25 Years Ago
March 15, 1995
Cordell Elevator Changes Hands
Recently, Wheeler Bros. Grain Co. announced the purchase of the Pro-Ag Grain Elevator in Cordell.
Wheeler Bros. Executive Vice President, Mike Mahoney, said, “We are very impressed with the quality of the farming operations in the Cordell area. We are excited about serving the Cordell community. Our plans include upgrading the elevator so that we can do a better job of serving our customers. We are very pleased that Jim and Rayman Balzer have agreed to continue with the local management of the facility.”
Candidates Take Spotlight At Political Forum
About 50 people showed up at the Cordell Community Center last Thursday night for a “Meet The Candidate” forum sponsored by the Cordell Chamber of Commerce. Voters heard the political hopefuls address various issues such as economic development and highway clean-up.
The program started with each of the 14 candidates giving a two minute opening statement. Next George Roper, of the Chamber, pointed a question to the candidates. The questions were hand-written by the audience prior to the start of the monologues.
Rural America Celebration Set To Become A Major Event
Organizers for Cordell’s inaugural Rural America Celebration, scheduled to be April 7, 8, and 9 in this rural southwest Oklahoma community say it’s shaping up to become a major event.
“Even people who live in cities appreciate the culture and values of rural America,” said Celebration Planning Chair Jim Price, noting the festivities will feature the best of the rural lifestyle. “People are calling in from all over Oklahoma and parts of Texas about this event because it’s their chance as a citizen of rural America to show everyone what a great life we live.”
50 Years Ago
March 12, 1970
J.V. Son To Be Candidate For State Senator Office
James Vernon Son of Cordell, former Washita County extension agent, says he will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senator, district 26, which includes Washita, Kiowa, Greer, and Harmon counties.
Son retired as the Washita County Extension director on Oct. 31, 1969, after serving in that capacity for 24 years.
Prior to moving to Cordell, Son and his family lived in Norman. He worked for the Cleveland County ASCS office for four years.
Son earned his BS degree from Oklahoma A & M college in August 1940, majoring in agricultural ecnoomics. At that time he went to work for the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, United States Department of Agriculture.
Annexation Is Voted To Cordell District
Bessie School District patrons in a special election Friday, March 6, voiced a rigorous approval of annexation of their district to Cordell. Vote in the election was 117 for and 29 against.
The Bessie Board of Education had called the annexation election at a session Feb. 23, following an information meeting of Bessie district patrons.
In deciding to submit the question of annexation to Cordell to district vote, it was pointed out that state law requires an average daily attendance of 40 for the operation of an elementary school and that it would be impossible to carry on for 1970-71 on the basis of Bessie’s current enrollment of 39 with 34 as the highest possible foreseeable enrollment for next year.