Heavy rains bring floods to county

— Sequoyah County Times, Nov. 28, 1973

From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times

25 Years Ago

(From the Dec. 3, 1998, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —On Dec. 1, funds became available for Sequoyah County Sheriff Johnny Philpot to hire two additional dispatchers to help man the county’s 911 system.

The inadequate number of dispatchers to cover incoming 911 calls has been one of the reasons for the system not being on-line, Philpot said. Philpot said he wanted two dispatchers on duty at all times, and he did not have the money for additional dispatchers.

Philpot continues to maintain the system data is still not adequate.

“I am not going to tell the people of this county they are getting an adequate 911 system. The way it stands now, it doesn’t fit what a 911 system should be,” Philpot said.

The Sequoyah County Commissioners have said they will most likely step in and make a decision concerning the system within the next few weeks.

50 Years Ago

(From the Nov. 29, 1973, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Unseasonable rains caused flooding, road damage and one death in Big Basin Country the last half of the past week and brought the November rainfall figure to the 11.27-inch level, the highest monthly figure of the year.

The quick falling rains swelled local drainage ditches, creeks and rivers and caused low lying areas to rise around the county.

Water came up over U.S. 59 south of Sallisaw near the Coal Dump Station and went over the highway east of Sallisaw at the Big Skinn Bayou on U.S. 64.

The drenching came in the midst of the soy bean harvest in the county, and county agent Phil Nowlin said Monday farmers will suffer some losses due to the rains, but he is not expecting a disaster.

The agent said the Paw Paw bottom, south of Muldrow, was completely underwater Saturday, the first time that has happened since 1959.

75 Years Ago

(From the Dec. 3, 1948, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Friday is the last day that the citizens of Sallisaw and Sequoyah County can help the veterans of World War II to have a “Merry Christmas” in Oklahoma hospitals.

Because on Friday the American Legion post and the auxiliary will collect the boxes they have placed around at Seaman’s, Shoe Market and Toler’s 5 and 10 store, for people to place gifts in for these veterans.

Suggestions for gifts include houseslippers, stationery with books of stamps, fountain and ball point pens, best seller books, shaving and brush sets, cigarette cases and lighters, billfolds, small clocks, ties and the like.

Gifts of poker chips, hair tonic oils and shaving lotions are prohibited. Gifts of candy and cookies are not solicited because of diet restrictions.

100 years ago

(From the Nov. 30, 1923, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —Oklahoma City, Nov. 27-Sections of the proposed anti-ku klux klan bill which would prohibit the wearing of masks, trespassing while disguised, assault while disguised and the sending of anonymous communications were approved by the upper house of the legislature today, marking the first victory for its supports in the furious controversy over the measure.

Senator Clark Nichols of Eufaula, launched into a defense of the klan before adjournment, declaring that he belonged to klan number three of Muskogee and that he intended to “talk from the inside, from the standpoint of the klan.”

It is understood generally that the klan will depend upon exemption for its parades as being of a religious character. In this event, and, if successful, the only feature of the bill which will strike at klan excesses is that relating to assault and trespass, already covered by statute, and the anti-klan bill come out with a set of false teeth.

—McDonald & Matthews offer merchandise at a tremendously low price.

The “Oldest House in the County” starts their semi-annual sale and carrying a four-page advertisement in this issue of the Democrat to tell their customers what they have to offer.

One of the most unique features of the sale, which begins Saturday is the giving away to each customer of a 10,000 German mark note which had a prewar value of $1,700.00. These notes will make you a good souvenir and you should be sure to get one. Many extra salespeople have been engaged to insure prompt service. Come early to their sale and be sure and read their advertisement in this issue.

—The special session of the legislature continues to grind away and bring forth one sensation after another, all with a view to “cleaning house” and cleansing our state government of the filth and stench which has attached ever since the change was made last January. This is most commendable and will result in renewed confidence and faith by the public generally in our government. Many there were who had begun to believe that the radicals and “reds” controlled us and were destined to turn Oklahoma into a socialistic, bolshevikhotbed of wild ideas and theories but the past six weeks have convinced the sober minded and level headed folks in every walk of life, that things are not half as bad as first pictured and that a majority of our people are still firmly believing in our constitution and government handed down to us by our forefathers.