They Call That SNOW!!!

One of our readers sent us this picture of a "Cabin in the Snow" that was taken on 11 January 2005, Tuesday, CR 500 & N. Weaselskin Drive. We are told that this was taken before the 5-inches they received after 6:00 p.m. that same day. There were reports that the approximate Total snowfall accumulated over the last couple of weeks was 67-inches up at Vallecito. The newspapers reported that they had to close Wolf Creek Pass due to 10-feet of snowfall.

Duchess and I had to take a drive upnorth to Vallecito on Wednesday to see for ourselves what ... "They call that SNOW" ... looked like. It was a whole different world up there compared to what the valley looked like. Where the roadgraders and snowplows had graded roads and driveways, the piles created heavy walls of snow fences, fortresses up towards the northend of county road 500. If you didn't know there was a house and cabin nearby, you wouldn't even notice it because of the wall of piled snow.

One of our readers that lives up north in the San Juan mountains high on a Colorado hilltop sent us a few more photos of the 2005 Winter Snow. The photo on the left is a picture looking towards Mt. Irving. The photo on the right is a view of Middle mountain. Thanks, Marilyn, for those magnificent views of SW Colorado Winter Snow scenes. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

MORE Snow Shots In SW Colorado...

Duchess and I took these next photo shots, Wednesday, January 12, 2005 when we were visiting at Weaselskin's cabin up north. The photo on the right is a picture of Weaselskin Creek that is almost snow covered except for the exposed view of the creek. The picture on the left is taken from the northside of Weaselskin's place, looking up the mountain slope. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Early Days in Oklahoma...

One of our readers sent us some items that appeared in Renfrews Record, dateline - Dec. 12, 1913, Alva, Oklahoma. You can read about these items in the Mailbag Corner, below. BUT.... Have you ever heard about the time Charlie Bower was charged for murder in Cherokee, Oklahoma for the murder of his best friend, Jay French, near Ashley, Oklahoma? We think it might have occurred November, 1912. Other items included in the newspaper: Ed Williamson, Alva RFD #5 Carrier, appointed Dec. 1, 1906; and the marriage announcement of Jacob Molz & Mary Maud Mercer. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NEW Photo Gallery...

Before we head out of here for the weekend, here is a NEW Photo Gallery over at OkieLegacy.net early 1900s photo taken by McColloch Studio, McPherson, KS - May be one of Unce Bob McGill's female friends

These old Photos include an Unknown Wedding party; collage of our Dad's (Gene McGill) airplane & family and fishing photos from the earlier days; collage of Grandpa Bill McGill and his 2nd wife, Blanche; and some Unknown female friends of our Uncle Bob McGill. The unknown female friends all have that "bobbed, perm" hairstyle. I love the picture from the McColloch Studio, McPherson, Kansas (on the left). The photo on the right is a photo taken by the Ellis Studio, Alva, Oklahoma. If you recognize any of the photos (or know of someone who might know), give us a ring at our email address: paristimes@earthlink.net. Thanks for your help!

See Y'all next week with more Okie Legacies! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

In Memory of Jessie Beulah (Clark) Meyer....

Jessie Beulah (85 years), older sister of J. L. "Bud" Clark and the daughter of Ida Cloe (Heaton) and Joseph Lawrence Clark, passed away January 11, 2005, Wednesday, at the Perry memorial Hospital in Perry, Oklahoma. Services were held Jan. 15, 2005, Wharton Funeral Chapel. Jessie was born on Oct. 16, 1919 northwest of Alva.She attended the Panama and Pleasant Hill Rural Grade Schools and helped her family on the farm. Jessie Clark was married to Leo August Meyer on September 14, 1941 at her parents home east of Alva. To their marriage, three children: John Clark, Kenny Leo and Sharon LeVerne were born. Leo passed away on Oct. 28, 2001. Some of you might remember Jessie as a familiar face around the downtown square in Alva. Jessie was a salesperson in several different stores for many years. She enjoyed sewing and baking. You can read more about the Meyer families in The First 100 Years of Alva, Oklahoma, pg. 547 thru 548. -- Jessie B. Meyer's Obituary View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Online Obituaries...

Online Obituaries Alva & Waynoka - Oklahoma for Marshall Funeral HomesOnline Obituaries... Wharton Funeral Chapel - NW Oklahoma View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Early Days In Oklahoma...

