FBI raids two local residences; part of statewide sweep

From the files of Your Sequoyah County Times

25 Years Ago

(From the Dec. 12,1999, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) (From the Dec. 19, 1999, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Wal-mart Inc., based in Bentonville, Ark., contacted Sallisaw officials last week to begin work on relocating utilities to the planned Wal-Mart Super Center in Sallisaw.

Jim Hudgens, city manager, said, “They called last Monday or Tuesday about the power lines into the property. The land purchase from McDonald’s is complete; to provide better access to the Super Center, and the electric poles run almost right through it.

50 Years Ago

(From the Dec. 19,1974, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —FBI agents, assisted by local authorities, raided two residences in Sequoyah County and confiscated gambling paraphernalia, money and records, according to Ted Rosack, assistant special agent in charge of the bureau in Oklahoma.

The raids, part of a statewide effort, took place Sunday. They were conducted after a year of surveillance and were aimed at “gathering evidence for future prosecutions,” Rosack said.

No arrests were made. All of the evidence gathered during the raids will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The 100 FBI operatives and policemen who conducted the raid, Rosack, said, did so by applying the federal Omnibus Crime Bill to Oklahoma City’s anti-gambling statues.

75 Years Ago

(From the Dec. 22,1949, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —The home now occupied by Lackey Auto Supply at the corner of Front and Walnut streets now has new shelving, fixtures and counters, as well as a redecorated front.

Everything is modern and up-todate and more improvements are being made all the time. For instance, Oda Lackey, owner, says he plans to remove the gasoline pumps from in front of his new location, but will leave the drive-in space for the all-weather convenience of his customers.

Much praise has been heard on the streets, regarding the fact that he now owns his own building and is improving and modernizing it.

—Berry’s Butane company has completed the move from next door to Renters Locker Plant to the old location of Lackey’s Auto Supply, which is between Rogers Motor company and the Cookson Hills Gift Shop.

Plans for the immediate future include the complete redecorating of the building.

The new location is better situated and has more room than the one just vacated, according to E.E. Spears, manager. “It is better arranged for storage,” he said. “There is room in the back for a truck to drive in to load and unload merchandise, also.”

100 years ago

(From the Dec. 19,1924, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —Late news from the Fort Smith hospital authorities indicate that Mose F. Newman, former chief of police of this city, is improving and gaining ground steadily and that he will return home within a week or ten days. He went there about ten days ago and for a time it was feared that his injuries, sustained in a personal encounter with Roy Cheek shortly before might prove serious inasmuch as his wounds had become infected, but with careful treatment he has shown marked improvement and is now on the road to rapid recovery.

—The city commissioners this week named John Stewart as city pound keeper, succeeding WR. Wright, who resigned his position in order that he might return to the farm. John assumed his new duties during the week and it being kept busy rounding up loose stock. He is an efficient man and will make an efficient officer.