Duchess & Oakie's NW Corner

Alva, Oklahoma - Finally! We have the pages of the Ranger 1926 - Castle on the Hill yearbook scanned and uploaded to our NW OkieLegacy Webshots & Old Albums on okielegacy.net.

We have also made a list of the faculty, college students and high school, junior high school and training school students in three rtf-files - Book I-Faculty - Book II-Students & Organizations - Book III-High School, Junior High and Training School .

The "Gang on the Warpath" viewed in the above photo is a "pep" demonstration at Northwestern with the entire student body getting ready to march to town enmasse. This was the first assembly of the group in the Fall of 1925 on the occasion of the marking of the three State roads and a National Highway that intersected in front of the college.

Speaking of marching enmasse to town, Northwestern Rangers will once again be marching enmasse, celebrating their annual Homecoming Festivities beginning Thursday, September 30th thru Saturday, October 2nd -- ending with a parade during the morning and a home football game that afternoon. Hope to see some of you there lining the downtown square of Alva, Oklahoma on Saturday, October 2, 2004.

As to the 1926 Ranger Yearbook, We have learned lots of interesting things from this 1926 Ranger yearbook and have come across familiar names from the past. For instance, did you know that Northwestern High School in 1926 was still in its infancy with over 200 students in the secondary section. All instruction was under the direction of Miss Minnie Shockley and Dr. J. V. L. Morris. The teaching corps was selected from the Junior and Senior college candidates for degrees with Seniors getting preferences.

The Northwestern High School on campus was used to train teachers and was primarily for the country kids. At some point later it became known as Horace Mann High School. Just when... we are not sure. If someone out there can help shed some light on Northwestern High and Horace Mann High, Horace Mann Junior High and Horace Mann Elementary, we would love to hear from you.

AND -- 1926 was the first year of the Junior High School (7th, 8th, 9th grades) on the campus of Northwestern with Miss Ann K. Wilke as Director & Principal. The large room on the second floor of the Science Hall was formerly occupied by the library and had been assigned as a study hall for this department. Also, four classrooms continguous to this center was made available for the Junior High School. The Science Hall still stands today, but we believe it is known as the Fine Arts building now. It still faces, looks down 7th Street from Oklahoma Blvd. (Hwy 64).

The Superior Model Trainig School... The "Superior Model Training School" on the Northwestern campus was headed by W. H. Wood, professor of Elementary Education. Mr. Wood succeeded in getting the Training School rated at 1663 points (more than 400 points in excess) of the requirements for a Superior Model School. The Training School contained the Primary Department (1st & 2nd grades) with Clare Bocquin as teacher; Intermediate Department (3rd & 4th grades) with Kate Bilyeu as teacher; and Grammar grades with Hettie Brown as teacher.

One of those familiar names from the past was our father (Merle "Gene" McGill) listed with the Grammar grades -- and our Uncle Bob McGill listed with the 3rd & 4th graders (Intermediate Department). You can read the entire list in the rtf file - Book III.

What was really interesting, seeing the community ads, businesses towards the back of the yearbook. Just to name a few.

1926 Alva Businesses

Alva, Oklahoma - 1926 Alva Businesses - NW OkieLegacy Webshots - 1926 Ranger AdsLane's Confectionery
Crouch Studio
Marcum & Branson Tires
Schnitzner Market
Alva Laundry & Dry Cleaners
The Band Box Millinery
The City Bakery
Farmer's Independent Oil Co.
Winter Brothers
McHenry Cafe
Amsden Lumber Co.
Pribble Hotel
W. C. Wilkinson
Unique Confectionery
L. A. Wagner Cash Grocery
Rexall Drug Store
South Side Barber/Beauty Parlor
Bell's Ice Cream Co.
Carrell Music Co.
Alva Roller Mills
Ellis Studio
Kavanaugh & Shea
Weinrich Clothing Co.
Mountain Oil Co
J. C. Hess Ins.
Hurd Motor Co
Fettke & McHugh
Tanner Bros. Clothing Co.
E. W. Tanner Co.
The Tea Store
Crowell Bros.
Elk Barber Shop
Alva Storage Battery Co.
Oklahoma Cigar Store
Hughey & Kennon Ins.
Majestic Theatre
The Ranger Shop
Pullman Cafe
Cochran Drug Co.
Bynum's Hamburger Stand
W. W. Starr
The Alva Record
First National Bank
J. C. Penney Co.
Monfort Drug & Bookstore
High Grade Oil Co.
R. I. DeGeer Groceries
Monfort-Smith Jewelers
Tyree Brothers Clothiers
W. B. Fowitz Funeral Home
Palace Barber Shop
Dr. A. W. Clark Dentist
R. J. McCormick Jeweler
Pood's Shining Parlor
City Tailors
Alva Motor Co.
Bradbury's College Book Store
J. A. Renfrew & Co. Furniture
W. E. Eutsler Grocery
Schaefer-Doolin Mtg. Co.
The Bobbing Shoppe
New Racket Store
Maxwell Printing Co.
Hub Tailor Co.
Joe Edwards Motor Co.
McGill Bros. Furniture
McGill Swimming Pool
Illinois Cigar Store
Alva Motorcycle & Bicycle Shop
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Remembering OkieLegacy Vol. 5

Alva, Oklahoma - Remembering OkieLegacy Vol. 5, Iss. 20 &Iss. 21, -- If you checkout the Mixed Chorus page of the Ranger 1926, you will see a photo of "The Village Cut Ups" - Johnny Brand, Harold Atkinson, Tom Rumsey, Harold Schafer. Didn't the Brand's have Brand's Recreational (or Cigar Store) downtown Alva?

1st Grand Jury of "M" County.

Remember this picture from our OkieLegacy Soapbox concerning the Runnymede Project - Alva, Oklahoma? We have come up with a list of names of this "First Grand Jury of "M" County. Here are the names that we know, but we don't know whose name or what order they are in: Judge McAtee; R. B. Furgerson (Ferguson?, bailiff); J. A. Walters; F. C. Dann (Darr?); H. H. George; C. E. McDaniels; Jno. Olody; W. S. McDonald; Jno. Young; E. H. Green; A. F. Bowels; A. J. Hudley; West (Clerk); J. T. Adams; Fred Berringer (Bailiff); and Ross Kerr. Before statehood Woods county was known as "M" county and took in parts of Alfalfa, Major, Woodward and Woods county.

1st Grand Jury of Woods County, Is this the "First Grand Jury of WOODS County?

Check-out OkieLegacy Soapbox - Who Were These Early Alva Group -- See if you can help us shed some light on this early 1900's Alva Group.

We received this interesting old photo showing several prominent Woods County citizens. We can positively identify three of the those citizens. That distinguished looking gentlemen seated on the frontrow, 4th from left is O. Scott Cummins (the Pilgrim Bard). Seated to the right of Cummins is Thomas Dyer (3rd from left, frontrow). If you look to the backrow, 3rd from left, directly behind Scott Cummins, that gentleman is our Grandfather, Wm. J. "Bill" McGill. Comparing grandpa's photos from around the early 1907 era, we find they are very similiar to this picture of him.

One of our readers helped in gathering some information concerning "When & Who" some of the men were in this photo. What we found out came from the granddaughter of Thomas Dyer (Joy Sherman) by way of another reader. There was an old 1938 Commemorative Edition - Alva Review-Courier which contained the same picture. It did not identify the people in the picture, but it did say that the group was the First Grand Jury in Woods County. If it was Woods County, then it was around (or after) 1907. Oklahoma and Indian Territories were merged (married) into the State of Oklahoma September 16, 1907.

We need your help to find out the names of some of the other gentlemen in this photo. Do you recognize any of your ancestors in this photograph? If this is the first Grand Jury of Woods County, what was their purpose? When was the exact date? Who were these men representing the First Grand Jury of Woods County? Do you know of someone who can help shed some light on this photograph?

Thanks! We were overwhelmed and humbled with the responses that we received to our question early this week, "How Far The OkieLegacy Ezine/Newsletter Reaches." Thanks to you all who responded on our "OkieLegacy Soapbox" and to those who sent emails. A special thanks to Lois for suggesting it. You see it is her son that is in the Middle East (Qatar). Lois also mentioned that she has a granddaughter and another son in Baghdad.

Here is the Link to the comments left on our OkieLegacy Soapbox. The emails we received personally are listed below. Y'all are Great! Thanks for such a great response and the messages that you left behind! See Y'all next weekend at Northwestern's Homecoming, in Alva, Oklahoma, October 2, 2004. Here is to you all and hoping to hear, share more Okie Legacies with you next weekend!

How Far Does the OkieLegacy Reach

How Far Does the OkieLegacy Reach -

North Central Idaho - "I enjoy Okie Legacy in North Central Idaho. I don't have any connections in your area, being born in Wichita Falls TX and having connections to Ardmore OK, but I enjoy reading about your area and share your views on politics. Keep it coming."

Cherokee, OK - "I am in Cherokee but I am betting that the Qatar correspondent is my nephew, Wayne Guffy, Jr. I really enjoy your newsletter and have been able to help several with genealogy questions. Keep up the good work."

Topeka, Kansas - "I started getting Okie Legacy in OKC a year ago and now live in Topeka, Kansas and still getting it.  It's helped me several times. Great job."

Duncan, OK - "That is great that you are hearing from Qatar... I'm in Duncan, Stephens Co., Oklahoma."

McKinney, TX - "Messages reach me ever few days here in dusty McKinney, Texas, U.S.A. (30 miles north of Big D.)"

Houma , Louisiana - "Since I already subscribe, you well know of me."

Coldwater, Kansas - "I receive Okie Legacy here in nearby (as the crow flies) Coldwater, Kansas."

Tulsa, OK - "Having grown up in Alva, I've lived in Guthrie, Pauls Valley, Blackwell, Enid, Salt Lake City, Utah and now Tulsa since I left Goldbug Central."

Odessa, TX - "We are sure that we are not in the running for fartherest reader, but wanted you to know how much we have enjoyed your newsletter. I grew up in Alva, my husband grew up in Waynoka and we enjoy hearing news about the 'old timers.' We have lived in Odessa, Texas since 1962, but have a second home in Waynoka, Oklahoma, plus farm land in Major and Woods counties."

Las Vegas, NV - "We are in Las Vegas, Nevada."

Amarillo, TX - "Glad to respond to REACH-OUT, as I appreciate the Okie Legacies so much, however I am only 250 miles away in Amarillo, Texas."

San Jose, California - "I'm continuing to enjoy your weekly letters. I appreciate your keeping my photos on your site. I have actually heard from some fellow cadets through your good work. There are probably not too many of us around anymore since we were in Alva in the Spring of 1944. One of my fellow air cadets sent me some pictures from the airfield where we went through our first flight training. By the way, I haven't tracked down Mary Holten. It would be nice if she would access your site and see the picture of us in '44. I am a widower now, so it's OK. Another item from '44 is that we cadets were receiving our dental work from dentists stationed at the prison camp down the road apiece. In my case you are reaching out to San Jose, CA, just about 40 miles south of San Francisco. I look forward to your weekly letters. Thanks." Tom McCarrick - Email: ttmc21@aol.com

Woodward, OK - "PLEASE KEEP IT GOING."

Cleveland, OH - "Been a reader of yours for sometime now.  Like the newsletter a lot.  Live outside of Cleveland, OH.  Love it here but love coming back now and then to visit with my brother outside of Alva, OK."

Southern California - "You reach me out in Southern California. I hail from Coyle, OK., Logan County. I really look forward to reading your newsletters. Makes me feel closer to home."

Victoria, British Coumbia, Canada - "How far? I live in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. My sister lives in Japan and I am sending her the site to so she can see it."

Greenville, SC - "I live in Greenville, SC. I am originally from Georgia and my wife is a native of Oklahoma, therefore, my interest in your very good newsletter. Thank you for sending it along."

Other Places - Summerville, GA; Selma, California; Cherokee, OK; Lakewood, CA; Vacaville, CA; Aspen, Colorado.

Olympia, Washington - "Hi Linda & Duchess Rose, We're in Olympia, Washington. I found your website originally a couple years ago when I was doing genealogical research over the internet. I went through GOOGLE and that's how I found you!" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Alva Group - When & Who Are They

Alva, Oklahoma - "We have a portrait of a group of men who we believe lived in or around Alva in the early 1900's.

Frank's great grandfather, Orange Scott Cummins, and his son-in-law, Thomas J. Dyer, are 2 that we recognize out of 18 men.  The portrait was in the Alva paper some years ago requesting any information about any of the men and also listed a McGill as one of the men.  At that time I don't believe we had the large portrait.

Thomas Dyer is the third man from the left in the front row and right next to him (4th man) is Scott Cummins. And also Bill McGill in back row, 3rd from the left." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Goldbug Mascots

Oklahoma - "You may have already received this information -- Byron High School, Alfalfa County, Oklahoma, had Goldbugs as its mascot until it consolidated with Driftwood in the early 1950's.

The mascot became Eagles after consolidation. My father (Wayne S. Guffy) graduated with the class of 1942.

The OkieLegacy reaches all the way to the Middle East. I am a retired military officer (Aviator) and have spent most of my adult life working for the government in one form or fashion. I was born in Alva, August, 1948. I can honestly say that a museum was made out of my birthplace, ha!

My parents still live on the family farm near Byron. I attended NWSC (NSC) in Alva from 1966-1969, prior to entering the military and going through flight training. I enjoy OkieLegacy very much. I especially enjoyed the continuing story about the coed that died under mysterious circumstances southwest of Alva (Ann Reynolds' Fiery Death )." -- Wayne S. Guffy, Jr., Byron-Driftwood High School Class of 1966 View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

My Favorite Burma Shave Sign

"Don't stick your elbow - Out too far - It might go home in - Another man's car. These old signs were all just great - too bad someone doesn't bring them back - with all the over-the-top billboards on the highway these days, Burma Shave would be a welcome change!

Still hoping to hear from someone who might have information about the Alva Roller Mills in the late 1920's. We have a bassinette that my mother bought from the (I think ex-) wife of the head of the Mills. Their name was Hart and the baby who slept in it was Richard Hart. Hope someone might remember the name. My father was a Goldbug, probably graduated in 1926 or 1927.

My father's name was Bruce Walters. He married Louise Fash from Capron in 1929. He and his brother Bill Walters both attended Alva High School. Not sure when Bill graduated, but he was a couple of years younger than Bruce.

I have his Goldbug patch which I would be pleased to donate to the school if there is a memoribilia collection. I always look forward to Friday night and more Alva tidbits. Thanks for all your efforts!" -- Barbara Walters Hodges View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Talley Family & IOOF Carmen Orphanage

Carmen, Oklahoma - I am so glad to locate this. I am going to send the information to a 3rd-cousin, Fern, who's Uncle, Roberton Talley had died leaving a widow and many children. Fern's Father, William Talley married the widow so he could move in and help with supporting the children but the Mother died too.

Fern's Father sent the smaller children to the Odd Fellows Orphanage in Carmen, OK. Fern's Father then met Fern's Mother and married her. For a while Fern's Mother cared for her husband's nephews and nieces, losing a baby and then having Fern. Then Fern's Mother also caught T.B. and died. Fern's Grandma (and my Gr-Gr-Aunt) took care of the 2 grandchildren belonging to her deceased daughter, Fern and one by a former marriage.

The father had died. Fern's father had a falling out with the Grandma and took Fern and moved away. Then he fell on hard times and put Fern in a newly built Masonic Orphanage for awhile when she was about 12-years-old and took her out when she was about 13.

I located the information about the Masonic Orphanage and sent it to Fern who is now in her 90s. Now I can send her this information about the place her cousins had lived for more years than Fern had lived in an orphanage.

I think possible Fern's Uncle & Aunt may have died from T.B. because it appears that some of their children had T.B. and one died in the Orphanage (I hope it did not spread to other children). This is a wonderful site for those of us interested in genealogy. Thank you for sharing with us." -- Charlene - Email: ccs1101@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cheyenne Raid & Salt Haulers Story

Freedom, Oklahoma - "I was fascinated with the response from the cousin of one of the 'salt haulers' who were killed in the Cheyenne raid and are buried in the 'Cowboy Cemetery' north of here. I sent the link of his site - a most interesting addition to what we in Freedom already know of the story - to Donna Hodgson at the Freedom Call. How wonderful that this family could finally locate the grave site after all these years. Thanks for the service you provide! I look forward to every issue." -- Rod View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wanderings Thru OkieLegacy

Oklahoma - "I have enjoyed reading where they are from so far. You have touched so many lives and brought so much information to so many. I love just wandering around looking at the old Castle on the Hill and reading about the Murders. The POW camp really intrigues me too. I am positive we had an escapee from there pass though our farm back in the mid-40's. He was an older man (to me then) maybe 60 or so.

Our farm was a half mile off the road and never did we have any beggars stop before. He wore a denim jacket in the heat of the summer and spoke broken English. When he asked how far Wakita was away, we told him 12 miles. He said "do you mean 12 meters?"

Mama was very suspicious and said when we two girls got close to the coat he took off and laid down when he drank his milk and ate a roll mama gave him, he became agitated. Many years later, we heard about a former escaped prisoner that wrote a book about his escape and trip across the US. We wondered if he was the author." -- Lois View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Alva Group Photo

Alva, Oklahoma - "Joy Sherman has n old commemorative edition of the Courier which contained the same picture in a 1938 publication. It did not identify the people in the picture, but it did say that the group was the First Grand Jury in Woods County. Because of that statement, I assume that this picture was made in 1907 when “M” County was dissolved and Woods County came into being.

I looked in a 1903 10th Anniversary of Woods County edition that had a lot of prominent citizens pictured, but had little luck in matching any of them with the people in the jury pictures. Judging from picture comparisons, I think it's possible that the man on the far left in the center-row could be George Crowell (early Alva lumber, grain elevator and developer); and the man second from the right on the back-row (next to your grandfather Bill) could be F. P. Alexander who ran the Federal Land Office at the time of the run of ‘93 and for several years thereafter.

The only other ones that we could come up with names for was the second from the left on the middle-row (possibly W. F. Hatfield) and third from the left on the middle-row, who might be L. W. Moore. None of those are positives, however, as they are based solely on similarities to other photos within that 1903 edition."

1st Jury of "M" County - "Joy also had another picture, which I think has run in your e-zine before, showing the first Grand Jury of M County. The names are provided, but we don't know whose name goes with which. They were listed this way: 1. Judge McAtee; 2. R. B. Furgerson (Ferguson?) (Bailiff); 3. J. A. Walters; 4. F. C. Dann (Darr?); 5. H. H. George; 6. C. E. McDaniels; 7. Jno. Olody; 8. W. S. McDonald; 9. Jno. Young; 10. E. H. Green; 11. A. F. Bowels; 12. A. J. Hudley; 13. West (Clerk); 14. J. T. Adams; 15. Fred Berringer (Bailiff); and 16. Ross Kerr." -- Jim View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Eastern Oklahoma Fall Foliage

Oklahoma - "Sure hope you are enjoying what must be wonderful weather there. It has been mild here and wonderful in the mornings and evenings. Cool and breezy. VERY NICE! My red maple leaves are beginning to get a bit of color to them and some falling off so it won't be long before we have a full fall going on. Take care and thanks again for sharing the find!! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe