The Francis Poindexter Collection

Francis Poindexter
1984.17.48

Francis Poindexter was born to Harry Timanus and Frances Adele (Kellar) Poindexter on February 26, 1894.  While little is known about the early years Poindexter spent in Kansas City, he created a detailed outline of the time leading up to his experience in the military.  Staff extracted much of the information concerning this period from a completed application for commission.  Along with this application, the Francis Poindexter Collection at the National World War I Museum includes several different two-dimensional artifacts selected for digitization:  letters of reference, school assignments, books, orders, newspaper clippings, and flight logs.

Known as a well-educated individual, Poindexter attended three universities between September 1913 and June 1916.  From September 1913-June 1914, Poindexter stayed in state, travelling to Columbia to attend the University of Missouri.  After one year, Poindexter enrolled at the University of Colorado for the summer session of 1915.  Upon completion of his coursework in Boulder, Poindexter transferred to the University of Virginia in September 1915.  While in Charlottesville, Poindexter participated in several activities, which included involvement with the university football team.  Poindexter also indicated on his application for commission that he excelled at geography, political science, and public speaking.

Poindexter on Horseback
Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, OK
1984.17.44

In June 1916, Poindexter returned to Kansas City where his father owned a successful business.  Situated at the corner of Broadway Boulevard and 8^th Street in downtown Kansas City, H.T. Poindexter’s Wholesale Dry Goods provided his son with the opportunity to earn a living at home.  From his arrival in June 1916, to his enlistment the following summer, Francis worked for his father’s company as a salesperson, buyer, and assistant manager.

After a year working for his father, Poindexter enlisted in the 2^nd Missouri Field Artillery (later the 129^th Field Artillery), on June 13, 1917.  While in the 129^th Field Artillery, Poindexter attended Divisional Officers Training School at Camp Doniphan, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Because of “low arches,” the program originally rejected Poindexter.  In August 1917, Poindexter received promotion to Regimental Sergeant Major where he handled regimental correspondence and instructed in detail work.

After completing the Divisional Officers Training School, Poindexter transferred to the Air Service and the School of Military Aeronautics in Austin, Texas.  From February 8, 1918, to April 12, 1918, Poindexter acted as a cadet pilot and on April 6, 1918, graduated with Class 38 from the School of Military Aeronautics. As the 129^th Field Artillery sailed overseas, Poindexter took his first solo flight in a JN-4 on May 23, 1918.

Poindexter's Flight Log
8-12 Entry Notes the Accident
1984.17.22

Poindexter continued his training at Wilbur Wright Field, in Fairfield, Ohio, and was assigned to flight duty July 7, 1918.  Just one month after his assignment, Poindexter was set to perform a routine flyover with the 246^th Aero Squadron for a military funeral near Springfield, Ohio; the maneuver proved catastrophic.  When his plane crashed due to jammed controls, Poindexter’s JN-4 was damaged beyond repair.  Poindexter, however, emerged from the recorded midair collision with serious injuries.  A local newspaper provided the following account :  “GRANDSON OF MRS. J.A. [Kellar] INJURED Springfield, Ohio, August 12.--Lieut. Francis Poindexter of Kansas City and Mechanic Spencer King of Indianapolis were severely injured when the airplane in which they were flying crashed to earth this afternoon near the business section of the city.  The fliers were in a squadron of six planes sent from Wilbur Wright Field to fly over the corteges of Lieut. Neil Adelsperger and Lieut. Harry Herr, Springfield soldiers who were killed in an airplane accident at Fort Worth, Texas, last Thursday.  Neither aviator’s injuries will prove fatal.”

Poindexter in Single Seat Airplane
1984.17.51

While Poindexter survived the accident, he received extensive treatment and extended observation at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland.  After much recuperation time, Poindexter returned to Austin, Texas, to serve as an instructor to cadets at the School of Military Aeronautics until his discharge in December 1918.  While in the military, Poindexter achieved the rank of 2^nd Lieutenant.

Poindexter returned to Kansas City to work for his father as the Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President of his company.  In September 1920, Poindexter married Ella Hughes Georgen and later the couple had three children.  By 1930, Poindexter had switched occupations to work in investments and life insurance.  Throughout his life, Poindexter continued to dabble in aviation, and even served on the civic committees in procurement of a municipal airport.  Poindexter died on July 1, 1967, at the age of 73.

Bibliography

Francis Poindexter Collection, 1917-1926. 1984.17. National World War I Museum, Kansas City, MO.

Kroll, H. D. Kelly Field in the Great World War. San Antonio, TX: Press of San Antonio Printing Company, 1919.