Chapter 22
A Family in Separation
1927-1929
On July 30, 1927, the day after their son’s 14th birthday, David and Elise became entirely incompatible and separated from one another, after almost 15 years of marriage. David remained at their rented residence in the 900 block of North Sixteenth Street, while Elise took David, Jr., and moved out. Shortly thereafter, Elise rented the home of Elijah D. Bedwell, president of the E. D. Coal Company, at 218 Lecta Avenue for the year. The house was directly next door to the Blue Bird School. Elise was able to afford such an extravagant residence by sharing the rent with Miss Frances Reynold and her niece Juanita Holland, as well as, other teachers of the Blue Bird School including Miss Katheryn Rupert and Miss Regina McKinney.
It is important to note that initially David and Elise did not seek a divorce, perhaps believing that they could reconcile. At the outset of their separation, Elise was comfortably flush with cash, having the $4,000 from the May 25, 1927, second mortgage on the Blue Bird School, which she utilized for living expenses and to run the school for the year. In addition, David began sending her $50 per month intended for the support their son David, Jr. That being said, almost immediately after their separation, Elise began a path of independence, gradually purging nearly every influence David had on her life. Most notably, she re-embraced her ‘Conger’ upbringing, lifting those traditions to the forefront. Before the start of the Blue Bird School in September of 1927, she rarely presented herself as “Mrs. David E. Shapard,” but instead distinguished herself as ‘Mrs. Elise Conger Shapard,” with an emphasis on the ‘Conger.’ By April of 1928, she had fully abandoned the Methodist church, in favor of the denomination of her youth, and began attending the First Baptist Church of Fort Smith. She and Miss Frances Reynolds even began teaching classes there for the benefit of the Baptist children. More importantly, their son David, Jr., gradually lost his association with the Methodist church, during this time, as a result of his mother’s influence.
As for David, Sr., after the separation, he sought stability, reassurance and purpose through his occupation and clubs. He had a wonderful trait of wholeheartedly helping others as a means of working through his own grief. He also leaned heavily on his siblings, especially his brother Edwin Shapard, and his family, who embraced him fully with support and togetherness. On September 14th, David traveled to Washington D. C., after winning a trip there for being the leading Equitable agent in sales. After the conference was over on the 18th, he spent a few extra days visiting with his sister Lizzie, before returning to Fort Smith on September 24th. The following month, Sumner came to Fort Smith, from New York, to see David and Edwin, and the three brothers had a meaningful reunion.
On October 27, 1927, Edwin Shapard and his family of May, Barbara, John and Edwin III, moved about 70 miles from Fort Smith to their new home at 231 North 17th Street in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The move was necessary, as Edwin’s sales territory for the Roberts, Johnson & Rand Shoe Company, had changed, and Muskogee provided a convenient and central hub from which he could ride the trains to his appointments. One of their great concerns of moving, was leaving May Shapard’s 80 year old mother, Mrs. Mary J. Miller, who lived in Fort Smith. Although she lived with her widowed daughter, Mrs. Daisy Caruthers, David Shapard kindly agreed to look after her. As it came to pass, David and Mrs. Miller developed a generous relationship. David often took her to lunch, to run errands, to visit her husband’s grave at Forest Park Cemetery, as well as, taking her to Muskogee and other further ventures. They both seemed to greatly enjoy each other’s company.
For Christmas of 1927, David drove from Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Muskogee, Oklahoma, to be the guests of Edwin and May Shapard. He arrived at their house on December 21st, at 7 o’clock at night, being heartedly welcomed by all of Edwin’s family, as well as, May’s mother Mrs. Mary J. Miller and sister Mrs. Daisy Caruthers. At 8 o’clock, Sumner called the house, having arrived from New York, and Edwin drove to the train station to pick him up. May prepared a wonderful supper that night for all the family, who stayed through the holidays.
Christmas morning, the table was loaded with presents, and neighbors sent 12 quail and a cake that they enjoyed for dinner. Sumner departed Christmas evening to return home, and David also intended on leaving, however, due to the lateness of the hour, he changed his mind and came back. That night they all went to the movies, watching the silent comedy film ‘Colleen,’ starring Madge Bellamy who played an Irish-American debutant who falls in love with the son of an impoverished aristocrat. On December 27th, David drove home to Fort Smith, with his brother Edwin, who then took the 6 p. m. train to St. Louis.
Christmas for Elise was spent in Fort Smith with her sisters and son. Allie Merle Conger arrived from Greenville, South Carolina, where she was a piano instructor in the music department of the Greenville Woman’s College. Lucile Bailey and her 15 year old daughter, Annelise, arrived from Belton, Texas, to spend the holidays. Lucile had been the sorority house hostess at Baylor Female College, until she resigned a few months previous due to ill health. After Christmas, Lucile stayed in Fort Smith as her health had taken a turn for the worse. Around January 7th, she was checked in to St. Edwards Hospital, and, tragically, on January 9th she died of a pulmonary embolism at 42 years of age. Elise, in great bereavement, made the arrangements for her funeral and assumed all the costs to have her sister’s body taken by the Fentress Mortuary to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to be interred next to her brothers at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Lucile’s daughter Annelise Bailey (1912-1995), impressively had graduated from Baylor Female College in 1927, at the age of 15 years. She was highly educated, awarded and involved, participating in literary clubs, athletic council, Latin club, played volleyball, baseball and track, as well as, being senior class president and on the honor roll. She had no connection with her father, and was an orphan after the death of her mother. Her aunt, and namesake, Elise Shapard, initially fostered her from 1927 through 1929, giving her a home and family at Fort Smith. Interestingly, Elise encouraged her to drop her “Bailey” surname and adopt the “Conger” surname, which she eventually did. Annelise returned to Baylor Female College to do collegiate work, receiving her B. A. in 1931; after which,
In early January, David picked up Mrs. Mary J. Miller and the two drove to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where they visited with Edwin’s family, before traveling, with May, to Tulsa for the day. David attended to some business, while the ladies enjoyed lunch and a day of shopping. On January 13th, David and Mrs. Miller returned together to Fort Smith, having had a delightful time, before David drove to Eufaula, Oklahoma, to visit some old friends.
Just on the heels of one tragedy, another manifested, that greatly impacted the Shapard family. On January 22, 1928, four days shy of her 81st birthday, Mrs. Mary J. Miller readied herself to attend the 10:30 a. m. service at the First Methodist Church, South. From her house, she took the street car, exiting at the corner of 13th Street and B Street. As she started across the street, she was struck by a car driven by a 26 year old man. The force of the impact crushed the base of her skull, fractured her back and broke numerous other bones. She was transported to St. Edwards Hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Her funeral, held at the home of her daughter Mrs. Daisy Caruthers, was largely attended as she was much loved in the community. She was interred next to her husband at Forest Park Cemetery.
With the recent loss and separation of so many relationships, an event of togetherness was greatly needed. David, Jr., had been involved in the Boy Scouts, being a member of the Fort Smith Troop 24. In March of 1928, the Fort Smith and Van Buren Council of the Boy Scouts sponsored a father and son banquet, in recognition of the friendship and love that is possible between them. The president of the council was Mr. Harry Robinson, friend of David E. Shapard, Sr., who served together in the Arkansas State Guard. Interestingly, Mr. Robinson’s son, Harry, Jr., was a scout in Troop 24 and the same age and close friend of David, Jr. The wonderful event, attended by David, Sr., and his son, among 500 other fathers and sons, was held on March 23rd, at 7 o’clock in the evening at the First Methodist Church, South. Pastor B. V. Ferguson of the
After closing the Blue Bird School for summer, Elise drove to Little Rock to visit friends, before leaving for Kansas City where she took a six-week course in music and special kindergarten work. Upon her return, the financial consequence of her lavish lifestyle was apparent. She had spent the greater portion of her $4,000, throughout the year, and was in need of additional funds to maintain her standard of living and to run the school. Although David was giving her $50 per month for the support of their son, he refused to directly contribute to the support of Elise, except on four occasions where he gave her $25. This was due to the fact that Elise was, to a significant extent, the cause their financial collapse, and that each month David was still paying off the thousands of dollars of debt for which Elise had amassed in his name.
When words failed, Elise pursued legal means against David, in an effort to replenish her coffers. On July 17, 1928, Annelise Conger Shapard filed an alimony action in the Fort Smith Chancery Court against David Evander Shapard, stating that, despite her trying to be a dutiful and obedient wife, she was forced to leave on account of his cruel and unwarranted treatment of her, making life intolerable. She further stated that by reason of her ‘physical and mental condition’ she was unable to work and earn a livelihood for herself. David obtained the legal services of Mr. Harry Daily, who practiced law in Fort Smith, to help him with the case. Regarding the amount of his legal fees, Mr. Daily informed David that he did not have the nerve to charge him, knowing the condition he had let his wife get his affairs in.
The hearing was held on July 21st, and David came fully prepared to counter the ridiculousness of her allegations. He showed up in court for the proceedings with a record of every penny of every item she purchased and the times she left, with all the meticulous details in writing. He proved to the court that he was working multiple jobs, living month-to-month, and all of his expendable income, after supporting his son, was still devoted to paying off her debts. Finally, he easily proved that she was capable of work and was working as the director and owner of the Blue Bird School. The court sided with David, and dismissed Elise’s petition, without prejudice, which absolutely infuriated her.
While David continued on with life, working and attending the meetings of his clubs, he received word that he had been awarded a trip, by the Equitable Life Assurance Society, to a meeting of top agents in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for bringing in the most business in his district for the year. David was also promoted as the Special Agent of his company. On September 9, 1928, David left by automobile for a month long tour of the eastern states, in conjunction with the Atlantic City trip. Before returning home, he ventured to Niagara Falls, Albany, and New York City where he visited his brother Sumner.
Interestingly, a letter of great curiosity, from Rev. J. Y. Bryce, was forwarded to him at Atlantic City, inquiring about David’s father. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Rev. John Young Bryce (1863-1937) was assigned the task, by the East Oklahoma Conference, of writing the history of Methodism in Oklahoma. He issued letters to friends and families of many of the known preachers from the early era of the Indian Mission Conference, in hopes of writing biographies and obtaining photos for the book, ‘History of Methodism in Oklahoma; Story of the Indian Mission Conference.’
Upon David’s return to Fort Smith, he replied to Rev. Bryce, sending him a photograph of Rev. E. R. Shapard, stating; “Any information that you have about my father I would appreciate having a copy of it, at his death I was two years old and have missed the association that a great many boys have and enjoy. This picture is the only one I have and would appreciate it very much if you would let me have it as soon as you are through with it…” The photograph sent was the now familiar portrait of Rev. E. R. Shapard in his clerical robe dating from the 1880s. The image that David possessed was copy of an original tintype cut in an oval shape to fit in a broach worn by Rev. Shapard’s wife, Jennie. Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the original tintype has been lost through the circumstance of time; however, the actual photograph that David sent to Rev. Bryce has recently been located and preserved. Because of David’s generosity of its use in 1928, copies of Rev. E. R. Shapard’s image can readily be found to the present-day in books and other media.
On October 16, 1928, Rev. J. Y. Bryce replied to David’s letter, stating; “Since writing you last the picture of your father has come. I have it in the hands of the photographer, and just as soon as he furnishes me with copy will return to you. You asked me to tell you any thing I might know concerning your father, to comply with this request would be a pleasure if I had the time, for I knew him intimately for a long period of years and to my mind there were few men, if any, that were greater than he. Your father had as much to do with shaping my life as any man out side of my own father, in fact more. I met him first when a mere child, about eight years of age, we were then living in old Skullyville, and all through the years after, until God called him home, he was a frequent visitor in our home, than whom none were more welcome. Your father was my pastor when I was recommended for admission on trial in the Indian Mission Conference, the year 1888… I have a letter at home written to [my] wife and I by your father the year 1888… in this letter he gave us some fatherly advice which we cherished all along through the years. Yours was a goodly heritage, though you did not have the pleasure of growing up with him as your advisor, you had the influence of his life, which is better than all the wealth of the world. It is better to be rich in friend-ship towards God and man than to be rich in money. I never had much money, but I can say that I have always been rich in friend-ship with God and man; this largely due to your saintly father…”
David and Rev. Bryce corresponded with each other for approximately two months by post. Around November of 1928, the two men had the pleasure of meeting for the first time in person for an intimate conversation regarding Rev. E. R. Shapard. Since the circumstance of death had prevented David from knowing his father, every story about him was precious and kept close to David’s heart.
For the remainder of the year, David was very active in his organizations. In late October, the Masons had a large jovial initiation ceremony for its class of 50 candidates. The group of men secured a special train reserved exclusively for the event, to transport the 150 to 200 Masons, candidates and guests between the towns of Clarksville and Russellville where the ceremonies took place. For entertainment on the train, the Amrita Grotto Band enlivened the men with music. The train left Fort Smith at 8 a. m. and made stops at Van Buren, Alma, Mulberry and Ozark, arriving at Clarksville at 10:25 a. m., where a parade through the streets was staged upon the men’s arrival. The gents marched to the College of the Ozarks chapel where the first section of degree work was conducted. After lunch at the First Presbyterian Church, the train departed, reaching Russellville at 2:30 p. m.
David Shapard, as the treasurer of the Amrita Grotto Masons, traveled to Russellville the day before, to prepare the Masonic temple for the ceremony. At 10 a. m., the morning of the event, he opened registration at the temple. When the train arrived, David organized the men for the 4:30 p. m. parade through the town, convening after at the Community Theater for a presentation of degree work. At 6:30, a banquet was held following the ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church, with speakers and merriment. The evening came to a close with a dance, played by the Grotto Band, until the train returned the men home at midnight.
In 1928, David was once again supporting the efforts of the Red Cross. In November, they began a major pledge drive with a goal to raise $5,000 in their efforts to help the impoverished of Fort Smith. David was absolutely invaluable to these charitable organizations, due to his connections to the powerful men of Fort Smith and his influence among large groups of working men. David joined the drive, and organized and oversaw a committee, to acquire as many donations as they could from the membership of the United Commercial Travelers. Through his efforts, the financial goal was not only met, but far surpassed.
Perhaps, for the first time in his lifetime, David did not spend Thanksgiving with his family, but instead attended a special dinner, at the United Commercial Travelers Country Club, with 100 impoverished or downtrodden boys from the Fort Smith Boys Club. The dinner was arranged by Dr. W. R. Brooksher, and was sponsored by the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club and the local Fort Smith Council of the U. C. T. The organizations had arranged for free transportation for the boys via the Fort Smith Street Car Company. During the dinner, David Shapard was one of the key speakers. He had a talent of truly inspiring the boys, as he had been in their exact place during the majority of his youth. Interestingly, the following month, David was elected as one of the directors of the Kiwanis Club during a meeting at the Goldman Hotel.
In early December of 1928, about 15 representatives of Fort Smith civic organizations met at the Chamber of Commerce and voted to carry out plans for the purchase of “letter-sweaters” for the 18 members of the Fort Smith High School football team, that went undefeated that year. A committee of David Shapard, Harry Robinson, Dr. W. R. Brooksher, Dr. Wallace R. Bacon and Louis Cohen were appointed to supervise soliciting among the local civic organizations, business houses and business men. In all, the men quickly raised the $175 is needed for the purchase, bestowing the young athletes with a meaningful symbol of greatness and pride, that would be treasured for a lifetime.
In mid-December, David, and eight of his friends from Fort Smith, traveled to Mena, Arkansas, to attended the 15th Annual Banquet of the Polk County ‘Possum Club. Although this event was highly humorous and silly, it became famous throughout Arkansas, and beyond, and, as such, had the charm of being lauded with great regard. Over 250 members and guests attended the event, whereby the toastmaster and elect speakers gave short witty talks, before the 50 candidates were brought forth for the ‘test of initiation.’ Among other things, each candidate was required to pass an intelligence test and to try out for an ol’ time spelling bee. The audience writhed in laughter as these poor fellas stumbled through their best answers. After which, they were removed for a secret ceremony, before it was announced, to the delight of all, that each of the candidates were accepted into the club.
While David likely spent Christmas with his brother Edwin and his family at Muskogee, Oklahoma, he spent New Year’s Eve in Fort Smith. The last social event of the year for the Amrita Grotto was a ‘watch party’ dance held at the Grotto mosque. Dancing began at 9:30 p. m. and continued until 12:30 a. m. Music was provided by the Jack Everest Orchestra, and David Shapard, as the Chairman of Entertainment, was in charge of the entire event. Sadly, the era of extravagant parties with string and brass band orchestras, banquets and fancy attire was coming to an abrupt end with the stock market failure of 1929.
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