Artesian Well In 1910 the community of Adair contributed funds for
drilling an artesian well. A location was secured at the corner of the Katy
right-of-way on the north side of Main Street. A contract was let and as the
drill stem approached 600 feet a roaring was heard and water came gushing forth.
There was great excitement as if oil had been struck.
Casing was installed. A round cement tank for watering stock was built near the
well and two public drinking fountains were installed. The well soon proved its
worth as the year of 1911 was one of the driest on record. The water was said to
possess medicinal qualities and was used daily by many. It was popular for the
trainmen and while stopped for passengers and loading express, they would rush
to the well for a drink and some would carry jugs to fill to take home. The
steel casing eventually rusted away and the artesian well ceased to flow, though
it lasted of many years.
Business District (south side) Brock Mercantile was the leading general
store located on the corner a block west of the depot, now occupied by the
Phillips Station and Arnold Hughes barber shop. P.L. Jones and Nola Adair Jones
erected a sandstone building in 1903 and operated a general store. They sold the
building to J.F. Dunham, who opened up a hardware store. building is now owned
by Arizona Calvert. From this building west to the center of the block consisted
of wooden frame buildings and some vacant lots. The early day merchants who used
these buildings were Charley Collins and another was Clu Gulager, a relative of
the Hollywood movie star, Clu Gulager. Board sidewalks furnished the walkway
along these buildings. These buildings were poorly constructed.
The town was beginning to show signs of growth. Therefore Robert L. Brock, Silas
P. Ferfuson, the Postmaster and Reuben E. DeLozier purchased this entire
complex. They contracted with a Vinita man to construct a two-story brick
building on these lots, which was in 1910. It consisted of store buildings on
the first floor and offices and a large hall, which was rented to local lodges
and other gatherings.
Mr. Freguson took the center room of the building and moved the post office in
it. Mr. Brock took the west of the post office and rented to the Dunham
Hardware, it being one big store room. Mr. DeLozier took the part east of the
post office. This was divided into two separate store rooms. Dr. A. W. Herron
and T. L. Thompson then moved the drug store, which was on the north side, to
this location. The other store room was rented to Frank Seaton for a furniture
store.
The Dunham Hardware Store and the Brock building changed ownership several
times. M. D. Griffin purchased the building from S. F. Griffith and he leased it
to Carl W. Propp, who stocked it an operated an up to date hardware store for
several years. Mr. Propp entered politics and was elected County Commissioner of
District #1 for two consecutive terms. He passed away before completing the
second term and his wife, Sue Propp, was appointed by the Governor to finish the
term, thus having the distinction of being the only woman to occupy the office
of County Commissioner of Mayes County.
A fire of unknown origin totally destroyed this entire two-story building
complex on December 26, 1949. It has all been rebuilt since with one-story
buildings.
In 1923 the citizens of Adair voted favorably on a twenty-five year franchise to
the Public Service Company of Oklahoma to furnish the town electricity. The
Trustees of the W. A Graham Estate of Pryor allocated the town of Adair $100,000
for which the town officials used to install a modern water works system.
Churches The Presbyterian and Methodist churches were the first ones
built in Adair. The Presbyterian was organized by the Warren, Wilson, and Poplin
families and others. The first minister was J. J. Dalton of Muskogee. The
membership dwindled away to a point that they decided to sell the church, which
they did to the Baptist congregation. The church was located east of the
railroad and west of the school house. After a few years it burned and the
Baptists rebuilt the church in the west side of town.
The Methodist Church is located in the northeast part of town. Brother J. M.
Russell was the minister for many years and most active in getting the church
built. The church had quite a large membership. Later it was totally destroyed
by fire and a new and much larger building was constructed. Besides Brother
Russell, some of the pastors were A. W. Blackford, 1922 to 1924; Brother Minnis;
Rev Woodall; 1959 to 1961. Harley Blackford; and Brother T. L. Thompson.
The Church of Christ, a very nice new structure, is located in the south edge of
town on Highway 69.
Mr. John F. Warren, a pioneer citizen, donated the site for the Adair Christian
Church. The Adair, Allison, Brock, Dr. White, Hogan, Langley, Dunham, and
DeLozier families were some who were organizers in building the church. It was
built and dedicated in 1908 and is the only church in Adair that is still being
used in its original state. Some of the pastors and laymen of the church are
Morton Wood, who dedicated the church, Rev. Lee Phillips, J. A Sanders, 1912 to
1915, T. L. Fraley, Sr. (layman), Rev Emmet Nafe, Paul E. Walker.
Fraternal Orders The town of Adair, until the 1920's was well known for
its many lodges, all of which had been very active for many years. The I.O.O.F.,
Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen of the World, Ancient Order of United
Workmen, and ladies auxiliaries. These orders provided life insurance for the
members and their families. The National Grange, a farmers/ lodge, the Indian
Territory Anti Horse Thief Association, a stockman's lodge.
The only order that has endured is the Adair Masonic Lodge No99, A.F. and A. M.
In it's 90-odd years of existence it has moved locations four times. It now has
a beautiful temple at the west edge of town on Oklahoma State Highway No 28.
The Adair Order of Eastern Star, Chapter, Chapter No.443, was granted a charter
April 27, 1927. The initial officers elected and installed were Mrs. Lulu
Ferfuson, Worthy Patron. both of these Orders remain very active.
The Dalton Gang Train Robbery It was a typically warm, sulty night on the
night of July 14, 1892 when the Dalton Gang of the late 19th century relieved
the Katy Railroad of $27,000. Some twenty armed deputy marshals hired by the
railroad had been placed on the passenger train Number 2 headed for Parson,
Kansas.
Grapevine information said that the Dalton Gang was going to rob the train at
Pryor Creek, but the infamous outlaws fooled the railroad and the law men and
moved the robbery site to Adair, the next station north of Pryor Creek, a
distance of ten miles. They were camped or hiding in the dense timber on Pryor
Creek halfway between the towns of Adair and Pryor Creek. The Gang numbered
eight and consisted of Bob Dalton, the leader, his brothers Grat and Emmet, also
Bill Powers, Dick Broadwell, Charlie pierce, Bitter Creek Newcomb, and the
notorious bill Doolin.
They broke camp near dusk in time to reach the west side of town where they left
their mounts in charge of one of their members, working their way to the depot
as the train was due to arrive at 9:40 P.M. Adair was a flag stop, so they
persuaded the depot agent to flag the train, which he did. About that time the
outlaws opened up and sounded like an army, which they kept up during the entire
robbery which lasted about twenty minutes.
The robbery was methodically executed. Two of the robbers were guarding the
train on the east side while the others were opening the express car and
supposedly relieved the Express Company of $27,000. They then proceeded down
Main street, firing as they went to their horses. Strange a sit may seem, with
all the lawmen on the train, the outlaws received no opposition.
There was only one casualty. There were two young doctors who has their office
back a ways on the north side of the street and as the Daltons reached this
point, they noticed the doctors made a movement. The Daltons fired and a bullet
hit Dr. Goff in the heel, from which would he bled to death. Dr. Youngblood was
the other doctor.
A coal bin for the depot use was made of rail ties and was south of the depot.
Two of the lawmen succeeded in running and jumping in it, but to no avail as the
outlaws kept a steady fire in their direction and they were unable to return the
fire. School boys dug bullets out of the ties years afterwards for souvenirs.
Drayman The drayman was a busy and important part in the business of the
town. His equipment was a team and preferably a low-wheel wagon for obvious
reasons on account of loading and unloading. All supplies of whatever nature
were shipped by railway, freight and express, which the draymen delivered to the
respective place of business. Groceries, dry goods, lumber, hardware, and
machinery. Produce bought by the merchants, such as eggs and poultry would be
taken to the depot for shipment.
The drayman had an extra helper. There were two local freight trains daily, one
from the north and the other from the south. The drayman usually had his wagon
backed up to the railroad depot platrom when the train arrived as there was
always something arriving to be delivered. The first drayman was William H.
Goad, who kept it the longest or until he was unable to handle it on account of
his age. Mr. Goad was also the town marshal. Those who followed him in
succession were: Wesley Piercefield, Love Rogers, J. E. Fugate, Peck Panter,
Allen Deen, L. S. Dean, and the last Sam Trout. The last two carried the U. S.
mail to and from the post office to the depot.
Lumber Yard The first and only lumber yard was opened and operated my
William Wilson in 1903. In 1920 Mr. Wilson sold the business to King-Lawrence
Lumber Company of Wichita, Kansas, who owned a chain of lumber yards. This
company sold it to Jim Powell, the present owner and it is known as the
Independent Lumber Company.
Livery Stable and Wagon Yard. Adair had one of the largest and best
equipped livery stables and wagon yards in the Territory. It was operated by Tom
Morgan, Jim Rix, and Mr. Webb, early pioneers. They kept good stock and
equipment. They rented their team and buggies to drummers who could drive their
own or they would furnish a driver. Stock buyers, traders, and local couples
would rent a team and buggy for a drive to the country on Sunday. The barn had a
wood floor and sixteen box stalls, office and bunks as a man was on duty around
the clock. It was located a block north of Main Street on what is now Highway
69. Mr. J. E. Mantle was the last owner. It burned and another Adair landmark
disappeared.
