Oh! What A Beautiful Mountain

San Juan Mountains Get snow cover during the Wednesday's storms that blew through Southwest Colorado, October 17, 2007. Temperatures here were dipping into the 50's during the day and from 31F to 28F at night.

Meanwhile... While most of you Oklahoman's were being blown, pounded with serious thunderstorms during mid-week, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007, here in southwest Colorado we were being pounded around 12:30 p.m. with graupel in the valley and snow on the higher peaks of the San Juan mountains.

It was Thursday when the Pugs and I headed out for Northwest Oklahoma, arriving Friday morning. By Saturday afternoon the Oklahoma temperatures in the state had reached back into the low 90 degrees. BUT... the weathermen say that relief is on the way with another cool front coming through here in the next few days. Maybe Fall will finally arrive as Duchess, Sadie and NW Okie head back towards southwest Colorado on Sunday!

[If you look closely to the rightside of this image, you might spot four friendly, round "orbs" floating, observing the demolition crew. Whose spirits are these?] -- We have been on the road this weekend checking on the updates of the 12th Street "demolition crew." Thanks for your patience as we continue to run late this weekend with this week's Issue of The OkieLegacy.

Meanwhile... browse on over to our Pigeon's Domicile for this week's updates from the "Demolition Crew."
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OkieLegacy Centennial Moment

As we do a search of The Daily Oklahoman, for news of Oklahoma Statehood, dated October 20, 1907, Sunday, we found the following bits of information for our OkieLegacy Centennial Moment this weekend, October 20, 2007. One of those frontpage headlines read: Stirring Climax In Statehood Drama. That is the why for this 1907 cartoon on the left.

As the Stirring Climax in Statehood drama continues for this 46th state, Oklahoma, the front page headlines of The Daily Oklahoman blasted in bold print: Declares Over-Confidence Is Endangering Statehood - Avowed Surrender Only part of Plotter's Plan to Thwart People's Will. Alarmed by persistent delay, governor-elect Haskell urged statehood's friends to keep on their guard.

Guthrie, Okla., Oct. 19, 1907 -- "Alarmed at the persistent and unexplained delay by the Clayton-Filson-Burford election board in the certifying of the results of the election and fearing that the avowed surrender of Hunter and the statehood obstructionists is but a ruse to lure the friends of statehood into overconfidence and indifference, C. N. Haskell, the democratic governor-elect of the new state tonight issued a statement in which he urges the friends of statehood to keep up the fight, and warns them that overconfidence is today the greatest danger."

It was reported back then that Mr. Haskell said, "The canvassing board began work Monday morning, October 14, 1907, finished 73 counties by Thursday afternoon, October 17. The canvassing board assured us Thursday that they would draft the form of certificate to be sent to Washington so that we might have an opportunity to inspect it on Friday, October 18 (1907). This was not done, and we are advised that Judge clayton of Indian Territory went home on that date, leaving word that he would return next Monday."

Haskell went on to say, "As to the copy of the constitution, ordinances, etc., which must be sent to the president with the certificate of the vote cast at the election -- these copies will require a week in preparation. We had expected when we met the board october 8 (1907), that these copies would all have been prepared and ready to forward to Washington assuming that everybody knew by September 18 or 19 (1907) that the constitution had been adopted by a vote of the people and that these copies would be needed on october 8. to our surprise, we found that no move had been made to prepare these copies."

"Disappointed at the negligence, we urged that their preparation be immediately =begun so as to occasion as little delay as possible, and this urging was renewed persistently by Judge Dale, Judge Ledbetter, myself and others daily until October 17 (1907), when we finally induced them to have this work begun. Even then, we were only able to secure the appointment of one man to proceed with the work."

Haskell was quoted as saying, "There was not one single word uttered during the canvass of the vote concerning any claim of fraudulent votes, or any evidence of fraud. The only claim of fraud that we have heard in the entire time devoted to this canvass was street gossip emanating from the chairman of the republican state committee, and we know of our own personal knowledge that he didn't examine a single poll book or tally sheet, although he might have done so had he desired to be present and examine the returns."

Haskell exclaimed, "Every one present concurred fairly in the feeling of satisfaction that the election had been honestly and fairly conducted. My conclusion may, or may not be correct, but as I have promised those who have made inquiry by letter and long distance telephone from numerous localities to give them my conclusions, I shall do so. Judging from their manner as well as speech, I believe there was an understanding that the papers necessary to secure statehood, should not reach Washington until some days after the president shall have returned to that city."

It appears from this article that the republicans and democrats, as usual, were doing what they do best... vying for political power! Things haven't changed much, has it?
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Ghostly Spirits of Alva's Old Hospital

With Halloween just a few weeks, days away, we thought we would throw in some mention of possible ghostly spirits that may, may not roam the halls of the Old Alva General Hospital.

One of Alva's most famous ghostly, haunts of ghostly spirits is the Old Alva General Hospital that sets at the top of Fourteenth & Maple Street, looking East down Maple Street. Actually, it is about three blocks up the hill from my house.

Is it haunted? The old hospital, that is? How did the red spot get on the old hospital's hall black & white tiled floor? How come it keeps coming back after they clean it? What is the story of how it got there?

I don't have those answers, BUT... I do know that the old Alva hospital was built in 1932, Alva, Oklahoma. It was used as a hospital until.... I'm not sure exactly what year they built the new hospital in the South part of town, South of the University Campus.

I've never experienced any ghosts up at the old hospital, but I hear others have felt the cold, leery stares of the ghosts from the past.

I remember when I was just a young girl, say about 5 or 6 years old, and had my tonsils out. At least I think it was around that age. That's been over 50 years ago. What I do remember those infamous backless gowns that loosely tie in the back at the neck and somewhere else down the back. Instead of rolling down the hall to the surgery room on a rolling bed cart, Dr. Travis gave me a piggy back ride on his back. Of course, you probably all expected that this five year-olds tiny bare backside was showing, mooning all those we passed in the hospital hall on the way to the surgery room! BUT... being only five years old, what did I know of being embarrassed! I was just thrilled with the piggy back ride. What a treat for a five-year-old!

I another memory I have about the old hospital was around February, 1954, when my Uncle Bob McGill was in the hospital and Dad took all of us up to visit Uncle Bob in this small, dark room. That was the last time I saw my Uncle Bob McGill alive. He died shortly afterwards of lung cancer. I never really got to know my Uncle Bob, but from reading some of his old letters to family members and his WWII memorabilia that Grandma Constance McGill saved, I got a special glimpse of this good looking gentleman, WWII Major and soldier.

Another old hospital memory I have takes us back to August, 1968, when my grandmother Constance Warwick McGill died.

All these memories of visiting the old hospital to visit dying relatives seems kind of morbid, doesn't it? Are they some of those spirits souls that haunt the old hospital? Do you have any memories or heard any ghostly talk about the "Old Alva Hospital?"
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OkieLegacy Guestbook

10/14/2007 -- "It's a good chance I'm related to Daisy Strawn. My Great-Great Grandfather's name is JOHN WILLIAM STRAWN of Rual Valleyfalls, Kansas." -- NOEL W. STRAWN

10/13/2007 -- Woodsmen Of the World -- "My great-great-grandfather was buried in a small, Texas cemetary in 1844. All the info I have on him is that he was assasinated by an unknown gunman and he belonged to the Woodsmans Society. His stone is white marble, tall, and like the ones in the pictures, but he died in 1844. That is before the Modern Woodsman of the World formed. I can't find any info on the group he may have belonged to." -- Danna Peterson - Email: on2spymountain@earthlink.net

10/17/2007 -- "I grew up in Ames and 4 generations of my family lived there early generations lived on our farms and then our generation lived on the farms and in town. I often think of days when I rode horses and sold lemonade on the street to the farmers cutting wheat. I live in Fort Worth, Texas and among the big city but always remember my roots. Wonderful memories." -- Robby Hall Williams - Email: RW1029@excite.com
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Global Incident Map

"This is a most interesting site. It is constantly changing and can keep you up on the very latest. It is amazing how technology and instant communication has changed our world. There is a lot happening in our world every minute. This "map" updates every 300 seconds...constantly 24/7. CLICK LINK: Global Incident Map

Hold your cursor over any icon and it will give you a brief news brief of the event... OR Click on any icon on the map for a screen that will take you to the actual news release and update information.

It's not just about Terrorism - it's about everything happening every minute some place in the world of terrorism threats, explosions, airline incidents, etc. These are the things that could affect us all." -- Homer
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Democrat of the Year - Bristow, OK

"We're Just Wild About Harry. The Little Deep Fork Democratic Club is proud to announce our Banquet honoring our DEMOCRAT OF THE YEAR, Harry McMillan, On November 13th at 7 PM, Bristow Community Center, 10th and Chestnut. CATERING BY BEVERLY. Tickets $15 each - 2 for $25. Tickets available at Lawson's Grocery Or reserve by calling (918) 367-7094. SEATING IS VERY LIMITED. If you cannot attend, donations can be mailed to The Little Deep Fork Democratic Club, PO Box 1411, Bristow, OK 74010-1411. Donations support our Club activities including Scholarships available to Bristow and Depew Seniors." -- Nancy Van Orden - Email: nancyvanorden@hotmail.com
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Murals In Anadarko, OK

"It's been a soggy, foggy day here in Southern Oklahoma! The leaves are beginning to fall from the pecan trees in my yard and I can see the pecans. Looks like a bumper crop!

I am attaching murals of downtown Anadarko, Ok. I made a trip there last summer to visit my folks grave site and as always, I "drag" both Main streets. And there they were on the end of West Main and Hwy 281 (This was one long painting. It was so long I had to take several photos to get it all.)

Someone done a beautiful job capturing how the old town looked. In the first photo, the building on the left is the old courthouse. It was replaced by a new one back in 1951 52?

I asked at a local convenience store who had done the painting of the murals and was told that the Arts class Teacher and her students had done it a few years back. The lady didn't know when they were painted.

There is another mural as you leave town heading North on Hwy 281 toward Gracemont. I thought I had photos of it as well but unable to find them. Thanks for letting me share my stuff!" -- Kenneth
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Chapman Family Info

"Maynard Frank Chapman, son of Ervin"Buck" Chapman, married my daughter, Jayanna Beth McKee... Maynard and Jayanna had one son, Buckey James Chapman, born Jan. 1, l984..Maynard was killed in a truck accident July 5, l985... Buckey James Chapman is in the U.S. Army and at this time, (Oct. 13, 2007) he is in Iraq." -- Bonnie McKee - Email: jcbonnie@ptsi.net
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1907 News - Wounded Wife Attends Husband's Funeral

The Daily Oklahoman, dated October 20, 1907, Sunday, frontpage article headline read: Wounded Wife Is To Attend His Funeral - Would-Be Murderer, Who Killed self, Will Be Buried Today.

"Carrying her arm in a sling, Mrs. Laura Socwell will follow the body of her husband, Oliver C. Socwell, who attempted to slay her and then killed himself at their home, 111 West Chickasaw Avenue, Friday morning, to the cemetery this afternoon. After eight years of domestic discord, caused, so Mrs. Socwell says, from an attack of nervous prostration suffered by her husband, she still loves the memory of the man who would have no doubt been her murderer had she not thrown up her arm, allowing the bullet to strike the bone and heavy ligaments of the elbow, deflecting its course.

"None of the relatives of either have been notified of the dead and all questions as to the past life of either are met with a firm refusal from Mrs. Socwell.

"My past as well as his, is a sealed book," said Mrs. Socwell. "It is not that either of us has ever disgraced our names, but because it is better our folks never know. His parents as well as mine have been dead many years and as for the others -- well, just let that pass."

The funeral services of Socwell were held in Marshall's undertaking parlors, 120 North Broadqy Street, at 3 o'clock that afternoon. The Rev. Dr. E. O. Whitwell, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, was in charge of the services and the body was buried at Fairlawn cemetery.
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1907 Elopement? No! No! Just Wed Then Tell Pa

You have got to hear this story of an elopement that happened October 19, 1907, when a Bartlesville, Indian Territory girl runs off with her Denver sweetheart to get married. As the story states below.

Denver, Oct. 19, 1907, The Daily Oklahoman, frontpage -- "Why, dear, what will mamma and papa say?" exclaimed pretty Miss Stella M. Combs, as she stepped from a train from Bartlesville, I. T., at the union station into the arms of Louis K. Bell."

"Never mind what mamma and papa will say." said the young man, as he led the way through the gates. "That is, I don't worry about that at this time. I have a friend at the court house that I want to introduce you to and then well... then we will telegraph mamma and papa."

From reading further down in the 1907 news article, it appeared that the friend at the courthouse was major Arthur Williams, deputy county recorder. The young man told the deputy county recorder to "suppress it." The Major did as he was told and carefully tore the leaf from the license book.

Afterwards, young Mr. Bell led his sweetheart to the basement of the building, where he said he had another friend. This friend happened to be Justice DeLappe.

"But what will mamma and papa say?" exclaimed pretty Miss Combs for the second time within an hour.

"Oh, don't -- yes, judge, I would like to have the ring ceremony, and -- now, don't worry, Estella, we will tele -- yes, here's the ring, judge, if I can ever get it off." A finger disappeared in the young man's mouth, and after much twisting and turning the ring was ready.

Mr. and Mrs. William C. Combs, Bartlesville, Indian Territory, and Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Bell, parents of the young bridegroom, living in Arkansas City, Kansas, will be surprised when they read this telegram: "Stella and I were married here today."

"We didn't want this to get out," murmured Mr. Bell, nervously, "not just yet for a time. Elopement! Oh, my, no."

"Why, you see, it was just this way. I telegraphed Miss Combs to come on to Denver and she hurried on. Maybe she didn't have time to tell her parents her destination or to say goodbye -- I don't just know about that. I have been in town a week or two, looking at the mountains and enjoying the sunshine you have here. I guess it was the altitude. The thought just came that this would be a pretty good city to get married in, so I sent the telegram to Miss Combs. I guess the folks will be a little surprised."

Mr. Bell was in the commission fruit business in Arkansas City. He liked Denver so well that he and his wife decided to make their home there.
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