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From the Archives
News
November 27, 2025
From the Archives
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

114 YEARS AGO The Checotah Times

Friday, November 12, 1909

THE CHRISTMAS TIMES

The Big Paper of the Year Will Appear Next Month As has been our custom in the past the Times will again issue a big Christmas paper about the middle of December. This year’s edition promises to be bigger and better than has ever before been issued from this office and will provide a valuable advertising medium for our businessmen.

Last year, the supply was exhausted within a very few hours after the paper came from the press, and those who made applications for copies late were disappointed.

VAN ASHBERT WINS

Another Checotah Horse a Winner at Wagoner Fair At the Wagoner county fair held at Wagoner last week, Van Ashburt, R.D. Martin’s fine sorrel colt, took the honors in the Thursday races, being one of the five entries in the 2:40 pace. Van Ashburt made the distance in 2:27, winning by a good margin.

••••• 100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat

Thursday, November 8, 1923

CELEBRATION TO OBSERVE ARMISTICE DAY UNDER AUSPICES OF THE AMERICAN LEGION The fifth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice will be fittingly celebrated in Checotah next Monday, the day’s program being under the auspices of the Arnall Post American Legion of this city.

Every business house has been asked to close for the day and help make the occasion one long to be remembered in Checotah.

Seventh Annual Red Cross Membership Drive Begins Monday As the week of Nov. 11th has been designated as time for our seventh roll in the American Red Cross work, we are reminding you that the time is not far distant. The members of the Delphian Club, with Mrs. B.H. Tabor, as president, has kindly consented to take charge of this drive, and would appreciate the assistance of all who feel interested.

••••• 80 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat

Thursday, May 13, 1943

COUNTY IS FLOODED BY RECORD RAINFALL Bridges Swept Away; Crops Badly Damaged Raging floodwaters, due to record-breaking rains, swept McIntosh County this week, isolating populated centers and causing upwards of $1 million in damage to growing crops and farmland.

The disastrous flood was preceded by the heaviest rain in the history of the county, with a total of 12 inches recorded in Checotah during the two-day period of the downpour.

Creeks and streams immediately burst into the lowlands, sweeping crops, livestock, and homes to destruction.

Red Cross To Aid Victims of Flood in Checotah area

Direct relief from Checotah Red Cross funds is available to those who suffered losses in the recent flood, Fletcher Hall, disaster chairman of the local chapter, stated this week.

An emergency headquarters has been set up at J.H. Newcomer’s office, and all people who suffered losses in the flood and need assistance are asked to make an application.

Mrs. B. H. Tabor and Mrs. Norman Strahl will be in charge of accepting the applications.

Eufaula Marooned By Raging Waters; Gas Supply Fails

Eufaula was marooned from the world this week as rampaging flood waters surrounded the city.

The only connection with the city was by means of motorboats, which hauled in the city’s daily supply of bread. The picture show film has also been transported by boat to the isolated city. Meat supplies have been exhausted for several days.

The main gas line to the city, which crosses the North Canadian River, snapped, and the city has been without cooking gas for several days.

••••• 75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat

Thursday, November 18, 1948

STATE SHOWS BIG INCREASE IN POPULATION

Rural Folks Moving To Urban Centers of Oklahoma Oklahoma must look better than ever to Oklahomans. Because a survey shows the state is not only building back its wartime population losses, but is climbing steadily toward the 1940 census level.

“The state’s net population loss between 1940 and 1947 has produced pessimism which is unwarranted in many instances,” said Francis R. Cella, director of the University of Oklahoma Bureau of Business Research.

Figures show Oklahoma’s population was 2,311,719 in 1947 compared to 2,224,939 for 1946 and 2,336,434 in 1940.

Since 1940 the state shift has been from rural to urban. With many residents in defense work or the armed forces, people gravitated toward urban centers regardless of their size.

Oklahoma’s farm dwellers dropped 31 percent between 1940 and 1945, with some counties losing up to 35 percent of their population.

Between 1945 and 1947, the trend was reversed. Returning servicemen and defense workers increased the population.

••••• 50 YEARS AGO SERVICEMEN Charles Berry

Army Private First Class Charles E. Berry, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Berry, Checotah, was awarded a letter of commendation while serving with the 28th Field Artillery in Ansbach, Germany.

Pvt. Berry is a Cannoneer in Battery A of the Artillery’s 20th Battalion.

His wife Pauline and son Scottie live in Checotah.

Michael Pickard

Airman Michael T. Pickard, son of Mrs. Neoma J. Pickard, Checotah, has completed Air Force BASIC Training at Lackland AFB, Texas.

The airman is remaining at the Air Training Command Base for specialized training in the security police field.

Airman Pickard is a 1973 graduate of Catoosa, Okla., High School. His father, James T. Pickard, resides in Catoosa.

••••• 25 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat

Thursday, November 26, 1998

New Health Department To Open With Festivities

The public is invited to attend a dedication and free barbecue to celebrate the opening of the new health department facility in Checotah on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m.

Checotah Churches To Be Featured In Katy Calendar

The 1999 Katy Depot calendar titled CHECOTAH CHURCHES has been completed and will be offered for sale Thanksgiving weekend, according to Mary Stidham, chairman of the Checotah Landmark Preservation Society project.

Holiday Homes Tour Dec. 6

Bright red and green paper wreaths are being placed in many area businesses as reminders of the 11th Annual Holiday Tour, according to Elizabeth Tate, chairman of the Checotah Landmark Preservation Society event to be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6

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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Editor Picks
News
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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News
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
commentary
Oversight work and deadlines
By REPRESENTATIVE NEIL HAYS (405) 557-7302 
March 12, 2026
This week has been especially active at the Capitol as oversight c ommit tees work through one of the most imp ortant stages of the legislative session. At this point in the process, all remaining Hou...
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The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
commentary, Opinion...
The ‘prose’ and cons of paragraphs
March 12, 2026
I miss the days of true creative writing – you know, when you could write a real paragraph and your readers could keep up with the story. You didn’t have to throw in a bunch of pictures or short and s...
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News
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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