Okie's NW Corner

It won't be long now!This is a shot of a NW Okie red-winter wheat field that is ripening now. Can you see the waving wheat as it ripens in the Windy, Warm NW Oklahoma sunshine east of Alva, along highway 64 and south on the Dacoma blacktop road. Sightings of wheat harvesters have been seen traveling south from Kansas through NW Oklahoma to Southern parts of the state. I suspect some will be harvesting within the next couple of weeks or earlier in our neck of the Woods.  You can still see some green amongst them, though.  When it changes... it changes fast!  Love to see the waving wheat and smell the sweetness of it after a rain.  BUT... there is a slim chance of that... it sounds like. Duchess and I are not ready for the mid-90 temperatures that we have been having the last few days. They say the norm for our area is around the 80's. Is it going to be a HOT summer? Que Sera Sera! -- The Waving Wheat of NW Oklahoma - Slideshow

Newestt Member of Family...

The newest member of our NW Okie family... is this 2004 Horse Colt. Duchess is the babysitter sometimes... when it isn't too hot outside. Here is another shot of Cindy's 2004 Horse colt. Our brood mare (Cindy) finally had her 2004 horse colt the evening of 14 May 2004 sometime while I was typing out last weekends ezine.  My friend Bud says it is a Bay, but it looks like a dark sorrel to me.  We shall see! So far... Cindy has had a horse colt in year 2000 (Moon), filly in 2001 (Cassie), horse colt in 2002 (George), filly in 2003 (Lillie) and now... another horse colt (no name yet).  Do you see the pattern?  Next year I suppose Cindy shall give us a sweet filly. I need to breed her to a stud that will give me a buckskin or palomino filly to add to my color scheme, huh?  I would really like a buckskin filly, though.  Here is a link to a slideshow of some of Clarks Quarterhorses - Alfalfa County, Oklahoma. Clarks have registered quarterhorses FOR SALE, if anyone is interested or knows someone who is looking for a nice horse.

Duchess and I believe there is something special about our horses! They are our pride, joy, exercise and therapy.... walking, talking to them out in the pasture gives us another outlet to relieve daily stresses.  We do not do any riding of the horses... yet, 'cause we are an amateur in that degree.  We just like hanging out in the pasture with them -- taking pictures, petting, talking to them.  Duchess grazes in the yard with the yard horses without even getting stepped on or squashed. The amazing thing that happened this week was helping a new little colt that got across the fence from his mother -- helping it find its way back across the fence by jestering, patiently easing the young filly colt through the lowered wires to it's momma.  It is as if the young colt understood what I was trying to do.  Is that what they call "Savvy" horse sense?  We don't know, but it was something special for this NW Okie.

Orion Stories & photos...

brings to mind this next picture, because of the Orion Stories mentioned in our Mailbag section from J. L. Bowers. Does Longdale, Cedar Springs church, Bishop Township, Applegrove, Battle of Little Big Horn, Chief Powderface, Little Mouse, Bobfinger, the Last Great Indian battle of Oklahoma and Sheridan's Roost (a nickname for Cantonment) ring a memory bell with anyone out there. We would love to hear from you and share your stories, photos in our Okie Legacy Ezine.

These steps are what remain of a the past as they set across from the Orion Cemetery, in Major County, Oklahoma, on the NW corner of a rural blacktop intersection.  There are also two white, old outhouses to the eastside of the property.  We assume that it was a location of a some comunity church, since the Orion cemetery was south, west across the road.  We love hearing, sharing your stories in our weekly ezine. The stories are a very important, valuable piece of our Okie Legacy.  Thanks for sharing them with me.  I do find all these stories very interesting and it helps give some insight into what things were like back then.  Keep the stories coming.  Thanks again for sharing you stories with us.

"Work like you don't need money! Love like you've never been hurt!
Dance like no one's watching!"

Orion, Oklahoma Stories & The Bowers...

"I was recently surfing around trying to find information about my great-grandfather, his family and I found your site. My family is from Major County in the community of Orion.

My great-grandfather homesteaded south and east of where the old Orion store is (or was). My great-grandfather's name was Walter Bowers -- he came from Kansas, was an area blacksmith. He used to shoe the horses of the Arapahos & Cheyenne that lived on the reservation near where Cantonment was. Supposedly, Chief Powderface himself rode to my great-grandfather's to have his horses shoed. I was able to find 1910 census records that listed him, my great-grandmother and their children. My granddad wasn't listed because he was born in 1912. My grandfather's name was Dawson Bowers.

In fact he and one of my cousins tore down the old Orion store and according to my dad, he worked there for awhile. I'm not sure when he worked there, though. I can remember when I was very young (probably 3 or 4) of going to the store when it was still opened and my dad bought me some candy there.

My grandparents lived in the house with the garage that is directly in between where the store sat and the church. On the west side of that house down the hill used to sit a log house. My dad was raised in that house. Later my grandfather helped tear down a grain elevator (I'm not sure where) and built the house that has the garage. My father was born on the homestead that my great-grandfather settled south of Orion.

