For many years I had been employed by the First National Bank, DeKalb, Texas, and for two years had held the position of Cashier. Good fortune had been with me. At the age of twenty-seven I had a fine job, a lively wife and a baby daughter and was paying for a home. But I had a problem, my wife was in very poor health.
The situation reached a climax when my good friend and Medical Doctor sadly informed me that he did not see how my wife could live much longer. This verdict we refused to accept and began to look for other means of help. We heard about Dr. R. E. Mathis, Texarkana’s Pioneer Chiropractor, and my wife became one of his patients. She began to slowly improve, month by month, under Dr. Mathis’s able hands, but each trip to see him took a day and he finally convinced me that I should become a chiropractor. He said “your wife suffered from several chronic conditions and will probably require Chiropractic as long as she lives. Learn to do the work yourself, save doctor bills and make a good living while serving humanity.
I resigned from the bank. My business associates were fearful that I was making a grave error. We moved to Oklahoma City where I matriculated in Carver Chiropractic College. The D. C. Degree was conferred upon me December 20, 1920. Early in January, 1921 I went to Little Rock, Arkansas and took the examination of the Arkansas Board of Chiropractic Examiners. My license number was 111. Although I intended to practice in my native State, I thought this license hanging on the wall would give moral support, even if it had no legal value. It was good public relations, too, in an open state like Texas.
I began my practice in the First National Bank Building of Paris, Texas. I was ready at last, for my visions of serving suffering humanity to begin coming true. I had problems. 1921 was a deep depression year, the economy lagged and my money was about gone. My greatest source of help was the ever present faith and optimism of my good wife, who was thin and weak and far from well. But sick folk did come in and they brought others. After a couple of years had passed, Fortune seemed to smile again. At this time, 1923, then Attorney General Dan Moody met with the Texas Medical Association in a Convention at Ft. Worth and promised them in an address that he would “Run all the Chiropractors in Texas into the Gulf of Mexico.” The Lamar County Medical Association ran a series of ads in the daily newspaper, warning the people about “Quacks” being a menace to the “Public Health”. Might most surely was not on my side but I knew that Right was and I was ready to fight for it. I replied with ads, calling the Campaign “Persecution” and trying to get rid of their competition, at public expense.
I was arrested on the charge of “practicing medicine without a license”. From the cashiership of a country bank to this situation was something to digest, but the principle involved had to be defended. I won eight cases during the next two years, but lost the ninth, which cost me two weeks in the County jail. January 1927 brought a change in County Officers, friendly to our cause. Our troubles were over. My hurt pride was salved somewhat by more patients coming in than I could serve. Three years later I built a fine, large clinic which is still being used.
In 1932 Texas Chiropractors met at Brownwood and organized the Texas State Chiropractic Association, electing me as President, where I served two terms. I served five years as Texas State Director to the NCA, 1935 through 1940. In 1943 Governor Coke Stevenson appointed me a member of the first Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The present Texas Chiropractic Licensing Law was enacted in 1949 and I was appointed to this Examining Board for a six year term, where I served as Chairman of the Board. I received a second appointment to this Board, which expired in 1961. At the 1950 Convention of the Texas State Chiropractic Association, following the first year of successful administration of the Licensing Law, I was awarded the Keeler Plaque. Also in 1950 the T.C.C. awarded me the Degree E.E.C. I have P. G. Certificates from Carver C.C., Lincoln C. C. National C. C., Los Angeles C. C. and I took Dr. York’s Classes five times and the same number with Dr. Lake and two at Spears.
In 1921 I joined the old U.C.A. and they defended me in all my court trials. I have been a member of both State and National Chiropractic Associations for forty years. In 1949 the T.S.C.A. Convention was held again at Brownwood, Texas where I proposed and organized the Gavel Club of Texas Chiropractors, which is serving the useful purpose of keeping the Past Presidents of Texas Chiropractic organizations together as an Advisory Board.
I served as Chairman of the Official Board of the First Christian Church, Paris, Texas for five years. I am a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner.
I have never regretted taking the advice of my old friend, Dr. R. E. Mathis, and becoming a Chiropractor. It’s practice has given me a full life of service to my fellowman; a livelihood and I fully believe, the continued good health of my beloved wife.
Many tasks have I done, many honors have I received which are records and memories, but the KEELER PLAQUE! It is tangible. I can hang it on the wall and admire its beauty, being daily reminded of what it stands for.
