Spring Sunsets

Earlier this week thunder clouds and wind roared across the heartland. We have been experiencing a warming trend here in the valley south of Bayfield, Colorado after we received a thin layer of snow cover here in the SW Colorado valley, Tuesday, April 24, 2007.

Our Youngest son sent me an email with images attached mentioning and requesting, "These are the Western skies of last night-storm clouds building up. Maybe you can make a panoramic pic with these images?" They were taken April 23, 2007, Monday evening as the sun was setting, West of Alva, Oklahoma, in northwest Oklahoma.

You can see the thunderheads building on the right and the sunset to the left of it. I were told that it was looking off to the west along highway 64, west of Alva, Oklahoma. I used my HP Photosmart editor and made a panoramic view of several images Robert sent me. They turned out great. AND... Robert said that is exactly what it looked like in person.

One last memory jogger to throw at you... Have you ever heard of the "Butterfly Kid" of 1903?

I need to get out of here 'cause I heard, saw my first hummingbirds searching for their regular feeders that I usual set out. That seems early for them. BUT... I guess May 1st (May Day) is just around the bend!
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Route 66 - The Mother Road

John Steinbeck once said, "66 is the mother road, the road of flight." The Okies knew it as the "glory road." AND... Because it went through so many towns, it became the "Main Street of America."

Route 66 spanned two-thirds of the nation and was christened in 1926, when the nation was between wars and Calvin Coolidge was Presdient.

It linked much of the nation through the inspiration to literature, music, drama, art, and a nation of dreamers. It was a highway fashioned from vision, ingenuity and replaced in many areas with a broken chain of concrete, asphalt and Interstate 40 (I40).

According to the book, Route 66 The Mother Road, by Michael Wallis, "Route 66 started at Grant Park in Chicago, reached across more than 2,400 miles, three time zones, and eight states -- Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California -- as it dead-ended at Santa Monica Boulevard & Ocean Avenue ... People like to say the highway started at Lake Michigan and ended in the roaring Pacific. It was one of the country's first continuous spans of paved highway linking East and West."
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1910 - State Capital Removal

Oklahoma's Statehood papers and through the Enabling Act of 1906 made Guthrie, Oklahoma the state capital until at least 1913.

Oklahomans voted in 1910 to move the capital to Oklahoma City. Governor Charles N. Haskell, in a dead of night (June 11, 1910), allegedly stole the state seal from Guthrie, Oklahoma and Governor Haskell moved his office to Oklahoma City. The state officials soon followed Haskell.

The location of Oklahoma's capital was a controversial topic throughout the territorial period and during early statehood. Even though the Enabling Act of 1906 made Guthrie the capital of the new state until 1913, attempts to move the capital from Guthrie to Oklahoma City failed because the legislature and Guthrie residents did not approve.

The state seal is/was a marker used to declare the capital location and officiate all state business. In 1910, the seal was "taken in the dead of night" by Governor Charles. N. Haskell to Oklahoma City. When Governor Charles N. Haskell removed his office to Oklahoma City the state officials soon followed.

The controversy about the "stolen" seal led to legal proceedings involving the Oklahoma Supreme Court until the legislature passed a bill permanently locating the seat of government in Oklahoma City. The US Supreme Court said the bill was valid, but the "stolen" seal remains a topic of interest today.

You can research State Senate and House Bill files, records from the office of the Governor, and the records of the State Capitol Preservation Commission.

Following a proposition by Democratic Governor Haskell in 1910, who considered Guthrie to be a "Republican Nest," the voters approved Oklahoma City as the new capital. The state seal was removed from Guthrie on the night of June 11, 1910, and Governor Haskell declared Oklahoma City to be the capital on June 12th, 1910 where it remains today. The change was immediate and the federal courts upheld Governor Haskell.
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OkieLegacy Centennial Moment

"I found this 1907 Centennial moment in the The Oklahoman, dated November 16, 1907, pg.2. The headlines read as follows: "Calls Indians To Conference" with sub-headlines of "Tribal Heads Go To Washington To Plan for Governmental Changes."

Special to The Oklahoman, Muskogee, I. T., November 15, 1907 -- "Secretary Garfield has called in all of the chiefs of the five civilized tribes, for what is believed to be the final conference pending the wiping out of the last vestige of tribal government. The chiefs will attend the Trans-Mississippi congress at Muskogee and leave immediately after in a body for Washington. This is the first time in the history of the five tribes that all of the chiefs have been called t Washington for conference at one time."

"Moty Tiger is chief of the Creeks; C. W. Rogers, Cherokee; John Brown, Seminole; Dourglas Johnston, Chickasaw, and Green McCurtain, Choctaw. They will wind up what affairs their tribes have left. At the meeting in Washington they will take up with the secretary the disposition of the property now held by the different tribes, such as national council holdings, tribal school buildings an other public property. This property is to be disposed of under the direction of the secretary of interior and he wants the counsel of the chiefs in the matter."
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Growing Up In Oklahoma

We are in the process of taking down Kenneth Updike's stories and ramblings of "Growing Up In Oklahoma" because Kenneth asked us, "To remove all of my previous writings to you about my Ramblins. Personal stories that I told you and your readers. My Son has had all of my writings, and notes copyrighted so that we can put them in a book or booklet. His idea. I really have no objections to this, but he insists we can be viewed by more people. I leave it up to him. Thanks for your help in the past, and I still read your Okie Legacy nearly every week."

If you find some of Kenneth's Ramblings that I have missed, Please email me the link with Vol. and Iss. numbers so that this NW Okie can remove them. Thanks for your help!
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January 11, 1924 - Rural Philosophy

I found this interesting column in The Alva Record, Alva, Oklahoma, dated Friday, January 11, 1924. The column was called "Rural Philosophy" written by Herb Gold. Who was Herb Gold?

This is similar to the old days when they mentioned who visited who; who was in town; etc... Also, it has a hint of an editoril feel to it.

I love the first paragraph that Mr. Gold started is column. AND... Does anyone have any memories, information or map showing where "Cottonwood precinct" was located?

Rural Philosophy -- "Say, but 1924 started in rough, I've heard it suggested that the weather clerk and the old maids were in a conspiracy to freeze the batchelors out. The more moderate weather this week is quite welcome. There is promise of an early resumption of roadwork as the ground is thawing rapidly." Gold goes on to write, "Mr. and Mrs. Davidson of 41 School were in Alva Monday. They speak of splendid work done by the school under the instruction of their capable teacher, Miss Cora Murry."

"While in Alva Monday, I met a former neighbor, John F. Crooks. John left here five or six years ago and settled for a time in Northwestern New Mexico, but later moved to Los Angeles, Calif. Where he yet resides. Had been here for a week on a combined visit and business trip and was leaving Monday evening for home. Twenty years ago he lived on the farm now owned by G. H. McReynolds, north of Alva. John is fairly prospering in his new home."

"Jas. W. Springer, one of the big farmers of Cottonwood precinct, was doing business at the Court House Monday. Mr. Springer complains of a lack of wheat pasture in his locality."

"Bert Jones, the watermelon king, and his family were down from North Driftwood sunday visiting John Read and family. Bert tells of much road work in his section until the freeze called a halt, but he thinks some of the roads are left too flat for proper drainage."

"Earnest E. (Boss) Parker from the northwest corner of the Woods was in the metropolis Monday. It does one good to bump into the big, jolly cattleman occasionally, especially since "Boss" is a stalwart Democrat in addition to his other good qualities. Boss has an abiding faith in the cattle business righting itself. Says now is the time to stock up while they are at rock bottom prices. He but recently shipped a lot of young stock cows from Wichita that cost him, unloaded at Coldwater, $20.34 a head."

"I learn with pleasure that me Irish friend, Patrick O'Neill, is now a free holder of Fritzlen township. He recently acquired the Arterburn, 240 in 31,28,14 for something like 6000 units of the exchange medium. Pat avers (sic) that "Begorra an you'll see a different farm av (sic) it in another year." However, the writer entertains grave fears for the future of handsome energetic widower that's Pat. I'm guessing that some old maid will have him catnipped before the year is done."

"The stockholders meeting of the Paragon Telephone Co. was to have been held in Bob Strong's office Saturday p.m., but lacked a quorum. consequently, no business was transacted. The Secretary's report was looked over by those who came and went and no fault was expressed with the document. If folks care so little about their business that they let a cold breeze bluff them out, they deserve, and are liable, to be skinned out of two or three million dollars before the next business meeting."

"Fred Gallon returned from Wichita Monday much improved in health and confident of a complete cure, which however, will require sometime yet. His friends and neighbors are glad that he is back and on the road to health again."

"I have of late heard much favorable comment on the way Judge Jay Glaser chucks flimsey cases overboard when they come up for preliminary hearing. I hadn't particularly thought about it from a legal standpoint; but it is good, sound sense and it saves the tax payers a lot of good money. I've suffered no pangs of regret on Jay Glaser's account."

"Hugh Martin is in Oklahoma City during the front end of this week on business connected with his office."

"'I don't know what we would do without Bob', remarked a farmer whom Bob Strong had just helped to straighten out a tax tangle. Yes, it's too bad that Bob is only a Republican instead of a Democrat. Most democratic guy one ever saw. Don't give a cuss whether one be good looking, homely or what one's 'politicks' may be; Bob is the ready servitor to anybody who had trouble with the tax gatherer. He is a veritable compendium of universal knowledge, and the prince of story tellers. Always has the very latest story going, Yes. Verily, the Court House would be a sorry place without Bob."

"Chas. Wolgamott and Wm. Derrick, ranchmen from out on Yellowstone Creek 14 miles west of Hardtner, were Alva business visitors Monday. The seemed cheerful concerning the financial outlook and are confident better times are in store for the farmers and stockmen. I believe they are right; that we are rapidly attaining normalcy. Nothing is as blue and dismal as the fellow who feels that way."

"I had the pleasure of meeting Prof. R. J. Bilyeu recently. He teaches agriculture in Alva High School. I had heard students speak enthusiastically of him and wondered what manner of a man he might be. I have ceased wondering why his pupils so 'cotten' to him. 'Twas at Will Hatcher's that I met the Prof. He and Harley Hatcher walked all over the farm to find the best soil for the planting of peanuts and a test acre for corn or kafir. Upon returning from their rambles, they found Mrs. Hatcher had made some taffy for the little chaps, who prevailed upon the Prof. to join them in a taffy pull. One essential of leadership is to get down off the high horse and join the crowd. That is why Prof. Bilyeu has such a following."

"Last Thursday, Wm. and Harry Vetter whetted their knives and heated a kettle of water preparatory to staging a hog killing, but when they sought their victims, they found his porkship had broken from the enclosure and sought safety in flight to parts unknown. 'Twas not until the following morn that their diligent search was rewarded and the fugitive was returned home to fall a victim to their appetite for pork."

"Many people at the Wheat Growers' meeting Saturday were disappointed because Clayton Hyde wasn't there. But Clayton was busy attending the farmers interests just the same. He had a very important meeting with the directors of the State Farmers Union at Oklahoma City."

"Say, it listens good; the news that C. D. Schultz has got a drilling contract on his block of oil leases N.W. of Alva. Also that Tom Pugh at Avard is about to realize his hope and ambition of seeing a test well drilled on his block. If ever the store of liquid gold beneath our feet is tapped and bring us wealth, all honor is due to the pluck and energy and abiding faith of such men as Schultz, Pugh and the McCary's. 'Tis the lot of the pioneer to suffer misrepresentation, ridicule and abuse unfalteringly and without complaint. But, also, too often, when the battle is own and wealth comes to their detractors, their sacrifices are forgotten and they are consigned to oblivion. We ought all be interested in the development of Woods county mineral resources; but we lack the capital (sic) and the unity. If we have the unity of purpose the capital (sic) will be forth coming. No worth while concern will spend from 40 to 100 thousand dollars drilling a hole indeed they have a solid block of leases. No one with money or sense will spend such a sum for the benefit of others. There is sufficient wealth for all here; why not join together and persuade some one to get it out of the ground?"

