Tillman Webster

Tillman Webster was born on 7 May 1896 to Sallie Jones (1869-1953) and George Webster (1861-1945) in Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Webster’s siblings from his father’s first marriage include Fannie (1887-1954), Emma (1890-?), John (1892-?), Pearl (1894-1947), Frank Michael (1898-1940), and Leal (1900-?). After George Webster’s marriage to Sophia Nash (1872-1937), Webster had seven half-siblings, Daniel (1909-1992), Nathaniel (1913-1979), Louise (1915-?), Manuel Leroy (1915-2005), Altonet (1918-2015), Edwina (1921-?), Evelina (1925-2019), and Samuel Rudolph (1927-2009).

George Webster worked as a laborer; in the early 1900s, the family resided on Third St. (Lower Third area) in Alexandria. In the early 1910s, they moved to Polk St.- Tillman Webster resided in the “Kilpatrick Addition” of Alexandria, where he worked as a laborer for the Iron Mountain Railroad Yards (potentially the home of the Alexandria & St. Louis Railway Co. or St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Co.), and, as a concrete mixer.

Some time around 1917, Webster married Isabella Dorsey (1895-1972)- the couple may have had one child (no record of birth, death, name), and raised Samuel Rudolph Webster (1927-2009).

Webster enlisted in the U.S. Army on 30 March 1918, and was assigned as a Private to Machine Gun Company, 371^st Infantry Regiment, 93^rd Division. Information related to Pvt Webster’s travel to France is currently unknown.

Private Webster received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions near Ardeuil, France on 29 September 1918;

“The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private Tillman Webster (ASN: 2118125), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Machine-Gun Company, 371st Infantry Regiment, 93d Division, A.E.F., near Ardeuil, France, 29 September 1918. With three soldiers, Private Webster crawled 200 yards ahead of our line under violent machine-gun fire and rescued an officer who was lying mortally wounded in a shell hole.”

He also received the Purple Heart- details unknown.

“Private Tillman Webster, colored, of 1208 Lee St., Alexandria, La., who is in France with the American Expeditionary Forces, has been awarded the distinguished service medal by General Pershing for extraordinary heroism in action. This was announced by the war department at Washington on yesterday.

Webster, when here, was a concrete mixed [mixer] and is well known by the contractors in Alexandria, he having served under them in street and sidewalk work. He is a member of the machine gun company with the 371^st infantry…Tillman Webster is a son of George Webster, who is in the transfer business in this city. Tillman’s wife is Isabelle Webster. She resides in Cheney street with relatives during his absence.”

Pvt Webster and Machine Gun Co. left Brest, France on 3 February 1919 aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Leviathan, arriving in Hoboken, New Jersey on 11 February. Pvt Webster was Honorably Discharged on 4 March 1919.

Upon his discharge, Webster became a fairly successful lightweight boxer in Alexandria between 1921-1926,

“The preliminary bout scheduled between the local colored K.O. Sovereign, Tillman Webster, and his newest victim, “Big Boy”, will hold almost as much interest for the local fans as the main bout of the evening. Tillman Webster has the reputation of never letting ‘em stay longer than a round and a half, and after administering the sedative, he usually carts off his dead himself. Every one is sure of a good peppy scrap with Webster on the cards and this out will prove a great drawing card.”

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“Tillman Webster, local colored anaesthesian, has a new sacrificial victim and will provide a few thrills for the audience, and two other fast prelims have been arranged.”

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“Tillman Webster, who once rejoiced in the name of Kayo King, has joined the ranks of the ‘oncers’ with non to do him homage, due to the decisive defeat by Battling Jim, the Winnfield longboy, who came down like a wolf on the fold and carrying a nasty wallop in both hands, landed all over his ex-majesty…”

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“The semi-final mill brings together Tillman Webster and Kid Shorty, two dusky gladiators who are keen rivals for recognition in the mitt game.”

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“What appears to be one of the best cards yet presented to the public will be given tonight at the Alexandria auditorium when Tillman Webster, local K.O. king, meets Willie Jackson of Baton Rouge. Both men have been training faithfully for the past two weeks…It will be remembered that Tillman Webster stopped Fendee here in eight rounds not many months ago.”

“Tillman Webster, Alexandria negro lost little time in stopping Paul Jones, of New Orleans. Only one real blow was passed. Webster hit Jones and Jones hit the floor. It was near the end of the first round and the bell saved Jones, but he was unable to continue. Webster weighed 150 and his opponent six pounds heavier.”

Webster was charged in a variety of incidents over the decade, only convicted for one;

“Tillman Webster, charged with assault and battery. Sentenced to pay a fine of $10 and costs and in default of the payment of the fine and costs, to serve fifteen days in the parish jail, subject to work on the public roads. Tillman is the local negro who distinguished himself in France by going out under machine gun fire and rescuing the Captain of his command and for which he was decorated with a number of medals.”

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“Tillman Webster, negro, charged with theft, was discharged. The accused with charged with stealing three dresses belonging to Beatrice Whatley, young negro woman, valued at $11.19. The woman told the court that Webster did not steal the dresses.”

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“Tillman Webster and Joe Green, negroes, charged with assault and battery, were tried in city court today. Webster was found guilty and sentenced by Judge Voltz to pay a fine of $10 or to serve ten days in jail…The charges against the accused resulted from a fight between them in a negro saloon in Lee Street. Several witnesses testified that Webster attempted to attack Green with a knife but Webster denied that he had a knife.”

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In the 1930s, the family lived at 2240 Herbert St., where Webster worked as a cleaner, potentially for a dry cleaning service- at the end of the decade, living at 2721 Harrison St. In 1939, Webster noted a struggle to retain a job due to health issues,

“Webster, a former prize fighter, who lives with his wife and 11-year-old son, at 2721 Harrison Street, said he has been unable to obtain regular employment here since the first of this year. He is receiving no aid from relief agencies…Webster said that he wants and needs a job now, and that he is willing to do any kind of work.”

“Tillman Webster, negro World War hero, to whom tribute was paid by Louis A. Johnson, assistant secretary of war of the United States, in an address he delivered here during the state convention of the American Legion, for bravery in action, has been given a permanent position with the city garbage department, Mayor Lamkin announced today…Arrangements were made to send him to the U.S. Veterans’ Hospital, where he was a patient under treatment for some time. He has now recovered his health and has been given permanent employment by the city.”

In the 1940s, the family lived at 1007 Cherry St., where Webster worked as a truck driver for a construction company; the 1950s, living at 2340 Taylor St., and working at French Unique Cleaners (202 Jackson St.), a pressing/cleaning shop.

Webster was placed at the VA Hospital, Alexandria, and died there, on 29 January 1961 of an unknown cause. Webster was buried at the Alexandria National Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana.