Okie's NW Corner

NW OkieLegacy Webshots -- Last week I forgot to include some earlier February snow pictures of NW Oklahoma's last snow that we received around the 4th of this month. This view of a NW Oklahoma rural windmill was taken 4 February 2004 while the snow was blowing in. Most of that snow has since melted, except for a few drifts in the rural ditches along the country roads.

Sounds like our neighbors to the south are getting this next batch of snow this week.

We received a few memories of the Great Race of '93 this last week. We've stuck them in the Mailbag Corner for you to check out. Also, another gentlemen sent us a doc-file of his father, Dr. Miles William Kelly's, memories during WWII while he was stationed at the prisoner-of-war camp in Alva, Oklahoma from September 28, 1944 to September 17, 1945. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

John Andrew Clark's Family History...

It was written by William Greenville Clark (son of John Andrew & Martha Susanna Williams Clark). It mentions, "John Andrew Clark, son of Alexander James Clark and Polly Snedegar Clark, was married to Martha Susanna Williams, daughter of John M. Williams and Sarah Williams, on April 29, 1874, in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. To them were born the following children in Greenbrier County West Virginia: William Greenville Clark, born August 18, 1875; Ledona Prudence Clark born April 11, 1877; Joseph Lawrence Clark born July 29, 1879; Mary May Clark born May 26, 1884....."

John Andrew Clark came to Barber County, Kansas in 1885, worked at whatever he could find to do around Hazelton and Kiowa, Kansas. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his wife and family. The two older children, William and Ledona came with their uncle (Robert Williams) in March 1887. Martha Susanna (his wife), Joseph Lawrence and Mary May came in June 1887.

They all lived in Uncle Robert William's small house until the fall of 1888. Harrison and Morton, the twins were born on October 9, 1888 at their Uncle Robert's farm near Hazelton, Kansas. They later moved to Kiowa, Kansas where John Andrew Clark worked on the Santa Fe Section. He sent the older children to school. Another son was born on January 3, 1891, and they named him Ira Clark.

Times were very close at this time... John Andrew found it difficult to feed and clothe the family on the meager wages he received. The section work paid $1.10 per day. The children were too small to be of much help financially. One of the older siblings (Ledona a.k.a. Dona) got a job with a man and his wife and daughter at $1.00 per week, which seemed to be about the prevailing wage at that time. They also had a couple of milk cows which helped out... giving milk for their mush and apple dumplings which one of these items was usually on their menu every day.

During the summer months the Clarks grew vegetables, disposing of the surplus to their neighbors in town. Lawrence and William hauled the produce around town in a little wagon and also took the milk cows out from town... herding them all day. They received about $1.00 per head a month. That made enough money that they could buy their clothes with a little left over. They usually pastured the cows in the Cherokee Strip before it was opened for settlement on September 16, 1893 (the Strip laid one mile South of Kiowa).

Shortly before the opening of the Strip for settlement the soldiers came and ordered them to keep their cows out of the Strip. This was followed within a few days by a bunch of Indians. The Run of '93 was something that will never be forgotten by William G. Clark. The Run was to be started at 12 noon on September 16, by the firing of a gun to start the men and women on their race for a home in the Strip. A few minutes before the Run was to start, someone fired a gun by mistake (or on purpose) and the Run was on. People were along the line for miles in every conceivable conveyance that could be thought of -- Horseback (some with race horses), buggies, wagons and carts and some few just walked across the line and staked a claim.

John A. Clark and his son (William) were on their horses, ready to go at the crack of the gun. They started just west of the Santa Fe railroad on the line one mile South of Kiowa. The Santa Fe train was also on the line with several coach loads of people that were to get off the train as it proceeded slowly along the railway to Alva, Oklahoma (the county seat of Woods County). The race to Alva was for town lots which some of the people wanted instead of a farm. John A. Clark staked a claim about 4 or 5 miles southwest of Kiowa. His son, William, rode back to Kiowa to have the folks bring the wagon with some bedding and grub so they could stay there for awhile. A few days afterwards John Andrew saw another stake not too far from where he had stuck his stake. He was afraid it was on the same claim he had staked. Rather than face a contest he gave it up. He and Albert Williams went down by Alva and filed on a claim about 4 ½ miles northeast of Alva which was to be their home from then on. In the fall of 1893, John Andrew came down from Kiowa and dug a hole in a bank on the farm and covered it with Sod. That was to be the place that his sons (Lawrence and William) were to spend the winter with the cattle that their father had accumulated. (When I get the whole Clark Family story transcribed and proofread, I will make it available for your reading and research.) View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

As to Woods County's Old Courthouse Fountain...

In last week's issue (Vol. 6, Iss. 6) there was a photo of a dragon head fountain that now resides in a prominent Albuquerque, New Mexico private courtyard. That fountain is NOT the main fountain that once graced the Woods County courthouse lawn in downtown Alva. According to one of our readers who remembers it well, "It is a drinking fountain that stood on the walk outside the west steps of the courthouse and adjacent to the goldfish pond. I drank from it many, many times over the course of about ten years. When it was in use, the dragons were painted green, the eyes were white with black irises, the teeth were white, and the tongue and inside of the mouth were painted red. The 'cups' you see below the dragon head on each side of the fountain once held stainless steel bowls. There was a drinking spout on both sides of the fountain and you turned a handle to make the water bubble up from spigots within the steel bowls....."

So... We are still in search of the main fountain that once graced the courthouse lawn before the early fifties saw it's demise. We could sure use your help! If you happen to know of someone that knows anything, please let us know. Thanks for your help! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Smilin' Pug of NW Oklahoma

The Westminister Dog Show was a huge hit with our Duchess this week. We placed a blue, vinyl footstool down front so she could get a better, close-up view of one of her favorite TV shows.

Of course, we made a game out of it... every time a new dog walked across the screen, Duchess would go to the stool and do her rendition of the judging. Some dogs only got a quick woof from Duchess, while others really got her attention with multiple woofs. In between judging, she would head back towards me for a special treat. I really wouldn't call it bribery, though.

She did go wild over the Top-dog (big, black Newfoundland) and the Pembrook Welsh Gorgi. This smilin', sweet, smart Pug sitting on the blue foot stool is still my favorite Top-Dog, though. Another reader sent me a photo of a Pug wearing a cowboy hat. I have included it below under Duchess' name. Thanks!

Animal Planet is not the only TV shows she watches. There is a cattle show channel on satellite that had a special concerning the Parelli Natural Horsemanship demonstrations that brought Duchess' love of horses to the surface this week. She could not take her eyes off the horses moving around the arena. I guess she gets that from me, huh?

We are out of here for the weekend, valentines Day, Presidents Day and Duchess' Birthday! Until next weekend... keep those memories flowing! Thanks for helping us preserve our Okie Heritage and Legacies! See Y'all next weekend! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dragonhead Fountain - Old Courthouse...

"I do indeed recognize the fountain pictured in your last e-zine issue. But this is not the fountain that was in the goldfish pond. It is a drinking fountain that stood on the walk outside the west steps of the courthouse and adjacent to the goldfish pond. I drank from it many, many times over the course of about ten years.

When it was in use, the dragons were painted green, the eyes were white with black irises, the teeth were white, and the tongue and inside of the mouth were painted red. The 'cups' you see below the dragon head on each side of the fountain once held stainless steel bowls. There was a drinking spout on both sides of the fountain and you turned a handle to make the water bubble up from spigots within the steel bowls. The last time I saw this fountain, it was in the yard of Mr. Rebel's antique store at the corner of First and Choctaw Streets (I think). After Mr. Rebel died, an auction of all of his material was held and this picture marks the first time I have seen it since. Thanks for the memory." -- Jim View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1904

"In one of your on-line pubs you show a photo next to text The Waters, Pierce Oil Company... According to the Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition dated 1904, this photo showed three gentlemen associated with this Oil Company located in Alva, Oklahoma Territory.

They were Ed. L. Rumsey, agent, Amarillo, Tex.; J. H. Boughan, Jr., manager, Alva; and O. R. Cowgill, office clerk, Alva. Is it possible to get a good copy of this photo? Thanks." -- Perry Cowgill - Email: pcowgill@sprintmail.com

[Editor's Note: The Waters, Pierce Oil Company... According to the Alva Pioneer Souvenir Edition dated 1904 - photo showed three gentlemen associated with this Oil Company located in Alva, Oklahoma Territory. They were Ed. L. Rumsey, agent, Amarillo, Tex.; J. H. Boughan, Jr., manager, Alva; and O. R. Cowgill, office clerk, Alva. Waters, Pierce Oil Company's Oil House, Reservoirs, etc., Alva... J. H. Boughan, Jr. was the manager of this institution, in Alva and it was ready for business on September 18, 1893, two days after the opening. In 1904 they had tank stations at Amarillo, and Canadian, Texas. Woodward, Okla., and Augusta, Okla. Supply towns west to Miami, Tex., and south to Fairview, Okla. Mr. Boughan was shipping clerk for the company in St. Louis (Missouri) five year before coming to Alva, and had charge of their business in Alva for 10 years. Mr. Boughan was known by his friends as "Coil Oil Johnnie." He knew as many people and had as many friends as any man in the southwest.] View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cpt. Miles W. Kelly's Year in Alva - September, 1944-September, 1945...

"After service in North Africa and Italy during World War II, my father, Dr. Miles William Kelly, was stationed at the prisoner-of-war camp in Alva, Oklahoma from September 28, 1944 to September 17, 1945. He was one of the medical officers at the facility. For the most part, this account is based on the letters that he wrote home to my mother. At least one local history, newspaper articles, and a small amount of government documents also added much to this narrative. Before relating his story, however, a few words must be said on the history of the prison camp itself. The following paragraphs are largely a paraphrase of a section on the camp in Alva, Oklahoma: The First 100 Years, 1886-1986 (1987) by Seekers of Oklahoma Heritage Association augmented by some of the government documents mentioned above...... -- Bruce - Email: brucekelly@hotmail.com - Alva POW Doc file View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Indian Territory Memories...

"My Great-GrandFather, William Harvey Burdick was a Deputy U S Marshal who came into the badlands from Texas looking for outlaws & brought his family with him so my grandmother was born in a covered wagon at Stonewall, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory in 1886. G-G-dad Burdick went outside the territory to make a legitimate run in '89 and staked a claim in downtown OKC which he later sold to fellow lawman, Charles Colcord. The Colcord building, OKC's first skyscraper stands on that claim today. I'm 3rd generation Oklahoman, born in Britton, (northern,OKC)." -- Roy View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cherokee Run...

"I just visited your web site and enjoyed the story of the Run. It was wonderful and I really enjoyed it. I took time to look at your guest book... many interesting folks have visited your site, I enjoyed their comments. Give that cute little companion a hug for me. Your story of her running around happily in the cold looking for the perfect spot, while you were freezing to death, sure brought back memories." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Great Race of '93...

"Thanks for the narrative about the settlement Run of the Cherokee Strip. Not only is it entertaining in its own right, I think I see some clues for my own family lines. Several sections of the family migrated in the first half of that decade. Very likely economic factors were are large part of the reason. I'm planning to research the Depression of '93, which was evidently widespread and disastrous. Thanks for the clues." -- Elizabeth View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Great Race of '93...

"I saw your piece on the 1893 Land Run and thought I would send along this piece written by my great-grandfather, William Pruitt McFadden. Not sure when it was written exactly but thought you might enjoy it just the same!" -- Susan View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

An Old Cherokee Strip Pioneer...

"Some time ago, an article appeared in the Enid Daily written by Mary B. McFadden, entitled An Old Cherokee Strip Pioneer, and as I was in the race into the strip, being at the time nearly seven years old, believe I have the honor of being a young Cherokee Strip Pioneer.

My parents moved from Missouri to Oklahoma in July 1892, and rented a place at Windom, OK. There was a store and Post office on the place and my folks continued to run the P.O. and store for the ensuing year or so. My father, Alex McFadden, and his partner, Will Walkinshaw, put in most of their time on the strip running out lines and looking for the best locations.

They finally decided on the Salt Fork River bottom as being the best location so now all they had to do was to wait until opening day. In the meantime, they had bought three western broncos, and broke them to work and ride, to make the race in, and those broncos, say; they would kick a chew of tobacco out of your mouth if you got close enough.

Finally, the proclamation was signed by the President authorizing the opening of the Cherokee Strip for settlement and 16 September 1893 was the day set for the opening. The land, which my father had selected, was several miles nearer the northern line of the strip as it was called so naturally they wanted to make the race from the nearest point. To do this, it was necessary to go clear around the east end of the strip, which we did, going by the way of Tulsa, Caney, Kansas, and Arkansas City and on west to Honeywell, Kansas, where they intended to start from.

Before leaving home for the north line, several of my father’s friends came to him and told him if her wanted them to, they would go and squat on the places they had selected and keep off other Sooners until my father arrived. Then, all he would have to do would be to stake the place and they would step off.

He told them if he couldn’t get it honestly that he didn’t want the land. They all said he wouldn’t get the land that he wanted. They had all been in the race into old Oklahoma proper in 1889 and knew what they were talking about, as it turned out. Among the ones who volunteered to go hold the land for him was Tom Longfellow, Dick Courtwright, John Brice and Marion Osborn.

The morning of 16 September was bright and clear and the people who were to make the race into the strip were lined up as far as they eye could see in each direction. The place where my father had selected to make the start from was about 2 miles, I believe, west of Honeywell, KS, about a half a mile from the line was a creek called Bluff Creek, which had very steep banks for several miles in each direction and there was only one crossing place. The hour set for the start was 12 o’clock noon and when the starter fired his gun, began such a race as will never be seen again; each one trying to be the first one to the crossing.

I believe my father was about the third or fourth rig across and we were directly behind him in a covered wagon to keep someone from running into the buggy with a heavier rig. I have always wished I had a picture of that race. Every kind of vehicle of that time was represented—two wheeled carts, the hind wheels of a wagon with a box and tongue on it, lumber wagons, spring wagons, horsebackers, people on foot and some even on bicycles. If you who read this will go and see the picture “Cimarron”, written by Edna Ferber, it will give you some idea of what this race was like.

But to get back to my story, after getting across the canyon, we began to drop behind with the heavier wagon and the lighter buggies and rigs swept by us. It was about 25 miles from where the start was made to the place father had picked out, so he held his team down to a fast trot after they had covered about 20 miles. There was only one or two rigs and a few horsemen ahead of him, but, when he reached the place he had wanted, there was a man already there and had his horse unsaddled.

Father’s horses were wet and dripping with sweat and covered with foam and this fellows horse wasn’t even sweaty or even breathing hard, so he must have had a hell of a good horse. He was very likely doing just what father’s friends had offered to do for him.

This all happened 46 years ago next Saturday, the 16th and although I wasn’t quite 7 years old at the time, I can still feel the thrill and see in my mind’s eye the great spectacle-The Greatest Race in history. --W. P. Widd McFadden." View/Write Comments (count 2)   |   Receive updates (2 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Other Great Race of '93 Stories...

"I have the story here in word and will ask for permission for it's use. I also have what I think is a very rare picture of my grandfather standing in line at Enid to prove his Grant Co OK claim too. I have never seen one like it before. I can e-mail it and others to you and you can use what you want OK??? Byron is a ghost town now." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

You Know You're An Oklahoman IF...

1. You can properly pronounce Eufaula, Gotebo, Okemah, and Chickasha.

2. You think that people who complain about the wind in their states are sissies.

3. A tornado warning siren is your signal to go out in the yard and look for a funnel.

4. Your idea of a traffic jam is ten cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.

5. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day.

6. You know that the true value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but by the availability of shade.

7. Stores don't have bags, they have sacks.

8. You see people wear bib overalls at funerals.

9. You think everyone from a bigger city has an accent.

10. You measure distance in minutes.

11. You refer to the capital of Oklahoma as "The City."

12. It doesn't bother you to use an airport named for a man who died in an airplane crash.

13. Little Smokies are something you serve only for special occasions.

14. You go to the lake because you think it is like going to the ocean.

15. You listen to the weather forecast before picking out an outfit.

16. You know cowpies are not made of beef.

17. Someone you know has used a football schedule to plan their wedding date.

18. You have known someone who has had one belt buckle bigger than your fist.

19. A bad traffic jam involves two cars staring each other down at a four-way stop, each determined to be the most polite and let the other go first.

20. You know in which state Miam-uh is and in which state Miam-ee is.

21. You aren't surprised to find movie rental, ammunition, and bait all in the same store.

22. Your "place at the lake" has wheels under it.

23. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F350 4x4 is.

24. You know everything goes better with Ranch.

25. You learned how to shoot a gun before you learned how to multiply.

26. You actually get these jokes and tell them to your friends.

Finally, you are 100% Oklahoman, if you have ever heard this conversation: "You wanna coke?" "Yeah." "What kind?" "Dr. Pepper." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Update on Alva Scout Hut...

"As things stand now, the future is still undetermined. As a troop leader, we continue to use the hut and do the best we can until someone says move. My daughter, Shanae, has just completed one of the highest awards in Girl scouts.The Bronze award. She will be pinned on Monday, February 23rd @ 7:00pm in the Hut. Everyone is invited as she is one of very few the receive this award. " -- Lana
[Editor's Note: Alva Girl Scout Hut, Hatfield Park - NW Oklahoma. Click Here to view large picture] View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

OkieLegacy Publication...

"I have just recently learned of its' publication and have enjoyed my first copy very much! Keep up the good work!" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Seiling, Okla. Murals & Correction on webshots...

Seiling, Okla. Murals & Correction on webshots -- "As I was browsing the net, I came across the wonderful pics of the Seiling murals that you have posted to Webshots. I wanted to make the correction however, that Seiling is in Dewey County. My family farm north of Seiling is on the Major/Dewey County line. This is also the boundary line for the Cherokee Outlet. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your pics." -- Debbie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1901 Receipt - Home Comfort Range #99...

"This in regard to the emails about the Home Comfort Range, This is a receipt for purchase of a Home Comfort Range #99 in 1901 for $73.00. G.W. Calvery was my great-grandfather, they lived in Dixie, I.T. Only the cemetery remains today of the little community. It was located about 6 miles north of Ringling, Oklahoma in Stephens Co." -- Glenda View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

GUINN , GWIN ,GWINN, VEST, DOWELL, BECK, TATE, POPE

GUINN , GWIN ,GWINN, VEST, DOWELL, BECK, TATE, POPE - Many More -- "I am Candy (Vest) Hill and my older brother Charles O. Vest have worked very hard on our web page and think you may find it interesting ! It is a work in progress and will always be that way. We invite family to use any information, documents ,or pictures we have . (not for commercial use). We do have a lot of information on the . Our Grandmother was GUTHRIE LEE GUINN. We would love for you to have a look and maybe make it a feature sometime. We would love to hear from you for any new information, documents, or pictures. You would like to share with us. Thank you for your time." -- Candy (Vest) Hill, Edna, Kansas - Email: hillwill@ckt.net Charles O. Vest, South Coffeyville, Oklahoma - Email: cvest@cox.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

McGuire | Young | Grant | Clark...

"I am doing my family geneology and would like information on the surnames McGuire, Young, Grant and Clark. My family Surnames: McGuire Young Grant Clark." -- Kathy - Email: wolfchild542003@yahoo.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe