Phillips County Museum News for July 3, 2020

What would Snakehead Gilbert have thought?

The March 1959 issue of the PCN “electrified” the county when it reported that the last ranch was soon to be hooked into the new Big Flat REA line. The ranch they reported on was the old Long X Ranch. It would now have electricity furnishing heat, light, and refrigeration.

Snakehead Gilbert was a cook at the old Long X Ranch 120 years ago. He prepared meals for roundup crews using a camp stove and campfire. Snakehead’s specialty was flapjacks and steak. Meals were served to characters such as Charley Stewart, Lally Doney, the Reynolds Brothers, Norvall Wallace, and Geroge Anderson to name a few. Wonder what old Snakehead would have thought if he could see the electric/gas stoves of today.

Stop by the PC Museum and travel through the Big Flat Room to glimpse the new “toys” brought to ranch wives with the arrival of electricity. Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10-5.