Duchess of Weaselskin

Bayfield, Colorado - My sidekick Pug, Lady Sadie, has been honing up on her stalking the little ground squirrels and chipmunks here in Southwest Colorado Rockies. Sadie has not caught one of those teasing ground squirrels and chipmunks yet, but Sadie sure has sharpened, refined her stalking pose as shown in the photo on the left.

The photo on the right shows the tail-end of the squirrel trying to blend his brownish body as he makes a speedy get-away through the greenery. Shortly after, in a split-second, Lady Sadie darts off in a chase with no favorable outcome in Sadie's eyes. Those darn, pesky and teasing squirrels!

Before I retire for the evening, NW Okie wanted me to ask you if anyone can identify the the family of five pictured in the photo on the left. The photo was taken 9 August 1937, 10:30 a.m., at Pikes Peak, 14,109 ft, Glen cove. The gentleman on the right is NW Okie's Grandpa William J. "Bill" McGill. Is the family, showing father, mother and three children (two daughters and one son) a part of the McGill family?

Tell the GOP, "Stop the War On Women, Senior Citizens, Students & Poor!"
Let's move Forward NOT Backwards!
Good Night & Good Luck! View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

100 Years Ago Today - 14 May 1912

America - Last week the Library of congress, Chronicling America, Historic American Newspapers was down for maintenance, but thank goodness they are back up this week. Here are some headlines we found on the front page of The Washington Times, dated Washington, Tuesday evening, May 14, 1912: "Testimony As Produced At Excise Hearing," Spectators At Meat Hearing Prevent Fight," "Colonel, With Taft In Wake, Talks To Ohio," and a cartoon by Robert Carter entitled, "I am being hit below the belt."

The cartoon featuring Primary School, Uncle Sam holding Taft over his knee and switching Taft with a switch made up with states, such as Washington, Illinois, Oregon, Maine, Texas, pennsylvania, Nebraska, Maryland, Minnesota, W. Virginia, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri.

Colonel, With Taft In Wake, Talks To Ohio -- There were crowds greeting both aspirants in President's State with seven towns hearing the two candidates. Roosevelt Made a strong impression in campaign through Mahoning Valley. It was also reported the Maryland convention favored Roosevelt. It stated, "In Baltimore today the Republican State convention adopted resolutions favoring Theodore Roosevelt, and selected sixteen delegates to Chicago, the majority of whom are for the former President. The convention was the scene of a spirited fight, but the delegates for Roosevelt were in the majority, and only agreed to divide the delegation in the hope of bringing about harmony. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Okie's Corner

Bayfield, Colorado - It has been these cool, Spring Rocky Mountain days that gets me working outside, laying in my hammock, listening to the running of Weaselskin creek, and soaking up the shady sunshine of the Southwest Rockies of Colorado. The photo on the left is one of those outside projects that I have been working on and is still a work in progress getting it ready to plant some wildflowers and other plantings after the last hard freeze comes through Southwest Colorado.

Last week we had a video of the Hindenburg explosion over New Jersey. We heard from a friend that was seven years old at the time and he remembers seeing that infamous German zeppelin flying over his house on its way to New Jersey. He said it was low enough that you could see the swastikas on it. It was memorable to this New York friend because zeppelins were very uncommon then! All I can say is, "WOW! What an experience as a young boy of that time!"

Got a question for those of you who experienced the "Swamp Pop," "Rock-n-Roll," and "Rhythm & Blues" of the 1950's. Do you remember rockin' and walkin' to the Swamp Pop, R&B of one songwriter, Bobby Charles (a.k.a Robert Charles Guidry)? You can read more about Bobby Charles in this week's OkieLegacy Ezine, featuring "Swamp Pop and Rhythm & Blues."

Tell the GOP, "Stop the War On Women"
See you later, alligator!
Good Night & Good Luck searching your family ancestry! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Highland County Virginia - Highland Soldiers

Highland county, Virginia - In researching more history of Highland County, Virginia we find that the men of Highland birth or residence had fought in several American wars with honor and with no little loss of life and limb.

