General History of Viquesney's Spirit of the American Doughboy Statues

The Spirit of the American Doughboy is a pressed copper sculpture by Ernest Moore Viquesney (August 5, 1876 - October 4,1946), designed to honor the veterans and casualties of World War I. Mass produced during the 1920s and 1930s for communities throughout the United States, the statue's design was the most popular of its kind; spawning a wave of collectible miniatures and related memorabilia as well as numerous copies by other artists. Nicknames for the statue are "The Doughboy" and Iron Mike.

Viquesney, who lived from 1876 to 1946, devoted two years to perfecting what was to become his trademark. During this time he interviewed scores of World War I veterans, studied hundreds of photographs, and used two soldiers as live models. The finished product, completed in 1920, was a statue described by the Helena World as "the only true representation of the real Doughboy and his indomitable spirit." Viquesney's Doughboy monument, which was named the official World War I National Memorial, became extremely popular and was erected by towns across America until the late 1930s.

There are three versions of the statue: The pressed copper version mentioned above, copyrighted in 1920 and produced by Friedley-Voshardt Company of Chicago, IL, from 1921 to 1933; a rare stone version, copyrighted in 1922 and existing in only three locations (Madison, GA, Madison, WV, and Parsons, KS); and a cast zinc version (often copper-plated) copyrighted in 1934.

The statue depicts a doughboy walking through shattered tree stumps strung with barbed wire, his rifle in his left hand and his right hand held high above his head, clutching a hand grenade. The aggressive design and affordability of the statue made it extremely popular, and more than 150 copies of it were created for municipal memorials across the nation. The Smithsonian American Art Museum currently lists 159 locations. Of that number, 134 currently existing originals have been independently authenticated, and several have been identified as copies by other artists. Viquesney's actual brochures quoted a figure of over 300 by the late 1930s, claiming at least one in every state of the Union, but this is believed to be an inflated figure.

Installed in cemeteries, town squares, outside museums, parks, on courthouse lawns, and countless other places, the design is said to be the most-viewed example of outdoor statuary in the US (after the Statue of Liberty) although many people do not even realize they have seen it.

Two of the statues, both in Arkansas, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places - one in Helena and this one in Fort Smith.

The Victor Ellig American Legion Post #31 (named after the first soldier from Fort Smith, Arkansas to be killed in WWI) was always heavily involved with creating and promoting parks and playgrounds in Fort Smith. In 1928, the Commander Henry Armstrong was named permanent chairman of the city's parks and playgrounds commission. A committee was formed then, "investigating the immediate needs of Lewis Tilles children's park."

It was at about this time that the post began a drive to install a World War I memorial at Tilles Park. That effort came near fruition in April of 1930, when the Arkansas Legionnaire announced that an "announcement has been made that with the city park board paying $500 of the $1,000 necessary, a lifesize bronze statue of a Doughboy will be erected at the entrance to the Lewis Tilles Children's park, Grand Avenue, as a memorial to the men who served in the World War." The statue had already been ordered, and dedication was planned that summer.

Appropriately, the dedication was scheduled for July 4, 1930. More than 2,000 people gathered at Tilles Park that evening for a ceremony that "including the unveiling and dedication of 'The Spirit of the American Doughboy,' the first night tennis match ever held in the city, and a band concert." Mr. and Mrs. O.C. Ellig, Victor Ellig's parents, and several Gold Star mothers were in attendance. Dr. W.R. Brooksher, who led the committee that since 1928 had worked to acquire a World War I memorial, presented the statue to Victor Ellig Post No. 31 Commander John Coley, who in turn presented it to Henry Armstrong of the parks and playgrounds commission. Armstrong then formally presented the monument to Mayor Fagan Bourland. The statue was unveiled by "two little misses," Jo Ann Carroll and Nancy Mae Connor, and the ceremony ended with the singing of "America."

Fort Smith's Doughboy monument is not unique; it is part of a nationwide series of Doughboy sculptures designed by artist E. M. "Dick" Viquesney. Although the full number is uncertain, 136 Viquesney Doughboys in 35 different states have been identified as of 1991, and some experts consider it one of the most-seen pieces of outdoor statuary in the nation.

Viquesney, who lived from 1876 to 1946, devoted two years to perfecting what was to become his trademark; during this time he interviewed scores of World War I veterans, studied hundreds of photographs, and used two soldiers as live models. The finished product, completed in 1920, was a statue described by the Helena World as "the only true representation of the real Doughboy and his indomitable spirit." Viquesney's Doughboy monument, which was named the official World War I National Memorial, became extremely popular and was erected by towns across America until the late 1930s.

The Fort Smith monument remained in Tilles Park for half a century, but was warehoused by the city after frequent and substantial vandalism, including the destruction of the figure's rifle. After restoration by the talented artist Ralph Irwin of Van Buren, Arkansas, it was rededicated at its current location in front of the Ellig-Stouffer American Legion Post #31 (4901 Midland Boulevard) on Memorial Day, 1998.

Spirit of the
American Doughboy
Copyrighted By
E. M. Visquesney, Sculptor
Spencer, Indiana

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY
OF OUR COMRADES
WHO ENTERED THE SERVICE
OF THEIR COUNTRY
FROM FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS
AND WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN THE WORLD WAR

VICTOR ELLIG POST NO. 31
THE AMERICAN LEGION

[NOTE: Victor Ellig was the first soldier from Fort Smith, Arkansas to be killed in WWI. American Legion Post No. 31 was named in his honor.]

An old postcard showing the statue at its original location in Tilles Park on Grand Avenue in Fort Smith.

Ellig-Stouffer American Legion Post #31 is located at 4901 Midland Boulevard in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The "Spirit of the American Doughboy" statue is located in their parking lot and is visible to hundreds of people daily who pass by in their vehicles. At night the statue is lit by floodlight.

This American Legion post was named after Victor Ellig, the first Fort Smith soldier to die in World War I. He was shot through the heart by a German sniper while advancing on an enemy position on July 22, 1918.

The Arkansas Legionnaire called the Ellig post "a model organization" and "enthusiastic." For several years it was always among the leaders in the Legion's perennial state membership drives, being ranked as the state's largest at least twice, in 1923 and 1926.

This is not the original building of the post. The first building burned, and this one was built on the same site.