Home Town and State Unite to Honor Forney Druggist

Walter D. Adams

Dallas Morning News
15 August 1931

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Forney, Kaufman Co., Texas, Aug. 14 – The eyes of Texas were upon Forney Friday night when Forney, Kaufman County and Texas paid honor to Walter D. Adams, who recently became president of the American Pharmaceutical Association, the largest organization of druggists in the world. Mr. Adams was honored in a banquet, given at the First Methodist Church here. George R. Jordan was toastmaster. Mr. Adams is the first native Texan to become head of the American druggists. He was born Dec. 31, 1871, at Kemp, Kaufman County. His parents were George M. Adams and Elizabeth Hubert Adams, each a descendant of pioneer American families. Mr. Adams was orphaned when 3 years old, was cared for by a widowed aunt for nine years until her death left the 12-year-old lad to shift for himself.Working in the drug store of a brother, S.N. Adams, the youngster attended public school at Kaufman. He later served an apprenticeship in the print shop of the Kaufman Sun. In 1887 he moved to Forney, attended a private academy, and worked in the drug store of another brother. He was appointed Forney correspondent for The Dallas News that year which position he has now held for forty-four years.

Newspapers and Drugs

The next year, Mr. Adams, then 17, established his own newspaper, the Forney Tribune, being given financial assistance by ten leading citizens. The venture was successful, but desiring further education, he sold his interest in the paper and spent a year at Texas A & M College, where he acted as a secretary to the president. He then returned to Forney, entered the newspaper business, but disposed of it two years later and bought an interest in the drug store of a brother, F.M. Adams. Eventually he became sole owner and has successfully conducted the business for thirty-seven years.

Shortly after engaging in the drug business, Mr. Adams married and last December he and his wife celebrated their thirty-sixth wedding anniversary. Mrs. Adams always has taken a practical interest in her husband’s affairs and has been active in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. Adams was president of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association in 1914, and has been its secretary for the last ten years. In addition, he is editor of the Texas Druggist, for the printer’s ink never got entirely out of his system. He also has, for years, belonged to the National Association of Retail Druggists and the American Pharmaceutical Association.

Mr. Adams has, however, found time to do many things outside the drug and newspaper worlds. A member of the Episcopal Church he served for four years as a trustee for old St. Mary’s College and for a number of years was a member of the bishop’s cabinet. He was a member of the board of regents of the College of Industrial Arts seven years and was for a time member of the board of managers of the State Hospital at Terrell. He has been Mayor of Forney, is a member of the Lion’s Club and active in Masonry and takes much interest in civic affairs. He also is vice-president of the Retail Dealers’ Allied Council of Texas, composed of nine large retail organizations.

List of Toasts

At Friday night’s banquet E.M. Riggs responded to the toast, “A Proud City,” letting Mr. Adams know how high he stood with his neighbors. Dr. D.H. Hudgins, secretary of the Kaufman County Medical Society, brought greetings from the medical profession, and Mrs. B.B. Hulsey lauded Mrs. Adams, her topic being “The Power Behind the Throne.”

Virgil A Haynie of Kemp, where Mr. Adams was born, spoke on “His Native Heath,” and Ross Huffmaster of Kaufman recounted “Boyhood Days.” Fred I. Massengill, editor of the Terrell Tribune, brought “A Tribute From the Texas Press” and E.B. Oliver of Longview, president of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, spoke on “As One President to Another.”

In sketching Mr. Adams’ progress, “From Newsboy to President,” Harry C. Withers, managing editor of The Dallas Journal who was city editor of The News for a year and as such had close relations with near-by correspondents, told numerous anecdotes of years gone by.
Walter H. Cousins of Dallas, secretary of the State Board of Pharmacy, spoke on “Country Boys in Tuxedos,” and A.H. Seely of Belton, member of the executive committee of the Texas Pharmaceutical Association, on “The Building of a Great Association.”

After all these varied tributes, Mr. Adams was given an opportunity to say what he could in defense of himself, but the compliments had come so thick and fast that about all he could do was to thank his friends and voice his appreciation for the unique tribute.