In the Indian War of 1754-64 the county was on the very frontier, and possibility was before every settler of having to do battle in company with his fellows or in defense of his very cabin. The muster roll of 1756 shows a large proportion of Highland names. In the Dunmore War of 1774, Highland men must have constituted the greater part of two companies of the Augusta militia that marched to Point Pleasant. We do not know at hand the muster rolls of the companies, nor do we know how many of them were included among the 77 Augustans who were killed or wounded in that Dunmore battle.

It was highly possible that several of the Highland militia were in the Pendleton company that marched with Governor Henry Lee to put down the whiskey Insurrection of 1794. In that instance there was, happily, no fighting.

In the War of 1812, we find that a number of Highland men marched to the defense of Norfolk. Some of the soldiers enlisting for that war saw no actual service, news of peace arriving about the time they reached the front.

For the War with Mexico, no company was recruited from Highland, although a very few residents saw service there. The same remark became true of the War with Spain in 1898. But in the War of 1861, more than 500 Highlanders, out of the white population of 3,890 (1860), were enlisted soldiers, serving almost exclusively in the armies of the Confederacy. Of these soldiers of Lee and Jackson, 101 were known to have lost their lives in the service, and man more were wounded or captured. One considerable engagement was fought on Highland soil, and the men were killed in the same who were within a few miles of their homes. Highland men were prompt to enlist, and their first organization marched to Grafton before a hostile shot had been fired. Several were likewise among those who stacked arms in the final surrender at Appomattox. One of these brought home and set out a cutting from the historic apple tree.

Nearly all the Confederate soldiers form Highland served in the 25th, 31st, and 62d regiments of Virginia Infantry. A few were in the 38th and 51st Infantry regiments and in the batteries of McClanahan, Carpenter, and Shumate. A larger number were in the 11th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 20th, and 26th regiments of Cavalry. One man was in naval service on board the "Patrick Henry" in James River.

The 25th Infantry took part in the battles of Philippi, Camp Alleghany, McDowell, Front Royal, Newtown, Winchester (1862), Cross Keys, Port Republic, Peninsula, Cedar Mountain, Second Manasses, Chantilly, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Brandy Station, Winchester (1863), Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor. It was one of the commands surrendered at Appomattox. An inspection of the list shows that it was with Stonewall Jackson in his Valley Campaign, and that it subsequently formed a part of the main army under General Lee.

The 31st Infantry, at first under Edward Johnson, had Jubal A. Early as a brigade commander after the battle of McDowell. It was still under Early after his promotion to the command of a Division in Ewell's Corps. It was with jackson in his Valley Campaign, and then formed a part of the Army of NOrthern Virginia. It had a share in nearly all of Lee's battles except Chancellorsville, being at that time with Imboden on his raid into West Virginia. In the fall of 1864 the regiment was with Early in his own Valley Campaign. It was one of the commands to surrender a Appomattox, at which time it numbered only about 60 men. At Port Republic it lost nearly on half its numbers, Company B alone losing more than 50 men.

The 25th, 31st, and 62d Infantry regiments formed with the 18th Cavalry, White's Battlaion, and McClenahan's Battery, the brigade under the command of General John D. Imboden. It was in these regiments that nearly all the Highland men served. In the May and June of 1863, the brigade raided beyond the Alleghanies, penetrating as far as Weston and Sutton. At Williamsport, the 62d helped to cover the retreat of Lee, and afterward guarded the 4,000 Federal prisoners who were marched to Stuanton. After suffering heavily at New Market it took part in Early's campaign in Maryland and the Valley. When it disbanded at Fincastle, April 15th, 1865, it numbered only about 45 men, one company being represented only by its captain.

The Highland county Confederate soldiers constituted a portion of the "foot cavalry" under Jackson, and shared the luster of that leader's energetic and brilliant exploits. A few Highlanders served as enlisted soldiers in the Federal Army. Several of these had removed format he county before the war. The Roll of Captain George Wilson's Company, August 11, 1756 included the following:

Officers

1. George Wilson, Captain
2. Hugh Hicklin, Lieutenant
3. Thomas Hughart, Ensign
4. Charles Gilham, Sergeant
5. William Johnson, Corporal

1. Robert Adair
2. James Barton
3. Joseph Bell
4. William Black
5. James, John & Richard Bodkin
6. Samuel Bright
7. William Burnett
8. John, Robert (1) & Robert (2) Carlile
9. Patrick Davis
10. Simeon Deckert
11. Samuel Delamontony
12. Robert Duffield
13. Andrew Elliot
14. Benjamin & Boude Estill
15. Felix Gilbert
16. Robert Hall
17. Hans, Matthew & Michael Harper
18. John & Thomas Hicklin
19. James & John Jackson
20. Adam & John Jordan
21. George & John Lewis
22. Stephen Long
23. James Mayse
24. Elijah & William McClenahan
25. James, John, Patrick, Valentine & William Miller
26. Philip Phegan
27. William Price
28. William Sprowl
29. Frederick Stull
30. William Warwick
31. Michael Wilfong
32. Samuel Wilson

1. ? Bradshaw
2. James Burnside
3. Robert Carlile
4. James Dinwiddie, killed at Point Pleasant
5. Abraham Hempenstall
6. ? McCoy, Lieut.
7. Robert Wiley, Sr.
8. Robert Wiley, Jr.
9. John Wilson
10. Capt. Samuel Wilson, killed at Point Pleasant

1. John Bradshaw, served in Yorktown campaign
2. Isaac Briscoe, on Washington's body guard at Yorktown
3. Samuel Campbell, officer
4. James Carlile, severely wounded at Guilford and taken home by his brother
5. Richard Curry
6. Thomas Devericks *
7. Michael Eagle *
8. James Gillespie
9. Samuel Gilmer, very severely wounded in the Waxhaw massacre, 1780.
10. Christopher Graham, in Henry Lee's legion.
11. Isaac Gum, at Yorktown
12. Capt. David Gwin, at Guilford
13. Capt. Thomas Hicklin, under Maj. John Wilson, conveyed prisoners from Yorktown to Winchester.
14. Henry Jones
15. Thomas Kincaid *
16. Willliam McClintic, severely wounded at Guilford
17. Robert McCoy, at Guilford
18. John McGlaughlin, in garrison under Capt. William Smith at Hinkle's Fort, 1781
19. Edward Morton *, at Cowpens when 16 years old
20. George Rymer *
21. John Sharp
22. John Slaven, at Yorktown
23. James Steuart, guarded Augusta frontier at Clover Lick, about 1779, marched to Jamestown, 1781, under Col. John McCreary and Capt. Peter Hull, substitute for James Carlile, 1781.
24. Edward STeuart, in Capt. Thos. Hicklin's company, substitute for Joseph Beathe, 1778, in garrison at Vance's Fort, Back Cr. to guard frontier against Indians, helped convey prisoners form Yorktown.
25. John Steuart, in Capt. Thos. Hicklin's company, sword wound in hand at Yorktown.
26. William Steuart
27. Henry Towberman
28. Maj. John Wilson, conveyed prisoners form Yorktown to Winchester

1. Peter Hull, Captain
2. Nicolas Seybert, 1st Lieutenant
3. Henry Fleisher, 2nd Lieutenant
4. Jacob Hoover, Ensign

1. Adam, David, John & Micahel Arbogast
2. Jacob, John & William Bennett
3. Thomas Blizzard
4. Hugh Bodkin
5. John Bowman
6. Abraham Burner
7. Ulrich Conrad, Jr.
8. Frederick Crummett
9. Abraham Duffield *
10. Abraham & Philip Eckard
11. Jacob Ellsworth
12. Christopher Eye
13. Conrad Fleisher
14. Francis Graham
15. Isaac, Jacob & William Gum
16. Balsor Hammer
17. Nicholas Harper
18. James Hoff
19. John Hogg
20. Michael Hoover
21. George Huffman
22. Adam Hull
23. Uriah Ingram
24. Andrew Jordan
25. Conrad & Joseph Lantz
26. Alexander McQuain
27. John & James Mullenax
28. Henry Noll
29. John Peninger
30. Christian Pickle
31. George Puffenberger
32. George Rexrode
33. George Sheets
34. George, John, Leonard, Mark, Michael & Peter Simmons
35. Mark & Sebastian Smith
36. Sebastian Stone
37. George Stout
38. Paul Summers
39. Thomas Summerfield
40. Adam Wagoner
41. John, William & James* Wamsley
42. Henry Whiteman
43. Jacob Wilfong
44. Philip Wimer
45. John Yeager

1. Jared Armstrong
2. David Bird
3. Capt. John Blagg
4. Thomas Brown
5. Andrew H. Byrd
6. John Cunningham
7. William Erwin
8. John & Thomas (taken prisoner) Graham
9. James Gwin
10. Jacob Hiner
11. John McCoy, killed at Tippecanoe, 1811
12. James Mullenax
13. Loftus Pullin, Jr.
14. Christian Rexrode
15. William Robertson
17. George Varner
18. William Wade, died in service

1. Daniel, George, Jonathan, Joseph, Michael & William Arbogast
2. John Armstrong
3. Mathias Benson
4. David Berage
5. Jacob Jr., John & Valentine Bird
6. Jacob Bright
7. Abraham, Daniel, George & Henry Burner
8. Jacob Colaw
9. James Curry
10. Jacob & John Sr. Gall
11. Samuel Gibson
12. John Gothard
13. John Grim
14. Abraham, Adam, McBride & Jacob Gum
15. Leonard Hammer
16. Andrew Hardway
17. Jacob, John & William Hidy
18. Charles Huchin
19. Daniel Huffman
20. Jesse Johnson
21. Jonas Lantz
22. Christian & Samuel Life
23. Henry McCan
24. John McNulty
25. Jacob, Joseph & Samuel Mullenax
26. Francis & George Nicholas
27. John Peck
28. Adam Rexrode
29. Thomas Roby
30. John Sharrot
31. Henry (Sr.), Henry (Jr.), Joseph & MIchael Simmons
32. Adam & James Stephenson
33. Cornelius Sutton
34. George, Joseph & MIchael Wagoner
35. George White
36. Jacob & Henry Wimmer
37. Samuel Wood
38. Sampson Zickafoose

1. Francis M. Bird, W. Va. Reg't
2. George W. Helmick, Penn. Reg't
3. Thomas J. Jones
4. Newton Lowery
5. William McNett
6. Leonard Rexrode, W. Va. Reg't, died in Andersonville
7. John, Nathan & William Rexrode, W. Va. Reg't
8. Wooddell, W. Va. Reg't

May 14, 1912 - Roosevelt Scored By Pres. Taft In Ohio

Ohio - Across the North American continent, on the West Coast, The Call, San Francisco, Tuesday, May 14, 1912, The Republican Primary campaign for President was experiencing the accusatory campaign rhetoric being thrown by President Taft at Colonel Theodore Roosevelt.

The headlines read, "T. R. Scored By Taft In Ohio -- President Taft's return to his home state was marked by a most pronounced attack. When Chief Executive compared Roosevelt to Abraham Lincoln he smiled. Taft said Roosevelt's, "Campaign Accusatory and Libelous." Steubenville, Ohio, May 13 (1912) -- President Raft's first day of his final campaign through Ohio came to an end with a speech, which was marked by the most pronounced verbal assaults upon Colonel Roosevelt to which Taft so far has given public utterance. In speeches that were filled with indignant attack, that bubbled over with uncomplimentary adjectives, Taft discharged his oratory at this predecessor.

It was cold and rainy at Marietta when Taft urged the people of Ohio to support him in the primaries of May 21, 1912.

One of the attacks on Teddy Roosevelt which raised a laugh ran like this: "I think it would be dangerous to put a man with Mr. Roosevelt's present constitutional views, and with the elation he would necessarily feel by reason of getting something that all the great presidents have never gotten, in the White House again."

Excerpt From President's Speech In Ohio:

"Suppose Roosevelt were waited to the skies in a chariot like the prophet of old and were to disappear from sight, how do you suppose this country would get along, anyhow?" "Give us more facts and less lurid headlines and lung power."

"Roosevelt likens himself to Abraham Lincoln more and resembles him less than any man in the history of the country."

"It's 'I,' 'I,' 'I,' and * * I say that if you feed that vanity and egotism by giving him something that Washington, Jefferson, Jackson and Grant did not get, you are going to put him in office with a sense of power and with a view of constitutional restriction that will be dangerous to this country." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Swamp Pop And Rhythm & Blues Of 1950's

Louisiana - Were you a teenager of the 1950's? Do you remember a Louisiana (white) cajun, Bobby Charles who made his debut in 1955? He was more successful as a songwriter than a singer. Bobby Charles was an important contributor to Louisiana Swamp Pop and Rhythm & Blues music. He's authored several hits for key artists in the early days of "Rock & Roll" (including Bill Haley and Fats Domino). Although he recorded mostly in obscurity, he emerged as one of the founding fathers of "Swamp Pop." Charles' song, See You Later Alligator, was based on a 12-bar blues chord structure, written by this Louisiana songwriter, Robert Charles Guidry.



Chess released See You Later, Alligator as Bobby Charles' debut single in 1955, in which Charles toured behind it after he graduated from high school.

This is the first verse to See You Later Alligator so you can sing along in case you have forgotten the words.

Well I saw my baby walking with another man today
Well I saw my baby walking with another man today
When I asked her what's the matter, this is what I heard her say
See you later alligator
After a while crocodile
See you later alligator
After a while crocodile
Can't you see you're in my way now
Don't you know you cramp my style

Robert Charles Guidry was born February 21, 1938, in the Cajun-country town of Abbeville, Louisiana, growing up listening to traditional Cajun music. As a teenager, he discovered Rock & Roll and Rhythm & Blues, and began singing with a band called the Cardinals, who performed at local dances. Early in 2010, Robert Charles Guidry collapsed at his home in Abbeville, Louisiana, and died.

It was during the mid-1950's, Bobby Charles wrote a song called See You Later, Alligator, which particularly impressed a Crowley, Louisiana, record-store owner who happened to know Chess Records founder, Leonard Chess. The young singer auditioned over the phone and was rewarded with a recording session at the legendary Cosimo's Studio in New Orleans. After hearing the single version of See You Later, Alligator, Chess signed Guidry thinking he was a black Cajun, which in turn lead to the shortening of his name to the less regional "Bobby Charles."

Bill Haley's Version See You Later Alligator


While it connected with Rhythm & Blues (R&B) audiences, the song did not become a big pop hit until 1956, when Bill Haley covered it for a National best-seller. Bobby Charles scored another minor hit that year with Time Will Tell, staying with Chess through 1957, recording R&B singles that were already infused with a Cajun musical sensibility.

In 1958, Bobby Charles moved to Imperial, cutting several singles through 1959. Bobby Charles was silent for a few years after cutting a one-off cover of Goodnight Irene for Farie in 1959. Charles' reputation as a songwriter continued to grow.

It was the Summer of 1960 when Fats Domino (a.k.a. "fat man") was making hits with Walking to New Orleans, peaking at #6 in July, 1960, in the Top Ten. Clarence "Frogman" Henry did the same early the following year with I Do not Know Why I Love You, But I Do. Clarence first gained fame with the recording of "Ain't Got No Home" in 1957, and "I Don't Know Why But I Do," written by Paul Gayten and Bobby Charles. It went to #4 on the pop charts in March of 1961 for the "Frogman". Frogman was a native of New Orleans and was the opening act for the Beatles for their live concerts in the U.S. during 1964.

Bobby Charles subsequently recorded sides for Hub City (1963), Jewel (1964), and Paula (1965), by which time he was experimenting with country music. Charles had little commercial success of his own, drifting away from the music business for a while. Charles returned in 1972 on the Bearsville label, cutting a self-titled album co-produced by the Band's Rick Danko. In fact, the majority of the Band appeared on the record as supporting musicians, as did Dr. John, David Sanborn, and Amos Garrett.

Bobby Charles did not sell very well, and after recording with Paul Butterfield in 1973, a disenchanted Charles again retreated from music. He appeared with the Band in their 1976 concert film The Last Waltz, joining them on-stage for one song of their final performance. The following year, he returned to Bearsville and recorded another album with Spooner Oldham on piano, but the project was never released.

Charles songs had been recorded by numerous artists from the worlds of blues, rock, country, and soul. A partial list includes Joe Cocker, Delbert McClinton, Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Tom Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Etta James, Junior Wells, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Bo Diddley, David Allan Coe, and even UB40.

Have you ever heard of The Walk? It was a Louisiana Swamp Pop / Rhythm & blues song by Bobby Charles. "The Walk" was also covered, recorded and going to an UK Top 40 by the Inmates, a British Pub Rock band with the great singer Bill Hurley on vocal.

In the late 1990's, Charles returned to rural Cajun country to live the quiet life, supported by his songwriting royalties, becoming a local environmental activist. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Carmen Home Orphanage

Carmen, Oklahoma - OkieLegacy Ezine, Vol. 5, Iss. 10, concerning the Carmen Home Orphanage brought the following information from Janis (Bedell) Miller, "I lived in the building in grade school when my mom, Louise, was employed there when it housed the elderly. If anyone has any information around the early 1980's, please contact Janis (Bedell) (Email: janis.miller@yahoo.com) or (520-904-8828)." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Home Comfort Range Model #DA-140520

America - OkieLegacy Ezine, concerning the Home Comfort Range, Model #DA-140520, brought this comment from Lorrie, who is looking for help in finding a price valuation on this range. Lorrie says, "PLEASE HELP!!! I have the Home Comfort Range Model DA-140520 and have a buyer. My problem is I have no idea what it is worth. Anyone have any idea or where I can be directed on line to obtain the value? Thanks!"

Lorrie says the range she has is fully functional and is in great condition. She can not find anything online concerning the value. If you can help her find the value of the Model DA Home Comfort Range, please Email Lorrie with any information. She would be greatly appreciative. Lorrie's Email: (tango0531@aol.com). Thanks! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1884 Lynching In Monterey, Virginia

Highland county, Virginia - It always amazes me when I hear back on an OkieLegacy features in our archives. This comment was made by Kevin Fansler who replied to our feature story in Vol. 13, Iss. 16, dated 2011-04-18, concerning "Learning Good With the Bad Ancestrial Stories."

Kevin says, "Henry Morgan Tomlinson is my great-grandfather. Giles Gum is my great-great-uncle and Sidney Ruckman is also a relative. I have been curious about this story ever since my grandmother Tomlinson told the story. The Tomlinson fled ultimately to McPherson, Kansas where Henry changed his name temporarily to Charles Morgan, according to the 1885 Kansas census. He, with his family, came into Oklahoma after 1895 and settled around the Fay, Oklahoma area."

This story as stated in the History of Highland County, Virginia, page 230, by Oren Frederic Morton states, "The good record of the county in this respect was marred by a lynching in the month of January 3, 1884." The lynching victim was a man from Michigan (may have been originally from Massachusetts), E. D. Porter (a.k.a E. D. Atchison), came to the west of the county after his release from the Pocahontas jail. It was believed that Porter was not a well-behave person, and during a game of cards with a citizen of Back Creek, a quarrel arose between two intoxicated men. Porter being one of them. He struck the other person a blow with his knife, only inflicting a slight wound in the breast.

As the story goes . . . a party of citizens broke into the jail, shot Atchison in his cell, and then hanged him to a tree on the Vanderpool road, where the same crosses the brow of the conical hill south of the town. It was reported that all but one of the lynching party was identifiable. One citizen was tried by a jury of Rockbridge men but was acquitted. The others who were assumed to be implicated in the unfortunate occurrence left the county never to return.

This is a list of the men that Sheriff Hiner could identify 9 out of the 10 men. He saw the face of the tenth man but did not recognize him. Arrest warrants were then sworn out for the following 9 men:

1. John Anderson Chestnut
2. James Beeson
3. Joe Beath
4. Luther Wade
5. L. N. Gibson
6. Giles Harrison Gum
7. Henry Morgan Tomlinson
8. John Adam Lightner
9. Robert Warwick (may have been the same as my great grandpa, John Robert Warwick)