Raymond's Claim to Fame

Did you know?

Actress Kate Capshaw, wife of Steven Spielberg, had relatives in Raymond and Waggoner. Myron Nail was her grandfather, Henry Nail was her great-uncle, and Edith Hantla was her great-aunt.

Francis Martin's shrine along the West frontage road was featured in Route 66 books and videos, aired on "Nightline" with Ted Koppel, and was featured on several Route 66 programs.

Bruce House and Alan Pecht, known as the "Tapekho Brothers Juggling Act" were featured on the "Regis Philbin Show" and the "Corky the Clown" program.

Gus Sutter, a rural mail carrier in the Raymond-Harvel area, was on CNN, CBS, NBC, and featured in local and national newspapers when he retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 64 years of service.  He was recognized for being both the oldest and the longest-term mail carrier in the United States.

Rusty Bergman, son of Harry and Evelyn Bergman went on to become a well-known college basketball coach.

Jim Held and Wendell Egelhoff were related to American Statesman, Lewis Cass, who ran for president of the United States in 1848. He was defeated by Zachary Taylor. Cass later became a U.S. Senator and served as Secretary of State under President James Buchanan.

Verne Pinkston served as General Patton's jeep driver.

John Dillinger was a cousin to Raymond resident, Jimmy Richardson, owner of "Jimmy's Junk" store on main street in the early 1930's. The store was located next to Temple Hough's beauty shop and Bob Hough played cards with Dillinger when this notorious gangster was in Raymond "hiding out" shortly before his death.

Hank Scheisser went to school with Theodore Kaczynski, "The Unabomber."

(The information above appeared in the book commemorating Raymond's quasquicentennial published in 1996.)