About American Legion NC Post 70
The Francy-Burdett post #70 of the American Legion in Asheville, North Carolina has a long and distinguished history. Our post (originally called Azalea Post 70) was organized on 28 January 1920.
Post 70 sent several delegates to and played an active role in the second annual department convention held in Wilmington, NC in September of 1920. Edward C. Farrington was elected to be the post's first commander and W. J. Blum, the first adjutant.
Existing records are not clear as to why the post was subsequently named in honor of C. W. Francy. It is known that Francy arrived at nearby Oteen hospital on 16 October 1920. He had served as first lieutenant, co. B, 38th engineers.
Many assume Francy received this honor because he was perhaps the first to die (on 6 May 1921) among the members of the newly formed post.
In the early days, nearly all of the post's activities pertained to the local Oteen hospital, its patients, and their families. It was difficult to find appropriate space for post activities.
Nevertheless, the post persevered in assisting veterans with claims, promoting legislation for better hospitals, and securing compensation for the disabled. It established a child welfare clinic at Oteen.
Post 70 sponsored many shows that were shown in the red cross building. It purchased equipment so that patients could hear baseball games of the Salley league. It also started a community chest fund.
In bleak years, when money was at a premium, members of Post 70 initiated service work to help veterans with claims with the Veterans Bureau. In those days, about 80% of hospital veterans were non-compensated. This vital service was later assumed by the American Legion Department of North Carolina.
About American Legion NC Post 70
The Francy-Burdett post #70 of the American Legion in Asheville, North Carolina has a long and distinguished history. Our post (originally called Azalea Post 70) was organized on 28 January 1920.
Post 70 sent several delegates to and played an active role in the second annual department convention held in Wilmington, NC in September of 1920. Edward C. Farrington was elected to be the post's first commander and W. J. Blum, the first adjutant.
Existing records are not clear as to why the post was subsequently named in honor of C. W. Francy. It is known that Francy arrived at nearby Oteen hospital on 16 October 1920. He had served as first lieutenant, co. B, 38th engineers.
Many assume Francy received this honor because he was perhaps the first to die (on 6 May 1921) among the members of the newly formed post.
In the early days, nearly all of the post's activities pertained to the local Oteen hospital, its patients, and their families. It was difficult to find appropriate space for post activities.
Nevertheless, the post persevered in assisting veterans with claims, promoting legislation for better hospitals, and securing compensation for the disabled. It established a child welfare clinic at Oteen.
Post 70 sponsored many shows that were shown in the red cross building. It purchased equipment so that patients could hear baseball games of the Salley league. It also started a community chest fund.
In bleak years, when money was at a premium, members of Post 70 initiated service
work to help veterans with claims with the Veterans Bureau. In those days, about 80% of hospital veterans were non-compensated. This vital service was later assumed by the American Legion Department of North Carolina.
Clark W. Francy
Clark W. Francy was born in Toronto, Ohio in Jefferson County on February 14, 1886. Mr. Francy attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland (Class of 1910) where he studied electrical engineering.
He was very much involved in the Sigma Nu fraternity, especially with its Delta Alpha Chapter established in 1907. An avid musician, Francy devoted much of his time to the Mandolin Club.
Eventually, Francy married a woman named Amy Shetter and became the father of their son Robert. Clark became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army on January 5, 1918, via the Officers’ Reserve Corps Engineers Officers’ Training Corps. He achieved the rank of First Lieutenant in Company B of the 38th Engineers.
His initial duty stations were at Camp Lee and Fort Myer, both in Virginia. Clark was ordered to Europe as part of the Allied Expeditionary Force in World War I. He was part of the AEF from June 22, 1918, until April 5, 1919.
While overseas, he became ill. Honorably discharged from the service on October 20, 1920, Francy was rated 100% disabled.
Shipped back to the States, Lt. Francy in due course was sent to the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital at Oteen, Asheville Township, in the mountains of Buncombe County, North Carolina. He arrived as an Oteen patient on October 16, 1920. After surgery on May 4, 1921, designed to relieve his ailments, he died there on May 6, 1921.
The primary cause of death was tuberculosis; a contributing factor was post-operative intestinal paralysis. He was 35 years old. Clark Wilson Francy is buried at Toronto Union Cemetery, Toronto, Jefferson County, Ohio. His grave is located in Section M of the center north section of the old cemetery.
According to a very close friend of Francy, Mr. R. J. Rice, C. W. was active in the American Legion during his brief stay at the Oteen facility. A permanent charter in the name of C. W. Francy was issued by the Legion in his honor on October 24, 1924.
North Carolina Post #70 of the American Legion is proud to bear his name.
A POST IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS MEMBERS. WE DEDICATE THE BELOW SECTION AND RECOGNIZE SOME OF OUR BEST.
Carroll Wright 1933 - 2016
Carroll Wright was dedicated to the American Legion, especially to the Post 70 Baseball Program. He had served as the Baseball Committee Chairman for the last few years.
Carroll excelled in sports as a young man and went to Newberry College on a scholarship, where he played baseball and football.
He was a member of the Boiling Springs, SC Sports Hall of Fame. Through the years Carroll coached many young people, especially in baseball, and was a great influence on many lives.
He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force and retired from Sears after many years as a sales representative. He was a current active member of the East Asheville United Methodist Church.
He loved his family and enjoyed watching his grandchildren in all their sports endeavors. Carroll was a friend to everyone he met and his dedication was greatly appreciated, and he will be missed.
Ted Carraway 1934 - 2016
Ted Carraway definitely defined dedication, not only to the American Legion but also to the future of Post 70 baseball and the character-building of the young men that participated in the program over the years.
Ted had 52 years of continuous membership with the American Legion. During this time, he served as Post Commander on three separate tours and was a Post 70 Trustee for many of these years.
Ted was very active in all the Legion programs, usually being the first to arrive to welcome members and guests. He also enjoyed attending the state American Legion conventions and networking with legion members of posts from across North Carolina.
Of all the Legion programs, Ted's favorite was the Post baseball team. He was one of the first organizers and volunteers. His personal commitment has inspired the rest of us to push forward and create an excellent baseball program that allows young men an opportunity to America's game, form lifelong friendships and become all-around good citizens.
Ted was so proud of the baseball program and gladly volunteered his time until health problems made it nearly impossible to work. His efforts and dedication were greatly appreciated and he will be missed.
Clarence Eugene Hensley - 1932 - 2017
From Swannanoa, NC, Clarence E. Hensley died on 28 Oct. 2017 at the age of 85. After graduating from Burnsville High School, he became a member of the U.S. Air Force and served for four years in Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom.
Clarence was a member of both East Asheville United Methodist Church and NC Post #70 of the American Legion. He was buried at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
Paul J. McElreath 1908 - 2012
A native of Madison County, NC, Paul J. McElreath died on 14 Feb. 2012 at the age of 103! He was a veteran of the U.S, Air Force and served in World War II. A retired cabinet maker, Paul was a member of both the Newfound Baptist Church and Post #70 of the N. C. Department of the American Legion.
He was buried at Union Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the Buncombe County Veteran's Council.
Thomas Russell Everett 1897 - 1994
Mr. Everett is noteworthy for his dedication to the American Legion which awarded him a certificate honoring his 80 continuous years of membership! This award is now on display at American Legion NC Post #70 in Asheville, NC.
Born in Bullard, GA, Everett later moved to Bluff and Cochran, GA. Thomas Russell was eventually employed at the Penderlea School in Willard, NC (Pender County) where he lived with his wife Ruth.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Everett served in both World War I (Machinist Mate First Class) and World War II. He undertook training at the Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, IL; Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN; and Naval Radio School in Cambridge, MA.
Everett spent the last portion of his life in Asheville, NC where he died at the age of 97. He is buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Mount Olive (Wayne County) NC.
Bernard Kent "Corky" Briggs 1933 - 2013
"Corky" Briggs died on 30 Sept. 2013 at the Solace Center at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC. He was 80 years old. Mr. Briggs was a naval veteran of the Korean War and a member of Post #70 of the Department of NC of the American Legion. From 2007 to 2008, he was the Commander of that post.
Bernard was a member of the East Asheville United Methodist Church and a 32nd-degree Master Mason (Swannanoa Lodge #561). He was buried with military honors at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
Robert Pierce Ingle 1933 - 2011
Mr. Ingle was a member of American Legion Post 70 in Asheville, NC, the city in which he was born. By age six, Robert was working in his father's grocery store.
After graduating from Lee Edwards High School in 1952, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and achieved the rank of Sergeant. He opened the first Ingle's store in 1963.
Today, there are over 200 Ingle's Supermarkets employing thousands. Robert always puts a premium on fairness and honesty. He was known for helping those in need and contributed to many charities.