60 years ago, January 2, 1961
Train Strikes Car Thursday Evening; Driver Is Charged
A Marland man was released on bond Friday after he had been arrested for parking a car on a railroad Thursday evening.
The arrest followed an accident in which a westbound Rock Island freight train struck Clark’s car where it had been vacated alongside the railroad tracks just east of the Tonkawa depot.
Clark told officers he had driven the car into a ditch and gone for help when the accident occurred. The rear of his car, protruding over the rail, was smashed badly by the locomotive and a few cars immediately behind it. The car was unoccupied when it was struck.
Clark was charged by Officers Gary Perks and S. A. Chilson with illegally parking on a railroad and having no drivers license. He was released on a $15 bond.
Damage to the car was estimated at $100. The only apparent damage to the train was a bent grab rail on the front of the Diesel locomotive.
Fire in Home Is Doused Saturday
Tonkawa firemen were called at 3:15 a.m. Saturday to extinguish a fire in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Reynolds, 407 N. Main.
Fire Chief Ward Zody said the blaze started under the sink in the Reynolds kitchen and spread inside the wall. Damage was mainly confined to the kitchen and dining room area, where part of a plaster ceiling fell.
Cause of the blaze was not immediately known, however Zody said he believed that it might have been started by a mouse, gnawing on a match. There was no wiring near the origin of the fire.
50 years ago, January 4, 1971
Brad Allen Thomas Is First Baby of 1971
Brad Allen Thomas, a seven pound three ounce boy has been named the winner of the First Baby of 1971 contest and is recipient of the many gifts offered by Tonkawa merchants to the first baby born in the trade area.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Thomas, Jr. 300 South Tenth and was born at 5:21 p.m. on January 1, 1971 at Grandview Osteopathic hospital at Ponca City.
A doctor’s statement from Dr. Jerry Scholz, attending physician was presented this morning by the boy’s father and he was named winner of the contest by the Tonkawa News, sponsors of the annual Baby Contest.
Brad Allen has one step-sister, Gina, 10 and three step-brothers Ernie Lee, 7, Jerry Ray, 6, and Jackie Leon,
