Duchess of Weaselskin

Bayfield, Colorado - Hope you all are having a safe Labor Day weekend! Southwest Colorado Rockies has been cool and wet this last week. Our "sweet 100 tomatoes" have really started ripening. They are those little, round tomatoes with a slight sweet taste that you can just plop into your mouth. From garden to kitchen a few do not make it back to the kitchen. Especially if they are ripe for eating!

Our youngest son (R. L. Wagner) took the following video of some southwest Colorado Chipmunks and a lone bird (Pine Siskin) this weekend. The chipmunks and bird were navigating the underside of a cedar bush in our front driveway, as shown in the video below.



We want to leave you with something to think about and ponder with the following sayings. Have you ever heard these saying before? How much of it rings true?

1. "What we dislike in others is what we dislike in ourselves."
2. "Wherever we are pointing our finger, there are three fingers pointing back at us."

This Day In History (September 5)

On this Day, September 5th, 1972, Palestinian terrorists attacked the Israeli Olympic team at the summer games in Munich; 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, five terrorists and a police officer were killed. READ ARTICLE.

On Sept. 5, 1912, John Milton Cage, the experimental American composer, was born. Following his death on Aug. 12, 1992, his obituary appeared in The Times. READ Obituary.

• 1698 - Russia's Peter the Great imposed a tax on beards.
• 1774 - The first Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia.
• 1793 - The Reign of Terror began during the French Revolution as the National Convention instituted harsh measures to repress counterrevolutionary activities.
• 1836 - Sam Houston was elected president of the Republic of Texas.
• 1882 - The nation's first Labor Day parade was held in New York City.
• 1905 - The Treaty of Portsmouth, ending the Russo-Japanese War, was signed in New Hampshire.
• 1914 - The First Battle of the Marne began during World War I.
• 1939 - The United States proclaimed its neutrality in World War II.
• 1957 - "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac, the defining novel of the Beat Generation, was published.
• 1958 - "Doctor Zhivago" by Russian author Boris Pasternak was published in the United States.
• 1975 - President Gerald R. Ford escaped an attempt on his life in Sacramento, Calif., by Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme, a follower of Charles Manson.
• 1997 - Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa died in Calcutta, India, at age 87.

NW Okie's Corner

Bayfield, Colorado - On Golden Pond at Weaselskin Creek, we look back to our "Mailbag" archives to pull some tidbits of what some of our readers sent in for OkieLegacy Vol. III, 2001 Issues.

One of those tidbits was about Tailholt, Oklahoma. Gary Taylor reminded us, "According to my father, O. M. Taylor, Jr. who was raised in Taloga, Tailholt got its name from a resident of Chester, who may have been a veterinarian. He had a painting on the side of his truck showing a man holding a bull by the tail. This was probably in the 1920's."

Another reader back in November, 2001 reminded us about the Drumm Ranch and that the headquarters for the Drumm Ranch was near the Medicine River south and east of Burlington and Driftwood. It was just a half mile east of where the gas plant is now on Highway 11 and 58. The plant is on 3rd section north of the Salt Fork bridge. The old Drumm land is now owned by Ronald Myers of Alva. They moved the Drumm Ranch monument tot he McClaflin pasture because of river flooding. It stands in a pasture on Section 6-27-10, a mile south and two plus miles east of where it used to rest.

As to the Lindsey Hotel in Waynoka, Oklahoma that we spoke about last week, Sandie sent us a photo image and said, "I don't know the name of the hotel, actually, but the son who inherited half of it was Jim Lindsey. I was able to scan the P. C. McDonald Carriage Painting and a photo of a young child that were found in the attic."

Do any of these photos jog some memory cells out there? If so, contact Sandie Olson (Email: sandie.olson@gmail.com) at the Waynoka Historical Society.

Good Night & Good Luck searching your ancestors! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva High Class of '61 - 50th Reunion

Alva, Oklahoma - The Alva High Class of '61 had it's 50th reunion this Labor Day weekend in Alva, Oklahoma. We hear that the attendance was something like 60+ people (including spouses).



This is a short video that appeared on the Alva Review Courier website, showing the 1961 class reunion. If you did not make it back to the Alva High Class of '61, 50th reunion, then we hear that the next best thing is a book that was prepared with classmates with old and some current photos and bios and a class picture taken last Saturday evening of those at the reunion. I believe that copies of both can be obtained from Dawn Gay (Merideth) Brooks (Email: brooksagency@gmail.com). View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NWOSU Homecoming 2011 - NW Oklahoma

Alva, Oklahoma - We received a 2011 homecoming brochure from our college alma mater, Northwestern Oklahoma State University ( a.k.a. NWOSU, Northwestern Normal School, Northwestern State Teachers College, Northwestern State College). From the brochure it appears that the theme may be "Northwestern: Branded for Life." Set your calendar for these dates: Thursday, September 29 thru Saturday, October 1, 2011, Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma.

The brochure asks all alumni to come home to Northwestern for a fun filled weekend of spirit and celebrations! Reunite! Reminisce! Reconnect! Once a Ranger, always a Ranger!

The festivities begin Thursday, September 29, 2011 with the Miss Cinderella Talent Show at 7:50 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium.

On Friday, September 30, 2011 there is a Ranger Queen Reunion in the evening; Alumni Art Exhibit; Miss Cinderella Pageant (60th Anniversary Edition); Ranger Legends Reunion (1950's thru 1970's); Ranger Rewind Reunion (1980's thru 2000's).

The big day is Saturday, October 1, 2011, starting at 8:00 a.m., downtown Alva, Oklahoma with a Ranger Run; at 9 a.m., stop by the alumni tent on the downtown square to check in with other alumni. The parade begins at 10 a.m. around the downtown square. Other things going on that Saturday, October 1, 2011 are Mini concerts; alumni art exhibit; alumni luncheon; women's soccer vs. OCU; Alumni Nursing Meeting; Alumni Baseball Tailgate; Rangers vs. Missouri S&T; and a Homecoming Dance. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Warwick, Lincoln County, Oklahoma

Warwick, Oklahoma - Warwick, Oklahoma resides in Lincoln county and is a small rural community with a Hurst Park, built by the Hurst families, in the middle of town.

The reasons Warwick fascinates me is because Warwick is one of my surnames. BUT. . . after visiting and searching the Oklahoma Historical Society for information concerning Warwick, Oklahoma, I found that Warwick was named after the country in England and NOT after one of my ancestors.

On the westside of Warwick you make a north turn off of Route 66. It follows a 25-mph road along a creek on a worn blacktop road through the trees and across a railroad track into a residential area hidden amongst the trees. All that remained when I first researched Warwick, Oklahoma a few years were a few residences, empty businesses and the Warwick school building built by WPA back in the 1940s and consolidated with Wellston in 1968.

On the east end of Warwick on Route 66 you pass under a railroad bridge and come to a brick business building with hints of Route 66 history printed on it's exterior.

I am not sure what the population of Warwick is today, but the population of Warwick a few years ago was approximately 160. The approximate number of families was 75. The amount of land area in Warwick is 7.099 sq. kilometers. The distance from Warwick to Washington DC is 1155 statute miles. The distance to the Oklahoma state capital is 32 statute miles. (Statute miles are "as the crow flies") Warwick is positioned 35.68 degrees north of the equator and 96.99 degrees west of the prime meridian.

I have placed more history of Lincoln County and Warwick, Oklahoma on my OkieLegacy web site for your information of this small, rural community Southeastern of Wellston and west of Chandler, Oklahoma. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Mother of Exiles - Statue of Liberty

America - Who was the Mother of Exiles? What do you know about the history of the Statue of Liberty? My search on Google.com found some interesting information concerning this special Mother of Liberty (a.k.a. Mother of Exiles).

According to NPS historical Handbook: Statue of Liberty, the Statue of Liberty enlightening the World was a gift to the United States from the people of France, conceived and designed as a symbol of a great international friendship.

Historical Notes
Construction of the Statue began in France in the year 1875, by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi. The final completion date of the individual sections was in June of 1884, and it stood in Paris until it was dismantled in early 1885 for shipping to the US. Engineering of the structure's assembly was done by Gustave Eiffel.

The French frigate "Isere" transported the Statue from France to the United States. In transit the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The pedestal was designed by architect Richard M.Hunt in 1877. Construction of the pedestal began in 1883 and was completed in 1884, and final assembly of the statue & pedestal was completed in 1886. On October 28, 1886 President Grover Cleveland accepted The Statue on behalf of the United States and said in part, "We will not forget that liberty here made her home -- nor shall her chosen altar be neglected."

The Poet Emma Lazarus -- saw refugees from persecution arriving on a tramp steamer. In 1883, she wrote that the statue was The New Colossus& or the Mother of Exiles.

The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch whose flame
Is imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
by -- Emma Lazarus (1849-1887)

Symbolism of the Statue
The broken shackles of tyranny that are molded at the feet of Liberty spoke to generations of people fleeing tyranny -- The tablet in the statue's left hand, inscribed July 4, 1776, refers to the Declaration of Independence (telling all comers of the American ideal that "all men are created equal.") -- The torch, held high in her right hand, lights the way to freedom and liberty.

We should remember
And take to heart what President Franklin D. Roosevelt said in 1936, at the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty -- "Millions of men and women . . . adopted this homeland because in this land they found a home in which the things they most desired could be theirs -- Freedom of opportunity, Freedom of thought, Freedom to worship God. Here they found life because here there was Freedom to live. It is the memory of all these eager, seeking millions that makes this one of America's places of great romance . . . It is fitting, therefore, that this should be a service of rededication to the liberty and the peace which this statue symbolizes. Liberty and peace are living things. In each generation -- if they are to be maintained -- they must be guarded and vitalized anew." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Major Andrew Drumm

Oklahoma - This feature appeared in our 2001 November issue of Vol. III, that Bonnie Haas wrote up and sent to the "OkieLegacy."

by Bonnie Haas -- "I was interested in the bit about Major Andrew Drumm since my friend Dr. Joyce Bender and I have researched his contribution to the development of Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. (Major Andrew Drumm: Cowman, Businessman, and Visionary in THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA, Spring, 2001, pages 18-35.)"

"We found references to Drumm or Drumm City as a part of Burlington. Some even stated that the name was changed from Drumm to Burlington. In the 1906 Woods County Atlas the Drumm post office was located in Burlington!

"Just recently I found three references in area newspapers that prove to be interesting, however. The first is from the May 11, 1906, Ingersoll Reveiw -- Drumm City, the proposed new city on the D.E. & G. R.R. about 11 miles south of Kiowa, will soon boom up on the map of Woods County. The foundation of an elevator is dug and work on the superstructure will commence as soon as building material can be procured. J.R. McGinnis, the Ingersoll merchant, has contracted to have one of his store buildings moved from its present location to the new town and will open a good store in same.

"Another business firm of Ingersoll also contemplates to move to Drumm City. The Metz Lumber Co. shipped two cars of lumber to Burlington, but it is said will establish a permanent yard at Drumm City, so as to get the business at that point and not be too close to their yard at Ingersoll. Several of the wealthy farmers in the vicinity of the new town contemplate to invest money in houses in the new town. -- quoted from Kiowa News Review.

"Another article from the Byron Review, May 25, 1906 -- We understand that the new towns Burlington and Drumm have consolidated the D.E. & G. people taking the Drumm townsite. The business men that were to locate in Burlington are against the consolidation and will now move into Driftwood and will try to do up the Drumm town.

"And from the Ingersoll Review, May 18, 1906 -- (From a collection of news from Driftwood, Burlington, Keith and Drumm.) . . . James M. Young, president and general manager of the new R.R. has been in Drumm recently, conferring with those people and has had a switch surveyed. J. B. McGinnis of Ingersoll, has his store building at Drumm about completed. The Burlington Bank building has been moved into Drumm, and the work on the depot goes on. Now if you know where the town will be tell us, it's up to you. We have been mingling with the town boomers and R.R. officials for the last two weeks and know less all the time, and have about decided to call a convention of little boys and let them settle the matter.

"According to the 1906 Woods Co. atlas -- 11 miles south of Kiowa would be right at the Salt Fork River. One hundred years ago the river could have been on either side, since the course frequently changes. Few witnesses are around to give us a true account. At any rate, Drumm City (wherever it was) is a disappointing legacy for a man who truly was ahead of his time. His lifetime of adventures exhibited a talent for being in the forefront in the industries of railroading, cattle and banking. I find it amazing that after eighty years the children's home (Drumm Institute) which Major Andrew Drumm established is still in existance in Independence, MO. But, that is another story. " View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

101 Ranch of Oklahoma Territory

Oklahoma - One of our readers back in 2001 sent us this panorama image of the 101 Ranch. It is a beautiful vintage panoramic photo from the National Archives.

The picture is a view of the farm buildings, residences, ranch hands, farm machinery, and animals at the 101 ranch in Oklahoma, between Ponca City and Perry. The ranch was owned by the Miller family. The photographer and date are unknown. The dimensions are 54x10.

The Spirits of the 101 Ranch . . . There were dozens of abandoned homes and ranches scattered throughout the state of Oklahoma and just a few miles south is a place where only memories, crumbling foundations and maybe a few ghost still remain. Forgotten here is what remains of the famous 101 Ranch and the three-story stucco house that was known throughout the state as the Whitehouse. For those who don't know, the 101 Ranch was sort of a headquarters for the cowboys who made up the Oklahoma show business contingent of the early 1900's. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Baseball In Chester, Oklahoma

Chester, Oklahoma - Remember baseball days in Chester, Oklahoma in the old days? It is not exactly known when the Chester baseball team was organized, but according to the Chester Centennial (1895-1995), there have always been ballgames around "Cottonwood Corners."

In the early 1930s there was an organized team known as the Cardinals, though that name was not used very much. They were known usually as that Chester team.

Managers through the years for the Chester team have been Clarence Webber, Raymond Bensch, Fred Strecker, Wilson Shaffer and Lloyd Bensch. The umpire that most players remember was Jim Hyle from North of Chester.

During the baseball season, Chester had a game somewhere almost every Sunday afternoon. They would travel to other towns to play or sometimes the two teams would play a game in someone's pasture.

All these teams were loosely based around other towns or country stores except the River Rats. They were from anywhere between Chester and Longdale.

It's been said that, When other towns went to play Chester they figured they might get beat because those guys knew how to play ball. The players varied through the years. Not all of the players listed below played at the same time. There were some who came later or earlier in the era, that are not named.

List of Chester Baseball Players
Lloyd Bensch, Lyndie Branstetter, Buck Chapman, Lee Cahpman, Jason Crane, Bob Estep, Fuzz Gift, Hobart Gift, Stub Gift, Bud Holub, Emil Holub, Jim Holub, Jim Holub, Vic Holub, Elden Louthan, Floy Louthan, Howard Louthan, Leonard Louthan, Lester Louthan, Vernon Vernie Paris (my mother's older brother), Bud Pierce, Buddy Plummer, Jerry Plummer, Wilson Shaffer, John Shuck, Milo (Happy) Shuck, Creel Unwin, Howard Webber. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe