Hundreds of acres lost to September wildfires

— Sequoyah County Times, Sept. 13, 1998

— Sequoyah County Times, Jan. 5, 1997

From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times 25 Years Ago

(From the Jan. 5, 1997, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) –“Foreclosure” That’s what the Sallisaw Municipal authority will be considering, against Blue Ribbon Downs, at a special meeting Monday at city hall.

Jim Hudgens, Sallisaw city manager, said Race Horses Inc. which owns and operates Blue Ribbon Downs failed to make a $75,000 quarterly payment to the city Dec. 31, which put Race Horses Inc. in default on a loan through National Bank of Sallisaw and backed by the city.

$2.4 million loan package was put together by area banks when Race Horses Inc.’s lending institution at the time called in its loan to the racetrack.

Sallisaw Mayor George Glenn said Thursday, “The payment was due the 31st. they didn’t make it, and we’ve scheduled a meeting at the earliest legal time, at which time we will discuss the situation and then ask our city attorney to take the appropriate legal action.

—Many unanswered questions remain following the announcement of the possible foreclosure by the city of Sallisaw on Blue Ribbon Downs, such as who will pay the outstanding taxes due the county.

Sequoyah County Treasurer Martha Taylor said real property taxes in the amount of $56,726.66 and personal property taxes of $6,748.80 have been past due since Nov. 1 on Race Horses Inc., which owns and operates the track.

However, if there is a lawsuit involved, taxes cannot be collected until it is settled. It is not known at this time what the full legal ramifications of the foreclosure are.

And the tax loss to the county may be permanent. Sequoyah County Assessor Glenda Madlom said city property is non-taxable.

75 Years Ago

(From the Sept. 17, 1948, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) — Immense crowds which jammed Sallisaw Wednesday night for a street celebration, and the hundreds visiting the Sequoyah County Free Fair opening Thursday were expected to be tripled today at the fairgrounds as judging of livestock, poultry and farm products is completed.

The fair gates were opened Thursday morning as the first fair in 14 years saw livestock and poultry entries overcrowding three large tents. A laudable display of community work, grain, feeds, canned products, needle work, and many other exhibits filled the display space in the community building at the renovated grounds north of the city.

A rodeo in conjunction which is sponsored by the Sallisaw Round-up club and the chamber of commerce, played to a large crowd Thursday night at the opening of the four-performance presentation.

—Merle Edwards, 50, former Bellfonte area constable, was exonerated of murder Wednesday in the court of District Judge O.H.P. Brewer, whose decision called the charge against the county farmer justifiable homicide.

Edwards was charged in the death of Ted Boyd, who died of gun shot wounds last Dec. 20. The case had been continued from Feb. 9, after Edwards waived reading of information and was freed on bond. A jury trial was waived.

100 years ago

(From the Sept. 14, 1923, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —The Ku Kluxers proved to be more popular in Sallisaw last Thursday evening than the circus, which was in town, according to the attendance at both places. Hundreds of people of Sallisaw and community gathered and swarmed around the huge fiery cross located just north of the post office to hear Rev. J.P. Johnston of Magazine, Arkansas deliver an address on law enforcement and its meaning.

The attendance at the meeting was far larger than expected, inasmuch as the Klan had to compete with the circus. But it turned out that the largest crowd ever gathered at a public Klan meeting in Sallisaw greeted the speaker and several hooded Klansmen.

The local Klan, it is said had planned on holding a public initiation within a few weeks, preceded by a parade of the Sallisaw members in full regalia, but since Governor Walton has protested against parading of any organization with hoods on, the local Klan authorities, it is said have called off the parade, but will hold a public initiation within a few weeks.