Oklahoma celebrates its centennial year in 2007

In 1934, Oklahoma was just 27 years a state, and the Depression and Dustbowls were taking their toll on the nation and Cimarron County. But as bad as the dirt storms were, the worst still lay ahead. For now, farmers who were sticking it out, tried to feed their families and livestock any way they could. The cattle ate thistles or relief feed. Wages were earned by selling emaciated cattle, sheep and hogs to the government, many just to be destroyed. Others found work with government agencies such as the WPA and CCC, while others turned to cooking alcohol from any source possible. It’s all told in alma Cryers’s The Little City of Felt.

A young cyclone passed through this part of the country Sunday afternoon, accompanied by an unusual amount of dirt and sand. A little rain fell also.

George Smith returned last week from his visit to Kentucky. He said he had all the strawberries he could eat. There were over 700 car loads shipped from the neighborhood in which he visited.

Farmers are looking around for places to move their stock. There is no grass, and weeds are getting scarce. There seems to be trouble finding a place any better than here.

The candidates have begun to swarm. If you go out the door real quick you are liable to step on one. If you dodge around a corner you will probably run into one. If you see clouds of dust sailing down the road like witches on broomsticks it will just be the candidates driving down to see you, and the odd part is they are so smiling and pleasant and courteous you just have to promise everyone you will vote for him.

The long looked for cattle buying program is being inaugurated. Stockmen will not be asked to reduce until later. It is to be wondered how many know that in nine months of last year we imported 62,000 cattle, and by-products equivalent to 10,000 cattle a day (700 pounds to a steer.) These are government figures and constantly increasing. If the stock man thinks prosperity is just around the corner he must be kidding himself.

One of the candidates has been telling us in this neighborhood that the terrible conditions existing here are due to the fulfillment of the Scriptures. We know the Scriptures had a lot to say about a place like this and we’re glad to have it explained.

The government cattle buyers were in this neighborhood last Monday. They killed one calf and bought, several head. The slaughtering of cattle is repugnant to most stockmen here.

Cream checks are growing smaller each week. Thistles are getting scarce and no signs of rain.

BERTRAND...Bertrandiers are still waiting patiently for that badly needy rain to arrive. There is absolutely nothing in pastures for stock to eat, so people are turning their cattle out. Some are herding, while some just rustle as they please.

We really enjoyed 3 days of pretty weather last week, without a sand storm. Although it was very hot those days.

Wallace Summers and Tom Richardson were harvesting last week. They nearly made their seed wheat back.

Roy and Jobe McDaniel made two trips to Lamar, Colo., last week. They went after hay for Mr. Antis.

FELT...The government buyers will look at Mr. Simpson’s herd on Thursday. He says he will have to sell at least half of his cattle as there is no grass.

The government shipped a carload of cattle from Felt last Tuesday.

In this vicinity the grass is entirely gone. The cattle are living on such weeds as can be found.

W1LKINS...Sheriff Raids 150 Gal. Still—Find 600 Gallons Of Mash Early Saturday In Wilkins Community. Operator Captured...Case Adopted By Federal Men, Sunday: Was First Batch.

Another illegal liquor manufacturing plant was put on the scrap heap and its operator apprehended when Sheriff H. W. Barrick and Deputy Ted Mears surprised Oscar Drennan in the act of turning out his first batch of brew early Saturday morning. According to Drennan it was the first time the Still had been in operation.

Sheriff Barrick discovered the Still late Friday night, notified Deputy Mears and together the officers raided the place located some 16 miles southwest of town, about 1:00 a.m. and compelled Drennan to “come out” and give himself up.

The raid disclosed a 150 gallon copper Still, 600 gallons of mash, between 25 and 30 gallons of whiskey, 25 wood barrels and other related equipment. A 12 gauge pump gun was found in the dugout.

Mr. George Long, Federal Internal Revenue Government, were immediately notified and arrived here about 4 p.m., Sunday, to adopt the case, destroying the Still and take its operator to Enid. The remains of the Still were deposited in the court house.

Drennan will be taken before the United States Commissioner at Enid and required to furnish bond until his trial can be set, according to Sheriff Barrick. Action will be taken at the next Grand jury setting in Oklahoma City within the next month or two.