Chapter 26
Work, Relationships, Societies and Gangsters
1932 -1933
On the morning of January 21, 1932, David and 22 other gentlemen attended a special breakfast at the Goldman Hotel in honor of National Life Insurance Day. Mr. L. N. McAfee presided over the meeting, whereupon plans were discussed to form the Fort Smith Underwriters Association. A committee of David Shapard, John Andrews, Paul Mennenoeh, J. K. Jordan and George Hughes were named to draft a set of bylaws, select nominees for officers, and accomplish other tasks to commence the organization. Four men gave speeches during the special breakfast, one being David Shapard. It was decided that the association would meet once a month. At the following meeting, held on February 20th, officers were elected, and David Shapard was installed as the first Secretary for the organization.
The Masons of the Amrita Grotto launched their 1932 program for the year with a series of meetings, on February 6, at the Fort Smith Masonic temple. Of the 20 territorial districts under the blanket of the Amrita Grotto, 15 were represented by attending prophets. The annual report revealed that the Grotto had an impressive membership of 2,063 prophets, of whom 972 resided within the city of Fort Smith. Before the conclusion of the meeting, officers were installed for the present term. David Shapard, Harry Robinson and Ed Wright were elected as Trustees.
For the year 1932, the first major event of the Fort Smith Council No. 86 of the United Commercial Travelers commenced on February 20th, with a gathering of over 125 members at the Fort Smith Country Club. The Saturday event, sponsored by the Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, included an afternoon of golf, followed at 6:30 p. m. with dinner, lectures and entertainment, in the form of vaudeville acts, story-telling contests, golf awards, singing and two dances by the students of the Madden School of Dancing. During the evening, David Shapard, as past president of the country club, spoke briefly on the work of the club and the order, and encouraged harmony and cooperation among the members of both the Country Club and the United Commercial Travelers as a whole. David was elected, at the following meeting in March, to the Board of Trustees for the Fort Smith council of the United Commercial Travelers, along with Homer Norvell, Clarence Fine, Luther Reed and Lloyd Vineyard.
In mid-April, Sumner Shapard came to Fort Smith to visit his brother David. The men also enjoyed the company of their brother Edwin from Muskogee, Oklahoma, during the few days that they were together. After departing, Sumner traveled to Clarksville, Texas, on business, where he became critically ill. Word was sent to his brothers who followed the situation closely, however, by April 21st, his health had greatly improved to the relief of all.
Around July 10th, David’s son, David Conger Shapard, was on summer vacation from college and he and some of his friends decided to hitchhike from Oklahoma through Fort Smith and beyond. Once in the city, he called his father’s phone number from the city directory, however, there was no answer. David last saw his father in early February, when the two men spent the day together on the Oklahoma A & M campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma. After David and his friends ate lunch, at the Hayes Café, in downtown Fort Smith, they ventured on to parts unknown.
A day or two later, David E. Shapard happened to dine at the same café and was informed by one of the waiters that his son had been there looking for him. Distraught at having missed his visit, David wrote to his son explaining that since the directory had been published, he had moved residences to the Ward Hotel, and that Mr. Hurd Miller was currently occupying his former rented residence, and was on a trip to New York, explaining why there was no answer. David sent his letter to Elise’s address in Enid, Oklahoma, and forwarded copies to Mrs. Joseph Calloway in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as well as, to Mrs. Eva Hamilton in Dyersburg, Tennessee, believing these to be possible destinations where his son may venture. Unfortunately, the summer passed without father and son convening, and David Conger Shapard ceased all communication with his father until February of the following year.
Comically, during the summer of his freshman year in college, David Conger Shapard decided to make some money as a door-to-door magazine salesman for the Holland’s Magazines of the South company. He began his solicitations full of determination and confidence, and apparently was quite successful in his venture - until the day he was approached by a police officer. In all his quick ambition, David had neglected to procure a salesman’s license, and as such was promptly arrested and placed in jail. Evidently, the salesmen of a rival magazine company were not amused by young Mr. Shapard pilfering their customers and turned him in to the authorities. Having no one to bail him out, and realizing he was going to be detained for a day, he made the most of his circumstance and used his phone call from jail to try to make one final magazine sale!
On the morning of September 8, 1932, Elam “Vincent” Stevenson (1897-1932), the youngest son of Dr. E. H. Stevenson died at the young age of 35 years old. The Shapard family had been close friends with the Stevenson family since the 1880s, as Dr. Stevenson had been their family doctor, was highly active in the methodist church and lived across the street from them. Furthermore, Dr. E. H. Stevenson’s eldest son, Dr. Eugene Stevenson (1880-1967), was best friends with Edwin Shapard, Jr., and had delivered David Shapard’s son at Sparks Hospital. After David’s father passed away in 1889, the Stevenson family had been an anchor of support for the Shapard family. Illustrating the mutual love the two families continued to have for one another, David Shapard was honored to be a pallbearer during Vincent’s funeral at the Methodist Church, followed by interment at Forest Park Cemetery. Interestingly, only a few years later, in November of 1934, David Shapard was again an honored pallbearer at the funeral of, the beloved 78 year old, Dr. E. H. Stevenson.
The year 1932 came to a close with David catching the flu and being hospitalized just before Christmas. While he was in bed recovering, he wrote to his son, at Elise’s address in Enid, Oklahoma, wishing him a very fine Christmas and letting him know he was still waiting for a letter or a visit from him. The letter sadly went unanswered, as were the many before it. It had been stated that, after the divorce, almost every letter sent by Mr. Shapard to his son at the Enid address was concealed by Elise. Apparently, she kept about a hundred of them hidden in a box, only to be accidently discovered years later by her son, whom had been led to believe, erroneously, that his father cared little for him.
One of the terrible effects of the Great Depression was the miserable poverty and resultant circumstance that afflicted much of the population. In desperation, opportunities to steal, bootleg, kidnap and murder became enticing, bringing about some of the most infamous gangsters and thugs in American history. Bandits like “Pretty Boy” Floyd, Bonnie and Clyde, “Machine Gun” Kelley and the Barker Gang roved the byways of Arkansas, evading law enforcement officers and astute citizens alike. Most notably, from 1931 to 1932, Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, the South’s notorious fugitive bandit, and his wife and son, using the alias surname of “Hamilton,” resided at a house in Fort Smith, on 36th street backing on to the Lewis Tilles Children’s Park. During that time, Mr. Floyd avoided detection by claiming he was a traveling salesman from Kansas City. Furthermore, his son, Jackie, attended Rogers School, the same school David Conger Shapard attended a few years earlier.
“Pretty Boy” Floyd began his life of crime at an early age, and after serving a three and a half year prison sentence for robbery, at the age of 24, he became involved with more established gangsters. His crimes went from theft, to bank robbery, to prison break and then murder. His weapon of choice was a machine gun, that he effectually wielded in his many crimes in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Ohio. Though Mr. Floyd had reached the status of Public Enemy No. 1 in Oklahoma by 1932, it was in June of 1933, after the “Kansas City Massacre” in which four law enforcement officers were shot dead, presumably by Mr. Floyd, at Union Station in Kansas City, that he became Federal Public Enemy No. 2, behind John Dillinger.
On June 9, 1932, Fort Smith law enforcement officers received a tip that Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd was on his way, and would be arriving in the city that day, via the free bridge from the Oklahoma side. Garrison Avenue become completely militarized in preparation for his arrival. Nearly every peace officer in the city assembled downtown. An abundance of shotgun and rifle barrels, in the hands of sheriff’s deputies, protruded from the balconies of the Main Hotel. Patrol cars and motorcycled officers traversed the avenue, and guards were positioned in nearly every business house. The whole city was on edge. Although every window was a front row seat to the spectacle by the nervous citizens, the guest of honor did not arrive.
It was in this environment of uneasiness and concern that David E. Shapard, offered his skills as a marksman and veteran of the Arkansas State Militia, to capture or eradicate Public Enemy No. 2. Although many citizens regarded the gangsters of this era as Robin Hood vigilantes fighting against the circumstances of the Great Depression, David viewed them simply as thieves, thugs and killers. Furthermore, he had no patience for romanticizing the criminal deeds of these lawbreakers, as he was still suffering from the pain of his sister’s murder at the hands of similar thugs, that had yet to be apprehended. David wanted to do what he could to prevent another senseless killing, and on January 27, 1933, David E. Shapard was appointed as a Deputy Sheriff of Sebastian County, Arkansas, for a term of one year, by Sheriff John B. Williams, in the hunt for “Pretty Boy” Floyd.
Decent society men like David E. Shapard would indirectly bring about the downfall of these gangsters, by restricting their ability to hide, being ever vigilant and being willing to take action when necessary. By 1934, the gangsters had lost their foothold. As it came to pass, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and assassinated, on May 23, 1934, by a posse of six officers on a lonely Louisiana highway. Two months later, John Dillinger, Public Enemy No. 1, was killed on July 22, 1934, outside of a theater in Chicago. After his death, “Pretty Boy” Floyd became Public Enemy No. 1, and would be gunned down by federal agents and local law enforcement in an Ohio corn field on October 22, 1934. The reign of the most notable depression era gangsters had run its course.
In mid-February of 1933, David E. Shapard received a letter concerning his son’s pending initiation into the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, from Mr. B. J. Vaughan, who was the Varsity Club Orchestra Manager at Oklahoma A & M College. Mr. Vaughan expressed that he was writing the letter without David’s knowledge, and informed Mr. Shapard that; “David has worked like a Trojan to acquire an education. He has made quite a success in that he has made his Dean’s Honor Roll several times, he has a host of friends, and above all, he has practically supported himself. The height that confronts him at the present time, however, is inaccessible without outside help. He has had to miss one initiation before the coming one on account of finances, and unless someone helps him, he shall have to again be left in the lurch.”
Although it had been one year since Mr. Shapard had last heard from, or seen, his son, he replied the same day to Mr. Vaughan, offering whatever assistance he could in the matter. Mr. Shapard further added; “I knew from David, when I was in Stillwater last February, that he was working pretty hard to put himself through school and this I thought was a good thing for him, for as long as we were living together David hardly knew what it was to work. He was a good boy that had a good mind and made lots of friends, but rarely ever studied, and to know that he is working and has the ambition to climb makes me more than anxious to do what I can for him.”
On a Sunday in late February, Mr. Shapard was invited to travel to Stillwater and meet with his son through their liaison Mr. Vaughan. The three men, along with David Conger Shapard’s friend, Van Williams, assembled for a lunch together, whereupon it was announced that Mr. Shapard would fund his son’s long overdue initiation. Overjoyed, David invited his father to spend the remainder of the afternoon together, to reconnect. Evidently, this benevolent gesture, from father to son, softened David Conger Shapard’s heart towards his father, allowing for a temporary reestablishment of a relationship between them for the following year.
Once Mr. Shapard arrived back to Fort Smith, he wrote his son an endearing letter, ending humorously, “Of course, when you are initiated, you will not be able to tell me just what was done to you, but I would be glad to be advised as to whether or not you are still alive.” Although his son had no qualms about expressing his loathsome attitude towards writing letters in general, he did keep up a healthy correspondence with his father, informing him of grades, sports, activities, mutual friends and, of course, his fraternal initiation. A touching gesture occurred on March 13th, when David received, by post, his son’s college portrait that he had taken through a Stillwater photographic gallery. David treasured this image, being the only current photograph that he had of his son.
During the time that David was rekindling his relationship with his son, he was also putting great efforts towards his occupation and the philanthropic and fraternal societies to which he belonged. While the previous year’s income from the Equitable Life Assurance Society had been his lowest in well over a decade, he would rebound nicely in 1933. David reported a gross income from his wages of $3,399.91 for the year, of which he netted $2,137.12. Although he was continually tethered to his debts, he did procure enough free capital to leave the Ward Hotel and rent a room at the home of his long-time friends, Earl (1877-1933) and Frances Buck at 220 North Sixteenth Street.
In early May, David, and a large delegation of the Fort Smith Council No. 86 of the United Commercial Travelers, traveled to Texarkana, Arkansas, in special train car on the Kansas City Southern railroad, to attend the annual state convention. Fort Smith Mayor J. K. Jordan was the honored toastmaster for the event, which was also attended by delegations from Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Fayetteville, Jonesboro, Batesville and Russellville.
In late August, David was in charge of the ticket sales for a 9 o’clock p. m. benefit dance to be held September 2nd, at the Café Royal, at 1112 ½ Garrison Avenue, to raise funds for the Labor Day Convention of the Southwestern Grotto Association. The Fort Smith Amrita Grotto was host, this year, to the ten Grottos that comprised the Southwestern Association, with an expected attendance of around 3,000 prophets. The convention was held on September 4th, at the Masonic temple, with a morning program, afternoon ceremonial, parade and evening festival. As part of the event, the renowned Mithra Grotto Band of Shreveport, Louisiana, held two open air concerts at the Lewis Tilles Children’s Park, enjoyed by the attendees and public alike.
In mid-September, David traveled, for a district work meeting, to Hot Springs, Arkansas. The three-day event began on September 10th, and attracted delegations of Equitable Life Assurance Society agents from Arkansas, Oklahoma and St. Louis.
At sunrise on Wednesday, September 27th, David Shapard was in his room readying himself for work. The serene cadence of the morning was suddenly suspended by the frantic shrieks for help from his landlady, Mrs. Frances Buck. In haste, David opened his door to find Mrs. Buck pleading with him to “Help Earl!” Three days earlier David’s landlord and long-time friend, Mr. Earl Eugene Buck (1877-1933), had taken to his bed after contracting a slight cold. When Mrs. Buck roused that morning, to her horror she was unable to wake her husband. By the time David was summoned and raced to Mr. Buck’s bedside, he was already deceased, having died only a few minutes earlier from a heart attack.
Mr. Buck was 55 years of age, and had come to Fort Smith in 1917, operating Buck’s Furniture Company until his retirement in 1930. Five months prior to his death, he had entered politics, being elected as the City Commissioner No. 1, serving in the capacity as the commissioner of the Department of Finance, Heath and Public Safety. After Mr. Buck’s passing, Mrs. Buck allowed David to continue his tenancy. On top of paying rent, David also helped out Mrs. Buck in every respectable way during her time of sorrow and acclimation, further strengthening their friendship.
To help elevate his mood after the passing of Mr. Buck, David enjoyed a day of camaraderie with his friends, on October 14th, 1933, watching the Arkansas Razorbacks battle Baylor on the gridiron. A few days later, David began corresponding with his son, inquiring if he would be interested in attending next Saturday’s game in Dallas, between Oklahoma A & M and Southern Methodist University. David offered to drive to Stillwater to pick up his son, and one or two of his college friends, and take them to the game, as well as, pay for all their expenses.
As it came to pass, his son acquiesced, and on Friday, October 20th, David left Fort Smith by automobile and traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma, where he connected with his son at the Beta House. Amongst other activities that day, David enjoyed a spirited game of bridge with his son and the young men at the fraternity house. Early the following morning, David and the boys drove to Dallas, Texas, for the football game, returning to Stillwater the following day. From all accounts, it was an agreeable and entertaining event for all.
David was truly putting forth great efforts to connect with his son, and for a short while their relationship improved. However, beneath the surface, his son seemed to harbor great trepidation about fully letting his father into his life, perhaps feeling like it was a betrayal to his mother. As the months passed, David’s son became growingly apathetic, pulling farther away from his father, until nearly all communication had once again been stifled. David continued to write to his son, yet, it was heartbreakingly all in vain.
Although seemingly forsaken by his own son, David had the love of the children of his community. On the afternoon of December 24th, the Masons of the Amrita Grotto hosted 1,000 underprivileged boys and girls, ages 3 to 12 years old, on the lawn of the Masonic temple, next to the giant decorated Christmas tree, where they received gifts from Santa Claus. David Shapard and Thomas K. Morton had successfully fulfilled the monumental task of purchasing all the Christmas toys for the children, which were placed into bags by the Grotto members and their wives in anticipation of the event. After receiving their gifts, guests were also invited to enjoy a special program presented by the children of the Sunday School.
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