Chapter 20
The Blossoms of Great Triumph
1922
Rarely in a lifetime does all of a man’s grand efforts cumulate to fruition at a single point, however, the year 1922 was that beautiful moment for the Shapard family. It was a year that wind filled their sails and everything they touched turned to gold, so much so, that the account of these achievements is deserving of its own chapter. Realize too, that these accomplishments were not encountered by mere chance, but arduously earned through years of applied effort and quality of character. And while this rare season beheld spectacular blossoms of great triumph and prominence, twas only a brief moment in time in the complex and ever-changing lifespan of a family.
In early 1922, shortly after David was elected for the fifth time as the Secretary of the Fort Smith Council No. 86 of the United Commercial Travelers, the Shapard’s located the perfect property upon which to build the new school. Apparently, the timing was right, and David and Elise purchased the vacant land on Lecta Avenue, being lots 7, 8, and 9, of Block 6, in the Barnes and Sweet Addition for $1,500. David obtained a permit from the city for the erection of the Blue Bird School from Elise’s scrupulously designed blueprint plans. By April 13th, the school building fund had only accrued approximately $1,500, so David and Elise borrowed $4,500 from the Fort Smith Building & Loan Association for the $6,000 needed for construction costs. The contractor wasted no time, as construction needed to be finished by September of 1922, before the start of the next school year. Throughout the summer, the Shapard’s had a daily presence at the site, participating in the initial groundbreaking, watching the foundation being laid, as well as, framing, roofing, plumbing, and making decisions on interior finishings, etc. The task was monumental, but Elise required the school to be resplendent – to be a brilliant jewel in the educational crown of Fort Smith.
On the evening of May 10th, a terrifying event occurred with a fortunate outcome. About 11:30 at night, Elise and David, Jr., started home, in their Ford convertible touring car, after dropping off David, Sr., at the Missouri Pacific ticket office to tend to some United Commercial Travelers business. As they neared their house at 614 Greenwood Avenue, an automobile passed from the rear, abruptly stopping in front of her car. Elise maneuvered around the car, and as she passed, the driver produced a pistol out of the window and fired. Terrified, Elise pushed on the gas and went to the nearest safe location she could think of, her neighbor Dr. Walter G. Eberle, who had purchased their house at 610 Greenwood. From their residence, she frantically called David Sr., and explained what had occurred. David immediately phoned the police who arrived at the scene minutes later. By the grace of God, the bullet did not strike Elise or eight year old David, Jr. The shooter was never identified, nor was a motive uncovered.
After a terrifying night, the following day of May 11th was exuberantly joyful when they received notice that their bid on a new house had been accepted. In the midst of building the school, the Shapards purchased the home of Mr. Thomas J. Hays, at 3001 Little Rock Avenue (now Rogers Avenue), for $7,000. The property, at the junction of Little Rock Avenue and Free Ferry Road, was conveniently located just 750 feet southeast from the Blue Bird School, and was designated as the west 100 feet of lots 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, of Block 12, of the Barnes and Sweet Addition. To the delight of David, Jr., the expansive yard had a host of trees and shrubs and was approximately three times larger than what he was formerly accustomed. From the street, the 190 foot by 175 foot property had a long concrete walkway leading to six steps at the base of the large screened and trellised sleeping porch adorning the front of the one-and-a-half story house. A stone foundation supported the framing, upon which was secured a white painted wood clapboard exterior.
The same day that they heard the wonderful news that their offer on the Little Rock Avenue house had been accepted, David, as the Grand Junior Counselor, was preparing for the Annual Grand Council Convention of the United Commercial Travelers for the state of Arkansas being held on May 12th and 13th at the Goldman Hotel in the Amrita Grotto assembly hall. Over 1,200 traveling salesmen from all over the state of Arkansas had descended upon Fort Smith to take part in the convention. Interestingly, this year, the annual convention coincided with the Million Dollar Free Bridge celebration, in honor of the completion of the first free car bridge across the Arkansas River from Fort Smith to Oklahoma.
Prior to the completion of this bridge, the only access into Oklahoma from Fort Smith was by way of the Missouri Pacific railroad toll bridge established in 1891, located 800 feet south of the new Free Bridge, or by way of the ferry across the Arkansas River. Circa 1910, public-spirited citizens of Fort Smith became determined to build a free bridge to supersede the old toll bridge. In 1913, an act of the Arkansas General Assembly provided for the collection of taxes for the building of the new bridge. Construction began in 1919 and was completed in 1922, at a cost of just over one million dollars. The 16 arch steel and concrete bridge spanned 3,168 feet, was 41 feet wide, with a 28 foot road and a five foot walkway on either side. It was illuminated with 48 lamp posts along its length. The bridge was an extension of Garrison Avenue, landing travelers directly into the Fort Smith business district from Oklahoma. The federal government recognized the free bridge as a major component linking the east-west Albert Pike highway, running from Hot Springs to Colorado Springs, and the north-south Sequoyah Trails highway, running through western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Celebrations for the completion of this great engineering achievement were held on May 11th and 12th and were attended by thousands of people, as well as, the governors of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Events included parades, bands, airplane flybys, fireworks, speakers, floats, the election of a “Bridge Queen,” and a variety of additional entertainment and festivity.
The Shapard family was very much a part of the celebration. On May 11th, Elise was busily preparing the Blue Bird School’s float for the Retail Merchants Parade being held that evening as part of the Free Bridge events. The parade organized by the Retail Merchant’s Committee was a grand display of bands, floats and entertainment for public enjoyment. The parade route began at 3rd and Garrison and finished at 13th Street in front of the Goldman Hotel, where it was disbanded. Along the route, eight bands were strategically stationed. The floats moved at five-minute intervals, stopping and performing shows where each band was stationed. The floats were gloriously decorated and all were beautifully illuminated with strands of lights. The 7th and final float was the Blue Bird Float, and was described as one of the prettiest floats in the entire parade. Mrs. Shapard directed her 38 pupils, dressed in blue bird costumes, who performed on the flowered float to the amusement of the spectators.
The following day, of May 12th, commenced the 12th Annual Convention of the Grand Council of the United Commercial Travelers for the state of Arkansas. David’s local Council No. 86 was in charge of the “Welcome to the Arkansas U. C. T.” presentation to commence the convention. Mr. H. L. Buckley, master of ceremonies, began by introducing six ‘future traveling salesmen:’ one being eight year old David Shapard, Jr., along with masters Johnson, Emory, Johnson, Moore and Daughtry, who for the first time wore long trousers in place of knickers. The young ‘traveling men’ carried a sample suitcase, each inscribed with the name of one of the larger Arkansas towns of whom they represented. David, Sr., and David, Jr., truly gave a hearty welcome to the traveling delegates on behalf of Fort Smith Council No. 86.
On May 13th, the final day of the convention, David Shapard, Sr., was bestowed with the highest honor possible, when he was elected to hold the head office of Grand Counselor of the United Commercial Travelers Grand Council of Arkansas. As a testament to his leadership, at 35 years of age, he was reported to have been the youngest man ever inducted into that esteemed office. In addition to his newly elected office, David continued to serve as Secretary of his local U. C. T. Council No. 86 for the ensuing year.
The Convention closed that evening with the Annual Banquet, followed by dancing at the Grand Ball for all the delegates and local traveling men and their ladies. More than 450 members of the United Commercial Travelers and their wives and sweethearts were entertained at the banquet held in the dining room and lobby of the Goldman Hotel. David and Elise were in attendance and regarded in high esteem due to his newly elected office. While there were no set speeches permitted, the program was witty in the extreme, beginning with the presentation of a handsome silver loving cup to the newly elected Grand Councilor, David E. Shapard, by toastmaster C. A. Darland, Chairman of the Bridge Committee. It was a beautiful cup in appearance, at least two feet high and proportionately rounded. The presentation speech was delivered with deep sincerity, expressing the appreciation and high esteem in which Councilor Shapard was held. David circled the entire length of the large dining room to secure his prize. Then at the conclusion of the speech, with his arms extended as he waited for it to be delivered to him, toastmaster Darland put his hand inside the silver loving cup, withdrawing a common tin drinking cup (the kind which can be purchased for 5 cents each). The whole room erupted into laughter. This was the opening number in the series of clever hoaxes which kept the diners constantly amused throughout the banquet. After the banquet, the delegates and their dates retired to Miss Beckman’s Studio, to attend the Grand Ball, for dancing and socializing until midnight.
Over the following days, news of David’s induction as the Grand Counselor was carried by nearly all of the Arkansas papers along with his photograph. The newspaper men at Fort Smith were particularly energetic to interview Mr. Shapard, as he was a “local man,” and one of their own, who was now head of the Travelers body. The story clearly became the subject of great pride for the city of Fort Smith.
On May 17, 1922, Mr. A. G. Emerson, from Chester, Arkansas, submitted an article that was published in the Southwest American newspaper of Fort Smith, not regarding David Shapard’s new office with the United Commercial Travelers, but regarding his reputation as a gentleman. Mr. Emmerson wrote;
“In asking the question: “Has Fort Smith any gentlemen? Who are they?” I am sure you will accomplish a great deal of good, especially for the boys and younger men. They will strive to be gentlemen. After reading the attempted definitions of a gentleman, I am convinced that his attributes cannot be clearly defined, whereas a gentlemanly example can be pointed out, appreciated and followed with benefit to the entire community. With due apology to the Southwest American for being so specific and to Mr. Shapard for being so personal: I beg to say that it was a part of my work during the past winter to investigate conditions, and report, as to the manners of the men, the courtesy of the women, the hospitalities of the homes, etc. In fact to make a complete survey of the social conditions of Fort Smith: therefore I may be pardoned for speaking as somewhat of an authority on this particular subject. My first meeting with Mr. Shapard impressed me with the fact that he is a gentleman. Close observation subsequently confirmed this conviction. He is consistently courteous, neat in appearance, pleasant, dignified, upstanding; shoulders square, eyes bright with a gentle gleam, firm in action, authoritive, and a successful business man. During a rush hour at the depot, I saw Mr. Shapard step aside to admit a family group to purchase their tickets and get settled in the coach on their way to the coal fields. As he stepped to the ticket window he stooped and picked up a crisp, five dollar bill. There was no attempt to conceal the find, no sneaking tendency to hide the bill. On the other hand, he displayed an alert mind and a fair and honest manner. He sought the humble travelers to whom he had given place, and in a kindly manner asked if they had made sure they received the right amount of change. They investigated and reported no shortage. It pays to be a gentleman. The traveling men are to be congratulated for having a true gentleman for their leader. The mothers of Fort Smith need not hesitate to point to Mr. Shapard as a gentleman, whom their sons may safely follow. Who is a gentleman? David Shapard.”
After the article was published, David personally wrote to Mr. Emerson thanking him for his kind words. Mr. Emerson replied by letter, stating; “…The bungling write up I was able to give you in the S-W had but one real merit – it was the TRUTH. It was with special pride that I discovered this trait in you, for I am sorry to say that in my survey I found few real gentlemen, and sadder still, fewer gentle women,- so that in “finding” you the average was kept up. May I say that most remarkable of all is the fact that your wife measured up, and excelled the requirements for women and I congratulate you both and hope your home will ever excel and be equally happy.”
Mr. Emerson truly had a deep respect and appreciation for Mr. Shapard, and he was also very accurate in his assessment of Mrs. Shapard as excelling the “requirements of women.” As the new Blue Bird School was being constructed on Lecta Avenue, Elise was bringing to a finale the last class of students to be educated in her home. On June 3rd, the closing exercises for the 38 students of the Blue Bird School were held in the wooded setting in the backyard of the new Shapard house at 3001 Little Rock Avenue. Parents, guests and the public were invited to enjoy the entertainment by purchasing a ticket in support of the school. Twenty-five cents secured a premium seat, or fifteen cents for general admission. The program was held on an elevated wooden stage and featured numerous acts with singing and dancing, each with their own colorful costume change. The opening act displayed all the children in their blue bird costumes that had been worn during the Free Bridge celebration. One ‘act,’ not on the program, was performed at a corner of the stage when two young boys began their own boxing bout, to the hilarity of the audience. The ‘boxers’ were quickly discovered and separated by the teachers. Despite the improvisation, the evening was a great success.
About two weeks later, Elise joined Edwin’s wife, May Shapard, in attending the state convention of the Chi Omega sorority held on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. The convention, that was also a semi-centennial for the organization, was held from June 14th to the 16th. Although the national convention for the sorority was held shortly thereafter at Salt Lake City, Utah, neither Elise, nor May, attended.
Upon her return home, Elise invited her whole family to come to Fort Smith to see her new house, as well as, the construction progress at the Blue Bird school. During the week of June 16th, Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger were guests at the Shapard house on Little Rock Avenue. To the delight of everyone, Elise’s sisters Miss Allie Merle Conger of New York City, and Mrs. Lucile Bailey the hostess of Burt Hall at Baylor Female College, Belton, Texas, and her little daughter Annelise Bailey also arrived, making it a grand Conger reunion.
David, Sr., spent the majority of his days on the road, selling his wares for the Atkinson-Williams Hardware Company, between Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Paris, Texas. Around the summer of 1922, David and another traveling man, as his driving companion, made the trip from Hot Springs, Arkansas, to Fort Smith in the Shapard car at a record setting time of only 8 hours and 45 minutes. They had left Hot Springs at 9 A. M. and traveled by way of Oden, where they stopped for lunch, then ventured through Waldron, taking refreshments, before arriving in Fort Smith for an early supper. For years after, many a bragging traveling man would attempt to break this land speed record set by David Shapard, only to arrive in 9 hours or greater. Presently, due to the advancements in roads and automobiles, travel between Hot Spring and Fort Smith along this same road can now be made in 2 hours and 30 minutes!
During the summer, David, Jr., celebrated his ninth birthday and greatly enjoyed his new residence. He acquired many good friends in the neighborhood, and made best friends with masters Eddie Redding, Burnie Harper and Buddy Maddox. The boys formed a club that summer, with a few other schoolmates, and went on adventures as ‘knights.’ They made shields out of the wooden casing of cheese wheels, that were about the size of a garbage can lid, affixed with a handle on the inside. Their swords were made of fence pickets, with wooden crossguards secured above the handle. The boys frequently dueled each other to determine who was the best at swordplay. David fancied himself as quite a talented swordsman, however, his friend Eddie Redding was always the undisputed champion. Eddie approached each duel with reckless abandon, swing his sword every which way, making his opponent run away for fear of being painfully thrashed!
Since David’s new house was on the outskirts of Fort Smith, there were ample woods and creeks for the knights to explore. The Suburban Railway train tracks, that connected the outskirts of the city to Fort Smith’s downtown, crossed Free Ferry Road and Little Rock Avenue, about 500 feet east of David’s house. One day, the boys followed the train tracks just a little ways south, and discovered a paralleling creek. Upon further exploration they noticed a large drainage pipe, as wide as they were tall. The pipe had a large wooden door, hinged at the top. When large amounts of water drained out, the pressure would push the heavy door open, otherwise it would remain mostly closed. The brave knights raised the cumbersome door revealing a dark deep tunnel within. Running home, they secured candles and returned to explore the lair. The boys soon made that drainage pipe their secret knight’s clubhouse, convening in a chamber deep within and lit only by candle light. They all thought that it was the greatest clubhouse ever, until one summer day, as they raised the door, two of the biggest rats they had ever seen came rushing out. The band of ‘brave knights’ scattered, running and screaming, and never entered that pipe again!
It was in that same creek that David, Jr., first learned to catch crawdads by lifting up the rocks along the bank. He and his friends would collect as many as they could, usually about 20 to 30, pull off their tails and peel off the shell to get the meat. They would go to their friend Billy Flocks’ house, who lived a block away from David, at 201 Lecta Avenue, because his mother would fix them for the boys, in a big frying pan with some grease. David thought they were absolutely delicious.
One day, David, Jr., had collected a bunch of crawdads and decided to fix them at his own house. His mother came in and he showed her what he was eating from the creek. She shrieked in consternation and was utterly sickened, bewildered how her boy could stomach eating such a disgusting creature. Furthermore, the water from where the crawdads came was fed largely by sewer runoff. Needless to say, she begged him not to eat any more crawdads from the creek. A few days later, David’s parents took him to eat at the Manhattan Café, in downtown Fort Smith, where he watched in puzzlement his mother order shrimp, which was basically the same thing as crawdad tails. His mother just ate up that shrimp and thought it was wonderful, but, oh my goodness, how she cawed that crawdad tails was just disgusting!
Since David, Jr., had yet to learn to swim, his parents told him under no circumstances was he to get into the creek water as there were pits and pools that could easily drown him. In addition, they told him that it was sewer water that drained out to the edge of town. Of course, for a boy of nine years of age, it did not seem dirty to him. As expected, he and his friends could not resist the allure of the creek. When the other boys would get into the water, David could see that it was only up to their waist and did not appear deep enough to drown. So, he took off his clothes and joined his friends in the water. As a result, during the summer of 1922, David learned to swim very well. Of course, David never told his parents, because he was not even supposed to get in the creek.
Later that summer, David, Sr., and Elise decided to go on vacation to the Gulf of Mexico. During this time, the Shapard family had a four-door Model T Ford Touring car with a canvas top and an impressive top speed of about 45 miles per hour, that was quite fast for a car of its time. Other than the front windshield, there were no windows, just curtains that could be attached to deflect inclement weather. To start the engine, Mr. Shapard inserted a hand crank at the front of the car and had to give it a hard rotation. As soon as the engine engaged, it would throw out the crank. The day of the trip, the whole Shapard family piled into the car and made the long journey to the Gulf of Mexico, vacationing at Galveston, Texas.
David, Sr., was a good swimmer and enjoyed getting in the Gulf, however, Elise was terrified of water and had never learned to swim. She would sit with her feet in the sand right at the waters edge where the waves broke. Of course, David, Jr., was kept very close by her side at the water’s edge, as both his parents believed that he could not swim, though truth be told, he had secretly learned to swim earlier that summer in the ‘forbidden’ creek. David, Jr., knew he could confidently swim, but he could not tell his parents without incriminating himself. Throughout the morning, he kept asking his father if he could swim in that salty water, but his father kept saying that it was too dangerous. However, Mr. Shapard agreed to teach his son how to swim in one of the resort pools. They both got in the shallow end of the pool and David, Sr., showed his son how to paddle and kick his feet, and David, Jr., acted like he was just learning how to swim. To Mr. Shapard’s astonishment his son just swam right off. Upon their return home, Mr. Shapard told everyone he knew in Fort Smith, how that son of his was so brilliant, that he learned to swim in just minutes!
By mid-August, the Blue Bird School had been completed and Elise was busily preparing for the formal opening, scheduled for September 8th. She had secured a staff of two teaching associates for the year: her 24 year-old niece, Miss Dorothy Shapard, and Miss Maxie Covington.
Dorothy Shapard (1898-1980), daughter of Sumner and Benetta Shapard, arrived in Fort Smith on August 29th in anticipation of her faculty position at the school. She took up residence for the school year in one of the spare rooms at David and Elise’s house on Little Rock Avenue. Dorothy was described as a young woman with charming manners, having a staunch Christian character and winsome ways, being able to attract friends easily and was much loved by her students. She graduated in 1918 from Western High School of Baltimore, Maryland. She advanced her education by attended Johns Hopkins University, in 1921, to take a summer course in psychology. In preparation of her employment at the Blue Bird School, she completed the full course in the Affordy Kindergarten-Primary Normal School of Baltimore, Maryland, in June of 1922, having graduated with honors.
Miss Maxie Covington (1895-1983) spent the latter part of her childhood in Fort Smith, her father, A. W. Covington, serving as a senator in the state legislature for many years. She attended the University of Arkansas for two years where she received an L. I. teaching degree and a diploma in piano work. Afterwards, she attended the University of California at Berkley, where she acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her four years of college was devoted to training as a teacher in primary and kindergarten work. She would marry Mr. Alvin D. Clark of Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1925.
Elise also hired Madame Lassay Merrywell, a native of Paris, France, to teach the students French. Under her direction, the children would receive authentic Parisienne pronunciation, as no American teacher could deliver.
Elise retained the services of Miss Anna Fooks for secretarial work, in addition to having her managing the school’s office during classroom hours.
One of the most spectacular days in the life of Elise Shapard occurred with the formal opening of the Blue Bird School on September 8, 1922. Through four toilsome years of fervent, unrelenting effort, she had finally willed the school of her aspirations into reality. What had begun as teaching a few kids out of a room at the Goldman Hotel, had now transpired into one of the finest kindergartens and primary schools in all the South. Hosted by Mrs. Elise Shapard, Miss Dorothy Shapard and Miss Maxie Covington, the formal opening was held from 3 P. M. until 10 o’clock P. M., and was highly attended by parents, children, curious onlookers and the local press. Cars lined the street throughout the day, as hundreds of people came to inspect the school and the grounds.
The new building, located at 208 Lecta Avenue had accommodation for 100 pupils, ranging from four to seven years old, embracing the kindergarten, first and second grades. The building itself was of stucco, in the Mission style, with an arched columnless portico inscribed with the name of the school overhanging the front double doors. A north-facing custom ceramic blue bird adorned the peak of the arch to welcome the children. Inscribed in the concrete, on one side of the walkway near the front entrance, was the Blue Bird School song, “We sing the song of the blue birds, The blue birds of gold and blue, The blue for truth and beauty, The gold for hearts so true.” Chorus: “Blue birds, happy blue birds, Each day let us be; We send our heart’s sweet music, Through earth and sky and sea. Within the nest of the blue bird, We study, sing and play – Our faces bright and smiling, Each “kiddie” strong and gay. Just now we’re blue bird nestlings, We love our blue bird nest, And we’ll be true and loyal To THE BLUE BIRD SCHOOL, the best.”
On the other side of the walkway concrete, was inscribed the school creed; “I AM THE CHILD! In which I can live, laugh and love, work and play and learn concentration, efficiency and patriotism. I want to hear good music, become acquainted with the world of nature, see beautiful pictures, and later I want to make happy homes, build houses and railroads and cities.” Above the creed was inscribed; “The Blue Bird School, Elise Conger Shapard, director. Founded May 1, 1922. Motto: Faith, Hope and Love. Colors, blue and gold. Flower, Jonquil.” By 1923, the school flower had changed to the sweat pea.
The interior was designed with four large classrooms, each 18 by 18 feet, with 12 foot high ceilings, a gymnasium 23 by 46 feet, a teachers breakroom painted in a dainty blue, and an office which opened out of a large central auditorium. Each room was splendidly equipped with modern appliances for doing the best work with children. Around the sides of the auditorium were small stationary seats that fold up against the wall when not in use, but were sufficient in number to accommodate 100 children. Several large paintings were hung around the auditorium that gave a charming note of color, and during the year, the children’s artwork would adorn the walls of the classrooms. One of the unique built-in features of the school, from Mrs. Shapard’s own idea, were separate lockers for each child, each equipped with a special coat hanger made expressly for the school.
The gymnasium attracted much attention, as there were few kindergarten and primary schools anywhere in the South offering such a well-equipped facility. It was large, well-lit and had a soft cork floor. The equipment included, spring jumping boards, balance beams, chest pully weights, climbing polls, flying rings, dumb bells, Indian clubs, maple wands and floor mats, all of which was carefully selected for both amusement and exercise.
The “fairyland” playground in the rear of the building was 75 by 85 feet, hosted numerous large shade trees, and was electrically lit for evening events. Amenities included slides, see-saw, swings, rings and bars, sand boxes, revolving platform and other apparatus to inspire the children. In the center was a fountain of battleship gray stucco with bluebirds outlining its outer edge. In the basin of the fountain were goldfish and surrounding it were four beds of bright flowers, alternating in blue and bright pink verbenas. Between these beds were mounds of gravel permitting the children to stand at the fountain’s edge between the flowerbeds.
The playground was furnished with two drinking fountains, uniquely designed for sanitation. Instead of the common design of water flowing vertically from the spigot and then back on to itself, these had a 75 degree angled spigot at the back of the basin causing the water to flow in an arch. The children would drink from the arch of the stream, keeping the water source clean.
Around the entire playground was a high board fence, the lower four-fifths painted in woody green and the upper one-fifth painted white. On this white border were stenciled all the characters dear to childhood, including the story of the Mayflower, the Puritans, George Washington, William Penn and the Indians. Against the bottom of the fence was a long low concrete flower box running the entire length, in which were all sorts of brightly colored plants and vines. In one corner was a large doll house for children to enter and play in. It had a fireplace against the corner with candle sticks on the mantle, a real table and chairs, a telephone, and a miniature concrete walkway extending from the front door.
All of the playground equipment, the swings, see-saw and slides and the revolving platform, which was one of the most expensive devices on the grounds, were set in concrete, making them absolutely safe with no sharp corners or rough edges on which to hurt the small people who enjoy them. Even the sandboxes were filled with glistening white sand with low concrete borders. No expense was spared to make this one of the most modern and select kindergarten and primary schools in the South.
The school was opened for class Monday through Friday from 9 a. m. until noon, then from 1 p. m. until 4 p. m. It operated on two terms, each four and one-half months-long. The first term of the Blue Bird School ran from September 11th until Christmas holiday on December 20th, then resumed on December 27th. The second term began on January 25th, breaking for spring vacation the Thursday and Friday before Easter, and resumed until the close of school on June 9, 1923. Tuition was $45.00 per child per term. No reduction was given in case of absence. When transportation for a student was necessary, arrangements could be made through Mrs. Shapard.
Each Saturday afternoon, from 2 o’clock until 3 o’clock, the teachers hosted an hour of storytelling and games open to all the children of Fort Smith. Afterwards, the children were allowed to enjoy some time on the playground. This additional weekend amenity was available for a nominal fee of 25 cents per child.
The Blue Bird School had a tremendous start. Elise took out large ads in the local newspapers announcing the new facility, and had educational booklets, describing the school, printed for distribution to potential patrons. She also commissioned an etching to be made of the front exterior of the building for illustrative media purposes. A photographic postcard of the school was likewise commissioned, in 1923, and used as a promotional piece. The whole event was well thought out and exceptionally executed. Through no lack of effort, the enrollment unfortunately fell short of the 100 student quota. For the first year in the new building, the Blue Bird School registered about 60 total students, 32 of whom were first and second graders.
In late October of 1922, Elise left Fort Smith for a brief visit to Belton, Texas, to consult with the educational experts at Baylor Female College regarding kindergarten and primary work. While there, she was able to reunite with her sisters, Mrs. Lucile Bailey and Miss Allie Merle Conger, both of whom were faculty members of the university. The three siblings had long heartfelt conversations regarding their aging parents and what was best for their future care. Earlier in the year, Mrs. J. W. Conger had her right eye surgically removed at the hospital in Little Rock, and since then her health was worrisome. With the blessing of her sisters, Elise decided it was time to move her parents from Conway to her house at Fort Smith. It appears that Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger welcomed the invitation and moved into one of the spare rooms at the Shapard house in mid-December of 1922.
To accomplish the move, the three sisters went to Conway to assist Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger pack up their clothing, household goods, furniture, and extensive library of books. David Shapard, Sr., remained home at Fort Smith looking after David, Jr., and his cousin Annelise Bailey, daughter of Lucile Bailey. David, Jr., and Annelise were so excited to welcome their grandparents that they slept outside on the sleeping porch on December 11th, only to both catch cold. Unfortunately, the Congers did not arrive that night, being delayed on the move for a few additional days. However, David Shapard, Sr., took good care of the youngsters who were sick in bed. David, Jr., wrote to his grandmother; “Papa [David, Sr.,] makes a good nurse so far. I have read three books - Gulliver’s Travels, Arabian Nights, Fairy Tale Bears. They are all good books I like them very much. Especially Gulliver’s Travels and Arabian Nights. I liked Fairy Tale Bears too but it was too kidish. I must close now. With Love, from David.”
As the amazing year of 1922 came to a close, and Christmas was upon them, the Shapard family of Fort Smith had much for which to be thankful. David was at peak performance as a hardware salesman for the Atkinson-Williams Company, he was Secretary-Treasurer for his local council No. 86 of the United Commercial Travelers, and he had been elected as the Grand Counselor of the Arkansas Grand Council of the United Commercial Travelers. Elise had witnessed her kindergarten school dreams materialize into an actual ‘brick and mortar’ building; and, the Blue Bird School was being publicly acclaimed as the finest, most modern, kindergarten and primary school in Fort Smith, and possibly all of the South. David, Jr., had established a wonderful group of boyhood friends, he had learned to swim, learned to catch and fix crawfish, and had seen the Gulf of Mexico for the first time with his parents. The Shapard family had acquired a spacious new home, beautifully situated at the edge of town and had filled it with loved ones, including Miss Dorothy Shapard and Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Conger. It was a grand season of achievement, of harvesting, of togetherness – a moment of which to be proud.
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