trying to locate him for over 35 years to no avail. Do you know of any list of army personnel that was stationed at the Alva Camp or of anyone I might contact that could provide that type of information? I have previously conversed with local Alva personnel who worked at the camp but no one remembers my father being there? I would greatly appreciate any information or suggestions you might have. Thank you." -- Larry Johnson - Email: VillainMoonquake@worldnet.att.net
Old Cherokee Chief... "The Old Cherokee Chief sat in his reservation hut smoking the ceremonial pipe and eyeing the two US government officials sent to interview him. 'Chief Two Eagles,' one official began, 'You have observed the white man for many generations, you have seen his wars and his products, you have seen all his progress and all his problems.' The chief nodded. The official continued, 'Considering recent events, in your opinion where has the white man gone wrong?' The chief stared at the government officials for over a minute, and then calmly replied, 'When white man found this land Indians were running it. No taxes. No debt. Plenty
buffalo. Plenty beaver. Women did most of the work. Medicine man free. Indian men hunted and fished all the
time.' The chief smiled and added quietly, 'White man dumb enough to think he could improve system like
that.'" -- Bud
Carmen Home - Roster of Residents... From 1924 thru 1939 - Roster of Residents, Carmen Home
Carmen, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma - Odd Fellows Home, Carmen, Oklahoma.
It was 1949... The Carmen Home for aged citizens opened in Carmen, OK. The Carmen Home in Carmen, Oklahoma was established as a home for aged citizens in 1949. Rev. J.M. Lemmon, Superintendent of the Great Plains Conference, moved his family to Carmen and assumed duties as Administrator of the Carmen Home. The home, which is often at its maximum occupancy of 65, is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Nursing Homes and classified by the State of Oklahoma as an A-1 Nursing Home. After almost 40 years of leadership, Rev. Lemmon resigned as Administrator and was followed in leadership by his oldest son David Lemmon. Rev. J.M. Lemmons remains as the chaplain for the home.
Avard, Oklahoma & Herrmann's... "My mother was raised in Avard. My grandparents names were Abe & Anne Herrmann. My mother's name is Janice, she is the youngest of 6 childern. I was looking through all the pages and I can't find the one that has a picture of a storm cellar. My mother wanted me to find out where it was located in Avard so she could go see it on her next visit. Thanks for your time." -- Kim Foust @ rkf84@datalinkok.com

Thanks! You can also view The OkieLegacy online.