Pigeon's Domicile Demolished

As September comes to a close and is just around the corner, this week we saw the demise of the Pigeon's domicile and beacon being pulled down in mid-week.

Shortly after the demolition of the roof-line beacon that set above their nest in the 900 block of 12th Street, the anxious pigeons flew their temporary nesting spot on the high-wires across the street. Perhaps never to return to their nest at 915 12th Street, above the front stoop.

Where will they build their domicile now?!

We have started putting the demolition photos over at our McGill SistersUS site. Just click on McGill SistersUS -- Click on Pigeon's Domicile to view the pictures. We will be adding to the list of images as the demolition continues.

Northwestern's homecoming is just around the corner, October 4-6, 2007, with the annual parade around Alva's downtown square in the morning and college football in the afternoon. If you are in Alva, Oklahoma next weekend, check out the homecoming parade -- stop the Etc Shoppe on the West side of the square and meet the northwest Oklahoma novelist, Marvin Wiebener, and buy his first novel, "The Margin."

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Grace Ward Smith Legacy

What would Woods County citizens have done without Grace Ward Smith's campaign for camels for Waynoka's Little Sahara?

Who was Grace Ward Smith? Many of you northwest Oklahomans might remember her as an attractive brunette -- secretary-manager of the Alva Chamber of Commerce back in 1958.

Grace had a dream for Woods County as a tourist attraction. One of those dreams took her on a long search, letter writing campaign to bring camels to northwest Oklahoma and the Little Sahara South of Waynoka, Oklahoma.

The Waynoka Camels
It was prior to April, 1958 tour that Grace Ward Smith arranged through the Alva Chamber for purchase of a pair of camels from the Al G. Kelly-Miller Brothers Circus, Hugo, Oklahoma.

The dromedary (single hump) cost $1,300, and a double hump camel cost $1,000. both were females, and were quartered through the past winter at Oklahoma City's Lincoln Park zoo.

Members of the Waynoka Saddle Club raised $200 to fetch the animals back to Woods county, and they were kept at the "Little Sahara's" oasis pasture, three miles south of Waynoka. Feed was donated by ranchers residing in the area.

Even students from Northwestern State college, in Alva, Oklahoma, decked out in colorful pajamas, bathrobes, sheets and towels to become "sheiks" for April, 1958 desert extravaganza, while sheer pajamas over shorts converted 10 coeds into harem girls. Students were paid $5 each for each appearance.

It was also about this time that Alva moved to have 10 acres of sand dunes set aside as a state park. Lute Murrow, Dacoma legislator from Woods county, and Ben Easterly, Alva state senator for Woodward and Woods counties, had promised legislation toward this end.

Mrs. Smith stated, "Our tours have been suggested as a countywide undertaking. Actually, Alabaster Caverns is in Woodward county, but every community in Woods county has something to gain from an accelerated interest in this part of the state. Alva itself is within a few miles of several of the most natural wonders in Oklahoma. Why shouldn't this city -- college town -- promote Freedom and Waynoka and the whole of Woods county?"

April 19, 1959 -- Grace Ward Smith was quoted in The Oklahoman, article concerning the invasion of the Sheiks' of Waynoka and Camels that roam the sand dunes as attraction for second year of special tours to Northwestern Oklahoma. Mrs. Smith stated, "I can foresee Alva as the starter city for one of the largest tourist businesses in the nation. One day, air-conditioned buses will leave Alva on schedule to take visitors on a swing through our country."

One of those stops back in April, 1959, was an educational-fun tour with a stop first in Freedom, "a real cow town nestled at the foot of the Cimarron hills." After an Alva dancing school performed a square dance and western rope-jumping routine -- Freedom folks held a square dance and chuck wagon feed at noontime -- it was off for a tour of Alabaster Caverns and then the sand dunes of Waynoka.

From reading the article there was a mock hold-up of the buses staged along the route, but instead of taking anything the "bandits" distributed surprise gifts to the visitors.

Guides at Alabaster Caverns were the senior students from Freedom high school who had been schooled by officials of the state planning and resources board on history and facts concerning the caverns. Forty-five minutes was allotted to the caverns visit, with additional time for seeing Cedar Canyon and the famed Natural Bridge.

Indian smoke signals were visible as the caravans journeyed about 30 miles between Alabaster Caverns and "Little Sahara" and the golden sand dunes on the north bank of the Cimarron.

Nellie Expects Baby Camel
It was January 24, 1960, Alva and Woods county citizens were playing a guessing game and had instigated a contest to name the date of the arrival and sex of Nellie the camel's expected hump-backed baby. It even expanded beyond the county and state lines.

There was even a $100 prize offered to the man, woman or child whose entry came closest to being the correct date of birth, at the same time giving the correct sex, of the baby camel expected to be born at the Little Sahara State Park South of Waynoka within 10 days to two weeks from January 24, 1960. This was the first camel calf born in the Waynoka area and northwest Oklahoma. It was perhaps the only camel born outside of a zoo or circus in Oklahoma. If the baby camel was a girl, it was to be named "Gracie" and if it was a male it was to be named "Ike." It was a girl!

Nellie, the expectant mother, was one of two camels purchased by the Woods County Chamber of Commerce to provide local color for the Little Sahara State Park sand dune recreation area.

Grace Ward Smith Resigns In 1960
October 19, 1960 -- It was October 19, 1960, that Alva Chamber received notice of Grace Ward Smith's resignation to Phil Ruch, chamber president, effective November 15, 1960. It seems that Alva was loosing this go-getter, energetic secretary-manager of the Alva Chamber of Commerce to Elk City, Oklahoma.

Mrs. Smith was accepting a similar post at Elk City, where the chamber recently lost its manager to Enid. Ruch expressed his regret at the loss, but assured Mrs. Smith her Alva colleagues would not wish to hamper her advancement. Mrs. Smith was also treasurer of the US 281 Association, also promoted construction of a new chamber building here, and the educational fun tours that brought more than 2,000 school children to Woods county in 1958 & 1959.

Maybe some of our Elk City readers have heard about Grace Ward Smith and could share some of her accomplishments in that area.

AND... What about this Al G. Kelly-Miller Brothers Circus, Hugo, Oklahoma? Any Southern Oklahomans out there remember this 1958 purchase of camels and Grace Ward Smith?
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OkieLegacy Centennial Moment

This week's Okielegacy Centennial Moment finds us researching The Oklahoman archives concerning Waynoka & Little Sahara Camels. It was back on March 9, 1958, The Oklahoman, pg. 92, headlines read: Alva Woman Goes On a Camel Hunt, by Nora B. Oringderff .

Alva, March 8, 1958 -- "Anybody got a camel? Not the kind you'd walk a mile for, but the real, live hump-backed kind."

That is how the 1958 article started out. Grace Ward Smith was depicted as an attractive secretary-manager of the Alva Chamber of Commerce and wanted one or two camels back in March, 1958 to help with tourism to northwest Oklahoma. It was reported back in March, 1958, "Everybody knows usually "What Grace wants, Grace gets."

From reading the article in The Oklahoman, it appeared that Grace was running out of time and had to have the camels by May 10 & 11, 1958. That was the date for the Santa Fe tour of Oklahoma City school children to western Oklahoma. Some 900 elementary and junior high students were making the sight seeing trip on a day long train ride. This NW Okie was 10-years of age back in 1958 and may have been one of those elementary students. Were You?

The article mentioned, "The camels are more than just an attraction for school children on the tour. They have become a symbol of 'Grace's dream for Northwest Oklahoma'."

The animals were going to grace the sand dunes near Waynoka, marking the spot where the Little Sahara was taking shape back about that time. Back in 1958 Waynoka got a swanky ultra-modern motel, with bellhops dressed as sheiks, pretty waitresses dressed in harem costumes. Surrounding the swimming pool were those mysterious little hideaway tents you might see on the desert.

Grace Ward Smith was known as a positive thinking promoter and proud of it and believed there was no room for this "maybe stuff" in her line of work.

Grace Ward Smith had been working feverishly writing letters, making phone calls, corraling anybody who might just know anything about the whereabouts of camels. Back then, Grace could be heard telling others, "I'll beg, borrow, steal or buy 'em on time, but camels I've got to have."

It was widely known in these parts that, "Once Grace has those camels, there'll be no stopping her. Mrs. Smith thought western Oklahoma with it's colorful history, had no reason why tourist trade couldn't be a major industry. Grace's vision was a daily air-conditioned bus trip from Alva -- the starter city -- to points of interest to include a trip to a dude ranch where the Dalton gang and Belle Starr will live again. A trip to the Alabaster Caverns near Freedom, Chimney Rock; near Waynoka, the Little Sahara; the Great Salt Plains lake, the Old Cowhands Memorial and probably a lot of other things Grace hadn't thought up yet."

What about this 'dude ranch' where the Dalton gang and Belle Starr would allegedly live again? Did the dude ranch ever materialize? I believe that Chimney Rock has long since fallen and deteriorated into the red, clay dust of its foundation.
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5/9/1958 - Waynoka, Woods County & Little Sahara Sheiks Saddle Club

With the mention of Waynoka's camels last week, we did some online research at The Oklahoman archives and found several articles in The Oklahoman. This article dated 5/9/1958, page 48, there was this article concerning Waynoka, Woods County Little Sahara Sheiks Saddle Club, Turbaned & Ready for 2,000 Visitors. Here's the rest of that story below:

Alva, May 8, 1958 -- "The camels are watered, the bazaars are stocked, the sheiks of the Waynoka Saddle club are turbaned, and Woods county is ready for 2,000 visitors this weekend.

They will come to Alva from the Oklahoma City grade schools, with their sponsors, aboard the Santa Fe's Crack El Capitan train, and be taken by bus on a sightseeing tour of the county's natural and imported wonders. Both days the train will leave Oklahoma city at 6 a.m. and arrive back there at 11:20 p.m.

These festive days represent the climax of elaborate preparations that have been made for months by a county chamber of commerce and allied clubs and institutions in the county towns, to make Woods county a tourist attraction and recreation center.

Tours will follow the pattern of a recent "dry run," when school children here were taken to see the sights of their own county.

That day, it was nip and tuck which was the most exciting attraction, the "Little Sahara" and camels, or the chuck wagon feed at Freedom, or the Alabaster caverns, or the visit to Chimney Rock, where they met with a surprise that is planned for the crowds this weekend, too. A hot meal at the Percefull Fieldhouse of Northwestern State college will precede the homeward departure of this weekend's guests.

The chamber of commerce is in hopes that shoes will not be lost at the "Oasis pasture," where Nellie and Suzy hold forth, as they were on the trial run, 15 paris of them.

The camels are a community purchase, with gifts that have rum from a dollar to $150. The Commercial bank of Waynoka put up the purchase money and banker Lester Washburn is being mentioned as their godfather.

Besides the school pupils, there are chamber of commerce managers expected from Tulsa, Anadarko, Oklahoma City, Clinton and Fairview, as well as R. G. Miller, "Smoking Room" columnist of the Oklahoma City Times."
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1958 News - Long Search For Camels Hits Gusher

In April, 1958, Grace Ward Smith's long search for camels hits a gusher. Here is how that news article in The Oklahoman, pg. 123, played out 4/6/1958, with the following headlines: "Long Search For Camels Hits Gusher."

Alva, April 5, 1958 -- "Looks like Gracie's got her camels. That is, Gracie and a lot of other Oklahoma and Woods county-minded chamber of commerce members.

Ever since Grace Ward Smith, secretary-manager of the Alva chamber of commerce, stressed the need of two of the desert critters for the May 9-10 Santa Fe tour of Oklahoma City school children, things have been buzzin' in this northwest county.

"There are a lot of small towns with mighty chamber of commerce organizations in Woods county and they have joined hands in a movement to promote their part of the country as a a tourist attraction.

"Gracie Has Long Had A Vision of northwest Oklahoma which involves a lot of investment money but would pay-off two and three-fold in crisp greenbacks from hungry tourists.

"Two camels were to grace the sand dune near Waynoka where the Little Sahara motel and recreation spot complete with dancing girls and sheiks (bellboys) is to eventually become a reality.

"Now according to Loren Devilbiss, Woods county chairman of the camel project, money has been raised for one camel, more is being raised for the second and a grand tour to bring them to Woods county is slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

"The hump-backed animals are being purchased from a circus winter-quartering at Hugo (Oklahoma). The tour to Hugo and back will serve two purposes, it will advertise Waynoka's annual rattlesnake hunt set for April 13 (1958) and also advertise the tours which may be a daily occurrence by next summer's activities.

"These people have been Mrs. Bud Edding managing director of the Alabaster Caverns, chairman at Freedom; Forest George, Waynoka chairman; Tom Vincent, Alva chairman and Dean Murrow, Dacoma.

"Pipe is being laid for water to the sand dunes. Picnic furniture soon will be placed along with sunshades and umbrellas as tempting to weary motorists as an oasis in the desert.

"This camel business is only the first step toward the reality of a project which up until this year has been merely a dream. The Santa Fe tours will bring many school children to the area. They'll visit the Alabaster caverns, historical markers of interest, see the sand dunes with the camels, chimney Rock and a natural bridge across Cedar Canyon.

"Eventually, Grace Ward Smith hopes to add two dude ranches to the county and announced this week negotiations are in the early stages to purchase one ranch for this purpose.

"She also said a group of men have indicated their interest in promoting the Little Sahara motel to be constructed in the sand dune area.

"Next week's camel tour will leave Alva early Tuesday, make four major stops and arrive in Hugo that night. On the booster trip will be trucks carrying signs "Conserve Water." courtesy of the Woods county soil conservation. These will house the camels for the return trip Wednesday.

"Also on the tour will be trucks loaded with Waynoka Saddle club horses. These will be unloaded for short parades along the route.

"In one car will be a box of rattlesnakes, an inducement for other Oklahomans to come to the Waynoka rattelsnake hunt April 13 to see these reptiles captured by the hundreds.

"It will be a grand tour and Woods county citizens hope the beginning of a trek to the northwest by tourists."
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Perry (OK) Gas Prices

"Today (Sept. 28, 2007) the prices for regular unleaded gasoline dropped 4 cents. The price posted this morning was $2.69.9. We've had just enough rain this week to make all the grass and weeds to grow rapidly again. I suppose that we should be pleased with all the greenery, but it also makes more work for us. I need to mow everything again." -- Roy K.
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Persimmons In NW Oklahoma

"I have a bumper crop of native persimmons in my yard in Waynoka. I think there are more of them than I have ever seen, and they are larger than ever. Probably the wet year in Northwest Oklahoma has made the difference. A photo is attached. I thought there was some folklore attached to persimmons! You are right about the spoon, fork, or knife in the seed predicting the winter's weather. I haven't opened a seed yet! Here's a link for the information - www.youngbucksoutdoors.com. " -- Sandie

[Editor's Note: Persimmon Folklore & Winter Prediction... According to folklore (which means it hasn't been scientifical proven, or disproven), the severity of approaching winter can be cutting open a persimmon seed and looking at the shape of the kernel inside. Hold the seed carefully with a pair of needled-nose pliers and use a paring knife to slice it open.

* If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow is forecasted.
* If the kernel is fork-shaped, powdery light snow and a mild winter is predicted.
* If the kernel is knife-shaped, bitter icy cutting winds for next few months will occur.
* It is recommended to cut at least ten seeds to determine the outcome of the kernel shape. ]

Waynoka's Camels

Waynoka's Camel History... "I believe Sandie is correct about the reference to Grace Ward Smith being one of the primary ones getting the camels for "The Little Sahara." The camel that was born was named "Gracie" in her honor." -- Rod
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Camels In Waynoka

Camels In Waynoka... "Yes, there was a camel at Little Sahara State Park by the name of Gracie (I believe) In the early 60''s a low-budget carnival came through Alva and went broke. Grace Ward Smith was the Chamber of Commerce president at the time and she and other city leaders bought the animals. I don''t know those details, but all of a sudden little old Alva had a zoo. A lion, bear, camel and a bunch of monkeys. Alva quickly built cages for the animals and it was quit a tourist draw. Grace Ward Smith talked Waynoka, Ok into taking the camel since that city was only a few miles from the dunes. Waynoka built Gracie (the camel, not Mrs. Smith) a shelter there where she lived until she died. The above rememberence comes with a disclaimer: That all happened about 45 years and a persons recall does dim over time, so don''t bet the farm on what I've said." -- Marvin

Camels In Waynoka... "For several years Waynoka hamcwagner.d a Christmas Nativity program at the Little Sahara, complete with camels, shepherds, a speaker system, spotlights and so on. I was kind of a "drive-in" type setting and attracted several hundred. My best guess on the time frame would be late fifties through early sixties. I remember going as a kid with my parents several years." -- Edward
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Wiebener's Novel - The Margin

Last Sunday, the Alva Sunday paper had a great article about Marvin Wiebener and his novel, "The Margin." Click HERE for the story.

Marvin mentioned to me that he went to Alva High, class of '61 with my sister -- they both got kicked out of Brandenburg's biology class together. There has got to be an interesting story there, huh?
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Waynoka Camels

"Isn't it amazing what we stumble across by accident sometimes? Something way back there, almost forgotten by all, and then someone mentions it? I just love it!"-- Butch
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1893 News - Oklahoma Delegate Denounces the Cherokee Strip Opening

It was Friday, September 22, 1893, in the Alva Pioneer, out of Alva, Oklahoma Territory, that we learned from the headlines that read: "Scored By Flynn" -- The Oklahoma Delegate Denounces the Cherokee Strip Opening.

Washington, Sept. 21, 1893 -- "At the opening of the house session yesterday morning, Mr. Flynn, the delegate from Oklahoma created a mild sensation by asking for the immediate consideration of a resolution bearing on the outrages said to have been committed by the United States troops at the Cherokee Strip last Saturday. The resolution recited that the press of the country had for several days contained accounts of the burning of vegetation and the killing of homesteaders by the United States troops in connection with the opening of the strip, and called upon the secretary of war to know by what authority the troops had acted. By unanimous consent Mr. Flynn was allowed to make a short statement.

He went to the clerk's desk and had read the accounts of the alleged depredations by the troops, and then in a passionate way he declared that all the regulations under which the strip had been opened were a disgrace to modern civilization. "The capstone of the whole infamous business," he shouted, "came when settlers who had stood for hours on the line famishing for water were heartlessly shot down by the military."

Colonel Oates of Alabama, objected to the present consideration of the resolution and it was laid aside."
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1905 - News At The Capital

Charters Granted... "Here is an article that appeared in The Oklahoman, dated September 1, 1905, pg. 2, headlines: News At the Capital.

"Territorial charters were granted today as follows: The Western Coal & Lumber Company of Oklahoma City, with $25,000 capital stock. The incorporators are John L. Hicks, Loyd Hicks and L. G. Russell."

Simon's Opinion... "Attorney General Simons last evening rendered an opinion to the effect that the $5,000 appropriation, made by the last legislature for the purpose of making a topographical map of Oklahoma, can be drawn upon to defray the expenses of making the map of the district, inundated by the Deep Fork and other streams in eastern Oklahoma. Auditor Baxter will now draw warrants on this fund."

Many Grains to Ear... "Secretary Tom Morris has in his office today samples of corn, grown on his farm in the cottonwood river bottom, three miles south of Guthrie. The ears are very large and according to Mr. Morris average twelve hundred grains to the ear. He claims this is a "beater" in Oklahoma."

Want Surplus Land Open... Ardmore, I. T., Aug. 31, 1905 -- "The republican club at Overbrook has memorialized the president and congress asking that the surplus lands in Indian Territory be purchased and opened for settlement by bona fide settlers according to the homestead laws now in force. The resolutions complain of high rents paid the white "grafters," and of the lack of schools."

Will Investigate Asylum... "The charges filed with the governor relative to the alleged brutal treatment of James Brownlee, an aged inmate of the insane asylum from Lincoln county, will result in another investigation of that institution in the near future. There have been numerous investigations made in the past, and practically all of them have proven that the charges were ungrounded. The governor, however, is anxious to probe all such matters to the bottom. It is claimed that asylum attendants choked Brownlee with a towel until his tongue protruded."

Street Car Company Sued... "Col. C. R. Buckner, attorney for the heirs of Mrs. Mary Bausch, who was killed underneath a Springer avenue car here last week, today commenced an action in the district court against the street car company, asking $10,000 for the death of the woman. Conductor Reid and Motorman Stevenson have been held to the grand jury under bond on a charge of manslaughter in the second degree."

Jaw Almost Severed... "Otte Zimmermann, telegrapher for the Johnston Commission company here, returned today from a hunting trip in the southern part of the county, and says that James Wallace, a farmer, met with a serious accident, while shaving during an electrical storm. Wallace had the razor posed against his cheek ready for a downward stroke, when the lightning struck near the house and so frightened the farmer that the razor descended with great force and almost severed his jaw. Zimmerman was in the house at the time, having taken refuge from the storm."

Cancelled His Date... "Governor Tom Ferguson has cancelled his date to speak at the old soldiers' reunion at Baxter Springs, Kansas, on september 1, for the reason that Territorial Secretary Grimes is also out of the territory at present, and the law provides that both the governor and the secretary may not be absent from the territory at the same time. Although a telegram came from Secretary Grimes that he would arrive home last evening, yet he did not get in until eight hours after the train departed, which would have carried Ferguson to Kansas. This would have left the territory without a governor for that length of time, and to avoid such a contingency the governor decided to stay at home."

Comes Under Thoburn Law... "Governor Ferguson today forwarded to C. A. Hullet of Thorns, Tex., a copy of the quarantine law, passed through the last legislature by the efforts of Secretary Thoburn, to prevent cottonseed coming into Oklahoma from boll weevil infected districts. Hullett desired to move to Oklahoma, but the railroad agent refused to load his bed quilts and mattresses because they were stuffed with cotton, and possibly would contain boll weevils."

May Investigate White... "According to Secretary Tom Morris of the Oklahoma Live Stock Sanitary board, no decision has as yet been made by the board as to what preceeding to take against Dr. White of Pawhuska, who impersonated himself as an officer and ordered some glandered horoses killed at Newkirk, last Tuesday. It is generally believed by the board members that White is mentally unbalanced."

Guthrie, Okla., Aug. 31, 1905... "As a result of the charges, filed against William T. Judkins of Kiowa county, the Oklahoma Live Stock Sanitary commission today dismissed Judkins fromthe Service of the board as a territorial cattle inspector. he was appointed last spring, from Kiowa county, after the legislature had authorized the appointment of four additional inspectors. When asked today regarding the dismissal of Judkins, Governor ferguson said the prinicpal charge against the inspector was that he refused to obey the orders of the board. No successor to Judkins has as yet been named."
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1905 News - Politics Dissolves Firm

The Oklahoman, dated May 3, 1905, pg 2, headlines: Politics Dissolve Firm. One was a Flynn man, the Other For McGuire.

Tulsa, I. T., May 2, 1905 -- "A. R. Querry, one of the best kown republican politicians in the territory, and L. M. Poe, equally as well known in the democratic party, have organized a law firm in Tulsa. Mr. Querry was until recently a partner of C. C. Magee, a warm friend of Delegate Bird S. McGuire, of Oklahoma, while Mr. Querry was a friend of Dennis Flynn, of Oklahoma, and this political situation could not be compromised, so the firm dissolved. Mr. Querry has been in the territory for nine years and is a member of the republican executive committee of Indian Territory. Mr. Poe has been to Tulsa twelve years. Both have been widely connected with public affairs of the country."
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1905 News - Santa Fe Rates To Northwest

The Oklahoman, dated May 3, 1905, pg 2, headlines: Second-Class Colonist Rates To the Northwest Via the Santa Fe Ry.

The Santa Fe has on sale daily until May 15 (1905) very cheap one way tickets to the northwest. A few of the principal points to which the rates apply are shown below, together with price of tickets. Ashland, Bellingham, Everett, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., Vancouver and Victoria, B.c., $30.00.

Ellensburg, Huntington, Pendleton, Shoshone, Spokane, Umatilla and Walla Walla, $27.50.

Butte, Gardner, Granger, Helena, Missoula, Ogden Pocatello, Salt Lake City, Silver Bow, Bozeman, Livingstone, Logan and intermediates on the Northern Pacific Ry., $23.00. Billings and intermediates on the B. & M. Ry., $24.45.
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1905 - Last Townsite Appraised

Here is another news article from The Oklahoman, dated May 3, 1905, pg 2, headlines: Last Townsite Appraised.

Tahlequah, May 2, 1905 -- "The Cherokee townsite has appraised the townsite of Ruby, and it was the last on the calendar of government townsites in the Cherokee Nation. While the life of this townsite commission has been shorter than that of any of the other nations and the number of furloughs have been many, it is one of the first to complete its work. The commission has been at work two years. It exclusive of furloughs."
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1905 - Secretary of the Territory Takes Up Matter of Refunding

The Oklahoman, dated May 3, 1905, pg 2, headlines: Secretary of the Territory Takes Up Matter of Refunding It.

