Chapter 17
MR. & MRS. D. E. SHAPARD
1912-1916
David and Elise would live at 13 different residences during their 15 years of marriage. All but two of them were rented. On October 25, 1912, they rented their first residence from Mr. John Fuller, at 800 North Thirteenth Street. The house had two stories, a front porch, and was near the corner of North H Street. The newlyweds likely rented an upstairs room or rooms. Only a month later, the couple moved a block away to their second residence owned by the elderly Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Bruce at 821 North Twelfth Street. The home became available after the departure of the former tenants, Dr. and Mrs. E. C. Myers. The two-story house, had a front porch and was near the corner of North I Street. David and Elise would reside there, renting a portion of the house, for at least the next three years.
On November 20, 1912, Elise Shapard was formally introduced into Fort Smith society as the guest of honor at a tea and coffee social event hosted by Mrs. W. A. Stanton and Mrs. Fagan Bourland, Jr., the daughter-in-law of Fort Smith Mayor Fagan Bourland. The event was held at the house of Mrs. Bourland, at 315 North 15th Street, from 4 o’clock until 6 o’clock. The entertaining rooms of the house were decorated with an abundance of pink Killarney roses. One hundred and fifty guests called during the receiving hours to meet Mrs. Shapard and welcome her to Fort Smith.
David and Elise spent their first Christmas as a married couple in Conway, at Central College, as the guests of her parents Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger. They remained in Conway until returning to Fort Smith on January 2, 1913. David greatly enjoyed and appreciated the fellowship, as, like the Shapards, the Congers prided themselves on strong family bonds. Joining them was Elise’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. Annie E. Hamilton (1841-1929), of Dyersburg, Tennessee.
Her maternal grandfather, Rev. Ephraim E. Hamilton (1827-1900) had died in 1900. Just like David’s father, Rev. Hamilton was a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and had been the Recording Secretary of the conference for many years. He was licensed to preach in 1850, at 23 years of age, and shortly thereafter, admitted into the Memphis Conference. He had the gift of oratory, and was popularly known as a fervent and animated speaker. In 1853, he married Miss Tennessee Poyner of Paris, Tennessee. She died the following year, and, 1858, he married Miss Annie E. Poyner, the sister of his former wife. They had many children, one of which was Elise’s mother, Tennessee ‘Tennie’ Hamilton (1860-1923). Since Elise’s mother was raised Southern Methodist and her father was raised Baptist, it is easy to understand why her parents gave their blessing for Elise to marry David, despite their religious differences.
Elise’s brother William Hamilton Conger (1891-1918), also came to Conway to visit his family for Christmas of 1912. “Hamilton” or “Ham,” as he was known by all, was well-educated like all of the Conger children, having been raised on the campuses of Ouachita College and Union College. Although small in stature, he was a very talented athlete and was one of the favorites on the football team. Hamilton received an education in engineering, and, circa 1909, began work with the Southern Engine & Boiler Works Company of Jackson, Tennessee. In 1910, a year after his father retired the presidency of Union University, at Jackson, Tennessee, Hamilton joined his family at Little Rock, Arkansas. Circa 1912, he obtained employment with the Major Stave Company, as the manager of their wood mill at Ashdown, Arkansas. Hamilton became very well versed in lumber and machinery, and traveled frequently for the company, tending to their various mills.
In mid-February of 1913, David and Elise traveled to Conway to visit her parents. It was then that Elise overjoyed her parents with the news that she was pregnant. A day or so after the announcement David returned to Fort Smith for work, yet it appears that Elise remained in Conway as the guest of her parents until after March 6th. As the due date approached, both of Elise’s sisters, Mrs. Lucile Bailey and Miss Allie Merle Conger, came to Fort Smith, on March 21, as the guests of the Shapards. While there, they made the final touches on the nursery and helped out around the house.
Elise’s sister, Lucile Conger (1885-1928), was born on August 19, 1885, and graduated Ouachita College in 1904. She studied with piano with Emil Liebling in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905, with her sister Annelise. In 1906, Lucile was employed as a teacher at Ouachita College, and a year later moved to Jackson, Tennessee, with her family, where she taught at Union University. In 1911, she moved with her family to Conway, Arkansas, where she taught English at Central College. On September 6, 1911, she married Mr. Edward Randal Bailey (1880-1935). Lucile had the first child of that generation of Congers, on June 14, 1912. The baby, Annelise Conger Bailey (1912-1995), was named after her beloved sister.
Elise’s other sister, Allie Merle Conger (1894-1979), was born in Arkansas on February 13, 1894. She attended Ouachita College until 1907, when her family moved to Jackson Tennessee. There she attended Union University, graduating in 1909. She did post-graduate study at the Indianapolis Conservatory in 1910. Allie Merle taught piano at Central College in Conway, Arkansas in 1911, and was a pupil of Emil Liebling in the summer of 1912.
In early July, Elise’s mother Tennie Hamilton Conger arrived in Fort Smith, along with her sister Allie Merle Conger, to await the delivery. Throughout the month, the Congers remained the guests of the Shapards at their house on North Twelfth Street. Tennessee “Tennie” Hamilton, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. E. E. Hamilton, was born in 1860 at Memphis, Tennessee. In 1878, at the age of eighteen, she became employed as a public school teacher in Memphis. In 1883, she accepted a teaching position at the newly established Male and Female College (Searcy College) at Searcy, Arkansas. It was there where she first met professor J. W. Conger, who was president of the college. The two worked closely together and a natural courtship developed. They were married on October 9, 1884, at Central Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, by Rev, R. H. Mahon. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1886, when her husband was offered the presidency of Ouachita College. There they would spend the next twenty-one years of their lives dedicated to the responsibilities of the college, as well as, raising their own children. Tennie was a classically trained artist and faculty member of the art department at Ouachita College. Two of her beautiful paintings, from the 1880s-1890s, have survived to the present day, and illustrate the talent of her brushstrokes and the mastery of her skill.
On July 28, 1913, Elise began having contractions and was taken to the Fort Smith Sparks Memorial Hospital for delivery. She was under the quality care of David’s friend Dr. Eugene Stevenson, son of Dr. E. H. Stevenson who had been the Shapard family doctor since the 1880s. To the joy and delight of the Shapard and Conger families, the following day, on July 29th, she gave birth to a healthy boy. Pertaining to naming the baby, after some lively conversation, “David William Shapard” and “David Evander Shapard, Jr.,” were proposed. The latter eventually was favored. Elise remined at the hospital until she and baby David Evander Shapard, Jr. (1913-1983), were discharged on August 4th. Elise’s mother helped her to get settled at home, and remained with her at the Shapard house throughout the month of August. In late August, Mrs. J. W. Conger returned home to Conway, being accompanied by Elise and the baby, for a visit of several days.
As the holiday season approached, David, Elise and baby David, Jr., spent Thanksgiving in Conway with the Conger family. To David’s delight, his siter Lizzie Jaynes came from Washington D. C., to Fort Smith for Christmas. She arrived by train on December 12th, and was overjoyed to get to see her new nephew and spend some quality time with her brothers David and Edwin. On January 10, 1914, before Lizzie Jaynes returned to Washington D. C., she was the guest of honor at a ‘Kensington’ hosted by Edwin’s wife May Shapard. A Kensington was an entertaining social event whereby each guest brought a covered dish for supper.
In March of 1914, David was honored by being elected as the Senior Counselor of the Fort Smith United Commercial Travelers Council No. 86, having previously filled all the other local chairs. Each March the Travelers held a regular meeting for the election of new officers for their local council, as well as, electing representatives for the Grand Council meeting that was held at a different location each year. Local offices were Senior Counselor, Junior Counselor, Past Counselor, Secretary-Treasurer, Conductor, Page, Sentinel and Chaplin. At the start of the regular meeting, new members were initiated and introduced to the Travelers and important business was discussed. While the men were in their secret meeting, their wives and sweethearts were invited to socialize with each other in the parlors of the meeting hall.
In 1914, David and Elise acquired quarters for the summer at Winslow, Arkansas. This popular resort area was located 2,397 feet above sea level, in the scenic mountains north of Fort Smith. It was easily accessible by train, which made it a favorite destination for vacation travelers. In June of 1914, the Shapards stayed at the Chinquepin Inn, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Willis. David came up on the weekends and Elise and David, Jr. stayed throughout the summer enjoying the beautiful surrounds, country living and socializing with guests.
In November of 1914, the Shapard family traveled to Conway to spend Thanksgiving with the Conger family. David returned to Fort Smith after the holiday, and Elise and David, Jr., remained with her parents throughout the month of December, spending Christmas at Central College. On December 1, 1914, Mrs. J. W. Conger and Miss Allie Merle Conger opened up the parlors of Central College for a social reception in honor of Elise Shapard and Mrs. Cecil H. Dickerson, both of whom were former members of the faculty. The reception hall was adorned with American Beauty roses and ferns, and the parlors were decorated with pink and white chrysanthemums and evergreens. The Tuesday event was held from 2:30 to 5:30 in the afternoon, to an especially large number of guests who were received by the hostesses and guests of honor. Punch, coffee and a salad course were served, while live piano music was delightfully rendered in the background. The event was touted as one of the most enjoyable social events of the season.
The Shapard family was elated on April 2, 1915, at the birth of John Miller Shapard (1915-2015), the first son of Edwin and May Shapard. John resided in Fort Smith until the age of 12, when his family moved 70 miles away to Muskogee, Oklahoma. He had a wonderful relationship with his uncle David, whom he always considered well-liked, fun, cheerful, gracious, up-to-date, and a natural born leader. John worked part-time as a salesman while attending the University of Arkansas until October 1, 1941, when he enlisted in U.S. Army Air Corps as a pilot during World War II, being commissioned as a lieutenant. He received his basic flight training at Goodfellow field, San Antonio, Texas, before graduating from advanced flying school at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas. On April 4, 1942, he married Mildred Daugherty daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lewis Daugherty of Cumberland, Maryland. During the war, John piloted a twin-engine Douglas A-26 Invader light bomber overseas, returning home in 1946. John lived an impressively long life, and in 2009, the author had the privilege of interviewing him about his personal memories of the Shapard family of Fort Smith. Many of his wonderful stories, that were on the brink of being lost to time, are now incorporated into this book.
On May 22, 1915, David Shapard was received, admitted and constituted an “Illustrious Prince” of the Ancient Mystic Order of Bagmen of Bagdad of the Arabia Guild of Texarkana, Arkansas. As a member in good standing, he was issued certificate number 4161 upon the records of the guild. The Ancient Mystic Order of Bagmen of Bagdad was founded in 1895 among the members of the United Commercial Travelers as its ‘social branch.’ Although established as a separate fraternal organization, only members of the U. C. T. could join. Each member paid dues as part of their membership, which was used to fund various entertaining events, as well as, cover the funeral services of deceased members. David remained a member of this organization for his lifetime, enjoying the camaraderie, entertainment and service.
The summer of 1915 was unusually cool in June, however, that did not delay Elise and David, Jr., from taking up summer residence at the Whaling cottage at Winslow, Arkansas, for the season. David would take the train to Winslow on the weekends after work, however, during the week, Elise would host guests. In late July, Mrs. Grayson and her little daughter were the guests of Mrs. Shapard, and in late May, Mrs. A. F. Monotus and her baby had the joy of visiting for a week. David, Jr., was walking, enjoyed pulling his toy wagon and playing in the backyard sandbox. Elise and David, Jr., returned to their home in Fort Smith in early September.
Circa the summer of 1915, David had tired of his motorcycle and purchased a two-seater soft top Model T Ford Roadster for about $400. Thus, becoming the second salesman in in the entire Fort Smith territory to own an automobile, Mr. E. O. Simpson being the first. The car was more popular than his motorcycle. David recounted that he never traveled alone, because there were always plenty of salesmen awaiting the opportunity to travel by automobile. The nice thing about cars in those days was that there were very few people who knew how to drive them, and when the car got stuck and needed to be pushed, David stayed clean and dry in the driver’s seat while the other fellow had to get out and do it.
Once while David was traveling his south Frisco route, the convicts were working on the road and pulling up stumps and rocks with their teams. The road was so encumbered with hazards that his traveling companion, Mr. Raymond O. Eshelman (1873–1937), had to lay on the running board and motion with his hand when to dodge holes, logs or other objects in the road.
Because of his car, David Shapard, was able to expand his business area and became one of the first salesmen ever to travel the rural Evansville territory of Crawford County, Arkansas. The trip to reach Evansville from Fort Smith took two days, over some of the roughest roads imaginable. While his traveling companions declared that he was “crazy to drive it in a car,” David made the trip week in and week out. At that time, automobiles were almost unknown in the territory and David gave some of the locals their first view of a car. In the smaller towns, a crowd would always gather to see his rubber-tired motor buggy. While selling merchandise, David graciously allowed the townspeople to inspect the machine. On one trip, as he readied for the return journey, the car failed to start. Unbeknownst to David, a curious boy had innocently turned the cork on the gasoline line. Since no locals, nor Mr. Shapard, knew anything about the way of automotive mechanism, David was forced to call the mechanic from Fort Smith. After a two-day journey, the mechanic arrived, inspected the engine but for a moment, turned a screw, and the issued David a repair bill over $9.00!
In August of 1915, Elise’s sister, Mrs. Lucile Bailey and her daughter Annelise, came to stay at the Shapard house for a few weeks. Lucile had been going through a difficult time and appreciated the diversion of travel and family. One year after her daughter Annelise was born, the Baileys moved, in July of 1913, to Dallas, Texas. Unfortunately, their marriage became volatile, and a year later Lucile and her daughter moved to Conway, under the care of the Congers, where she accepted a teaching position at Central College. Lucile’s husband, Mr. Edward R. Bailey, abandoned his family thereafter, and in March of 1915, she filed for divorce.
In early September, Elise traveled to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, with her two year-old son to visit her aunt Mayme Sadler (Hamilton) Calloway (1873-?) and uncle Joseph E. Calloway (1868-?). While there, she also got to visit her alma mater of Ouachita College. Elise and David, Jr., had a protracted visit. At the end of September, she left Arkadelphia and ventured to Conway to visit her parents for a few days before returning home to Fort Smith.
As in years past, Christmas of 1915 was spent with the Congers at Conway. It was a lively time, with all the family, enhanced by the backdrop of the Central College campus. Music, art, culture, faith and literature were principal among the Conger family, and one can appreciate the conversations, talents and wisdom their gatherings offered. Among his children and grandchildren, J. W. Conger was affectionately known as “Papa,” and Tennie Conger was known as “Momma Dear.” David, Elise and David, Jr., stayed with the Congers throughout New Years, returning to Fort Smith on January 6, 1916.
Although Elise was raised Baptist, after her marriage, she joined her husband’s religion, becoming a member of the Central Methodist Church, South. Elise graciously utilized her musical talent and education for the benefit of the church. In particular, she joined the Women’s Home Missionary Society, in which David’s mother Jennie, Sumner’s wife Benetta and Edwin’s wife May had all been highly active.
Interestingly, in 1916, Bishop E. D. Mouzon of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, united both of Fort Smith’s Southern Methodist churches (Central Methodist and First Methodist South) under the name of First Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The merged congregation of 1,200 partitioners worshiped at the Central Methodist Church, South, building on North 13th and B Street, whereas, the old First Church building was sold to the Salvation Army in early 1917. Rev. J. M. Hurley, of Central Methodist, and Rev. William Sherman, of First Church, were removed at the end of the conference year and sent to new posts, and Rev. H. B. Trimble was brought in as the first pastor of the unified congregation. On December 10, 1916. the first Sunday service of the merged church was held. Later that year, the Conference agreed to purchase land on North 15th Street and B Street, for the erection of a larger church. Construction began in 1918, under the leadership or Rev. McClure, which was completed in 1921. David had attended the Central Methodist Church, South, since he was a boy, and after the union would eventually become a Board of Stewards member of the new church.
In 1916, David’s brother Sumner changed jobs from the Department Manager for the William R. Moore Dry Goods Company of Memphis, Tennessee, to become the Sales Manager of the Vindex Company of Baltimore, Maryland. His new company sold well-known high-grade men’s dress shirts and athletic underwear, and he traveled extensively for his new employer to Nashville, Cincinnati, Little Rock, Charlotte, Chicago, etc. Sumner, Benetta and their two daughters, Dorothy and Jane, moved to 207 East Preston Street in Baltimore where they made their home. In July of 1916, Sumner and his family took a vacation back to Fort Smith to spend some time with his brothers and their families.
As it came to pass, during the spring of 1916, just after the Shapards had moved to a newly constructed larger rent house at 1016 North 40th Street on the outskirts of the city, Elise joyfully discovered she was pregnant with her second child. In her delicate condition, she traveled less and attended many local tea parties and quaint social events at Fort Smith. David, on the other hand, enjoyed a venture to Galveston, Texas, in July, attending the Cotton Carnival with his friend Raymond O. Eshelman. Luckily, for that trip Ray did not have to navigate the road while lying on the running board!
Circa the summer of 1916, Elise and three year old David, Jr., were at home while David, Sr., was at work. Elise was making lunch, so she allowed David, Jr., to go outside in the fenced back yard. He was playing on the small concrete porch just outside of the kitchen screen door, when suddenly two huge black snakes slithered across the backyard and began to bite and wrestle each other within two feet of where David was sitting. David screamed out of fear and excitement and Elise ran out the door and swooped him up in her arms, retreating to the safety of the house. The whole event made a lasting impression on young David, and he recalled, later in life, that this was his first memory of childhood.
In late September, Mrs. J. W. Conger came to Fort Smith to tend to Elise during the final stages of her pregnancy. She was a guest at the Shapard house and anticipated staying for a month or so to help with her new grandchild. On the evening of September 27, 1916, Elise went in to labor and was taken to St. Edwards Infirmary for the delivery.
St. Edwards was the catholic hospital of Fort Smith. It was opened to the public on November 27, 1905, and named in honor of Bishop Edward Fitzgerald. The three-story hospital building was originally a convent that had been beautifully remodeled with fifteen furnished private rooms, a dining room, sterilization room, bathroom, operating room, and two wards, one for men and one for women. The nuns of the Sisters of Mercy were in charge of the hospital, each with special training in patient care and nursing. Although established by the efforts of Rev. James Brady, Bishop Edward Fitzgerald and the catholic community, the infirmary was non-sectarian and was available to all patients. Furthermore, patients could have their own doctor brought in to care for them during their stay. In 1923, a larger 100 bed St. Edwards Hospital was built at a new location at Fort Smith, retiring the old infirmary.
Jack Conger Shapard was born on September 27, 1916. He was named in memoriam of Elise’s younger brother John William Conger, Jr., affectionately known as “Little Jack,” who was born on July 14, 1897, and died so young on January 12, 1899. The bereaved Conger family buried “Little Jack” at Rose Hill Cemetery, at Arkadelphia, Arkansas, near the Ouachita College campus.
Early the following morning the Shapard family doctor, Eugene Stevenson, came to attend to Mrs. Shapard and her new baby. Elise was recovering well, however, it was noted that Jack had some cranial swelling and bruising, indicating that during the delivery he had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage from the pressure. While not uncommon in newborns, the degree and location of the bleed was concerning. To the heartbreak and overwhelming sorrow of all, baby Jack Conger Shapard died the following day on September 29, 1916. His little light burned on this earth for just over one day.
What was anticipated for so many months to be a season of great joy, had suddenly and shockingly twisted to a tenure of anguish and despair. The death and burial of a child is perhaps the most painful incident a parent could endure; and, a grief-stricken David Shapard arranged for his son’s entombment at Forest Park Cemetery, the day of his passing, through the Fentress Undertaking Company for the sum of $15. Jack was likely buried near David’s parents in the Shapard family plot or in the cemetery’s children’s garden, however, his exact grave has yet to be located at Forest Park, the grave marker having been lost through time. Mrs. J. W. Conger generously remained at the Shapard house throughout the month of October consoling her daughter and assisting with three year-old David, Jr., as well as, with the meals and household chores. Unfortunately, for Elise, the trauma of losing a child became so overwhelming that she refused to bear any additional children, a decision that would place great strain on her marriage. Understandably though, David and Elise Shapard came to vehemently cherish their remaining son David, Jr., all the more.
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