History of Sam Adalaski McKinney

PERSONAL HISTORY OF SAM ADALASKI MCKINNEY

Sam Adalaski McKinney (Samuel Adalaski McKinney) was born on 29 Feb 1860 in Indiana to John D. McKinney, Jr. and Sarilda Harriet Weddel. He died on 31 Dec 1925 in Vinita, OK at the Eastern State Hospital of hardening of the arteries. He was buried in the Buffington Cemetery, Sallisaw, OK.

He came with parents in a covered wagon from Indiana to Oklahoma. (His family spent some time in Kansas and Arkansas) His feet nearly froze because all he had to wear were wooden shoes. A man made fun of the shoes and Sam told him if he ever saw him again he was going to whip him. He did see the man again at Marble City, Oklahoma and he whipped him He married Linda Hancock Hines, in Arkansas, maybe Perryville. Linda was 16 and he was 22 years old. Linda through an inheritance owned 80 acres in or near Perryville. Sam wanted to move or live in Oklahoma. So, she sold the land and they moved to Bibs Mountain. Sam had straight black hair, truly blue eyes (big blue) a dark complexion, about 5’8″ or 9″. He could write and figure and he read the bible frequently. He had no noticeable accent, not slow talking, but in anger used rapid speech. He was not a violent person, nor one to raise his voice except in anger. He disciplined his and Lynn’s children with extra chores and work in fields rather than physical punishment. He dressed in cowboy boots, white or black western hat and rode a Bay Stallion named Deck, also used a wagon for travel. Gambled with cards, drank liquor, liked to dance, enjoyed his children and their friends, allowed dances in their home, played music for them. Carried broom straws in his pocket to clean his teeth. Played the fiddle and organ. He was a farmer, raised hogs, cattle, corn, sorgum, fruit, garden vegetables.

Memories of Minnie McKinney Deatherage as recorded by her daughter Evelyn in 1982