Dear Duchess

WOW! NW Okie finally let me come out of retirement and help with her newsletter! I can not believe it. It shall be titled "Dear Duchess."

Every Sunday I try to wake her up early and sometimes to no avail! She says I have a built-in alarm clock conditioned to just about everything -- including waking up, eating meals, etc... I have to get in her face sometimes when she gets enthralled with writing on the computers. Sitting on her lap sometimes help, but not much.

BUT ... this week she asked me if I wanted to start writing my column again and what would I write about? I have to give a BIG THANK-YOU to Martha Stewart and her two Frenchies (Francsca & Sharkey) who have their own web-blog and Twitter page, The Daily Wag and Twitter - DailyWag. Have you checked it out?

I told NW Okie that we could take on those Frenchies any day! Any Time! So ... Here I am! BOW WOW! NOW ... I am almost speechless since NW Okie let me get my paws on her Mac keyboard. I shall get warmed up and rolling here, though!

If you have any questions or need me to look up anything, just drop the "Duchess" an email at nwokie@me.com and I shall try to answer and/or help you any way this pugnacious Pug can help!

OH! Yeah! Least I forget ... NW Okie wanted to let you all know that the reason we are running late publishing this weeks newsletter is because of technical difficulties over at okielegacy.org with their ISP server (readyhosting.com). In other words, we have not been able to bring up the website okielegacy.org in our browser window.

We have a support ticket with our server, but by 3:46 p.m. we were still unable to load the site into the browser. We finally tried the browser again at 4:10p.m. and guess what ... It Works! Finally! We Can work on editing and publishing our OkieLegacy newsletter!

Has anyone else had any troubles loading the website?

Almost forgot something here. Friday morning of this week we had a northen blow through SW Colorado and dumped a smidgeon of snow Friday morning early before the sun came out and melted everything. I had to get the little 3-year-old Pug we call Sadie to make me a snowless path to carry out my morning rituals. I hate getting my paws snowy, muddy, etc...

Back to this weekends spring snow in SW Colorado ... After Friday came and went with cooler air, snow and sun, we again awoke to more snow early Saturday morning. About 2 to 3 inches of the wet, white stuff that fell most of the day Saturday even while the sun and clouds played peek-a-boo!

Sunday turned out to be a cool, sunny day here in SW Colorado, North of Bayfield.
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NEW Beta Tabloid Format - Coming Soon!

We need your feedback and suggestions!

Our OkieLegacy database Techie, Mike, is working on a "NEW Beta" version for the OkieLegacy Tabloid coming soon, but not now. Mike says, "Post and link to the Tabloid beta site in this weeks newsletter. It might help get visitor suggestions. It is still in development and the menu is not complete, but people should be able to read the articles, post comments."

Please tell us what you like or do NOT like about the "Beta Test" version of the OkieLegacy Tabloid. Thanks for your suggestions and continued support!
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May 20 1963 - Remembering 1st Astronaut of Oklahoma

Space Rendezvous at Night called Feasible; Parole Board Hearing Lures Gov. Bellmon; Kennedy's Jet Zips to Record; Stateless Soldier Winning Battle; Russian Pilots Leaving Laos To Red China; Cooper's Flight Last In Mercury Project, Space Official Hints; Well Done, Gordo; Political Figure Dies at Cordell.

Remembering Oklahoma's 1st Astronaut . . . In one of those front-page headlines there was a news article dated May 20, 1963, headlines that read: "Cooper's Flight Last In Mercury Project, Space Official Hints." There were other headlines, also, of Oklahoma's first Astronaut Gordon Cooper, 36-year-old from Shawnee, Oklahoma, and his homecoming at Cocoa Beach, Florida, Sunday afternoon, May, 1963. That headlines read: "Well Done, Gordo!"

The news article stated that a huge oil-cloth streamer held aloft by a group of giggling teenaged girls proclaimed "Cooper as the calmest, coolest, cutest of All the astronauts." Cooper's mother was Hattie Cooper from Shawnee, Oklahoma.

This was Astronaut Gordon Cooper's 22-orbit flight around the earth. It was shortly before the sunset on the third orbit, that Cooper released from his "Faith 7" a small capsule, five-3/4 inches in diameter, containing two flashing lights. It was the first time that a satellite had been launched from a manned satellite. It was launched by a small spring device.

The purpose of the unusual experiment was to determine the feasibility of flashing lights as a reference point for sighting and rendezvousing with another object in space. To test Cooper's ability to spot the beacon, he turned his satellite away and then turned it slowly back and he picked up the lights through his capsule's port hole.

In that same article on the front page of The Oklahoman, Dr. Robert C. Seamans, deputy director of the civilian space agency, said Cooper's flight had been so successful that he thought it quite unlikely there would be another Mercury flight.

I seemed to vaguely remember my dad taking us to Shawnee, Oklahoma (or was it Oklahoma City) to a motorcade for this Oklahoma Astronaut Gordon Cooper. We were upstairs, it seems in a building, watching Cooper's motorcade and streamers following it. It seemed my baby sister, Amber, and Mom and Dad and myself and perhaps another girl (Annie Arganbright) might have been with us. That was 49 years ago and the memories are as I said earlier ... vague. Were you there that day?
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Query: Stone Township of Woods County OK

Sandie Olson, Waynoka Historical Society, asks, "I am hoping your readers can tell me where Stone Township was in Woods County around 1900, and where Jones was at about the same time in Major County. I'm looking for information about the Manzelmanns who lived in Stone Township, and then moved to Jones. Thanks very much for your help."
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Oklahoma Politics of 1960

The photo on the left came from Gene McGill's collection of political photographs of 1960. It shows Howard J. Edmondson (left), Gene McGill (next to Gov. Edmondson) and U.S. Sen. Mike Monroney (next to McGill) at an Oklahoma City airport, May 20, 1963.

Another photograph that McGill had was the photo on the right, taken November 4, 1960, in a motorcade in Oklahoma City with Gov. Edmondson, left; Pres. Kennedy, center; and Gene McGill, right.

Check out our latest OkieLegacy YouTube videos in OkieLegacy's "Oklahoma Politics" video album. Including the November 4, 1960 shown here on the left and right.

These video collections were made using iMovie, iPhoto on my MacBookPro. They are in three Parts (I, II, & III) of Oklahoma and National political photographs that my Dad, Gene M. McGill, had acquired as Democrat State Chair of Oklahoma in the late 1950s thru 1960s. You can view them in three parts at OkieLegacy's YouTube site in the "Oklahoma Politics" video playlist.

Part I: Gene McGill & Oklahoma Political Figures of 1960s. In a news article dated Oct. 30, 1961, page 1, of The Oklahoman, President Kennedy was cheered by a crowd of 25,000 during festivities at Big Cedar on a Sunday afternoon, 1:45p.m. The President lauded efforts of the two U.S. Senators, Robert S. Kerr and Mike Monroney, for developement of the state, and had high praise for U. S. Rep. Carl Albert as Democratic house whip. President Kennedy was in Oklahoma for the opening (Oct., 1963) of S.H. 103 (a short stretch between Heavener and Broken Bow), in the Kiamichis.

You do not find Oklahoma U.S. Senators and Representatives of these statures today!


Part II: Gene McGill, Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson, Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner in OKC and some sort of dedication ceremony at the "Land, Wood and Water" monument on Senator Robert S. Kerr Ranch near Poteau.

In a news article dated November 23, 1963, page 3, The Oklahoman quoted President Johnson saying about Sen. Kerr, "He always checked the meaning of every piece of legislation to weigh its effect on Oklahoma, on the nation, on our party." President Johnson also wrote an introduction to a new edition of Kerr's book, "Land, Wood and Water." Oklahoma's honorable politician, Sen. Robert S. Kerr, died around January, 1963.


Part III: Gene McGill and President John F. Kennedy photos found amongst McGill's political collection of memories of McGill's political legacy in Oklahoma during the late 1950's thru the 1960's.

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Aviation Photos of McGill

Sandie says, " Linda, I really enjoyed the aviation photos of your father. He really made good use of his airplane. The TAT photo at the end is nice, too. I don't recognize the airport, but it isn't Waynoka. It might be Wichita."

Yes! That TAT airplane was photographed at a Wichita airport. I took a closer look of the photo I have and you can bearly read the words "Wichita" on the building.
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Warrick/Warwick, Catherine - Info Link

Kirk Trekell says, "In the following link scroll down and click Warrick. Also so attached articles from Alva Papers of the 1917 Murder in Alva, Oklahoma. More to come on the picture after the fire in 1918.

Catherine Warrick -- 1900 Alva, Woods, OK, District 213: Warrick, Isaac, head, b. Aug 1828, NC, Father/Mother born NC; Warrick, Catherine, wife, b. Sep 1835, IL, Father born NC, Mother born IL. This couple was married in 1855. Catherine was the mother of 13 children, four of them living. -- northernkindred.blogspot.com

These are the two photos of the cemetery marker that is in the Alva Cemetery for Catherine Warwick -- Catherine Warwick

The gravestone for Catherine WARRICK gravestone reads: "wife of L.W. Warwick - Died: Dec. 25 1900 Age 66 Years, 3 Months, 16 Days. The last number on the date of death was extremely hard to figure out, so I am assuming it was a 5. Had to get down on my hands and knees to read it! The last line of Catherine's gravestone read: "He giveth his beloved sleep."
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1917 Murder of Joseph Files Continues

So ... Do you want some more information on the 1917 murder in Alva, Oklahoma?

Kirk Trekell sent us some 1917 Alva news articles concerning that particular murder we mentioned last week. The first article is dated Monday, March 5, 1917, Alva, Oklahoma, with headlines that read: "Crap Game Results In A Cold-Blooded Murder." The other two articles are dated March 6th and 22nd, 1917. We will put the other articles in as different features in this weeks newsletter.

March 5, 1917 -- "Crap Game Results In A Cold-Blooded Murder" - "One of the most revolting crimes in the history of Woods County was committed about Two 0'cIock this morning at the Antlers Cafe, When Joe Files had his throat cut from ear to ear.

"A pool of blood on the floor, blood bespattered walls and broken and disarranged furniture and a streak of blood leading to a little room in the rear, caused Scott Keys, the day man, who works at the Antlers to make an examination as to the cause, when he discovered the horribly mutilated form of a man his head almost severed from his body, both eyes beaten out, his skull crushed and many gashes in his face.

"The dead body was that of Jos. Files, the night man at the Antlers, and the crime was committed about 2 o'clock this morning.

"Harrison Eller, better known as Nick Eller, was arrested this forenoon at about 10 o'clock by officers Farris and Reed, at the home of his sister in the west part of town, as suspicion pointed strongly to him as being the perpetrator of the crime, and lodged in the county jail where he later made a full confession of the murder to City Marshal Farris, and told of the details leading to the crime.

"In his confession young Eller said that the trouble arose over a game of craps. It seems that Eller, according to his statement had won a considerable amount of money from Files in the game. Files refused to pay and picked the money up and placed it in the cash register.

"Eller went to the cash register and undertook to take the money out. Files followed to prevent him from doing so. This enraged Eller and a scuffle followed. In the scuffle Eller secured a meat cleaver with which he struck Files cutting a gash in his scalp, but not seriously injuring him, Eller again went to the cash register and attempted to take the money and Files resisted him and again they engaged in a fight in which they reached a back room.

"Eller got hold of a heavy stone hammer used for breaking coal and struck Files on the head, crushing his skull. After Files had sunk to floor he used the hammer on his head and face until he had beaten out both eyes and crushed the bridge of his nose. He then took a long, bread knife and cut Files throat, nearly severing his head from his body.

"After the murder young Eller went to the old house across the river which stands on the Chidister place, where he burned his bloody clothes and placed his bloody shoes in an old cupboard where they were found this afternoon by Marshal Farris and Jailer Charley Reed. The money involved in the case -- $16.75 was found on the person of young Eller when he was arrested.

"The dead man's home was in Illinois and he had not been in Alva long. His relatives have been notified and will come here for the body. He was a young man of about 25 years of age, about six feet tall and much heavier than his assailant who is about the age of the murdered man. The body of Files was taken to the Howerton Undertaking rooms where crowds of people have flocked all day to see the horrible sight.

"Young Eller's mother has been confined in the insane asylum at Supply for a number of years and the most charitable thing that can be said in his favor is that he is tainted with a streak of insanity for certainly no normal person could have been guilty of so revolting a crime.

"Some years ago when young Eller was hauling a tank of water, his younger brother who was riding on the tank fell off and the wheels of the tank wagon passed over his head and killed him. It has been said that this accident seriously affected him and that he has not been just right mentally since that time."
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March 6 1917 - Harrison Eller, Confession & Facts

This is the second article of the Alva newspaper, dated March 6, 1917, concerning the murder of Joe Files, in Alva, Oklahoma.

The sub-headlines read: "Those Familiar with the Habits of Jos. Files scout the idea that a game of craps lead to his murder."

"Those who saw the dead and mutilated body of Joseph Files, the young man found murdered at the Antlers Cafe in this city Monday morning are satisfied that the, facts do not tally with the story told to officer Brad Farris by Harrison Eller, the confessed murderer.

"Eller is now confined in the county jail and to Marshal Farris he made a confession of the crime and told a story purporting to the facts which lead, up to the killing. This story was by no means compatible with the circumstances in the case.

"Those who have known the murdered man most intimately, since he came here from Illinois last June to work in the harvest fields, say that he was an honest, sober, industrious young man with no bad habits and that they had never known of him engaging in a game of craps and to them it is inconceivable that he would do so.

"Mr. Welch, proprietor of the Antlers Cafe in which Mr. Files was employed, says that he had implicit confidence in the young man's integrity and morality and that he considered his cash as safe in the hands of the young man as in his own.

"The fact that the murdered man's shoes were found by, a table on which, a newspaper was still lying, leads to the believe that he removed his shoes and sat down to read for a short time and dropped to sleep and that while he was sleeping the assassin entered through a back door which was unlocked and slipped upon his victim and struck him while he slept.

"The blood stained floor and the tumbled condition of the furniture showed that the man had put up a brave fight for his life after he had been attacked. Those in a position to know best think that robbery was the motive of the crime. That the man was "horribly beaten, slashed and hacked after he was dead or helpless is self-evident. In all three implements were used in committing the murder: a cleaver, a hammer and a long bread knife.

"The mangled face of the dead man presented a most hideous sight. Both eyes and the bridge of his nose had literally been beaten into his brain. A large gash penetrating to the brain was just above his forehead. His throat was cut from ear to ear gapping fully two inches wide. His chin bone was split and most of his front teeth had been knocked out. His face was gashed in dozen places and there were cuts and bruises on his hands and arms.

"It seemed that only a maddened demon could have been guilty of such an atrocious act. His parents are expected to arrive from Burnt Prairie, Illinois, tonight to take the body there for burial. All day yesterday the body lay at the undertaking rooms of Frank Howerton where a morbidly curious crowd came and went all day to take a look at the hideous sight."
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March 22 1917 - Sad Experience of Harrison Eller

Continuing with the Alva Murder of Joseph Files in 1917, we come to the news article dated March 22, 1917, that appeared in the Alva paper with the following headlines: "From a Happy Care-free Boy Twenty Days Ago To a Life-time Convict Is the Sad Experience of Harrison Eller."

March 22, 1917 - From a Happy Care-free Boy Twenty Days Ago to a Life-time Convict Is the Sad Experience of Harrison Eller -- "Yesterday afternoon Sheriff Strothers and Marshal Brad Farris left over the Rock Island train for McAlester with young Harrison Eller who on the morning of March 6th cruelly and brutally murdered Jos. Files.

"Whatever might have been the thoughts that flitted through young Eller's mind before the crime was committed certain it was that they did not seriously contemplate the toils into which his deed has lead him.

"His was a swift and speedy retribution. With an avenging conscience smiting him he waved side all thoughts of baffling or cheating the law, confessed his guilt and was sentenced to a life of sevility to atone for the terrible deed.

"It is not a pleasant thing to contemplate. His was an act that ruined the earthly career of two men. It is a serious thing to die. It is a more serious thing to be murdered. But as between the dead man and the murderer there can be but one choice in the mind of a rational human being -- that of the murdered man.

"There is but one thing more to say. Let this awful tragedy be a warning to young when who are not living a life of honor and rectitude. If young Eller had been living the life of a Christian he never would have even contemplated so horrible a deed."
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Soddy & McGills of Hamilton Co. TN

As to the McGILLs of Hamilton County TN -- John says, "My mother-in-law is related to the McGill's as follows: Her mother was Melinda (Lena) Ann McGill (1892-1962). Her father was Abel Connor McGill 1865-1938 and his father was David Newton McGill (1826-1896). I would like to share information concerning these families and their ancestors. You may reach me at john.vanzant@gmail.com.

Are you familiar with the books by Steve Smith on the history of the Soddy area? There are many pictures of documents concerning David Newton McGill. Any information (document, pictures, references) you can share will be appreciated. Thanks!"

John VanZant says, "I have attached a picture of David Newton McGill which is on page 12 of the 3rd book." This image on the left shows the cover of a history book of "The Good Old Days - History of Soddy, Daisy & Montlake" in Tennessee."

It has history of David Newton McGill. When the writer was collecting photos and other papers for his first book, The Good Old Days - History of Soddy Daisy, he was told to contact Mrs. Mary Hutcheson of Soddy.

Mrs. Hutcheson is the granddaughter of David N. McGill, a fascinating fellow, to say the least. Mrs. Hutcheson told the writer how her grandfather poled his way down the Tennessee River from Knoxville on an old flatboat to settle in the Soddy area. A desk in Mrs. Hutcheson's house survived the trip down the river by Mr. McGill.

David N McGill kept most of his receipts from many of his transactions during his days while living in Soddy. An old ledger book, kept by Mr. McGill, contains lists of men that were hired by the Soddy Coal Company to build a series of locks and dams on Soddy Creek. Coal mined in the mountains around Soddy was transported by way of Soddy Creek and the Tennessee River downstream to Chattanooga. The ledger also includes lists of items purchased to continue work on the locks and dams. The ledger continues to be a fascinating piece of Soddy history.

Envelope after envelope is filled with tax receipts, including both poll and property tax receipts. Other envelopes are filled with invoices and receipts from many early businesses in Chattanooga, dating back to the 1870's. Some receipts were written at the Harrison Courthouse and the James County Courthouse.

Needless to say, for someone collecting local history, this collection is like discovering a gold mine. The writer learned a lot about life in this area during the period of time between the 1850's until the 1920's. David Newton McGill passed away in 1897, but his wife, Mary Wallace, continued his tradition of keeping receipts, until her death almost 25 years later.

The writer gave special thanks to Mrs. Mary Hutcheson for sharing these prized relics, giving us a small glimpse back in time of many of the activities that were once a way of life.
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Insight Into Grandma

This weeks insight into Grandma takes us to April 9, 1904, with postmarks on the envelope that read: April 12, 1904 A.M., Quincy, Ill and Alva, Okla. I do not know how much of an insight into Grandma it really is. It may be more of an insight into John C. McClure. AND ... this weeks photo of Grandma may have been taken around 1904 that John keeps talking about someone stealing from his room.

Quincy, Ill, Apr. 9, 1904, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O. T., Dear Friend Connie -- "I received your most welcome letter for the 1st.

Was quite surprised to hear from you, as I supposed your old opinion of me had come back, and you decided that you was writing to the wrong fellow. I would like to know what your honest opinion of me is, anyway. I certainly enjoyed your last letter. I suppose the Snyder wedding was a swell afair (sic).

"Am surprised that somebody else was not the best. Oh yes, I wandered what you meant by buttermilk, but I remember it. I have not been to a party since I have been in Quincy this last time. Last winter I attended two or three a week, so I have not played Flinch here. We play it up home. Now I am going to guess who you ate supper with at that box social. It was either Kit Carson, or Al Thompson.

"Well how is Blanche and that Kansas bachelor making it. I didn't destroy that picture. I am sure that fellow stole it. I have tried to have mine taken twice but they made a fizzle of it both times. I and a boy who roomed here had some taken together. I am going to send you one to put on the bridge in front of your house. Not I guess no girl would want a picture of mine.

If I ever get some good pictures taken, I am going to send you one, and if I can not get that one of yours back, I will want another. It snowed here all day yesterday, and it is cold here tonight. I am in the seventy word class. I have got a grade of 95 in spelling. I would like to get a position in Oklahoma somewhere when I get through here. What are you going to do during your vacation? Better come up and see me. This is leap year you know. Well, I will close for this time. Give my love to Nellie Corbet. Give some to May Vanossal (sic). Say a little for yourself. Don't wait so long. Your True Friend, John C. McClure, 524 North 9th St., Quincy, Ill. Bye Bye."
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Alva Spring Snow of 3/2/8/2009

Susan in Alva, OK sent us a digital of last weeks Spring Snow storm in Northwest Oklahoma that brought one to two feet of snow in some areas with large snow drifts measuring 5 to 6 feet at times. The photo on the left shows the road to the Alva Armory that sets south, across the road from NWOSU's football field.
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Facebook Group: Change Oklahoma With the Times

Here is a Facebook Group for those interested in helping "Changing Oklahoma" with the times - Change Oklahoma. An Alva Oklahoma attorney's wife is a part of this group.
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Oklahoma House Democrats launch website

Oklahoma City (March 30, 2009) – The Oklahoma Democratic Party today announced the launch of a new website, okhousedems.com, to spread the House Democrats' message to the citizens of Oklahoma.

“We’re proud to be launching this new project, and we believe it will help us all keep our constituents better apprised of what we’re doing at the Capitol,” said Democratic Leader Danny Morgan, D-Prague. “House Democrats want to make every effort to be as open and accountable as possible to our constituents. A website is a great way to do offer the public as much information as we can give them so they can explore it on their own time.”

Rep. Morgan noted that the website remains an ongoing project, but already site visitors can find an archive of press releases, editorials and videos from this session featuring Democratic legislators.

“I think this site will complement the resources already available to the public on the House website. It gives Democratic members a chance to really tell the public our side of the story and talk about what we’re doing to fight for everyday Oklahomans,” Rep. Morgan added.

“Not all of our members have websites of their own to keep their constituents updated on what bills they’re bringing up or what issues they’re working on, so this gives all our Democratic members an opportunity to share their news and ideas.”

Rep. Morgan encouraged all Oklahomans to visit okhousedems.com – regardless of their party affiliation.
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