1900 Insight Of Grandma At 18-Years

I dug out some early 1900s letters that my grandmother, Constance (Warwick) McGill, received from a "best friend," John C. McClure, in Altona, Knox Co, Illinois. In the October, 1900 letter he mentions "arter to fellow." I am not sure what he meant by that, though.

In October, 1900, Constance Warwick would have been 18 years of age, living in Alva, Oklahoma Territory.

It sounds as though, John C. McClure was 19 years of age, in school at Altona, Illinois. Was Constance Warwick teaching at the age of 18 years or was she a student at Northwestern Normal School, in Alva, O.T.? Did she go to the Philippines as John mentions in the letter? OR ... Did John head her off at San Fancisco? AND ... Who was Nellie Corben, Ikie & May and Bert Knox? Perhaps someone out there reading this old 1900 letter from a "Best Friend" can help us fill in the blanks.

I plan on scanning and transcribing more of these letters written in the earlier 1900s and placing them on my OkieLegacy website in PDF form. - Oct. 4, 1900 Letter From Best Friend to Constance Warwick

John McClure starts his letter: "Oct. 4, 1900, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O.T., Dear Connie:

"I received your most welcome letter this A.M. It was postmarked three times. Came to Quincy, laid there awhile, then to Galva, then back to Altona, But I've got it.

"When I got that beautiful souvenir (sic), the boys in Quincy said, I never hear from you again, on account of there being paper in it without any writing. But I didn't believe it. Then when I did not hear from you for so long, I thought perhaps you were mad about something you had heard, etc.

"I hope by some mishap you did not receive that letter I wrote last. you may send it back for me to burn up. I was the happiest kid you ever seen when I got your letter this morning.

"You tell that (arter to) fellow to go straight up. Tell me who he is Connie and I fix him when I come to Okla. I never received but one letter from Nellie. It came home while I was in Quincy. Pa knew it was not your writing, or anybody's else, so he took it upon himself to open it up and read it. It was so foolish that, they did not take the trouble to send it when I came home. I read it (and I burnt it up). In the letter she said if I would answer it, she would write me a hot old letter. That was hot enough for me. As for Miss Gateka, I just writing to her a longtime ago. She quit me rather. I suppose it was that other love affair you told me about once. A word for Miss Bliss, I never heard of her before. Thats all I need say for her. Now! Whats left, Miss Warwick. Tell the (arter to fellow) I do write to Miss W. and that he had better deliver those letters more promptly.

"So you are going to the Philipines (sic). Well! It would be nice if you could, but better that you shouldn't. Let me know when you start and I'll bet I'll head you off at San Francisco. I know you could pass the Civil Service Ex.

"I don't know where I will get a position yet. I am satisfied to stay at home for the present. Am getting lots of good things to eat. Yesterday mother and father went away to visit for the day, and I and my younger bro thought we would have something good to eat all by ourselves. So he caught a young chicken, dressed it and I fried it, and just as we had everything nicely fixed, the folks came home, and helped us eat our scrumptuous (sic) feast.

"There was a cyclone struck here about a week ago. A good many building were torn to pieces. It did no damage except laid our corn flat, and blew down some trees.

"We have got the funniest teacher down at our school house She tells the kids some of the craziest things. The other my bro and I were passing. She came out began talking, and I had never saw her before. She is only 19. You have students as old as I. How would you like to have me for a student.

"Is there anything going on at Red Shed for you to go to. Is Nellie Corben going to school. How is Ikie and May. The neighbors wrote some big stories to father about Bert Knox. Perhaps you heard them.

"I will close, with the sincere hope that you will not get mad at me for writing that letter, but I thought sure you had quit.

Your Best Friend, Altona, Ill. J. C. McClure."
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Nickel, Ensor & McClure Mansion Rumor

Is it true that the McClure Mansion (a.k.a Nickel and Ensor Mansion, built back in 1906) is on the auction block and in sad condition with birds and bats taking it over?

How Sad!

This Old Pioneer Home resides on Nickels Hill, at Locust & 14th Street, in Alva, Oklahoma. Perhaps Rod is correct that it needs to be restored to a pioneer museum as the Phillips museum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Another question ... Who was the architect that built the Nickel mansion? Was it someone like George Franklin Barber?

If anyone out there has any old photos (inside and out) of this Nickel Mansion, we would love to share them with everyone here at "The OkieLegacy."
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Chimney Rock In NW Oklahoma

Marty says, "I always thought that Chimney Rock was located near Freedom, Oklahoma. There was one there long ago but I believe it was taken down becuase it was getting dangerous."

In response to what Marty said, I believe Chimney Rock was located South of Freedom, Oklahoma in Woodward county. Does anyone out there reading this have any more information on the location.
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Circus Winters In Augusta OK

Marvin says, "Many years back, the Keffer reunion was held at the Carmen park on the last Saturday in July. I recall mention of Augusta having been the wintering place for a circus. The name of the circus I don't recall, but the railroad seemed to play a big part in its location. My mother said this was the first time she had seen several wild animals."

Do any of you remember any stories or have photos of a circus wintering in Augusta, Oklahoma?
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Short Springs & Ashley OK

Ila says, "Short Springs town was a town 1/2 south of the South Springs schoolhouse, twp 27 range 12 section in the se of section 29 at the Short Springs on the land owned by Young Short.

"Ashley was a town located on the ne quarter in 27-12-19 owned by Frank Ashley. Also 10 acres was laid out in 27-12-20 in the nw corner."
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1941 San Francisco CA - Skyline Room/China Town

I found a couple of pictures that I had of Uncle Bob McGill during WWII and him at Tank training school in Kentucky (I believe). I have uploaded them to my website and put a link to them for you to view

This photo is, I believe, taken while Uncle Bob McGill was on his way to Hawaii with a stop in San Francisco, CA, China Town, Skyline Room 1941. On the backside of picture is handwritten in ink: "The Skyline Room in China Town. The woman is the "bubble" Dancer without her costume; or rather a different costume."

From left to right: 1st on left is ????; 2nd on left is ????; 3rd on left, 2nd Lt. Bob McGill; fourth from left is ????; fifth from left is ????; sixth from left is ????; on the right is ????; and the bubble dancer is sitting on chair in front of the officer on the far right.

If anyone out there recognizes any of the unknown officers in this picture, please contact Linda (NW Okie) at mcwagner.lk@gmail.com. Thanks for your help!
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Uncle Bob McGill, Tank School, KY, WWII

This NW Okie's Uncle Bob McGill is the good-looking Lt. standing on the backrow, third from right, at a Tank School, in Kentucky. The WWI tank in the background, I believe, is a British Mark IV, male, made in 1917-1918 on display and shown in background behind the soldiers. I understand that it was a super heavy tank.

Does anyone have any other pictures of this tank?

Perhaps some descendant of some of these soldiers pictured in front of the tank might recognize some of their relatives in the picture. We would love your help in identifing some of the others pictured here.
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William McGill Reunion At Oakridge This Spring

Mark says, "It seems logical that my family should dovetail into yours. My grandmother was Bertha Esther MAGILL (1888-1978). Her parents were Robert M. MAGILL (1847-1916) and Margaret A. WARD (1851-!924).

They are buried at the New Bethel Church at Oakridge at the nuclear facility. My great great grandparents were William and Frances (EVANS) MAGILL. Please contact me at r mnmjhagen@gmail.com and lets have a chat. There is a William MaGill Reunion this Spring at the church at Oakridge. Hope to see you there!"
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April 22, 1966 - Flight 280D

Jean Johnson Marston says, "Once in awhile, when I get reflective about my life, I start Googling the date (Friday, April 22, 1966) and location (Oklahoma) of the military plane crash that took my brother's life.

Yesterday, I came upon the American Flyers Memorial Park site, where they asked about a survival list. My brother Ralph D. Johnson, age 19, from Yonkers, New York survived the initial crash but died on Mother's Day, May 8, 1966, 16 days later. There was no feedback of information in those days. No one ever knew he died. So he should not be on the list.

"My parents, Bill and Ann Johnson flew to his bedside at Brooke Army Medical Center. I believe that is part of Fort Sam Houston Medical Center. I only found out about the amazing Memorial Butch Bridges put together about 20 months ago. I have been saving up and plan to visit Oklahoma this Memorial Day. My brother's death shaped my life good and bad. Now with that Memorial, there has finally been closure for me, something to the end of my mother's life, she asked for ... and never had.

"I remember my brother told my Mom, "It was awful." He woke up propped against a tree with a deceased soldier on his lap. It was raining and everything was on fire. There was a wonderful Nurse or maybe a local mother that spent some time with my brother. She wrote some comforting words to our family. I don't remember her name but know that we Thank You!"
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Ensor (Nickel) Mansion - Alva OK

Rod says, "This is most interesting reading! I've always known the mansion as the Ensor Mansion. When did Dr. Ensor own it? Does anyone know the whereabouts of any of the original furnishings? Could it be restored to its original 'glory' and become a museum matching the Phillips home in Bartlesville? What will become of it? It seems like an updated history of the mansion would be a great project (with photos, of course)."
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1941 Train & Boat Ride - Ft. Benning to Hawaii

Matt says, "Just a note after looking at your page on Uncle Bob McGill. He was remembered just the other day by my friend Col. Jimmie Leach, US Army (Ret) who rode with Lt. McGill on the 1941 train ride and boat ride from FT Benning (Bill got on at Leesburg, LA) to Hawaii. Col Leach, who is 87, spoke a couple of years ago here to a National Guard outfit of the on the rails training that went on during that ride west.

"I came across you page while attempting to get some info on the 193rd Tk Bn. Col Leach did not go to the Pacific with the 193rd. He was selected to go back to Benning to OCS after he got to Hawaii and went on to provide 30 years of heroic service as a tanker under Abrams leading the breakthrough to Bastgne in the Battle of the Bulge and as the regimental Commander of the 11th Armored Cavalry, under Abrams again, in Vietnam.

"I am preparing a biography of Col Leach as we speak and was writing the story of that train ride tonight!"

"Here is a quote taken from his talk to the 202nd Cav, SC National Guard, 2006. He only mentions your uncle once but the context of that trip is clear ... and Lt. McGill had a very creative and aggressive Sgt working for him. This was the 193rd Tk Bn.

"We left Ft. Benning. Our mission was to go to the Philippines. Readiness. You can see we were far from it at that point in time. We got into Ft. Polk. We pulled into the siding there and a new Lieutenant joined us by the name of Bob McGill and he said, I'm new to this light tank business, I don't know anything about it. How long have you all had 'em? Got 'em yesterday, sir. Good God.

"That's what we thought too. Because three of us had to gone to Ft. Knox gunnery school but you see we had a PFC with us who was from a light tank unit of the 2nd Armored Division. So we buttonholed him and got the manual out and we were bouncing along the railroad on the way eventually to the Philippines and we brain-drained that guy as best we could to refresh our memory and then on the moving train, gong to San Francisco, across our country, the four of us went out and we got on a tank and we would open a breech and close a breech and assemble a breech and all the things you had to do. We did have ammunition. We had 37 mm rounds but we didn't have .30 cal rounds. Then a boxcar on our train, each company had its own loading detail, hand cranked, one bullet at a time going into the damn web belt. A tedious job and they were loading all ball ammunition. No 1,4,5. No tracer. No shot. Just ball which was not acceptable in combat. That loading detail worked all the way across the country."

September, 1931 - Alva Bank Faces Political Charge

Looking back at the dust bowl and depression era, we found this 1931 news article in the publication, The Oklahoman, dated September 25, 1931, page 1, with headlines that read: "U. S. Political Charge Faced By Alva Bank."

"Information charging the First National Bank of Alva with contributing to a political campaign fund was filed Thursday by Fred A. Wagoner, assistant United States attorney.

"It was the first time the criminal statute regulating campaign contributions of national banking institutions has been prosecuted in the western Oklahoma district, Wagoner said.

"The information alleged the bank contributed $100 to the campaign fund of the present Woods County treasurer, after that official had been elected without pre-election funds.

"Lack of criminal intent on the part of the banks officials was demonstrated when the contribution was charged to expense and the item explained, Wagoner said."

Could someone remind this NW Okie which building housed the First National Bank? Was it the building on the Southwest corner of Flynn and College Avenue? OR ... Was it the building on the Northwest corner of Flynn and College Avenue?
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Oct., 1931 - J. F. Renfrew Death

For all those interested in northwest Oklahoma's pioneer editor, J. F. Renfrew, here is a news article that appeared in the publication, The Oklahoman, dated October 17, 1931, page 10, with headlines that read: "Agec Alva Editor Is Taken By Death," with sub-headlines that read: "J. f. Renfrew, Was Pioneer Of State Press."

Alva, Oct. 16, (1931), Special -- "James F. Renfrew, pioneer Alva editor and former president of the Oklahoma Press association, died at Woodward Friday. he was 83 years old.

"Renfrew who was prominent in civic and political life here, for many years, came to Alva in 1893. he was postmaster here for five years and was the first Woods county treasurer after statehood. he established the Alva Review in the early days here which he sold after three years and published the Renfrew Review, now the Alva Daily Record, for 18 years.

"He is survived by two sons, J. A. Renfrew, Alva, and R. O. Renfrew, Woodward, and three sisters who reside outside of Oklahoma. Burial will be Sunday."
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August, 1933 - Alva OK City Water Tower

This is a 1933 news article that appeared in the publication, The Oklahoman, dated August 10, 1933, page 9, with headlines that read: "City Water Tower Is Sought at Alva." Could this be around the time that the Alva Water Tower landmark that sets upon the hill, on the west edge of Alva, Oklahoma, on the highway?

Alva, Aug. 9, 1935, Special -- "A new city water tower with a capacity of 300,000 barrels will be sought in the federal public works building program. Total cost of the project has been estimated at $25,000.

"The city council has under consideration a second public works project, erection of a sewage disposal plant on the banks of the Salt Fort river, north of the city. Cost of the latter project has not been assembled."
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March, 1932 - New Alva Hospital Opens

Here is an article that appeared in the publication, The Oklahoman, dated March 24, 1932, page 3, with headlines that read: "New Alva Hospital To Be Opened Soon."

Alva, March 23, 1932, Special -- "The $50,000 city hospital here will be completed by April 10 (1932). A name will be selected by the hospital board shortly.

"Mary Ellison, who graduated from the British government hospital in Australia and has had experience in St. Louis, Boonville, Mass., El Reno and Cherokee hospitals, has been selected as superintendent. Nettie Elford is expected to be assistant superintendent."

Here is another article on the new Alva hospital that appeared in The Oklahoman, dated April 17, 1932, page 9, with headlines that read: "Bank Failure Halts Alva Hospital Work."

Alva, April 16, Special -- "Work on the new $50,000 city hospital at Alva has been stopped by tying up of funds in the First National Bank which failed recently, according to J. E. Morrison, contractor.

"The buff brick, three-story structure is 90 percent finished, but Morrison is unable to meet his pay roll as both his private funds and money received from the city on the contract are in the hands of the National bank examiner."
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May, 1935 - North Highway to Alva Opens

I found the following article in the publication, The Oklahoman, dated may 26, 1935, page 65, with the headlines that read: "Highway to Alva From North Opens."

This opening of highway north of Alva happened after the Salt Fork river took out two highway bridges and a temporary crossing had been made just east of the ruined highway 14 bridge.

Here is the short news article: Alva, may 25, 1935 -- Special -- "Traffic into Alva from the north was opened Saturday for the first time since a week ago when the Salt Fork river took out two highway bridges. A temporary crossing has been made just east of the ruined highway 14 bridge."

In The Oklahoman, dated June 19, 1935, page 18, with headlines reading: "Bridge Near Alva Will Be Extended."

Alva, June 18, 1935, Special -- "To put a stop once and for all to the marauding of the Salt Fork of the Arkansas, the state highway commission has elected to place a 120-foot addition on the Grimes bridge north of the city, the last link between Alva and its northern trade territory.

"The city was cut off from the north for the fifth time in less than a month Monday when the river cut away 50 feet of its north bank, including the approach of the Grimes bridge, which had just been repaired by a state highway crew for a highway No. 14 detour. A low water crossing, parallel to the ruined old highway 14, went out at the same time."

From these two 1935 news articles, it seems 1935 around May and June raised the river waters and did a lot of flood damages as to bridges in Northwest Oklahoma.

Here is another news article that appeared below the above article: "School Transfers Sought."

Alva, May 25, 1935, Special -- "More rural school pupils are asking admittance to Woods county high schools this year than ever before. There have been 263 applications for transfers made at the county superintendents office this year."
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