"Sunday was such a nice day that I took a stroll for exercise, to keep in training for the next war. My line of march took me over some road graded with the horse grader and some graded with traction power. Quite a difference, I noted. While the cost of grading was almost the same, the power grader made a clean ditch and a smooth, firm roadbed. The horse drawn machine merely 'woolled' up the grass and left earth and grass in unseemly bumps all along the way. And there are places where the middle of the road is lower than the bottom of the ditch. The tractor graded road is finished as to grading, the other is merely commenced. Here is the trouble. A lot of horses are like their masters, the farmers. There is no concerted action. Some pull, while others loaf. The big tractor is one powerful unit, an organized machine. It pulls altogether; all at once. And big, powerful, organized puny, individual units in many efforts other than road grading."

"The first week of the New Year was marred by two tragedies that brought death to two Woods county homes. The awful holocaust that, on Friday morning destroyed the home of Harve Osborne out in Flagg neighborhood, and snuffed out the lives of father and three children, shocked the whole county. Saturday the bodies of the father and two children were laid to rest in Whitehorse cemetery; Monday the third, having found surcease in death from the tortures of the fire fiend, was put to rest beside them. Will people never realize the fearful risk incurred in pouring kerosene from a closed container on to a fire or a smoldering bed of coals? A strange fatality apparently pursues the Osborne family. Or may we attribute the ill fortune to a careless disregard of the rules of safety? Some 18 or 20 years ago, Harve Osborne's father was killed in the cave-n of a well. The well was part way walled with stone. Neighbors, whom he had asked to help him to clean it out, pronounced it unsafe. He himself went down and the wall caved in on him. An additional touch of pathos to the tragedy is the fact that the Osborne family are about to lose the farm, that has been their home for 25 years, thru foreclosure. In fact the sheriff arrived to serve the papers while the flames were consuming the hapless home. Harve had been expecting to give up the place soon. The past two years he had farmed some of the Blackstock land near Stubb's Station and had but recently moved back to the homestead to make one more summer crop. I had known Harve Osborne about 20 years and had ever found him a good, agreeable fellow. There comes to mind and incident of some 16 years ago, in which he figured. I was then on the township board with Jake Herold and Sandor Hada and Jake had got me to help him with the assessing. So, one day, I visited the settlers on Bogy Creek Mess. Only Alex Sechrist is now left of them; then Levi Maxwell, Arnold and Squire Elliott and Joe York held down the top of the divide. West of them, on section 24 lived Harve Osborne. The boys had a story of grief for me that day. They had to get their drinking water from Pittman's spring, 4 miles west and Harve had closed the road across his place. While we were talking there in Squire's shanty, Harve came driving along the road that wondered hither and yon along the backbone of the Mess. Then I suggested to the fellows that, since Harve had closed the road going west, they ought to close the raod leading east to all except those who had special permits. Squire was quick to catch on. He rushed out, halted Mr. Osborne and notified him that the road, as an avenue for public travel, no longer existed."

"'Since when?' quired the bewildered Harve. 'Since you closed your end," replied Squire. Harve saw the need of mutual concession, the ban was lifted and the whole stretch of road was re-opened. We all had a good laugh over it."

"I am sorely grieved because of the death of my friend, Bill Humes, out north of Freedom. Bill was one of my earliest acquaintances in that part of the country and one of the kindest, likeliest fellows I ever met. His home, too, was doomed to go under foreclosure; and Bill simply grieved himself to death over his failure to retain it. Maybe it was his own fault, but it was one of head and not of heart. Bill always said, 'there was nothing too good for his family.'"

