Weather Dog Report...

This sunny Winter snow picture was taken Wednesday morning at our place South of Bayfield, Colorado. As one viewer put it this week, "It finally seems like winter has arrived, 10 days before the vernal equinox."

AND... Just in time for Spring-breakers. After Monday & Tuesday treating us to Spring-like days in the valley of SW Colorado, we were surprised with an accumulation of an inch or so of snow in the valley as we wokeup Wednesday morning. While we were getting our inch or so in the valley, the higher mountains were getting over 4 inches of that Winter white stuff.

Meanwhile, Thursday & Friday more of the same winter weather blew in these Rocky Mountain -- Dumping another 4 inches or so of snow on Thursday in the higher mountains. By Friday (3/10/2006) it was like a blizzard of winter whiteouts here in the valley. By 10:30 a.m., Friday, the San Juans measured around 13 inches of snow. The wind didn't die down until late afternoon here in the valley -- the snow flakes became wetter, heavier and accumulated another inch or so South of Bayfield, Colorado.

Some SW Colorado mountaineers were seen climbing the hill to clean off their DirecTV & DirecWay receivers. Friday was a day of whiteouts, clearing and wind blowing as snow continued to accumulate. As some might say around here, "Better late than never!"

As we wokeup early Saturday morning to finish our "OkieLegacy Ezine," it was still cloudy and snowing slightly -- more snow expected today and perhaps into Sunday. We made a short movie clip (wmv file) of our heavy snow falling south of Bayfield, Colorado. Click this link: Winter Arrives - South of Bayfield, Colorado - 3/10/2006 - taken in late afternoon (5:00 p.m.) -- after the winds died down.

We also hear that earlier this week Enid, Oklahoma had 5 inches of rain and some hail. What's it doing in your neck of the woods this weekend? Let us know in the Comments below.
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The Prairies' Castle On the Hill...

The first committee selected to start the work of trying to get the Normal located at Alva, was chosen at a little meeting of citizens in Mead's Hall (lot 4, block 38, over the post office then; and over Greenlee's drug store). Following are the names: S. L. Johnson, chairman; H. L. Ross, secretary; W. F. Hatfield, editor Alva Pioneer; James Kelley, editor Alva Republican; C. C. Hudson, editor Alva Review; A. H. Andrews, then city attorney, and Jesse J. Todd, a photographer.

This committee forthwith advertised for offers of land near town for a college site. Several places were offered, but the most desirable was the due south on the hill half a mile from the center of the public square on H. C. McGrath's farm, (about two blocks east of where the Normal building stood.) The next move was a standing "PUSH" committee to go to Guthrie and assist Councilman J. P. Gandy, and Representative G. W. Vickers, S. L. Johnson, James Kelley and C. C. Hudson were the first; others went occasionally, to relieve the three first named a day or two at a time.

The old files say, "The Alva Normal bill carried by four majority in the council (Senate) and was hurried to house, but being the last day of the session required a two-thirds vote to take it up out of its regular order to reach it before the close of the session. BUT, not having a two-thirds vote the measure died under the rule."

"Johnson, Kelley and Hudson did valliant service in helping Messrs. Gandy and Vickers to carry it through."

Thus ended the 1895 fight for the college; they were licked, but not conquered.

The attention of Alva people was given to other matters until April 1, 1896, when, S. L. Johnson, J. D. Share, W. F. Hatfield, G. W. Snyder, Geo. W. Crowell, E. Rall, C. W. Hobbie, H. S. Emmerson and J. W. Maxey, had a little meeting in Mead's Hall, and talked over the matter of forming a "Commercial Club." It was agreed that everyone present solicit the attendance of the business men at a meeting to be held in Mead's Hall on the evening of April 2, to perfect the organization.

There was a good turnout April 2, and they named it the Alva Commercial Club, and decided to elect 11 directors, -- the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer to be four of the number; then the following were chosen: J. A. Stine, president; J. D. Share, vice-president; W. F. Hatfield, secretary; Geo. W. Crowell, treasurer; C. W. Bickel, H. E. Noble, Joseph Miller, C. W. Hobbie, J. G. Bittner, E. Rall, and F. E. Hatch. S. L. Johnson, on account of being postmaster, refused to accept any office in the club. The club gave its attention to general affairs until after the election in November, then plans were started for the legislature to convene in January, 1897. Geo. W. Vickers was re-elected representative of this district, and D. S. Randolph of Blaine county (then attached to this council district) was elected councilman. (Senator in the states.) It was necessary to confer with all the members-elect in the Strip and south counties.

It had been demonstrated that Old Oklahoma, because of having three years the advantage in organization, would attempt to rule everything; but only three Republicans were elected, and that somewhat demoralized the old time combine.

After January 1, 1897, the Commercial Club met nearly every night; the legislature was to meet on the 12th. The "stavers" were soon selected on account of their prompt attendance every meeting. Another "push" committee was to be sent to Guthrie to assist out members. The club chose S. L. Johnson as leader, with power to choose his own assistants, and then he selected W. F. Hatfield as his "right-hand bower."

A finance committee was put to work to secure funds to pay the expenses of the committee at Guthrie, and it was very "slim picking" those days. But enough was secured to start with in proper order and the committee went to Guthrie with our legislators.

The first thing was to get a majority (right for us) on the educational committee of both branches of the legislature, and that was done mighty quietly, for we soon discovered that the president of each body was against us. Capt. Stine, J. D. Share, G. W. Crowell, H. E. Noble, H. A. Noah, J. W. Monfort, Dr. J. D. Karr, C. W. Hobbie, E. Rall, S. B. Share, Jos Miller, Jesse J. Dunn, H. C. McGrath, F. M. Cowgill, W. C. Douglas, and a few others, were the home-guard and nearly everyone spent more or less time at Guthrie.

Johnson and Hatfield stayed there seven weeks; the legislature was composed of populists and a few democrats, and the populists were elected on a radical reform platform; their campaign cry had been "equal rights to all, and special privileges to none," and our main task was to make the " special privileges" that the east side of the territory enjoyed, with their colleges at Norman, Edmond and Stillwater, supported with our money, over-balance the great desire of the populist members for economy. Well, we managed also to have our republican friends to speak loud at the proper time and in the proper place and assert that the populists and democrats were against education, progress, etc.

A record of all the manuvers, the fight against us by Edmond, Norman, and Stillwater, etc., would make a big book; but our bill passed the council on Feb 26th, by a vote of eight to five. Senators D. P. Marum of Woodward and Wm. Garrison of Grant County being the leaders in carrying it through. Then the Edmond fellows re-doubled their efforts to prevent the bill passing the house, introducing the bill for the Negro Normal at Langston, saying that would be enough schools in Oklahoma. Our boys lined up for it and then lambasted them for being against a school for white children 200 miles from Edmond and where it would not interfere with their school. Persistent and careful work, with unanswerable argument, won out and at 8 o'clock on the evening of March 10, 1897, the bill passed the house. Then our enemies tried to get Gov. W. C. Renfrow to not sign the bill, but our friends stood "pat" and refused to pass an appropriation bill until he did sign it, and it was signed about midnight, close of the session, March 12.

Then came the election to vote $5000 bonds of Alva Township in aid of the college, as the bill provided for. It was held on May 18, 1897, and there were 251 votes for and 20 against it. There were then as now a few old soreheads and kickers against every progressive move of the "pushers."

The matter of letting the contract for the construction of the building was the next thing. Gov. Cassius M. Barnes had by this time succeeded Gov. Renfrow, and the governor and board of education for Normal schools were to let the contract, and the date set was July 22, but they postponed the matter for the reason that they could not determine how large a building was needed, and our Commercial Club was contending that our large school population demanded a large building, while Edmond and her cohorts were threatening an injunction against the erection of any building. However, our commercial club offered to furnish a building, free of rent, in which to start the school, and the board accepted the propostiton, and at a meeting held on August 28th, elected Prof. James E. Ament, of Rock Island, Illinois, as president; Miss Sarah Bosworth, formerly superintendent of Logan county schools, and Mrs. Mary DeLisle, formerly principal of the Alva public schools, as instructors. And the board promised more teachers if the attendance demanded it. The Congregational church was rented to $150.00 for the school year, and the board furnished desks.

Memories From NW Oklahoma...

We have heard more about WWII Prisoner of War memories this week from Charles Cook, in the Louisiana Bayou.

Remember the Rialto birthday parties at the Rialto theatre in Alva, OK when Homer Jones invited all the kids in town to a free afternoon, weekend movie for his son, Johnny's birthday. It was back in those old days when it cost a child 10-cents and an adult (12 years and older) 35-cents to go to the movie theatre. AND... what about those Saturday night previews (if you could stay up that late) at the Rialto theatre. Does anyone else remember those days of old?

Remember the "Groceteria" that was on Barnes Avenue, in the 600 block, southside of the street in what later became "Magnusons Grocery" after it was remodeled? Today that location houses the Senior Citizens Center.

Remember "Blakemores" located a block north of the square in the location of what later became the Ideal Grocery? What about the "East Side Market" located in the same block as the "Runnymede Hotel", east side of square, 4th Street. The "East Side Grocery" was the forerunner for the "Red Bud Supermarket."

How about "Mrs. Short's Grocery" that was located in the residential area between 2nd & 3rd Street near Longfellow School? Seems like there were lots of small residential grocery stores scattered. located throughout the residential area of Alva, Oklahoma when this writer was younger.

What about "Wahoo!" Remember playing "Wahoo" at the Rialto Theatre in Alva, Oklahoma in the early days? This writer doesn't have any memories or experience of "Wahoo." BUT... we understand it was similar to "Bingo" and played on Wednesday at the Rialto theatre in Alva, Oklahoma. We aren't for certain, but but we believe that Homer jones got local merchants to donate merchandise in exchange for advertising during the event.

All this from what we learned from those who left comments in last week's OkieLegacy ezine. You can visit, read those comments in the Mailbag Corner under "The Rest of the Story."
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WWII In Oklahoma...

by - Charles M. Cook in Louisiana Bayou Country

I remember the Prisoners of War Camp that was located at Tonkawa. I was just a child, but the tower always interested me. In my mind's eye, I could see them watching for a prisoner to try to escape.

One winter during the earlier part of the war, when I was about five years old, we came from Louisiana to visit my grandparents Earl and Edith Smith Cook in Grant County, Oklahoma. One day a great blue norther came rolling in, like a wall from the north. As it approached, we began to hear an airplane's motor. I can remember my grandpa and my Uncle Don going out to see what was going on, with me trailing behind.

The plane circled several times at a low altitude, like a bright yellow bird hovering on the wind. Then to everyone's amazement, it came down for a landing in their wheat field. As it did, snow began to fall. The truck was cranked up and the three of us went rolling out to see what was up. Of course the pilot had been 'forced down' by the weather. In those days there was not a lot of instrumentation in planes. This one was an 'Army Air Corps' air craft. There was no air force as a separate military branch until many years later. I don't remember where it was based. I'm not sure, but in my mind's eye it was a yellow bi-wing, I know they were still in use as trainers early in that war. Now that I have become venerable, I can look back and realize that the pilot was just a kid. However to me he was a shining knight.

After the pilot had been brought to the farm house and given a hot drink and he had used the old crank type telephone to call his base, it was decided that the plane would remain for a few days, awaiting better weather. Later an olive drab military vehicle arrived and two more uniformed kids took turns standing armed guard at the landing site. The living room had become a military bunk house. I was in my glory.

I may have been a pest, because I stuck to them like glue. In those days it was as exciting as it would be today if astronauts stopped off at your place on their way back from Mars. However, the pilot gave me the little wings he had pinned to his lapel. As much as that Wowed me, I then proceeded try to talk him out of the big one that indicated he was a pilot, without success.

I still have those wings over six decades later. Shown in the accompanying photos are those wings. Also shown are photos of my brother Jack and myself in sailor uniforms. Notice that the wings are pinned to me. In those days people were completely patriotic, would never think of undermining the military while troops were in the field. I can remember people standing along the tracks while a troop train passed, with their hat off and held over their heart. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Rest of the Story...

... Jones' Three "R's" in Alva, OK by Leslie Kurth re: Frank Deaton's daughter (Diane).

... Homer Jones & Rialto, Ranger, Ritz & Liberty by Terry Smith - re: Remember Wahoo, as well as many a memorable Saturday afternoon with Grandma Venosdel and other cousins at the 'serials' showing at the Ranger. Also remember when Homer would have a big birthday party for Johnny each year at the Rialto. Somewhere hidden in a box or album, I have a picture of me as a child sitting on the lap of 'Smiley Burnett' when he made a personal appearance at the Rialto. Those many afternoons of adventure, children under 12 got in for 10-cents. You had to jump upto the adult admission of 35-cents after that. Another favorite was the 'Saturday night Preview'. If you could stay up that late, you went to the late feature, and could stay to preview next week's film for no extra charge. Great memories.

WaHoo! At the Rialto. How could I forget it? My grandmother took me every Wednesday. One night, I yelled WaHoo, won my first ever prize, and got to run up on the stage to collect a yellow metal bun warmer. I was so proud. That bun warmer got pulled out every holiday meal to hold the butter scones, rolls or biscuits my mother would make. When I left home, I packed the bun warmer and took it with me through untold numbers of moves. It may be in a box in my storage room right now.

... The Rest of the Story SBW - re: The Groceteria was on the south side of Barnes, east of 7th Street and was renamed Magnuson's when it was remodeled.

'Blakemores' was located one block north of the square and eventually became 'Ideal'. The 'Eastside Market' sat in the same block as the 'Runnymede Hotel' and was the forerunner to the 'Red Bud Supermarket'. I remember Mrs. Short having a store in a residential area between 2nd and 3rd street not far from Longfellow School.

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Dick Goetz - JFK Print & Serigraph...

My wife's great aunt (104, God bless her) has a framed "proof" (5-1/2" wide by 4-1/2" high) by famous Oklahoma City artist Dick Goetz. The work is entitled, "Old Barn" and the name "Norman" appears centered under the illustration, following by Mr. Goetz's signature in the lower-right corner. Is there an avenue through your publication to ask readers for any information they might have on Mr. Goetz and this work? Best regards.

We scanned the "Old Barn" proof and sent you this file. The framed work is not an oil painting but a small and striking pen/ink still-life drawing of barn and animals -- beautifully drawn. As near as I can tell this is the same Dick Goetz who produced the "John F. Kennedy portrait," in 1961. I've been trying to get more information on which portrait. I thought perhaps it was he who produced this engraved portrait of JFK. I'll have to ask the Bureau of Engraving in Washington to cite the artist.

It appears the engraving here was made from Dick Goetz's 1961, serigraphic canvas oil Print, signed "R.V. Goetz", a limited edition (No. 1 thru 550) prints that were made by the Stan Ramsey Co., Inc. Ramsey company was a Serigrapher in Oklahoma. One of the Ramsey children wrote in your Okie Legacy that their dad sold the company in the late '70s." -- Stan S., New York City
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Edith Goetz (1918-1988)...

Mr. Goetz sounds to have been an Oklahoma "favorite son" in his day. There are pieces of information about Dick Goetz that I've been gathering. An interesting family. Read this bio on his wife, Edit Goetz, in which Richard ["Dick"] Goetz and Oklahoma are mentioned: Edith Goetz (1918-1988) - Rehearsal at Carnegie Hall c.1980.

Edith Goetz was born into a life of privilege. She grew up on her family's estate in Bedford Hills, New York with her mother and her brother (concert musician and composer Sherwin Day). Her father William Day was a New York advertising man and Madison Avenue legend. Her parents, separated for most of her life, also maintained (albeit separate) New York apartments, her mother at the Sherry Netherland and her father at the Barclay Hotel. When home from boarding school Edith enjoyed a genteel country life amongst her horses and her father's breeding kennels. She was also consumed by drawing. After one year at Smith College she announced to her parents that she was moving to New York to study at the Art Students League and National Academy of Design. She studied with Sidney Dickinson, Charles Chapman and Charles Courtney Curran. Receiving little support from her parents she also went to work as a fashion illustrator for an ad agency and roomed with a new friend who was a Radio City Music Hall Rockette.

In this almost movie story lifestyle the stage was set for an event that would change her life forever. In 1942 she met a young, handsome and talented artist who had just moved to New York form Prior Creek, Oklahoma. At a student party Edith hosted in Bedford Hills, Richard Goetz mounted the wildest horse in the stable, rode him around the coral and then showed her his western horsemanship by making him 'buck.' Edith fell in love.

Soon after, Richard Goetz enlisted in the Army Medical Corps and served a long hard tour in the European theater. Upon his return he married Edith at New York City Hall. They packed his newly purchased (but well used) Cadillac and drove straight to Oklahoma City where they both vowed to live the life of artists; 'never working for anyone else.'

Their struggle was intensified by the fact that Edith bore six children and Oklahoma was hardly an art mecca. Teaching, portrait painting and infrequent painting sales kept the Goetz household afloat. It took almost twenty years for financial success to finally reward their efforts. Together they owned and operated art schools in Oklahoma City, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Malden Bridge, New York. Where Richard Goetz focused mainly on oil painting (still Lifes especially), Edith developed into a fine pastelist. Portraits, especially of children, and figure painting were where she found her greatest strength. It should also be noted that the children of the Goetz household were all encouraged to study music and art. Today three of the six are professional painters including Mary Anna Goetz.

In the late 1970's with the youngest of her brood in college Edith reminded her husband of a pledge he made long ago - when the children are raised we are moving back to New York. Dick Goetz resisted, argued and then refused. Edith packed her car and left Oklahoma for good re-settling in the family home in Westchester County. One year later her husband reluctantly followed.

Back in New York Richard Goetz took a teaching position at their old school 'The League' and Edith pursued her career with entirely new subject matter. For a period she concentrated on dance. Arrangements were made for her to sketch at the practice studios at Carnegie Hall. It was during this period the pastel exhibited here was painted.

In the early 1980's she was given the news that she had cancer. She continued her art career and assembled the finest exhibit of her life, hosted by the Grand Central Art Galleries in 1986. Six months later, after a lifetime of struggle and true achievement in her personal and professional life, Edith Goetz died, happy to have spent her remaining years in the old cider mill that had been converted into studio/living space on her beloved family homestead in Bedford Hills.
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WWII POW Paintings at Waynoka...

The Woodward Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum borrowed the three POW paintings from the Waynoka History Museum to display with the traveling exhibit, "Schindler". The exhibit ends March 4. I'll attach a photo showing them on display at the Woodward museum. I believe the 'Alva Cherokee Strip Museum' has some of the paintings, and others are privately owned. There were '14 paintings' on the celotex between the studs of the old barracks which became the 'Buckner Apartments' after the war. The apartments burned sometime after the paintings were removed. There are other apartments in Waynoka that were POW barracks. Mr. Buckner knew the paintings were on the walls when they moved the barracks to Waynoka, but they installed wallboard in the remodelling, covering the paintings in the process. They were probably reminders of the war more than art at that time.

I will forward the Lebanese story and photos from the 'Waynoka Chronicles.' I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I certainly enjoyed the research.

Discover Oklahoma people (weekly TV show) were here today, filming at the Waynoka Museum for their April 22 show. They spent about 6 hours at the museum and also in the country for the wildlife trail." -- Sandie, Waynoka, OK View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Samuel Magill of Glasgow...

My grandfather, Samuel Magill, son of Samuel and Mary Jane (Fivey) Magill, was born in Glasgow, in 1886. Both his parents, Samuel and Mary Jane, were born in Banbridge, County Down. Samuel was born in 1858 and Mary Jane Fivey was born in 1853. Mary Jane's parents were William and Bridget (Boyle) Fivey. Samuel's parents were John and Sarah (Gamble) Magill both of whom were born in Banbridge. I have no further than John but Sarah's parents were John and Elizabeth (Finney) Gamble. All of the Gamble's children were born in Banbridge. The death certificate for Samuel, husband of Mary Jane, reads Samuel McGill but that spelling was never used in the family. Do any of the above names sound familiar?" -- Bonnie - Email: Bfrandall@aol.com View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

AHS Goldbug Class of '61 Reunion Update...

Need to tell you something to pass on to Alva High Class of '61 -- put on your web site. The reunion date has changed to this Labor Day. It will start Friday evening, September 1st and run through Saturday, September 2nd, with a breakfast on Sunday, September 3rd. The final plans will be mailed to all classmates in a packet, after I find everyone. So, hope the mailing will happen by the end of April. Thanks!" -- Lana - Email: alburkhart@pldi.net - Toll Free Phone: 1-888-487-7658, Freedom, Oklahoma View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

WWII -Alva Camp POW, Werner Wolf...

"Three years ago I sent you a comment about my father, Werner Wolf, who had been a POW in 'Camp Alva' during WWII. You were so kind to insert my comment in the article. From time to time I got a comment from people who were interested in the matter. Now I have moved to another city and have changed my email adress. Could you therefore please change the contact-adress mentioned in the article? My new email adress." -- Michael - Email: MichaelWolf5@gmx.de View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

C. S. Warner - Circuit-Riding Preacher...

About 5 years ago (July 15th., 2001), our church choir performed a "special" (I think it was a quartet number rather than the entire choir) singing the novelty number, "Circuit-Ridin' Preacher", and preceded it with the enclosed remarks about my mom's Grampaw Warner. All of the remarks are true and the oil painted portrait hanging in my living room is of Rachel Moore of Felicity, Ohio (the mother of Rachel E. [Moore] Warner), and was painted about 1865.

My Great-Grandfather, Charles Sumner Warner, attended Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio and then became a Methodist circuit Riding Preacher at the Kansas towns of Soldier, Argentine, Green and Lenexa. He had married Rachel E. Moore also of Ohio and while they were in Green, Kansas, my grandmother, Rachel Smith Warner was born. After he came to Shawnee, Oklahoma, his daughter amarried my grandfather, William Orville Lewis and they farmed near Mustang, OK where my mother was born.

Then for several years my great-grandfather pastored the Reno-Avenue Methodist Church in Oklahoma City. He latered preached for awhile at Tecumseh, OK before moving to Houston, TX. he returned to Oklahoma to unite my mother, Rachel Marian Lewis in marriage to my dad, John Chasteen Kendrick at the Britton Christian Church in Oklahoma City. As I said, my great-grandfather, Reverend Charles Sumner Warner was a Circuit Riding Preacher." -- Roy
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Oklahoma Gas & Weather...

"This morning (3/9/2006, Thursday) we finally received some moisture. Not much, but my rain gauge showed almost 1/20th of an inch. The pavement was wet but I didn't see any mud anywhere. It was mostly like a heavy mist but at least there was a trace of moisture. Also... the price of gasoline dropped from $2.32.9 to $2.27.9 at one of the stations and to $2.29.9 at the Conoco across the street from it. Our fuel prices have continued to go up and down for no apparent reason." -- Roy View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Alva - Chautauqua - 1910...

Backside of 1910 Postcard -- "I found this item (1910 penny postcard, postmarked Alva, OK, Jul 16, 1910, sent to Mr. G. C. Cornett, Driftwood, OK from someone named Essie) on eBay. I'm curious to know if anyone knows any of the folks in the photograph... or perhaps can identify the location it was taken. I'm including the second image, which shows the postmark date July 16, 1910. I have really enjoyed reading the information about the POW camp (Camp Alva). Thanks for your efforts to preserve northwest Oklahoma's history." -- Rod Murrow, Freedom, OK

[Back of postcard reads: Rev. Gunn Preaches at Union Services tomorrow night. Essie.]
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Joseph Foucart (Feucart) - The Architect of the Castle on the Hill...

Joseph Foucart was the architect of the "Castle on the Hill of the Prairies of NW Oklahoma Territory. Foucart was a native of France, but has lived in this country many years, and at Guthrie at that time, and still lived there. He came here with the contractor and watched the construction of the building from start to finish. He is an expert in his line, and a clever gentleman in every way.

The citizens of Alva had a general jollification on the night of Thursday, March 10th. The site was selected on Saturday afternoon, March 19th; the foundation was measured off and the stakes set on Monday, March 29th, and on Friday afternoon, April 1st, R. M. Davis started six teams removing the dirt from the basement, and more teams were added Monday. By April 20th, twenty cars of stone had arrive from Augusta, Kansas, a well had been drilled in the basement to furnish water for mixing mortar, and thirty men were employed in various ways.

By the last of May, the foundation was well started on every side of the great building, and about this time a fellow named Asher, of El Reno, was visiting east side towns and soliciting donations from politicians to pay the expenses of filing an injunction to restrain the contractor from continuing the work. The commercial club had a consultation with Mr. Volk, and over hundreds of citizens of Alva and vicinity signed a bond to Mr. Volk for $86,018.00, and he doubled his force of workmen and pushed the contruction as rapidly as possible.

Asher filed his injunction in the supreme court at Guthrie and it stayed filed until after the building was completed. On July 1st, the work had so far advanced that committee begun the preparations for laying the corner stone (under the main tower in front). The program consisted of the usual ceremonies, led by the Masons. Gov. Barnes and several other territorial officers, and Grand Master E. M. Bamford were present. Pres. Ament introduced Gov. Barnes as the first speaker, and he was followed by Judge McAtee. S. L. Johnson and Hon. Temple Houston. Following is a list of articles placed within the corner stone:

Roll of officers and members of the grand lodge and local lodge A. F. & A. M.; same of the Alva Commercial Club, same of the legislature 1897, copies of the Alva Pioneer, Courier, Review and Cleo Cheiftain, copy of program of the day's exercises and names of President Ament, Miss Bosworth and Mrs. DeLisle.

The day was one of general celebration, the business of the town being represented by float's in a great parade; and the crowd present was guessed at 4000 to 6000.

The erection of the building went steadily on and there was no more trouble excepting the howl of "steal" and fraud from the east-side people and papers, until Gov. Ferguson needed in his political scheme Pres. Ament's place for a friend, and he got it.

After Mr. Ament came to Alva, no one man did as much as he to further the interests of the school, and it was conceded by all that the school had the most rapid growth of any other ever opened west of the Mississippi river. Mr. Ament, besides being one of the leading educators aof the United States, was an attracive man physically, and a general favorite with his students.

The school's attendance continued to grow, and its influence widened, and another building was needed before another year, to accommodate the young people who desire to higher education.

And our former enemies have at last conceded that the school is needed in this part of the world, and is a success.

[Source: The Alva Pioneer 1904 Souvenir Edition - Friday, Jan. 1, 1904, Vol. 11, No. 16, by W. F. Hatfield, Alva, Woods Co., Oklahoma. W. F. Hatfield, Publisher Daily and Weekly Pioneer editor, sold the "Souvenir Edition" in 1904 for 50-Cents. It was printed to celebrate Alva's tenth anniversary since the opening of 1893.]]