Okie's NW Corner

The Sultry, heat of Summer of July in Oklahoma finds us as we headed back last weekend from Colorado -- traveling East through "No Mans Land." With all the rain you have been getting while we were out of state, everything sure did look green before the "Dog Days" of Summer arrived.

We did stop by Clark's West Horse ranch to check our horses and found our yearling paint horse standing watch like a indian scout on top of a bluff (cliff) with two other buddy yearlings. NO! I did not get a photo of that site, but trust me... this young indian pony was a sight for these homesick eyes.

As we traveled through No Mans Land... the Gateway to the panhandle murals caught our camera's eye. WOW! What a treat we had when we drove through this No Mans Land community. On the empty store fronts of this once vital business district, we found the clean, neat little community of Gate, Oklahoma and the painted murals on their empty business buildings -- depicting the history of the "old days" and leaving a vision for passer-bys of what it must have been like in the past. What a great way to show off your history for those of us passing through. Keep up the great work Gate!

The photos we took on our travels through Gate, Oklahoma, in July, 2004 can be viewed with the rest of our NW OkieLegacy photos at NW OkieLegacy Webshots - Gate Oklahoma Murals.

Old Leadville (Colorado) School...

Last Year we had a photo of a red school bell that we found in our travels of June, 2003, near Leadville, Colorado and shared in Vol. V, Iss. 25 - The OkieLegacy.

This week we heard from someone who shared some information about that old school building that sets south of Leadville. This photo is looking towards the South edge of Leadville along the main north-south highway towards the little red school with bell on top, on the east side of main highway.

We find out that this old building was a school building and it is still in its original location -- southend of Leadville, Colorado.  Our reader's mother was the school secretary there for a couple of years in the early 1940s.  Her older sister did the 1st and 2nd grades there.  This school was originally painted all white and remained white for most of its years.  It was only recently painted red.  You can read her message in the Mailbag Corner.

As to Grandma's German Thrieviel Sup... We are still not sure what Thrieviel's are, but this reader writes, "Just had to write to let you know that these noodles were also one of my mother's family recipes. She called them crumb noodles. These were made on Christmas and Thanksgiving, we looked forward to them all year. I make them now but they never seem as good as when my mother made them. I have not found to many people who have ever heard of them."

America's Generosity & Liberty...

One last thanks to all who wrote in concerning my "Soap Box" in last week's newsletter. As I told some of those who wrote, "I don't make it a point of soapboxing much... maybe only once in every four years. I'm over it and appreciate your comments. Aren't you glad that in America we each have the right to our own opinions without being put before a firing squad and/or beheaded. Only in America, huh... I also respect your opinions just as I hope you would respect mine. Thanks!"

NOW! With that all behind us, let us get back to preserving more Okie Legacies, histories, Memories, Places and Photos. Before I send you off to our Mailbag Corner, here is an interesting quote I found online....

"What do I believe? As an American I believe in generosity, in liberty, in the rights of man. These are social and political faiths that are part of me, as they are, I suppose, part of all of us. Such beliefs are easy to express......" Adlai E. Stevenson --- speech, Libertyville, Illinois, May 21, 1954

Little Red School - South Leadville (Colorado)...

"Actually, that never was a church, it was a school building and it is still in its original location. My mother was the school secretary there for a couple of years in the early 1940s. My older sister did the 1st and 2nd grades there. This school was originally painted all white and remained white for most of its years. It was only comparatively recently painted red. I was born in Leadville in 1942 in the hospital, but my dad worked for the railroad and my family lived in Malta right behind the depot and only a couple of hundred yards or so from the location of that school. I'm sending a copy of this message to my sister because she'd be interested in all of this. She now lives in northern California, and I am in central Texas. Our dad was an Okie and was even living in OKC back in the 1930s. He was a railroader though and was able to gain employment with the railroad in Colorado in the latter depression years. My sister is a native of Oklahoma, while I am a native of Colorado, a factoid that I like to point out to some Texicans. Sincerely." -- Con Sweet
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Grandma's German Thrievel Sup...

"Just had to write to let you know that these noodles were also one of my mother's family recipes. She called them crumb noodles. These were made on Christmas and Thanksgiving, we looked forward to them all year. I make them now but they never seem as good as when my mother made them. I have not found to many people who have ever heard of them." -- Sharon - Email: i_b_cluless@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Pennsylvania Dutch Favorite - Chicken Corn Soup...

"      I wonder if these rivels and your Thrieviel could be the same thing? I can't find either in any dictionary at least refering to food. I do know that in my Mothers genealogy she had a g-great grandfather by the name of Jacob Treece and when I researched him he was German from Pennsylvania. The original spell of Trece was Dries, the D translates to T in the old English so this may be a clue. I thought it might be interesting to try to find out. My sister said our Mother learned this from my Father's mother and that she was German. I personally think she was quite a mix, according to my research. But I did find this recipe and it seems to be leading in that direction. "A real Pennsylvania Dutch favorite! I have made this several times over the years."
Chicken Corn Soup -- Ingredients...1 (4 pound) chicken 1 onion, chopped 4 quarts water 1 (10 ounce) package frozen whole kernel corn 1/2 cup chopped celery salt and pepper to taste.  1 cup all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1 egg 1/4 cup milk 2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped.
Directions... In a large stock pot cover chicken and onion with water. Cook slowly until tender, approximately 1 hour. Remove chicken, let cool and remove meat from bones. Cut meat into 1 inch pieces, discard skin and bones.

1. Cut corn from cobs if using fresh corn.
2. Add corn, cut up chicken, celery to stock pot and season with salt and pepper. Simmer soup for 10 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl make rivels by mixing together flour, salt, egg, and enough milk to form small crumbs.
4. Drop rivels into soup and add hard boiled eggs. Simmer for 15 minutes and serve hot." -- Sharon View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Gate, Oklahoma - Beaver County...

"The small community of Gate is located in the Panhandle region of Oklahoma in Beaver County just west of the Harper County line. It is nearly equal distant between the to the north and the Beaver River to the south. Local attractions include the Gateway to the Panhandle Museum featuring area artifacts and relics of a bygone era. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Beaver County...

"Beaver county is located in the Oklahoma Panhandle east of Texas County . The town of Beaver acts as the county seat. The county population on July 1, 1999, was 6,016, a decrease of 7 over the 1990 census. Bordered on the north by Kansas and the south by Texas, Beaver County was crossed by the Jones and Plummer Trail. Established around 1874, this trail served first as a supply route and then a cattle trail between Texas and Kansas. The Beaver River flows easterly through the county before emptying into the North Canadian River at Fort Supply Lake in Woodward County. Beaver Dunes State Park is situated north of the river just northwest of Beaver and serves as the main recreational provider for the area." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Harper County...

"Harper county, created in 1907 and named for O.G. Harper, a clerk at the Constitutional Convention, is located in northwestern Oklahoma abutting the Panhandle Region with Buffalo serving as the county seat. The major waterway in the county is the North Canadian River which enters from Beaver County about halfway up the western county line. It flows southeasterly exiting the county near Fort Supply Military Park. The Cimarron River makes a brief appearnace in the northwestern corner of the county. The main thoroughfares are U.S. Highways 183, running north and south and 64 which travels east and west and intersect at Buffalo. No fewer than 10 ghost towns have been identified within the county's borders including Lovedale and Selman just southeast of Buffalo. The county population on July 1, 1999, was 3,580, a decrease of 483 over the 1990 census." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cimarron River...

"The Cimarron River flows into north Oklahoma from Kansas into lightly populated territory. Along its course, it passes within ten miles of Waynoka, Fairview, and Guthrie before joining the Arkansas River west of Tulsa." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Beaver River - Tale of the Three Rivers...

"This is a tale of three rivers. While most casual observers would say the the Beaver is spawned by Optima Lake in Texas County, the actual origin of the river is the Corrumpa River which rises in New Mexico flowing into the Panhandle, taking a brief six-mile sashay into Texas, and returning to Oklahoma west of Texhoma flowing northeasterly for a time before bending to the east near Guymon and emptying into the lake. Upon leaving Lake Optima, the Beaver flows east, northeast, east again and finally southeast to a point near Fort Supply Lake where it becomes the North Canadian River. The river lends its name to the town of Beaver, Beaver County and Beaver Dunes State Park." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

No Man's Land...

OKGenWeb Special Project Page! No Man's Land encompasses the Oklahoma Panhandle counties of Beaver , Texas , and Cimarron.

When the Territory of Kansas was created in 1854 its boundary was set at the 37th parallel.  When Texas came into the union, being a slave state, it could not extend its sovereignty over any territory north of 36º 30', North.  The Missouri Compromise specified that territory North of this line would be free-state territory.  This situation left a narrow strip of land 34 miles wide between Kansas and Texas extending from the 100th parallel on the East to the 103rd parallel on the West, a total of 168 miles in length.  At the eastern end of the area was the Cherokee Outlet and at the western end was the Territory of New Mexico.  Since the area was claimed by no state, it was soon given the name of No Man's Land.
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Aline (NW Oklahoma) - Bed & Breakfast...

Carolyn & A J Rexroat invite you to visit Heritage Manor - 33 Heritage Road, Aline, Oklahoma 73716 - (800)295-2563  (580)463-2563. Visit our web site: http://www.1aj.org - Dinner Selections at: http://www.1aj.org/dinner.html - Rooms/Reservations: http://www.1aj.org/rooms.html - Area Attractions: http://www.1aj.org/area.html - Map to Heritage Manor: http://www.1aj.org/rooms.html (scroll down) - Our Church: http://www.1cleochristian.org - We host special occasions, high teas, weddings, proms, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation parties, celebrations... Children and pets are welcome.
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Silent Movies In Warwick, Oklahoma...

"I don't know if the following movie is one you are talking about but I found it on Google by typing in Silent Movies made in Warwick, Oklahoma. Tumbleweeds (1925), Director:  King Baggot, Cast: Barbara Bedford, William S. Hart, Lucien Littlefield, Jack Murphy. The description notes this is William S. Hart's final film. He is cast as a cattleman facing the end of the wide open frontier during the Cherokee Strip land rush in Oklahoma. Hope you and Duchess made a safe trip home and that this helps a little on your research." -- Jerry View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Ames Crater - Major County...

"If interested, here's a link about Ames oil production from the OU Exploration and Development Geosciences website. Click here: EDGe - Index." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Henry Hubbard Family...

"I am considered a newcomer in Ingersoll, only having lived here for 45 years.  An eight-five year old neighbor says he remembers hearing the name of Hubbard but couldn't recall actually knowing anyone by that name.    This senior citizen indicated that  the Hubbard family was gone before he  came on the scene...Wow!  We are taking about a while ago!    Incidently, the old community is INGERSOLL, with two L's.  The handfull of residents here are very picky about that." -- Bonnie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Only in America...

"can people voice opinions without fear of loosing something, possibly a head, because of their opinion.  I respect your opinions almost no matter what they are.  Since in the past everything on your site was always open to comment I assumed that would continue.
     You might have assumed that I am a conservative, by my recent response.  In fact, I am worse than that. I am a disillusioned Liberal.  Winston Churchill once said, "Show me a young man who is not liberal, and I'll show you a man with no heart.  Show me an old man who is not conservative and I'll show you a man with no head.  And no money, I'll add to that now that the wheel has turned for me.

I appreciate you and also your zine.  My family left Oklahoma when I was a wee tot, but part of my heart has always remained there.  I think you are doing a great job of performing this service.  I enjoy each issue.  I hope to continue to contribute a few things from time to time.  I still have a number of old, pre-statehood photos from my family in Woods County .  I've already shared these with Sandie Olson .  Her group is, of course restoring my gg grandfather log cabin.

You may have noticed that there was a big fire recently in Kingfisher.  The movie theater that burned down was owned by my second cousin, Allan Harzman, a great grandson of Joseph Barnett, builder of the previously mentioned cabin.  All roads seem to lead to NW Oklahoma, at times.

I was not kidding about preferring to write about Vallecito.  I made my first trip there with a travel trailer in 1968, and have gone back to that area from time to time ever since.  I have some photos and adventures to share with our fellow Okies, past, present, and wannabees. I appreciate your civil and diplomatic response to my response. looking back at you to see if you were looking back at me, to see if Peace and love." -- Charles View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wrought Iron Range Company...

"I am trying to find out some information on the wrought iron range company. My mother has a home comfort range Model DA. Is this company still in business. We are trying to find out when this wood burning stove was made. It is in good condition and stills works. Can you please help me." -- Nanci - Email: njkeener@pldi.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

101 Old Barn Succumbs to Fire...

"I thought you might be interested in this picture. Lightning hit our 101 year old barn last week on Jul 6th. It was an inferno by the time our son alerted us. Mark had left early for work and as he drove by our place, saw small flames licking out of the top back of the barn. When we got to the window, the diesel tank on a hay swather parked inside the barn had already exploded and as the saying goes, "It went up in smoke." Luckily, a big metal barn full of alfalfa that sat close behind was saved by our three sons before firemen took over. That barn stood there for 101 years and is now just an empty site with the it's debris buried in it's spot. The memories of the happening in that barn can never be erased. Many kittens were born there as well as other wild animals. We milked there for years too. All of the Guffy offspring and their cousins and friends played in there too. On a positive way of thinking, it was that it was a pretty fire LOL." -- Lois View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wiley Cowan Descendant...

"Wiley Cowan was my Great Grandfather. Fred and Hazel (Cowan) Wiebener were my Grandparents." -- Roger Wiley Smith - Email: heyreb@cox.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

McGill's Near Morgantown (WV)...

"Charles Magill granted land to Robert Abercrombie in December 1805, from Monongalia Co. Courthouse Land Records. I am interested in information concerning this Charles Magill and his family, to see if there is any reference to my husband's ancestor Robert Abercrombie. This land was probably along the Cheat River across from Ice's Ferry, about 5 miles NE of Morgantown. Were there Magills in this area? I figure these families knew each other and/or were neighbors." -- Email: melheimom@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Monongalia County, West Virginia...

"Monongalia County is located in the north-central part of the state. It lies on the Appalachian Plateau and has a terrain that is more hilly than mountainous. The land is drained by the Monongahela and Cheat rivers and their tributaries.

The first known white settlement in the county was made by Thomas Decker in 1758 near the junction of present-day Decker's Creek and the Monongahela River at Morgantown, but the colony was abandoned after an Indian massacre in 1759. Another settlement at Ice's Ferry along the Cheat River was more successful. It grew into an important shipping and processing center for the iron industry and supported an estimated population of 2,500 at its zenith in the early 1800s...." -- www.house.gov/mollohan/monongaliahistory.htm View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe