NW Okie's Corner

The July, 2009 heat wave through SW Colorado has started my huge patio potted "Early Girl Tomatoes" to ripening.

They are loaded with tomatoes. That little plant growing alongside the tomatoes is a "Lemon Cucumber." never heard of a "Lemon cucumber, though. So ... I am trying to grow it and see what develops.

I know our SW Colorado heat wave is nothing like the Okie's in NW Oklahoma are experiencing now with the triple digit temps and humidity.
From the sounds of things, it sounds like the "Dog Days" of Summer have arrived in Northwest Oklahoma earlier than usual. I read in the Daily Oklahoma that the Oklahoma temperatures reached 110 degrees in Freedom, in northwest Oklahoma before noon on this last Friday.

On last Thursday, the temperature in Buffalo, northwest Oklahoma reached 115 degrees, the highest recorded temperature in Oklahoma since July 1996. WHEW! The hottest temperature ever recorded in Oklahoma is 120 degrees, which has been reached six times, most recently in Tipton in 1994. Now that with the humidity is HOT!

Here is SW Colorado our highs have been around 88 degrees during the day and dropping to the mid-50's at night. AND ... we don't have that high humidity that you Okie's have back there. We want you all to be safe and cool and drink your water so you don't get heat stroke and dehydrated.

AND ... July is already halfway gone. That means rodeos across the northwest parts of Oklahoma will soon be in full swing. Particularly, Waynoka's Stampede & Rodeo and Freedom's Old Cowhand Reunion and Rodeo. Who will be the honored "Old Cowhands this year?

Keep Cool during the "Early Dog Days of Summer!"
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Insight Into Grandma

This week's insight into John C. McClure takes us into February, 1905. John is still in Altona, Illinois helping his folks around the farm with chores. It is cold with lots of snow as John continues his letters to Constance Warwick whose living in Alva, Oklahoma Territory.

February 8, 1905 ... The first letter begins, "Altona Ill, Tues. Eve, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, I received your welcome letter this morning. Was disappointed at not receiving it sooner. I believe you thought I os=wed you a letter, but I surely did not, but you surely know, by this time that I do not pay any attention to that.

"It is cold here now, and we have fine sleighing. It has been 25 below zero, , bought a Gov. thermometer. I went 4 miles to my sisters last eve and nearly froze to death before I got home. Have you d=had a sleigh ride yet? You sure have plenty of snow.

"So you think I am independent and spunky. I may be spunky but will not be independent until Feb 21 when I will be 21. Oct 20 Nov 20 Dec 20 Jan 20 Feb 21. Are you goo at g=figures? Penny for your thoughts.

"Does Nellie keep well, and how is Bertie? Tell Mrs. Snyder that I have not had a drink of buttermilk lately. Have you been to any dances this winter? Don't forget to tell me all about R.S. school.

"In a letter from Mrs. Bolte (my cousin) she asked me if I would come to Oklahoma if she found me a position. I suppose you could easily guess what I told her. "I suppose you attend prayer meeting regularly. If you don't it is better you should.

"You sure had a slim school, but I should think all those big boys would want to go every day. Does the McKitrick girls teach school? Also, Miss Forbis? "Well as I am tired and no more to write, I will close. You see, I helped mother wash today. I like to wash. Forgive this empty letter together all my shortcomings, such as spunkiness, etc. Write soon. Bye Bye, Your Best Friend, J. C. McClure."

February 18, 1905 ... The second letter in February, 1905 begins, "Altona, Ill., Feb. 16, '05, Miss Constance WArwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, I am impatiently waiting for an answer to my last letter. I believe the cold weather has made you lose all your enthusiasm. Thats what makes a person enthusiastic up here.

"We have go more snow than we know what to do with here. There are drifts along the hedge fences and big as mountains. The roads were blocaded (sic) so bad that the mail man could not get here yesterday. I went to town last night thinking sure I would get a letter, but - It was 32 degrees below zero last Monday morning by the Gov. thermometer. Yes and I nearly froze coming from town last night. Now see what you come pretty near doing, but there is never a loss with out some gain. I mean some of my pestering letters.

"There was a change of 24 degrees here last Tues. I expect you think the weather is all I ever talk about. I wish you would give me a little bit of advice, or get me a position or something. I have applied for a position in Galesburg at the rapher (sic) and bookkeeping, also in Peoria. All my relation want me to stay at home. My cousin in Oklahoma wants me to come there, or rather she said she was going to get me a positon.

Well, I guess I will have to close for this time as there is nothing but weather to talk about here. write soon, From your best friend, J. C. McClure. P.S. I guess I will write a letter every day until I get an answer. John."

February23, 1905 ... The third letter sent in February, 1905 begins, "Feb. 21, '05, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie, Your long looked for letter was received today. I don't know what you mean in the first part of your letter unless you mean an invitation to Nellie Corben's wedding.

"I don't believe I know Albert very well, I remember seeing Bill once in a while on dry goods boxes in Alva. Did Nelllie leave school to get married? Vera can get married too now.

"The snow is thawing fast now. It was real warm today. The paper stated that it was 10 to 12 below in Oklahoma. Isn't your school two miles from home? I shold have thought you would have frozen to death.

I hope you win in that debate, not because you have the right side, but just for the honor of winning. Of course you must think you are on the right side. I remember from away back you did not have a very good opinion of boys.

"I have been working hard today, so am tired so bye bye. Yours sincerely, J. C. McClure, Altona, Ill., Please P. P write soon. P. S. I wonder who did send that Val.? You ought not to debate that question so near after St. Val's day. John."
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Prairie Pioneer 78rpm Jukebox

We have finally got our Prairie Pioneer 78rpm Jukebox (Windows Media Player) up and running so you now able to listen to our collection of 78rpm records recorded to Mp3 files. If the Windows Media Player is not for you, try out our Prairie Pioneer Jukebox (Flash Player).

There is one ... actually, two records that you might get a few laughs listening to. Have you ever heard of a 1952 number one 78rpm hit put out on Capitol records and recorded by Johnny Standley, called, It's In the Book Part I and Part II?

“It’s in the Book”, recorded by Johnny Standley was two weeks at Number One, in 1952. Johnny Standley was one of those one-hit-wonders in 1952. “It's in the Book,” was produced with the rousing gospel staple "Grandma's Lye Soap." Do you remember "Grandma's Lye Soap?"

Johnny Standley had a monster hit in 1952. It was on the charts for 19 weeks and landed at number one for two of them. It was a funny record, funny and successful enough for him to make a few more. Do you recall or remember hearing "It's In The Book" on a commercial radio station during a visit to Northern California in the late 60's. It's doubtful you would hear it today, except on community or public radio stations, though.

Originally, it was issued on the Magnolia label from Southern California. Both 45's and 78's were pressed, but the 45 is more common. Capitol picked it up and pressed it in both of those formats as well as an EP. Have you ever heard "Clap Your Hands?" or "Get Out And Vote?" or "Rock And Roll Must Go?" The latter was only on Magnolia from 1960.
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Oklahoma's Frank Canton (Joseph Horner)

Have you heard the story of Frank Canton, alias Joseph Horner, born 1849, died September 27, 1927? General Frank M. Canton was a picturesque frontiers man, veteran law enforcement officer of the Old West, colorful soldier of fortune, first adjutant general of the state of Oklahoma, and prototype for the fictional western heroes of Novelists.

Very few knew that the true name of the man they honored was Joe Horner and that his "picturesque, colorful" history included a criminal career marked by convictions for bank and highway robbery, desperate jail escapes and indictments for cold-blooded murder.

Frank Canton was accused of killing a number of men, but he spent most of his life trying to kill Joe Horner, the man he had been in his youth. He was successful that almost another half century passed after his death before the story of Horner came to light.

While in Nebraska, he officially changed his name to Frank M. Canton and vowed to give up his outlaw ways.

Frank M. Canton was well known as the Adjutant General of the National Guard of Oklahoma, appointed to this position directly after Statehood in 1907, by Charles N. Haskell, the first Governor of Oklahoma.

A native of Virginia, he had gone as a child with his parents to Texas, and later worked as a cowboy on one of the first cattle drives north up the Chisholm Trail through the Indian Territory to Abilene, Kansas, in 1869. His work in charge of cattle drives later took him farther west, and his career as a peace officer began with his appointment as deputy sheriff in Custer County, Montana, while employed as field inspector for the Wyoming Stock Raisers' Association with headquarters at Miles City, Montana, during a "cattle rustlers' war" in that region.

He settled at Buffalo in 1880, was elected sheriff of Johnson County in 1882, and was reelected in 1884. Shortly after the opening of the Cherokee Outlet, he came to Pawnee where he was commissioned deputy sheriff by Rank Lake, first elected sheriff of Pawnee County, Oklahoma Territory, who had formerly sewed as a deputy under Sheriff Canton in Wyoming.

During the gold rush to the Klondike in 1897, Canton went to Alaska in the employ of the North American Trading and Transportation Company with headquarters at Circle City where he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal.

On his return to the States two years later, he accompanied a Government relief train to China with supplies for the Americans during the Boxer uprising. Canton traveled to Oklahoma, and became a respected U.S. Marshal under Judge Isaac Parker, based out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He worked with other famous lawmen such as Heck Thomas, Chris Madsen, and Bill Tilghman during that time. In 1895, Canton joined a posse that tracked down Bill and John Shelley, who had escaped from the Pawnee jail and barricaded themselves in a cabin across the Arkansas River.

According to the book, The Cowboy, 1849-1873> ... "Joe Horner died in August 1879. The desperado and outlaw disappeared, not only from the Texas penal system but from the earth itself. The Man who had murdered him, a man calling himself Frank M. Canton, would spend the remainder of his days trying to eradicate the memory of Joe Horner forever."

It was not known how or why Canton chose the name he assumed. there were speculations that he reversed the name of his friend Milton Franklin Lake to come up with "Frank. M." There was speculation that he may have taken his last name from the town of Canton, Van Zandt county, Texas, or he may simply have liked the sound of it.

Canton was active in widely separate sections of the country .. Texas, Wyoming, Oklahoma and Alaska -- during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first quarter of the twentieth.
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The Dust Bowl Storms 1932-40

Remembering the 1930's Dust Bowl days of NE New Mexico, SE Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle. It was on February 21, that a severe duster struck western Kansas from the north and rolled southward into Oklahoma and Texas.

The dust boiled up from the tinder dry fields, downed telephone lines, and brought traffic to a standstill. At Alva, Oklahoma, the storm sifted dust into the college gymnasium to such a degree that a basketball game in progress had to be stopped.

It was during March and April 1935, that Amarillo, Texas and Dodge city Kansas had 28 and 26 dust laden days respectively. March was a dirty month in eastern Colorado, where dust storms occurred frequently from March 12 to March 25. Dust formed drifts like snow from a few inches to more than six feet deep.

March, 1935, a black blizzard turned day into night in the Texas Panhandle, breaking glass windows, damaged railroad communication. At Alva, Oklahoma, city police blocked the highways and prohibited motorists from leaving town.

Four days before the notorious black blizzard of April 14, 1935, a severe dust storm rolled across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles and into Kansas. It was reported to have paralyzed traffic for more than 24 hours and set a record for the intensity and duration of a daytime storm.

In Boise City, Oklahoma, 49 mph winds accompanied the dust. At Guymon, the storm lasted 48 hours. In the heart of the Texas Panhandle at Amarillo, airport officials estimated that the dust cloud reached 15 thousand feet.

Absolute darkness lasted 15 minutes, May 22, 1937, in Boise City, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Panhandle had only 12 dusty days from March to May of that year. It was reported that the Dust Bowl received subnormal rainfall in April 1938, but all of the severe dust storms occurred before the 15th. The dust storms that began in 1932 and peaked in 1935 continued intermittently during the spring months of the next 4 years, but by 1940 a return of the wet cycle ended them. -- An AGricultural & Social History - The Dust Bowl, by R. Douglas Hurt.

There is an Oklahoma Panhandle saying goes something like this, "Don't let this year make a damned fool of you next year."
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Looking Back ... WWII & Uncle Bob McGill

What did our ancestors do during the World War II (WWII) years? What did your parents, grandparents and G-Grandparents do? Where were they stationed? How did it affect their lives and that of your family?

I have a little woven, wooden basket that Uncle Bob McGill brought back from overseas during his tenure overseas in WWII. This little woven basket is where I used to keep Uncle Bob's WWII items, such as dog tags, v-mail and other items together. NOW ... I keep them in a cedar chest.

Reading thru my Uncle Bob's letters, V-mail, etc. concerning WWII has shed some light into an uncle I barely knew. As I have said earlier, "I was only about five years old when Uncle Bob died February 21, 1954 at the age 38 of lung cancer."

We have come along way from Air-mail - V-mail - Snail-mail - E-mail. What else will there be? Here is just a few of those V-mails and info on the 193rd Tank Bn. that we have run across.

Camp Cooke, California Oct. 5, 1941

1941, 5 October ... United States Army activated Camp Cooke, California. Used during World War II as an armored and infantry training site. Now site of Vandenburg AFB. The year 1941 brought with it the beginnings of unprecedented change to California's picturesque Central Coast.

Once a haven for wild game and cattle grazing, some 86,000 acres of open lands in the Lompoc-Guadalupe-Santa Maria triangle passed to the United States Army, and practically overnight became the site of a huge military encampment called Camp Cooke. As a training center for armored and infantry troops, young recruits assigned to Cooke were forged into combat-ready soldiers and shipped overseas for duty against German and Japanese forces.

After the war and a short period of inactivation, the installation was called up again for the Korean War in 1950. Between the wars and as late as January 1957, the military reservation had reverted to its previous use for cattle and sheep grazing.

Transformation of Camp Cooke into the nation's first space and ballistic missile operational and training base began in 1957 when it was transferred to the United States Air Force. In the proceeding year it was renamed Vandenberg Air Force Base.
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Great Uncle Robert Lee Warwick & WWI

Looking back to the Canadian Expeditionary, WWI C.A.C., we find our Great Uncle Robert Lee Warwick, Constance's younger brother, was a member of that WWI expedition.

Do you remember WWI from your history books of have family stories to share?

In an old family bible we found a rather delicate, worn and taped WWI Reservists Descriptive Card; a letter from Buckingham Palace; and a Canadian Expeditionary Force Discharge certificate for R. Lee Warwick dated June 29, 1919. Only old yellowing scotch tape barely holding it together.

Robert Lee Warwick served in Canada Force Corps in France. He enlisted in the Canadian Corps, April 12th, 1917. The demobilization of the service was the reason for his discharge in Toronto, Canadian, June 29, 1919.

The letter from Buckingham Palace reads, "The Queen and I wish you God-speed, and a safe return to your homes and dear ones. A grateful Mother country is proud of your splendid services characterized by unsurpassed devotion and courage." signed by the King George.

Before Robert Warwick served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in April, 1917 thru June, 1919, He was with the "Coast Artillery Corps, 5th company, Fort Terry, New York." He enlisted at Fort McDowell, California, January 19th, 1914 and furloughed to the western department in Class A reserve, 18 January 1917, Fort Terry, New York. About four months later he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force under the name of Lee Warwick. This photo shows the frontside of papers. This link shows the Backside of papers.

Back to the Coast Artillery Corps for a few minutes ... When I found the WWI and Canadian service records of my Great-Uncle Robert Warwick, I also came across a photo of the 148th Co. C.A.C. where the company is seated on the steps of the company building and posed with baseball equipment.

I believe that Robert Lee Warwick is among the group, but not knowing what he looked like ... I am not sure which one he is. If you know of anyone out there that might know of ... or run across anything pertaining to the "148th Co. C.A.C., please share it with us here at The OkieLegacy eZine. Thanks!
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Mrs. Essie Nall & Northwestern Normal Alumni

A few weeks ago I shared this photo of Essie, Grace and Connie. That Essie Nall on the left was written about in 1943, in a local newspaper.

The 1943 article is about Essie Nall that my grandmother, Constance Warwick McGill, grew up and went to school with as they continued their friendship through the ages.

The article headlines read, "Mrs. Nall Long Active In NW Alumni Group."

It goes on to say, "A long-time member of the Northwestern Alumni association and one of its most enthusiastic workers is Mrs. Essie Nall. Mrs. Nall enrolled at the college on the day it opened, in 1898, and attended her first classes in the Congregational church before any college buildings were erected.

"Twice president of the Alumni association -- In 1933 and 1934 -- she is its secretary at the present time (1943). Mrs. Nall plans some day to write a history of the college."

Did Essie Nall ever write a history of the College? Has anyone out there run across this history? I would love to know more.
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Sabin C. Percefull & Percefull Field - 1943

Young in Years, Percefull Has Long Record at Northwestern -- Sabin C. Percefull is counted one of the old-timers around Northwestern State College, having been connected with the college since before the outbreak of WWI.

In 1915 he came to Northwestern to teach physics and chemistry, spending two years as a faculty member before the US entry into the war. He entered the army and served in the chemical warfare division for two years.

After the war he returned to Alva and taught economics before succeeding to the dean-ship. In 1923 he became dean of faculty. In the summer of 1928 served as acting president, a position he held again from April, 1935 to February, 1936.

In 1938-39 he took a leave of absence for study at Iowa state university and at the end of the leave was appointed president of Northwestern Oklahoma Junior college at Miami.

On January 1, 1943, Percefull returned to Northwestern as president, succeeding Chester O. Newlun, who became president of the Wisconsin State Teachers college at Platteville, Wis.
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Oklahoma Gas Prices

Roy says on July 8th & 10th, "Conoco has dropped the price of their unleaded regular gas AGAIN! Today the downtown Perry station posted the price at just @.$2.28.9 per gallon! On July 10th, our highest price gas (at the Sinclair station) is $2.25.9, and Conoco dropped theirs again. Now the price of a gallon of regular unleaded is $2.21.9 and might drop again this weekend! Interesting.

We also had some more lightning and thunder followed by more rain this morning. My rain gauge here at home showed half an inch but I forgot to check the one at my shop (four blocks south). Sometimes there can be a difference. At the time that the storm was happening, I turned on the TV to see which way it was traveling and when it might be over. They were saying that there was a 20% chance for rain today. They should have checked a little more closely. Tonight we were told that there could be a possibility of more showers tomorrow (anywhere in the eastern half of the state)."
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Fonda, OK -- Indians Here July 4th, 1911

Sandie Olson says, "The June 23, 1911, Woods County Enterprise reports the following under the headline, Indians Here July 4th: "John Eaton received word Monday from Chas. De Brae of Fonda, near old Ft. Canton, stating that he would be in Waynoka, July 2nd with forty Indians and remain until after the 4th. He also stated they would bring two Indian suits for Master Leon Eaton, the suits being made from Chamois skin sent them by Grandpa Eaton."

[Editor's Note: Oklahoma Place Names says, "Fonda - In northeastern Dewey county, 7 miles east of Seiling. A post office from March 5, 1903, to December 30, 1916. The name is the Spanish word of inn." -- ]
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Fort Canton (Cantonment)

Canton, Oklahoma was the site of former Cantonment military base established in 1878 by Col. Richard I. Dodge. There was a Mennonite Indian Mission once situated there. The site also features the Canton Area Museum and Canton Lake.

The Canton lake is located in western Oklahoma, in Blaine county. Three miles northwest of Canton was the Cantonment. The Cantonment had a post office from July 17, 1879, to September 15, 1917. Intended as a supply cantonment, the post was established in 1879, but fell into disuse within a decade.

The Canton post office was established May 19, 1905 and Canton took its name from the nearby Cantonment military post.

The Indian Mission School building has been reconstructed, but nothing of the old Cantonment remains, because it was dismantled in 1882. The Canton area museum is located one block west of SH-51 and SH-58 Junction.
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Class of '59 Project for NWOSU

Dear Fellow Friends of NWOSU,

Howdy fellow classmates. It is hard to fathom that 50 years has passed since that joyous day in June 1959 when we walked across the stage, received our Diploma, shook hands with the officials, and moved our Tassels from the right to the left side.

Last April was Spring Reunion and our class was honored at the home of the President of NWOSU and we received our 50-year lapel pin. When we graduated we did not leave any gift as a memorial from our class. I am proposing that we should do so now. As I see it, this is bigger than the Class of 1959, it is something for the entire Alumni community.

What I envision is an Endowment that would provide a lecture series: “... something similar to a lecture series at Kansas State University, known as The Landon Lecture Series. The series, as I envision it in my thoughts, doesn't have to be like this series in every way. I think the list of speakers should be persons of current stature in world, national, or even state circles, not necessarily political. I think the person could be in science/medicine, an author, a President of a major company, a military leader, or a college/university leader from a major school. I know that I have a much different outlook on these things now than I might have had fifty years, or so, ago.

The student of today seems much more interested in hearing outside points of view, especially those that coincide with some topic of the semester's classes. It seems to me that it would make a much more rounded student that graduates from NWOSU.

I think we have an opportunity here to bring something useful to NWOSU other than another plaque or bench or monument. If we do it correctly we can leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. Something that will be useful as part of an education process.”

If an alumnae were able to donate $100 to this project, it would take 250 donations to establish the Endowment that would automatically generate another $25,000 in matching funds from the State Board of Regents. Of course larger amounts would be welcome and would increase the size of the gift. I am kicking this off with a donation of $1,000 as seed money to start this Endowment.

If you can see fit to donate to this Endowment, please do so soon in order for you to get an income tax benefit for 2009 and so that it can be announced this fall. Please make your checks payable to Northwestern Foundation, Inc. and mail to the address listed above.

Yours Truly,
James E. Bradley
Class of 1959
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