Duchess Corner

Well! We finally got back to the snowy mountains of Colorado the first of this week... with smiles crossing our faces when the snowy peaks of the Rockies came into site. We did get lost for a couple of hours in the downtown Plaza area of Santa Fe, New Mexico... the narrow, one-way streets seem to angle every which way it seems to us. Interesting Spanish-type Plaza. To do it justice, though, you need to spend a few days -- parking your car -- walking around -- seeing the old churches, buildings, restaurants, and shops.

We were going through some old photos with the idea to sort into family groups. BUT... We got side-tracked when we came across some interesting old photos showing some early days of NW Oklahoma children from the Waynoka and Freedom area. We have included some of those pictures in this week's newsletter. We, also, need your help identifying some of them.

Remember the Kelsey's of Waynoka? Especially, Roscoe (worked for the Railroad), Celinda, Bill Dean (died at young age) and Diane. They were like a second family, good friends with our folks (Gene & Vada). We found this photo of Bill Dean Kelsey as a really young boy, posing on the east lake dam at our folks place 10 miles east of Waynoka. The other pictures can be seen on our NW OkieLegacy Photo Gallery - Old Photos. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Early Days (ca. 1947) NW Oklahoma Children...

We know the two young girls on the left (Connie Jean) and right (Dorthy McGill). Also, we think we know the little boy in front ... Max Devine. We thought maybe one of the other two girls in the middle might be Max's sister, BUT... someone told me that Max did NOT have a brother or sister.   We are told that Max resides on the homeplace north of Waynoka. We are hoping that some of you former and existing NW Okie's out there (from the Waynoka, Alva and Freedom area) might be able to help us identify the three children standing between Dorthy and Connie Jean. Thanks for any help you might pass along to us. View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Ashley Baseball Team...

Ila Wessell needs some help identifying these early day baseball players from around the Ashley (Oklahoma) area. Ila graciously sent us this copy of the Ashley Baseball Team hoping that maybe someone out there might be able to help identify those pictured in this photo.  This photo was copied from Nell Hadwiger Palmer King's original that can be viewed in the Alva Public Library. Thanks, Ila, for sharing this great NW Okie baseball team with us! If you know of someone that might know, feel free to forward a copy of this newsletter or pass along this link of the Ashley Baseball Team photo. You can either Email Linda: paristimes@earthlink.net - or - Ila Wessell's Email: gwessels@akslc.net with information that you might have of this baseball group. Thanks for your help! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1961 W.V. Finishing School...

We ran across this graduation shot of Oakie's sister Dorthy's senior year of high school, during 1961, at a finishing school in Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virginia. It was the Greenbrier College for Women. The Greenbriar College, in Lewisburg, W.V. opened 1808, closed June 1972. From what I read online the college burned down and they did not rebuild. Check the Mailbag Corner for other Greenbriar College links. We have photos of some of these Greenbriar graduates from 1961. Where -- What are they doing now... 44 years later? How did this West Virginia finishing school atmosphere affect their lives? Are there an Alumni groups out there? ... Anywhere? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Old Ranger Albums in PDF form...

Have you found the scanned PDF files of the Northwestern State Teachers' College's (NSTC) Ranger Albums for 1926, 1937 and 1938? They are large files and you will need the latest (or 6.0) Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing. Here are the links for these three Ranger Albums from Alva, Oklahoma's NSTC: Old NW Oklahoma Albums - 1926 NSTC Ranger Album - 1937 NSTC Ranger Album - 1938 NSTC Ranger Album. Here is a link to the latest FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1952 - Ring in the New Year With Murder...

"The Women's Auxiliary of Post 5 of the American Legion, Nashville, Tn., is collecting World War II stories for a book. One Legionnaire, as part of his story, entered a story as printed in Real Detective magazine, probably about 1952. The story, entitled Ring in the New Year With Murderis about a GI, murdered in Gallagher Cafe in Pottsville, Pa. William Coleman was the first MP sent to investigate as you state. (It is his story.) The story, Ring in the New Year with Murder, quoted verboten from Real Detective, was part of the story a World War ll veteran turned in among his experiences in the service. He was the first MP, William C. Coleman, assigned to investigate the murder, and, of course was involved in the case to the quick end. The American Legion Auxiliary of Post 5, Nashville, Tn., is putting together a book of servicemen's experiences and his story is included. Without the copyright permission and credits, the story will have to be rewritten, and I feel it would lose much in the retelling." -- Otis - Email: omck@mindspring.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Trinity Site, New Mexico...

"While I was not a resident of the area when the atomic bomb was detonated at Trinity Site, before her death, my mother-in-law talked about being jarred from sleep here in Las Cruces. From her telling, many people went outside in their nightwear and were trying to figure out just what had happened. I think from what she and others I have heard speak of it, the conclusion was finally that there had been ammunition bunkers at Holloman, which had exploded. My wife was about 4 years old, but there is no doubt in my mind that she slept thru it.

As you mentioned, the site is open to the public twice each year, and it can be accessed from the Stallion Gate on the north and the Oscura Gate on the south.  Shortly after I arrived here in '69, while we were not yet married, my wife and I made the trek. At that time the only access was by military escort thru the Missile Range . I think now access from the Stallion Gate on the north is unescorted, but the military still provides escorts from the south.

It was an experience which I do not regret having made the trip, it very much reminds me what I heard Japanese say about climbing Mount Fuji , everyone should make the trip once, but only a fool makes it twice. I think the trip was in the fall of '69, and the weather was, as it usually is, very warm. The only shade was UNDER our vehicles. Another thing I recall was the lines at the porta-potties. I'm not really certain as to just what my expectations were, but had there been no fence, marker or any other indication as to just what had happened there approximately a quarter-century earlier, it looked very normal.

I am attaching three pictures, which are scanned slides. One shows a portion of the chain link fence which surrounded what was the crater, another is the basalt monument at ground zero, and the third is lunchtime." -- Marvin View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Note From Subscriber...

"Just a short note to let you know that I am a graduate of Northwestern Oklahoma State University and was on the Alumni Board there for 21 years. I was born in Goltry, Alfalfa County, and started at NWOSU in fall of 1954. Grad in 1959. Is that 1938 Ranger Album from NWOSU? Cheers!" -- Jim View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Map of Cherokee Outlet Cattle Ranches...

"I found your informative site while doing a Google search for a map of the Cherokee Outlet Cattle Ranches. I grew up on a farm 4 miles east of Kremlin. I am trying to put together a small history of my childhood. The map of the cattle ranches on your site is just not clear enough to make out the printing on the streams, and I was wondering if you could give me a source for the map. Although, I live in eastern Tennessee, I get back to Oklahoma at least once a year. I knew that there was probably such a map, because I saw the mural on the wall of the Woodward Historical Museum. As a result of your help and interest, I have my copy of the map on order. Thanks." -- Wayne Johnson View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Reproductions of Cherokee Outlet Cattle Ranches Map...

"Waynoka Historical Society has the Cherokee Outlet maps at the Gift Shop. They are $3, plus mailing. Instate should add tax. Email me -- or -- call 580.824.5871 - or write." -- Sandie Olson - Email: sandieo@pldi.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

N.L. Miller Prison Card - Paroled 1929...

"What happened to NL Miller (Old Opera House Murder - 1910, Alva, OK) after he was parolled in 1929? Do you think that he was guilty?" -- Deana View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Our Kids - Maggie & Gunner...

"The weather here was so beautiful today, I spent a bunch of time outside and (obviously) took some pics. Just thought I would share some I took of our 'kids.'
      Maggie (left photo)... was actually chewing on a butcher shop bone when her rump is in the air.  She HATES to have pictures taken and will run away if she sees me with the camera.... so I was surprised when she didn't run on the face forward picture.  Funny to see the pug coloring, isn't it?
      On Gunner (right photo)... I usually don't let him take the ball outside.  He usually pulls the ball around backwards inside the house but he was pretty bored today so I decided to let him play with it outside.  Now HE likes to pose for the camera... as if you couldn't tell." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Love Okie Legacy...

"I love every bit of okielegacy, and have a story or so of my own to forward to you a  little later, of Land Run vintage.   Maybe my interest is sparked by the fact that I was born in a half-dugout claim shack, and a borrowed one at that, in New Mexico.   And I also have cousins and did have an aunt who were Oakies." -- Otis View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Looking for Lost McGills from Bartlesville...

"Allen Leroy McGill followed the oil trail from PA to OK. He died in Bartlesville in 1943. He had daughters, Regene and Rith. Allen Leroy had a brother, George Edison McGill, who lived in Pawhuska for awhile. His children: Lucinda, Charles, Claire,Wilma, Wanda, and Georgia. Any relation to your McGills?" -- Mary - Email: pierotti@key-net.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Greenbriar & Lewisburg, W.V. Links...

Greenbrier Historical Society - List of Colleges and Universities that have Closed, Merged, or Changed their Names - Greenbrier County Postcards - Historic Lewisburg & History - Greenbrier Valley Mountain Messenger News - Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe