The border vidette., 1930-08-16

selfish citizens. Always leader
in all civic affairs, it was his
privilege to take an outstanding
part in the transformation of
FL Dorado in the last eight years
from an oil boom town of $500
population to a thriving muni-
cipality of some 5000. He was
designated as the most useful
citizen for the year 1923. when
awarded the Citizenship Cup.
Mr.. Bodenhamer's boyhood
and war service is worthy of q
chapter in any inspirational
book Of successful life. April,
1917, found him holding a posi-.
ton as teacher of English and
as athletic coach at San Marcos
College, 10 San Mercos. Texas.
His enlistment was immediate,
abandoning plans to study law
at Columbia University. He at
tended the first officers training
camp at Leon Springs, Texas.
In August be was commissioned
a captain of infantry. His a
bility as a teacher was recognized
and be was ordered to remain
as an Instructor for a second,
then third camp. Finally sent
to Camp Gordon, Ca, to train
for overseas service, be was
soon promoted to major. with
instruction to proceed to the
Small Arms Training School at
Camp Perry. O. The overseas
objective again appeared near
in the fall of 1918 when be was
ordered to Camp Travis, Texas,
to take command of the 3rd Bat
talon of the 18th Infantry. Tue
outfit was ready for abroad
when the Armistice was signed.
The end of his military ser
vice placed him with two years
of financial sacrifice behind him,
but with his spirit of unrelent
ing energy, which has particul
arly marked his term as nation
al commander, undimmed. He
started his civilian life anew in
much the same situation that
did thousands of others who
wore the uniform.
He turned to the new oil
fields of Texas, and with Dor
rowed capital. engaged in highly
profitable business enterprises.
Later operations were not so
successful, however, and he
decided to give up the oil lease
business. His quest for new
business connections led him to
Florida and later to Ell Dorado,
where an oil boom was on and
where he opened an Office spe
cializing in real estate, oil leas
es and oil royalties.
Bodenhamer went to Ell Dora
do in 1921 and soon took an i'm
portant part in the development
of the town into one of the mo
del cities of the south. Through
bis initiative and executive q
bility to do worthwhile things,
many community Improvements
were brought to the rapidly
growing city. Bodenhamer or
ganized q Parks and Play
grounds Association to provide
recreational facilities for the
people. He was the leader in
bringing about the organization
of the Community Chest in 1925
BE has been an active member
of the Ell Dorado Chamber of
Commerce and was one of the
organizers and is now serving
as a director of the State Cham
Der of Commerce of Arkansas.
He organized the Ell Dorado
Real Estate Association in 1925
and has been very active in af
fairs of the Arkansas Real
Estate Association, served as
state president for 1923 and 1929.
Because of his interest in civic
affairs, Bodenhamer was appoint
ed q member of the Arkansas
Tax Commission created to stu
dy tax problems and make re
Communications to the state le
gislature for improved taxation
laws. Ia 1927 be was chairman
of the Good Roads Committee
for Union county and for the
last three years be has served
as member of the Board OF
Public Affairs of FL Dorado, dur.
ing which time numerous impro
vements have been made. Ia
addition to these many civic in
terests be has found time tc
take an active and prominent
part in affairs of the Salvation
Army, Boy Scouts and Lions
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