The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-09-25
Rock Island Post Steadfastly
Establishes Itself as Leader
Among Illinois Legion Groups

Under the stimulus Of the state
convention of the American Legion
which opened here today. the Rock
Island post has waged a member
ship campaign in the last three
weeks, which has put it among the
largest in the state.
The post has in Is months grown
to a membership Of 500 members.
1t has established itself in excel
lent and we'll furnished quarters.
as delegates we're learning today,
and is financially strong. 1t de-
serves and is receiving the esteem
and confidence Of the community.
Having accomplished this steep
uphill climb, Rock Island post No.
200 is looking forward to an en-
larged field OF activities in the COM
ing year. 1t has ambitious plans
of useful work and social activities
which the response OF "buddies' in
gathering to the Legion colors has
made possible. Withal, the post
had humble beginnings.
Rock Island post No. 200 Of the
American Legion was organized in
the spring and summer OF 1919.
The hrst steps for the forming OF
local organization Of World war
soldiers took place in March, 1873,
when an organization was formed
which was called Veterans Of the
War for Democracy, and Leroy
Philbrook was appointed temporary
chairman. Soon after it became
evident that the American Legion
was to be the national organization
for service men, the men of the
local. organization decided to affili-
ate with the American Legion.
After this transfer, delegates
from the local post were selected to
attend the first state convention OF
the Legion in Illinois and arrange
ments were made to draft a cOnsti-
tuition to be submitted TO the mem
bers. At this convention in Peoria
a state constitution was adopted
state officers elected and delegates
to the first national convention, to
be held in Minneapolis, Nov. IL
1919, were also appointed. Judge
Ben ID. Farrar and Edward Carlson
OF the local post were appointed
from this state.
On Nov. 4, 1919, permanent Off
GERS for the local post we're elect as
follows:
mmander-Paul r. Preston.
Vice commander - Willard Lar.
kin.
Finance oficer-William Hale.
Adjutant-Bert kemper.
Historian-Dudl2y Marshall.
Chaplain-D. B. Bersquist.
Surgeon-Dr. J. r. Hollowbush.
Trustees-W. A. Rosenfield. Ar.
thur H. Harms, Edward H. Duna
vim.
f0tl1QtlC CAl0Ofotl0nSs
On the evening Of Nov. II, 1919
Armistice day and first anniversar,
of that historic event. the legiOI
celebrated at banquet at the New
Harper, and the dinner was follow
ed by speeches, songs and sociabil
ity.
Several hundred former servic,
men attended and addresses wer,
made by Colonel Harry B. Jordan
commanding officer of the Rock Is
land arsenal; William B. Mcintyre
and ]. n. Spur, Civil war vet
eran and member of the local Johl
Buford post, G. A. r., and Pau
Preston, commander Of the loca
post.
During the following winter sew
eral boxing matches and other en-
tertainments were given by tn,
Legion and . basketball team wa,
organized and enjoyed . successful
season.
Legionnaires held q servic'
Washington's birthday, Feb. q
1920, In the chapel Of Augustan,
college, In connection with the pre-
sentation Of certificates from tn
French republic to the next Of XII
of soldiers who died. in the servic
of the United States in the lat
war. The certificates had to be de
livered by the United States, act
ing for the French republic, to tn
local post. to b delivered to tn
next OF Kin Of gold star men fron
this locality. The names OF Thea
service men are a follows:
4 AgneH,-Sakxators Annatn I