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Between 1,500 and 2,000 people swarmed Sayre Park for the fourth annual Western Oklahoma
Pioneers' reunion August 30, 1942, and though the arbor had been enlarged twice the size of last year, there still
was insufficient seating capacity for the hundreds who attended the afternoon program. Mrs. Grace Perkins, registrar,
said 400 pioneers signed the registration book and were on hand to observe the fiftieth anniversary of the run
for homesteads in this district. Five who made the run, Mrs. Rebecca Beeson and Jack Freeman, both of Sayre; Fount
Sutton, Texas, and John Anderson and Mrs. Della I. Young, both of Cheyenne, were given seats of honor on the stage.
Jim Calloway, Merritt, was elected President of the reunion organization to succeed J. L. Edgecomb. Others elected
were R. E. Edwards, Vice-president, and Mrs. Grace Perkins, Secretary. John Salyer was master of ceremonies. Sen.
E. F. Cornels led the pledge of allegiance to the flag and Earl Edwards led the group singing of America. Invocation
was given by Rev. Carl Belcher. Service flags were given to mothers present who had sons in military service. They
were Mrs. Eula Barker, Sayre, Mrs. John Pruett, Doxey, and Mrsfl Burrows, Victory. Mrs. Barker and Mrs. Pruett
were given four-star flags and Mrs. Burrow received a three-star flag. The welcome address was given by William
D. Lackey, President of the chamber of commerce, and John Casady, pioneer Cheyenne newspaperman, responded. Distinguished
guests were introduced by E. H. Gipson and short addresses were made by Jack Freeman, Fount Sutton, J. C. MacKenzie,
Dewey Beson, Jim Calloway, Della I. Young and Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Jones. L. G. Brewer conducted a short memorial
service for the pioneers who had died during the past year. J. W. Dennis, Erick, won first in the contest for the
best original song about Oklahoma. J. E. Nunn, Delhi, was second. Judges were Mrs. Ollie Cornelison, Tom Lowry
and Mrs. W. P. Spence. J. E. McCraw, New Liberty, was first and E. T. Laney, Delhi, second in the old time fiddling
contest. Mrs. Fannie Warren was given the prize for having the most generations of her family present. Mrs. Warren,
Mrs. Nellie Halford, Hoke Halford and his small son represented four generations. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rice, New
Liberty, received the prize for having the most children present. All of their nine children attended. Mrs. John
Danner received first prize for the most original pioneer costume and Mrs. Birdie Bell, Hext, received second prize.
Judges were Mrs. Lora Gibbons, Mrs. Minnie Hohenshelt and Mrs. Cynthia Evins. Several American flags unfurled throughout
the park grounds gave the reunion a patriotic air. Flags of all allied nations were displayed above the stage.
Source: The Sayre Sun, September 3,
1942
