From my January 5, 2002 newsletter: "Butch, back in the late 50s and early 60s I had a little league baseball coach named Skinny Stewart at Wilson, Oklahoma. He had been a major league ball player, but had become paralyzed in a car accident. Also, his sweat glands had been damaged, so he couldn't sweat to cool his body. He had to coach us from a wheelchair out in the 100 degree weather dabbing water from a cooler onto himself with a hanky. I just worshipped that wonderful man and wonder if you know if he is still in the area."
Friday, July 17, 1998 The Daily Ardmoreite
Arthur Ogustus 'Skinny' Stewart
WILSON -- Services for Arthur O. "Skinny" Stewart, 71, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 1998, at the Wilson Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Jim Gillum and Gary Labeth officiating. Interment will follow at Hewitt Cemetery.
Born Nov. 16, 1926, at Wilson, Okla., to Ollie M. and Callie Mae Shaw Stewart, he passed away July 16, 1998 at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Ardmore.
Raised at Wilson, he received the Jim Thorpe Award before he graduated from Wilson High School in 1945. He graduated from Southeastern State College with his degree in education and physical education. While in college he was active in basketball, baseball and track, and was named All American football player. He later received his master's degree in counseling.
The Army veteran of World War II played professional football for the Washington Red Skins and was also in the Canadian League.
He was inducted into the Southeastern Hall of Fame and Coaches Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City.
Skinny worked for the Tom Tipps Insurance Agency, was employed by the Carter County Sheriff's Department 12 years, then taught and coached football at Wilson schools before his retirement in 1996.
He is survived by a brother, Billy Ray Stewart of Sweetwater, Texas; a sister, Frances Phillips of Wilson; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Lea "Betsy" Stewart on Oct. 26, 1968; his mother, Callie Mae Stewart, Jan. 30, 1971; father, Ollie M. Stewart, Feb. 22, 1973; two sisters, Esteen Stewart Sales, June 12, 1938, and Virginia Stewart, March 3, 1921; and two brothers, Forrest Stewart in 1960, and Ollie Stewart Jr., Nov. 16, 1993.
Alexander Funeral Home will direct services.
Pallbearers will be Michael Paul O'Daniel, Sammy Goff, Mike Hyder, Butch Adams, Brad Sullivan and Ronald Giles.
Below is a photo of Skinny Stewart (in wheelchair) and Charlie Harold (Doc) West at the old Sheriff Office and Jail at 106 Hinkle Street SW in Ardmore.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos9a/SkinnyStewart.jpg
Gravestone of Skinny Stewart at Wilson, Oklahoma on FindaGrave.com
December 1955
Letter to the editor. Does Robert Denny, a constable at Lone Grove, have the
right to stop cars on the State Highway in the City Limits of another City? Does
a Justice of the Peace have the authority of a City Court for setting and
collecting fines for a breaking of city ordinances? What assurance does the City
have that the fines are turned in to the City's Treasurer? -Charles
Holland, Dallas, Texas, arrested by Denny for speeding on highway 70.
December 1931
M. M. Baker and two small daughters were preparing to take hydrophobia serum
after it became known that the dog which has bitten Baker and his daughters
earlier in the week was afflicted with rabies. The three were bitten on Tuesday,
although no analysis was made until Saturday. Other persons in the city are
believed to have been bitten by the animal.
O. L. Putman County agent, his wife and one son, Scotty, where bitten by a bird dog which it is spirit is affected afflicted with rabies. The dog was under observation by physicians and any show of rabies is being watched. Putman was advised not to kill the animal. Should it develop the animal has the dreaded canine disease, Mr. and Mrs. Putman and their son will probably all take hydrophobia serum.
This is the only S&H Green Stamp from my mother, Louise Carmon Bridges' collection I have left. She traded the books of green stamps she got with groceries and traded them for household items in the S&H store at 12th and E NW.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/s&hGreenStamps.jpg
I stopped on along the Highway 70 west of Ardmore this week and bought another glass jar of McGhee Honey out of Sulphur. Bill "Catman" Morgan from Madill was selling the honey and he just had his 78th birthday the day before (Sunday). I really like McGhee's honey.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/SulphurHoneyMan020116.jpg
Bradley, OK Chickasaw County link <-- click here
You can find current gas prices for a particular Oklahoma town by entering the name or zip code in the GasBuddy search box.
http://www.oklahomagasprices.com/
My regime of Coconut Oil in my hot tea and coffee along with my Probiotic I have been taking everyday is working great. I lost 3 pounds in 3 days since starting the coconut oil. And my blood pressure is really down, down to 138/87 since taking a teaspoon a day in my hot tea. Plus it has been working a miracle on my skin blemishes, etc. the past month.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/CoconutOilComparisonJan2016.jpg
http://oklahomahistory.net/probiotics.html
If you are like many and have an all electric home, you're electric bill may be higher in the winter than in the summer. Several friends are finding out my Okie Power Saver is a great way to reduce that electric bill and save money year round.
Q. Where is the oldest National
Forest in the southern United States located?
A.
The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest National Forest in the southern
United States. The forest encompasses 1,784,457 acres, including most of the
scenic Ouachita Mountains in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouachita_National_Forest
Q. Oklahoma is in the "bible
belt". What is the most religious county in Oklahoma?
A. (answer in next week's T&T)
From This and That newsletter archives of February 2, 2002:
I received a letter this week from Mrs.
Lutzke in Wisconsin. Her daughter, Yvonne, worked for American Flyers at the
Airpark as a stewardess back in the 60s. Yvonne was killed in a automobile
accident on her way back to the Ardmore Airbase from Dallas Love Field on
February 14, 1968. There was 4 inches of snow here in southern Oklahoma that
Valentines Day and the roads were slick, the car she was in slide into a
southbound truck near Denton, Texas. Mrs. Lutzke mailed me some photos of her
daughter. Even though it's been 33 years, I know she must miss her so much.
Sometimes we just can not explain life.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/yvonne6c.jpg
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On Monday January 28th, 2002 George Hunt,
a friend from way back, prepared a BBQ feast for some of us employees at the
Carter County Annex Building. First, lets go back to 1965 or so. I lived across
the street from Hunt's Food Store on 3rd Northeast. George's parents, Herman and
Alice Hunt, owned the store, and George managed the meat market section.
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos/huntsg.jpg
Here is a photo of Commissioners Dale Ott and Joe McReynolds standing in line
with George Hunt (center) waiting their turn at the brisket!http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/geohunt7.jpg
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We had an uninvited visitor in the
basement of the courthouse this week. Fortunately he was captured within a
couple of hours and there were no problems.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/squirrel2002a.jpg
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I remember back in the 60s when a S&H
Greet Stamp store was at 12th Northwest and "E" street. My mother saved every
green stamp she could, filled book after book, and then took the filled books in
a paper sack to the S&G Green Stamp store and redeemed them for products. I
think a full book of stamps equaled $18.50 or something like that. She'd get a
new toaster, or a coffee pot, and other products. One time I remember she
redeemed quite a few books for a beautiful set of gold plated silverware in a
wood box. I still have that set, never been used. Here is a pic of the only
green stamps I have that was my mother's. Sure brings back memories.
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/s&hGreenStamps.jpg.jpg
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"Thanks for your efforts in getting it out
each week...I grew up in Sulphur and worked for 13 years for Dolese Bros. Co. at
the Big Canyon stone quarry near Dougherty. In fact, my wife and son and I lived
at the quarry for several years, so we were in Ardmore a lot. One of the things
we enjoyed was eating at Eden's on main street and also the Chuck Wagon on US 70
on the east side of town. The Chuck Wagon had the best Apple Dumplins I have
ever eaten. I was wondering if any of your readers remember them as fondly as I.
If anyone on earth has the receipt for the Chuck Wagon apple dumplins, I would
sure like to hear from them...Keep the T & T coming . I sure do enjoy reading
it." -Roy Miller
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"Butch, Flat iron buildings are called
that in New York City and San Francisco because they have a triangular shape
like the old fashioned flat irons that were heated on the top of a wood stove.
It is in much the same shape as a modern steam iron. I would guess that is the
shape of the buildings in Tishomingo. They were built that way to make maximum
use of the space where streets cross at an odd angle (Not 90 degrees). Here is a
pic of the New York flat iron building."
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/NYflatIronBldg.jpg
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"BUTCH: This information is correct.....
the place was very active during WW 2. The Blue Front Beer Joint was located on
Caddo St. - west side of street - attached to north part of the old Drug store
building on the corner."
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"Re: Leather manufacturer in Ardmore. I
worked in the office at Western Supply while going to college in Durant in the
mid '50's. The business was owned by Clifton Wood and two partners. They made
hand tooled belts, purses and brief cases. Many people did "lacing", the leather
strips that held the item together, in their homes for a per piece wage. All of
the items were not sold to Sears, Roebuck & Co., as we sent many to trading
posts and other "old west" stores in Colorado, New Mexico & Arizona. The
building in which this business was located is still standing on south Lake
Murray Rd."
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"Butch: I want to hurriedly tell you that
so many people are coming into my life through contact with you .... I am
learning much and meeting relatives I didn't even know I had, and I am being
welcomed with love and open arms. GOD is so good. More later. I'll keep you
posted. Many, many thanks. Dios Le Bendiga (God Bless You)."
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"Butch, I was in Oklahoma this past two
weeks. I can remember when, as a child, there was what we called the "glue
factory" or the "rendering plant" on the Myall road, west of Camp LaGrande. It
would have been a few hundred feet west of the present day, I-35. Do you have
any history on that?"
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"While in Ardmore Saturday night, a friend
and I drove around looking at past memories. We drove by where the Blue Bonnet
beer joint used to be on North Commerce. Her father-in-law bought the Blue
Bonnet and remodeled it. Later they tore it down and built the Westward Motel.
They tore that down to build Wal-Mart. After she told me that it was on Hwy 77
North it came to me clear as day as I knew it would. There was also a AAA root
beer stand along in there somewhere. I can remember going there in the 50's."
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"Butch i sure enjoyed this and that my
sister in Washington state had you to send me. i was raised at Wilson Oklahoma.
i played football for Wilson and in 1936 we played Ardmore on the turf at the
new walker stadium. we beat Ardmore tigers 14 - 12. i think it was the only time
Wilson ever beat them. i still have some clippins from the daily Ardmoreite i
have the clipping where we beat the tigers. I also graduated from high school 30
miles north of devils den they are all writing you about. Please keep sending me
this and that." -Si Williams, Alto, Texas
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Last Tuesday a terrible ice storm
hit northwest Oklahoma, especially the Hennessy and Enid areas of the state.
Geary, Oklahoma may be the hardest hit (just NW of Oklahoma City). Over 250,000
people were without electricity according to OG&E website. By Friday night there
were still over 100,000 Oklahomans with electricity, and over 2,000 electric
employees working around the clock trying to restore the power as fast as
possible. I still remember the day after Christmas 2000 when the Ardmore area
was struck hard with ice (I was without power 6 days). My heart goes out of
those people in the northwest part of Oklahoma. It's the worse ice storm in this
state's history. If you are a praying person, they need your prayers. You can
check the places and number of people without power on OG&E website.
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Some mail from this week's MAILBAG.....
"I always love to read your newsletter. Last week there was a letter from someone named Kent. He was asking about an old stone building between Sulphur and Dougherty. I looked at the picture. Surely this can't be the one I remember that was built around 1930 that was south of Dougherty. At that time it was called the Poor House. It had small apartments to house poor families who had no place to live. I remember my mother and other women gathering close for those poor people. I don't know who was responsible for the building or much else about it. I wonder how they were fed. I do remember that in those days there were many compassionate people in Dougherty, Oklahoma. Our family moved from Dougherty in 1933." -Wildahttp://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/DoughertyBuildingRuins.jpg
"I would like to comment on something from last week's mailbag. The old stone building between Dougherty and Sulphur in the question from Kent was part of a sand and gravel operation. The building is actually concrete or cement and not stone. It was not a Dolese Company sand plant. There were two sand and gravel plants along Rock Creek within a couple of miles of each other. One of them was run by a company called Makins and probably both were. I don't know when they were built, but they were there when my mother was young in the 1930's and were still there in the late 1940's and into the 1950's. Many local men worked there. The railroad ran in front of the building between the building and the road. I believe railroad cars were loaded there. There were company houses along the road across the street. I live in Dougherty and remember the railroad and the company houses. People are always asking about that place."
"My Mother passed 3 months ago & in process of re-arranging I found pre-statehood letterhead of her uncle L.D. Mason. I posted it in upper left of photo of him in his shop which was on Caddo, corner of alley (Paradise Alley) just off Main street. May be possible to date by the light wire apparently just installed, no light bulb & not hung long, wire not stretched. If we knew when downtown Ardmore was electrified, we could guestimate date the picture. Born about 1880, he passed in 1940 long after retiring & I remember his widow complaining she couldn't rent the shop building for $5 a month." -Bob McCrory
http://oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos16a/LDMasonFurnitureArdmore.jpg
"I have read your newsletter and viewed your site many times. Having grown up here and my family being here for so long I have always found the history of Ardmore interesting. I would like to know if you could tell me where the old hotel Ardmore was located and if that is where the glider room was located was in the 1940s? My grandfather and his brother ran the bar after coming back from the war. And if it is possible to see where it is or was, and who I could talk with to possibly see this. Also my great grandfather Edgar Johnson owned and operated the Tivoli barbershop till the late 1980s and saw it was being renovated, what is going in there? I know alot of questions but if anyone could help I thought you could. I would appreciate any information or help you could give me." -Cory David Wilson corywilson@sbcglobal.net
"I got a kick out of reading your post about Dr. Boyd and his house burning down in the latest newsletter. When I was a kid roaming around the countryside a little east of Wilson, I used to contract poison ivy just by looking at it. lol But when it happened, my mom invariably took me to Dr. Boyd so I could get some of his sugar pills. And just as invariably, they got rid of my poison ivy rashes. They were wonderful. Also, my paternal great grandma lived just across the street from Dr. Boyd's office so I always visited with that branch of my family when I went to see Dr. Boyd. Ahhh, for the good old days. Sure do miss 'em." -Jim Bramlett
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/boyd2.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos10a/DrBoydPhoto10a.jpg
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos10a/DrBoydBottle10c.jpg
Mt Everest from the ground up
http://everestavalanchetragedy.com/mt-everest-journey.html
Treat the earth well,
It was not given to you by your parents,
It was loaned to you by your children.
-Indian Proverb
See everyone next week!
Butch and Jill Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
Vicious Dog Attacks in Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/viciousdogs.html
Bells of Oklahoma
http://www.oklahomahistory.net/bellpage.html
Carter County Courthouse Paver Project
http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/pavers
Ardmore High School Criterions Online
http://www.ArdmoreCriterion.com/
Oklahoma Bells:
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/bellpage.html
Bill Hamm's Cemetery Database
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/carter/cartercm.htm
American Flyers Memorial
Fund - Administration Webpage
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/crash66.html
Official American Flyers
Memorial Website
http://www.brightok.net/~wwwafm
Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force
Base Website
http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
Mirror Site of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Website
http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/airbase/
Carter County
Government Website
http://cartercountyOK.us/
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