Duchess of Weaselskin

Bayfield, Colorado - Happy End of April and beginning of May this week! We have been working towards the end of April on our veggie and herb garden here in southwest Colorado mountains. The photo on the left is some wild mountain strawberries that we planted in a huge pot last year that have began to bloom again this spring. They usually are a bit smaller than the strawberries you buy in the grocery store and farmers markets.

In human years, this Duchess dog is about 63 years (almost as old as NW Okie). I was sure feeling it towards mid-week of of last week when my left hind ball joint and socket was aching and had me slow moving and barely moving most of the day. But thanks to NW Okie for taking me to the vet and getting an X-ray to find out what the problem was.

It was not arthritis. My left hind ball joint and socket it seems did not have a good match, with too much space between my left hind ball joint and socket. We have been told that it could lead to arthritis in dogs, though. I have been taking some pills for the pain and have gotten back in to my routine of chasing the squirrels and chipmunks without pain now. I still need assistance, though in getting up on the sofa to cuddle next to my human counterpart.

We have had a request concerning a murder that occurred 30 May 1896, when John Ellis shot and killed a man named Elder. The killing came out of a neighbor's broil over some cattle in which Ellis and his sister were armed as was Elder and his wife. The women got into a fight. The husband and brother standing by until Ellis killed Elder. [read more about the request at OkieLegacy Ezine, Vol. 6, Iss. 40].

Tell the GOP, "Stop the War On Women, Senior Citizens, Students & Poor!"
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100 Years Ago Today - April 30, 1912

America - The headlines of the New-York Tribune, dated Tuesday, 30 April 1912, a hundred years ago, read: "Taft and Roosevelt Rock Old Bay State." President and Ex-President dash through massachusetts towns in final appeals for votes at Primary as cheering crowds greet them. Thousands applaud as Executive asks the people to give him a square deal. He follows trail of Colonel who raised cry of bosses and interests. Democrats Active.

It was a campaign for the 36 delegates which Massachusetts would send to the Republican National Convention in June, 1912, as the it closed that night in a whirlwind of speechmaking. Speakers representing the Republican and Democratic candidates stumped the state throughout the day, and the contest, by reason of the presence of President Taft and Colonel Roosevelt, presented a spectacle unprecedented in American politics.

President Taft made speeches to enthusiastic crowds, starting at Attleboro, Taft travelled through populous districts, everywhere being met by cheering throngs, and ended the strenuous efforts of the day with a speech at Melrose. MR. Raft's appeal for a square deal evoked enthusiasm wherever he went, and that night his managers were encouraged to predict that he would win a sweeping victory at the polls the next day.

It was ex-president Roosevelt that spent an active day of speechmaking. beginning at a suburb of Boston early in the morning, he made twenty speeches, ending with a meeting at Pittsfield, in the western part of the state, inn the evening. The colonel was met by large and responsive audiences. His talks were devoted largely to attacks on the bosses and to replies to Mr. Taft, extracts of whose speeches he received by wire.

We find that back in 1912, on the Republican side, of the 36 delegates to each of the party conventions eight would be chosen at large and two from each of the 14 Congress districts. The Taft forces claim 34 of the delegates. The Roosevelt men say they will win at least 18 of the Congress delegates, and profess to have strong hope of capturing the delegates at large.

On the Democratic side, the contest between Governor Woodrow Wilson and Speaker Cahmap Clark never attained the activities that marked the Taft and Roosevelt campaigns. As no other Democratic candidates have appeared in the field except Governor Foss, for whom there had been no concerted movement, the size of the party vote was expected to fall considerably below that for the Republican candidates.

Under the Massachusetts Presidential preferential primary law the state may show a preference for Roosevelt and yet choose a pledged Taft delegation. The polls opened at 6 a.m. in Boston. In several of the smaller towns, especially on Cape Cod, the polls closed either shortly before or shortly after noon. About 80 per cent of the 353 cities and towns held evening caucuses, so that definite news of the result was not expected before Wednesday morning. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Okie's Corner

Bayfield, Colorado - Happy May Day as April 2012 ends on this Monday evening! Most citizens in the United States probably think May Day is another rite of Spring. BUT . . . What and How is May Day celebrated around the World? We found this little poem for May Day Workers online by Walter Crane, The Workers' Maypole, 1894

. . . Let the winds lift your banners from far lands
With a message of strife and of hope:
Raise the Maypole aloft with its garlands
That gathers your cause in its scope....

. . . Stand fast, then, Oh Workers, your ground,
Together pull, strong and united:
Link your hands like a chain the world round,
If you will that your hopes be requited.
When the World's Workers, sisters and brothers,
Shall build, in the new coming years,
A lair house of life -- not for others,
For the earth and its fulness is theirs.

One of the origins of May Day came about via Australia using a proletarian holiday celebration as a means to attain the eight-hour work day that was first born in Australia. The workers there decided in 1856 to organize a day of complete stoppage together with meetings and entertainment as a demonstration in favor of the eight-hour day. At first, the Australian workers intended this only for the year 1856. But this first celebration had such a strong effect on the proletarian masses of Australia, enlivening them and leading to new agitation, that it was decided to repeat the celebration every year.

Western Labor Parades began on May 1, 1886, when working men mobilized in support of the eight-hour workday in cities across the United States. The Western Labor Parades is when eight-hour movement in Chicago, less than 30,000 laboring men took a holiday, willingly or unwillingly, representing the first day of the era in which eight hours shall constitute a day's work and 10 hours pay shall be gotten for eight hours' work. The strikers marched through the streets and listened to lengthy and aggressive speeches, but with no violence attempted. How did we get away from that celebration and why don't we mobilize and celebrate it today?

Happy May Day to the Workers!

Tell the GOP, "Stop the War On Women"
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Highland County Virginia - Civil Officers, Legislators, Justices and Officials

Highland county, Virginia - [The 1907 penny postcard featured this week is sent from Vanderpoole, Virginia by Robert Brill Doyle to Miss Constance Estella Warwick in Alva, Oklahoma. Robert Brill Doyle took care of the old "Pine Grove School" in Mustoe, Virginia and donated the land for the school. He was born 12 March 1875 on the Jackson River, Highland County, Virginia and died 14 December 1945. He comes down through the Doyle ancestry through Leona Doyle Dever. he and his mother are buried, without head stones, in the Scared Heart Catholic Cemetery, right beside the old school.]

The newness of Highland as a separate county, the roll of legislators from its territory was a short one. It is rendered all the shorter from the circumstance that the Senate and House rolls preserved in the stet capitol were defective, even in recent years.

From the portion formerly in Pendleton the following names appear with the session dates:

1. Col. Peter Hull, 1789-91 and 1793-1805;
2. Oliver McCoy, 1794;
3. Nathaniel Pendleton, 1805-06 and 1813-15;
4. Maj. Peter Hull, 1807-16;
5. Harmon V. Gvien, 1816-7;
6. Thomas Jones, 1819-24, 1827-9, and 1833-5;
7. Harmon Hiner, 1825-6, 1829-33 and 1839-42;
8. John Bird, 1842-4;
9. Benjamin Hiner, 1844-6 and1848-50.

1. Andrew H. Byrd, 1853;
2. John Bird, 1857-8;
3. William W. Fleming, 1859;
4. Harmon Hiner, 1877-8;
5. John T. Byrd, 1889-90.

1. George W. Amiss, 1822
2. Emmanuel Arbogast, 1843
3. James B. Campbell, 1831
4. Benjamin Fleisher, 1820
5. Benoni Hansel, 1840
6. Thomas Jones, 1831
7. Peter Hull, Sr., 1788
8. Peter Hull, Jr., 1825
9. Nicholas Seybert, 1800
10. Adam Sitlington, 1807
11. John Sitlington, 1807
12. John Slaven, 1797
13. James Stephenson, 1797
14. Thomas Wilson, 1797

1. William Dinwiddie, 1796
2. John Erwin, 1794
3. James Hicklin, 1795
4. Timothy Holcomb, 1795
5. Bartholemew Johnston, 1795
6. William Lockridge, 1797
7. John Peebles, 1790
8. Stewart Slaven, 1815
9. John Wilson, 1790

Tidbits of May 1896 Langston City Herald

Oklahoma Territ - I love reading old newspapers to find out what life was about back in the "Old Days." According to The Langston City Herald, 16 May 1896, which was published from 1891 through 1902, we found a few interesting little tidbits worth sharing and reading. Have you ever heard that the best time to plant alfalfa, as proved by Payne county, was on May 1?

Did you know that the sheet crop of 1895 in Oklahoma Territory was 2,593,000. Here is another interesting tidbit concerning a Woods County, O.T., "A man in Woods county says his taxes amounted to $2.69. If the equalization board had not raised the rate this would have been 80 cents less. He says he doesn't kick on the 80 cents but on the principle of the thing."

Did you hear about the Oklahoma woman back in 1896 that killed her father-in-law because he sucked eggs? Was that suppose to be a positively sure cure for sucking eggs? What about the "shaggy rumor" that Bill Doolin allowed himself to be captured for part of the reward? And what became of the reward?

Here is one concerning Noble county, "The Noble county land office has rendered a decision in the Nulty-Wyatt-Wylde-Kalb-Fisher-Kalb-Mahoney-Krake-Clark contest cue in favor of Wyatt for the south eighty and Wylde for the north eighty and one eighty across the section line. This is a valuable tract of land in Kay county."

If you ever break into an occupied place and the owner comes back, protect your nose. According to this 1896 story out of Noble county, "A citizen of Noble county went east on a visit and took his family with him. While he was gone an unsophisticated intruder came along and broke into the house and established himself therein. He then proceeded to plant a garden and appropriate everything in sight. When the owner came home a quarrel ensued and the intruder struck his adversary with a hoe and cut his nose off."

In 1896 it seems that the chief among western outlaws, Bill Doolin, was indicted Friday evening, 1896, for the murder of three men. Deputy United States Marshals Lafe Shadley, Richard Shead and Thomas Poston. The murders occurred at Ingalls in September last (1895). There are about three dozen charges, ranging from bank and train robbing to murders, hanging over the outlaw."

It was in a district court of Noble county that Lillian Taylor of Hamilton, Ohio, had been awarded $500 alimony against her husband, Robert N. Taylor, formerly of Canton, Ohio. Taylor was suing for divorce. He was a young lawyer and the son of the well known Ohio jurist. Taylor filed his suit and went back to Canton on a visit. While he was away his wife filed her answer to the suit and Tuesday night was given alimony.

It seems in 1896 that the Osage Indians and Grey Horse in the Osage reservation, were greatly excited over the killing of one of their number by a white man named McLaughlin, near Blackburn, and were holding a war dance and threatened vengeance on the whites unless McLaughlin was punished. McLaughlin escaped after the fight in which the Indian received his fatal injury, but the Indians say they will capture him if allowed to deal with him under their laws.

Sheriff DeFord of Oklahoma county, left Tuesday morning for the Kansas penitentiary with Ace Coleman, convicted of perjury; Walter Owens, colored assault; Clem Rogers, colored, burglary; Chas. Kennedy, forgery, and James Scott, highway robbery. The last named committed the crime the Friday night of May 1896, and was arrested Sunday, indicted and pleaded guilty on Monday and taken to the pen on Tuesday.

BAck in 1896 there was an arrival at the Kansas penitentiary from Oklahoma a boy age 14 years and a man 65 years. They were father and son. The boy stole goods and the old man received them.

The only man who had made any money out of building railroads in Oklahoma Territory in 1896 was the secretary of the territory who granted railroads. The Rock Island railroad kept western Oklahoma buy trying to find out what its "New time" was about every two weeks.

Last but not least, "Horses are so cheap in Woods county that John Corbett was recently arrested there and tried for insanity for stealing one." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1896 School Systems and Teachers Pay

Oklahoma Territ - In that same newspaper dated 16 May 1896, The Langston City Herald reported that several of the Oklahoma county superintendent say that many of the districts would begin the coming school year free of debt. Teachers would feel that a better day had dawned, when once they can take their orders to the district treasurer and received the cash for them.

While the warrant system, owing to the condition of the country, had probably been a necessary evil, it was a very expensive method of paying debts and always worked a hardship to the teacher. Those who build and furnish houses always add to the price they charged enough to enable them to make a fair profit when their warrants had been discounted heavily, but the teacher was paid no more in warrants than he should receive in cash.

Thus without gain to the taxpayer, the teacher's wages were reduced to what was a good deal less than a reasonable remuneration. Cash payments would be a gain both to the teacher and to the supporters of the schools. The teacher would receive the full amount of his wages, and the taxpayer would save the interest which must be paid until the warrants could be paid in cash.

It was reported in May, 1896 there were 70,000 school children in Oklahoma with Oklahoma supposedly having the finest schools for her age in the world. Also, did you know that in 1896 the average wages paid to school teachers in Woods County was $30 a month? I suppose back then $30 was a lot of money. What would the equivalent of that be 146 years later? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1896 Killing At Pushmataha Courthouse

Pushmataha, Oklahoma Territ - The Langston City Herald dated 16 May 1896 reported that a full-blooded Choctaw, Charles Homes, was legally shot at Pushmataha court house grounds thirty miles west of Antlers, Wednesday, in May of 1896., for the murder of Charles Kiotubby, his son-in-law.

At 1:53, in 1896, Homes was led out of the court house, where religious services had been held, and placed on a box before the court house five paces from the court house door. He was blindfolded and two deputy sheriffs stood on either side holding his hands. Deputy Sheriff Bob Jackson did the shooting, standing just inside the court house door. Jackson missed the mark placed over the victim's heart, striking two inches beneath. The murderer lived for ten minutes suffering great agony. Homes' wife was present but did not seem to be affected to any great extent. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Grandpa's Model T Torpedo Roadster of 1912

Woods County, Oklahoma - [Click images to view larger images of Grandpa Bill McGill and his 1912 Model T Torpedo Roadster.]

Whoever was taking the picture may have been looking towards the southeast to catch the "Castle on the Hill" in the background. If someone else has a better description of the composition, I would love to hear from you via comment or email. What about the image in the shiny gas tank? I can see grandpa's image, but what is the white image? Is it a lady in white with umbrella? Flowers? Can not quite make the white image out.

In the image on the left you can see in the background on the right the west side angle of the "Castle on the Hill" known as Northwestern Normal School back then. I believe this photo was taken in the middle of the 800 block of Maple Street in Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma where Grandma and Grandpa were living.

In The Hickman Courier, dated 13 June 1912, out of Hickman, Kentucky, we found this ad for a Model K-20, Torpedo Roadster, fully equipped, $685.00. Mohair top, side sustains, top boot, Troy windshield, Prest-O-Light tank, two gas head lights, oil tail light, horn, jack, pump and repairer kit. 32x3 tires with clincher rims, 96 inch wheel base, and enameled trimmings throughout.

The ad mentioned that they were going to give away this two passenger Marathon automobile to the person holding the lucky corresponding number drawn from their ballot box. They began giving tickets away on Saturday, June 22, 1912. They had 36,000 duplicate tickets and were giving you with each cash dollar spent three chances on this automobile. all you needed to do was write your name and address on one end of the ticket, drop it in the ballot box, holding the duplicate of same. When they had given away all 36,000 tickets they held a drawing, and the person who was lucky enough to have the corresponding number would get this $685.00 automobile FREE.

I do not believe that is how my grandpa came to get is Model T Torpedo Roadster of 1912, though. Grandpa Bill McGill and Grandma Constance Warwick McGill had been married for a couple years (24 March 1910) before this photo was taken and did not have any children until December 1914, when my Dad, Gene (Merle Eugene) McGill was born. Robert Lee came two years later (1916). View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1912 Motor Cars Show Marked Improvement In Style & Appearance

America - In The San Francisco Call, dated Sunday 29 October 1911 we we found the headlines that read: "1912 Types of Motor Cars Show Marked Improvement in Style and Appearance." Cole Cars Show several changes. Roadster and speedster types improved by factory officials.

Michelin tires won motorists and manager of local branch tells of increased use of anti-skids. The new Stoddard Car was on display as the Saybrook Model was the latest type to arrive from the Dayton plant.

Other cars attracting autoists was the new Elmore cars, which was the latest types of valveless models. The Elmore car made a new economy record.

Goodyear equipment on Cross continent cars was also making the scene and were praised by motorcycle racers. And the Ford car was a victor in the big race at Winnipeg.

Mohrig Brothers reported many motorists turning to the Rayfield Model of the new carburetors that were in high favor. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Marjorie Caroline Lisk Hayward Obituary

Woods County, Oklahoma - VIEW/SEND CONDOLENCES -- We lost another Northwest Oklahoma pioneer today when Marjorie Caroline Lisk Hayward died 23 April 2012, at Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Her graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 30, 2012, at the Alva Municipal Cemetery with Rev. Joshua Leu officiating. Interment was under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home.

Marjorie Caroline Lisk was the daughter of the late Guy Metcalf and Reba (Carrico) Lisk, born October 22, 1907, at Alva, Oklahoma, and passed away April 23, 2012, at Bartlesville, Oklahoma, at the age of 104 years, 6 months, and 1 day.

On June 1, 1926, she was united in marriage to John Noel "Jack" Hayward. They made their home in Alva. To this union three children were born, Patricia Ann, Virginia Sue, and Jerry Lisk.

Marjorie was passionate about the Runnymede Hotel restoration project, making many contributions. She was a lover of antiques, she enjoyed collecting and displaying her vast collections in her home. A distinguished artist in her own right, she and her husband, artist J. N. Hayward, enhanced their artistic talents through their travels.


Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; one son, Jerry; two daughters, Patricia, and Virginia Brandenburg; and two brothers, James and Robert Lisk. Marjorie is survived by three granddaughters, Linda Sue Brandenburg of Savannah, Georgia, Jennifer Brandenburg Leu and husband, Sam, of Bartlesville, and Carrie Hayward Helms and husband, Dennis, of Warner Robins, Georgia; four great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; a special niece, Cynthia DePrado and her husband, Tony; other relatives and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Nescatunga Arts and Humanities Council or the Runnymede Hotel. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dixiecrats of 1960's & 1970's

Southern Dixiec - Remember when there were conservatives in the Democrat party until the 1960's and 1970's. When Democrats became divided amongst each other, splitting into the Southern Dixiecrats American Independent Party. The short-lived Dixiecrats were formed for/by a Democrat in Southern States who opposed desegregation.


Strom Thurmond's Dixiecrat Days: Newsreel

1948 DNC: Truman's Democrats Tackle Civil Rights

The 1948 Presidential Election (NBC-TV Highlights Part 1

Maybe some of you remember Hubert Humpfrey, in one of the youtube video's above pushed for Civil Rights even in the late 1940's (1948). It was in 1948 the Democratic Party was split, forming the Dixiecrats of the Southern States, on account of civil rights and opposing desegregation. The Dixiecrats ran Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina as their presidential candidate. After Truman's victory they abandoned their presidential efforts, but continued to resist Civil Rights programs in Congress.

Many of these Dixiecrats moved to support the Republican Party in the 1964. The short-lived Dixiecrat American Independent Party was formed for the 1968 elections, with the Alabama governor George Wallace as candidate for President.

The triumph of desegregation was marked by the dissolution of the traditional Southern wing of the Democratic Party. By the 1980's the South was dominated by Republican Senators, Congressmen and Governors. The Dixiecrats and Strom Thurmond joined the Republican party in 1964, with Senator Thurmond becoming the longest serving member of the US Senate in history (1954-2002). Do you remember the Dixiecrats now? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe