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Below is July 5, 2003 to August 30, 2003.

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Saturday August 30, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 332

Last week Ruby Martin told about John "Ed" Williams, a train engineer for many years in Ardmore. Ruby remembered him making his daily runs from Ardmore to Ringling and back during the 1930s. This week the great great grandson of Ed Williams wrote me saying he had some additional info on Ed and also a photograph. All the info and pix Dustin Luther has of Ed Williams can be found on his genealogy website. http://users.lmi.net/tyr/williams/index.html http://users.lmi.net/tyr/genealogy.html

Dustin Luther also has been told that a little league baseball diamond in Ardmore is named after Ed Williams. Do anyone know anything about that?

1899 - "Ardmore Through A Camera" The Ardmoreite. Ardmore Mill and Elevator Company. The pride of Ardmore, and in fact the whole surrounding country, is the new mill and elevator just completed at a cost of many thousands of dollars. L.H. Griffin and J.M. Floyd, the general managers of this new enterprise, kindly showed an Ardmoreite representative through the entire plant, which is certainly complete in all departments and capable of turning out as fine a grade of flour as any in the South. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/camera1899a.jpg

A Reader brought me by his new book this week! Its called Waaaay Out There! Even though the book is fiction, a person sure can put himself in those stories and Diggertown, Oklahoma. Stories its author, Tuklo Nashoba, tells in a fun way, and taking you to another time and place. Tuklo lives way up in those beautiful Arbuckle Mountains north of Ardmore. He only comes down to Ardmore and civilization when he has to, but I'm thankful he did come to town to bring me his book. There is a couple of ways you can get your hands on one of Tuklo's books. One is to follow the link below. The other is to stop by DreamWeaver Outdoor Outfitters at Davis, Oklahoma. Take I-35 Exit 51 and where Buffalo Gap is they have a store in the restaurant. The display inside the store is on the east wall under a moose head. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/waaaayoutthere2.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/waaaayoutthere3.jpg http://www.southernokies.com/waaaayoutthere/

I received several emails this week asking if there is a chocolate icing recipe that went along with the chocolate cake recipe in last week's T&T. These are from the 1934 Hershey's Cookbook mentioned two weeks ago. You will find the icing recipe in the Mailbag below, so hurry on down to the Mailbag! lol

Frances Dunlap has been out running around again, and keeping a look-out for any bells in her travels. She sent me some photos this week of three bells she discovered. This first bell was taken at the First Baptist Church at Allen, Oklahoma. Thats a wee town in Pontotoc county, just NE of Ada, Oklahoma. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/allenbell3.jpg

This next bell is located at the St. Paul Catholic Church on Sunny Lane in Midwest City, Oklahoma. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/sunnylanebell3.jpg

This last photograph taken by Frances is at the Atwood, Oklahoma Church of the Nazarene. Atwood is near the center of Hughes county, just a 1/2 mile or less from the South Canadian River. Holdenville is the county seat for Hughes county. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/atwoodbell3.jpg

Carter County Sheriff Harvey Burkhart installed a new granite marker this week in front of the sheriffs office to recognize the sheriffs of this county since 1907. The locally quarried Autumn Rose granite is a beautiful tribute to the sheriffs of this county who served the public since statehood. I see the name James Cruce listed. Some of you who have been following my T&T for a while, will recognize that name as one I just stumbled on to by accident while doing some research in The Daily Ardmoreite archives on microfilm at Ardmore's Chickasaw Library. In November 1925 Sheriff Ewing London was removed from office and local businessman James Cruce was appointed to serve as sheriff pending the litigation. 30 days later Judge Tom Pace in Purcell ordered Ewing London be re-instated to office. On the webpage below is a photo of James Cruce. He lived out north of town on Mt Washington Road next to where Mt Washington school used to be located. He was a dairyman. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/cartersheriff3a.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/cartersheriff3b.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/cartersheriff3c.jpg http://www.brightok.net/cartercounty/cruce.html

I hope many of you got a glimpse of Mars when it was closest to the earth this past week. I went out at 10pm last Wednesday evening, looked to the southeast of Ardmore, and there was this very bright object, yellow in color, low in the sky. You could definitely tell it was not an ordinary star. It was a very interesting event occurance and a lifetime opportunity to those of us who was able to see it.

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG

"There are Ludwig Isenberg prints for sale at the Greater Southwest Historical Museum. The two prints that are currently available in the gift shop are of the Hardy Sanitarium and Von Keller Hospital. The Museum is located at 35 Sunset Drive, in Ardmore. If anyone has questions they can call the Museum at 580-226-3857."
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"Hi Butch. I used to have one of these trees in my yard at a house I previously owned. It is called a Weeping Mulberry (non fruit bearing). These trees grow super fast and once the branches have started reaching the ground if you trim them back to the top, the branches will reach the ground again within a week." http://bio.bd.psu.edu/plant_web/Moraceae/Weeping_Mulberry_Plant.html
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"Just a FYI, Mr. Rowe's first name was Omer. His wife Celestine was Superintendent at Mt. Washington in the '40's when I went to school there. They had two children; Sue and Charles. Mr. Rowe was a colorful individual."
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"Butch, it is hard to say for sure, since I can't see the shape of the leaves very well, but we used to have a tree similar to the unusual one in Mr. Wall's yard, and it was called a weeping mulberry. The mulberry has leaves of several different shapes on it---some look almost like those of an American elm and others have a shape more like a maple leaf. Some are straight on one side and deeply erose on the other. Weeping mulberries are very pretty when in full leaf. I don't know if they bear fruit or not. Hope some other reader can corroborate this. I really enjoy your newsletter." -Barbara Derby
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"Butch, The tree is a grafted hybrid and is called a "Weeping Mulberry". There are several varieties of weeping trees. They are great for landscaping as they are bred to be small in stature. They will expand to about six feet in diameter. Wal-Mart should have them this winter. I really enjoy your newsletter. keep it flying." -Tom Ed Moore k5zxe@swbell.net Lawton, OK
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"Butch, I keep this Oklahoma Mileage Chart on my desktop. It comes in handy." http://www.oklahomahistory.net/countymileagechart.html
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"Butch, I wouldn't be surprised if that Mr. Williams that Ruby Martin remembers was my great-great grandfather. His name was John "Ed" Williams. I've been told many times that he was an engineer in the Ardmore area. As a matter of fact, my grandfather tells stories about traveling back to Ardmore every summer in late 1930's. They were able to make the long trip from Southern California because their grandfather worked for the railroads. As best as I can tell, Ed Williams was born on September 29, 1880 (location unknown) and he died around 1975 in Ardmore. If anyone has any more information on him (or his parents), I'd love to get in touch with you. Also, if anyone is interested, I recently come across a huge selection of photos of him (and his family), but I haven't scanned many of them yet. Just tell me if you are interested, and I'll update you after I've scanned them." -Dustin Luther tyr@lmi.net
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"All the 1934 icings were listed in another chapter, so here's an entire page with 4 to choose from. Happy baking!" http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/choco1934icing.jpg

Q. What is 4X sugar?
A. The "X" designations are derived from the mesh sizes of the screens used to separate powdered sugar into various sizes. Thus, 4X would have a larger particle size, whereas 10X would have a smaller particle size.
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"It was great to hear someone mention the Ardmore Rosebuds AAA baseball team. I have great memories of them. I was about 10 when my dad would take me to see their games. I loved going. It would get me all fired up to play on my little league team that was coached by Skinny Stewart, one of the nicest guys I can remember. There were quite a few players that came through to play the Redbuds that ended up in the majors. The one I remember from the Rosebuds was Pete Ward, who had a unique batting grip with his hands a couple inches apart on the handle. He ended up with the White Sox. One day I was down at the Duke campground on Lake Murray playing ball with my friends on the field they had there, and the Rosebuds came down there to practice for some reason. Well, we had to give the field up to them, but they asked us if we wanted to go out and shag fly balls while they took batting practice. I remember that the guys on the Rosebuds were really amazed that a little 10 year old kid like me was really running all over the outfield and making some nice catches. I can still remember how high those fly balls seemed to a little guy like me. Nothing like what a little leaguer would hit. They kept teasing me and telling me they were going to sign me up on their team. Boy, was I pumped up for a long time after that!" -Skip
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"Butch, as a kid growing up in Ardmore in a golfing family my dad used to take us to play at Sunset, or as he called it Goat Hill, Golf course. Was wondering if any of your readers remember the course, what the green fees were, and/or maybe a scorecard or description of the holes. Unfortunately my most vivid memory of the course was that there was poison oak in the creek on the 8th fairway."
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"HI Butch, and greetings from upstate N.Y. About spiders and ants. We have had a particularly wet, warm summer here this year and the ant population has been about average but the spiders have been out of control. Everywhere you look there are webs, and if you knock them down there is just a new one the next day. It has been so bad that people are getting spiders indoors in their houses and the local business owners are killing them indoors and out on a daily basis. I don't know how they get in. YUCK !!"
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"Butch, I loved the all night singings. It was so nice to be out in the country and lay back on a quilt and enjoy the quartets...they were good. The only thing not great was when you went to the restroom and had to go to an outdoor toilet with four or five holes all on one board. That is a little too close for me. But still those were the days. I take it that you never went to it. You missed a good time."
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"Hi Butch. Ms. Martin was telling about Mr. Williams and the train, his name was Ed Williams. He lived in the unit block of 6th Ave N.W. He was kinda like a second Daddy to me when I was young. When he retired in the late 60s or early 70s he had over 50 years of service with the Santa Fe railroad. At that time more than anyone else with the company. His wife's name was Stella. The lived across the street and 2 houses down from me. When I was about 8 or 9 years old he took me on a run out to Ringling once. He was a very fine and kind gentleman." -Tommy Harris
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"Hi Butch. I used to have one of these trees in my yard at a house I previously owned. It is called a Weeping Mulberry (non fruit bearing). These trees grow super fast and once the branches have started reaching the ground if you trim them back to the top, the branches will reach the ground again within a week." http://bio.bd.psu.edu/plant_web/Moraceae/Weeping_Mulberry_Plant.html
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"Thought you may like to take a look at these photos taken in Lancaster, England 26 miles north from here, I know you are impressed with your dome, so thought of you, and even though I have passed this building many a time before, its the first time I have had a photo opportunity, its pretty impressive isnt it, taken from the castle walls. Notice the green petina of the copper dome in the picture. Here is a website with some info on the building its worth a look at: http://williamsonpark.u-net.com when you get there just click on Ashton Memorial on the left hand side, its short and sweet." -Judith in England http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/lancasterdome2.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/lancasterdome3.jpg
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"Hi Butch, I am pretty sure that tree belonging to Mr Wall in last week's newsletter is a variety of a weeping mulberry tree. Here is a pic of a more mature variety of a weeping cherry taken from my neighbors garden. These trees can grow as tall as 30ft unless they are the dwarf variety." -England http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/weepmulberryUK.jpg ------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I am seeking info on James A. Jones and Mary Jones that gave birth to my Dad Bert Jones at Coalgate, Oklahoma, May 3, 1889. He also had a sister about 5 years old. Any Information would be appreciated. Thanks." -Buddy Jones Budj180@aol.com
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"I needed to look up the dates for the Amish Arts and Craft Fair in Clarita,, Oklahoma." http://travelok.com/ourevents/eventsdetail.asp?id=1+60+60
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On the wings of a snow white dove
He sends His pure sweet love
A sign from above
On the wings of dove

When troubles surround us
When evils come
The body grows weak
The spirit grows numb
When these things beset us
He doesn't forget us
He sends down His love
On the wings of a dove.

-Sung by Ferlin Huskey 1960 and
Written by Bob Ferguson (sister Missouri Brown of Hugo, Oklahoma)
http://www.tennessean.com/local/archives/01/04/06834823.shtml

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

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Saturday August 23, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 331

I was talking to Ruby Godwin Martin out NW of Ardmore this week. She was telling about a Mr. Williams who was the Engineer on the train that made two trips a day from Ardmore to Ringling. Ruby said you could set your clock by him, his train would come by at straight up 10:00am going west, and came back through by their property at exactly 3pm going back into Ardmore. Ruby's parents, James Perry Godwin and Mattie, settled around 1925 near 12th NW and Kings Road. When Ruby was growing up in the 30s, 1935 was a very dry year (Dust Bowl Years) and all the grass was dead or near dead from the drought. Along the railway right-of-way the grass was greener for some reason. Some thought it may have been from the water and steam coming off the train as it traveled back and forth. Mr. Williams the Engineer told Ruby's parents they could let their cows in on the right-a-way to eat the green grass, as long as the cows were back behind the fence when he came through at 10 and 3 each day.

Those cows became so trained, they knew when Mr. Williams blew that train whistle two or three miles from their property, to get off the right-a-way and back into their own pasture. Many times back in the 30s Mr. Williams would stop the train there for a couple of minutes and give Ruby and her brothers a piece of candy or a sucker. Maybe someone will remember what Mr. Williams first name was. Ruby remembers that most of the time the train was carrying lumber west in the mornings to Healdton and Ringling for building purposes and in the afternoon on its way back it had mostly oil tankers.

As a little background information on Ruby Martin, she worked for the Carter County Assessors Office many years. Ruby graduated from Plainview High School on a Friday in May 1946 and on the next day, Saturday, she received a call from then Superintendent of Schools J. Kelly Baker (1903-1984). The Superintendent of Schools office at that time was located across the hall from the County Clerks Office on the first floor of the courthouse where the Land Office is today.

Ruby worked for J. Kelly Baker about 3 months when another opening came up in County Attorney Ernest Tate's office to answer the phone which she took as temporary help. During the Fall of 1946 J. Kelly Baker had enrolled at OU and was going to school. When the county commissioners heard he was hardly ever in his office because of attending OU at Norman, they confronted him on the issue, he was asked to resign, which J. Kelly Baker did, and the commissioners appointed Omer Rowe as Superintendent of Schools. Meanwhile Ruby continued to work for County Attorney Ernest Tate until the end of the year when another temporary job opening came up at the Assessors Office when the new assessor Bill France took office. The Assessor was needing someone to answer the phone so Ruby went to work for Bill France in January 1947 and worked there until retiring in 1964 when she married Leonard Martin. In March 1965 she was asked to come back for a little while by Bill France when they couldn't balance the books for reporting to Oklahoma City. Thanks to Ruby's help and knowledge, the books were balanced and Ruby went back into retirement.

I received several emails from Readers wondering where they could purchase prints by Ludwig Isenberg. Maybe someone out there knows where there are some available for purchase.

Back in the February 16, 2002 T&T we talked about a tin shop located at 3rd and A NE catty cornered across from Cashway Lumber Company back in the 40s and 50s. The shop was owned by an Indian named Marvin Shi and among other tin items that he produced, was Shi-Maid Water Cans. I remember my grandfather always having that water can handy out in the lumber yard with a block of ice in it from Crystal Ice company, delivered by Ted Pylant back in the 60s. A Reader found one of those water cans in storage and sent photos of it this week. The label said Shi-Maid. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/shimaid2.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/shimaid3.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/shimaid4.jpg

He also found a piece of railroad history too. An AT&SF Railway oil can. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/at&sfcan2.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/at&sfcan3.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/at&sfcan4.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/at&sfcan5.jpg

Selling his business interests at Berwyn, Oklahoma, Sidney Suggs came to Ardmore and purchased the Daily Ardmoreite on June 18, 1897, paying $600 for the plant and good will. Suggs would later be appointed by Governor Cruce as Oklahoma's first Highway Commissioner. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/suggssidney1910.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/suggssidney3a.jpg http://digital.library.okstate.edu/Chronicles/v013/v013p101.html

Here are a couple of pixs of that Empress Tree a Reader told me about growing on Foxden Road south (Jay Norman Road) at the east edge of Lone Grove. These leaves are not quite as big as the leaves on my Empress tree. The tree presently has berries on it and there is directions in the Mailbag below on how to use the seeds to sprout new Empress trees. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/empresswall3a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/empresswall3b.jpg

Mr Wall also had a very usual tree growing in his yard. I'm not sure what the name of this tree is, and maybe some out out there can tell us. What makes it so usual is it looks like its limbs have wilted, they droop down, they just bend backwards and point toward the ground. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/walltree3.jpg

Boy, I should have known all you chocolate lovers out there would email me when you couldnt find that 1934 Herseys chocolate cake recipe. Here it is again! Okay Mike, you can head on in to the kitchen. lol http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/recipecake3.jpg

I mentioned last May I was down in Gainesville, Texas and took some pixs of some paintings hanging on the wall of the new Gainesville Law Enforcement Center. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvillepd3a.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvillepd3b.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvillepd3c.jpg

Here is a pix I took of the Gainesville, Texas courthouse and copper dome. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvillecourt3.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvilledome3a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvilledome3b.jpg

There is a New Haven clock hanging in the Carter County Commissioners Office at the Annex Building and no one seems to know just how old the clock is, but its older than 1982. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/commissionersclock.jpg

After figuring out I was entering the wrong ID and Password trying to get into my n-dream account, I now believe their service is working pretty good. They are catching many of the spam emails I dont want in my inbox. It is a free service, but they do accept/need donations to keep the service going. I'll give the service another week or two, and if they continue to keep my inbox clean, I'll making a donation using my PayPal account.

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG

"There was a question regarding gospel music gatherings near Overbrook back in the 1950s. I think these were the Stamps Quartet affiliated singings and I think they were held at the McAlester church immediately west of Overbrook." -Harold Burton, Ardmore, OK
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"Butch, In Answer to person wanting info about the singing at Overbrook. That was called the All Night Indian Singing which was held in honor of the Indian men that were in WWII, I think, and it was held at the McAlester Baptist Church west of Overbrook. The church is still there and still has services. You go west of Hwy 77 at Overbrook and Lake Murray intersection until it comes to T (past I-35 overpass ) then go south about 1/4 mile and it is there on west side of road. The singing was always held on 2nd Saturday night in August and they always had a large crowd. ritac@brightok.net
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"Butch, I read about the Hershey's Cookbook, and the recipe for the cake, but you didn't include it. Were you just teasing, or do you really have the recipe? I was headed to the kitchen to stir it up, but no."
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"Built by the Oklahoma, New Mexico and Pacific Railway Company, Ardmore to Wilson in 1913, extended to Ringling in 1914. The railroad was built under contract by John Ringling and controlled by him through ownership of all the capital stock except the director's qualifying shares. (Yes, the John Ringling of circus fame.)

Ringling Jct. to Healdton built in 1916-17 by the Ringling and Oil Fields Railway and built under contract by the Ringling Construction Company.

The Healdton and Santa Fe Railway Company was incorporated October 13, 1925, to acquire the properties of the OMN&P and the R&OF. Leased to the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway January 1, 1926. Abandoned by the Santa Fe, July 12, 1976.

From "Railroads of Oklahoma," by Preston George and Sylvan Wood, revised and re-issued by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation January 1, 1970, with further revisions July 1, 1974, and April 1, 1978. The original publication by George and Wood was in 1943; information from 1943 on obtained from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, Oklahoma Historical Society and from private files, according to the ODOT survey engineer's preface to the 1978 edition."
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"Butch, Your including the words of the Tennessee Waltz in this week's newsletter reminded me to tell you about my dear friend, Redd Stewart. I work in the Commercial Music Department at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. About 10 years ago I had the great privilege of producing the last 2 musical albums that Redd would ever produce. He was the co-writer of The Tennessee Waltz along with Pee Wee King. He worked as guitarist/fiddler/band leader for Pee Wee throughout his career. He was a wonderful musician and a first class human being, also a World War II veteran. On his song composition list are also the great songs, You Belong To Me, Soldier's Last Letter, and Slowpoke, to name a few. Redd passed away a couple of weeks ago at the age of 82. His wonderful wife, Darlene, who was much younger than him, had just died about a month before. She, along with her sister, had been a dancer and had appeared many times on some of the old Grand Ole Opry shows. Just a bit of trivia for those of you who appreciate great music." -Rusty Hudelson, Texas
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"I hope you didn't stop with just a burger when you went to Meers. That cobbler and home made ice cream would be a shame to miss. Also, I was expecting the Chocolate Cake Recipe from the 1934 Hershey's Cookbook. If you have it, please send it to me. I had a piece of chocolate cake Tuesday night at Mike Mass's watch party that was out of sight! I'm going to try to get that recipe."
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"The party that wanted to relocate the place where we used to have big singings once a year-that is the Indian Baptist Church where you exit off I-35 to go to Lake Murray Lodge. It is on the west side and a road leads south to the location. They used to make coffee in big wash pots over the fire and Quartets from all over, (famous ones) came to these affairs. It was an all night thing and big crowds attended."
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"With all the discussion about baseball teams, nobody has mentioned Ardmore's one glorious year in the AAA league. Sometime between 1960 and 1963, someone purchased the Victoria Rosebud franchise and moved it to Ardmore. I don't remember whether it was there all season or just part of it; anyway, attendance apparently didn't justify the franchise, because it did not return the next season. But, for a while, there were the AAA Ardmore Rosebuds." RKWard@SWBell.net
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"Butch, I really enjoyed this week's T&T. Especially the pictures. I will have to pay a visit to city hall the next time that I am in Ardmore. I wonder if you can buy prints of Ludwig's sketches. The All Night Singing was at McAlester near Overbrook. It was started by Jessie Jim after WWII to honor the veterans. TO get there, turn West off 1-35 Overbrook exit. Follow the road to the right and you will come to the McAllister Church and cemetery. The singing was held on the lawn of the church. Yep, those were the good old days. They had some really good singing from all over. I believe that the singing was held the first weekend in Aug. I could be wrong. Anyone else out there know more about it?"
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"Hello Butch, I enjoyed the articles about Woody Guthrie. He was a very good entertainer. I personally found that his cousin, Jack Guthrie, was a much better singer and performer. They also did some singing together. I'm not saying that Woody wasn't good. He was very good. The song that got me interested in Jack Guthrie was "Oklahoma Hills" that Jack recorded in the mid 40s. This made a lot of us in the service homesick for dear ol Oklahoma." LEEWAS@aol.com
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"I use to go to the All Night Singing also. There was a LOT of people, and beautiful singing. It was really a great thing to go and be a part of. Can't you see the old Church from I35 in the area around the exit to go to Lake Murray? ahhh......memories."
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"Butch, I have noticed something interesting during the past week. It seems that the ants are working in full-force and "overtime" collecting food. I have several cats that I feed on my front porch...have done so for years, and have never seen so much activity from the ants. They have been working all day, every day, even way into the night, trying to take bits of leftover catfood back to their homes. I am wondering if this means we are going to have an early fall or rough winter? My dad used to say that when the ants were extra busy and worked non-stop, we could expect that. That has been the case here. Someone said it is because it has been so dry this summer. Well, we had an ongoing drought for several years, a few years back, and I don't recall them toiling for food so much. Also, as I was driving out to Dickson this past week, my granddaughter and I noticed HUGE spider webs which had been spun on the trees, bushes, and even attached to signs and mailboxes on the south side of the road. It was foggy that morning, and moisture was clinging to the webs, which probably made them easier to see as the sun was trying to peek through. Anyway, I bet we saw at least 50 of them, once we took notice of them. I thought some of your readers might be able to explain the significance, if there is one. Just food for thought, I guess!"
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"Hi Butch, In response to an inquiry last week, I believe South Cemetery was the name of the cemetery now known as Rose Hill. If I recall what Mr. Ham told me, the first Ardmore cemetery was where Central Park is now, and in 1895 a new cemetery was opened called South Cemetery. At that time, as many grave sites as could be found were moved from Central Park to South Cemetery. Later it was renamed Rose Hill.

Regarding your mention of the power surges in SW Ardmore, I would like to hear more. On a good year, here at 7th and P, we have at least four outages. We had a big one in June when a tree fell, and then another mysterious one in July that lasted about two hours or a little less. I have had blown out, my tv (twice), my computer modem, my refrigerator and most recently my dish washing machine. I can put surge controls on most everything but my dishwasher. Really makes me mad that in this day and age we have such unpredictable service and are left to pay for the damage."
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"I have just had a copy of your latest 'This and That' forwarded to me and am amazed that I remember some of the things you talk about. I was born in Ardmore in the '40s, grew up in Healdton, Davis, and Norman but always considered Ardmore home. My early house and my grandmother's place is still standing on the hill across the highway from the Noble Foundation--in fact as you know belongs to the Foundation and is their guest house. I recently had occasion to visit it with my sisters and the memories came flooding back. And we remembered why Ardmore was so special in our lives; the ice cream molds at Christmas from Colvert's Dairy, the old drive in movie across the highway from the house, The Corral, etc. Please put me on your Saturday morning email list. Thanks." -John H. Bennett, II
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"Widow pensions from the Carter County Budget in 1936." http://genforum.genealogy.com/ok/messages/18363.html
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"Butch, Just letting you know the Amish Auction at Clarita, Oklahoma is coming up. If you have never been its a true find. It is September the 13th. This auction helps the Amish School. It is huge. You can find anything from antiques to crafts, and food. Good old amish food. Chicken and noodles, cakes, pies, all home made from the amish women. The children are running around in their little amish clothes. You would enjoy it if you get the chance to go. They have a quilt action and the quilts have been known to go as high as $4000.00. Just thought you might like to know about this."
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"Enjoyed this week's issue of T&T as always. With all your pictures and all your readers I was wondering if someone would a picture on here that I could be download to put on a booklet I am making similar to the "Teller Cemetery" booklet. This one is "Pioneers of Ind. Terr., Okla". I need a picture of a covered wagon to put on the front!!" rbeaver@simplynet.net
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"Here is a map of the Davis, Dougherty, Sulphur and Lake Arbuckle area." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Butch: One of your readers wrote in and asked, " Ever travel around the lake and maybe take pictures of the dam especially if the waters high? We used to enjoy taking that risk, cause that water came rushing over the dam pretty fast sometimes." Actually, the water does not spill over the dam, it spills over the spillway with is a cut through the rock fault that runs through there. The dam is actually about two hundred yards east of the spillway. Few people know when they are on the dam. They are busily looking out over the lake and not looking off the back of the dam. It is an earthen fill dam about a hundred vertical feet high which fills in a natural gap in a rock fault which protrudes up on the lakeside of the dam. Look off the backside and see how high it really is. Most people are surprised. My father-in-law, Bert Paschall, owned a farm for years at the southeast corner of the park. If I remember correctly he said the dam was built in the late 1930's. He said at the time there was a lot of controversy about whether or not the lake would ever fill up enough to run water over the spillway. According to Bert one of the engineers had a bet it never would. I think Bert told me the water first ran over the spillway in the early 1940's, and the engineer came to see for himself before he paid the bet. I first came to Lake Murray in 1949, married one of Bert's daughters in 1950 and was a frequent user of the lake. I have seen the water run over the spillway knee deep. Bert and I on occasion helped rescue people who drove their cars into the rushing water and almost got washed away down the creek. I have some good stories to tell about the spillway, especially one about Bert, a pack rat, and the spillway." -Don Davidson, Brenham, Texas
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"Empress tree can be cloned to combat global warming." http://www.worldtreetech.com/
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"Butch, The Empress tree looks loaded with seed pods. Each can hold 750+- seeds. They will ripen in October. You have to get to them before they open up because the seed is winged and very small. Surface sow the seed (do not cover with any media) they need light to germinate. Keep moist at 80f +- and in about 14 days they will start growing. I keep mine in the seed flats for about 4 or 5 weeks before transplanting." http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/empresswall3a.jpg
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"Someone wrote in this issue about Overbrook, OK. It reminded me of my great grandfather preaching in and around the Overbrook area. His name was Isaac Franklin Stanford, and the Marsden Baptist Church has a list of his preaching records and I've listed them along with a short portion of my notes on him, from my FTM below:

The Stanford family believes that Isaac was the first pastor of the Marsden Baptist Church, and preached around the vicinity as a pioneer preacher. The Enon Associational Pastoral History Records lists 1888 as the first year Isaac preached in Oklahoma, which would have been shortly after he arrived there. Some in the Marsden church believe it may have possibly been in existence when he became pastor, as the community of Marsden was started between 1865 and 1870. They had a Post Office from Feb 7., 1895 through June 30, 1922. The only building left to identify the Marsden Community at this time is the Marsden Baptist Church. It's possible that church meetings may have been held, and perhaps Isaac "organized" the church. The Enon Associational History Records have recorded the following years and places where Isaac preached:
1888 Marsden
1889 Marsden
1890 Marsden
1891 Marsden, Marietta, Pleasant View, New Hope, Oak Grove, Arnoldville, Salt Creek, Overbrook and Cheek
1892 New Hope, Oak Grove, Marsden, Pleasant View and Cheek.
1893 Marsden, New Hope
1894 Marsden, New Hope and Harmony
1895 Marsden, Pleasant View and New Hope.
1896 Marsden, Salt Creek, Marietta and New Hope
1897 Marsden and New Hope
1898 Marsden
1899 Marsden, Pleasant View, Salem, Brock, Salt Creek and Antioch
1900 Marsden, Antioch, Brock, Salt Creek, Pleasant View and Marietta
1901 Marsden and Antioch
A Woman's Missionary Society was organized in 1891 and lists a Miss Nora (Missouri Lenora) Stanford, Overbrook, as secretary. " Pgngn@cs.com
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"Here's something I found while surfing tonight: It's about The Four Horsemen, a flight demo team from Ardmore Air Force Base who flew the 130s in formation as tight as the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds." http://www.historynet.com/ahi/blthefourhorsemen/
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"I've been telling my dreams to the scarecrow,
'bout the places that I'd like to see.
I say, 'Friend do you think I'll ever get there?'
Oh but he just stands there smiling back at me."
-"Born to Fly", Sara Evans, Released Fall of 2000

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

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Saturday August 16, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 330

In last weeks T&T Ernest Martin mentioned going to Ardmore's City Hall on business, and noticed several drawings by Ludwig Isenberg hanging on the wall on the first floor. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92c.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92d.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92e.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92f.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92g.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg92h.jpg

This week the Oklahoma Natural Gas crews were using a jackhammer behind the old Colston Building (built 1918) at West Main and "A" Street to break up the concrete so they could get at a gas line. I remember my dad R.V. "Battleship" Bridges telling me that when he worked for the State Highway Department, he used one of those jackhammers all day long. Said it was really rough on the body. Here is a pix I took this week of the crew breaking up that concrete. Thats Rick Feiler's Bail Bond office behind the workers. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/jackhammer803.jpg

A Reader in Whitesboro, Texas was raised at Brown Springs south of Thackerville, Oklahoma. He was down at the Springs a few weeks ago looking around, and took some pixs of what is left of the old toll bridge people used to get across the Red River. The toll bridge was just a little to the west of where the Springs is located. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/tollbridgebrownsprings2.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/tollbridgebrownsprings3.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/tollbridgebrownsprings4.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/tollbridgebrownsprings5.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/tollbridgebrownsprings6.jpg

He also took a couple of pixs of the Springs. Workmen had tore up the path up the hill to the cemetery so four-wheelers couldnt run up and down. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/brownsprings3a.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/brownsprings3b.jpg

About three weeks ago I had a pix of my great aunt Eva Carmon Randol, who was a milliner (hat maker) at Daube's Department store back around 1920. I posted a message in a http://www.genealogy.com Forum, and low and behold this week someone sent me an email with several pieces of info on my Aunt Eva. Below is the email they posted:

"I don't have any marriage info for you but did find Eva Carmon in the 1910 census. It says she was a student at the St. Joseph's Academy (a Catholic School) at 200 Kansas St., St. Louis, MO. If the church and/or school still exists you might be able to write them for more info. Eva was 15 at the time. In 1920 I found her living in Ardmore, but she appears to be living alone, no sign of any siblings. She was a milliner in a department store." -Nancy http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/evacarmoncloseup.jpg

A Reader told me this week about this gorgeous Empress Tree out at Lone Grove. It is just south of Highway 70 on Jay Norman Road (now called Foxden Rd). He said it was 50 feet tall or more, with beautiful berries hanging and those huge leaves. I'll get out that way and take a pix of it.

Last week I talked about Don Miller bringing by some of those delicious sausage, gravy and biscuits for people around the courthouse. When I had my camera in hand, he just happened to be at Joyce Self's office making a delivery. But I didn't tell the whole story last week. Those goodies were for Ed Reed. What Joyce didnt know, was I waited around for several minutes hoping she'd walk down the hall somewhere, so I could grab a couple of those sausages for myself! hahaha http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/donmiller3.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/sausagebiscuit3.jpg

Speaking of those sausage and biscuits and gravy, I received an email from England saying they had never seen anything like it. And white gravy? They have brown gravy over there but had never heard of white gravy. lol Boy we got it good here in Oklahoma and don't know it!

It looks like Doug Williams is trying to give me competition on bell collecting. He found this little cutie somewhere, took a pix, sent it to me and told me to eat my heart out. Now is that a friend, or is that a friend! http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/dougbell81003.jpg

My webshot albums set another record this week with 1,300 hits! http://community.webshots.com/user/oklahomahistory

Just an update on the courthouse clock: I received a call this week from T&T Reader asking if the clock was fixed yet. I said no, I was having trouble getting that brass gear off an electric rewind motor. He volunteered to help. The next morning here he and a friend came with all the tools needed to do the job. He now has the gear and a new one is being made.

We've talked a lot about the 1973 movie Dillinger the past few weeks. One Reader called me the other day and saying it looked like to him the movie was being shown on the AMC channel several times a day and has been for over a month. There has been many tidbits of info passed along by numerous Readers. But one piece of information seems to have been over looked. Melvin Purvis was played by actor Ben Johnson (1919-1996). Johnson was born near Foraker, Oklahoma (northwest of Bartlesville over in Osage County).

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG

"I was down at Meers, Oklahoma last summer and shot the accompanying photo of it. At that time the Longhorn burgers still pretty well filled a tin pie plate! It was worth the hour's wait in line to get served." http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/meers3a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/meers3b.jpg

"The other pic is a replica of the Liberty Bell that's in the city hall of Franklin, TN. When I saw it I thought of your bell collection and that's why I shot it." -Jim Kyle http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/franklinbell3.jpg
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"Hello, I would like to invite you to Indian Village! Indian Village is a free for all site intended to develop the Native American trade market on the Internet. The site was originally developed in 1997 and has grown substantially since. We get about 1500 unique visitors per now and would like to invite your participation! If you buy, sell or trade in Native American Indian items, you can easily build your own online trading post complete with shopping cart, secure server, automated tax and shipping calculation, accounting system and more. The average store takes about three hours to build. There are no fees or hosting charges, we are just trying to be a service to the Native American Market. Our only stipulation is that your products must be 50% native american hand made." -John Hartman
john@IndianVillage.com
970 375.2400
Durango, Colorado
http://www.IndianVillage.com
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"Hey Butch!! You mentioned a few weeks ago about the Hershey's 1934 Cookbook. I got a copy of the book from my mom and scanned the cover for you to see. I also scanned the "Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake" recipe just in case someone gets an itch for a really good chocolate cake. This particular book is a reproduction, and was offered as an anniversary edition (or something like that). My mom also came across another old cookbook called "What's Cookin' in Ardmore". It was compiled by the Sanctuary Guild of the First Methodist Church. There is no date anywhere on the book, but you can tell by the ads (notice the phone numbers) that it's an old book. Enjoy the pics! http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/hersheycover1934.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/memberslist3.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/ads1.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/cooperad3.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/daubead3.jpg
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"Butch. Here are some photos. This is (as you can see from the sign) a Baptist church in Nova Scotia. It was built in 1920 by the parishioners except for the stone cutter who cut and placed the granite blocks of the foundation and corner supports. The bell was removed from the tower when the ringer got too old to climb the stairs. The wood mounted inside all came from one tree imported from British Columbia. Turn the interior picture upside down and see how the locals build a boat hull!" -T.E. (Thal) McGinness, Houston, TX. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/novascotia1920a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/novascotia1920b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/novascotia1920c.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/novascotia1920d.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/novascotia1920e.jpg
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"I was out at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Youth Camp (which is about 16 miles east of I 35 on old 66, then 3 miles or so north) near Wellston, OK. They have a nice chapel they've built there out of logs, and it has an old bell in it, which I think is from the Catholic Church in Tipton that was closed a few years ago. http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/Youth/summercamp.htm

