Short History of American Legion Post 134

In 1933, a group of members of American Legion Post #1 (Atlanta's first Legion chapter) decided to form a separate post.

They were led by Frank Kempton, son of the Fulton County Daily Reporter's founder, and Elbert Parr Tuttle, prominent attorney and future Army Reserve brigadier. They outlined a distinct set of guidelines, including preserving the comradeship of World War I, abstaining from petty politics, and fostering patriotism.

Eleven men attended the first organizational meeting at the Piedmont Hotel April 25, 1933. The Piedmont, which opened January 15, 1903, occupied an entire block of downtown Atlanta between Luckie, Forsyth, Peachtree, and Broad streets. Named temporary chairman was Trammel Scott, a major in WWI and minor league baseball standout. Tom Cornell was designated secretary.

Tasked with drafting a constitution and bylaws were James Bankston, Kempton, and Fonville McWhorter, a major in WWI, assistant cashier of Central Bank & Trust, and marshal of the day in a 1922 citywide celebration honoring the visit of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander in chief of Allied armies in France.

The others present at the organizational session were asked to bring additional candidates for membership to the next meeting.

The second organizational meeting was at the Piedmont on May 3, 1933. Some 25 potential members were present. Contrary to the tradition of naming Legion posts for World War I soldiers, these men chose the name, "Fulton County Post.". Two days later, the group applied for a charter from the Legion's national headquarters in Indianapolis. It was granted May 21, 1933, designating it Fulton County Post and adding the number "134". There were 38 charter members of the new post.

Post 134's first meeting opened at 6:30 p.m. on May 24, 1933 in The Lawyers Club located in the Citizens and Southern National Bank Building at 50 Broad Street.

Its first officers were a distinguished lot.

Tuttle was elected commander. He had been an Army aviation cadet when World War I ended and, in 1933, was a partner in the law firm of Sutherland, Tuttle, and Brennan. A colonel in World War II, Tuttle was wounded in hand-to-hand combat on Okinawa. Later, he was appointed chief judge of the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Dr. Edgar Hill Greene, a future president of the Georgia Medical Association, was senior vice commander. George Harrison was named junior vice commander. Ralph Emerson McGill, noted columnist, and future editor, of The Atlanta Constitution, was selected as historian. Canon William Turner was chaplain, William J. Davis, Jr., was finance officer, and Frank Carter chaired the Executive Committee.

In November, 1934, a pattern was established which continues to this day: Executive Committee meetings the first Thursday of the month; membership meetings the second Thursday.

Applications tumbled in. Post 134's Executive Committee limited the membership to 50. In 1941, anticipating a flood of World War II veterans, the membership cap was increased to 200; later to 500. (The Legion's congressional charter had been amended to admit WWII vets.) The post now welcomes veterans of all modern-era wars in which U.S. troops have participated.

Three members of special note over the years:

• The immortal golfer Bobby Jones, who achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel in WWII.

• Legendary outfielder Ty Cobb, "The Georgia Peach", who served with the Army Chemical Corps in France during WWI.

• Charles E. Glover, who, after Navy duty in the Pacific during WWII, rose to editor in chief of the newspaper division of Cox Enterprises, supervising 21 daily papers.

Unlike many Legion posts, 134 has never owned a building, baseball field, bar, or dance pavilion. Instead, the post has met at hotels, including the Cox Carlton and Georgian Terrace, officers clubs, prominent restaurants, social clubs, including the Piedmont Driving and Ansley Golf clubs, and in members' homes. Three examples of the latter: a steak dinner at the Habersham Way home of Jackson P. Dick, and barbecue suppers hosted respectively by Trammell Scott and Artie Pew.

Past commander Victor Mahoney first edited the post's monthly newsletter, The Bugle Call Rag. Under current editor, and also past commander, Todd Copley, the publication has won numerous Legion awards.

The FBI awarded Post 134 with a certificate of special service during World War II. National Legion headquarters recognized the post with a certificate of meritorious service.

Previous Post 134 Commanders