My parents, Bill and Ella Etter lived around
the Fletcher and Elgin area for several years and moved to the town of Fletcher
in 1949. I attended the Fletcher school until I married. Although
we lived in Springdale, Arkansas, I still tell
everyone that "I'm an Okie from Fletcher, Oklahoma".
I remember the Saturday drawings and the penny races.
Uncle Henry Seymour and another man would throw pennies into
2 age groups. Uncle Henry would have the little ones in front and the
bigger ones in back. First he would throw pennies to the bigger children
and while they were busy picking pennies up, he would throw pennies to the
small ones.
I remember a man preaching on the street corners, although
I don't recall the name. I remember the theater movies on Saturday
operated by Jay Robarts, where I went to see Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Rex
Allen, Rocky Lane, Monty Hale, and others ride across the screen. I
remember Carpenter's skating rink on the north side of the street, west of
the theater, where I skated on Saturdays. It was a busy place.
The A & B Cafe on the hiway had a small room where
teenagers could play the jukebox, play the pinball, and sit in the booths
and have a burger and coke.
I remember the first soft serve ice cream cone I had,
if I remember correctly, it was Mr. and Mrs. George Jump's business
on the south side of the street across from the theater.
I also remember Son Reese in his wagon, he
was crippled and rode in a little wagon. On Saturdays, I remember we
would get Son to play the "wolf chase" with his harmonica.
The businesses I remember at various times were starting
on the north side of the street, second block east of the hiway was Null's
Bar, Carpenter's Skating Rink, Mrs. McCarty's Rooming House,
the blacksmith shop, Lloyd McCarty's domino parlor and cafe, there
was a dress shop somewhere in the block, Newcombe's Grocery,
the theater, post office ran by Peacocks, and our post office
box was Box 59. The bank was next with the Dilling family.
Next block was Mr. Johnson's drug store, I don't recall in order
but there was Gaines Walker's grocery, a cafe, Hills Grocery,
later
became Urbane Skinner's grocery. Malone Motors had the
Ford dealership and I remember seeing my first Mustang there.
Zikes had a cleaners and I think there was a Johnson's
variety store also.
On the south side of the street, some of the businesses
I remember at various times were Newcombe's Grocery had moved across
the street. Jim Weaver had a hardware store and Mr.
Wisener had the funeral home on the corner.
The next block was the Butler's grocery, now
Trent's Drug, I believe, Jay and Margie Rowbart had Jay's Sundries.
Walt Roberson had a grocery, which later belong to Peachy
Thomas, Dwight Woodward had a department store there by the early
'60s. Dr. Charles Joyce was the town doctor and Doc Pence
was the veterinarian. The corner held Walter Birdwell's Champlin
Station and catty corner from that station was I believe Hinson's station.
I remember eating my peanut patties there.
Perk and Viola Boggs operated the bus station
by the hiway and possibly a service station. I remember seeing Perk
with a chew of tobacco. In '96, I worked at the Cyril nursing home
and I visited quite often with Perk and Viola. Perk was always looking
after Viola.
If you can remember more businesses in Fletcher, email me at marge-etter@cox-internet.com and please put Fletcher business in the subject line.