David Evander Shapard (Chapter 11) 1898-1903 Shapard Family Life

 Chapter 11

SHAPARD FAMILY LIFE

1898-1903

 

While Fort Smith was recovering from the tornado damage, a blessing occurred for the Shapard family on February 19, 1898, when Benetta gave birth to a healthy daughter. They named her Dorothy Benetta Shapard (1898-1980). Sumner’s mother allowed them the use of her rent house on lot 4, at 413 Lexington Avenue, as their personal residence. Benetta recovered well from the delivery, and in May of 1898, she and baby Dorothy took the train to Oklahoma City to visit her parents for a few weeks.

In early July of 1898, Lizzie and her husband, W. B. Jaynes, came to Fort Smith to visit the Shapard family, and see the new baby. Lizzie’s visit may have been quietly emotional for her, as she was never able to bear children of her own. While Congress was in session, the Jaynes resided in Washington D. C., however, during recess they returned to their residence in Sherman, Texas. Lizzie loved her family dearly and made a priority of visiting Fort Smith at the end of most sessions. In July, the second session of the 55^th Congress had just ended and the 3^rd session would not convene until December 5, 1898.

Years ago, in 1872, Mrs. J. H. Shapard and her husband, Rev. E. R. Shapard, left the comforts and security of Tennessee for the missionary field of Indian Territory – specifically to operate the New Hope Seminary in the Choctaw Nation. In 1876, a teaching position at the seminary was filled by a talented young lady from Tennessee named Lochie Rankin. The following year Miss Rankin’s sister Dora Rankin also entered the missionary field as a teacher at New Hope Seminary. Both sisters developed a very close relationship with the Shapard family, and were especially loved by Lizzie and Sumner. In 1878, Lochie Rankin left the Indian Territory for China, becoming the first unmarried woman sent abroad to by the Methodist Episcopal Church South through the newly organized Women’s Foreign Mission Society. The following year Dora followed her sister to the China missionary field. Both sisters worked together for six years at the Pleasant College school for girls in Nanziang, China, until Dora’s untimely death in 1886. Lochie continued to work in China until her retirement in 1926.

Throughout their lives, Rev. and Mrs. Shapard carried great love and pride for the Rankin sisters, and even after the death of Rev. Shapard, Mrs. Shapard remained a resolute supporter of the missionary efforts of the Methodist church. In the summer of 1888, six women organized the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society of the Central Methodist Church of Fort Smith. Mrs. J. H. Shapard became a faithful member of the society, and in September of 1898, she hosted a dime social at her residence to raise funds for the organization. A year later, the “Jennie Shapard Scholarship” was established in support of Lochie Rankin’s school in China.

At 8 o’clock in the morning on July 17, 1899, Harriet “Hattie” Hall Crittenden (1857-1899), the youngest sibling of Mrs. J. H. Shapard, died at her home in Nashville Tennessee. Hattie married Dr. Thomas P. Crittenden (1824-1901) on November 27, 1885, and had a few children. She was only 42 years of age at the time of her death. The funeral was held on July 18^th, at the Madison Presbyterian Church and interment was in the Hall family plot at Spring Hill Cemetery. At this time, of the twelve children born to Hadassah and Samuel Sumner Hall, only five survived, including Mrs. J. H. Shapard.

On October 9, 1899, Mrs. J. H. Shapard sold her rent house and land on lot 5, of Block P, in the Fitzgerald Addition of Fort Smith, Arkansas. The land was purchased by Frank J. Brun for $850. Recall that Mr. Brun had purchased neighboring lot 6 from Mrs. Shapard for the same amount in February of 1898, shortly after the tornado. After the sale, Mrs. Shapard still retained her main house on lots 2 and 3, where she lived with Edwin Jr., and David, as well as, her rent house on lot 4, where Sumner, Benetta and baby Dorothy lived.

On November 16, 1899, 12 year old David Shapard attended an amusing and adventurous fifth grade party hosted by Mr. and Mrs. B. K. Rodgers. The party of 20 youths, half boys and half girls, assembled on Thursday evening and then ventured off into the woods for the thrill of a possum hunt. The search was fruitful, and, with the assistance of the chaperoning adults, a few possums were dispatched. The following day, the youths were rewarded at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers with a possum luncheon and entertainment.

Mrs. J. H. Shapard’s mother Hadassah Hall (1821-1907) remained in Tennessee at Neely Farm after the death of her husband Samuel Sumner Hall in December of 1897. Also residing with her at Neely Farm was the family of her deceased son Edwin Ewing Hall (1852-1892). His widow Martha “Mattie” (Lee) Hall (1852-1939), and her six children had come to live at Neely Farm in 1892, after her husband’s tragic train accident death. On July 6, 1899, Martha “Mattie” Hall’s only son, 17 year old Edward Lanier Hall, left the house at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon to shoot squirrels. As nightfall approached, Edward had not returned from his hunt, and the concerned family organized a search party. About 9:30 that night, his body was found along a rail fence. Apparently, his gun had accidentally discharged as he was climbing over the fence. The contents of one barrel hitting the young man in the side of the head, killing him almost instantly. He was said to have been a youth of much promise and was very popular in the community in which he lived.

The horrific death of her grandson on her estate, was the breaking point for the elderly Mrs. Hadassah Hall. A month later, in August of 1899, Mrs. Hall filed a bill in Chancery Court pleading that Neely Farm be sold for division, over the objection of her son John M. Hall and other future heirs. The court granted her request, and in February of 1900, Neely Farm, the 300 acre ancestorial home of the Neely and Hall family, was sold. After the sale of her land, 79 year old Hadassah Hall left Tennessee and moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to live with her daughter Mrs. Jennie H. Shapard and her children Edwin Jr., and David.

Mrs. Hadassah Hall resided at the Shapard house for the remainder of her life, becoming a much beloved and consistent presence in their daily lives. She developed an especially close bond with her grandchildren Edwin Jr., and David, and her great grandchildren Dorothy and Jane. To pass the hours of the day, Mrs. Hall had an affinity for sewing and quilting. One of her quilts, from 1885, has been passed on in the Shapard family, as treasured heirloom, to the present day. Made of hundreds of small scraps of brightly colored fabrics of all shapes and sizes, decoratively sewn together over the course of countless hours. Many of the swatches were further enhanced with hand embroidered birds, butterflies, flowers and other eye-catching designs. The centerpiece of the quilt was a large crimson silk square adorned with a beautifully ornate golden ‘H,’ denoting her surname.

As early as January of 1900, Fort Smith officials began a campaign to correct a discrepancy in the address system of numbering houses. Apparently, in the eastern portion of the city, where the Shapards lived, many of the house address numbers were improperly designated - one house bearing a certain number, yet, next door bearing a number that should be rightfully placed three or four blocks away. As the city developed, this error was becoming problematic for locating residences and properly delivering mail. In addition, many homeowners had not physically posted address numbers upon their houses, despite city ordinances. As a result of Fort Smith’s address correction, in the year 1900, the Shapard’s house numbers changed from 411 and 413 Lexington Avenue, to 511 and 513 Lexington Avenue.

On January 19, 1900, Mrs. J. H. Shapard mortgaged her property on lots 2, 3 and 4, of Block P, in the Fitzgerald Addition of Fort Smith for $1,700. It appears that this money was used to pay off Sumner’s debts from his grocery venture at South McAlester, possibly to Mr. C. G. Moore, as Sumner Shapard was specifically mentioned on the promissory note of the mortgage as being equally indebted for the said amount. Mrs. Shapard borrowed the money at 7 percent interest on a promissory note due January 19, 1905. Interestingly, Mrs. Shapard and Sumner paid the loan off on January 21, 1901, well in advance of the expected due date.

Exciting news came around February or March of 1900, when Sumner and Benetta announced to the family that she was pregnant. Their daughter Dorothy was two years old, and Sumner began to feel the pressure of a growing family. He consulted with his employer about acquiring a more lucrative position at work.

In May of 1899, the Berry-Echols Dry Goods Company, the establishment for which Sumner worked as a bookkeeper, was reorganized after Mr. O. Echols retired from the business. The company’s other owner, Mr. D. Y. Berry, accepted a new partnership with Mr. T. J. Wright and the firm was renamed Berry-Wright Dry Goods Company.  The business originally occupied a three-story brick building at 19-21 North Second Street. However, as their business increased, in May of 1900, the Berry-Wright Co., purchased the four-story building on the corner of Third Street and Garrison Avenue, formerly occupied by J. E. Foster & Co. The new owners spent the next seven months completely remodeling and modernizing the building with electric elevators, electric lights and telephones. In December of 1900, the company moved into their newly outfitted quarters.

Berry-Wright Company employed approximately 4 traveling salesmen, who were on the road all the time. Each salesman was assigned their own ‘territory’ or ‘district’ to service. They typically left on the train Monday morning, peddled their wares by horse-drawn buggy throughout the week, boarding along the way, and returned home Friday or Saturday.  The men traveling for the firm represented a reliable company that had built up extensive trade in the area through honest business practices. Because of this, few doors were closed to them. At the beginning of July, 1900, Sumner was promoted from a bookkeeper to a traveling salesman. Although the new position was demanding, the additional income earned from commission was significant. Known initially as “the new man,” he made his first sales trip to the Greenwood and Hackett City district. Apparently, Sumner was a talented traveling salesman, as the company was greatly pleased by the bundle of orders he consistently brought back.

On September 8, 1900, Sumner and Benetta Shapard announced the birth of their daughter. She was bestowed with the name of Jennie “Jane” Laura Shapard (1900-1996), in honor of Sumner’s mother.

During the spring and summer of David Shapard’s sixth grade year, he became active in joining clubs and organizations. This appears to be the beginning of a rewarding endeavor that persisted throughout his life. In April of 1901, David joined the Fort Smith Band of Mercy, a newly established society for the protection of animals. The organization was heralded by Miss Vera Seward, who solicited information about the club to the Fort Smith Public Schools and Sunday Schools. Thirty youths, including David, joined the first meeting held at the City and County Building. After reciting the pledge, “I will try to be kind to all harmless living creatures and try to protect them from cruel usage,” the kids received membership cards and additional literature.

In May of 1901, 14 year old David also joined the newly organized Young Boys Society. The purpose of the club was to encourage social interaction and self-development, and was restricted to boys 8 to 15 years of age. Twenty four members had joined the society, each member having been reviewed by a committee for eligibility prior to admittance. The members assembled every Sunday for drills and fellowship. In September of 1901, just before the start of school, David resigned his membership in the club.

Another activity that encouraged social interaction were the Friday night dances held at the newly renovated Peterman dance hall. Admission was 25 cents for gentlemen, and no charge for ladies. ‘Peterman’s Hall’ became very popular among the young people of Fort Smith, as the place to listen music and learn all the newest dances, such as the three-step and the five-step. The hall was also a popular venue for private parties, balls, soirees and cotillions throughout the week. On Friday, November 6, 1901, David was one of 17 attendees that enjoyed chaperoned dancing for the evening.

David became active in school sports in the 6^th grade. He greatly enjoyed playing baseball and had a natural talent for the game. In the spring of 1901, he played for his Belle Point school team and proved himself as a competitor and a leader. At the start of the baseball season of David’s 7^th grade year, in March of 1902, he was elected as Captain of the Belle Point Stars and shouldered the important first base position. His other teammates that year were Bert Conner, Allen Cox, Lock Wilson, Graham Williams, John Breen, Jim Eldridge, Tom Fort, Omer Toller, Charley Gibson, George Ellefson, Walter Sanders, Clark Thompson and Ed Taylor. Throughout the spring and summer months, the boys rivaled other Fort Smith school teams, such as Belle Grove and DuVal, at their home turf, or on one of the other school or ‘common’ baseball diamonds around town. The games started around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, usually on Saturday, and were attended by crowds of youths that flocked to watch the excitement. The best plays were chattered about for days, and the leading players became legendary among the schoolboys of Fort Smith.

On August 25, 1902, the Shapard family mourned the death of Mrs. J. H. Shapard’s younger brother David Davis Hall (1856-1902) at 46 years of age. The news was particularly hard on the bereaved Mrs. Hadassah Hall (1821-1907), residing at the Shapard house, who in her elderly age had now outlived eight of her twelve children. David D. Hall was the youngest son of Hadassah and Samuel Sumner Hall. He was a bachelor, and, in the 1880s, left Tennessee to farm with his older brother Samuel Allen Hall (1848-1897) at Swan Lake, Arkansas. After the death of his brother Samuel in 1897, David engaged in the lumber business. His remains were shipped by train to Madison Station, Tennessee, and he was buried in the Hall family plot at Spring Hill Cemetery on August 28, 1902.

A joyful event anticipated each year by the residents of Fort Smith was the week of ‘Carnival.’ Committees were organized, dates were set, advertisements posted and certain streets were closed to traffic to allow for the grand street fair. Attractions and spectacles at the fair included trained animals, oriental theatre, flying lady, moving war pictures, snake eating man, German village, singers, glass blowing, city of Jerusalem, streets of Cairo, Ferris wheel, hot air balloon ascensions, vaudeville performances, parade of floats, etc. Carnaval week also held a contest for the honor of being named the ‘Fair Queen,’ voted on by residents.

In 1902, carnival week was held in October, and Miss Ethel Sengel was voted Queen of the fair. To celebrate her coronation, she, and her maids of carnival week, hosted a party at Peterman’s dance hall, on October 22^nd, for approximately 60 guests. The queen and her court wore elegant gowns and lead a ‘german,’ being a fun style of dance, whereby couples continually change partners. David Shapard was one of the young men invited to the event and danced a ‘german.’

In the fall of 1902, David Shapard entered the eighth grade at Belle Point school. With baseball season over, he set his sights on the wintertime sport of football. Practice for the school team began in September, and approximately four Saturday games were played with rival schools from October to December. David was becoming a champion all-round athlete and a strong leader among his teammates, so much so, that they elected him Captain of the Belle Point junior eleven.

The only game recorded from his eighth grade year was played between Belle Point and DuVal on December 13, 1902. The teams met on the gridiron behind the high school, known as the ‘Catholic Avenue square.’ The sidelines were full of youthful spectators, as the game was anticipated to be “full of ginger,” so the boys say. And so it was, as brilliant plays were made by both teams. The match-up of Shapard, Ellison and Major of Belle Point against Wright, Bender, Boehmer and Edmundson of DuVal was very good. However, to the dismay of David and his teammates, DuVal prevailed by one touchdown.

Circa 1902, David’s brother Edwin, Jr., had been promoted from bookkeeper at W. J. Echols & Co., to a traveling salesman for the firm. In 1881, William Joseph Echols (1848-1897) arrived in Fort Smith from Mississippi, and established a grocery firm under the name of Echols & Johnson. In 1885, the name was changed to W. J. Echols & Company, and the business prospered. In 1897, Mr. Echols died, and his son, W. J. Echols, II (1872-1933), assumed control of the business. Through his talented management, the company reached new levels of success, becoming the largest wholesale grocery firm in Arkansas. Under his management, a large corps of traveling salesmen were hired to expand the business into the Indian and Oklahoma territories, as well as, and other states. In 1901, W. J. Echols & Co., invested $37,000 erecting a new four-story brick building on Rogers Avenue and Second Street. Construction was completed in June of 1902, and their new office was opened for business.

There is no doubt that Edwin’s brother Sumner had a tremendous influence over his decision to pursue the vocation of a traveling salesman. Sumner had been in the occupation since July of 1900, and had found great success and meaningful fellowship. Although both brothers worked for different companies, they shared similar territories and likely traveled the same trains with each other. In March of 1903, Edwin Shapard traveled the Arkansas Central and Choctaw railroads west of the town of Wister. Sumner Shapard traveled the Arkansas Central and Choctaw railroads west of Fort Smith, as well as, the Frisco south of Fort Smith.

The unique life of a traveling salesmen created natural bonds among the men of the vocation. Societies, especially secret societies, particular to salesmen became fashionable among the men, not only for the social aspect, but also for financial, influential and philanthropic purposes. The men were away from their homes and families for long periods of time, living in hotels and boarding houses along the way, traveling their territories by train and horse-drawn buggies. Accidents occurred frequently among the salesmen, as roads and transportation were hazardous. Publicly they became known as ‘knights of the road’ or ‘knights of the grip,’ (grip meaning a traveling bag); for, like the knights of old, their secret societies instilled them with the honorable traits of readily assisting their brothers in need, generously providing for widows and orphans, and marked courtesy to women and children traveling alone. In 1903, Sumner and Edwin, Jr., and most, if not all, of the 200 traveling salesmen headquartered in Fort Smith, were members of the United Commercial Travelers, Knights of the Grip, and or other similar fraternal organizations.

After spending Sundays at home, Sumner and Edwin, Jr., would join the noble army of salesmen assembling at the train station on Monday morning to catch their northbound, southbound, eastbound and westbound trains for the week. From Monday to Saturday, while his brothers were absent from home, David became the man of the family, tending to his mother, grandmother, sister-in-law and two young nieces. Out of necessity, David matured significantly during this time, guided by the steadfast example of manhood set forth by his brothers, whom he admired greatly. The weekend homecoming of his brothers were joyful occasions. After church, Sunday dinner was a communal event with the whole family, and the Shapard house was filled with lively stories of the road, jokes they had heard and news about friends and family.

In the spring of 1903, David Shapard once again excitedly donned his glove to play for his school’s baseball team. The games were played on Saturdays from March through May between rivaling schools. On April 11^th, the ‘Belle Point Blues’ played a tremendous game against the Belle Grove team. The ‘Blues’ narrowly prevailed by a score of 10 to 9. The following week, on April 19^th, at the diamond east of the Fort Smith courthouse, Belle Point and Belle Grove again met for a spectacular game. For a second time, David’s team claimed victory by only one run, with a score of 8 to 7. On May 2^nd, the ‘Belle Point Blues’ crossed bats with the unusually large athletes from the Massard Prairie school. The game was “hot” throughout, as outstanding plays, hits and catches were had by both teams. At dusk, the boys were obliged to call off the game in the 6^th inning, on account of the Massard players living a distance from Fort Smith and having to go home. The score at that point in the game was evenly matched at 6 to 6. David Shapard was lauded for making one of the best plays of the game for Belle Point. The following weekend, on May 9^th, Massard Prairie returned to Fort Smith to finish the game with Belle Point. The resulting score was 12 to 7, in favor of Massard Prairie. Later that same day, Belle Point engaged DuVal in an extraordinary game of baseball, that favored Belle Point by a score of 8 to 5.

At the end of May, David’s wonderful middle school experience was coming to a harmonious close. On the Thursday evening of May 28^th, the Belle Point eighth grade class of 1903 assembled at the Fort Smith High School auditorium for commencement exercises, consisting of David Shapard, Harry Robinson, Hester Shelton, Lewis Ware, Albert Armorer, Paulina Turnage, Willie Patterson, Bessie Johnson, Katie Young, Lizzie Reese, Nellie Thomas, Elsie Huey, Jenny D. Webb, Alberta Norfleet, Rosa Hartzle, Ed Taylor, Ola Ulmer, Mamie Nesbit, Mary Webb, Edna Euper, Minnie Morgan, Annie Thomas, Katie Cox, Eunice Cheesman, May Truschel, Nellie Mabry, Mary Kelley, Hazel Robertson, Grace Brown, Adolphus Smith, Mamie Morris, and Homer Gilliland. They were joined on the stage with 72 other graduating eighth graders from Belle Grove and DuVal schools. Every available inch of the auditorium was occupied by the audience to witness the graduation exercises, David’s mother among them. A few minutes before 8 o’clock the students took their position upon the stage and Rev. J. M. Hughley gave the blessing. The class song was sung and the students took their assigned seats in front of the stage. The program was an excellent collage of songs, poems, declarations and skits performed by the students and teachers. Fort Smith lawyer and Christian gentleman, Col. Thomas P. Winchester (1850-1920), delivered the address to the class, stating;

“…You have now passed out of the grades and are ready to enter the High School. I wish you had been in the audience instead of on the stage and seen the warm interest taken in you. There is not a boy or girl that has not been anxiously watched, some with moistened eyes by one who says it is ‘my’ boy or girl. You are the little men and women who in a day not far distant are to occupy the position of citizens and uphold the reputation this city has attained, and I hope it will be your privilege to advance it.

Some of you will not enter the High School. Some of you are surrounded by circumstances that will force you to forego the pleasure of going through the High School. Don’t let that discourage you. You have already a taste of the good thing – you know how to study. That is all any one knows when he leaves school, be it the grades, High School or College. Keep up your studies and become intelligent students. You are wiser by reason of your course in the schools. You know more of books; not much of life, but that will come later. Get out in life and become a citizen. It is left to you whether you amount to something or nothing…”

David clearly embodied the essence of Col. Winchester’s speech. From his youth he was nourished with Christian values, in a Southern community with the security of a loving family. His example of manhood was exemplified by the morals, ethics, honor and lifestyle of his brothers, whom he admired greatly. As well as, the high aspirations, noble aims and fixity of purpose displayed by the great men of history, such as George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Robert E. Lee, etc., about whom he had read so much. David had a light within him that was magnetic, a charming sense of humor, and a charismatic and compelling quality of leadership that made others feel secure when they were around him. He had the seeds of greatness within him and was on course to significantly and honorably advance the community in which he lived, and enliven and enhance the lives he touched.

Shortly after graduation, David and a few of his friends, Bessie Self, Ola Ulmer, Fay Roberts, Bella and Bird Chase, Cap Bourland, Irving Ulmer, John Phenix and Harry Robinson, arranged for an evening tally-ho ride during a full moon. The wagon ride circled the town of Fort Smith, ending at an interesting outdoor destination where the friends could socialize and enjoy a picnic meal. Mrs. J. T. Chase chaperoned the youths during the party.

During the Summer of 1903, after David’s eight grade graduation, he began his first job as a debt collector for the Pan Telephone Company. Fort Smith received its first telephone service in 1883 through an entity, later named the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company, owned by the American Bell Telephone Company. The public was slow to accept the new technology and by 1885 the company had only 60 subscribers. About that same year, the Arkansas Telephone Company also established itself in Fort Smith. The two companies ran their own telephone lines, on their own telephone poles, and operated independent of one another. A subscriber to one telephone company could not reach a subscriber of another company. Larger businesses therefore subscribed to both companies for more customers; however, residentially, friends would all join the same company for connection. In 1888, the Pan Long Distance Company acquired the Arkansas Telephone Company and located its office on the southwest corner of North 6^th Street and A Street. Although Pan made a valiant effort to compete with Bell for Fort Smith telephone service, Bell’s ever expanding nation-wide connections, superior equipment and significant financial backing eventually won the battle. Comparatively, during the time of David’s employment, Pan was a small firm. It employed between 10 to 15 switchboard operators, affectionately known as “hello girls,” between the ages of 17 to 22 years old. In 1907, Pan installed a light-up switchboard, being a far superior technology than the older ‘pop up’ boards. In late 1911, the Southwestern Telegraph and Telephone Company, owned by the American Bell Telephone Company, purchased the Pan Long Distance Company for $80,000. Pan went out of existence at midnight on December 31, 1911.

David’s first job lasted but just a season. His second job was working in the First National Bank of Fort Smith. The details of his employment have been lost to time, however, the First National Bank, known locally as “Old Reliable,” was established in 1888, on the corner of South Sixth and Garrison. During David’s employ in 1903, the bank was a two-story brick building. The lower floor was utilized as the bank, and the upper floor held numerous offices rented by lawyers, a dentist and an architect. In 1909, the old bank was torn down, and, in January of 1910, the current eight story First National Bank building took its place.

In early September of 1903, as one of the last events before the start of high school, David and an intimate group of eleven friends, half boys and half girls, along with five chaperones, took a moonlight sail up the Poteau River. The small vessel, known as the naptha launch ‘Dixie,’ was chartered by the chaperones at a rate of $5 for the day. Interestingly, it was one of the first motorized boats at Fort Smith. The ladies brought picnic baskets to furnish dinner for the party. By all accounts it was a very pleasurable evening for David and his friends and a wonderful way to end the summer.