Dozier Building

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Sim Bow Dozier rock building story.pdf

Mr. & Mrs. Sim Bow (S. B.) Dozier and Families and their inseparable impact on Vernon, Oklahoma (1905 – Present)

Mr. Sim Bow Dozier (S.B. as he preferred to be called), was born in Georgia in 1855. The 1865 dist. 772 McCrary Georgia census shows he worked for Clayborn Ogletree. In 1877 while living in Claiborne County Louisiana he married Indiana Brooks. By 1880 his mother Mary Dozier was living with him she was then 60 yrs. old. He and Indiana (India) as she was known had 11 children Carrie was the oldest, John the youngest and Crawford the 3 youngest and George W. was child #5. They lived there until 1905 then the family moved to the newly formed State of Oklahoma answering the call for all to come Indian Territory in general and to Vernon in particular where they would be free to establish businesses farms and grow and prosper un-harassed by the shackles of bigotry and prejudice they confronted in the south. On October 10th, 1910 he purchased an entire block from Thomas & Julia Haynes. Lots 1 -32 block 34. By then he was 56 and his wife was 51.

Mr. S. B. Dozier like many of the men who would come to Indian Territory were well accomplished men of means and he wasted no time putting those resources to work establishing commerce in the town. He first built a saw mill, then simultaneously built a home, steam powered cotton gin, and a grist mill situated on the south side of the railroad tracks… which had begun operating in the town in 1903. In 1913 he began construction on the 2 story native stone general merchandise store that was completed in 1915 and to date is the only two story building ever build in the town of Vernon and it still standing being used as a storage building by his descendants. All of the other buildings including his home were frame buildings. (His son Fred's wife Carrie has the distinction of having built the only 2 story home every built in Vernon. It was a grand home with fire place and grand staircase. It was located just about 200 yards southwest of his father’s building).

But Mr. S.B. Dozier intended to make a statement with this building and make a statement he did. It stood as, and still is a testament to the ingenuity, skill and forward thinking of Mr. S.B. Dozier and the other town founders. He wanted a building that would not just serve his need and the needs of the community back then, but would stand for generations to come as a monument to his resourcefulness, talent and business skills. He succeeded in that regard beyond his hopes. Mr. S.B. Dozier was a true empire builder and original multi-tasker and one of, if not the most influential man in town. He accurately interpreted the needs of the town, and with an unlimited supply of wood his sawmill made quick work of making boards for building homes, barns and business.

Vernon was an agricultural center for Afro American farmers who needed a place to sell their goods, turn corn and wheat, into flour, meal and livestock feed. So he built a Grist mill. The major crop in the area was cotton and the Afro American farmer could not always expect a fair price from neighboring gins, so Mr. S.B. built a cotton gin. But not just any gin, it was a magnificent steam powered cotton gin. All the time running 2 farms outside of town. S. B. did more to situate the new town on a rocket path to being self-reliant than any other Vernon businessman, and he did all this within 6 years of arrival.

But he was not alone it was a joint effort. From all over the south those who wanted to escape the shackles of bigotry and hatred of post-civil war south answered the call with the same vigor and vitality they showed when they helped the Union defeat the Rebels. This was a second freedom to them and answer they did. The came to Indian Territory and formed new free towns. Vernon was an exceptional, perfectly situated on the Ft. Smith and Western railway with Mr. S. B. Dozier Cotton Gin, Saw mill, and Grist Mill, Vernon now

became an agricultural hub for Afro-Americans attracting even more people to the area. The exodus that began during the roll back was now all out migration of Afro-Americans with dreams of a new and full freedom and an unquenchable thrust to enjoy the American dream, and Mr. S. B. Dozier, Mr. Edward Woodard- commodities broker, Mr. Robert Butts - rancher & financier, Mr. R. T. Spencer- gen contractor, Mr. Thomas M. and Mrs. Julia Haynes –realtors & developers, were here to make those dreams a reality. They were the right people at the right time. It cannot not be overstated how crucial and essential Mr. S.B. Dozier was to the development of what would become one of the largest of all the black towns in Oklahoma, with over 2500 people at its peak 1923-1925 . Boley would later double that, but Vernon held the record first.

History of the Dozier building.

Although the Cotton Gin, Saw Mill and Grist Mills and the Dozier Home are long gone Mr. S. B. last commercial venture endures. 12 and a half decades and 5 generations later, and what a story it has to tell.

CHRONOLOGY

1905 arrived in Vernon Built Saw Mill (US census)

1906 build grist mill (fact and conjecture)

1907 build cotton gin (fact and conjecture)

1913 construction began (fact and conjecture)

1915 construction completed beautification work begins on the ground floor, building opens as a General Merchandise store (dry goods). Mr. S. B. Dozier’s 5th child George W. Dozier & his son placed in charge of running & operating the store. S. B. Dozier focuses his time on running the Cotton Gin, Grist Mill, Saw Mill and his farms, and working with Mr. Thomas M. Haynes to facilitate and attract new businesses to Vernon. (The Boley Press December 4th, 1915)

1916 plastering of the walls continues. Store inventory now stocked with $1000 in merchandise. Between Mr. S.B. Dozier and His Son Fred Dozier they now own over 100 of the available lots in Vernon and offer them for sale to new comers. They continue to makes lumber to build houses and businesses, grind flower, meal, and feed insuring the town is totally self-sufficient. (The Topeka Plaindealer April 28th, 1916)

1917 plastering of walls stops (the Black Dispatch)

1918 Jan 11th, an Ad appears in the Topeka Plaindealer advertising a “Storehouse and Hardware business for Sale Contact C.M.D. at P.O. Box 756, Vernon, Okla. 74877. We believe this is Mr. S. B. Dozier attempting to sell his building but cannot confirm it. Neither the Boley Progress in 1915 nor the Topeka Plaindealer 1916 article mentions any business matching that description or owners initials in existence. It is possible that someone else could have built a new business in two years between 1916 and 1918 and attempted to sell and/or sold it. But we can find no mention of any other store that matches the description “storehouse & hardware business” other than S. B.’s two story storehouse building.

1919 plastering of walls continues on second floor Son Fred buys another block of town. (1919 Oct 14th Fred Dozier copy 2 - Book 00033D, Page 0229 McIntosh County Clerk)

1919 March 16th Mr. S. B Dozier’s 6th child Sim Bow Dozier Jr. returns home from France where he has been fighting in the WWI. (R.M.S. Carolina ships passenger manifest)

1919 October 15th, S. B. Dozier Jr. is dead almost exactly 6 months to the day after returning home from service, no records found as to why. He was only 29 years old. (Vernon Duty Hill Cemetery, Vernon, Okla.)

1920 April 4th plastering of walls started and stopped again 1st & 2nd floor (the Black Dispatch)

1920 June 24th Crawford Dozier quietly marries Cassie Bratton at her parents home in Vernon. (The Black Dispatch)

1920 Aug 13th, S. B. Dozier buys a new Dodge automobile (the Black Dispatch)

1920 Dec 13 Plastering work on Mr. S.B. Dozier’s Stone Building was reported almost completed. Operations continue as a two-story Dry goods store (the Black Dispatch)

1921 July 1st plastering of the walls started again (the Black Dispatch)

1924 August Mr. S. B. Dozier begins construction of his new home. (The Black Dispatch)

1925 Feb 16th, S. B. dies suddenly and unexpectedly from massive heart attack while driving home from his farm at 6:05 p.m. Entire community mourns the loss of this pioneer and community leader and financier. He was member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, Deacon of New Hope Baptist church, W.B.F. Lodge, & The American Patriot Fraternity. Son Crawford returns from Arizona in time for his father’s funeral. (The Black dispatch)

1925 Feb 19th the Church paid S. B.’s wife Mrs. India dozier $200 for his funeral. (The Black dispatch)

1925 March 26th, Son Fred Dennis Dozier post final notice to begin probate proceedings as administrator of S. B. Dozier estate C.H. Tully attorney. (The Indian Journal)

1925 July 16th, Knights of Pythias pay widow Mrs. India Dozier $575 ($9,468.15 today) endowment for Mr. S. B. Dozier. (The Black dispatch)

1925 Dec 17th, Construction of Mr. S.B. Dozier’s new home is now complete and his widow moves in. (The Black dispatch)

1925 George W. closes store after his Father’s death. (Interview with Mattie Dozier-Robertson)

1926 Dec 26th, Although we have not found records to verify, it is believed that Crawford moved to Arizona with wife Cassie after they married in June of 1920 and did not return to Arizona after his father’s funeral or returned and divorced his wife and came back to Oklahoma. What we can verify is that on Dec 26th, 1926 he married Jeanette (Tennie) Baccus. She was 15 yrs. old, one month shy of her 16th birthday. Crawford had just turned 31. (The Black dispatch)

1927 – 1934 George W. Re-opens the store and continues to operate Dry Goods store and finishes interior work on both floors. (Interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker son of Tennie & Leslie Walker & Elder A.C. Fields)

1934 George W. Dozier Re-Administers his father’s estate after his mother’s death. He then closes the store and moves to California (the Indian Journal & interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, and Ala Pearl Bowman granddaughter of Fred D. Dozier)

1935 Crawford Re-administers his father’s estate and he and his wife Tennie take over handling the estate. (The Indian Journal)

1935-1936 Crawford and Tennie re-open the Dozier Building as a dry goods & shoe store. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1936-1942 Crawford and Tennie convert the “Dozier Building” and operate it as a Tavern called the “Rock Front Club”. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1943 They close the club when Crawford is too sick to run it. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1945 June 1st, 11:45 p.m. Verterans Hospital, Muskogee, Ok. Crawford Dies. (Death certificate & personal knowledge)

1945 Mrs. Tennie Dozier leases the Dozier Building to Lloyd Dozier Crawford's nephew, who operates a Tavern on first floor and a dance hall on second floor. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1946 Mrs. Dozier unites with Mr. Leslie “Dee” Walker. They have one child in 1947. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1950 Lloyd Dozier’s Club closes (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1954 -1959 Mrs. Tennie Dozier leases building to Mert Barnett who re-opens the Rock Front Club, and operates it until it closes in 1959. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1960-1962 Mrs. Tennie Dozier leases the Dozier Building out to a recreation center and after school kids spot. When it closes in 1962 building is vacant. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1963 Mrs. Woodard retires as post master and Mrs. Tennie Dozier becomes the new post master and in 1964 she moves the post office from the small frame builing across the street to the Dozier building. (2023 interview with Mattie Dozier Robertson, Samuel M. Arterberry and Ala Pearl Bowman, 2019 interview with Jerry Emerson-Walker and Elder A. C. Fields.)

1964 A small portion of the Dozier Building is sectioned off in the front and becomes the United States 4th Class Post Office. . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr.)

1965 Mrs. Tennie Dozier marries Leslie “Dee” Walker and becomes Mrs. Tennie Walker. . . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr.)

1971 Mrs. Tennie Dozier-Walker has her Son Billie Joe Dozier knock off the second floor of the Dozier Building and convert it from a 2 story to a 1 story building because the 2nd floor was falling and was no longer safe, adding a new gable roof to replace original flat roof. (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr.)

1973-1977 Mrs. Tennie Dozier-Walker’s son George Dozier (named after his Uncle George W. Dozier) opens Mr. G’s Grocery in the building to compliment his Mr. G’s Club opened down the street in 1971. . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr.)

1991 Mrs. Tennie Walker retires and has trained Mrs. Joyce Dozier to replace her. Mrs. Joyce Dozier works as the new Post Master for about 2 years then the post office decides to convert all postal workers to civil service employees and requires her to take and pass the civil service exam. When she does they then tell her she has to cross train at the other local post offices and send her to Hanna first then to Schulter. In the mean time they have a man drive over an hour to come to Vernon in her place. That lasts for about a month or two then he refuses to make the drive. Instead of bringing Joyce back they decide to close the post office instead. Mrs. Walker protest and they keep open and begin training a local woman to take the place of the man who didn’t want to drive here.

1993 Mrs. Walker dies in December, Joyce is about to finish her training. When the post office announces they are closing the post office. Vernon is now officially off the map. They quickly consolidate all mail routes with Hanna and change everyone’s address to Hanna, and install a community mail box in the center of town. Effectively wiping out Vernon. Vernon no longer appears on any maps. . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr and Daily Oklahoman 1984 interview of Mrs. Tennie Walker.)

1994 – Present. Building remains closed. . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr.)

1995 Vernon refuses to be wiped out. A few concerned residents began to refuse to address they mail as Hanna. They are first told the post office will not deliver the mail unless it says Hanna. They are persistent and the word spreads and as the other citizens realize the significance of not writing Vernon on their mail instead of Hanna it catches on and the majority of the town refuses to be wiped out. When in mass numbers almost everyone refuses to write Hanna on their mail. The sheer volume of extra work created by trying to reject mail addressed to Vernon, forces the post office and other mail services to recognize Vernon as a separate town and eventually assigns both towns to the same zip code. . (Personal knowledge of I witness Clarence L. Baccus Jr. as the originator or the Idea)

1996 Dozier building closes for good, becomes family storage building. (Chrisina Dozier)

1997 – 2009 Mrs. Walker’s son George Dozier Sr. adds another operation to is club. Starting Mr. “G’s BBQ.. The bar is now Mr. “G’s BBQ & Bar”. It is the only business left in town after the close of the post office and his grocery store and remains a fixture in Vernon and surrounding areas until his death in July 2000. His Wife works for the Post Office while children Becky & George Jr. run the BBQ & Bar until 2003. When George Jr steps away to be a full time dad. He leases it to a local man for a year. Then his sisters operate it for a while, until they graduate college and move to Dallas, it’s leased to a couple guys for a couple years. Then reduced to only opening on weekends, then holidays and special events and finally closes for good. In 2009. It is the end of an era. (interview with George Dozier Jr, & Christina Dozier)

2024 January S.B. Dozier's great-grand son George Dozier Jr. is elected Mayor of Vernon. The legacy continues!