Duchess' Domain

It has been cool up here in the SW Mountains of Colorado.

Waynoka's Stampede and Rodeo was this last weekend. How did it go? Was there a crowd? Who was the big winner of each event?

Coming up the last three days of week, Thursday thru Saturday, is Freedom, Oklahoma's "Biggest Open Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion." Will you be there? Have not decided if NW Okie will make the 600+ miles back to NW Oklahoma yet. BUT ... If you all tone down the humidity and heat factor a bit, you might see her in your neck of the woods!

NW Okie has been picking lots of "Early Girl" tomatoes from her huge potted tomato plant. The tomatoes seem small, but there are lots of tomatoes on the vine. AND ... they have a REAL tomato taste. Not like the bland taste of tomatoes you buy in the stores.

This Duchess Pug and her sidekick, Sadie, have been playing with the neighbor Pug, Max, when he ventures over to their backyard. Max the Pug is the same age as Duchess the Pug. They get along great. Sadie is a little weary of other dogs, but if Duchess says its okay ... then Sadie is okay about it. Sadie is the youngen of the bunch.
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Insight Into Grandma & John C. McClure

As the Summer of 1905 begins, it looks and reads as though John C. McClure is becoming stuck on his sweetheart, Miss Constance Estella Warwick.

John C. McClure's letter continue from June 7-29, 1905, from Alva, Oklahoma Territory to Miss Constance Warwick who is spending the Summer of 1905 near Vanderpool and Mountain Grove, Virginia with her Warwick relatives.

Also, we find out John McClure's post office box is #133, Alva, Oklahoma Territory. In the June 10, 1905 letter below we find that Essie (Nall) was a McKitrick and had a sister named Grace.

June 7, 1905 -- addressed to Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA, postmarked Staunton, VA, June 12, 1905, 11:30a.m. It begins, "Tuesday Morning, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Old Virginia. Hello, Sweet Heart, I received your letters. The one from St. Louis. Also the one from Virginia. I would have written sooner, but did not know where to address the letter. We sure had a time before you got away, but I believe you worked it that way so I would not get that kiss, but I have 10000000000000000000000000000000000 for that one when you get back home again.

"They told me before I left Alva that day that you would have to wait in Kansas City to get your trunk checked, but I knew you would not. They don't know straight up here.

"There is going to be a ball game between the bankers and the Millers or all the grain men. We were out practicing last night.

Do you get any Alva papers? I went down last Sunday to get my picture taken but Mr. Heron was not at home. But I do believe from the depth of my .... heart that I ought to have one of those pictures of you girls, and If I don't get one I am going to tell you the reason why.

"I believe Lowe sneaks out to see Forbis once in awhile. As I must hasten to the bank, I will close. This all the paper also. Bye Bye SH (SweetHeart). I'll write more next time. John McClure."

June 9, 1905 -- Addressed to Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Fri. Morning, Miss Constance Warwick, Old Virginia. Dearie Connie, I don't believe I have received that letter that you were to write Sunday.

"It is nice and cool here this morning but we have sure had some scorchers. We played baseball last night. I wish you were here to see the game. Mr. G. E. Nickel and wife left yesterday for Portland and different points in the west.

"I guess you heard about that excursion to Bliss next Sunday. I am just dying to go, but Cousin says I can not. What shall I do. Would you go on a Sunday excursion If I wanted a girl? I saw Miss Johnson yesterday. She had found out some way about you not getting away.

"There was a band concert last night in the park. Lots of Pretty girls, but I -- When are you coming home? Don't notice these two blots I just made. I will write around them. I guess wheat is just about ready to harvest in the country.

"It is reported that Hess Hudson is to be married this week. He has been buying carpets this week. Eugene Carter is coming back to take a place in the Alva National Bank. I will close for this day. Bye Bye S.H. John McClure."

June 10, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA, postmarked Staunton, VA, June 13, 1905. There were two letters. First letter began, "Alva, O.T., Thurs. Eve, Dearest Girl, I received your palm letter this morning. It is a beauty. Just now I pulled your letter out to read, and found one that I wrote yesterday, that I had forgotten to mail. I am sorry, but here comes two. You have been so good about writing me letters that I feel ashamed.

"You said something about writing to Lowe. You know I don't want you to. Would you rather write to Lowe than me? You know what you said that Sunday afternoon that I took you home after you had been with him the Eve before? I guess everything will be all right when you get home again.

"It is raining hard now, and looks as though it were going to rain all night. There was going to be a dance in the Opera house, but it is raining so hard I guess it will fall through.

"I see Miss Merchant downtown every day. Lowe was down to see her night before last. I am going out South next Sunday. Wish you were there too. I wish I were in Virginia to see some of the things you are seeing. Guess I will go on my trip. Would you like to go too. I will close for this time thanking you for your letters. Yours Faithfully, John."

Second letter: "Alva, O.T., Sat. Morn. Miss Connie Warwick, Old Virginia. Dear Girl, Why don't you write to me, or do you want to break your promise. I thought sure I would get a letter from you yesterday.

"I went to a bummy show last night in a tent down by the R.R. It was Ten Nights In a Bar Room. We played a practice team last night with the Grain dealers. I saw Grace and Essie McKitrick last Eve, so I guess Institute has commenced.

"The Big excursion goes to Bliss, Okla. tomorrow. Everybody is going. I don't know whether I will go or not. I don't believe I told you about my going down last Sunday to have my picture taken. I went down but Mrs. Heron was locked up. So I suppose I will have to try again.

"Remember for every day you miss writing to me means a dozen kisses and I have got several coming now. I saw Harry Buck last night. He is cooking for the show. He wears the same very important look. Hoping to hear from My S.H. soon. I remain, Your Friend, J. C. McClure. Bye Bye."

June 12, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Mon. Eve, Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Dearest Girl, Why don't you write me a letter. I have received but two letters since you got to Va, and you knew you promised me a letter everyday, but I suppose you are having to good a time to write to any guy in Okla. I sure enjoyed the letter you wrote to me last. Va. must be nice place where you are.

"I did not go on the excursion to Bliss, Okla. Am glad I did not for they never got back until noon today. A good share of the people had to stand up all of the way back.

"Bolte's folks and myself took a long drive into the country today. It was real nice for a drive. Went to my farm then to Mr. Bolte's farm and ate our supper under the shade trees of North Eagle. Got back about 8 went to the Baptist Church to Childrens day exercises. They were grand.

"Tomorrow is the day for the big ball game. I will close for this time. Hoping you are having a dandy time. Have a good time for me too. I suppose you see what happened to that other page don't you. I believe you have found a fellow in Va. and were doing me like you did when I was in Ill. Better not. You have got to write me oftener. Yours Faithfully, John McClure, Alva, Okla., Bye Bye."

"Dear Miss Warwick, I think Mac's hand needs a rest so I have taken the pen away from him. You are fortunate indeed that you are mid the green fields of Virginia instead of scorching Okla. I hope your are enjoying yourself. Yours Sincerely, Mary Louise Bolte."

June 14, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA and held for postage. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Tues. Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Old Va. Dear Girl, Many thanks for the letter you write me each day. I felt sure you would do it. It is a good sign that you are having a good time. I have only two letters to credit you for. Mebby it is a sign for me to quit. I am sure getting some kisses to my credit.

"We had the Big Ball game today, 9 to 8 in favor of the Grain men. The summer school started last Monday, a week ago. Mrs. Bolte goes to the North next Tuesday and Fred and I are going to board at Mrs. Fullers, There are two good looking school teachers there. But neither one of them are the right one. Do you reckon I will ever eat with the right one?

"Well! I will close for this time. I am afraid you are not getting my letters, so I had better quit. You Know, J. C. McClure, Alva, Okla."

June 17, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, VA. It begins, "Alva, O.T., Thurs Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va., Dear Sweet Heart, I can not understand why you have not been getting my letters. I have addressed all of them to the above address. The only one you gave me. I rec'd your letter this morning and was delighted to receive it. I have written a letter every day with the exception of Sunday ever since I got your address. Have you forgotten what you promised me the evening we were out riding?

"Va. the part you are in must be a nice place. I was not here today, and the wind blowed a gale. Most all the farmers are working in the harvest field. Bert Knox has not showed up yet.

"Lowe asked me this evening if I had heard from you yet. When I told him I had, he said for me to tell you not be partial with your letters.

"I am glad I got in on that list. It looked like a narrow escape to me, but it was a consolation to me to know I was not the least.

"Eugene Carter is working in the Alva National now. His mother is here living. Now, Connie, I want you to tell me whether you get my letters or not. Faithfully yours, J. C. McClure."

June 21, 1905 -- Addressed to Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA, with postmarks received at Vanderpool and Mountain Grove, Va. It Begins, "Alva, O.T., Tues. Eve. Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Sweetheart, I received your letter this morning. I certainly did not know why you did not write to me. I thought perhaps I were not addressing my letters right as you seemed to mail your letters most any place. I hardly know where to send this one, as you are now in Monterey (VA).

Say! If last Sunday was not a scorcher, you never seen one. The hottest wind was blowing. We had ice cream. John Sturdevant was here, and we had all kinds of singing. I went to the Baptist Church but they dismissed it because it looked like a storm. But it did not storm at all. Some people go crazy! Oh! Mrs. Bolte and Aunt went north this morning. I got up early, so am sleepy now. We did better than you and I did. The train was on time.

"Mr. Bolte and I started to board at the widows today. There are five teachers there, but only one that I am much stuck on.

"Now! If you stay in Va. won't I be sorry I let you go. Perhaps it is a good thing you left, as absence makes the heart grow fonder. I will close for tonight so sweet dreams.

"Just got home from breakfast. Say! I went down and had my pic taken last Sunday. I thought one of the proofs were good but she wants me to come back. Miss Johnson was having hers taken. Somebody else had hers taken. "Now, Connie, if you think I deserve one of those pictures, you can send it right quick. I will close for this time. What was you going to wait for Sunday for? Sincerely Yours, J. C. McClure, Alva, O.T., Woods Co., Liberty Twp. (Constance Estella Warwick was written at the bottom of the last page of the letter.)

June 22, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, c/o Paul Warwick, Mountain Grove. Paul Warwick was a brother to my G-Grandpa John Robert Warwick and an uncle to Constance Estella Warwick. The letter begins, "Thurs Eve., Alva, O.T., Miss Constance Warwick, Vanderpool, Va. Dear Girl, I received your letter this morning. You do not need to worry about me letting your letters lay in the office for I would soon get them if one came in on every train.

"It has been quite warm today and everything is dead here in town. I went to a ball game last night between the druggists, doctors vs the Lawyers. The Lawyers beat. It was the best game I ever attended. There are two lady teams now practicing for a game. Gee there are a couple okay looking girls where I board. One is quite pretty. The defeated team had to serve a banquet to the losers of the game last night. I guess Mrs. Bolte is in Ill. by this time.

"No one quit in the Alva National bank. You know Hess Hudson got married and he has not started to work yet. All the Bankers are getting married. How would you like to be a bankers .....

"I don't guess Lowe goes out to see Forbis very often unless he does it on the sneak. I saw Essie this morning, but not to speak to her. I would like to see Essie for an hour or so. I will close for this time. Sincerely yours, J. C. McClure, Alva, Okla. P. S. Send me a picture, Connie."

June 23, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, c/o Paul Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. This letter begins, "Alva, O.T., Fri. Eve. Dear Girl, I received your letter this morning telling of the dangerous adventure, if that is what you call it, and I will go right out and tell your ma, if she will make you come. I just came from supper and must go back and work again. Every day this is dry here. No business and no rain. I guess wheat is about harvested.

"The bankers are going to play ball with the courthouse people next Tues. Have you decided where you are going to teach. I wish you would get a position here in town. I will close. Will try to do better next time. Yours Faithfully, J. C. McClure. P. S. Please send me one of those pictures of my Sweet Heart."

June 24, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. It begins, "Sat. Eve, Alva, O.T., Sweet Heart Connie, I rec'd your Tuesday letter today, and was glad to hear from Old Va. This has been a windy day. There was hardly any one in town. I saw your paw. You never have told me about how hot it was during the daytime, or whether you could sleep at night. How high are the mountains. What do they raise there. Of course you know what I mean.

"Who is Lizzie? Any relation to you? Sure I'd like to meet her. Tell her to write me a letter. She might send me her picture. Smarty, you was so afraid I might touch one of those rings, perhaps it was your hands that were touchy for if you remember you gave me to understand that I was to look and not touch.

"Now about dying of consumption. Your remember that you was to weigh about 300lbs when you got back, for you know I am going to run right on the scales. Is there much consumption in your family. don't think I am getting scart.

"Thanks for those pretty flowers. The depot was robbed of 60 dollars night before last. Do you get an Alva paper. I want you to explain things more fully after this. I will close for tonight. Yours Affectionately, J. C. McClure. P.S. Please send me one of those pictures I heard about. Tell me yes or no whether you are going to give one as soon as you get them."

June 29, 1905 -- Addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Mountain Grove, VA. This last letter of June 1905 is a four-paged letter and begins, "Alva, O.T., Sun. Afternoon, Miss Constance Warwick, Dear Sweetheart, I received two letters from you today. The one written Sunday and the one written later.

"It rained hard here last night about 12. I had not went to bed. You bet I would not get up if the wind blowed me sky high. The neighbors were all running to the caves. Mr. Bolte got over heated the other day, and he has been quite sick.

"Now, Connie, I have written more than six letters, I wrote a letter a day for one whole week. I have not written for two or three day because I have been so busy. Those school teachers came from Enid, and have never been here before. One is a sweet looking girl, but although you have not kept your promise, I have not went with another girl yet. You said you were in love with Okla. and people here. Don't you think you could make it stronger.

"There was a good fight between Albert Powell, and Coal Oil Johnnie (that's me) in front of the P.O. this week it was a good scrap. Both got black eyes. Say, Connie, what will you take for your claim. I remember you said you would take $1,000 for it but look at me.

"I don't believe you are getting all my letters because you fail to answer some of my (unexpectant) questions.

"I guess they are going to have a good time here the fourth. The are going to hold meetings in the square tonight, but it is quite cool here, and looks like rain. I haven't been out in the country lately. Essie is working for Panner and Humphray. Connie, you have got to get a position here in town when you come back.

"The girls are not going to have that ball game, because some of the people kicked. I will close for today. Yours Ever, J. C. McClure. P. S. You have not said word about that picture. Whether I am to have one." -- MORE John McClure Letters To Grandma
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That's The Way It Was - 1904

The Peoples Chronology, edited by James Trager, mentions on page 699, "Helen Keller was graduated magna cum laude Radcliffe College and began to write about blindness, a subject taboo in women's magazines because so many cases were related to venereal disease.

Keller had learned to speak at Boston's Horace Mann School for the deaf by feeling the position of the tongue and lips of others, making sounds, and imitating the lip and tongue motions. She had learned to lip-read by placing her fingers on the lips and throat of the speaker while the words spoken were spelled out on the palm of her had.

Her book The Story of My Life appeared in 1902 and was followed last year by her book Optimism. Keller began lecturing in 1913 to raise money for the American Fondation for the Blind. Her teacher Anne Sullivan would remain with her until her death in 1936, and Keller would continue to work for the blind and deaf until her own death in 1968.

Bethune-Cookman College ... Bethune-Cookman College had its beginnings in a cabin rented at Daytona, Florida, by Mary McLeod Bethune, 29, who opened her Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls with five students. Bethune made potato pies for workmen building the nearby Clarendon Hotel. She earned $5 for a down payment on some land, and she solicited funds to build Faith Hall.

1904 Olympic Games ... The Olympic Games were held at ST. Louis and attracted 1,505 contestants from seven countries. The games were held as part of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition that belatedly celebrated the centennial of the 1803 purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France, and French athletes took most of the medals.

An International Exposition opened a year late at St. Louis to commemorate the centennial of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. The Ferris wheel from the 1893 Chicago Midway was moved to St. Louis.

1904 1st Major League Perfect Game Pitched ... The first Major League Perfect Game was pitched May 5, 1904, by Boston Red Sox pitcher Cy Young who faced 27 batters in nine innings and did not let one of them reach first base. After Young's death in 1955 the Cy Young Award would be established for the best pitcher in the Major leagues each year, and the award would later be given to the best in each league.

No World Series in 1904 ... No World Series was held in 1904 because John McGraw of the New York Giants refused to have his team play the Boston Red Sox.

1st Cement stadium built 1904 ... The first cement stadium was built at Harvard with a capacity of 40,000. A colonnade that added additional seats would be added in 1910 as college football grew to become a major spectator sport, and steel stands would be added in 1919 to turn the horseshoe-shaped stadium into an enclosed oval.

Colgate Ribbon Dental Cream was introduced by the 98-year-old William Colgate Company. The firm would be incorporated in 1908 under the name Colgate & Co., and its dental cream would become the leading U.S. dentifrice.

The Gillette razor was patented November 15, 1904, and sales soared to 90,844, up from just 51 year, blade sales reach 123,648, up from 168, and the figures would soon be multiplied a thousandfold. King C. Gillette paid $62,500 to buy out an investor who paid $250 for 500 shares in 1901.

Montgomery Ward distributed its first free catalogs after having sold catalogs for years at 15 cents each. The company mailed out more than 3 million of the 4-pound books.

Sear, Roebuck distributed more than a million copies of its Spring catalog. Sears had set up its own printing plant but still used woodcuts for more than half its illustrations and kept the art of wood engraving alive.

New York's Astor Hotel opened on Seventh Avenue between 44th and 45th Streets. John Jacob Astor IV of 1897 Waldorf-Astoria fame had the new 660-room hotel constructed in classic French style.

The New York Times moved into a new 25-story Times Tower at Broadway and 42nd Street, December 31, 1904 and Longacre Square became known as Times Square. The move was marked with a midnight fireworks display that would become, in modified form, a New Year's Eve tradition and would continue even after the Times moved to larger quarters in West 43rd Street and the Times Tower changes hands.

The Hamburger at St. Louis Fair ... The hamburger gained popularity at the St. Louis Exposition where the chopped beef specialty was fried and sold by German immigrants who lived in South St. Louis.

Ice Cream Cone ... The ice cream cone was introduced a the St. Louis fair by Syrian immigrant pastrymaker Ernest A. Hamwi concession, serving them with sugar and other sweets. When a neighboring ice cream stand ran out of dishes, Hamwi rolled some of his wafers into cornucopias, he let them cool, and he sold them to the ice cream concessionaire. But an ice cream cone mold patent had been issued earlier in the year to Italian immigrant Italo Marchiony who claimed he had been making ice cream cones since 1896 and who was joined by other claimants who challenged Hamwi's right to call himself the ice cream cone originator.

Iced tea was created at the St. Louis fair by English tea concessionaire Richard Blechynden when sweltering fairgoers passed him by, but as in the case of the ice cream cone, evidence would be produced of prior invention. Green tea and Formosan tea continue to outsell black tea 5 to 1 in the United States in 1904.

Tea bags were pioneered by New York tea and coffee shop merchant Thomas Sullivan who sent samples of his various tea blends to customers in small hand-sewn muslin bags. Finding that they can brew tea simply by poring boiling water over tea bag in a cup, the cutomers placed hundreds of orders for Sullivan's tea bags which would soon be packed by a specially developed machine.

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Where Is Vanderpool, Virginia?

View Vanderpool, VA in a larger map
The image above is a Google map of Vanderpool, Mountain Grove, Monterey in relation to Staunton, Virginia. Monterey is North of Vanderpool on Highway 220. Mountain Grove is South of Vanderpool, Virginia.
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Great Grandpa Wm. Fechtig Warwick

The picture on the left is an old photo of William Fechtig & Pheobe Anthea (Pray) Warwick, parents of John Robert (great-grandpa) and Paul (great-uncle) Warwick, of Mountain Grove, Virginia.

William Fechtig WARWICK was born Aug 11 1822, Augusta Co, Virginia and died Dec 20 1902 (Age: 80). Phoebe Anthea Pray/Prey was born May 3, 1833, and died May 1, 1905 (age: 71).

Their children were Amanda "Gabie", born 1871, married John Landes; George Craig; Charles Fechtig; Peter Hull; John Robert (G-Grandpa); PaulMcNeel; Amelia E; James; Louisa Catherine; Sallie; and Nelson Pray Warwick.

You may view my McGill/Warwick genealogy by clicking on the following link showing William Fechtig Warwick Family Tree.
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Miller Brothers 101 Ranch

Oklahoma Historical Society's website says this about the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch, "In 1881 George Washington Miller first used the 101 brand on his cattle, establishing what would become one of the most recognizable names in ranching and western entertainment.

A native of Kentucky, he migrated west after the Civil War, settling in Missouri and driving cattle from Texas to the railway heads in Kansas.

Miller later moved his ranch to land leased from the Quapaws, in present northeastern Oklahoma, and resided in Baxter Springs, Kansas. Then he relocated his family to Baxter Springs, Kansas, and his ranch to the Cherokee Outlet. Miller also cultivated a relationship with the Ponca, which were briefly displaced to the Quapaw Reservation. He suggested that the Ponca take land in the Outlet as their home."
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Perry, Noble County, OK

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The Cherokee Strip Museum website says, "Perry was generally considered to be the "queen city of the Cherokee Strip" after the great land rush of 1893 which opened a choice area of the future state of Oklahoma to non-Indian settlers. The event attracted nation-wide interest. It lured to this area a marvelous mixture of humanity. Some were adventurous and recklessly daring; some were professional people and entrepreneurs looking for a new start; some were just hungry for a piece of land to call their own."

The Perry postcard set shows North, East South side of square, courthouse & jail, Central park, high school, first national bank, Planters hotel, US Post office, cotton Industry, band stand, Carnegie Library, Presbyterian church, and the Perry Mill.
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Bliss/Marland, Oklahoma

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Bliss (now Old Bliss) was an unincorporated community near Marland in Noble County, Oklahoma. Bliss was one of the 101 Ranch towns. The post office opened November 4, 1894, but was moved to Marland April 8, 1922.

Another website says, "Bliss, Oklahoma was in the northern portion of Noble county for 26 years until its name was changed to Marland in 1924. The famous 101 Ranch included Bliss."

This is what the Cherokee Strip Museum site has to say about Bliss/Marland, Oklahoma, "The town known as Bliss, named after Cornelius N. Bliss, secretary of the Interior, was located in the north part of Noble County for 26 years. Its name was changed to Marland in 1924 as a result of the influence of W. A. Brooks, who was mayor at that time. Brooks, a cousin of the Miller Brothers of the 101 Ranch was personally acquainted with E. W. Marland, who was going places in the oil business, conceived the idea that Marland would help foster projects in the town if it were named for him. Such was not the case, however. The town was able to stand on its own feet, but the population has dwindled to the 200 mark. During the Three Sands oil boom days and the Miller brothers activities the population reached 1,000."

Marland -- Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture says, "Marland is situated in Noble County on State Highway 156 twelve miles due east of Interstate 35 and approximately twenty-three miles north-northeast of Perry, Marland, formerly Bliss, developed as a shipping point on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.

"The town has had three incarnations, the first two as Bliss. The surrounding region, primarily grassland and formerly part of the Ponca Reservation, was leased for grazing by the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch.

"At the Santa Fe tracks on the edge of their ranch, the Millers built stockyards and other facilities for shipping cattle. South of that location a small rural community grew up circa 1898 in Section 24 of Buffalo Township, where there came to be a lumberyard, a general store, and a few residents by 1900.

"Grain elevators were erected at the tracks in 1904. Ranch correspondence and advertising generally used "Bliss" or "Bliss Station" as the Miller's home base. In the early years of the century the brothers held various Wild West shows at the ranch's summer camp near Bliss Station. Visitors took the train to the depot that Santa Fe built there."
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1901 American League Version - St. Louis Browns

The American League version of the St. Louis Browns started out as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901. After finishing in the American League (A.L.) basement, the franchise was moved to St. Louis for the 1902 season and renamed the Browns."

My Grandpa McGill didn't play for the Brown's until September, 1907 when they were trying him out has their pitcher.

The Austin Senators (Minor League team) ended it's season in 1906, winning the Pennant. Afterwards, Grandpa went back home to Oklahoma for a visit before he played out the rest of the season with a team in Des Moines, Iowa.

While Grandpa was still in this Minor Leagues with the South Texas League in late May, 1906 (between May 25th & 29th game), the following was written about McGill. I believe these articles came from Lake Charles, Austin, or the Houston Post in 1906.

Headline -- "Austin Takes The First Game - Long Legged Pitcher McGill Puzzles The Hard Hitting Creoles." --- "Failure on the part of the home team effectively to connect with the puzzling delivery of McGill, the elongated twirler of the Austin team, who was in rare form, despite his tiresome railroad trip, was responsible for the defeat of the Creoles (Lake Charles) in yesterday's game... One of McGill's favorite stunts is to stagger backward as he delivers the ball. It looks like the beginning of a wild pitch but is generally a strike."
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Albert Linton Inquiry

I recently heard from one of my readers that is researching 1,234 Civil War soldiers of the 8th Iowa Cavalry. One of them was an 18 year old, Albert Linton who died December 17, 1935 and buried in the Alva Cemetery. Dale was wondering if any relatives were still around the Alva area so he might contact them for additional information and photos. I am CC: Dale Talkington a copy of this email. If you know of any Linton relatives that Dale could contact, would you please give them a copy of this email? Thanks for your help!

Dale says, "I am in the middle of researching material on all 1,234 Civil War soldiers of the 8th Iowa Cavalry.

One of them is 18-year old Albert Linton who was born on May 31, 1846 in Ohio and served in Company H. He died in Tulsa, Oklahoma on December 17, 1935 and is buried in the Alva (Oklahoma) Cemetery.

I would like to contact a relative who might have some additional information and maybe a photo of him. THANKS!"

Jim says, "I checked the cemetery records and find three Lintons buried there: Albert Linton (D: Dec 17, 1935); Izetta Walter Linton (D: March, 1921); and Sarah Linton (D: Oct. 5, 1927. I find no Lintons in the current Alva phone book. Maybe I can make a mention of it in my column and locate a relative."

If any LINTON relatives are still living in Oklahoma or around Northwest Oklahoma, you can contact Dale Talkington at EMAIL: daletalkington@gmail.com.
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Williams & Fish Family Inquiry

Constance Fay (McInnis) Isham says, "I keep stopping in to read the different posts. I lived in Alva for 18 months; Muskogee for 9 years; Tulsa a year; and Norman a year. Most of my mother’s family is from Alva area ~ the Williams and Fish family. Ruth Willams married and was a Campbell. I do remember some of my cousins but haven’t been in touch for several years. I hope to get in touch and thanks for the site!"
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Looking For ... Pringey OK Residents & Students of 1905

If anyone out there knows of anyone (descendants of...) that went to school in the Pringey, Oklahoma rural school district in 1905, I would love to know and make a list of possible students that my grandmother Constance Estella Warwick might have taught in the May, 1905 school session. Where? ... What? ... Which family might have boarded Constance while she taught at Pringey, Oklahoma May, 1905? Send me your family school stories of Pringey, OK, in 1905, etc... Thanks!
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Blue Laws

Joel says, "I was in college when the Blue Laws were in effect in Massachusetts. One fellow, a confirmed alcoholic, couldn't buy liquor on Sunday so he actually drank Windex! But there is an epilogue. At a fraternity party, he decided he would play the piano. Staggered over, flopped on the piano bench, and played the best version of Chopin''s Waltz in C# Minor that I have ever heard!"
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Looking Back ... 1904 Friends University Baseball

Back in 1904, while Grandpa Bill McGill was playing baseball at Friends University, Constance Estella Warwick was in Alva, Oklahoma Territory going to Northwestern Normal and teaching in rural schools in the area and communicating through letters with John C. McClure.

We found this little song ditty amongst Grandpa's baseball clippings:

Quakers Baseball Song (Friends University)
Hi Quaker, Ho Quaker, Come along with me,
Hi Quaker, Ho Quaker, Hi Quaker ball boys,
Sweeter than honey at a huckle-berry bee,
Hi Quaker, Ho Quaker ball boys.

[Same as first except third line.]

3rd line - 2nd, verse.
Burpee in the left field, Shorty in the right,

3rd, line - 3rd, verse.
Ginder on the third base, Texas on the stop,

3rd, line - 4th, verse.
McCully on home plate, McGill in the box,

3rd, line - 5th, verse.
Boon-ee in the center field catching all the flies,

3rd, line 6th, verse.
Rich is on the second base put e'm out at first,

3rd, line - 7th, verse.
Jefferies on first base, mighty sure and good.
We'll never come up, come up,
We'll never come up, come up,
We'll never come up, come all the way up to Fairmount.
They haven't got any team, their pitcher is minus the steam,
And for all their good batters, they've got soda crackers,
And they, er all the good men on the team.

Bill McGill left Alva, O.T. in 1903 and attended Friends University for three seasons and then went to Washburn and then on to the Kansas State League and later to the Texas League from whence he went to the majors.

It was late 1907 September and McGill returned to Alva to go into the furniture business and found little time thereafter to devote to organized baseball. He did take a short fling in the old Western Association with Guthrie and also pitched a few more games for Alva.

During McGill's brief major league career one whacky sportswriter dubbed McGill "The pitcher with the millian dollar arm and the ten cent head." BUT ... The allegation was decidedly unfair as McGill was considered one of the smartest pitchers of his time.

McGill denies being smart, "I didn't have an ounce of brains. I can see it now. If I had been smart I wouldn't have spent seven of my best years pitching college ball for nothing when I could have been drawing down big money in the majors." McGill grimaced and said, "Daw gawn-it!" McGill began college pitching at 21 and was near 30 when he reached the majors. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe