Stories from the past
114 YEARS AGO Checotah Enquirer
Friday, September 3, 1909
NORTH POLE DISCOVERED
••••• 50 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, September 13, 1973
Chamber Member Lou Sharpe
By Frederick A. Cook the Lucky Explorer
Following is some of the history of the trip: “After a prolonged fight with famine and frost,” says Dr. Cook,” we have at last succeeded in reaching the North Pole.
“We left Greenland shore and pushed westward over the troubled ice of Smith Sound.
The gloom of the long night was relieved by only a few hours of daylight. The chill of winter was felt at its worst.
“As we crossed the heights of Ellesmere Sound to the Pacific slope the temperature sank to minus 83 centigrade. Several dogs were frozen and the men suffered severely, but we soon found game trails along which the way was easy.
“With four men and 46 dogs moving the supplies for eighty days, the crossing of the circum-polar track began…”
Married
Mr. Edgar Henderson of Dyer, Ark., to Miss Lillie Lawrance, of this city. The ceremony took place at the office of Justice J.T. Aud at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The couple will make their future home in Dyer, Ark. The Enquirer extends congratulations.
Stiff Breeze
Last Saturday a pretty stiff breeze passed over this section, doing some slight damage among which was the moving of the Bond Switch schoolhouse and blowing down a large crib at that place.
••••• 100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, August 30, 1923
PROMINENT FARMER DIES
F. Moore Answers Final Summons at His Home Northwest of the City At his home five miles northwest of Checotah Wednesday night the grim reaper exacted his toll on the life of N.F. Moore, one of McIntosh county’s most progressive and best known farmers, especially in the Lawrence vicinity.
Moore was born in Adams County, Ill. on January 16, 1857, being 66 years, 8 months and 13 days at the time of death.
TO PUT ON CITY AIRS
On Tuesday and Wednesday nights, Sept. 11 and 12, Griffen Dry Goods Company will hold their first annual Style Show and Fall Opening at the Cozy Theatre and according to Mr. Griffen nothing will be left undone to make this occasion a real metropolitan affair.
Eight charming Checotah young ladies will act as models in displaying the season’s very latest in women’s suits, skirts, blouses, dresses, coats and capes.
OPEN SEPTEMBER 10
On That Date Checotah Schools Will Commence for Coming Year’s Work Financial conditions of the district will necessitate some methods of retrenchment, but the Board of Education has spared no time and pains in guarding the best interests of the schools in the program of economy and is thought that the few changes made in the management will not materially affect the high standard attained by our schools, and, while the funds available will not admit of the original plans for expansion of the system, we feel confident of a very successful year which opens on the 10th of September.
••••• 75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, September 2, 1948
CLUB LAUNCHES PROJECT TO OIL CITY’S STREETS Graveled Roads In Line For Thin Coating Of Asphaltic Oil
Steps to blacktop the principal residential streets of the city were taken at the meeting of the Checotah Lions Club Thursday noon, it was stated by Jay Blackburn, president.
The action is being taken as a means of preventing the heavy dust on graveled streets in the city by members of the civic welfare committee of the club, headed by L.K. Sharpe.
It was explained that although the streets are well graded and are kept in excellent condition, some form of hard surfacing is needed to keep down the dust.
CHANGE IN VETERANS TAX LAWS IS ASKED A change in the law providing war service deductions from income taxes, has been suggested to the legislative committee on revenue and taxation by Joe Whitaker, Eufaula member of the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
He pointed out that members of the armed services are entitled to $1,500 war service deductions on their income tax annually until the treaty of peace is declared by the President. He said there are probably 15,000 members of the Oklahoma National Guard and armed services who can continue to claim this deduction since it applies to income received from the government as well as from any other sources.
Children Cautioned On Traffic Danger
Parents of Checotah youngsters were asked by Jess Frazier, chief of police, this week to caution their children about crossing the streets in the business district of the city.
A number of tragedies have narrowly been averted in recent weeks when children stepped in front of cars while crossing the street in the middle of the block. Several persons have been hit but none have been seriously injured.
Frazier asked the classroom instructors to caution the children and advise them in the proper methods of crossing streets in heavy traffic.
The Chamber of Commerce spotlight this week is on Mr. Lou Sharpe. He is a familiar figure in Checotah, having lived here all of his life. Mr. Sharpe stated that he loves the town and its people and he would never consider living anywhere else.
Mr. Sharpe has been a member of the Chamber of Commerce since he entered the business in 1945.
The chain of Sharpes Dry Goods Stores presently numbers 16 stores in Oklahoma. Mr. L.K. Sharpe (Lou’s father) established the first store in Checotah in 1916 and it remains the home office of the chain.
Housing Project Nears Completion
The Creek Nation Housing Project is due to be turned over to the Indian Authority of Okmulgee on December 1, 1973, according to Jack Allen, superintendent of the project. Upon completion the project, which is financed totally with federal funds, will include one community building and 32 buildings made up of 74 one, two and three bedroom units.
The units are available to persons of any race who meet the eligibility requirements.
Hale Wins At Ft. Madison Rodeo
Billy Hale, Checotah, emerged the winner of the steer wrestling event at the Ft. Madison, Iowa, Rodeo, the Rodeo Cowboys Association said.
Hale won the first of two go-rounds to finish first in the average with a time of 12.3 seconds. For the win, Hale collected $768 in prize money.
The money helped the 34 year-old cowboy maintain second place in the world steer wrestling standing with $19,683.
••••• 25 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, September 10, 1998
IT’S TIME FOR OKRAFEST!
OKRAFST!, an award-winning celebration sponsored by Main Street, will be held this Saturday, Sept. 12, in downtown Checotah from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Events for everyone are included in the day’s activities. Fun cycles and moon walks for the young and young at heart will be held all day.
The highlight of OKRAFEST! is the Okra Cook-Off Competition.
Art Show to Draw Crowds From Okrafest The Checotah Area Artists’ Regional Art Show opening and reception will be Saturday, Sept. 12 in the Jim Lucas Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This show will be presented at 1:30 p.m. The Best of Show Award will receive the top award of $100 from the Peoples National Bank of Checotah.
Mann To Preside Over State Council As President
The Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English has announced its Executive Board officers for the 1998-99 year. Patsy Mann, a teacher at Checotah High School, has been elected to the office of President.