"He built a nice home, bought a piano to enable the daughters to become proficient in music; owned a good car to please his children. And he would have made it allright had he not, like thousands of others, been caught under the 'deflation' steam roller. That, with a run of poor crops, overwhelmed him. Then he died of a broken heart.""The first week of the New Year was marred by two tragedies that brought death to two Woods county homes. The awful holocaust that, on Friday morning destroyed the home of Harve Osborne out in Flagg neighborhood, and snuffed out the lives of father and three children, shocked the whole county. Saturday the bodies of the father and two children were laid to rest in Whitehorse cemetery; Monday the third, having found surcease in death from the tortures of the fire fiend, was put to rest beside them. Will people never realize the fearful risk incurred in pouring kerosene from a closed container on to a fire or a smoldering bed of coals? A strange fatality apparently pursues the Osborne family. Or may we attribute the ill fortune to a careless disregard of the rules of safety? Some 18 or 20 years ago, Harve Osborne's father was killed in the cave-n of a well. The well was part way walled with stone. Neighbors, whom he had asked to help him to clean it out, pronounced it unsafe. He himself went down and the wall caved in on him. An additional touch of pathos to the tragedy is the fact that the Osborne family are about to lose the farm, that has been their home for 25 years, thru foreclosure. In fact the sheriff arrived to serve the papers while the flames were consuming the hapless home. Harve had been expecting to give up the place soon. The past two years he had farmed some of the Blackstock land near Stubb's Station and had but recently moved back to the homestead to make one more summer crop. I had known Harve Osborne about 20 years and had ever found him a good, agreeable fellow. There comes to mind and incident of some 16 years ago, in which he figured. I was then on the township board with Jake Herold and Sandor Hada and Jake had got me to help him with the assessing. So, one day, I visited the settlers on Bogy Creek Mess. Only Alex Sechrist is now left of them; then Levi Maxwell, Arnold and Squire Elliott and Joe York held down the top of the divide. West of them, on section 24 lived Harve Osborne. The boys had a story of grief for me that day. They had to get their drinking water from Pittman's spring, 4 miles west and Harve had closed the road across his place. While we were talking there in Squire's shanty, Harve came driving along the road that wondered hither and yon along the backbone of the Mess. Then I suggested to the fellows that, since Harve had closed the road going west, they ought to close the raod leading east to all except those who had special permits. Squire was quick to catch on. He rushed out, halted Mr. Osborne and notified him that the road, as an avenue for public travel, no longer existed."

"'Since when?' quired the bewildered Harve. 'Since you closed your end," replied Squire. Harve saw the need of mutual concession, the ban was lifted and the whole stretch of road was re-opened. We all had a good laugh over it."

"I am sorely grieved because of the death of my friend, Bill Humes, out north of Freedom. Bill was one of my earliest acquaintances in that part of the country and one of the kindest, likeliest fellows I ever met. His home, too, was doomed to go under foreclosure; and Bill simply grieved himself to death over his failure to retain it. Maybe it was his own fault, but it was one of head and not of heart. Bill always said, 'there was nothing too good for his family.'"

"He built a nice home, bought a piano to enable the daughters to become proficient in music; owned a good car to please his children. And he would have made it alright had he not, like thousands of others, been caught under the 'deflation' steam roller. That, with a run of poor crops, overwhelmed him. Then he died of a broken heart."

"I hope that I err, but from the information obtainable, I gather that neither of these departed friends carried any life insurance. They were good to their families while with them on earth, but overlooked the need to providing for their dependents in case of death. Considering the reasonable cost of life insurance to those physically acceptable, there is little reason why one should not provide a small amount of protection. In this day and age, a life insurance policy is almost a business necessity. The obligation to care for our dependents after we, ourselves, have laid down life's burdens is not to be lightly dismissed."

"When I noted the unselfish devotion of President Geo. Bell, of the Alva C. of C. to the upbuilding of the metropolis of the Woods, and the splendid activity of Secretary Billie Lamont, that steady pulling together of all the members, and the results achieved by their co-operation, I can not help wondering what would happen if Woods county had a Chamber of Agriculture with the same capable management and imbued with the same unity of purpose."

"The world changes constantly. Mighty changes have been wrought in the past 100 years. The evolution is yet under way and is fated to continue. The farmer must adapt himself to changing conditions, must be alert to seize upon every opportunity for advancement or be hopelessly left in the lurch. The old fashioned farmer is simply a back number. He must keep step with the procession in adopting modern ideas and applying up to date methods, else he will be but a lame, limping tag along."

"Under the title 'This is too much to lose,' Capper's Farmer prints the following statement: "It cost wheat growers of the Southwest $400,000,000 in 1922 because they did not market their plan co-operatively is the opinion of Geo. E. Marcy, president of the Armour Grain co., and one of the greatest grain marketing experts. He insist that if the grain farmers had possessed the right kind of co-operative marketing association they might have received on an average of 40 cents more a bushel than they got. And an important point Mr. Marcy makes is that this increased price to the producer would not have affected the price of bread to the consumer."

"Mr. Marcy ought to know what he is talking about, and if his statement is even approximately correct wheat growers certainly can not afford to let the other fellow handle the marketing of their grain. Somebody, but not the farmer, got that 40 cents a bushel in 1922."

"Senator roy Hughey returned to Oklahoma City this week to be on hand when the session resumes next Monday. The investigating committee has been very busy during the holiday recess and has a great mass of evidence to report to the legislature. But even now the investigation will not cease. The general committee of the House will again take up the task. it doesn't take so awfully long to just sweep and scrub a house; but if you have bad bugs and cockroaches to exterminate, it takes a long time to make a thoro (sic) job of it. That is about the case at our State Capital."

"Before leaving, Roy asked me to tell the folks that he will be glad to hear from them most any time. But they must not be offended if he finds no time to answer. There will be work enough to keep him busy 16 hours a day."

"It looks now as if John Whitehurst can not possibly escape impeachment. Judge Tolbert's committee has a mass of evidence. It is joyfully good to know how this committee has proceeded, fearlessly, relentlessly and ..... They have neither swerved or faltered; but have hewed to the line without fear or favor."

"E. W. Hardin, the Insurance Commissioner, has resigned rather than face the inquisitors. A strange fate has pursued the incumbents of that office since statehood. Perry Ballard was impeached and ousted. His successor, A. L. Welch resigned in the winter of 1921 because of a threatened investigation. Now Hardin cannot face the music."

"The State Auditor, the Attorney General and the School Land Department are assured of a hauling over the coals, 'Tis said, other departments are listed for a thoro airing."

"Tax reduction will occupy considerable time. Some departments have already been pruned by executive order of needless employees, while the legislative axe will be wielded to lop off entire Boards and Commissioners. Some minor State Schools are to be abolished. It is expected that the savings accomplished will total 1 1/2 million dollars a year."

"A real honest effort will be made by the legislature to remedy the high cost of campaigning; but the plan, to abolish the primary and substitute the convention, is not regarded with much favor. Neither is the plan of High Commissioner, Paul Nesbett, to call a 75 million dollar bond election for paving main highways between cities, making much headway. Many of the smaller county seat towns deem it more important to have roads leading to them rather than away from them. A city to city road is alright for pleasure; a good road to the city from the country means business. A law will be enacted providing for the collecting of the Automobile Tax by the local authorities and the retention locally of the county's share thereof."

"I regret the seemingly growing dissatisfaction with Governor Trapp's administration, began with such promise and under favorable auspices. All had but the best of wishes for Ed Trapp. It stood us in hand to wish our hired man all possible success and to co-operate with him to the fullest extent of our ability. But now the Governor has practically slapped the legislature in the face twice in succession. Before recessing for Christmas, the house recommended to the Governor the cancelling of the penitentiary contract with the Reliance Shirt co. That contract has been found to be a bad proposition for these reasons:"

"First. it loses the State money; the expense of maintaining the prisoners exceeds the income from their work in the factory."

"Second. The contract is fruitful of graft and official corruption."

"Third. The employment of prisoners at monotonous piece work defeats the purpose of the institution. Prisoners learn no productive avocation to enable them to earn an honest living when discharged. The tendency rather is to confirm them as criminals than to reform and rehabilitate them and restore them to useful citizenship. Governor Trapp, instead of cancelling the Reliance contract, has seen fit to disregard the recommendation of the legislature and enter into a new contract with the Shirt Company."

"Both houses of the legislature had, before recessing, enacted a bill designed to unmask the Klan, which measure seemed generally satisfactory. Now the Governor appearently (sic) has joined the extremists who insist on a quarterly filing of membership lists of all secret orders. He is quoted as saying that he considers no Klan legislation as having been enacted. This change of front on the part of the Hon. M. E. doesn't go well with the Solons. 'Twouldn't surprise me much to see them riding him bug hunting."

"The quarterly filing of membership lists by all such organizations will entail lots of utterly useless labor for their secretaries; cumber the County Clerk's office with a lot of papers, create a lot of red tape without in any way tending to abate the evils alleged. i deem it a monstrous piece of foolishness."

"Here is hoping that the Democratic committeemen the County over will see the coming Friday that complete working committee is elected in each precinct. That real live material is selected for committee workers and that all good timber is put to use tho the membership be swelled to thirty instead of seven. We need to make use of the younger party members and train them for the work. And don't neglect the women. They may not be as keen politicians as the old timers, but we have got to give it to them, they are more astute citizens than we men. So get them on the committies (sic). It (sic) the bell wether does not call the meeting on Friday then it is incumbent on every good democrat to see that a meeting is called later and a precinct committee organized. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of each precinct committee are of the County Central Committee and are expected to be at the meeting Saturday, January 19th (1924), in the District Court room at Alva, when the new County Central Committee organizes itself for the impending campaign. I want to leave my successor as good an organization, or better tan I found two years ago. And I am truly grateful for the unselfish assistance rendered the past two years by my fellow democrats."

"I also wish the republicans the best of fortune in their impending committee election. 'Tis well for the State and Nation if both parties choose for leadership, the ablest, cleanest and best of their adherents. If we consistently conform to this plan no one can be seriously hurt. The country will not suffer. The clean and fair campaign of two years ago I consider one of Woods County's best achievements. - Herb Gold" -- research submitted by NW Okie
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Graupel (What Is It?)

"It is not often that someone my age learns something entirely new. Mostly I run across things that I once knew but had lost among the disconnected synopsis on the back roads of my brain. I had never seen the word 'Graupel' before as mentioned in your last Legacy as arriving with a thunderstorm. My spell checker didn't recognize it either. I thought it might be some local term. But, I got out the big dictionary, and there it was! Now all I need is an opportunity use my new knowledge. That my be a little difficult to come by in Florida. Hope you all are well." -- Lou
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Oklahoma Panhandle History

"Enid was WINDY!!!!! We were there so that we could attend my Goltry High School Alumni Banquet on Saturday night, 21st (April). It threatened to storm but the storm wimped out and never materialized at Enid. We are back home in NE Kansas -- got here about 4-5 pm -- driving with the wind all day since leaving Enid. As of now, 7:50 pm, it is nearly clear with the sun very bright. It makes our burned pasture hill (black in color) look sinister.

I have another link to send to you. This is about the founder of Champlin Refining Company that used to be in Enid, but now is gone. His name was Herbert Hiram Champlin. (Oklahoma Chronicles - Old Beaver County (No-Man's Land) "Oklahoma." -- James
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Merger of Oklahoma & Indian Territory

"Your story on the merger of the Indian and Oklahoma Territories into one state was great! I had heard that Governor C. N. Haskell, under cover of darkness that night, moved the state papers to Oklahoma City and declared that city the capital on the next day. This was a great surprise to the people of Guthrie, the territorial capital, but there was nothing they could do about it. The territorial capital building was temporarily used by a university, but that didn't work out. After quite a while being a white elephant, the city sold the building to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons of Oklahoma on condition that they maintain it well and add a beautiful face to it. This they have done and more." --Dr. Joel Berg, Henderson, NV
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Knowles, OK (1910-1920) WOLF & LOMAN

"Linda, I'll let you condense whatever information you like. I've hit some dead ends and hope to resume the trail. I really thank you.

The family names I know are LOWMAN ... changed to LOMAN, CROSS, WOLF. So far, the records would most likely be in Archer Co, TX; Lubbock (county?), TX; Lelia Lake (TX or OK?); Knowles (county?), OK.

I have some Indian photos too that I cannot identify, taken by a Forest Wolf. I suspect they are pictures of Lorena and Robert Wolf and their elementary school classes. One boy has a Comanche family belt. The children may have been 'half breed' as the Europeon side of the family claimed. Robert Wolf (sr) - their dad - was married to Julia Cross. I have lost her trail after 1900 census. I also hope to find records of their childrens birth.... Robert and Lorena. The families migrated a lot. The Wolf were gamblers and slowly headed west after oil, ending in California. The Lomans were railroad workers and traveled from depot to depot, with a short bout with farming in Hartley, TX. I am looking for information from 1850s to 1920's. I am not trained in this sort of thing, and have happen stanced upon a fair amount of information, mostly through my father's things, and people I've interviewed. I also have a few newspaper articles, and family scrapbooks. Someday, I may use this to write some historical fiction... the basis the stories I've found... but woven for interest." -- Mrs. Sandra Smith, Lake Elsinore, CA - Email: gogogardener@msn.com
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1903 - Shawnee Canning Factory

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Special to the Oklahoman, Site Finally Accepted and Work on Buildings Begins -- "Shawnee, O. T., Feb. 9 -- The Shawnee Canning Factory Co., through its prinicpal promotors, P. A. Chaffin & Co., and their agent, J. J. Novak, or Oklahoma City, have picked out a location for the new factory, and work on the six big buildings commenced today. There has been considerable delay in this matter as there were a few of the stockholders who objected to the sites offered and consequently held the construction of the factory back.

The site was finally forced upon them. It is well located, being a tract of land 140 by 250 feet in Oakland Park addition in the east part of the city, just east of the Santa Fe tracks and within a short distance of the Choctaw railway. President R. E. Timmons stated today that the machinery had been ordered and would be here in time to equip the buildings for handling the latter part of the crops, though the first crops of fruit will probably be marketed before the plant is in running order. I will have a daily capacity of 10,000 quarts and is capitalized at $10,000."
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1903 - Clerks In A Union

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Special to the Oklahoman, Lawton, O. T., Feb. 9 -- "The city of Lawton continues to turn over new leaves in its rapid development from a town of the wild west to a modern city of advancement and influence. Last Sunday not a doll rag could be bought from a dry goods store. Everything was tightly closed. A clerks' union was organized some time ago and when their charter arrived they proceeded to demand the closing of the business houses at 6:30 in the evening except on Saturday. The leading stores of the city signed the agreement and lawton is a closed town on Sunday."
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1903 - Butterfly Kid In Hock

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Special to the Oklahoman, Shawnee, O. T., Feb. 9 -- "Millard Woodson, better known as the 'Butterfly Kid,' of this county, is said to be an Oklahoma City prisoner, charged with working a 'big mit' game. The police here keep an eye on the kid and he is not allowed much liberty in Shawnee."
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1903 - Copper In Woods County, OK

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Prospectors Believe the Gloss Mountains Contain Rich Ore, Cleo, O. T., Feb. 10 -- "Prospectors are still camping west of here in the Gloss mountains and will begin a new shaft in search of copper as soon as the weather gets suitable. There are strong indications that the ore will be found i paying quantities as it is known that three loads of copper exist in the first 100 feet, the third one being the best. Sheets of the pure copper have been found weighing as much as an ounce."
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1903 - A Serious Runaway

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Special to the Oklahoman, Lawton, O. T., Feb. 9 -- Friday morning as N. f. Shabert and J. W. Yoeman were returning from a business trip to the country, their horses became frightened and ran away upsetting the buggy and throwing both men upon the ground, severely injuring them. Mr. Shabert's arm was broken near the shoulder."

"When they had recovered they started to town, but after coming a short distance a man was found lying beside the road unable to move. He told them that their runaway horse had run into his horse and buggy, tearing up the buggy and throwing him upon the ground. They carried the wounded ma to a house near by and summoned a doctor. It was found that internal injuries were sustained which may prove fatal."
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1903 - Lawton To Wichita Falls Railway

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] - Special to the Oklahoman, Lawton, O. T., Feb. 9 --" A charter was recently granted the Lawton, Wichita Falls & Gulf Railway Company, in which Messrs. Lozier and Gallager of this city are stockholders. The road is to be built from Lawton to Wichita Falls, Texas, where it will make junction with the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway. This road is behind the movement and the construction of the line is soon to begin. The line will cross the big pasture and it is expected that the Katy road will use its influence for the opening of this pasture. Messrs. Lozier and Gallager have started out with a surprising corps already."
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1903 - To Cure A Cold In One Day

[Taken from The Okahoman, dated Feb. 11, 1903, pg. 2.] -- "Take laxative Bromo Quinine Tablets. All druggists refund the money if it fails to cure. E. W. Grove's signature is on each box. 25-cents."
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