Ice stops county in its tracks
-Sequoyah County Times, Dec. 28, 2000
From the files ofYour Sequoyah County Times
25 years ago
(From the Dec. 28,2000, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —It wasn’t the “Grinch Who Stole Christmas” in Sequoyah County but a winter ice storm which froze the County and most of Oklahoma in its tracks.
Although the storm was predicted for several days before it arrived, Sequoyah County residents were still left out in the cold when they lost their electricity, water, cable and other utilities and attempted to make last minute trips to the grocery stores.
Icy rain combined with sleet began falling Monday night as temperatures began dropping rapidly, making roads slick and hazardous. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local police and the Sequoyah County Sheriff’s Department responded to numerous accidents Monday evening and early Tuesday from vehicles that had slid off the roadways.
Ice weighing on power lines brittle from the subfreezing temperatures caused power outages. In addition, transformers could be heard exploding resulting in more power failure. Residents reported frozen trees and branches fell throughout the day Tuesday landing on power lines.
Sequoyah County and all Oklahoma’s 77 counties were declared disaster areas at about noon Wednesday by Gov. Frank Keating.
Many businesses in Sequoyah County including Your TIMES office were in the dark Tuesday and could not open for business.
50 Years Ago
(From the Dec. 25,1975, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —Following Gans School’s annual Christmas program Saturday, Supt. Charles Smith dedicated a number of new buildings and facilities.
The ball park, school park and tennis court were dedicated in memory of Clarence Acton and George Cooksey.
Two new classroom buildings, a new classroom and cafeteria were dedicated in honor of the following persons: Orval Childers, Tom Scott, Gene Morris, Louis Brannon, Homer Powell, Jim Brown and Albert Southerland Jr.
Also, George Logue, Bert Richards, Terry Rhoads, William Burnett and Tom Middleton.
The Gans housing project was also dedicated during the ceremony, Oscar Owens, Henry Springwater Jr., Frankie Woodruff, J.B. Peterson, Charles Smith, Ethard Smith, Tom Middleton and Joe Crosslin were honored for their efforts in putting in the housing addition.
75 Years Ago
(From the Dec. 29,1950, issue of the Sequoyah County Times) —In the 1950 March of Dimes drive, held annually to provide funds to assist polio victims, Sequoyah County reported the largest percentage increase made by any County in the state over its 1949 drive, 632.58 percent, according to Mrs. Okla G. Mitchell, who will again be County chairman of the drive in 1951, as in 1950.
Oklahoma ranked second in the nation in percentage of increase. The state’s rank in per capita contributions rose from 45th to 36th, and in total contributions, it increased from 31st to 22nd.
100 years ago
(From the Dec. 25,1925, issue of the Sequoyah County Democrat) —The Christmas liquor supply in Sequoyah County is very greatly depleted and many a person who had planned a bowl of egg nog or a morning toddy will be forced to find a Volstead substitute. This sad news follows a holiday clean-up by Sheriff John E. Johnston’s force wherein several of the liquor makers and their agents became entangled in the net of the law, and now face jail sentences and fines.
Last Saturday, Deputies Bert Cotton and Perry Chuculate, assisted by Town Marshal S.P. Gregg of Vian, swooped down upon H.L. Spencer who resides three miles northeast of Vian and captured five gallons of choice stock, and also six sacks of sugar. Spencer is a man past 50 years of age and it said to be hard working, responsible farmer in the community. He made bond soon after his capture, and it is said that he will enter a plea of guilty and serve out his sentence. Spencer is said to have had an extended clientele, including several Sallisaw citizens.
