If you're looking for a certain article I wrote in a past issue of "This & That" you might find it faster by doing a "search" with your browser. With Netscape just click your mouse at the top at EDIT and then FIND and type in the word or words you're looking for. If you use Internet Explorer, just click on EDIT and then FIND ON THIS PAGE to do a search.
Below is April 6, 2002 to April 27, 2006.
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April 27, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 483
Last Saturday I had the honor of meeting in person one of the 12 or so survivors of the 1966 American Flyers airplane crash near Gene Autry, Oklahoma. A few weeks ago Daniel "Danny" McNutt's wife Barbara was doing a search on google and found a friend from her past. So Danny wondered if she could find anything on the internet about the '66 crash. Sure enough, google pointed them to my website here in Ardmore and info about that terrible 1966 crash in the Arbuckle Mountains.
One thing led to another and before long Danny and his wife along with Danny's sister Kathy were on a plane from Escondido, California to visit the crash site 15 miles NE of Ardmore. I had a wonderful visit with Danny and felt honored to finally meet someone who survived that crash, even though I had heard about it all my life. There were about 15 people at the memorial site last saturday on the Airpark property to greet Danny and his family. Danny told some of his experiences that happened that night on April 22, 1966 and how he and his friend made it down from the top of that mountain and came to a dirt road where 11 year old Becki Griffin and her parents happened by, picked up the two, and took them to nearby Jake Hollenbeck's house until help arrived.
Doug Williams along with others took some pictures last Saturday which we will be sharing in the weeks ahead. Doug has already posted some of the pics he took Saturday on his Photo Album website. Click Here
I'm sure Danny has wondered through the years since that day why he and about 14 others (out of nearly 100) were spared from death that rainy Friday night in 1966. God had another plan for Danny that night. I know I will never forget my meeting this past weekend with Daniel McNutt and will hold him as a friend forever.
Here's a picture I took of the miracle man Daniel McNutt at the Airpark Memorial last Saturday. Click Here Click Here
Just before leaving the Goddard Ranch where ranch foreman Jerald Robson had graciously given us all a tour of the crash site, I saw a wonderful old buck board. I just had to snap a pic. Click Here
I mentioned in last week's T&T a video I received in the mail. George Pretty of Fort Mill, South Carolina sent me a film recorded in 1952 of some local Ham radio operators conducting their "field day" in Ardmore. The file is, about 40 megs, so if you have slow dialup modem there is no way you can can download this file. If you have high speed broadband, hopefully you can right-click on the link below and save the file to your hard drive for watching later. Click Here
Here is a list of those HAM operators in the film, which is narrated by Charles Dibrell.
Harve Pretty (W5JP) - Ardmore, Division Engineer, OG&E.
Bill Pretty (W5SCX) - Ardmore, Dentist.
Ray Thacker.
Jack Gant - Ardmore.
Jesse (Courts) Hayes - Ft. Worth, American Airlines pilot.
Dick Patterson.
Ben Dibrell - Ardmore, Accounting, OG&E (twin brother of Charles).
Charles Dibrell - Ardmore, Dibrell Two Way Radio Service.
What is Ham Radio Field Day? That's a good question, and if you asked ten hams, you would probably get ten different answers. Some would say that Field Day is a contest, others would say that it is an emergency preparedness exercise, still others would say that it is a party and yet others would say that it is a public relations exercise. Who is right? They all are! Field Day is all of those things and more. The best description anyone can find is that Field Day is all of ham radio in one weekend!
During Field Day, ham radio clubs, groups and individuals take to the field in simulated emergency conditions (living in tents and running on generators and batteries). They are given 24 hours to set up as many stations as they are able. In the next 24 hours they are try to make as many contacts as they can with those stations. All aspects of ham radio are used in this pursuit. More than a million contacts will be made on HF and VHF, CW, SSB and digital modes this weekend. Bonus points are awarded for making an extra effort such as making contacts via satellites or sending and receiving message traffic.
Field Day isn't just about radio though. Clubs use this biggest of all yearly events for many other activities. With much of the clubs membership assembled it is a natural time for BBQ's and other gatherings. Also with all of ham radio on display this weekend it is a choice time to show off what we do best. The media and government officials are invited to attend to view what ham radio can do.
As you can see, Field Day is indeed all of ham radio in one weekend and anyone that attends their first Field Day rarely misses one again! - http://www.wvara.org/fd/index.html
I was up at Davis, Oklahoma last Friday night eating at Coree's Dougherty Diner. The diner is named after Tammie and Jack Edward's daughter and actually started at Dougherty, Oklahoma in 1989. The Edward's moved it to Davis in 1995 and its been going strong ever since. For those of you not familiar with Dougherty, its about 12 miles SE of Davis in the Arbuckle Mountains. When Tammie and Jack moved to Davis to open the diner, they kept the name Dougherty since everyone was familiar with it.
Of course I had to try one of their hamburger and it was delicious. Click Here
And here's a pic of their renown chicken fried steak. It came with a bowl of white gravy and a crisp fresh salad to which I added french dressing. Click Here
As you can see from this picture I took, it was standing room only inside the diner around 6pm Friday. People were waiting in line to a table for this great place to eat. Click Here
While eating at the Dougherty Diner in Davis, one thing really caught my attention. This young man name Jerrett was the busboy, and he was lightning fast in getting those tables cleaned and ready for the next customer. A friend timed Jerrett and he would have a table cleaned and ready in 1 minute and 10 seconds! His arms moved so fast with that wash cloth, all you could see was a blur. lol. If there is a national competition event for busboys, Oklahoma should enter Jerrett because I dont think anyone can beat him! When I took a pic of the inside of the Dougherty Diner, I just happened to catch Jerrett in the camera shot. Click Here
Speaking of hamburgers, you my Readers never cease to amaze me. A Reader in Texas sent me an email this week with an attachment. He thought I should have a sign made to go on the sides of my truck that mention my quest for the perfect hamburger. lol "You could put this on the side of your truck." -Jim in Whitesboro Click Here
G.W. Patton at Gene Autry mentioned something to me last week I had never heard of..... a piece of 100 year old history south of Lone Grove called "poker rock". I have never heard this and of course had to know more. G.W. said he has not seen the rock in over 20 years, but it was somewhere south of Lone Grove and years ago, even before statehood, men would gather from all around the area at this rock to play poker. It was a flat rock about 5 or 6 feet across as best he remembers. Does anyone know about Poker Rock and where its located? I sure wish we had a picture of it.
Has anyone heard of an Ardmore family who sang gospel music called The Dickensons? I ran across a pic of an album they recorded back 20 or 30 years ago titled 'In the Light of the Savior'. I did a search of Bill Hamm's 66,492 cemetery records and found no record of any Dickenson buried in Carter county. Since Dickenson is kind of an unusual spelling, you'd think I would have found something. I'd like to make a short music clip, a mp3 file, of a song or two from their recording days, and put the recordings on my website for everyone listening pleasure. If anyone has any info on this family, let me know. Click Here
From time to time I get an email asking if I am part Native American. My great grandmother, Ida Murphree Wilson Miller (1874-1965), came to Oklahoma from Murphree's Valley Alabama around 1880 and she was part Choctaw according to my family members. Below is a picture taken in 1941 and you can see the Indian in her features and all. I have not been able to find in records of her back in Alabama, but I sure would love to. Her father was George Bailey Murphree (b. 1844) and mother, Ann Taylor Thompson (b. 1848) and I dont know where they are buried. I remember my grandmother telling me Ida switched her two first names because she did not like the Carrie Ida, and wanted it Ida C. Miller. So I'm not real sure about her given names. My great grandmother Ida Miller is buried here in Ardmore. Click Here
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"A friend of mine sent me a copy of your newsletter because some of my ancestors had settled in the Ardmore area... some moved on to Texas.in the 1800's. I was wondering if you have any people on your list that go back to the surnames of Pettit, McMillan, Richardson or Hickman. I would like to be put on your mailing list, if possible, as I find your newsletter very interesting and fun. I have been working on my mom's family tree for some time now and still have so much to learn and discover... but the journey is fun. Thank you for the efforts that go into this newsletter!" -Licia Babb, Ormond Beach, FL gsdmoonshadow@aol.com
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"Hi Butch. Here in Indianapolis, we have been having celebrations for Earth Day. I am sure that Ardmore had some too. This week when we got your newsletter, you worried about the price of gas, and we in Indianapolis have been worried too. Both of these thoughts can be attributed to some extent concerning global warming. With that in mind, considering all the wonderful things that you "get going' around Ardmore, and there have been many that you have, I wonder if you could get a few people in back of you to support a tree planting program within your town. That would help with global warming and Earth Day as much as anything else. There are several programs that promote the planting of trees. A lady in Tulsa wrote recently to you about a program called "Up With Trees". Here in Indianapolis, knowing that it is a larger city, the city parks department starts trees for planting. What a wonderful program it would be to spread the shade around Ardmore with trees families would plant in memorial to families or individuals. By the way, even your Empress Tree that you have just ordered and received could be planted in memory of loved ones. By next Earth day, the whole of Ardmore could be shaded." -Velma from Indianapolis
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"Hi Butch, I have certainly enjoyed reading your T and T's. I'm trying to put together an album in memory of my brother who passed away a couple months ago. He was born in Tishomingo and my parents moved to calif when he was about 4 years old but he never lost his love of Oklahoma. When he and I spoke about his final wishes the main one was to make sure it was pointed out he was born in Tishomingo. He wanted it in the paper and on his headstone and I have done as he asked. We played the song "oklahoma hills" at his funeral. All of this has made me curious about Tishomingo, Bromide, Coalgate and all those other towns that my brother often spoke of so often and your newsletter has really helped me understand what he loved about that state. The only thing I have not been able to fully understand is about my great grandfather Richard Henry Webb. I have a copy of the 1900 census, his marriage license and a picture of his headstone and that is all I have been able to find. He was one of the ones moved when Lake Texoma showed up. He married Sarah Frances Clark and their 2 sons were William (Bill) Webb and Jim Webb and a daughter HenryAlma. Richard Henry Webb died in 1901 at the age of 45. What I would like to know is first of all, what can anyone tell my about Woodville and was there a relay station there? I've been told that is where he was killed. Also, I was wondering if any of your readers by any chance remembers him or his children and if so any information would be very much appreciated. Thank you." Kaystripling@aol.com
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The Daily Ardmoreite March 4, 1914
"Post Office Now at Wilson"
New Wilson is the name of the post office located 20 miles west of Ardmore on the Ringling-Hamon Road. Lawrence Dunlap, brother to Errett Dunlap of this city was named as the first postmaster of the new town some weeks ago. Heretofore the post office has been at Hewitt, located a mile away, and the citizens of Wilson have had to hire someone to carry the mail to them. The name of New Wilson does not attract like the plain old name Wilson. Twenty years from now New Wilson will not sound good, but for some reason the post office department at Washington put the prefix to the name, and Charley Wilson who is now in Sarasota, Florida, and for whom the town was named, ought to get the name changed back to just plain old Wilson. Contributor's note - The name, New Wilson was used because there was already a town by the name of Wilson, OK. The original Hewitt post office was in the J. B. Chance grocery store and Mrs. Chance was the post mistress. The building was moved from Hewitt in 1914. In 1916 the Post office was located where "The Store" is now. in 1917 The Mobley building, now "The Store" was built where the Post Office was located and the post office moved to the bottom floor of the Mobley building. By May 1917 a new post office was built. This is now the Donut Shop. By 1921 the post office was moved to the Dr. Darling building, now two doors N of the Wilson Historical Museum where the fire station is located. About 1946 the post office was moved to the Ballew Drug store building, now owned by Jim and Sam Odell. In 1961 a new post office was built on its present day site at 1224 U. S. Hwy 70a, Wilson's main street. -Contributed by Melinda Taylor
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"Butch, that building has a long history as a good repair shop. In the 40s/50s it was operated by Iley Oxford who lived on C street across from the Emanuel Baptist church. The Oxford family had two sons and a daughter I believe and Mrs. Oxford was den Mother for cub scouts for a while. Mr Oxford had a thriving business there and did a good car wash business among other things. The shop was always busy but I cannot remember what brand of gas they sold but it may have been Sinclair. There was a gas station on the southwest corner of Lake Murray and C street as well." -JerryBrownOK@aol.com Click Here
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"Dear Mr. Bridges, In late August or September, 2005, I was looking for information on the Benbow-Horton Hardware Co. in Lawton, OK, from the early 1900s. I own the original old National cash register from the store. (And she's a beauty!) You were kind enough to include my inquiry in your newsletter. Because of that, a Horton grandson found me a few weeks ago. The cash register is going back home to Lawton--almost 100 years later--with a Horton. I have learned that the Benbow-Horton Building was torn down around 1990. If anyone has pictures of the building or knows anything about the hardware company or owners, I'd like to find them to send back to OK with the register. Thanks for your help." -Betty Rhoads rhoadsend@centurytel.net
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This is about the best free weather radar site I've found. I have a shortcut on my desktop and have made an icon for it. There are lots of things you can adjust on the display including looping. -Jim, N5COP Click Here
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Hi Butch, Two history scrap books are being compiled on the ghost towns of Cornish and Hewitt. We would appreciate donations of pictures (or good copies) of the town, buildings and people along with newspaper articles, write-ups and biographies on the towns and people. Please send your contributions to:Cornish Book
Mary Wilson
P. O. Box 258
Lone Grove, OK 73443
Hewitt Book
Melinda Taylor
723 Hewitt Rd.
Wilson, OK 73463
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"I am forwarding a note from Anna Lynn who coordinated the Ardmore Class of 1965 with a web site for the class photo. I thought some of you may know some of the people in there and might like to have a copy." -Mike Pennington Click Here
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"Hi Butch, I enjoy receiving your T&T newsletters. I graduated from Plainview in 1956 and find a lot of familiar information in your letters. I, too, am a fan of good hamburgers! Onion burgers are my favorite. Perhaps you have heard of the onion burgers at El Reno where they will be having Burger Day Festival on May 6. This event cooks up the world's largest onion fried burger, weighing over 750 pounds and 8.5 feet in diameter. It is interesting to watch them turn a hamburger so large! After it is cooked, it is cut with a biscuit cutter and passed out to the spectators. Activities include live entertainment, car show, crafts, children's games, the Bun Run, magicians, and more. Keep up the good work! -Bobby Gardner Click Here
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"Okay I now have your cableone email on my AOL whitelist. Maybe now your T&T will come through."
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Ballad of the Green Berets
sung Sgt Barry Sadler 1965Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret.
Silver Wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret.
Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage picked from the Green Beret.
Silver Wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret.
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request.
Put Silver Wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret.
Words and music.....
http://www.groups.sfahq.com/sf_heraldry/ballad_fighting_soldiers.htmlSee everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
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April 20, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 482
This week gasoline prices made another big jump and we all wonder where its going to end. I'm predicting $5 a gallon by Christmas. I hope the gas prices dont reach that, but things can happen so fast. I have thought a lot the past year or two about trading my old 1974 Chevy pickup in on a new pickup, but if gas prices reach $4 or $5 dollars a gallon, I know I wont be able to drive very much. So I might as well have an old pickup, paid for, sitting in the driveway idle, as a new pickup coupled with monthly payments and not driving. My old '74 pickup (with 108,000 original miles) is only worth about $1,200 so I cant see putting a lot of money on repairs in to it. But I have a great place in Ardmore I've been taking it to where they understands exactly my way of thinking on value vs repair costs.
Ardmore Muffler and Auto Repair on Lake Murray Drive and C Street had a couple of owners before my friend Otis Ivey took it over on January 1, 1985. Otis was the station manager for Kenneth Chandler when Kenneth owned a service station on East Main and D Street where I bought gas for my Sears moped (around 1964) before I could even drive a car. I even worked there as a teen a couple summers with Otis fixing flats and pumping gas to make a little extra money. The station fixed flats for $1 and somedays I'd fix around 25 or more. Anyway Otis Ivey sold his Ardmore Muffler Shop on Lake Murray Drive in May 1994 to a young guy. A couple years later, around '96 that young man sold it to its present owners, Rick Marcum and his son. Rick has really been the best mechanic I could want for my old pickup. I never felt like I was overcharged, keeping in mind the pickup is only worth about $1,200. Rick and his son had to do some work on my pickup last week, and its running better now then its ran im a long time. So from my personal experience over the years with them, I highly recommend Ardmore Muffler and Auto Repair here in Ardmore, especially if you have an older vehicle your trying to get a few more miles out of and not spend a arm and leg doing so. Here's a pic of Rick Marcum's Ardmore repair shop. Click Here
Here's a pic of my 1974 cream puff! Click Here
In last week's Mailbag there was an email from JoAnn Ricks telling about her collection of Victorian Fairing Boxes. I failed to attach the pictures JoAnn sent with her email. So here is the email and the pics..... what a beautiful collection!
"Hi Butch: I agree with you that coffee just tastes better in a Wedgwood China cup. My parents settled in Oklahoma during the Sooner Run in 1889 and I have some china pieces that they brought with them to Oklahoma in those covered wagons. These items are called Victorian Fairing Boxes. In England in the 1840 to 1900 these little fairing boxes were very popular. They were made cheaply and given out as prizes at the county fairs all over England. If you played a game you would win one of these beautiful little trinket boxes. My grandfather, Herman Presley Bishop was given three of these fairing boxes when he was born and I now have them. I never knew what they were until I started researching them online. I thought I would share these with your readers because I would bet someone else has one of these in their china cabinet. Here are three pictures of Victorian Fairing Boxes. (They are attached to this email.) Most of these fairing boxes were made by a company called Conta Boehme in Germany. If someone thinks they may have one of these Victorian antiques, please email me a picture and I can let you know what it's value is. Most of these little boxes are worth from $60 to $500. Thanks for letting me share, my favorite china pieces." -JoAnn Ricks Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
This week I received a 1952 video on CD that's been converted to .wmv file. You talk about a great piece of Ardmore history! By the next T&T I'll have the file on my website and in my newsletter for watching. So more about this find next week!
Over the years I've mentioned a couple of times in my T&T a Mr and Mrs Avery Senter. They lived directly behind my grandparents Carmon lumber yard at 316 H NE when I was a kid growing up in the 50s and 60s. Mr Senter worked for the post office and 3 times in a 24 hour period he'd drive his old flat bed truck with wood side rails to the Ardmore Depot and meet the train. He'd get the sacks of mail of the mail car and then deliver them to the old post office next door to the Hamburger Inn (Federal Building now). As a wee teen Mr Senter took me along with him in his truck a sometimes, what an experience for a young boy! I stumbled across the Ardmoreite newspaper clipping my grandparents saved back around 1965 when the Senters were celebrating their Golden Wedding anniversary. They were the most wonderful people. I will never forget them. Click Here - Click Here
I received my order of 4 Empress Trees this week from Randy Whitton Nursery in Camden, Delaware. Some of you will remember I bought 2 Empress Trees from Randy so I bought 4 more just like I bought in May 2003. Those first 2 trees have grown VERY fast and turned out beautiful. Here's a pic of the Empress Trees I received this week. The total order including 3 day Express Mail shipping for the 4 trees came to $20. Randy's email is Rwhit13@aol.com if anyone wants to buy some really nice Paulownia Empress Trees. Click Here
This is a pic I took back in 2003 with my first Empress trees. Click Here
About 15 miles northeast of Ardmore is the Ardmore Industrial Airpark. Directly across the street from Dollar General distribution plant is Mr T's Express. Don't let its appearance on the outside mislead you, because owner Terry Carr cooks a terrific old fashioned hamburger. There's lots of meat and pickles, delicious onions and lettuce. And the buns are toasted on the grill and everything else that makes a hamburger taste like the ones your mother would make when we were all kids. Highly Recommended at $2.75 plus tax. The address of Mr T's is 351 General Drive and the phone number is 580-389-5099 Click Here - Click Here
Talk about food, dont forget Saturday morning April 22nd is pickup day for those of us in the Angel Food Program. I can hardly wait to pick up my box of goodies! Click Here
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"We finally got the updated information on the Rexroat School Reunion. Here it is: Where? Lake Ardmore When? Memorial Day weekend on Saturday May 27, 2006 9:30am - 2:30pm Lunch will be catered by the Roberts, and tickets will be available at the door for whoever doesn't have an RSVP - $10.00 x number of people in your group who will be eating. Contact: Orville Beavers 5 Lake Ardmore Road Ardmore, OK 73401 (580) 224-9589 We would love to see a really big turn out this year. Ya'll Come. Thanks Butch." -Delana Rexroat Tate
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"We have set a date of June 24th at 1pm for the Overbrook school reunion. that is anyone that has gone to school there or even taught school there. I am still looking for pictures of the Overbrook School to put in a Scrapbook. Appreciate all the help that I can get on this. Also I need a year the Overbrook School first Opened. It closed in 1965. Maybe someone knows. My home email is lkerr2102@sbcglobal.net and phone number 580-812-1208. Thanks." -Linda
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"Butch, one of your readers wrote about the hitching post on 7th NW. The ones at 7th and B and 6th and B are still intact with the rings. There are original hitching post at Stanley and D (metal) and 3 at 4th and E SW (1 concrete and 2 metal). Also one of the original concrete street markers is still at 4th and I SW." -steve maxwell smax1861@sbcglobal.net
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"Ted's "This I Remember..." first upload on the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base website can be viewed at http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons/remember.html. There will probably be changes and additions as he has more to add. Give a look when you have the time." -Gary
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"Butch, Here's a link to information about the history of our Oklahoma Panhandle. It has belonged to several countries and the Texas Republic before becoming part of Oklahoma." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutral_Strip_%28Oklahoma%29
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"Butch, To the person who wanted to know about the Oklahoma Panhandle. The land was originally part of Texas. When Texas became a state in 1850 they gave it up because everything north of the 36th parallel had to be slave free and Texas permitted slavery. The south boundary line of the Kansas territory was established around 1854 and did not include this land. It became "No man's Land". In 1885 the Supreme Court decided this land was not part of the Cherokee Outlet. That it was "public domain" and subject to "squatters rights." curious. Until 1891 the only law in that land was the gun. On May 2, 1890 the Enabling Act signed by President Benjamin Harrison attached the strip to Oklahoma Territory. Basically it was part of Texas that Texas didn't want. By the way the Cherokee Strip is/was not part of the Panhandle. The "strip" was a narrow (3/4 mile) strip of land now in Kansas that came about because of a survey error. The Cherokee Strip and the Cherokee outlet and the Panhandle are three separate and distinct pieces of land. The Cherokee Outlet being east of the Panhandle." -Larry
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"In the April 13 issue of T&T, Janie asked how Oklahoma ended up with the odd parcel of land that forms the panhandle. Long ago, this land was part of Mexico, then became part of the Republic of Texas. When Texas became a U.S. state in 1846, this created a problem. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 admitted Missouri into the union as a slave state, and Maine as a free state. It further specified that slavery would not be permitted in any future territory or state north of 36 degrees, 30 minutes. This sliver of land was removed from slave state Texas since the parcel was north of 36-30. For many years, the panhandle was No Man's Land. There was no civil authority, which lured the lawless types to settle there. When the Oklahoma and Indian Territories were formed, the panhandle was included in what, subsequently, became the State of Oklahoma." -Mark Coe
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"Butch, Janie inquired about the shape of the Panhandle. This article is rather lengthy but gives a fascinating account of this region's colorful past." -Elizabeth Dyer http://www.ok-history.mus.ok.us/enc/nomansland.htm
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"Cuz, You continue to outdo yourself week after week. The comments about all the places on Caddo really brought back some very fond memories of when I used to visit my Grandparents (Jim (Rattler) and Birdie Prater) who lived just north of the old salvage yard just east of the tracks. Their house consisted of three rooms, the living room/bedroom combination, the kitchen, and my Uncle Dale's room (just big enough for an Army cot) at the back door and the old out-house that was pushed up against the fence of the salvage yard. I too remember him giving us kids a nickel each to spend on Caddo and you could just about buy anything you wanted back then. Everyone knew all of us and referred to us not by name but as "Prater's Grandkids". Thanks once again for a pleasant walk down memory lane." -Poss in Korea
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"The building that is referred to as the Stag Bar was not always known as a BAR and evolved into that phase in more recent years. Many respectable businesses were located in that building and the rough and tumble reputation that has been assigned to it in recent years did not prevail until after WW2. It was not a part of the building next to it which recently caved in. The structure was often referred to as the oldest building in downtown Ardmore. A grocery store once occupied the building and a sign was visible on the marquee which read: ..."Harrell's Market - Eat More Meat - Drink Coca-Cola, Delicious and Refreshing." Later the "Star' theatre was located in this building and was owned and operated by a Mr. Black & his family. Except for the upper part of the facade the old building has been structurally changed in appearance throughout the years." -Ernest Martin
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"Butch- just a quick note---as always enjoyed the T and T. You do a fine job and enrich the life of many of us Okies. ----I have traveled lots--lived many years in Europe but have never found people who were kinder and warm of heart than the people in Oklahoma. Have always been proud to be an Okie." -s. binkey in San Antonio TX
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"Butch looking at that old map Just above the name yellow hills you will see McMillan and above that you will see wilson My dad lived in McMillan My Mom was born in Wilson. You have done it again Guy another piece of the puzzle in my family tree." -Paskell Poindexter Click Here
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"Hi Butch, Seeing Waco Turner's picture brought back memories. I was driving a dump truck in the 50's and helped build his golf course. The story going around was that he got mad at Dornick Hill's golf club so he built his own. He was quite a character, he had Cadillac's sitting all around his lodge that wouldn't run, some only needed batteries but if they didn't run he called the Cadillac dealer and they brought him out a new one. He would come by several times a day to make sure we were alright.We could stay in his lodge free of charge if we chose too. We built a make shift runway one time and a cargo plane from Ardmore Air base landed, the pilot was the base commander. We all looked the plane over (inside and out) then had barbecue and watermelon while still on the clock. Those were the good ol' day's." -James Singleterry
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"FYI for curiosity's sake, Joe Nichols & Tracy Lawrence are doing the same thing here in Fayetteville (Arkansas) next month at the Tyson Track Center. Joe is from nearby Rogers and Tracy Lawrence is also an Arkansas native. The local country radio station has mentioned Blake's concert, as well. I think it's great the way these big music starts don't think that they're too big to go back to their roots to use their name for good causes. Joe's & Tracy's concert is for the Alzheimer's Association. The University of Arkansas' Athletic Director, Frank Broyles', wife died from Alzheimer's a couple of years ago and I think he's taken part in being able to get Joe & Tracy here for this benefit concert. I know I'm going!! We don't get big name performers here very often, unless they're coming for the Walmart meetings at the end of May/first of June. Happy Easter." -Kathi
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Your "staff photographer" Dwane Stevens has provided some great pics over the years and always enjoy them much! Its been a couple years or more since I inquired whether anyone had a color photo of the Texas Chief-Santa Fe, beside the depot. Got some people who gave some information but never did get such a picture. You have had a lot of new readers since then so will ask just one more time. BobF327631@aol.com
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"I have a school bell from Claremore, OK that supposedly was taken down from the building when it was demolished in 1952, found in Arizona. Wish to verify history if possible. Thank You." -Ron
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"Hey Butch, As a faithful reader of T&T and as a friend, I have noticed you have a penchant for testing (taste testing. LOL) new food sources, aka, restaurants. Well, as you know, our local famous restaurant here in Dougherty, Oklahoma, Catfish Kitchen, burned down to the ground here awhile back. We had a local restaurant other than CK that operated here too. Well, it closed down and now is open under new management. Chuck and Elta Beavers are life-long residents here at Dougherty. Their Cheeseburger is huge, cheap, and are the best I have ever tasted. Nope, I ain't gettin' paid to promote their food. I am just a fatboy that knows what good food tastes like. If you are over this way, show up and give their food a try." -Tuklo Nashoba
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The aerosol can was invented in Bartlesville. Test your Oklahoma history knowledge with a 20 question quiz.....
See everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
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April 13, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 481
The last few weeks the only problems I've had in sending out my 1,500 T&Ts each week is with those who have a yahoo.com email. Several dozen, but not all, of the yahoo.com addresses bounced back with a few hours after sending out my T&T. Not sure what the cause is or a remedy. Strange.
I've received 7 more stencils this week to use in making markers to replace broken veteran monuments at Rose Hill cemetery. That brings the total to 17, so we are making progress. Click Here - Click Here
I got to looking at the old 1890 map I had in last week's T&T and the located it showed where Yellow Hills Oklahoma was located back in those days. If you look closely at the text the words Yellow Hills is different than the font used to designate the surround towns. So I believe the words Yellow Hills on the map actually designates an area of SE Carter county and NW Marshall county, and not an actual spot on that map of a town by that name. Click Here
There was a write-up about Oklahoma oilman Waco Turner and his work establishing Falconhead west of Marietta, Oklahoma and its golf course in the Journal Record today (04/12/06). The Record Journal used of the photos I have on my website of Waco Turner swinging a golf club back in 1952. So I'm glad to have been helpful in that respect. Click Here
In last week's T&T I mentioned about the BBQ feed at the courthouse to help raise money for the March of Dimes. I did want to correct one line in the article: It was the Elected Officials at the courthouse who went together to pay for the brisket. Thanks to everyone's help, it was a great success, selling out of BBQ before 1pm. I am looking forward to them doing it again next year. Click Here Click Here Click Here
Several of you wrote or called and asked if I was kin to an Earl Carmon who died last week in his home town of Marietta, Oklahoma at the age of 84. I have known of this Carmon family line living in Marietta all my life, but do not know if they are kin to my Carmon bunch or not. If Earl Carmon's line came from England around 1632 and settled on New York Island at Hempstead, then I'd say we are kinfolk. Hempstead, NY is between Soffolk and Queens. Click Here
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
The Ardmore Computer Discussion Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 18 at the Ardmore Public Library, 320 E Street NW from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. I have my laptop connected to the internet at the Library so we will have an opportunity to search the internet for information applying to any topic that we may discuss. We will briefly discuss spam email and zombie computers. I recently sent a test email to some of you from a newly created, clean email address and (beginning in late March) have received over 800 spam emails at that address. One of the members computers is probably acting as an email stripper, sending email address to a spammer, unknown to its owner. The programs that have been recommended by this group can help find such invaders. Please forward this message to anyone who might enjoy coming to our meetings. Come talk, listen, learn, and teach !!!
William Stanton
ardmorecdc@yahoo.com
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"An article in today's San Antonio Express-News reports that country music singer Blake Shelton will host a fundraiser for victims of drought and the wildfires that have plagued Oklahoma since November. He has planned a three-day event called "Raindance" in his hometown of Ada starting May 14. Along with an archery tournament and a silent auction, Shelton and at least four country artists will perform in concert. The article stated that since Nov. 1, grass fires in Oklahoma have scorched an estimated 560,000 acres, damaged or destroyed more than 1,000 homes and businesses and killed at least three people." -Elizabeth Dyer
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"Does any one have a copy of the 1973 Ardmore High School yearbook?" cecilhigginbotham@sbcglobal.net
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"Hi, Recently while traveling through the western panhandle of Oklahoma, my husband and I questioned why it is shaped the way it is? When boundaries were drawn at the time statehood was determined, how were decisions made regarding to whom land is allocated? Oklahoma is shaped very strangely with the sliver of pan handle to the west and we figure there must be some reason why. Do you know or know someone I could ask? Thanks much and look forward to hearing from you." -Janie
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"Here is an extremely rare event seldom seem in our day and time. It is reminiscent of the early days of the oil patch in Carter County and was a common scene in the 1930's to the early 1960's. I shot this photo of a single pole type pulling unit working on an old Oklahoma style Rod Line Pump Jack near Healdton on April 7, 2006. Single Pole pulling units are still used in some areas but the sight of one being used on an Oklahoma Rod Line Pump Jack is almost unheard of today since the era of water flooding, electric pump jacks and PLC electronic control systems many years past replaced the old Central Power systems with their rod lines and rod line pump jacks. It's interesting to see 1930's era oil field technology still performing it's duty in 2006. The down hole rods had parted in this particular well and the owner-operator used his pulling unit to fish up the rods for repair. In this photo he has repaired the break and is in the process of reinstalling the pitman arm on the old pump jack. The rod lines from the jack back to the central power will then be coupled back into the system." See attachment." -C. Dwane Stevens click this link to my webshots albums Click Here - Click Here
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Butch, this is Butch Young or Allen Young as I am known now.... the Dickson Comets were name that when the Class of "66" got together and tried changing it.... I worked for the Comet Drive Inn in Ardmore in 1963 when it was built "was the very first employee" so as you can see The Dickson Comets were named long before our class of "66"......... also have enjoy reading the history of Ardmore etc would like to join Your web site ....... sometime I am blind but did not see where to join T&T on the forward from Mike P. thank You.
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Butch, have been reading some of the past issues of T&T thank you so much .... one thing caught My interest was (so far that is, many issues to go) The mention of Caddo... and chili..... Keys Feed Store etc. let Me tell you a little about My experience as a young boy on Caddo... W/we live on a dirt farm at dripping springs lol and would trade farm goods for gro. at the JB Pratt gro store on Caddo, My grand Parents would give Me a nickel to spend at Mrytle Mayhall's Variety Store Next to Keys Feed for that nickel I could fill two bags of candy try that today, then it was on down the street to Lee Woods Barber Shop the only Female Barber in Town...there would sit in an old picture show seat in the show window and watch all the people walking down the street with the Dew Drop Inn next door you cou hear the song on the juke box The Green Door, drunks would come out and fight then leave the loser on the side walk and go back in and drink beer.... down the street was Bills Ballard Parlor where as a young boy My granddad would give Me an apple crate to stand on to shoot pool for him a beer....... I was quite good back then as a kid lol..... then it would be back to Lee Woods Barber shop where W/we waited on the Tamale wagon ... man were those good to eat fresh and hot. sometimes would get to spend the nite with Lee and Jess Woods they would give Me a quarter and send Me off to the picture show (ParkView) on Main Street where for that 25 cents it payed My way in and bought me a bag of popcorn and a soda and let me a nickel.... which I carried home and put in a pig bank....was awaken one morn on a Sunday to be told that Jess Woods had been Killed by Wess Ford on Caddo ...... very sad day for Me life change a lot after that... My uncle became Wess Fords son in law and My grandparents bought the old Lee & Jess Woods Place... where as a young boy Jess had gave Me My first dog name Him Bozo which after the first year of moving there was killed on hwy 70 right in front of Babe Summers home.... remember Him He was a Big Man House mover....but again that is another story..... thought you would find My accounts of Caddo interesting. -Allen Young
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I noticed an article in the April 6, 2006 edition of This and That email newsletter regarding the railroad bridge over the Washita between Gene Autry, and Big Canyon. This bridge with the bannisters fell into the river during a severe rain season with heavy flooding in all creeks and rivers in our area. A lot of debris, trees, etc. built up under the bridge as well as the raging torrents of water which weakend the structure. This event happened in early June of 1957. Trains were often stopped at Ardmore due to high water in various places during this time. You can do research of the The Daily Ardmoreite which carries full news of this event. If memory serves me correctly, the Santa Fe Chief passenger train was stopped at Gene Autry possibly due to high water at the bridge, or maybe God's way of preventing a great tragedy that afternoon. However, a freight train with several units as engines passed the passenger train at Gene Autry, and went on to cross the river. About 7-9 railroad cars as well as the engines made it across when the bridge collapsed, and several cars went into the swollen river. It seems there were oil tankers, and several cars of bananas that fell into the river. Also, my memory again, I think some may still be in the river bed to this day. I don't remember if the bridge had two or three spans. Yes, the bridge was replaced by a less elegant structure as has been pictured several times in this T&T. I do remember riding the train home from OKC, Ok one AM, and as we crossed the new bridge, a lady back of me said my goodness, "are we going on air across this river." It sure did look as if her statement was true."
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"Butch, this is the time I was telling u about when wess ford shot Jess Woods. it was over the gun that wess shot him with..... that were in the blue front drinking beer and Jess ask wess when he was going to pay him for the gun he had bought from him an argument started over it, finally wess told him to come out side and he would pay him when they walk to wess car he reach in got the gun turn around and shot jess recently read in article about how things that had happened on caddo in the 1950s. I remember some of the things the person was speaking of, in fact the person spoke of a woman barber, on the street but could not remember her name. I do remember the name, it was Lee Wood and she told me that her husband was killed watching or was involved in a gun fight, not sure of the circumstances but seems like his name was Jess Wood or Woods." -Allen (Butch) Young
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"Hi Butch, To the reader that would like to know what happened to the original railroad bridge, it was washed out from a flood and at the same time a train lost a bunch of rail cars when it went over the bridge. I used to live about 2 mile south of the bridge as a kid growing up in Gene Autry. Is Doug Williams that is doing all the good work on the markers the same one that we grew up with in Gene Autry. I don't know how many old timers there are left that will soon be celebrating their 100 birthday but Gene Autry will have one soon. And her name is Annie Conway and to all of us kids that grew up there she was Aunt Annie, she was at our reunion last year and stayed until it was over, she is definitely a grand Lady. I see from Joe Dale's letter from last week that he will be at the reunion this year, wish we could be there but other plans for this year, ever one has a great time when they go, it is open to all that went to school there. Last year Les Gilliam performed for all who attended and what a performance, and a special treat for My wife and I for we had never heard him perform before. Gene Autry town is not the grand old town it was when we grew up there, none of the buildings that were on the west side of the street are even in existence, and I don't know if the town water pump is even fit to drink from or that it even still exist, we sure had fun at the ole town pump. Thanks for letting me ramble own. Until next time. -Robert & Karen ( Mountain ) Cole
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"I really enjoy reading your T&T. I was born in Wilson, lived there until middle teen age years. Have many friends & family still living there. The school memories were wonderful, fun and I'm sure many remember the drag racing along the south highway at the double bridges. Or maybe it was only the ornery one who would remember. Keep up the good work and investigating into life in Oklahoma." -Dee Pate in Eastland, TX
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"Hi Butch: I agree with you that coffee just tastes better in a Wedgewood China cup. My parents settled in Oklahoma during the Sooner Run in 1889 and I have some china pieces that they brought with them to Oklahoma in those covered wagons. These items are called Victorian Fairing Boxes. In England in the 1840 to 1900 these little fairing boxes were very popular. They were made cheaply and given out as prizes at the county fairs all over England. If you played a game you would win one of these beautiful little trinket boxes. My grandfather, Herman Presley Bishop was given three of these fairing boxes when he was born and I now have them. I never knew what they were until I started researching them online. I thought I would share these with your readers because I would bet someone else has one of these in their china cabinet. Here are three pictures of Victorian Fairing Boxes. (They are attached to this email.) Most of these fairing boxes were made by a company called Conta Boehme in Germany. If someone thinks they may have one of these Victorian antiques, please email me a picture and I can let you know what it's value is. Most of these little boxes are worth from $60 to $500. Thanks for letting me share, my favorite china pieces." -JoAnn Ricks
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"Butch, I was raised at 226 7th NW and during the fifties I spent many hours riding the the hitch on 7th at B. The ring was my saddle and the concrete post was my horse. I rode many miles and chased cattle and caught outlaws right there on that corner. I'm sorry that some creep stole the ring." -Johnny Williams in Grevette, Arkansas Click Here - Click Here
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"Davis Grocery WAS on C Street North West. Cross Timbers Hospice, 207 C NW, is now in that building. Homeland has Dickinsons Orange Marmalade, it is good, but Dundee Marmalade was extra tart with lots of slivers of orange rind. Most likely some grocery in Oklahoma City or Dallas has the Dundee Marmalade if it is still made."
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Stag Bar has been placed on the Most Endangered PLaces list for Oklahoma.
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"Butch, I got this in November but found it in my papers and thought it might be good to send on to your following. I'm sure there are some out there with folks in the Jim Young Cemetery north of Baum, Oklahoma." Click Here
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Christ the Lord is risen today,
Sons of men, and angels say;
Raise your joys and triumphs high!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply!
Soar we now where Christ has led,
Following our exalted Head;
Made like Him, like Him we rise;
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies!
-Charles Wesley 1788
Click HereSee everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 6, 2006 Circulation over 5,000 Vol 10 Issue 480
A Reader wrote in this week to mention that the concrete hitching posts usually have a rink near the top of them, but the pic I had in last week's T&T did now who a ring. Here is a close up the top of the hitching post at C and 7th NW showing the holes where the ring used to be fastened. I guess someone pulled them out years ago as a memento. Sad people vandalize history. Click Here Click Here
We had a BBQ lunch at the courthouse this week with the proceeds going to the March of Dimes. The 3 Carter county commissioners provided the meat plus Commissioner Dale Ott smoked the meats in his commercial smoker. Boy, you talk about some good BBQ. Some of the employees provided the condiments and all that made up the BBQ sandwich. Everyone had a great time on their lunch hour and the BBQ was completely sold out before 1pm. It was that delicious! Click Here Click Here Click Here
Some of you will remember Bill Uhles of Sulphur giving me a few weeks ago 130 red bricks from the old Sulphur High School after it was torn down. These old red bricks are the right texture and composition to make beautiful pavers or whatever. I tried several kinds of bricks and these from Bill are prefect for sandblasting. Here are 4 brick pavers I made for Bill as a thank you for the bricks. Thanks Bill. Click Here
Noveline Norton brick. Click Here
Kenneth Samples brick. Click Here
Otis Shields brick. Click Here
Wedgwood china has been made in England for nearly 240 years. Its the finest china in the world, and is coveted by anyone who knows the value of china. My great aunt, Eva Carmon Randol died in 1982 in Ft Worth, Texas and I am the proud owner of her Wedgwood china, the Edme edition. This is a pic I took this week of the Wedgwood Edme china with a cup of Dan and Susanne Jolliff's OkieBlend coffee freshly poured in that beautiful cup. ummmmmmm can't you just smell that wonderful aroma? I cant explain it, but coffee just tastes better in Wedgwood. And the Jolliff's make their gourmet coffee right over at Wilson, Oklahoma in their own roasters! Click Here Click Here
With all the talk about goatheads, Donald Greenaway sent in a link to a goathead. And there are more comments in the Mailbag. Click Here
There is now 9 new markers in the Veterans section of Rosehill replacing some that were really in sad shape. Doug Williams set 5 more this week bringing the total to nine. Doug has pics of the befores and afters on his smugmug photo gallery. I find for the best views of the photos, go to the upper right hand corner and change the Style to "Journal" and the color box, change it to White. Stencils have been ordered for 5 more and should arrive in a few days. Click Here Click Here
I had an inquiry this week asking where Yellow Hills, Oklahoma was located in eastern Carter county. I found one site on the net that shows the legal of the area, starting south of Durwood, Oklahoma and stretching west a couple miles toward Dickson Road. But another T&T Reader had an old 1890 map of Oklahoma, there just south of Durwood was a circle showing where the town of Yellow Hills was located back in those days. Click Here
Workers this week started removing the old sidewalk around the courthouse in preparation of pouring a new concrete walk. Click Here
This is a pic of the Ardmore jail when it was located where the Hamburger in is located today. Click Here
If your anti virus is long out of date, then its really useless. So go to Add or Remove Programs and remove your out of date anti virus. You might want to try ClamWin free antivirus. I've tried it and it works great. Best of all the price is right. lol Click Here
SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG
"Butch, From my mother's postcard collection, here are three more looks at some Selvidge Business College students. Check out the open framed typewriters in the typing class. Best regards, and thanks for all you do with This and That. You have brightened many lives with dear memories." -Don Gwynne in Arlington, TX Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch, thinking about goatheads (oh, how they hurt!!!!) led me to thinking about happier childhood days, which eventually brought me to.....TA DA!...."horny toads". Remember them? My granny used to catch them in the yard and transport them to her garden to eat pests in the garden. I haven't seen one in the wild in at least 35 years! Have you? I feel sure that the pesticides used in Marshall County did them in. I don't want to share this publicly but I personally have some theories about the safety of the Texoma Peanut and Oklahoma Steel and Wire plants. People have told me that some of the tombstones in the Woodberry Forest Cemetery below OSW have "stuff" on them or have begun to deteriorate. On certain days you can see the pollution from the peanut company in the air and on the windshields of cars in downtown Madill."
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"Butch, I'll bet Carter Seminary is the Chickasaw school the lady is asking about."
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"Butch, We have a CS Bell Company 30" bell. It was at our Southwest Oklahoma Church of the Nazarene campground SW of Anadarko, (Caddo County) for around 50 years. I do not know where it came from originally. Across the years the yoke was broken and repaired several times. The campground near Anadarko was sold but the bell has been brought to our new property, Salyer Lake. It will be given a very special place in a new structure that is being built for it. However, we would like to repair or replace the broken yoke and wheel. Got any suggestions? I am attaching pictures. Thanks." -Paul Stroud in Binger Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch, When I was a kid on the farm, we used to eagerly wait for the ripening of the field corn so we could enjoy what my family always referred to as "Roshuneers". I always thought that a strange name for corn, but it was not until years later that I discovered that it was only the peculiar Scots-Irish pronunciation of the term "Roasting Ears". It was imported by my family, direct from the hills of North Carolina and Tennessee where the preferred method of cooking fresh corn was to lay the ears, still in the shuck, on a bed of hot coals in the fireplace. Hence, any ear of corn still in the milk stage and tender enough to be eaten was referred to as a Roasting Ear....or, a Roshuneer. I suspect a whole study could be done on words like that and "marbleaid" that we use, or used to use." -Ed Walt
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Hi Butch, Just finished reading your T&T with ref to orange marmalade. Happened to have some in my frig. It is great for many things besides putting on toast. Can be mixed with whole cranberry sauce and chopped walnuts. Makes a great condiment. I tried it on ice cream (Black Berry) and it was very tasty. You might try it." -Lee
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"It's the spelling, Butch. Marmelade is a preserve using the pulp of fruit and the rinds. Most popular are marmelades made of quince, orange and apple, I think. It's a word from the Latin and French. I, too, remember the Business College building on North Washington when it was a Vietnamese restaurant with wonderful food - and so cheap! Elmer and I ate there many times in the early 1980's. I also enjoyed the picture of the Simpson/Colston Building and the Elks Lodge building (looks like the streets were not bricked or paved in 1906. Greetings from Springer." -Renate Hoyle"Butch, Just looked at our dictionaries, and it is MARMALADE in English. Growing up in Germany I knew it as Marmelade." -Renate Hoyle, Springer
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(I'm giggling!!!) I think this is your missing "marble-aid"! This reminds me of a story (don't print my name if you use it... Mother would be mortified.) As a child, I was helping my mother grocery shop and she asked me to pick up a few cans of "vYYY-EEEEna" sausages off the shelf - a familiar snack in our home. I read the label as I reached for them and realized it said VIENNA Sausages! (vEEE-enna) Guess us Okies have some trouble with those fancy foreign words sometimes! LOL. Mother and Daddy's families had always pronounced it that way, and we just never realized."
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"Hi Butch, I believe you are talking about orange marmalade. When I lived in Scotland, I heard that it originated there when a ship carrying oranges wrecked on the Scottish coast, and a frugal Scottish wife didn't want the oranges to go to waste, so she devised a preserve with them--marmalade! Leave it to the Scots to not waste anything!" -Cindy in FL
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"Hello Butch, I think the spelling of the sauce for the Chinese food is spelled "MARMALADE". I enjoy your T & T so very much. I grew up in Gene Autry (Berwyn) and attended school there through he 9th grade. Went to high school in Davis. I will be attending the Berwyn School Reunion the 4th of July weekend. So many great memories from my childhood are from my experiences in these 2 (two) schools. Keep up the great work. Regards." -Joe Dale Black joedblack@juno.com
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"Butch~ The word you are looking for is "Marmalade". Fifty or sixty years ago King made a very good Orange Marmalade in a little squatty round jar. You can still find marmalade in the stores. Look in the jelly- preserves section. Do a Google search on Orange Marmalade and you will find all kind of recipes." -Pat Davidson in Brenham, Texas
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"Mr. Bridges: My name is Chris Wolford and I operate 3 Stamped Paving Brick Collector sites on Yahoo. I would like your consent to use this websites information and/or links in and archive of information on the subject of the Ada Brick Companies on my sites and with your permission link back to it. I am a member of a Brick Collecting Club who's membership is world wide. As new members join, they have questions as to the origin of the various bricks in their collection, and this information helps answer these question. Thank You in advance for your attention to this matter. Respectively,Chris IBCA #1141." Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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Attack of the killer goatheads Click Here
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"When I was a little girl in South Texas we always went barefoot and those goathead stickers were so painful. I would rather have 5 sticker burrs than one goathead." -Sybil Oliver
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"I have read a lot of comments on the goat head sticker in T & T lately. I went to Google and found the following site. Thought you might want to pass it along to your readers. Anyone who has ever stepped on a goathead definantly know the difference between it and a sand or grass burr. The site is texnat.tamu.edu/cmplants/toxic/plants/goathead.HTML and gives some good info on the plant. I didn't realize the plant itself was toxic. Growing up in Ardmore I learned to respect their danger to bare feet. I still see them growing here in South Texas. I am attaching a couple of pictures of the plant and burr. Keep up the good work. Thanks for T & T." -Frank Lightsey
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"Butch, Grassburrs now are generally what we used to call Sandburrs. We used to call Goatheads sendburrs too. I believe the goathead plant being more of a succulent plant rather than a grass has been eliminated so much from weed killers thats been used last 30+ years. BUT Grassburrs are a very hardy grass type that few (expensive) herbicides will kill. Grass burrs make leaves and stalk and look like native grasses. they produce several seed stalks in mid summer, each having about 6-8 spiked seeds at ends about 6-8" above ground, will drop off at a touch or hooked on fur, hair, cloth etc by tiny barbs on each several seed spears They will ruin a hay field, sticking in round baler belts carrying them off to a new location if not removed, Hay with them will even get in cattle throats and they will start tires leaking on riding mower tires, and transported to new locations by farm implement tires to finally come off and can stay dormant for 1-2 years before sprouting....... even burning fields does not kill all seed if partially buried..... in the 30's we put condensed milk in our bike tires for Goatheads, the self sealers were too expensive for us kids."
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I don't know if anyone has written you about our Dickson reunion for this year. They are honoring US as 50 year graduates. I can't believe that but it will be April 22nd from 11-3 at the Dickson Multi purpose Building. All Dickson graduates are invited and anyone who went to school at Dickson can come whether they graduated or not. Cost is $12 and they need to make reservations by 4-15-06. Send reservations to Dickson Reunion, 711 Osage, Ardmore, Ok 73401 care of Gene Conway. The preparations sound great, it should be a great time.
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Hi Butch. T&T no. 475 carried a photo of the old railroad bridge across the Washita River, between Berwyn (Gene Autry) and Big Canyon. The bridge in the photo was subsequently replaced by the less elegant structure shown in the accompanying photo which was taken by Dwayne Stevens (from almost the same position). I'm wondering whether any of your readers know when the old bridge was replaced, and whether anyone has more photos of the old bridge. (Apologies to Dwayne for using his photo without permission.) Best regards, -Ron McFarlane. Australia ronmcf@exemail.com.au Click Here
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"Hi Butch, I been told that my Grandmother Allie (Mayberry) Cape went to school at Rocky Point School, somewhere around Sulphur, Ok., between 1907 and 1915. I have searched the internet and can not find any listing about the school or where it might have been. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Also, in 1950's does anyone remember a saw mill south of Sulphur on the old Dougherty Rd. Does anyone has a photo of it? I would love to have a copy made of it. The saw mill belonged to Jessie Cape, aka, Jess or J. F. Cape. Thank you" -Danny Thompson rebelokie@yahoo.com
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"Butch, I've attached a few photos for all your readers that are railroad fans. The first one is of the Legislator Special Amtrak Train that ran through our area March 4, 2006. Two other rail photographers, Jerry Coffee from Wynnewood and Chris Sampley from Ardmore and myself hiked up in the Arbuckle Mountains at "The Cut" to photograph the special train from on high. ( I keep telling them that I'm getting too old to keep climbing up there but I just can't seem to stop trying ) The second photo is of the regular Heartland Flyer coming into Ardmore after just passing the refinery. And the last one, but certainly not the least, is of the Frisco 1522 steam train that visited Ardmore back in 2001 with our good friend and historian Mr Butch Bridges walking in front of the engine that was taking on water while stopped in the Ardmore Yard. I think I have sent this one to you before but it never hurts to highlight again our humble publisher of the "This & That" newsletter. As always, thanks for all your hard work Butch!" -C. Dwane Stevens Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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Mike Pennington's recollection to the name Dickson Comets: The Dickson comets came about with the a vote of the Seniors in 1966 with a toss up with the word "Comets" and "Devils" with Comets winning out. I dont remember if it was the Seniors only voting or all the High School.
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"The building you are asking about appears to have been located on the SW corner of Main & Washington streets. The tornado that struck Ardmore on Feb. 13, 1946 destroyed a building that was located on that corner which was often called the "Champion Building". The picture shown here appears to be located in that exact location and may be the building that was known as the Champion Building. I am basing my opinion on the fact that I carried a paper route in that area in the 1930's." -Ernest Martin Click Here
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"Hello Butch, Thanks for all your hard work to help us find long lost Friends. I just found one on this weeks T and T. W.H. France's grand daughter in FL. We both are happy to get in touch. Mr. and Mrs. France were wonderful people. Our world would be a better place if only we had more folks like them. I know as I worked for him for 21 years. Mrs. Ethel France would bring her home made Christmas Candies, Cakes, Cookies, and plenty of Egg Nog, and everyone in the Court House was invited. And they also brought good things to eat. and they came and enjoyed the Season. We all enjoyed those days. Your Friend." -Ruby Martin
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"Hi, The families of the deceased CB Murphy has a Family Reunion in the park At The Old Swinging Bridge Park in Tishomingo,OK. Every Memorial Day Weekend, My daughter has painted a photo of the Old Bridge to give away this year at the reunion, But she wants the date the first bridge was built there and the date it was washed away in the flood so it will have the dates on her photo. I married into that family in 1957 and learned to fish right there below that bridge. And I still have memories of that town, One of my Murphy families sent me an old faded out photo of the park where the Gismo sets now but family cars were setting there, I painted it up and made it look new again, Sure brought back memories, because Right there under that old big tree is where we would always try to get there first for, so we could set our tents up around the old tree before the others got there, Then I missed one year going and when I went back, they had stopped allowing people to park in that area. If you have any old wore out photos of the past please send them to me to play with, Hope you can help, Thanks." -Phyllis p_conry@yahoo.com
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"I was wondering if anyone had any information on my other grandparents and my dad. Elmer and Nora Price were my grandparents. They lived at 410 "C" St. S.E. He worked for the City of Ardmore and died in 1967 and she was a homemaker and died in 1999. They had a son M.C. Price who worked for Groendyke. He died in 1999 also. I think he had 3 sisters. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks." -Debbi debbij60@hotmail.com
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Mr. Bridges: I tried to access this picture of Mr. Harry Dodd's bricks and found no pictures avalible." -Chris Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here - Click Here
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"Butch: I notice you have had quite a lot of discussion about the drag race strip just inside Lake Murray Park, which is now the Downtown Ardmore Airport. My deceased husband, A.N. (Shorty) Almon, was very instrumental in getting the club started and also obtained the dirt work for the strip. I noticed a question as to who did the dirt work. Mr. Whitaker, who was the father of Robert Whitaker, who lives on McLish S.W., did this work. My husband persuaded him to do this and he very graciously did it. I'm not sure if it was free gratis. Probably was because the club certainly had no money. He raced there many times. I can't remember exactly which car or cars he raced in, but I very vividly remember we had a brand new 1957 Chevrolet (first new car we had owned at that time) and he decided he would race it, and did, but in the process ruined the transmission in it. I was not a happy camper about that situation, but he fixed it and we had the car several years. This was a pretty popular place back then since there wasn't a whole lot of things to do in Ardmore other than Lake Murray and Lake Texoma. Still enjoying your T&T. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into it." -Jerry Almon
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"Butch, Thank You for the info on Yellow Hills, IT, Oklahoma. Do you know, if I could find info on James Lewellen pig farm at Yellow Hills from 1890 to 1910? He was my GG-father. It is reported, he was buried in a Maxwell Cemetery. But, I do not know if it's Maxwell Cemetery near Stafford, Oklahoma or the Maxwell Cemetery in Carter County. But, again THANK YOU." -Vernon Kyker vkyker@cox.net Click Here
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"Butch, my cousin Jared Ashley www.jaredashley.com is one of the remaining 6 contestants on USA Network's Nashville Star. It airs Tues nights on USA Network. Hopefully all your readers will watch and call and vote for him! You can call toll free to vote up to 10 times from your phone. This may be a shameless plug but we're real proud of him and he's got some deep Oklahoma ties. This is his page at Nashville Star's site. Click on the left side VIEW MORE CLIPS to watch his performances." -Bryan Pullen in Davis http://www.usanetwork.com/series/nashvillestar/theshow/characterprofiles/jaredashley/ index.html
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"Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, can not long retain it." -Abraham Lincoln
See everyone next week!
Butch Bridges
PO Box 2
Lone Grove, Oklahoma 73443
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