We interviewed a man by the name of Johnny Dean Bedwell from Calliham, a known descendant of J.T. Calliham and the local historian.

Dianne, Adrian, &Kayla: Hello, Mr. Bedwell, our names are Dianne Atkinson, Adrian Dillard, and Kayla Thomas. We got your name from the postmistress, Mary Smith, at the post office and she said you would be the best to interview for our small town report we are doing for our college history class. Do you mind if we ask you a few questions?

Mr. Bedwell: Sure, thats fine. I hope I can help yall out.

Dianne, Adrian, and Kayla: Thank you, sir; we are sure you can. Ok, when and why was the town founded?

Mr. Bedwell: The old town of Calliham, originally called Guffeyola, was founded in 1878 by Joseph T. Calliham, my great grandfather, who was a civil war veteran and cattle pusher who drove cattle on the open range to Kansas, owned a ranch on the location that Calliham now sits. The ranch was known as the Calliham Ranch and was founded in 1878. That is why the town is known as Calliham.

Dianne, Adrian, and Kayla:  What kind of historically significant stories do you know of about Calliham?

Mr. Bedwell: The area of Calliham was rich in oil and there was a big oil strike. Calliham was a big boom town with lots of drillers. It was a large town and had honky-tonks and hotels, saloons, and such.

Dianne, Adrian, & Kayla: What were some unusual events?

Mr. Bedwell: Well the relocation of the original town site to the present-day location was unusual. The government bought the land from the owners so that they could flood it and make it a state park. The only unusual event that happens now is when someone kills a big rattlesnake and everyone talks bout it for days.

Dianne, Adrian, Kayla: Ha, ha, ha, ha.

Dianne: Thats true bout Tilden too.

Dianne, Adrian,& Kayla: What was the racial background of the folks in town?

Mr. Bedwell: They were mainly Irish, Czech, and lots of Mexicans, but they eventually mixed like they are now.

Dianne, Adrian, & Kayla: Any changes or future prospects for Calliham?

Mr. Bedwell: Well, we are growing slowly and rebuilding the old church. We just put a new roof on and we are going to make future repairs as we get the money. There are some new cabins you can rent and a laundry-mat now.

Dianne, Adrian, & Kayla: Do you have anything you would like to add about Calliham?

Mr. Bedwell: I hope it doesnt get too big. It is a nice place to live in.quiet and secluded. There are good people here although most of the old-timers have died off now. I want it to stay small otherwise it would be just another large town where you dont know everyone like I do now.

Dianne, Adrian, & Kayla: Thank you very much. We really appreciate you helping us.

Mr. Bedwell: Well I hope you got what you needed.