Volume 8 Article 4 Issue 1 Fall

10-15-1988 A Favorite Son of Mangum Dee Ann Ray

Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.swosu.edu/westview

Recommended Citation Ray, Dee Ann (1988) "A Favorite Son of Mangum," Westview: Vol. 8 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: https://dc.swosu.edu/westview/vol8/iss1/4

This Nonfiction is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at SWOSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Westview by an authorized administrator of SWOSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Victor E. Wickersham as the Greer County Clerk in 1929.

A FAVORITE SON OF MANGUM

By Dee Ann Ray

10 W estview. Fall 1988 U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, LEGISLATOR

On Tuesday, March 15,1988, Victor included my sister and me on his Wickersham, oldest member of the mailing list. We received a copy of the at the time, newsletter he wrote after each trip to died. He was sworn into office on visit his relatives around the United February 9, 1988, after winning a States. He sent copies to everyone he special election for Seat #60 in the thought would be interested. He always Oklahoma House of Representatives. did like to travel, and he accepted every Wickersham won his last political invitation that came his way. campaign race by 211 votes. In the On November 8, 1986, Victor Wick­ Democratic primary election, he faced ersham married Lorene Meason-Dennis several opponents but won easily by a of Bedford, Texas. She had been a big majority garnered mostly in his widow for five years. She had three homecounty, Greer. His Republican children, and Wickersham had four. opponent in the special general election His son, Galen Wickersham, served as for the seat was R. B. Cline. Wickersham best man. Following an extended tour, got 2,167 votes to Cline’s 1,956. about which Wickersham wrote a Wickersham’s political career spanned newsletter, the couple was at home in six decades. He served nine terms of Mangum. They did continue to travel. office in the House of It was with his second wife’s blessing Representatives, beginning in 1941; that Wickersham decided to make the and four terms in the Oklahoma Legis­ race for Oklahoma House Seat #60. lature from 1971 -1979, prior to his last The following story was written in election to office in 1988. September of 1984 as a result of the When asked about his health during personal interview with Victor Wick­ the final election campaign, Wickersham ersham. replied, “I had a doctor examine me a “I’ve always tried everything three few months ago, and he told me I could times, at least, before I gave up,” said do anything a 60-year-old man or a Victor Eugene Wickersham, former 10-year-old mule could do.” Wicker­ Congressman from Oklahoma’s sixth sham’s death was caused by a massive and seventh districts. “I believe that is stroke and the following complications. why I was able to accomplish so many In September of 1984, this w riter things for my district when I served in traveled to Mangum to interview Victor Congress. If I called a federal office Wickerham. Many people thought regarding some matter and I was told Wickersham had already died by that no, I tried again and again, even if I had time because little had been heard from to wait a year until another appropri­ him since his last term in the Oklahoma ation. I usually was able to get the House. His wife of more than fifty contract, industry, or job for my dis­ years, Jessie, was ill and Wickersham trict.” had been taking care of her. She died Victor is most often remembered by July 14, 1984. citizens in his district because he knew The interview was delightful. Wick­ so many people by face, name, and ersham was a gentleman and a mar­ voice. His hobby is remembering names, velous host. He loved being interviewed a practice he began when he worked as again, and it was obvious that he still deputy clerk in the Greer County wanted to be involved in politics. As he Courthouse. His facility with faces and relived his years in public service, his names won him many helpers in his eyes were full of longing for the old campaigns for Congress and the Ok­ days. lahoma Legislature. Of his 106 op­ As a result of that visit, Wickersham ponents for political office, he defeated

W estview. Fall 1988 II I < . .he told me I could dc

Rep. Wickersham behind a portrait he commissioned as a gift for Harry S. Truman. Larry Pendleton of Cordell was the artist. ninety-nine and won re-election to the World War II effort. He purchased a Victor threw his hat into the ring. U.S. House of Representatives for nine new car for his trip to Washington, Victor had a great sense of family terms or eighteen years. He spent eight where he was sworn into office on history and recalled learly his early years in the Oklahoma House of Repre­ April 14, 1941. growing years. He even related the sentatives. Victor E. Wickersham was the son of ways his father paid the delivering Frank M. and Lillie Sword Wickersham. doctor for each of the eight children. His theory that trying something He was born at Lone Rock, Arkansas The first was paid for with five hundred three times usually wins success is on the family homestead February 9, fence rails. The second cost a dressed validated by the fact that his third race 1906. He was the second of eight hog. The third earned the doctor a for the U.S. Congress from the old children (six of the eight were still whole hind quarter of beef. For the seventh district of Oklahoma put him living at the time of this story). Morrell fourth, the doctor received five hundred in the office he sought. Victor ran died at six months of age, and an older bales of fodder. The fifth cost one unsuccessfully for Congress in 1938, sister, Velma Husell, died in 1977. hundred pounds of Mayapple roots and losing to incumbent Sam Massingale William Jefferson Wickersham, the twenty-five pounds of Ginsingroots from Cordell. Since he had no auto­ third child, was Chief Clerk at the dug from the ground. The elder Mr. mobile, Victor made that race on foot. Oklahoma State Reformatory at Granite. Wickersham worked four days on the He hitchhiked all over the southwestern Nina Elise is married to Herman S. county roads to pay the doctor’s poll part of Oklahoma and made a good Knight of Cordell. Helen married Paul tax for the sixth child. Victor’s mother showing in the field of candidates. He Butterfield. (Nellie Jane and Ashley made uniforms for the doctor and ran again in 1940 and by that time had were the two other living Wickershams nurses for the seventh child. Victor a “Reo Flying Cloud” auto, which he in 1984.) was selling Watkins goods and con­ drove relentlessly over the district. The Wickersham family immigrated tributed some of them, to which his Again he lost to Congressman Mas­ to the United States in the early 1700’s. father added fresh Irish potatoes and singale, who was a very popular member There is still a town in East Germany sweet potatoes plus dried blackeyed of the U.S. Congress. But Sam Mas­ named Weckerheim, ‘‘Home of the peas, to pay for the eighth child. singale died unexpectedly on January Basket Weavers.” Serving people Always enterprising, Victor went to 17, 1941 of complications following a through political office runs in the work as a boy. In addition to doing short bout with the flu. Massingale’s Wickersham family. Ambrose Wicker­ chores at home, he began selling GRIT vacant seat was sought by a field of sham, Victor’s grandfather, was a and CAPPER’S WEEKLY when he eleven candidates. Victor won the County Clerk in Arkansas; and other was six years old. He had to walk to primary and the run-off and left for Wickershams served in federal offices, town to pick them up, and he made Washington, D C. on April 1, 1941. including one U.S. Attorney General. only two cents a delivery; but, added to Before he made that trip, he gave his Victor’s father even envisioned political the family money, it helped. Later he old ‘‘Reo Flying Cloud” car, which was office for his second son, but Victor had began selling Watkins products door to worn out from the campaign, to the no such aspirations until he began to door. “I always put the popular and American Red Cross to use in the help others campaign. The bug bit and easy products back in the box next to

12 W estview, Fall 1988 Victor purchasing the latest model car in the 4 0 ’s for his trips to Washington, D.C. anything a 60-year-old man or a ten-year-old mule could do.”

my body and the more difficult sales up In Mangum, Victor and his older at the front,” Victor related. sister, Zelma, were placed in the same Shortly after Victor was born, the grade. When they graduated in 1923, Wickersham family moved to Oklahoma, Zelma was Valedictorian and Victor settling in various towns of Greer was Salutatorian out of the sixty-three County, and finally Mangum. Victor graduates. “Zelma always studied continued working on the farm, as a harder and made the better grades. I janitor for three churches in Mangum, came in second but studied less,” said picking turkeys for seven cents each Victor, laughing. and hens for four cents each for a Victor continued his selling career produce house, salting down cow hides until he was appointed Deputy County for the same produce house, and doing Clerk and later Court Clerk of Greer anything else that contributed to the County. He served in those offices from family income. 1926-1935. “One reason we came to Oklahoma On June 30, 1929, Victor married was that my Grandfather Wickersham Jessie B. Stiles. He sold himself the taught Ashley Wilson, age 19, to read marriage license and put off paying for and write. He used the old MCGUF- it until the next Monday when he got FEY’S READER and BLUE BACK his paycheck. SPELLER. Later Wil son moved to Victor and Jessie had met when Mangum and operated a general store Victor was purchasing a suit. He was and implement business. He encouraged trying to make an impression on the us to move there,” said Wickersham. Mangum folks who believed he was Victor’s memories of growing up are brokenhearted because a young lady rich with family gatherings, literary whom he had dated for some time had meetings, and church going. His family become engaged to another young man. was close knit. He learned about hunting, Victor took a different girl each night trapping, and living from his uncles to the church revival that was in and grandfather as well as his father. progress. Jessie was the girl for the Grandfather Wickersham taught the eighth night. After he went through all children how to spell and also to write sixteen girls and nights, he returned to in Spencerian penmanship. Although Jessie. They dated every other night for times were difficult financially, there V/i years, became engaged, and married. was no feeling of poverty, for the entire Jessie and Victor had four children. family basked in the warmth of sharing The oldest, Galen, designs Fisher Body what they had. interiors. LaMelba Sue is married to

W estview. Fall 1988 13 juiv m psssio U, «* OLD GREER COUNT MUSEUM m> hall of fam D. m PIONEERS men* MRS. J. P. BOYLF, (m V1RCH HAMILTON) ^porntfo tw fIRS BOARD, m m the BOARD am mCOKWlMTEO UOOE* THE STATE Of 0» OfFICEES HASKELL PIUEn.fH. D f*E$- CRACE ft ETCHER. V. PEES ZOE LIVINGSTON. SEC. PAY It BABB ADM SEC '* J ELMER CASTLE TRIAS. PAW. STI'MBAUCH. ATTOPNEV

members V pvby auto J : ED DEaVER H. C FORD JR S BEULAH HUDSON" ' * ESKA WETSEL . " i l l WAP PEN WHEELER , VICTOP VIC SER SHAM BIU. WH.US wtotvoi VICTOR* M-HTtlAM. S?H!( PEPSEStmi TUSEUiR gUBffit * FRgr „f „ ! ahoma historical sr p " m MTBHKe'smn appsbprih ;is f n':ip»{nT _ „ S He answered his telephone, ™ cw» or mmMf «v * L w ‘ 'mUiW smsmcRTDcaau

rm v»te stapf ,K ’* F ? TTHme j. i ’ E Ufrrr*t'p'*f *' Bi5i.ii w Everett Lloyd Renberger, who owns a He became the top salesman for his jewelry store in LaCrosse, Kansas. company in Oklahoma. Nelda is married to Samuel L. Holston, When Victor made his first race for Victor Wickersham in 1984 Jr., of Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Holston Congress, he was not completely un­ beside the stone honoring his represents Johnson Wax for four states known. He had been making friends for in his area. The youngest son is Victor years. He often acted as volunteer help in establishing the Greer Wickersham, Jr., who is Assistant auctioneer at pie suppers and box County Museum. Director of the Aging Program in suppers at schools throughout the Phoenix, Arizona. Among the children, area. He was always active in his there are “twelve fine grandchildren Christian Church work, starting with and ten outstanding, cute great-grand­ Christian Youth Endeavor. He served children of whom we are proud.” faithfully in all types of civic activities. Of Jessie, Victor said, “I never met a He was an active Rotarian, a Mason, a better Christian. We shared so many Modern Woodman of the World, a wonderful years. Jessie made a mar­ member of the Shriners, of the PTA, velous home for us. I miss her greatly.” and a long list of other organizations. While serving as Court Clerk of He often served as president of those Greer County, Victor helped Con­ groups. gressman E. W. Marland campaign for Early on, Victor adopted a slogan Governor of Oklahoma. Marland then that was to remain his during every appointed Victor as Chief Clerk of the political campaign: “Anytime I may be State Board of Affairs on February 1, of service, phone, wire, or write,” to 1935. Two years later, politics changed which he later added “or see me.” He and Victor lost his job (governors were always termed himself as his consti­ elected for only two years at that time). tuents’ “best friend.” Ready to work, Victor began moving After hitchhiking in his first con­ houses where the oil companies were gressional race, Victor used Dr. G. drilling near the State Capitol. He Fowler Border’s old ambulance for the bought some of those houses from a second race. The siren made a great man named Roy J. Turner and some entrance note for each town. from another man named Robert S. During that race, the Mangum Drum Kerr, both of whom later became and Bugle Corps accompanied Victor governors of Oklahoma. Kerr also often, marching up and down the became U.S. Senator from Oklahoma. streets performing while volunteers At the same time Victor was moving aided Victor in handing out cards. houses, he was also selling insurance. During World War II, Victor went

14 W estview. Fall 1988 Wickersham at his desk in the replicated Washington, D. C. office located in the Greer County Museum.

“Hello, this is Victor Wickersham, your best friend.”

overseas frequently, always taking home, eight in the office, and was to Mount Vernon. When he took the with him letters, photos, and messages accessible to twenty-eight phones in young people and their teachers to the from home for the boys of his district. the cloakroom off the House floor,” U.S. Mint, he always made a point of From the earliest days of campaigning, related Victor. taking at least $100 in freshly printed Victor’s constant companion was his One of Victor’s House committee bills — which he got from his personal camera. He took pictures of his con­ chairmanships was the Military Ap­ bank account the day before. While stituents in uniform to bring home. He propriations Committee. Through his tour members were watching the had his picture taken with dignitaries activities on that committee, military money being printed, Victor handed wherever he went. His files were full of installations were brought to Alt us, out “free samples” — $1.00 to each historical photos taken around the Frederick, and Burns Flat. Ft. Sill was child. Other tour groups felt slighted world. expanded greatly through his efforts. and often questioned their guides, When Victor first went to Congress, “If I couldn’t get them for my district, requesting some “free samples,” too. the government paid for only one trip then I worked on the next priority, When Victor told that story, he home each year per congressman. which was for Oklahoma.” he stated. laughed a great deal, and it was evident Now, congressmen are allowed eighteen Victor served in Congress during the that he had enjoyed those tours. A trips home a year and can take staff or administrations of Presidents Franklin large number of young Oklahomans spouses with them. The salary of a D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight carried home from Washington a vivid congressman in 1941 was $7,500. The D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and image of the importance of Washington congressmen were allowed only one Lyndon B. Johnson. In addition, he was in our nation’s government. They long-distance phone call and two wires acquainted with Presidents Nixon and remembered the smiling congressman a day. They had to pay their own Ford. He knew some of the Presidents from their district who told them to air mail charges. Pushing for more when they were fellow congressmen. call him “Victor.” phone and mail privileges earned Many people who live in Western When Victor wasn’t in Congress, he Victor a photo and story in a LOOK Oklahoma remember their trips to sold real estate very successfully in magazine article one year with the Washington because Victor made them Washington and Oklahoma. He was mistaken headline that he wanted a memorable. School children visiting in always a good salesman for whatever bigger salary. “I only wanted more our nation’s Capitol — if they were product he promoted. He returned to money to use for office expenses,” said from Victor’s district — were treated insurance selling when he retired from Victor. “I paid for the offices 1 kept in to lunch at his expense. He took them Congress in 1965. Oklahoma out of my own pocket, as to the Congressional dining room and In 1971, politics again beckoned to well as the salaries to staff those brought the Speaker of the House and Victor, and he served the next eight offices. I also took my campaign expenses other dignitaries to meet the touring years in the Oklahoma House of Re­ out of my own pocket, so I w asn’t Oklahomans. On days when Congress presentatives from Greer County and obligated to anyone or any group. was not in session, Victor toured the part of Beckham County. He retired People could always get hold of me groups in his car and his staff members’ from that office only because he de­ in 2xk minutes. 1 kept three phones at cars throughout Washington — even veloped a severe allergy to smoke. So

W estview. Fall 1988 15 “THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN used many of the House members smoked in need more horse traders in office. We to make fun of my handshaking and session and in committee that Victor’s need to shorten the sessions. The remembering names, but I think that is tendency to contract pneumonia was a congressmen should make fewer trips the best way to campaign. You have to threat to his good health. home during the sessions and stay When questioned whether he missed there to get the job done. I think they reach out to people. You have to be of politics, his eyes seemed to look far should finish up in ninety days. We service whenever you can and you back on the many excitement-filled need to streamline the government. I have to be accessible to the people,” years of public service, and he said think that congressmen should spend said Victor. quietly with a tremor in his voice, “I three months each year overseas seeing The tall, thin, then-retired con­ gressman and state representative was miss it terribly!” how our foreign aid is spent. They But then he quickly became the should spend three months in their well known wherever he went. He did vibrant man he still was and said, own districts seeing the people and remember people. His life was too full “ You know, people just don’t know talking with them. They should have for one article. He is worthy of a book. how to get things done. I get lots of calls three months with their families — His photo album overflowed, and his and letters from people asking me to there’s never enough time for the filing cabinets were full of materials help them make contact with their family. The final three months of the concerning his public-service careers. legislators, congressmen, or senators. I year should be spent in Washington in Victor was willing to try three times, have a typewriter there in the office session.” at least, on any request he received for that I use everyday. I write letters and Victor also believed that there was help. He served the City of Mangum on make phone calls at no cost to the too much foreign aid, which he said the Planning Board; he served his First people. I have always liked the feeling I resulted in the United States being Christian Church as an Elder. He get from helping people. It makes me drawn into the politics and wars of too stayed active, and he was always feel good and useful.” many foreign countries. Heworried happy for you to write, wire, phone, or Victor remained true to the Demo­ about the lack of competitive bidding, see him. He answered his telephone, cratic Party. He voted the party down the long coffee breaks, and the high “Hello, this is Victor Wickersham, the line, although he was not always in costs of materials bought by government, your best friend.” ■ agreement with the party platform etc. planks, he said. Enthusiasm was Victor’s secret DEE ANN RAY well fits the de­ “Our Congressman Glenn Lee English ingredient. He never lost it through the signation '‘Renaissance woman "because is doing a great job,” remarked Victor. years of public service. He attacked she has a vaiety of interests. In addition “I keep in touch with him, and he is each problem presented with enthu­ to her work as director of the Western really serving this district well.” siasm and the willingness to work Plains Library Systems, she writes book Of politics in 1984, Victor said, “We until the goal was achieved. reviews, stories, and researched articles.

WESTVIEW PATRONS

United C o m m u n ity Ba n k . W eatherford. FDIC

W eatherford N ew C ar A uto D ealers A ssociation

Southwest State Ba n k , Sentinel

Kelley J ewelers. W eatherford

A llen Pharmacy, In c ., W eatherford

16 W estview. Fall 1988