Shout Out to a Friend!

Millennium Edition

Vol 3, Iss 1 Slapout, Oklahoma - Here it is a week into the New 21st Century! Thanks for all the memories you have sent in the past Volumes of "Oakie's HTH." I am working on some Slapout, Oklahoma 2001 photos I took this week and hope to have them ready for you next week. Send me some history and memories of Slapout... If you get a chance.

We ate our good luck black-eyed peas in Buck's Hoppin John Recipe on New Years Eve for good luck to follow us into the New Millennium. I have stuck the recipe link below just incase someone wants to check it out.BucksHoppinJohn.doc

New Years Day found this Oakie on the road again back to Oklahoma, January 1, 2001. As to New Years traditions & black-eyed peas... Scott says, "My family always ate black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Why? I haven't a clue."
< br /> My family also ate black-eyed peas on New Years for good luck. I don't know why or when the black-eyed peas tradition started. Does anyone out there have any clues to this mystery?

Some of you NW Oklahomans and Paris family relations out there might remember my Uncle Alvin. On our way back through Colorado to Oklahoma, we stopped and visited with my mother's older brother, Alvin Paris. Alvin worked with the McClure Loans & Insurance Company, in Alva back in the 1930s. Alvin & Naomi married in 1935 and lived in the Monfort Apartments before moving to 718 4th Street. I'm not quite sure where the Monfort apartments were located, but Alvin and Naomi moved from those apartments to the 718 4th Street home sometime shortly after the Castle on the Hill burned down. Does anyone have any clues to where the Monfort Apartments were located? Alvin and Naomi also lived in the two-story, framed, white house on the southeast corner of Choctaw & Third Street, across the street south from the Old Armory. Alvin Paris was born 1 Nov. 1912; married Naomi Warren (b. 1910), 3 February 1935. They will be celebrating their 66th anniversary, Feb. 3, 2001. Alvin is the next to the oldest of nine siblings of Ernest Claude Paris and Mary Barbara Hurt. Of the nine siblings (Leslie, Alvin, Vernon, Vada, Zella, Kenneth, Sam, Geneva and EJ)... the three remaining are Alvin (88, in Colorado Springs, CO), Sam (76, in Sand Pointe, ID) and Geneva (72, in Chester, OK).
OkieLegacy/image/alvin-naomijan01-01.jpg
paristimes.com/paris/fam00039.htm

Everyone knows about Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs, but what about the Cave of the Winds. These caverns are located near the small community of Manitou west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. You use a steep, winding, corkscrew mountain road to reach the entrance of the Cave of the Winds. The caverns have been around for over one hundred years.

They were temporarily lighted with electric lights 11 October 1904. On 4 July 1907 a new electric light system with arc lights were installed in the larger rooms of the cave for the first time. The entrance building was built in the spring of 1906 with a veranda for views of Williams Canyon and Manitou.
caveofthewinds.com/cave2000/timeset.htm

We stopped to take the tour so I could walk in the footsteps of my grandmother Constance Warwick who took the same tour in the early 1900s (1907-1909) before she married my grandfather, Bill McGill. I found this great old photo of the "Cave of the Winds" taken sometime during the early 1900s. There were NO names or dates written on the photo. The only clues to the dated items in photo are the long skirt and white blouse worn by the lady; the two horse drawn carriages in the sloping foreground; and the sign on the front of the building over the steps that reads, "Brilliantly Electrically Lighted." OkieLegacy/image/cavewinds.jpg
< br />You can view a January, 2001 view of the "Cave of the Winds" for comparison. OkieLegacy/image/cavewinds-jan01a.jpg OkieLegacy/image/cavewinds-jan01b.jpg OkieLegacy/image/cavewinds-jan01c.jpg OkieLegacy/image/cavewinds-jan01d.jpg

Nearby is a free public park called "Garden of the Gods." It has towering sandstone rock formations against a backdrop of snow-capped Pikes Peak and blue skies. In 1909, Charles Elliott Perkins' children conveyed his 480 acres to the City of Colorado Springs. It was/is known as the 'Garden of the Gods' and free to the public and maintained as a public park.
gardenofgods.com/history.htm
< br /> I did get a few shots of the 'Garden of the Gods' when we traveled through there January, 2001. If you look really hard, you might spot this Oakie leaning on a rock wall with the sandstone formations in the background at one of the overlooks.
OkieLegacy/image/gardengods1.jpg OkieLegacy/image/gardengods2.jpg

For the week of January 1 thru January 5... from SW Colorado to Oklahoma, the gas pump prices ranged from $1.55 (Durango, CO) all the way down to $1.19 at a Texaco, in central Oklahoma. The first of the week in Colorado Springs gas prices were $1.39. Boise City, out on the very tip of the Oklahoma panhandle, saw a $1.39 gas as did Guymon, OK. The gas prices in Alva during the mid-week came in at $1.35. Ames, OK which is southeast of Ringwood and norhtwest of Hennessey, Kingfisher and Okarche all sported a $1.34 price tag. A Texaco gas station in NW Oklahoma City showed a price of gas on Friday, January 5, 2001, at $1.19. What are the gas pump prices doing in your neck of the woods?
< br />Next week I will try to get the pictures of Slapout, Oklahoma ready for you to see what it looks like today. If anyone out there has any old photos, history or memories of Slapout to share, just attach them to an email and send along to Linda at oakiebelle@home.com. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Who Was St. Nicholas? Sinterklaas? Santa Claus?

Vol 11, Iss 51 With just four days before christmas, have you ever wondered … WHY? What is the real meaning of Christmas? Who was St. Nicholas? How does that relate to our Santa Claus of today? How did the Santa Claus tradition begin?

From the information we have gleaned online, it appears that the true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara, a Greek area that is now on the southern coast of Turkey.

The historical Saint Nicholas is represented with a full, short white beard, and wearing the red cape of a bishop over white priestly robes. He carries a crosier, or elaborate shepherd’s crook, and wears a red bishop’s mitre, or pointed hat. In Eastern Orthodox iconography, he is often shown holding a book of the Gospels, with Jesus Christ over one shoulder and Theotokos, the Greek name for Mary, Mother of Jesus, over the other.

As the story goes … Nicholas' wealthy parents raised him to be a devout Christian. His parents died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man.

Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

It was under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, that Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith and was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, called manna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

There have been many stories through the centuries -- legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. Perhaps these accounts will help us understand his extra-ordinary character and why he was so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need. Perhaps this is what Christmas Day or St. Nicholas Day is really about!

There is one story that tells of a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to offer prospective husbands something of value … a dowry. The larger the dowry, the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man's daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery.

Mysteriously … on three different occasions, a bag of gold appeared in their home-providing the needed dowries. The bags of gold, tossed through an open window, are said to have landed in stockings or shoes left before the fire to dry. This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. And so St. Nicholas is a gift-giver. Does this sound familiar yet?

One of the oldest stories showing St. Nicholas as a protector of children takes place long after his death. The townspeople of Myra were celebrating the good saint on the eve of his feast day when a band of Arab pirates from Crete came into the district. They stole treasures from the Church of Saint Nicholas to take away as booty.

As they were leaving town, they snatched a young boy, Basilios, to make into a slave. The emir, or ruler, selected Basilios to be his personal cupbearer, as not knowing the language, Basilios would not understand what the king said to those around him. So, for the next year Basilios waited on the king, bringing his wine in a beautiful golden cup. For Basilios' parents, who were devastated at the loss of their only child, the year passed slowly, filled with grief. As the next St. Nicholas' feast day approached, Basilios' mother would not join in the festivity, as it was now a day of tragedy. However, she was persuaded to have a simple observance at home—with quiet prayers for Basilios' safekeeping. Meanwhile, as Basilios was fulfilling his tasks serving the emir, he was suddenly whisked up and away. St. Nicholas appeared to the terrified boy, blessed him, and set him down at his home back in Myra. Imagine the joy and wonderment when Basilios amazingly appeared before his parents, still holding the king's golden cup. This is the first story told of St. Nicholas protecting children—which became his primary role in the West.

Saint Nicholas … Wikipedia says, "(Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος , Agios ["saint"] Nikolaos ["victory of the people"]) (270 - 6 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.[3] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southeastern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as, Nicholas of Bari."

Are we getting close to the origins of our Santa Claus (or … Sinterklaas) … yet?

They say that the historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians and is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, the Republic of Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla, Bari, Amsterdam, Beit Jala, Siggiewi and Liverpool.

It was in 1809 that the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Santa Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City.

My Ancestors, Couwenhoven (a.k.a Conover) were some of those Dutch settlers that settled in Nieuw Amsterdam (NYC). You follow the above URL and following URLs to scroll through our family tree of Couwenhoven / Conover Dutch ancestors that married into our PARIS lineage.

This is the Couwenhoven/Conover Lineage down to NW Okie:
* gerrit jansz couwenhoven
* wolphert gerritsz2 van kouwenhoven (1579-1662)
* gerret wolfersen van kouwenhoven (1610-1648)
* willem gerretse couwenhoven (1636-1723)
* jan "john" willemse couwenhoven (1681-1756)
* dominicus covenhoven (1724-1778)
* peter conover (1769-1835)
* jonathan coombs conover (1797-1859)
* peter conover (1822-1900)
* sarah frances conover (1848-1924)
* ernest claude paris (1879-1959)
* vada eileen paris (mcGill) (1916-1992)
* Linda Kay McGill (Wagner) (1948-living)

BUT … Back to what brought this all about … the talk of Sinterklaas. Sinterklaas was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors, who protected his relics in Bari. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.

St. Nicholas Day is all about the "Spirits of Giving Around the World." In the Netherlands, Sinterklaas or St. Nicholas can be found wearing traditional bishop's robes, as he rides into towns across Holland on a white horse where he is typically greeted with a parade. Each year, Dutch television broadcasts the official arrival of St. Nicholas live to the nation.

The children of Holland look forward with excitement to his arrival on the evening of December 5, putting out carrots and hay for his horse. In return they receive gifts, candies, cookies, fruit and nuts. The children sometimes get letters from St. Nick filled with clever poetry.

To some -- To me, St. Nicholas Day and Christmas is not about the celebration of a birth, but is about the "Spirit of Giving Around the World."

It is perfectly alright with me if you want to celebrate Christmas as a birth, though. I have no problem with that. I prefer to celebrate Christmas as a season for giving of yourself and your particular talents! WHY … can't we all be like St. Nicholas … known for our generosity and giving! -- People Helping People!
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Pugs Reporting From A Swing

Vol 9, Iss 30 Since NW Okie has gotten back and into the swing of things, these relaxing Pugs (Duchess & Sadie) have taken a vacation of their own as they report this weekend from a cool, relaxing swing.

Earlier this week NW Okie was asked if she was related to the McGill's who used to own a place North of Waynoka on hwy 14 and if she was one of the girls that was watermelon hunting on George Whipple's watermelon patch.

If you are speaking of the McGill place about 10 miles North of Waynoka right next to Eagle Chief Creek... Yes! BUT... if NW Okie was one of the girls watermelon hunting, that was a few years before her time. That must have been one of the older McGill Sisters.

That land North of Waynoka came down to the McGill's from their great-grandfather, John Robert Warwick, to NW Okie's Grandmother, Constance Estelle (Warwick) McGill, -- to Gene McGill, grandson of John Warwick. NW Okie is the third daughter out of four of Gene M. & Vada E. (Paris) McGill.

As a young girl, NW Okie remembers lots of fun riding her stick horses, making mud-chocolate coated cow terds, fishing with her dad and picnics with the Kelsey's of Waynoka, Oklahoma before Roscoe & Celinda Kelsey and their daughter, Diane, were transferred to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Being six and five years younger than her older sisters, NW Okie has no recollection of the antics that the two older sisters experienced living on the old farm place. BUT... she is always interested in hearing those stories from others out there. Especially, the George Whipple watermelon story where all hell broke loose when he shot off his shotgun.
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88 Years Ago Today - 11/11/1918

Vol 8, Iss 45 This Memorial weekend finds NW Okie & Duchess "On the Road" again! This time we find ourselves traveling the by-ways and highways from northwest Oklahoma to southwest Colorado. Check back late saturday evening for the completed published edition of this week's "OkieLegacy" newsletter, Vol. 8, Iss. 45, 11/11/2006.

Eighty-eight Years Ago Today - 11/11/1918 -- Vada Eileen Paris was turning two-years-old, Nov. 11, 1918, when WWI was ending with the signing of the Armistice Agreement.

It was the 11th hour, 11th day, 11th month of 1918 when the "Great War (World War I)" ended. IF we could go back and talk to our parents, grandparents about that time, what would they say? Vada Paris & Uncle Bob McGill were two-years old and Gene M. McGill was going on four-years-old.

Grandma Constance Warwick McGill's younger brother, Robert Lee Warwick enlisted in 1914 with the US Army and served three years with the "Coast Artillery Corp., 5th Company." He then joined the "Canadian Expeditionary Force at Toronto, Canada" and was sent to France with the Canadian Army. Robert served through World War I and received his discharge June 29, 1919. He came home broken in health and after a few years entered the Western State hospital, Fort Supply, Oklahoma. That's where he died November 17, 1952, Western State Hospital, at the age of 65 years, and 12 days. He is buried in the Alva Municipal Cemetery, Alva, Oklahoma.

Have a Great, Safe Veterans Memorial weekend.
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Thanksgiving Weekend & End of November 2008

Vol 10, Iss 48 Did you get your fill of turkey & dressing, mashed potatoes, noodles, and all the holiday comfort foods this last Thursday? We did!

Morning after Snow of Thanskgiving 2008. Here is hoping you had a great Thanksgiving holiday where ever you found yourself this year! We did!

This NW Okie made three (homemade from scratch) pies: apple, cherry and pecan. I used my grandmother Mary Barbara (Hurt) Paris' flaky pie crust recipe that she passed down to my mother, Vada Paris McGill. It was almost as good -- it was also flaky.

The cherry pie still had a tart, but sweet flavor, as well as the apple pie. The pecan pie was filled with pecans and bubbled over during the cooking. Good thing I put it on an aluminum foiled cookie sheet when cooking, huh?

The best part of Thanksgiving besides being with family was the huge, wet snow flakes that began to fall just before noon on Thanksgiving day, November 27, 2008. I uploaded a movie clip of that Thanksgiving snow on my OkieLegacy - YouTube site for your viewing special viewing. You can also see the family dogs Roughing It With the Pugs while you are browsing my YouTube site.

Today... the snow is melting in the sunny condition of SW Colorado while SE Colorado and NE New Mexico have been getting more snows around Raton, NM and I25. Will it head for the No Man Lands of the Oklahoma Panhandle?

Four more weeks of 2008!
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1937-38 Catching the Train - Woodward To Alva

Vol 12, Iss 22 Woodward, Oklahoma - We received a fabulous photo of our mother, Vada Eileen (PARIS) McGill this week from a family that Vada stayed with back in the 1930s. Ylova Jean Jaquith Mayes daughter and son-in-law sent us this following message with the photo attached, "Here is a photo of Vada and Ylova Jaquith taken in Woodward, Oklahoma. Ylova sent us this photo. She lives in Arizona and is 78 years old. She said they had taken Vada to the train station in Woodward to catch a train to Alva to go to College. Hope you like the photo. The photo was not dated, but Ylova was born in 1932. She looks like she is maybe 4-5 in the photo? So, 1937-1938 time frame would be about right. Her name now is Ylova Jean (Jaquith) Mayes."

The photo shows a young Vada Paris (left) in her flowery, Spring dress, hat and white sandal heels holding the hand of a young girl (Ylova Jean Jaquith) while standing in front of passenger train in Woodward, Oklahoma. The Jaquith had brought Vada to Woodward from Seiling to catch the train to Alva, Oklahoma, where Vada was attending NSTC (Northwestern State Teachers College). We know that Vada was a sophomore at NSTC in Alva. We believe she attended in 1937 as a freshman.

Let us take you back to April 18, 1932 (as written down in Vada's 1938 diary as an anniversary) when a sixteen year-old-girl named Vada Eileen Paris came to live with the Ray and Eithel Jaquith family who lived in Seiling, Oklahoma. Also, it was during the Depression, Dust Bowl era. Besides the anniversary of when Vada went to live with Jaquith's in Seiling, Vada had made a notation in her diary May 25th for Ray and Eithel Jaquith anniversary, May 25, 1926.

While living with the Jaquith family, Vada graduated from Seiling High School with the Class of 1936 Seniors whose motto was "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star." For reasons unknown to this writer, Vada laid out a year or so before graduating high school during the Depression, Dust Bowl days. She should have graduated in 1934, but graduated in 1936, instead.

We know that Black Sunday was April 14, 1935 when day was turned into night during the Dust Bowl era. About a month and a few weeks before that day, Northwest State Normal school's Castle on the Hill had burned down, March 1, 1935, in Alva, Oklahoma.

We are trying to piece together bits and pieces of Vada's life between 1932 thru 1937 before she attended college in Alva. We have been told that Vada's mother did not think Vada needed education after the eighth grade and should stay home and help take care of her younger siblings. We have also been told that Eithel Jaquith influenced Vada to graduate Seiling High School and continue her education at NSTC in Alva, Oklahoma.

Reading through Vada's diary, we know in 1938 she received a government grant to attend Northwestern State Teacher College (NSTC) where she was noted as a sophomore in the 1938 Ranger Yearbook. Vada also worked at Warrick's Shoe Store; did heavy housekeeping to make ends meet while attending NSTC. We believe Vada was a Freshman at NSTC (1937 Ranger Yearbook) in 1937.

Vada's older brother (Alvin Riley Paris) and his wife, Naomi (Warren) Paris, were living in Alva while Vada was attending Northwestern. Besides staying with her older brother, Vada did housekeeping for Naomi and Alvin while Naomi was expecting their first Child (Stan born February 25, 1938).

There were lots of entries in Vada's 1938 diary where she mentioned with enthusiasm of getting to go home to Seiling and seeing the Jaquith family (Ray & Eithel and their children: Kenneth and Ylova).

On one entry dated February 13, 1938, Sunday, Vada writes, "Saw Mrs. Jaquith. I'll tough it out where I am before borrowing money. Grand of her to offer to help." Times in the 1930s were tough on everyone back then.

Vada wrote about enjoying receiving letters from Eithel Jaquith. The Jaquith family was like a second family for this young woman, Vada Eileen Paris. Eithel being the one that encouraged Vada to continue her education and go to College at Alva, Oklahoma. We wonder sometimes what would Vada's life been like IF Vada had not been influenced by the Jaquith family? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

1948 - Snow Storm - NW Oklahoma

Vol 10, Iss 45 The Oklahoman, dated Feb. 12, 1948, page 21, had the following headlines: "High Drifts Trap Motorists in Panhandle, Ice Glazes Southwest."- Sub-headlines read: "Many Northwest Roads Closed."

About two weeks (actually, 13 days) before this NW Okie's birth, a howling blizzard was piling snow and closing roads in northwest Oklahoma. Gene and Vada Paris McGill and the two oldest daughters were living on their Farm/Ranch, 10 miles North of Waynoka, Oklahoma, on SH 14 when their 3rd daughter and younger sister, Linda Kay, was born February 25, 1948.

Feb. 12, 1948 -- The entire state shivered on that date in mid-February 1948. The weatherman forecasted that the mercury would reach lows of low 20 to 15 degrees in the southeast.

At 4 p.m. Wednesday, drifting snow was accumulating in the vicinity of Boise City. All routes were closed. Schools were closed with the temperature reporting to be one degree above zero.

Ed O'Dell, division engineer at Buffalo, reported 10 cars, with occupants on the highways in the Panhandle.

Snow plows cleared the roads and helped stranded motorists get started again or helped them find shelter in nearby farm houses.

Many of those trapped, included 10 children, who were suffering from exposure to the extreme cold, even though they had stayed in their cars.

Snow in the Oklahoma Panhandle, was blown by high winds, filled ditches level with the roads, spilled over the top of snow fences, and piled drifts in places more than four feet deep from Gate in the east part of Beaver county to the New Mexico border.

One Car Almost Covered... O'Dell reported that one of the cars trapped by the blinding snow was almost completed covered by drifts when it was found by the road crews.

Three cars were found between Hardesty and Guymon on SH 3. There were 10 people in the cars, four of them children, all suffering from the cold.

Seven cars were located between Gate and Forgan, containing 14 people, six of them children. O'Dell reported the crews had no difficulty in getting them started again or finding shelter for them.

State highway No. 3 had become closed. Others reported closed by 3 p.m. included SH 15 in Ellis county, and US 60 from Arnett to the Texas line.

US 66 Is Dangerous... All roads west of El Reno and south of Clinton were reported in bad shape." -- The Oklahoman, dated Feb. 12, 1948, page 21
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OkieLegacy - A Passion

Vol 8, Iss 31 Yes! We are still doing The OkieLegacy Ezine. It is just a couple of days late this week. Our OkieLegacy ezine can NOW be viewed, read at two different links in different formats. See which one of the following sites that you prefer and then let us know by either leaving a comment or emailing the NW Okie - OkieLegacy Ezine & OkieLegacy Tabloid.

Like we told someone earlier this week last week, "This is not a business, but a passion of ours for learning and preserving our heritage, history and genealogy. The NW Okie was born and raised in NW Oklahoma, the third daughter of Gene M. & Vada (Paris) McGill. So... our roots run deep through our Warwick/McGill/Hurt/Paris genealogies through the Oklahoma Territory. Although, NW Okie is semi-retired and living part-time in southwest Colorado, she continues her quest for learning, preserving our northwest Oklahoma history, heritage and family legacies."
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About The NW Okie

Vol 10, Iss 12
This is for those of you who have just recently joined us here or want to know more about the NW Okie, editor & publisher of The OkieLegacy. Who is that lady collecting Okie Legacies? AND... Why? You can read a short "bio" about me over at my ParisTimes Genealogy site.

It was 60 years ago, 11:35a.m., Alva General Hospital, a third (3rd) daughter was born to Vada Eileen (Paris) McGill (31 years) and Gene M. McGill (33 years). Linda Kay was a Winter baby weighing in at 6lbs-10oz. Her parents arrived just in the neck of time on that February, 1948 morning, at the Alva General hospital with 1-1/2 hrs to spare before Li'l Linda's arrival. My sister Dorthy gave me my name.

My Father... Gene McGill, was a flying farmer, bearded custom harvestor in the 1940's and a Democratic State Chairman in the 1960's.

Gene McGill was born December, 1914 and died June, 1986 on Father's Day. He was the oldest son of William Jacob McGill and Constance Estella (Warwick) McGill. Gene had a younger brother, Robert "Bob" McGill, that was born August, 1916 and died February 1954. My father got his pharmacist degree from OU in 1937.

My Mother... This photo taken of my mother, Vada Eileen Paris, was her high school graduation photo taken when she was 18 years of age.

Vada Paris was born November 11, 1916 and died July, 1992. She was the fourth child and oldest daughter of Ernest Claude Paris and Mary Barbara Hurt from around Chester (Tailholt), Oklahoma, Major County. Vada had six brothers and two sisters. I think only Uncle Sammy is alive, living in Sand Point, Idaho today. Vada was a homemaker who went back to school in the early fifties to get her teaching degree in Home Economics from Northwestern State Teachers College.

My Sisters & Me... This is a 1955 photo of two of my sisters and Me, in the backyard of 703 7th Street, Alva, OK. The photo shows Linda, Dorthy, and Amber perched on a picnic table in the backyard, of 703 7th Street, Alva, Oklahoma. The oldest sister (Connie Jean) is NOT pictured -- and not quite sure why?

Sweet Li'l Linda Kay was raised one of two middle daughters of the four McGill Sisters in the Gene & Vada Paris McGill family.

My life began sixty years ago, as one of the Baby Boomers and raised as a Democrat, in a Small, Rural Community located in Woods County in the NW Corner of Oklahoma.

My Schooling began at Horace Mann Elementary in Kindergarten and progressed thru Washington Elementary, Alva Jr. High, Alva High. I hated the little snobby, elite, cliques that formed during the Jr. High and High School years. I chose not to belong to any of them. I finished my college education at Northwestern State College in 1971 with a BA Degree in Art & Sociology.

A 1969 Mid-Summer, July Wedding united David M. Wagner & Linda Kay McGill after a year courtship during our time at Northwestern State College (NSC). In the Early-Fall of 1970 our oldest Son, Michael, started our family while we were living, working, and finishing College at NSC in Alva, Oklahoma. (It was back in the mid 1960's during the days of the Viet Nam War, Peace, Love, and Hippies.. [Although, I never was a Hippie.]

In the Early-Summer (June) of 1973 David, Linda and son (Michael) were blessed with their second son, Robert. David was working for Kerr-MaGee Research & Engineering in OKC -- we were living in Edmond, OK, USA. In (or about 1975) David got a job with Exxon Engineering, Baytown, TX and the four of us became Texas-Okies for five or six years before we moved back to Alva, OK about 1980.

I love to listen to music of the "'40's" and "Rock-n-Roll Oldies" of the 50's, 60's, 70's! I also like a little of the "Classical, Jazz, Blues, Soul and Country!" One of my favorite Radio stations back in my earlier childhood was KOMA. You could find this transistor sister walking around Alva with her transistor radio tuned to KOMA radio station.
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Vacations & Covered Wagons of 1950's...

Vol 8, Iss 23 This is the time of year that families pack their motorhomes (covered wagons) for summer vacations. We were looking through our old photos of the mid-1950's and found this photograph of a 1951 Plymouth Suburban Wagon that we used one summer to take a summer vacation to the Rockies. We think it might have been when the young girl in the picture was 14 years of age or so, but with no date on the photo its hard to state the exact date. Gene McGill is atop the roof of the Plymouth wagon, while his oldest daughter (Connie Jean) is pulling tight a rope of some sort along side the wagon. If you see Connie Jean, ask her how old she was in this old photo with the 1951 blue Plymouth Suburban Wagon.

We think that this blue '51 Plymouth wagon was the old blue station wagon that Vada (Paris) McGill traded in for a newer light blue Oldsmobile that she bought at an auto dealer in Waynoka, Oklahoma while Gene was on a fishing trip with his buddies. We have forgotten the year of that transaction, but Vada had come to the end of her road with that old (1951) Plymouth wagon which (we are told) should have come to the end of its road a year or two earlier. We did a web search through Google and found this likeness of our Plymouth wagon on the web of the another 1951 Plymouth suburban wagon on an old vintage car site. 1951 Plymouth suburban wagon. It looks similar to the '51 Plymouth wagon of ours with an almost identical same dent near the front, right fender.

Speaking of motorhomes and covered wagons, checkout this 1955 photo of our makeshift Pontiac station wagon with homemade matching tear-drop trailer. Cooking supplies were stored in the backend with storage of tent, bedding and camping supplies stored inside this little trailer. This covered wagon was orangish and white and was used during the summer of '55 on our trip from northwest Oklahoma to the Yukon Territory of Alaska. We journeyed to Alaska with the six of us in this Pontiac station wagon and teardrop trailer rig in 1955, the year one of my sisters (Dorthy) turned 12. Seems to this NW Okie, that we ate a lot of doctored, "Dinty Moore Stew" on that Alaska trip in '55 -- something about "corn clam chowder" comes to mind, also. We left on our journey soon after school was out and did not return until September, a week or so after school had already started. This shy NW Okie remembers having to walk into a full classroom of Mrs. Van Pelts second grade class at Washington Elementary school -- scared to death. (We wonder if that is why this NW Okie doesn't like being late!) AND... We are reminded that the the reasons for the '55 summer long trip was that 1954 was a bad year for polio in Alva (Oklahoma) and they were expecting an even worse outbreak in 1955. Also, We spent the summer of 1954 at the ranch north of Waynoka to keep us away from the swimming pool and from other kids.

While we were in the Yukon Territory near Whitehorse and Dawson, Yukon Territory during the Summer of 1955, we took this photo of "The Yukoner" that had been sitting there for ... not sure how long after its last journey up the Yukon River. The name on the wheelhouse of this sternwheeler reads, "AKSALA" (ALASKA in reverse). It was the first boat up the Yukon river from whitehorse to Dawson. We wonder if the Yukoner is still setting in this same spot or has been restored or completely demolished. Whitehorse is captiol of Yukon Territory.
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In Memory of...

Vol 7, Iss 29 Gene M. McGill, Harvester, Flying Farmer, NW Oklahoma Democrat. SEE In Memory of Gene McGill

Some called him “Gene,” “Merle,” “The Flying Farmer,” and others knew as “The Democrat” from NW Oklahoma. AND… his four daughters called him “Dad!”

Gene M. McGill was born 27 December 1914, Alva, Woods County, Oklahoma, the oldest son of William “Bill” Jacob and Constance Estella (Warwick) McGill. Gene met Vada Eileen Paris in the Summer of ’38, -- married March 24, 1940. They created their family the Summer of ’42, Summer of ’43, Winter of ’48 and Spring of ’49. Gene died the weekend of Father’s day, June 16, 1986, Alva, Oklahoma. This photograph on the right is a picture of young Gene’s early school classmates in Alva, Oklahoma. Does anyone out there know who some of the other students are? View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Looking Back ... That's The Way It Was

Vol 11, Iss 29 Remember this quote that a CBS news anchorman used to sign-off with, "That’s the way it is?"

Walter Cronkite was the voice of news that no one has been able to duplicate. A trusted and honored news man, Cronkite was born in 1916, the same era of my mother, Vada Paris (November 11, 1916), and Uncle Bob McGill (August 23, 1916).

Cronkite was the news anchor for whom the term "anchorman" was born. Walter Cronkite (November 4, 1916 - July 17, 2009) dominated the television news industry during one of the most volatile periods of American history. He broke the news of the Kennedy assassination, reported extensively on Vietnam and Civil Rights and Watergate, and seemed to be the very embodiment of TV journalism. They say, "Cronkite set the standard by which all others have been judged."

Walter Leland Cronkite was born in St. Joseph, Missouri on November 4, 1916, the only child of a dentist father and homemaker mother. When he was still young, his family moved to Texas. One day, he read an article in "Boys Life" magazine about the adventures of reporters working around the world. Young Cronkite was hooked. He began working on his high school newspaper and yearbook.

In 1933, he entered the University of Texas at Austin to study political science, economic and journalism. He never graduated. He took a part time job at the Houston Post, left college to do what he loved: report.

That's the way it was!
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Black Sunday Blizzard 1935

Vol 11, Iss 26 Online at History.com I did a search for a show that was on this Sunday, June 28, 2009, concerning the "Black Sunday Blizzard of '35" that blew millions of tons of topsoil through the high plains and heartlands.

April 14, 1935, the day of "The Black Sunday Blizzard" blew millions of tons of topsoil eastward towards the east coast. Soil Conservation techniques were soon to follow to perserve the "Dust Bowl" years of the 1930s. Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and South Dakota feeling the "worst hard times" of that era.

According to HISTORY.COM's Major Dust Bowl Storm Strikes, It was one of the most devastating storms of the 1930s Dust Bowl era that swept through the heartland and the over-grazed, over-farmed plains bringing millions of tons of dirt and dust so dense, dark that some eyewitnesses believed the world was coming to an end.

By the early 1930s, the grassy plains of the plains of western Kansas, southeastern Colorado, panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, and northeastern New Mexico had been over plowed by farmers and overgrazed by cattle and sheep. Soil erosion, combined with an 8-year drought that began in 1931, created a a dire situation for farmers and ranchers.

With the failure of crops and businesses failing and dust storms making people sick, many residents fled westward in search of work in other states such as California. Those who remained behind struggled to support themselves and their families.

By the mid-1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration introduced programs to help alleviate the farming crisis, such as the establishment of the "Soil Conservation Service (SCS) in the Department of Agriculture. The SCS promoted improved farming and land management techniques and farmers were paid to utilize these safer practices. For many Dust Bowl farmers, this federal aid was their only source of income at the time."

By 1939, a year before my folks, Gene McGill and Vada Paris, were married (March 1940), the Dust Bowl era came to an end when the welcome rains returned as the drought ended. We only hope that the improved farming techniques of that "Dust Bowl" has reduced the problem of soil erosion and prevented a repeat of the 1930's Dust Bowl devastation. -- Maps of the Dust Bowl 1935-40.
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NW Okie's Warwick Connection

Vol 10, Iss 47 This is an early picture of my great great grandfather, Wm Fechtig Warwick, as a young boy.


Some have asked how I am connected to the Warwick Family. You can click on the following link to view my McGill-Warwick-Gwin-Hull genealogy.

From the Wm Jacob Warwick & Elizabeth Dunlap lineage my Warwick's flow down through the Warwick family through John Warwick & Mary Powell.

From that union we continue further through William Warwick & Nancy Agnes Craig. From there we continue our Warwick journey through Robert Craig Warwick & Esther Hull. Robert & Esther's son, Wm. Fechtig Warwick married Phoebe Anthea Pray/Prey (my great-great-grandparents).

Wm & Phoebe had a son, John Robert Warwick that married Signora Belle Gwin. My great grandparents John Robert "JR" & Signora Belle "Sigga" (Gwin) Warwick had three children: Constance Estella, Robert Lee and Wilbur (Wilbur died at 1 year of age. in Alva, M county, Oklahoma Territory).

My grandmother, Constance Estella Warwick, married my grandfather, William Jacob McGill, in Alva, Oklahoma, in March, 1910. Their two sons were: Gene M. McGill & Robert Lee McGill. My father, Gene M. McGill, married Vada Paris and had four daughters: Connie, Dorthy, Linda & Amber. I am the third daughter of that union. My great grandparents, JR & Sigga Warwick, grandmother Constance Warwick McGill (in the middle, front), my father as a young boy sitting down front next to Sigga Warwick (on right) and my Uncle Bob McGill semi-hidden behind Gene are pictured in photo on the left.

Grandmother Constance is the lady in white and white hat of some sort on the front steps (in middle) of the Mountain Grove, Virginia homestead.
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Once Upon A Warwick

Vol 10, Iss 17 Once upon a time very long ago, William Fechtig Warwick was born 11 August 1822 in Augusta County, Virginia to Robert Craig & Esther (Hull) Warwick. [See WARWICK Genealogy.]

Sometime in William Fechtig Warwick's early thirties, he meet and married a young girl from the Pray (Prey) family, Phoebe Anthea Pray. Phoebe was born 3 May 1833 and died 1 May 1905.

To the union of William F. & Phoebe Anthea Warwick eleven children were born: Amelia E., born 16 July 1853; Paul McNeel, born 1856; John Robert, born 9 April 1857, Frost (Dunmore), Pocahontas County, WV; Charles Fechtig, born 31 August 1865; Amanda Gabrielle "Gabie", born 1871, marr. John Landis; James, Louisa Catherine; Nelson Pray; Peter "Pete" Hull, born 1862, in Virginia; Sallie.

From the third offspring born, John Robert Warwick, begins our journey from the Virginia countryside to Oklahoma Territory. BUT... First, the 25-year-old John Robert from Pocahontas County, WV, meets and marries a 22 year old girl from Vanderpool, VA. Signora Belle "Sigga" Gwin and John Robert Warwick were married 16 January 1882 in Harpers Ferry, WV. [See John R. Warwick's Obit]

Around nine (9) months later in Monterey, Virginia, John and Signora Belle's oldest child, Constance Estella Warwick, came into the world, 20 October 1882. About five years later a second offspring, Robert Lee, made his debute 5 November 1887, in Monterey, VA.

Sometime between the second child (1887) and the third child (1895), in 1893, John & Signora Warwick made their trek westward towards Kansas with a ten (10) year old daughter and a five (5) year old son. They settled around the Coldwater, Kansas area where John Robert Warwick was a teacher for a brief time before they settled permanently in the Cherokee Strip Outlet, known as Oklahoma Territory.

Eight years after their second child, a third child (Wilbur "William" Warwick) was born 13 October 1895, in Alva, Oklahoma Territory. John Robert "JR" & Signora "Sigga" Belle's third offspring, Wilbur, died in infancy, 26 May 1896 and is buried in the Alva Cemetery, Block 08-028-08, Woods County, Oklahoma. Wilbur's lonely little grave is located on the South & West side of the cemetery while his parents and siblings are buried on the South & East side of the Alva cemetery.

Of John & Signora's remaining two childern, Constance Estella Warwick, continued the Gwin/Warwick lineage when Constance, age 28, married William Jacob (John) "Bill" McGill, age 30, 23 March 1910, Woods County, Oklahoma.

After four years of marriage, William & Contance's oldest son, Gene M. McGill was born 27 December 1914, Alva, OK. Two years later a second son, Robert Lee McGill, was born 23 August 1916, in Alva, OK.

The marriage of William J. McGill & Constance E. Warwick lasted 30 years when they divorced and went their separate ways in 1940. Constance never remarried, but W. J. "Bill" McGill married his second wife Blanche Rankin Miller in 1945.

Bill McGill died at the age of 79 years, 7 August 1959, Alva, OK. Constance Estella Warwick McGill died 19 August 1968, two months short of her 86 birthday, in Alva, OK.

The youngest son of Bill & Constance McGill, Robert Lee McGill, was married twice, but no offsprings were born of either marriage. After serving in WWII, Robert L. McGill died of lung cancer, 21 February 1954, at the age of 37 years, in Alva, OK, while he was married to his second wife, Dr. Mariam Felicia Monfort (marr. 21 June 1950 'til Bob's death Feb. 21, 1954). Bob and is first wife, Helen Louise Soper (marr. 1 June 1944), were divorced 22 June 1948.

That brings us to the four daughters of Gene M. McGill & Vada Eileen Paris. I was the third daughter of four. My name is Linda Kay McGill Wagner (a.k. a. NW Okie). That is me on the left with Dorthy in the middle and baby Amber on the right.
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1960 July 10, Presidential Politics

Vol 10, Iss 28 Forty-eight years ago a Democrat family of six from Northwest Oklahoma piled into their father's Cessna airplane and flew out west across the rockies, grand canyon and other spots in between Alva, Oklahoma and Los Angeles, California for the 1960 Democrat National convention. This NW Okie was twelve years of age at the time and oblivious to the political scene of that time.

Anyway... according to The Oklahoman, dated 1960 July 10, front page, written by Allan Cromley (Oklahoman-Times Washington Bureau), Governor (Edmondson) Gets In New Uproar.

It was the time of the Democratic National convention in Los Angeles, California with Lyndon Baines Johnson and John F. Kennedy as Democrats campaigning for President.

Members of the Oklahoma delegation were arriving in Los Angeles on a Saturday and were greeted by headlines quoting Gov. Edmondson as saying the Sooners had "quit" Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson for president.

My Dad, Gene McGill, who was state chairman, took one look at the headlines and issued an "angry denial."

The article goes on to state, "Edmondson said at a news conference there are at least 10 votes 20 delegates for Sen John F. Kennedy in the Oklahoma delegation. He said the Massachusetts senator would make the strongest Democratic candidate in Oklahoma.

A Los Angeles newspaper interpreted Edmondson's statement as a "crack in Johnson's delegate strength.

Jim Rinehart, El Reno, was so angry he promised to move at an Oklahoma caucus Sunday to withdraw Edmondson's half-vote in the delegation.

Smith Hester, chairman of the state convention, said Kennedy couldn't get five votes in theh Oklahoma delegation.

Edmondson pledged all-out support for Kennedy and spent much of the day with Robert Kennedy, the senator's brother and campaign manager.

They were meeting with Gov. Grant Sawyer of Nevada in the Alexandria Hotel at the moment the Massachusetts senator made a triumphal arrival.

Edmondson said he had become an active worker in the Kennedy campaign.

McGill said, "I wish to deny categorically published reports the Oklahoma delegation will "quit Lyndon Johnson."

McGill goes on to say, "Gov. Edmondson has one-half vote in the Oklahoma delegation. I doubt if he can control a single vote except his own. He definitely will not be a major influence in the Oklahoma delegation. Everyone in Oklahoma knows this to be true, and it will become very evident here when the voting starts."

The first ballots were to be taken that coming Wednesday. McGill said he would be "greatly surprised" if there are five full delegate votes (10 delegates) favoring Kennedy.

McGill goes on to say that Kennedy's strength in the Oklahoma delegation was a must question because of the unit rule under which the state convention instructed the entire 58 member delegation (29 votes) to support Johnson.

In another article written by Otis Sullivant, Daily Oklahoman Political writer, dated 1960 July 10, the headlines read: State's 29 Votes Wait for Lyndon.

Los Angeles -- "Anxiously watching developments, the Oklahoma delegation to the Democratic National convention is ready to make its formal declaration for Sen. Lyndon Johnson of Texas for the nomination for president at the first caucus here Sunday afternoon.

"The early arrivals scouted reports from all camps and hoped for a Johnson build-up to keep the bandwagon of Sen. John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts from rolling to a first or second ballot nomination.

"If the Kennedy forces can be stopped, then the Oklahomans expect Sen. Johnson to climb further, and the Oklahoma crowd will be in on the win.

"If Kennedy smashes through to victory, it will be a glum Oklahoma delegation for the most part. However, Gov. Edmondson and a few others on the delegation will be wildly jubilant.

Kennedy is so close to the 761 votes needed for a majority that the Oklahoma backers of Johnson were on edge as they mingled with the delegates from 49 other states.

"The caucus at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Alexandria Hotel, Oklahoma headquarters, will be the first formal gathering of the delegates since they were selected in district meetings and the state convention at Oklahoma City April 29 and 30, 1960.

"Sounding of the individual delegates then showed an overwhelming majority for Johnson, and apparently few have waivered since then despite the West Virginia primary victory for Kennedy and his continued build-up of delegate strength.

"Gene McGill, state chairman and chairman of the delegation is actively working and is expected to recommend to the delegation that it declare itself ready to vote for Johnson on the first ballot.

"The 58-member delegation which will cast the state's 29 votes in the convention is bound by the unit rule. Gov. Edmondson is a delegate with one-half vote by grace of state convention action to honor the office.
,br> "Sen. Robert S. Kerr is one of the most active aspirants for Johnson. Sen. Mike Monroney is for Adali Stevenson, nominee the last two times, and will lead the cheering section from the Oklahoma angle if a deadlock develops and Stevenson emerges as a compromise candidate.

"Sen. Stuart Symington is the second choice candidate of many of the delegates, if Johnson drops out and Kennedy fails to get the nomination. The indications are the majority of the delegates will not agree to go to Kennedy until he has wrapped up the nomination. There is some undercurrent talk about missing the bandwagon.

"The party organization fight, with foes of Gov. Edmondson taking charge of the party and the state convention, resulted in more opposition to Kennedy than would have developed otherwise. The fact that Gov. Edmondson is for Kennedy resulted in Kennedy having less support than he would have had otherwise. Further, many of the delegation leaders feel that Kennedy as the nominee would be the weakest of the candidates in Oklahoma against Vice President Nixon, as the Republican nominee.

"The party delegation includes McGill, Mrs. Grace Hudlin, Hulbert, State vice chairman and seven of the members of the party executive committee. Several of those party members were active in the surprise selection of McGill as state chairman over Pat Malloy, the governor's choice, last September (1959).

"The delegation also includes Raymond Gary, Madill, former governor; George D. Key, chairman of the state election board, whose resignation the governor sought unsuccessfully; W. P. Atkinson, Midwest City, the man the governor beat for the nomination for governor; Roy Grimes, Elmore City, head of the County Commissioners' Association, which is fighting the governor's reform program.

"Then many of the anti-administration legislators are on teh delegation, including Joe Bailey Cobb, Tishomingo; George Miskovsky, Oklahoma City, senator; Ed Merrong, Clinton, senator; and J. D. McCarty, Oklahoma City, speaker-designate of the house. Brandon Frost, Woodward, head of Oklahomans for Local Government the organization fighting the governor's program, is a delegate, but reported to like Kennedy.

"Despite the anti-state administration flavor, there was no early showing of hostility toward the governor. If Kennedy is the nominee, it is likely that the nominee will look to the governor for campaign aid in the state, more than to the party organization. Regardless of the selection of the nominee, the Democrats are expected to try to close ranks for the general election.

"The early arrivals were more concerned with getting their rooms in the crowded hotel and the far-away motels assigned to the delegation.

"And the quiet guessing was whether Oklahoma would again miss the bandwagon, as it has done so often in recent years.

"In 1928, the delegation was going to be for James A. Reed of Missouri but Al Smith of New York had the nomination when the balloting got underway.

"In 1932, the Oklahoma delegates were for the favorite son, Gov. William H. "Alfalfa Bill" Murray when Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York sewed up the nomination.

"In 1936, it was all roosevelt at Philadelphia. In 1940, the then Gov. Leon C. "Red" Phillips opposed the third term nomination of Roosevelt, but the delegation voted for Roosevelt.

"In 1944, at Chicago, Sen. Kerr, then governor, was the keynoter and a candidate for vice-president. Roosevelt had the fourth term nomination without dispute, and Kerr joined in for Harry S. Truman for vice-president to help nominate him. In 1948, there was nothing but Harry S. Truman at Philadelphia.

"In 1952, Kerr was a favorite son candidate with the delegation behind him. It went to Alben W. Barkley on the second ballot after a first vote for Kerr, and failed to catch the Stevenson bandwagon on the third ballot when he was nominated.

"Four years ago, Gov. Gary held the delegation in his hand and was for Gov. Harriman of Ne York when Stevenson again had the nomination. Gary did keep the delegation from voting for Kennedy for vice-president by going for Sen. Estes Kefauver, and Gary could have nominated Kennedy for vice president at one poiint by throwing the delegation to him.

"Kennedy probably would have been eliminated as a presidential candidate this time if he had been the nominee. At least, he has expressed gratitude for not having received the nomination for vice president four years go, although he was sorely disappointed at that time, as a number of state delegates observed."
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NW Oklahoma & Waynoka Lose Great Citizens...

Vol 7, Iss 45 It was November 3, 2005, in Alva, Oklahoma that two Waynoka icons lost their lives as a result of an auto accident.

"Dee" Wadia Cohlmia, 77, daughter of the late Fallah and Wazna (Hazar) Barkett, was born Jan. 28, 1928, at Henryetta and passed away Nov. 3, 2005, at Alva. Kamell "K" Cohlmia, 88, son of the late Frank and Amaz (Mady) Cohlmia, was born Aug. 28, 1917, at May and passed away Nov. 3, 2005, at Alva.

Some of you might remember the Cohlmia's better with the mention of "Frank's Department Store" in downtown Waynoka, Oklahoma. "K" Cohlmia loved the customers who came into haggle the prices with him. AND... our dad, Gene McGill, happen to be one of those customers that liked to haggle prices with Cohlmia. There was the time that Gene and Cohlmia were haggling over a coat for Vada and Gene ended up walking out of the store without the purchase cause Cohlmia wouldn't come down to Gene's price. I guess Cohlmia ended up calling Gene in Alva later with a price Gene would pay. Gene hopped in his airplane and flew to Waynoka (probably landing at Kelsey airfield) and getting Vada the coat.

Besides watching our dad haggle with Cohlmia at Frank's Department store and visiting Roscoe & Celinda Kelsey's, Waynoka was a special place for this NW Okie as a young girl. Our Hearts go out to Waynoka and the Cohlmia family for their lost. You can view the Cohlmia Obits over at Marshall Funeral Home website. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Jacob & Mary (VANCE) WARWICK's Sketches...

Vol 7, Iss 14 Jacob & Mary (Vance) Warwick's framed sketches have found a family home. A lady (Carolyn) in California contacted us this week. Her family is directly related to Jacob & Mary... 4th great-grandparents through Rachael Primrose WARWICK (daughter of Jacob & Mary).

Linda went back through her WARWICK's and find that Jacob & Mary Vance WARWICK were her 5th-Great Uncle & Aunt through Jacob's brother John (Linda's 5th great-grandfather). From there on down to Linda McGill Wagner it reads as such...

• John Warwick - m. Mary POWELL (5th-Great-Grandparents)
• William Warwick - m. Nancy Agnes CRAIG (4th-Great-Grandparents)
• Robert Craig Warwick - m. Esther/Hester HULL (3rd-Great-Grandparents)
• William Fechtig Warwick - m. Phoebe Anthea PRAY/PREY (2nd-Great-Grandparents)
• John Robert Warwick - m. Signora Belle GUINN (Great-Grandparents)
• Constance Warwick - m. Wm J. MCGILL (Grandparents)
• Gene McGill - m. Vada PARIS (parents)
• Gene & Vada's Daughters (Connie, Dorthy, Linda, Amber) - 1st cousin 6x removed from Rachel Primrose Warwick
• Gene & Vada's Grandchildren
• Gene & Vada's Great-Grandchildren

Kansas McGill Brothers

Vol 8, Iss 42 Last week we learned that the Edwards county McGill family settled in Lewis, Kansas in the early 1800's from New York State. There are no McGill's left in Lewis, Kansas except for those buried in the family plot in the Wayne Township cemetery near Lewis, Kansas, in Edwards county. The graves date back to the early 1800's.

We also found out that the immediate McGill family moved to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado in 1948; then to California in the mid-1950's. Also, there is mention of the McGill's at the Dodge City, Boot Hill museum, a buffalo hunter McGill buried on Boot Hill.

• Frank McGill -- a Gentleman Farmer and Showman, traveled with Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. He looked a lot like Bill Cody and would stand in for him when Buffalo Bill was too drunk to ride (so the family story goes). Frank's wife was a little French women and ran the farm. Frank died May, 1939.
• Merle J. McGill -- Frank's son, passed away in 1980 at age 80. Merle J. was married twice, his second wife retired in Kinsley, Kansas (9 miles west of Lewis, Kansas) in the early 1970's. Merle J. and his first wife had the following children:
• Merle Eugene "Gene" McGill -- born 1932 (age 74 to date), lives with his oldest daughter and family on a farm near Union, Arkansas. One of his daughters is Melody (McGill) Paddock.
• Robert Lee "Bob" McGill -- born August, 1939 (age 67 to date), living on the Central Coast of California. Bob has three daughters and eight grandchildren living in California and Nevada.

Shawnee Chief Cornstalk...

Vol 6, Iss 8 Another reader sent us some information he found online concerning the Shawnee Chief Cornstalk and the Battle around Point Pleasant and Lord Dunmores battle in Virginia in the late 18th century. The reason that tidbit of information is interesting to this writer is because one of my Warwick ancestors (Jacob Warwick the 2nd) was a captain in that battle. Jacob, II and John Warwick were two of the sons of Lt. Wm Jacob Warwick. I believe I figured that Jacob, II was my 5th-Great-Uncle and John was my 5th-Great-Grandpa. My 4th-Great-Grandpa (Wm. Warwick) married Nancy Agnes Craig and they settled in Greenbriar county above Sinking Creek near the Richlands. As the lineage progresses back to this writer it is as follows... Robert Craig Warwick & Esther Hull (3rd-Great-Grandparents)- Wm. Fechtig Warwick & Phebea Anthea Pray (2nd-Great-Grandparents) - John Robert Warwick & Signora Belle Guinn (Great-Grandparents) - Constance Estella Warwick & Wm. J. McGill (Grandparents) - Gene McGill & Vada Paris (Parents) - Linda McGill & David Wagner - Michael & Robert Wagner (sons). You can find out more about the Warwick's, Point Pleasant Battle starting over at ParisTimes.com/ Warwick/.

Air Tour - June 1, 1946

Vol 7, Iss 8 This next photo was taken June 1, 1946 during an Air Tour we believe was at the Waynoka airport, in NW Oklahoma. Why we say Waynoka is because the gentlemen on the left with his back to the camera is Roscoe Kelsey. Next to Roscoe is Gene McGill with his wife Vada. On the far right in the background is another gentlemen by the name of Oscar Callison. View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Northwest Oklahoma Benefactor - Charles Morton Share...

Vol 6, Iss 17

The Alva Review Courier had an article this Friday Memorializing Alva Benefactor (Charles Morton Share), dated 04/23/04 by Helen Barrett. NW Oklahomans will remember Charles Morton Share as one of the Share Brothers Department Store on the West side of the square (where Cunningham has his Law Office today and where the Old Jett Store once was located). Others might remember him with the Share Trust that has built many of the new building in Alva.

I remember growing up next door to Morton Share in the 700 block of Seventh Street. We lived at 703 Seventh Street (on the corner of Church & Seventh Street) and Morton Share lived in the next house South. The memories are vague and dusty, but didn't he have fruit trees in his backyard? I recall my baby-sister picking some of his apricots (or something) off of his trees and baking him a pie --. with my mother's help, of course. Mom made great, flaky pie crusts that almost melted in your mouth. That's the Bohemian side of Vada Paris McGill.

Back to Morton Share, though... I believe Morton gave my baby-sister a stuffed pelican at one time. The pelican isn't around any more. I think it got donated to the college museum at one point in time after sitting in storage collecting dust. As I said the memories are vague, dusty as the pelican soon became to be while gracing a storage room of my folks home on Skyline Drive.

Back to the Mural Society painting party... of course, the public is invited to meet the artist (Don Gray of Murrieta, California) and watch the progress of this newest mural from 5 - 7 p.m. Monday, April 26, 2004. They say to bring your lawn chairs, enjoy a hamburger and home made ice cream for a donation to the Alva Mural Society. Hope the weather changes to sunshine for Monday. Hope we can make it in from the country chores, too.

Before we wind down here... Does anyone know what the mascot of Dacoma High School (Oklahoma) was, or the color of the sweater? AND... WHO is this horse thief buried in a corner of the Mennonville Cemetery, in Canadian County, Oklahoma? Do not forget to mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 27, 2004 , 6:30 – 7:30, Piedmont Public Library ~ 1129 7th NW, Piedmont, Oklahoma for SHAKESPEARE'S BIRTHDAY -- NATIONAL POETRY MONTH. It's FREE!

Duchess says, "Woof! Woof! It's past my bedtime! Shutdown that dang 'puter -- turnout the lights. This neglected li'l Pug needs her belly rubbed and tucked into bed... Right NOW! Goodnight, Y'all!" Okay! Okay! I'm out of here. Keep your feet dry this weekend and keep your raincoats, umbrellas and snow shovels handy. See Y'all next weekend!

Sand Plum Jelly Recipe

Vol 12, Iss 24 Oklahoma - It is June! Sand Plums are ripening in Oklahoma now! We did a search back through our OkieLegacy archives and found this recipe for Sand Plum Jelly that we received from a lady a few years ago. My mother (Vada Paris McGill) used semi-ripened sand plums along with ripened plums which gave an excellence blend of tart, sweet to the jelly.

Helen Ruth's Sand Plum Jelly
4 pounds sand plums, 3 pounds ripe and 1 pound under-ripe; 1 cup water; 1 package powdered pectin (1 3/4 ounces); 7 cups sugar.

The cherry-sized sand plum of the American Southwest is kin to the beach plum, that favorite for preserves from the sandy coasts of the Northeast up into the Canadian Maritimes.

The sand plum is ripe in early June; the season for beach plums starts around the middle of August; the sand plum is a lovely pink when ripe, the beach plum is purple for conserve later in the month but is picked red for jelly. Both varieties gel better if at least one-fourth the amount of fruit is not quite ripe, thus having more natural pectin.

Wash and pick over the plums; do not pit or peel. Crush them in the bottom of a large enameled kettle with the 1 cup water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 15 minutes. Crush again with a vegetable masher as the fruit softens. Strain juice. Return juice to the kettle, reserving 1 cup in which to mix the pectin; combine pectin mixture with juice and bring to a full boil, stirring constantly.

Add the sugar, continue stirring, and boil hard for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, skim, and immediately pour into hot 1/2-pint canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headroom. Cap with two-piece screwband lids. Give a 5 minute B-W bath." View/Write Comments (count 1)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Inquiry - Tressie Lorene Paris Jordan

Vol 11, Iss 39 Mary Jordan Pollack says, "My mother's name is Tressie Lorene Paris. I am trying to trace her family for her 90th birthday party next month. This is a longshot but here goes. Her father's name was Albert Paris. Her mother's name was Maude Bell Franklin Paris. Her sisters were Lela Paris, Zella Paris, Mary Paris, Treila Paris and her twin sister Tessie Morene Paris. Tressie Lorene Paris was born on October 9, 1919, in Pratt, Kansas.

If there is any relationship I would be thrilled to hear from you. Thanks a lot. I am looking for family history for my mother’s 90th birthday party. I would appreciate any information. Thanks." -- mehellen@neo.rr.com

[Editor's Note: NW Okie's PARIS connection to Albert & Maude Bell Franklin Paris is as follows:

NW Okie shows, "Albert Franklin Paris, b. Mar 6, 1880, Harrison, MO; death Feb 14, 1958; son of Zeaphanie "Zeph/Sephanie" Paris, b. Jul. 25, 1856, Chandlerville, Cass Co., IL; death Dec. 26, 1926.

Zeaphanie was son of James Franklin Paris, b. Apr. 25, 1830, Madison Co., KY; death Jan. 31, 1913, Chandlerville, Cass Co., IL.

James Franklin Paris was a brother to Henry Clay Paris(NW Okie's great grandfather), b. Jul. 5, 1844, Foxtown, Madison Co., KY. Vada Paris McGill and Albert Franklin Paris were cousins.

So … Albert Franklin PARIS is NW Okie's 2nd cousin once removed. Here's how:
1. Vada Eileen (PARIS) MCGILL is my mother
2. Ernest Claude PARIS is the father of Vada Eileen (PARIS) MCGILL
3. Henry Clay PARIS is the father of Ernest Claude PARIS
4. James Franklin PARIS is a brother of Henry Clay PARIS
5. Zeaphanie "Zeph/Sephanie) PARIS is a son of James Franklin PARIS
6. Albert Franklin PARIS is a son of Zeaphanie "Zeph/Sephanie) PARIS

Here is a link to myheritage.com paris/hurt/conover genealogy. If your have some dates or information that needs to be included or corrected, please let me know.]
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McGill - Merle Eugene & Robert Lee

Vol 8, Iss 42 "Here is a picture of Frank McGill dressed as Buffalo Bill. I have no idea when the photo was taken. It is okay with me if you include info in your newsletter. I have some great pictures of grandpa Frank in his Bill Cody outfit. I'll try to scan some of the best and e-mail to you.

I am not sure if all the story about Frank are true. I have his obituary around here someplace. He died in May, 1939 - I was born in August, so I only know the legend and stories. I am 67 and brother Gene is 74.

Edwards County, Lewis, Kansas is about 50 miles east of Dodge City. All of our ancestors are buried in a family plot in the Wayne Township cemetery near Lewis. The graves date back to the early 1800's. There is mention of the McGill's at the Dodge City, Boot Hill museum.

I am the only one living on the Central Coast. I have three daughters and eight grandchildren living in California and Nevada. Gene lives with his oldest daughter and family on a farm near Union.

Our Dad Merle J., passed away in 1980 at age 80. He and our step mom retired in Kinsley (9 miles west of Lewis) in the early 70's. Our Grandfather Frank was a Gentleman Farmer and Showman. He traveled with Bill Cody's Wild West Show. He looked a lot like Bill and would stand in for him when he was too drunk to ride (so the family story goes). Our Grandmother, although little French women, ran the farm.

12 years ago Gene and I visited Edwards County to visit our Dad's sisters the last of that generation (they have since passed away). It was interesting and a little sad. Lewis is down to less then 200 persons. Lewis does have a web site - no mention of McGill's. Thanks for asking about our family." -- Bob McGill - Email: bob.mcgill2@verizon.net
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Vada Paris & John B. Doolin Memories...

Vol 6, Iss 14 "I enjoyed reading about Vada (Vada's 1938 Diary), although I didn't know her. My Dad, John B Doolin knew her. They (John Doolin & Gene McGill) apparently went to OU at the same time? Anyway, it's fun to read about family." -- Martha J. Doolin View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe