Okie - To Be or Not To Be

That is the question! Whether it be derogatory or the term "Okie" carried proudly amongst though of us who want to share, preserve our memories of this great Okie heritage that has been passed down from one generation to another.
      Actually, I am proud to be an "Okie!" AND... I am not even from Muskogee. I am one of those NW Okies! BUT... on the other hand, I do understand, respect that we are all different and have different outlooks on life and see things differently. I guess I am more of an optimist, embracing my Okie heritage with pride. Isn't it great that we are ALL different -- contributing our own ways of looking at things -- still having respect for others beliefs. I have only run into one reader of our "Okie Legacy" that has been offended by the term "Okie." They purport to know others that feel the same way. How do some of you feel about being called "Okie?" We would love to hear from you! Thanks! View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Loosing NW Oklahoma Icons

NW Oklahoma lost a couple of more of their icons this week. BUT... as long as we share, keep their memories alive, they will always be with us in spirit. Some of you NW Okies might recall stories about Dacoma's Cowboy Grill, in the rural community of Dacoma (Dakoma), Oklahoma. Billy and Floy Whittet are finally retiring and closing down the Cowboy Grill after 80 some years in their lives. Where will the harvestors, farmer, ranchers and visitors to this unique community gather to catch up on local news, gossip? Remember the stories of the skating rink in that building? There are many stories out there to preserve and share. We hope to hear a few more from other NW Okies. The Cowboy Grill and Whittet's will be remembered, but it will be missed, also. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oneta Riggs & Riggs Store in Alva

The other icon that was lost was the death of a long-time, hardworking Democrat, Oneta Riggs. Where have all those spirited Democrats vanished? Oneta (I am told) made it through 99 years. She was hoping to make it to the 100 mark, but made it to 100 as to Christmases that she had seen. Oneta was married to Sam Riggs (also deceased earlier). Do some of you NW Okies remember Riggs Store on Flynn? It had just about everything you could think of in inventory. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

MORE Old Photos

We found a Senior Class of '59 photo of Bill Dean Kelsey that was taken Summer before his senior year and before he died. Also... We are still searching for the identity of the three NW Oklahoma kids that were in the picture of the two oldest McGill girls ca. 1946 or '47 with Max Devine. We have heard from several who have told us that Max Devine was an only child. You can read those emails in the Mailbag Corner below. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Home Comfort Cookbook

This little black book put out around 1933 (or 1934) by the Wrought Iron Range Co. of St. Louis, Missouri is in the process of being scanned into a "pdf" for easier viewing. At least that is our intention. We have half of it scanned so far (111 pages). You can find the link for the Home Comfort Cookbook over at our Prairie Pioneer News. We did find a "Buttermilk Biscuit" recipe that we do intend to try out one of these days. I vaguely remember my Grandma Constance McGill making some of the most delicous, airy buttermilk biscuits. This recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda stirred into to buttermilk until it effervesces, then you proceed on to adding the flour, gradually working it into a stiff dough.

Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe...

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon soda
• 2 Tablespoon shortening

Old English Song

If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, Winter, have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go Winter, and come not again. According to an old Scotch couplet... If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, There'll be twa (two) winters in the year. Another variation of the Scottish rhyme... If Candlemas day be dry and fair, The half o' winter to come and mair, If Candlemas day be wet and foul, The half of winter's gone at Yule.

So... I guess there will be six more weeks of Winter in some parts and an early spring in others, because the groundhog in Pennsylvania saw his shadow mid-week (Feb. 2nd). BUT... some southeastern states their groundhog saw no shadow. Here in SW Colorado on Groundhog Day (alias: Candlemas Day) it was sunny, clear in the mid-forties. BUT... just the day before here in the valley we received about 4-inches of snow. I hear tell that the San Juan Mountains had a total of 75-inches so far up around Vallecito. AND... last Friday back in NW Oklahoma they received some fluffy, white, wet snow measuring around 6-inches in some places. Hey! Did you know it snows in the flat, desert of West Texas? Sure enough does ... from what our source tells us. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Class of '38 NWHS

Did you all find the list of NWHS seniors that graduated in the Class of 1938, Alva, Oklahoma. Here is a list and photos... starting from the Top-row (1) and reading left to right, down through seven rows they are: (Click the small image to the right for a larger view.)

Row-1 - Pauline Snow, Treasurer; Neal Cook, President; Mary Alice Fisher, Secretary; Marvin O'Neal, Vice-president
Row-2 - Loren Kornel, Esther Terwort, Lyle Fugit, Faith Ann Shirey, Eldon Hall
Row-3 -Betty Jean Nida, Ted Kline, Serina Terwort, Gene R. Smith, Glory Ann Crop
Row-4 -Barton Litton, Leola Mapes, Oliver Benjamin, Evelyn Goucher, Ray Dimmick
Row-5 -Patricia Bloominger, Dean Johnson, Verline Bixler, Elmer Meyers, Dorothy Scripsick
Row-6 -Kenneth Farrel, Maxine McWilliams, Edward Link, Wilma Venosdel, Dale Fisher
Row-7 -Earl A. Miller, Veron Hull, Lucille Cunninham, Jack Sidman, Wilber Ricord View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Duchess' Two-cents worth

While Oakie has been busy composing at the keyboard of her laptop, I have been spending my pug-time roamin' in the yard -- restin' and tendin' the fireplace for Oakie even though we really didn't need it. Oakie bought me this soccer-type ball that is yellow in color and has a smiley-face on it. I've been nudging Oakie outside on these sunny days for some needed exercise -- playing Pug soccer. It's a bit too big for my little pug mouth, but it's spongy enough without being too spongy to barely grab with a few pug teeth. It's easy pushin' it with the nose and paws. I love to tease Oakie just as she reaches for the ball, I sneak in there and nose it away from her. Quite a refreshing little sport we have invented outside between Pug and human. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Guinn Family Postcard

"The Guinn family postcard was great, do you have any idea what the location was of the family who sent it? My family on my mothers side are GUINNs, they came into Oklahoma very early while it was still Indian territory. Most settled in the central part outside of Maud, Oklahom which is part in Pott County -- Part in Seminole. My family on both sides have some interesting stories. Enjoy the sites and the information. Thanks. (Veretta is my Great-grandmother on my fathers side) I am her name sake. " -- Veretta Burton

[Editor's Note: the Guinn family postcard was taken around Bath County, Virginia.] View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Long Time Okies

"Received first e-mail today (last saturday, 29th January). Enjoyed it. My family are long time Okies. My love for my family history and my state goes very deep. My family on both side has some colorful stories. The GUNNIS came into Oklahoma when it was Indian territory, the Central part, sometime in the early 1800. The first came in wagon trains, one family lost a little girl and buried her under a tree, the mother could not leave her so they settled. Many of that family where buried in the same place. This is outside of Maud, Oklahoma in Pott County. My Great-Grandmother Sarah who married a GUINN last name was TABOR, do not know much about that family but looking. My Great-Grandparets on my father side Was HARDING, Veretta and Robert A. HARDING, some interesting stories about them. Hope to find information and lots of fun on this web site." -- Veretta Burton - Email: okiegal10@itlnet.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Great Tale Tellers

"I am an Old Okie living in Sherman, TX. I certainly enjoy your Okie Legacy, and Butch's TandT from Ardmore. Both of you are good Tale Tellers and I just love it. I know very little about the NW Oklahoma area; but, after reading your columns, you almost make me feel as though I am from that part. I am really from the Turner Falls and Davis areas; but, I enjoy all Oklahoma readings. Please, keep up the fine writing." -- Scott Bumgarner View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Term Okie...

"You are doing nice and well researched work, but the term Okie is NOT a friendly one and many Oklahomans, including myself, resent being called 'Okie.' It isa term used by the ignorant and the educated. So please stop calling Oklahomans Okies." -- Angele View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Term Okie

"I like being called an Okie, so it doesn't bother me. I could see some not liking it, they don't like anything.   Now I"m just waiting for the 6-inch snow heading this way!" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Lost McGILLs - Bartlesville (Oklahoma)

"Looking for lost McGILLs from Bartlesville. Allen Leroy McGILL followed the oil trail from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. He died in Bartlesville in 1943. He had daughters, Regene and Rith. Allen Leroy had a brother, George Edison McGILL, who lived in Pawhuska for awhile. His children: Lucinda, Charles, Claire,Wilma, Wanda, and Georgia. Are they any relation to your McGILLs?" -- Mary - Email: pierotti@key-net.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dierks Mills - Pine Valley Memories

"Your article certainly brought back memories. I was responding to the article about the Dierks Lumber operation at Pine Valley, OK. I was surfing to find Dierks entries. Despite Dierks owning half of W. Arkansas and E. Oklahoma, there's not a lot to be found about the old days at the Dierks Mills. They were logging the largest virgin pine forest West of the Mississippi at the time. The Mt. Pine Mill is still operating, but at a much reduced capacity. Earlier in his career with Dierks, when he was single, Daddy traveled to all the lumber camps as timekeeper. All the names sound familiar to me.Thanks for your time. I grew up until about age 8 in Mt. Pine, Arkansas, where my daddy, Joe CHANEY, was office manager. We lived in the 'white collar' section of the mill town and had all the modern conveniences. Our old house is still there, though it is now brick. The company sold the houses to the workers many years ago. I would love to hear from anyone who knew of my Dad back then." -- Linda Chaney Murphey - Email: lindacmurphey@hotmail.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Max Devine & Thanks

"Good morning, Linda - I enjoyed reading the Okie Legacy, as usual. Max Devine and his wife live North of Waynoka on the family farm. Max doesn't have any sisters or brothers. I've printed the photo and will take it to his mother, Bessie, who is my neighbor. She will be pleased. Thank you for mentioning the Cherokee Strip map. Mr. Johnson should be receiving his copy soon!" -- Sandie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Kids - 15 Plus Minutes of Fame

"You put my 'kids' on the website! Thanks! Now they have had their 15+ minutes of fame (tee hee). Have a wonderfully fluffy (as in snow) weekend! We got about an inch or so of snow yesterday (last friday, 27th January) but it is trying to melt today (Saturday)." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Goltry Okie By Birth

"I like your website. As I have said elsewhere, I was born in Goltry and raised in Jet & Goltry. I am an Okie by birth and a Texas Aggie by the Grace of God. In addition, I am retired USAF and Boeing Wichita. Now I live on a farm in Northeastern Kansas (my wife is the landowner - I'm the tenent). My father was the manager of the F. J. Gentry Lumber Co. yard in Goltry. Also, he worked at their yard in Jet where I attended the 1st & 2nd grades. I finished high school in 1954 and graduated from NWSTC in 1959, entering the USAF that summer." -- James "Jim" Bradley - Email: jamesb@kansas.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Waynoka, Oklahoma - Beautiful Dog Creek

"Yes! Oklahoma gets some of that beautiful snow scenes in Winter! Just take a glance at Beautiful Dog Creek - We had about 6-inches of snow (01/28/2005)! Really beautiful. I'm sending a photo. The sun is shining and it is melting slowly today. Dog Creek runs through Waynoka. The photo was taken between Highway 14 and the BNSF Transcon in Waynoka." -- Sandie View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Born & Raised In Waynoka, Oklahoma

"I was born and raised in Waynoka so it was wonderful to find something about my hometown on the web. Thanks for your work." -- Sheila Freel - Email: rpickel1@msn.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Cedar Twp., Woods County Fire - ca. 1918

"I have been told of a fire in Woods County, perhaps in Cedar Twp, about 1918.  Three children were believed killed in that fire (maybe others).  The known names are: Melvin, Alice and Galen OSBURN.  Have seen the surname as OSBORN, also.  These children, along with their father George (spelled Gorge on his headstone) Harvey OSBURN, siblings Dollie, Oscar and Dazie are buried in White Horse Cemetery.  Dazie married Frank MORGAN and that name appears on her marker even tho' she is buried with the OSBURNs.  All of the headstones are 'home made.'   I'm searching for info on that fire.  If you have knowledge about this fire or the family, please share. Thanks, Linda, for posting this." -- Dixie Lee Kennedy View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Charles Beard's Rock House

"I am interested in knowing more about the rock house that Charles Beard built around a covered wagon and lived in for 50 years. It was featured on Channel 4 OKC this week on Is This A Great State or What? Also... there was a picture of a Montgomery Ward House that is still standing on the ranch. I believe they said a man by the name of Anderson owned it. It was located west of Alva." -- Marty Myers - Email: lookout@itlnet.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

A Spot of Color - January Snow, 2005,..

"Freedom, Oklahoma. Freedom Shines With Snow & Colors Flying High In Northwest Oklahoma. This photo was taken during the heavy snowstorm that went through here last Friday, January 28, 2005. Instead of going to school that day (I tried to go, but had to turn back), I went out taking pictures in the snow. This is one of the best of the batch!" -- Rod Murrow - Freedom, OK


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Postcard Collectors - Deltiologists

"I believe persons who collect postcards are called Deltiologists. You have a lovely website. Enjoying your musings." -- Jenny View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Snow In West Texas

"Oh Yeah! Just so you know it'snowed her' also. It is what desert folk would call COLD, WET stuff.  It's like they never seen the stuff before.  It didn't last long on the ground. But, yes, there is such thing as snow in West Texas!" -- Mike View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Snow in Waynoka, Old Photo & Bill Dean Kelsey

"We had snow Friday (1/28/2005) so it is really wet. Read about your trip -- sounds like fun. Max Devine was an only child. I don't know who the other children could be. Bill Dean Kelsey was in my class of school and died our senior year. In fact when we were about in 4th grade or so he was my boyfriend. He went downtown and bought me candy hearts for Valentine's Day. I graduated in 1959. He was a very nice young man, brings back fond memories. Take care." -- Louise View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Clebit, Dierks Lumber Co & SE Corner Oklahoma

"I would like to sign up for your newsletter.  You have already published one of my pictures of Clebit, OK, where my mother grew up.  A book has just recently been published about Clebit and the Dierks Lumber Co.  Viewing your website, I saw where your Uncle Bob was in WWII at the same time as my dad who is from Ludlow, OK.  My mom graduated from Battiest High School in Battiest, OK, and my dad attended Smithville High School in Smithville, OK.  He was a farmer as a boy and didn't graduate from high school.  After serving in the Army in WWII, he returned to my mom and they both attended Southeastern OK State College in Durant, OK.  I think my family is from the opposite corner of the state from yours.  They eminate from McCurtain and Leflore counties in the beautiful Ouachita Mountains of OK.

The 'Okies' I have known all my life refer to themselves as 'Okies.'  My aunt lives near Muskogee and she proudly calls herself an Okie.  I often heard my parents refer to themselves as Okies while we lived in Dallas.   I look forward to reading and sharing 'Okie Tales' with you.  The OK that I knew from visiting my grandparents as a child was very different from the one of hard scrabble that I learned many of the people lived during the depression and lean years of WWII.

Recently my Oregon cousin relayed to me that her dad had said that they always had food, meat, to eat.  The tale my mom told me is that there were times when her mom and dad would go without so the kids could eat and that was beans and cornbread because grandaddy had a garden and the farmers were able to raise corn.  The people I grew up knowing lived a very simple, uncomplicated life which leaves me with many precious memories. It is just amazing how tiny the internet has made our world." -- Brenda - Valley Station, KY (very near Ft. Knox) View/Write Comments (count 2)   |   Receive updates (2 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Another MAGILL Website

"My name is Frances Pikok. I am hoping that you might be able to help me. On the Magill website (www.zianet.com/jmcdgwin/magill.htm) it shows the name David Gwinn b. ca. 1742, d. ca. 1822 Highland Co, VA. Then it goes on in a paragraph beneath it and it reads: 'Capt. @ Guilford, Revolution 1781, 1822. He had 10 slaves value @ $250.00- $400.00. Ref - History of Highland Co., VA, pp 292, 293, 294, 373; DAR Lineage Book 71, pg 251 and Book 79, pg 327; William and Mary's Quarterly, Vol. 8, Series 2, 1928; ARNOLD, BAGWELL, BRYAN and Other Families of Jesse T MAINES. ' Could you please tell me how I can obtain the information for this Jesse T. MAINES that is mentioned? My GGG-Grandfather was also a Jesse T. MAINES. I am trying to see if this might be him." -- Frances - Email: fpikok@barrow.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Dacoma (Dakoma) & Jot-em-Down Store

"Murrow's Jot-em-Down Store, Dacoma, Oklahoma "I received three photos of the old Jot-em-down Store (the original Murrow's Grocery in Dacoma, Oklahoma) from Patti Kilbourne. She 'retrieved' them with her digital camera from an album of photos owned by Billy and Floy Whittet in Dacoma - who are in the process of closing down the Whittet's Store & Cowboy Grill.

At any rate, I have included one of the photos, showing a delivery truck backed up to the store entrance. My father, Dean Murrow, was able to identify everyone in the photograph. One of the Paris family is here (Henry Paris); and many folks may remember Melvin Leslie as 'Benn' instead of 'Melvin.'

I asked Dad about Henry Paris. He said Henry was one of the sons of Arthur Henry and May (Murrow) Paris... Mary Katherine, I believe, was her full name, but I only heard her called 'May Paris.' After years and years of wondering why she attended the Murrow Reunion every year, I finally was able to put it all together.

I'm also including a scanned image of a postcard in my possession, showing one of the Weekly Specials for the Jot-em-down store. I'm not sure of the dates for these items, but they would probably be from the 1930s. This store was located adjacent to the old State Bank of Dakoma, which had been razed by the time of this photo. On the other side of the Jot-em-down was the Dacoma Drug Co., owned by members of the Rigg family.

In the building which was Murrow's Grocery when I was growing up in Dacoma in the 1950s, now Whittet's Cowboy Grill, there was a Hardward and Furniture store. The Whittet Meat Market was across the street diagonally from the current location. Billy and Floy purchased the business from my grandfather, Lute Murrow, in 1960." -- Rod Murrow View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (1 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Greenbrier College for Women

"Greenbrier College for Women was never a 'finishing school' ... whatever that is.  In 1961, it was a two year preparatory school and junior college, with junior and senior highschool students as freshmen and sophomores at Greenbrier.  It was established, for the purpose of educating young women, on 7 Apr 1858 by an act passed by the Virginia General Assembly which incorporated it as the Lewisburg Female Institute Company in Lewisburg, Greenbrier County.

On 17 Aug 1874, the Lewisburg Female Institute was incorporated in West Virginia.  In 1922, the Lewisburg Seminary, formerly the Lewisburg Female Institute, became Greenbrier College for Women.  Greenbrier College and Greenbrier Military School both closed in 1972.   The classroom building built in 1902 as a gift of the Carnegie Foundation to the school became the Carnegie Hall of W. Va, a nonprofit arts and education center in 1983.  The main building which contained the dormitory rooms, library, study halls, parlors, dining room etc. has been renovated as the Greenbrier Campus of the New River Community & Technical College.

The dinner in the 5 photos you found was the annual Sophomore Class dinner held off campus at one of the hotels in Lewisburg.  Your sister, Dorthy, was President of her class and held the distinction of amassing more demerits than anyone in college history for failing to make her bed, failing to dress properly for dinner, failing to take her stacks of demerit notices off her bulletin board, tinting her hair a lovely shade of lilac, etc." View/Write Comments (count 7)   |   Receive updates (3 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Groundhog Day History - European Roots

Groundhog Day History - European Roots... "Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow. If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole. If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground. The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important....." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe