Sheep Trailing In the Valley

Yep! If you were to travel the "Buck" (521 hwy) highway this week, this is what you might encounter. Herds of these woolly little creatures trailing down from their Summer homes in the higher elevations of the San Juan mountains -- into their winter homes in the valley of southwest Colorado.

It is Bayfield's Sheep Trailing & Heritage Days this weekend. We are going to be a bit late this weekend with the newsletter, because this NW Okie is heading into Bayfield, Colorado to watch the parade of sheep trailing through the main street of Bayfield this weekend. We shall get some shot to share with Y'all! See Y'all Later this evening!

Check out our Vallecito Webshots - Bayfield, Colorado Heritage Days.
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Sheep Trailing & Heritage Days - Bayfield, CO

Have you ever been to Bayfield, Colorado? It lies about halfway between Durango and Pagosa Springs, near Vallecito Lake, in southwest Colorado.

The last couple of day in southwest Colorado has seen the water rising, raging in the mountain creeks with the recent rain. AND... more rain on the way with cooler temperatures. We hear from the mountain folks that a total of three (3) inches has created havoc up around Vallecito with overflowing, raging creeks -- overflowing some roadways, ditches and ponds.

Here in the valley south of Bayfield, Colorado our rain gauge showed a total of 3/4-inch. We noticed the Animas was a muddy, roaring, raging river with a few couragious rafters taking the challenge this Saturday morning.

BUT... the sun did come out between the clouds in this southwest Colorado community of Bayfield for the Sheep Trailing & Heritage Days this Saturday morning, October 7, 2006, 10:00 A.M. Crowds lined both sides of Mill Street from east to west with anticipation of the sheep that made their way through the town of Bayfield, Colorado. We overheard another say that there were 2000 sheep that made the trip down from the mountains earlier in the week. A smaller herd of sheep trailed from West to East on Mill Street for about 7 blocks or so before turning south onto Buck highway.

We have uploaded Bayfield's Heritage Days photos to our Vallecito Webshots - Bayfield Heritage Days to share with everyone.

Also, we have stuck a few "MPEG" files of the sheep trailing, bagpipers and Scottish dancers that gathered at Bayfield's Park on the east side of town, old highway 160 & Mill Street after the sheep trailing.
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The 101 Ranch, Murch & Smith

~~ submitted by Roy Kendrick ~~
(photo to the left is George Murch, Mike Sokoll & Poncho.) -- I made a very BIG mistake last week when I stated that the 101 Ranch had 101 acres. I meant to say 101,000 acres. At one time it covered more than 110,000 acres. The main headquarters was at Bliss, Oklahoma; now known as Marland, named for E.W.Marland the founder of the Marland Oil Company which bought the Continental Oil Company located at Orem, Utah and moved it to Ponca City (Oklahoma) where it became known as Conoco (now Conoco-Phillips after they acquired Phillips 66 of Bartlesville, Ok.). The main headquarters is now in Houston.

BUT... back to the 101 and the folks who created the excitement there. I'd mentioned that I met a couple of the performers several years ago, but I really didn't realize their importance at the time. George Murch was a bareback bronco rider with the wild west show, but I knew him as a local Perry fence builder who'd also trained his grandson Rick Ward in the trade. Rick still builds fences the way his grandpa taught him. George Murch and his friend Mike Sokoll (sometimes known as "Tex Mason") actually worked together on several ranches in Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle but with the 101 Ranch Wild West Show they traveled the world with many famous performers. They also made movies on the ranch with the ranch hands, some of whom became quite famous. Tom Mix, Buck Jones, Tim Holt, Lucille Mulhall, Bill Pickett, Hoot Gibson, Yakima Canutt, Jack Hoxie were some of the members of the shows and made their first movies on the ranch itself.

Another of my friends is one of the only living cowgirl performers, Wilma Smith. She's quite elderly now and in frail health, living (I believe) in a retirement home in Stillwater. When Wilma's husband A L. Smith died, she took over his trucking business and continued running it until the main oil boom "went bust" and she sold out and retired. I'm amazed that many of the folks who have known her for years haven't been aware of her early success with the 101 Shows. I'd asked her about it some years ago and was told by her daughter that they still had all the posters and handbills from the shows that she was with.

It's quite late right now and I need to get some sleep. Incidentally, Perry's gas prices are at $2.06.9. More later.
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Jim Franklin's Recent Art

"These articles were in the Perry Daily Journal on Monday, September 25th, 2006. Jim is my daughter-in-law's dad, and has his studio on the southeast corner of the Perry (Oklahoma) square. Perry Sculptor, Jim Franklin's, latest work was unveiled Monday outside the AT&T Bricktown Stadium in Oklahoma City, OK. The sculptures were a pair of bigger-than-lifesize bronze busts of the Waner brothers, Paul & Lloyd.

I'll send you a follow-up article about Minnie's husband George Murch. He was a REAL cowboy and a bareback bronc rider with the 101 shows. I know lots of stories about him. Some are from his grandson who now lives at Perkins, Ok and still builds fences like his granddad taught him. I won't be able to write the good stuff about George until late tonight or sometime tomorrow, but surely can get it to you for next week's edition." -- Roy Kendrick
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Paul & Lloyd Waner - Baseball Hall of Famers

Paul and Lloyd Waner sculptures were created by a Perry, Oklahoma artist, Jim Franklin. Paul "Big Poison" Waner, was born April 16, 1903, Harrah, Oklahoma. Waner was league most valuable player in 1927. He died in Sarasota, Florida, August 29, 1965.

His brother, Lloyd "Little Poison" Waner, born March 16, 1906, Harrah, OK, was an All Star in 1938 and starred alongside his brother in the "Pittsburgh Pirates" outfield from late 1920's until 1940. Lloyd was elected to the Baseball Hall Fame in 1967. He was a center fielder with 200 or more hits in each of his 3 seasons. In 1931, he led the league with 214 hits. Lloyd died in Oklahoma City, July 22, 1982. Articles were in the Perry Daily Journal on Monday, September 25th, 2006. -- submitted by Roy Kendrick
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RedHawks Unveil Sculptures of Oklahoma Baseball Greats

(These articles were in the Perry Daily Journal on Monday, September 25th, 2006.) Two of those scupltures are the work of a Perry, Oklahoma artist, Jim Franklin. On September 19, 2006, the Oklahoma Red Hawks and the Oklahoma Centennial Commission unveiled sculptures of Oklahoma baseball greats: Paul & Lloyd Waner, Carl Hubbell, Pepper Martin. The busts joined other baseball greats outside the AT&T Bricktown Stadium.

Carl Hubbell of Meeker, OK, was best known for his "legendary" screwball and striking out 5 future Hall of Famers in a row in 1934 All-star Game: Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Fox, Al Simmons, Joe Cronin,Hubbell was a one time member of Oklahoma City Indians of Western League. He was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame 4 years after retirement in 1947. Hubbell was born June 22, 1903; died November 21, 1988, Scottsdale, AZ, buried in Meeker, Oklahoma. Hubbell's sculpture bust was done by a Tulsa, OK artist, Jay O'Meilier.

Pepper Martin was born in Temple, Oklahoma, February 29, 1904. Martin had a major league career that spanned 13 seasons (1928-1944). Martin's nickname was "The Wild Horse of the Osage." He played 3 World Series. Martin helped lead the Cardinals to National championships in 1931 and 1934. Martin batting in 1931 was 500 with homer and 5 RBI against Philadelphia. Martin died March 5, 1965, McAlester, OK. Martin's sculpture was done by an Edmond, OK sculptor, Shan Gray. -- submitted by Roy Kendrick
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Rustic Weaver's Coffee Shop

Real Java In Alva, OK... "Greeting from the Pacific NW (Cornelius, OR)! Having grown up in Alva, I really enjoy reading The Okie Legacy. Mom (Eva Welch) sent me a recent article about her coffee shop (Rustic Weaver's), so I thought I would pass it along to you to help get the word out to all of the NW Okies. Any time you happen to be in Alva, stop by for some excellent coffee! (Personal service and genuine hospitality are free). The Fall weather in Oregon has been wonderful, so far... We're getting a little bit of a change this week, 70's and 60's during the days but still sunny. That won't last for long, though. The sun and moon REALLY dip to the south after the Autumn Equinox, and I know the rainy season is on the way! Thanks for the mention of Rustic Weaver's coffee shop in next weeks edition. I know Mom will appreciate it (I surprised her)!" -- Kelly
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NEW Alva Group Photos

"I’ve had a photography site on Flickr for quite some time now and really enjoy it. They offer both a free and a ‘pro’ option ($25 per year for the ‘pro’ site, with unlimited uploads and storage) and their site allows a person to attach tags to their photos and to include photos in as many different groups as they think is appropriate for each photo. A person can ID certain photographers as contacts, friends, or family, and the network is a friendly community of like-minded individuals all over the world.

At any rate, I discovered that I had gathered a fairly large number of historical photos of Alva and so recently formed a group named ‘Alva, Oklahoma.’ I am hereby inviting any of your ‘Okie Legacy’ readers with a connection to the city of Alva (or with photos taken in Alva) to share those photos in Flickr. The free membership is quick and easy, as is the upload process.

Just point your internet browser to www.flickr.com for additional information. The ‘Alva’ group is here: www.flickr.com/groups/alva/. As of the moment, there are a total of four members. This is a great way to share photos with friends and family and folks with a similar interest. It’s also a great way to meet friends all over the world." -- Rod Murrow
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Hermit's Home Sweet Home - East of Alva, OK

"I’m attaching a link to one of two photos I’ve posted of a familiar landmark along highway 64 east of Alva, Oklahoma a few miles. I’ve been curious about this little house since I was a little kid. Was it originally a railroad boxcar? Who lived in it? Did a family live there… or a hermit? Here's the URL to link to the photo. Hermit's Home Sweet Home (East of Alva, OK).

