Ice sheet covers county, more may follow

This Week in County History

— Sequoyah County Times, Dec. 14, 1972

From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times

From Dec. 25, 1997, issue of the Sequoyah County Times — in 1937, when the Santa Claus commission was organized, the commission’s gifts went to children in the state’s orphanages. Now 60 years later, there are no more orphanages. But there are still children without families. They now reside in group homes, resource centers, facilities for delinquents, and other state facilities. And many children still get no presents, explained Burgess.

A Sallisaw man R.O. Ingle, an attorney and politician, helped establish the Santa Claus commission.

Burgess said the idea for the Santa Claus Commission was formed in 1935, when the state budget officer, R.R. Owens, and his wife visited a state orphanage. He discovered some unusual children there, children who had no Christmas gifts. All they received for Christmas was an apple, or perhaps an orange.

“It disturbed him so badly, that he bought them presents himself,” Burgess said.

Owens went on to even place milk jars soliciting donations for the orphans.

— A person or persons with decidedly un-Christmas spirit visited the Roland City Park over the weekend and left behind a trail of destruction. The park was just recently completed and named in honor of City Manager David Redden.

Police Chief Brian Chandler said a hole was cut in the roof of the bathrooms and plumbing and toilets torn out. Pavilions were also vandalized.

“It cost about $29,000 to build the restrooms and they tore up everything but the building itself,” he said.

There are no suspects at this time, but rewards are being offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. The Sequoyah County Crimestoppers Association will pay up to $1,000 and the Roland Crime Watch Program will also pay, said Chandler, adding the information must lead to the conviction of those responsible.

50 Years Ago

From December 14, 1972, issue of the Sequoyah County Times — Below freezing temperatures, rain ice and sleet teamed up on Sequoyah County and much of Eastern Oklahoma this week to nearly paralyze the entire area for two days.

The first big “ice storm” of the winter season started Saturday afternoon when temperatures dropped to below freezing, glazing county roads, making driving hazardous.

Around 3 p.m. Saturday evening, a 10-car wreck was reported on the Arkansas River bridge at the west end of the county. No injuries were reported in the incident, but it took troopers and wreckers, nearly an hour to clear the bridge of the autos involved.

— It was learned from unofficial sources this week that the Holey Carburetor Division of Colt Industries will manufacture an automobile emission control devise in the building at Sallisaw formerly under lease – purchase by American Hoist and Derrick Co.

75 Years Ago

From Dec. 19, 1947, issue of the Sequoyah County Times — Youngsters from every section of Sequoyah County are eagerly awaiting the special visit by Santa Claus to Sallisaw new Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., reports reaching Your TIMES Thursday, revealed.

Not only Sequoyah County youngsters but also those from towns in northern LeFlore and Haskell counties, southern Adair an Cherokee counties and a portion of eastern Muskogee County have accepted Santa’s generous invitation.

In fact so many boys and girls are expected to be on hand to greet Santa, the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce sponsor of the visit, has notified the jovial old Christmas saint that it would be wise to bring more candy and fruit than had been planned, and he has promised he will.

— Every boy and girl in Sallisaw’s greater trade area is being extended an invitation this week to be the guest of Ritz and State Theaters and Your Sequoyah County Times at their jointly sponsored first annual free Christmas Eve matinee at 10 next Wednesday morning.

100 years ago

From Dec. 15, 1922, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat

Mr. and Mrs. Max Ranger delightfully entertained the members of the Presbyterian Ladies Aid society with a radio concert on Monday evening December 11th at their home on South Oak Street. Those enjoying the concert were: Mesdames F.M. Anderson, Mary Carlile, W.D. Mayo, Henry Matthews, G.A. Hoover, Arch Matthews, H.E. McDonald, Ray O. Weems, G.O. Garlock, J.E. McDonald, J.T. Redding, W.H. McDonald, J.A. Morrow, Standard and Nesbitt and Misses Nesbitt and Hines about ten o’clock the hostess assisted by her daughter Maxin, served a dainty lunch of sandwiches and hot chocolate which the “radio owls” enjoyed immensely.

The 1922 cotton crop of Sequoyah County is practically gathered and on a few bales are now being marketed by the cotton farmer. The total number of bales ginned in this county will not be ascertained until the cotton statistician makes his final rounds next month. The 1921 record has already been broken by a few hundred bales. Bright prospects for a bountiful crop in 1923 is predicted by the action men of Sallisaw.