Once upon a time in Ada
Things you didn’t know about your own hometown
By Lee Crouse
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December, 1960, the revision of Ada ordination for maintenance of “peace and good order," brought to light some old laws that may surprise the younger generation - and that could still prove costly to offenders.

• One provided a $1 fine for anyone over 14 years old who uses profanely the name of God, Jesus Christ, or the Holy Ghost. Complaints of such an offense must be made within 10 days, and each offense is punishable by a $1 fine. 

Minors under 14 who violate the intent of this law are left to parental treatment. In other days this involved paddles and razor strops. Several sections are devoted to gambling.

Mind you, most of these ordinances are based on state laws. Section 11 provides a fine for not more than $100 for playing a game for a wager in an outhouse or erection connected therewith.

The section also covers taverns, race fields, arbors. Other sections cover playing for gain on a machine or device. It was held that playing cards for two-bit chits was not gambling that the chit was simply a payment for use of the hall.

The fine for such gambling is $50 to $200. A fine of not more than $50 is to be levied against any person “refusing to aid an officer in arresting a criminal or in conveying him to prison.”