Volume 9 , Issue 16

MORE 2/8/1924 News - The Alva Record

These little tidbits of information appeared in The Alva Record, February 8, 1924, on the front page. See if these news articles jog any memories.

Jett Mercantile of Alva, Oklahoma... Maybe some of you might remember Jetts Mercantile of Alva and the manager, Mack Hiatt. The February 8, 1924, The Alva Record, left readers with this frontpage item entitled "Hiatt To Market." It was just a short, sweet article stating, "Mack Hiatt, the courteous and efficient manager of the Jett Mercantile Co., leaves Thursday evening for Chicago, where he will purchase summer stocks of merchandise. Mr. Hiatt says that his company is greatly pleased with the outlook for Alva and is preparing to take care of the largest season's business in the history of the store."

Board of County Commissioners... We also learned that the Board of County Commissioners of Woods County were in session earlier on that Monday and Tuesday of February, 1924, transacting their usual routine of county business. It goes on to state, "The people of Woods county may congratulate themselves upon having the most efficient board of commissioners in this section of the State. The affairs of the county are not allowed to be neglected, and public work does not drag along in a half-hearted way as it does in many counties."

Mrs. Chas. Morton's Obit... On February 2, 1924, Mrs. Charles Morton dies and the news item read, "Mrs. Charles Morton died at her home in the south part of the city Saturday evening of last week after a lingering illness. Besides her husband, Mrs. Morton leaves several children and a countless number of friends in Alva who mourn her loss. Funeral services were held Monday at the Christian church, Rev. Asbell preaching the sermon, after which the remains were laid to rest in the A. O. U. W. cemetery. The bereaved husband and relatives have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement."

President Woodrow Wilson Dies... In February, 1924, Woodrow Wilson was being mourned by all. The "The Alva Record," dated February 8, 1924, carried the headlines, "Woodrow Wilson Mourned By All." It goes on to read: Wartime president Dies After Long Illness. Funeral Services In Washington, Wednesday (February 6, 1924). The frontpage article stated, "Woodrow Wilson, war time president of the United States and one of the foremost statesmen of the world, died at his home in the national capital, at 11:15 o'clock, Sunday morning, following a long illness which struck shortly before his retirement from office, and which left him practically an invalid until the time of his death. Although a sick man since he was stricken at Wichita, Kansas, four years ago, his illness did not reach the acute stages until a few days ago when a sudden turn for the worse was announced by his personal physician, Admiral Gary T. Grayson. At the dead leaders request, the funeral services were simple and without the ostentation which befitted his high rank."

P.E.O. Fashion Show... On February 8, 1924 there was a fashion show put on by the ladies of the P. E. O. at the LiberTy Theatre, Wednesday evening, February 6, 1924. It was reported as a success from every point of view with standing room at a premium and hundreds of people were turned away who could not even get inside. Were your ancestors there at the Liberty Theatre?

The article goes on to state, "It would be useless to try to describe all of the different costumes and make-ups, but suffice ti to say they were all there, Mrs. Katzenjammer, Hans and Fritz, Maggie Jiggs, the Old Maid, the Baby, the Bride, and all the rest. It was a laugh from beginning to end and many were the compliments received by the P. E. O. ladies for the manner in which the splendid entertainment was given. Earl Shelly had charge of the affair and deserves much praise for the successful presentation of the entertainment. A neat little sum was cleared from the proceeds."

Christian Church Improvements... Also, we found out by reading the frontpage of "The Alva Record" on February 8, 1924 that the Christian church was making improvements and putting a basement under the church to make more room for the sunday school. It goes on to say, "A contract was let the first of the week to J. E. Peoples for the construction of a basement under the Christian Church of this city. This improvement has been made necessary on account of the congested condition of the Sunday School. The basement will be modern throughout and will add a number of Sunday School rooms to the church. Mr. peoples began throwing dirt Wednesday, and will rush the construction as rapidly as possible."

AND... Last! But not least... In February, 1924, headlines read, "Storm Sweeps Over Oklahoma." -- This news article was also taken from the "The Alva Record," dated Friday, February 8, 1924, Alva, Oklahoma. Sounds like February, 1924 was another bad year for drifting snow storms across northern Oklahoma. The sub-headlines read, "Woods County Escapes Worst of Norther Which Blocked Traffic and Did Much Damage Further East." It goes on to say, "This section of the state was swept by a high wind accompanied by a little rain, sleet and snow, Sunday night and Monday. The temperature dropped to 23 degrees above within a short time and on Tuesday the mercury descended fourteen degrees more. From Cherokee on to the eastern part of the state, the storm was much worse. Heavy snows fell and roads were made impassible by the drifts. Many cities reported great damage done to light and telephone systems, and traffic of all kinds was blocked in many places. The Rock Island train from the east was annulled Monday, because of heavy snow drifts to the southeast. All Santa Fe trains ran on schedule time. Highways are also said to be blocked in many places beginning a few miles east of the Woods county line."
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