The Story of Newt Gaddy

In February, 1888, when the Santa Fe had just reached Davis, John Stephens with his wife Annie and her three half brothers, John, Frank and Newt Gaddy arrived by train at Dougherty and set out on foot for Sorghum Flat. Mr. Stephens had been promised aid in bringing his family here and establishing a home by William Nathan Price who had homesteaded most of the Sorghum Flat land.

In 1953, Newt Gaddy, then 76 years old recalled those early pioneer days in Indian Territory. A ranch hand returned the next day to Dougherty to retrieve the family belongings left at the depot. Because there were no roads then, the wagon was forced to travel the canyons almost to Sulphur and then to the depot, today a trip of about four miles by road. The man left early in the morning and returned after sundown.

The first school was a log school built near the present Price's Chapel. Newt attended this school as did Nettie Perry who later became his wife. The second school was held in Prices Chapel upon it's completion in 1900.

Prior to the building of the chapel, religious services were held in brush arbors. Most of the services in those days lasted from 3 to 7 days because of the great distances people had to come through the mountains by horse and buggy. The large landowners would furnish the beef for roasting and ladies would bring what non perishable foods they could from home.

Another thing Mr. Gaddy recalled was the cemetery at Sorghum Flat. It was begun just before he arrived but he can recall those who were buried there. Among these earlier families were Hancock, Gettle, Offutt, Ferguson, Perry, Drew, Stephens, Goday, Reed and Stewart. The oldest standing monument today dates to 1878 and is that of Alice, the daughter of R. C. and J.A. Campbell. An impressive monument is also present for William Nathan Price for whom Price's Falls is named. The monument is inscribed William N. Price, March 18, 1901, 66 Years, and has a Masonic symbol on the stone.

Newt also remembers that in those days, only the Indian militia was the law. Each family that settled in the territory was required to pay a permit fee to live here. The militia was the final word on this "taxation" and settlement of the whites in this area. Mr. Price put up some barbed wire fence that ran from Sorghum Flat to Fairview and nearly to Davis and Sulphur. The Indian Militia told him to immediately take it down or they would cut it as this was still open range.

Mr. Gaddy and his wife lived their lives in the area and raised their children here. The Gaddy's as well as the John Stephens family were always active in the community affairs. John Stephens served as the Justice of the Peace, U.S. Marshal, City Marshal of Dougherty, postmaster and school board member.

Contributed by Dennis Muncrief, November 2001.

reference; Sulphur Times-Democrat, September 10, 1953