Burns on Brandon’s trail

This Week in County History

— Sequoyah County Democrat, Jan. 19, 1923

From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times

25 Years Ago (From Jan. 29, 1998, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) –A lack of dispatchers and computer chips are delaying the startup of the Sequoyah County 911 system, which covers the central and eastern portions of the county, Officials with the Sequoyah County 911 system said this week they have been assured by Lowrance Electronics that the computer map chips, which will be installed in the computers in the 911 system in the 911 Center in the Sequoyah County Courthouse and in rescue vehicles are being made this week.

The chips must then also be installed in 37 rescue units, including Lifestar ambulances, the Blackgum, Vian and Sallisaw rescue units, in all Sequoyah County Sheriff’s vehicles and in the firefighting units of 13 volunteer fire departments.

The Sequoyah County 911 system, which should not be confused with the Sequoyah Regional 911 Center at Muldrow which covers the east end of the county, is now in the ‘testing phase,’ said Marquez, and a few 911 calls have already been received.

50 Years Ago

(From the Jan.18, 1973, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Over 3,000 people filled the stands and fence row at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw Saturday, Jan. 13 to see the final race of the season at the raceway.

The spectacle was everything that owner Bill Hedge had predicted most of the top Quarter horses in the nation were there.

The final race, the Blue Ribbon Futurity was slated as one of the biggest in the nation and fans and onlookers alike were treated to one of the best races of the year.

The winner in the event was Jerry’s Bug who raced the 330 yards in 17.20 to win the Futurity and the $39,894.66 purse that came with the title.

75 Years Ago

(From the Jan. 23, 1948, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Sallisaw and Sequoyah County continued their upward trend and remained among the cities and counties with high sales tax return increases during the month of November last, a bulletin from the Oklahoma Tax Commission this week states.

Sequoyah County again in November as in October, reported a substantial increase in comparison with a year ago. During November, the sales tax collected was 17.97 percent greater than during November 1946.

—Over 1,000 persons turned out to welcome the newly formed Sequoyah County Sales Corporation’s first regularly scheduled sale day at Sallisaw Thursday. But contrary to past sales day openings there were far more buyers on hand than there were livestock to buy.

Your Sequoyah County Times reporter overheard several county farmers remark that they were amazed at the excellent turnout and admitted frankly that if they had known so many would be there, they would have brought stock to the sale.

100 years ago

(From the Jan. 19, 1923, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —The Burns Detective Agency, headed by William J. Burns, head of the U.S. Secret Service, has notified local victims of Joe Brandon that the agency is on the job and will use every effort to bring Brandon back to face a charge of forgery. Sheriff John E. Johnston has mailed to numerous sheriffs and chiefs of police in practically every western state circulars giving a description of the fugitive and offering a reward of one hundred dollars for his arrest. On account of Brandon’s physical defects he will be easily identified and the notification of his arrest is daily expected at the sheriff’s office here.

Brandon who left this city just a week ago, did not buy a ticket but paid his faire on the train to Fort Gibson, where he took the interurban to Muskogee.

It is said that he is very much wanted by his creditors; not so much on account of their loss, but in resentment of Brandon’s high degree of skill by completing a high financial deal in such masterly manner.

In fact, they want him so much that we are informed that the reward will be increased to five hundred dollars if he is not apprehended by the end of the week.

Brandon did not play “favorites” in his skin game, but beat them all alike, carpenters, painters, decorators and lumber yards in recently improving his home, which he deeded to his wife and mailed the deed to her before his departure, as well as his banker, the wholesale houses and many petty accounts around town. He was, no doubt well “heeled” with cash when he left, as his store enjoyed a nice holiday trade and his bank deposits and payments to his numerous creditors were very light. However, as this is not his first “disappearance,” which occurred about twenty years ago, when a wife and several babies were left to shift for themselves, he will, no doubt, he brought back to face his former friends and

SEE HISTORY, PAGE A7 confidants, or else, drift into obscurity and hide his identity, as he so successfully did for many years.

—Everything was ready for a “run-off” when the officers arrived on the scene.

J.N. Nicholson, Chas. Osborne and Jeff Buffington, all farmers of Long community were arrested Monday evening at the home of Buffington when deputies Roy Cheek, W.C. Geller and Fred Bradley of the sheriff’s office seized a large still in operation. The men were brought to the county seat and after pleading “not guilty” they were released under a $1,000 bond each.

The officers went to the scene and found everything in readiness for a “runoff.” More than 150 gallons of mash was found and one of the most complete stills that have been captured in many months. The worm was four feet high. The still was in the smoke house and with the aid of bacon, hams and side meat it was protected from view and at first the officers though Nicholson was only smoking his meat.