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Digital records replacing hard copies in County Clerk’s Office
A: Main, news
August 28, 2024
Digital records replacing hard copies in County Clerk’s Office
By DEENA FARROW MCINTOSH COUNTY CLERK

The McIntosh County Clerk is one of the principal “Record Keepers” for the county.

Historically, county governments were created to, among other things, record deeds and manage land transfers and other vital records.

In fact, in the early days of the nation, county lines were drawn so that no resident of a county had to travel more than one day to get to the county seat in order to take care of their business with the county and that business generally had to do with land records.

To this day, maintaining records, land transfers and other vital records continues to be a major function for County Clerks.

Many residents do not understand or have an appreciation of the need for these records until it affects them or their family members and they need the records.

In fact, history shows us our very first McIntosh County Clerk, Edward C. Julian, felt so strongly about the safekeeping of our county records that he was willing to fight for and shoot a former U.S. Marshal to death over keeping them.

For history buffs, this was part of the McIntosh County Seat War of 1908.

Although some can argue that the fight was only about the county seat placement, I believe it also reflects the importance of our residents having access to the records we hold.

The records we hold show how we assist in the county financial affairs in a variety of duties such as reviewing claims and issuing payments for county bills, including is- suing payment for payroll. We are responsible for recording all appropriations and expenditures for each of the departments within the county. The County Clerk processes the estimate of needs and assists in preparing the annual budget.

We serve as the secretary recording agendas and minutes for several boards, including the Board of County Commissioners, Excise & Equalization Boards, Tax Roll Corrections Board, and Trusts set up through the county.

In July 1925, the old courthouse burned down and many county records were lost in the flames.

Our current Courthouse was built in 1927. We still hold some records dating back before the fire, but I’m certain this was a devastating blow to some of our residents with no way to back up the records.

Record keeping has definitely advanced in the digital age that we currently live in. The digital age has paved a way in order for us to maintain our records with efficiency and effectiveness.

We have run out of storage space and going digital is a necessity. By doing so, records are organized, we have protection from disaster, we have provided easier access to our customers, you can look up information faster, and we have multiple system back-ups.

Moving further into the digital age, I have chosen to reduce the Volume books on file in our office to provide more space.

I did not do this to erase any history, but to provide much needed office space to our citizens and employees.

The historical content is still retained in our office with each previous County Clerk’s information and hard work documented. I take it very seriously to ensure that our records remain on file and preserved.

In order to ensure our records are preserved, I have sent many of our original record books that are now recorded digitally, to be stored in underground salt mines in Kansas. Its atmosphere is cool, dry, and stable, removing the risk of climate controlled equipment failure.

The salt mine is wrapped in a 400 -foot thick rock salt cocoon and is located 650 feet below the earth’s surface, keeping records safe from natural disasters. The salt mine facility has a natural temperature of 70° assisting in decreasing the chance of deterioration of our records.

McIntosh County has had only 15 County Clerks since statehood in 1907.

It is an honor to serve as your County Clerk, and I would like to recognize a few of them and honor them by providing them a commemorative Volume Book that has their name printed on the books.

Not only do we as County Clerks choose to serve the citizens, but our families often make sacrifices for us so that we can serve.

I chose five books each so they would be able to have one for themselves, but also share with their family and loved ones that stood by their side as they served McIntosh County.

I would like to recognize six former County Clerks of McIntosh County: Edd Wyatt served as Clerk for four years from 1971-1974.

Ike Warren served as Clerk for eight and a half years from 19751983.

Randy McIver served as Clerk for two and a half years from 19831985.

In remembrance of Shirley Irvin served as Clerk for twenty years from 1985 to 2004.

Diana Curtis served as Clerk for just shy of eight years from 20052012.

Ronda Prince served as Clerk for eight years and two months from 2012-2020.

Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
B:, sports
Seminole survives Checotah 34-27
By Rodney Haltom sports EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Seminole Chieftains were lucky to go home with a 34-27 win over the Checotah Wildcats Friday night. Checotah’s penalties that accumulated to over 100 yards. The Wildcats moved the football up and ...
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
A: Main, news
Council votes to dismiss former Mayor Warren
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
The Eufaula City Council removed former Mayor Todd Warren from the Council Monday night citing excessive absences. City minutes of past meetings presented to the Council showed that Warren missed the ...
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
A: Main, news
Church celebrates 160th anniversary
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Decades before Oklahoma became a state in 1907; years before the first railroad track was laid in Indian Territory in 1870 and the year the Civil War ended, folks in a remote area of what is now McInt...
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
A: Main, news
Mild weather, just what the festival ordered
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
Mayor James Hickman perhaps summarized best when he sent a letter of appreciation to Karen Weldin and the Vision Eufaula Board of Directors for one of the best Wine & Art Festivals held in the city. “...
9/11 – Never Forget
A: Main, news
9/11 – Never Forget
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
At about 7 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, I strolled into the Las Vegas Sun newsroom where I worked as an entertainment reporter. The room was quiet, a palpable feeling of dread filled the air as the f...
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
A: Main, news
Margaret Floyd Homecoming Parade Marshal
September 10, 2025
Margaret Marie Vickery Floyd has been named the 2025 Eufaula High School Homecoming Parade Marshall. Born in 1927 in Ramona, she is the fourth greatgranddaughter of Chief McIntosh, and the mother of f...
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Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Ironhead Homecoming Friday
September 10, 2025
The Homecoming Weekend kicks off Friday, Sept.12, with a Pep Assembly at the Eufaula High School Auditorium at 9:30 a.m. followed by a parade at 1 p.m. The coronation of Homecoming Royalty takes place...
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
A: Main, news
New library coordinator challenges Checotah
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 10, 2025
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, and so the new coordinator of Eufaula Memorial Library is taking that opportunity to challenge the Jim Lucas Checotah Public Library to a competition to see wh...
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
A: Main, news
Braddock Dobbs joins School Board
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
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Braddock Dobbs, 31, son of the late Margaret Dobbs, who was on the Eufaula School Board for 15 years, is following in his mother’s footsteps. Monday night, Aug. 8, at its monthly meeting, the Board ap...
Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
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Drillers honor Eufaula veteran
September 10, 2025
Former Army Sp4 Timothy Pickering of Eufaula was honored recently at the Driller Stadium in Tulsa as a “Hometown Hero,” a program that honors people who have had a lasting impact on the community. Pic...
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Flea Pop-Up Market
September 10, 2025
Friday – Sunday, Sept.12-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 210 N. Main St. Booth rental available. Call Mr. Printer at 918-689-5998, Jani at 918-839-8494 or Ricky at 918-424-9961. Prices for all three days: ...
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