Welty, Okfuskee, OK - History of Welty -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submitted by: Donna Barnes Email address: okfuskee@losdos.org Date submitted: 5/16/1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by noncommercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files by noncommercial entities and libraries is encouraged. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: The Dill Collection, courtesy of the Okfuskee County Historical Society History of Welty In 1898, a post office was built in Welty. The postmaster was J. B. Wilson, who continued in the position until 1914. The first cotton gin was built by Johnny Langwell in 1903. In 1904 he sold it to Grey Kenner and Co., who added a mercantile. The first school was taught by Richard Montgomery in 1898. He was succeeded in 1900 by W. R. Jones and Mr. McMaster. T. H. Wright taught there from 1903-1904. A new school house was built in 1905. Dr. W. B. Carroll became the first licensed physician to practice in Welty in 1901. E. A. Welty bought a piece of property and began to develop it for homes in 1905. John McKinzie built a grocery and dry goods store. Charlie Kingman was first to purchase an automobile. A baseball team was organized in 1905 which consisted of Dr. Carroll, Charles Grimes, W. S. Craig, C. C. Turpin, T. H. Wright, M. L. Wisdom, Grover Thomas, Rufus Cowan, I. L. Jones, Walter Hammon, and George Curry. In 1911 an Odd Fellows Lodge was organized. It was called the Deep Fork Lodge #595, and had as charter members J. L. Overby, Charles Grimes, J. W. Hill, W. H. Williams, A. N. Gooch, A. C. A. (Bud) Smith and J. B. Wilson.