Stories from the past
114 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Friday, June 10, 1910
STATE CAPITAL LOCATED
Unofficial Returns Gives the Seat of State Government to Oklahoma City
The capital location election last Saturday was a hummer and disclosed many surprises as the returns came in. By many, it was thought sure that the location bill would be defeated while the majority of the town people were of the opinion that the proposition would carry, with the country district in doubt.
At this time it is impossible to give exact figures but it is generally conceded that the removal clause carried by a substantial vote and that Oklahoma City won as the seat of government by a majority up in the thousands.
Guthrie’s citizens discovering the state of affairs early in the game succeeded, after some delay, in securing service on the governor and other state officials restraining them from removing the state’s effects to Oklahoma City and a portion of the business is now being transacted at Guthrie.
Bought Mission Hall
The Mission billiard and pool hall which came into existence less than a month ago under the management of Noble & Jones has changed hands. The new proprietors are Heck McIntosh and Tom Mormon, well known young men, who will continue the business.
••••• 100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, May 8, 1924
Lumber Yards Change Hands
The T.H. Rogers Lumber Co., with headquarters in Oklahoma City, has purchased the eight yards of the Clem Lumber Co. in Oklahoma, including the Checotah yard, and will take charge of their new possessions about the 20th.
Mr. Winn, the local manager for Clem, will remain in the same capacity with the new owners.
Mother’s Day
Don’t forget that Sunday is Mother’s Day. Get her some flowers at the Checotah Hardware Company.
New City Council Takes Over
On Monday night the city council met in regular session at the City Hall at which time the old council completed their year’s business and the new council organized for business for the coming year.
The new council designated the Checotah Times as the official city paper for the coming year.
The council elected Ben Morgan as night watchman.
The council adopted a resolution requesting the state highway department assist in resurfacing and repairing of the Jefferson highway through the city limits.
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80 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, November 11, 1943
NEW ATHLETIC PROGRAM ASKED FOR ALL PUPILS
A change in the school program to place emphasis on physical education and fine arts was advocated this week in a statement issued to teachers of the county by Levi Phillips, county superintendent.
“Since the outbreak of World Warr II and our boys have been called into the service of our country, we have some hundreds of our youth fail the physical examinations. It’s time to wake up and do something about it,” Phillips said.
School Attendance Stressed By Phillips
Parents were urged to send their children to school every day during the present school year, in a statement issued this week by Levi Phillips, county superintendent.
County schools will continue to lose teachers as well as state aid funds if students continue to drop out of school to take employment in war factories.
“I cannot recall a period of time in the history of our county when attendance was as important as it is today. We must maintain our attendance if we are to save our schools,” Phillips said.
••••• 75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, May 12,1949
ELMER THOMAS PREDICTS ONE EUFAULA DAM
Sees Industrial Era in Eastern Oklahoma In Near Future “It will be one dam or nothing,” Senator Elmer Thomas told a group of Muskogeeans Wednesday in referring to the Eufaula controversy over a single or two dam projects.
Site of the original project is on the Canadian river about 15 miles southeast of Checotah.
Thomas said a majority of the residents of the area favor the single dam which is estimated to cost $130 million.
The alternate plan of the engineers, which has been opposed bitterly, calls for two dams, one on the North Canadian south of Onapa and the other on the South Canadian four miles south of Eufaula. Both would cost an estimated $103 million.
Community Building Is Proposed In City Plans for purchase of a Camp Gruber barracks building to be used as a community hall are being made by city and school officials. It was stated that the building could be purchased by the school for $50, but that the expense of purchasing a lot and moving and rebuilding the structure would probably run $2,500.
The city dads and school officials plan a joint conference this week to work out details of the project.
••••• 50 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, May 30, 1974
Rodeo Only Week Away From Today
Old Settlers Day Rodeo is only one week away. The Round-up Club is making plans for bigger and better rodeos this year. Featuring a match barrel pick-up between the Checotah Jaycees and Eufaula Jaycees on Thursday and Friday nights, also Saturday night the prison band will perform during the Rodeo.
••••• 19 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, December 29, 2005
“Toys for Tots” reaches 2005 goal
Akers says over 700 children served this year in county McIntosh County has met its goal for the annual Christmas Toys for Tots drive.
Chairman Thomas Akers and Co-Chairman Roger Harbin stated that the Toys for Tots drive in McIntosh County not only met the goal to see that the children in the area had a good Christmas, but also exceeded their expectations.
••••• 10 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Veterans honored in Checotah
Larry Smith was not in the military, but he wanted to volunteer to place the American flag on the graves of military men and women.
He joined a small group led by Don Campbell, acting commander of the American Legion, to put out more than 400 flags.
Campbell, who is retired from the U.S. Air Force, said the task was made easier by city crews who helped “tremendously.”
Checotah Lions pride of the community “We serve.” That’s the Checotah Lions Club motto and that’s exactly what this group of volunteers has been doing in the past month.
Members offered the community a chance to hear candidates while serving them pulled pork sandwiches during an event they called “Pork and Politics” at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23, at the Checotah Community Center.
