Amon Wells
Amon Wells of Roland owns a special place where friends like to gather each day.
Just Folks
Amon Wells of Roland owns a special place where friends like to gather each day.
Wells, who is 90 years old, has been operating an antique store, or as he calls it, the “junk shop” for 25 years, because he enjoys collecting and selling “just about anything,” he says.
“I have a lot of retired friends who like to come and visit here. We just sit around and talk about everything. I always keep snacks and coffee here for everyone. We have a good time. Everyone knows I’m only here from 7 to 1:30 six days a week. Won’t find anyone here after that,” he says.
His shop, Brooks Trading Post, is located at 107 Main Street in Roland. Wells says the Brooks was the name of the property owners at the time he opened the shop.
“I tell everyone I buy junk and sell antiques,” he says. “But I have a little bit of just about everything — old lawnmowers, all kinds of tools and just things people want to get rid of but someone else might want.”
A native of Sequoyah County, Wells says he was born four miles north of Roland at home in September 1932.
“I went to school at Liberty. Then when I was 9, we moved to California, probably during ‘The Grapes of Wrath.’ My family did a lot of farm work,” he says. He met a girl in California who became his friend. He returned to Sequoyah County at the age of 14, and at the age of 22, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. He served several tours in Japan and Korea.
“I was in the Army for three years, three months and 20 days,” he recalls. “After I was done with the Army, I went back to California and married that girl I met and I brought her here.”
His wife of 67 years, Arletta, and he have a daughter and a son. The couple also has two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Prior to opening his shop, Wells says he worked for Wards Warehouse and Baldor Electric in Fort Smith. He retired from Baldor 25 years ago.
In addition to operating his shop, Wells still gets on his four-wheeler and rides, and also enjoys fishing and hunting. He also enjoys watching basketball games at Roland High School, where most of the young kids know him by name.
“I’ve lived for 90 years. Guess you can say I was here during the horseand- wagon days,” he says.
“There’s a lot of changes that have happened over the years. The biggest change I’ve seen here are the people. Years ago, I knew everyone here. But now there’s a lot of new people. There’s also more highways and just more in population, but I guess that’s good,” he says.
“I love living here with my people and my friends. I have the freedom to hunt and fish and be with my family. That’s the best part of being here in Sequoyah County.
“On my last birthday, they had a big birthday party for me. I had a really good time,” he says.
“I invite anyone to come and hang out with us here. All loafers are welcome here at my junk store. I call it the House of Knowledge.”
Just Folks. Just Folks is Your TIMES way of honoring the regular people of Sequoyah County, recognizing their unique talents, personalities, jobs, abilities, etc. Your TIMES appreciates the cooperation of each Just Folks and the public’s nominations for this feature. If you know of someone you think might be a good story, contact Amie or Lynn at 918-775-4433.
