Snow Community News

I spoke with Larry and Lee Joslin about their very interesting family’s history. Interest in compiling a family history prompted Lee Joslin of Oklahoma City to begin searching for information about his father’s ancestors in March 1987. His search resulted in the discovery of the secret life of his father, Wallace Elmer Joslin. Lee lives in Snow now with his wife Ima Sue. If you ever drive north on 271 you will undoubtedly pass Joslin Valley. If that road could talk it could tell many fascinating stories. Leee found out many fascinating things about his family. Wallace (Wad) Elmer Joslin, was born in Connerville, Johnston County, on Feb. 16, 1910. In 1913, his family moved to Pushmataha County settling in the community located 18 miles northeast of Antlers that later became known as Snow.

In 1930, Wallace married Mary May Lewis. The couple purchased a farm near Snow in the community that became known locally as the Joslin Settlement then later as Joslin Valley. Their children included Lee, Elverta, Elmer, Glen and Bob. In 1946, Wallace breakdown and was hospitalized at the Eastern State Hospital in Vinita. “We never knew what caused father’s illness,” Joslin said. “He was later transferred to the Central State Hospital in Norman before moving to a hospital in Lexington.”

The last time Joslin recalled seeing his father was in August 1964 when Elverta died. Joslin and his brother, Elmer, had attempted to have their father released from the hospital to attend the funeral. “I travel into several states bordering Oklahoma with my business,” Joslin said. “Many times I had free time to research my family history.”

Joslin searched the U.S. Federal Census records at the Oklahoma Historical Society to learn the names of his ancestors, their birth dates and places of residence. He began with the 1920 Census and worked back one generation at a time tracing their migration pattern. After learning the family had migrated from Arkansas to Oklahoma, he visited the Arkansas History Commission in Little Rock and obtained documents from Berryville, Arkansas. Joslin then searched the Finley Cemetery in Pushmataha County to learn about family members who had lived and died in the area. “While searching for - cates at the Division of Vital Records, Oklahoma Department of Heath, I decided to obtain a copy of my father’s birth cer - ter completing the application, Joslin received a Wallace Elmer by his surname only. In order to with his father’s complete name, Joslin learned he - davit of personal knowledge of his father’s birth or records verifying his name and date of birth.

Joslin was able to locate Wallace’s brother, Harve, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and attempted - vit verifying the birth of his father. He discovered his uncle had been placed in a rest home and was unable to sign the document.

On Oct. 12, 1987, Joslin visited the Central Hospital hoping to obtain his father’s records. A nurse informed him that Wallace had left the facility and indicated he had possibly changed his name and obtained employment in another state.

“I felt that my father might still be alive,” Joslin said. “This is when my research became focused on him.” Every attempt to obtain his father’s records from other facilities where he had lived failed. Finally, an employee of the Lexington Room and Board, a half-way home for individuals released by state hospitals, suggested that he contact the Social Security Administration.

“I was surprised to learn that if an individual does not have a social security number when admitted to a state instithe application and obtain a number for the patient,” Joslin said. “Upon requesting a copy of my had died in Alabama in 1985.”

The next morning, a party of four, Joslin and his wife, July, and Elmer, his wife, Mable, traveled to Montgomery where they obtained a copy of Wallace Joslin’s

The document as Wallace Joslin. His place of death was listed as Thomasville and his place of burial as the O’Neal cemetery in Dixons Mills.

The family learned that a member of the community, Dick Martin, had befriended Wallace Joslin when he arrived in Dixon Mills. “When I met Joslin 20 himself as Charlie Walker,” Martin said. “He told me he had been walking for seventeen years and I guess that’s why he said his name was Walker.” Martin stated that his son, Jimmy, was able to trick Walker into revealing his real name and they were able to help him obtain assistance from Social Security. Martin also shared many stories and photographs about Wallace Joslin’s life in the community.

“When I stood beside my father’s grave for the last time, someone asked me how I felt,” Joslin said. “I replied, ‘Sad, very sad,’ because I could not release my grief.”

To help keep the memories of their father alive, the Joslin family has published a book to share with future generations. Kudos goes out to Mr. Joslin for following his dream and recording

Also, the Finley Community normally has a lunch on each Friday at noon. Days that they are not open or only doing take outs will be posted on their Facebook page. Anyone wanting to add to the article needs to turn them in before Friday at 5 p.m. Additions can be emailed to me at: antlers278@gmail.com or call 580-208-0870, Have a blessed week.