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Checotah
News
March 21, 2024
Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

Stories from the past

114 YEARS AGO The Checotah Times Friday, March 18, 1910

Maybe 3 Stories

Before 1910 passes away Checotah may be able to boast of a handsome three-story brick building on the lots now occupied by the Brown store and Checotah Hardware Co., furniture store on the south side of Gentry Avenue between Broadway and Front Street.

Mr. C.C. Brown purchased this property about a year ago and erected the one-story brick now occupied by his store.

Wadsworth Bound Over

The preliminary hearing of Pude Wadsworth for the killing of Grant Harris at Cathay last week was held Saturday and Monday before Justice Richardson at the old commissioner’s court room.

Many witnesses were examined and the hearing resulted in the defendant being bound over to the district court, the size of the bond to be determined by Judge Cole of McAlester.

Creamery and Dairy

As was announced in the Times two or three weeks got Messrs. E.S. Linch and C.M. Cook are making arrangements to install a first class and upto- date creamery and dairy at Mr. Linch’s place in the north part of town.

This week the order for the necessary machinery was placed and the gentlemen hope to have the plant in running order in a month or six weeks.

They will manufacture butter and ice cream.

•••••

100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, February 28, 1924

CHICKEN OWNERS TAKE NOTICE!

Garden time is again at hand and complaints are being made to city officials in regard to chickens running at large.

The City of Checotah has an ordinance in regard to this nuisance which involves a fine of $25.

Chicken owners take due notice thereof and govern yourselves accordingly. Put them up and save trouble.

Attest: A.C. Sanders, Mayor; Mrs. R. H. Gaines, City Clerk

H.S. Play Draws Big Crowd

The high school auditorium was comfortably filled last Friday night to witness the play “The Cricket on the Hearth,” produced by the pupils of the high school under the direction of Miss May.

Each and every character was portrayed in an excellent manner and speaks volumes both for the pupils and their teacher, Miss May.

Easter Sunday Comes Late

East Sunday this year will fall on April 20, which is considerably later than recent years. While Easter has been known to have fallen as late as April 25, it has been many years since it was celebrated as late in the season as will be the case this year.

This explanation lies in the fact that Easter is always the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21.

••••• 80 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, August 26, 1943

CHECOTAH BOY WRITES LETTER FROM JAP CAMP Lt. Wayne Hightower, who was captured by the Japs in the battle of Corregidor, is interned in a Japanese prison camp and is getting along fine, he told members of his family in a letter this week.

The letter, which was the first that his mother, Mrs. M.E. Hightower, had received since October 1941, was dated February 5, 1943, taking nearly seven months in transit.

Hightower was wounded May 2, 1942, at Corregidor. He has since been interned in the Osaka Prison camp in Japan.

Paper Circulates Throughout World

The names of four more soldiers were added to our honor roll of subscribers this week, boosting our circulation among services to a new record.

The Democrat is read by McIntosh County soldiers all over the world.

Christmas Shopping Starts For Soldiers The Christmas shopping season is here – despite the warmest weather in years.

Mailing of gifts for army and navy personnel overseas must begin by September 15 if those in the armed services are not to be disappointed; and September 15 is less than a month away.

•••••

75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, February 24,1949

KING TO DIRECT FIGHT TO BUILD ORIGINAL DAM

Milam M. King of Checotah was elected president of the Eufaula Dam Association at a protest meeting condemning the two-dam proposal at Henryetta last Thursday night attended by delegates from towns throughout eastern Oklahoma.

A strongly worded resolution supporting the original Eufaula dam plan was adopted. The resolution calls on congressional support of the one-dam plan. The association refused to even consider the proposal for the two smaller dams instead of one large one on the South Canadian river 15 miles southeast of Checotah.

The original plan called for the construction of one dam to form a huge lake covering 143,000 acres below the confluence of the North and South Canadian rivers.

Junior Stock Show to Open Tuesday At City Sale Barn The annual Checotah FFA livestock show, sponsored by the chamber of commerce, will be held at the community sales barn next Tuesday.

About 100 head of cattle and hogs will be exhibited by the 35 members of the class.

Stidham Is Named Green Bay Coach

Tom Stidham, former head grid coach at Oklahoma and Marquette, has been signed as line coach of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League, Coach E.L. Lambeau announced this week.

Stidham starred at tackle at Haskell Institute under Dick Hanley.

•••••

50 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, March 7, 1974

L.E.A. Opposes Lake Shore Management Plan

The Lake Eufaula Association has set Sunday, March 10, as the date for a special meeting to discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ proposed lakeshore management plan.

The plan would require the removal of all private boat docks, ramps and recreational facilities from the shore of the lake’s main body. The facilities would be re-located in coves and inlets, out of sight of the main body of the lake

Telephone Company Expanding Locally General Telephone Co. of Southwest will be spending approximately $3.4 million in Checotah and surrounding communities served by company this year.

This money will provide for the addition of central office equipment needed to accommodate the growth in these areas.

Tech Sgt Receives Award

Technical Sergeant Douglas T. Allen, a 1959 graduate of Checotah High School, has received his second award of the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal at Tinker AFB.

Allen, an air traffic controller, was decorated for meritorious service at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl T. Allen of Checotah.

•••••

19 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, October 20, 2005

County gears up for Halloween

When the air turns chilly and the leaves turn golden, the creepiest and scariest of McIntosh County residents come out of hiding.

They lurk behind hay bales, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting passersby They crouch in river bottoms, looking to terrify whatever unlucky innocents happen by.

It’s Halloween again, and for those locals willing to subject themselves to the trials and tribulations of any one of a number of the area’s spookfests, it’s the best time of year to bundle up and test their courage.

Pow-Wow

The Checotah Indian Community held their annual Three Rivers Gathering this weekend at Lake Eufaula State Park.

Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
A: Main, News...
Goodbye to Gary Lee Nichols
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 12, 2026
There are men who build businesses. And there are men who build communities. Gary Lee Nichols did both. For more than five decades, Gary wasn’t just the owner of grocery stores; he was a steady presen...
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Banning comments after tornado hits Beggs
March 12, 2026
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Chris Banning, RBixby, released the following statement after tornadoes hit northeast Oklahoma Friday night: “The severe weather that moved through Oklahoma this weekend resulted ...
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Communities built through faith and determination
A: Main, News...
Communities built through faith and determination
By STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
On a cool Saturday morning, Feb. 28, in the closing days of Black History Month, the steeple of Mt. Olive Star Baptist Church in Checotah rose above a quiet gathering devoted to remembrance, faith and...
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5th Annual Green Run is March 14
March 12, 2026
The 5th Annual Green Run returns this Saturday at the Lake Eufaula Pavilion. This lively St. Patrick’s–themed event features a USATF-sanctioned 5K and a Fun Run, welcoming runners, walkers, families, ...
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Former OSBI investigator sentenced for multiple counts of sexual abuse of a minor
March 12, 2026
MUSKOGEE – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Jordan Francis Toyne, age 37, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 109 months in prison for ea...
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An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
A: Main, News...
An All American 18th Annual Chili Cook-Off success
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 12, 2026
The 18th Annual Checotah Chili Cook-Off hosted by the Heartland Heritage Museum & Gallery was a culinary showdown of steaming hot chili along with American patriotism for fun-filled evening of food an...
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Deadline to change party affiliation approaches
March 12, 2026
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, McIntosh County Election Board Secretary Kim Limbaugh said today. Voters may change their party a...
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Checotah Livestock aids tornado victims
March 12, 2026
Checotah Livestock Market announced they will be helping aid recent tornado victims in Beggs. “Our community has always stepped up when neighbors are hurting,” a Checotah Livestock spokeman said. “In ...
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Oversight work and deadlines
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Oversight work and deadlines
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March 12, 2026
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The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
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C.A.R.D. Senior Nutrition menu
March 12, 2026
March 16 - March 20 611 N. Broadway, Checotah Please call 918-237-1118 for meal reservations by 12 p.m. the day before services. Monday, March 16: Cheeseburger w/ toppings; potato; veggie salad; cake;...
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Checotah, OK
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