"I ran across a copy of 2 stories written by my Grandfather, I. T. Strickland which were published in one or more of the early day newspapers of Alva.  (A portion of the newspaper's name was cut off when it was copied.) One seems to have the name: ---REWS Record  (Renfrews Record). Dateline is Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma, Friday December 12, 1913.
      The contents are about hunting and Indian encounters on the trip's.  Also copied were several other articles in the paper on the front page.  These are news items of Alva.  One concerns a hearing in court of a man named Charlie Bower being held for murder in Cherokee (Oklahoma).  He was being charged with murdering a man named Jay French near Ashley on the night of November -- (blank). The story about Charlie Bower is below.
      CHARLIE BOWER HELD FOR MURDER...  At the preliminary hearing in Cherokee yesterday, Charley Bower was held without bail for the murder of Jay French, near Ashley, on the night of November... (blank).   Alpha Fullerton who has been held in jail as accessory to the murder, was released on bond to appear as a witness in the case when it comes to trial.  Attorney H. A. Noah is counsel for Bower, but no evidence was introduced in his behalf.  The murderer and his victim ;had always been good friends and no motive can be given for the act. French, the brother who was seriously wounded at the time is able to be about and insists on a vigorous prosecution of the man who caused his brother's death. (The name is spelled differently on the headline and in the body of the story.)
     Also is a story about... Mr. Ed Williamson of this city was appointed carrier on Alva R. F. D. No. 5 on December 1, 1906 and has carried the mail on that route for seven years.  In all this time Mr. Williamson has only failed two times in making the daily trip on his route, once when a bridge had been washed away.  (At this point the balance had been cut off in copying.)
      In another story in the same issue of the paper...  MOLZ - MERCER -- Cards were received here Sunday, announcing the wedding of Mr. Jacob Molz, of this city, and Miss Mary Maud Mercer of Woods County, Oklahoma, at Alva, last Saturday afternoon.   The groom is cashier of the bank in this city and is a young man of sterling qualifications and has built a most wonderful reputation during his three years experience in the banking business here.   The bride is one of Oklahoma's most popular school teachers and having taught two terms in the Capron.... (Here the story is cut off.)." -- Max View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cowans & Days...

"My grandfather had a homestead on Little Mule Creek just south of Cumminsford (Canema).  I just returned from a pilgimage to the land between the Medicine and Cimarron Rivers where 6 descendants of Wiley Cowan and Jesse Day lunched at Sue Selman's (one of the 6) ranch.  We are assembling our history of the Eagle Chief Creek and Comanche Pool." -- Tony Smith - Email: tony2939@redshift.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Poetry in Yukon Oklahoma...

"Okie, I love reading the news letter when someone sends it to me.... just thought I would send you a little something that you might find interesting." -- Dale

Bio for S. Dale "Sierra" Seawright --
A Western historical poet and entertainer, 'Sierra' has appeared as the Master of Ceremonies for the annual Chisholm Trail Festival in Yukon, Oklahoma, for ten years. He has also appeared at The National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and at numerous festivals and gatherings around the state of Oklahoma. He recently returned from two weeks as the guest interpreter for the Rio Grand National Forest, USDA, in south central Colorado where he entertained in the campgrounds and at meetings of local service clubs.

As a member of the Miller Gang, a living history organization, 'Sierra' has been their announcer and a participant in their re-enactments for the past twelve years. He is also a charter member of Canadian Valley Re-Enactors, a group dedicated to authentic recreations of the 1800's.

'Sierra's' poetry spans the range from humorous to serious and includes such poems as 4 x 4, Engineer Pass, Home Sweet Home, The Cowboy Switch, and Bi-Focal Cowboy. Christmas... Cowboy Style, included in his book, The Back Side Shooter, was published in the December/January 2001 issue of Trails End magazine.

'Sierra's' second book, No Bull Betsy, contains poems such as, The Epitaph, Cowboy Logic, A Cowboy in the White House, and more.
     A native Oklahoman, born and raised in the far Western Oklahoma town of Hooker, his hero is Will Rogers.

Will Rogers said, "I never met a man I didn't like."

'Sierra' says, "Well...I have...but in 52 years...only one!"

Meet the Authors --

Meet Joyce K. Faulkner, author of 'LOSING PATIENCE', Mindy Philips-Lawrence, author of 'ONE BLUE STAR', and S. Dale "Sierra" Seawright, author of 'THE BACKSIDE SHOOTER' and 'NO BULL BETSY', at the Mabel C. Fry public library, 500 West Main, in Yukon on Saturday January 22, 2005.

They will be signing copies of their books from 9:00am to noon. That afternoon they will be at Full Circle book store from 2:00pm till 5:00pm and that evening you can see them at the Red Dirt Poetry reading at Julie's-Juice-&-Java, 1769 Garth Brooks Boulevard (south of I-40). Julie's is located in one of the little shops in front of Kohl's department store (across the street from the new Ford dealership). Julie's is a great place to relax, enjoy a cup of java and listen to poetry.

Bring you latest masterpiece to read or just come and listen. Join us for an evening of fine coffee and exquisite poetry. We gather at 7pm. Reading starts "PROMPTLY" at 7:30pm!

Next Red Dirt reading is:  Saturday January 22nd from 7pm to 10pm! SEE YA THERE! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Winter in North Carolina...

"I just wanted to drop you a short note to let you know how things are going in North Carolina. While most of the country was enjoying the ice and snow, we here in Winston Salem basking in the 70's weather. Just before Christmas, it got down to 5 degrees and I had to wear a parka on my route delivering the mail, but just two days later, I was wearing my walking shorts and had to put on a sweat band to keep the sweat out of my eyes. They say that we'll pay for this nice weather soon, but I'm going to take advantage of it while I can. In fact, we will be playing golf tomorrow which will be the first time I've played golf in the month of January. While that's not all the unusual around these parts, it is for me. I just don't like to play the game when it's below 50 degrees. We had a great holiday. Had a house full for Christmas day as usual and plenty to eat. And for the New Years day meal, we had the pork, black eyed peas and greens ... that is the custom down here. I'm still enjoying my model ship building and of course can't wait for auto racing to begin. Hope that you and yours had a great holiday as well. Take care and keep up the great work. CB P.S. Ohmigod, Did I see you mention that Bud Clark thought about taking flying lessons? Now that would have been a sight to see for sure. I'm sure he would have buzzed the town of Dacoma time after time." -- CB View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

HURT Family Connection...

"Hello to whoever wrote the excerpt about the HURTS. I do not believe that any of you know me, but seeing as we have similar surnames and our families both came from Bohemia, chances are we are probably distantly related. I myself find that interesting. I live in South Heart, North Dakota, with my parents, Frank and Lucy Hurt. To the best of my knowledge, my Great-Grandfather was the first of us to come to America in about 1913 or 1914 from Mancice. His name was Bohumil and his wife was named Marie (Kritlova). He was the son of Joseph and Barbaru Hurt and was born in Korencice in 1877. Bohumil and Marie's children were all left in the homeland when Bohumil and Marie went to America to earn money to send for them. I would have to do some quick research to be sure, but I believe their names were Alois, Filomena, Joseph and Frank (who was actually born in Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska). Frank was my grandfather. I only know a few bits of information on our family tree, but if you know of any links, I would be appreciative if you would share them with me." -- Beth L. HURT - Email: beth@bethhurt.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oil Field Inquiry of 1930s...

"I am trying to find history on great-grandfather who worked in the oil fields in 1930's. If you think you can help me please contact me. hanks." -- Tammie Swndle - Email: sheleeangel@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Arndt, Strickland, Arganbright and Ashley Community...

"My Grandfather was I. T. Strickland who was a school superintendent for I believe the Ashley School District east of Alva. He married Ottie Arndt who lived west of Alva. She was born in 1880 and as a 12-year-old girl had traveled to the new territory of Oklahoma from Harrisburg, PA in a covered wagon about 1892 when she was about 12 years old. I'm related to the Arndt, Strickland, and Arganbright families in and around Alva.
     We appreciate your very informative web site. You've done a lot of work with it. On the college, I remember Grandmother I. T. recalling her college days there. I remember she graduated I believe around 18 years of age which would be around 1898. She then taught school and that's how she met GF Strickland. I remember her telling me about the Class Reunions and how there got to be very few alumni attending them in later years. She passed away in July 1977 at 96 years of age. We were planning her 100th birthday celebration for December 1980 as she had always been in good health.
     I attended Longfellow there in Alva a short time when I came down to live with GM. I was born in Alva, November 26, 1937 at home, on East Barnes Street (I believe). My Mother, Flossie Irene Strickland wrote for the Alva Courier newspaper for several years. My Father, Clifford M. Vickers came from Jet. He ran a small grocery store in GM's house at 714 4th Street during the depression before we moved to Wichita where I grew up. It's always great to talk to someone from or about Alva. Vic "-- Leon Strickland Vickers - Email: vicmarcy@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Carmen IOOF Home...

