101 Ranch Old Timer's Association

	1609 Donald Ave, Ponca City, OK 7460

Official site of the historic 101 Ranch

A Letter from the Editor

Dear Members and Site Visitors,

A number of things have happened since the last newsletter. I thought I would bring those of you who have not heard up to day.

First our annual Old Timers reunion was held this past August 13th and I think everyone had a good time. We had plenty of good food for everyone and then our auction. A lot of items were donated and the bidding was good.

We then had our annual meeting and with President Jean Evans sick and unable to attend Vice President Al Ritter presided. Al announced he was stepping down as Vice President and shortly thereafter was nominated for President. Bill Balcer was also nominated. After the vote Jean and Al tied so another vote was taken with Jean retaining her President's position. Bill Balcer and Desiree Michael son were then nominated for the Vice President's position. After the vote Bill became our new Vice President. Joe Glaser was then asked to continue his position as Secretary/Treasurer. Desiree Michaelson was then voted in as Director to fill that vacancy.

Then on August 20th, President Jean Evans passed away after serving as head of the 101 Ranch Old Timers Assoc. for over 16 years. She will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. Jean was the daughter of Jack and Anne Webb, born on November 21, 1933 in Ponca City.

With Jean's passing, Vice President Bill Balcer will be acting as President until our next annual meeting in August of next year.

Also since the last newsletter longtime member Jimmie Gibbs and Wilma Sokoll have passed away.

Improvements are continuing at the 101 Ranch site, Cowboy Hill and the White Eagle Monument.

Joe Glaser, Editor
101 Ranch O.T.A.

A Letter from the Vice President
Now Acting President

Dear Members and Site Visitors,

It has been a sad month. We lost our President, Jean Evans in August. She was an amazing lady and a very special friend. Her work in the 101 Old Timers was invaluable. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A good turnout by members and guests made the reunion a great success. Zack Miller's grand-daughter Jimmie Monroe and daughter Tassie and Joe Miller's grand-daughter Virginia Richards and family, as well as other Miller and Carson families were in attendance.

A very special thank you goes out to our former Vice President, Al Ritter, for his years of service and the work he had done for the 101 Old Timers. Thank you Al.

One of the projects we are now working on is Monument Hill. It is in the final stages. We are waiting on the signs to be completed and the gate to be put up. A dedication in the near future is planned.

The sign on Cowboy Hill has been put back up as well as a fence around the grounds. Thanks go out to Board Members Jerry Jansma, Richard Whiting and James Hopkins.

Another project that is being worked on is the memorial to Victor England.

Podiums with photos and brief histories of buildings will be coming in the near future to the ranch.

I would also send special thanks to Joe Glaser for all the hard work as Secretary and Treasurer. Thanks also go out to Velma Falconer, Janice Mothes, Rochelle Kelly and Steve Little for their help during the year and a big welcome to our newest Board Member Desiree Michaelson.

In closing I wish you all good health.

Until next time,

Bill Balcer
Acting President of the 101 Ranch Old Timers

In Fond Memory

Jean W. Evans, resident of Ponca City passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011, at Via Christi Village. She was 77.

Jean was born on Nov. 21, 1933, to Jack Webb and Anne Caroline Schley Webb in Ponca City. Jean spent most of her life in the Marland area. She was an accomplished horsewoman in either Western or English riding. She rode in hunting and jumping events and even on "faux fox hunts on her property.

Jeans hobbies included gardening, cooking, reading, traveling and eating. She was always looking for the best fried chicken. (It was her own.)

Mostly though, she loved her dogs. If there was a stray within 10 miles of her, it would find her somehow and live the good life of a country dog.

She is survived by her son, Kenneth Wahl Sr.; daughter Ellen Burk; and one grandson, Kenneth Wahl Jr., all of Ponca City.

James Gibbs passes away

James (Jim) Gibbs, 89, of Valley Mills, Texas passed away Sunday, June 26, 2011 at a local hospital.

Funeral services were held June 30 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel with Father Michael Heidt officiating.

He was preceded in death by his mother Ruby Gibbs and wife Tassie Blevens Miller Gibbs.

He is survived by his daughter Jimmie Gibbs Monroe and husband Dan (But) Monroe and Grand-daughter Tassie Monroe.

Wilma Sokoll passes away

Wilma Francis Sokoll passed away August 31, 2011 at her home. She was 85.

Wilma married Mike Sokoll October 24, 1980. She was a member of the 101 Ranch Old Timers and once held the office of Secretary and Treasurer.

She is survived by her five children. Memorial services were held September 9, 2011 at Grace Memorial Chapel with Pastor Mary Wright of First United Presbyterian Church presiding.

Become A Member!

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Membership Application Form

If you are a member of the 101 Ranch Old Timers Association your interest in helping preserving the history of an important part of America's Old West history is greatly appreciated. Don't forget its time to pay your annual dues of only $20 beginning in January. You can send your renewal payment to Sec/Treasurer Joe Glaser at the address seen on our application form or use the Pay Pal option.

Visitors at the Ranch
Submitted by Bill Balcer

On September 3rd, Mike Rieksecker and Kenneth Melton, two members from the Society of the Haunted visited the 101 Ranch to do a study. Bill Balcer met with them at the Ranch and gave them a brief history of the Ranch site. Mike and Kenneth plan on returning sometime in the near future.

The Real Wild West

The 101 Ranch Old Timers still have a number of copies of Michael Wallis's book on the 101 Ranch available. Both soft bound and hard back, signed and unsigned. This book is the best book written about the Miller Brothers and the history of the 101 Ranch, the beginning and the end.

Michael Wallis, member of the 101 Ranch Old Timers, did his homework before writing this book. It is well worth reading. If you are interested in a copy please call Joe Glaser at (580) 762-4815.

Click Pictures to Enlarge!

The flag plaza found at the edge of what once was the drive way of the 101 Ranch store at the headquarters site. The three lighted flags from left to right are the Oklahoma state flag, the U.S. flag and 101 Ranch flag. The three flags are flown during the year and replaced during the summer when they go to auction at the annual 101 Ranch OTA membership meeting each year.

Spur

Expert trick riders, a troupe of European Cossacks joined the 101 Ranch Wild West Show after fleeing oppressive political conditions during the first 101 Ranch tour of Europe. Two of them are seen here during practice. They were billed as, 'Equestrian Rivals of the Cow-Boy'.

Always a perennial favorite part of the Wild West Show first introduced in the original 1905 show, Native American performers attack the settlers wagon train complete with plenty of loud blank gunfire, black powder smoke and swirling dust. The act was seen in a number of subsequent movie scenes.