David Evander Shapard (Chapter 12) 1903-1905 David's High School Years

 Chapter 12

DAVID’S HIGH SCHOOL YEARS

1903-1905

 

Fort Smith established its first high school in 1885, when Professor Quartermas, and his assistant Prof. Morrow, outfitted two rooms of the Belle Point School for higher education in the subjects of math and English. In 1886, as class size increased, two rooms over the Patrick Shoe Company were rented for use as the high school, headed by Prof. Edmiston. Circa 1888, several rooms at the new Belle Grove school were used as the high school, headed by Prof. Gates, and other studies were added, including physics, botany, zoology, and chemistry.

As Fort Smith grew, city leaders and members of the school board looked to the future by constructing a contemporary free-standing high school building. To fund the structure, they appropriated a large amount of the public school fund that had been established by an Act of Congress, in 1884, for the benefit of the public schools of Fort Smith. In the fall of 1897, the new high school building was completed, being one of the most beautiful and state-of-the-art school buildings of its time, rivaling the best schools in the nation. It was a massive double turreted castle-like building trimmed in grey-stone with a polished brick facade. An abundance of large windows adorned the school for natural lighting during the day, yet it was also wired for electric light bulb illumination at night. Modern plumbing was installed throughout the building for optimal sanitation.  The school was heated in the winter by combined steam and hot air, and was kept cool in the summer through ventilation. There was a large assembly hall seating 300 pupils, and an auditorium seating many more. Each field of study had its own classroom. There were three well-equipped science laboratories and a fully outfitted gymnasium. After being operational for only three months, on January 11, 1898, the school was hit by a tornado that carried off the roof, sent the great ventilating chimneys crashing through the floors and wrecked the front of the building. The students were forced by this disaster to attend temporary facilities at Bell Grove school, until repairs were completed. The high school became known, far and wide, as the ‘Pride of Fort Smith,’ and developed celebrity as one of the ‘seven wonders of Fort Smith.’

High school was a luxury for many children during this era. Just as Col. T. P. Winchester stated at David’s eighth grade graduation, “Some of you will not enter the High School. Some of you are surrounded by circumstances that will force you to forego the pleasure...” David was caught somewhere in between. While he was allowed the experience of a high school education, he was also compelled to gain employment out of necessity. An additional factor behind his work ethic was that, upon entering high school, David was about one year older than many of the incoming freshmen. This, in great part, led to him naturally being viewed as a leader amongst his younger classmates; so much so, that in February of 1904, they elected him as President of their freshman class.

Bertha Gray, one of David’s classmates, wrote a wonderful description of their freshman year. “One beautiful September morning a band of very small children detached themselves from their mother’s apron strings and wended their way to the great place of learning. We had not been there long when we saw how badly we needed our mothers, for older students recognized us as “freshies,” and soon we realized our trials and tribulations would be many. But we were not ordinary freshmen. Even the seniors perceived this, for when we entered the great assembly-room they stared at us in admiration and awe. With the first hour our troubles began, for our superintendent [Mr. B. W. Torreyson] delivered his usual initial lecture, in which he reminded us of our “freshiedom.” At this the juniors and seniors giggled, and we hung our heads for shame, because we were so very, very young.”

“Finally, the teachers recognized our brilliance and ability and thought we should organize as a class. One memorable day we, having seconded all “emotions” and “denominating” all the officers, organized. We elected four officers [David Shapard, President; Annie Henderson, Vice-President; Claude Crawford, Secretary; Gladys Crane, Treasurer; Bertha Gray, Historian], chose our colors – red and white, and our motto, “Sapientia et virtute.” Thus, having our president [David Shapard] as a leader, we felt that we could accomplish all things. Affairs now went on smoothly until that never to be forgotten week of “exams.” Oh, those heart-rending days! Why should they ever come? Here it was that many of the pious and honest little freshmen turned from their ways of righteousness and learned from the wise juniors and seniors (who had giggled at us) the art of using a pony [a literal translation of a foreign language text]. Most of us were victors in strife, without the pony; but a few fell by the wayside and were devoured by those dreadful Latin verbs. However, in spite of our many troubles, we conquered and came to the front. One beautiful morning in May, we entered, bright faced and happy. On this day we could rule supreme. Many of the prominent citizens came to witness the result of our efforts – the unveiling of our class picture, “The Quest of Sir Gallihad” [Galahad was a knight of the Round Table for King Arthur’s Court. He drew the sword from the stone, and later saw a vision of the Holy Grail, that inspired him to embark on a quest for the grail]. Thus, the year rolled around to June, when our freshman experiences were brought to a close, and we left the scenes of our sorrow and strife and wended our way homeward, sadder and more painfully intellectual children.”

David’s experience in high school was not only educational, but also enhanced by his athletic endeavors. In March, he joined the Fort Smith High School’s junior varsity baseball program, known as the ‘second team.’ On April 12, 1904, the High School second team played the young men from Commercial College. The game was painfully one sided, the final score being 25 to 3, in favor of the high school. On April 23^rd, the High School second team traveled to the town of Spiro in the Choctaw Nation. Despite a brilliant effort by the Fort Smith players, the Spiro team successfully defended their home diamond with a score of 8 to 6. On May 7^th, the second team of Fort Smith traveled to Van Buren where they crossed bats at the park. The score was close, but the Fort Smith team outran, outhit and outplayed all but unfortunate aggression from the opposing team. The final result was 4 runs to 2, in favor of Fort Smith. David Shapard was heralded for securing one of the few scoring honors of the game. Interestingly, the baseball team was not disbanded at the close of school, but continued to play throughout the summer months. On Saturday, August 13^th, the High School second team played a double header against Van Buren. Fort Smith won the first game 9 to 4, and won the second game 3 to 0. David Shapard pitched for both victorious games. Overall, the season ended triumphantly, as Fort Smith High School’s second team had the honor of being the best team, in the 16 year old class, in their region of the country.

On the morning of May 20, 1904, as the school year was coming to a close, David’s freshman class held their end of the year exercises, at the high school auditorium, in the presence of the students, alumni, guests and faculty. In preparation for the exercises, the stage was decorated with American Beauties, being the freshman class flower. Those committee members from the freshman class upon the platform were officers David Shapard, president; Claude Crawford, secretary; Miss Gladys Crane, treasurer, as well as, Harry Robinson, Miss Minnie Southard and Miss Louise Boone. After an inaugural address by the class president David Shapard, the program continued with a series of readings, recitations, songs and essays from freshman year. The exercise concluded with Misses Gladys Crane and Louisa Boone unveiling the class picture, ‘The Quest of Sir Galahad,’ and presenting it to the school.

During the summer of 1904, after David’s freshman year of high school, he began working as an order clerk and general flunky for the Webber-Ayers Hardware Company. In May of 1902, the company was formed through a merger of the Webber-Seely Hardware Company and the Ayers Hardware Company, both of Fort Smith. The Webber -Seely company, was a relatively new enterprise, established circa 1900, and had made a name for itself by selling a full line of high-quality hardware, buggies and wagons. The Ayers company had been a staple of Fort Smith, since the early 1890s, specializing in retail hardware. Given that both companies covered the same territory and competed for trade, the merger proved lucrative as half the number of traveling salesmen could now cover the same territory at half the expense. In July of 1902, the newly formed Webber-Ayers Hardware Co., purchased the lot, formerly used by R. A. Lester as a wood, coal and feed yard, on the corner of South Third and Rogers Avenue. Over the following year they constructed a large $40,000 brick building to accommodate their growing business. After summer was over, David continued to work part time for the Webber-Ayers Hardware Company while also attending school.

While David filled the majority of his days clerking at the Webber-Ayers Hardware Company. His brothers Sumner and Edwin Jr., continued to travel the rails, trails and roads as salesmen for their respective firms. However, on June 6, 1904, the two brothers ventured into a land investment at Fort Smith. Mrs. Virginia B. Clendening, who owned six lots on North 15^th Street between North K and North L streets, had been widowed, thereafter moving to Siloam Springs, Arkansas. She agreed to sell all of lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Block 117 in the School Addition neighborhood, near DuVal school, for $1,833.34. Sumner purchased lots 1, 2 and 3, one of which contained a suitable house for his family, for the sum of $1,100.00. Edwin Jr., purchased the unimproved lots 4, 5 and 6, as an investment, for the sum of $733.34. Both men subsequently mortgaged the property for two-thirds the purchase price on a two year promissory note at 7% interest.

Shortly thereafter, Sumner and Benetta, and their daughters Dorothy and Jane, moved from his mother’s rent house at 513 Lexington Avenue to their new residence on North 15^th Street. Always the reliable son, Sumner rented the house on Lexington, prior to his departure, to Mr. W. S. Beall, his co-worker at Berry-Wright Co. Mr. Beall was married with two children and the house was a perfect fit for his family while he was on the road as a traveling salesman. Mrs. Beall was a Methodist and also a member of the ‘King’s Daughters’ which allowed for the natural development of a friendship with Mrs. J. H. Shapard and Mrs. Benetta Shapard. It appears that the Beall family rented the house for over a year.

David’s mother, during this time, was occupied with taking care of her own mother, as well as, tending to her commitments at Central Methodist church. Within the church, one organization to which she belonged was the ‘King’s Daughters.’ This society had been organized in 1891, for the purpose of raising money for the church. In February of 1904, Mrs. J. H. Shapard hosted a meeting of the King’s Daughters at her home on Lexington Avenue, whereupon, it was decided that the society would host an Easter bazaar, the Saturday before Easter, selling all kinds of fine articles of their own handiwork and decorated eggs. Throughout the year, the King’s Daughters hosted lawn socials, held meetings, assisted the pastor, hosted music concerts, had craft and bake sales, donated items to hospitals, assisted those in dire need, etc., all for the financial and spiritual benefit of the church. The organization’s name was changed in 1906, to the Women’s Home Missionary Society. Sumner’s wife, Benetta Shapard was also an active member of this philanthropic group.

In 1904, the city of Fort Smith was considering the paving of residential streets and Mrs. J. H. Shapard signed a petition for the paving of Lexington Avenue. Interestingly, Lexington Avenue was unusually wide for Fort Smith, and it was initially determined that 20 feet of paving would be a sufficient street width. The additional 66 feet would be used for 5 foot wide sidewalks on each side of the avenue, and the remaining footage for parks. Curbing and guttering of the road was initially deemed unnecessary, as the residents already had Bermuda grass lawns to the street that achieved the same effect in erosion resistance and debris collection. Over the following years, city officials held numerous meetings regarding the paving of Lexington Avenue, refining its initial measurements, determining which form of paving would best serve the city, whether chert concrete, brick or asphalt, and how the expense should be assessed through a special tax to residents. Amazingly, it would not be until 1909 when Lexington Avenue was paved in front of the Shapard house.

In June of 1904, after the second session of the 58^th Congress adjourned, the Shapard family received the good news that Lizzie Jaynes would be coming around the 20^th to Fort Smith for an extended stay. In mid-July, Sumner and his family had returned to Fort Smith from visiting the World’s Fair. Apparently, his endorsement of the trip was so impressionable that, in late July, Lizzie surprised her mother with train tickets to St. Louis, Missouri to attend the fair. Historians have noted that the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair was the most glorious and spectacular exposition ever staged during the Victorian era. At a cost of 40 million dollars, the fair’s campus covered 1,272 acres, roughly two square miles, with over 1,500 buildings for the display of the latest in arts, sciences and technology, as well as, showcasing the worlds cultures, arts and histories. Hundreds of companies displayed their products and innovations to the over 19 million visitors that came during the fair’s operation from April 30^th to December 1^st.  There were thousands of attractions, such as the world’s largest Ferris wheel, seeing the legendary Geronimo, Abraham Lincoln’s cabin, treasures of the world, exotic animals, automobiles, tours of France, Jerusalem, Japan, as well as, tasting international foods. It was said that it would take a month to experience all the exhibits and attractions the fair had to offer. Furthermore, the fair coincided with the 1904 Summer Olympic Games at St. Louis, which drew comparatively little public interest; however, it was the first Olympics to introduce medals for place winners.  After spending an amazing and highly memorable week in St. Louis, Lizzie and her mother parted ways. Lizzie traveled on to Washington D.C., to join her husband, while Mrs. Shapard returned to Ft. Smith, no doubt loaded with an abundance gifts and stories for her family back home.

Although there is no record of David attending the 1904 World’s Fair, he did attend numerous social events with friends throughout the summer. On Friday evening, July 8^th, David was present at the party of Miss Cassie Breedlove, thrown in honor of her guest Miss Brown of Gulfport, Mississippi. The chaperoned party was held from 8 to 9 o’clock at “Jack’s pool,” where the young people swam and enjoyed themselves. A light supper was served afterwards at Miss Breedlove’s home on South 12^th Street. Guests were David Shapard, Miss Brown, Lilly Belle Boyd, Kate Boyd, Mary Cross, Amanda Morgan, John Vaile, Orlando Zerboni, Ed Wright, Ralph Daniels, and John Breedlove.

David also attended the party of Miss Lucile Chisholm, of North 17^th Street. The event was held on Thursday evening, August 18^th, and given in honor of her guest Miss Ruth Holloway of Little Rock. Twenty-four young people were in attendance and enjoyed an amusing and entertaining evening. The highlight being a mock auction begun by one of the guests, who was fully animated as auctioneer to the laughter of the crowd. At 10 o’clock, the guests were served ice cream, punch and cake.

On September 19,1904, seventeen year old David Shapard began his sophomore year of high school. Professor B. W. Torreyson remained the Superintendent of City Schools and Professor Jarrett, who had recently come from Mississippi, was the new high school principal. David’s classmate, Bertha Gray recounted the start of their sophomore year, stating; “Thrilling days were to follow our entrance as “sophs” – thrilling days, indeed, but full of hard study and earnest effort. Taking the optimistic view (as all sophomores are compelled to do,) this year has been double happy for us all. Our literary societies were organized and without a doubt are the best the school boasts of, in our estimation at least.”

On October 11, the four high school classes were divided into eight literary societies, for intellectual and social benefits. Every other Friday, a program in the auditorium was rendered by each society of the four grades, with songs, essays, music performances, recitations, school news, readings, ect. The Sophomore class was divided into two literary societies, the Philosophian Society and the Erosophian Society. On October 21, at their first meeting, officers were elected for each society. The Philosophian Society elected Harry Robinson as President, David Shapard as Vice-President, Minnie Southard as Secretary, and Nellie Stahl as Treasurer. The Phiolspohian colors were blue and white and motto was “Sapientia et vertute.” Miss Baker, who taught in the modern language department, was their faculty sponsor. On Friday, February 17, 1905, David Shapard, Harry Robinson, Minnie Southard and Alma Hambric performed a musical quartette in front of the attending student body and faculty as part of a program of the literary clubs. The eight literary societies of the high school held their final meeting together in the auditorium on April 14, 1905. The program was reported to have been highly enjoyable.

As a complement to his previous leadership, the sophomore class elected David Shapard as the class President. On top of his duties as a class officer, Philosophian Society officer, and playing for the baseball team; David also had to balance his course of study of English, Algebra, Geometry, Greek and Roman History, and possibly Latin or German, with working part time at Webber-Ayers Hardware Company. Although busy, these were happy times for David, full of energy, creativity, victory and vigor, while surrounded by dear friends seeking the adventure and excitement of the day.

In the spring of 1905, David played baseball for the Fort Smith High School’s second team. The team was coached by Mr. W. O. Wilson, professor of the department of mathematics. The boys practiced every day together after school at the park, batting, fielding and ball handling. They had the support of the school who contributed funds for baseball uniforms and needed equipment. David Shapard was initially slated to play short stop, however, throughout the season he also played third base, first base and pitched.

The first game of the season was held on April 1, 1905, between Fort Smith second team and Bonanza. The team traveled to Bonanza, yet got solidly defeated 12 to 6. David pitched as part of the battery that evening. On May 6, Fort Smith’s second team traveled to Van Buren. Despite a close and exciting game, Van Buren prevailed by a score of 8 to 6. After the game, the Fort Smith boys entertained themselves at the Van Buren Y. M. C. A. On May 23, Fort Smith returned to Van Buren, and this time defeated the Y. M. C. A. Juniors in a close game of 3 to 0. On May 27, Fort Smith’s second team played a traveling double header. They initially traveled to Greenwood, where they won 11 to 9, before venturing on to Bonanza for another victory of 7 to 0 in the rain. The Greenwood game was a slugging match throughout. Many runners leading off the bag were picked off by David Shapard at first base, by fast throws from pitcher Will Beveridge. The team was not disbanded at the end of the school year, playing sporadic games for the duration of the summer. This was the last year David would play baseball for Fort Smith High School. It is after all is over that the athlete reflects with joyful longing on the moments when the atmosphere was filled with the excitement of the play, beaming with vivacity and happiness, and glowing with the ardor of the spectators, who were frantically waving their hats, umbrellas, walking canes and red school ribbons, and piercing each other’s ears with wild shouts.

As the school year drew to a close, one event was highly anticipated by the student body, giving a ray of joy amidst the stress and worry of final examinations. Field day was an exciting annual event held by the high school athletic department. The classes organized themselves into separate teams to enter the different events “in a contest for honors in feats of skill and strength of muscle.” Events included races, relays, three legged races, pole vault, jumps, shot put, baseball throw (girls only), rife shooting (girls only), egg races (girls only) and potato sack races (girls only). On May 20, 1905, the high school classes assembled for Field Day at Electric Park. The weather was favorable and the grounds were in fine condition. The fifth event of the day was the half mile race, where the winner came in at one minute, fifty-eight seconds, and David Shapard came in third.

Bertha Gray concluded sophomore year by writing, “And now as the year draws to a close. That we have done our best is evident; but doing ones best does not always mean victory; the final averages are not recorded. When we reach the summit – that high summit from which the seniors of 1905 now look down upon us so exultantly – we can stand upon that elevation, looking down upon our struggles and striving successors, and proclaim to all the world with a loud voice: “Behold the incomparable class of 1907.”

While David was receiving the benefit of an education, his brothers Sumner and Edwin, Jr., were receiving the benefit of their June 6, 1904, land investment. In early April of 1905, Sumner and Edwin sold lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Block 117 in the School Addition of Fort Smith for $3,150. Sumner made a $475 profit on the sale, and Edwin made a handsome profit of $841.66. A month later on May 10, 1905, Sumner reinvested his gains purchasing a new house, for $1100 from Mr. W. B. McCorkle, directly across the street from his previous house. The new house was located at 1117 North 15th Street, and was situated on a 75 foot by 140 foot lot, being half of lot 8 and all of lot 9, of Block 105, in the School Addition of Fort Smith. In late May, twenty-five year old Edwin Jr., also reinvested his profit, purchasing, for $1,100 from Mrs. Virginia B. Clendening, lots 10, 11 and 12, of Block 117, in the School Addition of Fort Smith.

During the summer of 1905, David’s brother Edwin, Jr., enjoyed a week long vacation from his salesman job. He and twenty one other Fort Smithian friends traveled to Noel, Missouri, where they camped at the O’Joe Club House. The resort was a popular fishing spot and swimming hole, and was ideally situated on a bluff overlooking the picturesque Cowskin River. The focal point of the resort was a beautiful natural beach, offering continuous good times for all the guests.

In early June of 1905, David’s sister Lizzie visited Fort Smith. She stayed at her mother’s house with her mother, grandmother, Edwin. Jr., and David. After a week or so, she departed to meet her husband, Mr. W. B. Jaynes, at their residence at Gainesville, Texas. Lizzie returned to Fort Smith for another visit with her family in mid-August. After a nice lengthy holiday, she and her husband ventured back to Washington D.C., for the first session of the 59^th Congress.