2018 3rd Quarter Newsletter
Check It Out
A new feature: Pioneer Settlers of Elk City, Celebrating 150 years and each quarter we will add bios on early settlers of Elk City and Lewisburg Township.
This Quarter is Nelson Greenburg
and
William T. Oliver. Check out the Pioneer page
Old Settlers Day Activity Photos
2018 Old Settlers Day
The Friendly Quilters held a open quilt show in the Community Building at Old Settlers Day. 110 quilts were on display, when you walked in the door you were impressed with an amazing sight. Old Quilts, friend quilts, picture quilts, new quilts, it was spectacular.
The community of Elk City began to celebrate Old Settlers’ Days with Friday night Queen, Prince and Princess Coronation along with the pie auction, cake walk, auctioning off the quilt made by the Friendly Quilters, and Tractor Pull
Saturday began with the biscuits and gravy at the First Christian Church and ended with a dance to Retro Rockerz. The days activities started with the annual parade. A lot of entries made for a great parade. After the parade, began the kids races on a wet and soggy ball field, but it didn’t seem to stop the kids from participating. There was the Basketball free throw shoot and the adults competed with Horseshoe pitching. The medallion hunt was found at the Elk City Sign. Even though it was wet and muddy, several games were set up and a dunk tank to keep the kids entertained. The kids were shivering, but kept going back for another dunk! Four teams signed up for the volleyball games. Farm Bureau sponsored the watermelon feed again this year.
The bean cookers were able to keep the bean pots cooking, and had a good crowd for the bean feed. Power of the Past was busy with
demonstrations and displaying old machines. We had lots of entertainment this year from the Independence High School band performing on the street, Indy Orchestra performed during the bean feed and GASS a gospel/oldies band from Ark City entertained until the minute to win it games started. There was no talent contest this year
The crowd enjoyed listening and dancing to Retro Rockerz, but for those not wanting to dance they concluded the evening watching a movie at the Nazarene Church.
4th of July
Elk City 4th of July Celebration called Freedom Sunday was held Sunday July 1st. Thanks to Thaddeus Tuck for the great fireworks display. A Big crowd gathered to eat hot dogs and ice cream; some booths were available for kids, along with face painting, G.A.S.S. band out of Arkansas City played live music. The play ground was in popular demand. The end of the evening was with a great fireworks display.
Around Town
Back to School Ice Cream Social Sponsored by Community U was held in August at the ball park. There was a “buffet” of school supplies for kids to choose from. A storm was brewing but the ball park was full of back to school parents and kids.
Two Squirrels, upstairs above the restaurant are fixing rooms up to accommodate short term travelers and hunters.
A couple of Elk Citians have started a donation garden. All proceeds go to the school and church in the country of Liberia. This summer they have sold beets, tomatoes, corn, okra among other items. I hear this fall they will have a pumpkin patch, gourds and turnips.
Community U is starting BINGO up again this fall. First BINGO is scheduled for November.
First Christian Church is planning their turkey Supper feast again this year in November.
Oak Hill Cemetery Rules
The Oak Hill Cemetery Board is reminding people about the Cemetery Rules and added a new one.
The Oak Hill Cemetery Board feels it is necessary to publish the rules that govern the cemetery. The rules are posted at the entrance to the cemetery. These rules that are listed are a very brief description of the rules that appear on every deed that is issued when you purchase a lot. For complete details, see your deed.
The sign at the cemetery states:
1. No fences, railings, embanking or ditching
2. No Trees or Shrubbery planted on grave sites
3. No structures or rock work
4. No Glass or Metal Containers
5. No Wooden markers or Signs of any kind
An additional rule will be implemented, so as to make the maintenance of the cemetery for the caretaker a little easier. Mowing and weed eating around the many objects that are placed on the graves is difficult, therefore the Cemetery Board asks for the cooperation of the public.
6. No solar lights, statutes and all other appurtenances that are not permanently attached to the burial stone.
(The safety of visitors is important, therefore the glass, plastic and stone items when hit by the mower or weed eater can be dangerous)
An exception for unattached displays will be in effect from May 15 through June 15 each year. This will allow for decorating graves for Memorial Day. Removal of items will take place after June 15th.
It was the consensus of the board at the recent meeting, to allow a grace period until January 1, 2019 for the pickup of all solar lights and any items that are not attached to the stones. This should allow ample time for people to claim the items they want to keep.
Thanks for every ones cooperation and understanding.
Tid Bits by Jane
July
Thank you Tuck family for another wonderful fourth of July fireworks celebration! Also thank you to the churches that helped get this organized! It was great to see the community come together. God bless you all. There was a large gathering at the park on July 1st at
the Freedom Sunday celebration to enjoy games, hot dogs, ice cream and fireworks. Not all of us are bomb experts like Matt who was home for the 4th of July weekend visiting his mother. Several families had beautiful firework displays around town.
Our family all enjoyed a night at the rodeo on the 3rd and on the 4th at the Huntington Lake with the usual gang! We watched the fireworks later that evening in Independence when the grand finale went off during half time of the show. It must have been a malfunction, as they continued to shoot. It was a pretty display, but I think Elk City had them beat. Elk City was wonderful.
Wheat harvest is over and the overall averages seemed to be 40 bu/acre. The crop had a hard time getting started seemed like, just didn’t produce. The corn and beans were needing a rain, which we’ve received here and there, some more than others. A rain this time of the year, mid-July can sure make or break the corn crop and give those little beans a reason to hang on. The weather experts say we had July weather in June, sure felt like it. It sure is nice to have fresh tomatoes and sweet corn again. Although, my tomato crop is the worst I’ve ever had
as far as early. There’s plenty of green. Good thing I know a good gardener or two that helped me out in the tomato department. Actually Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone are as good of gardeners as they are trappers! Garden produce is the best part of summer, although all the work to get that produce certainly isn’t fun, especially the weed pulling and squash bugs. Round up works well, unless you hit the wrong plant! The tame black berries have finally ripened and were plentiful. July we all enjoyed time at Grand Lake. Plenty water time,
eating and visiting.
Plans are underway for the fair. Don’t forget to volunteer your service, the Fair Board needs your help to keep the fair going.
There is nothing better than a nice cool rain shower in July! Some received more rain than others, even though the corn is pretty well done, the soybeans were doing a happy dance! We have several in our community that are battling cancer and we send prayers out their way. Cancer is such an ugly disease and seems to affect every family we know in some way.
The city has also been working on the water tower, pump problems and water leaks. The patrons have had to put up with low water pressure,
no water and boil orders. Hopefully the tower won’t leak, the pumps won’t get hot and everyone can get back to normal, The city did hand out
bottled water to help citizens cope.
Elk City is 150 years old this year. There has been some talk of extra celebrations connected to the Old Settlers’ Days. If you would like to dress as pioneers, hunters, trappers, Indians or etc. for the parade, feel free to express yourself.
What I learned this month: Be patient, this too shall pass…
August
Summer seems to have rushed by. If you're getting ready for school with enrollment, school supplies and new clothes, you probably feel like summer is about over. Thanks to the Community U girls for sponsoring the back to school ice cream social. They were busy handing out ice cream and school supplies . All the first day of school pictures are fun to look at on the facebook pages.
Do not forget to bid on the beautiful quilt the Friendly Quilters have made. I am sure for just a few dollars it can be yours! Well maybe more than a few !!!
The hot weather in July was about too much and all of a sudden, we had rain showers and August felt like fall! The change in weather helped the soybeans, the corn seems like it just gave up when it got hot and began dying Some of the farmers are busy with haying, others were spraying worms that were eating the soybean pods.
The airplane crash was such a shock and tragedy for the communities of the area, as well as the families. Prayers go out to the Warner and Valentine families. Just about everyone can remember seeing the yellow plane fly over as Bill was crop dusting. I did not know Nic and his family but knew some of the young men he was friends with and they have lost someone special in their world. His young wife and two daughters will also be remembered as they struggle to carry on.
I have a kitty that I think needs to be named Lucky Leg!. He was picked up as a stray on 160 and brought to me, like I needed another cat! He was so playful, always underfoot and one day I stepped on him, hurting his back leg. I felt so bad, but he recovered! Then one day I hear meowing and find him in a tree hanging upside down as his leg was caught in a fork of the tree. I got him out and it is the same leg. After a few days of it being swollen and him just laying around, he is back to normal. Wonder what he will do with his other 6 lives.
Judy Doty has sold her home and had an auction this month. She has moving to Vermont.
Did I mention it rained in August. Did it ever on August 14th we captured 7.5 inches in our gauge, with Elk City reported 10" and toward Sycamore 11.5"
The two Squirrels had 3" of water inside, several helped him get the water out and things restored. There was a lot of water over the road west of town which may have just been surface water rather than river water, but which ever it was, traffic was unable to go thru most of the day. The soybeans really need a shower to wash all the dirt off their leaves. They will have a hard time breathing. We are very lucky Longton and Howard did not have the rains we had to help boost the river levels! Duck Creek was very high even going over Hwy 160 for a while. A tornado formed about 5 miles west of Elk City and traveled northeast toward Elk City, passing over, barely touching down and then going back up into the clouds. There was no report of damage. Spotter/fireman witnessed 3 more in the same vicinity. A great video was shot and it was seen on many area TV stations, TV crews from Wichita, Tulsa and Joplin were spotted in Independence covering the flooding. Several individuals in Independence and Elk City had surface water in their homes. Due to the high raging water near Sweeney Hill there were 2 fatalities. The two men were killed after their car was swept off the road during heavy rainfall that crossed over tiny Racket Creek north of Elk City Lake.
Every time I go out and start a project here would come a shower. More rain came along for about 10 days and I began to feel like Noah. The weather folks say; August was wetter last year, maybe so but I forgot already Seems like every time I've mowed this summer I could have baled hay. Maybe I should more more often. Steve asked me if there was something wrong with the mower, no the mowee, I replied.
What I learned this month; Most things in life are too petty to worry or argue about. Love your family and hold them close. It's hard to understand the why's of life, but just know that God is there to get you thru those tough times.
September
Come exercise on Tues. & Fri. 8 am at the 1st Christian Church, Sit to be Fit & Dance to the Music! Another successful Old Settler’s Days has come and gone. It was different again this year, by going back to Friday night and Saturday. It was nice to have the Nazarene Youth take over the concession stand on Friday night. Thanks to Steve and Todd, my cookers, for the help in the stand on Saturday.
Corn Harvest is over, the farmers are thinking about getting seed wheat cleaned and planted. We’ve had a rainy August and September started out the same. Dove season was the first of the month, heard reports of hunters limiting out early on the first morning and others weren’t so lucky. Florida residence hasn’t been able to spend as many days at the beach lately due to the red algae in the water. Lots of dead fish and smelly water.
The garden has finally given it up or I gave up. Canned a final batch of pasta sauce and salsa. Steve is still picking tomatoes and sharing… Mike is picking okra and sharing. Okra makes me itch, I’ll let Mike pick it for me. Sounds like there has been a “rash” of vehicle
break-ins lately. It would be nice to live in a world where people respect other people and their belongings. If it’s not yours, leave it alone! Steve & I went to the Mason breakfast this month. Joe makes delicious biscuits! October will be the last month until March for the
breakfast.
What I learned this month: I’m going to be a granny! The title “granny” has been used several generations in my family, so granny it will be! Excitement is a term we all use to express joy, happiness, anticipation, enthusiasm, elation or even nervousness. I will be experiencing all those emotions for the next several months!
Church News
First Christian Church has a Exercise Class Every Tues. & Fri. 8 am -9:00 am. Youth Group Every Sunday Night 5- 6:15 pm K – 12th grade and a light meal is served. Bible Study 1st, 2nd, 4th Wednesday Eve 6:30 p.m. Bread & Broth (soup) Prayer Group is held on the 3rd Wednesday.
If you need prayer or would like to pray for others
The Nazarene Church is doing October Bible Month, Kids Korner every Wednesday and showing movies.
Past School Alumni Minutes
1951
On Tuesday, May 29, 1951, The Elk City Alumni Assn. held their annual banquet in the Elk City School Auditorium, Approximately 115 graduates and guests were present.
After the invocation by Mrs. L. W. Davis, all present were seated and the banquet dinner was served by the WSCS Class of the Methodist Church.
After dinner the President, Leo E. Horton, turned the meeting over to the toastmaster, Wm. T. Newkirk class of 1917.
The welcome address was given by Earnest Edmonds Superintendent of schools.
The Senior Class of 1951 entertained with special number composed of the following selections:
Vocal Solo - Marilyn Ranking
Piano Solo - Don Edmonds
Vocal Solo - Joleen Schwatken
The address of the evening was given by Rev. Loyd Self of the First Baptist Church of Coffeyville. His topic was "In the Quest of Wisdom" which was greatly enjoyed by all.
The business meeting was called by President, Leo E. Horton and minutes were read by Secretary LaDonia Reed Hall.
Nominating committee composed of Willa Widick and Clara McCord reported the following officers for the year 1952
Milo Bruce - President
Marjorie Davidson McTaggart - Vice President
Lorraine Eversole - Secretary/Treasurer.
After the business meeting the President called roll call by having members stand for introduction from the year 1896 which was the first class represented at the meeting.
Financial Report
Balance on hand $25.82
Tickets sold 96.00
total 121.82
Expenses
WSCS ladies $81.00
L. W. Davis Printing tickets and programs $7.14
Speaker $10.00
LaDornia Hall - Candles and Napkins 2.75
Irma Horton - Wall Paper, cards $2.25
Total Expenses $103.14
Balance on hand $18.68
Banquet meal served
Chicken Loaf, Mashed Potatoes, Giblet Gravy
Peas and Carrots and Sliced Tomatoes
Combination Salad
Hot Rolls with Jelly
Strawberry Shortcake and Coffee
Obituaries
Warner Family, Bill, Nick,
The Good Old Days
Elk City Enterprise dated February 3, 1893
Dr. G. F. Woodring came up from Bartlesville, I.T., Sunday night to consult with Dr. Masterman about a poisoned arm. The doctor amputated the arm of Jesse Jackson, the desperado whom Chief of Police Sadley wounded some time ago in the Nation. Gangrene had set in and while performing the operation the doctor accidentally cut his finger and got some of the poisoned matter into it. The result is that he now has a very bad arm. Dr. Woodring formerly resided in Elk City and was a member of the board of pension examiners. He says he doesn't believe Jackson can recover.
Elk City Enterprise dated February 15, 1895
Jesse Jackson captured. The notorious desperado, Jesse Jackson, who has for several years been one of the terrors of the Indian Territory, was arrested in Elk City last Saturday by Under Sheriff Taylor, of Sedan, and City Marshal Elder.
On Friday Jackson shot a man in the Osage country just south of Elgin and relieved an Indian of a check for $75 which he cashed in Sedan. He then started for Montana by way of Elk City but concluded to stop a day or two with acquaintances near town. Sheriff Taylor and Deputy U. S. Marshal Callahan got on his track and came up from Sedan Saturday. On arriving here they learned that their man was then in town so they called on Marshal Elder to assist in making the arrest. Jackson was acquainted with Mr. Callahan so that gentleman discreetly kept out of sight, knowing that the desperado would begin shooting the moment he saw them. Messrs Elder and Tayloir found Jackson in Wm. Wright's drug store. The sheriff stepped behind him and prepared for action while Marshal Elder walked up in front, poked a revolver in his face and told him to throw up his hand. Instead of throwing up, he reached for his revolver which was in his hip pocket. The Sheriff grabbed his arm and after a short struggle he was disarmed. He was taken to Sedan that night and later to Stillwater where his trail will take place.
Jackson is a one armed man. He was a member of the Starr gang and in a fight near Bartlesville two or three years ago was shot by United States Marshal Shadley. His arm was amputated by Dr. G. F. Woodring, and it will be remembered the doctor came near losing his life through blood poison in Consequence of the operation. He was just been released from the Minnesota State Penitentiary.
Elk City Enterprise February 22, 1895
Jesse Jackson, the bad citizen who was arrested in this city by Marshal Elder and Sheriff Taylor a week ago last Saturday, has taken a change of venue, according to the following special from Guthrie, OK This was what Jackson meant when he boasted that the U.S Marshall would never get him into the Territory again: Jesse Jackson, who two weeks ago was discharged from the penitentiary after serving three years for robbery of a Santa Fe train in the Cherokee Strip, and was on last Saturday brought to this city and jailed on charge of forging an endorsement on a $75 check, committed suicide in the federal jail to night by taking morphine. He left a note, in which he said there was no chance for him and asked that his body be buried on the claim of his sweetheart, near Ponca.