Volume 10 , Issue 6

Old Grimes Road Racer - NW Alva, OK

I am attaching a photo which belonged to my husband's grandfather, Ed Mercer, who was raised near Farry, Oklahoma, and later lived in Alva. On the back Ed has written: "Paul G. Mercer in his racer in front of Dora's house on Church Street Alva, Okla. We were getting ready to go back to Henry Lohrding's ranch near Coldwater, Kans. This car took part in a racing event out along the Old Grimes Road northwest of Alva. When Joe Reed owned it, it had Bauch magneto(?, perhaps magnets?) and carbine gas lights."

Tracking down the possible address has led me to revise the Dora who is mentioned. She is the brother's sister, but her name is Dora Belle Mercer. Her aunt is Dora Snyder. The street address of the race car picture seems to be the 900 block of Church Street.

Dora Mercer, age 30, is listed as a boarder in the home of Elizabeth and Edith Norris in the Woods County census of 1910 who lived at 927 Church Street.

On the back of another photo is reference to Henry Lohrding (Fred Henry Lohrding) where Ed writes that he and his brother Paul worked for Lohrding through 2 or 3 harvests as mule skinners.

Ed was the son of Stephen Franklin and Nancy Mercer. I have several interesting pictures of Alva and Farry and of the Mercer family and neighbors. As I scan the pictures, if you are interested in using them on your Okie Legacy page, I would be glad to send them to you.

I have subscribed to your webzine for a while now and am amazed at the collection of Alva lore you have. It is truly a tribute to all the generations before us. You have a unique and wonderful site." -- Onecia Mercer, Topeka, Kansas   |  View or Add Comments (1 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---