Okie's NW Corner

With Spring just around the corner - Daylight Saving Time creeping upon us in the near future, April 4 -- Spring-like weather hanging around... we have been hitting the rural roads, highways of NW Oklahoma. Last week we went exploring for a small community that will celebrate it's 100th birthday in six years (2010). That community is Elm Flat, Major County, Oklahoma. It is located between Aline & Cleo Springs.

What brought this exploring on was a letter we received by-way of snail-mail last weekend from the "Oldest Living Kid" of Elm Flat, Oklahoma. You are probably asking, "Where is Elm Flat?" That is exactly what this writer asked herself as our travels last Sunday took us into the countryside of Woods, Major County somewhere in between Aline, Cleo Springs on a dirt road where we finally got our memory jogged a bit. Yes! We have been there before! BUT... like most places we have seen, researched and put upon on our website... Elm Flat got lost in the mounds of photos, histories accumulated over the past six years for our Okie Legacy journal. We finally find Elm Flat when we went west of Aline, Oklahoma 4 miles -- turned south onto a rural dirt road for another 4 miles. There at the junction of two dirt road crossings sat the Elm Flat Christian Church and some weathered, worn buildings (that have seen better days and lots of history). Do you have any photos, memories of Elm Flat, Oklahoma to share?

Elm Flat will celebrate it's 100th birthday in 6 years. It was established with the school in 1910. That school building sits on the Southeast corner and is now used as the Elm Flat Christian church, in Major county, Oklahoma.

On the Northeast corner stands some well-weathered old buildings that have seen quite a bit of history -- according to Alvin Wilcox. Alvin (the oldest living kid of Elm Flat) now resides in Cleo Springs with his wife. He wrote me that he was the owner of that old building across the road from the old school/church. Wilcox's aged old building has seen lots of tenants, businesses and histories pass through its doors. It's been known as a grocery store and filling station as well as a home for several different people. At one time it was a duplex (one family lived in the basement and one family lived up on the ground level). If you look on the eastside of the old building you can catch a glimpse of what remains of the basement.

You can also see a photo of an Aline, Oklahoma old building that stands beside a filling station in Aline. The west wall of this old building has a "List of Defenders of Our Flag" painted on it. We have transcribed that list to a "rtf-file" for easier reading for some of you out there. Some names we had trouble reading and have put "(?)" beside them. Maybe someone out there can help us decipher them.

Dacoma Main Street Memories...

Remember Murrow's Grocery Store in Dacoma, Oklahoma? That is where Whittet's Grocery (owned by Billy Wayne & Floy Whittet) stands today on the Main Street of Dacoma, Oklahoma, Woods County. But... before it was Whittet's Grocery & Cafe, it was Smith & Murrow Grocery -- then Murrow & Murrow Grocery. While it was Murrow Grocery Store, Whittet's had a meat market catty-corner from it. At one time the Main Street Grocery was also a roller rink. Do you remember some of those times that you/your ancestors would gather at Dacoma's Roller Rink for afternoon/evening fun in the small community of Dacoma, Oklahoma? Send us those memories and photos, if any.

Remembering some NW Okie Legacies...

A few of our readers (including this writer) have sent us memories of the April, 1938 snowstorm that blocked the streets of Alva and the Northwest corner of the state. After re-reading Vada's 1938 Diary, we found where this writer's mother wrote... "April 7, 1938, Thursday - Snowed all day, cold and the wind is strong.   April 8, 1938,  Friday - Gosh, but is terrible outside.  A real blizzard.  Roads and streets are blocked.  Cut all my morning classes. Didn't go to work.   April 9, 1938,  Saturday - Went to work early today.  Sun is shining.  Snow is melting almost.  Need a boat to get downtown.  Roads are still blocked."

In the Mailbag Corner you can read some other memories of the 1930's Blizzard and Dust storm stories. Alfalfa County Museum, in Cherokee, Oklahoma has stories, memories about the dust bowl days on file at the Museum for the public to read. Next time your in Cherokee, Oklahoma stop by and check them over.

It is that time to head out of here and get ready for another weekend of exploring in NW Oklahoma. We shall see you all next weekend with hopefully some undiscovered memories, legacies. Also... Congratulations goes out to Northwestern Oklahoma State University marching band... The 13th of March 2004, they traveled to Washington, DC to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade and won a large trophy for "Best Visiting Band." "A Ride Rangers Ride" and "Way to Go, Rangers" ... goes out to the Ranger Band of the Castle on the Hill (now NWOSU). See Y'all next weekend.

Blizzard & Dust Storms of 1930's...

"A reader wrote and told me that the snow blizzard was April 8, 1938. She remembered because her Grandmother died that day. I am sure that's the one I remember. I also remember the dust storms of the 30's. My story is about the same as you will hear from everyone else. Wet sheets over the windows and doors, wet cloths over our mouths to help us to breath. Scooping the dirt out of the house where it had drifted in around the doors and windows. You could see these storms coming for several hours before it hit. A black boiling monster swooping down on us.  Several  years ago  we had a project going at the Alfalfa County Museum asking for stories about the dust bowl days. We had lots of response. The stories are on file at the Museum for the public to read. Again thanks for the great job you do on the weekly enzine." -- Marthesia (Marty) Myers View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Looking for Smith & Fullerton Family...

"I was looking through your family tree.  You list Charles DeVerl Paris's wife as Bulan Vanosdal.  Her correct name is Beulah Jane Venosdel.  She was the daughter of Issac Edward  and Alice Irene (Anderson) Venosdel, who farmed SW of Alva, not far from Hopeton.  Beulah was my mother's sister.  My mother was Betty Lou Venosdel.  Still enjoying your website.  When time permits, I have some old photos to share with you.   In regards to geneology,  I'm interested in getting started on my father's side of the family.  My grandparents were Frankie Everett Smith and Flossie Florrine Fullerton who were both born and died in Alva, but beyond them, there's not much information.  My only living uncle cannot remember his grandmother's name.  Any help would be appreciated." -- Terry Smith - Email: mysubterfuge@cox.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Blizzard Story of '49...

"In the winter of 1949 I was living in Alva with my parents. Unemployed and looking for work. I heard that they were hiring section workers on the railroad. The hiring office was at Avard so I decided to go there and see if I could get a job. I didn't have any transportation so I decided to hitchhike from Alva to Avard.    It was chilly day but not too cold for that time of year and it was a sunny day without much wind when I started out in mid-morning. I caught a ride very quickly on the highway heading west that took me to the Avard turnoff. I remember it being very clear with good visibility when I got out of the car because I could see the Avard grain elevators about 2 mile down the road.    I started walking down the road to the town which as you know in our flat country was a straight shot with no twists or turns. I hadn't gone very far when the wind picked up and it turned very cold. I looked to the north and saw a grayish cloud head toward me the was on the ground and covered the entire horizon. Then the blizzard struck with its full force and fury. The snow was icy pellets and were being driven parrallel to the ground with the force of the wind. There was absolutely no visibility. It was like being inside a white cloud. I quickly became disoriented and decided to get off the road because if a vehicle came by it would not be able to see me. In getting off the road I ran into a barb wire fence and used that as a guide to keep moving toward Avard. I don't remember how long it took to reach the town but I knew I was there when I ran head on into one of the elevators.    After all that... the job was only a rumor and I went home empty handed." -- Bill Barker View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Snow On A School Day (1938 or '39)...

"I believe this happened in 1938 or 1939 when I was in the second or third grade. We were living on the 1200 block of Choctaw Street and I attended Washington School. I would guess that it was a little over a mile from home to school. We woke up one morning to a heavy snowfall ... must have been 12 inches or more with high drifts over my head due to the ever present wind. I remember the ditches were drifted full.    I was dressed for school and left strugglng through the snow walking down the middle of the street. After what seemed to be an eternity I arrived at school to find it closed! I turned around and trudged back home to report this strange and wonderful fact to my mother. She simply said, 'Well, get those wet clothes off and start on your lessons here.' Durn another bubble popped. I'm fully prepared to have someone remember this same snowstorm and say there really wasn't too much to it, but it was Northwest to Alaska to an eight year old." -- Bill Barker View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oklahoma Wine News...

"Awesome looking website! Come see us sometime as the Oklahoma Wine News weblog. Get the lastest wine tasting event information for Oklahoma. Updated daily." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NWOSU Band Marches in DC's St. Patty's Day Parade...

"We just returned from a trip to Washington, DC with the NWOSU Ranger Band. The band played and marched in the annual Nation's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Sunday, March 13, 2004 in Washington, DC. The parade route was along Constitution Avenue, which is the west side of the Smithsonian Mall, between the US Capitol and the Washington Monument. The photos were taken from the grandstands just across the street from the south lawn of the White House.
Band1 -- As the full band approaches the judges' stand.
Band2 -- Director Dr. Mike Knedler
Band3 -- Dr. Knedler with the trophy for "Best Visiting Band"
     The band brought home a beautiful large trophy for being selected as the Best Visiting Band. Dr. Mike Knedler, Band Director and Dean of Arts and Sciences at NWOSU, is to be commended for putting together such a glorious trip for the band students. For many of them, it was their very first trip to our nation's capital." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Carl Etling & Lute Murrow...

"In your latest letter, you menioned Lake Carl Etling in far northwest Oklahoma's (Panhandle Empire.) The lake is named, of course, for Carl Etling, who served with my grandfather (A. L. Lute Murrow) in the Oklahoma House of Representatives in the early 1960s. Grandpa Murrow served from 1956 to 1966, but I do not remember the dates precisely. My brother and I, our cousins Rob and Steve Nida, and several of our friends, all had the opportunity to serve as pages in the Oklahoma House (on more than one occasion). It was on those visits that we were able to meet many of our state's elected officials (right up to the Governor, Henry Bellmon). Carl Etling is one of those I remember fairly vividly. He was a kind, gentle soul and was one of my grandfather's good friends and associates in the House of Representatives. He, too, was able to provide opportunities for young men and women from the Oklahoma panhandle to serve as pages and to learn something of the way our state government operates. It was during those years (perhaps at the time of his retirement??) that the lake was named in his honor. As I remember it from a few visits, it is nestled in the landscape almost like one would imagine an oasis and a place of sanctuary from the sometimes harsh landscape (though beautiful, of course).
     I wonder if there are any who might mention some special memories of Mr. Etling? Or... for that matter, I would be very much interested to read any memories of the work my grandfather did in his term as representative from Woods county - and later from Woods and Woodward counties. Grandpa's was originally elected to represent the people of Woods county, but after the 1960 census, the maps were redrawn and his district was extended to include Woods and Woodward counties.
     I have one of my grandfather's photos from the years he was in the legislature - and grandmother was a member of the organization called Ohoyohoma - wives of members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives (even though there was at least one female member of the House in those days, it was still largely a male-dominated group).
     My grandparents owned Murrow's Grocery in Dacoma, having bought out the interest of the Smith family (formerly called Smith and Murrow). After my father, Dean Murrow, got out of the US Navy at the end of WWII, he bought into the business and it was known thereafter as Murrow and Murrow. They built the new locker plant in the store in 1947, the year my brother Randy was born. The store today is the ever-popular Whittet's Country Store, owned and operated by Billy Wayne and Floy Whittet. It is my understanding that in Dacoma's early days, the building was the site of the roller-skating rink. A. L. Lute Murrow, member of Oklahoma House of Representatives 1956-1966 and Mildred M. Murrow, member of Ohoyohoma, 1956-1966. (It may be spelled Ohoyahoma).
     I don't remember where I saw it, but I have seen a photo of the interior of the bank. When I was a kid, the tile floor of the bank was all that remained of it, just north of the old post office building - we used to skate on it when we were little. The sidewalks in Dacoma were built by one D. R. Carpernter, I think -- seems like there was a brass marker in one of the walks with his name inscribed. The old gymnasium at Dacoma was built as part of the WPA movement after FDR came into the presidency, made with bricks built on site. I have a postcard with the old bank and the other businesses that were along that side of the street, taken when it was all "new" construction. I also have a postcard of the "new" high school at Dacoma, before construction was completed. There was a dry cleaners in Dacoma at one time, along the east side of Main Street, I think, though the building has long since been razed. " -- Rod Murrow, Freedom, OK - Email: rod@murrow.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alluwe, I. T. & Minnie Lee Patton...

"Very interesting and informative. My great grandmother - Minnie Lee PATTON - was born in Alluwe, Indian Territory July 16, 1884. Do you have any info on her?-- " Irene Sisson Email: visisson@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

April, 1938 Snowstorm...

We went back to our mother's Vada's Diary of April 1938 and found where she wrote... April 7, 1938, Thursday - Snowed all day, cold and the wind is strong.   April 8, 1938,  Friday - Gosh, but is terrible outside.  A real blizzard.  Roads and streets are blocked.  Cut all my morning classes. Didn't go to work.   April 9, 1938,  Saturday - Went to work early today.  Sun is shining.  Snow is melting almost.  Need a boat to get downtown.  Roads are still blocked. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Elm Flat's Oldest Living Kid...

"Hi! This is Elm Flat's oldest living KID. haha .. And one-legged at that. Elm Flat will celebrate it's 100 birthday in six years. The old building across the road has been a grocery store and filling station - a home for several different people - At one time a duplex (one family lived int he basement and one family lived up on the ground level). And I happen to be the owner at present time. Elm Flat started out as a school in 1910. A group started having church in the school and church ever since. While a school, there was one teacher. At times around 18 to 20 some kids. I went to school 7 years there and my wife also went to school there. We live in Cleo at present time. I lost a leg in 1919. I have farmed all my life -- worked on highway. I retired from the state. I served 4 years in city council. I now do around 40 and sometimes more volunteer work a week. Elm Flat has all kind of history." -- N. Alvin Wilcox, Cleo Springs, Oklahoma View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1915 Woods County Atlas

1915 Woods County Atlas... OkGenWeb -- Woods County 1895 Atlas
OKGenWeb - Maps 'n' More... Maps 'n' More - County and Township Maps for the entire state of Oklahoma. Lists of Post Offices and Towns, from territorial days to the present.
OkGenWeb... "Prior to statehood in 1907, few birth/death records were kept by government agencies. The best way to trace your ancestor is through the census records and by research in the county where your ancestor was known to have lived. Another source would be old newspapers , some of which may be on microfilm for that time period at a public library. Check the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to see if an Oklahoma library has an email or web address.  County land records are another possible source. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe