We had a couple from out of town come for a tour Saturday. I heard the lady say as she walked out the door she really enjoyed the tour. They said they looked us up on the internet. That makes us proud that people find us worth driving to Watonga to visit the museum.
Up on the third floor there is a man’s beaded Native American tie or banner to be worn around the neck. It has a white background with blue and goldish tan arrows spaced evenly up and down the strip. The design is two arrows, one pointing up and one down with a diamond between them. This pattern is repeated along the length of the tie. There are tassels made from blue and goldish tan beads on each end. The tan arrows have a faint pink line around each of them. I think it was possibly red and faded to pink with age. It would have taken great skill to bead this as small as the beads are. The sign beside it says Beadwork by Blanch Roman Nose 1954. Donated by the children of Laquita Plaster 2008. The date makes it 68 years old. I’ve seen some of the things Pauline Whitetail has made with beads and they are beautiful. I have always wanted to do this type of art after seeing Pauline’s items
Mrs. Ferguson tells in her book They Carried the Torch about a trial that took place shortly after they moved to Watonga. She said, “The man had shot and killed his neighbor who trespassed upon the defendant’s domestic affairs.” The unwritten law had not been heard of at that time but that is what the defense amounted to. The jury retired just long enough for about one long drink around. After filing back in, the judge asked if they had reached a verdict. A tall rangy individual wearing a ten gallon hat and a six shooter, arose, aimed a batch of tobacco juice, with neatness and accuracy, at the stove several feet distant and made the following statement. “Yes, your honor, we found the prisoner not guilty and we further found the dead man was a bad hombre and orter been killed a long spell afore he waz.” The judge from the East was about to protest with this verdict but took one look at the man with his six shooter, his accurate aim at the stove and decided to let it stand.” I wonder what the domestic affairs amounted to.
Reminder, we have Trades Day coming June 11, 2022, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Bring your new and vintage items to sale. It is $5.00 for the space that day. We can provide an electrical outlet if you need it for a few vendors.
Any one that wants to become a member of Friends of Ferguson Home is welcome. You don’t have to be a member to volunteer. If you can only help with one program or project we welcome you.