Okie's NW Corner

It was early... Tuesday, April 20, 2004. Wouldn't you know it... the one day I don't have an early morning radio talk show waking me up in the early morning hours around 6 o'clock A.M. Actually, Duchess wakes me up by licking, and nosing me out of bed. BUT... I am told that a local K101 radio station out of Woodward was talking about one of my webpages this last Tuesday morning. It turns out it was about the information on the Ann Reynolds Mystery of 1956 on the OkieLegacy.org website. At least... that is what someone mentioned in an email. Darn! I missed out on that, but... Duchess and I are glad someone gave us feedback on it. It's always great to hear from you all and share your memories, comments. We could not do it without Y'all!

1906 Eoods County Atlas...

The 1906 Woods County Atlas is going fast.... They (Waynoka Historical Society) has heard from several of you after we wrote about the Society only having a limited supply of the reproduction of this 1906 Woods County Atlas a couple of weeks ago. I understand the supply is almost gone. For those of you who are interested in what these books look like and the size... I have taken a picture of the book's outside cover and inside cover. The price for this coffee table conversation piece is $30. Oklahomans should add $2.70 tax. Media mail is $3 - Priority is $5. Payment should be sent to Museum Gift Shop (or) Waynoka Historical Society, PO Box 193 Waynoka OK 73860. OR.... First CALL (580-824-5871) at the Waynoka Historical Society to see if they still have anymore of these reproductions of the 1906 Woods County Atlas. It is well worth it and the Waynoka Historical Society could not do it without you.

Weather In Oklahoma...

We are sure that you have heard that, "If you don't like the weather in Oklahoma, wait three days. It will change." AND... It's that time of year that Tornado & Storm watchers can be seen driving our roads chasing storm clouds. We didn't get the hail stones that dumped over 6 inches of hail in the OKC area, but did get some thunder, lightning, high winds, and rain... of course. By Thursday the temps had dropped to the mid-50s and more rain came in Friday all day... dumping over 2 inches of rain in some places. Some of you former Alva, NW Oklahomans might remember how the rain drains down from the Castle on the Hill towards the corner of fourth street & Flynn Avenue... with streaming aftermaths reaching almost to the curb of the downtown streets. I don't believe they got that deep, but their was lots of it this Friday. The Iris, trees, grass, weeds and farmers thank-you, Mother Nature! BUT... don't forget the sunshine, too!

What about those dusts storms in Milan, New Mexico? So... Where is Milan, New Mexico? How about that 1-2 feet of snow that fell in the eastern parts of Colorado leaving blizzard conditions from Denver to LaJunta all the way down to I25 and Raton, New Mexico? I hear they closed Interstate 25 near Raton, New Mexico at the Colorado border because of the snow. The Panhandle of Oklahoma (No Mans Land) even got some of that snow. Is there anyone out there besides me and Duchess that think this is a very strange, cool, warm, wet Spring? We need the moisture, though! So I "ain't complainin' much!" Just grateful for what we have around here! Anyway... Wait three days. The weather will change!

Old Time Radio Programs Memories...

Duchess and I belong to a ConnectOklahoma Listserver that originated down in Southern Oklahoma. For some of you interested in that part of the State, Oklahoma history, memories of the "Old Days" growing up in Oklahoma, you might check it out. Lots of nostalgic memories overflowing from the Southern parts of our State. Some of those memories concerns the "Old Time Radio Shows" and "Radio Soap Operas." Were your ancestors one of the lucky individuals listening, gathering around the radios before television was born?

I can't date myself back to those days, but I have listened to some reproductions of those old shows. If you browse over to Radiolovers.com & The Great Radio Soap Operas, you can reconnect to some of your grandparent's, great-grandparent's favorite Old Radio shows. My recall of old television movies goes back to the black & white westerns, Mickey Mouse Club, Howdy Dowdy, Lucky Strike Theatre. What are your memories of Radio or Television? Only "The Shadow" knows for sure, huh?

Alva Mural Society has been busy...

We missed the hamburger fry last Monday evening (19 April 2004) while they gathered to watched our local artists paint on the "Castle on the Hill Mural" at 5th & Oklahoma Blvd. We were out in the country doing chores and taking care of horses -- we didn't get back in to town until late. BUT... I did manage to get an update of it's progress for Y'all.

The Mural Society has another mural going up on the Professional building on Fourth Street in downtown Alva, on the East side of the downtown square, between Flynn & Barnes Avenue. The Old Runnymede Hotel sets on the southeast corner of Flynn Avenue & Fourth Street while the Farmers Co-op graces the Northeast corner of Fourth Street & Barnes Avenue. Some of you might remember the location of the Professional building as a motor garage (what was the name of that garage?) -- a Bowling Alley -- the Golden Krust Bakery. Hey! Even I remember stepping into the downtown bowling alley when I was just a young thing and the smell of fresh baked bread filling the air of downtown Alva when the Golden Krust Bakery graced that location. BUT... don't ask me the year!

Northwest Oklahoma Benefactor - Charles Morton Share...

The Alva Review Courier had an article this Friday Memorializing Alva Benefactor (Charles Morton Share), dated 04/23/04 by Helen Barrett. NW Oklahomans will remember Charles Morton Share as one of the Share Brothers Department Store on the West side of the square (where Cunningham has his Law Office today and where the Old Jett Store once was located). Others might remember him with the Share Trust that has built many of the new building in Alva.

I remember growing up next door to Morton Share in the 700 block of Seventh Street. We lived at 703 Seventh Street (on the corner of Church & Seventh Street) and Morton Share lived in the next house South. The memories are vague and dusty, but didn't he have fruit trees in his backyard? I recall my baby-sister picking some of his apricots (or something) off of his trees and baking him a pie --. with my mother's help, of course. Mom made great, flaky pie crusts that almost melted in your mouth. That's the Bohemian side of Vada Paris McGill.

Back to Morton Share, though... I believe Morton gave my baby-sister a stuffed pelican at one time. The pelican isn't around any more. I think it got donated to the college museum at one point in time after sitting in storage collecting dust. As I said the memories are vague, dusty as the pelican soon became to be while gracing a storage room of my folks home on Skyline Drive.

Back to the Mural Society painting party... of course, the public is invited to meet the artist (Don Gray of Murrieta, California) and watch the progress of this newest mural from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2004. They say to bring your lawn chairs, enjoy a hamburger and home made ice cream for a donation to the Alva Mural Society. Hope the weather changes to sunshine for Monday. Hope we can make it in from the country chores, too.

Before we wind down here... Does anyone know what the mascot of Dacoma High School (Oklahoma) was, or the color of the sweater? AND... WHO is this horse thief buried in a corner of the Mennonville Cemetery, in Canadian County, Oklahoma? Do not forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 27, 2004 , 6:30 - 7:30, Piedmont Public Library ~ 1129 7th NW, Piedmont, Oklahoma for SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY -- NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. It's FREE!

Duchess says, "Woof! Woof! It's past my bedtime! Shutdown that dang 'puter -- turnout the lights. This neglected li'l Pug needs her belly rubbed and tucked into bed... Right NOW! Goodnight, Y'all!" Okay! Okay! I'm out of here. Keep your feet dry this weekend and keep your raincoats, umbrellas and snow shovels handy. See Y'all next weekend!

K101 Radio Early Morning Show - 20 April 2004...

"K101 radio station talked about you this morning and sounds very interesting. They (K101 Radio) talked about the Ann Renyolds Story. Which in turn -- I called and asked where I could find it. Matt Storm and Shawn Teman told me where to find the story. It was a wonderful experience to be able to look up that story. Thank you so much for the interesting information. You are doing a great job." -- Robyn View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dacoma High Graduate of '30...

"As I was looking through the list of deceased (?) graduates of Dacoma High School , I noticed one who is familiar to me. Victor Hiatt If I remember correctly he graduated in 1930.  He married Loraine Martin, youngest surviving child of Hugh Martin, first sheriff of Woods County, and my mother's aunt, who was only six months older than she.  He was a long time employee of Baker Oil Tools, an oil field service company.  He was the son of Hiram and Leanna Williams Hiatt. Victor Hiatt, 18 June 1912 -13 October 1981 Buried in Casper, Natrona County, Wyoming, where he spent some years in retirement.  His only child, Kim Hiatt, is a retiree of the Casper Fire Department. This is a photo of Victor Hiatt and my late father Marion Leroy Cook, 1914 -1982.  This was taken in Grant County, Oklahoma in about 1937.  They have their football sweaters on.  Of course, Victor's is from Dacoma.  Dad played for the Lamont High School 'Red Devils.'  The sweater is black with a red 'L' and three red stripes on the arm.  Does anyone know what the mascot of Dacoma was, or the color of the sweater?" -- Charlie Cook in Louisiana Bayou Country - Email: cookmmc@bellsouth.net
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Horse Thief Buried in Mennonville Cemetery, Canadian County, Oklahoma...

"Do you know of a horse thief being hung and buried in the corner of the Mennonville Cemetery in Canadian County (Oklahoma)? I have been told that this was in early day history books." -- Margaret Zweiacher - Email: grannyZ@gbronline.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Senior Citizens & Young at Heart...

Senior Citizens & Young at Heart -- SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY -- NATIONAL POETRY MONTH -- As You Like It -- Windmill Poets ~ Poets' Place -- Piedmont Public Library -- 1129 7th NW, Piedmont , OK , 373-9018 -- TUESDAY APRIL 27, 2004 , 6:30 7:30 -- Featuring the funniest poets in Oklahoma -- Clark Elliott & Sierra Seawright -- And everyone who brings a poem to read -- No charge ~ Birthday Cake n Coffee ~ Everybody Come! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Okie Transplanted to Texas...

"I am an Okie transplanted to Texas many moons ago. Oklahoma is a beautiful state!" -- Patsy View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Bliss Family Reunion...

There is to be a Bliss family reunion at Freedom, Oklahoma on June 6, 2004. Lotsa -- good food -- a great family auction with new merchandise, white elephants and often, Bliss memorabilia. Always a lotta fun -- family photos -- family history -- much visiting. All Descendants of John Sheppard Bliss, but all Bliss connections and/or friends are welcome and we would love to see you there." -- Contact Doris Detwiler - Email: deeadet51@hotmail.com - for more information. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Between the Wars - The Dust Bowl...

Between the Wars - The Dust Bowl... Hear Woody's song, "Breathe a Pound of Dust" - The Dust Bowl in Words and Song by Woody Guthrie. Also, "..... In 1931 one of these cyclical droughts struck Texas, the Oklahoma Panhandle, Kansas and the Eastern parts of Colorado and New Mexico. This time, it struck a changed landscape. In the 1920s, technological advances had made more land available to the wheat farmer. Increased production drove down prices, which led to more intensive cultivation of more land in wheat, including some regions where the land could barely support wheat under the best of conditions. Disk plows, pulled in long rows by newly available tractors, cut the soil shallowly but more thoroughly, making it drier and more vulnerable. The combination proved disastrous when the usual Spring winds came in 1932. You can follow the course of a dust storm through an excellent site at The Discovery Channel. " Also.... Check out Anne Marie Low, Dust Bowl Diary & The Dust Bowl. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Normal Schools... "I was looking for information on Normal Schools in Oklahoma -- as my Mother went to a Normal School after graduating from Chickasha, Oklahoma High School in 1913. After Normal School she taught in a one room school house in Grady County, Oklahoma. My Grandfather Matthews helped with the building of the first building at Alva, Oklahoma. H.C. McGrath listed in these articles is Henry Clay McGrath -- a brother of my great-great uncle, John McGrath. They had both served as U.S. Marshals along the Kansas-Oklahoma border. Really enjoyed the visit to your site." -- Gertrude Gray Email: G3G4rY@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Love Your Site...

"Loved your site. I'm from Louisburg, Missouri. Very small village in Missouri, North of Springfield. My family was from Hughes County, Oklahoma. I never got to meet any of them due to divorce of my parents. Found your site and can't leave it. Thanks." -- Sharon View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The McCandless' of Marshall, Oklahoma...

"Do you know anything about The McCandless people that settled in Marshall,Ok in the 1889s. Thanks." -- Bobby McCandless - Email: ranger525582@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

John James & Mary Markvicka Hurt...

Their son, Joseph P. Hurt (my G-Grandpa), was born September 1856, married his first wife in 1879, Anna Wallman (born 1865, Bohemia (my G-Grandma )). He married his second wife in 1909, Hannah Alice Marsh Kachel.
        John and Mary's other children: Anna Hurt - b. 1862, Bohemia, m: Buresh; John Hurt - b. 1867, Bohemia; Frank Hurt -  b. 1868, Chesamf, Bohemia, m: (22 yrs of age) 11 Feb 1890, Maggie Szkudlacek (19), Nebraska (Clara Hurt Case's father); Barbara Hurt - b. 1869, Bohemia, m: Jos. S. Bukowski; Anton Hurt - b. 1873, Ujezdec, Bohemia; m: 21 Feb 1895 , Nebraska, Cecilia Shebeski (19); Mary Hurt - m: Wasielewki.
        Joseph and Anna Hurt -- Joseph married Anna Wallman and they had seven (7) children (5 girls and 2 boys) before Anna died in 1902. This information came from Joseph's and Mary Barbara Hurt's death certificates and from information received from Ersel Hedrick, Alice Shook's granddaughter and Vernon Case.
      The Children of Joseph & Anna listed below:
1. John Hurt - b. Sept. 1880, Nebraska; married Clara Kachel. They had three (3) children;
2. Jospeh "Joe" Hurt - b. Mar. 1885, Nebraska;   married Anna (?). They had one (1) child;
3. Carrie Hurt - b. Jan 1887, Nebraska; married James Holub. Eight 8 children;
4. Matilda "Tillie" Hurt - b. Mar. 1888, Nebraska; married Martin Hamilton;
5. Emma Hurt - b. Aug 1889, Nebraska; married Sam Louthan. Six 6 children;
6. Mary Barbara Hurt - b. 1893; married Ernest Claude Paris (my grandparents). Nine (9) children;
7. Lucy Hurt - b. May 1899, Nebraska; married Cary Pope. Three (3) children.
-- Courtesy of ParisTimes.com, The Hurt legacy & Linda "Oakie" Wagner View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

VII Corps Headquarters & William E. Dean...

"When I arrived at VII Corps Headuarters, thirty-four years ago, there was a large picture of William E. Dean. Being named William E. Dean, I was immediately questioned as to which William E. Dean I was related to." -- William E. Dean - Email: williame_dean@msn.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson (WWII)...

Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson (WWII)... "These are my Grandfather's letters. Written home from Boot Camp and later, the fighting in France, they allowed me to glimpse into the heart and mind of a man I never knew. To see what our soldiers gave up to preserve the freedoms we can so easily take for granted. These pages are dedicated to all of those who bravely answered their country's call. It is especially dedicated to the brave men of the 79th Division and those who never came home, who lie mute beneath rank upon rank of white marble markers and other unmarked places forever known but to their god." -- Letters of Private Melvin W. Johnson (WWII) View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

VII Corps...

VII Corps... "Headquarters and Headquarters Company, VII Corps, was organized on 19 August 1918 at Remiremont, France, and served in World War I. By the end of 1992, V Corps was the only remaining corps in Germany, after VII Corps inactivated. VII Corps participated in five campaigns during World War II. The assault and landing at Utah Beach, Normandy, 6 June 1944, spearheaded the American landings on the Normandy beaches. The four other subsequent campaigns were Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. ....." -- VII Corps' View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1906 Woods County Atlas...

"The Atlas is $30. Oklahomans should add $2.70 tax. Media mail is $3; -- priority is $5. We had two other email inquiries which didn't respond. Now I'm wondering if they didn't receive my answer. We sold 3 by phone. Thanks for your help. Payment should be sent to Museum Gift Shop (or Waynoka Historical Society), PO Box 193 Waynoka OK 73860." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Easter - Sharise & Aydan...

"Thanks for sharing the cute little picture of Sharise and Aydan, those are such precious memories. They are such a cute Easter picture for your newspage. Enjoying it as usual, also. Take care." -- Louise View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Okie Meet In Horse Pasture...

"Just a note to say that we sure enjoyed meeting you this past week. Those horses are so awesome. But think I'll stay near the fenceline after this!" -- Patti View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oklahoma Ghost Towns - Beef Creek, Hewitt, Hillside, Kullituklo, and McFall...

"I did a search for some of ghostowns yesterday and today I  found them all!  That is great! Thanks for sending Oklahoma ghost towns in that website link!! I would like to ask you to give some information about some towns: When was it first set as establish?  When did it disappear or the Post Office cease? I will give you some names of town:  Beef Creek, Hewitt, Hillside, Kullituklo, and McFall. That is all.  Please don't hurry. Take your time to find the information... And I would like to ask others in znother time. Many thanks!" -- Chris View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Rootsweb's Oklahoma Ghost Town List...

A list of Oklahoma ghost towns at - Oklahoma Ghost Towns  -  Click on the book with letter that the Town-name starts with. The entire data base in PKZIPW format sorted by County, Town. OKTOWNS.ZIP at Rootsweb's website.  It states that... These lists were mostly created by scanning the book "Town and Place Locations, " published by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. After scanning, Optical Character Resolution (OCR) was employed to render the image files into textural data files. Town and county names were rendered most accurately. The Location data was the most difficult to render in exact form. Poorly formed characters made an "I" out of a '1', and a '0' out of an '8', for example. Some proofing was done to correct these mistakes, but no 'guarantees' are made! Oklahoma County Maps in TIFF format
Map of Oklahoma showing Counties, Lat/Long, and Base Lines
Definition of Legal Land Descriptions in the United States View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Duchess, Sidekick, Horses and Sunburns...

"Did the 'little ones' (e.g. Duchess and her side kick) get sunburned too?  Do they help round up the horses and colts for treatment (snicker).  It was almost too sunny for my bulldog to be out today!  Guess this year he won't be able to tolerate 80 - 82 degrees heat he did last year.  Today he was panting and trying to stay out of the sun as much as possible (smart dog, huh? tee hee) and that was at 10 am! Hope you get some really good rest and thanks again!" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS & OKLAHOMA ...

"The Oklahoma Historical Society is seeking information on the Civilian Conservation Corps. We are interested in those who served in camps in Oklahoma as well as those who joined in Oklahoma and were sent to camps in other states. A special interest is in the CCC-CD and the CCC-ID." -- Read the Questionaire at this link -- CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS & OKLAHOMA -- Materials collected will be used for research. some items may be used for museum exhibits. Please write: Rodger Harris, 2100 North Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Or... Email: rharris@ok-history.mus.ok.us.
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Dacoma's Mascot ...

The Wildcats!  I'm not sure if the school colors were ALWAYS the same, but all the time I can remember they were blue and white.  I'd guess that Victor Hiatt's sweater in this photo is blue with a white "D" on the front. I'm glad to receive this information about Victor Hiatt.  I will plan to add a link to names on the Dacoma Alumni Memorial Roster and have a page for each one, as folks send in information.  Folks can send pictures (saved in JPG format is best, and I reserve the right to reduce the resolution as needed for my internet server's purposes) and written memories to me at my email address - which is my name - rod@murrow.com .  With school just ending and things in a bit of a rush, it may take me awhile to get things posted, but I'll get it done ASAP. Patti Kilbourne and I have been in conversation about Dacoma information - she is quite interested in learning as much as she can about early businesses in Dacoma, their precise locations in town, etc.  Thanks, Linda, for forwarding this message to me from Charles Cook.  I'll get it posted to a web page ASAP. " -- Rod
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