Slow, Lazy Fall Weekend

We are experiencing a slow, lazy fall weekend this week. We did manage to get a few photos of mountain peaks showing their snowy peaks. It has been chilly, cloudy and sunny here in southwest Colorado.

For the month of October we have received almost two inches of rain so far in the valley. BUT... up towards the high elevations near Vallecito they have had over 5 inches of rain, graupel for the month of October.

We have updated our Vallecito Webshots with photos we took last Sunday at Vallecito, in SW Colorado. Mostly of Irving mountain, Vallecito Lake with views of the golden aspen leaves fading, falling from patches of aspen trees in the Rocky mountains.

Our Bayfield, Colorado gas prices have been around $2.489 for regular unleaded and $2.659 for the Premium Plus. Since our gas prices seem to be running about 50 to 60-cents higher than Y'alls in Oklahoma, we hear from others that gas prices are below the $2 range this week.

Have you got the October Edition of the "Prairie Connection" and got caught up with the continuing saga of the "Old Opera House Murder - The Trial?" We hear from others, "Sales went thru the roof with this issue!" for the October edition of the Prairie Connection. We would like to send our thanks for your patronage, support of the "Prairie Connection" newspaper.
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Waynoka Historical Society 2007 Calendars - Early Days

Press Release - Waynoka Historical Society, Sandy Olson

The 2007 Waynoka Collectors' Calendar has been published, with front and back covers in color, and twelve terrific black and white photos inside. The calendars have been a project of the Waynoka Historical Society almost every year since 1989. The 2007 calendar is titled, "Waynoka - The Early Days", in honor of the Centennial of the State of Oklahoma. Photographs were selected by Barbara Icke and Rosalie Walker.

The color cover photograph was taken by Clyde Stickley, Amarillo. It features a windmill and a shed on "the Urban place", which is the Terry Ashton farm southeast of Waynoka. Stickley was a conductor for the Santa Fe Railroad for many years, working into Waynoka from Amarillo. He is also a professional photographer, and is very generous in sharing his Waynoka collection with the Waynoka Historical Society. In addition to the cover photo, the January photo features Clyde Stickley's work, photos of Ben Rameriz and two of his children.

Other photographs chosen for the calendar include an outing at Chimney Rock in 1915, a downtown circus parade, ladies riding side saddle, moving the old wood-frame Commercial Hotel, a very big snake and its handler surrounded by a crowd of onlookers, the Walls family and their sod house southeast of Waynoka, Ella Drennon in a slick early model car with husband Jack standing nearby, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Woolley, a downtown livery and feed stable and camp house, a scene in the Glass Mountains showing a man in a horse-drawn buggy and a man on foot with a gun, and lastly, three well-dressed couples and a car on a bridge, with one of the women armed with a gun.

The back cover shows eight color photos, taken by Jerry Palmer, Catoosa, Brian Olson, Stillwater, and Sandie Olson, Waynoka. Palmer, a professional photographer, provided a night-time view of the Harvey House. Brian Olson was the photographer for a colorful Cimarron sunset. Subjects for the remaining photos, taken by Sandie Olson, are the Waynoka History Museum, various pictures at Waynoka ation, and the Waynoka Veterans Memorial.

The 2007 calendars may be purchased at the Woods County Enterprise or the Museum Gift Shop. Cost is $7.95, plus $.71 tax, for a total of $8.66. Mail orders may be sent to Waynoka Historical Society, PO Box 193, Waynoka OK 73860. For mailing, add $2.50 for the first calendar, and $.50 for each additional calendar sent to the same address. For further information, you may call 580.824.5871. -- Sandie Olson, Waynoka Historical Society - Phone: 580.824.5871
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Kansas McGill Brothers

Last week we learned that the Edwards county McGill family settled in Lewis, Kansas in the early 1800's from New York State. There are no McGill's left in Lewis, Kansas except for those buried in the family plot in the Wayne Township cemetery near Lewis, Kansas, in Edwards county. The graves date back to the early 1800's.

We also found out that the immediate McGill family moved to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado in 1948; then to California in the mid-1950's. Also, there is mention of the McGill's at the Dodge City, Boot Hill museum, a buffalo hunter McGill buried on Boot Hill.

• Frank McGill -- a Gentleman Farmer and Showman, traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. He looked a lot like Bill Cody and would stand in for him when Buffalo Bill was too drunk to ride (so the family story goes). Frank's wife was a little French women and ran the farm. Frank died May, 1939.
• Merle J. McGill -- Frank's son, passed away in 1980 at age 80. Merle J. was married twice, his second wife retired in Kinsley, Kansas (9 miles west of Lewis, Kansas) in the early 1970's. Merle J. and his first wife had the following children:
• Merle Eugene "Gene" McGill -- born 1932 (age 74 to date), lives with his oldest daughter and family on a farm near Union, Arkansas. One of his daughters is Melody (McGill) Paddock.
• Robert Lee "Bob" McGill -- born August, 1939 (age 67 to date), living on the Central Coast of California. Bob has three daughters and eight grandchildren living in California and Nevada.

Lookout & Coy Oklahoma

NW OkieLegacy Webshots album - Lookout & Coy, OK... "Hi Linda, the Lookout Cemetery is out of my families pasture. I grew up about a mile NE of it. I went to the Lookout church as a child and my Dad, Frank Kurz and all of his sisters, my sister and brother all went to school at the Lookout school.

It was later the 'club house' for the Lookout Ladies Club of which my mother, Arline KURZ was a member. My Grandad, Anton KURZ was the first homesteader in the area and climbed Lookout hill to pick his homestead.

The old pink house in the pictures belonged to Jerry and Grace Beagley. The stone barn was on Alfred and Mildred Hodgesons farm just about a 100 yards east of the church. We lived about 2/3 of a mile east of the church.

Lookout had a post office that was open until the early 1970's, Laura Beagley Bliss was the postmaster and it was in her home about 1-1/2 miles north of the church.

My Grandparents, on my grandmother Kurz' side, homesteaded just east of Coy (Oklahoma) about 1 or 2 miles. They, Jacob and Elizabeth Razz, were from Russia. I have several relatives buried in the Coy Cemetery, but none in the Lookout Cemetery. I was just there in June for a family reunion." -- NW OkieLegacy Webshots
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McGill - Merle Eugene & Robert Lee

"Here is a picture of Frank McGill dressed as Buffalo Bill. I have no idea when the photo was taken. It is okay with me if you include info in your newsletter. I have some great pictures of grandpa Frank in his Bill Cody outfit. I'll try to scan some of the best and e-mail to you.

I am not sure if all the story about Frank are true. I have his obituary around here someplace. He died in May, 1939 - I was born in August, so I only know the legend and stories. I am 67 and brother Gene is 74.

Edwards County, Lewis, Kansas is about 50 miles east of Dodge City. All of our ancestors are buried in a family plot in the Wayne Township cemetery near Lewis. The graves date back to the early 1800's. There is mention of the McGill's at the Dodge City, Boot Hill museum.

I am the only one living on the Central Coast. I have three daughters and eight grandchildren living in California and Nevada. Gene lives with his oldest daughter and family on a farm near Union.

Our Dad Merle J., passed away in 1980 at age 80. He and our step mom retired in Kinsley (9 miles west of Lewis) in the early 70's. Our Grandfather Frank was a Gentleman Farmer and Showman. He traveled with Bill Cody's Wild West Show. He looked a lot like Bill and would stand in for him when he was too drunk to ride (so the family story goes). Our Grandmother, although little French women, ran the farm.

12 years ago Gene and I visited Edwards County to visit our Dad's sisters the last of that generation (they have since passed away). It was interesting and a little sad. Lewis is down to less then 200 persons. Lewis does have a web site - no mention of McGill's. Thanks for asking about our family." -- Bob McGill - Email: bob.mcgill2@verizon.net
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Merle E. & Robert L. McGill

"Uncle Bob forwarded your email to me, I am Melody Elizabeth (McGill) Paddock. Gene Mcgill is my dad, born in Kansas. Just thought I would reach our as well." -- Melody (McGill) Paddock, Olympia WA
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More McGills

"We are McGill's also. My father is Marion Dean McGill from Stafford Kansas. His fatehr was Tobias McGill, Jr (Iowa). His father was Tobias McGill, Sr. and his father was Christopher McGill from Ohio. Any connection?" -- Debbie (McGill) Neece - Email: ccmokla@aol.com
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NY Pugs Dressed for a Parade

"A halloween pug parade that was held in Chestertown, NY about 20 miles north of us here last weekend. The other link below that is to a gallery of pictures of some of the participants in there costumes. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing some of those little cuties dressed up. Pugs on Parade - Chestertown, NY -- Gallery of Pugs - Halloween Dressed
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Branson Family Farm & Boxcars

Branson Family Farm - Burlington, OK... "When I was a young man growing up in NW Oklahoma these things sat numerous places where they were used for different uses. Some were there for storage of things while others were used as graineries for storage of grain at harvest time similar to the use of round metal bins for storage today. Others lived in them, as we have seen. They were usually trucked into the location and set down on foundations, possibly with cranes. Today, some folks use semi-trailer vans in a similar manner. Also, in today's world, I have seen covered hopper rail cars set on "stilts" such that a truck could be driven under it. Grain/animal feed is stored in them." -- James Bradley

Branson Family Farm - Burlington, OK... "I come from Alva, OK originally and I still have a brother living in the Burlington are now. He has a boxcar on his land and if you would like I can get in touch with him and see if maybe he knows how the boxcars around in that area were deposited on lands and left behind." -- Jenni (Cook) Latza

Branson Family Farm - Burlington, OK... "An old timer from Burlington says (regarding the Branson Farm) that when the railroad converted to metal cars, the wooden ones were cheap and plentiful. A contractor would deliver one for $100 so they were often used for granaries. Occasionally people lived in them temporarily until a proper home could be built. Numerous boxcars are still located at farms throughout this area. The discards were not insulated so they were very cold in the winter. One resident said you could see the stars through the boards at night." -- Bonnie Haas
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Rustic Weaver's Espresso Shop

Rustic Weaver's Coffee Shop... "Thank you so much for putting my coffee shop in your ezine. The address is 516 Olive Street. This is one block south of the traffice light at the intersection of highway 64 and S281 that goes toward Waynoka, OK. Then 1/2 BLOCK East. OR... Exactly straight East of the Jesse Dunn building on the NWOSU Campus. If anyone reading this knew where Carl Welch's Furniture Store and REal Estate Office was, the Coffee Shop is at the same location. I am his widow." -- Eva Welch
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Remembering Boxcar Bill

Boxcar Bill... "My husband Chris and I also remember "Boxcar Bill" or "Schwabby" as some called him. Edwin and Lola Geis (neighbors to the west) also cared for Bill, giving him staples in small containers. Lola often filled a jar of sugar or flour for his use. On Sunday mornings on our way to church in Alva we would notice Bill's overalls still hanging on the fence to dry after their Saturday's washing." -- Bonnie Haas
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Rustic Weaver's Espresso's - NEW Little Bean

"Eva Welch, great-grandma & owner of RUSTIC WEAVER'S ESPRESSO COFFEE SHOP Would like to introduce her newest little COFFEE BEAN: Charles Wayne Shafer. This Little bean was plucked from the coffee tree at 5:37 pm, Lightly roasted, With a full bodied aroma. He came in at 8.08 lb, 19¾ inch package. This shipment arrived on October 14, 2006. The package was received by Dr. Michelle Bergner; PRODUCER: Amee Shafer; CROP OVERSEER: Dr. David L. Weaver. NO NEW BEANS ARE IN TRANSIT AT THIS TIME." Judy Weaver
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Alva, OK - Cemetery Lists

If you go to the Alva, OK website (alvaok.org, there are links to the "Alva Cemetery Map."
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Oklahoma Gas Prices

"Even though we have a cold north wind coming through, I noticed that today our major gas stations here in Perry have dropped the price of unleaded regular to $1.99.9 and I wonder how long it might last? Just have to wait and see I guess." -- Roy
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