Update On Broadband Troubles

Well! HughesNet technician finally showed up this week. All the way from Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

It turns out, after they did some realigning of our satellite dish, that the satellite we are on is getting crowded and the signal strength has diminished by 20%.

HughesNet says they have put up another satellite that works on an updated dish and modem, but not with the one we have. To switch would mean a new dish and modem for a bunch of bucks more.

Oh well! Maybe I will just let everyone else change over to the new satellite dish and perhaps the overcrowding on my dish/satellite will diminish and the signal strength will strengthen, huh?

Someone sent me a link to check my speed of our internet connection.

Did you know that USA is far behind in signal strength of broadband connection. What can we do about that?

The results of my internet speed test are listed below! Check out this site and take the speed test for yourself. Let us know what your broadband connection tested at and where.

On another note... How did the Freedom Old Cowhand Reunion, Shootout & Biggest Open Rodeo turn out this weekend? Send of some of your photos to share with everyone.
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An Old Hugh Donnan Photo

Julie Ackerman has an old picture that has the imprint Hugh Donnan on it.

It is a child sitting in a very ornate chair with a beautiful dress. Someone had written Agnes Mellecker on the back, but Julie has pictures of Agnes when she was a baby and this is not her. Does anyone out there have any idea who the picture is ... or NOT?

To refresh your memories... Hugh T. Donnan married Lilla Wilhite, April 18, 1899, in the home of Fanny and Frank Hatfield in Alva, Oklahoma. Fanny was Lilla`s sister. Hugh was a photographer. He worked in Alva, Oklahoma and Kiowa, Kansas. The name of the studio in Kiowa was Donnan and Alexander.

Hugh Donnan, The Photographer, was a native of South Carolina. He came to Alva in April, 1901. He was an excellent workman and had built up a nice picture business in Alva.

His photos were always strictly up-to-date and were unexcelled by photos made anywhere. At least three-fifths of the photos in the Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition were made by him.
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The WWI Stammering Song

Remembering K-K-Katy! Many of you out there might remember this song once sung by the WWI soldiers and Sailors as they were saying goodbye before they headed off to war in France. Do you remember singing this stammering song in your youth?

One of the reasons I am writing about it this week is because I ran across an old Pathe Phonograph record that my grandmother had collected in the early 1900's. This particular phonograph record of mine was published by Pathe Phonograph Company and sung by Louis Winsch. Louis Winsch enjoyed modest success as a Pathé recording artist during the World War I era, but wisely kept his day job at a Philadelphia phonograph store. -- mainspringpress.com

K-K-K-Katy sung by Billy Murray was considered a comic song, with words and music by Geoffrey O'Hara. It was written in Kingston, Ontario. It became one of the most popular songs of the World War I era, especially among the troops. Published 16 March 1918 by Leo Feist with the subtitle The Stammering Song, it sold over a million copies in sheet music form and was recorded with great success that same year for Victor (18455) by the US tenor, Billy Murray.

Ten other vocal and instrumental recordings of 'K-K-K-Katy' from the 1920s are listed in Roll Back the Years. In 1940 the song was revived by Jack Oakie in the movie Tin Pan Alley.

The song has been done by Mitch Miller, Bill Murray, Buddy Clark, Jon English, Charlie Mariano, Cliff Edwards, Alice Fay, and Louis Winsch, among others.

It was billed as The Sensational Stammering Song Success Sung by the Soldiers and Sailors.

It was regarded as something of a 'goodbye' song. The 'Katy' in the song was Katherine Gertrude (Craig) Richardson of Kingston, Ontario and was composed at Richardson's house in 1917 by Geoffrey O'Hara. O'Hara was originally from Chatham, Ontario, taught music at Columbia University and the University of South Dakota, and died in Florida on January 31, 1967, at age 84. During his career, he composed a great many songs, mostly hymns and other sacred music, but none so far have lasted like K-K-K-Katy.

The song was first played at a garden party fund-raiser for the Red Cross in Collins Bay on Lake Ontario.

Here are the complete lyrics to K-K-K-Katy
Jimmy was a soldier brave and bold,
Katy was a maid with hair of gold,
Like an act of fate,
Kate was standing at the gate,
Watching all the boys while on parade.
Kate smiled, with a twinkle in her eye,
Jim said, m-m-m-meet ya by and by.
That night at eight,
Jim was at the garden gate,
Stuttering this song to K-K-K-Kate.

K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the c-c-c-cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.
K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the c-c-c-cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.

No one ever looked so nice and neat,
No one could be just as cute and sweet,
That's what Jimmy thought,
When the wedding ring he bought,
Soon he'll go to France, the foe to meet.
Jimmy thought he'd like to take a chance,
See if he could make the Kaiser dance,
Stepping to a tune,
All about the silv'ry moon,
This is what they'll hear in far off France.

K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the c-c-c-cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.
K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the c-c-c-cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.
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Young Ladies With Diplomas

"I have an old picture that has the imprint Hugh Donnan on it. It is a child sitting in a very ornate chair with a beautiful dress. Someone has written Agnes Mellecker on the back, but I have pictures of her when she was a baby and this is not her. I will scan it and send it to you to see if you have any idea who the picture is ... or not.

I have found out there may have been two Agnes Mellecker children. I will continue to pursue the lead I have on finding out. If I find out anything, I will email you. If you find out anything, please do the same!

The Mellecker family was in this area (East of Dodge City) for many years and there are a couple of them left in Dodge City. Thanksw!" -- Julie Ackerman, Offerle, KS 67563 - Email: julieackerman@hotmail.com - OkieLegacy Comment
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Growing Up In Potwin, KS

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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Picture Permission

"I work for a local newspaper group in Scotland. One of the towns in our coverage area is called Alva and I have already been in touch with Helen Barrett at the Alva Review Courier to sort out an exchange of pictures and information, so that we can run a feature comparing life in the two towns. Helen has been very helpful and our article is almost ready to run. However, I noticed some pictures on your website that I would like to use with your permission. We would be happy to provide accreditation and/or a reference to your website. Kind regards." -- Michael McCartney, Deputy Editor - Forth Independent Newspapers
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Memorial For Rhinda Sue Koppitz

"I have created a virtual memorial page for Rinda Sue Koppitz (Class of 1965), on www.findagrave.com. Once you get to the site, click on Cemetery Lookup. Under NAME: type in Alva Municipal Cemetery. Leave the COUNTRY setting at United States. Under STATE: list will pull up ... then click on OKLAHOMA; then click on SEARCH. That will pull up the main cemetery page for Alva Municipal Cemetery. Under SURNAME: type in Koppitz. That will pull up her name ... click on the name ... will pull up the memorial page for her. I still need to add her senior picture, but have to find my yearbook first (it's still packed away from moving here.) and the next time I'm in Alva, I will take a photo of her headstone and add that. Maybe I can find an AHS Goldbug emblem as well. I saved her obituary from the newspaper and got the information for her directly from that." -- Kathy (Walters) Racette, Sawyer, KS.
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We Need A National High Speed internet Policy

Americans are charged more for slower Internet speeds, and our current high-speed networks don't even reach millions of households. It's time for that to change -- and you can play a part.

Test your own internet connection speed at SpeedMatters.org then visit the link below to tell Congress to get serious about a national high speed Internet policy. www.unionvoice.org/. -- SBW
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Enid General Hospital & Clinic

"Enid General Hospital known as INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center -- On October 5, 1910, the dream of several Enid citizens became a reality. In a nine-room rented house that was furnished sparingly, Enid¹s first hospital was born. Founded by Dr. F.A. Hudson, the hospital served the community and northwest Oklahoma from a residence located at 225 W. Oak.

In 1914, after two moves to larger houses, the hospital was incorporated as Enid General Hospital and Training School for Nurses. The hospital purchased lots at its present location (Monroe and Garriott) and built the first permanent fire-proof building. Expansions followed in 1919 and 1925.

The great depression followed by WWI and WWII kept any major expansions from taking place until the early 1950s. The hospital became affiliated with the Baptist General Convention in 1953.

Another major expansion, and name change took place in 1968 when Harry W. Bass donated $200,000 for a 120-bed addition which wrapped around a great deal of the old hospital. The new addition was dedicated in 1970.

Between 1975 and 1985, the Medical Plaza Building was built and expanded and virtually every department of the hospital was upgraded or improved.

In 1989 another significant improvement project took place. A fourth floor was added for surgery and ambulatory care and the front entrance of the hospital was relocated from east to south.

The hospital became part of the newly formed INTEGRIS Health corporation in 1994.

In 1996, INTEGRIS Bass purchased the former Enid Regional Hospital at 401 S. Third. That building now houses the hospital's Long Term Acute Care Hospital.

One year later, the hospital took over operations at its Meadowlake Campus. The facility is now home to INTEGRIS Bass Behavioral Health, serving children and adolescents.

In 2003, the hospital completed an $8.2 million dollar expansion project that tripled the size of the emergency department and expanded the Women's Services Center.

INTEGRIS Bass is proud of its distinction as being the only non-profit, faith-based hospital in Enid and having served the Enid area longer than any other general hospital." -- James Bradley - OkieLegacy Comment
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Postcard - Enid General Hospital & Clinic

"Short Answer: Enid General Hospital is now Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, 600 S. Monroe, Enid, OK. Monroe Street is three blocks north of Van Buren, which is Highway 81, and the hospital is on U. S. Highway 60, State 412 (Owen K. Garriott Rd.). It is South and West of the town square.

History: On October 5, 1910, the dream of several Enid citizens became a reality. In a nine-room rented house that was furnished sparingly, Enid's first hospital was born. Founded by Dr. F.A. Hudson, the hospital served the community and northwest Oklahoma from a residence located at 225 W. Oak.

In 1914, after two moves to larger houses, the hospital was incorporated as Enid General Hospital and Training School for Nurses. The hospital purchased lots at its present location (Monroe and Garriott) and built the first permanent fire-proof building. Expansions followed in 1919 and 1925.

The great depression followed by WWI and WWII kept any major expansions from taking place until the early 1950's. The hospital became affiliated with the Baptist General Convention in 1953.

Another major expansion, and name change (Bass Memorial Baptist Hospital) took place in 1968 when Harry W. Bass donated $200,000 for a 120-bed addition which wrapped around a great deal of the old hospital. The new addition was dedicated in 1970. The hospital became part of the newly formed INTEGRIS Health Corporation in 1994.

Source: www.integris-health.com

Personal: In the 1960's I worked at St Mary's Hospital in Enid for 9 years. There was a friendly rivalry between the two institutions, and most of the MD's in town were on the staff of both institutions. There was a separate hospital where osteopathic physicians practiced. Enid General's predecessor was established four years before Enid Springs Hospital and Baths (which Became St. Mary's). During the time I worked there, both hospitals were sponsored by religious organizations, and St. Mary's had a number of Religious on staff.

Not long after I left, the hospital was sold to a for-profit corporation and now is operated as a part of the Mercy Health System." Al Weigand - OkieLegacy Comment
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Masonic Temple, Enid, OK

"Enid Masonic Temple is located at the SW corner of Broadway and Washington. You may remember the Knox building, this is the building. It is now an office building for Advance Food Co.

The upper level of the building, which I think was the actual Temple was restored and is now the home of the Enid Symphony Orchestra. Here is an excrete about the building found at this web site: www.ourhistoricplaces.com/.

Enid Masonic Temple is located in Garfield County, Oklahoma certified as a historic location on Monday July 02, 1984. This location is a protected historic place because of historical significance relating to Social, Commerce/Trade, more specifically a Meeting Hall. Enid Masonic Temple was nominated by as a historic location by State Government based on Architecture/Engineering and its significance in Architecture.

There is another building, located at the corner of Maine and Independence. You may remember the old Oklahoma Tire and Supply store. This building also says it was a Masonic Temple. This is not the building you were asking about." -- James Bradley - OkieLegacy Comment
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1924 Garfield County Masonic Temple Building

"The Enid Symphony started in 1905. The Oldest Orchestra in the state of Oklahoma performs in The Enid Symphony Center, 301 W. Broadway. The renovated upper floors of the 1924 Garfield County Masonic Temple Building. here's a link to Kenwood Historic District of Enid, Oklahoma." -- David
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'57 Boys Choir Photo

"I do hope Jim Richey will get us a better copy of the picture and all the names. I know that I recognize a lot more faces than I can recall names for and would like to have my memories refreshed." -- SBW
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Postcard - Masonic Temple, Enid, OK

"I believe it (Masonic Temple of Enid) is still standing. I grew up in a small town, Goltry, near to Enid and return to Enid and Goltry often. I believe it is still there." -- Jim Bradley - OkieLegacy Comment
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Billy Murray - The Denver Nightingale

William Thomas "Billy" Murray was born in Philadelphia on May 25, 1877. His parents had migrated to the US from County Kerry, Ireland as young adults and in 1883 the family relocated to Denver, Colorado. Billy Murray's early nickname was "The Denver Nightingale".

Murray outsold all other performers from the time of his breakout records in 1903 through to his retirement in 1943. Each of Murray's successive efforts first, "Yankee Doodle Boy," then "The Grand Old Rag," and later, "Casey Jones," by the Murray-led American Quartet and was announced as the biggest seller for Victor Records.
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Katherine Gertrude Craig of Kingston, Ontario

- K-K-Katy midi
Katherine Gertrude Craig of Kingston, Ontario (married name was Katherine Richardson by the time the song was written) was known as Kate. It was composed spontaneously at a party at Kate Richardson's house in Kingston in 1917. "Katie" was the best friend of Geoffrey O'Hara's sister, Kathleen, who married Katie's brother (thus making her Geoffrey O'Hara's sister's sister-in-law).

The finished version of the song was first played at a garden party fund-raiser for the Red Cross at a cottage in Collins Bay on Lake Ontario just west of Kingston. There was a 1918 edition of the sheet music on which is printed above the title -- "Lovingly dedicated to K-K-K-Katy Richardson who inspired this song."

There is no recollection in the family as to how the stuttering motif came to be -- certainly Katie Richardson didn't stutter but perhaps someone known to the group around the piano did, or more likely it was simply a device to make the words scan to the music.

Katie Craig-Richardson died in 1922, leaving two very young daughters- Kathleen E. Rannie and Katharine Jean Richardson.
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World War I Songs

Pack Up Your Troubles, It's A Long Way to Tipperary, K-K-Katy, and MORE. World War I Songs - First World War songs
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WWI - Sensational Stammering Song Success Sung by Soldiers & Sailors

"K-K-K-Katy" was a popular World War I-era song written by Geoffrey O'Hara in 1917 and published in March, 1918. The sheet music advertised it as "The Sensational Stammering Song Success Sung by Soldiers and Sailors," reflecting a time when speech impediments could be poked fun at -- albeit gentle fun in this case.

The song tells the story of Jimmy, a young soldier "brave and bold," who stutterd when he tried to speak to girls. Finally, he managed to talk to Katy, the "maid with hair of gold." The chorus is what he spoke:

K-K-K-Katy, beautiful Katy,
You're the only g-g-g-girl that I adore;
When the m-m-m-moon shines,
Over the cowshed,
I'll be waiting at the k-k-k-kitchen door.

"K-K-K-Katy" was recorded by Billy Murray on March 8, 1918 and released on Victor 18455. -- Wikipedia - Victor records
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