San Francisco, May 2, 1905 -- A. L. C. Atkinson, secretary of the Territory of Hawaii, arrived here today on the steamer Coptic. He will at once proceed to Washington and New York to take up the matter of refunding the Hawaiian loan, under the provisions of a act just passed by the legislature. it is proposed to refund about $70,0000."
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1905 - Supreme Court To Meet RE: Pottawatomie County

The Oklahoman, dated May 3, 1905, pg 2, headlines: Supreme Court To Meet - Will Fix Pottawatomie County Court Date Next Saturday.

Guthrie, Okla., May 2, 1905 --"Ben F. Hegler, clerk of the supreme court, today announces a meeting of the court here, at ten o'clock next Saturday morning, for the purpose of fixing the date for the district court of Potawatomie county. On account of the failure of Judge Burwell to appear at Tecumseh on the regular court date, it became necessary to have a new date named. From the district court of Comanche county today is appealed the case of F. F. Fisher vs. the Territory, who was sentenced by Judge Frank Gilletto to serve three years in the penitentiary for grand larceny. Fisher was convicted of stealing $164 from g. L. Reiser."
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1908 - State Championship From Alva Crew By Lone Point

The Oklahoman, dated Nov. 12, 1908, pg. 11, headlines read: State Championship From Alva Crew by Lone Point - Only Reed's Dual Failure In Kicking Goal, Prevents Even Score - finals: 11-10

"For every minute of the 70 that Central and Northwestern Normal schools battled for the state football championship on Colcord park yesterday afternoon the result of the game was in doubt and it was not till the timekeeper's whistle blew for the last time that victory finally perched on the blue and bronze banners of Edmond. The score was 11 to 10 and it was only the failure of Reed of Alva to convert either of his tries for goal into a point that averted a tie game. The advantage see-sawed continually and for five minutes before the close of the game an Alva score and victory seemed almost certain. It was only by the most desperate work that the Central boys managed to stave off the attack.

Edmond kicked off and the red and black of Alva started a march down the field. On the third play Reed ripped off 40 yards on a delayed pass and brought the ball close under Central's goal posts. Edmond held, however, and punted out of danger. From this on the ball was kept moving up and down the field during the whole first half. Alva displaying the greater versatility of attack and in fact doing everything but scoring.

The second half started with Alva still on the offensive. It had carried the ball 50 yards when Fisk called for a forward pass. The ball never reached the man for whom it was intended, for Geyser got through like a shot, caught the pass in mid-air and ran 60 yards for a touchdown. He failed at his try for goal. With Edmond ahead the Northwesterns settled down to work and twice in quick succession got off pretty onside kicks, the last resulting in C. Fisk going over for a touchdown.

With the score a tie Edmond got within striking distance of the black and red goal and its attack became irresistible. Geyser and Brickell were flung through the line again and again, the latter finally getting the score. Geyser kicked the goal.

Alva then began to work the onside kick again with telling effect, twice getting close to its opponents goal. The first time it lost the ball on downs, but on the second attempt, Reed used his last down and managed to wriggle over. The joy of the Alva supporters was turned to grief a moment later when Reed missed the goal and left Edmond one point to the good. Alva's onside kick continued to be effected, but when it got down under the goal tests the Edmond line held like iron. Alva lost it last chance when with four of his own men around him and practically an open field, an Alva forward caught an onside kick on the fly instead of letting it bounce and so failed to have the score count when he took it across the line. Time was called a moment later.
br> The game settles the question of the state championship beyond cavil, as the work of the officials yesterday was unexceptionable. The game was the playing over of a previous contest which Edmond lost at Alva 21 to 10 and the Central boys are correspondingly delighted over the result.

Lineup: Edmond -- Brown, McPheeters, Jennings, Stogsdill, Lowell, Donald, Bruce, Yeakel, Herrin, Geyser, Brickell.

Alva lineup: Gaskill, Strasbaugh, Hott, Dail, Weaver, Halley, Peden, O. Fisk, C. Fisk, Reed, Carmachil.
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