Last updated Thursday, January 16, 2003
I hope your Christmas and New Year's were
Rich and Rewarding
Welcome to the Belew family web
page
Descendents
of Edna and Budley Belew
Dad, Budley born May 19, 1898 deceased August 24, 1960 7:10 am
Mom, Edna born March 27, 1913 in Harmon, OK
They were married on Nov. 22, 1934 in Arnett, OK
Their Marriage License
This
web page is dedicated to my Parents and
Brothers and Sisters
Pictures of them
updated 1/1/02 (picture page 1)
More Pictures (picture
page 2)
If you have anything you would like added to
our web site, please notify
Rick (web administrator) at [email protected]
Also, please report any broken links to me
as well.
Information on Dad's
1897 Model Winchester
Winchester
Model 1897
Our house and what has been done to maintain
our beloved house.
Our House
My brothers and sisters and myself were raised around the Vici, Oklahoma
area. Vici is a small town, population 601, in northwestern Oklahoma,
21 miles south of Woodward, Oklahoma. My father was the city Water
Commissioner. My mother (and dad sometimes) worked at the Cream Station
owned by Guy Beck. My father died in 1961, and my mother went to
work at the school cafeteria, and also did payroll statements for the town
of Vici. My sister, Dolores remembers "I just remember having to
help do the statements and I hated it". I was lucky enough to be
the 'baby' of the family and have benefited from the wisdom and advice
of my brothers and sisters.
The Vici area opened to homesteaders on April 10, 1892. The
name Vici comes from the famous speech of Julius Caesar of "Vini Vidi Vici"
which means "I came, I saw, I conquered".
On May 10, 1908 the entire town was swept away by a tornado.
No lives were lost because the whole population was huddled together in
Bob Weaver's cave. The 358 residents set forth the boundary and the
town of Vici was incorporated on June 3, 1913.
On April 9, 1947, a tornado rated in the top ten destroyed Woodward,
OK. This tornado spent more time on the ground than any other in
history. Want to read more about it? Go here: http://www.tornadoproject.com/toptens/toptens.htm#6
I have a newspaper clipping telling about a tornado on April 14,
it doesn't give the year. If anyone knows, email me at [email protected].
This is the text.
SEVEN INJURED IN TORNADO AT VICI
Vici, Okla., April 14 -- (AP) -- A tornado ripped into this
little Dewey county town tonight, injuring at least seven persons and demolishing
a number of buildings, some in the business district.
Three of the injured were reported seriously hurt.
First reports said at least three business houses were destroyed.
Electric power lines were blown down, telephone service in the town disrupted
and windows shattered throughout the community. The injured included:
-
Jake Sinner, 65 internal injuries
-
Mrs. Pauline Sinner, about 55, internal injuries
-
Leo Sinner, 19, son of the couple, slightly injured.
-
LeRoy Sinner, 19, twin brother of Leo, broken collar bone.
-
Elmer Blanchard, 19, head injuries
-
J. N. Vorhees, age unknown, head injuries, leg fracture
Ralph Cain, editor of the Vici Beacon said the storm lasted about
two minutes, reaching a peak velocity of about 70 miles an hour.
He said it approached from the southeast at about 10 p. m.,
traveling northeast, and was a typical twister. (Rick's comment:
I think Ralph was mistaken about this, he probably meant it approached
from the southwest, the normal direction of attack.)
One hundred children attending a Christian Endeavor meeting
in a church narrowly escaped injury when the gale tore out one end of the
building, used as a community center. (end of article)
Interesting (to me) things: click
here
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ME