Oakie's NW Corner...
I am running quite late tonight... later than this Okie would like.
 As
I write this, my Pug puppy is lying in her crate fast asleep. I
have made a few changes to her name, though. You see... when we
are outside in the yard she loves to tackle the dandelion flowers
and their puff balls. She doesn't eat them. She just picks them
as she plows through our dandelion patch... leaving a slight furry
residue on her lower puppy dog chin. So.... I changed her name to
Duchess Dande-Lion Rose! Duchess is 10 weeks old this Friday weighing
in at close to 2 or 3 lbs. A real sweetheart of a puppy.
I have been spending a lot of time up in God's Country in NW Oklahoma
helping some friends with their horses and my horses the last few
weeks. My mare (Cindy)
still has not foaled yet, but someday soon; my 2-year old (Kassie)
is in the process of being trained; and my yearling horse (George
a.k.a Li'l Doc) became a gelding this week.
Trick of the Trade & Flying Farmers of the 1940s...
 I
happen to run onto this old news clipping of my dad, Gene McGill,
that I believe was taken in the late 1940s (1946). It was entitled
- Trick of the Trade. It read, "No one could ever forget
a crop of whiskers like this and that is the very practical reason
Gene McGill, Alva, wears them in weather like this. He starts to
grow his crop about the time it comes wheat harvesting time for
other farmers. As he goes northward with three combine outfits his
beard grows more luxurious. He definitely did not bring them down
to the Flying Farmers Cconvention to get his picture taken
-- but he refused to cut them off despite the kidding. He uses an
airplane to spot wheat fields which need cutting even far off the
beaten roads followed by other outfits -- and the man with the whiskers
gets the job."
As to the Flying Farmers... I was going through some of
my Dad's treasures the other day and found this August 21-28, 1946
booklet (113 pages), "World Congress on Air Age Education,"
that was held at the International House in New York City. On page
21 there is an Article about Flying
Farmers - Utility of Aircraft in Agriculture creates Community Airport
Needs and a short article about Gene McGill, past president
- National Association of Flying Farmers showing a photo
of Joseph Geuting, Torsten Lund and Gene McGill.
Hope you all had a great Easter weekend. Besides the Oklahoma City
Arts Festival starting the first of this week, we have been having
some rain and thunderstorms across the state. The wheat is growing
fast and is about knee high in some places. Green patches of wheat
fields make up this wheat quilt that stretches across our northwest
area of the state.
I am going to let you go for now. It is way past my bedtime. I
will see you all next month and next weekend, and hopefully at a
decent hour.
~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~
Old Avard Road - Unsolved Mystery 1956...
The mystery continues... with more unanswered questions sent in
by our readers. You can check out some of those questions and scenarios
in the Mailbag Corner.
I had another reader send me some crimescene photos that he acquired
through another source. I have stuck those on our website under
Anne Reynolds Mystery
- Crimescene
Photos. According to Anne
Reynolds death certificate, Anne's father was Earnest F. Newlin
and her mother was Marie Schroder.
How come the Nephew chose that day NOT to ride home with Anne
Reynolds like he usually would have? One elderly lady in the coffee
shop this friday morning informed me that the nephew was running
late that day and Anne did not want to wait for him. That same lady
is getting me a copy of the article that appeared in the "True
Detective" magazine back in the late 1950s. Who wrote this
article? Was it written by a distant relative in hopes of helping
solve Anne's mysterious death on 13 March 1956?
There was something else that sounded strange to me... about the
first couple of eyewitnesses on the scene were also on the inquest
jury. Was that the standard back in the 1950s? OR... Is that a no-no?
One of my readers that has been helping investigate this 47 year
old unsolved mystery sent me some information relayed to him by
another source, "The person who discovered the fire (the smoke
was noted quite a distance away), said that he walked a long distance
to reach it, as it was bordering or on his property. The strange
part was the shooter appeared at the scene to inform the police
that he fired the shells. With the lack of details in the report
regarding this, its hard to understand why he returned to the scene
in the first place, and secondly, why he would cast suspicion upon
himself. In any event, his gun was taken, tested, and confirmed
as the weapon used to fire the shells. His story was that he was
just shooting his gun."
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1950
- Woods County Democrats 
I believe
this photo was taken in the early 1950s in the Courtroom of the
Old Courthouse. The New Courthouse was built around 1956 or later.
There are 48 stars on the flag on the
wall - enlarging the calendars you can make out "June"
of "July" but not the year.
Gene McGill is the Democrat, standing
in the center; Charles "Charlie" Albright is the gentlemen
standing to the right of Gene; Oneita Riggs is seated to the left
of Gene. I believe the man seated with his back to us and on the
left side of photo might be Sam Riggs, but I am not sure of that.
If anyone else knows any more of the
people in photo or remembers the date, please Email
Linda. Click on photo for larger view.
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 Corner....
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Anne Reynolds Mystery... "Your mystery is well
on its way to ...... full disclosure. I think this is going to be
even more intriguing than my Mabel
Oakes Mystery, don't you? As usual, you really have me 'hooked!'
Sounds like quite a few people have clues and/or memories of the
case but ... your investigative methods REALLY intrigue me -- I'm
looking forward to finding out the ... 'Rest of the Story'. Bet
some law enforcement officer (retired or still working) on 'cold
cases' would be interested in assisting on this. Bet they would
find it challenging and intriguing also! Just wanted you to know
... I'm hopelessly hooked again. Atta girl and GO FOR IT!"
Anne Reynolds Mystery Comments... "Received the newsletter
with all the links to the newspapers articles, etc. Thank you very
much for your interest and for all the information provided by readers.
This is a very interesting case, and still intriguing. Too bad they
never solved it. Enjoyed reading all the clippings and reports. One
more time, thank you." -- Paula
Anne Reynolds Case... "Never assume anything and always
keep an open mind even when you think you know what may have happened,
be prepared to change it. I would think whoever first visited that
crime scene saw what it looked like even if it was the reporter who
wrote the article and reported what they saw. The down side is 'did
they protect the crime scene.' We drove past it so who knows."
Gas Can in Reynolds' Trunk... "The gas can in the trunk
would sure cause a fire if it spilled over and ran down to the Hot
tailpipe. As far as the plug, I didn't know the car had one. But if
it hit bottom, or stuck in a hole, jerking, it could be knocked lose.
Would be interesting to find out about that plug, what it was for.
I would think to get water out of the tank when filled with bad gas
maybe? Anyway, keep searching...... the answers are out there!"
1956 Reynolds Mystery - Ideas for Thought... "The following
is additional input [ideas for thought] on the Mildred Anne Reynolds
Unsolved Mystery, 13 March 1956. Nephew didn't ride home with her
that day. WHY? And how did he end up getting home that particular
day? Did someone ride home with her that day?
On 23 March 1956 only 10 days after
the car fire according to [Woodward News] – Victim’s Father
told reporters, he thought his daughter's death was accidental……
WHY? The inquest jurors had just determined they did not believe the
death was accidental and recommended further investigation. This statement
made by the victim’s father is somewhat out in left field so
early in the investigation… .isn’t it? Why was his opinion
so convincingly established in such short order? Why were all the
evidentiary facts being overlooked, so early on in the investigation?
Expended shell casings found and not
linked to case? Why? No further mention of individual that was interviewed
and responsible for expended shell casings. Why? Was mystery shooter
a juvenile or a high profile individual in the community? Owner of
firearm had to walk three miles to get to scene? Was this a juvenile
without transportation and hormones out of control?
Buttons torn from blouse found behind
vehicle. Not attributed to events of the crime/accident? Why? Shoe
found approximately 250 feet away [in front of vehicle] with traces
of blood.? Grassy area disrupted where assault presumably occured?
Was this area hidden from view of the road? Planned rendezvous? Assault?
Or possibly [both] with pre-determined sequence of events? Mention
of two different farmers at scene? Both apparently were first eyewitnesses
to the scene [other than perpetrator] and consequently ended up on
the board of inquest.
Easily accessible fuel product accelerants:
1. LP [liquefied petroleum] or Butane fuel. 2. Diesel or Gasoline.
3. Thinner Products from paint store or supplier. As in lacquer thinner,
mineral spirits, acetone, etc. 4. Airplane fuel. Jet fuel [JP-8].
Source of immediately available fuel
accelerants not specifically common to the scene and easily transportable...
1. Fuel Service Vehicle, as in a commercial fuel truck making deliveries
to farms.
2. Farm Service Pickup with large capacity fuel service tank in the
bed.
Question... Who close to the case would
have and did have immediate and common access to any of the above
fuel sources, had the opportunity to do the crime, was closely acquainted
with victim, and had motive to do the deed. And in what respect was
each individual that might come to mind, closely associated with the
investigation, and possibly linked to any of the above fuel sources.
The accelerants stated in the paragraph/s
immediately following could possibly be relative to any of the fuels/liquids
listed above... What fuel/product could have been used to ignite a
fire that would create such intense heat and be readily available
and easily accessible to use for accelerant?
Liquid Propane, probably within a tank
in the pickup bed that was at the scene and was driven by the perpetrator.
In a rural area, many farm pickups have been converted to LP fuel
and have tanks in the bed and many have a filler [transfer] hose attached
or carried within to fuel farm tractors, etc., as you well know. It
would have been easy enough to open the filler valve on the LP [liquefied
propane] tank with the transfer hose attached and literally 'spray'
the inside of the vehicle she [Anne] was driving, then carefully and
with caution set it afire in maybe a pre-planned scenario. Maybe,
from a distance, for safety's sake just expend a round, or two, or
three of ammunition into the vehicle through the windshield to cause
the volatile fire. A very small spark could have easily ignited the
LP fuel. It would have been easily within the realm of possibility
for a skilled individual to shoot 3 rounds of ammunition, or even
one, through the windshield while using the other one or two rounds
earlier to frighten the deceased and cause her to veer off the road.
Any projectile remaining within the vehicle, would have melted [as
did the windshield] and probably would never have been found or recovered.
Most incendiary damage is said to have
been at left rear of vehicle. The gas filler cap is located in that
area on a 1949 Chevrolet [if my memory serves correctly]. Was something
[a rag] stuck in the tank filler neck and then ignited? Or was a prepared
molotov cocktail thrown inside the vehicle after the interior was
saturated with the accelerant as the perpetrator/s escaped?
Was someone waiting, knowing she would
be on her way home and knew her normally traveled route. Or did someone
follow behind her to a point, then passed and overtook her. The perpetrator/s
then proceeding on to the next section line [as outlined] after turning
around, coming back toward her and blocked the road so she could not
proceed further, and at this point caused the chain of events that
eventually resulted in her death.
These ideas are presented, in hopes
that someone will remember a particular person or persons with easy
and immediate access to any of the accelerants above at the time of
the crime. Could the perpetrator possibly have been associated with
any of the accelerants above either through employment, occupation,
or use of same on a regular basis? Who would have been personally
acquainted with the victim, had knowledge of her daily routine, and
be inclined to commit this heinous crime? Thanks for your pursuit
of the truth in this case."
Devil's Advocate - 1956 Unsolved Mytery... Just playing devil's
advocate. Was there a crime? Was the nephew and/or a friend involved?
Maybe it was an accident. Could the father just wanted to be done
with it and put the pain of losing a daughter behind him? Whose blood
was on the shoe? Was the bullet shells on the scene before the incident
(farm boys shooting guns in a field)?"
Dixie-Sherman
Hotel... "Unfortunately, the Dixie-Sherman Hotel was
torn down in 1970, and now only a parking lot is there." -- Richard
E Pippin - Email: pippin25@juno.com
Boise City Bombing... "From your website you mention:
..... that Boise City is the only city in the continental USA that
was bombed during WWII? Sounds like another mystery to unravel, huh?
I read this on your website a few weeks ago - and then today I
found this 1993 newspaper clipping printed on the 50th Anniversary
of the event. I had cut out the article because the Boise City courthouse
is where I got married.
It states: On July 5, 1943, an Army
Air Force training unit stationed at Dalhart, Texas - about 30 miles
south of this Oklahoma Panhandle town - set out for a lighted practice
field roughly 20 miles northest of Dalhart. The unit's navigator made
a mistake and took the lights in the Boise City courthouse for the
target. The plane dropped six 100- pound practice bombs, loaded with
four pounds of dynamite and 90 pounds of sand, on Boise City.
It seems that none of the bombs hit
the courthouse but they all landed within 93 feet of it. Chamber of
Commerce officials have learned that several other such bombings occurred
although it is not clear if any of them involved a town. Boise City
was trying to locate the crew of the B-17 for the 50th Anniversary!
Anyway, thought I would pass this along to you. I contiune to enjoy
your website! According to the article in the Daily Oklahoman
it was a U.S. B-17 crew from a training unit in Dalhart, TX. It stated
that the unit's navigator made a mistake and mistook the lights of
the Boise City courthouse for the target. One of the bombs did not
explode and has been kept by residents. They cleaned it up and painted
it. At the time of this article (summer 1993) they were rainsing money
to put up a monument on the courthouse square." -- Patti
Boise City Bombed by Friendly Fire - WWII... "Boise City,
Oklahoma was the only city in the United States to be bombed during
World War II. On Monday night, July 5, 1943, at approximately 12:30
a.m., a B-17 Bomber based at Dalhart Army Air Base (50 miles to the
south of Boise City) dropped six practice bombs on the sleeping town.
The practice bombs weighed 100 pounds each and contained four pounds
of powder - the rest was sand. Several locations across town display
the remains of these bombs....." -- Cimarron
County Chamber of Commerce - Boise City Bombed
Looking for Ione Hada's Father... "My husband is always
interested in old Alva history. He collects old advertising from Alva
Businessess and all the old Northwestern
Castle on the Hill items he can find. Your archives have been
a great source of information to us. We now live in the house across
from your parents old home on Skyline. Have great week.
Do you have any ideas to help our family
search? My grandma Ione Hada's father disappeared without word leaving
the family (wife and 7 children). Nothing was ever heard of him after
they picked up his car in Hardtner, Kansas. Info I have: Name: Oren
Hinman LITTLE; Sex: M; Birth: 18 MAY 1888 in Chapin, Franklin County,
IA; Note: Has also been found as born in Hampton, IA. Father: Linter
Alvin LITTLE b: 11 JAN 1855 in Cherry Valley, Ashtabula County, OH;
Mother: Rosetta Elther HINMAN b: 29 SEP 1860 in Cottage Grove, Ramsey
County, WI; Marriage: 1 Leona MERKLIN b: 1891 in Cass County, MI,
Married: 18 AUG 1912 in Kiowa, Barber County, KS.
Grandma said he left home (near yellowstone)
in 1933 when she was 13. Uncle Dwight Little (his son) drove to Hardtner
to pick up his car at the railroad station. Later someone got word
to them that the car was there. Oren is listed in the 1920 census
in Yellowstone. I don't find him on the 1930 census, but not all states
are on line yet. I would think it would be worthwhile to check to
see if he is on the 1940 census somewhere.
Grandma Ione said they could never
find that he got a social security number. But it wasn't required
until 1935 or after he left. He is not listed on the SS Death list
to date. I wondered if we could find a marriage certificate for another
marriage at a later date. How about a drivers license archives search?
I forgot to add that someone thought
he was running a feedstore in Red Cloud, Nebraska. My dad said that
Walter Adams of northwest woods county onece started to tell him something
about Oren but his wife elma Adams walked by at the time and he stopped
mid-sentence and never would say anything about it again. Is there
some National Graves Registration we could research? Thanks for any
ideas!" -- Dixie - Email: nursedix2@yahoo.com
Vada's Diary
Entry - Lloyd Vincent... "I ran across the diary entry
and found the name of my grandfather, Lloyd Vincent. I'm not sure
it is same person. My grandfather lived in Arnett, Okla., and was
a farmer, insurance salesman and car dealer. He was commonly known
as L.A.W. Vincent. His second wife, Lela Vincent, still lives in Arnett."
--Ron Word
Chevy gas tank plugs, etc... "I had a '50 Chevy Fleetline
a few years ago, and while I was under the car a lot, I don't exactly
remember a drain plug; if it did have one, it was either a flush-type
with a recessed head , or if it protruded from the bottom of the tank
and had a square or hex-head (these plugs were usually NPT 1/8"
pipe thread), it wouldn't have been low enough to the ground to have
been a "drag" hazzard. Usually the lowest point of the back
end of a car is the center section of the rear axle (the "pumpkin"),
as far as ground clearance goes. As for the possibilities of someone
being incinerated in a car of that period, the interiors were made
from natural fibers such as wool upholstery, seats stuffed with horsehair
padding(quite flammable) and cotton batting, kickpanels and doorpanel
backings made from paper-board, often parrafin or asphalt impregnated,
jute padding under the carpets....lots of stuff inside the cabin that
burns... plus, if the fire were the result of an accident, the gas
tank could've been punctured... If this incident happened in 1956,
then the subject car would've been six years old, if it were travelling
"country roads" (unimproved?), the gas tank or fuel lines
could've become damaged by rocks and gravel; what it also possible
is that the cloth-covered wiring could've shorted and started the
fire, which then ignited other flammable stuff in the car.... I would
think that the cause of death would've been suffocation due to smoke
inhalation; the victim would've (hopefully) lost conciousness before
being immolated. I suppoes there were no witnesses? I don't think
the "drain plug getting knocked loose" is very plausible....but
that's only my little opinion...I haven't been under a '49-'50 Chevy
car for about 6 years now." -- Frank |
Thanks! You can also view The
OkieLegacy online.
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