Volume 10 , Issue 17

1944 - Herb Gold Says

In Vol. 4, No. 12 of the Woods County News, dated July 20, 1944, on the front page under the heading, "Herb Gold Says," we learn lots of goings on in the Nortwestern community of Woods County and Alva, Oklahoma. Who was Herb Gold, anyway?

Herb Gold Says... The first paragraph began, "A Shower, accompanied by strong wind, struck Alva Sunday night. The park was littered with branches broken from the trees."

It goes on to state, "Radio Reports this Monday morn is that Russian troops are on German soil in the Suqalki district of East Prussia."

"Martin and Max Hall of Waynoka, brothers in the armed services, recently met unexpectedly in France after several months out of touch with one another.

"Major Floyd Welch visited his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Welch, Saturday evening and Sunday.

"J. J. Hood has a letter from his son, Capt. Robert Hood, saying he is about to get a 30-day furlough but hopes that he will be allowed to return to the fighting front rather than being stuck on to a training job. bob says flying on the fighting front is less dangerous.

"Lt. Craig Barker of Arkansas City is reported missing in action over France. The young flyer is a grandson of former county Commissioner Will H. Barker of Waynoka. His father is the original "Tire Bill" of the tire repair service in this area, having featured that trade name for 30 years. It is hoped that Craig landed safely.

"Two former residents of this area passed from mortal realm last week L. S. (Solomon) Cott died at Eugene, Ore., The body was returned to Alva for interment. He was a cousin of Mrs. Frank Hatfield and while living here owned a farm two miles north of Alva.

"Earl Gore died at Albuquerque, where he had been railroading for many years. he was a brother of Mrs. Willard Dunning and son-in-law of Steve Stech.

"Hal Clinkenbeard and family are visiting at the parental home during his vacation. He is in the Railway mail Service on a run between memphis and McAlester. In a chat with Hal, his memory harked back to the time when we were dispensing gas and oil for Dunn Wilkinson and he plied me with questions regarding the whereabouts of Olin and Phylllis chase and Merle Lewellen. He also brought me the good news that his father was well enough Monday to be brought down town a little while Monday.

"Ran on to my old friend Ed Winterburg of Carmen last midweek. he had come from the Masonic home at Guthrie to vote and naturally had to visit his friends in Alva.

Also met my friend Raymond Pugh, formerly of Lookout; but now residing about 30 miles south of Ft. Smith in Eastern Oklahoma. He told me that area used to grow much cotton but is turning to truck farming, dairying and poultry. Raymond has a bunch of good milch cows.

"Elbert Ernest was down from Wichita sunday eve; his first day off since he became a guard in a war production plant six months ago. Elbert says his work isn't hard; but he is constantly on his feet and going for eight hours at night. He was headed for the ranch when he espied me and stop to say "hello."

"Ezra Blackmon was in from the Salt Plains on business Tuesday.

Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Shaw of Ponca city are visiting their daughter and son-in-law Mr. and Mrs. Harry Webb near Hardtner. Last Sunday Mr. and mrs. Shaw celebrated their 63 wedding anniversary. they received many visitors on this occasion at the Webb home. They are Woods county pioneers, having homesteaded southeast of Capron and have a host of friends in this area who appreciate and love them. The writer joins with these friends in felicitating the dear old couple on this happy and unusual attainment. may the good Lord vouchsafe them yet many more happy returns of the day.

"Theo Wagner informs me that the storm sunday night wrecked his garage and damaged the barn on the Karge place. As a good landlord he has some repairing to do. The grove on the place was also badly mauled by the windstorm.

"I saw herman rink out on the street sunday, the first time since he shot himself in the left leg six months ago. Still hobbling painfully on crutches. The bullet shattered the bone, hence the wound is slow in healing. Herman told me that nothing would suit him better than to be whole and sound again and able to help Aaron doctor in the iron yard.

"Roy Graves of Hardtner, was a business visitor in Alva Tuesday. he told me that his town is booming with everyone having plenty of money. Most farmers have their plowing done.

"Will Derrick, former Woods and Barber county stockman, was in Alva Wednesday on business and visiting friends. he now has a ranch in the Flint Hills near Eureka. Will was in poor health when he left here ten years ago, but has since fully recovered from his ailment, and looks twenty years younger than the last time I saw him. Met him this morning at breakfast talking cattle and race horses a=with acquaintances.

"Elmer Fraker of Mangum, a candidate for U. S. Senator in the Primary, is a former Woods county man. His parents homesteaded about three miles east of Dacoma. Fraker attended College here and taught school in Woods and Alfalfa counties. I read in the papers that Chief Justice Corn of the Supreme court has appointed him to membership on the pardon and parole board, created by constitutional amendment in the recent primary election.

"First District Demos nominated an Indian of famous lineage for congress to succeed Wes Disney. Dennis Busyhead's grandfather was chief of the Cherokee Nation, and his great grandfather was Chief Justice, which reminds me that Ed Thomas who worked here for the O. G. and E. is a cousin of the nominee. His mother was a Bushyhead.

"One of the Most satisfying results of the primary election is the nomination of W. J. Oten for U. S. Senator. What a relief that the mass of rubberstamps, Tories and F=freaks is discorded and we've named a man, whose soul is his own and his heart is in, for and with Oklahoma.

"The acquaintances Mr. Otjen made in the campaign two years ago aided his race materially, they being imprest with his quiet demeanor and the logic of his talks. Okla. Reps. did a good days' work in nominating him for the Senate.

"Anti New Dealers proclaim that the farmers are not entitled to any more government subsidies. I'll agree that with good crops at present prices we could well dispense with the New Deal props and crutches. They've learnt a lot about farming in the last twelve years. They've learnt the value of summer fallowing and resting the ground for a season. They've learnt the worth of deep tillage, terracing , cover crops, etc. They can now afford to pay for building farm ponds, sowing alfalfa and clover and making other improvements.

"But yet prices of grain, beef and milk are below parity compared with what the farmer must byy. The returns on his investment and his work don't measure up with the wages of organized lav=bor; they don't even come within sight of the profits of big corporations in war work. If the crutches are not needed at present, they should be put away safely for possible future. If Morgan and Mellon, Rockefeller and DuPont can acquire enough "rubberstamps" we may experience another something like what happened in 1929. They are already talking of easing the income tax by one half in the high brackets and enacting a Sales Tax to enable the "Old Age Pensioners" to help pay off the National Debt.

"A big ado is being made over organized labor taking an active part in the campaign. I deem this activity a good omen for our country. When citizens think, inform themselves, watch and act, the country will not be overrun and robbed by thieves, big or small. Only when the citizenship become lethargic, or is prevented as in the south from performing its duty, is the Nation in danger of becoming a robbers roost.

"Labor's interest in the election is a healthful sign, but past performances of some of its bosses menace both the welfare of labor and the well being of the country. The organized employers and plutocrats are also taking an interest in the campaign; spending a lot of money in an effort to shape the election to their liking and for their benefit. Why not channel the activities of both outfits to a safe course thru a law licensing both labor unions and trade associations and making them file annual reports of money collected and how disbursed? such a law has been talked about for years; but never enacted for fear it would embarrass the trade associations.

"That big business is really determined to discourage all "progressives" in this campaign is shown in the treatment of Wendell Willkie by the New York delegation at the Rep. convention. Heretofore it was customary to invite the previous standard bearers of the party to attend the convention with the delegation from his home State. The New york bunch said in effect, "Let Willkie go to hell." They didn't want anyone with modern ideas in the crowd....."
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