Andranik Ozanian - Retirement and Death

Retirement and Death

In April 1919 Andranik reached Etchmiadzin, the seat of Catholicos of All Armenians, was somehow beyond the jurisdiction of Katchaznouni's government, just 15 kilometers away. A 5,000-strong division had dwindled to 1,350 soldiers. As a result of disagreements Andranik had with the Dashnak government and the diplomatic machinations of the British in the Caucasus, Andranik disbanded his division and handed over his belongings and weapons to the Catholicos of All Armenians George V.

In Tiflis Andranik met with Evgeni Gegechkori and discussed the Georgian–Armenian War with translation of Hovhannes Tumanyan. Andranik then left for Constantinople via Batum. He arrived to Cyprus to lead the Armenian Legion, but the French refused his entrance to Cilicia. From 1919 to 1922, Andranik wandered in Europe and the United States trying to find support for the Armenian refugees.

In late 1919 Andranik led a delegation to the United States to lobby its support for a mandate for Armenia He was accompanied by General Jaques Bagratuni, Captain Haig Bonapartian, and Lieutenant Ter-Pogossian. In Fresno he directed a campaign in which he raised $500,000 for the relief of Armenian war refugees. When he visited America, all the Armenians, from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, gave him an enthusiastic reception. Americans were amazed and they asked: "Who is this man?". "He is the George Washington of Armenians", was the answer everywhere, and the Americans honored him by letting him sit on George Washington's chair, which was an unprecedented honor. In Paris the president of the French Republic, Poincaré also paid him tribute by giving a reception in honor of him.

When he returned to Europe Andranik married Nevarte Kurkjian in Paris on May 15, 1922. Boghos Nubar was their best man. Andranik and Nevarte moved to the United States and settled in Fresno, California. In his 1936 short story Antranik of Armenia famous American writer William Saroyan described Andranik's arrival: "General Antranik came to my home town . It looked as if all Armenians of California were at the Southern Pacific depot at the day he arrived." Then Saroyan continues, "he was a man of about fifty in a neat Armenians suit of clothes. He was a little under six feet tall, very solid and very strong. He had an old-style Armenian mustache that was white. The expression of his face was both ferocious and kind."

In his 1979 novel Call of the Plowmen, which was written based on Makhluto's memories, Khachik Dashtents, describes Andranik's life Fresno. Note that Andranik's name is changed into Shapinand in the novel.

After clashing with the leaders of the Araratian Republic and leaving Armenia, Shapinand settled in the city of Fresno, California. The basement of his house was converted into a hotel. His sword, Mosin rifle and military uniform hung from the wall. This is also where he kept his horse, which he had brought to America aboard a steamship. Those weapons, that uniform, the grey papakhi, the black boots, and lion-like steed – this was the personal wealth he had come to possess throughout his life. His business no longer had to do with weapons. Shapinand spent his free time making small wooden chairs in his hotel. Many people, refusing to buy the quality American armchairs, bought his simple ones, some for use, others as souvenirs.

In February 1926 Andranik left Fresno to reside in San Francisco in an unsuccessful attempt to regain his health. According to his death certificate found in the Butte County records, Andranik passed away on August 31, 1927 at Richardson Springs, near Chico in Northern California. Angina pectoris was indicated as cause of death. On September 7, 1927 a city-wide public attention was accorded him at his funeral in the Ararat Cemetery, Fresno. The New York Times reported that more than 2,500 members of the Armenian community attended memorial services in Carnegie Hall in Midtown Manhattan. His remains were then moved to Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris in early 1928.