Old Alva Fountain...

We've been having Spring-like, 60 degree weather this week while our neighbors to the south had some snow last weekend. It has been windy at times, but a great week for Duchess and this Oakie to spend some outdoor, country time.

I can only imagine on days like we have been having this Winter that our ancestors would have taken advantage of this beautiful Winter weather, gathering on the courthouse square, park settings in downtown Alva near the once famous courthouse fountain and goldfish pond.

We know that Alva's fountain, pond and dragonhead drinking fountain were located on the westside of the old Woods County courthouse in downtown Alva, Oklahoma. We know the dragonhead drinking fountain is now in Albuquerque, New Mexico in a private courtyard. BUT... where is the towering, three-tiered fountain that once graced our courthouse park? Jim Barker sent us a picture of his brother and sister (Bill & Ruby) posing on the railing of the courthouse fountain. Take a close look in the background at the famous fountain. Maybe it will jog some memory cells of where, who the fountain might be. What did the county do with this historical fountain that once graced our small, downtown square of Alva, Oklahoma and was removed in the mid-1950s? Is it in storage somewhere? Perhaps the present owners of this fountain (if it, they are still around) will donate it back to the County, City of Alva -- replacing it once again on our Woods county courthouse square for present, future generations to enjoy on these Wintry, Spring-like days in NW Oklahoma.

Another Alva Mural On the Drawing Board...

Some of you northwestern Okies might remember this corner on Oklahoma Blvd. and 5th Street that was made famous back in the sixties as the Toot-n-Tell. This building once housed one of Alva's first (if not the first) quickstops.... the Toot-n-Tell. You could just pull-up to the door on the south side of the building - toot your auto horn - and purchase just about any quickstop items. I remember it from my college days in the late '60s. The reason I mentioned this building is because the Alva Mural Society has earmarked the eastside of this building as the next site for another mural to grace the area buildings around Alva. It is in the planning stages to find an artist to paint a mural of the original "Castle on the Hill." If you travel over to the Alva Review Courier , 17 February 2004, Article, you can read, see a computerized rendition of what the Castle on the Hill mural would look like. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Waynoka Historical Society...

The Waynoka Historical Society is continuing to help preserve our NW Oklahoma Legacies. They are in the process of publishing a book (Crossing the Cimarron at 21 Crossing) written by of the author, Robert E. King, of Chester (Oklahoma) with his permission. The Waynoka Chronicles, Winter - 2004 Issue states the history of 21 Crossing (Cimarron River crossing) was in use from the years of the Cherokee Strip Livestock Association until sometime in the 1940s, about fifteen miles southeast of Waynoka (Oklahoma). They go on to mention, "The crossing was first used by cowboys on horseback and by wagons making their way across the wide sandy river bed with its areas of quicksand. After the opening to the Cherokee Strip for settlement, a bridge was built at 21 Crossing which became a major thoroughfare joining Woods and Major Counties." The Waynoka Chronicles states that the Galena community attended attended high school at Cheyenne Valley in Major County until the bridge was washed away in a flood for the last time in the mid-1940s.

You can purchase this spiral-bound book for $7.95 plus tax at the Waynoka Museum Gift Shop located in the Harvey House in Waynoka, Oklahoma. Mail Orders may also be sent to the Waynoka Historical Society - PO Box 193 - Waynoka, OK 73860. Do not forget to add $2 for shipping and handling. Oklahomans need to add 9% sales tax.

Another project going on by the Waynoka Volunteers to help raise funds for the Waynoka Historical Society reconstruction of the Barnett Log Cabin that will reside at the Waynoka Museum is -- a pieced, appliqued quilt that was pieced, donated by Martha Cook in honor of her husband's (Charles Cook) great-grandmother, wealthy Ann "Annie" Barnett. The Waynoka Volunteers are quilting the quilt, readying it for a donation drawing to assist with the Barnett log cabin project. You can contact the Waynoka Historical Society for more information.

Shawnee Chief Cornstalk...

Another reader sent us some information he found online concerning the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk and the Battle around Point Pleasant and Lord Dunmores battle in Virginia in the late 18th century. The reason that tidbit of information is interesting to this writer is because one of my Warwick ancestors (Jacob Warwick the 2nd) was a captain in that battle. Jacob, II and John Warwick were two of the sons of Lt. Wm Jacob Warwick. I believe I figured that Jacob, II was my 5th-Great-Uncle and John was my 5th-Great-Grandpa. My 4th-Great-Grandpa (Wm. Warwick) married Nancy Agnes Craig and they settled in Greenbriar county above Sinking Creek near the Richlands. As the lineage progresses back to this writer it is as follows... Robert Craig Warwick & Esther Hull (3rd-Great-Grandparents)- Wm. Fechtig Warwick & Phebea Anthea Pray (2nd-Great-Grandparents) - John Robert Warwick & Signora Belle Guinn (Great-Grandparents) - Constance Estella Warwick & Wm. J. McGill (Grandparents) - Gene McGill & Vada Paris (Parents) - Linda McGill & David Wagner - Michael & Robert Wagner (sons). You can find out more about the Warwick's, Point Pleasant Battle starting over at ParisTimes.com/ Warwick/.

Clyde Barnett - Cowboy...

Charles Cook sent us a photo of Cowboy Clyde William Barnett, son of Joseph and Wealthy Ann Brown Barnett. Clyde Barnett is the cowboy in the center. Thanks Charles for sharing this piece of Oklahoma legacy with us. Click photo for larger view.

I heard from a reader that a long-time friend of my folks has a home movie that includes my father and it is on video now. It was taken plus or minus 50 years ago. This would make a great video for the family archives. I am checking into getting a copy of it. Did you realize that this is one of those Leap Year's. do you know anyone that was born February 29th? Have a great weekend and we shall see Y'all next weekend -- a year older, wise and well-aged!

Waynoka Historical Society...

Waynoka Historical Society -- The Waynoka Historical Society is a hard working group of individuals and citizens of Waynoka and Woods County (Sandie Olson, President; Earle Metcalf, Vice-President; Cleota McCraw, Secretary; Sonya Cummins, Treasurer) that need your help in preserving our Northwest Oklahoma Legacies. They have an award winning publication, Waynoka Chronicles, (staff: Carole King, Sonya Cummins, and Sandie Olson) is where you can read about Ranches & Rails, the Birth of the Trancontinental Air Transport, Hoboes Stories of riding the rales during the 1930s to California, Santa Fe Depot & Harvey House, and many more interesting pioneer legacies from around Waynoka, Oklahoma. All you have to do is make a donation/subscribe to become a member of the Waynoka Historical Society. For more information Contact the Society: Waynoka Historical Society, PO Box 193, Waynoka, OK 73860 - Phone: (580) 824-1886 or 824-5871 - Fax: (580) 824-0921 - Email: waynokahs@hotmail.com - Website: waynoka.org -- Make YOUR Donation Today! You can become a member of the Waynoka Historical Society! The Waynoka Historical Society needs Your help and interest. As Sandie says, "We couldn't survive without the help of those who care about saving our history. I'd love to show you our museum. Please come. Give me a call at 824-5871, or an email, and we'll arrange a time when it's convenient for you." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Shawnee Chief Cornstalk...

This is a report on Cornstalk. The Shawnee Chief Cornstalk has a long and colorful history in the formation of the United States and was the adversary in what is termed by some to be the first battle in Revolution in 1774. The battle of Point Pleasant at the juncture of the Kanawah and Ohio Rivers in an affair called Lord Dunmores War. You will get a lot of information on him by going to Google and entering Cornstalk. This was written by a writer by the name of Peyton. It mentions -- 'five years after Francis Fauquier became governor of Virginia, a peace treaty was signed February 10, 1763, at Fontainbleau, between France and England. it did not bring peace to the frontiers. On the contrary, in 1764 and 1765, war was waged by the united tribes of the Western Indians. The English traders among the Indians were the first victims. The massacres of Big Levels and Muddy creek in Greenbrier, West Virginia, when Cornstock attracted public attention. In 1763 while on a friendly visit, he suddenly fell upon unarmed whites murdering all the men and making prisoners of all the women and children. The next day at Big Levels the Indians enacted the same scene; every white man in the settlement but Conrod Yolkom, and but Mrs. Glendenin were murdered'." -- Bill Barker View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Courthouse Pond Fountain (Woods County)

Courthouse Pond Fountain (Woods County) -- This picture should give you a pretty good idea of the shape and size of the pool fountain that was in front of the old court house. This shot shows Bill and Ruby Barker posing on the pond rail probably in 1936 or 1937." -- Jim



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Newspapers-Law & Order News -Indian Territory

Newspapers-Law & Order News -Indian Territory -- (Select Law & Order from around IT & OK) -- "Diron Ahlquist has graciously offered to share his newspaper abstracts from Indian Territory and early Oklahoma. Don is interested in news of crimes, court dockets, outlaws, early law officers, etc. ect. His first offering is now on- line. (Hopefully the search engine has these issues indexed by now) Although this first section is from the Ada News it has information from the surrounding areas. Lots and lots of names in Diron's abstracts. Many thanks to Diron! Enjoy." -- Linda - homepage - MarionCoAR - TulsaCoOK View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Snow in Southern Oklahoma...

I see you got your ezine out early! That means you wont have to stay up 'til the wee morning hours now, and get some rest!  That Duchess, she is a little doll. I know you have the best times with her.  She looks great in that cowboy hat. Snow on the way tonight (last Friday) for southern oklahoma.  We will see." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cowboys & Horses...

This photo was taken in Woods County, Oklahoma Territory just before statehood, when cowboys were men and horses had work to do. In the center is Clyde William Barnett, son of Joseph and Wealthy Ann Brown Barnett.  The Waynoka Historical Society is hopefully in the process of restoring the log cabin they lived in, which has been dismantled and moved to Waynoka.  They still need more funds to complete the project." -- Charlie Cook in Louisiana Bayou Country View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Spybuck's of Watonga, Oklahoma...

Beautiful website. My Uncle, Henry Albert SpyBuck lived and died in Watonga, Oklahoma. His first wife was Jackie S. Patman (SpyBuck), His second wife was Della ( ) SpyBuck. If any one has information on Della's maiden name, please email me and my Husband (Gerald C. SpyBuck) with information. Thank You." -- Donna SpyBuck - Email: Dspybuck@msn.com View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Blast From the Past...

I stumbled across this little tidbit from one of your past issues.  Volume II, Iss 87, Seasons Greetings.  (2000) -- 'Here's a little bit of something that one of my readers shared about himself.  He is searching for information concerning a ghost town community that once existed in Major County and located east of Seiling, Oklahoma.  The mystery begins... Many, many years ago and approximately 8 miles or so east of Seiling, Oklahoma there was a small community called Fonda, Oklahoma.  At that time Fonda consisted of a General store, Blacksmith shop, Post Office and several residences.  The store was run by the Tyree family.  Near Fonda, Oklahoma and the Canadian River there was a school called Diamond.  It was a typical elementary school of the era.  A one room, one teacher teaching grades one through nine.  There was a barn for the students riding horses, a windmill for  drinking water and two out houses.  There was no electricity and light came from kerosene lamps. In cold weather  heat was provided by a large wood stove in the rear of the room.  In 1928 there were about twenty students the majority of which were Indian. Today the original site of Fonda is only an open wheat field.  The same can be said for the Diamond school - just an open space.(sent in by Vernon)' -- I just wanted to tell you that I came across a photo of my grandmother, Dorthey Louthan, dated November 15, 1919.  The back of the photo says it was taken in Fonda Oklahoma, on the side of the road.  I went online to try to figure out where in the world is Fonda, Oklahoma.  The first place the wonderful web took me was right to you.  It may sound like a small thing to most, but to me this was a great find.  Thank you AGAIN for your newsletter!" -- Cindy Louthan Powell View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Woodford, Oklahoma Still Standing...

"We own property at Woodford, Oklahoma and there is in fact still some of the old Woodford standing. We have one of the old two room log cabins still standing. I have found old horseshoes, wagon parts, and a few old stove parts just lying around. I have to be very careful while mowing. Its like the horseshoes just come up out of the ground! we do have an old picture of some of the businesse's in Woodford." -- Dav - Email: dav@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (4 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Farry, Oklahoma History...

"My ancestors established the town of Farry, Oklahoma. Grandmother James secured the first post office. They also established the first Freedom newapaper which was called the Freedom Express. It was published outside under a large tree. This is all prior to the present location of 'new' Freedom. I have a multitude of pictures and copies of the old paper. This was circa 1898. All the Walkers and James in the Preston Hill cemetery are the founders or descendents of the original settlers. This can all be documented with the Oklahoma Historical Society. I have donated approximately 200 glass negatives of pictures of people and their homesteads in that community. Later on in the early 1930's my Grandad, Howard Walker was Woods County treasurer during the depression. I have lots of history I would share about the Farry community if anyone is interested. The pictures are in Oklahoma City at the Historical Museum, listed under the J.O. Walker collection." -- Gilvin L. Walker - Email: kargil/walk@cyberlodge.com View/Write Comments (count 5)   |   Receive updates (9 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe