Well! Our somewhat 42-inches of snowy domain here in Southwest Colorado is compacting down in mid daytime temperatures to 32-inches of snow as measured on my snow gauge. I know our snow here in southwest Colorado lasts longer than your Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas snow. That is why I love Colorado's Wintertime!

We have been shoveling our roof snow the last couple of weeks and new snow hills have accumulated on the ground below the roof. Some hills reaching as high as the roof edge. Got protect those roofs, don't we? We have submitted some of those snow photos in black & white form here. the photo on the left shows the roof shoveled snow and the photo on the right shows a view of the distance mountain views up at Vallecito Lake with Irving mountain enclosed in a snowy foggy view.

I want some of you northwest Oklahomans to watch the renovation of the Old Ranger Theatre and let us know how it goes. I hear the new owners might renovate it to show old silent movies again. I love those old silent movies!

NW Okie spent most of the day today, 2 hours to be exact, at the Toyota dealer getting some warranty service recall work done on her 2007 Tundra. Got that taken care of, finally!
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Ranger Theatre Renovations

Your article about the Harper KS theater reminded me to send you a notice that Alva's old "Ranger" theater will be seeing new life!

After sitting empty for so many years now, the theatre has been purchased by Nick and Cara Bradt, both NWOSU alumni and both teachers in the Alva Public Schools. They plan a historic renovation and will be keeping a log of their progress, including photographs, for the historical record.

The theatre is intact, though the roof has leaked for several years. To the extent possible, the renovation will include all original materials (light fixtures and the like are still there).

This is fantastic news for the Alva community. Civic minded as they are, the Bradts plan to make the facility available as a community center, showing silent movies, opening for musical recitals, plays, and the like.

This will be one of several bright spots on the downtown square. The Rialto, of course, continues in its same location (there are those who dream of seeing the large neon sign lighted once again, but so far that hasn't happened).

The Runnymede is a beauty to behold and is always busy (but still has an un-completed third floor), and there is at least one other project that will be announced publicly very soon, an art center on the south side of the square.

The old McClure Mansion is a work in progress, thanks to Mark Bellah, who purchased it and is restoring it to its former glory. It will be a showplace once again - if I understand correctly, it will become a bed and breakfast (though I'm not 100% certain of that; it may be "grapevine rumor"). If it's true, it joins the restored Crowell Mansion for exquisite B&B experiences in Alva (and for historic preservation efforts!).

Things are definitely looking up in Alva!
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Paris, Garrett & Reed Connections - Clinton Co., OH

Kitty (Email: kittyellison@comcast.net) says, "Attached are pages from an old Family Bible. I descend from Eliza Jane Paris, born 1822, married Jeremiah Garrett, 1840 in Clinton Co Ohio.

Her brother William B. Paris, of Caseyville, KY died in Clinton Co, Ohio by 1859.

Do you have any knowledge about this brother and sister? Thank you!

* - paris garret bible page 1.doc
* - paris garret bible page 2.doc
* - paris garret bible page 3.doc
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Old Ranger Theatre

Ken says, "Speaking of theaters … keep you eye on the old Ranger Theater in Alva. It just changed hands and the new owners have restoration in mind. The theater opened in 1939 and showed only westerns. Location is on the north side of the square north of the Post Office."
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Old Anadarko Telephones: 1st 107 Years

Dale Talkington (Email: daletalkington@gmail.com) says, "This is your last call to loan copies of early Anadarko phone directories for our forthcoming book of some 1,200 pages.

Bound copies will be given to area libraries and genealogy societies. A copy will be on www.books.google.com where every word will be indexed and immediately searchable for free.

So far we have 29 directories from 1903 up to our cut off date of 1960. These are a good cross-section of early Anadarko life, but we would welcome any other directories you might have to fill in the gaps.

Here's what we would like to have: 1904 to 1907, 1909, 1911 to 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1937, 1949, 1951, and 1954.

We will give you a donation credit line along with Sandy Yount Adams, Robin Willis, Bruce Britt, Roy Pfleeger, R.L. Lawrence, E.T. Cook, C.Ross Hume, Jim Thompson, and Bill Welge.

Check your attic and become forever FAMOUS. THANKS!"
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Northwestern Normal School - Class of 1902

Rod says, "Dalton Wallace Riggs, Class of 1902, was the eldest of six brothers who grew to adulthood. The youngest was Sam Riggs, who owned the Sam Riggs Supply Co. in Alva for so many years. My grandfather Bertsell Riggs was their brother; he died in a county construction accident in 1923 when my mother was only 11 months old. "Uncle Dalt" was the president of his class and knew James Ament, NTN's first president, personally. He returned to Northwestern in 1952 for the 50th reunion of the class. The Riggs family came to Woods county in the Run of 1893 - and several of each generation have attended Northwestern (Uncle Dalt was the first!)." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

German Prisons In POW Camps In USA

Jean-Loup (Email: schyzowolf@yahoo.fr) says, "Hello! My name is Jean-Loup Gassend, I am a medical student from near Nice, in southern France. I am currently writting a book about what happened in the region of Nice during WW2, and am trying to interview veterans who fought here. Finding US veterans has not been a problem, but finding German veterans has been almost impossible.

"I am looking for German soldiers, who fought in the region of Nice, in south eastern France. I have already found many US veterans to interview, so now I am trying to find German ones.

"Do you know if there is any way of finding German veterans who fought in southern France by going through former POW databases? I found your article about Trinidad POW camp on the web. I know that some veterans captured in southern France were sent to Trinidad.

"Any help or contacts you may be able to give me who can help in finding German soldiers who fought in southern France will be greatly appreciated."
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Inquiry: MULNIX Family

Wayne Straight (Email: woichi01@comcast.net) says, "Hello All! I am looking for any genealogical information concerning L.C. MULNIX and/or his descendants. I am distantly related through the MULNIX clan (L.C. Sr's father, Phillip, was my g-g-gramma's little brother."
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Ancestry.com & NBC - New Series Coming March 5th, 2010

You might want to set your DVR or TIVO's to record this NEW Series that begins March 5, 2010, Friday's from 8/7 Central on NBC. It is entitled Who do You think You Are?

It will be sharing heartwarming journeys through family history with celebrities as they discover the stories of their ancestors.

The series will also share ideas and research strategies that could help you make new breakthroughs -- helping people everywhere understand what they could discover about their own family stories.
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Snow In Southern Oklahoma

12 Feb. 20010 - Bridges says, "Well, my friend, I think Ardmore lucked out again. Of all the surrounding towns/counties, Ardmore stayed at 32 degrees while the others dropped down to 30 or so. So our snow, about 5 inches, did not really last, or freeze solid.

"It was pretty crazy coming home Thursday evening at 5 in the falling snow. But since we stayed just above 32, by friday morn our streets and roads were pretty much clear and wet. No real ice. But the driveways and yards and fields were heavy, as was the trees. North Texas got a lot more than we did. And even Ada and Pauls Valley got more than we did. Anyway, it got up to about 40 this afternoon, so it is much better. Dry for the next few days!"
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Louisiana & Perry OK Snow

Roy in Perry, OK submitted this information concerning Louisiana's snow this week, February 12, 2010. They are talking that 49 out of 50 States have had snow this week, especially the States that lay across the southern section of the United States.

Roy writes, "Hi, Linda! Here are some pictures of snow in Louisiana that were sent to me by a distant cousin. She was so excited to think that it might come to her area at last. Our Perry, Oklahoma area has been much warmer this week (in the 30s) and except for the very large piles from clearing the streets, all of our snow is gone and everything is dry again.

"As to our gas prices, Conoco/Phillips has stayed at $2.399 all week, and the independents are just a little cheaper than that."

14 February 2010 - Roy says, "Ooops! New snow this morning. There has been a dusting of new snow here in Perry. I doubt that it'll measure as much as 2 inches, but it's white and covers the ground. The weather has remained warm enough that the streets and sidewalks are still clear because it melts as soon as it hits (and it's really tiny flakes, like frozen fog). The snow in Perry, Oklahoma today melted just about as fast as it appeared and there's no trace of it left.

"Also I checked the other gasoline prices. One independent is selling regular at $2.369 and the other is selling it at $2.359. Both Conoco and Phillips stations still have $2.399 posted for regular unleaded. None of our stations are selling gasohol."
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Vintage Collectible Postcards of Oklahoma

United States Views US Views Vintage Collectible Postcards ~ OKLAHOMA -- Anyone interested in old vintage postcards for sale. It sounds like this website also buys vintage postcards.

We have included links to some Old NW Oklahoma and a postcard of Durango, Colorado's Main Street view below:

#3018_ ALVA Oklahoma, SCIENCE HALL AT THE STATE NORMAL SCHOOLDB, UNU, ALVA POST CARD CO, VG, $18

#5594_ ALVA Oklahoma, 1911 VIEW OF COLLEGE AVENUE DB, U, WOB, PM 1911, ALVA POST CARD CO, VG, $25

#5637_ ALVA Oklahoma, 1926 VIEW OF HEROD HALL AT NORTHWESTERN STATE TEACHERS' COLLEGE, POSTCARD #110074 DB, U, WOB, PM 1948, CURTEICH, G, $12

#5599_ CHEROKEE Oklahoma, 1910 VIEW OF CHEROKEE HIGH SCHOOL DB, U, WOB, PM 1910, VG, $28

#3028_ ENID Oklahoma, 1935 VIEW OF GARFIELD COUNTY COURT HOUSE POSTCARD #5A471-N DB, UNU, CURT TEICH, EX, $9

#5647_ ENID Oklahoma, 1943 AERIAL VIEW OF THE CITY, POSTCARD #3B-H370 DB, UNU, CURTEICH, EX, $15

#5615_ GUYMON Oklahoma, CIRCA 1908 TOWN ALONG MAIN STREET WATER TOWER AND WINDMILL DB, UNU, VG, $45

#3043_ HENNESSEY Oklahoma, CIRCA 1915 VIEW OF THE HIGH SCHOOL DB, U, WOB, PM 1920, GILBERT POST CARD CO #2664, VG, $25

#5623_ PERRY Oklahoma, CIRCA 1908 VIEW OF PARADE WITH HORSE DRAWN FLOATS DB, UNU, ALBERTYPE, EX, $45

#3010_ WOODWARD Oklahoma, 1912 VIEW OF THE HIGH SCHOOL DB, UNU, J.W. TREESH POSTCARD #K-382, EX, $28

Durango, Colorado postcard
#2499_ DURANGO Colorado, 1920s MAIN AVENUE NORTH FROM SEVENTH STREET GRADEN MERCANTILE COMPANY ON LEFT DB, UNU, ALBERTYPE POSTCARD, NM, $45
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Epistolary Novels

NW Okie (that's me, Linda) is working on an "epistolary novel" of NW Oklahoma, using documents of facts on a true story. It will be an epistolary novel of fiction, though, using my creative literary license to fill in the blanks and connect things together. BUT … more about this novel later on.

As we described in an earlier newsletter issue, an epistolary novel is a novel written as a series of documents. The usual form is letters, although diary entries, newspaper clippings and other documents are sometimes used.

The word epistolary comes from the Latin word epistle, meaning a letter. It is written that the epistolary form can add greater realism and verisimilitude to a story, chiefly because it mimics the workings of real life. It is thus able to demonstrate differing points of view without recourse to the device of an omniscient narrator.

There are two theories on the genesis of the epistolary novel. The first claims that the genre originated from novels with inserted letters, in which the portion containing the third person narrative in between the letters was gradually reduced.

The other theory claims that the epistolary novel arose from miscellanies of letters and poetry; some of the letters were tied together into a plot.

Both claims have some validity. The first truly epistolary novel, the Spanish "Prison of Love", c. 1485 by Diego de San Pedro, belongs to a tradition of novels in which a large number of inserted letters already dominated the narrative.

The founder of the epistolary novel in English is said by many to be James Howell (1594-1666) with "Familiar Letters", who writes of prison, foreign adventure, and twelve of women.

The epistolary novel as a genre became popular in the 18th century in the works of such authors as Samuel Richardson, with his immensely successful novels "Pamela (1741)" and "Clarissa (1749)".

The first North American novel, The History of Emily Montague (1769) by Frances Brooke was written in epistolary form.

It was later in the 18th century, the epistolary form was subject to much ridicule, resulting in a number of savage burlesques. The epistolary novel slowly fell out of use in the late 18th entry.

Although, Jane Austen tried her hand at the epistolary in juvenile writings and her novella, Lady Susan, she abandoned this structure for her later work. It is thought that her lost novel, First Impressions, which was redrafted to become Pride and Prejudice, may have been epistolary. Pride and Prejudice contains an unusual number of letters quoted in full and some play a critical role in the plot.
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Oklahoma Woman's Suffrage Association

According to Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture, "The women's suffrage movement began in Oklahoma Territory (O.T.) when the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) formed in 1890. Prohibitionist women wanted the vote so that they could be more effective in their temperance work.

"However, by 1893 Oklahoma women had achieved the franchise in school elections only. The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) joined forces with the WCTU in 1895 and sent Laura Gregg of Garnett, Kansas, to organize local suffrage clubs in El Reno, Perry, Perkins, Enid, Kingfisher, and Oklahoma City, creating the Woman Suffrage Association of Oklahoma, headquartered in Guthrie. Margaret Rees of Guthrie, known as "the Mother of Equal Suffrage," served as the first president."

The 1906 Oklahoma Constitutional Convention delegates voted against women's suffrage, thus classifying women with illiterates, felons, insane persons, and others denied the right to vote. The association moved to Oklahoma City and changed its name to the Oklahoma Woman's Suffrage Association.

See also: Chronology of Woman Suffrage Movement Events -- vintage postcards: Social History: Women's Suffrage.
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