Volume 9 , Issue 39

1958 News - Long Search For Camels Hits Gusher

In April, 1958, Grace Ward Smith's long search for camels hits a gusher. Here is how that news article in The Oklahoman, pg. 123, played out 4/6/1958, with the following headlines: "Long Search For Camels Hits Gusher."

Alva, April 5, 1958 -- "Looks like Gracie's got her camels. That is, Gracie and a lot of other Oklahoma and Woods county-minded chamber of commerce members.

Ever since Grace Ward Smith, secretary-manager of the Alva chamber of commerce, stressed the need of two of the desert critters for the May 9-10 Santa Fe tour of Oklahoma City school children, things have been buzzin' in this northwest county.

"There are a lot of small towns with mighty chamber of commerce organizations in Woods county and they have joined hands in a movement to promote their part of the country as a a tourist attraction.

"Gracie Has Long Had A Vision of northwest Oklahoma which involves a lot of investment money but would pay-off two and three-fold in crisp greenbacks from hungry tourists.

"Two camels were to grace the sand dune near Waynoka where the Little Sahara motel and recreation spot complete with dancing girls and sheiks (bellboys) is to eventually become a reality.

"Now according to Loren Devilbiss, Woods county chairman of the camel project, money has been raised for one camel, more is being raised for the second and a grand tour to bring them to Woods county is slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

"The hump-backed animals are being purchased from a circus winter-quartering at Hugo (Oklahoma). The tour to Hugo and back will serve two purposes, it will advertise Waynoka's annual rattlesnake hunt set for April 13 (1958) and also advertise the tours which may be a daily occurrence by next summer's activities.

"These people have been Mrs. Bud Edding managing director of the Alabaster Caverns, chairman at Freedom; Forest George, Waynoka chairman; Tom Vincent, Alva chairman and Dean Murrow, Dacoma.

"Pipe is being laid for water to the sand dunes. Picnic furniture soon will be placed along with sunshades and umbrellas as tempting to weary motorists as an oasis in the desert.

"This camel business is only the first step toward the reality of a project which up until this year has been merely a dream. The Santa Fe tours will bring many school children to the area. They'll visit the Alabaster caverns, historical markers of interest, see the sand dunes with the camels, chimney Rock and a natural bridge across Cedar Canyon.

"Eventually, Grace Ward Smith hopes to add two dude ranches to the county and announced this week negotiations are in the early stages to purchase one ranch for this purpose.

"She also said a group of men have indicated their interest in promoting the Little Sahara motel to be constructed in the sand dune area.

"Next week's camel tour will leave Alva early Tuesday, make four major stops and arrive in Hugo that night. On the booster trip will be trucks carrying signs "Conserve Water." courtesy of the Woods county soil conservation. These will house the camels for the return trip Wednesday.

"Also on the tour will be trucks loaded with Waynoka Saddle club horses. These will be unloaded for short parades along the route.

"In one car will be a box of rattlesnakes, an inducement for other Oklahomans to come to the Waynoka rattelsnake hunt April 13 to see these reptiles captured by the hundreds.

"It will be a grand tour and Woods county citizens hope the beginning of a trek to the northwest by tourists."
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