25 Years Ago April 5, 1995
Flag Makes Ballpark Complete
Cordell Baseball Coach Bobby Blackburn is a teacher, both of athletics and American History. He stresses to his students the importance of the American Flag. He wants them to know “it’s not just material” but that it’s a symbol of freedom.
“As a history teacher, you try to teach students the value of the flag, to honor and respect it,” Blackburn said. “It represents individuals and families who have fought so we can live in a country like this.”
Old Glory, which now flies in deep centerfield, came to the baseball team through Bob Isbell, the leader of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter, Post #134.
Isbell, a veteran of World War II, said he felt the need to donate the flag to the team.
“They needed one to help the program,” he said. “I just thought there should be one at the ballpark.” Blackburn agreed with Is
Blackburn agreed with Is bell.
“We have all these nice signs around the field, but it was always missing something,” Blackburn said. “Baseball is our national pastime and what better to have out there than the nation’s flag.”
Man Charged With Carrying Sawed Off Shotgun In Burns Flat
A routine traffic stop in front of the Burns Flat Post Office led to the arrest of an 18-year-old for carrying a sawed off shotgun.
David Bartlett was charged with the felony offense after Oklahoma Highway Patrolman Grant Byrns stopped his 1989 GMC truck for a lack of tail lights. Bartlett, who also had a bottle of whiskey on the floorbard, told Byrns he found the gun outside his house.
Municipal Election Unkind To Incumbents
Cordell voters turned out in droves for the town’s municipal election held April 4th. Their message was one of change.
Phil Kliewer tallied 676 votes in his bid for Mayor, while opponent Robert Goettsch received 487 votes. Both men were vying for the seat Max Cunningham gave up when he opted not to seek another term.
Kliewer said he was pleased with the results and hopes to continue the leadership of the previous administration.
50 Years Ago April 2, 1970
City And County OK Shelter Plan
At a meeting recently held in the Washita County Courthouse, city and county officials approved the community shelter plan for
Washita County.
Meeting with Joseph F. Sanchez, Jr., state community shelter planner, were county commissioiners H.L. Weichel and Ed Piercey and Cordell Mayor Tom Crider. Representing civil defense were Sam Arnold, Jr., Washita County civil defense director, and Elvin Webb, Cordell city CD director.
The plan provides a fallout shelter space for everyone in the county. It will tell people where to to for shelter and what to do in case of a nuclear attack.
County’s Wheat Crop Pros
pects Look Good
Prospects are good right now for another bumper wheat crop in Washita County -- as good if not better than last year.
The March rains and snows eneded the winter drought and have provided sufficient moisture.
Bud Barnes, county extension director, said Wednesday that “all we need now is some sunshine.” He expressed belief the what now looks better in this area than it did a year ago.
Burglary Occurs At Corn Elevator
Burglary at the Corn elevator and service station during the night of Thursday, March 26, is reported by Clifford Hines, sheriff.
He says that entrance to the filling statioin was gained by breaking out a north window and that at the elevator warehouse the door lock was cut with bolt cutters.
A portable TV set was stolen from the filling station. Taken from the warehouse were two white oval tires and two 14-inch mud or snow grip tires. Possibly two more tires were taken.