"My Grandfather and his brothers were put in the home a few times, due to family hardships at the time. Would love to add more things to my genealogy of the home." -- Nathan Wallin - Email: nwallin@saber.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Adamson of Adamson, Oklahoma...

"My great-great-grandfather was Peter Adamson, founder of Adamson, Oklahoma. Many times I have been told of their weekend visits to the indian camps nearby. The long, beautiful head-dresses of the chief. We visited Adamson in 1999 -- would love to know more about it and the people there." -- Arlene Yensen - Email: yensenw@infowest.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Great Web Site...

"Linda, Don't know if your remember me. I worked in the Freedom State Bank in the early 1990's. Met you when Dorthy was running for State Rep. Great Website to get back to our Okie Roots." -- Horace (Hoss) Kurz - Email: nmokie@copper.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Inquiry - George Rollins...

"I am searching for any info on my Grandfather George Rollins. Wonder if there is any info on the George Rollins in the article here. Love the sight, wish there were more like it. Thanks." -- Wanda (ROLLINS) Hooper Curbow- Lufkin, Texas - Email: wccurbow@consolidated.com View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (2 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Miss America From Oklahoma...

"The first Miss America from Oklahoma was Norma Smallwood. She was Miss America 1926. There were three to follow for a total of four from Oklahoma." -- Wayne Guffy - Email: WGuffy@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Miss America From Oklahoma...

Miss America 1926 Norma Smallwood, Oklahoma 1928-1932 No Pageant N/A 1934 No Pageant N/A Miss America 1967 Jane Anne Jayroe, Oklahoma Miss America 1981 Susan Powell, Oklahoma Miss America 1996 Shawntell Smith, Oklahoma -- Miss America Pageant Holders View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1926 Norma Smallwood - Tulsa, Oklahoma...

"Norma Descygne Smallwood, an art major in her sophomore year at Oklahoma State College, was the first Native American (Cherokee) to capture the Miss America title. Norma was the first Miss America to also win the award for "the most beautiful girl in evening gown" at the highly promoted National Beauty Tournament held during pageant week of the twenties. She proved to be an enormously popular selection......" -- READ MORE View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Miss America- 1920s Decade In Review...

"In 1920, Atlantic City Businessmen staged a 'Fall Frolic' to secure summer tourism past Labor Day. This festival was highlighted by a spectacular rolling chair parade down the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk. In 1921, East Coast newspapers were looking for ways to increase their circulation. Newspaper organizations decided to sponsor photographic popularity contests and awarded their respective winners with an all expense paid trip to the Second Annual Fall Frolic. Once there, frolic organizers placed the young women in the "Inter-City Beauty" contest in which the judging was largely based on their personalities. In order to build hype, the women were later put in the running for the Golden Mermaid trophy given to "The Most Beautiful Bathing Girl in America." Margaret Gorman swept both events. By September 1922 she became known as "Miss America." In the ensuing years it would grow and reflect some of the most powerfully held attitudes towards what it meant to be an ideal American woman...... " -- READ MORE View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Bixler's of Waynoka...

"Traveled thru Waynoka a couple of years ago, my Great-grandfather's sister's family settled there (Bixlers). Traced them to Cleveland Cemetery, Kingman Co., KS. John/Bixler & Susan Harlow buried there." -- Floyd.Lawrence View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWII POW Camps...

"This was really interesting. Not much has ever been said about these (POW) camps ." -- Beverly View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Japanese Ballon Bombs - WWII...

"Thank you for providing me with the information I needed on Japanese Balloon bombs and Oregon casualties during WW2. No other site went into more depth on this issue than yours truly (OkieLegacy - WWII). Thanks very much!" -- John Forell - Email: john_forell@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

4 Warn Storm Team Photo Log...

4 Warn Storm Team Photo Log -- I thought you might be interested in some of these very graphic pictures of Northern Oklahoma.They show the ice storm pictures from Alva, Enid, Yukon, Oklahoma City from January 4th thru January 6th, 2005. Notice the first picture from Alva showing about 15-plus Texas Electric Utility Company trucks arriving in Alva, Wednesday about 5 p.m. This photo was taken on Oklahoma Boulevard as the line of trucks came into town from the East. Crews were working hard to restore power to several. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe