NW Okie's Corner

This being the last weekend of October 2005 -- The weekend that most of us fall back an hour (time-wise) -- AND... a weekend that the orbs, spirits will be making the rounds haunting their old stomping grounds, we decided to drive up Middle Mountain here in SW Colorado and catch these golden Aspens we found as we look towards Vallecito Lake.

Speaking of Spirits... Do you believe in ghosts? If you are near Avard, Oklahoma this Saturday, October 29, around 9:00 p.m., stop by Vina Rae's Cafe at the old Gym to participate in a haunting tour. AND... IF you happen to come in contact with the ghost of Ann Reynolds that died in a mysterious, fiery death, ask her who caused her death on that dreadful day in March of 1956.

IF you happen to tune into OETA (PBS station) on October 25th or 30th (11:30a.m.), catch their Stateline article of "Things That Go Thump In Oklahoma." We do not get OETA's PBS channel here in SW Colorado, so we are having a friend tape the show for us. Thanks!

If you venture to Avard this Saturday, October 29th, ask the Wheatley's about the ghosts that haunt the old gym and use it as a safe portal until they cross to the other side. Also, you might hear how Ann Reynold's ghost was seen and described as coming through the south doors of the Avard Cafe (Old Gym) in Avard, Oklahoma one day and pausing momentarily before floating through the opposite wall, leaving behind a stinch of something burning.

Ann Reynolds was a young woman who died under mysterious circumstances on March 13, 1956. The case has since gone cold, except for a few hauntings at the old Avard Gymnasium. It (the murder) has been listed as "unsolved" and placed in the "Cold Case" files of this northwest community. Ann's full names was "Mildred Ann Newlin Reynolds." She was 22 years old and a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State College at the time of her death. Her husband of nine months was R.D. "Dee" Reynolds, a teacher/coach at the Avard schools and was coaching a game at the gymnasium at the time of Ann's death. Dee was also a good friend of the Wheatley family who owns the Avard Cafe located in the Old Gym. It has been stated several times that Ann was on her way home from college when her death occurred. Also... It has been told that Mrs. Reynolds suffered blunt trauma to the head, and her car burned so ferociously that one of her legs burned off. You can read what the local NW Oklahoma paper wrote about the Avard Ghost Tour, October 29, 2005 at this Link: Alva Review Courier, written by Helen Barrett. Our OkieLegacy website has more information gathered concerning Mildred Ann Newlin Reynolds Mysterious Death. Will we ever learn the truth about this young women's death in March, 1956? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kelsey Airfield - Waynoka, Oklahoma...

We received a tape concerning an old film from about 1946 or 1947 of an airfield located in Waynoka, Oklahoma and supposedly on Kelsey farm that was located across the road and west of the TAT Airport near Waynoka. It came to us as a VCR tape made from Jack Kelsey's old film. The old film does not have sound, and we would like to add some sound, background music, commentary of some sort to go along with it. We have been told that it is Kelsey's airport and aerial scenes of Waynoka. We are not sure who was flying and we assume one of the Kelsey's took the movie film. We recognized our dad, Gene McGill, wearing a plaid jacket, mustache and hat. We also thought we recognized Roscoe Kelsey wearing his ball-type cap and light khaki clothes. We did recognize a shot of Jack Kelsey trying to start one of the old airplanes by cranking the propellor of the old airplane. If anyone out there has any other information that we could add to this priceless tape, we would love to incorporate it into the dvd movie we are working up for our family and perhaps our OkieLegacy website.

A little about the Kelsey's of Waynoka... We know that there were three sons of of Pearl and J. B. "Bunk" Kelsey... Roscoe, Roland "Punk" and Jack Kelsey. Pearl Francis was the oldest of the J. W. Francis children. Pearl married J. B. "Bunk" Kelsey, Aug. 7, 1913. They boarded the train at Eagle and rode to Alva to be married. They purchased their farm just north of the Rose Valley school. NOW... where, how did "Bunk" and "Punk" Kelsey get those nicknames? We always knew them as "Bunk" and "Punk." Does anyone out there have any other information to add to the Kelsey's and their airport Legacy? Please email Linda or leave a comment below. Thanks! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Calling ALL Goldbugs Class of '61...

How many Class of '61 Goldbugs from Alva High are out there? We received a message from a committee of one that is out to find the people from the Class of '61 of Alva High for their 45th Reunion to be held Memorial weekend in Alva, Oklahoma. If you know of someone that fits that description, please contact Lana (Leist) Burkhart at EMAIL: alburkhart@pldi.net -- OR -- by Phone Toll Free: 1-888-487-7658. It will be fun to see if anyone from the Alva High Class of '61 reads our OkieLegacy. All you Class of '61 Goldbugs of Alva High may sign in here under the "Comments" with any clues to recruiting, informing other Goldbugs about their 45th Reunion. OR... Just remember the old days at Alva High. Thanks! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Remember Some of These Places...

We have a few places in Oklahoma that we need your help with. The first one are the two warehouses for the Anthony (Kansas) Wholesale Grocery. Rosalea Hostetler of the Balmer Fund, Inc. wrote us this week inquirying about the Alva & Fairview (Oklahoma) warehouses. We believe the dates for those warehouses may have been between 1910 thru 1950's. If there is anyone out there or knows of someone who might know anything about the Alva and Fairview warehouses, please contact Linda at mcwagner.lk@gmail.com. Thanks.

The second thing we are searching for and need your help on is the old theatre in Okarche, Oklahoma. We would love to find an old photo and whatever history someone might have out there for us. Okarche is that little town that is nestled between Kingfisher and El Reno on US Hwy 81 and split down the main street of Okarche by two counties (Oklahoma & Kingfisher County).

Finally, we have some photos sent in by Nettie King that she recently took around Lookout and Coy, Oklahoma. Some of them are in this newsletter. These and others can also be seen in two of our NW OkieLegacy Photo Albums: NW OkieLegacy Webshots .

Have a Happy and Safe Halloween! AND... Do NOT forget to set your clocks back an hour late tonight (or early Sunday morning). View/Write Comments (count 5)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

History of Anthony Wholesale Grocery - Kansas...

"We have just learned of you. We need information on the train that left the Anthony Wholesale Grocery in Anthony, Kansas and delivered to their other warehouses in Fairview and Alva (Oklahoma).

We are not sure of the years but most likely between 1910 and 1950's. Any information of their warehouses in those two towns would be great appreciated, too. We are working like fury to get money to stablize that warehouse before the roof falls in... very close to doing so. S.O.S.

URGENT! ASAP... Do you know any emergency funds? I am sorry but I don't have time to write you the entire story of it right now but our organization has done considerable research. We are under extreme pressure to find funding and need the RR info ASAP. We have a static website - www.prairieconnect.com. It has a bit about the warehouse in it. Thank you." -- Rosalea Hostetler - The Balmer Fund, Inc. - Preserving the history, art & culture of the prairies for future generations - since 1994. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Goldbugs - Class of '61...

Hi Guys, I just volunteered to be a committee of one to find people from the Class of '61, to start recruiting and informing about our 45th Reunion to start Labor Day weekend, Friday evening, September 1st and run through Saturday, September 2nd, with a breakfast on Sunday, September 3rd, in Alva, Oklahoma. The final plans will be mailed to all classmates in a packet, after we find everyone. Would you post something on your Okie site asking people to contact me at my email address alburkhart@pldi.net or by phone at my Toll Free number: 1-888-487-7658. Thank you." -- Lana (Leist) Burkhart View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Seeking History of Goltry...

"I am searching for History of Goltry, Oklahoma. I have been speaking to Marty Myers and she recommended that I contact you. Can you give me some direction? There is a living GOLTRY in Lucas County, Iowa that tells family stories about the town of Goltry being founded by the GOLTRY family, but she is elderly and has forgotten many things. I would appreciate any information you can offer. Thank you for your help. I appreciate anything you can find." -- Debbie - Email: Ccmokla@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Movie Theatre In Okarche...

"I was talking to a gentleman a few days ago who (after learning that I'd been in the movie theatre business for over 30 years) said that his son owns the building that used to house a movie theatre in Okarche (between Kingfisher and El Reno on U.S. Highway 81) and had not been able to find out whose theatre it was, what the name of it was, nor what years it had been open. After I told him to check first at the newspaper office, I found that the paper is published now by folks in Piedmont (Oklahoma) who may not know. So... I'm asking your loyal readers for HELP. The man was also wishing for a photo of the theatre as it had been in the past. Surely someone out there would have one. Even though I have files about many theatres in small towns in Oklahoma, Okarche is missing from my information." -- Roy - Email: roykendrick@oklahomahistory.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kelsey Airfield - Waynoka,Okla...

"It's been awhile since I saw the film, so will plan to see it again. I would imagine the airport is Kelsey Field, which may still be shown on aviation maps. It was across the road and west of the old TAT airport. I might be able to provide some history of Kelsey Field. I remember hangars there. And I read in an old newspaper about someone coming from Denver to do a story at Kelsey Field - maybe you could find the Denver story! I'm glad you have a copy of the tape. It's priceless." -- Sandie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Karoma, Alvaretta & Goltry (Oklahoma)...

What we know so far of the history of Goltry, Oklahoma is that it was first called "Karoma" and located a mile southeast of the present town. In 1904 the name was changed to Goltry after a local businessman, Charles GOLTRY. "Alvaretta" and "Karoma" were combined in 1904 to form what is currently Goltry. These towns were in Woods County. O.T. (Oklahoma Territory) until Alfalfa County came in to being at statehood in 1907. -- OkieLegacy Ghost town archives View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Will Rogers visits Waynoka, Oklahoma...

"Will Rogers arrived in Waynoka late on a Sunday afternoon in his private plane during the TAT era. Teenager Punk Kelsey, who lived across the road from the TAT Airport, described Rogers' plane as being like an office inside. Kelsey asked Will how much he was paid to write his daily newspaper column. Will reported, 'A dollar a word.' So thereafter Punk counted the words in the columns to calculate how much Will was paid. -- www.waynoka.org/news0035.php & Waynoka Historical Society - News & Information View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Waynoka's Roots in TAT's Routes...

Waynoka's Roots in TAT's Routes By Sandie Olson Wednesday, Dec., 2004 -- "November 3 - It was winter 1928-29 when Col. Charles Lindbergh landed his airplane in an alfalfa field about three miles northeast of Waynoka, OK. Two teenage farm boys, Roscoe and Punk Kelsey, watched him from their home across the road. As he climbed out of the cockpit, they immediately recognized the tall, slender Lindbergh, made famous by his transatlantic flight in 1927. Lindbergh was looking for land for a new airport to be built by Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT)....." -- Waynoka Historical Society - News & Information website View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

When The DALTONS Came To Waynoka...

WHEN THE DALTONS CAME TO WAYNOKA - by E.W. Snoddy, Cattleman, Alva Oklahoma, From the NORTHWEST CATTLEMAN, First Quarter, 1947. Posted 12/20/2004, Waynoka Historical Society -- "In the spring of 1892, the Dalton gang robbed the southbound Santa Fe passenger train at Red Rock, Okla., about 10 o'clock at night. Red Rock at that time was just a handful of men and a section house. As the Daltons were leaving, they saw the telegraph operator with his instruments and, believing he was telegraphing news of the hold-up, very callously shot through the window of the office, killing the boy." -- Waynoka Historical Society website - News View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Lookout Cemetery Photos...

#1 & #2 - Sallie Chestnut headstone; born July 28, 1848 Died Nov 1 1913: It reads, "A loving wife - A mother dear - A child of God - Lies buried here." (not my kinfolk, but sure she belongs to someone who is looking for her.)

#3 & #4 - unknown of who is buried here; looking for Martin Luther Mitchell

#5 & #6 - These go together. possibly reads: Henry 'Mershall or Marshall' (not my kinfolk, but surely someone is looking for him.)

The last photo is of Lookout cemetery (shown to the left), and very well kept. I might add that this is bery beautiful country! Thanks for letting me share and I am anxious to hear from you. I'd like to hear what you think of the photos. Thanks again." -- NETTIE KING - Email: kingri@valuelinx.net View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Thought y'all would enjoy these photos of our trip to Lookout, Oklahoma area, seeing your posting on OkieLegacy. Some are of old homesteads, churches and schools found in the area. I am hoping someone can tell me more of some of these places since my family too was of the area. Please feel free to share the photos! In 1920 census of Patterson Township, Woods Co., Oklahoma, Martin Luther MITCHELL (my kin) was living with John NEUKIRCH as a boarder. Martin Luther MITCHELL's brother, Lewis B. MITCHELL and wife Ester A. (FOWLER) MITCHELL were living right next door. Henry and Mary NEUKIRCH were also living next door, and Floyd READMAN (also my kin) were living in the next door area. Martin Luther MITCHELL is said to be buried in Lookout Cemetery, but I could not find his marker. There is also some photos of headstones from Lookout cemetery that I could not make out who's names are on them, but found them needing to be photo'ed and thought of your website. Hope you enjoy! I hope you can use these in the near future on your site. Keep me posted if you will! Thanks." -- Nettie King

[EDITOR'S NOTE: The Lookout & Coy photos from Nettie King can be seen on NW OkieLegacy Webshots - Lookout & Coy, OK & NW OkieLegacy Photos - Lookout & COy, OK by Nettie King.] View/Write Comments (count 3)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Gas Prices In Oklahoma...

The price of regular unleaded gasoline in Perry, Oklahoma has dropped three times this week and is presently at $2.12.9. If this keeps up, it may yet get below $2 before Winter actually sets in. All of this has been happening as the doom & gloom prophets (news media) keep warning us that it's going back up any day now. Amazing isn't it?" -- Roy View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe