HAMMON FLOOD OF '34 DEDICATION
There was a crowd of over 200 at the Flood of '34 Dedication ceremony held in the Hammon Park on Saturday, May 26, 2007. Brenda Archer gave the welcome and read a letter of greetings from Ed Tippens. Dolan Ivey offered the opening prayer, and 8th grader, Ashley Cole led the group in the Flag Salute and the National Anthem. Brenda Archer then gave a history of the flood and Representive Purcy Walker sang "Amazing Grace." Cheryl Ivey and Pam Eslinger laid a wreath on the monument in honor those who perished and the name of each of the 17 people who died were read and the city bell tolled as each one was read. Brenda, Cheryl, and Pam then did the ribbon cutting ceremony and Rep. Walker sang "The Hammon Flood", an early day folk song. Majorye Savage Heeney played taps and Richard Neale Taylor led the closing prayer. Richard Neale was seven years old when he and his family were rescued by the Jacob Flick family after spending the night in their flooded home. There were several flood survivors present and many family members of those lost in the flood. Ed Tippens, the master mind of the project, was unable to be there because of Proton Cancer Theraphy treatments he has been taking in Loma Linda, California the last few months. Ed will be returning home this week.
The committee Brenda Archer, Cheryl Ivey, Pam Eslinger, and Ed Tippens would like to thank all those who donated to make the monumer possible and thanks to those who helped with the dedication ceremony and the lunch. After the dedication a free luncheon was served to over 100 people who stayed to reminise and visit about the flood. Those who perished in the Hammon Flood of '34 were: Audrey Adams, Edith Adams, Lola Adams, Maggie Adams, Opal Adams, Velta Adams, Wilma Adams, Elvina Lorene Bush, Emory Lero Bush, Mable Tippens Bush, Ida M. Fenter, James Levi Fenter, Lambert L. Fenter, Mary Agnes Fenter, Stella Mae Fenter, Lenora Taylor, and Pearle Taylor.
Cheyenne Star, Cheyenne, Ok 7-Jun-2007