Who was the First JW in Tulsa?

Grand Opera House, Tulsa, OK  1906-1941

According to a Tulsa World article dated June 30, 1974, it was a woman named Mrs. O.R. (Beulah) Covey.

This article goes on to say:..."While living in Oklahoma City, she had heard Charles T. Russell, the first president of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, speak in 1912.  Convinced it was the truth of the Bible she began to study diligently.  In 1913, she and her husband moved to Tulsa, and shortly after both were active as Bible Students. 

The Covey's arranged to have the Watchtower Society's famous 'Photo-Drama of Creation' brought to Tulsa in 1914.  . . . There were two showings a day for eight days at the old Grand Opera House located in the 100 block on East 2nd Street, and each drew a packed house. 

'The Watchtower Society sent four full-time ministers to  Tulsa with the 'Photo-Drama' to follow up interest,' recalled Claus*  "These were able to bring together eight or nine persons to study the Bible.  They met at the Stroud* home located at the edge of town near Orcutt Lake (now the Swan Lake area).  The house was down a crooked, sandy road full of sand burrs, which made walking very difficult, but this was the first Kingdom Hall for the city of Tulsa in 1914.'"

*Brother Arthur Claus - Tulsa West Unit

*The "Tulsa City Directory" shows the Stroud home to be located at  E. 17th.   The house is no longer there, but it would have been a few blocks from Swan Lake.

Is that a poster of Judge Rutherford? What's up?

Black folks taken to Convention Hall (a/k/a Brady Theater)
Tulsa Race Riot, May 31/June 1, 1921

Is that a picture of Judge Rutherford? 

Yes, it is. Brother Rutherford gave the talk "Millions Now Living Will Never Die" on Monday, May 30, 1921.  The Tulsa Race riot began Tuesday night, May 31st.  There is a full page ad in the Tulsa World and Tulsa Tribune advertising the talk and a small reminder ad in both papers the day of the talk.  It's advertised as free to the public to be held at the Convention Hall (a/k/a Brady Theater) at 8 p.m.

Did Richard J. Hill attend this talk?  No.  At this time, Jim Crow laws prohibited black and white folks meeting together. (See his comments in the Tulsa Race Riot blog)