a look back into our archives
10 years ago
On the week of September 14, 2011, the Cordell Memorial Hospital received excellent ratings in a patient satisfaction report. The hospital ranked number one out of the 96 hospitals in Oklahoma in the category concerning patient room and bathroom cleanliness.
Rocky fire chief Jason Claunch quit following an extended discussion at a Rocky City council meeting.
Brett Price and Jordan Thompson were honored as the Cordell High School Rotary Seniors of the Month for September.
The Cordell School Board was shocked by charges from the City of Cordell at their meeting. The charges amounted to nearly $5,000.
The Burns Flat Town Board discussed the dismissal of Utilities Supervisor and Fire Chief Kyle Bloomer.
Cheryl Wedel won election for the Cordell council ward four seat.
The design plans for Cordell’s new Lee Park playground were scheduled to be unveiled to Cordell students on September 20th.
The Cordell Lady Blue Devils won four games, bringing their season record to 21 and 6. The girls triumphed over Burns Flat-Dill City, Snyder, Minco, and Hydro-Eakley.
Cordell fifth and sixth graders celebrated Feather Day. Students studied the history of the quill pen and the advancement of writing, and practiced the skills of measurement and finding averages in the lengths of feathers. Parakeets and chickens were also brought in to visit students.
20 years ago
On the week of September 12, 2001 The Cordell Beacon displayed a large banner across the top of the newspaper that read “Pray For America,” a message that resonated with townspeople following the week’s events.
The town of Cordell was left stunned as news reports described the horror of the attacks in Washington D.C. and New York City. The 9/11 attacks were broadcasted throughout the school and town, forever etching the destruction into the minds of those present. Rumors about who was responsible, what would happen next, and of immediate concern to Cordell residents, what would happen to the price of gasoline, spread like wildfire.
Lines formed at gas stations and quick trips as fears of $5 a gallon gasoline stormed through the town.
The Red Cross encouraged townsfolk to donate blood in an upcoming blood drive to help those injured in the New York City and Washington D.C bombings.
The Janesville plant in Burns Flat shut down, leaving 42 employees out of work. The company manufactured insulator pads for in between the floor carpet and body of automobiles, door panel pads, headliners, and liners for hoods and trunks.
The Cordell Family Medical Clinic offered free prostate screenings to help prevent deaths from prostate cancer.
40 years ago
On the week of September 9, 1981, the Cordell Post Office hired their first ever female postmaster. Maggie (Mrs. Richard) Jordan assumed duties as postmaster on September 5, 1981.
The Washita County Free Fair was deemed “a complete success” by County Extension Agent Bud Barnes. About 2,500 area persons exhibited at the annual affair and between 4-5,000 attended the events during the four day run.
A hay blaze in the county fair barn was doused by the Cordell Fire Department. Arson was suspected in the fire, said City Fireman Jim Scott. No damage was done except to the hay. Firemen responded to the blaze three different times during the night because it kept rekindling, Scott said.
Fay (Mrs. Ernie) Morris planned to retire from her position as office manager for the City of Cordell Light and Water Department. Morris served the city for over 30 years before her retirement.
A group of Washita County Christian men joined the Larry Jones Ministries drive to provide “Wheat for the hungry.” A truck-load of Washita County wheat left Cordell Tuesday, Sept. 8, for Wellington Tex., where it would be cleaned and bagged. The wheat would then go to Houston, Tex., where it would be transported to Haiti.
The General Mills elevator of Cordell reported the local price of wheat at $3.81 a bushel.