Deer Grazin' In SW Colorado

Piano Man midi file
A year ago this weekend we were touring the Wine Country of California with friends.

This year we are settling in to our mountain retreat North of Bayfield, Colorado and watching the deer grazing in our wooded front and backyard.

This early morning when I awoke there were deer grazing in my wooded backyard and frontyard, north of Bayfield, Colorado. I have uploaded a short movie file to my OkieLegacy YouTube site of the young deer grazing on our backyard wooded slope.


If you browse over to our OkieLegacy YouTube site, you can view the young deer grazing early this Sunday morning on our wooded backyard slope. AND... see other videos that we have added to the list.
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Taco Village Ad & '57 Neumans Boys Choir

What year did this Taco Village Ad appear in the Alva newsgram?

Awhile back, in Alva, Oklahoma, the Newsgram ran this photo of the Neuman's Boys choir with the caption: "Here's a contest for you. If you can name any of these youngsters from the 1957 Boys choir, Register at Taco village Today through Wednesday."

We are not sure what year this Ad ran, though. Did the Taco Village Ad ever get any registrations as to who some of these boys choir members were? Hey! Gary Tanner, can you name these boys? I recognize the young boy down front, center as Tom Gruber. Can anyone else name these boys of "Neuman's Boys Choir?"
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1960 July 10, Presidential Politics

Forty-eight years ago a Democrat family of six from Northwest Oklahoma piled into their father's Cessna airplane and flew out west across the rockies, grand canyon and other spots in between Alva, Oklahoma and Los Angeles, California for the 1960 Democrat National convention. This NW Okie was twelve years of age at the time and oblivious to the political scene of that time.

Anyway... according to The Oklahoman, dated 1960 July 10, front page, written by Allan Cromley (Oklahoman-Times Washington Bureau), Governor (Edmondson) Gets In New Uproar.

It was the time of the Democratic National convention in Los Angeles, California with Lyndon Baines Johnson and John F. Kennedy as Democrats campaigning for President.

Members of the Oklahoma delegation were arriving in Los Angeles on a Saturday and were greeted by headlines quoting Gov. Edmondson as saying the Sooners had "quit" Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for president.

My Dad, Gene McGill, who was state chairman, took one look at the headlines and issued an "angry denial."

The article goes on to state, "Edmondson said at a news conference there are at least 10 votes 20 delegates for Sen John F. Kennedy in the Oklahoma delegation. He said the Massachusetts senator would make the strongest Democratic candidate in Oklahoma.

A Los Angeles newspaper interpreted Edmondson's statement as a "crack in Johnson's delegate strength.

Jim Rinehart, El Reno, was so angry he promised to move at an Oklahoma caucus Sunday to withdraw Edmondson's half-vote in the delegation.

Smith Hester, chairman of the state convention, said Kennedy couldn't get five votes in theh Oklahoma delegation.

Edmondson pledged all-out support for Kennedy and spent much of the day with Robert Kennedy, the senator's brother and campaign manager.

They were meeting with Gov. Grant Sawyer of Nevada in the Alexandria Hotel at the moment the Massachusetts senator made a triumphal arrival.

Edmondson said he had become an active worker in the Kennedy campaign.

McGill said, "I wish to deny categorically published reports the Oklahoma delegation will "quit Lyndon Johnson."

McGill goes on to say, "Gov. Edmondson has one-half vote in the Oklahoma delegation. I doubt if he can control a single vote except his own. He definitely will not be a major influence in the Oklahoma delegation. Everyone in Oklahoma knows this to be true, and it will become very evident here when the voting starts."

The first ballots were to be taken that coming Wednesday. McGill said he would be "greatly surprised" if there are five full delegate votes (10 delegates) favoring Kennedy.

McGill goes on to say that Kennedy's strength in the Oklahoma delegation was a must question because of the unit rule under which the state convention instructed the entire 58 member delegation (29 votes) to support Johnson.

In another article written by Otis Sullivant, Daily Oklahoman Political writer, dated 1960 July 10, the headlines read: State's 29 Votes Wait for Lyndon.

Los Angeles -- "Anxiously watching developments, the Oklahoma delegation to the Democratic National convention is ready to make its formal declaration for Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas for the nomination for president at the first caucus here Sunday afternoon.

"The early arrivals scouted reports from all camps and hoped for a Johnson build-up to keep the bandwagon of Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts from rolling to a first or second ballot nomination.

"If the Kennedy forces can be stopped, then the Oklahomans expect Sen. Johnson to climb further, and the Oklahoma crowd will be in on the win.

"If Kennedy smashes through to victory, it will be a glum Oklahoma delegation for the most part. However, Gov. Edmondson and a few others on the delegation will be wildly jubilant.

Kennedy is so close to the 761 votes needed for a majority that the Oklahoma backers of Johnson were on edge as they mingled with the delegates from 49 other states.

"The caucus at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Alexandria Hotel, Oklahoma headquarters, will be the first formal gathering of the delegates since they were selected in district meetings and the state convention at Oklahoma City April 29 and 30, 1960.

"Sounding of the individual delegates then showed an overwhelming majority for Johnson, and apparently few have waivered since then despite the West Virginia primary victory for Kennedy and his continued build-up of delegate strength.

"Gene McGill, state chairman and chairman of the delegation is actively working and is expected to recommend to the delegation that it declare itself ready to vote for Johnson on the first ballot.

"The 58-member delegation which will cast the state's 29 votes in the convention is bound by the unit rule. Gov. Edmondson is a delegate with one-half vote by grace of state convention action to honor the office.
,br> "Sen. Robert S. Kerr is one of the most active aspirants for Johnson. Sen. Mike Monroney is for Adali Stevenson, nominee the last two times, and will lead the cheering section from the Oklahoma angle if a deadlock develops and Stevenson emerges as a compromise candidate.

"Sen. Stuart Symington is the second choice candidate of many of the delegates, if Johnson drops out and Kennedy fails to get the nomination. The indications are the majority of the delegates will not agree to go to Kennedy until he has wrapped up the nomination. There is some undercurrent talk about missing the bandwagon.

"The party organization fight, with foes of Gov. Edmondson taking charge of the party and the state convention, resulted in more opposition to Kennedy than would have developed otherwise. The fact that Gov. Edmondson is for Kennedy resulted in Kennedy having less support than he would have had otherwise. Further, many of the delegation leaders feel that Kennedy as the nominee would be the weakest of the candidates in Oklahoma against Vice President Nixon, as the Republican nominee.

"The party delegation includes McGill, Mrs. Grace Hudlin, Hulbert, State vice chairman and seven of the members of the party executive committee. Several of those party members were active in the surprise selection of McGill as state chairman over Pat Malloy, the governor's choice, last September (1959).

"The delegation also includes Raymond Gary, Madill, former governor; George D. Key, chairman of the state election board, whose resignation the governor sought unsuccessfully; W. P. Atkinson, Midwest City, the man the governor beat for the nomination for governor; Roy Grimes, Elmore City, head of the County Commissioners' Association, which is fighting the governor's reform program.

"Then many of the anti-administration legislators are on teh delegation, including Joe Bailey Cobb, Tishomingo; George Miskovsky, Oklahoma City, senator; Ed Merrong, Clinton, senator; and J. D. McCarty, Oklahoma City, speaker-designate of the house. Brandon Frost, Woodward, head of Oklahomans for Local Government the organization fighting the governor's program, is a delegate, but reported to like Kennedy.

"Despite the anti-state administration flavor, there was no early showing of hostility toward the governor. If Kennedy is the nominee, it is likely that the nominee will look to the governor for campaign aid in the state, more than to the party organization. Regardless of the selection of the nominee, the Democrats are expected to try to close ranks for the general election.

"The early arrivals were more concerned with getting their rooms in the crowded hotel and the far-away motels assigned to the delegation.

"And the quiet guessing was whether Oklahoma would again miss the bandwagon, as it has done so often in recent years.

"In 1928, the delegation was going to be for James A. Reed of Missouri but Al Smith of New York had the nomination when the balloting got underway.

"In 1932, the Oklahoma delegates were for the favorite son, Gov. William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray when Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York sewed up the nomination.

"In 1936, it was all roosevelt at Philadelphia. In 1940, the then Gov. Leon C. "Red" Phillips opposed the third term nomination of Roosevelt, but the delegation voted for Roosevelt.

"In 1944, at Chicago, Sen. Kerr, then governor, was the keynoter and a candidate for vice-president. Roosevelt had the fourth term nomination without dispute, and Kerr joined in for Harry S. Truman for vice-president to help nominate him. In 1948, there was nothing but Harry S. Truman at Philadelphia.

"In 1952, Kerr was a favorite son candidate with the delegation behind him. It went to Alben W. Barkley on the second ballot after a first vote for Kerr, and failed to catch the Stevenson bandwagon on the third ballot when he was nominated.

"Four years ago, Gov. Gary held the delegation in his hand and was for Gov. Harriman of Ne York when Stevenson again had the nomination. Gary did keep the delegation from voting for Kennedy for vice-president by going for Sen. Estes Kefauver, and Gary could have nominated Kennedy for vice president at one poiint by throwing the delegation to him.

"Kennedy probably would have been eliminated as a presidential candidate this time if he had been the nominee. At least, he has expressed gratitude for not having received the nomination for vice president four years go, although he was sorely disappointed at that time, as a number of state delegates observed."
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1927 News Article On Fort Supply Sanitarium

From The Oklahoman, dated 1927 August 7, page 19, was the following article under the headlines of From Pioneer Oklahoma.

"On the morning of May 20, 1908, an unusual sight met the eyes of the few scattered settlers of that sandy region in Woodward county lying between the villages of Tangier and Supply. Two special trains arrived at Tangier on the Santa Fe railroad between 10 and 11 o'clock, carrying as passengers 400 patients from a sanitarium at Norman to the new State Hospital for the Insane at Fort Supply.

"Care of mentally disabled was in its infancy at that time in Oklahoma. During territorial days the only provision was a contract arrangement with a privately-owned sanitarium at Norman, which was purchased in 1915 and improved as a state hospital for the insane. Transfer of these 400 wards of the state tot he first state hospital at Supply was an interesting, if tedious task.

"The journey was made by rail up through Kansas and back to Tangier, where residents of the section had gathered horses and buggies, wagons, buckboards and carriages to make the last lap of the journey, fifteen miles north through the sandhills, after fording Wolf creek. The trip was accomplished with a minimum of confusion and discomfort to the patients. Dr. E. G. Newell, superintendent, had a hot supper and comfortable quarters ready at the journey's end.

"The destination of the travelers was one of the historic spots of the prairie country, a center of romance in the early settlement of northwest Oklahoma. Camp Supply was established at the juncture of wolf and Beaver creeks in the early 1860's, as an outpost from Fort Dodge, Kansas, when it was considered expedient by the federal government to prosecute the Indian warfare down into the enemy's country.

"Picket buildings were erected of native cedar logs, and a supply base was established for the expeditions in which Generals Phil Sheridan and George Custer figured so prominently. later the place was named Fort Supply, and was a regular post, with barracks, parade ground, officers' homes and a guardhouse, material for which was freighted overland from the railroad at Fort Dodge, Kansas.

"Having fulfilled its destiny as an outpost of civilization for more than thirty years, Fort Supply was abandoned in 1894. In 1905 the federal government made a grant of 1,760 acres of the old military reservation and all improvements in the territory of Oklahoma for hospital purposes. An appropriation of $25,000 was made to put the buildings in repair. The first state legislature, in 1907, made an additional appropriation, and work was pushed to recondition the place for a state hospital.

"During the next decade the institution went through the experimental stage common to all projects in the early years of statehood. Dr. E. G. Newell was superintendent from the opening in 1908 till 1915, who in turn was succeeded by Dr. E. L. Bagby, who is still in office.

"In 1921 the tide of public interest and legislative favor turned, and the first appropriation of any size was made -- $125,000 -- for a convalescent ward. In 1923 a receiving ward was erected at a cost of $110,000. The next substantial appropriation was in 1925 -- $150,000 for a most complete and modernly equipped hospital, to replace the old wooden army barracks. last year an appropriation was made to build the key structure of the plant, the $75,000 administration building and amusement hall, with an excellent stage, and seating capacity of 600.

"The water system, which pipes water from springs a few miles north, and which was installed during army days, has been enlarged, and an ice plant and cold storage plant fills a very necessary need in this warm climate. A fire-proof modern laundry recently has been completed.

"The 750 patients now living at the hospital are cared for, protected and directed by ninety-two employee. Expert diagnosis is made for each case, and medical treatment and occupational therapy indicated. Fully 33 percent of the patients recover completely.

"The regular routine of the hospital is similar to that of a well-regulated home, and the general attitude of patients is one of contentment and well being. Without relaxing careful surveillance, patients are allowed a large measure of personal liberty, and of every possible way the happiness of their environment is emphasized.

"Chapel services are held once each week. All denominations are welcome to conduct them in turn. Musical programs and entertainments are given whenever possible, and picture shows are given weekly. Supervised recreation is considered especially helpful and the evening each week devoted to dancing is eagerly anticipated. Old fashioned square dances are used.

"Occupational therapy is a pet idea with Doctor Bagby. He introduced it at Supply in 1920, and has proved it to be valuable in the treatment of acute forms of mental trouble, as well as beneficial in certain chronic cases. Patients are more contented with agreeable occupations, and under the supervision of trained instructors frequently become expert in certain creative arts, and are thus provided with employment upon returning home.
,br> "Two small buildings originally designed for tuberculosis wards, are fitted up for various branches of this work.

"Closely allied to the occupational therapy idea is the management of all work redirected with the community. Tasks best adapted to each individual are plained for all patients, and satisfactory results are obtained through the cooperative community plan.

"Six hundred acres of the farm are under cultivation. Five hundred tons of alfalfa were put up last year, and four thousand gallons of sorghum were turned out of the sorghum mill." -- The Oklahoman, Fort Supply Hospital, 1927
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Cheyenne, OK

Oklahoma Place names says, "Cheyenne, Oklahoma is the county seat of Roger Mills County. Post office established April 11, 1892. It took its name from the Cheyenne Indians on whose reservation it was located. The word means, "people of alien speech." - cheyenne, OK Map
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Supply (Fitzgerald & Fort Supply), OK

According to Oklahoma Pace Names, "Supply was present Fort Supply, in northwestern Woodward County. Formerly Fitzgerald. Post office name changed to Supply, May 12, 1903, and name changed to Fort Supply, May 1, 1943. It took its name from nearby Fort Supply. - fort Supply, OK Map
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Why Perry Over Ponca City, OK

"Why it's better to live in Perry than Ponca City? Ponca City is one of the "Superfund" cities that folks are being forced to move out of, by the federal government!

Many years ago (before most of us were born), a man by the name of Ernest Whitworth Marland, came to Oklahoma and discovered oil. He wanted to build a refinery in Perry and the city fathers said, "We don't want that stinking stuff (factory) here!"

They refused him a permit to build here so he built it in Ponca City instead. The taxes he paid there made Ponca City rich. Then he went out west to Orem, Utah and bought another oil company called the Continental Oil Company and moved its headquarters to Ponca City to merge with Marland Oil.

He renamed the brand of gasoline and other petroleum products his company was manufacturing, "CONOCO" and his refinery grew larger. His Marland Oil company had been using a triangle in their advertising and had even built triangular shaped small buildings to house the offices of their "filling stations" in many of the towns where they were selling their gasoline.

One of those triangular shaped buildings was built in Perry at the corner of 7th and "C" street (now known as Cedar street) on U.S. Highway 77 (one of the two border to border, Canada to Mexico), highways. That station's building is one of the three that is still standing and being used, today.

Mr. Marland retained the triangle in his advertising but stopped using all other references to his Marland Oil Company in order to further promote the name of "CONOCO."

The refinery was known to dump huge waste by-products into the local sewage disposal, and bury them in 'waste pits'.

Fast forward now to a few years ago when government scientists and inspectors discovered that these by-products were the cause of many illnesses (including cancer) among the population of Ponca City, and began offering folks the option of selling their houses and other properties in order to 'clean up' the area. Many folks just didn't want to leave a place where they'd raised their families so then the wise folks of the government condemned the properties and ordered them off the land, so that the 'Superfund folks' could begin to 'clean up' the city. And that's one of the reasons that Ponca City is not a good place to live." -- Roy
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Good Luck On Move

"Hi, Linda! Good luck to you and David on your move!! With deer and antelope playing in your yard, I'm sure the skies won't be cloudy all day!! As for broadband, I have it on my 'puter and also, I fear, with my belt. LOL Hope yours is working fine now." -- Joel
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Growing Up In Oklahoma - Me -N- Willie

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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Wrong About Something

"In my written tribute to our great state of Oklahoma, it has been pointed out that I made a mistake. The new rodeo (and other 'all-purpose') arena that has been built close to the Anheuser-Busch Central Distribution Warehouse is NOT an all-weather arena. There is no roof. It is an OPEN stadium capable of staging all sorts of exhibitions. I have not seen it personally and misread the description that was published recently. I understand that it is on the paved road adjacent to I-35 (on the west side) which extends from Highway 64 and 77 on the south end, and goes north to the west Fir Street extension. I sincerely appologize for my error.

I'd gotten 2" of rain at the house, and about 5 blocks away (at my shop) I got 2.5". At the Conoco/Phillips stations, they're selling regular (with ethanol) at $3.89.9 today, and the Sinclair regular (wthout ethanol) is a couple cents higher. " -- Roy K.
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Hilltop Gas & Grocery (Flossie Case)

"Boy this a shot in the dark but I am looking for "Ken" that is related to Flossie (Lyon) Case. She was my Great Grandmother on my fathers side of the family. I am researching my ancestry on Ancestry.com. Yahooed Flossie's name and came up with this article. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks." -- Angela Morland - Email: angelamorland@sbcglobal.net - OkieLegacy Comment
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1957 Neuman's Boy Choir

"Linda, I am sending this picture of the Neuman's Boy choir in 1957. I found it in a box that my mother had. didn't know if you already had one or if you wanted to use it. I know some of the kids, not all. Gary Tanner should know most of them." -- Ellis Raymer
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Tangier, OK

In the Oklahoma Place Names book it mentions that Tangier is in Woodward County, 7 miles west of Woodward. A post office from May 18, 1901, to August 31, 1941. Its name comes from the seaport city in northwestern Africa.
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Old Fort Supply (Woodward County, OK)

The following information came from an old thesis done in 1941 that I received awhile back from a friend and reader. It was written by William Hankins Hughes, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts and submitted in 1941. It goes back to August 3, 1924, with stories that appeared in the Wichita Beacon Sunday Magazine, concerning "Oklahomans Neglect Historic Fort Supply."

The first story is Wooden Leg Used To Stir Soup, written by Bliss Isely. "D. W. Kygar, 122 South Grove, who formerly lived in Day county, Oklahoma, has brought in a new story of Amos Chapman, one of the veterans of Fort Supply, who is now living at Seiling, Oklahoma. Chapman's right leg from the knee down is artificial, he having lost his good leg at the buffalo Wallow fight.

"Twenty years ago Chapman attended a big Indian Powwow which was attended by many Cheyenne Indians, young men, who did not know the intrepid Amos. As Chapman approached their camp where they were making dog soup in a great kettle, none of the Indians appeared to want him around. They cared nothing for white folks.

Chapman to impress them stepped alongside the kettle and thrust his right leg into the boiling soup, stirring it vigorously. His trouser leg covered the artificial limb and the Indians did not know they were dealing with a man whose leg had no sensation of pain. After he had given the soup a good stir Chapman withdrew the leg, wiped off the soup and sat down in the circle with the bravest warriors.

"Big medicine," grunted the Cheyennes, "No burn leg."

For the "Rest of the Story" check out our OkieLegacy site concerning Old Fort Supply - Woodward County that we transcribed back in 2006.

Does anyone out there remember the Monte Bank and the Monte game table at Supply? Perhaps even some stories of Jim Quinlan, teamster for the United States army? AND... remember the old log house at Fort Supply.

Jim Quinlan was known to run a square game, according to William C. Peacock, scout and plainsman, who knew the keeper of the bank at Old Fort Supply. Peacock's testimony that the game run by Quinlan was always on the square is backed up by Amos Chapman of Seiling, Oklahoma, who spent many long evenings watching the monte game and sometimes engaging in it himself. It was a popular game of the time. Patrons came for miles as Supply was in those days.

Jim Quinlan had tuberculosis. Quinlan lived to the age of 32 years, teaming and running the monte bank before he died. Quinlan had a lot of money in his teamster's bunk when he died. They took him to the Old Supply cemetery up on the hill, buried him in a fine coffin and put up a beautiful granite monument with his money. The stone is still standing and it was carved: "James Quinlan, age 32 years, died July 12, 1877."

In the cemetery is one reminder of the tragic days when Custer fought a desperate battle on the Washita. It is the grave of an Indian beauty. A beautiful marble stone marks her resting place. On the stone are the words: "Toch-e-me-ah, wife of Ben Clarke, died October 5, 1875. Age 22 years."

Other fort Supply Links:
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter I - The Establishment of Camp Supply
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter II - The Washita Campaign
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter III - A Permanent Post
# Old Fort Supply, Chaprter IV - The Later Years
# Old Fort Supply, Chapter V - Life At A Frontier Fort
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