Happy Father's Day!

We hear NW Oklahoma got some much needed rain this week ... around 2.5 to 3 inches. AND... lots if wind! What would Oklahoma be without wind, hail, thunderstorms and threats of tornadoes around harvest time, though?

I would say our temps here in the valley of SW Colorado have been hanging around the 70's and low 80's and dropping to 40's and 50's in the evenings. There are still mountain tops with snow in the distance. AND... I hear Aspen on the Eastern slopes of the Rockies opened their ski resorts with the fresh snow they received this week.

I was sifting through a box of old letters and other old items that we gathered from my grandmother's and father's stuff that was stored in the garage and found a partially mouse eaten, 1935, Eleventh Annual Junior-Senior Banquet program of Northwestern State Teachers' College. Stored along with it was a cut-out of the "Castle On the Hill" nameplate with my Dad's name (Merle McGill) printed in white ink along the base of the nameplate. Did my Dad go to that banquet? AND... When it came to the group singing of "The Castle on the Hill," all I could make out of the name was of the leader was "W. P. M.....! What was his last name? It wasn't McGill, because great-grandpa W. P. McGill died in 1918!

Someone in Oregon wrote me and ask if the Wrought Iron Co., Home Comfort Range Model CB was approved for coal burning. Does anyone out there know if this is true... or NOT? If you run onto any information or knowledge of these ranges being approved for coal burning, we would like to know. Thanks!

Marvin Wiebener sent us a very interesting and true "Skunk Story" that will tickle your funny bone. Thanks, Marvin, for the story and the mugshot of the writer speeding along at 4-mph.

Amongst the other items that we found in grandma's box of treasures was an old news clipping and photo of Woods County's triplets that were born to Mr. and Mrs. Guy Lanman. Guy Lanman was manager of Southwestern Telephone Company at the time of the birth of the Lanman triplets. BUT... there was no date on the yellowed news clipping. Is there anyone out there reading this that might help us furnish a date of the NW Oklahoma and Woods County birth?

Attention 1958 Neuman's Boys Choir: check out the Mailbag section for an old clipping taken by Fred Neuman in February 1958 as the boys choir had an overnight outing at the Salt Plains lake lodge of their director. I recognized a few in the picture, but not all!

Did one of your ancestor's graduate from Northwestern State Teachers' College in 1936-37? In the Mailbag section is a list of graduates. Maybe you might recognize someone and jog some memory cells loose for next week's newsletter.

This week being "Father's Day" weekend, we have memories of fathers and grandfathers and Ken Updike's memory of his father. Thanks to Ken for another one of his pricelss gems of growing up in Oklahoma and sharing his mugshot with us!

Hope all you fathers out there are taking it easy and relaxing, playing and enjoying your families attention. Happy Father's Day!
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Memories of Our Father

It was no secret in February 3rd, 1950 what Gene McGill stood for. He was a Democrat running for State Senator for Woods / Woodward Counties -- announcing his candidacy February 3rd, 1950 against Claude Seaman of Waynoka in Northwest Oklahoma.

My sister Dorthy says, "The photo looks more like Gene in 1950."

For many of you who knew Gene McGill, what his political pamphlet stated: He is a Leader ... Not a Follower! was absolutely true in his earlier political days.

Gene McGill gave considerable thought to the matter before announcing his candidacy for the State Senate for the Woods / Woodward District, and he took this means of conveying to the voters of these two counties a short biography, the principles for which he stood, and the program to which he would devote his time if elected. BUT... unfortunately, he was not elected that year.

The Daily Oklahoman, dated February 4, 1950, page 19, stated in the headlines, Gene McGill to Seek State Senate Seat."

The rest of the short, two-paragraph article stated, "Alva, Feb. 3 (1950) -- Gene McGill, Alva farmer, Friday announced as a Democratic candidate for the state senate in this year's primary elections. McGill, making his first legislative race, will attempt to unseat Republican Claude Seaman, Waynoka, who is ending his first term."

Gene (Merle) McGill was born in Woods County, Oklahoma, December 27th, 1914. He spent his entire life in western Oklahoma, having graduated from grade and high schools in Woods county. Gene attended Northwestern State College in Alva and obtained his degree at the University of Oklahoma at Norman in 1937. Since that time he had been a farmer and rancher. He was married and had four daughters. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, a 32nd degree Mason and Shriner, a member of the American Business Club (ABC), and a member of the Northwest Cattlemen's Association. He was organizing director and the first president of the National Flying Farmers's Association.

Dad, if you are up there looking down on all of us, this in memory of you and your accomplishments as a Northwest Oklahoma Democrat, the 1st National Flying Farmers President and Flying Farmers organizer. AND... the other accomplishments that you managed to put under your belt during your 72 years of your life (1914-1986).

Happy "Father's Day" to all Father's this weekend!
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Old Crowell House In Alva, OK

Marty Myers of Cherokee, Oklahoma sent me this information that appeared in the Enid News & Eagle concerning the Old Crowell house located on the southwest corner of 8th & Flynn Avenue, in Alva, Oklahoma.

