Born in 1884, Merle was the eldest of six of Oklahoma to pursue a music degree, party just before she left for New York. From siblings. Her parents provided for their while continuing to teach music courses New York she sailed to Italy where she family through farming in Kansas, until her to violin students in neighboring towns. studied at the leading music conservatory father felt a calling to be a minister like his To reach her students she took the train or in Milan for several months. Following her father, who had migrated to the United a horse and buggy, and was sometimes time in Italy, she traveled to Paris, France to States from Scotland. The family relocated forced to ford the river when the Canadian continue her studies under leading European to Denver, Colorado for a few years River had washed out the bridge. artists. When Merle returned to Norman, until her father was invited to become the She also worked in the first sorority she pursued a higher degree in the College pastor of the Christian Church in Guthrie, house on the Norman campus, Kappa of Fine Arts, completing studies in 1912 Oklahoma Territory, in 1899. Alpha Theta, waiting on tables at meal time while she simultaneously taught classes, Merle had found a passion for music and eventually invited to join the sorority. was appointed the concert master of the during her time in Colorado. At the church Before graduating in 1906, Merle was University orchestra, and performed at they attended there was an orchestra. When teaching classes at the university in violin, community events. she became interested in the violin her father mandolin, and guitar. All of her siblings While studying in Europe, her sister gifted her one. Her family, recognizing earned degrees from the University of Jessie had a chemistry lab class at the her talent, supported her by prioritizing her Oklahoma and her parents eventually University of Oklahoma where she met practice time. Her siblings took on extra moved to Norman. To mark their departure a senior classmate, Frank Buttram. Jessie house chores and soon the extra practice from Guthrie, Merle organized a farewell talked to him about her sister’s travels and Photo by Armantrout Brothers, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, 1903. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. Merle Newby Buttram, 1930. Merle was Oklahoma Mother of the Year in 1961. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society. time paid off. By the time the family moved concert full of local talent with proceeds a “coincidental” meeting between Buttram to Guthrie, Merle was a junior in high benefitting the First Christian Church’s fund and Merle would come to change Merle’s school and traveling by train to Seward and for a new pipe organ motor. life profoundly. Merle married Frank in the Navina to teach music courses she arranged In 1908 Merle had the opportunity presence of only their families and a few for any interested children. She also would to study violin abroad, so she vacated her close friends on February 18, 1914, with perform all over the state at various lectures, position at the university for two years while her father performing the ceremony. The contests, and church services, sometimes she traveled Europe. News of her departure Cleveland County Enterprise reported, “Mr. accompanied by her sibling Errett on the was widely covered throughout Oklahoma Buttram has been for several years chemist in piano. In 1904 she enrolled at the University and her friends hosted a circus-themed the geological department at the University, 49 35