Firemen put heat on City of Muldrow
-Sequoyah Comity Times, March 1,1949
From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times
25 Years Ago
(From the March 7,1999, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —The Choctaw Nation, which operates an off-track betting (OTB) parlor in Pocola, claims accusations the OTB is not operating in compliance with the Interstate Horse Racing Act are false.
In a letter to Gov. Frank Keating dated Feb. 17, Greg Pyle, chief of the Choctaw Nation, said Blue Ribbon Downs has erroneously interpreted the Interstate Horse Racing Act.
Keating, in his letter, told the Choctaw Nation that, if the nation did not close its OTB at Pocola, state government would take a close look at its compact with the Choctaws.
Pyle said the Choctaw Nation does not simulcast races on days which Blue Ribbon Downs is conducting live racing, which is in compliance with the Interstate Horse Racing Act. However, Blue Ribbon Downs officials say that interpretation is incorrect.
50 Years Ago
(From the March, 1974, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —The 15-man volunteer fire department at Muldrow resigned as a group following a confrontation with the town council Monday.
A spokesman for the firemen said they resigned because “they didn’t feel they were getting a fair share of the city’s one-cent sales tax which is earmarked for both the fire and street departments.”
The spokesman said the firemen met with the council Monday to ask them to allocate money to the department so that they could establish their own budget.
The firemen said they had asked for a split, 50-50, between the street department and fire department.
The spokesman said at the present time the fire department “received nothing.”
Following the meeting, the firemen turned in their equipment and keys and the spokesman said there is no longer an organized department in Muldrow and the original fire department would not answer any alarms in the city of Muldrow.
Everett Hixon, chairman of the town board told Your TIMES that there is fire protection in Muldrow. He said city employees and several other volunteers will answer fire alarms.
75 Years Ago
(From the March 11,1949, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Officials traveling with the KCS new “Southern Belle” train that made a 45 minute stop here Thursday afternoon were very appreciative of the reception that Sallisawians gave their train on its initial stop here.
City officials, officers, directors and members of the Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce, school children, teachers, townsmen and many from the surrounding area were on hand to welcome the train when it rolled into the station ten minutes late. The Sallisaw school band played in a special concert for the train’s arrival.
According to E. W. Butler, local agent, there were 1,483 people shown through the train on its visit here.
—C.L. Weatherford, County Agent, announced today that there will be a cotton meeting at the City Hall in Vian at 10:00 Saturday, March 19.
Mr. Weatherford said that the new cotton program will be discussed. Variety, fertilizing, new insect control measurers and cotton marketing will be some of the phases of the cotton program discussed.
All cotton growers are invited to attend the meeting.
—Glenn Emley of the Sallisaw Canning Co., stated Thursday that his company will add a night shift just as soon as the volume of spinach cutting is increased by local growers. The plant started operation Tuesday and there has been a steady increase every day in the amount brought in he said.
100 years ago
(From the March 7,1924, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —Frank Wiswell, a prominent farmer of Brent community was severely beaten around the head by his son, Jim Wiswell, and Clarence Bable, Tuesday evening at the Wiswell home.
The trouble started, according to the sheriff’s office when the two boys went to the Wiswell home and demanded supper, and the elder Wiswell refused to obey, alleging the boys were under the influence of liquor.
It is said they assaulted the aged man, beating him severely about the head. The sheriff’s office was notified and Sheriff John E. Johnston accompanied by other officers went to the scene of the trouble and placed Gable under arrest. They chased young Wiswell around and through Wildhorse mountain all day Wednesday without capturing him. One of the posse in describing the chase stated that they would jump Young Wiswell like a rabbit and he would outrun a horse, after a few shots were fired under his feet. The officers believe the young man will come in and give himself up.
—Jack Garrison, a deputy sheriff stationed at Gore had one of his fingers shot off while attempting to arrest Will Gibbs late Saturday evening. Gibbs, it is claimed, fired at the deputy sheriff when an attempt was made to search him for moonshine whiskey.
After Gibbs had fired the shot he escaped to the woods but later gave himself up to the officials. He was placed under bond and charged with assault and attempt to kill.
