Election day is coming to Allen. But I can safely say that the fever pitch of politics here has simmered down a lot over the years. A few years ago, your town fathers would have seen that a long low-boy trailer would be parked in front of the local Ford Dealers building. A western band would be arranged to play, and all candidates would be invited to be here on that blessed day to promote their candidacies. It was a big deal. Jack Wright, local Ford Dealer and also a local Republican, would provide electricity for the adventure. The crowd would provide the rest.

One particular year Allen not only hosted all the candidates (County and State) but Governor David Boren was up for reelection. He had little opposition but a lawyer out of Oklahoma City usually filed for the office and his bid was met with yawns, even from the Republicans. His name was George McClosky. The day arrived for what we called “The Speaking” and I was informed we didn’t have any power for the speaker system or the musicians. I don’t remember why Jack hadn’t made that arrangement. Maybe he forgot or perhaps there were just too many Democrats there to suit him. I ran down and contacted Corky Ray. He owned and operated “Corky’s Town and Country Market” a busy food market next door to Fred Kimbrough’s Insurance Office. He agreed to furnish the power. Corky, not Fred.

I hurried home and grabbed a 100 ft. extension cord and with a little help we had power to the platform. It was just in the nick of time too. Governor Boren’s campaign guy was just about to bust to make his pitch for Governor David Boren and we soon had the event going, followed by Willie Lee’s band and cowboy music. Next up was to be George McCloskey. I had ran into George earlier and he had been pulling pretty heavy on the bottle. Smelled like bourbon. I spoke to one of the platform bosses hoping we could just skip old George. But George would not be denied. What a disaster.

George just hated David’s guts and alarm and panic spread over the musicians and other VIPs on the trailer. He was using profanity and (on live mike) he informed the pro-Boren crowd that Boren was a “Que-r Basta-d.” That was about the moment I had trotted up to Corky’s Grocery Store and jerked the plug out. Two men gently escorted the disappointed Republican off the stage and where George went I don’t know and I didn’t see him again that evening.

George’s appearance, his speech and his sudden disappearance was a mystery to the crowd and while it was the most talked about event for a few days I never saw a word about poor old George in The Allen Advocate. And I guess that was a good thing. Virgil Guy, publisher, said he never saw anything to be gained by putting that in the paper. And I think he was right.

Moving along, the announcer (who was also Willie Lee) quickly brought forth the other candidates for office who were all Pontotoc County politicians. The Sheriff’s race was lively that year with Burl Griffin seeking to continue as sheriff. I don’t remember if he won again or not but the County Treasurer and other seekers made short talks. But that’s the way we did it in those days. “Speaking’s” traveled to all the Pontotoc County towns such as Stonewall where the action repeated itself. No word if George made any more of these events but I will just say he didn’t get elected. Heck, he wasn’t even on the ticket.

Ada’s TV Station carried a few ads I suppose, but I can’t remember any of them. They probably were too costly, and “speaking’s” were free. And they were fun giving the job seekers a chance to speak and “press the flesh.” I think it was a pretty good deal.

I hope you all have a good week and again, thanks for your e-mails. Be sure and go to church Sunday.

Wayne Bullard, DPh

cwaynebullard@gmail.com