Nomination copyWrite By Mark House

Historically and statistically, Mike Moore is one of the greatest Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers ever born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma. Many will testify that he is personally one of the greatest people ever to be born and raised in the great state of Oklahoma. For such reasons, I respectfully nominate Mike Moore for a most deserved 2019 induction into Oklahoma's prestigious Sports Hall Of Fame. I reqeust this honor on behalf of Moore's family; the Eakly Eagles; the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles; the Seattle Mariners; the Oakland Athletics; the Detroit Tigers; the Lookeba-Sickles Panthers and fans of Oklahoma baseball in general. 

A look at the Moore brothers, Mike (left), Glenn (center) and James (right) from their rural baseball roots of Caddo County's Eakly, Oklahoma.

What a great baseball story originating from the dusty ole peanut fields of Oklahoma's Caddo County and ending up on a red dirt mound in sunny California with sweet victory in World Championship Series play for the Oakland A's. From a proudly worn little league uniform with an iron-on E for Eakly to the MLB with a more glorified and perfectly stitched A's cap for Oakland. It only happens for a chosen few. A chosen few with such a high level of natural talent and the highest level of work ethic to match.

From Eakly to Oakland, Mike Moore represents Oklahoma as a World Series Champion and a Major League Baseball All-Star. The year of 2019 will mark the 30th Anniversary of Moore winning two World Series games for Oakland against the San Francisco Giants.

Mike Moore, over his 14 year professional career, has earned the right to be considered one of Oklahoma's greatest red dirt, red blood, born and raised, Major League Baseball pitchers of all time. Solid statistical evidence stands behind this claim of such greatness. The most significant statistics relative to career MLB victories (161), MLB strikeouts (1,667) and average MLB strikeouts per season (119) place Mike at the top of Oklahoma's list with fellow Oklahoma standout Allie Reynolds and Major League Baseball hall of famers Warren Spahn and Carl Hubbell.

Only one Oklahoman, Mike Moore, has ever been drafted #1 since the inception of the Major League Baseball draft in 1965. From over fifty years of MLB player drafts, only Mike Moore from Eakly, Oklahoma, has represented the Sooner State as the #1 overall selection.

Only six Oklahoma born players have broken the 1,000 career strikeout plateau. 1989 MLB All-Star Mike Moore's top-of-the-list 1,667 averaged per season calculates to 119. Allie Reynolds' 1,423 averaged per season adds up to 108.5. On average, no one else comes close to these two great pitchers born and raised in our great state. Moore's average of 119 per season is higher than that of the great Carl Hubbell (104.8) and even rivals that of the greatest Warren Spahn at 123.

Mike Moore was a standout student athlete for Eakly High School. With a 24-2 senior season record and an unbelievable .05 earned run average (E.R.A.), Moore earned his final high school victory while being selected MVP in Oklahoma's 29th Annual All-State Baseball Classic in 1978.

Despite being drafted in the third round out of Eakly High School in 1978 by the St. Louis Cardinals, Moore chose to attend college and pitch for Oral Roberts University. Also bypassing a basketball scholarship offer from the University of Oklahoma, he earned First Team Sporting News All-American baseball status in 1981 while at ORU. Moore then became the first Oklahoman and the first right handed pitcher ever to be drafted by the MLB #1 OVERALL by the Seattle Mariners in 1981.

San Francisco Manager Roger Craig compliments Mike Moore on his pitching performance in Major League Baseball's 1989 World Series Championship.

Former Oklahoma high school umpire Jim Ruff claims Moore "at the high school level, was too good for everybody else. Most everybody was scared to death of him because of his speed."

Daily Oklahoman columnist, the late Bob Hersom, recognized Moore as an "Eakly High School and Oral Roberts University (ORU) pitching ace."

1981 ORU Pitching Coach Jim Brewer said "I've seen a lot of pitchers in the last 25 years and I think Mike Moore is probably one of the strongest."

During the 1989 World Series, former Oakland A's Pitching Coach Dave Duncan shared that "Mike hasn't just been sitting back and trying to let his God-given ability take over, he's worked hard to improve in all the different areas to become a great pitcher."

Daily Oklahoman columnist, baseball historian and sports talk radio personality Berry Tramel shares "Moore's 161 MLB wins should be a 'SLAM DUNK' in regard to Oklahoma Sports Hall Of Fame induction."

Baseball Almanac indicates Mike Moore was twenty-two (22) years old when he broke into the majors with the Seattle Mariners on April 11, 1982. Pinnacle highlights of Moore's 161 WIN fourteen year MLB career include 1989 MLB All-Star status and pitching in two World Series Championships for the Oakland A's in both 1989 and 1990. Moore won game two and game four in the '89 "Quake Series" sweep vs. the S.F. Giants as the A's became World Champs.

copyWrite By Mark House

A first cold winter "frost" of any year can't set in without now thinkin' of a young cowboy who lost his life while "Takin' Care Of Business" in the historic rodeo town of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 1989. Life sure seemed somewhat slower than it is today but it was fast enough that the tragic death of this young cowboy may have passed by without much attention unless you were built Ford tough into the rodeo arena.

You'll definitely have to be built Ford tough with some eternal thoughts of consequence to experience this last ride with Lane Frost. It took place "in the rain in the mud in July in Cheyenne" which are actual words from an inspirational song of tribute written and performed by Aaron Watson of Amarillo, Texas. If you tap on the song's title, you can enjoy Watson's masterpiece of a tribute but be sure and return for the rest of this story when your teardrops dry up a bit.

In the immortal words and voice of Paul Harvey, "now here's the Rest of the Story," as this tragic incident transpired at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration held annually since 1897 drawing near 200,000 people to Wyoming each year.

I personally remember hearing about it and thinking what a shame that a life so young had to be lost. A life that was only one year younger than mine at the time. Being familiar with rodeo but not deeply involved, the news was accepted with a profound shrug of just accepting things that happen. Ridin' bulls is a dangerous sport but the unexpected loss of life within the attempt of 8 Seconds on a mean and nasty energized animal remains just that, unexpected because it doesn't happen very often. My unscientific reasoning for this being there's not too many men brave enough to straddle a near ton of such vicious and unpredictable bull buckin' pandemonium.  

From the Wrangler Network's "Lane Frost 25 Years In 25 Days" tribute, a memorable and heartbreaking visual of The Last Ride. After makin' eight out of the gate with a score of 85 on the now infamous bull "Takin' Care Of Business," Frost, attempting to dismount, tragically lost his life in the rain in the mud in July in Cheyenne.  

As the twenty-eight (28) year mark of this tragic loss of life quietly rolled by this past summer, the rediscovery of its memory and what has continued in honor of it since then has made it much more important within my personal thought processing. Meeting a new friend a few weeks back while headin' west out of El Reno, Oklahoma, on the Mother Road (Route 66), I was given a "Cowboy Bible" by an eighty-two (82) year old gentleman by the name of Colonel Cliff Johnson. Mr. Johnson owns Old Cowboys Antiques there on Sunset Drive in El Reno where you can find some interesting old relics of the cowboy ways of life past.

Mr. Johnson and I struck up a good conversation about real country music and other similar interests. He was impressed that I knew who Hank Snow, Roy Clark, Patsy Cline, Porter Wagoner and Buck Owens were. With a genuine effort to save my soul within our brief visit, ole Mr. Johnson gave me a copy of this "Cowboy Bible." His giving didn't require I buy anything or pay for the book itself. Although, reflecting through our conversation, Mr. Johnson could tell I was more than likely a saved soul, he handed me this book without too much description and just said "pass it on if and when you run across someone who might benefit."

Well I took the old book from Mr. Johnson with thoughts of doing just that. Passing it on when the chance approaches. It wasn't until I got home that evening and got to looking this book over that the memory of and interest in Lane Frost reappeared. Just noticing the image of a bull rider in general when Mr. Johnson handed me the book, I now realize it was an illustration of Lane Frost on the cover. It is a beautiful illustration created in pencil sketch by Caleb Merrick. On the cover of this book titled "Cowboy Bible," there's no mention of Lane Frost but just a magnificent image of a cowboy, a bull and a cross.

As I opened the book for a quick scan, I found a full version of the New Testament. Within the inside front cover, I discovered an interesting and heartfelt message from the parents of Lane Frost. They wrote "On October 12, 1963, our life was changed forever with the birth of our son Lane. On July 30, 1989, life changed forever for Lane. On that day he left this earth and entered his eternal home in heaven. You see, Lane had discovered that this world isn't all there is to life. We all have an eternal destiny. It may be an eternal life in hell or an eternal life in heaven. Lane chose a heavenly home by accepting Jesus as his personal Savior. This new testament has come into your hands with our prayer that you will make that choice also. Please read the rest of this page on how to accept Jesus." This personal message was signed "Sincerely" by Elsie and Clyde Frost.

From the Wrangler Network presentation "Lane Frost 25 Years In 25 Days," friends, family and parents (Elsie and Clyde Frost) share some genuine thoughts and testimony regarding the life and times of the young cowboy from Oklahoma.

Ole Mr. Johnson's approach was pretty much the same as the book's attempt at saving a soul. It was one of being a choice and not so much an attempt with religious contempt. He gave me a choice of taking the book and the book gives us choice of accepting its New Testament content which includes "There is only one way to heaven. It is through the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:6). He Loves You…He turns no one away (John 3:16, John 6:37). However, He never forces Himself on anyone. He waits until you invite Him into your life. (Revelation 3:20). He says that we are all sinners–that we are separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23). But he willingly took our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross so that we might become God's children through Him (II Corinthians 5:21). Won't you come to Jesus? It is simple (II Corinthians 5:20). PRAY: 'Lord Jesus, I invite you into my heart and life. I thank you for dying for me. Forgive my sins and be both my Savior and my Lord. Thank you for giving me a new life in you.' Now turn to the book of John (page 103) and read it through."

If the unfortunate and untimely death of a young cowboy could save a life into eternity, it sure seems the spirit of Lane Frost remains willing to make such a sacrifice. This with one last ride while Takin' Care Of Business for his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Author's Note: For those who desire to "Cowboy Up" and make a contribution to the Cowboy Bible Fund, send it directly to Lane Frost's home church at Lane Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37, Lane, Oklahoma, 74555.

copyWrite Mark House
November 23, 2017

University of Oklahoma football is nearing a complete and successful one hundred twenty two (122) years of existence. Although pro football now dominates the Thanksgiving Day holiday, there was a better day back in the day when a fresh and new collegiate game was played on this national holiday set aside to give thanks for the bounty of God's blessings.

Within just a couple of seasons past the 1895 birth of Oklahoma (OU) football, such a game was found to be played on Thanksgiving Day in the year of 1897. A now one hundred and twenty (120) year old game that was played against an Oklahoma City town team that, in 1895, literally drop kicked the pants off the 'varsity by a score of 34-0 in the first game ever played by the "Territorial" college team from Norman. A tough way to construct the foundation of what is now one of the greatest collegiate football programs to exist, but, we all know there's a learning curve and a price of sacrifice that comes with success.

This jersey, worn by Joe Merkle, is the oldest piece of memorabilia on display at the Switzer Center in Norman. Merkle played for Oklahoma's "Territorial" 'varsity team from 1896 to 1899. Merkle was recognized as one of the best players that competed on Thanksgiving Day in 1897 against the Oklahoma City Boomers.

As we wipe the blood off our brow and get back to the future of Thanksgiving Day on November 26, 1897, we find this 120 year old game was actually and only the fourth game to ever to be contested by Oklahoma's "Territorial" university. A game lost within the historical cracks of modern day high tech Wikipedia driven media but then found lying in an archaic newsprint ditch beside the back roads of a similar high tech cyberspace highway.  

Ironically, this one-hundred twenty (120) year old football experience was played out against that same rough and tumble group from Oklahoma City that drubbed the university's first attempt at the game of football. This thrilling re-birth experience of such antiquated gridiron action comes to us courtesy of the November 27, 1897, issue of the Wichita Daily Eagle. As I share the discovery of the Eagle headline "FOOTBALL PLAY AT NORMAN," the life of a game lost in time returns for a brief and glorious moment before it once again dissipates into a blackhole within a vast and uncontrollable cyberspace of the www:

Oklahoma City, O.T., Nov. 26–(Special.)–The most exciting and stubbornly contested game of football ever played in Oklahoma was played on the University campus between the University team and the Boomer team, from Oklahoma City, beginning at 4 o'clock on Thanksgiving day.

The day was perfect, with the light southerly wind and the gridiron was in excellent condition.

Game was called promptly at 4 o'clock by the referee, Prof. Parrington, of the University, and Floyd E. White of Oklahoma City acted as umpire.

University won the toss and Smith kicked off, when Loughmiller got the ball and was downed with a slight loss. By variation of plays around the ends and through the line, Oklahoma finally shoved the ball to the University 20-yard line and was then given ten yards on a foul. Oklahoma lost the ball on downs and Mackey, made a 10-yard run around left end. University gained steadily, until the 40-yard line, and then lost on a fumble by Brown, re-fumbled by Loughmiller. University now worked the Pennsylvania guard's back play until the 30-yard line, when Potter of Oklahoma was laid out and Carson put in. University worked the ball to the 3-yard line and Burrows was pushed over for a touchdown. Mackey missed goal. Time of first half, 22 minutes. Score, 4 to 0.

McCormick kicked off and University worked the ball to the 40-yard line during 8 minutes of play, when time was called.

Score at end of first half, 4 to 0 in favor of 'varsity team.

Referee White called time at 4:43 and McCormick kicked off for 45 yards, when it was returned by Roberts 10 yards, he being fouled by Irvin and given 10 yards more. During the entire half the University used the guards back play and slowly but steadily, across the goal line, the ball was carried three times, and as many times missed goal. The first touchdown was made after ten minutes of play and seven minutes late the second was made. The most exciting and last touchdown was made three-quarters of a minute before time was called. When Oklahoma made the last kick off Mackey made a brilliant run of twenty yards, and during this touchdown the University carried the ball ninety yards in six and a quarter minutes.
 
The final score was 16 to 0 in favor of University. The Norman people went wild with enthusiasm.

Some very singular playing was done, when Quarterback McClure of Oklahoma stood upright on Center Rush White's back and jumped both lines when the ball was snapped, tackling the 'varsity backs. The best playing was done by White, D. McClure and Loughmiller, for Oklahoma, and Ford, Mackey, Barrows and Joe Merkle for University. (Author's Note: Both Joe Merkle and his brother Fred started for the 'varsity team in this 1897 Thanksgiving Day game against Oklahoma City.)

This was one of the cleanest games ever witnessed.

The line-up was as follows:
University                                    Oklahoma City
Merkle ………………Center ………….. White
Howell …………….Right guard ……….Irvin
Hefley ……………..Left guard …………Potter
Barrows ………….Right tackle ………   Holland
J. Merkle …………Left tackle …………  McCormick
Clapham …………..Right end …………Loughmiller
McCutcheon ………Left end …………..G. McClure
Ford ………………Quarterback ……… D. McClure
Mackey …………Right halfback ………Brown
Smith ……………..Left half back ………Chinn
Roberts ……………Full back …………. Herring
 
The halves were thirty minutes each. Oklahoma lost the whole game when Brown and Loughmiller fumbled the ball during the last part of the first half, after which Oklahoma never had the ball in her possession.

The 1897 Oklahoma "Territorial" 'varsity team defeated the Oklahoma City Boomers on Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 1897) by a score of 16-0. The 1897 team iMage above is on display at the Switzer Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

Within a few short years, Oklahoma's university of 1897 had turned the table on their previous and inaugural 34-0 loss to a rough and tough Oklahoma City town team. The varsity's 16-0 revenge win over Oklahoma City was followed up with an interesting take relative to such a contest by the university coach of that time Vernon Parrington. Coach Parrington's post game-like interview was published in the "Umpire" which was the university's official newsletter of the times.

As close as we can get to a post game "College Gameday" experience from this window of time, Coach Parrington shares his one hundred and twenty year old (120) thoughts of his 'varsity team's victory over Oklahoma City:

"They came from the little town up the way in special coaches, and bearing brand new canes nicely trimmed in crimson and black, and a huge banner and little 'tooters' likewise trimmed in best quality all-silk ribbon. Moreover, they had several new yells they had practiced the entire eighteen miles of the way and which they had learned to give–so it is reported by the trainmen–in a very sweet ladylike and gentlemanly way. But alas! The horns remained untooted and the 'lovely new yells' remained unyelled and the black and crimson banner drooped most dismally on its pole; the day that was so bright at three o'clock was dark and gloomy for them at four. By 'them' of course is meant our friends from Oklahoma City, who came down to see the 'varsity lads taken into camp. They made an imposing appearance as they came onto the campus, one hundred and fifty of them at least led by Col. and Mrs. Wheeler and made up, as we found out that evening at the Wigwam, of royal good fellows and young ladies almost as charming as our own university girls–what more could be said?"

Within three years of it's 1895 football birth, the 'varsity from Norman had brought it's record from 0-1 to 4-1. Although it took two wins over Norman High School in 1896 to polish the blemish off that first loss, the Thanksgiving Day game of 1897 was a hard earned victory of revenge against a tough foe and led to a second consecutive "all victorious" season for Oklahoma's "Territorial" university.

copyWrite By Mark House and Harold Keith

As a self proclaimed "tique sniper," I recently found myself digging around the many self proclaimed antique stores in what was once considered our state's (Oklahoma) Territorial Capital. While winding down a long afternoon spent in Guthrie with nothing of interest discovered and with thoughts of leaving town, I reached for an old book on an old shelf at the very back of an old store. Although I could barely read the faded flat gold colored words of "OKLAHOMA KICKOFF" stamped on the book's spine, that was enough to peak a "tique" sniper's interest. The somewhat faded and imperfect red colored book looked to be from the 1940's or 1950's. Not exactly an antique per say for such a self proclaimed and particular "sniper," but, everyone knows anything with Oklahoma and Kickoff on it has to be looked at without hesitation.

With a same amazement level relevant to the more modern Sooner Magic recognized worldwide, the old and original book itself may not have been a true antique but it's 1948 copywrite contents within turned out to be an antiquated discovery of the ultimate historical sense. A better description other than what was stumbled upon while turning to the title page inside could not possibly be composed. "An informal history of the first twenty-five years of football at the University of Oklahoma, and of the amusing hardships that attended its pioneering."  

Previous to the actual content discovery and while getting a little closer view of the book's old and faded spine, I found the name Harold Keith printed in the same old and faded flat gold color only in much smaller letters than the title Oklahoma Kickoff. Being a Sooner fan with a very early 1970's beginning of remembrance (Johnny Rodgers returning a punt for the Cornhuskers in a heartbreaking loss) that name Harold Keith struck a channel of thought processing but only with a similar faded essence of the gold colored imprinted letters on this old and faded book.

My first remembrance of OU football came on November 25, 1971. While crow hunting with family members near Fort Cobb, Oklahoma, I recall listening to the live action on the pickup radio and can't remember going hunting on a Saturday ever since.

Accompanied by a little www research, the memory of who Harold Keith was came back to life offering a victorious moment of remembrance much like some of the more modern Sooner teams coached by the "King" Barry Switzer himself. Turns out Keith served nearly forty years as the first sports publicist for the University of Oklahoma from 1930 to 1969. If there's anyone who could put us in touch with the true Genesis Of Oklahoma Football, there's no question this guy would be our man. With a Master's Degree in history and such enthusiasm for Oklahoma University sports, Harold Keith is the ultimate time warped MVP contact to a Sooner fan's football past.

For what money is worth, a Lincoln imaged five spot spent on the first twenty-five years of Oklahoma football researched and written by Harold Keith calculates into the deal of a century. That adds up to a mere twenty cents per year. Whether it be in the twentieth or twenty-first century, it's money magnificently spent with endless reward of historical treasures. One such supreme treasure comes from 1904 and is found in Chapter 9. From Keith's awe-inspiring research and writing skills, the Genesis of Oklahoma's Bedlam legacy is brought to life with impressive precision and description. These descriptions being ones that no one else but Keith himself could document and preserve knowing that if only one futuristic person was interested in what happened one hundred and thirteen years ago, it would be worth his valiant effort.

Harold Keith titles Chapter 9 of his book Oklahoma Kickoff "Touchdown in Cottonwood Creek." Is it irony or destiny that this original chronicle of the Genesis Of Bedlam football was found in the same town that it took place in over one hundred and thirteen (113) years previous? As the more conservative thinkers will think irony and while the more dramatic will think destiny, in the beginning, Keith profoundly writes about one time one year coach Fred Ewing and his Oklahoma Rough Riders kicking off Bedlam with a bang against the Aggies of Oklahoma A. and M. in 1904:

"The drab season was given a wonderful restorative November 5 in the first football mingling of all time between the university and Oklahoma A. and M. College. That was the game in which players of both teams went swimming in freezing Cottonwood Creek and without hanging anything on a hickory limb either. It was probably the varsity's most hilarious experience with the old out-of-bounds rule that so often took the rival players off the football field and into territory that had not been previously reconnoitered.

Tradition has it that the Stillwater team that year was coached by the college music instructor. Three of their best men, Captain Spaulding, Cornstalk and Knauss, did not play so they were doomed long before the entertaining game began. The contest was matched at old Island Park, in South Guthrie. The Territorial capital stood approximately half way between both Norman and Stillwater and its live wire commercial club had sought and obtained the game. The Aggies couldn't come to Norman. Stillwater, then a prairie village without a railroad, was also impractical as a playing site.

It was a bitingly cold day with the northwest wind blowing a gale. The red waters of Cottonwood Creek, which almost entirely surrounded the playing field, were bank full and roiling angrily from a freshet that had fallen up ahead. Ice was beginning to form all around the water's edge. The creek looked shallow but in reality was seven feet deep in the middle.

The aquatic diversion for which the game is hallowed occurred on the fourth play. The varsity kicked off with the wind and right away the music-teacher-instructed Aggies flatted. Instead of touching the ball down behind the goal and gaining a safe conduct to their 20-yard line, they tried to run it out and were piled on their ten-yard line. Lining up with the freezing wind in their faces, they tried two plays but were forced back almost to the goal by the varsity's vicious tackling. On third and last down B.O. Callahan, a Hennessey boy who was their fullback, dropped back to punt. However an Owl Cigar sign situated directly behind Callahan blocked his retreat and he had to line up short, kick fast and lift the ball higher than usual in order for it to clear the backs of the Aggie linesmen.

He punted almost straight up and as the ball gained altitude, the raging wind caught it and swept it far back over his head. An excited shout burst from the numbed spectators. A loose ball! If some varsity man recovered it, it was a touchdown. If an Aggie got it, touchback. In those days a loose ball became the property of the team recovering it no matter how far it went beyond the boundary. But this ball was behaving strangely. Carried aloft, it followed the creek like a heron, finally striking the ground far behind the goal. With players of both teams in pursuit it bounded down a foot path and into the murky flood waters of the creek where it bobbed and floated like a cork as the swift current swept it down stream.

An Aggie named Baird seems to have reached the creekside first; at least he was squatted on the bank trying to fish the ball out with a stick when T. Becker Matthews, varsity tackle, came up behind him and struck him shoulder high, knocking him into the water. Perceiving that his flying block had precipitated his opponent within range of the ball, Matthews leaped into the water after him and both started wading side by side for the ball which was wet and slippery and kept squirting through their fingers. A howl of surprise and glee went up from the crowd which ran to the creek bank to observe the action better. Matthews finally rid himself of his opponent by ducking him. Not caring to play water polo, the Aggie fought his way to shore and crawled out. He must have had his share of courage at that for tradition has it he was unable to swim.

Meanwhile Ed Cook and Frank Long, two other university players, and Burleson, an Aggie, had also leaped into the creek and were fully clad in the heavy football regalia of the period. Cook, who could swim like a bull frog, finally reached the ball, convoyed it to the bank and touched it down in the sand for the oddest touchdown a varsity man ever scored.

While the crowd roared with laughter, the players waded out looking very wet and cold and bedraggled as the icy wind whipped drops of dirty water off their soaked quilted jackets and moleskin pants. Teeth chattering, they played the rest of the half in their water-soaked suits but between periods compelled their substitutes to hand over their uniforms and don civilian attire. In the borrowed dry uniforms, Cook, Matthews and Long then went back for the last half. The university won, 75 to 0.

Every man on the Oklahoma team scored a touchdown. Even Waggoner, the university center, scored by snapping the ball back then turning into his own backfield, taking a lateral from the quarterback and thundering around end for the touchdown. But even this unusual feat paled into anonymity before the bizarre appeal of the water touchdown, the fame of which has lived to the present day."

Author's Note: The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys Bedlam football series will be 112 games old in 2017. Although the Genesis of the series traces back to 1904 (113 years ago), the two teams did not meet in 1905 and 1909. Including the upcoming 2017 Bedlam series game, OU and OSU will have played each other 107 times annually since 1910. To date, OU leads the Bedlam series matchup with an overall record of 86W-18L-7T.

Author's Note: This blogUmentary has been researched and written to honor one of Oklahoma's greatest historians and writers. Harold Keith (1903-1998) was an award winning author who published many novels relative to the "Sooner" state of Oklahoma. His preservation of the beginnings of Oklahoma University football is a favorite and a must read for any true Sooner fan. The photo of Harold Keith above is part of the Oklahoma Historical Society's collection of Oklahoma Publishing Company (Daily Oklahoman) images.

CopyWrite Mark House (2017) and Bob Rives (1958)

The old saying "for every picture, there's a thousand words" might actually be true and it was most interesting to run across a classic Oklahoma Historical Society iMage of ole G.A. Byrom who lived in the Binger, Oklahoma, area quite some time ago. The iMage was captioned with "G.A. Byrom, Binger, looks at the site where he and his helpers are staging a modern day treasure hunt."

Now that has to be enticing enough to see if I can "dig" up the details from this storyline dated in 1958. Out the front door goes the "modern day" part but this was new and exciting news back in '58.

I first sent the iMage to my Facebook friend Edna "Byrom" Myers as fact checking the last name and Binger led me to believe she would know something about this historical treasure hunter. Sure enough, Edna messaged me back with some enthusiasm. "Is this him? Wow! George Albert is my dad's father. He passed away in June around 1960 I believe. He was always out walking. Would walk to Binger from about five or six miles away."

Well, my enthusiasm level of diggin' up historical photofacts has increased while now knowing it is relative to someone I know. A quick search of archived information led me right to the storyline that goes with this newly discovered old iMage from 1958. The Oklahoma Publishing  Company iMage was captured by an unidentified photographer near "Indian City" (Anadarko, Oklahoma). The storyline was written by a Bob Rives who was recognized as a "Correspondent" in the February 02, 1958, edition of the Sunday Oklahoman.

Ole Bob wrote a treasure chest full of text about George A. Byrom's great treasure hunt of 1958:

"A search for buried treasure that has all the ingredients of a Saturday matinee was being carried on here this week by five Caddo county farmers.

The men are seeking what they believe is $71,000 in silver and gold coins in a cave at Indian City, U.S.A. The treasure, if it's there, was hidden nearly 100 year ago by an area badman called Red Buck.

According to a story told by one of the hunters, G.A. Byrom, Binger, Buck stashed his hoard in the presence of a 12-year old Indian lad.

This Indian boy, as a man of 94, told Byrom the story some 14 years ago.

According to the tale, the money was stolen by Buck's band and hidden while he took advantage of a healthier climate in Texas.

But, that climate went wrong and Buck died there before he could reclaim the money.

Byrom, sworn to secrecy by the aged Indian, started his hunt years ago. He found the cave, he believed, but the farmer who owned the land wasn't interested and the search never got off the ground.

Now, it's believed a second entrance to the cave can be found.

This is the reason for all the diggin–a job that's being helped by the use of a $10-an-hour bulldozer.

Plans call for going down about 12 feet with the machine, then begin the tedious job of opening the cave with picks and shovels, That is, if it's there.

Indian City, the group which leases the land where hunters are searching, signed a contract with them calling for any artifacts that are found to be turned over to its museum.

All the romance involved doesn't come from the money. The old west atmosphere grows when you notice the herd of buffalo grazing within 50 yards of the workers.

They're there for the viewers at Indian City. A sign, painted in red, cautions "Danger, Wild Buffalo." There's been no trouble thus far.

One of the beasts walked to the bulldozer, sniffed then sauntered away. Other than that, there has been no man and animal contact.

Even if the treasure legend is not true, the hills have a story to tell.

The red bluff, at the base of which the prospectors are digging, overlooks the site of the Tonkawa tribe massacre.

This tribe, unpopular because other tribes thought it cannibalistic, was wiped out nearly to a man in a battle fought here years ago.

Descendants of the few who survived still live in this area.

Sandstone cliffs here are honeycombed with caves, many of them used for shelter by early day Indian tribes. Not 10 feet from the site of the diggins is a cave entrance.

Another 40 feet away is a large one, half-way up the steep bluff.

It's someplace in the vast network of caves Byrom and his helpers hope to locate the money. If not, 'well it's fun looking,' the grizzled old-timer says."

reSearch & copyWrite By Mark House

With a challenging goal of carrying on a long-lasting family tradition of the highest quality and complete auto body repair service, Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan have joined in partnership at Stehr's Body Shop in Clinton, Oklahoma, to do just that. Both aspire to maintain such high standards of a "Master Workmen" tradition originated by their ancestors in an earlier part of the previous century.

This family owned and operated business, located at 104 East Gary Boulevard, has provided Clinton and western Oklahoma with the highest quality of auto body service for nearly nine decades. "We've learned from the finest and we're looking forward to providing the same when it comes to our family craft," says Todd Stehr. "We take pride in being from Clinton and our family being able to serve the needs of western Oklahoma for such a long time now."

This higher standard of service quality has become an expectation of area vehicle owners since William "Bill" Stehr, at the age of twenty-five (25), originally opened one of Clinton's first full service body shops back in 1930. This with the foresight to meet the demand of any and all repairs related to vehicle body damage. From body and fender repair to complete glass installation, Bill and his crew pioneered these types of early day services in the Clinton area. Not as amateurs but with recognition from within the industry and community as "Master Workmen." The elder Stehr's venture into the business thrived as automobile sales aggressively moved forward despite the economical hard times of this so called "depression" era.

In these earlier days of automobiles, William "Bill" Stehr recognized the necessity to offer consumers an alternative to buying new fenders and other damaged and dented car parts that could be repaired to like new condition at a fraction of the cost. Utilizing special methods, his crew of "Master Workmen" were trained to repair any size fender and/or body dents and to completely rebuild any model auto body back into its new condition if needed. Although this process has become more commonplace today, it was quite an accomplishment in the 1930's and quite welcomed by depression era auto owners who certainly benefitted from saving their hard earned dollars.

William "Bill" Stehr (far left) founded the Stehr family business that has served Clinton and western Oklahoma with the highest quality of auto body repair service since 1930. William's brother Otto (second from left) was a member of this pioneering crew that earned recognition as "Master Workmen" from within the industry and community.

According to historically published Clinton newspaper details, Bill and his "prompt and reliable" crew provided many of the same services offered by Stehr's Body Shop today. From fender repair, radiator repair, complete auto body rebuilding, auto painting, rebuilt auto tops, auto glass repair and welding of all kinds, these standard services have remained most similar since 1930. Even free estimates, which are still provided today, were offered to auto owners from the body shop's very beginning.    

Bill's younger brother, Emanuel Stehr, eventually took over the body shop as owner and operator while providing, perfecting and advancing the company's elite services. Emanuel helped transition from the simpler early day fender and auto body repair needs to include more modern classic car restorations and modifications demanded by automobile and hot rod enthusiasts in the 1950's and 1960's.

From there, and more recently known within the community, Calvin Stehr purchased the business in the late 1960's. Ironically within the family tree of transition, Calvin was the same age (25) as his uncle Bill when the business was originally started in 1930.

Learning the trade with a self-motivation towards quality craftsmanship while working for his father, Calvin took over the reigns of this tradition-rich family business in 1967. Having to emulate the 1930's accommodation of growing demand, Calvin himself had to expand his full-time staff and move to larger location in 1978. As auto repair techniques evolved over the years, Calvin's dedication to quality workmanship and excellent service remained a priority.

With an equivalent level of commitment from Bill and Emanuel Stehr before him, Calvin's contribution to such high levels of quality service established a distinguished standard in western Oklahoma. Stehr's passion for his work and personal restoration of classic cars is undoubtedly well remembered around the Clinton area.

Calvin's enthusiasm and historic "Master Craftsmen" standards are now carried forward by his descendants Todd Stehr and Derek Jordan. As business partners at Stehr's Body Shop, Todd and Derek are teaming up to move the family business forward in this early part of the twenty-first century as the demand for auto body repair has done nothing but grow from the early days to present. "The need for car owners to save money by repairing damaged parts instead of buying new is as relevant today as it was back in the depression era of the 1930's," said Stehr.

As an apprentice learning under the mentorship of his father Calvin, Todd acquired the skills of the trade through hands on hard work and with a dedication to becoming the best in mind. Todd assumed control of the business in 1996 while continuing to improve upon the quality of service and workmanship that became an expectation in western Oklahoma since the doors were opened back in 1930.

Derek also learned the craft of body repair and painting under the tutelage of Calvin Stehr. Both bring a tremendous amount of experience into the partnership. Possessing motivation most similar to their ancestors, to serve as "Master Workmen," Todd and Derek look forward to meeting the projected and continued growth in demand for complete auto body repair service in western Oklahoma. "We've had to expand our crew with the intent of serving our customers in the best way possible," shared Derek Jordan. "We figured it up to be over one hundred and thirty-eight (138) years of professional experience within our current workforce," said Jordan. "That makes me proud to be a part of this business."

Derek Jordan (far left) and Todd Stehr (far right) have joined in partnership at Stehr's Body Shop in Clinton, Oklahoma. With "Gold Class" certification included, the current workforce at Stehr's Body Shop serves western Oklahoma with a combined one hundred thirty-eight (138) years of professional experience.

From within the professional work crew at Stehr's Body Shop is found a "Gold Class" certification from the nationally recognized I-Car organization which provides advanced education, knowledge and solutions for the collision repair industry. According to I-Car, "Gold Class recognition is the highest role-relevant training achievement recognized by the collision repair industry." I-Car estimates that only ten percent of repair shops nationwide meet this rigorous Gold Class standard. Stehr's Body Shop is recognized as being a part of this exclusive top ten percent nationwide.

From 1930 to present day, the company and its employees have proudly provided complete auto body repair and restoration services including the more modern and all important frame repair. "It all has to start with a straight frame," shares Todd Stehr. "We offer our customers one of the best frame straightening machines in the world from Chief Automotive Technologies. We just call it the 'Chief.' It allows us to diagnose and identify collision damage and we can then repair the damage through pulling the frame, replacing parts and/or welding. This valuable process allows customer vehicles to be recognized as returned to original manufacturer specifications which is very important in regard to resale value," concluded Stehr.

Probably the most unique service offered by Stehr's Body Shop, both in the past and present, is appliance painting. "This service has been provided since the beginning so we continue to offer it now," stated Derek Jordan. "If someone needs their washer or dryer or any other appliance repainted, we enjoy honoring this gesture of the past. Same as in the old days, we also provide all types of Acetylene Welding for those in need," said Jordan.    

Possessing one of the top businesses recognized nationally with a "Gold Class" standard, residents of Clinton and western Oklahoma can rest assured their auto body repair demands can and will be met by the best. With such an outstanding history of workmanship accompanied by an astonishing A-Plus rating from Oklahoma's Better Business Bureau, vehicle owners in need of auto body repair services appreciate the confidence of knowing they have access to one of the nation's elite body shops located at 104 East Gary Boulevard in Clinton.

reSearch and copyWrite upDate 02/13/18 By Mark House

Based upon documented information researched with confidence of accuracy, and, on behalf of the family of Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky; Kingfisher, Oklahoma High School; Oklahoma City University; the Portsmouth Spartans; the Detroit Lions; the great state of Oklahoma; and myself, Mark House, I respectfully nominate and request sincere consideration of Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky for a posthumous "Senior" induction into the National Football League's Pro Football Hall Of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

From within a collage of antiquated football photos discovered at an estate sale in Oklahoma, a Pro Football Hall Of Fame nomination has been born. Sounds like one of those old "Strange But True Football Stories." One composed by the infamous author Zander Hollander back in the late 1960's. Noted as "stories of odd, humorous and incredible moments in football history," this particular one about Detroit Lion Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky would seem to fit right in.

Certainly with no thought of any Hall Of Fame potential existing at the time, Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky rambled his way to the top of the National Football League's (NFL) ground gainer list by 1939. As a Portsmouth Spartan (632 yds.) and Detroit Lion (2,445 yds.) workhorse, Gutowsky owned his team's rushing record for the better part of three decades leading into the 1960's. NFL.com lists him as the leading rusher for the leatherhead decade of the 1930's. As well, NFL.com recognizes Gutowsky as the ring leader of a 1934 defense that gave up an "astonishingly low" total of only 59 points over an entire 13 game slate.

Despite numerous undocumented, uncalculated and totally fictional accounts of Ace Gutowsky being born in Komolty, Russia, this former Oklahoma City University Goldbug "All-American" was born a true American in 1909 near what is now a southwestwestern Oklahoma ghost town. A ghost town historically named in remembrance of a true Native American and popular Kiowa Indian Chief known as Ko Mah Ty.

The official birth certificate of Ace Gutowsky's son, Jerry Gutowsky, provides documented proof of his 1909 birthplace being listed as Komalty, Oklahoma. The historically misunderstood fact is, it was Ace's father (Assuph Gutowsky) that was an original Russian immigrant arriving in the United States as a parentless child. Oklahoma's Kingfisher County official census information from 1920 documents Assuph Gutowsky's year of "immigration" as being in 1892 which is seventeen years previous to the birth of his son Ace.

The former Oklahoma City "All-American" Ace Gutowsky is officially recognized with 3,279 league leading rushing yards in his eight NFL seasons. Many would consider this a miraculous accomplishment considering the various Hall Of Fame gridiron stars Ace competed with and against on his way to becoming King Of The NFL Mountain in the 1930's.

Earl "Dutch" Clark was a teammate of Ace with the Portsmouth Spartans and Detroit Lions from 1932-1938. Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans was an opponent with the New York Giants from 1936-1939. Bronko Nagurski played for the rival Chicago Bears against Ace from 1932-1937. And, along with Nagurski, another most famous Bear by the name of Red Grange shared some of the same leatherhead gridiron turf and time as that of Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky.

Gutowsky's Hall Of Fame teammate Dutch Clark, along with other greats such as Alphonse Leemans and Bronko Nagurski were voted as part of the National Football League 1930's All-Decade Team. Yet, this mighty gridiron warrior arising from the tribal lands of southwest Oklahoma out gained these and other Hall Of Fame caliber leatherheads on his way to being recognized as the NFL's career rushing leader before retiring in 1939.

Could the massive media machines of the larger Chicago and New York markets inadvertently assisted with the oversight of one Leroy  "Ace" Gutowsky? How is it that Gutwosky rushed past the NFL's all-time greats without notice and/or recognition?  Is this man named Gutowsky the "true" Galloping Ghost of pro football's past?

This documented 1930's rushing champion, Leroy "Ace" Gutowsky, literally "broke" into the NFL in 1931 as he was contracted by Dr. Harry A. March to play for the New York Giants National Football League Company. Discovered within the original contract offer, Dr. March seemed more than thrilled to sign this 1930 All-American from Oklahoma City University at $75.00 per game for his first four with an offer of $100.00 per games to follow. Unfortunately after accepting Dr. March's contract offer with the Giants, Ace broke his leg during their preseason training camp. He then had to sit out and heal up for a full year before eventually getting another chance with the Portsmouth Spartans in 1932.

Amazingly, and as a rookie for the historical Spartans, Gutowsky became the second leading rusher (behind Hall Of Famer Dutch Clark) in the year of 1932. He also tied Clark for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with three and produced a team high yards per carry average of 3.9. It didn't take long for Ace to work his way onto the gridiron as a Spartan regular playing in eight games and starting in four. This at a time when old school leatherhead rules of the game did not allow for general substitutions but only for serious injury to a player on the field.

As well, rookie Ace Gutowsky and the Portsmouth Spartans participated in the first "recognized" NFL playoff game against George Halas' Chicago Bears in 1932. This Chicago team included the Hall Of Fame talents of both Bronko Nagurski and Red Grange. Due to extreme inclement weather, this December 18, 1932, championship game was held indoors at Chicago Stadium.

Rookie QB/LB Ace Gutowsky (#5) fills a gap for the Portsmouth Spartans in the first NFL playoff game against the Chicago Bears.

As future Hall Of Famer Earl "Dutch" Clark was unable to participate and call out his standard "Ace And Go On Two," it was ole rookie Ace Gutowsky himself who moved from fullback to quarterback in this first NFL playoff game against the Bears. While Clark was obligated to coaching duties back in Colorado, it was Gutowsky who courageously stepped in and guided the Spartan offense in this landmark first indoor and first championship gridiron contest against the history laden Bears.

Along with participating in this first NFL playoff game, Gutowsky also was a noted offensive and defensive star in the Lions' first ever 1934 NFL Thanksgiving Day game vs. the vaunted Bears. "Despite two Ace Gutowsky touchdowns, the Lions lost 19-16." But, the NFL's Thanksgiving Day historical broadcast tradition was launched in fine fashion with Ko Mah Ty's warrior carrying more than his share of the load for his team that had just recently moved to Detroit.

Ace Gutowsky (#5)  hard line plunges forward against the Chicago Bears in the 1934 Thanksgiving Day contest. Gutowsky scored two touchdowns for his Detroit Lions in this first nationally broadcast (radio) NFL game.

Ace Gutowsky's pinnacle NFL season materialized in 1936 with the Detroit Lions. Following a 1935 Championship season with the Lions, Ace rushed for a team high 827 yards in 1936. Although out rushing Hall Of Fame teammate Dutch Clark by 199 yards and Hall Of Fame rival Bronko Nagurski by 298 yards, Gutowsky did fall 3 yards short of Hall Of Famer Alphonse "Tuffy" Leemans for this annual rushing title. Despite this three yard discrepancy, official records indicate Gutowsky was the NFL's All-Purpose yard man in this year of 1936.

While taking nothing away from the "Great Nagurski," Red Grange, Tuffy Leemans and others with similar elite profiles, could Ace Gutowsky be the most overlooked and underrated football star in NFL history? Can his decade of leading NFL rushing stats, amassed while competing head to head with such great players be misleading? Does the body of work of one Leroy "Ace"Gutowsky deserve sincere consideration for NFL Hall Of Fame induction? "Most definitely" should be an obvious answer to these historical reflections with confidence that one of the greatest NFL players should no longer remain outside the realm of a most deserved Hall Of Fame recognition.

Author's Note: Information contained within this Hall Of Fame nomination has been researched and composed with confidence of accuracy. iMages have been collected and utilized with no intent of profit but with enthusiasm for rediscovery of a much overlooked yet predominant piece of National Football League history.

copyWrite By Mark House

On behalf of the city of Clinton, Oklahoma, please accept this application request for a cost-share grant made available by the National Parks Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program. Understanding the cost share requirements of a 1:1 cost share match, the city of Clinton, Oklahoma, requests, from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, the amount of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00).

The city of Clinton, Oklahoma, commits to match this $30,000.00 grant opportunity with effort to establish a $60,000.00 joint venture project to resurface five blocks of an original 10th Street segment of the historic Route 66 Highway. This to include visual identification markers recognizing the historical Route 66 Highway providing new and improved promotion and direction for Route 66 enthusiasts, tourists and visitors traveling to and through our city.

Historic Route 66 runs right through the heart of Clinton, Oklahoma. Previously known as Oklahoma State Highway No. 3, this vital avenue of business, tourist and visitor transportation was officially designated and approved as part of the U.S. Federal Route 66 Highway system in 1926.

This particular joint-venture opportunity would allow the city of Clinton to resurface an original section (10th Street Segment) of Route 66 while including its historical identity and improving its usefulness. The resurfacing and identity improvements will be implemented with a goal of support towards preservation and promotion of this historic highway. As well, the project would support and enhance Clinton's annual Route 66 events and also help magnify the long term existence of Clinton's famous Route 66 Museum and Annual Route 66 Festival.

Clinton's Route 66 Museum is well known for its preservation of Mother Road history.

Referencing Clinton's world renowned preservation of Route 66 history, the Oklahoma Historical Society shares: "For the ultimate Route 66 experience, visit the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton, OK. The museum's galleries have recently been redesigned to offer visitors a personal journey through the history of the nation's most revered highway. Encounter the iconic ideas, images, and myths of the Mother Road. Learn about the dreams and the labor needed to make the road a reality. Experience the dust bowl as thousands streamed along the road, away from drought and despair and towards the 'land of promise.' Listen to the sounds of the Big Band Era, when the roar of the big trucks and the welcome home cries to returning soldiers dominated the road. Sit at the counter or a booth in the 1950s diner and feel the open road as America's families vacationed along the length of Route 66. You just might overhear the family's chatter as they eat their lunch. The museum also offers changing special exhibits, focusing on the Route 66 experience."

Clinton's trend setting Route 66 Museum has attracted visitors from all over the world.

The Road Wanderer travel blog references Clinton's Route 66 Museum as "another must stop place for the avid Mother Road fan. The community here has a great respect for its Mother Road. The Route 66 Museum is the first state sponsored Route 66 Museum in the nation. It is one fantastic place to absorb the history of this celebrated highway."

As a trend setter, Clinton was a first to recognize the great value, both economic and civic, that materializes with historic preservation. Within the past few decades, other Mother Road communities have also come to recognize such great value and and such great benefits that come with preserving and rehabilitating our historic Route 66. Clinton desires, with grant assistance available from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program, to continue this trend.

As well as the all important historic preservation, the city of Clinton, Oklahoma, has been most progressive in promoting the Mother Road through the Annual Route 66 Festival hosted free each year for the enjoyment of thousands of enthusiastic citizens and visitors. Developed out of consideration for social responsibility, this free public event evolves around Route 66's historical heritage and stimulates local economic development as well as citizen and visitor morale.

Oklahoma's Tourism and Recreation Department describes the Clinton Route 66 Festival as a major calendar event each year. The Department of Tourism and Recreation shares their description of the upcoming 2016 event: "Get your kicks on Route 66 with festivities that include a car and bike show, poker run, free concert, vendors, Wiener National dog races, free hot dogs and more. The annual Clinton Route 66 Festival invites visitors to compete or simply browse through contestant entries in the Route 66 Car, Truck and Bike Show. Car categories include original and modified vehicles from 1900 to present. Antique motorcycles, custom bikes, vintage trucks and more will all be on display."

Highlighting each annual Route 66 Festival is an evening concert hosted free at Clinton's historic McClain Rogers Park. This concert attracts very large crowds and creates an enjoyable evening of music within a fun family event atmosphere. A climactic ending to a massive and thrilling annual Route 66 event hosted each year by the city of Clinton.

Clinton Route 66 Festival visitors travel down an original part of Old Route 66 (10th Street Segment) to enjoy the annual concert finale held at McClain Rogers Park.

According to National Park Service (NPS) historical records, McClain Rogers Park was completed between 1934 and 1937 as it originally "welcomed visitors, who could enter directly off Route 66 (aka 10th Street Segment), through an impressive Art Deco style gate with brick piers on either side of Bess Rogers Drive. McLain Rogers Park is important to the recreational and economic development of Clinton. This design is still evident today."

As well, entry to McClain Rogers Park remains in tact and directly off Route 66 as it did when the park was opened for public service back in 1937. The NPS indicates that "traffic on Route 66 increased the work of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the last Depression era building constructed in the park is the 1941 Highway Patrol Building near the main entrance gate."

Route 66 enthusiasts are treated to an annual and free Festival Concert at McClain Rogers Park.

The National Park Service also states "the 12-acre park has changed very little over the years, still featuring the kinds of recreational attractions that appealed to local residents and cross-country travelers during the 1930s and 40s. Devotees of the Mother Road go to Clinton to use the park but also to see this Works Progress Administration (WPA) masterpiece, the Art Deco east gate of the park, situated directly on old Route 66 and still shining with it's original neon at night."

Matching the requested $30,000.00 grant from the ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR PRESERVATION PROGRAM, the CITY OF CLINTON, OKLAHOMA, desires to invest the required and additional $30,000.00 with joint effort to improve, preserve and promote a vital part of Mother Road history. A history that has been cherished and represented in a most proper way by the city of Clinton for many years. A same history that will be cherished and represented in a most proper way for many years to come.

On behalf of the city of Clinton, Oklahoma, respectful request of consideration is presented for available matching grant funds from the Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program.

Much less considering your home state and home county, somebody said somewhere somehow that if you're an entertainer, it's hardest to be most popular in your hometown. An oddity but seems truthful when it comes to singers, songwriters, musicians and Jesus. I have no answer for such phenomenon. Being a novice songwriter and not much of a performer, I've never had to worry about such.

As a fan though, my reactions are usually opposite of the norm. So, back in the late 1960's when I heard ole Verlon Thompson play at the Lookeba-Sickles (Oklahoma) high school gymnasium, I thought Elvis or Johnny Cash had come to our small town. It was that exciting to me. I confess referral to the late 60's as I can't remember if it was 1968 or 1969? Despite the memory loss of exact dates, as a young six or seven year old kid hearing a live performance for the first time, it made quite an impact. One that evidently floats around in the back of a much older mind with a recall of it being truly a sensational experience. If I had to guess, I'd say it was 1969.

From that moment, It would be about 1979 until my ears would hear the music of Verlon Thompson once again. Between then and then, the only tie to his existence would be that my mom fixed his mom's hair near once a week or so. I just remember that (Darwettia) was Verlon Thompson's mom.

Before I left Lookeba (Oklahoma) and Caddo County, I also learned that Darwettia was Rex Thompson's mom as well. Ole Rex could throw a baseball near what seemed a 100 m.p.h. So, you can only imagine what that meant to a younger pup wanna be baseball player. Humorously, as a naive and youthful right-hander, I remember trying to throw lefty like Rex thinking that is where the speed is. It's funny to think back at how things were thought out as a kid. The non-scientific and experimental switch to lefty sure didn't seem to help any at all with speed or accuracy while trying to hit that "broad side of an old barn." Back in the good ole days of 1976, Rex struck out 39 of 51 batters while pitching all 17 innings of two back to back extra inning tournament victories for the Panthers of Lookeba-Sickles (Oklahoma). Now that's some glory days of legendary stuff worth remembering for sure.

Although Verlon Thompson has composed and performs a captivating number entitled "Caddo County," many from his home town area, county and state are unaware they own braggin' rights to one of America's greatest songsmiths.

In my opinion, the vocal, writing and guitar pickin' abilities of Verlon Thompson are much overlooked and somewhat under appreciated. This not being the fault or intention of anyone. Just circumstances of that old hometown phenomenon. "Cain't be nobody that good from round here?" We probably should also consider a few generations have come and gone since Verlon moved to Nashville to hone his trade. From there, he has journeyed a great many places to share his authentically fashioned compositions.

Maybe, through this blogUmentary, a chosen few from our younger generations will learn of who he is, where he's from and what he's done. If it influences any talented individuals towards the thought process of a career in the music industry, then that would make the effort worthwhile for sure.

Working as an on-air personality in the late 1970's at a radio station in western Oklahoma, somehow, what I think would be one of Thompson's first recorded efforts showed up in our album bin. I have to admit, that one impacting performance from my younger years influenced me to a point of spinning that album a bit more than others. "Don't Follow A Plow Boy" was one of my favorites and honestly the only cut I can recall. Coming from a family with farming roots, I could easily relate to and enjoy the words he shared with western Oklahoma's traditional country music radio listeners. This at a time when Alabama, Kenny Rogers and many others were preparing to throw country music tradition right out the window as our "elbow hung out and we were rollin' free."

From that moment of spinning that first album in the late 1970's, it would be the early 1990's before I picked up on the trail of Thompson's music again. While moving closer to the big city and enjoying the fruits of cable TV, I just happened to catch a video on the picture tube entitled "She's The One." I can distinctly remember thinking, hey, that's Verlon Thompson!

An early Capitol Records career performance of Verlon Thompson's original song titled "She's The One."

Between then and now, I've tapped in to the enjoyment of surfing the world wide web and discovering a multitude of songs written and performed by Thompson that can be found floating around in cyberspace. These discovered mostly at a cyberspace station called YouTube. Most have heard of it and it is easy to search and find numerous Thompson performances that, to me, are most pleasurable to listen to and visually enjoy. One of my favorites to date is an original tune Thompson performs with Shawn Camp on the Porch Stage at the 2010 Suwannee Springfest in Live Oak, Florida, entitled "He Left The Road."

Shawn Camp assists Verlon Thompson at the Annual Suwannee Springfest with a Thompson original titled "He Left The Road."

For those who've taken the time to view the video performances included with this blogUmentary, I'm confident most will have developed an appreciation for the true talents of Oklahoma's own Verlon Thompson. Doesn't matter if you like the music style or not, no one can deny the depth of pure and natural talent that exists.

Except for a brief commercialized attempt in the early 90's, there's been no synthetic sound effects, no extravagant light systems, no major awards and no major press coverage. Just a solitary man with a creative songwriting mind and six strings that seem to captivate live audiences everywhere he goes. Very similar to the unaccompanied young man I remember performing on that small high school auditorium stage back in 1969. Or, was it 1968?

Before concluding what has been one of the more interesting and fun pieces to research and write, I share one last song discovered to be representative of one of Oklahoma's greatest songsmith talents. "The Ballad Of Stringbean And Estelle" is a most enchanting piece of music written by Thompson, Sam Bush and Guy Clark. It's lyrics capture the story of the murder of well known Nashville, Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw banjo playing star David "Stringbean" Aekman. Aekman and his wife Estelle were murdered by John Brown and his cousin Marvin Brown during a home invasion robbery on November 10, 1973.

If Paul Harvey were still around, he'd certainly have to share the "rest of this story" as John Brown more recently was released on parole despite his involvement in the horrific double murder of Stringbean and his wife Estelle. John's cousin and cohort in this crime, Marvin Brown, died while serving his time in prison.

Four plus decades following this "atrocious" crime, many are deservedly disturbed that Brown has been set free from his "life without parole" prison sentence. Of course, now we can only wonder if there may be one last challenging verse to be composed for inclusion in "The Ballad Of Stringbean And Estelle?"

copyWrite by Mark House (2016) and Ty Cobb (1910)

It is not often a novice such as I discovers an opportunity to write a genuine old school baseball article with whom many consider the greatest player to ever live on the face of this sphere we call earth. By random chance of researching a 1910 issue of my hometown newspaper (Lookeba Index) for anything or any name that might be familiar, I just happened upon an original article written by the ole "Georgia Peach" himself Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb.

Cobb was born in the southern state of Georgia on the 18th day of December back in 1886. His rookie season came about at the age of eighteen in 1905 with the Detroit Tigers. By his personal account of writing in 1910, evidence suggests Cobb had already earned consideration of being the "greatest player" within the game of baseball.

It was quite random to find Cobb's iMage and personal description of the beginning of his baseball career in its original published form. Undoubtedly, my hometown newspaper "proprieter" from this early twentieth century window of time, Mr. George Goodin, must have been a baseball fan himself. I am thrilled we share this commonality and even more thrilled to discover such writings of Ty Cobb that Mr. Goodin chose to share with the readers of his October 6, 1910, edition.

Research indicates some historians believe Cobb's chronicled account of his start in baseball could have been ghostwritten by a professional writer. Either way and anyway, in regard to today, it can be enthusiastically considered quite ghostly and quite interesting information from baseball's historical past.

Mr. Goodin headlined this story with "COBB TELLS OF HIS START." He also included a sub headline that read "One Of Greatest Players Game Has Ever Known Had Hard Time Getting Into Fast Company." From there, the process of typesetting, printing and local distribution of the words recorded by one Tyrus Raymond Cobb was underway.

Utilizing more current and standard net surfing procedures, I have included a few facts (in parenthesis) that I believe will enhance interest and depth as Ty Cobb shares his somewhat brief story of baseball genesis. This while, oddly enough, referencing himself in third person.  

"It took me a long time to convince anyone that I was a good ball player. I think the first one who ever thought I was a great player was Cobb himself, and because others refused to believe it he felt bad.

I was born down in Georgia (Narrows) and began playing the game while at school (Franklin County High School of Royston, GA). As I recall it, I always played the same way, took all the chances there were, and ran all the time. Lots of people now think that is good baseball, but the fellows with whom I played refused for a long time to think so. In fact at the finish of the game, our team usually was divided into two factions, with Cobb on one side and all the others on the other. I had ideas regarding how to play the game but none of us ever had seen much baseball, and we had to think it out for ourselves.

One of the big wonders to me is that I was a boy, made plays the same way, and for the same reasons that the star ball players of the big leagues were making, and I never had heard of them. After I got older I commenced to watch the professional team (possibly Atlanta Firemen) in the Southern league play, and although there were a lot of reasons why I shouldn't have left home, I longed to become a professional player. It was not for the money or anything like that, but because I loved the game and loved to be in the midst of it every time there was a game.

Now, it is my advice to all young fellows not to go into baseball or into anything else unless your heart really is in the work and you love it, and then quit it just as soon as your love of it and your enthusiasm for it begin to die out. I left home to show up the league (South Atlantic League), and a few weeks later Jack Grim bought me. The club I was with (Augusta Tourists) sold me to Grim I think for $8.50, the price of the car fare home and my hotel bill. I had been doing the same thing again, and my overzealousness cost me the position. I was slated to go way down into the bushes (minor leagues) and perhaps I would have stayed there and never come out but for the fact that Detroit had some sort of a string to me and Grim could not get me. So I went to Detroit," concluded Cobb.

Author's Note: The iMage of Ty Cobb was included with article published in the October 6, 1910, edition of the Lookeba Index.