American Legion Post No. 138 is named in honor of Howard Leslie Fortson (1893-1918), a private in the U.S. Army who was killed-in-action during World War I. (Read about Private Fortson in Fallen Heroes.)
News of a local American Legion post being established is first reported in 1922, with banker H. H. Dillard elected adjutant.
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| (Shown in 1941 |
That initial post apparently did not endure as later this application for formal charter of a post was endorsed by the Louisiana State Command in 1927.
Application for a permanent charter occurred in 1931.
Charter officers were:
Tabor, Malcolm Lee (1896-1975) - Commander
Shreveport Times 07-Jun-1975 Page 4-A
Newton, (Dr.) Eugene (1894-1977), Pvt, USA, Purple Heart - Service Officer; a longtime Oil City dentist
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| Dr. Eugene Newton during WWI (photo courtesy of grandson Ron Newton) |
Other Charter Members:
Colter, A. D. (1896-1978)
Craig, W. J.
Daniels, Judge C. (1889-1975), Pvt, USA - Former Gulf employee and longtime Mooringsport resident
Shreveport Times 02-Apr-1940, Page 9
Dillard, Holman Haynes (1893-1975)
Fitzgerald, R. A.
George, Nick - Local grocer. Of Turkish descent, he was an immigrant from Syria.
Guess, E. B.
Guthman, John
Haggard, M. H.
Hudson, G. B.
Hughes, J. F.
Josey, Thomas Marvin (1891-1954), Pvt,, USA, Gen Hospital 20
Lafitte, F. J.
Lyle, B. A.
McKinley, Claude
Mosley, Clarence
Muslow, Hyman (1889-1960)
Norman, Alvin C. (1899-1984)
Osburn, W. A.
Peters, Frank
Ray, W. B.
Scogin, M. K.
Smith, William Daingerfield (1893-1977)
Stothart, Keete B. (1892-1972)
Turley, Alpheus (1896-1945)
Warren, Henry Heard (1892-1952), Cpl, USA, Medical Corps - Local druggist; husband of Maggie Smith Warren, former Oil City school teacher and long-time resident
On 20-May-1927 Howard Fortson Post No. 138 of the American Legion hosted a fish fry attended by the state commander and other officials, as well as members of the Vivian, LA post.
Shreveport Times 21-May-1927, Page 12
Later that year the local post hosted a huge Independence Day celebration, attended by prominent dignitaries including former Louisiana governor Ruffin Pleasant and Shreveport mayor L. E. Thomas; with music, activities, and free food provided for attendees.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1927, Page 12
A newspaper advertisement for the event.
Shreveport Times 25-Jun-1927, Page 12
A newspaper advertisement for the event.
Shreveport Times 30-Jun-1927, Page 18
The Louisiana Oil Refining Company (LORECO) band, pictured earlier that year.
The celebration, attended by a crowd estimated at 10,000 is detailed in the article below.
Shreveport Times 06-Jul-1927, Page 10
In November 1928, American Legion Post No. 138 planned a community-wide devotional/patriotic service in which all local pastors participated: J. H. Dean (Baptist), Francis X. Dougherty (Catholic), C. W. Lahey (Methodist), and W. C. Yancey (Christian). The local boy scout troop performed a drill and flag salute.
The post announced plans to build a clubhouse. A fundraiser featuring the Mitchell and Carrington Rodeo and Wild West Show was to be held at the Oil City baseball park. An article promoting their earlier appearance in Waco, Texas described Mitchell and Carrington as "two rodeo and contest promoters from the western states."
Shreveport Times 17-Nov-1928, Page 3
In 1934, Private Fortson's headstone was requested by Post Adjutant Roy Vincent Evans (1890-1987), who was also principal at Oil City High School.
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| Roy Evans as assistant principal at Byrd High School (Shreveport) in 1940 |
An American Legion Auxiliary unit was also established. The earliest mention found was of Mrs. W. D. (Amy Davidson) Smith attending the state convention held in Baton Rouge in 1928.
Selected members/ responsibilities were named in a Feb-1935 news article:
Mrs. Helen Evans (Americanism) - Likely the mother of Roy Evans, as Helen was her first name, Mr. Evans did not apparently marry until later in life, and his wife's name was different
Mrs. H. H. (Octavia C.) Dillard (Community Service) - Wife of Holman Haynes Dillard
Mrs. Nick (Martha) George (Child Welfare) - Wife of Nick George
Mrs. H. Lavene (Poppy) - Probably Linda B. Lavine, wife of Harry S. Lavine
Mrs. W. D. (Amy Davidson) Smith (1898-1993) (FIDAC*) - Wife of William Daingerfield Smith
Mrs. Ione Wood (Trophies)
Mrs. M. S. Fowler (Music) - Possibly Mary Fowler, wife of Dr. Sanders Fowler (dentist).
* FIDAC was an international organization made up of former WWI soldiers and dedicated to peace
The legion Legion held a carnival in Dec-1935. Several well-known members/residents are mentioned.
New post officers were elected in 1940.
Shreveport Times 11-May-1940, Page 17
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| Gloria Dawn Tabor |
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| Dorothy Warren |
In December 1945, a Christmas party was held to welcome home for 33 local war veterans.
Shreveport Times 23-Dec-1945, Page 28
For one of the honorees, former Petty Officer Ervin Fedd, it was also his birthday.
Shreveport Times 05-Aug-1943 Page 6
Shreveport Times 20-Jun-1947, Page 5
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| Eugene Johnson, First Vice- Commander |
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| O. O.Boyd, Adjutant |
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| Finance Officer |
Post officers elected in 1952.
Mrs. Reuben B. (Myrtle P.) Walker (1900-1967) was unit president in 1950, and Mrs. Charles Woods the following year; while Mrs. Eura Lee Woodell (1913-2001) served in that capacity in 1957.
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| Mrs. Eura Lee Woodell (1959) |
Post No. 138 is still active today and located at 10539 Ferry Lake Road, Oil City, LA 71061.
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| American Legion Howard Fortson Post No. 138 |
Return to Remembering OC's Veterans.
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