The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-04-07
First Meeting Of World War Ex.
Sefvicemen Held Here in
May, 1919
FIRST CONVENTION IN CITY
Named for Lloyd Spetz, First
Bismarck Man TO Be
Killed in Action


ate TO uphold and defend the con.
stitution Of the United States Of
America; to maintain law and order
20 foster and perpetuate a 100 ne,
cent Americantsm: to preserve thu
memories and incidents Of our asso.
caecon In the great war: to inculcste
2 sense Of individual OBLIGATION t.
The community. state and nation; te
combat the autocracy Of both the
CLASSES and the masses; to make RICH,
the master Of might; to promote peace
and good will on earth; to safeguard
ana transmit to posterity the princt-
paes Of justice, freedom and democ-
xacy: to consecrate and sanctify oui
oomradeship by our devotion to mu-
fla helpfulness."
A brief history Of the post, start
ING nom that first meeting In May
1913. shows that the initial act OF Bis
0arekS former servicemen was to
name their post after the first man
rom Bismarck who died In the serv-
3ce. Under the name Of Lloyd Spetz
post. No. l, the American Legion
Dufleigh county ex-servicemen have
Kept inHolate the principles for which
Lloyd spets 50 willingly laid down his
lie.
=. n. Treacy, Jr.. . delegate to the
national convention Of the Legion
held ct st. Louis, acted rs temporary
chairman Of the meeting. A. A. Jones
Vas chosen the first commander.
OeheSs Of the first officers were p.
u. Webb. vice commander; Paul M.
Jewell. adjutant: p. g. Harrington.
finance officer: NJ. b. Gilman, chap
lain: Ambrose Galliger. historian; and
Etnil Bressler. sergeant-at-arms.
Had First Convention
The post then took an active part
n the Wilson Day ceremonies, form
Ing the military escort for the ma
tons chief executive upon his visit
here. The Legionnaires held q num-
Der Of dances and were signally hon.
0red when Bismarck was chosen the
host city for the first annual state
convention Of the American Legion
Of North Dakota. The local post
raised fund OF 81 800 for the enter
taaument Of delegates to the conven-
ton, which was held In the Capital
City Oct. is and II, 1919.
Due mainly to the activities OF
Finance Officer Harrington, q large
membership was obtained in a short
period. and this was enlarged subse-
quently through membership drive
IN which all Of the members partici-
pated, covering the entire county.
On Nov, 6, 1919, the post elected a
new set Of officers. G. H. Russ, Jr.,
was commander. Other officers were
A. A. Jones, vice commander: P. G.
Harrington, adjutant: Lewis p. War
rem, finance officer: q. Angus Fraser,
historian: NJ. H. Atkinson, chaplain:
q. Il. Rhud. sergeant-at-arms. The
executive committee included Com
mauder Russ, H. T. Murphy and w.
3. Paulson. The investigation COM
ndttee included A. A. Jones. Thorn
Dickinson and Frank Sturken.
Commanders Of the post since Jones
and Russ included w. G. Paulson
1920-21. Walter A. Sather 1921 20,
Ferris Cordner 1929, DR.. w. E. Cole
1884. Philip r. Webb l924-25; L.
=. Warren 1925-26, John Musolf
1851, r. J. Kamplin 1928. A. l.
Fosteson 1928-29, G. E. Knudtson
1880. A. D. McKinnon l930-31, s
3. Boise l93l-32. Robert J. Dohn
1898 and Z. F. Trepp, the present
commander, 1933-34.
Proud Of Activities
Among its manifold activities Of
which the local post Of the Legion Is
particularly proud are the following;
Sponsors Boy Scout troop No. 9.
Originated open Your Heart
campaign. copied last year by Presi.
dent Roosevelt a. q nationwide re.
Vet measure.
World War Memorial building, un.
eelfhhly turned over funds available
b Legion for city and county interes,
"a this project: Legion also donated
ol,000 and Auxiliary $500 towart
construction Of balcony in memorial
building.
Aided in construction Of Burleigt
4ounty courthouse.
Ceutacted unemployed veterans ant
assisted them in obtaining employ
0ent through the CWA.
Communicated with Congressman
.. 81. Sinclair with reference to CWA
eelief for schools and teachers.
Materially assisted in bond issu,
Dor new high school building.
sponsored Bismarck baseball clul
n 1898, which claimed state cham
piouship, and viii sponsor the semi'
professional club again during tn
1914 season.
Sponsored Junior baseball program
here and staged successful state tour,
pazssnt for junior teams in 1888.
Cooperated In entertainment o.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch, head Of tn
French army during the World war
when he visited In Bismarck.
Through John Spares suggestion
and help. 0o-odd game bird shelter,
were built In Burleigh county and
some In Morton county during 1884
10 feed and shelter Wild birds during
cold weather.
Organised drum and bugle corp
under direction Of 3. 3. Boise which
h0s ranked high IN state. brought Bis
naa4ck. eoenu3eudable publicity and
peg$oguaed ct many entertainment
programs q various types.
y3nauctsl assistance 70 stats Legion
Ind annually.
0uppost Tor stats and national vet
tGon6 leGi1lation, = well . water
eenGaFvstion and refoeestation pro.
0oopeeation n Christmas goodfel-
oouo committee wogk.
At5onGing q election parties and
~ ct the votes campaigns.
y0aght Cn166ap Doneva1
.1eeGtanoe - coDltal removal pro-
a1ol
AallDllng = arrangements IL Il.