Jail authority considers nuts, bolts of jail design

25 Years Ago

—Work began on the nuts and bolts of designing a new county jail when the Sequoyah County Criminal Justice Authority met Monday in the county commission office.

After a lengthy discussion of the jail plans, the authority determined two actions should be taken as soon as possible, Sallisaw officials must be asked if they will grant the county more right-of-way on the south side of the new jail for parking, and if the nearness of Tommie Spear Middle School to the new jail will be impacted by any laws.

50 Years Ago

—A fire of undetermined origin destroyed the Nick Scoggins Floor Sweep Co. plant north of Sallisaw Sunday night.

Scoggins said Tuesday that the exact amount of the damage in dollars has not yet been determined, but nothing usable was left of the plant. He added that the loss will be in excess of the insurance coverage on the building.

The fire was discovered about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, and members of the Sallisaw Fire Department arrived about 10:40.

“It’s a tragic thing, but it’s wonderful no one was hurt,” Scoggins said.

He said he plans to be back in operation on a limited scale in the next two to three weeks.

75 Years Ago

—Sallisaw’s new sewage disposal plant, being constructed southeast of town by the H.J. Happel Construction Company of Tulsa, is scheduled to be completed in approximately three months, barring delay due to weather conditions, difficulty of shipping materials, etc., F.A. Roepke, superintendent of construction, stated Wednesday to Your TIMES reporter.

Asked about the capacity of the plant, Roepke stated, “This one will be able to handle Sallisaw’s sewage disposal for many years to come. I’ve seen many cities of from 12 to 15,000 population that had smaller plants than this will be.”

—Brockman’s Store in Vian, International Harvester dealer for Sequoyah County, will hold a free frozen food demonstration at 3 p.m. Thursday April 6 in the Vian High School auditorium, according to Bernard Brockman, manager.

The store has secured the services of Mrs. Rhoma Aven, recognized as one of the southwest’s leading authorities on frozen food to lecture and demonstrate on preparation, freezing and serving frozen foods, Brockman said “Freezing foods is the first major change in food preparation in 100 years,” he said. “There are many things that most people don’t understand about this modern method of food preparation, and we think the demonstration will be of benefit to everyone.”

He stated that everyone is invited to attend, and that a guest prize would be awarded and frozen refreshment would be served.

100 Years Ago

—The county jail which has been under quarantine during the past two weeks on account of a case of small pox was lifted Sunday by R.T. Kelleam, the county physician. Sheriff C.M. Gay and his deputies caught an alleged looter near Vrona, three weeks ago and when he was brought to the county jail it was developed he had a case of small pox. Other prisoners in the county jail were not exposed to the victim. Sheriff Gay will leave within the next few days to take three men to the penitentiary to begin their sentences, they had plead guilty before Judge Parks a few days before the jail was placed under quarantine.

—The Foreman building, formerly known as the Knowles building on Oak Street, is undergoing a complete retouching. The wooden floor has been taken out and a concrete floor has been laid. The interior of the building will be retouched and other improvements added. The building will be ready to be occupied by May the first. It is said the Sallisaw Abstract company and Agent and Bibb, real estate dealers, will occupy the building.