WELCOME

HISTORY

ALMA MATER

PICTURES

INFORMATION

MAIL

FRIENDS

CLASSES

1911 to 1920

1921 to 1930

1931 to 1940

1941 to 1950

1951 to 1960

1961 to 1970

1971 to 1980

1981 to 1990

1991 to 2000

2001 to 2010

Site design by

Custom Graphics

MHS ALUMNI STORIES 2010
3RD In A 10 Part Series Part A
Honor Years 1910 and 1915

According to The Mangum Star, April 22, 1909, headlines were screaming for passage of an $80,000 bond program to build the finest schools in the state. The ‘Old Edison’, also called ‘Central School’, and three Ward schools were to be built the most modern design of the time. Citizens already knew the new high school which opened in 1905 was too small and more schools must be built. Surrounding communities were also struggling to provide and keep schools in their area. It was a long trip by wagon or horseback getting children to and from school. A lard bucket filled with biscuits and leftovers from the breakfast table provided children “free lunches” after they arrived at school.

One hundred years ago, according to The Evening Star, April 11, 1910, Giles W. Harris was the Managing Editor and the paper was published by the Star Publishing Company. The local manager was Herbert Wileman; the telephone number was 54; rates were 10 cents per week or 40 cents per month and $4.00 per year. School news and civic/county progress headlined the papers of the day. Railroad news was front page along with civic organizations making the news.

According to a history article in The Enterpriser, July 2, 2009: ”Major changes in the school districts of Greer County began in 1910 through 1921. Rapid consolidation began for the smaller rural schools. Eastview and Lake Creek were two of the larger districts at that time. “ Another article states that by 1922, Greer County had 13 Consolidated Schools; one Union Graded School; two Village Schools; one three-room school; four two-room schools and five one-room schools totaling 26 schools in the county. At one juncture, Mangum was titled “Athens of the Southwest” due to the school system being as good as it was large. Today, in 2009-10, Greer County has two schools: Granite and Mangum.

The Enterpriser, June 23, 2005, ran a history article written by Charlotte Harris: “Greer County is especially noted for its educational system. Very few things have been advanced in the educational world without the leadership of some woman. Kate Terry (1913 – 1917) was the county’s second woman Superintendent. During her administration, the Reed School building was erected and the Union Graded No. 1 was formed. Annual track meets were held which were not equaled anywhere else in the state. One school was formed and named for her.”

Ms. Harris continued, “In 1917, the personage of Milton Butler became the next County Superintendent. He was a Mangum HS graduate with the Class of 1912. He later taught in the Reed schools before becoming Superintendent. He had real vision and leadership; in the first month of his administration, Consolidated No. 3, Liberty, was formed. The war was on and things looked discouraging. He succeeded in forming the twelfth consolidated school. His main work was to form consolidated schools. He retired after three years and recommended Haskell Pruett for his office on June 1, 1920. When Mr. Pruett took office, there were six consolidated school buildings yet in the course of construction.”

Note: Mr. Pruett was also a Greer County product, having both Reed and Mangum High School membership since there was no high school in Reed in 1912. He entered Mangum schools in 1913 as a Freshman and lived with Mrs. Franz, mother of Mrs. Robert Overton. Two other farm boys, Elmer Castle and his brother were classmates. In a old Greer County News Paper, (mid 1970’s) there is a biography of Haskell Pruett, written by Mrs. Grace Fletcher, well worth reading. During the summer of 1914 a two-year high school was established at Reed and one year added each year so that Haskell was among the first high school graduating class at Reed in 1917. He took the State Examination in 1917 and received the Greer County Teacher’s certificate. Sixteen years later he attained his college degree with seven major fields of study to his credit graduating from Southwestern at Weatherford in 1923 when it was still a junior college.

Note: These history lessons show how closely connected all the communities in Greer County were and still are today slowly evolving into the two schools systems open today. This time in school and Greer County history, one must remember we were in a pre-war mode and by 1917, World War I was on-going. Continuous change and juggling of economics was a major challenge for the school systems.

A 1908 MHS Grad, Peyton Earle Brown, originated the idea of a permanent alumni association according to the Mangum Daily Star, April 9, 1910. He became its first president in 1910. Mr. Brown moved to Mangum in 1904, with his parents, and graduated as valedictorian of his class. He married Miss Edith Clower of Mangum. He then organized Covington and Brown firm after passing the State Law Bar Exam; he opened his first practice in Mangum. Later he moved to Blackwell and was a partner in general law.

The first Mangum High School yearbook published was the year 1913; a copy was donated to this historian by Bob and Patty Bratton. The following members of the 1910 graduating class are published as shown: Carleton Brown, Leon Brown, Treacy Campbell, Norma Clay, Daphnie Dodson, Henry Gardener, Winnie Jacobs, Queen Melton, Katherine Powers, Vera Steele, Elna Stem and Nell Wilson.

Mrs. J. O. McCollister was the class mother.

Officers for the first MHS Alumni Association gathering was Peyton Brown, President (1908); V-President was Henry Gardiner (1910); Secretary, Beatrice McCollister (1907) and Clarence McKinney, (1909). Students completing high school before 1910 were grandfathered into the membership.

According to The Tiger, a school publication, dated November. 20, 1928, in an article titled “Past Graduates of Mangum High School”, the sub title says the classes of 1909 and 1910 were the last to graduate in the eleventh grade. “In the history of the graduating classes of MHS, the first eight classes graduated in the eleventh grade. In 1911, the requirement was changed to twelve years of school for graduation; therefore 1911 had NO graduating class.

1915 ……….95 years ago

The 1915 MHS Yearbook was titled, MHS Galliopsis. It is a green paper bound soft cover handbook slightly smaller than a letter sized paper. It appears the 1915 Gilliopsis was the 2nd yearbook published by MHS followed by 1916, 1917, 1918, 1919 with The Mango, 1920 yearbook, being the 6th publication. Considering the day and time this book was published, it has outstanding information within its 92 pages. The best pictures of the original Mangum High School and the original Edison Elementary are in this book along with pictures of South Ward and North Ward schools. Photography is very clear and all four high school grades are covered in the book. A copy of this book was donated to this writer by Bob and Patty Bratton and can also be found in the Old Greer County Museum.

Mangum Superintendent of schools was R. M. Caldwell; High School Principal and History teacher was James Gordon Ward; Faculty included : Mrs Tilla McIntosh, Math; Caroline Gurney, English; Bessie Ward, Latin; Alta Sawyer, Science; Lola Pickerill, Modern Languages; Jeffie Young, 8th grade instructions; Corinne Jackson, Domestic Science; Stella Nichols, 8th Grade Instructor; O. J. Palmer, Manual Training.

Note: In August, 2009, Casey Paxton, Owner and Editor of The Mangum Star, e-mailed this writer correspondence with a grand daughter of Mrs. Tilla McIntosh. A follow up article will be written about this former MHS teacher and her life after leaving Mangum schools.

According to the yearbook, the Editorial Staff consisted of: Raymond Boyle, Editor-in-Chief; Travis Heatly, Assistant Editor; Arthur Lovett, Business Manager; Bessie Watts, Assistant Business Manager; Lee Wilson, Literary Editor; Windsor Oakes, Humor Editor; Fred Cook, Athletic Editor; Euna McCrory, Art Editor; Ernest Lyon, Junior Class Editor; Robert Overton, Sophomore Class Editor; Margaret Louise Maloy, Freshman Class Editor; and Cora McCutcheon, Stenographer.

Judge and Mrs. G. W. Brown, parents of Peyton Brown, were class parents; and their home is pictured.(enclosed)

Shown in this edition as 1915 Graduates were: President, Raymond Boyle; Vice-President, Jessie Watts; Sectretary, Bessie Watts, and Treasurer, Clara Fritsche; Curtis H. Bass, Opale Caddel, Vera Caddel, Fred Cook, Thelma Dodson, Clara Fritsche, Travis Heatly, Lava Hoover, Curtis Holland, Zenno Howard, Alice Hunter, Vonne Johnson, Arthur Lovett, Euna McCrory, Cora McCutheon, Windsor Oakes, Emma Simpson, Cornelius Terry, Bessie Watts, Jessie Watts, Lee Wilson and Bertha Yarberry.

Listed as 1915 MHS Alumni Officers are: Dr. R. L. Holt, President; Queen Melton, V-President; Norma Lee Pace, Secretary; Reynaud Stroube, Treasurer.

There is a piece of history on Page 88 of this yearbook stating that MHS issued its first diplomas in 1903 and each succeeding year thereafter with the exception of 1911 when there was NO graduating class. The book lists all the graduates from 1903 through 1914 in addition to listing Alumni Officers for 1910 through 1915.

A quote clarifying the Alumni Association states: “The goal of the MHS Alumni Association stands for the unity and friendship of all her graduates; a common interest for all; and a means of keeping in touch with those who have gone out into the greater world to seek their fortunes.”

MHS ALUMNI STORIES 2010
3rd In A 10 Part Series Part B
Honor Years 1920 and 1925

Given to this writer by Bob and Patty Bratton, the “1920 Mango” yearbook, published 90 years ago, is a paper back with a purple cover tied with a heavy string. It was printed by Russell & Cockrell of Amarillo with engravings by Southwestern Engraving Company, Fort Worth, Texas. It has an index with seven (7) sections in the book. It was dedicated to William R. Monypeny who was “admired and esteemed by the Senior Class and All students in general.”

On page 7, the book cites progress being made in the City Of Mangum and the Mangum ISD. A new High School building was voted in for $153,000. Bond issues had to be settled with regard to the $78,000 voted by the school district; only tax payers were allowed to vote. Even with two elections, Mangum citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of the best things for their schools.

The Mango staff included: Polly Cowan, Editor-in-Chief; Pete Tomme, Business Manager; Grace Lewis, Association Editor; Percy Johnson, Senior Editor; Fred McKenzie, Junior Editor; Francis Hannah, Sophomore Editor; Racheal Wilson, Freshman Editor; Frelon Cowan, Art Editor; Beth Wilson, Alumni Editor.

The school board members were: President. W. S. Yeager; Vice President, L. A. Johnson; Secretary, D. T. Covington; Treasurer. J. D. Curreathers; L. C. Cotton and D. R. Dial members. Faculty: Kate Monpeny, William Monpeny, Christine Gould, M. L. Torti, Bonnie Lingenfelter, Dorothy Will, Evelyn Crews, Mable Emerson, Alice Reid, Ruby Langston, Alva Jarbeau, Lottie Jones, Georgia Myrick, S. A. McReynolds and J. A. Bennett, Custodial Supervisor.

On Page 116, there is an appreciation quote: “We wish to thank Mrs. Yoder Cheek for the assistance, advice and encouragement she has given to us at all times in mounting pictures, arranging pictures, etc. She has helped us very much. For these services to us we owe her much. Let’s repay her by showing our gratitude.”

Members and officers of the 1920 class were: President. Pete Tomme; Vice-President, Morton Heatley; Sergeant-at-Arms, Austin Holland; Secretary, Alma Hughes and Treasurer, Polly Cowan.

Classmates shown in the 1920 yearbook include:

Alma Bray
Clara Bradshaw
Carlos Byars
Cecil Byars
Zelma Casey
Frelon Cowan
Polly Cowan
Gervasia Clark
David Doyle
Thelma Doughty
Agnes Garrett
Frank Gentry
Vivian Glidewell
James Hannah
Morton Heatly
Alma Hughes
Johnnie Hughes
Austin Holland
Glen James
Bertha Jackson
Dessie Johnson
Percy Johnson
Ola Jones
Velma Kirk
Grace Lewis
Helen McCurdy
Hughie Maloy
Sylvia Meason
Mildred McReynolds
Fannie Nelson
Clifton Norris
Leon Phelps
Emma Roach
Charles Roberts
Clara Shields
Fairford Slaten
Johnie Smith
Mavourleen Smith
Nell Smith
John Thompson
Claude Tuton
Pete Tomme
Otho Thrower
Beth Wilson
Audrey Wood

Class Parents were Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Merritt pictured with their home.

The MHS Alumni Association information is on page 76. President was Paul Hughes and Secretary was Grace Richardson. All members of the alumni are listed by class, name, married name and city of residence. A copy of this book may be found at the Old Greer County Museum for further research.

1925..………..85 years ago

The Mangum Star, February 19, 1925, has four columns of front page coverage written by Mrs. Nell Stultz, MHS Grad of 1906 and Alumni Historian for thirty five years. It was titled “Social and Personal Items”. Several pages have school coverage from Centralvue, Jay Buckle, White Flat, Hester, Brinkman, Dean, Wild Cat and City View. Mangum schools got a bit of coverage from Carroll Elliott, MHS 1923 Grad and a student at Oklahoma University at the time. He wrote his mother describing a violin recital of Albert Spalding held in the Shrine Auditorium, Oklahoma City, under the auspices of the Ladies’ Music Club. He wrote a glowing report of the event. Mr. Elliott was the long time editor of the Mangum Star and was an outstanding pianist for many civic events in Mangum.

The Mangum Star, March 5, 1925 ran an article on the front page titled “School Census Show Increase”. The article stated there were 6062 school aged children that year. Boys exceeded girls by 207. The schools listed in Greer County were: Mangum, ( the largest with 1332 students); Granite held second place with 463, Brinkman, Midway, Liberty, Ozark, East View, Fair View, City View, Lake Creek, Ocina, Ladessa Centralvue, Plainview, Willow, Miller Flat, White Flat, Hester, Deer Creek, Reed, Hackberry, Wild Cat, Shiloh, Laura Moore, Dean and Jay Buckle. All these schools showed considerable gain in attendance except: Ozark, East View, Willow, Miller Flat, Hackberry, and Dean. One interesting note: Fairview actually had a higher percentage of new students than Mangum.

During this time, Charles B. Overby, was superintendent of the City View School and County Superintendent-elect. City View Consolidated Schools won the coveted honor of being a Superior Model School by more than sufficient points that were required. Schools were all working to be Model or Superior rated schools. Note of correction: Mr. Overby’s niece, Barbara Thompson Blake, Class of 1947, reported to this Historian that Mr. Overby died in 1948. Mr. Overby and his wife Ellen, had six children who graduated from MHS: Alma, Class of 1929; Grace, Class of 1930; Charles B. Overby, Jr., Class of 1934,; Mary Jo Overby Guilfoyle, Class of 1937; Bob, Class of 1938 and Jim (J.T.), Class of 1938. All the children are deceased with the exception of Mary Jo Guilfoyle, who lives near Kansas City, Kansas. Dr. Charles B. Jr., died in 2008. Charles and Ellen Overby were the Uncle and Aunt of Barbara, Beth and Jo Boyd Thompson, all MHS grads.

Another front page article stated “Local Girl is Crack Shot”, referred to Talley Wicker, a MHS 1923 grad who was member of the Women’s Rifle Team at Stillwater, the Oklahoma A & M College. Her score was 95. Miss Wicker was a sophomore in the school of home economics at A&M during this time. Her married name would become Shockey.

Finding a complete list of the Class of 1925 was not a simple task. With no yearbooks after 1923, and a incomplete roster in the alumni history files, this is the class roll found in some old loose papers Mary McDaniel Scott provided. The list appears to be printed from an old graduation bulletin owned by Greer Oklahoma Smith. It appears some of the ladies’ middle names were family names and not necessarily married names.

James W. Atkinson
Elton F. Bex
Elsie A. Bolen
Leon Braswell
Gladys Bryan-Tinsley
Arda Frances Bull
Zelma R. Bull
Lovick L. Cotton
Louise Cruse
Vera G. Culwell
Eli G. Doolen
Vernice M. Doughty
Roy L. Doyle
Minnie F. Thompson
Dollie Freeman
Ruth Freeman
Foster H. Garrett
Ruby L. Garrett
James O. Gilliland
Tiny Harris
Novell Houck
Lewis H. Johnson
Faye Knight
Blake E. Lovelace
Ruby B. Lowrance
Ona Mae McAllister
Minnie Jeffries McDaniel
Roberta Maddox Graham
Violet Martin
Ina Love Mathis
Herbert B. Noble
Marie E. Nolan
Bertha B. Parker
Mayme C. Patterson
Frank E. Powell
Lois V. Reese
Gladys Sanders
Greer Oklahoma Smith
George G. Snipes
Johnny R. Simpson
Lacy L. Smith
Dorothy Sylvestine Pierson
Gladys W. Taylor
C. C. Tillman, Jr.
Alba C. Tucker
Gladys L. Wallace
Lela L. Wallace
Carrie A. Wiseman
Homa C. Yarbrough

This writer did contact the niece (Roberta Freeman) of Miss Roberta Graham, a long time Edison Elementary Teacher, and learned that indeed ‘Maddox’ was Miss Roberta’s middle name; it was her mother’s maiden name. Miss Graham, as the students knew her, graduated from Oklahoma University about 1931 since she went full time for two years and then finished up in four summers while she taught elementary school in Ozark and then in Mangum. Miss Graham also received her Master’s from OU in 1949.

The MHS Alumni Association officers were: President Lydia Pace Griffin (1919) and Secretary was Margaret Shields Boyd (1914). Class Parents were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Shearer.

The Mangum’s Girls basketball team, coached by Emily Hoover, won the state championship in 1925. Girls shown: Edith Ely, Rosa McDaniel, Bess Bex, Gladys Tinsley, Ruth Freeman, Alba Tucker, Katy Witcher, Effie Lassiter, Iva Wade and Katy Ely. (picture enclosed)

The Mangum Star, February 26, 1925, published an article about Mangum’s city park which was named Harmon Field at that time.

The land was formerly donated by Judge Powers and family and became known as Powers Park; it was a very desirable place for a public playground. It was a very popular resort under private management but was allowed to deteriorate until 1922 when the local post of the American Legion secured a lease on it and spent some $2000 in installing playground equipment and making repairs. Hundreds of children and many “grown folks” enjoyed the privileges of the playground under the Legion management and the public in general was greatly disappointed when the Legion announced that they would be unable to maintain the park longer because of their inability to purchase the site or pay the lease.

Note: More about the Power Family legacy in a interview done with Annette Powers Meador, a 1941 MHS graduate, later in this series. She is now a Mangum resident.

Researched by MHS Alumni Historian, Joy Hall Grant, Class of 1957.

Page 4
Home