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Jack Blalock. Courtesy photo
Following a string of traumatic events and declining attendance, Dora Tubbs leased the operation of Pettijohn Springs to Madill businessman Jack Sloan Blalock in late July 1938.
Blalock was the son of Edward “Edd”andAliceBlalock. Jack Sloan Blalock was born in 1897 in Plano, Texas. Jack had an older brother, Fred Claude Blalock, and four youngerbrothers. Thefamily moved from Plano to the new town of Madill in 1902 when Jack was five years old.
Shortly after arriving in Madill, Edd took a job as Deputy City Marshal under the leadership of City Marshal Jim Blalock. He served in that capacity until 1912 when the city converted from a Marshal system to a police department. Edd served as a city police officer for several more years, eventually rising to the rank of Chief of Police. Edd was also the first fire chief for the Madill Volunteer Fire Department. During his time in Madill, Edd also served as a Deputy Sheriff for Marshall County for nine years and as a special agent for the Frisco Railroad.
In 1918, Jack was called to serve his country during World War I where he served for 18 months. After the war, Jack returned to Madill and worked for his brother, Fred, who established the Corner Drug Store. Fred also served as the Mayor of Madill for several years. In 1919, Jack married Cleo L. Irby, and together they had one son, Jack Irby Blalock, born in 1920.
Fred Blalock bought the Webber Drug Company in July of 1919 and changed the name to the Corner Drug Store. For one hundred twenty-five years, the Corner Drug Store, founded by Fred, has continuously served the residents of Madill and Marshall County. Jack worked for Fred for a few months to save money, then began a long career in local business.
First, Jack opened a restaurant in Madill called Blalock’s Café in 1920. The café was located one door west of the First National Bank building in the northwest corner of the Square. The café was popular with the residents of Madill, and Blalock catered numerous banquets and other events at the café for school groups, alumni groups and civil organizations. Jack operated the café until August 1936, when he sold the restaurant to T. J. Hopper of Ardmore.
It was while owning Blalock’s Café that Jack Blalock had his first brush with death. On Monday, January 31, 1921, Ace Miller, a driver of a public service car in Madill, was shot twice just outside the door of Blalock’s café by Leonard Abes. Miller was standing in front of the café, conversing with Blalock and some other friends, when Abes drove up, pulled out a revolver and fired off two shots. The first shot hit Miller in the head and passed out the back of his neck, and the second shot hit him in the leg. Miraculously, Miller survived his injuries.
In1930,Jackwasinvolved in the formation and operation of the Madill Business Men’s Club. The club was founded as a recreation site for men of good character. In an announcement in the Madill Record on February 13, 1930, the Jack and the other founders stated as follows: For the past several months there has been growing sentiment among the business men of Madill for the organization, along right lines, of a business men’s recreational club which will not only be a credit to our city, but at the same time in no wise detrimental to the morals of the community.”
“With the cooperation and advice of other good and reputable citizens of Madill, we have perfected such an organization, which has been duly incorporated under the lawsoftheStateofOklahoma and propose to conduct it strictly as a legitimate club in conformity to the laws of the State of Oklahoma.”
“The old time pool hall was a cess-pool of iniquity and a gathering place for undesirables of every character. Out of their operation has grown much of the criticism which attaches to recreational pastimes not in themselves harmful or morally demoralizing.”
“It is clear that a recreational business men’s club to avoid the evils which clustered around the old time pool hall, should limit its membershiptoreputablecitizens of good character, over twenty-one years of age and not the persons of doubtful character, crooks, gamblers and bootleggers should not be permitted to join. No gambling or drinking should be allowed on Club property nor any person permitted to enter the club rooms while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In other words, a club of this kind should be so organized and conducted as to appeal to the very best citizens of the community. Such a recreational club has a legitimate place in the life of a growing city and a club of this character once organized and operating here will tend to keep our organizations of dubious character.”
“It is strictly along these lines that we propose to conduct this club. If we adhere to the high standards we have outlined above, no just criticism will ever be directed against this club. If we fail, our activities as a club will cease, and deservedly so.”
“We only ask your considerate judgment upon this undertaking. Kindly withhold criticism until we have an opportunity to demonstrate that a recreational club can be properly conducted and be a real asset to the city.”
Jack Blalock maintained an office in the club building and was actively involved for many years. The club operated as a stand-alone business from1930toabout1947when it was taken over by Bill Dennis, owner of “Bill’s Place,” a local bar. Dennis then introduced beer and alcohol to the club. Something that Blalock found unacceptable.
In 1932, Jack Blalock became a part owner in the Corner Drug Store, purchasing his brother’s interest. It was while he was the owner of the Corner Drug Store that Jack had his second brush with death. On Sunday, July 17, 1932, Jack was standing near a table in the drug store visiting with Paul Watts, of Watt’s Funeral Home, Crocket Long and Bill Baker when Wiley U. Lynn entered the store.
Also present in the store was Sosh Keller behind the fountain,servingRhodaWatkins and John Hilburn at the counter, with Son Whiting seated nearby. Also in the store were Jack’s son Irby along with Forney Keller, Jack’s partner in the store, and C. L. Turley.
WhenWileyLynnentered the store around 3:00 P.M., he saw Crocket Long seated at the back table. Because of a long-running feud between the two, Lynn called out to Long to “throw up your hands.”
Because of his poor hearing, Crocket Long did not understand what Lynn was saying, so Lynn continued approaching Long with his gun pointed directly at him. Lynn then said, “I’m going to get you some time; it might as well be now.”
At that point, Long realized what was happening, and he jumped to his feet, pulled his gun, and both started firing. Each man emptied his gun at the other.
Under a hail of bullets, Jack Blalock grabbed his son Irby, and ran out the back door for cover. Jack and Irby narrowly missed being hit. Rhoda Watkins was not as lucky. A bullet hit him in the back, mortally wounding him. John Hilburn was hit in the knee and seriously wounded.
Crocket Long was hit multiple times and mortally wounded. After the shooting ended, Wiley Long walked to the back of the store, handed his gun to Paul Watts and staggered across the street. As he passed Bill Baker, he said, “Bill, I’m afraid I’m going to die. I’m shot all to pieces. Long, Lynn and Watkins were transported to the hospital in Ardmore, where they all died within a few hours.
Jack Blalock’s third brush with death occurred just six monthsaftertheCornerDrug shootout. Lateontheevening of Friday, January 20, 1933, Jack, along with Arthur Ables and John McMillan, stopped at the McMillan Service Station in Madill to pick up a tire. McMillan and Ables entered the station, and Jack stayed in the car.
Parked just across the street in the driveway of the B&H Service Station was Madill Police Chief John Glenn. Chief Glenn mistook the men for burglars, and he pulled his gun and fired a shot through the windshield of Blalock’s car. The bullet shattered the windshield and sprayed glass in Blaylock’s face. Thinking that McMillan and Ables were pulling a prank, Blalock just stayed in the car.
A few moments later, Chief Glenn fired a second shot. The second shot went through Blaylock’s hat, knocking it from his head, narrowly missing his skull. At that point, McMillan and Ables ran out of the station, and they, along with Blalock, began yelling at Chief Glenn and identifying themselves. Glenn did not shoot anymore after realizing the men were not burglars.
Dora Tubbs purchased Jack’s interest in the Corner Drug Store in 1936. After selling the drug store, Jack opened a livestock business just west of the Post Office in Madill. The business was named The Jack Blalock’s Mule Barn. He sold horses, mules, cows, and hogs, as well as feed and seed.
Jack operated the mule barn for about two years; then, in July 1938, he leased Pettijohn Springs from Dora Tubbs. (More on that in Part XII) After leasing the park, Jack and Cleo moved to the park and lived in one of the cottages.
Eventually, Jack reopened a café in Madill and one near newly constructed Lake Texoma called The LakesideInn.In1947,hesold the Madill café to H. J. Hartin but kept the Lakeside Inn.
In 1938, Jack ran for County Sheriff against Louis Perrier, Clarence Wayne and incumbent Sheriff, T.Z. Splawn. In his campaign announcement, Blalock said this about his his plans if elected sheriff: “I promise the people of Marshall County that within twenty-four hours after I have been elected sheriff, that I will have every gambling deninthecountyclosed. The beckoning finger of the “come-on man” who lures his victims into some joint where they are “cold-decked” and robbed will beckon no more. In recent months men have been fleeced of large sums of money by these jackals who follow the “kill.” In many homes of this county hunger has existed because the bread-winner was lured into one of these dumps, his brain blurred with liquor and robbed.”
“I will shut down the open saloons. I believe that it is the sheriff’s duty to assist in keepingdrunksoffthestreets and highways. When I am elected I will, to the best of my ability, assist in that.”
“Flagrant violations of the law continue in any community for two reasons. Either the officer does not know it…or the officer does not care.” In the past few years, thieves of every description have been plying their trade among the citizens of this county. If I am elected I will use every bit of my ability, force and influence of the sheriff’s office to see that these “rats” are arrested, convicted and sent to the penitentiary.”
Maybehisrhetoricwastoo harsh, or maybe bar owners were concerned about his tough-on-crime promises, but either way, Blalock came in third in the race. Sheriff Splawn was re-elected by a wide margin.
Inadditiontoalltheabove, Jack Blalock was one of the founding members of the Charles J. Burke, Post Number 99oftheAmericanLegion in Madill. He eventually was elected as Post Commander. After serving several years as Post Commander, Blalock was elevated to the position of County Commander.
Jack continued to operate his lakeside restaurant for many years. He eventually retired, and he and Cleo lived out their lives in Marshall County. Jack passed on April 1, 1968, at the age of 70. He was buried in the Madill Cemetery.
He was a colorful man who served his country and his community for over fifty years. Strangely, Jack has the distinction of coming closer to death in peace time than in war. He clearly had an angel looking over him.
Next week, we will discuss Jack Blalock’s operation of Pettijohn Springs, and the aftermath.