Posted in History at 7:42 am by NW Okie
60th Anniversary of IOOF Carmen Home…
[The following information was taken from The Enid Morning News, Thursday, April 27, 1967, page 8, written - by Velma Jayne.]
The Headlines Read…
April 27, 1907 - Today Marks Sixtieth Anniversary of Founding of IOOf Carmen Home
News clipping reads: “Carmen Home 60 Years Old - A large crowd was on hand for the dedication of the Carmen Children’s home 60 years ago today. The three story cross-shaped structure served as a children’s home until 1944.” Printed on photo — “Dedication IOOF Orphans Home, Carmen, Oklahoma, April 27, 1907.”
One of the most important early day institutions of Northwest Oklahoma was the Children’s Home at Carmen, dedicated 60 years ago today by the late J. S. Romine, then Grand Master of the Oklahoma Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).
The prinicpal address was given by the late John B. Goodwin, a national officer from Baltimore, Md. The corner stone had been laid the preceding October by the late J. B. A. Robertson, then Grand Master of Oklahoma. Robertson later became Oklahoma’s fourth Governor.
Various cities throughout Oklahoma vied with Carmen for the Home. A committee of six was chosen to decide. In their week’s travel over the state, they chanced upon Carrie Nation who engaged them in conversation. The late Martha E. Reger, aunt of Mrs. Gerald Brown, tells of the incident in the October 15, 1920 issue of The Oklahoma Odd Fellow. Among other caustic remarks, Carrie Nation insisted that one member of the committee was wearing a blouse that was much too thin, saying she could “see right through her.”
Since Carmen offered all, and more, than was asked by the committee, this site was chosen and the three story building was located on a 160 acre farm, one mile north of town. The shape of the building was unique. It was built in the form of a cross with an open court in the center about 40 feet square.
Since the Home was dedicated in April 1907, hundreds of children have called it “home” through most of their formative years. Among these many still reside in Enid and the surrounding area.
On Arpil 18, 1907, Opal Neal and her three younger brothers arrived and now Mrs. R. Glen Anderson, 510 N. Taylor speaks with affection of Mother St. Clair, the matron. She tells of the loving care the children received and of many happy experiences.
Father St. Clair had time to tell them of early day experiences in the Cherokee Strip. He told how they went to the creek after dark and stored up water for use in making biscuits. When they opened their biscuits, they found buffalo hairs.
Mrs. Anderson came to Enid to attend high school but said that a visit back was always “like going back home.” She makes it plain that all in the Home were taught how to do various types of work each one learning some useful trade.
One of the happiest events each year was the Annual Home Coming Day. This affair was originated by the late N. A. Oakley, father of E. A. Oakley, 1401 Munger Drive, who was the long-time president of the Carmen Home Coming Association.
According to the official state magazine, the first home coming was the biggest. It states that 1,155 people came in on the train and that 1,200 cars were counted. The crowd was estimated at 6,500 in all. In the afternoon the children of the Home presented a program.
In spite of good food and “tender loving care,” the flu epidemic of WWI struck hard. Mrs. Margaret Clark, 1155 E. Pine, who was a long-time resident of Carmen, remembers that there were 45 of the 150 children down at one time. The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, as well as other residents of Carmen, served in shifts of three, sitting up at night and otherwise caring for those who were ill.
A. P. Morgan, 1702 E. Chestnut, who has served his organization in various capacities, was for years a member of the Home Board. He said that as aid began to come to widows and dependent children, from various sources, there was no longer the need that had existed previously.
Two men who deserve much credit for their contribution to the home are the late G. W. Bruce and George Duel of Carmen.
Around 1944, the Home was sold to the Oklahoma Conference of the Pentecostal Church and they converted it into a home for the elderly.
But on the day that the Carmen Home was dedicated, the Wilson children- Claude, Norval, Nora and Rennie — made the first family. Claude and Norval are now living in Missouri. Rennie recently retired from conoco and is now living in Tucson.
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Posted in History at 6:58 am by NW Okie
[taken from frontpage, Renfrew’s Record, January 16, 1920, Alva, Woods Co., Oklahoma, written by A. W. Fanning.] — Last week the State Board of Education passed a resolution changing the normal schools to standard teachers’ colleges. They will perhaps be called Normal Colleges. The proposed change was taken up in the council of the Normal School Presidents and passed unanimously. A committee was a appointed to interview Governor Robertson, who was strongly in favor of the proposed change. President Battenburg was one of the leaders in this movement and was selected as one of the committee of two to take the matter up with the Governor. This action on the part of the Board of Education is one of the most important steps that has ever been taken in education in Oklahoma. Governor Robertson, the State Board of Education, Supt. R. H. Wilson, and the normal school presidents are to be greatly commended for taking this progressive step.
There is no question but that this change in the normal schools will aid materially in relieving the shortage of teachers in Oklahoma. The normal schools will now be in position to turn out teachers who can qualify to teach in any high school in this state or in other states. The function of the normal school is to prepare teachers. Why should they not be given the authority to confer a degree? Why should they not be given authority to qualify teachers for any of the high schools? Why should the graudates of normal schools from neighboring states be given a better standing in Oklahoma than the graduates of our normal schools?
The time for argument is passed; the change has been made; we know it is a good thing; let’s get busy and boost for the Northwestern Normal College. We have the best normal school president in the state. With a live wire for president, a strong faculty such as we have, and the character of students that are found on the sun kissed prairies of the northwest, success to our new college is assured. This is a wonderful opportunity for the young men and women in this normal school district. The sutdnets in the Alva High School should plan now to have a degree from this college. High school students, normal students, townspeople, everybody should go their limit for the Northwestern Normal College; let’s start the advertising campaign now. — A. W. Fanning
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