Oakie's NW Corner

OKC, Oklahoma - I suppose you all made it through the Super Bowl weekend of commercials and the snowstorms in the northeast USA. The weather here in Oklahoma still changes every three or four days from Spring to Winter to Spring and back to Winter again. The head cold is gone, though!

I have spent this week browsing through an old June 25, 1950, Alva Review Courier this week and found some goodies to share. One of those goodies was a 1950 Political Ad for State Senator that my Dad, Gene McGill, had placed on page 9 of that newspaper. It read as follows, "Let's Elect Gene McGill Democrat for State Senator, Woods-Woodward Counties."

On that same page was a marriage announcement of the 21 June 1950 marriage of M. Felicia Monfort, MD to Robert L. McGill. I also found an Ad for Monfort's Drug Store advertising fireworks, night displays for homes, safe sane fireworks for children and fireworks headquarters at Monfort Drug Store.

If you turn to page 12 of that same paper, you would find MORE Political Announcements, "Lt. Gov. James E. Berry, Democrat; US State Senator - Elmer Thomas, Democrat; State Senator - Claude Davis (Democrat), Gene M. McGill (Democrat), J. G. Jim Powers (Repub.); State Rep. - Ben Easterly, Democrat; District Judge - Tom Hieronmus (Democrat), Fred Spellman (Repub.); County Comm. Dist. 1 - W. C. Bill Romjue (Democrat), J. M. Jay Wert (Democrat); County Comm. Dist. 2 - Frank Nickelson (Repub.), J. F. Remiattee (Democrat); Court Clerk - Wesley Everett Ellison (Democrat), Orvel E. Brown (Democrat).

While I was transcribing the NW OK Marriages this week I found several of the couples that had graduated from Horace Mann High School and Northwestern High School. I assume at one time that those were names of the high schools in NW Oklahoma and Alva. If anyone out there has any information concerning these high schools in NW Oklahoma, please share it with us here. Thanks!

Check out the 1934 Seniors of Lamont High School - Read about the early 1900s Cimarron Valley Clipper Editor, Clarence & Grace Wandell, that a lady sent to me recently - And ... Someone is looking for information, origins of "Chocolate Gravy" for a speech project. If any of this week's newsletter jogs some more memories out there, I would love to hear from you all!

This weekend we celebrated the Chinese New Year and it is that time of year when that famous Ground Hog does/not peek his/her head outside his home (Sunday, Feb. 2, 2002). Will we have six more weeks of Winter? Is Spring just around the corner?

From Listen to the People by Stephen Vincent Benet -
"..... All one, all indivisible and one
Find it and keep it and hold on to it,
For there's a buried thing in all of us,
Deeper than all the noise of the parade,
The thing the haters never understand
And never will, the habit of the free....."

Soar like the Eagle - Be not afraid of the storm! Be as strong! Be smart enough to soar above it! See you all next weekend with more Okie Legacy goodies. ~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~
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Early Thirties Economy

Oklahoma - Let us go back to 1931 with a brief history of the Early Thirties Economy In 1930 and 1931, the decade opened with unparalleled prosperity and growth. Nation's business magazines labeled the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas as the most prosperous region.

The Panhandle was a marked contrast to the long soup lines of the Eastern United States. 1930 was dry but most of the farmers made a wheat crop. In 1931 the wheat crop was considered a bumper crop with over twelve million bushels of wheat. Wheat was everywhere, in the elevators, on the ground and in the road. The wheat supply forced the price down from sixty-eight cents/bushel in July 1930 to twenty-five cents/bushel in July 1931. Many farmers went broke and others abandoned their fields.

An Alleged 1931 Road Trip http://okielegacy.org/image/1931RdMapNM.jpg This next little bit of Okie history concerns a 1931 Road Map owned by Bob McGill. It was of New Mexico, the sunshine State. A pencil-lined road trip starting at Boise City in the Oklahoma panhandle and advancing through the eastern sites of New Mexico follows US-64 and sometimes the Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway lines until he reached Carlsbad, New Mexico.
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1931 Road Map of New Mexico

New Mexico - This 1931 Road Map of New Mexico belonged to Bob McGill (15 years of age). I am assuming the trip began at Boise City, Oklahoma heading west towards Kenton, Oklahoma on US-64 to the New Mexico towns of Folsom, Capulin, Des Moines, and Clayton. Turning around at Clayton and backtracking his route back to Capulin and Raton.

Then it takes a turn south down US-85 to Las Vegas, taking off on US-66 southeast towards Santa Rosa and then heading east on US-54 through Cuervo, Newkirk, Montoya and Tucumcari. It then heads south towards Ragland and Clovis. Then the trip heads south on US-366 through Portales, Flida, Kenna and Roswell.

If you follow the faint pencil marks, it shows the route winding south through Hagerman, Artesia, near Lake Avalon and to Carlsbad. It appears that he penciled a trip back north to Roswell but took an easterly route on US-62 towards Caprock and down to Lovington at one point and then back again towards Artesia. I have scanned this map in 5 parts. The first three are the map itself and the last two shows New Mexico sites, population and traffic regulations.

* New Mexico East (click image above)
* New Mexico Upper West * New Mexico Lower West * New Mexico Sites & locations * New Mexico Traffic Regulations
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NW OK Marriage 1942

Alva, Oklahoma - Cornish-Behrens - Sunday, 1942, Alva, Okla./a> - Blanche Cornish, John Behrens Vows Read Sunday Afternoon In Alva - Mrs. Pearl Gibson, Alva, announced the marriage of her daughter, Miss Blanche Cornish, to Mr. John Behrens, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Behrens, also of Alva, Sunday afternoon. The vows were exchanged in the home of the bride, which was beautifully decorated with cut flowers. Rev. Ray Vaughan, pastor of the First Christian church, read the vows, at the double ring ceremony.

Zion-Schroeder - Thursday, 1942, Enid, Okla. - Clara Zion - Cpl. Cecil Schroeder married Thursday At Enid Church - The marriage of Miss Clara Zion, Durant, and Corp. Cecil Schroeder, Alva, was solemnized in the sanctuary of the First Presbyterian church of Enid Thursday morning at 11 o'clock by Rev. Kenneth M. Stewart, minister of Westminister Presbyterian church.

Kraft-Otte - April 25, 1942, Wichita, Kans. - Dorothy Kraft Weds Ernest Otte In Wichita April 25 - An announcement of interest is made today of the marriage of Miss Dorothy Kraft, daughter of Mr. Conrad Kraft, Burlington, to Mr. Ernest W. Otte, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Otte, of this city. The single ring ceremony was performed by Rev. L. H. Deffner at Wichita, April 25, in the Immanel Lutheran church. The couple was attended by the bride's sister and her husband, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fullington, Wichita.

Bodey-Fox - Sunday, May 3, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Miss Sybil Bodey and Charles Fox are Married Sunday at Church Here - Miss Sybil Bodey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Bodey, and Charles Fox, son of Mr. and Mrs. O. S. Fox, exchanged nuptial vows May 3. The service was read by Rev. G. R. Vaughan, pastor of the First Christian church, I the main auditorium of the church, using the double ring ceremony.

DeClerck-O'Neil - Monday, June 1, 1942, Alva, Okla. - DeClerck, Carmen, Marries Jeremiah O'Neil at Alva Church - Mr. and Mrs. Phil DeClerck of Carmen, announce the marriage of their daughter, Alice, to Jeremiah D. O'Neil, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan O'Neil of Alva. The ceremony was solemnized at the Sacred Heart church in Alva, June 1, at 9:00 a.m. The Rev. Father Leo Claus officiated. Sister Salome, Alva, played the organ and Joyce Beem, Alva, was vocalist for the ceremony.

Bonine-Ging - June 21, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Miss Dorothy Bonine Becomes Bride of Herman Ging In Vesper Ceremony at First Methodist Church Sunday - Miss Dorothy Ann Bonine, Bride-elect of Herman C. Ging, has asked her sister, Darlene, to attend her as maid of honor at her marriage on June 21 in the First Methodist church, Alva, Okla. The Misses Bonine are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Bonine, Wakita, Okla., and Mr. Ging is the son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ging, Aline, Okla. Today Miss Dorothy Bonine, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Bonine, Wakita, and Mr. Herman Ging, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Ging, Aline, will be united in marriage at 5:30 o'clock in the First Methodist church. Rev. G. A. Parkhurst will officiate.

Cox-Morehart - July 4, 1942, Cherokee, Okla. - Ladonna Leigh Cox Marries Murrel Jesse Morehart July 4 at Cherokee - Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Cox, Alva, announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Ladonna Leigh Cox, to Murrel Jesse Morehart, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Morehart, Alva. The marriage was solemnized on July 4, at Cherokee, in the Christian church parsonage. Rev. W. A. Keller read the service. Attendants for the couple were Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Whitehead, Cherokee. Mrs. Whitehead is a sister of the bride.

Wright-Metcalf - July 5, 1942, Hays, Kans. - Marriage of Interest Here Is Announced - Mrs. Rosa Wright, of Alva, announce the marriage of her daughter, Miss Florence (Babe) Wright, to Dale Metcalf, son of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Metcalf, Jet. The marriage was solemnized July 5, by Rev. Burns of the Methodist church at Hays, Kansas.

Dague-Blue - Friday, July 10, 1942, Fairview, Okla. - Mary Lois Dague & Amos Dean Blue - Married Friday Night at Home of Bride's Parents In Fairview - An announcement of interest is made today of the marriage of Miss Mary Lois Dague, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Dague of Fariview, to Pvt.. Amos Dean Blue, son of Mrs. E. M. Blue, of this city. The ceremony took place Friday evening, July 10, at 8:00 at the home of the bride's parents. Rev. A. K. Fleming, pastor of the Methodist church, officiated.

Martin-Hazard - Thursday, July 16, 1942, Cherokee, Okla. - Martin, Hazard Vows Read Thursday At Cherokee Church - Miss Mary Louise Martin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. I. V. Martin, Alva, became the bride of Mr. R. H. Hazard, son of Mrs. C. A. Gibler, Alva, Thursday, July 16, at Cherokee.

Ross-Meyers (sic) -Friday, July 17, 1942, San Obispo, Calif. - Ross-Meyers (sic) Marriage Is Announced Here. - Announcement of interest was made Saturday of the marriage of Miss Gerry Ross, daughter of Capt. and Mrs. R. G. Ross, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, to Corp. John B. Myers, Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., son of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Myers of Alva. The couple were untied in marriage at San Obispo, Calif., Friday, July 17.

Soper-McGill -- 1 June 1944, Alva, Okla. - Engagement of Helen Louise Soper and Capt. Robert McGill Announced - The engagement and approaching marriage of Miss Helen Louise Soper, daughter of Mrs. E. M. Soper and the late Dr. Soper of Enid, and Captain Robert L. McGill, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. McGill, Alva, is announced here. The marriage will be solemnized the first of June in the home of the bride-elect's sister, Mrs. W. E. Hackett, Alva.

Monfort-McGill - Wednesday, 21 June 1950, Alva, Okla. - Wedding Vows Read for M. Felicia Monfort and Robert L. McGill Wednesday, June 21 - M. Felicia Monfort, MD, and Robert L. McGill exchanged wedding vows at 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, in the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marian Monfort, 817 College. Mr. McGill is the son of Mrs. Constance McGill and W. J. McGill, all of Alva.
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Over 61 Years Ago

This is what Life was publishing in their magazine on July 7, 1941 and selling for 10-cents per copy and at a yearly subscription of $4.50. I found this magazine in my Grandmother's treasures that she packed away in an old, rounded, steamer trunk.

Not For Sale! BUT ... What value do you put on this over 60-year Defense Issue of Life? I have found a value anywhere from $15 to $50 for mint, unread editions. How do you know they are UN-Read?

The front cover of this USA Defense Issue depicts General George Smith Patton Jr. Because of his snappy helmet and costumes, and because he likes to ride a tank with his troops, Major General George S. Patton Jr., commanding general of the Second Armored Division, is sometimes called General "Flash Gordon" or the "Green Hornet."

For his own special tank he has a special color scheme. Red, white and blue stripes stand for the three tank regiments in his division, while the yellow stripe symbolizes the Armored Force's origin in the cavalry.

If you were to turn to pages in this 7 July 1941 Defense Issue to pages 72-89, you could read a story on General Patton's troops, plus troops of the First Armored Division.

If Dorothy "Dottie" Lamour interests you, then pages 34-37 would curb that particular interest. Those pages show various pictures of Miss Lamour as the No. 1 Pin-up Girl of the US Army.

On page 90-96 you can read our transcribed version of Listen To The People, a dramatic poem, written by Stephen Vincent Benet that was presented over the National Broadcasting Company's Blue Network at 4:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time, Friday, July 4, 1941.

Does this section of Stephen Vincent Benet's July 4, 1941 poem fit what is going on in the world today? Is the world going in a circle of LIFE? The world is round... you know! *smiling* Just wanted to share this with you! We all have our own wars, don't we!

It's a long way out of the past and a long way forward. It's a tough way, too, and there's plenty of trouble in it. It's a black storm crowding the sky and a cold wind blowing, Blowing upon us all. See it and face it. That's the way it is. That's the way it'll be for a time. Even the easy may have little ease. Even the meek may suffer in their meekness. But we've ridden out storms before and we'll ride out this one, Ride it out and get through. It won't be done by the greedy and the go-easies. It'll be done by the river of the people, The mountain of the people, the great plain - Grown to the wheat of the people. It'll be done by the proud walker, Democracy, The walker in proud shoes. Get on your feet, Americans, and say it! Forget your grievances, wherever you are, The little yesterday's hates and the last year's discord. This is your land, this is your independence. This is the people's cause, the people's might. Say it and speak it loud, United, free...."
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Uncle Bob's Marriages

Alva, Oklahoma - In the Vol. IV, Iss. 29 I had Uncle Bob's marriage announcement of his first wife, Helen Louise Soper, that was just another romance during WWII, racing to the altar before they get sent overseas to War. That first marriage of the heart took place 1 June 1944. Uncle Bob and Aunt Helen were divorced 22 June 1948.

Uncle Bob & Aunt Felicia, Wed, 21 June 1950 -- "Mariam Felicia Monfort, MD, Entering on the arm of her father down a stairway decorated with garlands of English ivy, pink mums, daisies, asters and plioumoses the bride was very lovely in an imported Chantilly lace over Dutchess satin and silk illusion dress with a fitted bodice, Peter Pan collar of lace embroidered with seed pearls, and tiny lace covered buttons that closed the bodice and pointed sleeves. The gathered skirt extended into an aisle wide cathedral train. Her veil of silk illusion was held with a turban covered with satin petals and pearls. To complete her ensemble she wore white satin opera pumps. Her bridal bouquet was of orchids tied with satin."

Toni Monfort, sister of the bride, was bridesmaid and she wore a full-length dress of mousseline de Soie worn over pink taffeta with embroidered detail on the collar and pockets. In her hair was a bandeau of pink tinted flowers and she carried an arm bouquet of pink roses and white satin slippers. Dr. Helen Wallace, formerly of Enid, was maid of honor. Her gown was of embroidered organza and net over green taffeta. Her bandeau was of chartreuse tinted flowers. She carried an arm bouquet of yellow roses.

The flower girl, Monet Monfort, another sister of the bride, wore a French blue mousseline de Soie over blue taffeta made with a basque bodice with bouffant skirt. She wore hat and mittens to match and carried a white bonnet shaped basket trimmed with a nose gay of pink Pinocchio roses and filled with pink rose petals. Her slippers were of white satin.

Gene McGill, brother of the groom, was best man and John B. Doolin, Jr., was usher.READ MORE

http://okielegacy.org/image/LamontHI34.jpg Seniors - Lamont High school 1934 Lamont High School Seniors - 1934, "These are the seniors of Lamont High School in 1934. LaRoyce McCary was my mother, and Jack (McCary) also pictured herein, her brother. They were grandchildren of Hugh Martin, first Woods Co., sheriff, and Ida Barnett.
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'34 Lamont Seniors:

Lamont, Oklahoma - Elsie Pahl, Emaline Pahl, Harriet Millnollen, Gene Piburn, Roberta Adams, Donald Vollmer, Roberta Courtney, Elvin Landis, Richard Fink, W. A. OBuch (Supt.), Winifred Soucek, Jack McCary, Florence Soucek, Clyde Darling, LaRoice McCary, Arnold Osburn, Buster OBuch, Katherine Spoon, Eva Probus, Edna Elswick, Pauline Hamm.
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Bricks - Castle on the Hill

Alva, Oklahoma - Larry says, "A gentleman in Reydon, OK and I were recently in a ham radio conversation as I was on my way from Elk City to Alva to see my mother. He began telling me that his mother had attended college in Alva and that she had two square bricks that had come from a building that burned at the college. I told him that about the castle and that was probably where the bricks were from. As soon as he locates them, I am going to take some photos of them. I'll send them to you."
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Foxtown, KY, Madison County

Foxtown, Kentucky - Maurine - moosebarn@msn.com - says, "I was searching for Foxtown, Kentucky (Madison County) and found your web sight. I understand there is no longer a "Foxtown" and would very much like to find where it was. I have ancestors buried there in and old family grave yard (White) and would like to find them. I believe it is somewhere east of Richmond but I am not , if you have any information would you please share. Thank You."
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Pugh-Hagen Marriage Connection

Stan Mills - stan.mills@emiservices.com - says, "I again enjoyed reading about Carmen. A new light has been turned on by today's edition. You have a wedding announcement for Pugh - Hagen. My wife's grandmother was a Hagen. My wife's grandfather was Jacob Hagen b. 2/18/93 in Kansas. His father was George Hagen and they lived in Carmen. George was born in Russia in 1869 and passed away in 1938 in Cherokee Oklahoma. George married Effie Stebens, who also came from Russia. I don't show Ray as a son, but it could be. Any further information you may have on the Hagen's would be greatly appreciated. As soon as my wife's grandmother returns form a vacation to Arizona I will talk to her and find out what I can. Thanks for the information."
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Cimarron Valley Clipper Editor - Clarence & Grace Wandell

Coyle, Oklahoma - My great-grandparents were from Coyle, Oklahoma throughout the 1900's. They were extremely involved in Coyle's history. They truly were incredible people. I am currently working on other stories, picking my mother's brain, their granddaughter. I do have some photos. I even have a great shot of them in the Cimarron Print Shop! " --READ MORE about the Coyle Clipper Editor Was A Self Taught Man - 'Do You Remember Yesterday?' -- by Renee Carroll-Sampson -- (Originally printed in 'The Perkins Journal', Thursday, October 30, 1980. In Memory of Her Most Memorable Great Grandparents.)
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Looking for Chocolate Gravy Origins

Amy - strawberryshortcake@mindspring.com - says, "My boyfriend's step-mother makes him chocolate gravy for a treat. He is taking a speech class and needs information on the history of chocolate gravy and I found your article. Could you please tell me where to find other information and origin about this topic? Thank you so much."
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