Duchess Mtn Domain

Bayfield, Colorado - Guess who is late as she is traveling "On the Road" gathering Okie Legacy tidbits as she surmounts obstacles along the eastward pass over Wolf Creek. Leaving us engaging, lovable and adorable Pugs up here in the cool, Rocky mountains of Southwest Colorado. Shall I profess how much we miss her and miss laying on her lap? OR . . . shall I torment her and let her think we do not miss her that much! I know she misses us!

Sadie and I have been spending our sunny, cool days laying out by one of her pickups in the Rocky mountains for any sitings of her return. She is probably back in Northwest Oklahoma about now checking on her other animals (Nugget, Maggie, Doquoti, Cindy, Pocahontas Doli, and others. If you see her, let her know we wait her return!

NW Okie did send me this photo of the early morning dusting of snow seen on the mountain tops from Wolf Creek Pass. It looks as though they had enough snow to road grade, huh?

Hello, Doli, in NW Oklahoma!


Good Night and Good Luck from The Pugs, Duchess & Sadie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Home Comfort Cookbook - Soup Recipes

America - Last week we offered our readers some hints of "soups" and "Chowders" from the Wrought Iron Range, 1934 Home Comfort cookbook. Does anyone out there love a bit of "creole" (soup, that is) from time to time? The following recipe for "Creole Soup" came from our Home Comfort cookbook. This is how our ancestors were making creole soup in the 1930s. BUT . . . Wait! Where is the shrimp and other seafood that we might expect in creole today?

Creole Soup

Drop 1/4 cup washed rice in 3 cups boiling water and boil 30 minutes. Fry 1/2 cup chopped onion in 2 Tablespoons bacon grease until tender but not brown; add 2 cups tomato pulp, stew 10 minutes, and rub through strainer into rice and water; season with salt, sugar and paprika or chili to taste; add 1 chopped green pepper or a tablespoon finely chopped parsley if desired; serve with crackers.

Mexican Soup -- Here is a Mexican soup that has something that I have never tried with turnips in it.

Make a stock with a small soup-bone and some fat or from the water in which beef has boiled by adding trimmings or scraps of meat and poultry; to 2 quarts of stock, add 1 each, sliced, large onion, large tomato, small turnip, small carrot, and salt to taste. Simmer for 5 or 6 hours, frequently skimming; about 30 minutes before soup is done, stir thoroughly and add 1 tablespoon chili powder; strain through a sieve; serve.

Ox-Tail Soup -- For those who like a bit of strangeness to your Wintery soups, you might try the recipe below. Oxtail (occasionally spelled ox tail or ox-tail) is the culinary name for the tail of cattle. They sure made do with every little bit, didn't they?

Cleanse and cut 1 ox-tail into joints, put into stew kettle, cover with salted cold water, par-boil, strain off liquid or stock; have ready 1/2 cup finely chopped bacon or ham, and 2 each onions, carrots, small turnips and single stalks of celery, all finely sliced or chopped.

Now, dry each oxtail joint, roll them in flour, and put into a stew pan containing 4 tablespoons hot cooking fat; add bacon and chopped vegetables, and fry all together until brown. Add the strained oxtail stock, 12 whole peppers, 2 cloves, any herbs desired, and season with salt if necessary.

Bring whole to boiling point, skim well, cover with lid, and simmer for about 3-1/2 or 4 hours; strain, remove excess fat, return to kettle, add 1 tablespoon corn-starch beaten into a little milk or wine, stir and cook a few moments. Put in some of the smaller joints of oxtail; serve. Larger joints may be served in brown gravy as meat.

Did you know that the regulation of your oven-heat is one of the big secrets in both roasting and baking. The oven-door of the "Home Comfort" was readily adjustable by means of the "handle" to gradually and properly cool an over heated oven. In hot weather if you objected to the heat escaping into the room, the lowering of the oven-heat may be accomplished by placing a pan of water in the oven until its temperature is just right.

Next week we shall bring you some "Meats and Meat Specials dishes." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Ramblings & Rumblings With NW Okie

Oklahoma - Here it is twelve days into October 2010 and you can find snow on the tops of the mountains at the Wolf Creek Ski resort. I am not a snow skier, but I do love the Winters in the Rockies! Actually, I love being snowed-in and a cozy, warm fire in the fireplace. It will not be long now! For Winter and Snow ski season is just around the corner for some.

We are traveling "On the Road" to gather some interesting insights into our Okie Legacy, and see where we came from. If, in your travels you have an interesting insight about our Okie Legacy, we would love to hear from you and share it with our subscribers. Just email this NW Okie (EMAIL: mcwagner.lk@gmail.com). We would love to share your photo memories, also! Thanks!

Good Day & Good Luck! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWII Memorial - 2nd Lt. Leland D. Jewell

America - Summary -- Jewel Death by Propeller Contact, Galveston Army Air Field Here is another death of a serviceman, 2nd Lt. Leland D. Jewell, whose death by propeller contact, occurred November 17, 1943, at Galveston Army Air Field.

Waiting in line for takeoff at Galveston Army Air Field, instructor pilot, 2nd Lt. Frank P. Hill and 2nd Lt. Lyle W. Scott, pilot, B-17F, 42-5270, were attempting to make radio contact with B-17F, 42-30599, the aircraft in front of them. This aircraft was holding up take-off of 42-5270 and others behind it. Not able to make radio contact, Lt. Hill asked Lt.

Leland D. Jewell, co-pilot, who was standing behind the pilot seat, to go check on the problem with 42-30599. Following the suggestion, Lt. Jewell exited the aircraft through the bombardier's escape hatch on the left front of the aircraft. In less than two or three minutes, they felt a vibration of Number 2 propeller. Looking out his window, Lt. Scott saw Lt. Jewell lying on the ramp. Lt. Hill, the instructor pilot, immediately cut the ignition, killing the engines and alerted the control tower of the accident. Exiting the aircraft, they found Lt. Jewell had been struck on the right side of his skull and was bleeding profusely from the major wound. The accident happened at approximately 0830 Central War Time.

The ambulance and flight surgeon, Major Leo J. Cogan, arrived quickly. Lt. Jewell had major head injuries requiring hospital service beyond that available at Fort Crockett Hospital, Galveston, where he was first taken. From there, he was rapidly transported to the Scott-White hospital in Temple, Texas where he died.

The Accident Investigation Committee speculated that the accident, based on information from the Flight Surgeon, probably happened thusly: 'Lt. Jewell emerged from the hatch with his back toward the nose of the plane while all four engines were idling. While in a crouched position, he is presumed to have turned to the right and was struck on the right side of his head by the tip of one blade of Number 2 propeller. Due to the nature of the accident, no statement of responsibility or recommendation can be made.' Common sense indicates carelessness played a big part in the tragedy. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWII Memorial - Death by Friendly Fire

America - January 16, 1944, Staff Sergeant Elmo A. Hagen, Gunnery Instructor, dies by friendly fire, on a high altitude formation gunnery training mission over the Bay area, near Galveston, Texas.

2nd Lt. Ryan J. Lancaster's crew of nine, plus a gunnery instructor in B-17F, 42-30761, took off from Galveston Army Air Field, second in line with six other B-17s from Ardmore Army Air Field. After reaching altitude, they formed up to participate in a high altitude formation gunnery training mission over the Bay area. They were to fire at sleeve towed targets from an echelon 'up to the right' stacked formation. Lt. Lancaster's aircraft was in the Number 2 position off the right wing of the lead aircraft at approximately 10,000 feet altitude.

When the signal was given to fire, all gun positions except the ball and top turrets fired when the towed target was in an advantageous position to their station. When the gunners of 42-30761 had fired approximately 1,000 rounds, the target towing aircraft came in low at a 7 o'clock position passing directly under Lancaster's aircraft. At this time, Lt. Lancaster felt a pull on the controls and thought his aircraft might have received 50-caliber fire from another aircraft.

In a few minutes, Sgt. Herschell L. Moore, flight engineer, came forward to report that S/Sgt. Elmo A. Hagen, gunnery instructor, had been severely injured from at least one stray bullet. S/Sgt. Hagen, who was shot in the back, had been standing between the ball turret and waist guns. The incident happened approximately 100-miles south of Galveston Army Air Field.

Lancaster immediately left the formation and landed at Galveston at approximately 1805-hours Central War Time (CWT). The aircraft was met by an ambulance and Sgt. Hagen was transported to the Infirmary where he was pronounced dead. It was apparent that he was deceased soon after the bullet struck him.

Lt. Lancaster's aircraft received at least ten hits to the wing, gas tanks and fuselage; damaging and cutting cables to the rudder and elevator in the central control cable. Gunners in each of the other aircraft in the formation were questioned as to whether they might have been responsible for the accident. No one accepted responsibility for the damage to 42-30761 and death of S/Sgt. Elmo A. Hagen. Since there was no definite proof and no admittance by any of the gunners of the aircraft, the accident was declared to be accidental or due to carelessness. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Castle On the Hill - OK Moments

Oklahoma - Do you subscribe to OK Moments brought to you by COX On Demand, an Oklahoma Magazine and the Oklahoma History Center? It gives you a daily insight into the Oklahoma spirit and a glimpse into the past.

On OK Moments, October 5, 2010 Issue, they had a slide show and history of the "Castle On the Hill." I recognized the last image of the burnt out shell of the Castle on the Hill and a few more photos that they used of mine. I am thrilled that they could use them and do not mind them using them. On their site they gave me "photographs courtesy of. . ."

The two or three pictures that I recognized as mine were: 1901 photo of the castle on the hill with the large group seated, standing in front; and the burned shell of the castle. I'm not sure where, who submitted the photos. Not all photos they used were mine. Just 2 or maybe 3 photos were from my collection.

I noticed on this week's OK Moments, Tuesday, October 12, 2010, they talk about US Representative and Governor William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray. I did not know that Alfala Bill" ran away from home at the age of twelve and worked as an agricultural laborer while attending public schools sporadically. AND -- Alfalfa Bill Murray was an activist in the Farmers' Alliance and the Democratic Party.

Thanks, OK Moments, for another insight into one of our Past Governor's of Oklahoma, "Alfalfa Bill" Murray! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

This Day In History - 12 October

America - Just celebrating a three-day weekend in honor of Columbus Day, we find it appropriate to bring you some insight into Columbus' sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.

This Italian explorer, Christopher Columbus, sighted a Bahamian island, believing he had reached East Asia. His expedition went ashore the same day and claimed the land for Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain, who sponsored his attempt to find a western ocean route to China, India, and the fabled gold and spice islands of Asia.

Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, in 1451. He worked as a seaman and then a maritime entrepreneur. He became obsessed with the possibility of pioneering a western sea route to Cathay (China), India, and the gold and spice islands of Asia. At the time, Europeans knew no direct sea route to southern Asia, and the route via Egypt and the Red Sea was closed to Europeans by the Ottoman Empire, as were many land routes.

Contrary to popular legend, educated Europeans of Columbus' day did believe that the world was round, as argued by St. Isidore in the seventh century. However, Columbus, and most others, underestimated the world's size, calculating that East Asia must lie approximately where North America sits on the globe. They did not yet know that the Pacific Ocean existed.

Columbus thought, with only the Atlantic Ocean lying between Europe and the riches of the East Indies, he met with King John II of Portugal and tried to persuade him to back his "Enterprise of the Indies," as he called his plan.

Columbus was rebuffed and went to Spain, where he was also rejected at least twice by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. However, after the Spanish conquest of the Moorish kingdom of Granada in January 1492, the Spanish monarchs, flush with victory, agreed to support his voyage. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Genographic Project - Human Migration, Population Genetics, Maps, DNA

America - My youngest nephew sent me this link to The Genographic Project -- Human Migration, Population Genetics, Maps, DNA - National Geographic.

Do we really know where we come from? How did we get to where we live today? DNA studies suggest that all humans today descend from a group of African ancestors who began a remarkable journey about 60,000 years ago.

It is an interesting article of how the Genographic Project is seeking to chart new knowledge about the migratory history of the human species. Using sophisticated laboratory, computer analysis of DNA contributed by hundreds of thousands of people from around the world.

This Genographic Project is a 5-year research partnership led by National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, Dr. Spencer Wells, and a team of renowned international scientists and IBM researchers.

Have you had your DNA tested? Do you want to connect to your ancestry and see who you connect to as they are doing in this article?

Check out this link: The Human Family Tree to see how you connect with your ancestors from 150,000 years ago. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Chronicles of Oklahoma & Naming of Alva

Oklahoma - Did you receive your latest Volume of The Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume LXXXVIII, Number two, Summer 2010?

There are some interesting bits of history in there concerning the naming of Alva, Oklahoma; Transcontinental Crossroads: Oklahoma's lighted Airways in 1930s; Chitto Harjo and the Snake Rebellion; Fred Harris's New Populism and the Demise of Heartland Liberalism.

The Notes and Documents of Alva, Oklahoma: What's in a Name? is on page 230, written by Donovan Reichenberger. It gives another insight of how Alva got its name. Was Alva named after a cow-town? Colorado Governor? Railroad agent?

The first public record offering a namesake for Alva was an opinion piece by W. F. Hatfield, editor and publisher of the Alva Pioneer. it was thought to be a tongue-in-cheek item stating, "Thomas A. Edison's middle name is Alva. We are not particularly superstitious, but we always believed that the steady, reliable and yet, unexplained progress of Alva was due to some kind of Mascot, and that must be the stuff."

This was published when Alva was less than 6 months old, March 9, 1894. Reichenberger wrote, "It is doubtful that Hatfield was offering a serious suggestion that the town was named for Edison. Hatfield was probably resorting to the frontier town-boosting hyperbole from a local newspaper editor."

Reichenberger goes on to state, "The second public record with a suggestion offering a namesake for Alva was an opinion item by Albert H. Andrus, editor and publisher of the Alva Chronicle."

In Andrus' partisan political party zealotry, he wrote, "Alva was named after Alva Adams, ex-governor of Colorado. he was the best governor the state ever had and Alva is the best town in the Territory -- both are democratic."

Andrus was an attorney who arrived in Alva from Colorado and claimed a town lot on September 16, 1893. He was also a frontier newspaper editor making a town-boosting statement. Can we give any credibility?

Reichenberger states, "This one-inch column piece in a partisan Democratic Party newspaper may be the source for later writers to credit Governor Alva Adams as the individual for whom Alva was named."

Reichenberger also states what Fred McCarrell wrote, 17 years later, "There are two versions . . . concerning the origin of the name Alva. One is that there was a cow camp . . . called 'Alba,' and the Indians pronounced it Alva, and the corrupted form was later applied to the town . . . . The other story is that the town was called Alva after one of the Governors of Colorado."

It was ten years later, when Alva Adams died, an Alva newspaper reporter wrote he was "a banker, prominent Free Mason, a democrat . . . ." The same reporter also wrote the railroad had this station (Alva) named in his honor. There was never any organized authority to name or to approve the naming of the station in 1887.

It was in the early 1930s that George R. Crissman, professor of history at Northwestern State Teachers College in Alva, prepared A History of Woods County for the 5th and 6th grade students of the county.

Reichenberger quoted Crissman writings, "When the Panhandle line of the Santa Fe railroad was built through the Strip in 1885085, Alva was located as the first town south of the Kansas line. When the company sought a name for the new town, the suggestion was made that it be named Alva in recognition of the services of Alva Adams who was at the time an attorney for the Santa Fe. Later Mr. Adams moved to Colorado and became governor of that state."

Reichenberger stated, "George Crissman tried to provide true stories in his book for the school children of Woods County, However, there are three factual errors in his account concerning the naming of Alva. The railroad was not built through the Cherokee Outlet until 1886-1887. The railroad located a stop, future station, and not a town in 1887. The town was not established until August 1893. In 1886 Alva Adams, a Pueblo merchant, had been living in Colorado for fifteen years and was making his second run for governor of Colorado."

To read the rest of the story, checkout Chronicles of Oklahoma, Volume LXXXVIII, Number two, Summer 2010, page 230. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe