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
Thursday, April 6, 1939--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. 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 will 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.