Apple Blossom Time In the Valley...

It is apple blossom time here in this southwest Colorado valley south of Bayfield, Colorado.

We have this apple tree that has taken root on the edge of the Irrigation canal that runs in back of our adobe. It is filled once again with apple blossoms. All along the irrigation canal you can find smaller sprigs of apple trees with familar blossoms.

We put out hummingbird feeders a few weeks ago and have attracted a couple of hummingbirds that inhabit its sweet nectar. We also have noticed the wasps hanging around it, also. Some of the little wasps or bees have gotten inside the feeder and drowned.

Happy Mothers Day to all Mothers out there in the world!
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1950's Memories...

Us Pugs are taking over this week while we have that NW Okie chained to her research chair deciding where to take of "Old Opera House Mystery" to next.

Any of you baby-boomers out there remember back to the 1950's, setting in front of the TV, listening and watching the afternoon kids shows on WKY-TV?

Especially, when 3-D Danny, Dan D. Dynamo (superintendant of space science center) would take you back in time with his "synchro retroverter" -- the "Magic Time Machine." If you noticed real close that the technical-looking control panel was made up of using jello molds, measuring spoons, and miscellaneous hardware store items. He kept our imaginations growing each day.

NW Okie mentioned her youthful, baby-boomer days in the 1950's when there was a mention in OHS "Mistletoe Leaves" newsletter that Danny Williams recently donated his red & gold costume to the Oklahoma History Center.

Besides keeping those baby-boomers spelled-bound with his "time machine," there was the "Circle 4 Ranch" with Foreman Scotty and Xavier T. Willard that brought the 1950's youngsters old western adventures every afternoon.

Anyone else out there remember those afternoons of the 1950's?
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Old Opera House Murder - The Preliminary...

(left - Judge R. A. Cameron)

The preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Nov. 24, 1910, but by mutual consent of attorneys it was postponed until December 1, 1910, Thursday, 10 o'clock a.m. County Judge Cameron came down with a serious illness and the 10 o'clock a.m. hearing had to be postponed until 2:00 p.m. By the time 2:00 p.m. rolled around Judge Cameron still felt unequal to the task of presiding and the preliminary was again postponed until 9 a.m., Friday, December 2, 1910. And... Again postponed to December 8, 1910 because of Judge R. A. Cameron's ill health.

When the preliminary finally took place, Justice N. L. Miller, charged with the murder of Mabel Oakes in the Old Opera House, November 9th, which had been set for 10 o'clock Thursday morning, December 1, was postponed until 2 o'clock p.m., Thursday, owing to the indisposition of County Judge R. A. Cameron. The Judge's condition had been so serious for some days preceding this date, that Attorney J. N. Tincher, of Medicine Lodge, employed by Mr. Oakes for the prosecution, had been notified that the preliminary could not possibly proceed and sequently he was not present in the morning.

December 8, 1910 came around with Judge Cameron on the bench, with County Attorney Claud McCrory, Attorneys J. N. Tincher and Moman Pruiett for the Prosecution and Attorneys Erskine W. Snoddy, Judge L. T. Wilson and C. H. Mauntel for the Defense. The accused N. L. Miller was also present and the court room was crowded with spectators, except for the students of the Normal school.

On the opening of the preliminary, the attorneys for the defense announced that, they would waive preliminary examination. The counsel for the state then announced that they wished to introduce and perpetuate the testimony of Dr. Saffold. The reasons assigned were, "Dr. Saffold was a most important witness in the case, that he had removed his residence from the county, that he was now present in court and that by perpetuating his testimony it would not be necessary to require his attendance during the subsequent trial of the case."

This introduction of testimony of Dr. Saffold brought an objection to the proceeding from the defense counsel as irregular on the grounds that when the defendant waived preliminary examination that no further proceedings in the case should be taken.

Judge Cameron over-ruled the objection of the counsel for the defense taking the position that he saw no reason why Dr. Saffold's testimony should not be taken. What was the real reason why the Judge over-rule the Defense's objection?

There was sparring between Judge L. T. Wilson and Attorney Moman Pruiett in the preliminary, but the local newspapers reported that it produced no serious results.

The Old Opera House Mystery of 1910 will continue in the July/August edition of the Prairie Connection with more testimony from the September, 1911 murder trial of Nelson L. Miller. Stay tuned. Wouldn't it have been interesting if DNA would have been in use back in 1910?

The Rest of the Story...

PBS- Texas Ranch House... My husband and I watched all of that series and we found it very interesting. Makes us appreciate what we have today.

... I am interested to here from Okie or her siblings that used to live on a ranch house. How were the 'hired hands' treated and what role were her sisters and mothers allowed to have in NW Oklahoma. Can this be part of next weeks newsletter? I did admire the loyalty of the crew and their dedication to the ranch and the project. If it wasn''t the only ranch in the area, I have to admit I would not have stayed as long as they did.

OkieLegacy Guestbook Comments... Kathi Bearden asked about old WWII prison camp barracks. Some were moved to Waynoka, too. One building is probably the size you describe. It has several apartments in it now.

Reason for Old Opera House Mystery... "..give those an avenue to finding the "meaning" and understanding "Why & What" happened way back then..." I think that may be true of the McGill Saga as well. Those in glass houses... I think we all can relate to the feeling of those families that might have been involved. Can we find meaning in past events to help live better lives in the present or determine if justice was served?

Thanks To All... Thanks, as ever, for the excellent help that the classmates of 1949-1961 have received from your web site group.

We have located Loretta (James) Ferguson and Karen (Webb) Meek, along with John Hillabolt. We now have 110 verified addresses, with only 3 missing. Those three include Kathy (Burris) Richter and Carolyn Ann Brown, as listed on your site. The third individual is Clyde Hamilton. I hadn''t listed Clyde previously because we believed that one of the guys in our group knew how to contact Clyde, but that didn''t turn out to be true.

The Alva committee will mail information packets during the week of May 8-12. However, we have not given up on finding the three people mentioned in this email and would still appreciate any information anyone could provide. As ever, thanks so much!!
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Prairie Connection's May Edition...

"Thanks to you, Linda, for your tremendous contribution to the May issue of the Prairie Connection with the Old Opera House Murder story. That made it one of the best issues we've ever published! You did an incredible job of researching and presenting a sensitive subject. Now readers are requesting "the rest of the story." -- Rosalea Hostetler, Volunteer Editor, The Prairie Connection View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Fairvalley Gets Wet In May...

"We have got a little over an inch at Fairvalley not nearly as much as some places in Oklahoma, but we are very thankful for what we got. We are going to work calves Saturday and got the wheat released to be grazed. They estimated it might make 3-bushel if it were cut so they just let you do whatever." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Oklahoma Gas Prices...

Should Have Filled Up... "I had to make a fast trip out of town this morning and south of Ponca City I noticed a major station was selling gas at $2.63.9 which was five cents a gallon less than the majors in Perry when I left. Since I hadn't really used too much gas yet, I continued to my destination in Kaw City, Oklahoma. On the way back home I passed that station again with quite a line of cars waiting to fill up, and saw that the price was the same. I figured my tank would only hold about 10 gallons and I would only be saving about 50 cents by stopping so I came on back to town without even slowing down. When I reached Perry again, I was surprised to see that the price had been raised and that I would have saved 11 cents per gallon instead of the five (it's now $2.75 per gallon and who knows what it might be tomorrow? I wonder if it's because the price of light sweet crude being at an all time high again yesterday? Yep, I should have filled the tank." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Oklahoma May Weather...

"Our weather has been exactly what we've been needing. ....Rain!!.... Hooray! It's overcast this morning, and the weather people are saying that we have a couple more fronts moving down from the Pacific Northwest, to pass through the state during the coming week, with maybe some rain this evening. The birds are singing, and the cattle are eating as fast as they can to gain some much needed pounds they lost over the winter drought." View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

AHS Goldbug Class of '61 Reunion Update...

"We have located Loretta (James) Ferguson and Karen (Webb) Meek, along with John Hillabolt. We now have 110 verified addresses, with only 3 missing. Those three include Kathy (Burris) Richter and Carolyn Ann Brown, as listed on your site. The third individual is Clyde Hamilton. I hadn't listed Clyde previously because we believed that one of the guys in our group knew how to contact Clyde, but that didn't turn out to be true.

The Alva committee will mail information packets during the week of May 8-12. However, we have not given up on finding the three people mentioned in this email and would still appreciate any information anyone could provide.

As ever, thanks so much! I'm also hoping that someone out there might have some kind of clue about the 3 people we still haven't located: Kathy (Burris) Richter (former married name); Carolyn Ann Brown (left Alva in junior high, father Gerald was a Hwy Patrolman, mother Ruth a teacher, moved because father transferred to Lawton); and Clyde Hamilton.

The committee will mail the reunion packet some time next week. The packet will include registration forms for the Labor Day events and a request for information to be mailed in to create the biographical booklet." -- Lana View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Research Center Reading Room Open...

The NEW OHS (Oklahoma Historical Society) Research Center) opened to the public on April 20 at 9 a.m. The attractively furnished, well-equipped facility is located on the first floor of OHS's new home in the Oklahoma History Center, at 2401 North Laird Avenue in Oklahoma City.

The new reading room offers numberous, well-lighted tables nad 15 computers for patron use. Six other computers allow patrons to mine the OHS's resources, and their new online catalog system. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Mabel Oakes Murder - 1910...

Mabel Oakes' murder happening in 1910, however, is especially interesting because of things like the League (law enforcement league) and the Letters (Black Hand Letters) and, I imagine, all of the kinds of judgemental things the public would say and do in public, and get away with it because individual rights were completely subject to the public's mean, low down, judgemental ways. Also... this first story seems to give a detailed account of where Miller was -- out in public -- during the time that the murder was supposed to have happened. I'm curious to know how that played out in the trial. And, here's the kicker..... I was left wondering if Miller was convicted or not...? So, yes, this story is worth finishing. You've done an excellent job of making the reader want to know more. I don't know why you wouldn't want to continue it, on your web site, and, then, send in continuing chapters to the Prairie Connection. Lots of people won't have internet, and they're probably like me. They'll want to know the end of the story. View/Write Comments (count 2)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Old Opera House Murder of 1910...

What happened at the trial? Miller refused bail because he was afraid of the townspeople. Is there something to be explored about this aspect of the "times back then?" ...i.e. the dreaded Law Enforcement League... What went on in the almost one year's time between the murder and the trial? Did Miller sit in jail all of that time? And what in God's name were those Black Hand Letters? ....I wondered if the Law Enf. League people wrote them? There's also the question of Mabel's pregnancy....5 month fetus. Wasn't the buggy ride with Miller to check the fence about 5 months prior to the murder, per his explanation? Hmmm.... But, just because he was a normal unfaithful married man, it doesn't mean he murdered her.... Hmmm...? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Information Filing - 10th day of Nov., 1910...

Let me take you back to November 10, 1910 -- the day of the Inquest. There were three Filings in this Woods County Case #612 - N. L. Miller. This is just one of those signed and dated November 10, 1910 by in front of the clerk of the county court of Woods County, Oklahoma, by George W. Oakes (Mabel Oakes father) who being of lawful age and first duly sworn on his oath says that he has read and knows the statements and allegations contained in the within information and that the same are true.

Information Filing - 10th day of Nov., 1910... State of Oklahoma, County of Woods, vs. N. L. Miller -- "That in the County of Woods, State of Oklahoma, on the 9th day of November 1910, N. L. Miller did then and there, wilfully, purposely, without authority of law, feloniously, with malice of aforethought, and with the premeditated design to effect the death of another human being to-wit: Mabel Oakes, by means of a scarf which he the said N. L. Miller then and there held in his hands, which he placed and wound around the neck of her, the said Mabel Oakes, choke and strangle her until she died, as was intended by said N. L. Miller that she should do and that therefore by the manner and means aforesaid, at said time and place he the said N. L. Miller did kill and murder her the said Mabel Oakes."

It shows the witnesses for the State: George W. Oakes, Hugh Martin, Dr. Templin, Dr. E. Grantham, Dr. G. N. Bilby, Hugh Martin, George Crowell, Mrs. Carrie Oakes, Dr. Saffold, Dr. Gregg, C. O. Green and Kent Eubank.
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Warrant Filing - 9 Nov., 1910...

Warrant Filing - 9 Nov., 1910... State of Oklahoma, County of Woods, received, executed on the 11 Nov. 1910: "Whereas, complaint in writing , under oath, has been made in the County Court of said County before the Judge thereof by George W. Oakes and it appearing that there are reasonable grounds for believing that on the 9th day of November, 1910, in Woods County and State of Oklahoma, N. L. Miller, did then and there, wilfully, purposely, without authority of law, feloniously, with malice aforethought, and with the premeditated design to effect the death of another human being, to-wit: Mabel Oakes, by means of a scarf which he placed and wound around the neck of her, the said Mabel Oakes choke and strangle her until she died, as was intended by said N. L. Miller that she should do and that therefore by the manner and means aforesaid, at said time and place he the said N. L. Miller did kill and murder her the said Mabel Oakes, contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the State of Oklahoma."

December 2, 1910 Filing - Miller vs. State...

The filing of Dec. 2, 1910... Before R. A. Cameron, County Judge of Woods County, State of Oklahoma: "Now on this 2nd day of December, 1910, the case of the State of Oklahoma vs. N. L. Miller, coming on to be heard before the said R. A. Cameron, County Judge, upon Information of the County Attorney, said cause having been continued to this date by agreement of counsel, the following proceedings were had: The defendant N. L. Miller, being present in court in person, and represented by counsel, L. T. Wilson, E. W. Snoddy, and J. P. Grove, waived the reading of the Information, and entered a pleas of not guilty, and waived preliminary examination. Whereupon the Court ordered that the defendant, N. L. Miller, be held in the jail of Woods County, Oklahoma, without bail, to answer the charge contained in said Information, to-wit: Murder in the first degree. -- signed by R. A. Cameron, County Judge" View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Spring 1910 - Before Mabel Oakes Death...

Before Mabel Oakes death (9November 1910), Sheriff Hugh Martin, Jr., Woods County Sheriff, filed a Petition for Injunction against Justice Nelson L. Miller & Constable N. J. Lewellen in a civil case concerning a confiscated barrel of Beer. Were there hard feelings between Sheriff Martin and Justice Miller? Did Miller campaign to oust Martin as sheriff during the general election of 1910? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Abstract of Judgement - 12 January 1911...

On 12 January 1911, George W. Oakes (Plaintiff) vs. N."Nelson" L. Miller & N. J. Lewellen (defendants) filed "Abstract of Judgement" for $79.92, judgement rendered by Justice of Peace Isaac B. Lawhon, 18 January 1911. What was this all about? Makes you wonder "What" -- "Who" were out to get "Whom." Seems there was bad blood between Oakes and Miller, doesn't it? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe