114 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, March April 20, 1911
AFTER THE STORM
Conditions worse than thought
That the storm last week wrought havoc cannot be gainsaid after going over the field and following the trail of desolation.
The number of homes wrecked were given last week as 14 when likely double that number would come more nearly the figures.
The first effect of the storm, so far as McIntosh County is concerned, is reported from the vicinity of Hoffman but the extent of the damage will likely never be fully known.
TO TRY FOR OIL
The necessary papers were drawn up and signed in this city yesterday between T.M. Price and a wellknown drilling company to bore for oil on leases secured southeast of this city.
The contract calls for immediate work and stipulates that the first well must be to the oil depth within sixty days.
BAD WRECK
No. 1 southbound did not reach this city until 1 o’clock Tuesday owing to a bad wreck just this side of Parsons, Kan. The wreck is said to have been caused by a misunderstanding of the orders. The blame, however, had not been fixed yesterday.
All south-bound traffic was delayed several hours while the track was cleared.
••••• 100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, February 5, 1925
WERE SIMPLY DEFRAUDED
The alleged Mexican land swindle in which more than a score of McIntosh County families were the victims, and mention of which was made in last week’s issue, has caused a sensation all over the state and a thorough investigation of the transaction is being made by both local and state officials.
A.C. Johnson, president of the West Coast Agricultural Land Co., who put over the deals here and later disappeared after receiving thousands of dollars for land payments, has not yet been located but is believed to be in California.
Besides, it is questionable in the minds of some officials whether he can be prosecuted even if located and apprehended.
New Night Man
At a meeting of the city council Monday night Gus Hughes was selected as night watchman, succeeding Euel Kidd. Mr. Hughes assumed his new duties at once.
••••• 90 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, February 8, 1934
DISAPPEARANCE OF LOCAL MAN PUZZLES COPS
The strange disappearance of Harry Cook, 38, filling station operator of this city, who left his home on Tuesday Jan. 39, with intentions of “going to town to get a haircut” has left officers baffled, although Sheriff John McQuillen is working on the case night and day.
Cook was quoted by his wife as saying that he had more than $100 in his pocket when he left home which led officers to believe that he may have been the victim of foul play.
Cook was formerly a highway worker here being employed by the Moran and Buckner construction company in the operations of an excavator. He came to the city about a year ago and finally purchased the Beach filling station on the west end of town.
9,000,000 Bale Cotton Law Gaining Favor Washington, Feb. 7 – A long stride toward federal control of agriculture’s output was taken today through formal approval by Secretary Wallace of the Bankhead bill to limit cotton marketed in the 1934-35 season to nine million bales.
Shateswell Purchases Barbershop Interest L.F. Shateswell has purchased an interest in the Service Barber Shop, which has been operated in this city for the past year by Henry Wells. The men are now joint owners of the establishment.
Shateswell specializes in women’s work and finger waving.
The shop now has three chairs.
••••• 81 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, September 28, 1944
Indian Journal Sold to Hubert Riddle
The Indian Journal, Oklahoma’s oldest newspaper, which was founded in 1876, was sold last week by R.B. Buford editor and owner of the paper for the past 40 years to Hubert Riddle, former employee of the plant.
Riddle, one of the outstanding young newspaper men of eastern Oklahoma, will take control of the paper Oct.1.
Buford expects to devote his time to other business interests.
The Stars and Bars
– It looked kinda like “old home week” in San Francisco last weekend when five former Checotahns got together in that city. Four of them, Donald Stidham, George Price, Bobby Whitaker and Kirk Kirkpatrick, arrived from Camp Roberts and paid a visit to Seaman R.J. Koch, who works in the fleet post office there.
– This week the Democrat received a letter from Nieco Martin who, although his outfit is now in France, had to remain in Italy long enough to recover from a serious illness. He said that some of the boys would soon be wearing a silver star typifying five campaigns.
– After serving 31 months in Australia, New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, Sgt. Leamon Lemley, 27, is back in Checotah visiting his father, W.W. Lemley. He has been a cryptographer with the Army Air Force.
City USO Planning Benefit Card Party
Members of the Checotah USO group will hold a benefit bridge party at 8 o’clock next Tuesday evening. A charge of 25 cents will be made for each person who participates in the games. The proceeds will be used by the local organization to provide additional entertainment for servicemen.
••••• 75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, February 2, 1950
SCHOOL CLINIC TO GIVE TYPHOID SHOTS
DAVIS SLAYER RELEASED FROM PRISON
Fever Source Undetermined
Served 16 Years
Source of the recent outbreak of typhoid fever in the county has not been definitely located, Felty Wallis, county sanitarian, said this week.
The local health department has made an extensive study of the four cases which struck down three members of the football team and Coach Bogner Stubbs in the final week of the state football playoffs.
Ellis Eaton, who was given a life sentence in the penitentiary for complicity in the slaying of Jeff Davis, ex-husband of the late Mollie Davis, millionaire Indian woman, will be up for consideration for a pardon when the state board meets at McAlester Feb.10 and 21.
Eaton and Katie Davis, young wife of the murdered man, are said to have bludgeoned Davis to death in the east part of the city in a triangle-love killing.
Eaton, a youth from the Cookson Hills, was tracked down by Sheriff John McQuillen and brought to trial.
Katie was paroled about five years ago and is said to be residing near Miami with a new husband.
••••• 25 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, February 20, 1975
City Police Apprehend Kidnapping Suspect Chief of Police Jess Frazier and Deputy Sheriff Lee Hayes, along with city officers, apprehended a kidnapping suspect in the parking lot of the Cardinal Food Store about 2:45 Tuesday Afternoon.
The officers were alerted by Boynton City Marshal Chuck Myers of the kidnapping and the suspect was said to be armed and dangerous. However, the apprehension took place without incident and the suspect was found to be unarmed.
The suspect was accused of taking a 2-year-old baby from the home of its grandmother in Boynton at the alleged insistence of the boy’s mother who had left the baby there over a year ago.
The man was held till officers from Muskogee could pick him up and the baby was returned to the grandmother.
••••• 19 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Save Our Water schedules political rally, picnic for July 15 The Save Our Water Lake Eufaula committee, a springboard of late when it comes to giving area politicians a chance to share their platforms, has scheduled a picnic and candidates’ rally for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15 at the McIntosh County Fairgrounds Exhibit Hall one mile east of Eufaula on SH 9.
New form of city government considered City manager among the options
Checotah Vice Mayor Jim Adamek said that before any decisions or proposals are made regarding a possible switch to another form of city government, some research needs to be done into finding the best fit for local citizens.
“We haven’t had a meeting yet,” said Adamek of the newly formed committee charged with exploring the possibility of changing the way Checotah does business.
••••• 10 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat
Thursday, March 6, 2015
Pocket Park Renamed Veterans Park
Veterans Park is the new name of what was formerly Pocket Park, said Checotah Mayor Marvin Nichols.
The action was taken at a recent council meeting to make the name change of the downtown park area.
With the brick wall of honor listing the names of veterans and what wars they served in just seemed to be a good name change, Nichols said.
Eventually a sign with 12-inch letters will be placed above the stage saying “Veterans Park.”
