Oakie's NW Corner

Alva, Oklahoma - Besides history breaking Wednesday of this week, I have been busy training, caring for my new Li'l Pug puppy (Duchess) who turned 8 weeks this weekend. It's kind of like taking care of a new born infant. She eats, sleeps, plays and wakes me up about every 3 or 4 hours at night time to go outside and take care of business. We fixed up a dog crate for her sleeping area. She has taken to it quite nicely.

She seems like a playful, curious, nosy and quick learner that wants to please most of the time. We have become quite attached to each other. She is a sweetie! I have been doing some reading. Did you know that puppies do not get control of their bladders until around 10 weeks of age?

Enough about that, though! Brrrrrr... But it was chilly here in Oklahoma on Monday and Tuesday of this week with temperatures in the freezing range and parts of Northern Oklahoma saw a few small snow flakes. By Wednesday the temperatures rose back into the 50s, though. Thursday and Friday we were back in the mid-70s and low 80s.

Are you ready for an unsolved mystery? I have another NW Oklahoma Mystery for you all. This one takes place in the mid-1950s. Perhaps anywhere around 1955 to 1957 or later. It concerns a suspicious, fiery car incident that burned a young woman to death on an Avard road. I do not have all the facts yet, BUT... the young lady (Ann Newlin Reynolds) was from Lambert, Oklahoma, in Alfalfa County and attending college at Northwestern. Ann was married at the time.

A friend and devoted reader of The Okie Legacy told me that Ann Newlin Reynolds died sometime around 1957 or so in a suspicious car fire near the small, rural community of Avard. I was also told that Ann was a sister to Ed Newlin and daughter of A. B. Newlin from the Lambert, Oklahoma area in Alfalfa county. I do not know how true this next bit of info is, BUT... someone told me that Ann could be one of the ghosts that haunts the Old Gym in Avard, Oklahoma.

No arrests were ever made in the case. At one time her husband was a prime suspect. BUT... we do NOT know that for a fact. I hope you are ready for another NW OK Unsolved Mystery? I need your help in this one. I am searching right now for the death date of Ann Newlin Reynolds and news clippings, obits, etc... to shed some light on this over 40 year old unsolved mystery.

If any of this information jogs any of your memory cells and if you could help us piece together this NW OK Unsolved Mystery, drop me an email at paristimes@earthlink.net. If Ann is one of the ghosts that haunts the Avard area, maybe we can help her spirit find a resting place on the other side. Thanks for any help, research you can pass along this way.

Before I head out of here and let you browse The Okie Legacy site, a reader sent me the following quote that I find quite interesting. I don't know exactly if it is a quote by John F. Kennedy, but... to me -- the words, meaning rings true about our United States and its destiny.

"We in this country, in this generation, are by destiny rather than choice the watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth, goodwill toward men." -- John F. Kennedy (from a speech that was never delivered, due to Kennedy's death)

Here's wishing you have a great weekend of rest. I am going to be out in the pasture with my horses this sunny, Spring weekend. See you next week -- Same time or maybe earlier!

~~ Linda "oaKie" ~~

NW OK - Alva Pioneers

Alva, Oklahoma - Rev. A. Connet -- He was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, Oct. 17, 1834. He was ordained in Southern Indiana, Oct. 20, 1861. He came from near Dwight, Morris county, Kansas, to Alva and preached his first sermon, Sept. 24 (1893), the second Sunday after the opening, in C. W. Hobbie's new store building. He assisted in the collection of funds for the Union church, and with his own hands assisted in its erection. In it he conducted thanksgiving services on Thanksgiving day, 1893. The church was commenced on Monday and the services were held in it on Thursday of the same week. Mr. Connet married at his home one block south of the center of the square, the first couple, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. McIntire, that were married in the county, on Christmas day, 1903. W. F. Hatfield and wife witnessed the ceremony.

Connet also organized the first church at Alva, the Congregational church, Saturday, Dec. 30, 1893. In 1894 he and S. L. Johnson secured the Olivet Congregational church building at Wichita, Kansas, which was taken down, moved to Alva and erected where it now stands. R. M. Davis, assisted by several other carpenters, doing the carpenter work. The church was dedicated May 12, 1895. In the autumn of the same year Mr. Connet resigned, leaving the church with a membership of 25. He moved with his family to western Woodward county, where they lived near Murray postoffice. Rev. Connet was an untiring worker for Christianity.

Rev. S. J. Malone -- The pastor of the Congregational church was a native of Peoria, Illinois. He was of Scotch Irish parentage. In 1904 he was 38 years of age and had been publicly connected with religious work since 19 years of age. He had been engaged in City Missionary and young Men's Christian Associations work in Peoria and Chicago, and in Evangelistic work in Illinois and Iowa. He had been in the regular Pastoral work of 12 years. He was a graduate of the high school and had taken two years special studies in Eureka College, and had also had special work from Moody Bible Institute, Chicago. Rev. Malone had only been in Alva a short time, but his energy and earnestness in church work was already recognized.

A. C. Grimes -- Grimes was a native of Tennessee. He came west around 1888 and made the run into the strip from the Kansas line north of Pond Creek. He and Gilbert Nearson were the first men into that town with a team and buggy. Mr. Grimes came to Alva, Oct. 15, 1893, and selected his farm four miles north of town, which is one of the best watered and finest fruit farms in Woods county. In Sept. 1894, he wrote out the heading for the first "Free Homes" petition ever started in Oklahoma. The Pioneer printed the heading on long sheets of paper and they were placed in the hands of all postmasters and many other people in the county. Thousands signed them and they were later sent to Washington, D.C. Mr. Grimes held several public offices, the last being county commissioner from September 1, 1894 to January 10, 1895.

E. C. Stone & W. T. Peoples -- Messrs Stone and Peoples were carpenters. They built the Presbyterian church and several of the splendid residences of Alva. They came to the Woods county area around 1900.

M. G. Emmert -- Emmert was the manager of the Gloyd Lumber yard, one of the first started in the city of Alva. Mr. Emmert arrived in Woods county around 1902.

Hugh Donnan -- The Photographer - native of South Carolina. He came to Alva in April, 1901. He was an excellent workman and had built up a nice picture business in Alva. His photos were always strictly up-to-date and were unexcelled by photos made anywhere. At least three-fifths of the photos in the Alva Pioneer souvenir edition were made by him. His big Studio was on the southwest corner of the square was fitted up in the latest style, with all the modern fixtures, machinery and apparatus. The Donnan Studio boasted that you could not leave an order for anything photographic at their studio that will not be filled on short notice, and guaranteed satisfactory.

Lute Weld -- Weld was a student of Normal, who had been out working in the harvest field during vacation. He was caught in town and run in by other students who wanted a picture of a"seed," and photographed by Hugh Donnan. Lute was a jolly good fellow. He graduated at the N.T. N. with the class of 1903, and was a guard at the World's Fair, St. Louis, Mo.

R. S. Smedley & Mrs. R. S. Smedley -- Evangelists for the Christian Church in Western Oklahoma. They had done a great deal of good, lasting work in woods and adjoining counties. During the first three months of 1901, they organized congregations at Cleo, Aline and near Ingersoll. During July, 1901, Elder Smedley preached for the membership in Alva. Since that time he had been the prime factor in building church houses in this county at Aline, Ingersoll, Cherokee, Ringwood, Prarie Chapel four miles north of Carmen, and Ashley. They worked in the counties south and west of Woods, building churches at Mutual, Lenora, Seiling, Taloga and Oleta. Mr. Smedley preached and Mrs. Smedley lead the singing.

April Spring 2003

Alva, Oklahoma -

Duchess laying in the frontyard taking in the scents and relaxing with the chickweeds blooming during the April Spring of 2003.

Mid-1950s Avard Murder Mystery

Avard, Oklahoma - "I have been looking for information on an unsolved murder in the Avard, Oklahoma area in 1956 or '59, can't remember for sure. A young woman was found burned to death in her car along side a country road. Law enforcement officers found two sets of car tracks, feeling this proved that it was not a one car accident, but the murder was never solved. Do you have any newspaper reports or information on this? There was an article in True Detective magazine on this, but I have not been able to find the magazine either. Any clues you could give me as to where to look, or any information would be appreciated. Thank you." -- Paula Fuqua - Email: vapcoop@alvant.alva.ok.us View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Ann Newlin Reynolds' Unsolved Death - Mid-1950s

Avard, Oklahoma - "I remember all about that as we was living at Alva at the time. Of course it was on everyone's mind. When they brought the car in they parked it across from my parents house in a salvage yard. We lived a block south and a half west so there was all kinds of traffic as everyone wanted to see the car. Then they burned another car trying to duplicate the situation at that location also."
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Chinese Pugs Pics

Tulsa, Oklahoma - Saw the info, picture, and link on the Chinese pug babies. Cute pics!~!!!! (but I can't resist baby animals of almost any kind - especially kittens and dogs!) I got tickled when I saw the Chinese pug" because we have a rescue dog that is part Chinese pug and part beagle. Until we got her, I hadn't even heard of a "Chinese pug" but we just love her to bits! I'll include a pic of her (the other dog - Gunner - is our 2.5 yr old English bulldog and this is the stance they take before they started chasing each other. Whoever butts the cheek first is the runner and the other the chaser and then they switch). She is about 6 yrs old now. We got her when she was about 1.5 yrs old, wouldn't let anyone touch her or play with her, and DEFINITELY would not go thru ANY doorway with any kind of a door (which really made it difficult taking her outside, etc.) Now, she loves to be loved and played with. Of course, the beagle in her makes her pretty hyper when she gets excited. Don't know if it is characteristic of Chinese pugs but she is either "on" or "off" with no in between. Cute pics of all the babies (including the new colts)!" -- Karel

Our Inspiring Climate

Alva, Oklahoma - This little article (Our Inspiring Climate) was printed in The Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition, January 1904: "The very air of Oklahoma is inspiring. Go out upon the rolling prairies where the pure air of heaven plays about you and you are charmed with the sensations; see the starlit skies at night and you know the atmosphere is clear and pure; look at the shimmering sunshine all through the year, five days out of seven on an average, and you know there is health in its brightness; observe the fertility of Oklahoma soil and you have positive proof that the faith of the thousands of early settlers was well founded. Nine of every ten persons who visit Oklahoma in search of a home find what they desire here; and when an intelligent, industrious and reasonable man or woman lives awhile here, that ends all his or her desire for a home anywhere else." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Short Grass Country

The following definition is from the new western dictionary: "That portion of the Great American Desert where wheat yields only from 40 to 50 bushels per acre, where corn grows to be only 17 feet tall, and where alfalfa occasionally produces only three crops during one year." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Jack Hayward

Alva, Oklahoma - "Yes, everybody called him Jack. I believe his actual name was John though. I bid on one of his paintings at auction once. It was one he had done of the terrain west of Alva with Hereford cattle in it. We raise Angus here on our farm, but I remember Jack painting such beautiful pictures of the red cattle. The land around Alva is not lush and green, as it is here in the Tallgrass.

But it has a certain rugged beauty, which is homegrown into each soul reared within it's realm, I feel. It is a wild and free feeling, and my heart sighs each time I return for a visit. I lived near Tulsa for a time, in the wooded lands. It was lovely, but how I did yearn for wide open skies and to see a storm cloud rising 20 miles distant. My 'Eastern' bred husband (born in Pawnee) just fails to see the loveliness of the place. I recall that he did like to roam the hills of the Hyde Ranch with me, as I found my heart's contentment there. He was employed with Dale and Orville Ritter for a time, who worked the Hyde Ranch north of Freedom. I figure that place to be fairly near to where the Cummins set up, back in the opening of the Territory. Jack Hayward could capture that 'something' in his paintings which endeared his work to me. It's good to know that you studied under Jack, too. It's a small world after all." -- Linda M. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Mystery of Gobbler's Rock

"The mystery of Gobbler's Rock - Yellowwood State Forest visitors are mystified by the large rocks perched high in several trees. This story was published at IndyStar.com. Now here is something to think about! Enjoy. To read the full story, Click Here. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Access to Archival Databases (AAD) System

"Using AAD, you can search some of NARA's holdings of electronic records. For further information about all of NARA's electronic records holdings, including those not in AAD, click here. To search descriptions of NARA's non-electronic records, NARA's online catalogue, ARC also is available."

Kemper Alumni

Booneville, Missouri - "I was on your Uncle Bob wed site and found a list of Kemper Alumni that served in WWII. My father was on the Navy list. I know my father attend Kemper in the late 30's. He passed away in 1980 at the age of 60. I was 17 at the time of this death. At 17 I was not very interested in my family history. Now that I want to know more, there is no one to ask. His name is Harry H. Francis." -- Anna Amrein (Francis) - Email: steveamrein@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Condreay Store

Alva, Oklahoma - "I came across someone who said there used to be a Condreay Store in town (Alva). Does anyone know anything about who ran the store, etc. I am a Condreay and things about my family are always interesting to me." -- Doretta - Email: dteaches@stuart.k12.ok.us View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

GWYNN of llandisillio Pembrokeshire Wales

llandisillio, Wales - "My name is Gwynn. The earliest I have researched on my family is 1712 when one Morgan Gwynn was born to Daniel Gwynn... a vintner of llandisillio Wales. He was plebed by the people into Jesus College but never finished.

He later - 1743 - shows in Westminster, Marylebone, England where he marries one Martha Clarke and purchases a coffee house from John Henley on Bruten Mews, Berkeley Square. He signs his name a clerk of holy orders but did not show such within the church of England.

He paid five pound tax for each child born and went to St. George Hanover Square. In 1749 he became a wine merchant and died in 1786 as such with possesions in Huntingdonshire. I have his will. His son - Morgan Gwynn - born in 1746 married one Maria Vanderlinde in 1771 at St Marylebone and the first children were baptised at St George Hanover and St James Clerkenwell. His son Charles Morgan Gwynn Married Mary Fuller and moved to Birmungham where the family was raised. His son Charles William Henry Married Sarah Partridge from the area and they has Charles Morgan who married Lydia Brown of Browns stone quarry of married Helen Webster of Iron River Alberta, Canada. Charles homesteaded in 1928. What I cannot seem to find is the connection from Wales to America. I know there were plagues and civil wars as well as the Babtist/ Quaker movement at this time - 1680 through 1700 - and many Gwynns moved to Pennsylvania as well as other areas. But do you have any info which may connect any American Gwynns to Cardigan - Llandisillio, Dogshmel, Havorfordwest areas. Me thinks if we can make a connection we may well be able to hook the English lines with the American ones.

I have read the house of Gwydir and it does explain the differences between Wynn and Gwynn. Let me know." -- Roy Gwynn - Email: m_gwynn@lycos.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wrought Iron Comfort Cook Stove

"Your letter July 2001 you asked about wrought iron home comfort cook stove. We have one and it has been in my husbands family since his grandparents bought it brand new. I've been doing a lot of research on this stove and I believe it to be your CB model stove as your cookbook came from. I am trying to locate part for this stove as it's missing one hinge on the oven and the handle for lifting the burners. Other than that it is in GREAT shape and soon to be moved into our country kitchen for use. Any info I'd greatly appreciate. Thank you for your time." -- Roxane Hillock - Email: Hillockfarms2@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Alva Record, September, 1923

Alva, Oklahoma - Militia Forbids Special Session - Representatives Disperse Without Argument at command of Military Authorities. Will fight Governor in Courts -- "Members of the state legislature who responded to the call of W. D. McBee and assembled in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, with the avowed purpose of holding a special session of the legislative body to impeach Governor J. C. Walton, dispersed quietly when Col. Wm. S. Key, of the National Guards, standing before the entrance of the legislative chambers, commanded them to disperse and forbade them to meet as legislators within the borders of the State....." -- READ MORE... View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe