HENRY JAMES--Historian, Scholar, and Peacemaker

By Henri Isaacs (Editor), Lincoln County (Ok.) News, (Thurs. Sept 30, 1993), pp.1&3

[I met Mr. James in about 1979. I interviewed him in 1980 as part of my research project into the African-American Oklahoman soldiers in World War I. I found him very entertaining and very sharp of mind. I used to laugh telling this story about him: I saw him walking along the street into town with his cane on his shoulder like it was a rifle. He walked about 2 miles into town every day, I was told. I asked him about it and he told me that he didn't go in on Saturday any more because there were too many "crazy kids up there."

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He set high standards for himself, his children and his community. What he expected from others, he more than expected from himself. He was a friend to all who came into contact with him, and he had friends in both high and low places. His presence was felt in the community that he loved and his passing will create a void for all who knew him, and all who hear of him and wish they had known him---such was the influence of the life of Henry Wadsworth James.

Born of Creek Indian/Afro-American parents in a sod house on a small farm east of Oklahoma City on December 19, 1897 on his step-grand father's claim. He was proud of his heritage and determined to improve his lot in life. His parents, George and Rosa (Evans) James, raised Henry and two other children. During hard times that served to produce determined children.

Henry's grandparents and father came to Oklahoma from Mississippi and Tennessee and settled around the Oklahoma City area. When the land Run of 1889 was scheduled, Henry's father and step-grandfather traveled to Guthrie to participate. After failing in the first run, the grandfather entered the 1891 Run and successfully claimed land north of Luther. Henry's father was not as successful.

At some point a deal was soon made between George and his stepfather-George was to work for his stepfather making bricks with mortar and clay and help with the farming for a portion of the claim. A conflict ended the arrangement. The claim was never shared and hard feelings were created between the two.

George tried to stake another claim but failed and eventually moved back home with his wife and family.

Henry's father was very musical and played the banjo quite well. This proved to be a blessing because during hard times when others couldn't make a living, George was able to make money by playing for dances held in the area.

One wonders if it was in the genes or just rubbed-off but music was always a big part of Henry's life too. Maybe it was because of the happy music his father played on his banjo. Who knows?

He took his first "formal" music lessons in wind instruments at a small black rural schoolhouse east of Chandler. He and others also paid George Morris of Kendrick five dollars a night to come all the way to Chandler to teach music to Henry and 14 to 16 of his friends. Perhaps this is what led Henry to be satisfied enough with his performance that in the 1920s he formed a 16-member, all-black band that, he was proud to say, "could compete anywhere."

Henry's band would play every Friday night on the Courthouse square. The music was free entertainment and provided enjoyment for all who wanted to come listen. Local merchants encouraged the band by donating money for "caps" but the band never did have complete uniforms.

A lifelong friend and fellow band member, Wade Ellis, Ph.D. once wrote that "Henry sustained the band and made sure everyone had an instrument." He also said the [sic] Henry could play just about any instrument "after a fashion," but concentrated on the cornet and trumpet. Ellis went on to say that "the discipline imposed by Mr. James" included insistence that their clothing was in good order and that they put-up proper and acceptable appearance and demeanor---and played good music as well." Henry’s high standards were in effect early in his life.

We know that as early as 1910 Henry was living in the Chandler area because he had shared with Sally Ferrell, the story of how he felt when he first saw an automobile come driving down Main Street. He described how he ran after the, "marvelous machine" following the thin tire tracks in the sand throng town. Sally said you could feel the excitement of the experience as he related the story.

Henry was also living in Chandler' in 1912 when the famous Will M. "Bill" Pickett, inventor of steer wrestling as rodeo sport, lived for a time in Lincoln County. He was a boy of 14 when Pickett, a 101 Ranch Wild West Show star and one of the best black showmen appeared in Chandler.

Henry use [sic] to tell how Pickett would bring down a steer with his "bite 'em style." He also remembered the excitement and roar of the crowd in the big tent as the thousand pound steer, Pickett and Pickett's small 850 pound horse performed before the audience. Listening to Henry you could tell he admired the wiry black rodeo rider for his grit and determination.

When Henry was a child of school age he worked for two ladies in town doing yard work and odd jobs. Lucy Adams and Harriett Gilstrap had been teachers and both determined to help educate the boy who was not in school. Lucy made lesson plans and Harriett supplied books for him to read----Henry was on the road to self-education and eventually some formal education in Chandler and finished in Sioux City, Iowa. Later in his life he completed correspondence courses from Langston University.

Henry never did stop reading. He read for enjoyment and to add to his knowledge of the world in which he lived. His example must have been a positive influence on his children, later all four children attended Langston University. He had to have been proud to know that his children continued in his footsteps concerning education and learning.

All his life, until his health prevented from doing so, Henry did odd jobs around town. Even children benefited from his labor and his affection. If the alley ways around Ghandler are traveled much, one will soon notice the small, detailed brick Houses set here and there throughout town. One charming example stands next to the alley between. 8th and 9th Streets and another can be seen sat the Hellman home on the corner Bennett and 8th Streets.

Looking close at these small structures it is seen that attention was paid to scale and detail---down to the windows, doors and chimneys. Inside the walls and ceilings are finished out and floors installed.

Who built these tiny replicas of full size homes? When questioned, Sally Ferrell said she had just learned that the builder was none other than Henry James. What a perfect example of the standard he set for his own life, down to the detail.

Henry also drove the local ice wagon in Chandler. He "drove" the team of horses all over town, taking every opportunity to get to know the people he served and lived near.

Often Henry would tour visitors around town, pointing out certain houses, buildings, gardens and the like. According to Sally Fennell, some of the beauty he had. created. When still a young man he and Ovid Brown went into partnership doing painting and papering. Together they decorated many Chandler homes inside and out. He continued the partnership as a summer job when he was teaching.

Henry use [sic] to tell how he would drive a horse and buggy seven miles each way to teach in a one-teacher segregated school for $70 a month. His classes always had from 18 to 35 students. He would add how he used heated bricks to keep his feet warm in the winter months as [he] rode to and from school.

Henry did his part during: World War I by training other army soldiers in marching music. About the time, he was to receive official orders to go to Europe news was received that the war was over. It wasn't long before it was time for Henry to return home. " ,

When Henry returned to the Chandler, within a short time he married Vera Lavonne Benford (1919) and settled in a home north old Chandler Lake, according to grandson Kevin Sharp. .

Vera and Henry had four children together----Henry Lawrence, Helen Majorie, Sylvia Katherine, and Evelyn Louann.

When Vera died in 1932, leaving him the single parent of four young children, his sister Dorothy Mae High came to his aid.

Evelyn was too young to attend school at the time of her mother’s passing, so Mrs. L. L. Sawner, principal of Douglas[s] School, allowed the child to attend with her older brother and sisters. Education played a big role in the children’s lives, just like it did in Henry's. They were all educated in the Chandler schools and went on to Langston University.

Later Henry married Edna Geneva Smith and helped raise her four children----Curtis, Isaac, Marjorie and Fawn. Edna passed away.

The, Lincoln, County Historical Society and the American Legion were important to Henry. He faithfully paid his annual membership to the Historical Society, donated to special museum programs and thrilled at the interest in preserving Chandler's "vintage" buildings.

Many people say that Henry Wadsworth James was a walking history book of his town and his times. Often he would make "drop-in" visits at the courthouse and other places in town. Each stop would be a time of inquiry and sharing of events, present and past.

As Sally Ferrell said in Henry James eulogy on Sept. 18, 1993, he lived a long, fruitful life, had seen many wrongs righted and had helped many through hard times. Grandson Kevin says the single thread that ran through his grandfathers life was his ability to help people reconcile and be totally unaware of what he was doing.

A gentleman, a scholar, a peacemaker, all three describe the elderly man that so often walked up town in a suit, a tie and a hat. Gracious is another word. Or, like Sally said on Sept 18, "there are two kinds of men----those who lift and those who lean." Those of us who live in Chandler know what type of man Henry Wadsworth James was to his family, friends and community. He will be greatly missed.