Whaley Recalls Interesting History of Hughes County's First Church-- Erected At Atwood The first church built in what is now eastern Oklahoma ministered to both the living and the dead, according to Tom H. Whaley, builder of it and pioneer settler in the community in which it was erected. The church building, erected in 1888, in what is now Atwood, Hughes county, soon became the community meeting place for nearly every kind of service, but it was to fulfill perhaps the most unusual service that any church building has performed. Whaley, pioneer peace officer of Holdenville, declares that on three or four occasions, he had to remove the loft from the little structure to secure lumber from it for building coffins for deceased persons of that community, then known as Oak Grove and later Newburg. "We had to get the lumber to build coffins so we would just remove the loft,and them the next time a wagon would be going to the nearest railroad we would send for enough 1x12 lumber to build back the loft." Tear Loft Down "I can't recall the number of times we tore the loft down and built it back, but it was several times." the pioneer declared. It was the only lumber for many miles around.Describing the little building, Whaley said it was 20 feet by 20 feet, and constructed of logs. I hewed the logs for it, and never used a wagon to do any hauling, so closely together were the trees" Whaley said. Whaley came to that part of Indian Territory from Thackerville, Chickasaw nation ? miles from Ardmore. He was the first person to settle here, bringing his family with him. His oldest son, Orb Whaley, was born on the banks of the Canadian River near what is now Atwood. The starting of the church of the Methodist faith in1886, resulted from a preacher happening by one day. He approached Whaley concerning organizing a congregation. "What is the chance to start a church here" the minister inquired of Whaley. "Finest in the world" he emphatically replied" "What about Preaching tonight, can you get a congregation together ?" the minister asked." Congregation Organized " Yes, in five minutes." Whaley answered. There were three famiies of us living near each other, and I knew all of us could be present." he said. A congregation was organized on the porch of Whaley's brother ( Sloan Love and his wife Lola Lucas Love.) From then the church grew, the minister preaching once a month, but leaving literature for members to study between visits.The little log church long since has gone to decay, no trace of it remaining. Whaley's family was followed to the new community the next year by several families from Thackerville, near Ardmore. Whaley raised corn the year he was there to furnish the newcomers with this commodity. His was the first farm for many miles for many miles around. McAlester, a small settlement; consisting of two stores , owned by J.J.McAlester and J.J. Brooks, was the nearest trading place. Muskogee was also only a little town. The community founded by Whaley was one of the few between McAlester and Muskogee, and the church built by him was the only one between the two places. Officer Many Years Whaley has served as peace officer almost constantly since he became a deputy U.S. Marshall.He was long known as a wild horseman; or anti-horse thief association member, and has tracked horse thieves as far into Missouri.Whaley, a former chief of Police of Holdenville. is now serving as night desk sergeant. Speaking of the wild country in which he and his family settled in 1884, Whaley said " You did not need a gun to kill turkeys, you could knock one in the head with a stick, they were so thick." -copied from an old newpaper article... glenda ryans 2006 ************************************************************************** Holdenville Democrat Friday, November 16, 1917 Big Booze Haul at Allen Deputy U.S. Marshall Tom WHALEY made a good haul at Allen Monday. He stopped a car billed from Ft.Worth to the Okmulgee Furniture Co., loaded with fruniture and whiskey. Eighty cases of whiskey was captured and spolled in the streets of Allen right before a hundred or two thirsty natives. Tom was hard hearted and would not give them even one drink. He also confiscated 684 chairs, which will be sold later. ************************************************************************* Oct 24 1907 The Evening News Ada, Oklahoma KILLED FOR BOOTLEGGER Allen Farmer Shoots Boy Who Had Sold Son Liquor It is learned that Mr Whaley who was once a U.S. Officer, but now farms near Allen, shot and killed an 18 year old boy near his place last Friday. The slayer claims deceased sold his boy a pint of whiskey; that finding it out he went to arrest the seller; that the latter reached for his pistol, whereupon Whaley fatally shot him with a Winchester. Whaley was acquitted after a priliminary trial at South McAlester Tuesday, but people of Allen threaten to bring the matter up before a grand jury. The dead boy was found to have a six- shooter on his person, but no liquor. He has an uncle residing in Guertie. **************************************************************************** Thursday, April 6, 1939 Funeral Services Tomorrow For Tom H. Whaley, Pioneer Area Peace Officer Who Died Here Last Night First Came To County In '84 Pneumonia fatal to City Councilman. Tom H. Whaley, pioneer peace officer and resident of Hughes county since 1886, died at 6: 15 Wednesday evening of pneumonia at his home, 813 S. Echo. He was 76 years old. Credited with being one of the first settlers " south of the river" at Newburg, now Atwood, Whaley had spent almost all of the past 51 years in this county. During that time he had served as special deputy United States Marshal, receiving his appointment in 1899. He was a former chief of Holdenville Police and also had served on the police force. For the past two years he had been a member of the city council, serving as president for the last year. Death was not expected. He had been seriously ill of pneumonia for more than a week. His condition growing worse steadily. Last night at 6:15 he passed away. Born in 1863 Born Thomas Henry Whaley at Gainesville, Texas on March 31, 1863, he first came to Indian Territory with his parents at the age of eight years. In the year 1886, he came to what is now Hughes county, with two other families, settling around what is now Atwood, a mile from its present site. His family was followed by 11 others from Thackerville, where the Whaley's first had settled. Marsh Chosen as Marshall In 1899, he was selected as a special deputy marshal, serving south of the river at Atwood and Calvin, He arrested the first man to be executed in the new Indian Territory, one Charlie Barrett, who was executed with a women before 1900. In the years after Holdenville was established, he moved to Holdenville, He was for a brief time a law officer as constable, according to county records. When Woodrow Wilson became president in 1912, Mr. Whaley was named a deputy United States Marshal. He served until 1920, when he became chief of Holdenville's Police force, a position he held for six full years and during which an argument over whether or not the chief was elected or appointed arose. Mr. Whaley was elected in 1927 and served a two-year term, after which he went to Shawnee and served there for two years, He later came back to the force and served as night desk sergeant. Two years ago, he stood for city councilman and was elected by the third ward, He was chosen president of the city council a year ago, and had not missed a single council meeting during his tenure in office until last Tuesday night, when he was unable to attend. " Tom Whaley was brave, considerate and honest" veteran county and city officers said today. " He lived a full life, and was of real benefit in the field he chose for his life's work." Mr Whaley attended the Nazarene Church here, and was active in church affairs. He was devoted to his position as city councilman and rendered efficient service , Mayor Frank Crane said today in his final tribute to the man who spent much of his life in public service as law officer and councilman. From 1889 to 1920 he was a special deputy and deputy US Marshal; from 1920 to 1929 for six years he was actively in charge of the city police force; and for two years he was a city councilman. Close City Hall The city hall will be closed at noon tomorrow out of respect for Mr. Whaley during funeral services. Rites will be held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock from the Church of the Nazarene with the Rev, C.C. Johnson delivering the funeral oration. Burial wil be in Holdenville Cemetery under direction of Hudson Funeral Home. The Calvin Quartet will sing one special number at funeral services and the church choir under the direction of Mrs. Leslie Walker will provide other funeral music. Mr. Whaley was first married to Miss Nancy Ellen Lucas. After her death he married Miss Ella Wilbanks of Atwood, and his third marriage was to Mrs. Alice Moore of Holdenville, who survives. Eight Children Live Eight of his eleven children still are living. They are Orb Whaley, Calvin- Harve Whaley, Spaulding-Tom Junior of the Bethel Community, Paul Whaley, Muskogee, Bill Whaley, Holdenville- Frank Whaley, now employed in Texas, Mrs. Mason Shiflett, Dallas, and Mrs Aude Dailey, city. Two sisters, Mrs Tennie Rogers of Guthrie and Holdenville and Mrs Hattie Ray of Shawnee survive also, in addition to 20 grand-children, and three great-grandchildren. Bearers at funeral rites tomorrow will be men with whom Mr. Whaley was associated for years. JC Ritter of Atwood, JW Hundley of Calvin -J.I. Givens of Holdenville, Bob Samford of Holdenville, Leslie Walker of Holdenville, and J.J. Armstrong of Holdenville. Honorary bearers will be Frank Crane, John Sellers, Ben Kimbrey (sic), Ellwood Smith, Hugh Miller, GT Wilkins, Chester Thomas, Marlon Middleton, Emmett Petete and Hugh McConville, city officials.