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Checotah Stories from the past
News
June 27, 2024
Checotah Stories from the past
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR

114 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, July 7, 1910

WATERY GRAVE

While bravely attempting to rescue the girl whom he was engaged to marry, Frederick A. Knowlton, assistant cashier and a stockholder and director of the Muskogee National Bank, and Miss Catherine Jarrett were carried to their deaths Monday afternoon by the heavy undertow of the Grand river near Kio, a small station on the Frisco road east of Fort Gibson.

A wedding planned for the immediate future which would have united the unfortunate couple will now never be solemnized.

Catherine was a former resident of Checotah.

KATE BERNARD HERE

Miss Katie Bernard, that noble, fearless little woman who has accomplished more for the morals of the state than any other agency, or in fact all other agencies combined, was in Checotah Sunday and at night addressed a large throng at Tuckabatchee hall, her theme being “Practical Christianity.”

Katie is the Superintendent of Charities and Corrections Department.

•••••

100 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, May 29, 1924

TERRIFIC STORM Four Injured

Checotah experienced what her people consider a real storm about six o’clock Wednesday evening.

A terrific wind came from the west, southwest and northwest, accompanied by a downpour of rain and hail.

And while the worst lasted but about 10 minutes it looked as though the whole city might be doomed. And when it was all over and a check of the damage made, all agreed that perhaps we were lucky.

Near here, only four people were injured. They were Mr. and Mrs. A. Pack and two small children who lived in the Ruby Long place a mile southwest of town.

New Goods Arriving

As we announced briefly last week, we have opened for business in our building on Gentry Avenue with a nice assortment of groceries. We are now receiving some dry goods and expect more each week and will soon be enabled to serve you in the staple lines at least.

Our stock of Hamilton Brown shows is on the way. We have handled this line for 17 years and know there are none better.

We invite our old patrons as well as new ones to come in and see us at Chenault’s store

•••••

80 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, December 2, 1943

Stars and Bars

– Mayverd Hogan of the U.S. Naval Air Station at Corpus Christi, subscribes for the paper, saying that news from Checotah is most welcome and all too scarce in that “foreign corner of Texas.”

– Another stripe has been added and another promised to Juney Patterson, who was recently made a sergeant at the Army Air Base in Muroc, Calif. Patterson says he has really been rolling up some flying time, having completed a total of 300 hours in a B-24 Liberator as a radio operator-gunner.

– Promoted to Corporal is Jo Wilson, son of Dr. and Mrs. Lyle Wilson. Corporal Wilson, who is stationed at Camp Wolters, Texas, is in Company A of the 56th Infantry Battalion.

Eufaula Soldier Killed In Action

Frank Eckelkamp, 29, son of Mrs. Frank Ekelkamp of Eufaula, was killed in Italy on Nov. 17 while fighting with the American Fifth Army.

He arrived in Italy Nov. 13 and died four days later, the war department advised his mother. He was a graduate of Eufaula High school and was a salesman in Turley’s Store for several years.

•••••

75 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, June 2, 1949

LOCAL POLICE SHOOT BURGLAR

A fusillade of bullets from the pistol of Arthur Musgraves, Checotah night policeman, temporarily ended the crime career of three Oregon youths Monday night after they were found burglarizing a café here and attempted to shoot their way to freedom.

Selan Johnson, 22, of Hillsburg, Ore., was taken into custody after he was shot in the right side by Musgrves near the Edythe Nichols Café about 1:30 a.m.

The second man, Hoot Warren, was captured by Police Chief Jess Frazier, who was trailing the fugitive about two miles north of the city.

Still at large is John Warren, 18, brother of Hoot Warren. He is said to be heavily armed.

Telie Dover Heads India Mission

Miss Telie Dover, native of Checotah, who has been working in India for the past 15 months serving as principal of a high school and president of a junior college in a Pentecostal school of 300 pupils, has been promoted to missionary in charge of her station.

Miss Dover’s pupils consist of Hindus and Mohammedans. Her station consists of a boy’s orphanage, girl’s orphanage, a grade school, a high school, a junior college, a church and three branch churches. She was also elected a member of the board of trustees of the mission property of her station.

••••• 50 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat

Thursday, June 27, 1974

Coach Resigns At High School

Ray Grandstaff, head coach of the Checotah Wildcats for the last five years, resigned this week to take the head coach job of the Muskogee Roughers. Grandstaff, who put together an 8-2 record the last two seasons, brought the Wildcats from a football slump to one of the top ranked teams in the state.

Ray stated that “In leaving, I am leaving a part of me.”

Ray is originally from Muskogee.

“Agape Choir” To perform At Lodge

The Agape Choir, composed of 50 youths of the First Baptist Church, Edmond, will present a concert of contemporary sacred music at Fountainhead Lodge at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 30. Everyone in the lake area is welcome.

There is no charge.

•••••

19 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, September 15, 2005

9/11 Is remembered

A parade remembering Sept. 11, 2001, was held in Checotah Monday morning.

The parade was sponsored by the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, City of Checotah, Checotah Chamber of Commerce, Checotah Industrial Authority, Checotah Public Schools and Veterans Upward Bound of Connors State College.

City Council discusses new workers’ comp plan Monday’s meeting of the Checotah City Council saw city officials discuss a new workers’ compensation plan, grant proposals for some projects around town and possible plans for the town’s skate park equipment.

•••••

10 YEARS AGO McIntosh County Democrat Thursday, June 19, 2014

48th Annual Old Settlers Day is history Old Settlers of 2014 came to an end Saturday with great success.

This year the Chamber of Commerce gave away lots of prizes, to the joy of the crowd.

Jeri Holder of the Chamber of Commerce and member LaDonna Rhodes worked to make sure everyone had a great time.

Long wait expected for resolution of pay issue

Cal Ware, advocacy specialist for the Oklahoma Education Association, said the support personnel who requested a hearing on their pay cut recommended by Superintendent Janet Blocker are going to “hurry up and wait” for the next step.

A special meeting held June 9 ended with approval of the “Recommendation for Modification of the Employment of District Personnel.”

Those affected by the pay decrease by working fewer days gave statements about how it would affect them. Most are members of the Checotah Support Personnel Association.

Wildcats receive All-Conference honors
B: Sports, Sports...
Wildcats receive All-Conference honors
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
March 26, 2026
Congratulations to these athletes on being selected as All-Conference athletes. This honor is voted on by the coaches within our conference, which makes it a great accomplishment to be recognized by t...
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Planting seeds of faith in a food desert
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Planting seeds of faith in a food desert
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 26, 2026
Spring has sprung and with it comes a new determination to get the People’s Garden going and growing again. Planting seeds of faith for a food desert in a town that needs a whole lot more faith to see...
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PNC volunteer helps community with new pet page
A: Main, News...
PNC volunteer helps community with new pet page
By Staff Reports 
March 26, 2026
It takes a village to raise a child and to rescue dogs and cats in McIntosh County. Two years ago two local ladies, Lori Powell-Fells and LaDonna Brittle-Rhodes set out on a mission to help rescue the...
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Eufaula woman drowns in Lake Eufaula while aiding children
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Eufaula woman drowns in Lake Eufaula while aiding children
March 26, 2026
A 53-year-old Eufaula woman died Sunday afternoon after drowning at Lake Eufaula in Pittsburg County. The incident occurred around 3:10 p.m. at the 9 South Swim Area, according to the Oklahoma Highway...
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City Wide Spring Trash Off Saturday, April 18
March 26, 2026
Must have current city water bill to bring items to Heritage Waste or Senior Citizen Center Trash pickup is available for the elderly and those unable to leave their homes. Call the Chamber of Commerc...
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Fort Smith police arrest suspect in connection with a stabbing that injured one woman
A: Main, News...
Fort Smith police arrest suspect in connection with a stabbing that injured one woman
March 26, 2026
Fort Smith police arrest suspect in connection with a stabbing that injured one woman A Eufaula man who previously served prison time for a stabbing in Oklahoma has been arrested in Arkansas, accused ...
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McIntosh County unveils new logo honoring history, heritage
A: Main, News...
McIntosh County unveils new logo honoring history, heritage
By SHAUNA BELYEU GENERAL MANAGER 
March 26, 2026
Mc-Intosh County officials have unveiled a new county logo designed to reflect the area’s history, culture and natural beauty. “This new symbol represents not only where we’ve been, but who we are tod...
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Missing person found deceased
March 26, 2026
On March 13 Muskogee County Dispatch received a call from a subject reporting the discovery of a body in a pond near the intersection of Hwy 100 and I-40 in Webbers Falls. The Muskogee County Sheriff’...
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A nest lost, a legacy continues
News
A nest lost, a legacy continues
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
March 26, 2026
An eagles’ nest north of Checotah has been a sacred place for over a decade as locals have had the privilege of watching a pair of North America Bald Eagles raise their young each year at the edge of ...
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Marketing on Main Street
News
Marketing on Main Street
By ALICE CANADA 
March 26, 2026
Marketing on Main Street is about practical, usable strategies that help local businesses compete in today’s marketplace. You do not need a massive budget or a full-time marketing team to be effective...
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Meet Jamie Nelson – Checotah’s newest library clerk
News
Meet Jamie Nelson – Checotah’s newest library clerk
March 26, 2026
The Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library is excited to welcome Jamie Nelson as the newest member of the library team. Jamie brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a love for both books and community to her new r...
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