The William Couse Spencer American Legion Post No. 134, Department of Minnesota, Walker, Minnesota, was organized in the year of 1919. The Post was named in honor of William Couse Spencer, son of J. R. Spencer. William Spencer was killed in the Argonne Forest on his birthday, October 2, 1918. He came to Walker in his early boyhood days and was educated and grew to manhood here. Approximately six years before World War I, William left Walker and went to the West Coast where he engaged in a successful lumbering and logging enterprise. Prior to his departure for service, he returned to Walker to bid his father, sisters and friends goodbye. He was 28 years of age at the time of his death and was the only Walker boy to make the supreme sacrifice. He was a loyal American, a good citizen, and was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him in the community.

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Due to the fire which completely demolished the Legion club rooms and all the records therein, we shall not be able to give as complete history as perhaps desired. The Post was organized on the 27th day of August, 1919, with the following charter members: 
E. A. McPherson, W. J. McGarry, A. S. Halverson, Frank N. Whitney, Henry W. Bright, Leonard D. Segal, Frank M. Ditty, Frank J. Finkle, Carl E. Steedland, Dewey Yorical, Yearns Bateman, Charles C. Valentine, T. A. Cameron, Hunter E. Bright, Elmer B. Horst, and Abraham F. Segal.

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It might be in line at this time to review the present disposition of these charter members: Ervin McPherson is located in Seattle; W. J. McGarry, Carl Steedland, and Harry W. Bright are still active members of the Post; A. S. Halverson, Bemidji; Frank N. Whitney, Horkins; Leonard D. Segal, last known address at Omaha; Elmer Horst, unknown; Dewey Yorical, Illinois; Charles Valentine, Park Rapids; Frank M. Ditty, unknown; and T. A. Cameron, Frank J. Finkle, Yearns Bateman, and Hunter Bright, all deceased.

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Harry W. Bright and Frank N. Whitney, during the early part of 1919, decided that Walker should have a Legion Post. They immediately went into action, canvassing the village and collecting 35 cents from each of the above named to send in to the State Department. A temporary meeting was held and the name of the post was voted upon.

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Frank Whitney called the first meeting of the Post on a Wednesday night in August, 1919, and explained the purpose of the organization. Sixteen veterans from Walker were present and signed as charter members, the charter having been received. Officers were elected as follows:

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Post Chairman --- Frank N. Whitney
Vice Chairman --- William J. McGarry
Secretary-Treasurer --- Harry W. Bright

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Abraham Segal gave a report of the State Convention at Minneapolis, November 11, 1919. It was announced that a national drive was on to bring the membership of the Legion up to one million, and ten men were appointed to bring in enough new members to bring Walker’s quota up to its goal of 60. The annual dues were set at 75 cents.

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We are indebted to the State Department for a list of the resulting members of the drive which are as follows: Sigurd Thue, Leo Bartheleme, W. E. Rice, James W. Funnell, Mendel B. Compeau, Archie McIver, Charles D. Prescott, Arthur Rutcher, Charles J. Dugent, Edwin A. Swenson, Alvin Stinson, Victor L. Yonigsmarck, Harry Johnson, Richard Jackson, Iven M. Lester, Robert S. Foster, Arthur C. Dellaire, Richard Tofsley (or Kofsley), Ray Willingen, Mark E. Collins, Frank R. Kuehlwein, Harold W. Rae, H. T. Peterson, William E. Davidson, Elliot R. McLaughlin, Stephen Drageoff, Dr. H. R. Nordleu, Edgar Hegen, W. H. Lettman, Lon Norton, Muriel Martin, Nick Harris, Edgar Monteney, Melbourne Bernier, Styler Blackburn, M. C. Cosimo, P. J. Bibb, and Randolph Clark.
 

On October 10, 1919, Krueger’s Meat Market advertised Beef Roast at 20 cents per pound and stews at 15 cents. Do you Legionnaires wonder now why the dues were only 75 cents then?
 

There was no Armistice Day ceremony for 1919, inasmuch as it had not yet been declared a national holiday by Congress.