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1905 — Col. Joe Miller started the 101 Ranch Wild West Show, an
expansion of the yearly rodeos that featured roping, riding,
bulldogging, Indian dancers, trick roping, riding and shooting. Many
animals were featured in the show, including buffalo, elephants, camels,
ostriches and elk. There were also monkeys, coyotes, and several bears.
The Miller Brothers presented an exhibition roundup for the National
Editorial Association at the 101 Ranch. The group was holding its
national convention in Guthrie. The crowd thrilled to the demonstration
of cowboys recreating real life ranch work, from bronc riding and
roping. Tom Mix appeared for the first time as a roper and rider. Most
of the people of Ponca City turned out to help feed and entertain the
60,000 visitors who arrived at the ranch in 30 special trains.
Charles H. Ruby discovered natural gas in Ponca City, and founded the
town's first gas company, the Ponca City Oil, Gas and Mineral Company.
Gas mains were laid throughout the city from the wells northeast of town
so that the gas could be turned into commercial use. Initial acceptance
was slow; many believed the gas was dangerous.
There was also some controversy regarding gas rates. The gas company
wanted 25 cents per thousand feet, while the city wished to pay 10 cents
per thousand feet. A compromise of 18 cents was reached.
The two mayoral candidates in 1905 were R.P. Baughman, Democrat, and
James Hutchison, Republican. Hutchison had served as mayor from 1901 to
1903. In the campaign for mayor, the partisan local newspapers each
carried their respective candidate's banner, and used various ingenious
strategies to editorialize.
The Ponca City Democrat wrote, "Mr. Baughman is young, ambitious,
energetic and public spirited. He is interested in the future growth and
development of our city. He is competent in every way to fill the
position...He is progressive, broad-minded and business like and will be
a mayor that every citizen will feel proud of regardless of politics."
The Democrat had also printed some "mud slinging" allegations about Mr.
Hutchison and his extravagance with the city treasury when he was mayor.
The Ponca City Courier wrote, "Now, we all live here, help pay the taxes
that maintain the city and are entitled to know the true facts in the
case, so let us for our own benefit and future guidance compare the two
administrations, see what has been accomplished and to whom credit is
due."
R.P. Baughman was elected. During his time as mayor, he was also the
manager of the local Long-Bell Lumber yard.
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NOTE:
This site is provided by the Ponca City Publishing