Oakie's NW Corner...
It won't be long now before the winds blow across our heartland
state as February ends and March begins.
Thanks to Y'all that have written in to say how much you enjoy
receiving our weekly ezine/newsletter. Many of you have said many
times how much you appreciate what we are doing on the internet.
Some of you have even made connections and discoveries from time
to time from what we have included here on our site. You have even
mentioned, "What you are doing is a public service."
We at OkieLegacy.org and The
Okie Legacy Ezine thank you all for your encouragements, contributions
and inquiries that make this OkieLegacy Ezine what it is
today and every Friday evening. We couldn't do it without you! We
Thank you for all your comments!
For some of you that have missed certain issues of The Okie
Legacy Ezine, you can catch up on those missed issues in our
Okie Legacy Journal Archives where you
can browse all five (5) Volumes.
More NW Pioneer Tidbits... We have gathered more Northwest
Pioneers to share with everyone this week. We have found the first
couple married in "M" county, in Oklahoma Territory -
early public schools of Alva; U. S. Land office - H. E. Noble Trade
Parade float taken on 31 May 1900 to celebrate Free Homes Day in
Alva - More NW Pioneers
and NW OK marriages of
1943 .
Early Public Schools of Alva, Oklahoma...  Here
are two of the public schools of Alva: West School building and
the East School building (erected in 1901). The West School building
was the first brick school building in District #1, in Woods county.
The first meeting to elect a school board was held the first week
in March, 1894, and after discussing the situation, adjourned to
Saturday, March 17. At this meeting A. H. Beegle was elected director,
G. W. Snyder, treasurer, and C. W. Hobbie was elected clerk. On
April 9th, a three months term of school was begun in the Union
church, with John C. Beaty and Miss Josie Randall as teachers. But
the church was too small for both teachers, and Miss Randall taught
in a building that stood where Fredrickson's Livery Barn once stood.
That building was moved afterwards and used by Louis Miller as an
undertaking room, and he was still using it for that purpose in
1904.
The Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition printed in January, 1904
stated, "At the annual school meeting in July, S. L. Johnson
and F. E. Hatch succeeded Messrs. Beegle and Hobbie on the board.
The new board called an election to vote bonds to the amount of
$2,800.00 and it was voted on Sept. 24, 1894. On Dec. 10 the contract
for the above building, to contain four large rooms and be built
of brick, was let to T. B. Bowman. Mr. Bowman and several assistants
got the building nearly completed, when on the morning of Dec. 20th
(1894), the building was destroyed by fire, the origin of which
has always been a mystery. It was rebuilt, and in 1900 and two more
rooms were added."
West Side of Square - 1895... 
This west side of square photo was taken from the Alva Pioneer
Souvenir Edition dated 1904 and shows the west side of the square
(6th Street, College Ave.) as it looked in 1895. The Bank
of Alva, first bank in the city, was opened for business on November
13, 1893, by Eli P. Williams, from McPherson, Kansas, with his son
Elmer being cashier. It was a few months afterwards it was succeeded
by the Exchange Bank which was in 1904 the First National Bank,
whose building once stood where the old one was. The old building
was moved to the south side of the square and was owned and occupied
by Dr. J. C. Herron, dentist, and Mrs. Herron, photographer.
More 1904 Pioneer Tidbits...
- The first suicide in Alva was F. T. Sykes, who took morphine
December 15, 1894, in his room where the Alva State Bank building
first existed.
- The first brick building in Alva was the county jail in the
public square.
- B. T. Woodard started the first livery stable in Alva, Sept.
16, 1893. In 1902, it was still the Woodard's Hotel De Horse,
run by A. S. Woodard, but B. T. Woodard moved to Rogers, Arkansas
around 1902.
- A. L.Circle was Alva's first drayman. Circle came here Sept.
16, 1903.
- Dec. 18, 1893, the townsite board completed its final report
to the US Land department. On January 4, 1894, they began issuing
deeds for lots.
