A Brief History Of Rucker McAllister
Post No. 7, The American Legion
Compiled by C. Ross Myers
As a result of preliminary organizational work performed
by Dr. Marcus B. Kendrick, a mass meeting of veterans of World War I was
held in the City Hall at Brunswick on Sunday afternoon,
June 15, 1919, at which meeting a post of the American
Legion was organized. Dr. Austin was chosen as the post
command
er and J. The post was given the name, RUCKER-MCALLISTER, in
honor of the two local veterans who gave their lives in the
war; namely, Lovick Ray Rucker, of Brunswick, and James
Lloyd McAllister, of Mendon. The number later assigned to
this post by National Headquarters of the American Legion
indicated Rucker-McAllister Post No. 7 was among the
first posts to be organized in Missouri. There is a record that 34 members joined the post at its
first session, and their names are inscribed on the original
charter. Rucker-McAllister Post No. 7, the first of five posts to be
organized in Chariton County, continued to enroll a large
membership, except during the years 1924-27, when the
enrollment declined. The organization of the RuckerMcAllister
Drum & Bugle Corps in 1929 was doubtless the
principal reason for the increased interest in the various
activities of the post. Beginning with the year 1933, the
Drum & Bugle Corps attended every state convention of
the American Legion in Missouri until the members of the
Corps were compelled to discontinue the activity by
reason of failing health. The members of the post had always hoped to build a post
home. The acquisition of a lot in 1942 (formerly occupied
by the Presbyterian Church,) made it possible to develop
plans, but the lack of building material during World War II
compelled them to delay construction. In the meantime,
funds were raised in various ways, principally by donations
from post members and business firms of Brunswick and
friends of the post in Brunswick and neighboring
communities. In 1947, the following members of the
Building Committee were appointed: Tyson G. Nichols,
Chairman; James T. Corbin, Oma J. Medlin, Robert C. Kerby, and C. Ross Myers. Blue prints were drawn by
Ludwig Apt, a contract for the construction let, and by
November 11, 1948, the cornerstone was laid. Because of bad weather and lack of funds, construction
was delayed several times. It had been estimated that
$30,000 would be needed to build the Memorial Home, but
more than $55,000 was spent.