Regarding chicken fried steak, I do think the best chicken fried steak I've ever et was at the old Curtis Cafe in Frederick, Oklahoma. It's long closed now, but they had great food. I remember a waitress, Maude, pronounced "Maudey" of course, she always waited on us and gave us kids candy. These days, living in OKC, about the best chicken fried steak I've found is at any of the Jimmy's Egg House cafes. The Roundup out on NW 10th used to have a good one, but it has changed hands. There is a cafe at NW 10th and May, by the fair grounds, which has a good CFS, and so does Nics, a little diner on the westside of N Penn about NW 12th. Regarding Meers, I first went there at age 6 or 7, which would be back in the 1950s, my grandparents told me there was an escalator there and I was excited because of course we didn't have any escalators in Frederick, Oklahoma and I thought that would be something to see. Well, there was an escalator, 3 or 4 wooden steps right in front. We went there a few months ago and the place looked about like it did in the 1950s, except there were other newer buildings across the road. the food was really good, the hamburgers are from the Texas Longhorns that I guess derive from the Wichita Mtns Wildlife Refuge somehow. maybe a herd built up from some they bought from there." -Robert Waldrop, OKC http://www.oklahomafood.org
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"Butch, We drove over to the old Alma, Oklahoma (NE Carter County) school today to see if that would be a good place for the "have camera will travel man" (you). Well, I don't think there is much there good for a picture. The rock frame of the school still stands, but the roof has caved in. There are lots of broken down trees, weeds, etc in front of it too. There is a rock fence around it, one side says something like the WPA project, but the other side is unreadable, if anything was there at all, for what I could see from the car."
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"Butch, I am doing a project and need as many pictures of the old Artesian Hotel in Sulphur as I can find. I know many of your readers are former and present citizens of Sulphur. Any help will be appreciated." gilliam@brightok.net

Note: Here is a 1910 photo of the Sulphur Artesian Hotel http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/sulart10.jpg
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"Butch. I was checking out your web site today, boy did those pictures bring back some memories. Ever travel around the lake and maybe take pictures of the dam especially if the waters high. We used to enjoy taking that risk, cause that water came rushing over the dam pretty fast sometimes."
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Note: This email was in last weeks, but I had a typo in Bob's email address. If you tried to send him email and it bounced back, please resend it.

"Have enjoyed the recent (and previous) brochures and info on the Texas Chief. We made a number of trips on it between Chicago and Ardmore- involving a change at Dearborn Station in Chicago. But wondering if anyone has a picture of the Chief itself in or near the Depot. Would sure like to have one. Also, may have that "Ardmore Syndrome"- was stationed at the base, met my wife in Ardmore, got married in Ardmore , had a couple of businesses in Ardmore, and to this day read the Ardmoreite on line almost every day, and oh yes, I used milk from a Colverts Dairy bottle just this morning! Wonder if that means I've got it still! Incidentally there seems to be no known cure for this and apparently it is not fatal!! Also knew one of your recent contributors, Irmadene Mapp Blakenship and if she has access to e-mail would love to get in touch." BobF327631@aol.com
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"Butch, Recently a reader of T&T, Mr Gaines, mentioned living at Big Canyon (Murray County) when his father worked for Dolese Bros. Co. at the Big Canyon Quarry. If he is still reading T&T, I would like for him to contact me at RipRap@sbcglobal.net I think I remember his father. I will attempt to send a picture of the employee houses at Big Canyon in the 1950's. I am not too good at this and I hope it comes through. I also have other pictures of Big Canyon that I can send later." -Roy Miller, OKC http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/bigcanyon1950a.jpg

Here is the same photo but much larger, over 350k and with much more detail. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/bigcanyon1950.jpg
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"Thomas the Tank Engine, the popular blue steam engine made popular through children's books, television shows and a movie, will be making a visit to the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Grapevine, Texas this October 9-13. "Day Out With Thomas" is a family event with a short train ride behind a full size replica of Thomas the Tank Engine and entertainment and activities for Thomas's young fans. All tickets are $14 for ages one and up and may be purchased online at http://www.dallasrailwaymuseum.com or by calling toll free 866 466 3401."
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"Hello Butch, in last weeks T&T a lady told about getting a telescope to watch the lights at night, well read this from the looking back section of the Duncan Banner. www.duncanbanner.com One Year Ago: There were unconfirmed reports of a return of the red light in the skies over Marlow. Marlow police said they were called out to investigate another sighting of "the visitor," the name police gave to the mysterious red light that appeared in late July."
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"I got to wondering what happened to the seven flavors of water over in Platt Park at Sulphur. I can only remember bromide and sulphur, but sure can remember tasting all the yucky flavors. Is the prairie dog town still out by Wirt?"
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"Hello Butch, I wonder if anyone remembers the all night gospel singing that were held each year down close to Overbrook? This was in the 1950s, and people would bring quilts to spread on the ground, there was always lots of people there. Those were fun times. Would like to relocate the area and check it with my metal detector."
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"The Santa Fe's "Antelope" prepares to meet the day in the predawn mists of a December, 1937 morning in Oklahoma City. Though used to smaller power, today's edition of the train has drawn locomotive Number 3463, one of the line's six legendary "Big Hudson" types. With 84" drivers and plenty of horsepower behind them, the 3460-class Hudsons were generally considered the fastest steam power ever fielded by the AT&SF - well capable of speeds in excess of 120 mph. 3463 survives into the 21st Century - on static display at Topeka's ExpoCentre park. "Big Iron on The Antelope" $15.00 (plus $5.00 postage and sales tax)" -Tom Elmore Artworks PO Box 6617 Moore, Oklahoma 73153-0617 Tel: (405)794-7163 Fax: (405)799-2641 gtelmore@aol.com http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/bigironantelope3.jpg
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"I used to go to baseball games at the old ballpark at the corner of North Washington and Monroe Street. I went there in the late 40s and early 50s and watched the Ardmore Indians play. They were one of several teams in the old Sooner State League. Teams from McAlester, Ada, Chickasha, Seminole, Lawton, and Duncan that I can remember. Ada Herfords, McAlester Rockets, Chickasha Chiefs, I think Lawton Braves, cant remember the names of the other teams. Benny Warren was one of the managers of the Ardmore team during that time. I was wondering if you have any history about the old Ardmore professional baseball club. Waco Turner later built the stadium that is now Cardinal Park off Pst SE. Then Ardmore had an affiliation with the St. Louis Cardinals that lasted a few years. Then at some point the whole league ceased to exist. Back then there was class AAA, AA, C, and D possibly others but The Sooner State League was class D ball. I found one photo of the old ballpark on your website but thats all. I can remember several of the players names from that era if it would be of any interest to you.. I would love to have some written history from those days of good ole times. ha ha ha Most of the players lived in Apartment houses along North Washington Street. I could talk about it all day but sure would appreciate any information you might have on the subject. Sincerely a fan of yours." -Jim Greenaway
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"Just a quick comment. Don't know if there is any thing of use here, but when I was delivering The Ardmoreite in the mid to late 50's on C Street SW (203 C SW), there was a Mr. And Mrs. Maurice Bridge living there on the S.W. corner of "C" and Stanley. He had a stockbroker business in an office on the back of the house. The house is a very old landmark. It is shown on page 34 of the 1899 book "Ardmore Through a Camera" published by the Ardmoreite. I have an original copy which is crumbling but still readable. The house is shown as "A. C. Cruce's residence". I have only been on your mailing list for a short while so don't know if you are aware of this book or not. But just in case, I thought I would let you know. Again, thanks for your newsletter and keep it up!" http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/cruce203csw2.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/cruce203csw3.jpg
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"Butch, I emailed you not long ago about my findings as we cleaned out my grandmothers house. I found a Shi-Maid Water Can with a green label that says Shi-Maid, Shi-Shy, Producer, Ardmore Oklahoma on it (arranged around the head of a lady). I see in a past "This and That" that you mentioned this particular can and the man who ran a sheet metal business in Ardmore in the late 40's early 50's. I could not get the link to work of the pic of the can (OklahomaHistory.net) do you know a good link to this picture? corrected link--------> http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos/shican.jpg

I also found a AT & SF RY (embossed on bottom) of a can that I believe to be an old Kerosene Can. My grandfather's dad I believe was an engineer at one time for the railroad run going from Ardmore to Ringling. Do you know when this was in operation? His brother also was an engineer for the railroad running to Purcell and back I believe. Not sure of the dates. 40's I believe (or sooner)."
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"I got all the stuff about the old toll bridge and brown springs over to the Morton Museum in Gainesville. TX."
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"Butch, I grew up in Pauls Valley. I don't remember hearing of Moman Pruiett until after WWII. I read a book about him, probably an autobiography, titled "The Tail of the Dragon". It is out of print, no doubt but the library in Pauls Valley might have it. He was well known in Oklahoma City and Seattle as well as P.V. He was an interesting person." -Bob Garrison
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"I was dancin' with my darlin' to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see
I introduced her to my loved one
And while they were dancin'
My friend stole my sweetheart from me

I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darlin' the night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz."

In 1950 the Tennessee Waltz was No 1 for 13 weeks
by Patti Page, born at Claremore, Oklahoma 1927
http://misspattipage.com/about.html

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

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Saturday August 9, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 329

I was up in Pauls Valley this past week so I went downtown to see if I could find the building that Moman Pruiett built in 1901. Most of you will remember we've talked about the colorful attorney Moman Pruiett several times the past few months. He almost had a county named after him in 1907 when the legislators was naming them. But at the last minute they decided to name that county Mayesville. Anyway, I ran on to a older gentleman at Pauls Valley and asked if he knew about the building. After he got through with me, I decided not to ask anymore about Moman Pruiett in the town of Pauls Valley. I think my question caught him by surprise. He said, "Yes, I know of him. He was a despicable kind of guy that no one liked around here. My mother would even go to the other side of the street if she thought Moman Pruiett was going to walk by, so she wouldn't have to say hello to him." Anyway, he went on to say that Moman lived at the far west end of Paul Street next to Rock Creek on the north side of Paul Street. He said Moman's house is gone now, and there is only a vacant lot there. He did not know of any building being built by Moman Pruiett. The info I had was that he built the Hart Building in 1901 at Willow and Paul Streets there in Pauls Valley.

But I did find an interesting piece of history on Paul Street in downtown Pauls Valley that Saturday afternoon! Dr. Robbins had just carted all the way from Colorado a 1895 horse drawn buggy that was originally built by Milburn Manufacturing in St Louis, MO. Dr Robbins was unloading it from the trailer behind his pickup to put in storage when I happened along. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milburnbuggy95a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milburnbuggy95b.jpg

I told last week about stopping at the Valley Plaza in Pauls Valley and looking around the trade days that was going on there. One proprietor had this Dubl Handi washboard for sale. It was made by the Columbus Washboard Company of Columbus, Ohio. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/dublhandi3.jpg

This is the Columbus Washboard's website, lots of interesting facts and items to be found there! Established in 1895 it is the only continually operated washboard company in the U.S. I see one washboard they make called the Rhythm Board, its for the musicians in the family! And that Dubl Handi Washboard on their website is selling for $12. I knew I should have bought that washboard at Pauls Valley for $5 dollars when I saw it. http://www.columbuswashboard.com/

Just 3 or 4 miles east of Elmore City (Garvin county) on Highway 29 is the Fair Oak Pentecostal Holiness Church. The church had a nice little bell on top. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/fairoak3a.jpg

Here is a close-up of the Fair Oak bell. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/fairoak3b.jpg

This is the Christ Chapel Pentecostal Church in Pruitt City in northwestern Carter county. Several years ago the belfry was damaged by a storm. I've been told there is a bell up in that belfry. I'll stop by next time I'm in the area to check it out. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/christchapel3.jpg

Here is a pix of the Pruitt City Assembly of God Church. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/pruittcityaog3.jpg

This is the Tatums Free Pentecostal Church on the north side of Tatums. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/tatumsfree3.jpg

This old church is a historical piece of property in Tatums, Oklahoma. There is a sign out front, and if I remember right it said this church was built in 1898. One thing that is unmistakable, that IS a belfry on top. I dont know if there is a bell up there, but you can be sure next time I'm up that way, I will find out. Might even try to get a pix of it if there is a bell there. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/tatumsmeth3.jpg

This week a Reader sent me a book titled 140 Years of United States Postal History for Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Its book Number 8 of 300 printed. The book was printed in 1997 and the author is Vickie L. Herron-Luster of Tish. The 150 page book is professionally done and tells about all the Postmasters of Tishomingo along with other Tishomingo history. I see there has been 37 Tishomingo postmasters including a Zora Bridges in 1901. The author could find not find any info on Zora Bridges, except that she married a U.S. Marshal James Bridges. She remains a mystery. I found one website where the book is listed for sale for $20 plus $5 shipping. http://johnstoncounty.8m.com/custom.html

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these Couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Last week the 1928 Seth Thomas Clock in the dome of the courthouse stopped. Its the first time since October 1996 that the clock has been silent. Before 1996 it was silent for 12 years from not working. Last week a brass gear stripped a few cogs, so now we have to find another gear. I have a drawing I made of the gear in the last pix if anyone knows where we might get one. If anyone has one of these gears, let me know. We got to get that clock working!

Below are some pixs I took this week of the broken gear and clock. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3c.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3d.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3e.jpg

This is a drawing I made of the gear that needs replacing. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/clockgear3f.jpg

Gainesville is just across the Red River from Marietta. Here is a photo of the old Gainesville, Texas Post Office. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/gvillepo.jpg

Gene South brought me a newspaper clipping from the Sunday June 22, 1975 issue of The Daily Ardmoreite. It was a full page and half of another page on Tucker Tower Museum. The feature story has 6 photos, a couple of Tucker Tower, a couple of view inside the museum, and couple of aerial views, one close up and the other from a distance. Interesting to see the boat dock area and how few boats docks there were back in 1975 compared to today.

On Friday August 8th Don Miller with the Chickasaw Senior Citizens program came by the courthouse bringing their sausage, biscuit and gravy breakfast to any partakers. And partakers were plentiful too, as these breakfast delights are fixed the old fashioned way, one at a time, just like my mother used to make when she was alive. I sure miss her cooking. Anyway, Don along with a helper or two makes their rounds in the downtown area about once a month selling their sausage breakfasts to all us employees who don't have time to eat a fix good breakfast before leaving for work. Here is a pix I took that morning of Don making a delivery to county employee Joyce Self's office. Looks like Joyce bought several of those breakfasts at the bargain price of $1 each. I wonder if Joyce was planning on eating all of those herself? hahaha http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/donmiller3.jpg

Here is a close-up of my delicious sausage biscuit with gravy just before I devoured it! http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/sausagebiscuit3.jpg

Here is a old photo of our courthouse back in 1918 from the stationary of County Judge Thomas W. Champion. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/courthouse1918.jpg

Back in 1918 it seems as if Mr Robert Criner owed Mrs. Frank Criner $100 and Judge Champion is asking Mr. Whit Carroll of Brock, Oklahoma to pay Mrs. Frank Criner from his money. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carrollwhit18.jpg

A Reader hand delivered me the Dillinger movie on DVD this week. If anyone in this area wants to borrow it (you need a DVD player) just let me know. As most of you know by now, a lot of that 1973 Dillinger movie was filmed in Ardmore and surrounding areas.

I found a place out north of the refinery that sells raw goats milk. I havnt had any goat milk in 15 or more years. Guess I'll have to get out there and buy me a half gallon for the $2 asking price. They sell a gallon for $3. Of course I'd rather have raw cow's milk, but can't find any of that for sale locally.

My webshots.com photos had another over 1,000 hits week. I always have to see which of the photo albums had the most hits, and this week it was the Sept and Oct 2002 Photo Album. If I was guessing, it has something to do with my Magnetic Hill photos in the particular album. But then it could have been any of the 60 photos in that one Album that caught their attention. Who knows. http://community.webshots.com/album/54192254CcQHZy

For the third week now, something has really been going on with the electricity in my part of town. I have two box fans that I run and I've noticed the past couple of weeks, and especially this week, the fans slow down then they speed back up and do this all evening, like the electricity is surging. And this is even with the central A/C not running. Guess these over 100 degree days this summer must really be taking its toll on the available electricity to the southwest part of Ardmore.

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG

"Hi Butch. I've been subscribing to your newsletter for a while for my mother, who was born and raised in Ardmore. She is the former Evelyn Beckham, daughter of Finley and Millie Beckham, and the youngest of their 10 children. She also is the only one of the children still living. She married my dad, Homer Morris, also of Ardmore, in 1941. We are celebrating my mother's 80th birthday in early September, so I thought if any of your readers remember my mom or her family, and would like to drop her a note, we'd be very happy to include it in a scrapbook we're making of her life. Please e-mail to JoansWorld@msn.com And thanks so much!"
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"You talk about the Greenbergs and that makes me remember them well. Their daughter (Isabell) and I went to school at Franklin Elementary from the first grade on and then on to Jr. High. Isabell had to be in town until the store closed on Saturday night and she and I would go to town and have our dinner at "Priddy's" almost every Saturday evening then I would go home and she would go to the the store. Their Jewelry Store was across the street from my dad electrical shop. When we were in the first and second grade I would go home with her after school and play a while. Her mother always liked for her to bring someone home so she wouldn't be alone so long. I haven't thought about them for a long time."
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"Hi Butch. I probably have told you this but my grandmother owned the Squeeze Inn Cafe. The first picture you showed was my sister, Kay, the third picture was my mother Nell two years before she died. I remember working there & standing on a chair to wash dishes. I was about 5 or 6. I also worked for Jake Goode after my grandmother sold it to him. He was a good man. Best redtop stew; hamburgers ever!!! I was saddened to see that the Broadway Cafe cut their hours back to close @ 4pm.That was my Friday night ritual to go down there & eat a juicy hamburger. Still enjoy your weekly T&T. Keep up the good work." -Susan Barnard http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn63a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn63b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn68a.jpg
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"Have enjoyed the recent (and previous) brochures and info on the Texas Chief. We made a number of trips on it between Chicago and Ardmore- involving a change at Dearborn Station in Chicago. But wondering if anyone has a picture of the Chief itself in or near the Depot. Would sure like to have one. Also, may have that "Ardmore Syndrome"- was stationed at the base, met my wife in Ardmore, got married in Ardmore , had a couple of businesses in Ardmore, and to this day read the Ardmoreite on line almost every day, and oh yes, I used milk from a Colverts Dairy bottle just this morning! Wonder if that means I've got it still! Incidentally there seems to be no known cure for this and apparently it is not fatal!! Also knew one of your recent contributors, Irmadene Mapp Blakenship and if she has access to e-mail would love to get in touch." -Bob F327631@aol.com
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"Hello. I am also interested in the history of old town Overbrook. I am doing genealogy on my Holt side of the family. I understand the town of Overbrook may have been one of the few places around Ardmore where some of my people lived. I have a ggrandmother by the name of Artamissa Hendricks or Hendrix Holt. I understand, Artamissa was the postmaster at the town of Overbrook, that is unless I have been misinformed. Also I have been told at one time she was married to a man by the name of Triplett. She was first married to Benjamin M. Jackson who was born in Tennessee, one of the last old confederate soldiers to have died in Ardmore. I have an article out of the old Ardmore paper stating, Holt had registered at their July reunion as belonging to the Company A, Ninth Texas Infantry, said he died on North Washington Street. The John H. Morgan Camp took charge of his remains and the burial was in south cemetery. I understand the date of death may have been in the year of 1901. Can someone tell me where the South Cemetery may be? Please, if a person may know of any info pertaining to this letter, I would appreciate the extra help. Thank you." JBdustbunny@aol.com
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"Butch, interesting about the orphanage near Ringling. When I was a little girl, a # of the women at the First Methodist Church in Healdton, including my Grandmother Louvena Fronterhouse and my mother, Vera E. Fronterhouse (later Horton, made clothing for the children there. Wonder when the orphanage was closed? I do not recall. Thanks." -Jo (Fronterhouse) Long
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"I went to Lincoln School. Enjoyed the pics. What elegant stone work. Sure hope they don't demolish that grand ole landmark." -Gerald Cobb
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"Butch, Here is the bell tower at Precious Moments Inspiration Park Wedding Chapel in Carthage, Missouri. Thought you and your readers might enjoy seeing it. I'm also attaching a picture of the mural in the Precious Moments Chapel called Hallelujah Square. And a pic of the ceiling and floor in the Victorian Mansion on Wedding Island. The last pic I'm attaching is in memory of the children killed in the OKC Murrah Building Bombing. It will bring tears to your eyes!" http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri1.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri2.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri3.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri4.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri5.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/carthagemissouri6.jpg
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"Hi. We had a great time in Missouri. Took lots of pictures. Take a look when you have the time." http://community.webshots.com/album/83987712YjtAfi
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"Well, here's some information. First of all, I've never heard the cemetery referred to as the cemetery at Brown's Springs. The local folks have always called it the old Indian graveyard. I didn't see mention in your article about this being an old Indian graveyard, but maybe I missed it. The land was once home to a tribe of Chickasaw Indians. The cemetery was actually their burial ground, but when white men began to settle in the area, they drove off the Indians and claimed the cemetery for themselves. The tombstones of the Indians were taken up and mostly piled up in the back of the graveyard. Then, the white men used the cemetery for themselves. I assume you've seen the Indian gravestones at the cemetery, if you've been deep enough. They are natural sandstones with Indian writing carved into them. The land does now belong to the Chickasaw Nation. I would advise anyone who treks up to the cemetery not to disturb it in anyway, as it is governed under the laws of the Chickasaw Nation. They are a separate nation from the United States, and you could find yourself in quite a pickle if they decided to prosecute you. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with sight seeing and taking pictures, but don't think you can get away with vandalism or grave robbing. There are Rangers and other law enforcement officials in the area all the time, mainly because the area is a wildlife refuge called Love's Valley. I will tell you that I've been there many times and have never experienced anything odd, but I would be much more afraid of snakes than ghosts. I know for a fact that rattlesnakes are in that area. I agree the place is very scary, especially at night, and I would never go there at night. My older cousin told me that when he was in high school, he spent the night there on a dare. He said that he saw an old Indian Chief sitting on a gravestone during the night. I can't say if this is true or not. I did like the picture you took, and I found many more faces than the one you pointed out. I especially like the face at the bottom left that looks like a witch. One of the emails you have on your sight, said that they went up to the cemetery on a dirt trail, but when they came down, the trail had stickers all over it and their vehicle was moved. I can't say for sure, but I know what probably happened there. The trail that leads to the cemetery is a "U" shape. One side is grassy and one side is mostly dirt. I expect that those folks parked on one side of the "U", then went up the dirt path, then came down the other side of the "U" which is grassy. And, of course, their car was in a different place, seemingly, because the came down the other side of the trail. Also there once was a small town in that general area, which was called White Rose. There were once small towns like that all over, but they were swallowed up with progress."
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"Butch, In response to your T&T newsletter talking about restaurants. Our family went to the Wichita Mountains outside of Lawton this weekend. There is a restaurant in a ghost town out at the mountains called Meers. Some of the best hamburgers you will ever have. The restaurant is built in to the side of the mountain and looks like it could have been a old miner spot. Any way we enjoyed Mount Scott and enjoyed our Hamburger. The Hamburgers are a bit smaller than they used to be. I heard someone say they were going to redo the old place and bring it back to its original glory. It looks like it could fall down any time but I still have good memories of my Grandmother taking us out there and sharing a big Meers Burger and Fries."
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"Butch, Hardly ever do I have occasion to go to Ardmore's Municipal Building down on South Washington street, but today I had a reason for going. It was worth the trip if for no other reason than to have the opportunity to see the beautiful etchings Ludwig Isenberg had done of certain historical buildings of Ardmore. Many of the buildings were landmarks and some are no longer in existence today. For those that would enjoy a look into the more recent past of Ardmore, surely would want to see them. Many of these prints are framed and mounted on the walls in the halls of the Ardmore Municipal Building and are there for the public to view. I wonder if prints of his work are available for purchase by those that would be interested in having them- Do you know? Have you at some time incorporated these wonderful pictures into your collection? I knew Ludwig Isenberg for many years and a visit with him was always very interesting. Ludwig had a very storied background. Although I visited with Ludwig often through the years, I am not sure that I ever realized what a true talent he really was and what an asset he was to America and especially Ardmore." -Ernest Martin

Here's a etching of Ludwig Isenberg on a dedication stone down on Main Street. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/isenberg.jpg
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"Is there someplace I could get some information about Walter Drew ?? He is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery." http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/drew2.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/drew3.jpg
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"Hi Mr.Bridges, I am into genealogy and as I read lots of your readers are. I came across this site and even though it is west of you it may be of interest to some. Love your weekly news, history, etc., email. Great job, Thank you." -Jack Lake in Missouri http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~swokla/
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"Butch- August 9th marks the 57th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki, Japan with the world's second use of the atomic bomb. Hiroshima was bombed three days earlier, August 6, 1945. Both bombardiers had previously been stationed at Ardmore Army Air Field in 1943-44 before being chosen to train in B-29s for this top secret project. This little known fact is listed among the chronological happenings at the base in the "Memory Jogger 1942-46" section of the Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base website.

Unknown to most Ardmoreites and others, Major Thomas W. Ferebee and Captain Kermit K. Beahan, who dropped the atomic bombs to help end the war, were stationed at Ardmore. Major Thomas W. Ferebee, the bombardier who released the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, was former AAAFld staff bombardier officer and president of the flight officers board. He was stationed at Ardmore from June through September, 1944. He served in the Mediterranean theater before coming here and was transferred to Wendover Field, Utah before going overseas with the "Enola Gay" crew. He is a native of Mockville, North Carolina. August 12, 1945

The bombardier in the B-29 "Bock's Car,", Captain Kermit K. Beahan, was a bombardier officer with Training Section A, 395th Combat Crew Training School, 1943-44. He released the bomb on Nagasaki, August 9, 1945, his 27th birthday. He also transferred to Wendover Field to become part of the B-29 crews eventually stationed on Tinian. For his effort, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Metal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Purple Heart, Western Hemisphere Medal and the European Theater Ribbon plus two gold stars. He died March 9. 1989 at age 70. Fast Forward Note: Colonel Ferebee (81) died March 16, 2000 in Windermere, Florida. Read an account of the navigator on the "Enola Gay," Captain Theodore "Dutch" Van Kirk, that relates events involving Tom Ferebee." -Gary Simmons http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons
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Back in the 1930s Oklahoma was dealt a double whammy. First there was the Depression Years to deal with, and at the same time the Dust Bowl was developing. April 14, 1935 was Black Sunday. Thats when the dust was so thick in the skies you couldnt even see the sun. Needless to say it was a very depressing time in Oklahoma history. But a man born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma would during those dust bowl years become a voice bringing a laugh and smile through his music to a people who really had nothing to laugh or smile about. Here is one of his songs he wrote and sang from his Dust Bowl Ballads.

'Talking Dust Bowl Blues'

Back in Nineteen Twenty-Seven,
I had a little farm and I called that heaven.
Well, the prices up and the rain come down,
And I hauled my crops all into town --
I got the money, bought clothes and groceries,
Fed the kids, and raised a family.

Rain quit and the wind got high,
And the black ol' dust storm filled the sky.
And I swapped my farm for a Ford machine,
And I poured it full of this gas-i-line --
And I started, rockin' an' a-rollin',
Over the mountains, out towards the old Peach Bowl.

Way up yonder on a mountain road,
I had a hot motor and a heavy load,
I's a-goin' pretty fast, there wasn't even stoppin',
A-bouncin' up and down, like popcorn poppin' --
Had a breakdown, sort of a nervous bustdown of some kind,
There was a feller there, a mechanic feller,
Said it was en-gine trouble.

Way up yonder on a mountain curve,
It's way up yonder in the piney wood,
An' I give that rollin' Ford a shove,
An' I's a-gonna coast as far as I could --
Commence coastin', pickin' up speed,
Was a hairpin turn, I didn't make it.

Man alive, I'm a-tellin' you,
The fiddles and the guitars really flew.
That Ford took off like a flying squirrel
An' it flew halfway around the world --
Scattered wives and childrens
All over the side of that mountain.

We got out to the West Coast broke,
So dad-gum hungry I thought I'd croak,
An' I bummed up a spud or two,
An' my wife fixed up a tater stew --
We poured the kids full of it,
Mighty thin stew, though,
You could read a magazine right through it.
Always have figured
That if it'd been just a little bit thinner,
Some of these here politicians
Coulda seen through it.

-Woody Guthrie 1930s http://www.woodyguthrie.org/biography.htm

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

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Saturday August 2, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 328

The past few years several Readers have talked about the Squeeze Inn cafe on East Main by Daube's Department store. I did a little looking and found out about when the Squeeze Inn started business. But first lets go back to 1932 when the Yellow Jacket Cafe was behind the old Tivoli Theater at #13 B NW and owned by a Mr. B. Childers. By 1935 Emmitt Goode was the owner of the Yellow Jacket Cafe where even my grandfather Ira Esso Bridges, Sr. was a cook for a short period of time.

In the early 1930s at 119 E Main there was the Wade Mapp Restaurant which would later, around 1935, become the Squeeze Inn cafe and its new owner would be Julius Brown. In 1932 Emmitt Goode already owned the Green Lantern Sandwich Shop at 219 West Main. The infamous Emmitt Goode would not become the owner of the Squeeze Inn cafe until around 1938 or 1939 when he left the Yellow Jacket Cafe to become the new owner of the Squeeze Inn. The Squeeze Inn was located between the present day Stagg Bar on the east and the then Greenberg's Jewelry on the west (these were all east of Daubes). I remember going into Max Greenberg's Jewelry many times as a kid with my grandfather Stanley Carmon. We'd go watch the train come in around 4pm, then walk down to Greenberg's for a social visit. Mrs. Greenberg was the most beautiful lady and always elegantly dressed, I'll never forget her. The Greenbergs were wonderful people.

Emmitt Goode continued to run the Squeeze Inn cafe until about 1961 when he turned it over to Tressie StClair. She ran it until about 1971 when Jake Goode became the operator of the Squeeze Inn. Jake operated it until about 1985 when it was closed for good.

Here are three inside pixs of the old Squeeze Inn cafe of Ardmore. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn63a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn63b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/squeezeinn68a.jpg

Ad I promised in last weeks T&T, here is that 1969 Milwaukee Road Train Schedule. It was the only overnight train of the businessman's choice serving Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Minneapolis. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milwaukeeroad69a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milwaukeeroad69b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milwaukeeroad69c.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/milwaukeeroad69d.jpg

A Reader sent me an interesting piece of Carter county history this week. Its a campaign item of sheriff Gerald Cobb back in the early 60s. The item is a small scratch pad made up of 10 pieces of paper stapled together in booklet form. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/cobb1961.jpg

Another Ardmoreite sent me a 1908 photo of the 9th grade class of Lincoln school here. I saw on the news the other day they were going to close that school. Its at 615 Stanley, right across the street from where Max Greenberg and his family lived (614 Stanley) when I was a wee lad. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/lincoln1908.jpg

Here's a pix I took of the school last last February. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos/lincoln203a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos/lincoln203b.jpg

The past few years we've had quite a bit of talk back and forth on the old Cornish Orphans Home south of Ringling, Oklahoma. Here is some 1911 data on the Home. I see a W.S Wolverton of Ardmore was one of the Officers of the Home. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/cornish1911.jpg

I have gone back this week and re-signed up with n-dream to give them another chance. They seem to work a little on some days, and then not a all on others in stopping my junk spam. http://www.n-dream.com

A few weeks ago I talked about a 1875 Oklahoma Territory map that showed McAlester, Oklahoma was spelled as McAllister. I thought at the time maybe it was a missprint or something, but no one commented. This week a Reader did write in from Nebraska with the details. The town was spelled McAllister for only two years after that map was printed. The details are in the Mailbag below.

Here is a photo of 1911 J.J. McAlester of whom McAllister was renamed. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/mcalesterjj1911.jpg

November 16, 1907. C.N. Haskell of Muskogee was chosen the first governor of Oklahoma. In 1910 Lee Cruce, Democrat from Ardmore was elected the first governor of Oklahoma. Here is a 1911 photo of Lee Cruce. He's buried in Rosehill Cemetery at Ardmore. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/crucelee1911.jpg

In my June 21, 2003 T&T issue I ran a photo of the Emit, Oklahoma rock crusher. Emit is over in Johnston county a few miles southeast of Tishomingo. The link to the photos did not work, and no one told me until this week when a Reader in Durant let me know. Hello? Anyway, here that photo is again. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/emetcrusher22.jpg

There has been a lot of talk the past few weeks about the old Nebo, Oklahoma school that's now been converted into a house. Nebo is just a few miles south of Sulphur on Highway 177. You cant see the school from the highway, its about 1/8 mile west of the highway on a county road. Here are some pics I took this week of the school. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/nebosch3a.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/nebosch3b.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/nebosch3c.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/nebosch3d.jpg

This is an old brick from Chandler, Oklahoma Territory days. It was For Sale at The Valley Mall just west of I-35 at the Pauls Valley exit for $12.50 on Thursday July 31, 2003. They have a Trade Days sale there in the parking lot of that mall every Thur Fri and Sat with several vendors showing off the stuff they have for sale. The man tried to get me to buy it, he even offered to come down on it. I wasnt interested in the brick, but maybe someone out there is. http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/chandlerot3.jpg

The last day of June I showed everyone a pix of my Empress Tree. It was only a few inches high. http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/empresstree3a.jpg Here is that same tree the last day of July, growing like a weed. Its now over 3 feet tall and the leaves are over 17 inches across! http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/empresstree3jul.jpg http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos3b/empressleaves3jul.jpg

SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG

"Hello Butch, Just got This and That newsletter. Someone wrote they had found some Odd Fellow and Rebekah items among the effects of their grandparents. To get information about the Odd Fellow items contact the Grand Lodge Secretary Danny Barton at ioofglok@fullnet.net

Information on the Rebekah items contact Oklahoma Rebekah Assembly Secretary Evelyn Picconi-Pyles email. epicconipyles@juno.com IOOF and Rebekah Lodge in Ardmore Ok is located at 24 1/2 N. Washington They meet 2nd & 4th tuesday at 7:30 pm. Lodge Secretary Roscoe Pullium of Ardmore Ok. Rebekah meet 1st. & 3rd.Thursday at 7:00pm. One would need to go at least 30 min.before meeting time. Lodge Secretary Tomi Ross Madill, Ok. I hope this will be of some help." -Edna Montgomery
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"I have a doll that was manufactured by the ADA Milling Co. in ADA, OK. I've been looking everywhere to find out about her and have come up blank. Her torso has a cloth body with their company name stamped on it, no date. The rest of her body is composition, open fixed eye's, brown molded hair. I would appreciate any help you can be! Thank you!" Lolsweetie@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/moredollys/pic_misc2.htm#mis_21
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Butch, I thought you might like this old photo. The young man is my uncle, Elward Calvery. Can you identify the older gentleman, I think he was the Carter Co sheriff. My grandfather, Kirtes G. Calvery had the Calvery Hudson-Essex dealership and an auto repair shop in Ardmore in the late 1920's. It was located at 10 E. Main St. This photo must have been used to advertise, The Essex Challenger Week, in the Ardmoreite. The date on the back is 3/14 on one label and Fri 3/15 on the other but no year given. Due to the economic climate of that time, my grandfather ran into problems and ended up returning to his farm home near Fox, Ok in 1931. note: The car seems to have been driven over dirt roads...the tires and running board look muddy....not unusual for that time, I'm sure. Ethel Marie Calvery the daughter of Elward, graduated from Ardmore High School in 1952. Her family moved to California, but she wanted to stay and graduate with her class, so she stayed with her grandmother. I always enjoy T&T." -glenda willmon [Duncan, OK] http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/calveryelward2.jpg
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"Dear butch, Forgive me if this sounds strange but I stay up late at night. There is weird things in the sky here. I noticed them July 8, 2003 at 2:00am. I have counted 6 or more at a time. They flash red and blue with a bright white light. It is hard to see them move with the naked eye. It is like watching the hands of a clock. But if I use 50x binoculars you can see that they move very slow. It is like they are watching or looking for something. When planes go by they stop all activity. Then when it is clear they resume. I went to our Collingsworth sheriff and told them calmly but they said they could not do anything. What do you do or say so people don't think your NUTS? My husband saw them and his reply was they look like helicopters. But he is a skeptic. These objects appear to stay around till day light. I will soon have a telescope so I can see really what is going on. Very creepy I think. Well don't know what else to say. Hope you can help." -Collingsworth County Texas
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"Hi Butch, Reference your March 1, 2003 T&T, McAlester, OK, was named for J. J. (James Jackson) McALESTER, a civil war veteran from Arkansas who passed through there during the war and recognized the potential for coal. After the war he remembered the place and returned. In his Last Will & Testament, he spelled his name "McAlester". He married Rebecca Burney, daughter of Tribal Chief David C. Burney, in McAlester, OK, August 1872.

From: "McAlester - Past & Present": "In 1873, a post office was established and listed as "McAllister". Sam A. Rosse was the first postmaster. It was changed in 1885 to "McAlester". Soon after the railroad was built, it is said the first coal mine was opened in the vicinity of Krebs and the coal hauled in wagons to the railroad." http://www.oklahomahistory.net/ttphotos/ok1875a.jpg

Also in the same newsletter someone mentioned early history of OVERBROOK and Rita Stubbs responded, but neither left an address. I wonder if they would contact me? I have some questions. Thank you for all your work - T&T comes faithfully every Saturday for many years now." -Kathy in NE kscott@kdsi.net

Note: J.J. McAlester was Lt Governor with Governor Lee Cruce 1911-1915
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"I tried to sign up for the www.n-dream.com and they replied that it was not available, at this time, for aol users. I was successful in signing up on www.spamus.com. It worked beautifully for two days. I am now getting my regular dose of spam per day. ??? Thought you might like to know."
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"I am enjoying your newsletter. Do you have any information about the standpipe or smoke stack which is in northeast Ardmore? It can be seen to the north of Sam Noble Parkway approximately between Refinery Road and Hwy 142 Bypass. Also, do you have any info on the Brick Pillars on refinery road at the entrance to the old townsite?"
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"Butch, I do not know this lady but saw her obituary this morning and thought you might be interested: Gwen Moyer Harris died July 26, 2003 in Scottsdale, AZ. Mrs Harris was born October 7, 1924 in Ardmore, OK, the daughter of Earl Claude and Iva May (Benson) Moyers. She married Howard Hunter Harris in 1945 and moved to Arizona in 1987. She was a well recognized and accomplished artist. She exhibited in many shows in various cities in Ohio and Arizona and won various awards for painting, drawing and collages. She was a member of the National Collage Society, Shemer Art Center and St. Barnabs on the Desert Episcopal Church. She was recognized in "Who's Who in America", Who's Who in the West" and "Who's Who of American Women". Survivors are her husband, Howard H. Harris; sons Howard (Linda) S. Harris, Rodney (Karen) C. Harris and four grandchildren. She sounds like quite a lady." -Phoenix, AZ http://ardmoreite.com/stories/073003/obi_harris.shtml
------------------------------------------------------------------------ "On August 5, we would love to see you at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, OK. Show time is 7pm. The museum is located at 601 NW Ferris. Call 580-695-9395 for info. Sept 6 - Poncan Theatre, Ponca City, OK 580-765-0943 (with band) Sept 13 - Town Celebration, Wakita, OK 580-594-2539 (with band) Sept 25-28th Gene Autry, OK 580 - 294-3047 (with band on 27tth) Oct 19th - Dale Evans Rogers Celebration, OKC Les Gilliam http://www.lesgilliam.com/
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"Following a stop at Ardmore, Oklahoma, the Santa Fe's "Ranger" roars toward Texas at 90 mph behind a shiny trio of thundering diesel-electrics. It's June, 1954. Behind are Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and the grades of southern Oklahoma's Arbuckle Mountains. Ahead, beyond Red River, are Ft. Worth, Houston and Galveston. Back in the head-end mail cars and comfortable streamlined coaches, both the U.S. Post Office and the train's pampered passengers are getting their money's worth."

Prints from Tom Elmore's original watercolor "AT&SF Train 5, The Ranger"

$15.00 (plus $5.00 postage and sales tax) these full-color reproductions, signed and numbered by the artist are printed on heavy, acid-free paper measuring 18" x 24". Image area is 14 1/2 " x 21 1/2". A certificate of authenticity with detailed description of the train and its setting are included with each print. Tom Elmore Artworks PO Box 6617 Moore, Oklahoma 73153-0617 Tel: (405)794-7163 Fax: (405)799-2641 gtelmore@aol.com
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"Butch, I have a picture of Mrs. Charles Carter (Cecile Whittington Carter) in her ballgown that she wore to probably Roosevelt's inaugural ball. Cecile is the mother of Coleman Jones from a previous marriage before Charles Carter." http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/cartercecile.jpg
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"Hi Butch: I was very interested in a letter to you last week in T&T from Millie Scrivner. The minute I read the name, Will Scrivner, I thought it rang a bell in my brain from my childhood. Then, as I continued to read her letter, I saw that Will Scrivner had worked at one time for Harry Moyer Chevrolet and thought that must be the connection. My father, Clyde Schoppe, also worked for the Harry Moyer Motor Co., as a bookkeeper, all through the 1930s and possibly back into the 1920s. In the late 20s, my dad married my mom, Clara Busch. In 1939, we moved to San Antonio. If Millie would like to contact me I would like to hear from her to compare notes. One other thing I would like to comment on, Butch. A few weeks ago you wrote about your aunt and that she designed hats for Daube's Dept. Store. Another bell rang in my brain. My mother, Clara Busch, worked for Daube's as a young woman in the late 19teens and during the 1920s. It seems to me she used to refer to the store as Westheimer and Daube's. I don't know if she knew your aunt or not but I believe she told me as one time that she had worked in the milinery department and think it's possible she could have. I always enjoy reading T&T and looking at the great photos. Very often I read about places and things, and sometimes names, that sound familiar to me from my young years in Ardmore. Keep up the good work." -Rose Hull texneb@prodigy.net
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"Was at Wilson, Oklahoma getting tags and took this picture of Wilson Main Street." http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/wilsonok73003.jpg
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"#1 This bell is behind an old church on the Smith River Indian Rancheria (Karuk Tribe), just a couple miles south of the Oregon state line. #2 Same church w/tribal community center, and Pacific Ocean in background. #3 Tribal cemetery near the church. That's Pelican Rock Island just offshore." -Bob Elliston http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/karukbell3a.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/karukbell3b.jpg http://www.OklahomaHistory.net/ttphotos3b/karukbell3c.jpg
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"Hello, Do you happen to know if any Carter county school census records are available? We have a copy of the school census that were taken in Bryan County at the genealogy library in Calera of the records from 1918 to about 1967 when the County Superintendent's office was eliminated. The original records are in the courthouse I believe. Below is a copy of the original email I sent to Mr. Massey and his reply that got me to your photos. Thanks." -Hervy Glover hervy@redriverok.com
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"Hi! I just stumbled across your 1999 articles re "Brown's Spring". I found it very entertaining. Just a little history about myself: I grew up around what we called "Brown Springs". In the 60's my grandparents were the caretakers of Leeper Lake - I still have many old photos from there. In the late 60's my parents bought a beer joint on the river and moved there. Several of the local boys and I hunted and fished at Brown Springs every chance we got. It actually had a nice bass population until the big flood in '81. There were also numerous snakes calling it home... The picture you have of the three pipes is interesting - I only recall a single pipe. I'm going up there this Saturday, will have to check it out. There have been lots of bodies - many the result of poker games. And the old Indian Cemetery... a very interesting place. I have visited it many times, both as a boy and as an adult, day and night. There was only one time I ran out as fast as I could... but I'll save this for another time... If there's anything at Leeper Lake other than an old alligator it would be news to my family. Anyway, just thought I'd drop a line to let you know your story is still being read!"
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"From a distance the world looks blue and green,
And the snow-capped mountains white
From a distance the ocean meets the stream,
And the eagle takes to flight
From a distance, there is harmony,
And it echoes through the land
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,
It's the voice of every man
From a distance we all have enough,
And no one is in need
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease,
No hungry mouths to feed
From a distance we are instruments
Marching in a common band
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace
They're the songs of every man
God is watching us, God is watching us
God is watching us from a distance
>From a distance you look like my friend,
Even though we are at war
>From a distance I just cannot comprehend
what all this fighting is for
>From a distance there is harmony,
And it echoes through the land
And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves,
it's the heart of every man
It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves
This is the song of every man
And God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching
God is watching us from a distance."

-Bette Midler 1991

See everyone next Saturday!

Butch Bridges
Nashobish Ikana
PO Box 11
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73402

Saturday August 2, 2003 T&T Weekly Vol 7 Issue 328 The past few years several Readers have talked about the Squeeze Inn cafe on East Main by Daube's Department store. I did a little looking and found out about when the Squeeze Inn started business. But first lets go back to 1932 when the Yellow Jacket Cafe was behind the old Tivoli Theater at #13 B NW and owned by a Mr. B. Childers. By 1935 Emmitt Goode was the owner of the Yellow Jacket Cafe where even my grandfather Ira Esso Bridges, Sr. was a cook for a short period of time. In the early 1930s at 119 E Main there was the Wade Mapp Restaurant which would later, around 1935, become the Squeeze Inn cafe and its new owner would be Julius Brown. In 1932 Emmitt Goode already owned the Green Lantern Sandwich Shop at 219 West Main. The infamous Emmitt Goode would not become the owner of the Squeeze Inn cafe until around 1938 or 1939 when he left the Yellow Jacket Cafe to become the new owner of the Squeeze Inn. The Squeeze Inn was located between the present day Stagg Bar on the east and the then Greenberg's Jewelry on the west (these were all east of Daubes). I remember going into Max Greenberg's Jewelry many times as a kid with my grandfather Stanley Carmon. We'd go watch the train come in around 4pm, then walk down to Greenberg's for a social visit. Mrs. Greenberg was the most beautiful lady and always elegantly dressed, I'll never forget her. The Greenbergs were wonderful people. Emmitt Goode continued to run the Squeeze Inn cafe until about 1961 when he turned it over to Tressie StClair. She ran it until about 1971 when Jake Goode became the operator of the Squeeze Inn. Jake operated it until about 1985 when it was closed for good. Here are three inside pixs of the old Squeeze Inn cafe of Ardmore. Ad I promised in last weeks T&T, here is that 1969 Milwaukee Road Train Schedule. It was the only overnight train of the businessman's choice serving Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Minneapolis. A Reader sent me an interesting piece of Carter county history this week. Its a campaign item of sheriff Gerald Cobb back in the early 60s. The item is a small scratch pad made up of 10 pieces of paper stapled together in booklet form. Another Ardmoreite sent me a 1908 photo of the 9th grade class of Lincoln school here. I saw on the news the other day they were going to close that school. Its at 615 Stanley, right across the street from where Max Greenberg and his family lived (614 Stanley) when I was a wee lad. Here's a pix I took of the school last last February. The past few years we've had quite a bit of talk back and forth on the old Cornish Orphans Home south of Ringling, Oklahoma. Here is some 1911 data on the Home. I see a W.S Wolverton of Ardmore was one of the Officers of the Home. I have gone back this week and re-signed up with n-dream to give them another change. They seem to work a little on some days, and then not a all on others in stopping my junk spam. A few weeks ago I talked about a 1875 Oklahoma Territory map that showed McAlester, Oklahoma was spelled as McAllister. I thought at the time maybe it was a missprint or something, but no one commented. This week a Reader did write in from Nebraska with the details. The town was spelled McAllister for only two years after that map was printed. The details are in the Mailbag below. Here is a photo of 1911 J.J. McAlester of whom McAllister was renamed. November 16, 1907. C.N. Haskell of Muskogee was chosen the first governor of Oklahoma. In 1910 Lee Cruce, Democrat from Ardmore was elected the first governor of Oklahoma. Here is a 1911 photo of Lee Cruce. He's buried in Rosehill Cemetery at Ardmore. In my June 21, 2003 T&T issue I ran a photo of the Emit, Oklahoma rock crusher. Emit is over in Johnston county a few miles southeast of Tishomingo. The link to the photos did not work, and no one told me until this week when a Reader in Durant let me know. Hello? Anyway, here that photo is again. There has been a lot of talk the past few weeks about the old Nebo, Oklahoma school that's now been converted into a house. Nebo is just a few miles south of Sulphur on Highway 177. You cant see the school from the highway, its about 1/8 mile west of the highway on a county road. Here are some pics I took this week of the school. This is an old brick from Chandler, Oklahoma Territory days. It was For Sale at The Valley Mall just west of I-35 at the Pauls Valley exit for $12.50 on Thursday July 31, 2003. They have a Trade Days sale there in the parking lot of that mall every Thur Fri and Sat with several vendors showing off the stuff they have for sale. The man tried to get me to buy it, he even offered to come down on it. I wasnt interested in the brick, but maybe someone out there is. The last day of June I showed everyone a pix of my Empress Tree. It was only a few inches high. Here is that same tree the last day of July, growing like a weed. Its now over 3 feet tall and the leaves are over 17 inches across! SOME LETTERS FROM THIS WEEK'S MAILBAG "Hello Butch, Just got This and That newsletter. Someone wrote they had found some Odd Fellow and Rebekah items among the effects of their grandparents. To get information about the Odd Fellow items contact the Grand Lodge Secretary Danny Barton at ioofglok@fullnet.net Information on the Rebekah items contact Oklahoma Rebekah Assembly Secretary Evelyn Picconi-Pyles email. epicconipyles@juno.com The IOOF and Rebekah Lodge in Ardmore Ok is located at 24 1/2 N. Washington They meet 2nd & 4th tuesday at 7:30 pm. Lodge Secretary Roscoe Pullium of Ardmore Ok. Rebekah meet 1st. & 3rd.Thursday at 7:00pm. One would need to go at least 30 min.before meeting time. Lodge Secretary Tomi Ross Madill, Ok. I hope this will be of some help." -Edna Montgomery ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I have a doll that was manufactured by the ADA Milling Co. in ADA, OK. I've been looking everywhere to find out about her and have come up blank. Her torso has a cloth body with their company name stamped on it, no date. The rest of her body is composition, open fixed eye's, brown molded hair. I would appreciate any help you can be! Thank you!" Lolsweetie@aol.com http://www.geocities.com/moredollys/pic_misc2.htm#mis_21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Butch, I thought you might like this old photo. The young man is my uncle, Elward Calvery. Can you identify the older gentleman, I think he was the Carter Co sheriff. My grandfather, Kirtes G. Calvery had the Calvery Hudson-Essex dealership and an auto repair shop in Ardmore in the late 1920's. It was located at 10 E. Main St. This photo must have been used to advertise, The Essex Challenger Week, in the Ardmoreite. The date on the back is 3/14 on one label and Fri 3/15 on the other but no year given. Due to the economic climate of that time, my grandfather ran into problems and ended up returning to his farm home near Fox, Ok in 1931. note: The car seems to have been driven over dirt roads...the tires and running board look muddy....not unusual for that time, I'm sure. Ethel Marie Calvery the daughter of Elward, graduated from Ardmore High School in 1952. Her family moved to California, but she wanted to stay and graduate with her class, so she stayed with her grandmother. I always enjoy T&T." -glenda willmon [Duncan, OK] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Dear butch, Forgive me if this sounds strange but I stay up late at night. There is weird things in the sky here. I noticed them July 8, 2003 at 2:00am. I have counted 6 or more at a time. They flash red and blue with a bright white light. It is hard to see them move with the naked eye. It is like watching the hands of a clock. But if I use 50x binoculars you can see that they move very slow. It is like they are watching or looking for something. When planes go by they stop all activity. Then when it is clear they resume. I went to our Collingsworth sheriff and told them calmly but they said they could not do anything. What do you do or say so people don't think your NUTS? My husband saw them and his reply was they look like helicopters. But he is a skeptic. These objects appear to stay around till day light. I will soon have a telescope so I can see really what is going on. Very creepy I think. Well don't know what else to say. Hope you can help." -Collingsworth County Texas ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Hi Butch, Reference your March 1, 2003 T&T, McAlester, OK, was named for J. J. (James Jackson) McALESTER, a civil war veteran from Arkansas who passed through there during the war and recognized the potential for coal. After the war he remembered the place and returned. In his Last Will & Testament, he spelled his name "McAlester". He married Rebecca Burney, daughter of Tribal Chief David C. Burney, in McAlester, OK, August 1872. From: "McAlester - Past & Present": "In 1873, a post office was established and listed as "McAllister". Sam A. Rosse was the first postmaster. It was changed in 1885 to "McAlester". Soon after the railroad was built, it is said the first coal mine was opened in the vicinity of Krebs and the coal hauled in wagons to the railroad." Also in the same newsletter someone mentioned early history of OVERBROOK and Rita Stubbs responded, but neither left an address. I wonder if they would contact me? I have some questions. Thank you for all your work - T&T comes faithfully every Saturday for many years now." -Kathy in NE kscott@kdsi.net Note: J.J. McAlester was Lt Governor with Governor Lee Cruce 1911-1915 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I tried to sign up for the www.n-dream.com and they replied that it was not available, at this time, for aol users. I was successful in signing up on www.spamus.com . It worked beautifully for two days. I am now getting my regular dose of spam per day. ??? Thought you might like to know." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "I am enjoying your newsletter. Do you have any information about the standpipe or smoke stack which is in northeast Ardmore? It can be seen to the north of Sam Noble Parkway approximately between Refinery Road and Hwy 142 Bypass. Also, do you have any info on the Brick Pillars on refinery road at the entrance to the old townsite?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Butch, I do not know this lady but saw her obituary this morning and thought you might be interested: Gwen Moyer Harris died July 26, 2003 in Scottsdale, AZ. Mrs Harris was born October 7, 1924 in Ardmore, OK, the daughter of Earl Claude and Iva May (Benson) Moyers. She married Howard Hunter Harris in 1945 and moved to Arizona in 1987. She was a well recognized and accomplished artist. She exhibited in many shows in various cities in Ohio and Arizona and won various awards for painting, drawing and collages. She was a member of the National Collage Society, Shemer Art Center and St. Barnabs on the Desert Episcopal Church. She was recognized in "Who's Who in America", Who's Who in the West" and "Who's Who of American Women". Survivors are her husband, Howard H. Harris; sons Howard (Linda) S. Harris, Rodney (Karen) C. Harris and four grandchildren. She sounds like quite a lady." -Phoenix, AZ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "On August 5, we would love to see you at the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton, OK. Show time is 7pm. The museum is located at 601 NW Ferris. Call 580-695-9395 for info. Sept 6 - Poncan Theatre, Ponca City, OK 580-765-0943 (with band) Sept 13 - Town Celebration, Wakita, OK 580-594-2539 (with band) Sept 25-28th Gene Autry, OK 580 - 294-3047 (with band on 27tth) Oct 19th - Dale Evans Rogers Celebration, OKC Les Gilliam ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Following a stop at Ardmore, Oklahoma, the Santa Fe's "Ranger" roars toward Texas at 90 mph behind a shiny trio of thundering diesel-electrics. It's June, 1954. Behind are Chicago, Kansas City, Oklahoma City and the grades of southern Oklahoma's Arbuckle Mountains. Ahead, beyond Red River, are Ft. Worth, Houston and Galveston. Back in the head-end mail cars and comfortable streamlined coaches, both the U.S. Post Office and the train's pampered passengers are getting their money's worth." Prints from Tom Elmore's original watercolor "AT&SF Train 5, The Ranger" $15.00 (plus $5.00 postage and sales tax) these full-color reproductions, signed and numbered by the artist are printed on heavy, acid-free paper measuring 18" x 24". Image area is 14 1/2 " x 21 1/2". A certificate of authenticity with detailed description of the train and its setting are included with each print. Tom Elmore Artworks PO Box 6617 Moore, Oklahoma 73153-0617 Tel: (405)794-7163 Fax: (405)799-2641 gtelmore@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Butch, I have a picture of Mrs. Charles Carter (Cecile Whittington Carter) in her ballgown that she wore to probably Roosevelt's inaugural ball. Cecile is the mother of Coleman Jones from a previous marriage before Charles Carter." ------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hi Butch: I was very interested in a letter to you last week in T&T from Millie Scrivner. The minute I read the name, Will Scrivner, I thought it rang a bell in my brain from my childhood. Then, as I continued to read her letter, I saw that Will Scrivner had worked at one time for Harry Moyer Chevrolet and thought that must be the connection. My father, Clyde Schoppe, also worked for the Harry Moyer Motor Co., as a bookkeeper, all through the 1930s and possibly back into the 1920s. In the late 20s, my dad married my mom, Clara Busch. In 1939, we moved to San Antonio. If Millie would like to contact me I would like to hear from her to compare notes. One other thing I would like to comment on, Butch. A few weeks ago you wrote about your aunt and that she designed hats for Daube's Dept. Store. Another bell rang in my brain. My mother, Clara Busch, worked for Daube's as a young woman in the late 19teens and during the 1920s. It seems to me she used to refer to the store as Westheimer and Daube's. I don't know if she knew your aunt or not but I believe she told me as one time that she had worked in the milinery department and think it's possible she could have. I always enjoy reading T&T and looking at the great photos. Very often I read about places and things, and sometimes names, that sound familiar to me from my young years in Ardmore. Keep up the good work." -Rose Hull texneb@prodigy.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Was at Wilson, Oklahoma getting tags and took this picture of Wilson Main Street." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "#1 This bell is behind an old church on the Smith River Indian Rancheria (Karuk Tribe), just a couple miles south of the Oregon state line. #2 Same church w/tribal community center, and Pacific Ocean in background. #3 Tribal cemetery near the church. That's Pelican Rock Island just offshore." -Bob Elliston ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hello, Do you happen to know if any Carter county school census records are available? We have a copy of the school census that were taken in Bryan County at the genealogy library in Calera of the records from 1918 to about 1967 when the County Superintendent's office was eliminated. The original records are in the courthouse I believe. Below is a copy of the original email I sent to Mr. Massey and his reply that got me to your photos. Thanks." -Hervy Glover hervy@redriverok.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Hi! I just stumbled across your 1999 articles re "Brown's Spring". I found it very entertaining. Just a little history about myself: I grew up around what we called "Brown Springs". In the 60's my grandparents were the caretakers of Leeper Lake - I still h