- Miss A. B. Young, from Anthony, Kansas, was the first to open
a Millinery store in Alva, Dec. 1893.
- Dec. 18, 1893 the first organization of a "Push"
club was perfected. Percy R. Smith was chairman, and W. S. Fallis,
secretary. The first business of the Push club was to look after
the public roads out of Alva.
- The first county jail was built in October, 1893. Two by four
lumber was laid flat and nailed solidly, one on top of another
10 by 12 feet. In 1904 it was being used as the city Jail.
OkieLegacy 100k Milestone Approaching Soon...
Sometime this next week our "OkieLegacy.org"
visitor-counter will reach that "100,000" milestone. We
have been keeping close track for the last few months and watching
the number of visitors climb by 1500-1600 per week. We were thinking
about when we started in this world-wide-web business around eight
years ago (Fall of 1995). Back then we would be lucky to get 25
visitors per week. The years and search engines have been good to
us. We've met some great friends - found lots of new cousins and
learned a lot, too.
We have been trying to figure out how to celebrate
that turning-point just on the horizon -- wondering when it will
hit that golden, six-figure mark. Will it be on this writer's birthday,
Tuesday, 25th of February? What day, hour will it occur? Who will
be that lucky "100,000" Visitor? Have you got any suggestions
of how to celebrate? Will you help us count down to 100k next week?
Email us and let us know what the counter was when you dropped by
our website! Thanks!
Before we let you head off to explore more of our NW
Oklahoma pioneers, we need to make a request and inquiry concerning
a WWII army hospital that was located in Chickasha, Oklahoma -Borden
General Army Hospital. Does anyone out there have any information
concerning the Borden General Hospital? Jimmie Biggs - Email: jbiggs3@cox.net
- is looking for resource information on the subject matter.
Do NOT allow the terrorism to create panic throughout our communities.
You control your own destiny!
Be Forceful, BUT... Speak
Gently!
"Speak gently! It is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently; let no harsh words mar
The good we might do here!"
~~ by author - David
Bates (1809-1870) - Speak
Gently ~~
See you next weekend, the first of that windy month
of March!
~~ Linda "oaKie"
~~
NW OK Marrigage 1943...
Wenzel-Water - 1943
- Bessie M. Wenzel to Wed Joe Water - Miss Bessie Marie Wenzel,
whose engagement and approaching marriage to Joe Water is announced,
is the daughter of Mr. Joe Wenzel of Alva, Okla. Mr. Joe Wenzel
of Alva, Okla., announces the engagement and approaching marriage
of his daughter, Bessie Marie, to Joe Water, son of Mr. and Mrs.
Clements Water of Antonio, Kansas.
English-Oshel -
Wednesday, 20 January 1943, Enid, Okla. - English-Oshel Vows
Exchanged In Christian Parsonage at Enid - The marriage of Miss
Loretta Gail English, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. English,
Aline, to Pvt. Warren H. Oshel, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Oshel,
Alva, was solemnized Wednesday evening January 20, at the Christian
church parsonage, Enid. The nuptial vows were read by the Rev. Sours.
Campbell-Grunewald
-- Saturday, January 23, 1943 - Mary Elizabeth Campbell, Private
Ray Grunewald Exhange Vows - The marriage of Miss Elizabeth Campbell,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Campbell, Alva, to Private Ray Grunewald,
son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Grunewald, Woodward, was solemnized Saturday,
January 23, at 7 p.m. in the home of Rev. and Mrs. Amos F. Roadhouse,
Burbank, California.
Chandler-Rauh -
8 August 1943, San Francisco, Calif. - LaVerne Chandler-Everett
Rauh Exchange Vows In San Francisco - Mrs. Everett Rauh who, prior
to her marriage to Everett Karl Rauh, in San Francisco, was the
former Laverne Gladys Chandler. Mr. Rauh is stationed with the US
Naval Forces in San Francisco. LaVerne Gladys Chandler and Everett
Karl Rauh exchanged vows in a quiet ceremony at the St. Johns Lutheran
church parsonage at San Francisco, California, on August 8, at 4
o'clock p.m.
Cupps-Paya - 9 August
1943, Enid, Okla. - Marriage of Interest Here Is Announced -
An announcement of interest is made today of the marriage of Miss
Lucretia Cupps, daughter of W. D. Cupps, Hennessey, to Robert E.
Paya, son of Mrs. Della Paya, Alva. The wedding was solemnized Sunday,
August 9, Rev. W. L.E. Shane, of Enid, officiated. -- news
clipping
Chew-Smithson -
Friday, 14 August 1943, Alva, Okla. - Mabel Chew-Ollie Smithson
Wedding Is Announced Here - Of interest to their friends in Alva
is the announcement of the marriage of Miss Mabel Chew to Mr. Ollie
Lee Smithson. The wedding took place Friday, August 14, in Alva.
Clayton-Willard
-- 14 August 1943, San Francisco, Calif. -
Eva Clayton Weds Merrell A. Willard - Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Clayton
of Ardmore, announce the marriage of their daughter, Eva, to Merrell
A. Willard, son of Mrs. Walter Cope, Waynoka. The marriage took
place in the Trinity Methodist church, San Francisco, Aug. 14, with
Rev. Daniel D. Walker, pastor, officiating.
Endsley-Robinson
- 16 August 1943, Alva, Okla. - Mrs. John Robinson was, prior
to her marriage to Mr. Robinson on August 16, in the chapel of the
First Presbyterian Church, Miss Vera Endsley, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. W. E. Endsley of Cleo Spring.
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1st Couple Married
"M" County, Okla. Terr.
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. McIntire were united in marriage
in Alva, by Rev. A. Connet, Dec. 25, 1893. They were the first
couple married in Woods County ("M") county. The photo
above shows their family in the early 1900s. Mr. E. G. McIntire
got a claim one mile north of Yewed. They sold the farm at one
point during or before 1904 and they were living in Yewed, Oklahoma
Territory in 1904 .
US Land Office
December 18, 1893... The Alva townsite board
completed its final report to the U. S. Land department, and on
January 4, 1894, they begun issuing deeds for lots. it was the
first building in the business part of Alva. It was built for
the government by W. H. Wiggins, a well known carpenter of Alva.
Mr. Wiggins and his brother were from Hazelton, kansas during
the early 1900s (1904). It was completed just a few days before
the opening of the country to settlement, and was still used as
the Land office in 1904.
Trade Parade
Free Homes Day, 31 May 1900
This photo shows one of the decorated wagons representing
H. E. Noble, one of Alva's hardware merchants, in the great Trade
Parade on Free Homes Day, May 31, 1900. The Alva Pioneer souvenir
edition dated 1904 stated that 6000 people celebrated on that
day in Alva, Oklahoma Territory.
1st 2-Story Building
Alva, Okla. Terr.
The First two story building in Alva, Oklahoma Territory,
Woods ("M") County was moved from Harper, Kansas, after
the opening, by H. E. Maxwell. In 1904 it was known as the Farmers'
Hotel on the northeast corner of the square, owned by L. C. Bigelow.
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....
Nov.
16, 1893 - Alva Post Office... The Alva post office was moved
out of the shack near the land office to the west end of the public
square into the building now occupied by the drug store of J. F. Greenlee
& Co.
Wrought Iron Range...  "I
read your article that covers the Wrought Iron Range Co. I own one
of these and still use it. It is a combination gas or wood stove and
oven. It was in this house when we moved in. It is a model EAG and
serial number 26026. I have talked to a person whose grandma had lived
here and remembers having to cut firewood for the stove when he would
visit. This would have been in the late 40's or early 50's. He seemed
to think it may have been old then, but I feel it is of the 40's vintage.
I have not yet run across any information on this stove as yet and
appreciate any information on this stove." -- Mike Bammer, Lapeer,
Mi - mbammer@iavbbs.com
Preparing For Battle... "This is a wonderful page and
one I hope will get a lot of mileage from each of you. Please hold
all those making decisions about this impending war in your prayers
... because they also hold our fate in their hands and lips."
-- Preparing For Battle
T-Bone Ranch - Cherokee, Oklahoma... "A part of the legacy
of CH Charlie Baker passed on this last Saturday. My mother, who was
99, worked for CH for over 60 years. She and her twin sister and Miss
Faye kept the store going 25 years after CH passed on. The Ranch,
Bakers store and CH & Mary Baker were part of my life from an
early age before I started to School. With my mothers passing, I feel
the last remaining living of the Baker Ranch and store has passed,
my mother's twin sister passed on about 3 years ago. For many years
my wife and I have tried to entertain our guests in the manner in
which CH and Mary Baker did at the ranch and those memories of time
spent at the ranch and store will remain as long as I live. I have
been interested, particularly the time CH spent at the 101 ranch with
the Miller brothers and know that was the time frame CH bought his
Frazier saddle. The Miller Brothers teamed up with the Frazier Saddle
Company to promote their saddles. Also, I learned that Frazier Saddle
company provided the ranch with saddles for their wild west show.
Interesting to think that CH's saddle might have been used in the
show or maybe he rode some. In retirement now I work as a wrangler
on a reservation here in Arizona where we conduct cattle drives and
trail rides for guests. I was interested in your article concerning
the store and CH and learned a few new facts that I did not know.
Happy Trails." -- FtnhillsTBone@aol.com [T-Bone
Baker Story]
Borden General Army Hospital of Chickasha, Okla... "I've
reviewed the information on the WWII
POW Camps (Oklahoma) on your website and found it interesting
and informative. I was wondering if you have anything on Borden
General Army Hospital in Chickasha, Oklahoma. I've had only limited
success through Chickasha Public Library. I've had even less success
trying to find information on the internet. What I did find amounted
to information on the facility's size. I'd appreciate any assistance
you might provide. If you can refer me to someone who has any resource
information on Borden General Hospital, that would be great too. Thanks
so much!" -- Jimmie D. Biggs, Edmond, OK - Email: jbiggs3@cox.net
Campbell, Secrest & Underwood Info... "My husband
and I would like to thank you and all who helped on this. My husband
was raised mostly in a childrens home and he knew nothing of his family
except his name and his sister and brother. We only found out about
Lige Secrest last year. A few weeks ago we discovered Thomas Underwood,
and now this. Thank you so much.' -- Gloria Secrest
Old Opera House Murder...
"I looked at the site you have put together and am finding it
very very fasinating... there is a map that was used in the trial...
if you are in Alva you will see that the old opery house is located
near where the hardware store is, off of Barnes and 4th. Just south
of the post office. (Not Starr lumber.... it is a feed store too...
there is a painting on the east wall... probably not the same building."
-- James
2003
Ghost Town Rally... "It is with great pleasure that we
announce that the Ghost
Town Webring is again sponsoring a ghost town rally! The 2003
Ghost Town Rally will be held June 20 - 22 with Ely Nevada as the
base. Here is the link to the rally website which has all the pertinent
information for attending and signing up! GHOST TOWN RALLY 2003. Please
feel free to add this link to your pages and we hope to see you at
this year's rally!" -- The Ghost Town Webring founders - Shawn
Hall - Nevada Ghost Towns
- Ghost Towns
and Other Adventures
1st Teachers' Institute In Woods County, 1894...  Professors
Williams, Monroe, and L. T. Wilson were instructors. The phot was
taken during the Summer 1896. Those pictured & numbered from 1
to 70 are: 1. H. L. Ross, 2. Isa M. Park, 3. Mrs. H. L. Ross, 4. Edna
Snoddy, 5. Will McCully, 6. Albert Stewart, 7. A. J. Ross, 8. Ed Madison,
9. W. R. Spillman, 10. W. E. Gardner, 11. Muriel DeGeer, 12. W. P.
Myers, 13. Prof. Williams, 14. Mrs. J. W. Mazey, 15. Flaudie Hullet,
16. Miss Pulis, 17. Mrs. Noah, 18. Miss Pulus, 19. Mabel DeGeer, 20.
Sam'l Griffin, 21. F. J. Fash, 22. ?, 23. Flo Tilbury, 24. Maggie
Sheil, 25. ?, 26. L. T. Wilson, 27. S. V. Luallen, 28. Mary McSherry,
29. Mrs. Jos Fash, 30. Carrie Lucas, 31. C. B. Keith, 32. R. O. Renfrew,
33. J. M. Maus, 34. Edith Fash, 35. Claud McCrory, 36. Malcolm Keith,
37. Nannie Fell, 38. Nellie Lucas, 39. Edna Hankins, 40. Addie Webb,
41. Prof. Monroe, 42. Ida B. Lee, 43. Dyas Gadbois, 44. Grace Hankins,
45. Georgie Newell, 46. Maggie Keegan, 47. Rev. A. Connet, 48. Kate
Henton, 49. Clara Griffin, 50. Mr. Thomas, 51. Lida Dean, 52. ?, 53.
Maud Beelge, 54. Ina McCurdy, 55. Pearl Moyer, 56. E. T. Gibbin, 57.
Ida Reeves, 58.Mabel Goodwin, 59. ?, 60. Mary Wright, 61. Willie Lowe,
62. Mr. Lowe, 63. M. McFeeter, 64. J. D. Simpson, 65. Josie Randall,
66. Almeda Sniggs, 67. Mrs. O. B. Reitz, 68. O. B. Reitz, 69. Frank
Park, 70. Mrs. Hall.
1903 - Two Crops Per Year... The following short story was
printed in the Anthony Republican, Nov. 13, 1903. It tells of G. Jennings
garden in the Spring of 1903 and in the fall of the same year. It
seems for two weeks he had fresh, crisp lettuce, radishes and string
beans. Mr. Jennings also had a fine crop of tomatoes, and had gathered
a bushel or more of green tomatoes which he sorted, wrapped the sound
ones in paper and put in the cellar in a well ventilated place. He
said, "They would ripen slowly for the next two or three weeks.
They would not only ripen but color well." The paper stated,
"It was a notion worth a dollar to any man who loves tomatoes
and mourns the loss of a big lot of green ones when the frost comes."
 The
Waters, Pierce Oil Company... According to the Alva Pioneer Souvenir
Edition dated 1904, this photo showed three gentlemen associated with
this Oil Company located in Alva, Oklahoma Territory. They were Ed.
L. Rumsey, agent, Amarillo, Tex.; J. H. Boughan, Jr., manager, Alva;
and O. R. Cowgill, office clerk, Alva.
Waters, Pierce Oil Company's Oil House, Reservoirs, etc., Alva...
 J.
H. Boughan, Jr. was the manager of this institution, in Alva and it
was ready for business on September 18, 1893, two days after the opening.
In 1904 they had tank stations at Amarillo, and Canadian, Texas. Woodward,
Okla., and Augusta, Okla. Supply towns west to Miami, Tex., and south
to Fairview, Okla. Mr. Boughan was shipping clerk for the company
in St. Louis (Missouri) five year before coming to Alva, and had charge
of their business in Alva for 10 years. Mr. Boughan was known by his
friends as "Coil Oil Johnnie." He knew as many people and
had as many friends as any man in the southwest.
Old 'Timers History Exam... This is an Old-Timers History Exam
(Don't peek at the answers 'til you
try it) Write answers down as you take the test.. Does it bring back
memories for some, strain some brains, and educate others who weren't
around for all of this?
-- 1. In the 1940s, where were automobile headlight
dimmer switches located?
a. On
the floor shift knob -- b. On the floor board, to the left of the
clutch -- c. Next to the horn
-- 2. The bottle top of a Royal Crown Cola bottle had holes in it.
For what was it used?
a. Capture
lightning bugs -- b. To sprinkle clothes before ironing -- c. Large
salt shaker
-- 3. Why was having milk delivered a problem in northern winters?
a. Cows
got cold and wouldn't produce milk -- b. Ice on highways forced delivery
by dog sled
c. Milkmen
left deliveries outside of front doors and milk would freeze,
expanding and pushing up the cardboard bottle top.
-- 4. What was the popular chewing gum named for a game of chance?
a. Blackjack
-- b. Gin -- c. Craps!
-- 5. What method did women use to look as if they were wearing stockings
when none were available due to rationing during W.W.II?
a. Suntan
-- b. Leg painting -- c. Wearing slacks
-- 6. What postwar car turned automotive design on its ear when you
couldn't tell whether it was coming or going?
a. Studebaker
-- b. Nash Metro -- c. Tucker
-- 7. Which was a popular candy when you were a kid?
a. Strips
of dried peanut butter -- b. Chocolate licorice bars -- c. Wax coke-shaped
bottles with colored sugar water inside
-- 8. How was Butch wax used?
a. To
stiffen a flat-top haircut so it stood up -- b. To make floors shiny
and prevent scuffing -- c. On the wheels of roller skates to prevent
rust
-- 9. Before inline skates, how did you keep your roller skates attached
to your shoes?
a. With
clamps, tightened by a skate key -- b. Woven straps that crossed the
foot -- c. Long pieces of twine
-- 10. As a kid, what was considered the best way to reach a decision?
a. Consider
all the facts -- b. Ask Mom -- c. Eeny-meeny-miney-mo
-- 11. What was the most dreaded disease in the 1940's?
a. Smallpox
-- b. AIDS -- c. Polio
-- 12. "I'll be down to get you in a ________, Honey"
a. SUV
-- b. Taxi -- c. Streetcar
-- 13. What was the name of Caroline Kennedy's pet pony?
a. Old
Blue -- b. Paint -- c. Macaroni
-- 14. What was a Duck-and-Cover Drill?
a. Part
of the game of hide and seek
b. What
you did when your Mom called you in to do chores
c. Hiding
under your desk, and covering your head with your arms in an A-bomb
drill.
-- 15. What was the name of the Indian Princess on the Howdy Doody
show?
a. Princess
Summerfallwinterspring -- b. Princess Sacajewea -- c. Princess Moonshadow
-- 16. What did all the really savvy students do when mimeographed
tests were handed out in school?
a..
Immediately sniffed the purple ink, as this was believed to get you
high
b. Made
paper airplanes to see who could sail theirs out the window
c. Wrote
another pupil's name on the top, to avoid your failure
-- 17. Why did your Mom shop in stores that gave Green Stamps with
purchases?
a. To
keep you out of mischief by licking the backs, which tasted like bubble
gum
b. They
could be put in special books and redeemed for various household items
c. They
were given to the kids to be used as stick-on tattoos
-- 18. Praise the Lord, and pass the _________?
a. Meatballs
- b. Dames - c. Ammunition
-- 19. What was the name of the singing group that made the song "Cabdriver"
a hit?
a. The
Ink Spots -- b. The Supremes -- c. The Esquires
-- 20. Who left his heart in San Francisco?
a. Tony
Bennett -- b. Xavier Cugat -- c. George Gershwin
ANSWERS will await you in next week's Newsletter (Vol. V, Iss.
9)!
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Thanks! You can also view The
OkieLegacy online.
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