I recall my dad, Henry Ridgway, born 1902, raised near Tishomingo, and went to school with Gene's sister,said he played guitar and sang on radio with Gene. I think dad said, Gene worked for a circus, and left the area (came to calif?) I may have a school picture of Dad and gene's sister. Ivanell, from Calif.
The story about Gene Autry sounds familiar. My stepfather's folks grew up around Francis, Oklahoma, and I remember some story about Gene working in that area, but can't recall the details, and unfortunately, anyone who would know has already passed. Andrea Ramsay