Okie's NW Corner

I was just informed this week that one of our sons that moved to SW Texas from Washington, DC awhile back... is now sporting a guitar, cowboy boots and Texas auto tags. AND... he reminded me of the song, "Don't Let Your Babies Growup To Be... What....!"

One of these days I will get you a picture of Duchess and her red cowboy hat! BUT.... Not tonight! This tired little Pug is snoring up a storm right now while I try to get this week's newsletter typed up before midnight. I just looked at the clock and it is way past midnight. zzzzzzzzzzz..... I would go snap that shot right now.... BUT.... next time, maybe!

As far as NW Oklahoma weather goes... It's been in the 60's and Thursday night and Friday we actually saw some tiny bit of rain, misty fog up this way. Those shivering, cold New Englanders haven't been so lucky, though..... 40 below and windy! Brrrrrrrr....

It is always interesting to hear, read your comments about our OkieLegacy. I appreciate everyones comments, sharing and encouragements. They are all special to this weary writer and her snoring companion laying at her feet. Was it just last week that I finally met a lady at a NW Oklahoma cafe that said she enjoys receiving the OkieLegacy newsletter and she saves everyone of them and passes along some of them to her friends.

Before I head out of here, I would like to send you over to our Pilgrim Bard's Poems webpage for another poem (Laughing Fawn) written by a Northwest Oklahoma Territory Pioneer by the name of Scott Cummins and written around the 1920's.

Laughing Fawn - by Scott Cummins, the Pilgrim Bard

"Come, my child, and sit here by me
Underneath this shady tree -
Though I am a grim old Indian,
You are not afraid of me.
You have started up life's pathway,
I descend the sunset slope,
I am worn from life's long journey,
You are fresh and full of hope......" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva's Red Hat ladies...

This last Thursday night I met some friends at the local Alva Bowl Cafe in NW Oklahoma for supper. When I walked into the cafe, these tired, red eyes spotted a long table of Red Hatted Ladies lining both sides of the table. For a moment I thought I was delusional. It got this writer's attention because I quickly jogged back out to my vehicle to retrieve my digital camera. I couldn't miss out on this great opportunity to get a snapshot of the Red Hat Club ladies who call themselves the "Okie Dokies." The ladies included in this "Red Hat Club are... Barbara Case, Liz Stanaway, Ginny Hubbert (not sure the spelling on this lastname), Eleanor Ring, Rose Elmore, Verla Vogts, Viola Marquette, Betty Cushenbery, Joan Nelson, Agnes Pemberton, Doris Marcus, Phyllis Devery, Leona Corbin, Dottie Gatz, Emily Rathgeber, Jane Gaskell, Jean Rose.

As I told Duchess later on the ride home, "What better place than The Okie Legacy newsletter to mention these middle aged 50-something ladies. They each were decked out in a red hat, a purple outfit. I'm still not sure how this fine group of Northwest Oklahoma red hat ladies came about a couple of years ago, but I am told they meet once a month and have been meeting like this for the last two years. I think it's absolutely fantastic that these friends get together like this! I do need to find some more information of "Why" & "How" they came about, though. Some of you Northwestern Oklahomans might know some of them. I wonder if they let just anyone into this Red Hat club? I do have a red cowboy hat. Anyway.... Thanks Ladies for posing for this snapshot and letting me share it in "The OkieLegacy." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

As to AOL emails bouncing back...

Some of you with AOL email addresses might already know this, but last week we had a heck of a time sending our OkieLegacy newsletter out to some of you subscribers with AOL email addresses. Last week they all bounced back this way. Not sure what AOL is doing or how they have us catagorized... If anyone has a clue, let us know. If you are a subscriber to our OkieLegacy and do NOT receive it sometime, then maybe your ISP has stuck it in the "Suspect Spam" filefolder waiting for you to retrieve it or bounced it back this way. I hope it makes it your way this week.

Splashes-Pigeon's...

Splashes-Pigeon's Gift - 'I noticed the picture of the Wagner men playing their guitars in your Christmas Edition. You may like this story about a guitar it took me a long time to identify. I enjoy your magazine so much." -- Bill Barker View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Diary of Mary Melissa Sparks Clarke...

The Diary of Mary Melissa (SPARKS) CLARKE on CD Disk [200+ pages]. This book was originally compiled in April 1980, by Myra Del (HODSON) MANLEY. Myra found old diaries of her great grandmother, Mary Clarke, which were transferred from 'Olde Farmer's Almanacs' into this book. It starts in July 1879, and runs up to 1897 -- almost 20 years of every day activities from the life of one who lived it. Mary begins her stories in central Iowa, at 16 years of age, and then she follows their trip by 'covered wagon' across Missouri and Kansas, to their new home near St John [Stafford County] KS. Mary marries Sam Clarke there, in 1881, and the stories continue to tell of their life and move to near Cherokee [Alfalfa County] OK. Over 500 names are given by Mary in the daily accounts of those from Sigourney IA to Aline OK. Many births, deaths, marriages, and other daily needs are written in her own handwriting. This would be a great book for anyone researching these several are! as of the country. Or, for anyone who desires a 'first hand' account of pioneer life on the prairie. CONTACT: Myra Manley, 8200 W Prospect, Ponca City OK 74601 View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Don't Let Your Babies Grow-up To Be ... What?

"Have you heard the song not to let your babies grow up to be cowboys? Well, one of them has boots, a guitar, and license plate in Texas. Are you slackin' off on the job? The next thing you know Duchess will have a bandana and a red cowboy hat." -- MW View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Fat Finger Oops last week....

"Hey, Duchess, did you have a slight paw glitch or was this your buddies 'fat fingering?' (tee hee): The German WWII internment camp was erected in 1943 on the eastern edge of the Fort property. Prisoners began arriving July 4, 1943. By August 30, 1000 prisoners arrived at Fort Reno POW Camp."

[Editor's Note: That August 30, 1000 was not the date and year. It probably should have read, "By August 30, of that same year, 1000 prisoners arrived at Fort Reno."] View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Ware-McNiel Family...

"Love the site! Will be sending info on our Ware and McNiel family from the Woodward - Fargo (Oklahoma) area soon. " -- Sherry, McLean, Tx. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Greetings Linda...

"Do you know if this refusal to deliver email affects all of your AOL subscribers??? This is beginning to gripe me, there are two other services to which I subscribe -- one for weather and the other is health related -- that I have not been receiving for a couple of weeks. I have been wondering why. Your message today has shed some light on the problem. Thanks so much for sending the information. I am going to see if I can get the Okie Legacy back in the loop. Again Thanks." -- John View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

AOL Kicks Back Email...

"Sorry for whatever reason AOL E-mail kicked your letter out. Keep trying, maybe next time it will be OK. I enjoy reading the newsletters." -- Rolan View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

OkieLegacy Tone Impressive...

"Although I am new in Oklahoma, my wife and family go way back. Very interested in Oklahoma history and lucked into your web page awhile back. Have been going through the past issues and your tone impressed me. Thank you." -- Herb - Pawnee, Ok View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Gucker & Burgoyne Family Connection...

"Don't know if these connect to any other BURGOYNE family or not. I have Mary A. BURGOYNE, born abt. 1862 in Illinois who married Jacob "Jake" GUCKER, born abt. 1853 in Pennsylvania. Mary was daughter of Evan BURGOYNE and Elizabeth (last name still unknown). Evan was born abt. 1824 in Ohio, and Elizabeth born abt. 1827 in Delaware. Siblings of Mary A. were: John L. born abt. 1854 in Indiana, William H., born abt. 1859 in Illinois, Charles W. born abt. 1865 in Illinois, and Nancy B. born abt. 1872 in Illinois. Let me know if any of these connect for you." -- Email: Pollyspop@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Wonderful Website...

"Linda, you have a wonderful website, I've enjoyed visiting and will return soon." -- Glenda, Glenda's Genealogy Pages - Email address: glenda777@cableone.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Indian Territory & Oklahoma History...

"I am from Ada, Oklahoma and my family goes back to the Indian Territory days. I am very interested in all Oklahoma History. Regretfully, it is unlike the way I was in school." -- Karen - Email: k.mcmaster@sbcglobal.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Prettyboy Floyd's Bank Robbery...

"I grew up at stonewall and our homeplace is still about a mile west... the story I had about Prettyboy Floyd's bank robbery there was. There was originally a bank on the other end of the street east of the Old Case State Bank. The building has long been torn down. This was the site that Prettyboy Floyd supposedly robbed." -- Bob - Email: allredbob@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Earliest Northwestern Normal Students...

"I am trying to find information about the earliest students at Northwestern Normal School in Alva, Oklahoma. I have been told that my great-grandfather, Thomas Nott Word (1879-1934) attended school there about 1897-early 1900's and also played baseball there. One of his classmates was Gen. Hugh Johnson (of the NRA). If anyone could point me in the right direction to find this information, I would greatly appreciate it." -- Email: genealogy@firsteps.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

New Years Meal in Georgia...

"Our New Year's meal preparations here in Georgia are more elaborate. They consist of -- Hog Jowl-for seasoning; Blackeyed Peas- for silver money; Greens (usually collards tempered with cabbage)-for greenbacks; Rice-cause it tastes good mixed with the peas. This year we added 'Smack Yo Mama' ribs, which are meaty country style ribs baked in beer in a pan tightly covered with foil in a 350 degree oven for about an hour. Then remove the ribs to a separate pan, cover with your favorite BBQ sauce (we use a mustard based carolina style sauce) and heat until sauce is partially baked in the ribs. As advertised they are so good you'll smack (kiss) yo Mama.' -- Bill Barker View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe