Pickens signature disappears from concrete

HOLDENVILLE, Okla., July 14 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma man who owns a house bearing the signature of T. Boone Pickens on its driveway said a crew working for the oil tycoon removed the concrete slab.

David McCart, who owns and maintains the unoccupied house in Holdenville, said he stopped by June 22 to mow the lawn and discovered a chunk of concrete bearing Pickens' signature had been cut out of the driveway and removed, The Oklahoman reported Tuesday.

"I was in shock and started talking to my neighbors. I couldn't imagine who would actually come and cut my driveway out or when it had happened," David McCart said.

Pickens spokesman Jay Rosser confirmed that employees of the billionaire were responsible for removing the slab.

"The small section of cement was removed recently when Boone was in town to inspect enhancements to a family plot at the Holdenville cemetery," Rosser said.

McCart said he is seeking criminal charges and perhaps a lawsuit to attempt to get the autographed concrete back.

"Right now I'm pursuing criminal charges against T. Boone Pickens," McCart said Monday. "It will be for theft and vandalism."

Rosser said Pickens is willing to compromise.

"We are clearly open to any thoughts the McCarts might have regarding how to best commemorate his association there for their purposes," he said.

Pickens signed his name in the concrete as a youngster in 1946, when McCart's house belonged to Pickens' grandmother.