Duchess Corner

We have heard from a few Oakes descendants this week. We may be receiving a photo of Mabel Oakes one of these days.

This is for those Oakes & Miller descendants out there who have asked who we are and how we came about the Old Opera House Mystery of 1910. We got curious in this 1910 murder at the "Old Opera House" in Alva, Oklahoma when we were investigating the northwest Oklahoma court archives.

We understand that back in 1910 things of this sort were discouraged of being talked about amongst families. Perhaps less said back then of the sins of the family, would soon be forgotten so they could get on with the rest of their lives.

9 November 1910 turned out to be a very dark day in history for this northwest part of the newly formed state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma & Indian Territory had only merged into the State of Oklahoma three years early, September 16, 1907.

Maybe remembering and reviewing the past is not such a bad thing, though. Have you ever heard the saying that goes something like this, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

In other words, is it necessary to remember the past in order to avoid repeating it? BUT... that does not seem sufficient, does it? One can remember the past and still repeat it if one is unable to apply its message to the present. Don't you think?

What Santayana should have said was, "Those who cannot remember the past, decipher its message, and apply it to the present, are condemned to repeat the past."

BUT... This seems rather less appealing from a literary point of view, doesn't it? We know that a good aphorism must be brief, but the truth is rarely brief. Knowledge of history won't save us. What we need to know is the "meaning of history." Are historians capable of delivering the meaning of history?

Our intent in publishing these 1910 and 1911 transcripts of the famous "Old Opera House Murder" is NOT to drudge up old, unpleasant memories for the descendants families involved, but maybe give those an avenue to finding the "meaning" -- understanding "Why" & "What" happened way back "When."
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1933 Dacoma Eighth Graders Identified...

Through the help of an OkieLegacy reader we have identified the eight graders of the 1933 Dacoma High that Rod Murrow submitted last week.

Front row: Donald Kinnard, Naomi Cox, Elton Smith, Lorena Walderich, Junior Helms, Thelma Lee, John Drake.

Back row: Melvin Joachims, Olean Keith Walter Lockhart, Dorothy Riggs, Tim Heavilin, Mary Linfoot, teacher - Ray Lanman.

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Thanks To All...

Thanks again so much for all your help with finding Alva High classmates 1949-1961!! Here are the other people we can''t find. If you know of their whereabouts, Let Lana Leist Burkhart or the OkieLegacy know. Thanks again for ALL your help!

• Kathleen "Kathy" (Burris) Richter (Dawn Gay Brooks last talked with Kathy when she lived in the OKC area.)
• Karen (Webb) Meek
• Carolyn Ann Brown (maiden name - parents, Gerald & Ruth Brown. Gerald was a HWY Patrolman. Ruth was a teacher. He transferred to Lawton, OK when Carolyn was in junior high.)
• Loretta (James) Ferguson (used to live in Enid, OK fairly recently)

The Rest of the Story...

Vol. 8, Iss. 17... I have an old picture that I believe Pauline Oakes told me was Mabel. I never thought of her being that large of a woman as described in the Old Opera House Mystery. I think she did have a longish neck. Since this was the first murder in Woods County (after it became a county) it was called the darkest day in Woods County.

Oklahoma Weather & Wheat... I was in Alva to attend the annual Spring Reunion. The Conoco across from the campus was selling unleaded regular at $2.719. There was one other station with a sign showing $2.699. It had rained buckets there on Friday when we arrived.

Vol. 7, Iss. 46... I collect old photographs from northern Okla. Amorita, Cherokee, etc. I grew up in Amorita. I would like to add photos from time to time. I just bought some from Driftwood, Okla. they are from the telegraph operator at driftwood.

Early Day Lodge Brothers... You are correct. Note the vestment around the neck. On several there is the three links of chain which is associated with the International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). The chain links, as seen on their signs, would have the letters F L T inside the link, 'Faith Love Truth' I am told.

Dacoma, OK - 1933 8th Grade Class... "I saw your request and took the photo to my dad. They got out the book Dacoma Senior Memoir '75 and the photo is in there. Front row: Donald Kinnard, Naomi Cox, Elton Smith, Lorena Walderich, Junior Helms, Thelma Lee, John Drake. Back row: Melvin Joachims, Olean Keith Walter Lockhart, Dorothy Riggs, Tim Heavilin, Mary Linfoot, teacher - Ray Lanman."
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Oklahoma Gas Prices...

"The gas prices are back down again in Oklahoma. Today the prices dropped back to $2.669 at the majors and 3 cents less ($2.639) at the independents. As soon as the news broadcasters started spreading their doom and gloom again (telling us that oil had hit an all time high) our local prices began to drop once more. Of course it won't last but we'll accept it for now. We got some decent rain too. My rain gauges have seen about 5" already this week and we're supposed to get some more tomorrow." -- Roy
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PBS- Texas Ranch House...

PBS had a new miniseries starting this week in which a group of present-day people spend a period of time on a Texas ranch with no more amenities than they would have had in 1867. I wanted to bring the program to your attention because quite a few of us have ancestors who came to Indian Territory via Texas. They endured the rigors of the frontier after fleeing the turbulence of the Reconstruction South. Program times may vary - check your local listings. Texas Ranch House
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Beeson & Faulkner Family...

"My Grandparents were Fred Beeson, and Romona Faulkner. I wonder if that is important to you in any way. Thank you. A lady named Romona Faulkner, is/was my Grandmother on dad's side. I was noticing that her name is that of a town in your 'country'. I wonder if that holds any significance, by your way of thinking?" -- Greg Beeson - EMAIL: ggb@centurytel.net View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Finally! Oklahoma Rain ON Festival Weekend...

"For several months now the entire southwest part of our country has been praying for moisture of ANY kind. Rain, sleet snow, anything we could get. And at the same time, for many weeks now our small city of Perry, Oklahoma has been planning for a day of celebration we call "Spring Fest" when the merchants trot out the latest gadgets and merchandise for sidewalk sales, and all sorts of demonstrations are going on in the courthouse park, the Noble County Fairgrounds, and the Cherokee Strip Museum (along with the restored Rose Hill Country School). All of it scheduled for just one day; Saturday, April 29, 2006. Then finally we get the lightning, thunder, and downpour of the spring rains we so desperately needed. We hardly know whether to laugh or to cry.

This year our Spring Fest scheduled the: Car Show at 9AM 'til 3PM at the downtown square; a huge Quilt Show from 9AM 'til 3PM at the Noble County Women's Fair Building; Celebration of the Child also from 9AM 'til 3PM (consisting of 24 booths of absolutely FREE activities, games, carnival rides, and food for the children) all located in the courthouse park; Trolley rides to and from the park, the fair grounds, and the museum grounds; Native American Story Telling; a 1910 School Session; Lace Making; Blacksmith Demonstrations; Square Dancing; Branding; Gunfighters and Cowboy Camp; and then at 6:30 PM a Ranch Rodeo at the CSRC Rodeo Arena. Will the rains cease long enough for some folks to have fun? I don't know yet.

The rain began on Thursday and has been pouring down off and on since. It is now approaching noon on Saturday and we are experiencing occasional lightning flashes followed by thunder claps and intermittent showers. We needed the rain and finally IT"S HERE!!! -- Roy
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AHS Class of '56 - 50th Reunion...

"Seems the class of '56 has a 50th reunion planned for the Labor Day weekend, there in Alva. I see where you are trying to locate John Hillabolt. His sister Jane was in the class of '56, and the address listed on our webpage is, Jane Hillabolt Lee, 724 E Broadway, Fairview, OK, with an email address of janehwlee@itlnet.net. In running a search for Jane in Fairview, nothing came up, but there is a Jane Lee at 120 W versa St, Hollis, OK, phone #5806882827. There is one other possibility which you might try, Arthel Goode Neff, from our class might be more up to date on Jane's address. Arthel's email address is RIMCOneff@aol.com. Don't guarantee any of this will help find John, but is certainly worth a try. -- Marvin Henry View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

AHS Clasmates of '61...

"Thanks again so much for your help with finding our classmates (1949-1961)!! I will email Tom Vincent this morning. Here are the other people we can't find:

NWOSU Spring Fling (Alumni Reunion)...

"We attended the 'spring fling' and had a good turnout. One item of interest to graduates is that the President of the NWOS University is leaving. Dr. Paul Beran has accepted a position of Chancellor at the University of Arkansas - Ft. Smith. He has been at the school for five years and has set in motion many changes, all for the good I think. He told me that the demolition of Oklahoma Hall is complete and that the plan for the site is for a combination green space and parking. Eventually, he thinks it would make a good site for a building to house the Chamber of Commerce and the NW Oklahoma development offices. Cheers!" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

McGee, Indian Territory...

McGee Indian Territory -- by Mike Webb, has been moved. Read about the everyday life in 1906 from THE CHICKSAW NEWS, March thru December, 1906.

A number of businesses opened up in quick succession before the town broke up and the buildings were moved away in 1907. A barber shop opened up in 1899 (sixteenth business), by a man named McCombs. A general merchandise store (seventeenth business) was opened in the same year by A.C. Cromer who sold the "Studebaker" make of wagons. The First Bank of McGee was opened in 1903 (eighteenth business), with Jess T. Eldredge as president and a Mr Smith as cashier. A.C. Cromer's brother in law, named King opened a store (nineteenth business) next to Cromer's in 1903. A pool hall opened about this same time (twentieth business). The last business opened in town was Houston Byford store in 1905. Ironically, of all the stores, there never was a brick or stone building erected in McGee.....
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Old Opera House Mystery - Chronology...

We have been working slowly to put together a "Chronology" for the "Old Opera House Mystery" for those who are interested. It is a venture in progress. So... bookmark these links for further updates. Thanks! -- NW Okie (a.k.a. Linda McGill Wagner)
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Margaret (Rubottom) WARD...

OK-Woods Message Board Post: "I am looking for anyone who might have information on Margaret Rubottom' s first husband, last name Ward. They had a son Frank Terry Ward who in 1930 was in Wichita, Kansas. I can trace Margaret to her death in Woods County and one of her daughters but can't find any living sources for these people. Funny thing in 1930 Edgar and two daughters are living in Alva, Woods county but Margaret is nowhere to be found. She died in 1962 in Alva. I'm confused. It's all tangled up but I know the knots can be untied if I could find the right relative with the answers. Thanks in advance." -- Dorinda - OKWOODS Mailing List - Woods County, Oklahoma OKGenWeb View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

OkieLegacy Guestbook Comments...

4/30/2006 - "It seems that in October of 2005 we bought a WWII Barrack that was moved here from Alva. We bought it knowing it was military built in the 1940's (that is the date on the title guarantee). We assumed that the rest of our property was an instillation as a branch of Camp Nazi in Alva but we found out recently this barrack was moved to this location in Buffalo, OK. It measures 100 X 20 so there are numerous things that this could have been used for, is there anything that I can look for to help me find out more about my new home?" -- Kathi Bearden

4/30/2006 - "Ruby Williams and Verna Hill also taught at Warwick because they were my teachers.I attended Warwick school for 8 years 1941-1949." -- Leslie Ruth Oliver Ken

4/24/2006 - "Thanks for the history on Lincoln County and the Sac and Fox Indians. I grew up near the Indian Agency." -- Gloria Johnson Nedell

4/21/2006 - "Based on other events and dates shown in the McGill (BOB) WWII Timeline, his V-Mail Christmas Card from Hawaii was sent in December, 1942. He arrived in Hawaii in December, 1941, however, V-Mail did not exist until June, 1942, (see this web site: Postal Museum ). Therefore, this card was not sent in 1941. The last Hawaii entry in the timeline was in October, 1942, and the next entry has him at Camp Cooke, California, in May, 1943. While you cannot be positive, I think you can logically conclude based on the evidence that the V-Mail card was sent from Hawaii, that he was still in Hawaii in December, 1942. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your excellent site and hope this information helps." -- John Patton
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