Dear Duchess

June 2009 is almost gone and July is just around the corner. For many in the small rural community of Dacoma, Oklahoma, that means staging a 3rd of July picnic and blowout of fireworks in their community park a day before Independence Day, July 4, 2009.

NW Okie was telling me about the crowds from all around Northwest Oklahoma pouring into Dacoma on the 3rd of July for their Annual community Blowout and Fireworks. NW Okie misses seeing those spectacular fireworks of Dacoma's 3rd of July Blowout. If you get down to Dacoma, OK, on the 3rd of July this year, get some photos of the crowds, fireworks and say "Hello" to the Larry and Beth Leslie family from the Colorado Wagners.

We have heard from some readers that they like the "eZine" version of "The OkieLegacy" better so they can scroll down through the whole thing at once. How do some of our other readers feel? Do you like the "Tabloid" or the "eZine" version?

Last week we had a digital photograph of a sunset at the North Pole, we found out that it was a purely digital creation. As far as we know, it is a work titled "Hideaway," produced by a 22-year-old German astrophysics student named Inga Nielsen using Terragen scenery rendering software. Thanks to those who sent us the "Snopes.com" information concerning that digital creation.

We hear it has been heating up into the three-digits back in Oklahoma and the humidity doesn't help any ... except to make the air heavy to breathe. NW Okie will think of you while she is in the cooler climate and mountains of the San Juans, in SW Colorado. Lately, the highest temps we have had here range in the 80s during the day and drop to the 50s in the evening. The air is quite a bit drier and easier for breathing, also. This morning at 9 a.m. the temperature was still at 63.5 and the humidity was at 52%. We just had a 1.5 inch of rain Friday of last.

We will probably drive up towards Vallecito Lake to watch the 4th of July Fireworks next Saturday. Where ever you travel, have a Great, Safe 4th of July this year. If you are in NW Oklahoma on the 3rd of July, stop over at Dacoma's community park and join in the all-day festivities and fireworks.
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Floyd Huddleston Info

We heard from a son of Floyd Huddleston this week, "Well! Being that my dad is Floyd Huddleston, I have quite a bit of info on him."

The reason NW Okie is so interested in Floyd Huddleston is because back in 1938 he played in the same swing band from Kemper Military School that our Uncle Bob McGill played in during that time. We have included a photo of the band above and on the left.

This photo shows: Wm. Nelson Gibbens, Oklahoma City, OK, backrow, sax; Phillips Brooke "PB" Gentry, piano, Clarendon, TX; Floyd Houston Huddleston, left-front sax, Leland, Miss.; William Olus Greer, front-center, sax; and Robert McGill (on left-front, coronet). These fellas also played in a dance swing band in third class & tourist with my Uncle Bob aboard the "Ship Europa" during the Summer of '38 voyage to Europe.

Back in Vol. 11, Iss. 2, OkieLegacy ezine we heard from a Bob Adams who stated, "My name is Bob Adams. Floyd Huddleston and my Mom were first cousins. My Mom is still living and I am copying the picture and info that you have posted so that I might show it to her. Have you any more information on him? I knew that he had attended Kemper and that he had a fairly lucrative career in the music business. Other than that, details are sketchy. Thank you."

Bob Adams did not leave his email address. So ... we are hoping he might read this article and make a connection with Huston Huddleston @ Lummoxdung@yahoo.com.
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Black Sunday Blizzard 1935

Online at History.com I did a search for a show that was on this Sunday, June 28, 2009, concerning the "Black Sunday Blizzard of '35" that blew millions of tons of topsoil through the high plains and heartlands.

April 14, 1935, the day of "The Black Sunday Blizzard" blew millions of tons of topsoil eastward towards the east coast. Soil Conservation techniques were soon to follow to perserve the "Dust Bowl" years of the 1930s. Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and South Dakota feeling the "worst hard times" of that era.

According to HISTORY.COM's Major Dust Bowl Storm Strikes, It was one of the most devastating storms of the 1930s Dust Bowl era that swept through the heartland and the over-grazed, over-farmed plains bringing millions of tons of dirt and dust so dense, dark that some eyewitnesses believed the world was coming to an end.

By the early 1930s, the grassy plains of the plains of western Kansas, southeastern Colorado, panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, and northeastern New Mexico had been over plowed by farmers and overgrazed by cattle and sheep. Soil erosion, combined with an 8-year drought that began in 1931, created a a dire situation for farmers and ranchers.

With the failure of crops and businesses failing and dust storms making people sick, many residents fled westward in search of work in other states such as California. Those who remained behind struggled to support themselves and their families.

By the mid-1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration introduced programs to help alleviate the farming crisis, such as the establishment of the "Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in the Department of Agriculture. The SCS promoted improved farming and land management techniques and farmers were paid to utilize these safer practices. For many Dust Bowl farmers, this federal aid was their only source of income at the time."

By 1939, a year before my folks, Gene McGill and Vada Paris, were married (March 1940), the Dust Bowl era came to an end when the welcome rains returned as the drought ended. We only hope that the improved farming techniques of that "Dust Bowl" has reduced the problem of soil erosion and prevented a repeat of the 1930's Dust Bowl devastation. -- Maps of the Dust Bowl 1935-40.
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NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasts

www.cdc.noaa.gov -- "The most recent U.S. government (CPC) temperature forecast for June 2009 shows a tilt of the odds towards warmer temperatures that covers all of our area of interest, the Interior Southwest. This portion of the forecast matches both long-term trends and lingering La Niña impacts, even though the latter is discounted as an influence due to its rapid weakening this spring.

The precipitation forecast for June 2009 (below) is dry for northern Utah and northwestern-most Colorado, while an anticipated early monsoon onset gives much of Arizona and New Mexico above-normal odds for moisture next month. The area in between this dipole of above-normal precipitation chances to the south and below-normal odds to the north is left uncommitted

"EC" = equal chances of above/near-normal/below normal conditions. Both forecasts are taken from the monthly outlook website that is updated on the third Thursday of each month (as well as on the 1st of each month with an updated outlook.
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1848 US Map of North America

We found this Great 1848 US Map over at www.davidrumsey.com. It states that it is a "Third edition, first being 1846 (according to Ristow, although Karrow only lists an 1847). Texas is still in large configuration with a panhandle running up to Oregon. California and the Great Basin are shown only as Upper or New California.

"Fremont's 1843 and 1845 maps are incorporated, but not the 1848 map. The title is in the lower left, with an inset map of the West Indies and an inset of Newfoundland. In the 1850 edition the title is moved to the upper right. In the 1853 edition it is moved to the upper left.

"Map is dissected into 16 sections and edged in pink silk. Full color by state. Folds into green and pink plaid end sheets and half leather marbled covers 38x35 with ties and a label reading "United States" in elegant manuscript.

"Map Of The United States Of America, The British Provinces, Mexico and the West Indies, Showing The Country from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. Published by J.H. Colton, No. 86 Cedar St. New York. 1848. Entered ... 1846, by Joseph H. Colton ... New York. Drawn & Engraved By Sherman & Smith New-York. (inset) The south Eastern Part Of The West Indies. (inset) Map Of Newfoundland." -- davidrumsey.com/maps6150.html
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Insight Into Grandma

In a few of the letters that I have read, John asks Constance about Grace and Essie. I just happen to have a photo of those three young ladies, Essie Nall, Grace Brooks and Constance Warwick, when they were young girls growing up in the Northwestern part of Oklahoma Territory. That is the photo you are viewing on the left.

This week's Dear Constance letter from John McClure takes us into December 13, 26 & 29, 1904 as we finish the 1904 letters and move on into 1905.

Dec. 13, 1904 ... as postmarked, 4 p.m., Altona, Illinois, taking two days to deliver to Alva, O.T. It is addressed to Miss Constance Warwick and begins as usual with "Dear Connie."

"I received your latest letter all O.K. It should have been answered sooner, but I have been picking corn away from home. But I came home every night, as you know I can not stay away from home at night when I am near. I have nearly another weeks picking yet.

There was about an inch of snow fell this morning. My cousin who runs a corn sheller, got his hand badly hurt Saturday. Had to have one finger amputated.

You must not worry so much over that Civil Service affair, and I know you are not worrying over these girls up here. One of these girls were at my Grandmothers yesterday Eve and when I stopped a few minutes, she whacked in a cake that she had just baked. I had a notion to tell her the cake was sweeter than she.

I am nearly crazy to get to Oklahoma, and if I could position some where down there, I would sure as south of town. That is if I don't suppose Mrs. Snyder would not be mad at me now. We got a letter from the man that has the farm just across the road from our farm. He wanted pa to sell his place for him for 3600. We Considered that more than it was worth. I was acquainted with the McGrew boy. He was an adopted son.

Does the Free mail Route go past our place? I never heard where it went. Do they have anymore neighborhood quarrels like they had when we were there?

You are mistaken about me thinking you were writing crooked stories, because everything is true, at least, I think so.

I will close for this time. Write soon. bye Bye. Your True Friend, J. C. McClure.

Dec. 26, 1904 ... as postmarked, but dated inside the letter: Christmas Night, Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, O.T., Dear Constance.

"I have been waiting quite awhile for an answer to my last letter, but have not received it. I suppose you are having to good a time during your vacation for such matters.

"I attended a christmas tree in town last Eve. It was real good. I was home today, and put in the day pretty well eating.

"It is to late to wish you a merry Xmas, but I wish you a Happy New Year, and hope you had a merry Xmas.

"Grandmother will give a dinner to her three sons, their families on New Years Day.

"I am going to a Xmas tree tomorrow eve at Galva. Old Santa brought me several nice presents. I suppose he has reached Okla by this time, as I sent him there direct. Our school mom had a little tree for the children.

"It rained here night before last, but is frozen up now and threatens snow. We have not had snow enough for sleighing yet. What kind of weather are you having down there? Have you had any snow?

"I am thinking of going to Peoria after New Years. I will close. Write soon. Yours Sincerely, John McClure."

Dec. 29, 1904 ... as postmarked, Altona, Ill., arriving in Alva, O.T., December 28, 1904, at 5 a.m. It is addressed to Miss Constance Warwick, Alva, Oklahoma. and begins: "Altona, Ill., Dec. 28, 1904, Miss Constnace Warwick, Alva, Okla., Dear Connie,

I received your esteemed letter Tuesday, and was pleased to receive same.

Our rain storm turned into a blizzard and was one of the worst I have ever seen. It snowed, and blowed a gala all day yesterday, and all night last night, but moderated some today. Only one man froze to death. He was full of booze.

I'll bet your program was swell. I should have liked to have seen Santa. Who was he?Did R. T. have an Xmas tree?

Some of our Okla. friends must be getting rich. I wish some one would erect a mansion our place out there. I velieve I wuld go out there and learn to cook again. I haven't cooked any since I left there, and not very much then. Does Clyde Mathew farm? What kind of a time did Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have at the Fair? I will close for this time wishing your a Happy New Year. Ever Your Sincere Friend, John McClure, Altona, Ill.
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WWII - POW CAMPS IN OKLAHOMA

There were a few artists & sculptors among the POWs in the Alva Camp that used their artistic talents to pass the days until the end of the war. They made their own paint, created pictures and sculptures of medieval castles and other memories back home in Germany.

This is a model of a German church castle crafted from scrap woods by German POWs and designed after a castle in his hometown.

It is preserved at the Cherokee Strip Museum in Alva, Oklahoma as one of many memories that is left to remind Alva of it's POW Camp for the captured Nazi Officers & sympathizers.

A hand-carved, six-foot wooden eagle & Nazi insignia that was carved from pieces of packing crates by German POWs. It also resides at the "Cherokee Strip Museum", Alva, Oklahoma.

Also at the Cherokee Strip Museum you will find two handkerchiefs that had maps of the southwest United States painted on them by a German POW who attempted to escape from the Alva Camp.

This Hand-painted SW US Map is just one of those maps and was donated to the museum by Wilbur Province. This is some Information and List of POW camps across Oklahoma during WWII. We took some photos around October, 1999 of the Alva camp. This is another link showing Basic Info and Facilities of US POW camps.

This is an aerial view and a map of the layout of the buildings of the Alva camp.

Did you know that in January of 1945, WWII - the "Battle of Alva (Oklahoma)," 64 Guards were faced with rebellion by 1000 or so Nazi Prisoners of War. You can read more about this "Battle of Alva" at our "WWII OkieLegacy" website in the "Woods County" section.

This is a pencil sketch of the POW water tower that stood out at the Alva Camp during WWII and it was drawn by a German prisoner of war.

Except for a scattered few in the north part of the state, most of the POW Camps in Oklahoma were down in "Little Dixie" and across "Central Oklahoma" and NOT widely known back then during the war by the public sector.

As to POW Camps in Oklahoma ... A friend proclaims, "It is evident that Ardmore was a likely location. I do remember that the powers that be picked some of the most beautiful Washita bottom, timbered, ranch & farm land that they could find, to convert into a landing field. Perhaps a major factor was the fact that the Arbuckle Mountains sheltered the area from the heavy winds. At the beginning, the location was chosen to be used as a glider pilot training school. It also became a B-26 Bomber Pilot Training School and ultimately it became a B-17 Bomber Pilot Training School."

The consensus of the former POWs many years later when they came back to visit American was that they were treated well by the guards at the Alva Camp and other camps across Oklahoma.

One POW said, "Back then the Americans carried rifles on their shoulders. We prayed to our God for Germany to win the war and they prayed to their God for Americans to win the war.
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The Duration of WWI

Behind Fences In Oklahoma Across the sun-baked plains of Oklahoma in the west and the tree covered, misty mountains in the east, nothing remains to show a part Oklahoma played during World War II. The pre-existing buildings that were used, show no evidence of the part they played in the past. The sites that were built now are covered by businesses, farms, and ranches.

All that remains, are records in the Archives, microfilmed newspaper accounts, records of interviews conducted and the memories of the people that lived and worked near the enemy alien and prisoner of war camps that existed in 26 counties around the state.

It is strange that there was so much going on at the military posts during WWII that was never known by the public. As you know, even the men in service did not have free access to the various military camps - and certainly were not privy to the functions of any of them.

The list indeed does show Ardmore Air Field was used (in part) for a POW camp along with Camp Howze, Texas. Camp Howze was a very large Army infantry camp located at Gainsville, Texas.

Ardmore was an Army Air Corps base [this was long before the Air Corps became the Air Force]. We have heard rumors that Camp Howze was also used (in part) as a POW camp. I never even saw a German POW anywhere during my 3 1/2 years of service in WWII.

The general public was not even aware about the American Japanese being confined on the west coast until after the war was over. I'd be surprised if a list, such as this, could be found anytime during the war.
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July 4th, 1928 Boys Drill Team

It was the 4th July 1928 when these young Northwest Oklahoma Boys Drill Team posed on the northwest corner of Alva, Oklahoma's downtown square, at the intersection of Flynn and College Avenue. The boys drill team is facing northwest as we look southeast across the downtown square.

Notice the courthouse dome in the upper left corner above the treetops and the Bell Hotel in the upper right corner above the treetops. You can catch a slight glimpse of the Chamber building nestled in the tree-packed downtown park square on the rightside. Did you notice how they parked their vehicles in the middle of the wide streets?

Boys Drill Team: Names of boys starting with the left Column 1 and moving to the right to Column 5.

Column 1 (front to back row): Bob Burcket, J. L. Reed, Russle Fawitz, Ben Harrover, Frank Houts, Richard Jones, Newton Gettings.

Column 2: Bob McGill, Herb Ryman, Howard Schumacher, Lester Duck, Paul Clark, Lewis Kapareck.

Column 3: Bob Day, Brad Eutsler, John Day, Clay Noah, Tom Hervil, Junior Ballins.

Column 4: Fat Murry, Earl Boyce, Joe Day, Bill Jackson, Marion Braziwell, Millard Porter.

Column 5: Warne Templin, John Jackson, Edward Kavanaugh, Crawford Botenbury, Merle "Gene" McGill, Ben Matteson, Bradley. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Looking Back ... '99 Reflections

It was in Issue 39, Vol. 1, 18 December 1999, Saturday, that we dug these 1999 reflections out of our archives. These reflections are not in our OkieLegacy database, so we are going back to Volumes 1 & 2 to incorporate those interesting items in our "Looking Back..." series.

December 18, 1999, another week has gone by and the holiday shoppers are busily bustling and preparing for the Holidays and the New Century that is just around the corner. As I reflect back over the last twelve months of 1999, I count the ways and special friends who have blessed some part of my life this past year. I will only mention some of the highlights!

Let me start briefly in the early part of January 1999, after the the birth of my first kidney stone that showed up Christmas Night 1998. It was that episode (among other things) that caused me to make some positive changes in my life. Anyway, I hope it was for the better. Afterwards, the faith & trust that I have learned to give/receive from those around me has rewarded & blessed me continuously this last few months.

Moving from February to March was another milestone in my life. I turned 51 in the latter part of February and began a rejuvenating and redefining the journey of my own self awareness. Easter weekend and April was another special turning point in my life. I strengthened my relationships with those around me at that time. There were "moments of gold and flashes of light..." It just seemed right! It seemed like my hopes and dreams were all coming back to me.

Shortly after that discovery, I started writing my "Heart To Heart Newsletter" with encouragement from special friends whom strengthened me when I was weak; giving me back my faith when it was lost; speaking when I had no voice or words; being there for me and giving me inspiration; and being my eyes when I couldn't see. I'm everything I am because they had the faith & trust in me and taught me to have faith & trust in myself.

I am continuously learning that with forgiveness of this and that, Love and Friendships can move mountains. AND... Believing, Trusting and having Faith in your friends and yourself is another important part of the whole picture.

The end of September and first part of October, 1999 was the beginning of a much deserved vacation that Dave and I took together back east through Canada and New England. Taking in the sights of our ancestral homesteads of West Virginia; meeting new friends; realizing that each day is a new adventure; and experiencing life as it is.

That now brings us to November and December where I am at the present -- reflecting on how blessed that I have been this year (1999). Especially with old and new friends coming into my life. That includes connecting with new cousins and learning bits & pieces of family stories.

In 1999 we experienced days that were good and some that were the pits. Sometimes just a few encouraging words or a special kind of hug and encouragement from others can gave us the strength to go on. If I can be the "Wind Beneath Your Wings," then lean on me. I expect NOTHING in return! The Twenty Century was just on the horizon.

The Full, bright Moon of December, 1866 & 1999 ... On December 21st, 1866 the Lakota Sioux took advantage of this combination of occurrences and staged a devastating retaliatory ambush on U.S. occupying soldiers in the Wyoming Territory.

In layman's terms it will be a super bright full moon, much more than the usual. It has not happened this way for 133 years!

Here it is December 1999, 133 years later that our ancestors 133 years ago saw this same Full bright Moon. The descendants of 133 years agpwill see this again as it happens again on December 22, 1999. Will it be another 133 years (December 2032) when it occurs again?
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Remembering the Alva Greenhouse

This Photo was scanned from a Postcard of my Grandmother's. I am not sure of the date. On the back of the card where the stamp goes it reads: "Place Postage Stamp Here - Domestic and Canada One Cent - Foreign Two Cents."

The Alva Greenhouse was located at Church and Logan Streets. The Alva Greenhouse owned and operated by the William R. Maxwell family, was established in 1909 when the family moved to Alva from Goltry, Oklahoma.

Before establishing a successful flower business, the Maxwells sold fruit and vegetables with cabbages being their main money crop.

In the foreground of this postcard view is their extensive vegetable garden which had its own irrigation system. The greenhouses and the family home, both built in 1909, are in the background.

The flower business was started in the basement of this home in 1911. The business, which later became known as Maxwell Florists, was sold in 1961. The greenhouses are gone but the house is still standing. The following information was sent to me my Marvin Henry concerning the postcard of the Alva Greenhouse. If anyone else out there has any other memories that they would like to add, please Email this NW Okie.

Marvin says, "My long-term memory immediately recognized the house and greenhouses as being Maxwell Florist. Cannot guarantee this is fact, but when I saw the picture it immediately came to me that this was what was known as Maxwell Florist when I was a kid, and was/is located at what is now Dorothy's Flower's on Logan.

"In the late '40's, I delivered papers for the Alva Review Courier on a route which was in that area. There was a canyon, having since been partially filled in, between Logan and I think it is Meno street. There were a few more houses in that area than when the photo was taken, but the house and greenhouses were there. As a matter of fact, I think the original house from the picture, with some remodeling, is still there.

"The Maxwell of the Maxwell Florist was probably the grandparent of Allyson Maxwell (class of '55) who I believe married Max Ridgway (class of '55), and at one time lived across from the new AHS on Flynn. However, I think Allyson grew up in that house."
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Castles of NW Oklahoma

A Pioneer Prairie of Dreams is what pioneers were filled with as they made their way westward into Oklahoma & Indian Territory ... "If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." -- William Arthur Ward. Another saying I like is, "If you build your prairie of dreams (your Castle on the Hill), they will come!"

We all have dreams! All we need is the determination and support to carry out some of those dreams. What if our ancestors had not followed their prairie of dreams to the new world? What would life have been like back in January, 1895 if the pioneers of the growing city of Alva and the county of "M" (Woods, Alfalfa and Major) in this northwest Oklahoma territory had not had their dream of a Northwestern State Normal School and the determination of a community to accomplish that dream?

There would have been no unique and splendid "Castle On the Hill" March 12, 1897 that stood until March 1, 1935 when it was ravished completely by fire.

One of those dreamers was James E. Ament who helped structure the architectural outline of the Norhtwestern Normal school building after the outlines of the Norman Castles of France that he loved so much. Ament was the first President of Northwestern State Normal College when he came to Alva in September 20, 1897.

It took the support and organization of the Commercial Club of businessmen and citizens of the community to unite and "Push" for the lobby of the bill through the State Legislature from January, 1895 to March 12, 1897. After much maneuvering on both sides, Governor Renfrew reluctantly signed the bill granting a Normal School for this determined community of Alva, Oklahoma.

While the committee was faced with several long, maneuvering and bitter fights lobbying the legislature, the citizens back home were gathering land and finances. They were beginning to build on their dream. That is how determined they were to fulfill their dreams of higher education in this growing farming town and county of "M" in Oklahoma territory. They had a dream and as a community they came together to build it.

For more details concerning the "Castle on the Hill" you may go to my OkieLegacy web site at Building of the Northwestern Normal School and read more about it.

The early morning hours of March 1, 1935, Friday, will live in infamy for many of the Old Timers of this NW Oklahoma community. They could probably tell you exactly what they were doing on that date when their beloved "Castle on the Hill" burned down. The cause of the fire has been largely a matter of speculation ranging from faulty electrical wiring -- To spontaneous combustion in a janitor's closet -- To a carelessly tossed cigarette. You can read more detailed information about the destruction of Alva and Woods County's "Castle on the Hill" at Burning Destruction of "Castle on the Hill".

From a journal that my Grandpa Bill McGill kept this is what he wrote March 1, 1935, "The old Administration building burned down. Boy! Was everybody sick! March 14, 1935, $300,000 passed by both houses to rebuild. Only 4 opposition. Parade by everybody at noon, March 14, 1935."

The pioneers of the growing city of Alva and county of "M" (Woods, Alfalfa and Major) in Oklahoma territory had their prairie of dreams. One of those dreams was to see their children educated. They set their goal to build their "Castle On the Hill" for themselves, their children and their children's children. It began with 166 students in September, 1897 and grew to 2,000 students Today. They accomplished their prairie of dreams with the pioneer spirit and determination that drove so many to this new land of opportunities -- And they came in droves from the eastern and western seaboards and across the oceans for a new beginning.

Don't give up on your dreams. Where would we be if our pioneers had given up on their dreams. There may be times that you take a step back, but there will always be times when you take two steps forward to seeing your dreams fulfilled. What we need is more dreamers and people with determination to ease and move us "progressively" forward in the evolution of our life and times.
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Air Castles & Dreamers

This NW Okie comes from a long line of dreamers with roots in Oklahoma. My grandmother, Constance Estella Warwick McGill, wrote in letters from a friend, John C. McClure, of the places she wanted to go and see when she was younger in the early 1900s. John accused Constance of building "air castles."

One of those places was San Francisco, Philippines, and other places around the world. It was not until the late 1930s thru 1950s that she saw some of her "air castles" developed into reality. She never made it to the Philippines, but did travel to England and back to New England.

Grandma mainly stayed around Northwestern Oklahoma Territory and saw it through it Drought, Depression and Dust Bowl days, raising a family of two sons and acquiring ranch and farm land. Marrying William J. McGill in March, 1910 and divorcing in the 1940s.

Grandma's younger son, Bob McGill, fought overseas in World War II and died at an early age in February, 1954 of lung cancer.

Constance's oldest son stayed around Northwest Oklahoma after his graduation from Oklahoma University in December, 1937, instead of going off to Washington, DC. His grandfather, John Robert Warwick made Gene and offer he could not refuse, "All this would be yours if you stayed and work the farm and ranching business."

Little did Gene know at that time that his mother would control everything and use young Gene as a hired hand. By-passing her remaining son in her Will & Trusts when she died in 1969 -- leaving mineral interests and the majority of landholdings to her four granddaughters, equally.
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Harvesters & Prairie Skyscrapers

What are Prairie Skyscrapers? Up in Kansas they are referred to as Prairie Skyscrapers (a.k.a. grain elevators). In most areas of the Heartland, you can see at least one elevator off in the distance. Every town has at least one and, in some cases, the elevator is still standing (and may even still be used) even if the town has been abandoned.

You won't find Godzilla perched on the top of these skyscrapers swatting off airplanes, either. You might see a few flying farmers and harvesters flying low to the ground scouting out the golden, ripe, waving wheat fields from south to north all through the Heartland region. The man with the whiskers and airplane got the job in those earlier harvesting days of flying farmers. This is the hectic time of year for allot of farmers. They are looking towards the skies and praying for Mother Nature's cooperation with sunshine instead of rain, hail and storm.

Have you noticed more activity springing up around all the prairie skyscrapers in the small, rural, farming communities? Small towns are awakening and becoming alive again with harvesters moving down the road, buying necessities, supplies and groceries. Wheat trucks line up to unload their grains into the grain elevators in each of the rural communities where they will be cutting wheat.

The harvester's will have gathered their combines, grain carts, wheat trucks and crew and will be working from south Texas and moving north through Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and moving towards Canada. They will be hitting all the Heartland and Wheatland regions in between. My dad (Gene McGill) made a similar route in the 1940s "wheat harvesting" for other farmers from Oklahoma to South Dakota with his three (3) Baldwin combines outfits, an airplane and a crew. He was known as the "full-bearded flying farmer".

Gene would start his crop of whiskers about the time it came to wheat harvesting for the other farmers. As he went northward with his three combines outfits his beard grew more luxurious. He had a picture taken during one of those trips when he found a "father figure look-alike".

Gene and his older look-alike are dressed in similar clothing; same expression and both have a fully-bearded. There is no relationship other than friendly farmers shooting the bull, as some might say.

Gene would use his airplane to spot wheat fields which needed cutting even far off the beaten roads followed by other outfits -- "And the man with the whiskers and the airplane got the job."

This picture was taken some time on June 20, 1942, 5 miles South (think it was south of Alva, Oklahoma. But I'm not sure. The photo shows Gene (on left) standing in back of wheat truck with another crew member and wheat spilling out the back of the truck. On the back of the photo it shows the date and 30-bushel wheat is written.

On this same day on June 20, 1942, 5 miles South of who knows where three (3) Baldwin's Combines are working behind one case tractor out in the wheat field.

If you look closely into the field with this photo you will see Gene's three Baldwin combines outfit out in the field at work. Those combines now have a permanent home nestled far back in the pasture near Two Buttes, Baca County, Colorado.

Another photo shows Gene standing on back of truck that hauled the Case tractor nd a combine hitched on to the back of the wheat truck. Other crew members are in the background. That old Case tractor and truck may also be permanently rooted in the pastures out at Baca County, near Two Buttes, Colorado.

Here is another shot of Gene's harvesting outfit with a Phillips 66 fuel truck to the right and the outfit crew standing and posing for the cameraman in the 1940s.

Another view of some old photos shows the Case tractor loaded on back of truck that my dad used in his combine outfit. They were either unloading or loading after or before a job. I'm not quite sure.

Here is an "Old Time Harvesting Wheat Binder". Some farmer told me this was a picture of a "wheat binder" pulled by four horses. I'm told it was the next step up from the hand scythes and hand binding days. I suspect it was in the early 1920s before the first tractor. The first tractor, I'm told, came out around the 1929 era sometime.

My father was born December 1914. My best guess is that he may have had an opportunity to work on this binder as a young boy during his young harvesting days. I suspect it may be an ancestor, but I'm not for sure on that. It was nestled amongst my Grandmother's old ancestral photos.
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Singspiration Returns To Perry OK

Roy says, "SINGSPIRATION began as an all-night gospel and patriotic 'sing-along' session to honor our troops in the 'Gulf War' back in 1994, and was a brain-child of our (then) postmaster, Darryl Bullock. It brought together soloists and singing groups from all over Oklahoma to perform at the grandstand in the park that surrounds the Noble County Courthouse.

"The Perry Quartet is featured in the photo on the left ... "If you can use any of these photos, you're welcome to pick and choose. I'll try to identify them as best I can. I took these in addition to the video that I was shooting of the (almost) three hour show. After I get it edited, I expect the DVD will run between 90 and 120 minutes total (perhaps a little less) after I cut out all the 'wasted' time for 'mic checks' and 'patter' between performances.

The newspaper article in the Perry Daily Journal headlines reads: "Singspiration coming to Perry square Friday evening."

"Don't miss the 15th annual Singspiration at the bandstand on the Perry square Friday (June 26) evening. The event will begin at 6 p.m. and will be a free evening of patriotic and gospel music featuring performers from around the state of Oklahoma.

"This year's event will be launched by the Oklahoma Christian University's 9-member contemporary choir, "New reign" who will be performing in Perry before going to another engagement. Also on the agenda are a Southern gospel group, "Power of Praise" from Oklahoma City, a Stillwater quartet, "Redeemed", an Elvis impersonator, Darin "Elvis" Thrasher of Yukon, a duo from El Reno, "Kindred Spirits", and from Perry, soloist Lenita Kennedy and a Perry quartet, "Potter's Clay", which includes Bill Bullock, Maria Lemons, Elaine Vardeman and Patti Bloom.

"Beverages and snack concessions will be available and door prizes will be given out during the program. The event is FREE and sponsored by Darryl Bullock of Victory Ministries, assisted by his son, Bill Bullock."
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Castle Butte, AZ

Marvin Henry says, "My guide to Indian Country map, there is a Castle Butte, elev 5460 feet, located just northeast of Tuba City.

"A couple of weeks ago you mentioned about Hwy 666 being renamed 491. It was rumored at the time of the change in numbering that the 666 designation was a jinx.

"Years ago, our church youth group flipped a trailer while traveling that route. Also, the first time we traversed just a small portion of Hwy 666 we developed car trouble and while not having to be towed into Cortez, we definately limped in.

"Back in my younger days, while cruising Oklahoma Blvd or sitting at the Dairy Queen watching the world go by, we talked of just where Hwy 64 went. Many years later I discovered it more or less ends at Tec Nos Pos, AZ."
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Triple Digit Temperatures ... Summer Is Here!

Roy says, " Our summertime weather has arrived. 104 degrees yesterday and predicted again today. Global warming? Nope. This is normal for Perry, Ok. (but perhaps a few days earlier than usual).

"And believe it or not, gasoline prices have dropped back down some. Sinclair dropped to $2.50.9 on Tuesday and then dropped to $2.45.9 the next day, while Conoco dropped to $2.40.9 on Tuesday and then dropped again to $2.36.9! Of course it may go back up for the weekend. We are expecting more rain on Sunday."
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