A Burlington, Oklahoma family that runs The Vintage House in Burlington are expanding their business to Alva with a NEW Bed & Breakfast that they will call The Vintage Inn.

Lori Kraft and her sister, Sherri Garroutte have purchased the Old Crowell House in Alva to remodel it into the new The Vintage Inn. It is located across the street from the Alva Middle School.

The Crowell Past
The Crowell House was named for its original builder and owner, George Washington Crowell. George was originally a native of North Carolina, but moved to Kansas in his youth with his parents. He was involved with the lumber business in Kansas. He came to Alva in 1893 and opened the first lumber yard. As the story goes the, (Crowell family legacy), George Crowell arrived in Alva with only $1.50 in his pockets, but shortly became very rich. He was appointed a county commissioner of the First District in Oklahoma by Gov. William Renfrow. He also was vice-president of First National Bank and president of Crowell Bros. Lumber Co.

As to George's big house on 8th & Flynn Ave., in Alva, Oklahoma, legend has it Crowell wanted to build the biggest house in Alva so he constructed the house in 1906 andh succeeded for about a year, until another man built a slightly larger house on the west side of town.

Crowell brought in an Italian artist, who was charged with scrolling in gold leaf on the walls and ceilings on the first floor and up the stairs. He also carved rail posts and the glass doors leading into the house. All the wood and the tile roofing for the house was shipped in from Kansas. Crowell also had several chandeliers shipped in from Europe. Crowell took copper from a bank in Kansas and installed it in two of the rooms.

The garage of the home today was originally one of the first hamburger stands in Alva. This NW Okie remember when I was attending Junior High in the early 1960's, there was no cafeteria at the old junior high building (which, besides beingw the old high school, was a three-story red brick building with a gymnasium and band room in the basement).

Anyway... for lunch we would walk a block south and a block east to Washington Elementary School on the southwest corner of Barnes Ave. and 7th Street. Sometimes we wouldn't make ti to the elementary cafeteria and would stop in the hamburger joint in the Crowell's old garage and get a hamburger for what seemed like 25 to 50 cents at that time... maybe more like 75 cents. They made great burgers and it was a favorite hangout of teenagers at lunch time.

The Vintage House in Burlington
According to their website, "The Vintage House was established in 2005 by Kevin and Lori Kraft and features “outstanding food while dining in an ambiance of elegance.” It also says, “We combined years of our families recipes to create delicious cuisine that you and your family can enjoy in a quaint romantic atmosphere.” The Krafts also are known for singing love songs and classics on special nights."

Menu entrees include two cuts of beef steaks, two cuts of buffalo steaks, salmon, soup of the night (chicken noodle soup or cheesy potato soup), three types of lobster, smoked chicken and two types of shrimp. All entrees come with a salad (house or garden), fresh baked bread, soup of the night and a baked potato. We understand that people fly in from all across Oklahoma to visit The Vintage House.

This NW Okie has not been to Burlington, Oklahoma in awhile, but it sounds like I need to stop in at The Vintage House on Wednesday thru Sunday. BUT... will I need to make a reservation? Check out their website listed above.
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1935 - 11th Annual Junior-Senior Banquet of NSTC

It was Monday, May 13, 1935, 6:30 p.m., at the American Legion Hall, in Alva, Oklahoma, that the 11th annual Junior-Senior Banquet of the Northwestern State Teacher's College was held. March of that year the "Castle on the Hill" had burned.

The image to the left was a cut-out with my dad's name (Merle McGill) printed on it that I found with the partially mouse eaten program from that banquet.

On the menu was fruit cocktail, meat pie, riced potatoes, creamed peas, glazed carrots, olives, parker house rolls, waldorf salad, ice cream, wafers and mints.

The Toastmaster was Earnest Read; Invocation was given my Miss Shockley; the welcome was given by Louise Ewalt; and the Response by Verlin Easterling.

The Floor Show consisted of Director, Mr. Turner; Vocal Solo, Justin Bradshaw; Accompanist, Helen Sherrill; Reading, Dorothe Douglas; "New Buildings for Northwestern," President Hatcher; "Castle Airs," John Day; Accompanist, Jack Archer; "New Buildings for Seniors" Dean Percefull; "new Buildings for Juniors," Miss Holland; "The Castle Falls," Marion Monfort; Group Singing, "The Castle On the Hill," Leader, W. P. M..... (because of the mouse eaten portion, we couldn't make out W. P. M's last name); Dancing and Bridge.

On the back of the program were printed the words to Oh! Northwestern!.

Oh! Northwestern!
You have written your name in history
Oh! Northwestern!
You've engraved it deep up on the scrolls of fame
We have linked our lives with yours
Oh! Northwestern!
Our achievements add a luster to your fame --
Chorus
So then stand ye sons and daughters of old Northwestern
Take off your hats to the men upon the fields
They will fight tonight for old Northwestern
And for the honor of the Castle on the Hill
So then stand ye sons of old Northwestern
Pay your tribute to the men who never yield
They will fight tonight for old Northwestern
And for the glory of the Castle on the Hill.
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How I Remember My Dad

We are in the process of taking down Kenneth Updike's stories and ramblings of "Growing Up In Oklahoma" because Kenneth asked us, "To remove all of my previous writings to you about my Ramblins. Personal stories that I told you and your readers. My Son has had all of my writings, and notes copyrighted so that we can put them in a book or booklet. His idea. I really have no objections to this, but he insists we can be viewed by more people. I leave it up to him. Thanks for your help in the past, and I still read your Okie Legacy nearly every week."

If you find some of Kenneth's Ramblings that I have missed, Please email me the link with Vol. and Iss. numbers so that this NW Okie can remove them. Thanks for your help!
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Home Comfort Range, Model CB

"I have a model CB Home Comfort Range and use it for heat as well as to cook with. It is in my cabin in Wallowa Co., Oregon. If you can find “Promise” on a map we are 2.2 miles due North in the upper reaches of Ward Canyon. There are others working in the county I have heard of 2. If you can send photo-copies of the “cook book” pages dealing with the stove and its workings, it would be greatly be appreciated. The question I have today, is the stove Model CB approved for coal burning? The fire box looks heavy enough to handle the heat of coal but I would hate to destroy my stove in an experiment." -- Brad Farmer
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Early Oklahoma School Photos

[ The photo on the left shows the Stella Friends Academy Pupils while the photo on the right shows the Riverside School pupils with Teacher, Bill McGill.]

"Hello, Linda! Was looking at your website photos of schools in Woods County, (Oklahoma Territory). The SFA 1904 photo is of the Stella Friends Academy, in Stella, East of Cherokee. I know this from recent research and discussion.

The Riverside School photo and the one below appear to be the same building, different perspective, different years. Note the number of windows, their dimensions, the chimney design and building size.

Using the federal census, I looked up William McGill and found him and family in Liberty Township, Woods County. All originate from Tennessee and Kansas. In 1900, William P., is 65, wife Isabell M., is 54, son William J., is 19, son Charles R., is 15, and daughter Lulu B., is 13. Also, James A., 27, lives next to other McGills. Another McGill family lives in nearby Sumner Township, not sure if family is related but they also hail from Kansas.

In 1910, William J. is married to Constance E., and are living in Alva, Woods Co. They do not appear in the 1920 census.

If you would like the images to the census' above, I would be glad to send them to you as PDF files. Can we trade? I would like copies of the photos, especially ones with names on them. My family also lived in Alva, Cherokee, and Helena." -- Gregory Morley - McGill, Libderty, O.T. Census & McGill, Sumner, O.T Census>
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Hintergardt Bros. OKC Station

"When my parents (J.C. and Marian Kendrick) and my brothers and I lived at 3920 NW 59th street in OKC, I sometimes stopped at that station, to patronize another Oklahoma product. H.C. Sinclair was another of the famous Oklahoma oil men who'd become famous enough to have his name used by his company

I also traded with Kerr-McGee's "Deep Rock" stations, Conoco, and Phillip's 66, while I was going through college at Oklahoma City University, and later when I worked as a film editor at channel 9, KWTV.

I might mention too that Phillip's 66 did NOT get its name from the 'beltline highway' 66! It got it's name because one of the Phillip's brothers (Frank, I think) was being driven down the highway and commented that they must be going close to 60 MPH using their new gasoline and his chauffeur glanced down at the speedometer and said, "no sir, we're going 66 miles per hour." And when Wiley Post began using their newly developed 'premium' fuel in his airplane (the Winnie Mae), they renamed that premium gasoline "Flite Fuel." -- Roy K. - OkieLegacy Comment
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The Skunk Story - by Marvin Wiebener

"This incident happened in early April and since then I've been encouraged to write it down. Unbeknownst to me there are skunk story aficionados with web-sites on the internet and one of them asked me to submit it for circulation within the small niche of skunk lovers. I am sending you the story also." -- Marvin

The Skunk Story
"After retirement Peggy and I moved to the country. We are both from small farming/ranching communities in Oklahoma and wanted to return to the peace and quiet we’d missed during our professional careers. We bought a home away from town surrounded by shallow canyons, pastures and creeks. Our four acres are replete with tall pine trees, Bradford pear, large Oak, Elm and Cedar, it is a beautiful spot.

"We spread corn out for the deer and wild turkey, in the evenings we watch and listen to the pesky coyote as they move around looking for food. Raccoon, opossum and armadillo are frequent visitors as are the bob-cat and an occasional porcupine. We have four dogs and two cats. My wife and I have nothing against hunting or hunters, many of our friends are avid about the sport, but we don’t hunt and on many occasions Peggy and I have gone out of our way to help abandoned animals. Needless to say it would be a rare situation where I would be willing to kill an animal, even a skunk.

"Peggy was preparing for bed and I was watching the last fifteen minutes of Frazier when a ruckus broke out in our garage like I’d never heard before. From time to time opossum and raccoon have wandered into the garage lured; I’m sure, by the smell of dog and cat food. They encounter our dogs somewhere along the way, an argument ensues and the unwelcome intruder goes on their way. But this animal argument was different, there was a real fight going on. Not knowing what to expect I didn’t want to open the door between the kitchen and garage, concerned the fight might end up in our house, so I went out the back door and around the side of the garage to see what was taking place.

"For those readers who don’t know me I should briefly explain my physical condition. I have a rare neurological disease similar to Lou Gehrig’s disease and to that end I get around in a sophisticated mechanical wheelchair. The only thing this chair won’t do is brew my morning coffee, well…there are a few other things it won’t do now that I think about it.

"Anyway, I’m in my chair, its dark (no moon) and cold as I approach the open two car garage door. By then my sixty pound boarder collie and one-hundred-twenty pound Pyrenees are in the driveway trying desperately to shake the odor off. The collie sees me and runs to greet with her usual in-your-lap licking and nosing my hand to scratch her ears, which, under the circumstances, I refused to do.

"About then the skunk comes out of the garage and spots me and charges, I repeat, charges, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I’d never been charged by an animal before. The two dogs positioned themselves between me and the charging skunk. The skunk then chased the collie around to the east side of the house. I thought maybe the skunk would see he was out numbered and retreat into the canyon, but I was wrong! Within a few minutes the skunk was back and chased the Pyrenees into the pasture. Again, I thought the skunk would come to his senses and toddle on off, but, again I was wrong. A minute later the skunk comes out of the brush, by-passes me and goes into the garage.

"I said earlier that we have two cats—did I mention that they are both black and white? When the skunk enters the garage he goes straight for the dog bedding, takes it in his mouth and shakes it violently then starts dragging it out of the garage. The two cats think this new friend has come to play so they follow the skunk dragging the dogs bedding out of the garage believing this is some kind of new game. They calmly hang out with him in an apparent bonding episode that was amazing to watch, although the skunk wasn’t at all interested in making friends, he never acted aggressive toward the cats.

"Peggy, in search of her missing husband, sees what is going on and tries to shew the skunk from the garage with a broom. She had no idea the skunk had already chased our two dogs off the premises, so she wrongly assumed a broom would intimidate the unwelcome varmint. Luckily Peggy is quick on her feet and retreated back into the house before the skunk got to her. By now I’m thinking the worst, the skunk is rabid and although our dogs and cats had been inoculated, I had to take drastic measures. First I loaded my varmint rifle and went on the hunt and soon found the skunk and my two black and white cats prowling around the east side of the house where it is really dark.

"I am a former Marine but trying to take aim, in a wheelchair, in the dark at an animal that looks so similar to your own pets is difficult. Finally I got a clear shot and fired, of course I missed him. The gun shot noise didn’t phase the skunk, fortunately it scared the cats and they high-tailed it to safety. I fired several more times, missing every time from thirty-feet away.

"Now the rifle is out of ammo and it’s the skunks turn. I’m not kidding he charges again, this time I’m on rougher terrain and can’t maneuver as easily or drive as fast as when I’m on a solid surface. Because of terrain and fencing I’m unable to get back to the house in a direct way, so I head for the shed on the west side of our property, the skunk is running along side my speeding chair not one foot away. I round the shed and Peggy is standing there holding the back door open for me, hoping for good news that was not to come. I thrust the joy stick forward and my chair scooted along at four miles per hour toward the back door, Peggy screaming, “Hurry, hurry!” As the back wheel crossed the threshold Peggy slammed the door with the skunk only inches from entering the house. Take a short pause here and picture this in your mind—a skunk, probably rabid, in your house, along with a man in a wheel chair carrying an empty weapon. Where are the people with video phones when you need `em?

"The skunk has, knowingly or unknowingly, declared war on our peaceful existence, so, I trade the rifle for a nine millimeter automatic hand gun and embark on a mission to protect my wife, me and our domestic animals from the psycho-skunk. The search mission didn’t take long, as I wheeled quietly around the house to the front entrance I saw him trying to dig under or pull open the front storm door. I drove to within ten feet of him and uttered the appropriate expletives to get his attention, and get it I did, the chase was on. I had to entice him away from the house and into an area where a ricocheting bullet wouldn’t do damage to the house, cars, animals or worse my wife.

"I led him on a chase around the house and into our very large back yard, however, being the clever aggressionist he was the skunk positioned himself just to the rear of my mechanical chair making it impossible to turn swiftly enough to take aim and fire. I led him back to the circle concrete drive where I could get better traction. My strategy worked, at a full four miles per hour I was able to put some distance between the skunk and me. As soon as I had him at an angle where a ricochet wouldn’t damage anything I swirled around in my chair and fired three rounds, missed again. Now he’s inches from my foot, I performed an evasive turn and accelerated. I looked back and he was still in pursuit, so around the circle drive we go again and when I reached the point I thought would be safe to shoot I made a tight right turn, aimed and when he got to within about two feet I fired.

"Now, I am not proud I killed an animal, but I thought it had to be done not only for our sakes but the skunks as well. He was truly a tormented beast." -- Incident occurred the first of April 2008. - written by Marvin Wiebener
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1958 - Chimney Creek News

This 1958, Chimney Creek News was written by Mrs. Lloy Russell.

I am not sure where Chimney Creek community was located in Northwest Oklahoma, but in February 27, 1958, the following news article appeared in The Woods County News, Alva, Oklahoma, and mentioned the coming and goings of it's citizens and guests... like many news article did back in the old newspaper days.

"Visitors Sunday morning at the Cecil Grove Church of God were T-Sgt. and Mrs. Ray Lockhart of Amarillo, Texas. They spent the weekend at the home of his mother Mrs. Alice Lockhart. A little son was born Saturday evening to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Dauphin but God needed another sunbeam in Heaven so He just lived a few hours. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon. We extend our sympathy.

Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Johnson and daughter from Mooreland were callers Sunday afternoon at the Frank Moore, Jr., home.

dinner guests Sunday at the home of Mr. nd Mrs. Marvin Decker were Mr. and mrs. Ralph Alvin and Ted Porter from Selman, Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Decker.

Mr. and Mrs. Lloy Russell visited Wednesday evening at the home of Frank Moore, Jr. Mrs. Alice Lockhart and Mrs. Bessie Whitcomb and family were supper guests Monday evening at the home of Mrs. Estella Lockhart and Mrs. Rena Beauchamp of Waynoka.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Moore, Jr., and family were callers sunday evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Hicks. They were all supper guests at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Curry at Quinlan.
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Feb. 27, 1958, Hopeton, OK News

This news article was also found in The Woods County News, Alva, OK., dated Feb. 27, 1958. The Hopeton News written by Violet Zacher

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson of Waynoka were calling in the community Wednesday. Everett Nelson and Glenn Farris attended a sale near Burlington Tuesday.

We are happy to report that Mrs. Frank Irons is home from the hospital, but she doesn't feel too well yet.

Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Hall of Alva called in the Robert Zacher home Sunday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Rout spent Saturday night with Mrs. Anna Haas.

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore O'Malley of Colorado visited in the Bill Haltom home over the weekend. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Zacher and Linda visited E. J. Murrow in Dacoma and Mrs. Cora acher of Carmen Sunday afternoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Zacher did some papering for Mrs. Everett Nelson a couple of days last week.

Word has been received of the death of Mrs. John Wilson's father who lived in Iowa, Rev. and Mrs. John Wilson lived here in Hopeton awhile and also were pastors at Alva and Pleasant View churches at different times. The Wilsons are pastors at Hayti, Mo, at the present time.

Mr. and Mrs. Ivan haas and children of Derby, Mr. and Mrs. Vick Haas and son of Kiowa and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Route of Sand Springs spent Sunday with Mrs. Anna Haas to help celebrate her birthday, which was Saturday.

She was very happy to have her children home. Mr. and Mrs. Don Hodges and daughters of Amarillo, Texas, visited in the Estle Halom home over the weekend.

Andrew Haltom and Kenneth Veatch helped Everett Haltom dip his cattle Saturday morning.

Bill Lyle hasn't felt too well this last week. We wish him better health soon. Several from this commuity attended a birthday dinner for Mts. Frank Howerton at Alva Sunday. Those present were Mr. and Mrs. Everett Nelson, and Gary, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Haltom, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. Mack Nelson and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson, Waynoka, Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey White of Byron, Mr. and Mrs. Art Lancaster and boys of Kiowa, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sanborn and Sharon of Tonkawa, Gary Carpenter of Tonkawa, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sanborn, Wichita, Mrs. Ipsom, Mrs. Allen Doughty, Mr. and Mrs. Jr. Quinn and son, all of Alva.

Mr. and Mrs. Billie Murray and family of Wichita were dinner guests Saturday of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Hofen.

E. J. Paris spent the weekend at home with Mr. and Mrs. Ern Paris. (Uncle E. J. was this NW Okie's uncle on my mother's side of the family and my mother's youngest sibling.)
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Feb. 1958 - Rialto Theatre Movies, Alva, OK

Remember when Adult prices at the Rialto were 65-cents and children got in for 10-cents in Alva, OK, February 1958?

The epic of the real American cowboy, titled Cowboy starring Glenn Ford and Jack Lemmon was showing in Alva, Oklahoma at the Rialto, in Alva, Oklahoma.

It seems that Glenn Ford was a popular star back then, because he was also starring in the laugh of your life time movie, Don't Go Near the Water. Remember when there were color cartoons and news before the main feature?
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Neuman's Boys Choir Outing (Feb. 27, 1958)

It was fifty years plus a few months, February 27, 1958, that a group of Neuman's Boys Choir had an overnight outing at the Salt Plains lake lodge of their director, Fred Neuman. Twenty members of the choir made the trip, leaving Alva, Oklahoma Thursday afternoon and returning late Friday afternoon.

Listed alphabetically, (not all listed are shown in the news photo taken by Fed Neuman) they are Jimmy Boham, Bev Barker, Glen Diacon, Jerry Estle, Tommy Gruber, Henry Haight, Chuck Higdon, Johnny Jones, Mark McClain, Ernest Dean Otte, Marvin Quinn, Jerry Nusser, Lynn Ridgway, Buddy Sams, Jerry Sneary, Gene Smith, Terry Smith, Dick Tatro, Floyd Thompson and Allen Wilson. -- Woods County News, The Alva Weekly News and The Dacoma Herald, published in Alva, Woods county, Oklahoma, Thursday, Feb. 27, 1958, at 5-cents per copy.
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Woods County, Guy Lanman Triplets - What Year

We are not sure of the date on this yellow-aged news clipping, dated to sometime around July 15th. Anyway... Mr. and Mrs. Guy Lanman of Alva, Oklahoma were the parents of Woods County's Triplets that weighed in at 5-1/4, 5-1/2 and 5-3/4 pounds, all boys, two blonds and one brunette. They were all apparently healthy and the mother was doing well. The father was manager of the Alva branch of the Southwest Telephone Company at the time. That should give us another clue as to the year. The caption under the news photo also mentioned that Mr. and Mrs. Lanman had the only triplets in the county.

Does anyone out there remember the Guy Lanman family and what was the year that Guy Lanman was manager of Southwest Telephone company?
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NW Oklahoma News

June 8, 2008 -- "It is raining here now the thunder is really rumbling. It was starting to get a little dry so the rain is welcome ... just no hail! Please! The wind was blowing a good gusts yesterday but it did not rain. Grandpa Hap Pearson's funeral was Thursday. He was ready to go. He should be remembered for how much he loved Northwestern and being such a good man. His grandson, Dennis Pearson, enjoyed him very much." -- Louise
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1920 Pow Wow Yearbook & Floris Patterson

"I want to thank Tami for making sure that Grandmother Floris' painting was returned to her grandchildren. What a lovely gesture.

In a time when so many people seem to be thinking of only themselves, you reminded everyone that most people are still kind and thoughtful.

Lora, my baby sister, was thrilled to get the picture. It appears that Floris had her sister, Elberta, pose for the picture. Interestingly enough, My sister favors our Great Aunt Elberta and is named after Floris' other sister, Lora.

You might enjoy knowing that Floris was considered a child prodigy. She was sent at a very early age to attend the Art Institute in Chicago, Ill. and from there attended the Grand Central Art School in New York City. She returned to Laverne, Oklahoma as a young lady and taught art in grade school. She painted almost all of the church baptismal murals in her little town. Her gift to all who wed was an original painting. She was married to Jesse Aldridge on December 21, 1928 and moved to Shawnee for a few years before returning to Laverne. They had a son, Lawrence Eugene, soon after moving back to Laverne. Jess was the Superintendent of the Laverne Light and Power Plant. Ten years into their marriage and at only 32 years of age, Jesse died of a severe asthma attack on his birthday on October 9, 1938. He never knew his wife was carrying his second son, Donald Ray Aldridge.

Floris continued to teach with the support of her community and family. She died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1946 while talking on the phone with a friend. My Uncle Eugene remained in Laverne to finish his education. He was sixteen and had a good job and family to live with. My father was only six. He was adopted by Floris' brother, Frank W. Patterson and his wife Pauline Gilliland Patterson. They took him back to El Paso, Texas to raise him with their son, Burton. I tell you all of this that you might know a little bit about a woman that lived a very short time, suffered some deep tragedies, and still left beauty in many, many homes and churches across the area she loved to call home. She could have stayed in New York. She had the potential to stand with the greatest artist of her time. She was educated with fellow students like Norman Rockwell, but she chose Oklahoma.

My brother, Jesse Eugene Aldridge, my sister, Lora Aldridge Thompson, and myself, Paulita Aldridge Hayes all returned to Kentucky in 1971, but we remained very close to our Oklahoma heritage. Through the years we have received some of our grandmother's lost art. It is the only tangible connection to a grandmother we never got to know personally.

Tami, thanks so much!" -- Paulita A. Hayes - Okielegacy Comment
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1936 - 37th Annual Commencement Sermon & Bacclaureate

Let us take you back the the thirty-seventh annual Commencement Sermon and Baccalaureate Exercises of Northwestern State Teachers' College (NSTC), in Alva, Oklahoma, held in Herod Hall, May 17 and 20, 1936.

The commencement Sermon of NSTC were held, Sunday, May 17, 1936, 11:00 a.m., with P. C. Conn, Director of the college orchestra doing directing the processional. Rev. Ray Vaughan, of the First Christian church giving the Invocation.

On Wednesday, May 20, 1936, 10:00 a.m., in Herod Hall, of NSTC, the Baccalaureate Exercises.

Maybe someone reading this list will know of someone whose ancestors were listed as Candidates for Degrees:
Avis Walker Alexander, Ellis Charles Archer, Helen Armbruster, Floyd Bennett, Pauline Black, Kathryn Marie Blair, Florence Roberta Bradley, Justin Baird Bradshaw, Orville Laverne Bratcher, Alonzo Victor Bright, Margaret Gertrude Brower, Aldean Leota Brown, Fred Vernon Bruner, Nellie Jillson Burchfiel, Faye Leona Carmichael, Mildred Browne Casper, Helen Keller Cates, Alice Virginia Cavett, Dorothy C. Channel, Harry Bagg Cheadle.

Oliver Claude Clothier, Wilma Hellman Coffman, Maurice Jefferson Compton, Arline Curry, Fannie Mable Dobbs, Howard Joe Domnick, Maybelle Charlotte Edsel, Eunice Smith Estle, Vinita Evins, Adeline Louise Ewalt, Walter Edison Fisher, William Irvin Fletcher, Zelma Juanita Glasgow, Mae Dickson Harney, Juanita Heise, Laura Elizabeth Highfill, Myrtle Marie Hill, Herman Immanuel Hort, Lorene Cox Howard, Lora Maynard Hudson.

Harold Vernon Huneke, Genivie Irons, Rex Irwin, Dorothy Delphine Isbell, Eddith Lucille Jaekel, Wilma Armstrong Jobes, Edith Frances Jones, charlotte lenora Jones, Ina Kelso, Rose Nell Kinsall, Stella Alfreda lambert, Barbara Liebrand, Ross G. Lockhart, Wiletha Ann Lott, Mary Evelyn Metcalf, Thelma Pearl Morehart, Grace Alice Moyer, John Ralph Murray, Gladys Nelson, Ronald Wayne Nelson.

Pauline Lasswell Noakes, Clifford Manuel Packard, Annette Parker, Roy Elmer Patton, Gladys Elkins Pierce, Wesley Francis Pittman Jr., Earnest Armon Read, Gladys Elizabeth Reed, Evert Alfred Robinson, Oscar William Schaefer, Mildred Minnie Sims, Edith Smith, Mary Genevieve Smith, Margaret Elizabeth Staake, Orville Gore Stephenson, Delmar William Stobaugh, Viola Johnson Stobaugh, Noel Earnest Taylor, Dorothy Hodges Tharp, Wilmer Henry Vaught, Grace Harriet Walker, Margaret Peebles Walt, Dorothy Ruth Wasson, Paul Allan Werner, Walter Harold Willaman, marye Liona Wilson, Raymond Reynolds Wilson, Florence Ruth Whittington, John Bedinger Jr., Christian T. Collins.
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NW Oklahoma Memories

"Isn’t it strange how one event can cause such a chain of memories. These being long term memories, they are more easily remembered. All of this due to having seen in the Courier the obituary of “Hap” Pearson at the age of 100.

My memories of “Hap” and lemon ice cream are one and the same. When he was operating the Mitten Ice Cream Parlor, I was introduced to lemon ice cream. It was the best lemon ice cream I have ever eaten, and to this day lemon ice cream, all though not nearly as tasty, causes a remembrance of “Hap.” While attending Northwestern, when I would happen to see “Hap,” there was always the remembrance of lemon ice-cream. I originally remembered the ice cream parlor as being Minton’s, but in his obituary it was listed as Mittens. I read Jim Barker’s column in the Courier, and he wrote it as Minton’s.

In the rememberence of the Minton's Ice Cream Parlor reminded me that, in Bill Barker’s journey around the square it was not mentioned. I believe it was before his family moved to Alva. Its location was just west on Flynn from 4th street. There was the pool hall, the barber shop, a cafe, then Minton's, complete with a long marble soda-fountain and the ice-cream parlor chairs and tables.

Reading Bill’s account brought to mind a number of other businesses around the square, not all of them operating at the same time, however.

IXL Barbershop, McLellan’s Variety Store next to the Rialto. Fredericks Studio, a Firestone store. Jetts, TG&Y, and what later became the Pix Theater was a USO during days of the POW camp south of Alva.

Bill mentioned about the Lodge located over the Courier office. Before it was the Lodge, it was a skating rink. If my memory serves me correctly, it was operated by Gene Reiman, who also worked at the Golden Krust Bakery.

Vern Henderson’s barber shop, Hester Drug, which later became Holder-Southern Drug. During the war, I believe Warrick’s Shoe Store was located on the south side of the square. They sold Buster Brown shoes and had, I guess it was a fluoroscope where you could stick your foot in and look to see how the shoe fit. It was also possible to see the bones in the foot. During the war, while it meant nothing to me, nylon stockings were a rarity. One day, must have been a Monday as my Mom was doing the laundry which was an all day chore, word came some way that Warricks had received some nylons. The laundry stopped, we were off to Warricks to get in a really long line to try and buy a pair. I don’t recall if my Mom was one of the “lucky ones,” but more than likely NOT as I’m sure Warricks did not receive enough pairs for every lady in that line.

Where Pennys was later located was once the Stiles-Howerton Funeral Home. Then the office of Dr Qwast, an optometrist, I believe. The main thing I recall of his office was in the window was a radiometer, which I hadn’t a clue as to what was going on, but I was fascinated watching it spin. Next was, I believe, the dental offices of Dr Ball.

There is another memory which I have been working on, and not being very successful, that I will send more information about later. You may be able to come up with the “story.” -- Marvin Henry
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Minton's Ice Cream Parlor

"DEFINITELY Minton's! It was located in the same block as the old Ranger theatre, which was across Flynn north of the Post Office. Minton's was about four doors east of the Ranger theatre and just a bit west of where the old New Deal Tavern and New Deal Cafe were located. I think there was another building or business between the "New Deal's" and Minton's. That's in the 400 block of Flynn Street, between Fourth and Fifth Streets, almost due north of the City Hall and Fire Station.

My sister worked there for a year or so, and then became a soda jerk at Schumacher's Drug for several years while she was in high school and college. They also served dinners there and had a small row of booths in addition to the soda counter." -- JIM
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Jim Barker's Sports Spasms Article - 06/04/2008

This article appeared in the Alva Review-Courier, dated 06/04/2008, in the Sports Spasms, written by Jim Barker.

Jim mentions, "..... And one of the places that I have mentioned as being one of my favorites was Minton’s ice cream parlor. That was run by none other than Hap Pearson, and that’s the same man that gave my older sister Ruby her first job."
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Albert "Hap" Pearson Obit - 10/7/1907-06/2/2008

Albert Brant "Hap" Pearson, a long time Woods County, Oklahoma resident was born October 7, 1907, in Neodesha, Kansas, to Albert Francis and Elzina (Van Huss) Pearson. Hap passed away June 2, 2008, at Share Medical Center, at the age of 100 years, 7 months and 26 days.

Hap grew up in Waldron, Kansas, where he completed the fourth grade. He came to Oklahoma in 1919 at the age of twelve. He found employment working for ranchers, farmers, and construction in the Waynoka area. While working for Jess Barker, a farmer, he was given the nickname of "Happy" by Mr. Barker because he was always singing and had a happy personality.

In 1924 while working for Mr. Barker, Happy met his future wife, Florence Haltom. After two years of dating, they were married on September 7, 1926. During the early years of the Pearson's marriage, Happy worked in farming, railroad construction, gas stations, and the W. P. A. It was during his W. P. A. days where he began his carpentry work. The major W. P. A. project that he worked on was the Alva Swimming Pool, which is still in use. In 1941, the Pearsons moved to Alva. Happy worked as a civilian doing construction at Camp Gruber near Muskogee, the Prisoner of War Camp at Alva, the Clinton-Sherman Airbase at Burns Flat and fifteen months on the Island of Attu of the Aleutian Islands. It was after the move to Alva that Happy became Hap by his friends and co-workers.

After Hap's return to Alva near the end of the war, he worked as a carpenter and he and Florence ran the Mitton (or... was it Minton?) Creamery and Ice Cream Store for five years. After the Mitton Family sold their business, Hap began working for Rose Brothers Construction who were building Percival Fieldhouse on the Northwestern State College Campus. Hap's main duty was the hanging of the many large mahogany doors in the building.

After the fieldhouse was completed, Northwestern President, Sabin Percival, hired Hap for three months to build two projects. After they were completed, other projects were found for Hap to do. In 1954, new president, Dr. Brown, hired Hap as Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds. In 1956, Dr. J. W. Martin, became the President of Northwestern, which was the beginning of new buildings and renovations of existing buildings and the construction of the football and baseball fields. Hap retired from Northwestern July 1, 1974.

Hap developed a love for sports as a youngster and as a young man, he played baseball on the town teams of Greensburg, Hopeton, Dacoma, Waynoka, Alva, plus Waldron and Pratt, Kansas. In his later years, Hap loved to tube fish for bass and hunt quail. He was an avid fan and supporter of Alva and Northwestern athletics. When he had time he also enjoyed crossword puzzles, rodeos, western novels, music, dominoes, pitch, and dancing with Florence.
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A Grandson's Memories of "Hap" Pearson

"Dennis talks about being at the college with Grandpa Hap and how they walked everywhere on campus. Unlike today where they have carts to drive around.

He loved going fishing with him. He remembers the time that Grandpa went fishing. He ask Grandpa if he had caught anything and he said "yes a hammerfor."

Dennis asked "what is a hammerfor?"

To which Grandpa responded, "Driving nails."

He would tell Dennis not to be taking any wooden nickles and would eat the end off of Dennis pie telling Dennis, "Here... I better eat the end off that so you don't choke on it."

Dennis learned a lot about carpentry from Grandpa. He was perfectionist at it. Dennis helped his grandpa with various projects around Alva. This carried down to Leon as well. Leon could do carpentry work as well as being a good mechanic.

He was a very impressive -- honest man. I think he is proof you can attain a lot with hard work. He loved people and life. Dennis does not recall him ever saying anything negative about anyone. Loved the Goldbugs and Rangers and they loved him.

Thank you for thinking of him. We have bought his and Grandma Florence's trailer. Even now there are memories of them both. She had taped cleaning solution ideas on the door of her cleaning closet and above the washing machine. This trailer was purchased in 1972 or 74 -- they kept it in perfect shape." -- Angie & Dennis
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Feb., 1958 - Share Fun Winners

This old newsclipping came from the Woods County News, dated Feb. 27, 1958, Alva, OK, weekly newspaper

Share Fun Winners -- Chet Olson and Nancy Bixler, Waynoka, shown at back, won first for their novelty act in the annual 4-H Share the Fun festival here; the blackface duet Janet Snell and Ann Wennett, Capron 4-H, took first with Shortnin Bread; and in the under 12 years of age division, the novelty number "A Blue Poke bonnet and Stove Pipe Hat, took second place honors. In the number were Phil Buckland, Ellen Barnes, Lee Bixler, Bill Canady, Linda Olson, and Leslie Barnes. -- Photo by Mill Mann, Feb. 1958
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