With a population of between 50 and 60 thousand, Fresno, even in those days, was quite a convention city. She has since grown to close to 180 thousand within her city limits. Missing from the scene today are the big, yellow street cars that once "clanged" their way on Fulton, Fresno and Tulare Streets. They have been gone for some time now and quiet, shaded malls with fountains have grown over their tracks. Let us go back a bit further into our nostalgic thoughts and picture, if we can, the old greystone City Hall that housed Police Headquarters on Broadway, directly across from the still standing Fresno Hotel. What meets the eye there now is a black topped parking lot. Out founding fathers of Footprinterism would no doubt be confused today should they return to this intersection of Broadway and Merced Streets. The Fresno Hotel back in 1929 was quite the hostelry and housed many famous show people and name bands during their billing at either one of these two theaters, The Pantages and West Coast Wilson. You are no doubt wondering what all this "hodgepodge" has to do with birth of our organization. Believe me, friend, they are relevant facts and instrumental in motivating one man toward an idea. 

A convention of the California Division of the International Association of Identification, hosted by William F. Jones, Sheriff in Fresno on May 9, 10,11, 1929. A delegation of men from the San Francisco Bay District, members of California State Division, International Association for Identification, namely: 

• W.E. Schoppe, Superintendent, Natl. Auto Theft Bureau 
• M.L. Britt, Agent, Natl, Auto Theft Auto Bureau 
• C.M. Christensen, U.S. Postal Inspector 
• Robert H. Morse, Office of U.S. Postal Inspector 
• Philip E. Geauque, U.S. Secret Service Agent 

These gentlemen were a bit chagrined, when they found out that the host (Sheriff Jones) had not made any provisions for entertainment during the stay of the convening visitors. However, their persuasiveness soon won over the Sheriff's sanction and with the cooperation of the following local men: 

• William G. Walker, Fresno Chief of Police 
• Gerry F. Potts, Natl. Auto Theft Bureau 
• William "Dusty" Rhodes, Sheriff, Madera County 

quickly set up a program of fun and frolic. 

A large suite was rented at the Fresno Hotel and that became the "Hospitality Room." Its popularity grew in no time at all, and this, by word of mouth only. One man, when asked how he had found the suite, said it was simply a matter of following the footprints in the corridor. This incident, no doubt, had much to do with the later concoction of the word "Footprinter." History, at this point, becomes a bit vague as to what libation was offered during this era of prohibition, but no doubt the "Purple Foot Gang of Fresno" was operating back then and made ample provisions of nectar. 

(Editor's note: Check the feet of any present day Footprinter of Fresno and see if you don't detect a slight tinge of purple - the true badge of a vintner.) 

Camaraderie reigned high in those rooms and lifted the spirits aloft after those long and grueling sessions of convention. As previously mentioned, this hotel hosted many people connected with the world of entertainment, so "the Committee" contacted the managers of the Wilson and Pantages theaters and asked if they might furnish the "boys" with some of their shows' acts during the final night's banquet on Saturday, May 11, 1929. Both managers graciously consented to do this and the professional touch added much to the festivities of the evening. It was during this gala event that Bob Morse turned to Phil Geauque and said, "We should start an association and call it the International Footprint Association." To Geauque's inquiry as to how and why he had come up with that thought, Morse replied, "Because we did such a good job of entertaining at this convention and the Footprinters would represent the fun or entertaining part of the organization." Morse assured Geauque that he was serious and said, "It is founded as of tonight." Geauque enthusiastically agreed to the plan. 

A convention held in San Francisco at the Whitcomb Hotel in 1931 drew about 300 members. It was at this gathering that the Association gained much impetus and its membership grew so fast that on January 26, 1932, they became incorporated, and since then the organization has been known as the "International Footprint Association, Inc." 

A meeting of the Board of Directors was held on June 6, 1935, in the city of Los Angeles. At this meeting it was voted to form the organization into chapters and each chapter being so formed would be subordinate to the Grand Chapter.. It was only fair and proper that San Francisco receive number one for their chapter because if it had not been for those men from that city in the early days, we probably would not now be enjoying Footprinterism. Subsequent chapters were formed in numerical order. 

It has not been the intent of this writer to bring out every minute detail nor to enter the name of every participant in the various events leading to the present time. The foregoing brief was presented only as a documentary of where, when and how the International Footprint Association, Inc. was originated. Data, here written, especially names and dates, were taken from history as compiled by Michael J. Strazzo, Grand Historian - 1929-1957. 

Chauncey Keosheyan
Past President
Fresno Chapter No. 11