• A bench warrant was issued for Mattie Nail, an Okmulgee woman whose two-year manslaughter sentence had just been upheld by the appellate court. Authorities couldn’t locate her, even though she was out on bond. Nail had been convicted for running over and killing John Falcone, a local shoemaker, on Christmas Day in 1922 while he was fixing a tire on the roadside. Evidence showed she was intoxicated and had several “jellybeans” riding with her at the time. Sheriff ’s deputies began searching for her before her bond could be forfeited.

• Jim Crowell, a well-known rancher and political figure, was jailed without bond after being accused of shooting and killing 25-year-old Willie Bruner, an Indian man from near Natura. Witnesses said Bruner and two companions visited the Crowell ranch for a possible dance, but Crowell ordered them out and later followed them with a rifle, shooting Bruner in the head as they walked away. Bruner died before help arrived, and his family filed the murder complaint. Crowell’s attorney claimed the trouble started over a torn-up check, and officers noted he was already facing another charge from a previous incident.

• The county school superintendent reported that Okmulgee County’s rural schools were steadily gaining students, with 3,962 pupils enrolled – almost 300 more than the previous month. Attendance remained strong, averaging over 91 percent, and 33 districts reached 90 percent or better. Some students attended only when farm work allowed, but overall participation was high. Teachers made numerous home visits, and a handful of corporal punishment cases were recorded through the month.

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• Judy Alexander won a sweeping victory in the Okmulgee City School Board election, defeating incumbent Earl Buchanan by a wide margin. A parent of three and an active supporter of local education programs, she entered the race on a platform of strengthening opportunities for all students. Voters also approved all three school millage levies by strong majorities, and several other districts across the county elected new board members.

• The Okmulgee County Retired Teachers Association gathered to honor the county’s legislators, who spoke about issues affecting retired educators. The meeting included recognition for members who serve as telephone contacts, along with along list of community guests and association members. The event reflected the group’s ongoing commitment to staying informed and connected during the legislative session.

— 25 Years Ago (2001)

• Three young men – Josh Cable, Danny Smith and Joe Thomas – were ordered to stand trial after being accused of killing a dog during a Halloween party. The dog, which belonged to Smith’s mother, was taken from a neighboring yard and killed and later found decapitated. Investigators believed the act may have been part of a ritual, as reports indicated the men smeared the dog’s blood on their faces and mixed it with their own. All three were bound over for trial on animal cruelty charges and could face up to five years in prison if convicted.

• A near-tragedy turned into a story of bravery when 9-year-old Jake Branson saved his cousins, Marissa (10) and Samantha (5), after they fell through thin ice on a farm pond near Beggs. The children had played on the frozen pond the day before, but warmer temperatures caused the ice to weaken. When the girls broke through into three feet of water, Jake realized he couldn’t reach them safely, ran for help and alerted their mother, who waded in and pulled them out. The girls were cold and frightened, but unharmed. Their family credits Jake’s quick thinking with preventing a fatal accident and reminds others that winter ponds may look solid but often aren’t safe.

— 10 Years Ago (2016)

• Firefighters responded twice in 24 hours to a home on S. Alabama after an attic fire believed to be electrical in origin rekindled overnight. The first fire appeared fully extinguished on Sunday morning, with no hot spots detected on thermal imaging. Early Monday, the blaze reignited and caused further damage, though no one was injured because the resident had already left the home after the initial incident.

• Okmulgee High School’s Speech and Debate team earned an impressive first-place Sweepstakes award at the Quinton Invitational Tournament. Competing against 3A, 4A and 5A schools, the team brought home numerous individual medals across debate, interpretation and extemporaneous speaking events. Instructor Skyleen Willingham noted 19 total placings and 15 additional regional qualifications, marking a standout performance for the program.