December saw lots of train and building news, some snow and sleet, and letters to Santa Claus. Despite a special meeting called to endorse the bridge bond issue of $300,000 (over $5,268,000 in today’s values), it was roundly defeated by a vote of over two to one. John Dewees and his brother were awarded the contract for a new brick building. The new structure was built for Arthur Burke and Matt Krontz who would each occupy half the building. Burke was to open a tailor shop and Krontz a restaurant.
A $100,0000 ($1,767,000) fire wiped out the Dixie, Elk City’s largest and most beautiful mercantile establishment. The fire was completely beyond control in 30 minutes; within one hour, the entire building had fallen in--a charred mass of ruins. Four streams of water played on adjoining buildings. George Grubitz’s furniture store suffered considerable damage to stock and structure. The south wall of the store was badly cracked and out of line. The Elk City State Bank Building, a two-story brick on the north side of the Dixie, suffered considerable damage from water and fire. Its roof was afire, and the north windows were all burned out. This was the third fire for the Dixie building and the north wall was in dangerous condition. The fire was of unknown origin; the loss was valued at $127,000 (over $2,230,000).
The west bound Rock Island passenger train between Elk City and Sayre hit a high joint and left the track, taking five coaches with it into the ditch. Every car in the train was derailed. The tender went off on one side and two of the coaches turned down the embankment on the other side. Twelve people suffered injuries--Jim Creswell with about $100 ($1756) worth from a jammed spine.
Thomas E. Ritcher from Stamford, Conn., was injured on a local freight train. Two men were found stealing a ride; when the brakemen told them to get off, one rolled off, but Richter fell thirty feet down an embankment. The train proceeded with no one aware of the mishap. A little later, two passersby found the young man in serious condition, a back injury causing paralysis from the hips down.
Mrs. Lena Shaffer, manager of the Telephone Co., celebrated ten years of service. She was presented with one of the company’s “pretty emblems.” She started as an operator and oversaw the commercial department for Elk City.
The Story Hotel dining room was closed for the holiday season and was to reopen in January with a big dinner dance. A piano and Victrola were purchased, and a radio was to be installed for the guests’ entertainment. During the closing, they were busy remodeling and adding more rooms.
In letters to Santa, seven- year-old Edna Earl Gould told Santa that she heard his stories to little folks over the radio and was eager to have him tell more. Elmer Donoho wished for an electric train, a BB gun, a set of tools, an “Alabama Coon jigger” [wind-up toy], a little sand toy and asked Santa to please bring good things to poor children. Paul Royse reminded Santa that he had bought two Christmas seals and hoped for a pair of skates, a silver pencil, a story book, a BB gun, set of tools, ball with glove and bat and a football.
The Masons sold their lots on the corner of Third and Adams Streets to Dr. Victor Tisdal who planned on building a magnificent 48x100 hospital. It was to be three stories high and able to care for seventy- five patients. It was to feature elevators from basement to the top floor. The site was just north of the Library.
“…O hearts of men, Grow soft again!
Miracles happen now as when
On Mary mild The Savior smiled: Christ lives in every newborn child!”
–Auchuss, in Chicago Daily Tribune, reprinted in The Carter Express.
Luanne R. Eisler authored this article, which was taken from items published in The Carter Express, The Elk City Press and The Elk City News-Democrat; you can find these newspapers on microfilm at the Elk City Carnegie Library; https://www.dollartimes. com, memorabilia.expert/ shop/ and Heritage Quest provided supplementary information.
