August Rodeos & Dog Days of Summer

August, Hummingbirds, Rodeos & Dog-Days of Summer are amongst us. The extra humidity this Summer in Oklahoma doesn't help the heat index, either.

Here in southwest Colorado we have had a bit cooler weather and afternoon, evening rains. The hummingbirds have been keeping us busy refilling the feeders every day.

Back to Oklahoma, though... we hear that the wheat crop in northwest Oklahoma and southern Kansas was left rotting in the fields because of all the rain they have received this Summer. August has finally found the "Dog Days" of Summer in Oklahoma after an unusual wet Summer of 2007.

Don't forget the rodeos that have been going on in northwest Oklahoma. Have you taken in Waynoka, Oklahoma's 71st Cimarron Stampede Rodeo this week?

This Saturday is the last night of Waynoka's three-day Cimarron Stampede Rodeo. It has been awhile since this NW Okie has been to a Waynoka rodeo. I remember as a child spending the the rodeo days in Waynoka with the Kelsey's. Those were special times spent in Waynoka with the Kelsey's. It seems like every time we headed down to Waynoka from the North on Hwy 14, we would have a few minutes wait at the railroad crossing on the northwest side of town as we stopped for the Santa Fe Trains that passed through on the way to the Santa Fe Depot. AND... loosing count as we tried ridiculously to count the train cars that speeded passed.

After the Waynoka's 71st Cimarron Stampede rodeo this week, we find that Freedom, Oklahoma is preparing for their 70th Biggest Open Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion next week, August 16, 17 & 18, 2007. If you are in Freedom, Oklahoma next Saturday, August 18th, be prepared to take in the Art show in the community building and the Chuck wagon feed in the park at high noon. BUT... don't leave yet... the Freedom volunteers will be staging a Bank Robbery & Shootout on the Main Street of Freedom, Oklahoma around 2:30 p.m. and the last night of the rodeo next Saturday evening.

Bring your digital cameras, families and enjoy this friendly, unique, biggest, little, unique western town in northwest Oklahoma. Maybe you will see this NW Okie and her Pugs amongst the crowd at Freedom's 70th Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion.
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Grandpa Bill & Baseball In Oklahoma

We were searching through The Oklahoman's archives this week and found some baseball articles dating back to 1908 which mentioned our grandpa Bill McGill (a tall, lefthanded, fast pitcher in the early 1900's).

In an article dated 8/19/1908, The Oklahoman. pg 9, we found the headlines where Enid Loses Long Game to Joplin -- McGill Holds Fillman Tribe Safe for Seventeen Long Innings. Seventeen Innings? WOW!

It seems that when Grandpa McGill came back from playing in the Major league in 1907 with the St. Louis Browns, one of the Oklahoma teams he played for was the Enid (Oklahoma) Railroaders, a baseball team in 1908. Below is the 8/19/1908 article.

Enid, Okla., Aug. 18 (1908) -- "A Brilliant 17 inning game was won by Joplin today on an error. McGill pitched all the way through for Enid and was invincible after the third. Joplin took Quiescer out in the eleventh and put in Pollard. Enid's four scores were made in the fourth by Sheldon, who duplicated his feat of Sunday by putting the ball over the fence when three men were on bases."

The Enid players were: Wilhite, 1b; Runkle, 3b; W. Frantz, ss; Middleton, 2b; J. Frantz, rf; Brooks, lf; McGill, p; H. Allen, c; Ashley. The Joplin players were: Fillman, 3b; Wanner, 2b; Cobb, rf; Reed, 1b; Murray, cf; Persch, lf; Ragan, ss; Harrington; Pollard, p; Quiesser, p.

In another news article dated 9/11/1908, The Oklahoman, page 10, the headlines continued: Railroaders Win Real Live Game -- McGill Pitches Good Ball While McClintock Is Knocked Out.

An OkieLegacy Centennial Moment

December 11, 1907, The Daily Oklahoman reported on page 6, Five Normal Schools needed For Teachers

Guthrie, Okla., Dec.10 (1907) -- "Many prominent teachers of the state are of the opinion that five normal schools will be necessary to accommodate the teachers and these preparing to teach in the state. It is agreed that the two schools required to complete this number will be established in the Indian Territory part of the stte, and because of the poor educational advantage of some parts of teh section and of the meager training that some of the best teachers there have received there from their own improvised normal school establishments, the board of regents of the state normal schools may urge the legislature to take early action looking to the location and construction of two more normal school buildings.

The new board of regents consists of State Superintendent Cameron, State Treasurer Menefee, Sidney Wiley of Tahlequah, J. R. Mosley of sulphur, and D. S. Rose of Blackwell. The board held its first meeting in the office of the deparment of education today."
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Obit: Betty Jane Foreman

Obituary: Betty Jane Foreman, died August 3, 2007 and resided in Stillwater, OK. Betty Jane Foreman, 81, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, formerly of Felt, Oklahoma, was the daughter of Noah and Alice (McManaman) Humble. She was born on October 13, 1925 in Elkhart, Kansas and died Friday, August 3, 2007 at the Stillwater Medical Center in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

On November 23, 1945, Betty married Aubrey Foreman in Clayton, New Mexico. He preceded her in death on January 22, 1975. Betty received her Bachelor's Degree from Panhandle A & M College in 1945; she later received her Master's Degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. Her first teaching job was in Haviland, Kansas. Betty also taught in Boise City and Felt, Oklahoma for a combined teaching career of 20 years.

Betty was a member of the Christian Church in Elkhart, Kansas and attended the Felt First United Methodist Church in Felt, Oklahoma. She served on the Board of the Felt School Foundation, Cimarron Heritage Center, Felt Housing Authority, Felt Water Development and the Felt Community Building. Betty was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, bowling, crossword puzzles, yard work and traveling. She traveled all 50 states and six continents." -- Foreman Obit
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Descendants of Pierre PARIS COCULLET

"Carlos, if you read this email please contact me. I have the full genealogy tree of the Paris family in Maracaibo starting from Jean and Marie in France." -- Smir Paris - Email: smirparis@gmail.com - OkieLegacy Comment
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WWII POW's List In Oklahoma

"In response to reading an article which included the link to send you an email, I am writing requesting help in researching information on my wife’s father, Wili Dombrowsky, who was a POW in Oklahoma during the war. We could provide his date of birth and possibly the camp where he was interned. If you know a site where the names of these POW’s is listed, we would appreciate receiving it so we can research this further. Please advise." -- Martin H. Myers - Email: MyersMH@state.gov
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Growin' Up In Other Places

We are in the process of taking down Kenneth Updike's stories and ramblings of "Growing Up In Oklahoma" because Kenneth asked us, "To remove all of my previous writings to you about my Ramblins. Personal stories that I told you and your readers. My Son has had all of my writings, and notes copyrighted so that we can put them in a book or booklet. His idea. I really have no objections to this, but he insists we can be viewed by more people. I leave it up to him. Thanks for your help in the past, and I still read your Okie Legacy nearly every week."

If you find some of Kenneth's Ramblings that I have missed, Please email me the link with Vol. and Iss. numbers so that this NW Okie can remove them. Thanks for your help!
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It happened Again

"Now that we've hit triple digit heat (over 100 degrees) I noticed yesterday (Aug. 8, 2007) that wheat trucks were rolling again! Two of them fully loaded were headed to the mill here in Perry, Oklahoma. Then I noticed that our up and down gas prices were down again, this time to $2.71.9! And to top it all off, this morning we had a thunderstorm that put 3/10" of water in my rain gauge. It's happened again!" -- Roy K.
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Tulsa Race Riot - 1921

From May 30 to June 1, 1921, 35 blocks of the black Greenwood district in Tulsa burned in what many regard as America's worst race riot. A black shoe shiner stepped on the shoe of a white girl who operated an elevator in the Drexel building. Exaggerated rumors about the incident led to violence. Homes, restaurants, groceries and medical offices were destroyed. It is estimated that as many as 200-300 blacks were killed and many of the survivors left the district. Governor James Robertson called out the National Guard and declared martial law. The alleged victim did not press charges. The Tulsa Race Riot Commission was created to conduct an official study to determine what actually happened. You can research Oklahoma Supreme court cases, records from the Attorney General's Office, and Governor James Robertson's administrative papers.
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Impeachment of John C. Walton & Henry S. Johnston

Governor John C. Walton's term was plagued with violence and uprisings throughout the state, most of which stemmed from his war on the Ku Klux Klan. Eventually Walton was impeached and convicted in 1923. Governor Henry S. Johnston faced impeachment charges when it was alleged that his confidential secretary, Mrs. O. O. Hammonds, had too much influence over Johnston's actions and policies. Charged with general incompetency Johnston was convicted in 1929. You may research administrative papers from the Office of Governor and State Legislature impeachment proceedings.
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Updike's Stories

"I really enjoy the family stories that Kenneth Updike shares." -- SBW - OkieLegacy Comment
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OkieLegacy Podcast Site Updated

We just updated my website and thought you might want to check it out. To visit, just click on this link (http://web.mac.com/nwokie) or paste the URLs into your browser." -- NW Okie
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September, 1907 - Constitution Safe

A news article dated 9/18/1907, Wednesday, The Oklahoman, pg. 1, headlines read -- Constitution Safe, Haskell Is Elected. "Prohibition Is believed to have carried, Dinwiddie placing majority at 35,000, while chairman Cassidy says 15,000 is nearer correct -- Victory for Democrats is believed to be overwhelming. Believed that all Democrat county nominees have been elected."
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New State Notes - August, 1907

August 10, 1907, Saturday... "The Daily Oklahoman" reported on page , "New State notes" -- "It is reported that the Watonga plaster mills are gradually supplanting their force of workmen with negroes.

The Indian women are discarding the practice of carrying their babies strapped to their backs. Up to date baby buggies have been substituted.

A Durant man has raised a lemon five times the size of the ordinary product. It should be purchased by public subscription and sent to Mr. Frantz.

The Roger Mills Democrat has been purchased by Judge C. S. Gilkerson and John Winn, and can be depended upon to make a fine showing during the campaign.

Beaver City, one of the most hoary (sic) of the New State cities, having attained the quarter century mark, never had a circus until last week. The tent poles had to be lifted to accommodate the crowd.

Gus Helman dangerously wounded and all of the teams of a threshing outfit running away was a scene that followed the explosion of a threshing machine boiler last Thursday on the farm of Henry Darr, six miles north of Alva."
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New State Notes - September, 1907

September 18, 1907... In a news article dated 9/18/1907, in The Oklahoman we find that -- "Enid school teachers and children participated in a prohibition parade yesterday."

"Perry is congratulating itself on being the twenty-second city, in point of size, in the new state. Why not make it twenty-three."

"The Ponca City Courier says that not less than two hundred citizens of that place attended the sun dance of the Poncas and wore blankets."
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New State Notes - December, 1907

December 11, 1907... As reported in The Daily Oklahoman, on page 4, "New State Notes." -- "An Alva druggist has a window filled with guinea pigs that is attracting all kinds of notice.

Corn, cotton and hogs are again appearing in the Maysville market and business is "looking up."

Lahoma is suffering the annoyance of a poor, deluded specimen who is sending its citizens vulgar postcards.

If you have occasion to visit Ada be sure to carry a spitoon with you, as you are not allowed to spit on the walk there now.

A Woodward cattleman engaged in the cold storage business has just paid $165 for trying to ship a car load of quail out.

According to the City Journal, Custer is filled with cotton, a steady stream of which comes over the hill by wagon load each day.

The Alva Courier is the most up-to-date paper we have heard of, it being first to mention the new 1908 calendar presented the editor.

Custer expects her burnt district, like Mistress Mary's garden, to grow up 'all in a row' next spring, and to take the form of 'pretty' buildings all of stone and brick.

Muskogee papers claim that the chief of police and an alderman of that city charged $629 to bury one poor, lone Indian. They needed the money and the Indian didn't."
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New State Notes - September, 1908

September 11, 1908... In a news article dated 9/11/1908, The Oklahoman, on pg. 4, "New State Notes" included these tidbits across the state in 1908.

"Talk about getting even -- the ladies have organized an auxiliary to the K. of P.'s at Ardmore. This is the real "woman's rights" movement.

"The Capron editor ate a 30-pound watermelon last Thursday and got out the paper. Such is the genus wasted on editorial labor in the new state.

"All Alva turned out to see a big negro escape through the sewer after some joker had circulated the report that workmen were digging it up, because a big negro from the jail had crawled into it seeking freedom. It was an ordinary break."
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Freedom, OK Website

We found this site online that tells more about Freedom, Oklahoma. It has this to say about their annual Rodeo & Old Cowhand Reunion: "Freedom’s population swells to about twenty-five times its normal size the third week-end of August each year as local residents and volunteers stage the annual Freedom Open Rodeo and Old Cowhand Reunion. This annual event has been recognized as one of the more outstanding activities in the state of Oklahoma. The week-end long action includes nightly rodeos and western music and dancing, and on Saturday of rodeo week-end a free chuck-wagon feed and fine western art and country crafts show are held in downtown Freedom. Saturday afternoon will find visitors anxiously awaiting the performance of the “Great Freedom Bank-Robbery and Shoot-Out”, which is a melodramatic farce put on by local residents." -- http://freedomokla.com/
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