I also saw your (OakiePics) Webshots site and saw a caption under the picture of the house that sits in the wooded pasture next to where the store was. The caption said, 9-09-01 Is this An Old Homestead. From what my dad told me, it's not the actual homestead. The actual homestead is at the top of that hill above the house. It was a log house of some sort (I've never actually seen it). The house in the picture was owned and lived in by the owners of the store, the Paintons. Mr. Painton made his homestead there and had that whole section. He and his wife lived in the upstairs part of the store. At some point the house in your picture was moved onto the site. When he passed away, his wife moved into the house and his son and his wife ran the store. I believe his son still lives in the area.

Actually, I talked to my dad about it some more and the real story is that when Mr. William or "Billy" Painton died, his son, Ivan had the house moved in from somewhere else. It wasn't actually built there. Mrs. Painton moved into it then. I also found out that they built another house around the original log house homestead. Like I said before, I haven't actually seen what's left of the log homestead and I'm not sure if it's still there.

My father and all of his siblings went to Liberty school house. They attended 1st grade through 6th grade and then went to Fairview. My father's name is Leon Bowers. There are other stories I can remember of the area that my grandfather told me.

My grandfather attended school there until 6th grade when he quit school for good. He wasn't paying attention in class and the teacher gave him a hard time about it in front of his classmates. He then went home and informed his dad that he wasn't going to school anymore. My great-grandfather told him that was fine and that he could stay home and help him with the farm. So that's what he did. My great-grandfather taught my grandfather the blacksmith trade. I can also recall my grandfather saying that when he was a boy Tivoli was a thriving town.

Supposedly they had a racetrack there that people used to visit from miles around.

Also, you have a picture of some steps and you wanted to know where they lead. I'm not sure where exactly those steps are located, in relationship to the school house, but if you let me know I can ask my dad and find out. I downloaded the scanned images of the Townships of Major County and was able to find my great-grandfather's property. My great great-uncle's property is catty-cornered to the south. His last name was Hooker. They are both in Section 23 just North of Tivoli.

My grandfather came down from Kansas first -- set his claim somewhere near Blackwell. Apparently, there was violence in that part of Oklahoma -- people were committing over claims. His brother-in-law, Mr. Hooker, became afraid and they went back to Kansas. They then made the Run of the Cherokee Strip and settled near Tivoli. My grandfather was supposedly the only blacksmith for miles around and the State used to bring their team-drawn grader blades to him for sharpening. One of his brothers settled out near Vici and another settled north of where Applegrove is. I don't know if you're aware of where Applegrove is, but it's located about 6 or 7 miles west of Fairview on Highway 60 as your going to Orion or Chester.

I also clarified some information with my dad about the Indians who visited my great-grandfather and grandfather from the Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation down by Cantonment. According to my dad there were seven brothers and they all fought in The Little Bighorn. My dad can remember only a few of their names: Powderface, Little Mouse, and Bobfinger. My dad is 66 and vaguely remembers them coming to their house to have their horses shoed when he was 2 or 3 years old.

Bobfinger was at the age of 114 when he died. The Indians would never pay any money for their horses to be shoed; they always brought things to trade. One time they traded a Union flag that was captured during the Battle of Little Bighorn. I have seen this flag and took it to school when I was in the 7 th grade to show to my history class. The flag had some tears, holes, blood stains on it, and it of course did not have all of the 50 stars.

My grandmother, Ruby Bowers, passed away earlier this year, and my dad made an inquiry about the flag then. My aunts told him that it was in very bad shape now and they did not know where it had gone. My dad said that the Indians would visit once or twice a year. On another occasion when they visited, they did not bring anything to trade. Powderface was wearing a full length green wool army jacket that my dad thinks might have dated back to the Spanish-American war. He told my great-grandfather that he had nothing to trade so my great-grandfather grabbed the jacket off of him and told him that he would take the jacket until he could pay. Powderface told my great-grandfather that he would freeze, but my great-grandfather still took the jacket. My dad said that when he was a boy, my grandmother cut the jacket up in squares and made quilts out of it.

My dad has another story about when he was a kid they used to go down to the South Canadian River a few miles south, east of where the homestead was. Near there was a tree that had an Indian's spear or lance shaft lodged into it. The shaft was through the tree in a downward degree. The spear end had been broken off, but the shaft stuck out of the tree on both sides a couple of inches. My dad said that they used to find several bullets, arrowheads in this field. He said according to "old timers" this field was known as "Sheridan's Roost" and was supposed to be known as the Last Great Indian battle of Oklahoma.

According to what I've read at Oklahoma Historical Society's - Chronicles of Oklahoma, Cantonment was nicknamed "Sheridan's Roost." I wanted to know if you have heard anything about this battlefield. My dad said that it is across the river from Cantonment. It's probably in the vicinity of Longdale.

I've also been told of a story about some area outlaws in that area. I was told that there was a gang in that area called the Black-Yeager gang or as my grandfather used to refer to them, "Black & Yeager." The story I was told was that supposedly after they were killed (I've heard they were killed by the Anti-Horse Thief Association and here is a link to the minutes held by a meeting of the Anti-Horse Thief Association. Consequently the Treasurer of this meeting is named Henry Bowers.

I asked my dad about Henry and he said he's never heard of him, so I'm doubtful if we're related to him). My great-grandfather used to go to the 101 Ranch to buy cattle and supposedly saw one of them.

Now according to Okeene, Oklahoma: Proud Past - Bright Future, they were both killed... and so the legend states. He also said that Black & Yeager ate dinner at his house. Their hideout was supposedly north of the Cedar Springs Church. In case you do not know, the Cedar Springs Church is south and west of Fairview on Highway 60 going to Orion and Chester. It is also due north of Longdale -- which matches the last couple of paragraphs that was on the last link I mentioned. You can also see a small bit of information at Watonga, Oklahoma - Blaine County Historical Background about the Black-Yeager gang.

I also found a 1910 census record for Major County. I found my great-grandfather, great-grandmother, and their 5 children. My grandfather wasn't listed because he wasn't born until 1912. On the census it lists their township as "part of Bishop." I asked my dad about Bishop and he said he had never heard of it. I wanted to know if you know about the Bishop Township and if you do, where it was located. I am also attaching a picture of my great-grandfather. Please feel free to post it as well. As far as your question asking to post my family's stories, please feel free." -- J. L. Bowers - Email: jlbowers@twotall.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1900 U.S. Census - Oklahoma Territory...

1900 U.S. Census - Oklahoma Territory - Woods - Other Townships - Census of Bishop Township View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WINDMILL POETS HAD A GREAT TIME MAY 18!...

"Nine Windmill Poets gathered at 6:30 PM at Poets' Place, the Piedmont Library. Time flew as it always does when we feast on poetry. We welcomed new members, J.C. Mahan, and Rose Mahan.

Isaac Miller, Windmill Poet-charter member, and "our graduating Senior" shared two poems by Kenyon College Poets. We surprised him with a graduation card signed by all and blue "light-up pen" to remind him he lights up our lives, and to write even after dark if he gets an idea! Our congratulations and best wishes will abide with Isaac as he opens a new, exciting chapter of his life.

After we read "Challenge poems," which included Reversettes, Italian Sonnets, Windmill and country poems, we continued to share until our time was up at 8:00 PM.

We left with two new stimulating challenges:

1. Write a "Persona" poem starting with "I am." It was suggested we complete the poems by writing first person about something or someone we are not ! For instance, "I am a kite in the wind," "I am a lantern in the dark," "I am Judas," "I am an oak tree on the plains," "I am a broken bottle." "I am Thomas Jefferson," You get it--the possibilities are limitless. The poet chooses the form or creates his or her form for this mind stretching challenge. This is great for poets who have insights and emphathy to "experience" situations and encounters they have not actually faced.

2. Write a poem starting with "I believe." There are no form requirements for this challenge the form will be up to you. However, as we noted, this could easily turn into a Reversette poem . Remember, for an "I believe," "Reversette" your first three-line stanza would state something you do not believe, and your last 3 line stanza would correct the statement with a statement that you do believe. You would have 16 lines between these two stanzas to disprove the untrue statement. If you want more information about the Reversette form, please contact me, vivirustew@aol.com --but remember there is no form requirement for this challenge.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 15, 6:30 - 8:00 PM at the Piedmont Library.

Our June challenges will be HAIKUS and SHAKESPEAREAN SONNETS. Maria Veres and Barbara Shepherd will give helpful instructions about writing Haikus, and I will share materials which will guarantee you to love writing wonderful Shakespearean Sonnets.

So come on out if you write or delight in poetry. Or come on out to support your spouse or friend who loves to write or hear poems. We're like a family. There's just no better place to gather than around our table at Poets' Place." -- Vivian View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Horses...

"The horses, of course, know how much you love them. The photos you take of them are always so good. In one photo I think you had a Sofia or Sofie, I meant to write you then and tell you we have a young lady visiting us from Finland named Sofia. She can't stand for us to kill anything. She didn't want to hoe in the garden for fear she'd kill a worm. :-) Of course, I'm almost as bad, I try to catch the moths and etc, and take them to the door and put them out, rather than killing them. I look forward to more photos of your new baby." -- Glenda View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oklahoma History Book Search...

"I am looking for a Oklahoma Histy Book like the one we had in high school do you know where one could be found? Thanks." -- Vickie - Email: iammissvickie@sbcglobal.net
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AOL & Ezine Hazzles...

"Sorry for all the hassles with AOL, we love to get the E-zine and read through it, thanks so much for sending it. Can't see what bugs AOL about it, but who knows? Nice weather up here in Kansas the last day or so, since all the bad stuff the other night with all the Tornadoes down around Harper and Attica and East of there. Best regards ." -- Rolan & Helen - Sterling, Kansas View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe