From the archives of The Cordell Beacon
25 Years Ago
April 12, 1995
Death Penalty Sought By Prosecutors
Prosecutors in Washita County recently filed a “Bill of Particulars,” a notification they are seeking the death penalty, against Randy Glenn Mounce.
Mounce, the 18-year-old accused killer of Burns Flat’s William Wohl, pled “not guilty” last week to formal charges of first degree murder.
The Mounce case is expected to go to jury trial in November.
Another death penalty case will be the first heard on the fall jury docket.
Jack Lee Howell, who is being represented by Cordell attorney Ray Jones, is accused of beating James Webb to death in 1986 outside Foss.
Earthquake Hits Washita County
Last Tuesday night, long after all the local municipal elections were well over, another earthshaking event hit Washita County.
According to Dr. Jim Lawson, chief geophysicist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey, a 2.9 earthquake hit six miles southeast of Cordell 31 minutes after midnight, which was technically the morning of April 5.
Lawson said last week’s earthquake was a bit larger than average. He said the last 100 earthquakes in Oklahoma averaged a 2.2 on a scale similar to California’s Richter scale.
First Rural America Celebration A Success
After nearly a year and a half in planning, it was all over in three days, but not until a new World Champion Hay Hauler was crowned, a few sore muscles were acquired on a blacktop basketball court, and several dozen kids plowed through huge hay stacks in search of free money. From a building full of quilts to sixteen different tasty chili recipes, Main Street Cordell officials are calling their first-ever Rural America Celebration a success.
50 Years Ago
April 9, 1970
Payton, Pankratz Win Council Positions In Cordell
Arlie Payton and Dwayne Pankratz won two-year terms as members of the Cordell city council at the annual municipal election Tuesday of this week.
An extremely light vote was cast with only 349 ballots tallied in the four precincts comprising wards one and two.
Payton, jeweler, won election over two opponents in ward one.
Pankratz, earth-moving contractor, also was the victor over two rivals in ward two.
Area Producer Likely To Bring More Drilling
The pool-opening wildcat five miles southwest of Cordell is a paying well that is expected to attract new drilling in this area.
Warren Garner, servicing geologist who logged the well, estimates the well should produce 192 barrels of condensate (casinghead gas) per day on the basis of a test last week that showed 35 barrels of condensate for each million cubic feet of gas.
The No. 1 Hines estate well tested 5,563,000 cubic feet of gas per day on open flow.
Despite Snow, 850 Report For Band Festival
Despite a late season snow, 850 of an anticipated 1,000 students reported last Saturday, April 4, for Cordell’s third annual invitational band festival held under the sponsorship of the local schools and the Band Parents’ club.
Grade and junior high pupils participated in concert, solos, and ensembles, and sight reading.
Trophies were awarded to bands receiving superior ratings. Pupils scoring superior in solos and ensembles were awarded medals.