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| Texas Circulation Managers Meeting: L.E. Gillett, P. F. Fincher and L. W. McFetridge with a cigar. |
In 1913, twenty year-old Lyle W. McFetridge began what would become a lifelong career in the newspaper business. He started selling papers on the street downtown and then working in the mail room of the Tulsa World. He had four years under his belt when he was called to serve in the U.S. Army for World War I. In the spring of 1918, McFetridge deployed to France and served in the 141st Field Artillery Unit. He earned the rank of Corporal and returned home after Armistice Day on the Eleventh hour of the Eleventh day of the Eleventh month.
McFetridge married Miss Mildred Lois Hughes on Christmas Eve of 1919. They started their life together at a home in the Riverview Neighborhood. In 1923, they purchased a lot in the new Pilcher-Summit Addition of Tulsa. Recall from
THIS post, the Pilcher-Summit Addition was established in 1920 and included the land between what is now Eleventh to Thirteenth and College to Gary Avenues.
The two-bedroom, one bath craftsman bungalow at 1236 S. Florence Place was built in 1925. The large wide, welcoming front porch has been screened in since those early days. A quarter basement, original windows, oak and pine floors, and original light fixtures are appreciated today.
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| The 1925 Bungalow has original windows. |
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| 1925 Craftsman Bungalow: Note the characteristic large porch and columns. |
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| Original light fixture in hallway. Such simple art deco beauty. |
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| All original crystal door knobs |
McFetridge and Mildred started a family. The 1930 US Census shows that seven year-old Lois and five year-old Richard also called the bungalow home.
From 1927 until 1949, McFetridge served as the circulation manager of the Tulsa World. He then managed circulation for the Newspaper Printing Corporation, in charge of distributing the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune. McFetridge revolutionized distribution with new and different methods. One example was called "Honor Boxes." A former carrier explains:
...my brother and I acquired the first and second "box routes" in the city of Tulsa. Newspaper Printing Corp. was the printing, advertising and circulation agent for both the World and the Tribune. We worked closely with Don Morse and L.W. McFetridge and John Zoller in launching this new method of marketing newspapers in Tulsa. The boxes were called "honor boxes" because one had to pay for the paper on his honor and not steal it. Unfortunately, there were many dishonorable customers. However, the cost of the papers was so low that we could absorb the pilferage. These routes were immensely successful for us.
In his role with the Newspaper Printing Corporation, McFetridge worked with dozens of paper carriers, who affectionately dubbed him "Mr. Mac." An article published by a former paper boy in 2019 shared the following:
I managed to pay for seven years of college, three new cars, paid all my personal living expenses and got married on the money earned. I gave up the route in 1960 to go to SMU to work on a graduate law degree. When I returned to Tulsa in 1961, I took the highest paying legal job in Tulsa with a prestigious law firm at a salary less than I was making selling newspapers in 1960.
Another former carrier reflects on the job he started as a 12 year-old, he recalled folding papers everyday except Sunday, when they were bound with a rubber band. The Newspaper Printing Corporation... spared no expense showing their gratitude towards those of us who chose to brave the elements and barking dogs to serve our Tulsa World customers. After one week on my route I was given a tour of the Tulsa World building and a free pass to one of the movies downtown. At Christmas, we were treated to a dinner at the Mayo Hotel and a gift. Being reared in a time when many families were experiencing economic hardships, this show of extravagant generosity was like the best Christmas of my life. A post mortem thanks to Don Morse, circulation manager; and L.W. McFetridge, circulation director, who at the time didn't get the credit they deserved as they showed leadership in promoting carrier service and responsibility.
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| Paper Carriers receive $250 scholarship from L. W. McFetridge. July 1948. |
McFetridge was an active member of the American Legion (Post 1) and served as Commander of the post in 1934. During a speech on behalf of the Legion in 1934 he emphasized all the Legion was doing to promote peace among nations. He emphasized the impact of the horrors of war and stated "Peace at any price, except at the cost of American self-respect."
McFetridge sold the bungalow on Florence Place to a Tulsa World colleague in 1937. The McFetridges took up residence in what was to become their long time home, a revival style Tudor on a corner lot at 1851 E 31st Place. Pictured below.
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| 1851 E. 31st Place as seen on Google Street View |
McFetridge was one of a number of experienced executives who were drafted into World War II in 1942. Termed "A Dollar a Year Man", McFetridge worked for the Federal Office of Production Management, which later became the War Production Board, for a one-dollar per year salary. (Note: Julius "Cap" Krug oversaw the War Production Board and may perk up the ears of Gray Gardens fans)
Following the war, McFetridge returned to the Newspaper Printing Corporation, assuming the role of business manager.
In January of 1971, after 58 years in the newspaper circulation business, McFetridge retired, apparently, as a millionaire. He hoped to golf and spend time with family but sadly, he passed away in July of 1971.
Lyle W. McFetridge and his wife, Mildred are interred at Rose Hill Memorial Cemetery.
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The family who took possession of 1236 S. Florence Place in 1937 were Melvin and Ora Blakemore. Mr. Blakemore worked for the Tulsa World for over 20 years before stepping down to run an OTASCO station in Nowata, Oklahoma. They lived in the bungalow until about 1943.
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I asked the current owner, in jest, if they ever smelled cigar smoke given Mr. Mac's proclivity for cigars, but they said no. However, they did mention a spot on the dining room wall which refuses to allow anything with glass to be hung there. Over the years when they have tried, the wall repeatedly rejects the item. A final fun image below. These two ducks, Ruth Bader Hensburg and Harriet Ducman, call the back yard of 1236 S. Florence Place home too.
References:
https://tulsaworld.com/archive/newsprint-for-blood----r-scott/article_2531b8ab-0e89-5c2a-8529-d8a8b5a082c2.html
https://tulsaworld.com/archive/my-first-job-became-part-of-my-family----r-judy-tulsa/article_70b98e30-991a-58fa-b3e2-8c73e598b9cd.html
https://tulsaworld.com/archive/kids-on-bikes-paperboys-girls-share-storied-pasts/article_9b2dfee1-b100-5915-8ffd-550d8170a5ea.html
https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/img/20047126
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