NW Okie's Corner

With just one week into October, 2005, we find ourselves packing the pugs into the pickup -- filling up with gas at $2.95 per gallon at the Conoco in Bayfield, Colorado -- heading east towards Wolf Creek Pass. What we had in mind was to capture a few of Autumns color changes here in SW Colorado

Last Sunday we ventured against a herd of sheep and sheep herders to Vallecito to spend the day in the mountains with friends and view those Vallecito Fall changes taking place. We need to take an adventure on the "million dollar highway" towards Molas Pass and Silverton, also. Don't you just love this time of year with the Gold in the Rockies popping up everywhere!

We heard from some Oklahomans that things cooled off considerably this week, dropping the temps some 20 degrees. AND... just around the corner (Oct. 13 thru 15, 2005) is the Castle on the Hill (NWOSU) & Rangers Annual Homecoming with a parade, football game and Cinderella pageant. This NW Okie will not be in NW Oklahoma this year, but hoping someone out there will take some digital photos to share with us in the next few issues. Go Rangers & Class of '71! View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Brink & Mirabile In NW Oklahoma...

What we learned last week about Brink & Mirabile, Oklahoma. Bob tells us that Brink was located two miles north, and two miles east of Alva, Oklahoma. As you cross the railroad tracks, a sign south a few yards says, "Brink." We are told that it has been there for a century. Brink has never been a community, store or town. Yet it is on some maps showing it as such. Some guess that at one time it was a railroad marker.

Others also state that Brink was only a community, never a town. It was and still is a railroad siding 4 miles south of Capron, Oklahoma. One of our readers owns land just across the road east of the Charley Paya place. We are told that the railrod runs through the Morefield place.

We also found out last week that the location of Mirabile was north of Alva, a mile south of the correction line. It was only a country school. We don't know when they quit having school there. The bus brought the children to the Capron School. Bus Rader drove the bus, then later drove the bus to Alva after the Capron School closed in 1976. The Mirabile School was also the United Brethern Church.

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NW Oklahoma During 1920's...

We are taking your memories back in time to a period around the 1920's, in Alva, Oklahoma. That was a time that a number of young people enjoyed "tripping the light fantastic" at the "Stine Hall" in Alva, Oklahoma. Was that located in the Stine building on the SW corner of the square in downtown Alva?

Besides "tripping the light fantastic," the 1920's saw women getting the right to vote; new music (Jazz), new dances (Charleston), bobbed hair and close-fitting cloche hats.

Do you remember your Grandparents or G-Grandparents ever mentioning anything about "Stine Hall," "tripping the light fantastic" and relating stories of 1920? If so, We would love to hear from you and share your family stories in our OkieLegacy Ezine.

From reading through the bits and pieces of Renfrew's Record back in 1920, we find out that John Rauch was seen in Waynoka visiting his sister, Miss Madeline Rauch.

In 1920, the Alva High sophomore debating society was newly organized at the high school. The high school sophomores organized to discuss the question, "Resolved That the Studyhall Period Should Be Eleminated." The officers elected were: president, Corwin Quinn; vice-president, Wade Doughty; secretary-treasurer, Girty Strickland; reporter, James Peters.

NOW... Here is a word that we have never heard of before: Quidnunes. Have you ever heard of the "Modern Order of Quidnunes?" In 1920, this Modern Order of Quidnunes were entertained Wednesday evening by Miss Ann Wilke and Ray Bonham at the home of the former. The club enjoyed a show and afterwards went to the home of Miss Wilke, where refreshments were served. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Back To February, 1894...

Well! It is back to February, 1894, again this week to see what was going on in NW Oklahoma Territory. Particularly, around Alva and Old Woods County.

WWII POW Camp In Alva...

"I was a member of the 455th MPEG COMPANY stationed at Camp Alva from July 43 until June 1944, when I left for the 63rd Infanty Division. Here are a few pictures that I thought might be of interest to you. A picture of some of the members of the 455th.

A picture of a typical barracks. (The Germans were identical to ours.) The Water Tower. It was very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. It was true that the prisoners gave us a hard time when we were doing nightly bed checks. Sgt. Emil Minoti was a senior Sgt. who was confined to solitary confine for a short period of time while I was there, and I noticed that he was killed trying to escape.

On another note, I was eighteen years old and was fascinated by a Mr. Shoemaker who had a drug store in town. When we went in to get a milkshake he would spellbind us by telling stories about the Land Rush, the outlaws, deperadoes, and gunslingers that came through town when Oklahoma was still Oklahoma & Indian Territory. Now I am eighty years old and it doesn't seem that long ago. I enoyed the articles very much and they brought back memories." -- Ron Campbell View/Write Comments (count 4)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Sanbur Special...

"Buffalo Northwestern additionaly known as The Sanbur Special. I believe it was financed in part by establishing the town of Brace and selling building sites in Sabin Braces Pasture to Alva and Waynoka Business. No town was ever built and Mr Brace got title back thru Quit Claim Deeds. However, Brace was a Flag Stop and there was a small one room waiting building there after WWII. Also, there was a siding, cattle pens and in the early days a weigh scale and the Alva Coop or the Alva Rolling Mill. I am not sure which bought wheat there during the harvest season and shipped to Alva or Waynoka." -- Earl Fugit View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Forest Heritage Center Museum at Beavers Bend...

"A friend sent me to this site ... so glad to know your history. I am the Resident Historian of Forest Heritage Center Museum at Beavers Bend. I an considered by Fred M. Dierks as his historian. Fred was the last president in Oct. of '69 at the end of the Dierks era. I have written a book, called Traveling Timber Towns with 2 other folk. It gives the history of the 7 Clebit towns and 3 Alikchi towns. Would love to visit you and give you the grand tour of the 1900 sq. ft. Dierks room that we call the Friends of the Forest room in the 17,000 sq. ft. museum." --Jimmy E. Jacobs - Email: jjjacobs44@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

History of Goltry...

"I am sending an attachment in MS Word format (History of Goltry) which you can use in a future issue of the Okie Legacy newsletter. I have some other stories if you think you might want such. Some are family history (have pictures also). Love your stories about NW Oklahoma. My grandmother was listed as being from Alvaretta, a ghost town near Goltry." -- James "Jim" Bradley, Westmoreland, KS - Email: jbrad723@bluevalley.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Thanks & Setting Record Straight...

"Okie Legacy has wonderful items related to Waynoka's history this last week - as it often does. Thanks so much. I do want to correct an error I made in identifying the men in photo #3 of the Edith Section Foreman's House. I wrote Bryce Hodgson and Dr. Milt Lehr. The gentleman on the left is Dwayne Hodgson. Thank you for helping me set the record straight." -- Sandie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1920 - Alva 26 Years Ago (1894)...

[taken from Renfrew's Record, Friday, February, 1920, Alva, Woods Co., Okla.,.] -- Alva 26 Years Ago (February, 1894) - Alva Pioneer, W. F. Hatfield, Ed. and Pub. -- G.A.R. meets in Wyman's feed store, east side square, Saturday, February 24, at 7:30 p.m. to organize. Charter has arrived.

Geo. Parker has opened a meat market in the store room between Willers' and Williams' stores. Give him a call.

The Alva Star ceased to twinkle last week and the material was sold by Mr. Gandy to W. H. Dunkin, who will publish a paper in Cleo, if given proper encouragement.

Attorneys Miller and Dunn (Jesse) one day this week received 24 cents by mail as a "retainer fee" in a contest case.

Attorney L. A. Salter returned from Argonia, Kansas, WEdnesday. His family will move down in about two weeks.

G. Willers is moving his family from Hardtner, Kansas, to Alva this week, and will hereafter be able to give more of his time and attention to his grocery and bakery business.

Stephen Lewis has built a blacksmith shop and is pounding iron, one block south of the square.

Commissioner Geo. W. Crowell was in the city yesterday looking after his business interests.

L. F. Gaskill, the popular manager of Laughman's furniture store, has been in Kiowa and out on his claim several days past.

Surveyor W. H. Dunkin and several assistants are busy laying off 20 acres into cemetery lots on the hill west of the city. The Ancient Order of United Workmen (AOUW) is having the work done.

Mrs. F. W. Hanford commenced a subscription school in the Union church last Monday (Feb. 26, 1894) with 20 children in attendance. It is to be hoped she will receive sufficient encouragement to continue four months or longer.

Henry France from near Cleo, was in town Tuesday after supplies for his family. They have been on their claim all winter making improvements and have plenty of confidence in the future of the county and Alva.

J. W. Barney of Harper, came down last week to work on the building of Share Bros. The building is enclosed and is the largest business house in the city. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1920 - Clipped From Good Papers...

[taken from Renfrew's Record, Friday, December 3, 1920, Alva, Woods Co., Okla., Frontpage.] -- Clipped From Good Papers -- Dr. F. L. Stallard has been suffering with an ulcerated tooth for several weeks, but last week his condition became serious and he was taken to the hospital in Wichita, where he could receive the best of medical aid. At last reports he was improving. -- Kiowa News-Review

1920 - Alva's Commercial Club Is Doing Things...

[taken from Renfrew's Record, Friday, December 3, 1920, Alva, Woods Co., Okla., Frontpage.] -- Commercial Club Is Doing Things - Weatherford Comes To Alva For Ideas -- The other towns throughout Oklahoma are watching the progress of Alva is idicated in the following letter to Secretary L. W. Moore:

Weatherford, Okla., Nov. 27, 1920 -- L. W. Moore, Alva, OKla.
Dear Sir: I read in the Renfrew's Record that Alva is going to have the "One Day Per Month BArgain Day." Would you be so kind as to write me something of the plan that I might study the proposition for our town. I feel quite sure that you are the one that is putting this thing across.

I read a great deal of the progress that Alva is making and I am sure that you won't find a town in te state that is doing more, for its size than Alva.

Thanking you in advance for any information that you may give me. I am, Respectfully, O. J. Fisk, Cashier.

Tripping the Light Fantastics...

"Thomas L. Joy, (1850-1920), publisher of the Centralia Sentinel, in the May 19, 1914 issue of that paper, wrote an absorbing account of dancing in early Centralia. Grandpa and Grandma did not have the movies; the churches were never opened except on Sundays and prayer meeting night, the opera house was the town hall where theaters, dances, and speakings, were held, and the theater companies were few and far between, youngsters were not expected to be so extravagant as to go more than two nights when there was a week-stand company―that's about all the opera there was, excepting the home talent affairs, mostly on the order of tableaus. School debates and spelling matches were a big attraction and the annual picnic of the strongest church in the community was an occasion remembered from one year to another. "Grandma and Grandpa knew nothing of the tango and like dances, and none of the dance movements ever created any unfavorable comment, except from the church members; dancing was denounced as much in those days by the preacher as it is today. Our young people, who today enjoy tripping the light fantastic, may have an idea they have it over. Grandpa and Grandma and Father and Mother, too, but they are mistaken. The old-time dances or balls were big money-makers; every society had to have one and picked up more money in one night than can be made inthree now. The round dances were none too popular, for they required real dancing, but the square dances called everyone to the floor; the rule then was that every third dance was a square dance. The callers of the earliest, days were artists and some of them considered poets; the best of them always sang their calls and helped at keeping time more than did the music, for the old time fiddler often made as much noise with his foot as with his violin....." -- www.larrett.com/GeorgeRoss/LightFantastics.htm View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Treasure Falls - Near Pagosa Springs, Colorado...

Treasure Falls is located North of Pagosa Springs, Colorado has you begin driving, climbing up towards Wolf Creek Pass and then to South Fork. We found this marker and snapped some waterfall photos 7 October 2005. .

The sign reads: As you gaze upon Treasure Falls look for the water ouzel, the bird that walks under water. High in the San Juan mountains, the water of Falls Creek begins to flow. Gaiing momentum, it gathers in larger and larger revulets until a stream is born. Flowing with the pull of gravity, the stream surges into Falls Creek and cascades 105 feet over Treasure Falls.

The San Juan mountains are home to the water ouzel, a stout looking, grey bird, found along unpolluted rivers. Ouzel's nest in rock crevices over a stream which provide easy access to food and shelter. Watch for them along Falls Creek as they dart below the water to feed on insects along the stream bottom. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1920 Experience...

"It was a time of conservatism, it was a time of great social change. From the world of fashion to the world to politics, forces clashed to produce the most explosive decade of the century. In music, the three sounds were jazz, jazz, and jazz. The Jazz Age came about with artist like Bessie Smith and Duke Ellington. Youth ruled everything. From the young styles of dress to the latest celebrities. If it was young, it was the thing. It was the age of prohibition, it was the age of prosperity, and it was the age of downfall. It was the age of everything...." -- www.angelfire.com/co/pscst/ View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

History of Dress from WWI To WWII...

"The First World War (1914-1918) had a pronounced effect on women's fashion in the Western world. Several trends that had roots in the decades prior to the war, were rapidly accelerated by wartime conditions. The most lasting change happened to women's hemlines. Hems which had risen from floor length to ankle length prior to the war, rose to mid calf length by 1916, and have stayed that high, or higher, ever since. Hobble skirts were instantly jettisoned in favor of slightly wider more practical skirts. Several avant-garde fashions, like women's trousers, and short hair, decried before the war as sinful and ugly, were promoted as practical fashions for war work. The Pope even issued a bull during the war declaring that short hair for women was not immoral, and was a necessity for many factory workers. Most women did not suddenly cut their hair, but once it became acceptable to do so, gradually more and more women did in the following decades....." -- The Costumer's Manifesto: Early 20th Century Fashion Links: 1920's & History of Dress WWI & WWII- by Tara Maginnis, Ph.D. of The University of Alaska Fairbanks View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

FASHION IN THE 1920s...

"In the aftermath of World War I, America entered a prosperous era and, as a result of her role in the war, came out onto the world stage. Social customs and morals were relaxed in the giddy optimism brought on by the end of the war and the booming of the Stock Market. New music and new dances came on the scene. Women got the vote in 1920 and were entering the workforce in record numbers. The nationwide prohibition on alcohol was ignored by many when it suited them. There was a revolution in almost every sphere of human activity, and fashion was no exception....." -- FASHION IN THE 1920s View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe