Oakie's NW Corner...
I suppose you all made it through the Super Bowl weekend of commercials
and the snowstorms in the northeast USA. The weather here in Oklahoma
still changes every three or four days from Spring to Winter to
Spring and back to Winter again. The head cold is gone, though!
I have spent this week browsing through an old June 25, 1950, Alva
Review Courier this week and found some goodies to share. One of
those goodies was a 1950
Political Ad for State Senator that my Dad, Gene McGill, had
placed on page 9 of that newspaper. It read as follows... "Let's
Elect Gene McGill Democrat for State Senator, Woods-Woodward Counties."
On that same page was a marriage announcement of the 21 June 1950
marriage of M. Felicia Monfort, MD to Robert L. McGill. I also found
an Ad for Monfort's
Drug Store... advertising fireworks, night displays for homes,
safe sane fireworks for children and fireworks headquarters at Monfort
Drug Store.
If you turn to page 12 of that same paper, you would find MORE
Political Announcements, such as... Lt. Gov. -James E. Berry,
democrat; US State Senator - Elmer Thomas, democrat; State Senator
- Claude Davis (democrat), Gene M. McGill (democrat), J. G. Jim
Powers (Repub.); State Rep. - Ben Easterly, democrat; District Judge
- Tom Hieronmus (democrat), Fred Spellman (Repub.); County Comm.
Dist. 1 - W. C. Bill Romjue (democrat), J. M. Jay Wert (democrat);
County Comm. Dist. 2 - Frank Nickelson (Repub.), J. F. Remiattee
(democrat); Court Clerk - Wesley Everett Ellison (democrat), Orvel
E. Brown (democrat).
Early Thirties Economy... Let us go back to 1931 with a
brief history of the Early
Thirties Economy In 1930 and 1931, the decade opened with unparalleled
prosperity and growth. Nation's business magazines labeled the panhandles
of Oklahoma and Texas as the most prosperous region. The Panhandle
was a marked contrast to the long soup lines of the Eastern United
States. 1930 was dry but most of the farmers made a wheat crop.
In 1931 the wheat crop was considered a bumper crop with over twelve
million bushels of wheat. Wheat was everywhere, in the elevators,
on the ground and in the road. The wheat supply forced the price
down from sixty-eight cents/bushel in July 1930 to twenty-five cents/bushel
in July 1931. Many farmers went broke and others abandoned their
fields.
An Alleged 1931 Road Trip...  This
next little bit of Okie history concerns a 1931 Road Map owned by
Bob McGill. It was of New Mexico, the sunshine State. A pencil-lined
road trip starting at Boise City in the Oklahoma panhandle and advancing
through the eastern sites of New Mexico follows US-64 and sometimes
the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway lines until he reached
Carlsbad, New Mexico.
This 1931 Road Map of New Mexico belonged to Bob McGill (15 years
of age). I am assuming the trip began at Boise City, Oklahoma heading
west towards Kenton, Okla. on US-64 to the New Mexico towns of Folsom,
Capulin, Des Moines, and Clayton. Turning around at Clayton and
backtracking his route back to Capulin and Raton. Then it takes
a turn south down US-85 to Las Vegas, taking off on US-66 southeast
towards Santa Rosa and then heading east on US-54 through Cuervo,
Newkirk, Montoya and Tucumcari. It then heads south towards Ragland
and Clovis. Then the trip heads south on US-366 through Portales,
Flida, Kenna and Roswell.
If you follow the faint pencil marks, it shows the route winding
south through Hagerman, Artesia, near Lake Avalon and to Carlsbad.
It appears that he penciled a trip back north to Roswell but took
an easterly route on US-62 towards Caprock and down to Lovington
at one point and then back again towards Artesia. I have scanned
this map in 5 parts. The first three are the map itself and the
last two shows New Mexico sites, population and traffic regulations.
-- New
Mexico East - New
Mexico Upper West - New
Mexico Lower West - New
Mexico Sites & locations - New
Mexico Traffic Regulations - for those interested in this unique
1931 Road Map of New Mexico.
While I was transcribing the NW OK Marriages this week I found
several of the couples that had graduated from Horace Mann High
School and Northwestern High School. I assume at one time that those
were names of the high schools in NW Oklahoma and Alva. If anyone
out there has any information concerning these high schools in NW
Oklahoma, please share it with us here. Thanks!
In the Mailbag Corner... check out the 1934 Seniors of Lamont
High School - Read about the early 1900s Cimarron Valley Clipper
Editor, Clarence & Grace Wandell, that a lady sent to me
recently - And... Someone is looking for information, origins of
"Chocolate Gravy" for a speech project. If any of this
week's newsletter jogs some more memories out there, I would love
to hear from you all!
This weekend we celebrated the Chinese New Year and it is that
time of year when that famous Ground Hog does/not peek his/her head
outside his home (Sunday, Feb. 2, 2002). Will we have six more weeks
of Winter? Is Spring just around the corner?
From Listen to the People by Stephen Vincent Benet - ".....
All one, all indivisible and one -- | Find it and keep it and hold
on to it, | For there's a buried thing in all of us, | Deeper than
all the noise of the parade, | The thing the haters never understand
| And never will, the habit of the free....."
Soar like the Eagle - Be not afraid of the storm! Be
as strong! Be smart enough to soar above it! See you
all next weekend with more Okie Legacy goodies.
~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~
NW OK Marriage 1942...
Cornish-Behrens
- Sunday, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Blanche Cornish, John Behrens
Vows Read Sunday Afternoon In Alva - Mrs. Pearl Gibson, Alva, announced
the marriage of her daughter, Miss Blanche Cornish, to Mr. John
Behrens, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Behrens, also of Alva, Sunday
afternoon. The vows were exchanged in the home of the bride, which
was beautifully decorated with cut flowers. Rev. Ray Vaughan, pastor
of the First Christian church, read the vows, at the double ring
ceremony.
Zion-Schroeder
- Thursday, 1942, Enid, Okla. - Clara Zion - Cpl. Cecil Schroeder
married Thursday At Enid Church - The marriage of Miss Clara Zion,
Durant, and Corp. Cecil Schroeder, Alva, was solemnized in the sanctuary
of the First Presbyterian church of Enid Thursday morning at 11
o'clock by Rev. Kenneth M. Stewart, minister of Westminister Presbyterian
church.
Kraft-Otte - April
25, 1942, Wichita, Kans. - Dorothy Kraft Weds Ernest Otte In
Wichita April 25 - An announcement of interest is made today of
the marriage of Miss Dorothy Kraft, daughter of Mr. Conrad Kraft,
Burlington, to Mr. Ernest W. Otte, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Otte,
of this city. The single ring ceremony was performed by Rev. L.
H. Deffner at Wichita, April 25, in the Immanel Lutheran church.
The couple was attended by the bride's sister and her husband, Mr.
and Mrs. Joe Fullington, Wichita.
Bodey-Fox
- Sunday, May 3, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Miss Sybil Bodey and Charles
Fox are Married Sunday at Church Here - Miss Sybil Bodey, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Bodey, and Charles Fox, son of Mr. and Mrs.
O. S. Fox, exchanged nuptial vows May 3. The service was read by
Rev. G. R. Vaughan, pastor of the First Christian church, I the
main auditorium of the church, using the double ring ceremony.
DeClerck-O'Neil
- Monday, June 1, 1942, Alva, Okla. - DeClerck, Carmen, Marries
Jeremiah O'Neil at Alva Church - Mr. and Mrs. Phil DeClerck of Carmen,
announce the marriage of their daughter, Alice, to Jeremiah D. O'Neil,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan O'Neil of Alva. The ceremony was solemnized
at the Sacred Heart church in Alva, June 1, at 9:00 a.m. The Rev.
Father Leo Claus officiated. Sister Salome, Alva, played the organ
and Joyce Beem, Alva, was vocalist for the ceremony.
Bonine-Ging
- June 21, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Miss Dorothy Bonine Becomes Bride
of Herman Ging In Vesper Ceremony at First Methodist Church Sunday
- Miss Dorothy Ann Bonine, Bride-elect of Herman C. Ging, has asked
her sister, Darlene, to attend her as maid of honor at her marriage
on June 21 in the First Methodist church, Alva, Okla. The Misses
Bonine are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Bonine, Wakita, Okla.,
and Mr. Ging is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ging, Aline, Okla.
Today Miss Dorothy Bonine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bonine,
Wakita, and Mr. Herman Ging, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ging, Aline,
will be united in marriage at 5:30 o'clock in the First Methodist
church. Rev. G. A. Parkhurst will officiate.
Cox-Morehart
- July 4, 1942, Cherokee, Okla. - Ladonna Leigh Cox Marries
Murrel Jesse Morehart July 4 at Cherokee - Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Cox,
Alva, announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Ladonna Leigh
Cox, to Murrel Jesse Morehart, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morehart,
Alva. The marriage was solemnized on July 4, at Cherokee, in the
Christian church parsonage. Rev. W. A. Keller read the service.
Attendants for the couple were Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Whitehead, Cherokee.
Mrs. Whitehead is a sister of the bride.
Wright-Metcalf
- July 5, 1942, Hays, Kans. - Marriage of Interest Here Is Announced
- Mrs. Rosa Wright, of Alva, announce the marriage of her daughter,
Miss Florence (Babe) Wright, to Dale Metcalf, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Emery Metcalf, Jet. The marriage was solemnized July 5, by Rev.
Burns of the Methodist church at Hays, Kansas.
Dague-Blue - Friday,
July 10, 1942, Fairview, Okla. - Mary Lois Dague & Amos
Dean Blue - Married Friday Night at Home of Bride's Parents In Fairview
- An announcement of interest is made today of the marriage of Miss
Mary Lois Dague, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Dague of Fariview,
to Pvt.. Amos Dean Blue, son of Mrs. E. M. Blue, of this city. The
ceremony took place Friday evening, July 10, at 8:00 at the home
of the bride's parents. Rev. A. K. Fleming, pastor of the Methodist
church, officiated.
Martin-Hazard -
Thursday, July 16, 1942, Cherokee, Okla. - Martin, Hazard Vows
Read Thursday At Cherokee Church - Miss Mary Louise Martin, daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. I. V. Martin, Alva, became the bride of Mr. R. H.
Hazard, son of Mrs. C. A. Gibler, Alva, Thursday, July 16, at Cherokee.
Ross-Meyers (sic)
-Friday, July 17, 1942, San Obispo, Calif. -
Ross-Meyers (sic) Marriage Is Announced Here. - Announcement of
interest was made Saturday of the marriage of Miss Gerry Ross, daughter
of Capt. and Mrs. R. G. Ross, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas,
to Corp. John B. Myers, Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., son of Mr.
and Mrs. W. D. Myers of Alva. The couple were untied in marriage
at San Obispo, Calif., Friday, July 17.
Soper-McGill --
1 June 1944, Alva, Okla. - Engagement of Helen Louise Soper
and Capt. Robert McGill Announced - The engagement and approaching
marriage of Miss Helen Louise Soper, daughter of Mrs. E. M. Soper
and the late Dr. Soper of Enid, and Captain Robert L. McGill, son
of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. McGill, Alva, is announced here. The marriage
will be solemnized the first of June in the home of the bride-elect's
sister, Mrs. W. E. Hackett, Alva.
Monfort-McGill
- Wednesday, 21 June 1950, Alva, Okla. - Wedding Vows Read for M.
Felicia Monfort and Robert L. McGill Wednesday, June 21 - M. Felicia
Monfort, MD, and Robert L. McGill exchanged wedding vows at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 21, in the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and
Mrs. Marian Monfort, 817 College. Mr. McGill is the son of Mrs.
Constance McGill and W. J. McGill, all of Alva.
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Over 61 Years Ago
This is what Life was publishing
in their magazine on July 7, 1941 and selling for 10-cents per
copy and at a yearly subscription of $4.50. I found this magazine
in my Grandmother's treasures that she packed away in an old,
rounded, steamer trunk.
Not For Sale... BUT ... What
value do you put on this over 60-year Defense Issue of Life? I
have found a value anywhere from $15 to $50 for mint, unread editions.
How do you know they are UN-Read? -- *smiling*
The front cover of this USA Defense
Issue depicts General George Smith Patton Jr.
Because of his snappy helmet and costumes,
and because he likes to ride a tank with his troops, Major General
George S. Patton Jr., commanding general of the Second Armored
Division, is sometimes called General "Flash Gordon"
or the "Green Hornet."
For his own special tank he has a special
color scheme. Red, white and blue stripes stand for the three
tank regiments in his division, while the yellow stripe symbolizes
the Armored Force's origin in the cavalry.
If you were to turn to pages in this
7 July 1941 Defense Issue to pages 72-89, you could read a story
on General Patton's troops, plus troops of the First Armored Division.
If Dorothy
"Dottie" Lamour interests you, then pages 34-37
would curb that particular interest. Those pages show various
pictures of Miss Lamour as the No. 1 Pin-up Girl of the US Army.
On page 90-96 you can read our transcribed
version of Listen
To The People, a dramatic poem, written by Stephen
Vincent Benét that was presented over the National
Broadcasting Company's Blue Network at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight
Saving Time, Friday, July 4, 1941.
Does this section of Stephen Vincent Benet's
July 4, 1941 poem fit what is going on in the world today? Is
the world going around in a cycle of LIFE? The world is round...
you know! *smiling* Just wanted to share this with you! We all
have our own wars, don't we! --
"...It's a long way out of the past and
a long way forward. It's a tough way, too, and there's plenty
of trouble in it. It's a black storm crowding the sky and a cold
wind blowing, Blowing upon us all. See it and face it. That's
the way it is. That's the way it'll be for a time and a time.
Even the easy may have little ease. Even the meek may suffer in
their meekness. But we've ridden out storms before and we'll ride
out this one, Ride it out and get through. It won't be done by
the greedy and the go-easies. It'll be done by the river of the
people, The mountain of the people, the great plain - Grown to
the wheat of the people. It'll be done by the proud walker, Democracy,
The walker in proud shoes. Get on your feet, Americans, and say
it! Forget your grievances, wherever you are, The little yesterday's
hates and the last year's discord. This is your land, this is
your independence. This is the people's cause, the people's might.
Say it and speak it loud, United, free...."
Uncle Bob's Marriages
In the Vol.
IV, Iss. 29 I had Uncle Bob's marriage announcement of his
first wife, Helen Louise Soper, that was just another romance
of WWII racing to the altar before he gets sent overseas to War.
That first marriage of the heart took place 1 June 1944. Uncle
Bob and Aunt Helen were divorced 22 June 1948.
Two years later, in June of 1950
another marriage announcement for Uncle Bob McGill was announced
in the Alva paper concerning M. Felicia Monfort on 21 June 1950
at the Monfort Residence on College Avenue in the 800 block of
Alva, Oklahoma. [Click the photo below for larger view.]
Uncle Bob & Aunt Felicia
Wed, 21 June 1950
"Mariam Felicia Monfort,
MD ..... Entering on the arm of her father down a stairway
decorated with garlands of English ivy, pink mums, daisies, asters
and plioumoses the bride was very lovely in an imported Chantilly
lace over Dutchess satin and silk illusion dress with a fitted
bodice, Peter Pan collar of lace embroidered with seed pearls,
and tiny lace covered buttons that closed the bodice and pointed
sleeves. The gathered skirt extended into an aisle wide cathedral
train. Her veil of silk illusion was held with a turban covered
with satin petals and pearls. To complete her ensemble she wore
white satin opera pumps. Her bridal bouquet was of orchids tied
with satin.
Toni Monfort, sister of the bride,
was bridesmaid and she wore a full-length dress of mousseline
de Soie worn over pink taffeta with embroidered detail on the
collar and pockets. In her hair was a bandeau of pink tinted flowers
and she carried an arm bouquet of pink roses and white satin slippers.
Dr. Helen Wallace, formerly of Enid, was maid of honor. Her gown
was of embroidered organza and net over green taffeta. Her bandeau
was of chartreuse tinted flowers. She carried an arm bouquet of
yellow roses.
The flower girl, Monet Monfort, another
sister of the bride, wore a French blue mousseline de Soie over
blue taffeta made with a basque bodice with bouffant skirt. She
wore hat and mittens to match and carried a white bonnet shaped
basket trimmed with a nose gay of pink Pinocchio roses and filled
with pink rose petals. Her slippers were of white satin. Gene
McGill, brother of the groom, was best man and John B. Doolin,
Jr., was usher..... READ
MORE
Menu:
Linda K McGill Wagner
c/o WWW Publishing Co
PO Box 619, Bayfield, CO 81122
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