[Editor's Note: This NW Okie remembers that place east of Alva, OK. We've been in the boxcar east of Alva. We believe it was in the late 1950's when we lived down on 703 7th Street, Alva, OK, next door to the Quention Hadwiger family. Our younger sister, Amber, and myself went out east of Alva one day with Meredith Hadwiger, her daughter Joy (who was my age) and her younger brother, Joe. We had been or were going to their farm east of Alva and stopped by one of their friends farm that set across highway 64 from this old boxcar. Amber, Joy and I went across the road to visited with the old man that lived there. I can't remember too much about him, but the impression of the way he lived had a big impact on my life way back then when I was just a young thing. I wish I could recall if it was a relative of the the people who lived across the highway from this old boxcar that was home sweet home for the hermit, but memories are vague. Can't even recall the old man's name. It's been along time since that glance of the inside of that old hermit's habitat. -- NW Okie]
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Water At Vallecito (Colorado)

"We've had 3-inches total rain the past few days -- likely more to come. County Road 500 is 1/3 gone where Grimes Creek comes (formerly under) through the road and lots of dirt and debris down towards Jim Doggett's (the place with the green yard beautiful). Water is also across W. Vallecito Creek Road, just west of London's, running through the yard at Valley of the Spruce, etc. We took some photos (late Saturday a.m.) along Mushroom Lane (see Vallecito Creek Webshots with the 's' in title). Two from Wright's drive -- then north to Hefner's. More from Bob and Lela's (the 2nd channel joins there and is huge). They went elsewhere for the night last night, as did many. Folks worked to keep the water going away from homes. Shots looking both north and south from the bridge just south of Weaselskin's cabin." -- Marilyn

[Editor's Note: See the Vallecito water rising in the creek and ponds at our Vallecito Webshots - Vallectio & Weaselskin Creeks.]
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HAYES, Wilbur & Clara

"I am looking for any relative or friend who know anything about my Great-Grandparents, Wilbur and Clara Hayes. I am interested in the time they lived on a train car. Dates, why, how long. I am Opal Ealey Bates' daughter." -- Debbie Cavitt - EMAIL: dkcavitt@charter.net
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Artesian Water Well

"Thanks so much for all your help in finding the well. Scott, it was your land markers that finalized the deal for me. I stopped on the way home from the air show on Sunday afternoon & filled up 16 one gallon water jugs. I didn’t even taste the water till I got home & it is the best water I have ever tasted. I may have to come back with 32 one gallon jugs when all my bottles of water are gone, but that would make a nice one day road trip. Thanks again to the both of you for helping me – it was well worth the effort of trying to find the place/well." -- jan
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Bayfield, Colorado Legacy

The following information came from the book Pioneers of the San Juan Country, by Sarah Platt Kecker Chapter NSDAR, pages 66-67. ~~ Bayfield (Colorado) was homesteaded by George Morrison and later sold to R. C. and Clarence Hensley. In 1894, Bayfield was sold to W. A. and Laura E. Bay, for whom the town was named. Bay left Missouri in 1890 to look for a good location in the west. He found it on the Pine River and homesteaded his ranch and farm. The town was laid out in 1898 on land once owned by Bay family ranchers. The flour mill was on the south side of Main Street, owned by H. c. Schroeder, who also had a general store and had the first threshing machine in the area. The town was incorporated in 1906 with George Wheeler as the first mayor. The first newspaper was the Bayfield Blade, published by Dan Eggar. The first white settler is said to have been a Mr. Been and an irrigation ditch has been named for him.
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Three McGill Brothers - Prominent Clergy

"Information given by my Great-grandfather, Hugh Magill, of Sangamon co, IL, states that his father or grandfather had THREE BROTHERS who went to Edinburg and became prominent clergymen. He mentioned on being Rev. Magill, D.D. of Philadelphia. Hugh Magill was born in 1830 in Dromore, Ire. He came with parents, James and Elizabeth Stuart Magill to the US in 1844. Family names are BOYD, MARTIN, ALEXANDER, STUART and daughters. They had names Elenore Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Ann Jane. Hugh Magill's father JAMES MAGILL was born in 1784, possibly in Scotland. Does anyone have a record of 3 brothers who became Clergymen in the early 1800's? Does anyone know of a MAGILL, D.D. in the Philadelphia area who had brothers who may have been Clergy also? Thanks." -- Scotty - EMAIL: roberge@pa.net
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Vallecito (Colorado) Flood Damage

Vallecito (Colorado) Flood Damage, 10/7/2006 -- "Grimes Creek just north of Grimes Creek Lodge (used to be D'Mara) and just before the driveway that goes straight up the hill (to what used to be a Victorian style house but is now covered with logs) ... anyway, Grimes Creek took out the south bound lane of CR 500." -- Weaselskin View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe