The Ferguson Home Museum had a booth at the Christmas Bazaar. Five trees were decorated and voted on. The businesses that decorated trees were Pharaoh’s Classic Car Club, which earned 54 votes, two from the city of Watonga, with city services earning 142 votes and city hall garnering 12 votes, Dr. Schenk’s office bringing in 46 votes and the Ferguson Home tree getting nine votes. Each vote cost a dollar. A big thanks goes to those doing the trees and to the ones manning the booth. All proceeds go to maintenance and programs.
New handrails have been put up for the front steps. Thanks goes to Connie and her husband.
The obituary of Walter Ferguson found in The Watonga Republican dated Thursday, March 12, 1936, says he died of a heart attack in Washington D.C. He had been ill for two weeks in early February but was better and went to Washington D.C. on business, accompanied by a nurse. It says he was ill enough to stay in bed at the hotel Friday and most of Saturday but did go to the dinner on Saturday evening. He didn’t feel well later Saturday evening and went to bed. The doctor was called the next morning. After examining Walter, the doctor left to go see another patient. The nurse called him back a short time later, but Walter was gone before the doctor returned.
Walter was eight years old when they came to Watonga in October of 1892, and nine years old when he accompanied T.B. in the Cherokee Strip land run September 16, 1893. It was said that he and Oklahoma grew up together. He lived in Watonga until he was grown. He was setting type by the age of 13 helping his mother, Elva, run The Watonga Republican while T.B. traveled the state for the Republican Party. The obit says he was the best historian this state has ever had. He attended Wentworth Military academy at the age 14 where he acquired the reputation as a public speaker and was in great demand. While they were in Guthrie he worked for the Guthrie Capital. He resigned to attend the University of Oklahoma in 1904 and attend for two years paying his way by writing for newspapers. He was the official reporter at the state constitutional convention in Guthrie in 1906. Bill Murray appointed him reading clerk of the first state legislature. While attending the University of Oklahoma he married Lucia Loomis, daughter of a newspaper man. He moved to Cherokee, Oklahoma, and was the owner of the Cherokee Republican newspaper there. He was also the postmaster for five years while in Cherokee. In 1916 he was elected senator for the district for one term. Leaving Cherokee, he took over advertising for the First National Bank in Oklahoma City. Four years later he was Vice President. He then moved to Tulsa, in 1928 to be Vice-President of Exchange National Bank. Then in 1935 he became Vice President of Mid-Continent Oil and Gas, resigning the first part of 1936.
There are six more columns of his obituary so I may continue in the future. It’s amazing all that Walter and Gov. T.B. Ferguson accomplished in their lives. People grew up faster and were stronger back then.
The museum needs a site director; it’s 20 hours per week. You will be giving tours as well as helping plan programs and events. The director must be able to go up and down the stairs and have basic computer skills. I’m not sure when they are going to decide upon that job placement.
Hours of operation are Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Since the museum is short staffed right now, these times may vary. Closed city and state holidays. Please call before coming to make sure it is open. Call at 580614-1892 to make arrangements for an after-hours tour.