September 13, 2025 Issue, Page 9 of 12

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The Elk City News SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • 9 NEWS Mullin Visits Altus Cotton Farmers, Discusses Water Ghosts Of Past Generations Hidden In A Resilience, and the Future of Economic Prosperity in SWOK Tiny Town In Western Oklahoma! Part 1 Oklahoma City, O.K. – On Sat- On the eastern edge of wind urday, September 6th, 2025, U.S. damage in multiple states during Senator Markwayne Mullin (R- the "Dust Bowl Days" of the 1930's OK), a lifelong cow-calf rancher, sits a town of only a few hundred traveled to Southwest Oklahoma residents that deserves more atten- for a meeting with rural agricul- tion than it's had heretofore: Can- tural producers in the Altus com- ute, Okla, originally settled during munity. Senator Mullin spoke with the Land Rush in the latter part Oklahomans at the Plains Cotton of the 1800s, is located on the ex- Cooperative Association (PCCA) act route of the Old Western Cat- regarding warehouse operations, tle Trail, well-used in the past for drought and water planning, and to take a look also: herding cattle from Mexico & Tex- The excitement a story like this the challenges of getting Oklaho- as to the rail-head in Dodge City, ma cotton to lucrative markets. generates often causes researchers Kansas. This little town has other to jump to conclusions not war- U.S. Congressman Jason historical mysteries you might Smith (R-MO), a 4th generation ranted by the facts. However, this want to explore further: also can increase the interest in a farm operator and the Chairman During the 1889 Land Run that of the powerful House Ways and debated subject like this. Due to helped establish Canute, German the evidence, opinions differ as to Means Committee, was also in at- Catholic immigrants migrating tendance. the exact location of this place, and from Russia, and then Kansas, many have sought to find it. The “Altus Air Force Base, our staked out 160 Acre claims for cotton farmers, and the entire story has been printed in Cappers their families, on the rich soil Weekly, the Sunday Oklahoman Altus agricultural community surrounding Canute, for grow- are closely linked by the avail- (from OKC), Tulsa World, the ing cotton, wheat, and hay. It's Elk City News, Route 66 Travels, ability of resilient, high-quality ciation, and the U.S. Department of Wheat Growers; Jeremy Gif- the impressive machinery while been 5 generations since then, water,” said Senator Mullin. “We Chronicles of Okla (OU Historical of War. I’ll continue to be a strong ford and Tracy Springs of the on-site. and some descendants have scat- spoke about the need to main- Society), and other places. Arche- partner on the federal level to pro- Plains Cotton Cooperative Asso- The Senator later remarked, tered, but you can still find names tain and grow supplies of water ologists & Geologists from OU mote Altus’ long-term growth and ciation; Will Archer, Manager of “I often say, if Washington, D.C. like Kilhoffer, Spitz, Chervenka, for the local economy to thrive. have even come out from Nor- success.” the Mountain Park Master Con- looked more like rural Oklaho- Gretteman-Grossman, Scheide- It’s always a source of pride that man in the 1970s to take a look for Senator Mullin and Chairman servancy District; Chuck Butchee, ma, our country would be in mantal (naming one of the streets a relatively small town like Al- themselves. Then some reported in Smith began their cotton facility President of the Jackson County much better shape. While we’ve as "Sheidel"), and Ziegenfuss. tus, OK has the power to sup- the Chronicles that they had found visit with a briefing from leaders Water Board; and Tom Buchanan, accomplished a lot for Oklaho- These hard-working people are port a critical military base that’s nothing - but they were looking in from PCCA and the Altus com- Manager of the Lugert-Altus Irri- ma working alongside President a boon to the state, and deserve equipping the next generation of the wrong place! munity. PCCA leadership pro- gation District. Donald J. Trump this year, it’s more of a background study than airmen. It’s key that we support In the next edition of this pa- vided a warehouse development Also present at the meeting tough to be away from the peo- you could find even in the 100 - yr. the military and ag partnership per we will take a look at the right update and detailed an ongoing were Sean Bates and Barry Mock, ple and the state I call home. My (2002) Anniversary Book on the in Altus to help to secure the fu- place, and you can see what you groundwater project aimed at two members of the Altus-Lugert best days are back in Oklahoma, town! ture of Southwest Oklahoma for think. Often the journey is even limiting evaporation and bringing Irrigation Board; Mike Schulz, and I’m grateful to the cotton In the City Hall of Canute, you'll all who call it home.” more important and exciting than quality water to Altus airmen and Manager of the OSU Irrigation farmers who took time over the find a collection of interesting facts “During our meeting, the cot- the destination! its citizens by eliminating organic Station; Mike Wallace, Jack- weekend to visit with me about about habitation in the area more ton farmers spoke about current We will take a look at known matter in the water supply. son County Commissioner; their priorities. I’ll never stop than 100 years earlier than the federal regulatory issues, and the facts, notice new evidence, and In attendance at the meeting and Glen Winters of the Jackson fighting for the Sooner State.” "Run". It contains proof of a well- overall need to cut down on red a picture or two. Stay tuned, the with Senator Mullin: Jackson County Farm Bureau. Before departing the cotton fa- known, local legend called "Casco- tape—I heard them loud and best is yet to come! Sincerely, Ertis County cotton farmers Car- While in Altus, Senator Mul- cility, Senator Markwayne Mullin rillo" - supposedly an ancient Mex- clear,” Mullin concluded. “I appre- Johnson, historical author (born in son Vinyard, Charlsey Vinyard, lin had the opportunity to review and Chairman Jason Smith re- ican-occupied, gold-prospecting ciate Altus leading the charge on western Okla, & raised on Turkey and Ben Schulz; Mitch Worrell, two massive pieces of farming corded a quick social media vid- town! If you wish to take a closer water resilience with support from Creek, but now living in Trenton, Chairman of the Altus Lugert Ir- equipment—a John Deere CS770 eo for Oklahomans detailing some look, you'll be amazed at the inter- the Oklahoma Water Resources Georgia). You may print this, even rigation District; Steve Allison of Cotton Stripper and a John Deere of the most critical wins for Amer- est this old place still holds in the Board, the Bureau of Reclamation, my phone # - Western Equipment; Keeff Fel- CP770 Cotton Picker. The Senator ica’s farmers in the recently passed minds of modern residents! I've the Oklahoma Rural Water Asso- 580-472-3472. Thank you! ty of the National Association also had the chance to test drive ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill.’ been to this place, and I invite you Ertis Johnson ELK CITY Highschool and Junior High Softball in full swing Good Luck Area Teams! We want to wish you a great season! :UG6W (ON&LW\2.   Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. ZZZSL]]DKXWFRP ELK CITY: 2714 W. 3rd St. • 102 S. 580-225-2580 Main St.•580.225.2580 https//www.fnbec.bank 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | gpbankok.com &DUU\RXW‡&XUEVLGH‡'HOLYHU\ *UHDW3ODLQV Carry-out • Hut Lane • Delivery 2017 W. Third | 1300 S. Main | Elk City Wal-Mart | gpbankok.com SAYRE: 711 NE Highway 66 • 580-928-2580 1DWLRQDO%DQN 580-225-2265 Good Luck Teams! We hope each of you have a great season! We hope 1210 S. Main St, Elk City you have 580-225-0100 Elk City Nursing Home a great www.elksupply.com 301 N. Garrett, Elk City 580-225-2811 580.243.0466 year!