May 15, 1935

Near torrential downpours of rain sent creeks and rivers soaring in parts of western and northwesttern Oklahoma. As reported from Alva, the Salt Fork River surged over its bank north of the city blocking traffic on Highway 14. The river was a quarter of a mile wide and half a mile of the highway was beneath two to four feet of water. Rainfall had reached 4.25 inches and was still falling.

The chain-letter business died a peaceful death here over the weekend, leaving hundreds of citizens holding the bag for amounts ranging from a dime up. Because of every dollar anyone made on the chains, someone else lost a dollar, moans of those drowned out the chuckles of the lucky ones.

A marriage license was issued this morning by Court Clerk K.C. Higdon to Ellis Oliver, 21 and Mattie Elosie Cunningham, both of Seminole.

A capacity audience heard Rev. E.A. Reed, pastor of the Methodist Church, deliver the baccalaureate sermon to Seminole high school’s 92 graduating seniors last night. The auditorium was packed, and more than 100 persons were turned away because no more seats were available.

Judge H.H. Edwards today sustained a demurrer in district court of the city of Seminole in the $10,000 damage suit brought by John Dunn, victim of the recent municipal building explosion.

Mr. and Mrs. Giles Dawson, 203 East Broadway, had as their guests Sunday the latter’s sister, Miss Clara Winfrey and Miss Saloma Winfrey, of El Reno, and Dr. Topsy Robinson of Ft. Reno, Lawrence Lacey of Santa Fe, New Mexico is here for a few days visiting with the Dawsons.

May 16, 1935

A warning that practically all Seminole County roads are unsafe for auto travel was issued by C.W. Johnston, County Commissioner. Crews were working in the rain today putting up signs to warn motorists of dangerous bridges, Johnston said. Several small bridges have been washed completely away, but the greatest damage caused by the floodwater has been the washing away of abutments around bridges and culverts, making dangerous gaps. Bridges were destroyed at Twin Oaks and Highland Junction yesterday.

Outstanding social event of the week was the annual Junior-Senior Banquet at which members of the 1935 graduating class of Seminole High School were feted by their successors in the gymnasium on Tuesday evening. The hall was transformed into a colorful fairyland with an abundance of seasonal flowers and clever arrangements of crepe paper in pastel shades. Miss Montez Taggard, president of the Junior class, presided as toastmistress. Following the invocation by Miss Mary Anne DeGraffenreid, Miss Taggard welcomed the guests and Jim Pinck Griffin, president of the Senior class, responded.

Seminole police will have a new auto to use in cruising city streets at night. The city council voted last night to appropriate $75 a month for Police Chief Jake Sims to use for purchasing and operating the auto. The department now has one car, which is kept at the station and used for answering calls.

Conrad Fisher, former allaround sports star at Oklahoma A & M was signed yesterday as catcher and playing manager of the Seminole Redbirds.

Ralph Geer, city engineer, was to go to confer with Col. Phillip Donnell, state PWA engineer, and make a formal application for a federal grant to be used in constructing the Seminole municipal building.