Welty, Okfuskee, OK - History of Welty

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Submitted by:    Donna Barnes
Email address:   okfuskee@losdos.org
Date submitted:  5/16/1999
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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.