Oakie's NW Corner

OKC, Oklahoma - Last Friday's snowfall brought maybe two or three inches on the ground up in Northwest Oklahoma, but I hear it didn't last long. More of a soaker, I guess, and we needed that. After Saturday, the Spring-like weather has been shining across the state with promise of rain showers to come in Thursday. Those showers didn't amount to much in the Northwest.

Friday, Valentines Day brought more spring-like temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s. That's our NW Corner Weather report for the week as we move on to some more Okie Tidbits.

July, 1933 Kidnapping of Charles F. Urschel -- Wednesday night a local news station had a piece on Machine Gun's lost loot: search continues for gangster's ransom money. It was July 22, 1933 that Machine Gun Kelly and and his gang kidnapped Charles Urschel at the oil tycoon's home in Oklahoma City, in Heritage Hills. The FBI uncovered over half of the $200,000 ransom money, but it is alleged that $90,000 was never found and is assumed buried someplace in the hills near Oklahoma City and all-points west. Whatever happened to Machine Gun's wife, Kathryn, after she was released from prison in 1958? Did she know where the money was buried?

Here is the article, "....On Jan. 17, 1954, his birthday, Machine-Gun Kelly died of a heart attack in the federal prison at Leavenworth. In 1958, Kathryn Kelly's trial was reopened. Her attorney contended that during the first trial, she was not allowed to bring in her own handwriting expert to counter the prosecution's virtuoso, who testified she had written threatening notes to the Urschels after their arrest. When the Justice Department declined to turn over its files from the original trial, Kathryn was freed on bond. The second trial never came off. Kathryn lived under a stream of false identifications and vanished into nothingness. Her contribution to history was that she invented Machine-Gun Kelly, an enormously profitable Hollywood commodity. Once the case was closed, Jones and his men concentrated their efforts on finding the $200,000 ransom money, which had been divided, scattered and buried around the hills of Oklahoma City and all-points west. They found some of it, but, according to Division of Investigation records, some $100,000 is still buried somewhere. Kelly also robbed banks throughout Mississippi, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. Some $38,000 taken from the Citizen's Bank in Tupelo is thought to be buried just outside of town..... The Treasure: A large number of caches, most notably, $100,000 in $20 bills from the kidnapping and another $38,000 from the Tupelo, Miss., bank robbery." -- Of Mice and G-Men by Ralph Michael, from pg. 50 of the January issue of Treasure Cache magazine. - losttreasure.com

Finding the Treasure -- They report that much of the loot from Kelly's many robberies is probably buried near the site of the crimes. You can contact the Oklahoma Historical Society and Oklahoma City Public Library, both located in Oklahoma City, for more information on Machine Gun Kelly's activities.

More 1904 Alva, O. T. Tidbits -- Maybe some of these little tidbits will jog some more memories out there. We love hearing and sharing your Okie memories in our free weekly Okie Legacy newsletter. Keep them coming!

The first death in Alva was that of Mrs. Susan Little, aged 28 years, Sept. 26, 1893; buried near the river and afterward moved to the AOUW Cemetery -- Hon. D. T. Flynn's first visit to Alva after the opening, was on Nov. 12, 1893 -- February, 1894, The Alva Pioneer was urging everybody to make a preparations for planting trees. -- The Alva Pioneer building, size 20x40 feet, the first new two-story house in Alva. The Pioneer printing plant was moved into the upper rooms in October, 1893 just as soon as a roof was on the building, and G. W. Drake and wife from Hazelton, Ks., opened a restaurant in the lower rooms. The Pioneer was published for 10 years in this building and grew from a small weekly to a healthy daily paper.

A Galaxy of Great Names -- "A case tried in one of our local NW Oklahoma courts here in an early 1900s, presents an interesting meeting of notables as follows; The judge who presided was Franklin Pierce Alexander, the plaintiff was Daniel Webster Artley, the defendant Benjamin Franklin Goff; two of the witnesses were Ulysses Grant Goff and Andrew Jackson; counsel for the defendant were Walter Scott Prickett and George Washington Vickers, while the plaintiff was represented by Jesse James Dunn."

Maybe some of you have noticed that the NW OK Marriages has moved to two pages because of the overload. If you want to view the 1940 thru 1950 marriages, you can Click NW OK Marriages 1940-50. The 1930s-1939 marriages can still be viewed at NW OK Marriages 1930s-39.

Too much to share with you all this weekend, so before I overload your memory circuits and mailboxes -- I am out of here to enjoy the St. Valentines weekend. See Y'all next week around the same time.

Happy St. Valentines Day Weekend!

~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~
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John Martin

by Charles Cook -- John Martin was the brother of Hugh Martin Jr., Woods County, Oklahoma's first sheriff. John was born in Cincinnati in 1868. Like Hugh, he grew up in Missouri and Kansas. Like his father and a couple of his brothers he once was a railroad worker.

While a fireman on a locomotive, and living in Pueblo, Colorado, he studied law, and later passed the bar examination. After that, he was a member of the Pueblo city council in 1895 and 1896, and published the LaJunta Times newspaper.

In s1907 he was elected to congress and served until 1913. Then he served as a Major in the Army during World War I. After the war he returned to private law practice.

He was again elected to congress and served from 1933 to his death in 1939. This photo was taken at the Washington zoo. The alligator was a gift to him, and he donated it to the zoo. He died shortly after the photo was taken, in December of 1939.

The John Martin dam, reservoir, and state park in southeastern Colorado is named after him.

I have cards and letters John sent to his "sheriff" brother in Alva. Most were addressed simply to Hugh Martin Sheriff Woods County Oklahoma. Not bad for sons of Irish immigrants.
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A. H. Beegle

This photo was taken from The Alva Pioneer Souvenir Editon, dated January 1, 1904. Another very distinguished gentleman of NW Oklahoma Territory. His name is A. H. Beegle.

Mr. Beegle was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Kingman, Kansas, in 1888. Beegle arrived in Alva, September 6, 1893, and engaged in the restaurant business. He was a member of city council two terms and mayor in 1896. He was considered a distinguished old soldier in 1904 and took great interest in affairs of the old veterans and always stood up for Alva.

MORE Alva Pioneers
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Naomi Warren Paris Obit

Colorado Springs, Colorado - The photo on the left is Naomi in 1955, playing cards and Paris family gathering in Hopeton, Oklahoma. She Loved Antiques & Cards.

I got a call from my cousins in Colorado Springs, Colorado the beginning of this week. Their mother, Naomi Warren Paris, passed away Sunday night, in her sleep, February 9, 2003, around 10p.m. she is finally resting on a Colorado Springs hillside with her beloved husband, Alvin Riley Paris.

Naomi Warren Paris, born March 7, 1910 in Alva, OK, was the daughter of Wesley and Maud (Robinson) Warren.

Naomi graduated from high school and attended Northwestern State College in Alva, OK, where she met and married Alvin Riley Paris, February 3, 1935. Alvin passed away earlier this Summer (31 July 2003).

Naomi and Alvin are survived by their three sons, Stan in Palm Desert, CA, Lynn in Casa Grande, AZ, and Phil in Colorado Springs; and Galen Warren in Enid, and Stan Warren in Colorado Springs, Colo.; and ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Naomi's parents, Wesley & Maud Warren, had seven children: Naomi (1910-2003) married Alvin Paris(1912-2002); Robert (1912-1985) married Frieda Schreiber; Donald (1913-) married Bernice Killion; Dale (1915-) married Ruth Augustine and later Virginia Whitehead; Galen (1919 living, Enid) married Ruth Jordan; Velma (1921-) married Wm T. Crenshaw, Jr. (both deceased); and Stanley (1924 living, Colo. Springs) married Clara Wharton.

The funeral was held, Feb. 12, 2002, Wednesday, at the First Christian Church, in Colorado Springs.

The Evergreen Mortuary handled the funeral. Donations and flowers were in care of Naomi Warren Paris at the Evergreen Mortuary, 1730 E. Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80910.
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NW OK Marriage 1942-43...

Alva, Oklahoma - Julian- Thomas - Wednesday, February, 1942, NYC, NY - Betrothal of Miss Julian Is Announced - Julian-Thomas Wedding Vows Read in Riverside Drive Church - Mr. and Mrs. Dee Julian, Alva, announce the marriage of their daughter, Miss Gwendolyn Dee. Julian, to Ensign Howard Thomas, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Thomas, Alva, Wednesday afternoon at 4 o'clock in the Riverside Drive church, New York city, N.Y. The nuptial vows were read by the Rev. C. Leslie Glenn, Navy chaplain of the Prairie State college.

Beck-Lancaster - October 12, 1942, Enid, Okla. - Marriage of Alva Couple Is Announced - Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Marie Back, daughter of Mrs. Patience L. Beck, Alva, to Alfred Lancaster, son of Mrs. Steve Lancaster, Alva. The wedding took place October 12, at Enid, with Justice Jacobs officiating the single ring ceremony.

Lane-Gentry - 17 October 1942, Guthrie, Okla. - Jonnie Lane Becomes Bride of Byron Gentry In Quiet Wedding - Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Lane announce the marriage of their daughter, Jonnie, to Byron Gentry, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Gentry, Broken Bow, Oklahoma. The wedding took place October 17, in the parsonage of the Presbyterian church at Guthrie, with Rev. Hendrix officiating the double ring ceremony.

Brunsteter-Owl - Saturday, October 31, 1942, Boston, Mass. - Former Alva Girl Is Wed In Simple Service In Boston - Announcement was made today by Mrs. W. G. Brunsteter, Alva, of the marriage of her daughter, Miss Della Brunsteter, to George Allen Owl, United States Army. The ceremony was performed in Boston, Massachusetts, at 11 o'clock, Saturday morning, October 31, in historic King's Chapel, which was established in 1688. The Reverend Emily Mayer performed the ceremony.

Conrod-Litton - 4 November 1942, Sherman, Texas - Miss Dorylas Conrod Is Bride of Lieut. Nate B. Litton - Marriage vows uniting Miss Dorylas Conrod daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Conrod, Ada, Oklahoma, and Lieut. Nate B. Litton, son of Mrs. N. B. Litton, Alva, Oklahoma, were exchanged November 4, at Sherman, Texas.

Estill-Bennett - Monday, November 16, 1942, Carrier, Okla. - Ruth Estill Becomes Bride of Lt. Bennett - Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Ruth Estill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Estill, Carrier, and Lieut. Virgil C. Bennett, Fort Worth, Texas, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Bennett, Drummond. The wedding took place in the Congregational church at Carrier, with Rev. Walter Ross, pastor, officiating, Monday evening, November 16.

Hatcher-Wolgamott - Saturday, 17 November, 1942, Wichita, Kansas - Gwendolyn Hatcher and First Sgt. Wolgamott Wed November 17 - Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Gwendolyn Hatcher, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Hatcher, Alva, to First Sgt. Wilford E. Wolgamott, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Wolgamott, Hardtner. Rev. Dewey performed the single ring ceremony in the Grace Methodist parsonage at Wichita, Kansas, Tuesday, November 17, at five o'clock. Mosshart-Brown - Thursday, December 3, 1942 - Mosshart-Brown Vows Exchanged - Mr. and Mrs. John Mosshart, Alva, announce the marriage of their daughter, Zona Mae, to Pvt. Buster B. Brown, Cherokee. The wedding took place Thursday, December 3, with Rev. Ray Vaughan officiating the single ring ceremony in the Christian church parsonage.

Cordell-Werner - December 20, 1942, Alva, Okla. - Marriage of Miss Wanda Cordell To Bill Werner Is Announced - Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Cordell, 803 Third, Alva, announce the marriage of their daughter, Wanda, to Bill Werner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Werner, Alva. The wedding took place at 3 p.m. December 20, at the home of the bride's parents. Rev. M.F. Langley, pastor of the Baptist church, officiated at the double-ring ceremony. McKitrick-Burke - Tuesday, December 22, 1942, Archie, Missouri - McKitrick-Burke Vows Exchanged December 22 - Announcement has been made of the marriage of Miss Gertrude McKitrick, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. McKitrick, 410 Center, to Staff Sgt. Rhodes W. Burke, son of R. M. Burke, Ochelata, Okla. The marriage took place Tuesday, December 22, at the home of Mrs. Jay Simpson, Archie, Missouri, with Rev. Jay Simpson, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating the double ring ceremony.

Benton-Rauh - Thursday, December 31, 1942, Houston, Texas - Texas Girl Becomes Bride of Arthur Joh Rauh December 31 - Word has been received here of the marriage of Miss Ermal Benton, niece of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene C. Verhelle, Houston, Texas, to Arthur John Rauh, Houston, son of Alvin A. Rauh, Alva. The ceremony was read in the St. Paul's Methodist church, Thursday, December 31, by Rev. Charles F. Smith, a pastor of St. Paul's, at Houston.

Wade-Sams - 31, December, 1942 - South Pacific Veteran Home On furlough to Get Married - Robert Sams Has Eleven Battles Tucked Under His belt; Was in Midway Action - Robert Sams Clippings - He came from many battles in the South Pacific with no scars only to get "socked in the puss" by Cupid! Robert Sams, 19-year old Alva sailor and former coxswain on the destroyer USS Gwin, returned home on a 15-day furlough, arriving here Christmas eve. And now he is going to marry Miss Jeannette Wade, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wade, Enid. Sams, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. I. Sams, 524 Choctaw, has been in the navy a little over a year and is already a veteran of many battles on the seas of the South Pacific.

Dobbs-O'Neil - Saturday, September, 1943 - Miss Maxine Dobbs Bride of Paul O'Neil - Miss Maxine Dobbs and Paul O'Neil were married Saturday September in Catholic church with Father Leo Claus officiating. Attendants for the couple were Mr. and Mrs. John O'Neil, brother and sister-in-law of the groom.

Rackley-Dail - Thursday, September 2, 1943 - Mrs. Estella Rackley Weds Mr. John B. Dail Thursday - Announcement has bee made of the marriage of Estella Rackley to Mr. John B. Dail. The wedding took place Thursday morning, September 2, in the Presbyterian manse with Rev. L. T. Knotter, officiating.
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Murals at Alva POW Camp

"I am an archivist at the Carl Albert Center at the University of Oklahoma. Currently we are gathering photos for an exhibit on the Oklahoma home front during WWII. I was wondering whom I might contact to get prints of the German murals. Thank you." -- Carolyn G. Hanneman, Archivist - Carl Albert Center (405)325-5401 - e-mail: channeman@ou.edu View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWII 75th Infantry Inquiry

Paris, France - "I'm not sure if you could answer to this request , but perhaps could you forward this e-mail to other members of 75th infantry batallions units who could respond to my inquiry, thanks for everything.

This letter is addressed to the 75th infantry division association, attention to the division historian.

Would it be possible for you to give me some informations about the history of the 75th infantry division in England between 3rd November 1944-13th December 1944?

Could you give me the name of the place where each of those following units (for each battalion) where located in England between November 1944-December 1944, could you also indicate the places, camp changes for each unit:

1st battalion, 289th infantry regiment --
2nd battalion, 289th infantry regiment --
3rd battalion, 289th infantry regiment --
1st battalion, 290th infantry regiment --
2nd battalion, 290th infantry regiment --
3rd battalion, 290th infantry regiment --
1st battalion, 291th infantry regiment --
2nd battalion, 291th infantry regiment --
3rd battalion, 291th infantry regiment.

Could you please send me back all those informations as soon as possible by E-MAIL or AIR MAIL to the following address listed below.

Could you please send me back all those informations requested as soon as possible e-mail before March 7th, 2002, if possible, please."

My address: Monsieur Thierry Jacquel Borey e-mail: thjb@caramail.com -- 365 rue de vaugirard - 75015 PARIS - France
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McGill Bros. Postcard Calendar Adv. on Ebay

"I saw this item for sale at eBay, The World's Online Marketplace TM, and thought that you might be interested." -- McGill Brothers Alva OK Postcard Calendar Adv View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wanted: Oklahoma Pork Recipes

"I would like to subscribe to your free newsletter. My E-Mail address is: Thank you very much. I am also looking for some Oklahoma Pork Recipes. Thank You Again. -- Diane D. Timothio email - diane1145@msn.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Campbell, Secrest & Underwood Family Inquiry

"I am looking for any info on these families. They are from Oklahoma starting around 1890 or so. The names are: John and Elvetta Campbell - Child: Nelllie Amanda Campbell marr. Lige Secrest 8-30-1903 / Alva Ok Children: Rosemond (Birdie, Harold Arthur, Thomas Gaines. Rose Alice Campbell marr. approx 1909-10 George Godsey. Their grandpa also lived in Alva : Thomas G. Underwood he is buried in Ava Cemetery. Elvetta also had a sister who lived around Alva. I only know her first name: Minnie she had a daughter Lilly and she marr. Harry Lyon they owned a business in Alva and their son was Gerold Lyon. Also, the Garrison Cemetery in Dacoma ,Oklahoma is part of the Secrest family. Jacob Secrest father of Lige was married to Catherine Garrison Secrest. If you would have any info on these families or know how I could obtain any thing, please let me know. Thank you." -- William and Gloria Secrest Email - gloriasecrest@msn.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Gregory Inquiry

"I have family from Oklahoma. Some place like Hovis, Oklahoma. Elmer Gregory may have lived elsewhere. Their last name is Gregory. I'm pretty stuck on most of the names. But one is Ealm Gregory and an Elmer Gregory. Do you have any idea how to find them. I'm really into genealogy, too! I love your newsletter. I am tracing this family backwards. I know this is a cousin and that Elmer was my Grandmother's uncle. But, I have very little information on Elmer's father (my ggrandfather)." -- Laney email - buzybee@glnet.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

FBI Famous Cases - George "Machine Gun" Kelly

FBI Famous Cases -- "At 11:15 p.m., on Saturday, July 22, 1933, Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Urschel, one of Oklahoma's wealthiest couples, were playing bridge with their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Walter R. Jarrett, on a screened porch of the Urschel residence at Oklahoma City.

Two men, one armed with a machine gun and the other with a pistol, opened the screen door and inquired which of the two men was Mr. Urschel ..... Several days elapsed before word was received from the kidnappers.

On July 26, J.G. Catlett, a wealthy oil man of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and an intimate friend of Mr. Urschel, received a package through Western Union. It contained a letter written to him by Mr. Urschel, requesting Mr. Catlett to act as an intermediary for his release; a personal letter from Mr. Urschel to his wife; and a typewritten note directed to Mr. Catlett, demanding that he proceed to Oklahoma City immediately and not communicate by telephone or otherwise with the Urschel family from Tulsa. The package also contained a typewritten letter addressed to Mr. E. E. Kirkpatrick of Oklahoma City, which read in part:

"Immediately upon receipt of this letter you will proceed to obtain the sum of TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) in GENUINE USED FEDERAL RESERVE CURRENCY in the denomination of TWENTY DOLLARS ($20.00) Bills.

It will be useless for you to attempt taking notes of SERIAL NUMBERS MAKING UP DUMMY PACKAGE, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE LINE OF ATTEMPTED DOUBLE CROSS. BEAR THIS IN MIND, CHARLES F. URSCHEL WILL REMAIN IN OUR CUSTODY UNTIL MONEY HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND EXCHANGED AND FURTHERMORE WILL BE AT THE SCENE OF CONTACT FOR PAY-OFF AND IF THERE SHOULD BE ANY ATTEMPT AT ANY DOUBLE XX IT WILL BE HE THAT SUFFERS THE CONSEQUENCE.

RUN THIS AD FOR ONE WEEK IN DAILY OKLAHOMAN. 'FOR SALE --- 160 Acres Land, good five room house, deep well. Also Cows, Tools, Tractor, Corn, and Hay. $3750.00 for quick sale. . TERMS. . Box # _____'

You will hear from us as soon as convenient after insertion of AD."

"On July 28, an envelope addressed to the Daily Oklahoman, Box H-807, was received. It was from Joplin, Missouri. A letter to Kirkpatrick read in part:

" . . . You will pack TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200,000.00) in USED GENUINE FEDERAL RESERVE NOTES OF TWENTY DOLLAR DENOMINATION in a suitable LIGHT COLORED LEATHER BAG and have someone purchase transportation for you, including berth, aboard Train #28 (The Sooner) which departs at 10:10 p.m. via the M. K. & T. Lines for Kansas City, Mo.

You will ride on the OBSERVATION PLATFORM where you may be observed by some-one at some Station along the Line between Okla. City and K. C. Mo. If indication are alright, somewhere along the Right-of-Way you will observe a Fire on the Right Side of Track (Facing direction train is bound) that first Fire will be your Cue to be prepared to throw BAG to Track immediately after passing SECOND FIRE.

REMEMBER THIS -- IF ANY TRICKERY IS ATTEMPTED YOU WILL FIND THE REMAINS OF URSCHEL AND INSTEAD OF JOY THERE WILL BE DOUBLE GRIEF -- FOR, SOME-ONE VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO THE URSCHEL FAMILY IS UNDER CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE AND WILL LIKE-WISE SUFFER FOR YOUR ERROR.

"If there is the slightest HITCH in these PLANS for any reason what-so-ever, not your fault, you will proceed on into Kansas City, Mo. and register at the Muehlebach Hotel under the name of E. E. Kincaid of Little Rock, Arkansas and await further instructions there.

THE MAIN THING IS DO NOT DIVULGE THE CONTENTS OF THIS LETTER TO ANY LAW AUTHORITIES FOR WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF FURTHER COMMUNICATION. YOU ARE TO MAKE THIS TRIP SATURDAY JULY 29TH 1933 . . . "
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George "Machine Gun" Kelly

"George 'Machine Gun' Kelly is probably considered one of the most famous 'gangsters' from the prohibition era. 'Machine Gun' was born George Kelly Barnes on July 18, 1895, to a wealthy family living in Memphis, Tennessee. Kelly's early years as a child were essentially uneventful and his family raised him in a traditional household. His first sign of trouble began when he enrolled into Mississippi State University to study agriculture in 1917." -- Machine Gun Kelly - A Brief Narrative View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

July, 1933 Urschel Kidnapping

"Although 'Machine Gun' Kelly claimed he would be out of prison by Christmas, he served time in Leavenworth until October 1934 when he was transferred to Alcatraz. He returned to Leavenworth in 1951 and died in prison on July 18, 1954. Albert Bates died in Alcatraz on July 4, 1948. In June 1958 Kathryn Kelly and Ora Shannon were released from prison. The courts convicted twenty-one people in relation to the kidnapping over all, including a jailer and an accomplice in Texas who helped Bailey escape from the Dallas 'escape proof' jail before the trial. Police captured Bailey in Ardmore hours later. Many claim the FBI overinflated Kelly's reputation in order to bolster public support for their fight against crime. BIBLIOGRAPHY: E. E. Kirkpatrick, Crimes' Paradise (San Antonio, Tex.: The Naylor Company, 1934). E. E. Kirkpatrick, Voices from Alcatraz (San Antonio, Tex.: The Naylor Company, 1947). Federal Bureau of Investigation, George "Machine Gun" Kelly (Barnes)--Summary (Washington, D.C., 1984)." -- Okla. Historical Society - Urschel Kidnapping View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Charles Francis Colcord

Charles Francis Colcord -- "A pioneer of the old west, and an old-fashioned American hero ..... As Oklahoma boomed he served as chief of police, then Oklahoma City's first sheriff (essentially the army left what was a territory, declared it a state, and gave Charley the stockade and a gun.) He later became a US Marshall (appointed by President Grover Cleveland), serving with Bill Tilghman. He worked hard to control a lawless, wild area, fighting with the Bill Doolin Gang, Tulsa Jack, the Dalton Gang, Little Dick West, and others. He personally rounded up five members of the Dalton Gang and supervised their hanging....." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Charles Urschel - Kidnapped - by Kent Frates

"Charles Urschel didn't need to shout to be heard. Quiet, polite, and private, he was respected for his intelligence and proved bravery. A gentleman in every respect, it was not his wealth that made him special, but his calm heroism in the face of death that set him apart as an extraordinary person." -- Okla. Today Magazine - Hanson Issue View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Capt. S. T. Carrico

Carrico was born in Green County, Illinois, 1840. He attended school in a log school house until he was 18 years old. He went to Chicago to Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, graduating June 14, 1859.

Carrico was clerk on a lower Mississippi steamer L. M. Kennett, Capt. J. R. Keach, commanding during the fall of 1859 and spring 1861. Carrico was in New Orleans May 1, 1861, and witnessed review of the Louisiana Tigers. He was with the Washington artillery and other organizations. He left New Orleans in May 1861, under the Confederate flag and arrived in St. Louis the night of the capture of Camp Jackson.

Carrico then went home and enlisted in Co. B. 61st Ills. Vol. Infantry, Nov. 1861. Carrico resigned as captain, May 29, 1864. Out of his company none of the original officers were left except himself, and 18 out of 83 who went in with him.

Carrico came to Harper, Kansas, in 1884. He was postmaster 1885 to 1890. He came to Alva Sept. 16, 1889 and was the chairman of townsite board No. 10. He had filled numerous positions since then of minor importance, and it was during the 1904 era that he was in the Loan Insurance and Abstract business, on the south side square, Alva. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe