Mr. and Mrs. Joseph T. Gregory celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary! Mr. Gregory commented that it did not seem like more than ten or fifteen years since they were married, and that his bride was still his sweetheart.
The week-long revival held by the First Methodist Episcopal Church was a remarkable success! Various convocations were held including a street meeting attended by a large crowd. Grandpa Hunt gave a beautiful talk and told the reason he wanted to love Jesus was so that he could meet not only his blessed Savior but the loved ones who had gonebefore. Mr.Huntwas nearing his 90th year.
The revival closed with a large crowd present. One of the most touching testimonials was given by Elza Hallmon and his wife, Mattie, who told how a few weeks before their only child, little Billie died. While Elza was out plowing, something came to him telling him he should give himself to the Lord, but he dismissed it. A short time later, when Billie became seriously ill, the father went out to the barn with his heart breaking and threw himself down on his knees and asked the Lord to forgive him and save his boy but gave all up to God to do just as He would do. Three-year-old Billie was one of three who died in April from complications of measles.
The community sunrise prayer meeting held at the Fair Grounds on Easter morning was attended by 72 worshippers. The sun rose in all its glory and there was no wind so that all nature made the meeting a success. The spirit of reverence and devotion pervaded and those present felt that the early morning service was an excellent way in which to begin Easter.
William A. Rayfield received a letter from the Oklahoma National Egg Laying Contest advising him that his pen of twelve pullets won eighth place in competition with forty pens. The average for his pullets was 22-and-one-half eggs, with one laying 26 and winning fifth highest individual.
John W. Burnsed, a farmer living six miles northwest of Elk City, shot his wife. The bullet passed just behind her windpipe. Thinking he had killed her, he committed suicide by placing the revolver in his mouth and firing. For some time, Mr. Burnsed had been greatly worried. The previous fall he sold out and went to Texas where he purchased a restaurant. Not knowing much about the business, he soon lost all that he made, which preyed heavily on his mind. He reportedly attempted suicide by poisoning when in Texas, but his family intervened. He returned to the area about six weeks earlier. Mrs. Burnsed was expected to recover.
J. F. Stanks lived in Elk City when it was nothing but tents. He and his family lived 16 1/2 miles northwest, and when they would bring eggs, butter and garden truck here, they could sell it “just like hot cakes.”
An oil burner in a bake room caused a fire at the Sugar Bowl, almost destroying it. The stock belonging to Frank Hunt was nearly a complete loss, while all that was left of the building were the brick walls.
A coal oil stove exploded at the home of Mrs. A. E. Adams. She was preparing breakfast and went into the yard when the house was ablaze. The damage to the home and contents was several hundred dollars.
Due to changes in the oil and gas markets, drilling activity in Beckham County was depressing. William G. Skelly, president of Skelly Oil Co., stated that developers would experience some good times provided they did not drill too much.
The Natatorium opened the last Sunday of the month. It was open daily from 10 a.m. until midnight. Admission was 20 cents ($3.55 in today’s values) if you furnished your own suit and 25 cents ($4.43) if one was furnished. Kiddies were 10 ($1.77) and 15 cents ($2.66). One free towel to everyone.
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, and Ancestry.com provided supplementary information.
